Inside Golf Issue 119 June 2015

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Issue 119 June 2015

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A constitutional crisis?

NORTHERN MIGRATION

Richard Fellner Group Editor richard@insidegolf.com.au @insidegolf

R

egular readers of this column will know that I rarely pull any punches when it comes to addressing the controversial topics in our industry—especially when the overall goal is to help drive change for the common good of golf in Australia.

This month, I’m focussing on a subject that can affect any golf club, whether large or small. It is a highly contentious matter, but one that requires discussion nonetheless.

I’m speaking about a club’s constitution. That treasured, precious and highly-protected document that is often mentioned only in hushed tones or whispers.

With more clubs under financial duress these days, the reason for discussing this topic has become more urgent.

As you know, I chat regularly with club members, General Managers or even Board members about the necessity for a club to be flexible in today’s difficult environment.

Flexibility is an unmistakable fact of life in the golf industry today. Clubs who are too rigid (or slow moving) are destined to run into further problems down the line, with little chance of surviving, let alone truly thriving.

So when I suggest to a club that they should consider, for example, offering or creating new membership options in order to help draw new potential members (i.e. a Family membership, 3-day membership, etc), I’m usually met with a gasp, and a whispered retort something along the lines of “Oh, that would require us to change the constitution! Our club could never, ever do that!”

A constitution is in place for many reasons, not the least of which is to ensure the long life of the club, and

to protect it from potentially harmful meddling by current and future custodians. In many ways, it is a contract between the founders of the club and its future guardians, with many safeguards put in place in order to make it as rigid as possible.

However, many people also understand that a constitution should also act as a living, changeable document; with enough leeway in order to adjust with the times. And in many cases, forward-thinking founders have included provisions to allow minor amendments or changes.

Problems arise, however, when a committee (or even members) consider their constitution to be an unbreakable, unchangeable, rock-solid document. They guard the document as if it were a sacred treasure that shouldn’t even be discussed, let alone changed.

Especially when you consider that some clubs report to me that their board/committee can’t even agree to change the brand of toilet paper in the stalls without getting into a heated debate. But when you consider how many clubs are losing members these days—and just how dire the circumstances are for many of these clubs—perhaps a slightly more flexible attitude is required? I’m not saying to throw out the baby with the bathwater, but rather suggesting that being open to a little bit of change might just keep your club from sinking.

And let’s face it, there are probably hundreds of old constitutional documents of now-defunct clubs, gathering dust in basements or attics somewhere. Who knows how many of these clubs would still be around if they’d only had the foresight to make a minor course correction when needed?

In a way, this “protectionist” attitude is like the Titanic, steaming ahead toward an iceberg. In this scenario, however, everyone sees that the iceberg is dead ahead, but the crew and Captain stubbornly maintain their heading, unable (or unwilling) to make a slight course correction to avoid the danger.

As always, I welcome your opinions and feedback.

Granted, changing or modifying a constitution is not an easy task.

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Aussie trio tops on Tour

IN THIS ISSUE:

14 INDUSTRY NEWS 19 GENERAL MANAGERS 20 COVER STORY 26 ON TOUR 28 AMATEURS 32 CLUBS 40 CLUB OF THE MONTH 44 GEAR 48 INSTRUCTION 51 GOLF NSW AND GOLF QLD 54 SENIOR AMATEURS 56 EVENTS 59 19th HOLE 62 YOUR VOICE 63 EVENTS CALENDAR 64 DEMO DATES 65 GOLF DIRECTORY

M

In Virginia, Western Australia’s Minjee Lee stamped her name on the LPGA Tour, with a victory at The Kingsmill Championship.

The 18-year-old former World No.1 amateur, who turned pro in September last year, set up the win on Sunday afternoon when she posted four birdies and an eagle between the 9th and 15th holes, leaving her at 16-underpar. Play was abandoned due to darkness (a result of a two-hour weather delay earlier in the round), forcing her to sleep on a four-shot lead prior to a Monday morning finish.

The 45-year-old Queenslander, playing for the first time since his father Ken’s sudden passing in April, captured his first win on US soil since the 2006 Bay Hill Invitational.

An emotional Pampling dedicated the victory to his late father.

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The South Australian has previously won the Western Australian PGA and the Vanuatu Open, with two victories in Canada.

Rod Pampling won his fifth career title in style on the Web.com Tour in South Carolina, leading from start to finish and finishing with an amazing 25-under total to win the BMW Charity Pro-Am by two shots over American Kelly Kraft.

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On the Monday, Lee three-putted the 16th hole to drop back to 15-under-par, but regained her composure with pars on the final two holes to post a final round of sixunder-par, 65, to finish at 15-under for the tournament.

“It was tough to focus but I spoke with my wife and my family about how to deal with it.

I had stuff written in my pocket to look at all day about him. I knew I couldn’t get ahead of myself, once you do you’ve got no chance.

I wanted to honour him. I know he was watching.”

Pampling will now turn his focus towards The Open Championship in July, as his runnerup finish at the Emirates Australian Open in November ensured a start at St Andrews.

“It’s [the win] certainly a very big step towards retaining my card and getting back on tour. But work has to be done, even the top 25 guys [on the Web.Com Tour] struggle to get early starts [next season],” he said.

Adam Bland (courtesy of Japan Tour) while Victorian Alistair Presnell shot a 70 to finish T14 at 16-under.

Meanwhile, in Japan, South Australian Adam Bland secured the best win of his professional career on the Japanese tour, taking the Japanese PGA Championship by three shots.

“But for now, it frees me up for The Open with not as much pressure to come back and play straight away.”

The 32-year-old Bland, ranked 320th in the world, began the final round with a six-shot lead, and despite two late bogeys carded a steady final-round 72 to win.

Fellow Queenslander Bronson La’Cassie fired a closing 67 to finish tied fourth at 20-under,

He pocketed around $300,000 for his first win on the Japanese tour, and took the top

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A nervous wait ensued as American Alison Lee had a chance to match the score with a birdie-birdie finish, but the 20-year-old’s parbogey finish dropped her to 12-under-par, finishing third behind Korean So Yeon Ryu at 13-under-par.

“I three-putted the 16th and was like `let’s just make two pars and get out of here, so I was a little bit nervous but glad I could get the win,” Minjee said.

“It gives me a lot more confidence to know I can win out here.”

Lee took home a cheque for around US$200,000 and gained a two-yearexemption, as well as a start in July’s Women’s US Open and the other majors for this year. •

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Cabban, Nisbet prevail in PNG

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www.insidegolf.com.au Publisher: Outdoor Sports Publishing Pty Ltd ACN 113 836 301 ABN 30 043 104 919 PO BOX 437, Miami, QLD 4220 Editor: Richard Fellner P: 0407 000 440 richard@insidegolf.com.au Chief Writer: David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au Design & Layout: Stacey Fortescue, Rhys Martin, Rob Kirk

GREEN JACKET: Josh Cabban accepts the South Pacific PNG Open trophy.

F

OUR months into his professional career, NSW’s Josh Cabban has won on the international stage.

The 22-year-old captured the South Pacific Export Papua New Guinea Open and with it a cheque for $27,374.

He must be wondering, “How long has this been going on?”

“When you look at the names of previous winners on the trophy I am very honoured to add my name to it.

“It is quite ironic that the winner receives a green jacket given I lost all of mine in the blue mountain fires a couple of years ago, this jacket will certainly be cherished forever.”

Prior to turning professional Cabban was a carpenter working for his father.

Starting the final round in a share of the lead with Kris Mueck, Cabban went on to shoot a 71 to Mueck’s 79.

Rounds of 71-69-65-71 for a 276 total gave Cabban a four-shot victory over WA’s Daniel Fox. Victoria’s Josh Younger finished third – one shot behind Fox. “This isn’t a position that I have found myself in before, so I am quite speechless to

have walked away with the win,” Cabban said.

“I love being a chippy though it was never something I really intended to do my entire life,” he said.

“After tasting victory today it is something I could definitely get used to and although it’s far more nerve-racking, it is far more enjoyable than being on the tools.”

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

CAN DO: Daniel Nisbet celebrates his Morobe Open win.

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“I have been thinking about winning my first four-round professional tournament for so long,” Nisbet said. “It is everything I ever imagined it would be.

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“In my first visit to PNG I really didn’t have any idea what to expect although I was really pleasantly surprised at the course, but more importantly the great hospitality the people have shown us this week has been second to none.”

For his effort, Nisbet banked a cheque for $20,000. •

MEANWHILE, Queensland’s Daniel Nisbet

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Sydney club swings $50m land deal; no cuts to course Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

S

YDNEY’S Strathfield Golf Club has provided the best good news story to hit the Australian golf industry in decades by securing more than $50 million in a residential land bonanza which will leave its golf course untouched.

Strathfield has sold 2.2ha of redundant land, on which its dated clubhouse, carpark and a practice range is located, to Brisbane residential developer Metro Property Development and financiers The Alceon Group.

The sale, sealed in late April by Colliers International Australia, made big news in the national financial press, given the hot Sydney real estate market and the site’s location about 15km west of the city’s CBD and 2km from the Homebush Olympic Games stadium.

The result is a huge bonus for Strathfield Golf Club, whose Board and Neil Hardy, the General Manager, had prepared diligently for this venture in the past few years.

“When we applied for rezoning of this land in 2012 we included a planning proposal which involved about 100 apartments and the Strathfield Council approved the subdivision on that basis,” Hardy says.

“We are delighted with the outcome because six months ago when we sought and gained enthusiastic approval from our members to press ahead with selling the land, we were given a valuation of about $34 million...so to receive what we have from Metro Property Development is a great result,” Hardy says.

“With a successful sale behind us, what we are focussing on now is a new clubhouse and the new course layout. A Master Plan is almost agreed upon and is expected to soon be shown to club members.”

Land for the clubhouse and even a new practice area has been set aside for some time in the club’s rework of the current layout by Sydney’s Jim Wilcher’s Golf By Design group, which has compiled an impressive scorecard at quality Sydney golf clubs in recent years, revitalising Roseville, North Rocks, North Turramurra, Elanora and now Strathfield layouts.

“We have about two years to move from the old clubhouse, but already we have a site set aside for the new building and plans are advanced,” says Hardy, who has about 20 years’ experience as a golf club manager, serving at Blackheath and Oatlands before joining Strathfield about seven years ago.

“We now are awaiting tenders from architects and seeking out other consultants because we have about eight months to get a Development Approval from the council for the new building.”

High-flying deal : The redundant off-course land sold by Strathfield Golf Club (Picture supplied by Colliers International Australia) Strathfield is justifiably excited about having their layout revitalised and one of the major benefits will be to get a first and 10th holes two-tee start configuration near the clubhouse

already inquiring as to when they will be available to buy off the plan.

One of the features of the redesign will be making more of the Cooks River which flows through the course.

“It is a winning situation for us and I think it is one of the best stories to hit the golf industry in a long, long time against so many bad news items at times.

“We are looking to drastically improve the Cooks River itself and make it a feature of the course with some of the holes crossing it,” Hardy says.

The developers are happy with the Strathfield site. Metro will seek a permit to build 310 apartments and townhouses with north-facing views over the golf course.

In regards to having a new clubhouse, specifically designed for modern-day use in regards to weddings and other functions, Hardy sees that as a valuable and necessary source of income.

Metro chief executive Luke Hartman told The Australian Financial Review newspaper that he hoped to start marketing the first stage by the end of the year.

“Golf clubs can’t survive these days on member subscriptions alone,” he says.

“Strathfield’s new clubhouse will be purpose-built with many exciting quality features providing more opportunities.

“I inspected the new Huntingdale clubhouse in Melbourne recently and it is fabulous. It boasts so much useful technology which could not be added on to an existing golf clubhouse.

“The proposed development of apartments and townhouses has proved popular with Strathfield club members with many

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“It’s our first apartment site in Sydney and we expect a strong owner-occupiers interest, as well as interest from the investment market,” he said.

Colliers National Development Sites Residential Director Guillaume Volz is enthusiastic about the possibility of golf clubs looking at residential developments.

“The Strathfield sale was well contested by offshore developers and local buyers, with the result demonstrating the confidence in the Sydney residential development market, that has shown continued strength into 2015,” Volz said. •

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Trainees to tackle Ballarat Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

T

rainee professionals can expect less brutal course conditions for this year’s PGA National Futures Championship at Ballarat Golf Club after it secured the right to continue hosting the world’s richest trainee tournament for the next three years.

This year’s Futures Championship will be held from October 20 with close to 120 players competing for a share in the $55,000 prize purse.

Ballarat Golf Club said feedback from the 2014 instalment has been overwhelmingly positive but it will try to avoid a repeat of the 2014 scoring, which saw only one player finish the 72-hole event under par.

“We want them to enjoy it and not make it too difficult,” said Ballarat Golf Club general manager Michael Phillips.

“A lot of that was the wind but we’ll definitely look at how we can better set the course up. The greens were super-fast. The PGA (of Australia) is quite keen to work with us on that, which is great.”

As part of a more favourable course setup, Phillips intimated the club would avoid growing long rough into either side of its fairways as it looks to give players a wider target to aim at from the tee.

Meanwhile, Ballarat Golf Club admits it may scrap its welcome dinner for players on the eve of the event, which was held at the club in 2014.

“The welcome dinner for us was great to have at the venue, we had a good guest

speaker, but the people that were there were just the PGA trainees and their caddies. How we can better engage the community and get the community involved in the event, whether a welcome dinner isn’t the right way to go, obviously we want to look at that.”

Ballarat’s landmark tourism site – Sovereign Hill – is being considered as a venue if the welcome dinner goes ahead.

“Sovereign Hill, being such an important destination in Ballarat, we just saw that as a good link. They believe that it’s important to host events in Ballarat and get people coming to Ballarat.”

Ballarat Golf Club has been in talks with the PGA of Australia to look at ways to create added exposure for the tournament.

It will look at expanding its Open Day, which brought about 100 people to Ballarat

Golf Club on the Sunday during the 2014 event.

Dozens of children benefitted from free coaching from trainees during last year’s Open Day and the club revealed it will work with the City of Ballarat to engage local multicultural groups to appeal to non-golfers in the Ballarat region.

Last year’s Futures Championship enjoyed an international flair with two New Zealanders, one UK golfer and a Canadian trainee competing and Phillips expects the PGA to again pursue overseas players.

“They’ll send out the invites again to the top trainees in New Zealand, the UK as well,” Phillips said.

Phillips expects the PGA of Australia to also attempt to lure trainees from the United States. •

Take a stroke for stroke Golfers of all ages and abilities will be able to take their best shot at a million dollar hole-in-one at an Australia-wide amateur charity golf competition to be held this month.

Take a Stroke for Stroke is the brainchild of Gary Begg, a professional golfer who says the event combines his passion for golf with his drive to raise money for charity.

“This event is all about getting people to get out and have a go on the golf course and importantly raise awareness about strokes and what they can do,” Begg says.

“This is the first event of its kind in Australia, offering participants the opportunity to take a shot at a million dollar hole in one at the National Final on the NSW Central Coast.

“Golfers all around the country can enter the first-stage of the competition via a gold coin donation at their local participating golf club or driving range.

The first stage will be held at participating golf clubs around the country starting on June 1st. The National Final will be staged at Mercure Kooindah Waters, where participants will have the chance to shoot for a million dollar hole-in-one in December.

As an inclusion to the million dollar holein-one, entrants will be in the running to take home $1.5 million in prizes including one of 150 sets of premium Wilson clubs just for a NTP. A portion of the proceeds raised from the first stage of the competition will be donated to the National Stroke Foundation.

More: www.takeastrokeforstroke.com

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www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

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Superstorm fails to KO Sydney clubs for long Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

T

HE worst wind and rain storms to hit Sydney and nearby coastal regions this century cut a swathe of damage through many golf courses late in April, but amazingly all were back in play within a few days.

The accompanying amazing pictures bear witness to the devastating power of the 150kmh winds, 300mm rain deluges and even hailstorms, which overwhelmed many golf layouts.

And yet, from all reports to Inside Golf and a widespread survey by the Golf Course Superintendents Association, no golf course was out of play for more than about a week.

It was an outstanding testament to the far more sophisticated drainage and design improvements of most courses and the expert and enthusiastic use of better technology and practices by superintendents and a willing army of club member volunteers.

Probably the most dramatic – but thankfully not the worst damage or effects – were experienced at the site of this year’s Emirates Australian Open, The Australian Golf Club at Kensington in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

As the pictures taken by the club’s course superintendent, Phil Beal in the AGCSA’s

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

newsletter The Cut show, in just a few days The Australian was battered by the storms with 210mm of rain flooding parts of the course.

Wet and then icy: The Australian (pictures Phil Beal)

And then, spectacularly, just as it was beginning to dry out it was carpeted in a massive hailstorm.

However Beal and the Australian’s chief executive Rob Selley have no doubt the famous layout will be back to its immaculate best when Jordan Speith defends his Open title in November.

The most severely damaged course probably was the famous Newcastle Golf Club layout at Stockton near Newcastle, where it’s estimated by course superintendent Matt Goodbun that more than 400 trees -- ranging from small saplings to huge angophora eucalypts were destroyed by the 150kmh winds. With about 300mm or rain also flooding the tree-lined layout, many stands of ti-tree also were decimated.

The flag was intact but it was tough putting on the par three 11th green at Cypress Lakes after the storm. (photo courtesy James Harris, Cypress Lakes)

news

Manly GC (photos courtesy of Michael Bradbery)

Killara GC (photo courtesy of Ryan Fury) probably suffered the worst with the nearby Manly Lagoon flooding across the low-lying layout.

Course superintendent Michael Bradbery told the AGCSA newsletter The Cut, he and his staff could only watch as his course, which received in excess of 200mm of rain, slowly submerged as the adjacent Manly Lagoon rose to 2.2m, its highest level since 1981.

Toukley Golf Club (picture courtesy Jenny Davidson) Aided by about 20 club-member volunteers, his crew of workers and arborists Goodbun was delighted that the course was back in play in a week.

Goodbun, who has been superintendent at Newcastle since 2005, said effects of the storms were “pretty ugly” and the “worst damage” he had seen in his time there.

Not far away from Newcastle in the Hunter Valley, the glamorous Cypress Lakes had about 300 trees blown down. At one stage the situation was so concerning guests were evacuated from the property for a couple of days.

to superintendent David Warwick “We haven’t had any bunker erosion in our new greenside capillary concrete bunkers, but the fairway bunkers were a real mess,” he said.

South of the Harbour Bridge, the Royal Sydney Golf Club at Rose Bay had more than 180mm of rain drench the course and strong winds left plenty of debris.

The course started disappearing when the water reached about one metre, so several hectares of the Northern Beaches course was submerged for more than 24 hours, including two greens.

NSW GCSA president Steve Jacobsen, the course superintendent at Carnarvon Golf Club, reported to the GCSA that his layout had recorded 200mm of rain in two days up until 10am Wednesday.

However, despite at one stage oncourse staff traversing one fairway in a rowing boat, unlike previous years when the course would be out of play for weeks, it was business almost as usual a week later.

However, another 50mm downpour between 10am and 11am saw his shed flood in a matter of minutes while the dams and creeks on course overflowed causing widespread flooding.

Manly’s Director of Golf, PGA professional Philip Baird, said the rapid recovery of the course was due to the quick response by on-course staff and the sophisticated drainage and improvements provided by the Thomson-Perrett layout redesign in recent years.

Avondale Golf Club had more than 250mm in a couple of days, according

One of the most viewed images on social media involving flood damage was Liverpool Golf Club’s ninth hole which ended up with Sydney’s only water-locked island green after the Georges River burst its banks.

However Liverpool has learned its flood lessons well over the years and its drastically improved drainage system allowed golfers to be back swinging on the course within a week.

However Cypress Lakes also was able to recover quickly and despite all of the bunkers being out of play was back in business in about a week.

Golf Development Manager James Harris, a PGA professional, said that there had been no serious damage to residences and that course staff had done a remarkable job clearing the debris.

Carnarvon GC (photo courtesy of Steve Jacobsen)

South of Newcastle Toukley Golf Club, which is adjacent to Budgewoi Lake, at one stage had a metre of water across most of its course.

Yet it too had 18 holes back in play about a week later and remarkably, just over a fortnight later, staged the NSW Superseniors Championship.

Across Sydney many clubs had flooding tales of woe and Manly

Liverpool’s island green (picture courtesy Peter Summers) www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

11

news

Top prize up for grabs at Bribie Island

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OU have to be in it to win it … and it’s definitely worth winning.

The dates have been set for the 2015 Isuzu Queensland Open to be played from 20 to 23 August at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club.

The second Bribie Island Invitational is an exciting multi-round single stableford event open to men and women.

Naming rights sponsor, Isuzu, is proud to be aligned with the historical Championship which will celebrate its 90th year in August after first being played in 1925.

Bribie Island Golf Club, located mid-way between Brisbane and the heart of the Sunshine Coast, is hosting the event.

“Players can play in any of the eight qualifying rounds, which are generally played on the second Friday of each month,” said the club’s general manager Steve Middleton.

Last year’s winner Andrew Dodt hopes to return to Queensland in August after continuing with his winning form which saw him claim the Thailand Classic on the European Tour earlier this year.

“If a player finishes in 1st to 5th place, they qualify for the final round where they will be playing for the opportunity to win the major prize sponsored by Coca Cola Amatil.”

“Winning the Isuzu Queensland Open in 2014 at the Brookwater Golf & Country Club is definitely a highlight in my career and certainly an achievement I will never forget,” Dodt said.

“The major prize is a trip for the winner and their partner to the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast.”

It includes accommodation for two nights, one-day entry to the championship, entry to the Coca Cola Hospitality Tent, a round of golf at one of the Gold Coast’s finest resort courses and dinner at one of the Gold Coast’s many restaurants.

“There is a major prize for men and one for ladies plus the qualifying is separate for men and ladies,” Middleton said.

“Monthly prizes are for 1st to 5th place as well as nearest-the-pin prizes of Coca-Cola products.

The next event is on Friday, June 12 followed by rounds on July 10, August 14, September 11 and October 9.

The Invitational final is on November 6 (qualifiers only).

In addition, golfers can test their skills on Bribie Island’s championship course by playing in the Men’s Blue Tee Challenge or the Women’s White Tee Challenge.

“These events are played off the longest courses for both men and ladies in the traditional single stroke format,” Middleton said.

“They are generally played on the last Friday of every month and

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Dates set for Isuzu Queensland Open

“I have always wanted to win my State Open and to be able to do it in front of my family and friends was a really proud moment.

they provide a true test of golf.”

Aside from a good test of golf, there are many prizes.

The Blue Tee Challenge winner receives a new golf bag while the second prize is a dozen Pro-V1 golf balls.

The first prize for the White Tee Challenge is a golf shirt and second prize is a golf hat or towel.

“Every player in each event who breaks their handicap will receive a dozen golf balls,” Middleton added.

“Golfers are invited to play in this great event on a great course and enjoy our Island hospitality.”

Next Events: Friday, June 19, July 31, August 28, September 25, October 30 and November 27.

For information, call the club on (07) 3408-2484 or visit the website www.bribieislandgolfclub.com.au •

Sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Isuzu Queensland Open attracts a strong field which along with prizemoney also competes for Official World Golf Ranking Points.

“It is wonderful to have the Isuzu Queensland Open back on the PGA Tour of Australasia schedule for 2015,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia which owns and manages the PGA Tour of Australasia.

“Since the tournament’s return to our schedule it has become a favourite amongst players and has attracted strong fields evidenced by 2013 champion Nick Cullen going on to win the Australian Masters and defending champion Andrew Dodt winning his second European Tour title this year.” www.golfqueensland.org.au

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industry news

Mercure Gold Coast Resort completes multimillion-dollar update

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he Mercure Gold Coast Resort is set for a major renaissance following the completion of a dramatic multimillion dollar hotel upgrade.

The extensive redesign and upgrade is the first major renovation at the property since it opened its doors almost 17 years ago amidst the Gold Coast’s “Green Belt” and five affiliated championship golf courses – Lakelands, Palm Meadows, Robina Woods, Colonial and The Glades.

The hotel’s General Manager, Jamie O’Donnell, who has overseen the rejuvenation project, says the enhancements reinforce Mercure Gold Coast Resort’s position in driving a new generation of sports tourism and business for the region, beyond the beach and hinterland.

“Astounding guests with the transformation and restoring the hotel to its former glory is a project I’ve been very proud to lead,” said Mr O’Donnell. “We’re delighted with the result, and Mercure is now poised to reclaim its place as one of the region’s premier sports, events and leisure destination hotels”.

The transformation of the Mercure Gold Coast Resort was completed in consultation with one of the country’s leading hotel refurbishment interior design teams In Design International, led by designer Penny del Castillo.

The redesign extends to major central facilities in addition to almost half of its guest rooms (152 rooms with golf frontage, and all golf view rooms of 280 rooms).

Mercure’s public area update is punctuated by a new-look lobby, state of the art reception area, and modern restaurant and bar.

Other additions include a private dining room overlooking the pool, and new walls and banquet seating in the restaurant to

make way for a broader variety of dining and catering options.

Mercure Gold Coast Resort is regarded as an iconic sports tourism hotel for the region with a strong track record in supporting major events - not least of all, with the adjacent world-class Palm Meadows course, which has hosted a wide range of international tournaments over the last 25 years.

Mr O’Donnell said, “Our challenge was to build upon our existing infrastructure and history, and we made a strategic investment decision to revitalise and enhance our appeal, in order to capitalise on the hotel’s location in the heart of a burgeoning sporting hub.

“This decision was further supported by the hotel’s close proximity to the Cbus and Metricon Stadiums, attracting NRL and AFL business, which has allowed us to broaden our cache as a true sporting destination in recent years aside our significant golf course

offerings.”

Opened as the Raddison Gold Coast Resort in December 1997 and rebranded by the Australia’s largest hotel operator, Accor, in November 2012, the Mercure Gold Coast Resort is ideally situated between the Gold Coast’s legendary beaches and the rainforest retreats of Springbrook and Mt Tamborine.

Guests have access to the hotel’s extensive resort facilities, including a day spa, driving range, two outdoor pools, four floodlit tennis courts, a fully equipped gymnasium, sauna and an outdoor spa.

The resort is particularly well designed for conferences, events, incentives, weddings and other functions, with a capacity for up to 700 delegates. Facilities include 10 versatile conference rooms and three outdoor venues.

For more information visit www.mercuregoldcostresort.com.au •

Revamped Sun City impresses Golf professionals were put to the test at the Yanchep Golf Estate Sun City ProAm at Sun City Country Club last month, where six redesigned holes were played competitively for the first time.

Rising to the challenge and finishing seven-under-par with a score of 65 – a new course record – Busselton’s Brody Ninyette took top honours in the field of 37 professionals, pocketing $2,245 in winnings. He was closely followed by South Australian Tom Bond who finished fiveunder-par with a score of 67.

The Sun City Pro-Am was the first time the redeveloped holes, designed by Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead, had been played competitively in a professional tournament.

Ninyette commended the redevelopment of the course.

“The course conditions are getting better and the greens are getting faster and faster.

Everyone at Sun City (Country Club) should be proud,” said Ninyette.

Speaking on behalf of the professionals, PGA Australia State Manager (WA/ NT) Joshua Madden said the Sun City Country Club is “a gem of the golf course,” adding that the players were particularly complimentary of the new holes.

More than 90 amateurs joined the professionals at the Pro-Am, playing in the Assisted Ambrose competition.

“Our pro was extremely professional, but very friendly and cooperative. He gave hints and tips and was very understanding of our abilities – or lack of. It was a great day out,” said amateur player and Sun City ProAm regular James Graham from RJ Vincent.

More: www.suncitycountryclub.com.au.

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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industry news

Walkinshaw Sports announces acquisition of CGS

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alkinshaw Sports Pty Ltd last month announced the acquisition of wholesale golf business Cooperative Golf Services (CGS). This will see all existing international distribution agreements held by Cooperative Golf Service for this region now fall under the Walkinshaw Sports banner. Walkinshaw Sports have taken this strategic move at a testing time in the golf industry, but aim to strengthen their brand position with an aggressive mindset throughout the region. This new enlarged business model along with the winning philosophy which is ingrained in the Walkinshaw Family businesses, indicates they’re committed to golf and not just motor sports or a high performance vehicle manufacturer.

Walkinshaw Sports will have small team of sales, brand manager and assembly based at the Ashmore office, with the assembly of Tour Edge hardware continuing to operate from the Tour Edge approved facility on the Gold Coast. The majority of the product and brands will be distributed out of the Walkinshaw Sports Head Office warehouse in Melbourne.

“This is just one of many steps in our strategic business model aimed at forging and servicing stronger partnerships with our green grass, off course and retail business partners around Australian and New Zealand.

We will continue to look for opportunities that will strengthen our offering and position to the retail golf sector” said Daniel Harrap from Walkinshaw Sports.

In February 2011, Walkinshaw Sports took the reins of Australian iconic golf brands PGF and Optima that are still today strongly endorsed and supported by the Australian and New Zealand golf consumer. Walkinshaw Sports continue to invest in the research and development of these iconic brands to meet the needs and extremes of the Australian and New Zealand conditions.

Walkinshaw Sports have also recently signed distribution agreements with leading international apparel brands Travis Mathew and Jofit. These brands will add another dimension to an already strong representation in golf and lifestyle apparel with Cross Sportswear, Nancy Lopez Golf and Sligo Wear currently represented and now joining the portfolio will be OGIO. •

Free online booking/marketing site for clubs Golf Cloud and On Course Golf have partnered to bring an innovative private, cloud-based, club marketing and booking system to clubs across Australia.

Golf Course Select is a web-based system free for all clubs to use. It provides online bookings and group deals feefree, with the payment of booking fees going straight into the club’s private account. The system also provides Geo Location searches, allowing golfers to search for available tee times by locality and distance. Private booking sheets are available, and integrated group marketing alternatives will help increase visibility, attract new players and raise revenue throughout the clubs. Clubs can promote dining and accommodation options, whether it is play and dine or play and stay packages. Online bookings for lessons are also included. With the private payment gateway, all booking transactions are direct, removing any delay in the receipt of funds from the sales.

By offering every club a free online booking system or booking link, Golf Course Select expects to become the largest online golf booking website in the country. Whether or not your club has a website and an online booking system, it delivers a new course of action to help increase revenue by targeting a large active player base. To find out more, and to see how to set your club free today, go to http://golfcourseselect. com/v1/promote_your_course

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PHONE: 02 9634 2499 EMAIL: admin@chcc.com.au WEB: www.chcc.com.au ADDRESS: Spurway Drive, Baulkham Hills 2153

www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

15

from the ceo

Time to Get Real with your golf stats

Do you have a passion for a career in golf?

This month, the PGA of Australia is running a series of Careers Information Nights for anyone interested in applying for one of the PGA’s training and education programs. These nights will include guidance and information on entry criteria for each program, program cost, completion requirements and expected outcomes.

“For individuals seeking a career as a PGA Professional working as a Club Professional, Director of Golf or Golf Coach, the information night will outline the entry and completion requirements of the PGA’s Trainee Program,” says PGA National Training and Education Manager, Geoff Stewart “In addition, the evening will outline the benefits of PGA Membership and the accreditations, qualifications and opportunities available to Trainee Program graduates.

“For those interested in a career in the business of golf as a golf operations or golf club manager, the information presented will also encapsulate the courses offered by the PGA IGI, including the Diploma of Golf Management and the Advanced Diploma of Management.

“Also included in the night will be the PGA Performance Program – a 1-year game improvement program offered by the PGA Centre for Learning and Performance. The Performance Program also incorporates nationally accredited training via the completion of a Diploma of Sport Development.”

The evenings will also include information on how to gain a Tour Card on the PGA Tour of Australasia or articulate into higher education studies from the PGA programs on offer.

Dates: VIC: 16th June, Sandhurst Golf Club, 6pm-8pm.

NSW: 18th June, Avondale Golf Club, 6:30pm-8:30pm.

QLD: 25th June, Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club, 6pm-8pm. WA: 24th June, Wembley Golf Course Complex, 6pm-8pm. * check club websites as dress code policies may exist.

More: www.pga.org.au • InsideGolfAd_PTSEvolution.pdf

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4/6/15

4:05 PM

Karen Lunn

Executive Director – ALPG

C

oming from someone who took up the game of golf in 1977, you can imagine the changes in technology I witnessed throughout my playing career!

Bigger golf balls and drivers, all different kinds of shafts and clubs, shapes of grooves, titanium putters, the advent of rescue/ hybrid clubs and, more recently, tracking technology. Then there is the physical and mental training professional golfers are required to do these days as well.. there is very little that resembles golf as I first knew it back in the 70’s!

One of the great technological advances to the game in recent years enables golfers of all levels to keep their stats for every round electronically through an App called Get Real Golf Stats, or GRGS as it is known on Tour.

GRGS have partnered with the ALPG Tour and also the USLPGA Tour, along with the PGA of Australia.

Get Real Stats is an Australian company co-founded by golf professional Josh Marris and professional tour caddie Brendon Forster. Since its launch in February last year, GRGS is now being used by thousands of golfers around the world, including more than 50 LPGA Tour players and more than 100 tour pros on the ALPG, Ladies European, Australasian, European, Asian and Japanese tours, US mini tours, US Collegiate and High School teams and by PGA golf instructors.

Some of the notable LPGA players using GRGS every week include ALPG star Katherine Kirk, Anna Nordqvist, Beatriz Recari, Pernilla Lindberg, Ilhee Lee, Sandra Gal, Maria Jo Uribe, Airya Jutanugarn, Moriya Jutanugarn and Jennifer Song.

Katherine Kirk says of GRGS “It’s the best program I’ve used... and the easiest. Keeping stats is the best way to evaluate your game and see what areas you need to work on.”

Unlike other programs or apps that require you to input your stats for each round, you simply record each shot hit in a round of golf and GRGS calculates all your stats instantly. Entering a round is as simple as recalling where each shot was hit from and the result.

As soon as you have recorded your round, you will have access to more than 250 of your stats, including many of the stats used by the PGA Tour. You can also check your stats for a particular round, or only your tournament rounds.

GRGS lets you filter through your rounds to compile statistics however you desire; by event type, course, date range, score, weather conditions, green speed, and much more. You can even compile two sets of stats and compare them side-by-side, allowing you to see trends and track performance over time.

Whether you are a coach or just want to know how you fair against your playing partners, GRGS is a fantastic tool to have.

The Clubhouse is a unique feature where you can connect with other golfers and have instant access to all their rounds and statistics, making it possible to analyze their game or compare them to yourself or any other golfer in your Clubhouse.

The platform is designed also to enhance the coaching experience for both players and coaches. Whether you are an amateur or professional, play once a month or 5 times a week, GRGS will allow you to get the most out of your game.

Both Brendon and Josh are both passionate not only about their product but about contributing to growing the game in Australia.

They have kindly provided complimentary Platinum Membership for all ALPG members and Next Generation Club members and have committed a percentage of their profits to the ALPG in order to assist us in growing the game.

This really is an amazing app, if you are a golfer who is looking to improve your game or a club golfer who would like to compare your game with other people this is the app for you.

For more information go to the GRGS website www.getrealgolfstats.com •

from the ceo

Fiji International set to impress...again Brian Thorburn

Give your club a ‘health check’

CEO – PGA of Australia

Stephen Pitt

T

he Fiji International is one of the most exciting developments for Fiji golf in recent years and we, at the PGA of Australia, are delighted to be running this vibrant addition to the Tour of Australasia..

Played at the spectacular Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course, the tournament delivers substantial economic and tourism benefits to the South Pacific nation. Now in its second year, the Fiji International is a key attraction on Fiji’s event calendar as the South Pacific’s most prestigious golf tournament, co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia.

Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course provides one of the most stunning backdrops in tournament golf and last year attracted significant interest from fans and Professionals worldwide. Designed by former Masters champion Vijay Singh, Natadola Bay is renowned for its gleaming backdrop of coral reefs and the Pacific Ocean which lines 15 of the 18 holes and is a must-see course for any golf enthusiast.

This year, fans can expect to see the regular big name professionals from Australia, New Zealand and Asia with announcements expected shortly about other international professionals set to play the Fiji International.

Scheduled for the week following the Presidents Cup in Korea, preparations are well underway for another unforgettable week of golf.

A tournament of this stature would never be the success it is without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers.

Volunteers are an important component to running any tournament and this year the Fiji International will require around 300 volunteers to assist across various areas of the tournament. Volunteering at the Fiji

CEO – Golf Australia

T

he health of our clubs is hugely important to Golf Australia.

It was identified in our strategic plan released this year as being a key focus area, and also in our participation plan of 2013, and it is critical to the game in this country. It is as simple as that.

There are roughly 1600 clubs in Australia, and our research tells us that around half of them are under some kind of financial duress. Many of them are effectively run by volunteers; all of them are key stakeholders in our game.

International provides a great opportunity to get inside the ropes at a PGA Tour of Australasia tournament, receive major event experience and soak up the traditional Fijian culture of this magnificent pacific island.

Volunteers may find themselves assigned to various duties that are crucial to the overall running of the tournament, including but not limited to, walking scorers, spotters, scoreboard attendants and driving range staff to name a few. Both international and local residents are welcome to apply as a tournament volunteer.

The Fiji International will be played from October 15 -18 and will also be broadcast internationally. Tickets, travel and hospitality packages are now available along with information about how to become a tournament volunteer. If you would like to be part of Fiji’s most prestigious golf tournament as a either a spectator or volunteer, get into the swing at www.fijiInternational.com

They need help and this is why Golf Australia, in a collaborative initiative with the peak bodies in the game, has launched a club support portal on our website, at http://clubsupport.golf.org.au/ aimed at improving the capability, financial performance and sustainability of our clubs.

Golf Management Australia, Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Australian Sports Commission.

Clubs who use the resource will find that it carries a health check tool which takes around half an hour to complete, and even offers up potential actions to address problems. It also includes a club benchmarking tool developed by Golf Management Australia, where clubs can compare themselves with others.

The state bodies are coming on board.

Several have already agreed to employ specific staff to help out golf clubs with issues.

At Golf Australia, we urge clubs to consider using these tools and draw upon the expertise that exists in the industry. Golf clubs are an unusual business and they are difficult to run, with a massive asset to maintain. In the modern environment, consumers are not necessarily wanting club membership because of time constraints.

Clubs need to adapt to this environment but we are on hand to help.

It’s quite an interesting idea, which we have taken from a look at England Golf, as well as other sports in Australia such as bowls and cricket which have gone out of their way to provide support mechanisms for their clubs.

We see it as Golf Australia taking leadership in this area, but we also needed buy-in. This is why it has been done in cooperation with the state and territory golf associations, the PGA of Australia,

Demo the new Ping G30 range in your area, and get a perfect custom fit with your size and your colour.

Get fit today Turn to page 64 for a complete list of fitting days this month

www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

17

golf management

Women and Internationals to present at GMA National Conference David Allen

Executive Officer, Golf Management Australia (GMA) eo@gma.org.au | 0410 225 545

T

he GMA National Conference 2015—to be held at Jupiters Gold Coast from Sunday 30th August to Thursday 3rd September—will have a strong representation from both the fairer sex and international speakers.

One of the key subjects identified by way of a previous survey to GMA members was “Membership and Women”.

With this clearly in mind, GMA has engaged the services of Amanda Stevens to provide a keynote opening presentation on the subject “Understanding the relationship between Women and Golf Clubs”.

Amanda is an expert on marketing, sales, customer service and the future of consumers.

Amanda delivers a very simple yet powerful message and reveals the secrets to gaining 85% market share. Amanda’s energetic, humorous and memorable presentation style will help to shift thinking and give ideas that increase sales and profits at clubs by better understanding how to predict and meet the needs of female consumers.

Amanda’s expertise has been sought by retailers, banks, insurance companies, franchise groups and even political parties – both in Australia and the United States. Her unique ability to combine consumer insights with innovative thinking and solutions that grow business in any climate means she makes a powerful and memorable addition to any conference line-up.

As a speaker, her ideas are current, relevant, tailored and backed by extensive experience.

For over 15 years, Amanda ran one of the most respected marketing, research and PR agencies. She now juggles over 80 speaking engagements a year with several board positions and consulting projects.

Drawing on an impressive and entertaining

PGA and Cancer Council launch golf community partnership The PGA of Australia has launched a new community partnership with Cancer Council, aimed at supporting the charity’s messages of research, prevention, support and advocacy.

range of insights, Amanda will deliver inspiration, innovation and motivation on this interesting subject.

Amanda’s presentation will focus on:

The partnership aims to educate the Australian golf community on cancer risks and change unhealthy behaviours, with a view to creating a national legacy and an example for all sports.

- What are the barriers for Women to consider joining a golf club?

- Who should change? Women or the Clubs who are trying to attract them?

- As Boards of golf clubs are predominantly male, what do men need to learn in regard to the “buying and embracing” techniques and needs of women?

- What do golf clubs and managers need to do to make their Club more appealing to Women?

- Who needs to be part of the solution to address the inequity between men and women in a golf club? Can other stakeholders besides clubs and their managers contribute to the solution?

To round out this “female focused session”, GMA has invited media personality KerriAnne Kennerley to dig deeper into some of the secrets behind getting more women interested in playing golf and potentially joining Clubs. Kerri-Anne, who is a Golf Australia Board Member, and a playing member at The Australian Golf Club, is well placed to offer some insight into the subject of women and golf!

The GMA National Conference 2015 will also provide input and education to those in attendance from personnel representing many of the major golf organisations throughout the world.

We are therefore also delighted to announce that Claire Middleton, Club Development Officer of the Scottish Golf Union will be attending and presenting at the Conference.

Claire’s role is primarily responsible for business planning, marketing advice, governance reviews as well as other support tools and education opportunities for both paid staff and committee volunteers with best practice guidance in managing a golf club in a

more businesslike manner, based on changing consumer behaviours in what is a transition period in the club industry.

Claire speaks at the CMAE Education week Management Development Program (equivalent of CMAA BMI) in both Scotland and Ireland on the subject of Club Marketing and regularly throughout Scotland sharing research, the trend implications, and best practice guidance with clubs.

For at least 10 years, membership of private golf clubs in Australia (and generally internationally) has been reducing. Clearly, this is a serious message to all golf clubs that an on-going future cannot be assured while these numbers continue to occur. Some clubs are now holding discussions with other neighbouring clubs with the prospect of amalgamation or joint facilities.

Claire will be presenting on the subject “Membership Trends and Consumer Behaviour - A UK Perspective”.

Among many things, she will be discussing what some of the apparent trends across the UK in golf club membership are.

Another critical area will be changes in consumer behaviour and how they have been observed in the UK market, along with what this means for golf clubs and opportunities to attract more people to consider club membership.

The GMA National Conference 2015, partnered by Schweppes, is an event not to be missed by golf administrators serious about taking their clubs to the next level and beyond.

More information: www.gma.org.au •

The PGA will also encourage its network of PGA Professionals to fundraise on behalf of Cancer Council throughout the year; building on golf’s already substantial contribution to charity.

“This year numerous personal battles have emerged from within our membership and highlighted the need for all of us to increase our level of awareness and action when it comes to the fight against this disease,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

Whilst the program will aim to educate the golf community on numerous fronts related to Cancer Council’s core programs, the organisation’s SunSmart message will be a key focus of the partnership.

With the average golfer spending approximately four hours in the sun for every round of golf played, golfers are one of the high risk communities for skin cancers in Australia.

Each year, about 2,000 Australians die from skin cancer, with two in three Australians to be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70.

“One in every three cancers can be prevented – and there is more that we can all do to cut our cancer risk. We are looking forward to working closely with the PGA of Australia on how golfers can make simple, every day changes that will cut their cancer risk and set a great example for the wider community,” said Cancer Council Victoria CEO Todd Harper.

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interstate series

Victoria sweep Interstate titles

V

ictoria completed an unprecedented clean sweep of state teams’ titles last month, downing Queensland 5-3 in the men’s final at Huntingdale.

A day after winning the women’s championship at Royal Melbourne and less than a month after winning the girls’ and boys’ trophies in South Australia, history was made when Brett Coletta sealed his No.3 match 3&1.

As the rest of the results fell Victoria’s way, the party began for the home teams with the women’s squad watching in support.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” Ben Eccles said after his match with Simon Viitakangas was halved, earning the Victorian skipper a medal as one of three unbeaten players for the week with five wins and two halves.

“To have the girls and boys, then the women all win, we were really keen to get the four up today and it couldn’t have worked out better.

“It’s a really proud day for me, but mostly the state – to do that for the first time ever is almost unbelievable.

In the consolation matches, New South Wales finished third with a hard-fought 4.5-3.5 win over Western Australia. In the playoff for fifth, South Australia breezed past Tasmania 6-2 with Antonio Murdaca winning the top match against Greg Longmore 2&1. •

The victorious Vics (courtesy Golf Australia)

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Commonwealth, Huntingale take Vic pennants THE 2015 Victorian pennants came to an exciting conclusion at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club last month, with Commonwealth and Huntingdale capturing the Men’s Division 1 and Women’s Division 1 titles, respectively.

Commonwealth won its second consecutive title by defeating Victoria five and a half matches to one and a half. Huntingdale surprised previously unbeaten Victoria to win its first Division 1 Pennant since 2006 and the club’s 13th Division 1 Women’s title since 1910.

A total of 28 out of the 48 competing clubs were represented in the 2015 GV Pennant across six Men’s divisions, five Women’s divisions and six Colts divisions. Contests were played at four host venues in Royal Melbourne, Southern, Patterson River and Kooringal Golf Clubs.

The 2015 finals again saw clubs with multiple teams in finals scheduled at the same venue. Of the five clubs who had the chance of taking out multiple flags, Commonwealth, Eastern and Latrobe were ultimately successful with dual victories.

The 2015 Men’s Pennant Finals saw the remaining Divisions won by Royal Melbourne (Div 2); Gisborne (Div 3); Goonawarra (Div 4); Chirnside Park (Div 5) and Eastern (Div 6).

Women’s Finals winners: Kingston Heath (Div 2); Riversdale (Div 3); Latrobe (Div 4) and The Heritage (Div 5).

Commonwealth took out the Division 1 Colts Final for the fourth year in succession by defeating Waverley three matches to two. The remaining Colts finals winners: Metropolitan (Div 2); Heidelberg (Div 3); Latrobe (Div 4); Eastern (Div 5) and Cheltenham (Div 6).

World Class Golf Course in the Outback

www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

19

US Open preview

Chambers Bay a stiff US Open examination

Chambers Bay Golf Course. Host venue for the US Open. Photos courtesy USGA.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

I

T will be interesting to see how the players react when they take on massive rolling fairways, towering dunes and undulating greens, coupled with the unpredictable coastal winds, during this year’s US Open at Chambers Bay – a Robert Trent Jones II masterpiece.

There just might be a few moans and groans as the players tackle this links course created to be an inspired tribute to the ancient links-land of Scotland.

Well, this is the US Open and it’s about providing a thorough examination.

The course will definitely test the best players in the game, but there are a couple of

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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In the lead-up to the US Open, four local

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US Open preview

Did you know?

1. Around 10,000 competitors on handicaps of 1.4 or less enter the US Open. They are professionals and amateurs, teenagers and seniors, teachers and firefighters representing more than 75 countries.

Only 156 players will make it to the first tee on June 18 with the top 60, plus ties, qualifying to play on the weekend.

2. The US Open champion receives the trophy for one year, a Jack Nicklaus Medal, a US Open exemption for the next 10 years and an invitation to the other majors for the next five years.

3. Tickets to the US Open sold out months prior to the June 18-21 event. In midApril, only practice day tickets were available at $50 per person per day or $100 for the three days leading up to the first round on June 18.

4. Four players share the record of four US Open victories – Willie Anderson (1901’03-’04-’05), Bobby Jones (1923-’26-’29’30), Ben Hogan (1948-’50-’51-’53) and Jack Nicklaus (1962-’67-’72-’80).

pros – brothers Michael and Andrew Putnam, Andres Gonzales, and Troy Kelly – played there and provided an insight into the course’s subtleties.

Michael Putnam, who has played in three US Opens, says Chambers Bay is a challenging, but fair course.

“This is a British Open-style course with fescue greens and firm fairways,” he said on the club’s website www.chambersbaygolf.com He added that any previous US Open experience probably won’t apply here.

Gonzales, who has played in one US Open, believes it will be a test keeping the ball on the short grass.

“You have to keep the ball on the ground and roll it around the course rather than hitting high shots,” he said.

Kelly, playing Chambers Bay for the first time, made an interesting observation.

“I think it’s really going to be interesting with the weather because it could be cold, rainy and then there’s the wind,” he said. “If the wind gets up it could be nasty.

“It’s going to be a tough test. I’m tired from walking the course for the first time – it’s quite a hike.”

with the forward tees measuring just 5100 yards, but the course will stretch to 7585 yards (6935m) during the US Open.

Michael Putnam, who plays the course regularly, said he was learning new things about the course all the time.

The beauty of Chambers Bay’s greens is that the chip shot can be of any variety – a putt, bump-and-run or a lob-wedge for the brave player.

“There are plenty of places where not to go,” he said.

Brother Andrew found himself in one of those “no-go” areas – the new fairway bunker on the 18th hole.

The bunker is so deep it requires stairs.

But the pros will know it’s ‘game on’ as early as the 151m par-3 third hole.

The hole is called Blown Out, aptly named because of an invisible hazard called wind.

A deep bunker on the left guards the kidney-shaped green and a swale off the putting surface collects shots struck too long.

The players will have to work hard here to avoid a scorecard blowout.

All these options require nerve and careful thinking due to the course’s tight lies.

I’m sure stunning Chambers Bay golf course will challenge the players more than it will frustrate them.

Show me the money IN 1898, US Open champion Fred Herd was asked to pay a security deposit on the US Open trophy.

US Open golf officials made the request just in case the Scotsman decided to sell the chalice for drinking money.

Apparently, tournament officials failed to realise the Scot was far more likely to fill the cup with whiskey than flog it.

Chambers Bay has multiple tee positions

www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

21

US Open preview

Mr S ripe for US Open picking David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

A

LL the usual suspects will be there.

They will arrive, some in red-hot form – others not.

The punters, too, will line up and attempt to pick out one.

The usual suspects are the US Open pretournament favourites at Chambers Bay Golf Club on the shoreline of Washington’s lower Puget Sound from June 18-21.

There will be Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Adam Scott, Phil Mickelson, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, defending champion Martin Kaymer, Justin Rose, Patrick Reed, Jim Furyk, Ernie Els and Tiger Woods.

Without doubt, McIlroy and Spieth will be at the top of everyone’s win list.

Both are in form with Spieth, the Masters champion, picking up seven top-10s in 11 starts while McIlroy has wins at the Dubai Desert Classic, the Wells Fargo Championship and the WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship, as well as a number of runnerup finishes.

Mickelson, who turns 45 two days before the tournament starts, is desperate to win his first US Open to add to the Masters, Open Championship and US PGA.

Scott, Day, Watson and Rose, who won in 2013, are difficult to judge and could be there or thereabouts when the final putt drops.

Els and Furyk are playing well and both have won the US Open, but father-time is almost against them. Both are 45 years old.

F rom hero to zero

Still, Hale Irwin was 45 years and 15 days old when he won in 1990 so they have reason to dream.

ENGLAND’S Cyril Walker surprised himself when he won the US Open in 1924.

Weighing just 53.5 kilograms, the slightly-built Walker thought he might be among the leading group after the first 18 holes and then fade away.

The odds of reigning champion Kaymer winning back-to-back are slim.

Only six players have achieved this in the tournament’s 120-year history – Willie Anderson (1903-05), John McDermott (191112), Bobby Jones (1929-30), Ralph Guldahl (1937-38), Ben Hogan (1950-51) and Curtis Strange (1988-89).

Dustin Johnson is a solid choice.

At the time of writing, he had played eight tournaments for five top-10s including a win at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship in March. Impressive.

He is yet to win a major and it will be interesting to see how the game’s longesthitter tackles this links-style layout.

If he comes up 30 metres short of the green, will he throw his lob wedge high in the air from a tight lie, putt or play a bump-and-run shot using his three-metal. Chambers Bay head pro Brent Zepp favours the bump-and-run from tight lies.

www.brisbanegolfclub.com.au

June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Jordan Spieth

And Tiger, well, who knows with him.

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

22

Rory McIlroy

Adam Scott

Rickie Fowler

Sergio Garcia is desperate to get the aging monkey off his back and win his first major, but as each one comes and goes, the pressure mounts.

Jimmy Walker, who already has two wins this season, could pose a threat along with Fowler.

Young Rickie was the best performer in the four majors last year finishing top-five in all.

Fowler’s form (12th at the Masters) is solid, with three top-10s and a win from 11 starts this season. Don’t leave him out of the equation.

Any of the above players could win the US Open, but so could of a lot of others.

“It takes a strong man to stand the strain of 72 consecutive holes in two days,” he said at the time. “I’ll crack on the second day.”

Well, he didn’t capitulate and went on to defeat Bobby Jones by three shots, but things would come to a disappointing end.

Towards the end of his career, he moved to Florida only to lose his savings in a failed real estate investment and had to take up caddying to make a living.

When the US Open returned to Oakland Hills CC 13 years later, Walker was invited back to honour his win.

The club put him up in a local hotel but when the tournament ended, he refused to leave.

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US Open preview Why? Because the favourites don’t always win the US Open.

There have been plenty of surprise winners down the years. Think Lucas Glover, Michael Campbell, Steve Jones, Andy North, Corey Pavin, Dick Mayer and Jack Fleck who defeated Ben Hogan in a playoff in 1955.

Who would have picked last year’s winner Martin Kaymer?

Yes, bizarre things do happen when it comes to the US Open and is likely to happen again this year.

Chambers Bay is a links-style course, which might favour the Europeans – McIlroy, Rose, Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter, Garcia or South African Louis Oosthuizen, who won the Open Championship in a canter at St Andrews in 2010.

Four of the past five winners have been European. Graeme McDowell in 2010, Rory in 2011, Rose in 2013 and Kaymer last year.

American Webb Simpson won in 2012.

That’s why I am tipping Henrik Stenson.

I don’t know why, but I have a gut feeling.

The 39-year-old Swede won the Race to Dubai and has three top-10s from eight starts this season.

Okay, he is not overly long off the tee, but his driving accuracy and his greens in regulation percentages are at more than 72 per cent.

He ranks second in strokes gained, tee-togreen and first in strokes gained, putting.

I know – I’ve been known to jinx players I predict will win.

Anyway, Stenson’s challengers could well be Japan’s Heidiki Matsuyama, who has seven top10s from 15 starts this year, and Brooks Koepka, a big-hitting American with a bright future.

He has not missed a cut this year, has three top10s and is ranked 20th in the world.

Of the Aussies, I like the way Day is going about his work and Scott, well, he’s just one of the game’s great ball-strikers.

If Adam “Come on Aussie” Scott can sort out his putting woes, look out.

But weird things do happen at the US Open and it will happen again when Mr Stenson hoists the trophy.

Martin Kaymer

Jason Day

Henrik Stenson

US Open lost in 10 seconds IN 1985, American Andy North won his second US Open title when he edged out TC Chen, Denis Watson and Dave Barr by a single shot.

So what, you say.

Well, TC Chen double-hit his way to a loss, but Zimbabwean Watson could have won the tournament.

A silly first-round brain-fade cost him two strokes and possible victory.

Playing the eighth hole, Watson had a three-metre putt for par. The ball rolled to the edge of the hole and stopped.

Dustin Johnson

Phil Mickelson

G

CLU

As Watson walked off the green thinking he had made par, a USGA official sidled up beside him and told him to add three strokes to his score – one for the tap-in he didn’t have and two for violating Rule 16-2.

The rule says a player is allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay and an additional 10 seconds to determine whether the ball is at rest.

If by then the ball has not fallen into the hole, it is deemed to be at rest.

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OL F

Unfortunately, a player is allowed only 10 seconds after reaching the hole.

Upcoming Annual Events

LD

E FI

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Watson wandered up to the hole, waited

more than 20 seconds for the ball to drop – it did.

B

CITY OF ORANGE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

3-5 OCTOBER 2015

ANNUAL VETERANS’ TOURNAMENT

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Enjoy a long weekend of golf in NSW’s premier food and wine district and play on each of Orange’s magnificent golf courses - Duntryleague Golf Club, Orange Ex-Services Country Club and Wentworth Golf Club. The three courses are played over three days, with $6,000 worth of prizes to be won. This is a championship event not to missed!

Further information is available from Golf Orange Website www.golforange.com.au This longstanding and popular Tournament includes three days of golf at Duntryleague and a Presentation dinner on the Wednesday night. Accommodation is available on site in our famous 14 room mansion.

Numbers are limited to 216 players.

Further information is available from our Tournament Director - Beryl Pearce – 0428 622 300 - beejaber@gmail.com

LADIES’ OPEN TOURNAMENT

26-30 OCTOBER 2015

HAHN GOLF OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

7-8 NOVEMBER 2015

STEVE CONRAN JUNIOR TOURNAMENT

22 NOVEMBER 2015

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16-19 JANUARY 2016

The Ladies’ Open Tournament is a much anticipated Tournament on the Duntryleague calendar.

The Tournament will include golfing events each day and some great social events as well.

Accommodation is available on site in our famous 14 room mansion.

Further information is available from our Ladies Captain - Maria Crawford – 0427 618 164 - dandmcrawford@bigpond.com

(Golf NSW Vardon Event & Senior Event in conjunction) These two days of golf are not to be missed. Saturday and Sunday Championship with individual daily events in conjunction. Test yourself against some of the best players in Australia.

Accommodation is also available on site in our famous 14 room mansion.

Please contact the Golf Shop on (02) 6362 4072 for further enquiries.

A chance for up and coming juniors to experience one of Australia’s best regional courses.

The Tournament is a must in every junior’s golfing calendar. Parents can relax and enjoy the hospitality and beauty of Duntryleague or take the opportunity to enjoy all that Orange has to offer.

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This 54 hole Individual Stableford Tournament continues to grow and is limited to 180 players to ensure comfortable play for everyone. It is open to anyone with a Golf Australia handicap.

Duntryleague is one of the best regional golf courses in Australia and is constantly in the top 100 courses each year. Entry fees for the Tournament are excellent value at $299 which includes golf, welcome cocktail party, Monday BBQ and Gala presentation dinner. Magnificent local wines, beer and soft drinks are included for the welcome cocktail party and Gala dinner.

Only 3½ hours from Sydney | Ph: 02 6362 3466 | www.duntryleague.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

23

industry people

Ian Edwards, founder of MGI A Quick-9 with:

Tell us briefly about the history of MGI. I started the business in September, 1993 from home. What motivated me was necessity, as I had two children in school and needed to earn a good income to provide for them. The electric buggy business was small in Australia and historically, retailers did not stock electric buggies.

I suppose my father really got me started as he called and asked if I could get him an electric buggy (as I was working in the golf industry)…so I contacted a company in Queensland and the gentleman running the business said if I wanted an electric buggy, ‘do you want to buy the business?’ He was prepared to sell me the stock he had…so that is where it started. I needed to sell 200 to break even and sold 1,000 in the first year of business. My first office was located in Park Orchards, Victoria and in 2002 we moved the business to Nunawading, which is still our location today.

We are now number one in the remote control electric buggy industry worldwide and have 80 percent of Australian share in the electric buggy industry. Nowadays, retailers aren’t taken seriously if they do not carry an electric buggy and MGI has on average 3-4 buggies on retail floor with most shops.

What is the most unique aspect about MGI? What makes it a great business?

Introducing Our businessReliant ethos is toAGM be thewith best atC-Max what we do and not accept second best. To

You recently made a giant step in the overseas markets by exhibiting at the PGA Show in Orlando. Tell us about that experience, and/or other overseas endeavours.

learn from our mistakes and always remain motivated to improve ourselves. Not giving in is the MGI DNA and this is what makes it unique and a great business.

The reception of the new Quad Series at the PGA show was a great success. We even picked up new accounts in some new markets.

Tell us about your staff, and what it’s like to work with family in the business.

The last 15 years has allowed us to dip our toes in the water of the export business.

Exporting from Australia is a challenge in terms of reputation as Australia has little experience at a global level in selling manufactured products. To be successful I believe you need to have a desirable product at a global level, and provide a product that the world market wants. What Australians want can be very different to what the world wants, which is why we have designed the new Quad Series for golfers around the world, with the Quad Series being a true global product and due to its compact size, it easily fits into the trunk of a car.

In total we have 35 staff which includes three family members; two daughters and one brother. This business has given me the opportunity to see my daughters, Miranda and Carrie, and my brother Neil, most days of their lives. It has strengthened our personal and professional working relationship together…And I know they have our best interest at heart because it is a family business. I believe family is the most important thing in one’s life. I have been working with family in the business for 10 years now.

You recently designed and released the Quad and Tri series of buggies. What are you most excited about with these products?

The Quad is our biggest innovation yet in electric golf buggies. This is in addition to the Gyroscope technology on the Navigator we designed – which makes it number one in the world. The market seems to be full of three-wheel electric buggies and there was a need for four-wheel electric buggies.

We proved a four-wheel would work and showed it is more stable with the different Technology terrains. It also allows them to be more compact with the two wheels to the side TRJN_AlcoBattery2012_P1.pdf

1

5/17/12

7:55 AM

Ian Edwards, founder of MGI. of the design as opposed to out the front (like the three-wheeled buggies). It has captured the imagination of the retailer as it is something exciting and different and also gives the golfer a reason to update their model with a new four-wheel design.

For all the people who love their threewheeled buggies, we will also be launching a new Tri Series this year, but I believe the Quad Series will lead the way in the export business.

TRJN_AlcoBattery2012_P2.pdf

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5/17/12

7:56 AM

Our aim for exporting is to export worldwide and into new markets over the next three years, with a goal of exporting the same numbers of what we sell within Australia. Our move into exporting will begin with the new four-wheeled electric buggies in the Quad Series. At the moment we currently have USA, Europe, Canada and some countries in South America covered.

It is an exciting time in the business as the global market means further growth and to export will not have a great impact on our existing operations as we already have systems in place and the production line to manage the global demand. We will TRJN_AlcoBattery2012_P3.pdf

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5/17/12

7:57 AM

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

industry people simply be increasing our output and MGI will become available in more countries around the world.

While MGI is primarily known for your exceptional buggies, you also have the Sureshotgps brand in the market. How is that brand tracking, and what are you excited about with the latest technology in that arena?

About 10 years ago I wanted to put golf mapping on a golf buggy as it would make MGI different to everyone else. It was going to take a lot of technology and the opportunity presented itself to purchase Sureshotgps 10 years ago. Apart from electric buggies it has been one of our greatest successes. Since then we have proven to be the only company that has done this.

Sureshotgps is the only Australian company owning its own GPS business as most companies are based overseas with a distribution company in Australia.

Sureshotgps is a technical business and we have dedicated in-house team members who can assist customers with their technical enquiries. We have a hotline dedicated for our customers and retailers if they need any technical assistance whether it is mapping related, software or hardware support.

We have handheld devices, watches, voice devices and lasers. Lasers are a great innovation in golf although they may not be the product for everyone as they require you to have very good eyesight.

There is always innovation going on and it’s more about what the GPS can do for the buggies. The future of Sureshotgps and how they will work with buggies include: helping our buggy get around the golf course; avoid any hazards like bunkers and water; our buggies will understand the layout of the golf course. This will provide the golfer a much easier game of golf.

What is your greatest achievement, so far, in the business? [chuckling] I hope I haven’t had my greatest achievement yet!

Being number one in Australia for electric buggies for a long time is a huge achievement. A ‘long time’ being the key words as not many businesses survive a long time. I have seen many companies come and go. I am thinking about the next 10 – 20 years after celebrating 21 years in business last year. I am proud that I have grown the business and provided stability.

Having family wanting to be part of the long-term future of the company and creating a positive work environment have been huge achievements as well.

Golf is currently undergoing a difficult phase. What do you think needs to be done to re-invigorate the game?

Like all sports they go through cycles and golf is no exception. The obstacle is overcoming the belief you need to play 18 holes and it is a long game. But in fact you can play a shorter game and go for 6 or 9 holes. It needs to provide for those who want to play the game but don’t have the time to play 18 holes.

What are your main goals for MGI moving forward? What’s in store?

The main goal for MGI is to be less reliant for the Australian market and expand the business so the Australian part of the business accounts for 50 percent of sales and the export side accounts for the other 50 percent. I believe if we get this right we will be around for another 50 years. If we can have 80 percent of the Australian market share there is no reason why we cannot have a solid share of the global market. We would also like to increase our Australian share to 90 percent over the coming years.

Ian with the new Quad series at the PGA merchandise show in Orlando, Florida.

Bonus question: Do you play golf yourself?

Any other sports?

I play golf twice a week (Thursday and Saturday afternoons) and am a member at the Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne (handicap: 14.3). I have been a member there for 20 years. What I love about golf is the walk, the friends, the competition, the fun,

the travel opportunities and never knowing if you will play well. As for other sports, my first love was tennis and I also play twice a week generally. I am a member at Kooyong.

And I think tennis is also going through a lot of changes as well. We need to encourage people to go out and play sport as it brings our community together and bonds them.

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Accomodation included. Twin share ocean view room Green fees Golf carts 6 day tour includes Pittwater cruise Breakfasts and some dinners included 3 day and 6 day tours available Small or large groups welcome Opportunity to talk to us and create a tour to fit your needs Use of a bus and driver if you want to plan your own day or evening out!

A choice of many beautiful golf clubs to play at including Mona Vale, Monash, Bayview, Long Reef, The Lakes

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www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

25

on tour

The State of the Aussie game on Tour Garrett Johnston

@johnstongarrett

H

ow does the state of the Australian game look on the US PGA Tour level at the moment?

Remember what last year brought us, with enthralling first-time wins for Matty Jones and Steven Bowditch as well as wins for John Senden, Jason Day and validating triumphs for Geoff Ogilvy and Adam Scott?

2015 has yet to be as lucrative for the Aussie brigade, although Day delivered a mighty playoff win at Torrey Pines in February.

So where might the help come from? Day himself is concerned being the youngest Aussie mainstay on the US PGA Tour.

“I think the state of the Aussie game is good but I think we need some younger guys,” the 27-year-old said. “I’m the youngest Aussie out here. We need some younger Aussies to come out and play. Obviously we need (Oliver) Goss and Cameron Smith and a bunch of the other guys that are coming up through the ranks right now.”

Goss is ranked 33rd on the Web.com Tour presently with three top 12’s in six starts.

Cameron Smith finished tied for 5th at the CIMB Classic in November-his first ever PGA Tour event-yet missed the cut in his next four.

Those two appear to need more time before they come up and support Day near the top.

The bigger picture here is although there are some strong Aussies toward the top of the rankings, there’s not the volume of players many are used to seeing at one time. Ian BakerFinch, who won the Open Championship in 1991 and finished the year ranked 11th in the world, is a little concerned about future of Australian golf on the big stages.

“I think we’ve had a good group of players for many, many years. In the 90s we had ten guys in the top 100 in the world. We’re actually a little short at the moment with the amount of players in the top 100,” BakerFinch said. “They’re all talented and I’m not taking anything away from them and the depth of world golf is so strong it’s hard to be in the top 50 in the world.”

So hard in fact that only Day, Scott and John Senden are in the current top 50 as of press time. From 1994-97 Australia had four Aussies each year in the top 50. 2014 ended with four Aussies including Scott, Day, Marc Leishman, and John Senden all in the top 50.

“We’ve got Leish, Sendo, Geoff Ogilivy, Matty Jones, Jason Day and Adam Scott winning recently,” Baker-Finch said. “(Steven) Bowdo won last year as well. You can’t forget him. Good to see him win. Always good fun to cover the guys that you know and have an affinity with. I think that’s what makes it enjoyable too.”

In recent years past there was Peter Senior, Baker-Finch, Steve Elkington, Greg Norman, 26

June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Robert Allenby, Craig Parry, and Stuart Appleby among others representing the Aussie flag. Now there is a need for a younger push to help sustain the Aussie charge on the top Tour.

“It’s tough to get out (on the PGA Tour) but I think the state of the game is good where it’s at right now from the current players we have,” Day said. “But we need that next group of young guys. It’s kind of like what we had with Tiger, Phil, and Ernie. With the new era golfers we’ve got Rory (McIlroy), Jordan (Spieth), myself and some of the other younger guys like Rickie (Fowler) that are kind of stepping up now and playing some good golf. We need that big push in Australia for that.”

So where might it come from specifically?

For starters, Antonio Murdaca played in his first Masters this year at the famed Augusta National thanks to his Asia Pacific Amateur Championship triumph in October. Murdaca is a product of some of Australia’s best programs including the Golf Australia National Team. At age 14 he was a younger Australian boys Amateur winner than Adam Scott, Robert Alleby, and Stuart Appleby.

“I think the programs that we have back home are probably the best in the world, so we’re lucky to go through those ranks,” Murdaca said at the Masters.

“The support we get is phenomenal. Without them it would be a bit tough for us to get here and play these tournaments. But we’re lucky to have all that support back home.”

Murdaca had coach Gareth Jones, the national coach of South Australia, caddie for him at Augusta.

Jones went over with Murdaca in March to prepare for the Masters. He also caddied for Murdaca during their victorious Asia Pacific Amateur Championship and also during a couple Australian Opens.

“It was a bucket list deal for me,” Jones said of the 2015 Masters. “It was a lot of fun.”

He said his highlight was shaking Ben Crenshaw’s hand in the players’ car park on

(Left) Jason Day (Right) Cameron Smith was the guy, before him it was other guys and Peter Thomson.

“Australian golf is strong, it’s in a good spot now. There are plenty of guys who can win.”

Although there are some viable candidates seemingly at every major tournament, even today’s best Aussies fall short in Elkington’s eyes. Day and Scott are going up against stiff competition at the top.

Antonio Murdaca Masters Wednesday. It was Crenshaw’s last Masters and thus a sentimental opportunity for most to talk with him.

Murdaca enjoyed his first Masters even though he posted 78 and 73 to miss the cut by five strokes. The Adelaide native was the only of the five Aussies to miss the cut at the Masters.

“I think it’s better in person to be honest,” Murdaca said of his experience. “Obviously you see a lot more of the crowds and stuff on TV. Standing there on 16, with the crowds all the way down the left in the stands and behind the green, that’s pretty intimidating.”

Nonetheless the young Murdaca is encouraged by the Aussies above him and is striving to add himself to their company.

“We see Scotty up there and it’s encouraging,” Murdaca said. “Watching Day so high in the rankings that’s pretty cool for us and I think we just strive to be like them.”

An Aussie veteran who’s been through plenty of lofty expectations from viewers is Steve Elkington.

The ’91 USPGA Champion understands that Greg Norman ignited the Aussie interest among his generation and believes the Aussie game is in a good place. “(Greg) Norman came out there with long blonde hair and hit the ball out of sight,” Elkington said. “We’re stronger now. Norman

“I think Jason Day will like to get a few more shots in his bag before he starts really winning in prolific fashion,” Elkington said.

“Rory McIlroy has more shots than Jason Day right now and is better than all the Australians right now. He’s just better, it’s what I see.”

However, in today’s game of long-driving thoroughbreds Elk sees two players standing out from the pack with the big stick.

“Rory and Adam Scott are the only two guys who have that major weapon with the driver,” Elkington said. “I never thought I’d say this but Rory’s probably an even better driver than Adam.

“Adam is a little shaky with the putter but he’s been pretty damn solid in the last two years,” Elkington said.

At the recent US Masters Scott, like most competitors, was never a factor. Day finished the highest of the Aussie lot at a tie for 28th.

The Queensland native’s impressive 5-under 67 start never materialized the way most of us hoped.

Let’s hope for better luck at this month’s U.S. Open.

May the youth movement in Australian golf get going sooner rather than later. • 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.

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The Auto Club Golf Championship marks new beginning

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ith events beginning in August 2015 and continuing until April 2016, you can expect to see new hosting clubs amongst the returning favourites.

You can also expect to see plenty of new faces participating in the 2015-2016 series, as it is now open to everyone! The past three series have required auto club membership from at least one player per pair and opening up the registrations should yield larger fields and even tougher competition. The benefits of being an auto club member continue however, as members of RACV, RACT, NRMA, RAA, RAC, AANT OR RACQ will enjoy a 25% discount on the registration fees.

A triumphant 2014/15 Auto Club Golf Championship Final Lauren McGregor Champion Events

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he third annual Auto Club Golf Championship Final winners have been declared, bringing the 2014-2015 series to a triumphant close. The two-day tournament was held at RACV Royal Pines Resort in gorgeous Queensland, and brought together champion amateur golfers from all over the country. The grand showdown between the national Auto Clubs wasn’t all about competition and scorecards though,

as old friends reunited, new friends were made, and the celebrations at the Gala Presentation Dinner lingered late into the night. Due to publication timing the full results of the 2014/15 Final will be published in our next issue.

Now that everyone has packed up their clubs and returned to their homes throughout Australia, the Auto Club Golf Championship is gearing up to begin the 2015-2016 series of regional events. Golfers that missed out on events or want another chance to qualify for the Championship Final can start practicing their swings.

The regional events will feature similar sponsored competitions to the last series, such as crowd favourites Suzuki Hole-in-One and the Simply Energy Power Drive.

As always, the events will feature an impressive array of prizes from top golf brands like Bushnell, Bolle, Crestlink and more.

In the tradition of the past three years, the winning pair from each regional event will qualify for the 4th annual Championship Final at RACV Royal Pines Resort in May 2016.

We at ACGC look forward to seeing familiar faces as well as new at the upcoming events and we would like to thank all participants, golf clubs, sponsors and of course the Auto Clubs for making another successful series possible.

Check out our website www.acgc.com.au for a list of upcoming regional events!

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The Dunes celebrates 20th anniversary Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

I

t’s January 1994 and businessman Duncan Andrews takes a gamble and buys a partially-built golf course in Rye from a local butcher who had decided to sell well before the course could be finished. There was hardly a tree on the property. The Mornington Peninsula was nothing like it is today with a plethora of high-quality links courses. In 1994, many modern-day treeless links courses including Moonah Links, St Andrews Beach and most of The National didn’t exist.

But there was something raw and beautiful about Andrews’ new acquisition, which would become The Dunes Golf Links and pioneer a links design revolution in Australian golf.

“It came about through happenstance,” says Andrews, the man who helped create The Dunes and Thirteenth Beach. “I became aware there was an auction and a golf course for sale. This might seem strange but, 20 years ago, no one had ever heard of a golf course being sold. I was intrigued. I decided to have a look at it because I played golf and, like most keen golfers, you always wanted to be an amateur designer.”

Andrews had played plenty of the world’s great links courses in Scotland and Ireland and sensed he had a unique opportunity on his hands.

“I thought, ‘wow, this land’s fantastic, there’s nothing like it in Australia’. At that stage there was nothing like it. In the end, I decided to take a punt that golfers in Australia might like a course that had no trees,” Andrews states. “It started a bit of a renaissance here in Australia of links golf courses,” chimes in The Dunes’ superintendent Simon Muller, who moved to The Dunes in 2012 after 12 years at Royal Melbourne where he was also assistant superintendent during the 2011 Presidents Cup. 32

June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Andrews had secured the land for a pittance of what it would be worth today, but the expenses would start to rack up as he went about creating 27 holes as well as a brandnew clubhouse. Green fee golfers, in the early 90s, had few avenues to play top-end courses in Australia. The very best layouts belonged to private golf clubs while public courses were largely council-owned and, in most cases, nothing to write home about.

There was scarcely anything at the time like Barnbougle Dunes, where golfers could pay good money to experience a world-class course and there certainly wasn’t world-class golf on offer at a bargain price. “I could see no reason why you couldn’t create a decent golf course that was equivalent to the top private courses but open to the public,” Andrews remembers. “It’s something that hadn’t been done. I know it sounds corny, but it’s true.”

Twenty years after the course opened in 1995, The Dunes is a case study in how to run a top-end public access facility. It weathered a tough climate for golf clubs and courses in Australia - especially in Victoria - and has only recently stopped taking members. “We’ve got a waiting list here for memberships because we like to keep our balance of members and green fee players,” Muller reveals. “We’re so busy, it’s a year-round golf course no matter what the weather’s been. If it’s rained three or

four days in a row, we can still have the golf course up and playable straight away. We base everything on that firm and fast scenario.”

“I could see no reason why you couldn’t create a decent golf course that was equivalent to the top private courses but open to the public. It’s something that hadn’t been done.

I know it sounds corny, but it’s true.”

– Duncan Andrews Even with the advent of 36 holes at Barnbougle Dunes in Tasmania, The Dunes remains a regular in the top-five of Australia’s public course rankings. Many times, it has ranked as Victoria’s top public course and, for the past 15 years, has been ranked among Australia’s top-20 courses. In 2014, Australian Golf Digest rated The Dunes 16th in the nation, ahead of revered layouts including Royal Sydney, Woodlands and Kooyonga.

Andrews admits he’s not surprised the course has stayed so relevant. The secret, he says, is creating a course that can be enjoyed by scratch markers and hackers alike.

“I worked closely with the designer Tony Cashmore and we tried to make a golf course that was challenging for the one-marker but playable for the 22-marker and I think we succeeded.

Andrews - who plays most of his golf at Metropolitan in Melbourne and Flinders Golf Club - refers to an “intellectual snobbery” he so desperately avoided in building The Dunes. “We tried to make it so you wouldn’t lose too many balls. We didn’t have long grass within one metre of the edge of the fairway, which so many golf courses do, new golf courses particularly. Designers (think), ‘I must have this long grass here, it looks wonderful.’ The fact that no one can play there is irrelevant.”

Perhaps forgotten amongst The Dunes’ popularity has been its nine-hole course – The Cups - a far easier test of golf than the 6,436-metre par-72 championship course beside it and one that attracts just as many golfers. Andrews estimates The Dunes has averaged just over 70,000 rounds a year for the past decade and very close to half of those green fees have come from the par-33 nine-hole gem.

featured club

Cape Wickham set to be world-class

It’s a place for beginners, where they can learn the craft without intimidating bunkers and water carries thwarting their efforts.

“You’ve got to learn to play somewhere and all you’ve got is driving ranges these days.

The Cups is a friendly place and it’s down the beach so kids on vacation on their school holidays can learn to play golf and the retirees, when they don’t feel like walking 18 anymore, they can have a really enjoyable nine holes.

When the staff have an annual game of golf before Christmas, they always pick to play it on The Cups course because it’s fun.”

If you need any more convincing of The Dunes’ worth as a golf course, consider Tom Watson’s views. “This is an exquisite golf hole,” the eight-time major winner remarked after playing the par-three 17th hole in 1997.

Nothing has changed since. •

Duncan Andrews may have already earned himself critical acclaim in Australian golf circles for his work as the owner of The Dunes, but he’s now contributing to what could go down as one of the great golf courses in the world once it opens in October - Cape Wickham on Tasmania’s King Island. Roughly halfway between Victoria and Tasmania in the cold winds of Bass Strait sits King Island, long known for its premium local beef, seafood and cheese but soon to become a golf destination of global significance.

Cape Wickham’s chief superintendent Simon Muller - who juggles fortnightly visits to King Island with his full-time role at The Dunes - says the course remains on track for its scheduled opening on October 30. “Essentially we could have golfers there today if we wanted to but we’re not quite where we want to be at for opening,” Muller admits.

Cape Wickham was opened for more than 400 preview rounds over a six-week period throughout March and April. Many

Australian and international golf writers joined a strong contingent of members from Andrews’ The Dunes to get an early taste of what Cape Wickham has to offer.

“We had all the greens 100 per cent playable. We have got 100 per cent coverage, we do on the majority of them, just a few of the holes still to be reseeded and grown in this winter period. We’re still not sure it will be open over the winters anyway with weather conditions,” Muller says.

Cape Wickham currently has a corporate marquee acting as a temporary clubhouse and will use the next few months to complete driveways around the clubhouse and finalise its 24 ‘container-style’ accommodation units, which will be able to sleep two people each. Muller - who has worked at the famed Kingsbarns Golf Links near St Andrews in Scotland - has boldly predicted Cape Wickham could earn similar praise to Barnbougle Dunes on the northern coast of Tasmania.

“In terms of pure golf course, when you get a nice day out there with the blue skies

and the beautiful turquoise blue bay and the green fescue, it’s just spectacular. In terms of being photographic, Cape Wickham is just unbelievable. Wickham has just got no weak holes,” Muller argues.

Andrews says he and Cape Wickham’s architects - Mike DeVries and Darius Oliver - immediately knew the site had immense potential. “When we were building it, we were saying, ‘this has got to be one of the best courses in Australia’, but you say that with a total bias,” Andrews says.

Eighteen holes at Cape Wickham is set to cost golfers $150. “It’s been extraordinarily expensive to build. No one’s going to walk in after paying $150 and say I’ve been dudded.” Andrews admits getting the Tasmanian Government to realise Cape Wickham’s potential to boost the state’s tourism industry was pivotal to the project. “We had to get the Tasmanian Government to agree to let us use the foreshore, the coastal reserve, which they did. If you think about it, all the holes that are on the water, are on government land. You can’t get that anywhere, that’s what made the difference.”

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club news

Stylish seniors living project planned for Liverpool Golf Club Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

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iverpool Golf Club and Mounties Group, one of Sydney’s biggest sports, social and holiday clubs organisations, are looking at the feasibility of establishing a joint multi-million dollar development for seniors living on the picturesque Lansvale course’s current practice range.

In a joint media release early in May, the two partners stated that the planned development’s location on the elevated golf club site would offer the potential for it to become one of the best examples of a stylish Seniors Living Village in Sydney’s growing south-west region.

The release reported that the project would introduce a vibrant and secure environment for senior members of the community.

Liverpool Golf Club is conveniently located opposite Mounties Group’s community club, Club Italia, on Hollywood Drive, Lansvale.

The new development will provide the perfect location for seniors who wish to live independently and in close proximity to community services and entertainment.

While the specific elements of the village are yet to be determined, both clubs have already formed a working group to develop a concept plan for the site.

Liverpool Golf Club President Spiro Spiros said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with

Mounties on this development.

“We’ve formed a close relationship over recent years and they were the logical fit when we were looking for a reputable and trusted partner to assist us with the opportunity. Mounties experience with similar projects will be of particular value and benefit to us.”

The Mounties Group currently controls seven registered sports and social clubs across Sydney as well as two health and fitness clubs and holiday resorts at Urunga, Fingal Bay, Koolora and Sussex Inlet.

Its Sydney organisations are Mounties (Mt Pritchard & District Community Club) at Mt Pritchard; Harbord Diggers Memorial Club at

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Harbord; Fairfield Bowling Club at Fairfield; Manly Bowling Club at Manly; Club Italia at Lansvale; Triglav at St Johns Park and Mekong at Cabramatta as well as M1 Mounties Health Club at Mt Pritchard and Freshwater Health and Fitness at Harbord.

The planned seniors development will be located on the peninsula formed by the Georges River and Prospect Creek.

The premium site offers panoramic views of the golf course and surrounding waterways in a quiet and secluded setting, while being situated only minutes from Liverpool’s central business district and entertainment precinct.

Kevin Ingram, Mounties Group President, said the partnership is a great example of the

club industry working together to explore mutually beneficial opportunities.

“It will leverage the financial strength and seniors living experience of Mounties Group whilst taking advantage of the available land and tranquil location of Liverpool Golf Club,” he said.

“With Mounties Group’s extensive development experience, we are always open to opportunities like this.”

This announcement by Mounties Group comes as Mounties in Mt Pritchard is undergoing the first step in a major redevelopment and as Harbord Diggers is well underway with a new club and intergenerational living development project. •

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club news

Every cloud has a Magenta lining

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or the first time in over 6 years, Magenta Shores is entering a construction phase, beginning its next prestigious precinct. After a sell down of over 90 properties in two years, Rich Sea International will be “turning dirt”. The momentum they have gathered post-GFC defied real estate markets and golfing trends.

Recently they held a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the commencement of a sales campaign for their latest release, a prestigious, dress circle precinct of only 19 allotments.

Wyong Shire Council Mayor Doug Eaton and Rich Sea International’s Development Manager Paul Seisums.

“Magenta Shores raised the bar in what was achievable with residential golfing communities and is without doubt the pinnacle of living and lifestyle on the Central Coast,” said Wyong Shire Mayor Doug Eaton Magenta Shores has numerous awards and accolades to its name, including being placed in the top 30 golf courses in Australia and as high as eighth in some rankings.

The links style golf experience is unrivalled on the NSW Central Coast, being located on a narrow isthmus, with its pristine saltwater lake system to the west and the sparkling Pacific Ocean to the east. Wyrrabalong National Park abuts to the north with its cycleways and bushwalking and south with its rainforests, this location is arguably the finest blue chip offering on the eastern seaboard of Australia.

Being surrounded by pristine National Park to the North has its advantages. The main attraction other than golf is its 2.3kms of white sand beach frontage. This beach is essentially deserted and residents and locals delight in the fact.

The Accor Hotel group also identified location as key when they acquired the Quay West Hotel. Recently they rebranded to the luxurious Pullman Hotel, part of their five-star hotels stable.

“Our Pullman Hotel rebranding is befitting of the distinguished championship golf course. We recently refurbished the hotel and all rooms in a spacious and modern contemporary styling,” said General Manager Sam Panetta.

“Barretts Restaurant & Shallows Bar now features a Mediterranean grill and pizza oven on the terrace, ideal for alfresco dining. Both offer stunning vistas over the lake and golf course with its myriad natural green hues. The resort includes indoor heated pool, steam room, rock pools, lagoon pool, gym,

The par-5 2nd hole heading out south along the pristine beach front.

BBQ picnic areas, two tennis courts and the award-winning Vie Spa with five treatment rooms. I would love to greet you and invite you to enjoy your next golf getaway with my team.”

Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club General Manager Roger Morris said “Magenta Shores is different in the sense that many members have come here purely for the lifestyle and this will no doubt continue as the development continues. How many locations can you reside and have the first tee no more than a fairway away from your home? Magenta Shores rates as one of the hardest courses to play in NSW, however for many of the residents this is the course on which they learnt and are learning to play. They roll up two or three times a week undeterred by the course’s reputation and even a bad golf day is a good one when surrounded by the natural beauty of the Magenta Shores setting”.

On the future of Magenta Shores, Rich Sea International’s Development Manager Paul Seisums says “We are currently facilitating with consenting authorities and commercial stakeholders across a new masterplan never before entertained within the golf sector. This will deliver a product which attracts local, Sydney and International markets alike. Our masterplan will be revealed next year and we are thrilled as this will position Magenta Shores strategically moving forward.

“The masterplan entertains a variety of accommodation styles, with a real emphasis on lifestyle, fitness and social amenity. It will provide for not only retirees and golfers but the fitness and outdoor enthusiast alike.”

For more information: www.magenta-shores.com.au, or phone 02 4332 4334. •

Traditional Golf Package

Championship Golf Package

2 x Nights Accommodation 1 x Round of Golf at Nelson Bay From: Twin Share - $230 per person Quad Share - $180 per person

2 x Nights Accommodation 1 x Round of Golf at Nelson Bay 1 x Round of Golf at Pacific Dunes From: Twin Share - $340 per person Quad Share - $305 per person

Packages are subject to availability at time of booking and exclude all long weekends, public holidays and Xmas school holidays.

THE LANDMARK NELSON BAY Reservations: (02) 4984 4633 | Freecall: 1800 200 755 | Group Consultant: (02) 4984 8963 | Fax: (02) 4984 4677 Email: res@landmarknelsonbay.com.au | Groups Email: groups@landmarknelsonbay.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

39

clubs

CLUB OF THE MONTH >

Club Mandalay S

ituated just off the Hume Highway, 45 minutes north of Melbourne in the town of Beveridge, is the spectacular Club Mandalay Golf Course, one of Victoria’s newest layouts.

fairway bunkers in the hopes of shorter approaches to the greens. But be warned, the greens are well-guarded by ball-grabbing, high-walled bunkers, so be sure your shortiron-game is well prepared.

Recently ranked number 56 in Australia’s Top 100 Golf Courses, the Thomson-Perrettdesigned layout takes players on a journey through beautifully landscaped parklands and the new Mandalay residential estate, which is shaping up to be a thriving, modern-living community.

And while there is plenty of challenge on the course, Thomson has ensured that golfers of all levels can have a great time on this course.

The team have carefully offered a variety of tee positions at each hole, and there are also plenty of “bail-out” areas throughout, which is a welcome relief for the higher-handicapped players. Many of the greens are quite large, giving golfers a nice, welcoming landing area as well as the potential for a variety of pin placements.

The Par-72 golf course measures 6,285 metres from the black tees and offers spectacular vistas and superb playing surfaces. Inside Golf was privileged to play at this remarkable facility, and we were very impressed with the stunning views, true greens and challenging layout. In true Peter Thomson style, it has a very “links golf” feel to it, and plays in a similar style to other celebrated Thomson-Perrett layouts like The National, Moonah Links, Sandhurst, Hope Island, Twin Waters and others. Thus, there are plenty of strategically-placed (and visually spectacular) bunkers, intelligent hole routing, penal rough and the need for thoughtful club selection and course management.

In many cases, the mid- and highhandicappers should choose iron or fairway woods off the tee in order to avoid many of the hazards along the way. The big and straighter hitters, however, can go for the exciting risk-reward option; taking on the 40

June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

The views at Mandalay are simply stunning, and Thomson and his team have transformed the once flat grazing farmland into a stunning contoured golf course which is framed by rolling hills in the distance. It offers a tranquil and relaxed feel as you meander your way along the course.

The par-3s—which are often a very strong measure of a course—are all wonderful at Mandalay. Especially the 173m 11th, which features a large dam on the right to an undulating green which is surrounded by bunkers. It’s a hole that demands respect.

Other holes require careful course management, and with a few blind approaches (like on the par-4 9th), you’ll need your A-Game and full concentration to avoid a big score.

On July 27th, Club Mandalay will proudly open it its crowning feature, the $8 million “Club Mandalay” golf clubhouse and recreational facility.

Residents, members and golfers alike will enjoy the well-appointed bar and bistro facilities, which are open daily for a coffee and snack or an enjoyable meal. The new facility will also feature a fully-stocked pro shop with the latest brands, function room and full locker room facilities. The Clubhouse will also provide Mandalay residents with exclusive access to a fully-equipped gym, 25m heated outdoor swimming pool and kids’ water play area.

Architecturally designed by Bayley Ward, Club Mandalay has maximised views over the golf course and surrounding parklands with floor-to-ceiling windows and an abundance of natural lighting to complement the building’s natural materials and neutral palette.

Avid Sports Management, led by PGA Professional and Managing Director James Cooper, has been appointed to operate Club Mandalay. James is no stranger to the opening of golf facilities of this calibre after being instrumental in the opening and development of Moonah Links, The Dunes, Natadola Bay in Fiji and, more recently, Golf

clubs

Central Brisbane Airport.

“The golf course at Mandalay has grown-in beautifully and has matured well beyond its years. The rolling fairways are reminiscent of a Peter Thomson design, and reflect his loves for links golf. The green shapes and bunkers are also incredibly unique, and I believe a standout feature of the Mandalay Golf Course.

The clubhouse will put the finishing touches on what is sure to be an awarding-winning facility,” Cooper said recently.

“Club Mandalay is a fantastic addition to golf in Victoria and in particular to Melbourne’s North. We have been delighted by the feedback from players who have already experienced the course, and we are already gaining keen interest for membership and corporate events.” Cooper added.

Indeed, Mandalay is set to be a spectacular corporate golf venue. With the state-of-theart clubhouse facility, high-quality golf course, and close proximity to Melbourne, we predict Club Mandalay to become an extremely popular corporate golf venue. Corporate memberships are also available.

Club Mandalay is also great for social golfers, and is a member of the new Qantas Golf Club.

The course is open daily for social play and guests, and all are welcome to play in open competitions. In addition, there are a variety of memberships available, including Full, 5-day, Couple, Family, Seniors and Juniors. Members will also enjoy a wide range of competitive and social golf events throughout the year including club championships, pairs events and opportunities to bring guests along to experience your home club.

Membership Now Available 7 Day Membership $1440 per annum | 5 Day Membership $720 per annum Couples, Family, Senior and Junior memberships also available.

Please call 03 9037 3700 for further information

Visitor RATES Weekend Green Fees

9 Holes

18 Holes

$25.00

$42.00

Weekday Green Fees

$20.00

$35.00

Club hire

$15.00

$20.00

Cart Rental

$25.00

$40.00

Group Bookings Group bookings including 12 or more players for 18 holes on a weekend: $35per person

For more information: Club Mandalay 430-450 Mandalay Circuit, Beveridge, Victoria 3753 Phone: 03 9037 3700 Website: www.clubmandalay.com.au Email: info@clubmandalay.com.au Sales Office 1 Mandalay Circuit, Beveridge (open daily from 11a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Corporate Golf Events: Club Professional James Pratt Phone: 03 9037 3700

www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

41

people

Captain at 16, president at 21

Sir Nick Faldo MBE and Sandy Lyle MBE have accepted invitations to become honorary members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

A

Faldo and Lyle inspired a generation of players with their wins in The Open Championship and the Masters Tournament and were at the forefront of a new wave of European golfers who rose to prominence in the 1980s.

NYONE who thinks young people have little or no interest in joining a golf club committee should meet Chris Bodey.

Bodey is 35 years old and has been president of the Wondai Golf Club for the past 14 years, which means he was 21 when first elected.

Some 21-year-olds like Jordan Spieth are out winning the US Masters, but Chris is more than happy presiding over business at the nine-hole (18 tees) golf club.

They join fellow Open champions Peter Thomson CBE, Gary Player, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Roberto de Vicenzo, Tony Jacklin CBE, Lee Trevino and Tom Watson in becoming honorary members.

What’s even more remarkable is Chris, who answers to the nickname Boof, was just 16 years old when he was elected club captain – arguably the youngest ever club captain of a golf club in Australia.

Sir Nick said, “St Andrews frames many of my most treasured memories in golf including those of my second Open win 25 years ago. I am honoured to receive this invitation and look forward to celebrating nearly 40 years as a professional at the home of golf in July.”

“I got into the game when I was 14 or 15 when mum was bar manager at the golf and bowls club,” Chris said.

“When I was 16 the adults at the club didn’t want to step up to the committee and because I was there on weekends I thought I may as well do it. I just wanted to help out.”

Chris remained captain for five years before stepping into the president’s role.

“I get enjoyment out of doing it,” he said. “The day I give it away will be a sad day.

“When you start on the committee so young, it becomes a part of your life.”

I ask Chris how he got the moniker Boof.

Chris “Boof” Bodey camaraderie and friendships,” said Chris, who is also a volunteer fire fighter in the local community.

“The members get along well and have a few beers after each round.

“Mum called me a boofhead when I was dawdling at the club,” he said. “It stuck and I have had it ever since.”

“I might be biased, but I reckon we have the best four finishing holes around this area.

From Ballarat originally, Chris took up golf because they didn’t play AFL (Aussie Rules) in Wondai.

“To have the creek running through the last four holes and down the sides of the holes is pretty special.”

“I didn’t know anything about rugby league so I took up golf,” he said.

Since then he has won a number of club championships, foursomes championships and even a mixed championship.

He plays off a handicap of 3.9.

A qualified electrician, Chris helps other volunteers on the golf course (mowing and fixing the watering system), doing the handicapping, working the bar and applying for grants.

The club received its grants and now members and visitors are enjoying the benefits of a refurbished clubhouse with new kitchen to boot.

Chris says the biggest challenge facing the club is finding new members.

“We have a great club and course, but the best thing is the

Bellarine Lakes C O U N T R Y

C L U B

G E E L O N G

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Faldo, Lyle honorary members of R&A GC

Chris is also actively involved in district golf matters.

He has been on the South Burnett Amalgamated Golf Zone for the past 18 years in positions such as secretary and match director controlling men’s events like carnival days and pennant.

He has also been on the district executive committee for the past 15 years and is currently the longest-serving member of the committee.

He was also instrumental in the first amalgamation of men and women’s golf for a zone or district association.

Yes, Chris may answer to “Boof” but he is not a boofhead.

Golf would be in a better space if more young people took a leaf out of his book and volunteered their services.

“I do it for the pleasure and the love of the game,” Chris said. “You get the rewards when you play golf.” •

“I am delighted to receive this recognition,” said Sandy. “It was a lifetime ambition for me to win The Open and I will never forget how it felt to lift the Claret Jug. Golf has given me a great deal over the years and I feel privileged to have been invited to become part of this great club.”

Faldo is a six-time major champion.

He will play in his last Open this year on the 25th anniversary of his win at St Andrews as he celebrates his 58th birthday. He also won The Open at Muirfield in both 1987 and 1992 and finished in the top-10 in the Championship on 10 occasions between 1978 and 2003.

Lyle will this year celebrate the 30th anniversary of becoming Champion Golfer of the Year at Royal St George’s.

He went on to win the Masters three years later. Lyle won a further four events on the PGA Tour, including the 1987 Players Championship, and 16 events on the European Tour.

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Vanity fairways Vanity fairways has your autumn/winter golf and leisure wardrobe completely covered. If you love strong colours for winter then check out the great Red, Black & White colour combination in the new Nivo “Mod” range……or if you prefer the softer more subdued tones or charcoal grey, begonia and white then the new “Blush” range will appeal to you.

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Spieth achieved the lowest opening round score of any champion (64), made the most birdies in the tournament (28), had the lowest 36hole score (-14), lowest 54-hole score (-16), tied for the lowest 72-hole score (-18), and was the first wire-to-wire champion since 1976 (1 of 5). He also posted the lowest score for the championship after he rolled in a birdie putt on the par-5 15th hole Sunday to go to 19-under-par for the tournament.

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www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

45

rules

What’s the Rule?

Obstructions Frank Gal

Chairman of Rules Committee Golf NSW

O

bstructions are anything artificial or man-made except:

1. O bjects defining out of bounds, such as walls, fences, stakes and railings; 2. A ny part of an immovable artificial object that is out of bounds; and 3. Any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course.

Obstructions can be either movable or immovable. They are movable obstructions if they can be moved without unreasonable effort, undue delay or causing damage.

Movable Obstructions Movable obstructions are covered in Rule 24-1 and can be removed from anywhere on the course, including bunkers and water hazards.

An obstruction is a movable obstruction if it may be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage. Otherwise it is an immovable obstruction.

The following items are also movable obstructions: •A n abandoned ball •A movable artificial object lying out of bounds •A stone broken away from a retaining wall •A parked car if it can be readily moved • S tones in bunkers if declared by the Committee to be movable obstructions.

If your ball does not lie in or on a moveable obstruction, the obstruction may be moved, If the ball moves as a direct result of the movement of the movable obstruction there

is no penalty and the ball must be replaced. If you ball happens to come to rest in or on the movable obstruction, you may lift the ball and remove the obstruction. You must then dropped the ball (or place it if on the putting green) as near as possible to the spot directly under where the ball originally lay.

Movable obstructions are treated differently under the Rules from loose impediments, which are natural objects covered by Rule 23-1.

Immovable Obstructions Immovable obstructions typically encountered on a course include artificially surfaced roads and cart paths, sprinkler heads, buildings, irrigation control boxes and stakes, fences and walls which don’t define the course boundaries. A Committee may declare a movable obstruction (such as a hazard or GUR stake) to be an immovable obstruction; so always check the Local Rules before removing such a stake.

A road or path to which any foreign material (including gravel or wood chips) has been applied is artificially surfaced and thus an obstruction (see Decision 24/9). However, many Committees declare such roads and paths to be integral parts of the course from which free relief is not available – see below.

Rule 24-2b advises that interference from an immovable obstruction occurs when it interferes with the lie of your ball, your stance or the area of your intended swing.

There is no relief under this Rule if your ball is in a water hazard or if the immovable obstruction is on your line of play. Apart from when the ball lies on the putting green, line of sight relief is restricted to the special cases outlined in Appendix I [Temporary Immovable Obstructions (pages 131-134) and Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green (pages 130-131)]. In both cases, there must be a Local Rule in effect granting relief.

To take relief from an immovable obstruction, you must drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief.

This is the nearest place to where the ball originally lay, which is not nearer the hole and where interference ceases to exist. If your ball is on the putting green, you must place it at the nearest point of relief. If it is in a bunker, you must drop it in the bunker or, as an additional option, you may take relief from the obstruction behind the bunker under penalty of one stroke.

Note that it is the nearest point, not the nicest point, which determines where you are entitled to drop the ball. Therefore, determine the nearest point of relief before you touch your ball in case it would be a better option to play the ball as it lies.

Temporary Immovable Obstructions Temporary immovable obstructions (TIO’s) are non-permanent artificial objects erected in conjunction with a competition; usually a professional tournament or an elite National or State amateur championship. Examples of TIO’s include tents, scoreboards, grandstands,

television towers etc. The TIO Specimen Local Rule grants “line of sight” relief if the TIO intervenes between the ball and the hole in addition to relief from physical interference.

This is done because the obstruction would not normally be on the course if it were not for the tournament. Note: this form of relief is only available if the TIO Local Rule is in force.

Integral Parts of the Course A Committee may declare a construction to be an “integral part of the course” if it feels that free relief would reward a poor shot or alter the integrity of a hole. If the Committee does this, there is no free relief and you must either play the ball as it lies or declare it unplayable – under penalty of one stroke. The Road Hole at the Old Course in St. Andrews is the most recognisable construction to be declared an integral part of a course. Giving free relief for a ball that comes to rest on the road would significantly alter the character of the hole.

Remember that obstructions are man-made objects except for immovable obstructions lying out of bounds or those defining out of bounds or declared integral parts of the course.

ASK THE EXPERT Dear Frank, When playing a shot to the green the ball landed in a thick bush behind a safety screen.

The ball was visible but could not be hit by a club in any direction.

Had the bush not been there relief was available under rule 24-2. Is relief available under Rule 24-2 Exception (a)?

Thank you, Frank Rochford You have done well to know that there are exceptions to Rule 24-2; most golfers are completely unaware of this.

The safety screen is an obstruction and relief is available under Rule 24-2 unless one of the exceptions on page 92 of the Rule Book apply.

In the situation you describe where

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

the ball could not be hit by a club in any direction, relief would be denied under exception (a) since interference by the bush “makes the stroke clearly impractical”.

I would also like to point out here that the rules do not provide line of sight relief from permanent immovable obstructions, so if the ball lay behind the screen and the bush was not there, the only relief available without penalty is to drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole. However, if the screen is relatively close to the line of play at another hole, it would be permissible for the Committee to allow a player whose ball is in such a position that the screen intervenes on the line of play to drop the ball, without penalty, not nearer the hole in a specified drop zone (Decision 33-8/18).

Frank

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Improving your putting by improving your balance

DRILL:

No stopping Moore Park women

Brent Dale Moore Park Golf Club’s team members left to right: Sue McNally, Janice Chong, Lucy Child, Nikki Haines, Monica Johnson, Anna Booth and Elsie Pathmanathan (captain).

brent@brentdalegolf.com.au

A

few months ago I conducted a clinic at Liverpool GC with Matt Green.

I was helping the students with their technique and Matt was helping them with their body. Quite often I will be confronted with a student who physically cannot get into the positions we need them to get into.

Matt provided a great insight into what the body should be doing in the swing; he would identify any deficiencies that may be causing a problem and would give exercises and stretches to help overcome the problems.

I have found this a valuable asset to have available to my students.

At the end of the session, Matt and I were mucking around on the putting green and Matt showed me a fantastic drill that can be used to help improve balance throughout the stroke of the putt.

Everyone tries to swing the putter straight back and through on a slight arc but have you ever thought that if your body moves a little bit during the stroke that this would affect what happens to the putter head?

Matt pulled out two foam rollers that had a flat bottom. He laid them on the ground with the flat side facing to the sky (like shown in the photo) He then asked me to stand on them whilst trying to keep my balance and make some strokes.... it was a pretty difficult exercise!

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

He then asked me to stand on the green and make some strokes and asked me to describe my feeling. The only way I could describe it was that I felt like I had tree roots growing out of my feet and into the ground.

I felt so stable during my stroke, all because I had switched-on some muscles required to help keep balance.

The more you practice this, the more you will continue to improve your balance and putting (obviously it is also essential to have a nice grip, stance and stroke.)

If you have access to some foam rollers I really encourage you to trial this on the putting green. You have nothing to lose, except your handicap.

To help improve your golf, you have to ask yourself if your body is able to help or hinder you. If you are unsure, it could be time to get a lesson off your PGA Pro and ask if he or she thinks your body could be limiting your potential for better technique and then look for a physio that has experience with working with golfers.

You should then be on your path to success!

Brent Dale is an AAA Member of the Australian PGA, and Head professional at Liverpool golf club.

Full Swing, Short Game and On Course Lessons available. Brent is also TPI Certified. www.brentdalegolf.com.au. brent@brentdalegolf.com.au. 0499 009 770

WHAT is the formula for creating a winning team?

Well, according to Elsie Pathmanathan, captain of the successful Moore Park Golf Club women’s team, it is a range of things.

“We had youth, experience and age on our side (the youngest member is 13 years old) and our team consisted of players from many backgrounds,” said Ms Pathmanathan after Moore Park won Golf New South Wales’ Metropolitan Grade Tournament Division 3 competition.

In fact, the team has dominated each division it has contested in the past four years.

They have advanced from Division 6 four years ago to being in Division 2 next season.

“Moore Park Golf Club is one of the few equal access clubs in Australia,” she added.

“The women at Moore Park Golf Club can play in Saturday competitions alongside the men.

“From not having a team less than a decade ago, we have won each of the grade divisions … four years in a row.”

For the record, Anna Booth and Monica Johnson received medals as undefeated players this season.

instruction

golf lesson #11

Impact Gradient Exercise

Sight dots, sight line or nothing at all?

Glenn Whittle

GRADIENT EXERCISE

Peter Croker

Exercise

www.keytofgolf.com

Chip some balls with a gradually longer and longer backswing. If shots start to become erratic, back up the shorter swing and come slowly forward again. Under-reach: at setup, position the ball toe side of centre of the clubface and hold the leading edge of the clubface between the equator of the ball and ground. This will assist in building consistent clean and solid contact with the ball.

Y

ou can learn anything if you break it down into small enough pieces, where you move at your own pace and gradually acquire personal certainty in the action of hitting a golf ball.

When you work with a short stroke, the impact action is just as it is with the full swing. Once you learn how to get comfortable with the hitting action around impact, your entire stroke becomes far easier to learn and it becomes far easier to drill in consistency with a full swing.

Watch the video of this drill here: http://vimeo. com/user14583831/ review/53376859/1b1de6d0e7

DEFINING IMPACT ZONEE Impact can be defined as a Zone where the clubhead first meets the ball to the limit of the right arm straightening and both wrists fully uncocking. This extended flat spot in the golf swing is created by “pushing” with both hands as the wrists uncock (thumbs down).

and out towards the ball. (Check out the video to clarify this most important action).

At the same time, the hips are rotating while the shoulders are rocking with the right shoulder tracing a line directly down and out towards the ball in support of the “hands driving the clubhead down

Following the full extension of clubhead down and out through the ball, the right shoulder will release up and around as you move through the Follow Through and to a full and balanced finish.

IMPACT GRADIENT drill

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.

glenn@whittlegolf.com (02) 9541 4960

T

his may seem like a trivial topic to write about, but trust me when I say that for many golfers it does make a difference and can improve your putting.

My clients often ask me to help them with their alignment. My first priority is always to watch them putt outside on our practice green so I can test their alignment in the real world and also to see if there are any patterns (i.e if they tend to aim too far left on left-to-right putts as opposed to right-to-left putts, etc.)

Golfers with alignment issues almost always ask about whether they should be using a line on their golf ball, line on their putter head, etc. The easiest way for me to assist them to determine what they should do is put them through some simple ten-ball tests on Puttlab (see photo) using a putter with a sight dot, one with a sight line and one with nothing at all. All of these are done with and without lines on the golf ball.

I can say that for many golfers it does make a difference and it is very personal. Some players (like me) even get worse when they use a line on their ball and putter. From experience, this is because we are aware of the line and speed and are ‘in tune’ with our senses. Then, when we have lines to look at, we switch into ‘technique-perfect-stroke mode’ and lose our feel.

If you are having trouble with your putter alignment or putting in general please pay me a visit at the Sydney Putting Studio at The Ridge Golf Course, Barden Ridge.

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

r a l l o d n o i l l i m 1 h le in ne

150 sets of Wilson golf clubs must be won for NTP. National Final at Mercure Kooindah Waters Resort.

Gold Coin entry fee for the National Stroke Foundation Facebook National Stroke Fundraiser: www.facebook.com/pages/Strokefundraiser/390341011163103 Supported by: Tom Tom, Wilson Golf, Accor Hotels, Troon Golf, Greta West Stud, Australian Golf Writers Association, Inside Golf, Wyong Shire Council

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49

fitness

Better upper back posture Richard Nizielski www.golffitsolutions.com

T

oo often lately, I am seeing clients with upper back posture issues.

More often than not, this is due to a lot of time spent in a hunched forward position, such as when using the computer or tablet.

Often the thoracic extension can be improved through postural awareness and specific exercises.

Postural awareness, both in golf and in daily activities is important for maintaining optimal function.

Exercises, which activate and strengthen shoulder blade (scapula) retraction as well as regular stretching of the muscles of the chest and the front of the shoulders (anterior deltoids), will help with alleviating the roundedness of the shoulders and developing better posture.

Maintaining the postural awareness can be difficult without constantly being reminded to keep the shoulders back and down.

It is all too easy to slump and round the shoulders while performing activities such as driving the car and working at the computer.

To help with developing better postural awareness, try this.

Take two tennis balls and tape them together, so they end up looking like a peanut.

To help with postural awareness, when sitting at the computer or in the car, place the tennis balls either side of the spine just below the shoulder blades.

Retract or drop the shoulder blades down and back and extend the spine.

This simple postural adjustment will help with activating the scapula depressor muscles and removing some of the roundness in the upper spine.

up the spine by one or two vertebra and stay there for a few minutes.

Adding in a few exercises, such as the stretch band reverse fly exercise, which activate the muscles between the shoulder blades, will also help.

To do this exercise: Stand in a golf posture, holding the stretch band in both hands (as shown).

The two tennis balls can also be used to assist with thoracic extension.

Keep the shoulders down and back, activate the muscles between the shoulder blades to take the arms outwards and backwards.

Place the tennis balls on the floor. Lie on your back on the floor with the tennis balls positioned either side of the spine.

Hold at the extended position for a moment and return to the start position.

Start at the lower end of the thoracic spine (just above where the ribs join the spine) and relax, letting the spine extend.

Every few minutes, move the tennis balls

Repeat for 12 repetitions.

If you have thoracic stiffness, which is affecting your golf swing or any of your other daily activities for that matter, then it may require more investigation.

In some cases, upper thoracic stiffness and posture problems may require therapeutic manipulation by an allied health professional.

There are a variety of methods and professionals which offer different methods, all of which can help.

Some of the choices include; sports physiotherapists, masseurs and osteopaths.

It is best to speak with the allied health professionals first and decide just what is the best option for your particular case.

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

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golf nsw

Playoff decider for NSW Foursomes Championship

T

he 2015 NSW Foursomes Championship was setting up for some great competition between a number of pairings in both the Men’s and Women’s sections and the scores that were posted reflected this.

Pacific Dunes celebrated its ten year anniversary last month, hosting a formal dinner and dance event at the prestigious estate at Port Stephens.

With the champagne flowing, the lavish night of celebration was enjoyed by 100 residents, members of the golf club and Management of Pacific Dunes.

The 2015 NSW Foursomes Championships were played at Shelly Beach Golf Club with an exciting three-way sudden death playoff to determine the Men’s Championship. The local pairing of Craig Wickham (Wyong) and Jordie Garner (Pennant Hills) were victorious over father-son duo Glenn and Matt Osborne (Carnarvon), and Dylan Perry (Long Reef ) and Joshua Knott (Cessnock).

The three pairs posted a final score of 73 to make the playoff. Taking out the nett component of the Men’s Championship were Grant Turner and Matthew Farley (The Vintage) with a great nett score of 73 in testing conditions. Runners-up in the nett were Glen Giddings (Gosford) and Glenn Feast (Kooindah Waters) two shots back on 75.

In the Women’s Championship it was the pairing from The Lakes, Chizuru Ueda and Xanthe Macklinshaw, who were victorious with a great score of 79 in tough conditions.

Runners-up in the Women’s Championship were the Monash pairing of Alison Gatland and Jacqui Morgan with a gross score of 82, just edging out state team members Elizabeth Elmassian (The Australian) and Paige Stubbs (Pennant Hills), who had 84.

Taking out the nett in the Women’s Championship was the Concord pairing of Rhonda Magner and Margaret Bain-Smith who had 79.5 nett, just in front of the

Pacific Dunes turns 10

runners-up Cheryl Ward and Alison Stubbs (North Ryde) only a shot further back.

In the Champion of Champions competition, Glenn and Matt Osborne (Carnarvon) took out the Men’s Championship and Julie Berg & Melissa Hoy (Wallacia) were successful in the Women’s

Championship.

Shelly Beach Golf Club was an exceptional venue for the Championship, proving to be a real test of golf in blustery conditions.

Full results, reports and images are available at www.golfnsw.org •

2015 Women’s Weekend Tournament an event for Working Women The 2015 Women’s Weekend Tournament will be held at The Vintage Golf Club on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August. It is open to female amateurs who hold a current GA or overseas equivalent handicap. It is played over two days, with shotgun starts both days. The format is 18-holes singles stableford on the first day and 18-Holes Best Ball Team Event V Par on

the second day.

This event is the most popular participation event on the Golf NSW calendar attracting players from all across the state. Entries open on 22 May. The entry fee is $190 per player (online).

For more information or to enter this event visit www.golfnsw.org.

Congratulations to the latest St Hallett Wines Hole-in-One Achievers: David Aurelius, Philip Binskin, Tony Caldwell, Peter Cowell, John Fisher, Eric Gan, Mark Johnston, Garry Mason, Alan McCarthy, Brian McDonald, Tom McMurtry, Mark O’Connor, Stephen Pan, Janak Patel, Terry Richardson, Jack Sandilands, and Daniel Yu.

With the stunning Lake View Marquee themed elegantly by Vogue Events, a sumptuous three-course menu designed

by Head Chef Sheldon Black, and a five piece band assembled for guests to dance the night away, the General Manager and Director of Golf, Kurt Linde remarked that “We are thrilled with how successful our special event was. It was certainly a night to remember offering our supportive member and residential community a chance to celebrate in the successes of Pacific Dunes and enjoy another fun, social event in our function marquee! The positive feedback from all who attended has been overhwhelming.”

Pacific Dunes’ $180 million golf and residential community, being developed

by RCL Development has a big 2015 on the cards. The next land release (The Country Club Precinct), offering golf-fronted blocks are about to be released and the construction of the brand new Golf and Country Club will be complete by the end of the year, offering a stunning, modern facility with environmentally sustainable features.

With a Golf Shop, Cafe, Bar Lounge and large function centre, the Golf and Country Club will be the pinnacle-piece within Pacific Dunes and is sure to be a popular venue for locals and tourist alike for dining, conferences, weddings and events.

www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

51

golf queensland

Qld battles in Interstate Series

T

he Boys’ and Girls’ Interstate Teams Matches were held in April prior to the Men’s and Women’s Interstate Teams Matches. The Australian Girls’ Interstate Teams Matches for the Burtta Cheney Cup saw reigning champions, Queensland, admit defeat in an upset fourth round against Victoria.

The Queensland team included 2015 Australian Ladies Master Leading Amateur and Golf Australia National Squad member Rebecca Kay and 2014 Golf Queensland Junior Female Amateur of the Year Karis Davidson. The girls were joined by Robyn Choi, Stacey White and Kate Law in the threeday round robin format of competition.

After six title wins over the past eight years, including a more recent four-year winning streak, the Queensland girls’ team went into play as strong favourites.

Yet, despite winning three out of four rounds during the week, the girls finished competition in second place ahead of New South Wales and behind Victoria for the first time in years.

In the same week, the Queensland State Boys’ Team played in the Australian Interstate Teams Matches to finish in 5th place (20.5 matches won) at conclusion of play.

The Queensland boys’ team, 2014 Junior Amateur Golfer of the Year Doug Klein, Charlie Pilon, Chris Park, Lawry Flynn, Louis Dobbelaar and Steven Cox had four round wins over the seven-round tournament.

The boys’ team finished behind championship winners Victoria, Western Australia (2nd), New South Wales (3rd) and South Australia (4th).

Despite the teams result, Queensland’s Louis Dobbelaar finished undefeated in the series which is an outstanding effort at just 13 years of age.

Later, in the Australian Interstate Teams Matches played in Melbourne, the men’s team went down to Victoria 5-3 in the final at Huntingdale Golf Club to place second with 26.5 match wins.

Queensland Open turns 90 This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Queensland Open with the first being played at Brisbane Golf Club’s Yeerongpilly course on Wednesday and Thursday, 24 and 25 June 1925.

The Queensland Golf Association made the decision to introduce an open Championship at a special general meeting in May 1924. Although it was not innovative in its time, it was a bold move for the small organisation with only 15 city and country clubs by 1923.

L-R: Blake Proverbs, Taylor Macdonald, Anthony Quayle, Jack Sullivan, Shae Wools-Cobb during the Men’s Interstate Final The men’s team, Taylor Macdonald, Cory Crawford, Jake Mcleod, Simon Viitakangas, Jack Sullivan, Anthony Quayle and Shae Wools-Cobb, won 26.5 matches throughout the tournament to place third overall.

In the women’s competition, Queensland’s state team finished in third place after

defeating South Australia 3.5-2.5 in the first consolation final at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

The women’s team had won 15 matches throughout the tournament and fell behind winners Victoria and Western Australia.

GQ, Srixon announces two-year sponsorship Golf Queensland has anounced Srixon’s commitment as a sponsor until 2017.

Srixon will return as a sponsor for the 2015 Isuzu Queensland Open and major sponsor of the Queensland Men’s MidAmateur Championships.

In addition, Srixon have committed to a new venture coming on board as a major sponsor of the Queensland Boy’s and Girl’s Amateur Championship.

The Boy’s and Girl’s Amateur Championships will be played from 7 to 9 December at the Indooroopilly Golf Club.

Managing Director for Srixon, Martin Wright said the company was pleased to partner with Golf Queensland and support another State-based Championship.

“Junior events such as the Boy’s and Girl’s Amateur are important for the growth of golf and we’re excited to add another pinnacle event to the agreement”.

Golf Queensland Manager of Golf Operations Luke Bates said he was looking forward to seeing the success of the new partnership with Srixon on top of their returning sponsorship agreements.

“Srixon has provided invaluable support for Golf Queensland in previous years and their continued support is only testament of the quality of golf in Queensland.”

The “Open and Amateur Championship Meeting of Queensland” would allow for professionals and amateurs to play over 72 holes stroke play across two days, with the leading eight amateurs to play off by match play for the amateur title.

Prize money was distributed to the professionals as follows; 1st place £30; 2nd place £15; 3rd place £10 and; 4th place £5.

The leading amateur would receive a trophy.

The inaugural Queensland Open winner was Harry Sinclair of Moore Park Golf Club in Sydney who completely demolished a class field of professionals and amateurs to win by seven shots over 72 holes.

Sinclair then went on to win the Australian Amateur title the following month as well as the Queensland Amateur and Foursomes that year.

The tournaments were held at The Brisbane Golf Club until 1928 when the Royal Queensland Golf Club course was used and it alternated between the two venues until 1951.

The 2015 Isuzu Queensland Open will play from Thursday 20 August to Sunday 23 August. Held at Brookwater Golf and Country Club, it will be played across four consecutive days ending on the Sunday, a tradition that was introduced at the 1967 Open.

Professionals will battle it out over 72-holes of stroke-play for the title of the T.B. Hunter Cup and a slice of the $110,000 prize purse.

Queensland Senior Women’s and Mid-Amateur Championships 26 – 30 July Maroochy River Golf Club Entries close Friday 3 July

Queensland Senior Men’s Amateur Championship 27 – 29 July Southport Golf Club The State’s premier Senior stroke play event!

Entries close Wednesday 15 July Entries are now open on the Golf Queensland website.

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www.golfqueensland.org.au T: (07) 3252 8155 52

June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

@GolfQueensland

events

Top amateur trophies head to Wellington Southland rewrites the history books

I

t was a double celebration for Wellingtonbased club mates Julianne Alvarez and Daniel Hillier, when they won their respective Cobra Puma New Zealand Amateur Championships last month.

Alvarez claimed the New Zealand Women’s Amateur Championship at the Alister MacKenzie-designed Titirangi Golf Club, defeating 16-year-old year old Alanna Campbell in a tense 36-hole final. Her newest trophy will go nicely with silverware from her 2013 national title as well as the New Zealand Stroke Play title she won earlier this year.

Alvarez signalled her intentions early in the final round with a birdie on the first hole, matching Campbell with pars until her second birdie at the sixth to extend her lead.

Campbell, who qualified as the number one seed after showing her fighting qualities all week, mounted a strong comeback to square the match with a birdie on the 17th.

However, Alvarez shone through and put the exclamation mark on what had been a wonderful few weeks of golf for her.

On the number one ranking, Alvarez said: “It’s something I’ve always aimed for. I’ve

been working at it for a long time and things are coming into fruition … it’s where I want to be. It feels good.

“Match play is exciting you can be more creative and aggressive but I just stuck to my game plan. I have been fortunate to be hitting it really well, which is a great advantage around Titirangi, so I used that to my advantage.”

In the New Zealand Men’s Amateur Championship, 16-year-old Daniel Hillier stormed to victory in a final tussle featuring another young contender.

Sam Vincent, 17, battled hard all day of the final round, but could not move ahead of Hillier’s error-free golf.

Hillier was thrilled with the biggest win of his career, and reflected on how far he had come since his days as a four-year-old when he went out “for a few holes with my Dad”.

“I’ve been working with [Manor Park Golf Club coach] Kevin Smith for four years now and we have made some really good progress for a while now … and have realised that this could be a really big part of my life.”

R

obyn Boniface and her Southland team-mates recently won the 2015 New Zealand Women’s Masters for the sixth time – and in stunning fashion.

Star of the team was Robyn Pullar, who contributed 127 points towards the team’s total of 368 gross stableford points at the Helensville Golf Club north of Auckland.

Played over four rounds, the three top scores, round by round, contribute to the team total.

Captain Boniface and team-mates Kerry Mariu and Fiona Murray were also

consistently excellent, enabling their team to maintain a 15-point lead throughout the final round.

Second-placed Auckland did not have one of its traditional, strong starts to the tournament. Long-time team Brigit Holford was uncharacteristically the non-counting player for the first two rounds.

However, Holford and the rest of team saved the best for last with a belting 99 points on the final day to deny Waikato second place.

Locals claim Autumn Foursomes Cups Home-crowd favourites Lis Stringer and Janice Roberts were unbeaten in six matches of handicap foursomes match play to win the 79th New Zealand Women’s Autumn Foursomes Championship at Napier Golf Club, Hawke’s Bay. Napier is renowned for its Art Deco architecture and annual heritage festival, so it was fitting that the prize-giving

evening also had 1930s theme. Patsy Hankins, Women’s Chairman of the International Golf Federation and pastpresident of NZ Golf, presented the winners with their trophies.

Next year’s championship – the 80th anniversary tournament – will be held at Martinborough in the wineproducing region of South Wairarapa near Wellington.

PresCare Queensland Senior Order of Merit Events 15 June Caloundra Golf Club

22 June Laidley Golf Club

29 June Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club

Entries close 9am, Thursday 11 June

Entries close 9am, Thursday 18 June

Entries close 9am, Thursday 25 June

www.facebook.com/GolfQueensland

@GolfQueensland

www.golfqueensland.org.au T: (07) 3252 8155 www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

53

seniors With Denis Dale ed@insidegolf.com.au

L

NATIONAL

Wheeler wins at The National

ocal member John “Wheels” Wheeler was a proud man as he donned the coveted green jacket awarded to the winner of the 2015 National Senior Masters.

A very popular member at The National, Wheeler had led after the opening round with a brilliant round of two-under-par 70 on the Moonah course. He followed this with a second round 74 on the magnificent Old course to find himself two strokes behind leader Barry Tippett (Thirteenth Beach).

Tippett had opened with rounds of 71-71 to set a hot pace at two under par.

In a tense final round played on the most challenging Ocean course Wheeler admitted to feeling quite nervous playing in the final group. However, he handled them well and in difficult and windy conditions his score of 77 was good enough for a three stroke winning margin. This was the title Wheeler most wanted and his rounds of 70-74-77=221 created a tournament record.

It was the first win for Wheeler in an Australian Senior Ranking event and he certainly picked a great event in which to break through. The three courses are all world class and the field was the strongest possible and would not have been out of place in an Australian Senior Amateur Championship.

Second place went to a trio that included NSW senior Simon Bracegirdle (Killara) and two Victorians, Ian Frost (Bendigo left) and Barry Tippett (Thirteenth Beach). Bracegirdle (74-75-75=224) is now a member at The National after a long and well-performed

John Wheeler in the winner’s green jacket – 2015 National Senior Masters career at the Killara club in Sydney. Frost (7175-78=224) has performed very well in senior events in recent years and is not only one of Victoria’s best seniors but also one of the best across the country.

Barry Tippett was the defending champion and led the field into the final round after two great par-breaking rounds of 71-71 on the Moonah and Old courses. He slipped a little with is final round of 82 that saw him fail in his effort to be the first two time winner of the green jacket. However, he did share second place points and has now climbed into second position on the Australian

NSW SENIOR ORDER OF MERIT The 2015 NSW Senior Order of Merit competition continues with fifteen of the 47 scheduled events now complete.

The NSW Veterans Stroke Play Championship was a new addition to the Senior Order of Merit competition with ranking points being allocated to players in the 54-hole championship.

The tournament was played on three of the better courses in Sydney’s west – Richmond, Glenmore Heritage Valley and Stonecutter’s Ridge.

Winning the 54-hole championship for an impressive fourth occasion was 66 year old Col Kenning. The Kiama Golf Club member entered the tournament on a handicap of 1 and promptly shot rounds of 71 at Richmond, 72 at Glenmore and then a fine 74 at the Greg Norman designed Stonecutters Ridge to take the title by five strokes from Leonay’s Laurie Cupples (7275-75).

“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” . Kenning also won this championship in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and was runner-up last year.

Laurie Cupples (Leonay) continued his good form with a win in the Bowral Jubilee Cup - Seniors. On the tight course Cupples had a good round of 75 to share

54

June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

A winning foursome, all previous winners of The National Senior Masters. (l to r) Barry Tippett 2014, Roy Vandersluis 2013, Tham Chin 2011, Rick Oliver 2010 Senior Ranking table behind fellow Victorian Gordon Claney.

Sharing fifth place were leading West Australian senior Ian McPherson (74-7775=226) and another Victorian Greg Rhodes (73-74-79=226). McPherson has been an Australian representative for several years while Rhodes was the recent runaway winner of the NSW Senior Amateur Championship.

Both Rhodes and McPherson will join Tippett and Frost in the Australian senior team that takes on New Zealand in July this year.

This year’s National Masters field was the strongest ever, with four of the past five

The McLeod PresCare Queensland Senior Order of Merit event attracted a very pleasing field of 76 players (44 men and 32 women).

The course was a fair test and given the heavy overnight rain was in good condition.

It was a very hot and humid day making it a real test of endurance.

Runner Up Men’s Scratch: Peter Duncan 74 Winner Men’s Nett: Monty Soilleux 40 points Runner Up Men’s Nett: Malcolm Wykes 38 points cb Winner Women’s Scratch: Josie Ryan 81 Runner Up Women’s Scratch: Cheryl Sternberg 85 cb

the leading score with Dunheved’s Graeme Howland with Cupples awarded the major prize on a countback. In third place was Bankstown senior Stephen Stanton.

With fifteen events completed Long Reef senior Ross Bockamn maintains his lead in the year-long Senior Order of Merit with Dale Tapper (Bayview) in second place and Greg Stanford (Mona Vale) third.

More: www.golfnsw.org

Tournament host Adrian Barr has developed an event to be proud of and there will certainly be a high demand for a place in the field next year as it continues to grow in status on the senior amateur circuit. www.ausoom.com

QUEENSLAND SENIOR ORDER OF MERIT

Winner Men’s Scratch: Mario La Chiusa 73

Col Kenning winner of the 2015 NSW Veteran’s Stroke Play Championship

champions competing along with the cream of Australian senior golf and several top level visitors from New Zealand. As always the organisation was at the highest possible level, all three courses were in beautiful condition and the hospitality of the club warm and generous.

Winner Women’s Nett: Sandra Croft 33 points Runner Up Women’s Nett: Collette Bryne 32 points Winner Super Seniors: Ian Simpson 36 points A very good field of 74 players (61 men and 13 women) competed in the Carbrook PresCare Queensland Senior Order of Merit event.

It was a perfect day for golf with the course presented in immaculate condition. Carbrook is a course that gets better every time it is played and this time the field was able to play the new seventeenth hole that had just been opened.

Winner Men’s Scratch: Mario La Chiusa 71 Runner Up Men’s Scratch: Greg Fraser 73 Winner Men’s Nett: George Spillane 42 points Runner Up Men’s Nett: Paul Price 39 points cb Winner Men’s Super Seniors: Phil Green 74 Runner Up Men’s Scratch: Harold Burke 75 May 7 was the date for the inaugural Hills PresCare Queensland Senior Order of Merit event at The Hills Golf Club with a field of 34 players.

The weather was perfect and the course presented in great condition after the extreme weather of the previous week – a fantastic job by the course staff. The Hills is one of the longest courses in Australia and it proved to be an enjoyable challenge for the senior field.

Winner Men’s Scratch: Greg Fraser 76 Runner Up Men’s Scratch: Tim Deakin 79 cb Winner Men’s Nett: Peter Wallace 37 points Runner Up Men’s Nett: Rodney McNeven Winner Women’s Scratch: Wendy O’Connell 84 Winner Women’s Nett: Adrienne Naismith 31 points cb More: www.golfqueensland.org.au

seniors

VICTORIAN SENIOR ORDER OF MERIT The competition for the Doug Bachli Trophy (scratch) and Paul Lulofs Trophy (handicap) continues and with 14 events completed has almost reached the half way mark.

The 2015 Cobram-Barooga Senior Open tournament continued its tradition of being one of the most popular events on the Victorian Senior Order of Merit calendar.

The host club warmly welcomes all visitors and it is not surprising that many make a return trip each year.

In the first round a field of 120 men played a stroke competition for Doug Bachli Trophy points on the Old course. At the same time a field of 140 (80 ladies and 60 men) played in a Stableford competition on the West course. There were 75 clubs represented from Tasmania, South Australia, NSW and Victoria.

In wonderful golfing conditions Bendigo senior Ian Frost opened with a par round of 72 to take a one stroke lead over Michael Jackson (Yarra Yarra) with Ross Banks, Gary Hunt and Ross Percy next on 74.

Frost held a two stroke lead over Bullas and Michael Jackson heading into the final round on the Old course.

With a seeded draw adding extra pressure it was an exciting final day.

On an overcast but generally fine day Ian Frost (72-77-76=225) handled the conditions well and his round of 76 saw him finish with a four stroke winning margin. Frost had the distinction of a wire-to-wire victory with Yarra Yarra’s “Super Senior” Michael Jackson (74-77-78=229) finishing in second place. Third place went to Greg O’Brien (Howlong 75-77-73=230) and Alan Bullas (Commonwealth 77-76-77=230).

Cobram Barooga member Colin Rankin utilised his local knowledge

Winner Ian Frost

The second round was played under contrasting weather conditions. Winds were gusting at up to 50 km per hour with the sun blocked out by a dust storm.

Best score of the day was a gutsy, no birdie 76 from Alan Bullas (Commonwealth), closely followed by overnight leader Ian Frost (Bendigo) with a 77.

to take this year’s nett event playing off a handicap of 13 with a three round nett total of 213. Russell Williams (Leongatha) finished in second place with a score of 214 with the defending Paul Lulofs Trophy champion Ignatius Duivenvoorden rounding out the top three places with his nett score of 219.

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With a large crowd of 280 attending the presentation dinner the list of prize winners was almost endless. The major prize winners are listed below: Men’s Scratch: 225 Ian Frost (Bendigo) Runner Up: 229 Michael Jackson (Yarra Yarra) Men’s Handicap: 213 Colin Rankin (Cobram-Barooga) Runner Up: 214 Russell Williams (Leongatha) Men’s Stableford: 107* Kevin Keating (Cobram-Barooga) Runner Up: 107 John Blackburn (Walwa) Ladies Stableford: 107 Wendy Pullar (Cobram Barooga) Runner Up: 105 Noelle Hartnett (Rossdale) Teams Event: 209 Commonwealth GC - Graeme Bone, Alan Buckley, Alan Bullas Victory in this event has further lengthened the lead Ian Frost has in the 2015 Doug Bachli Trophy.

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SOUTH AUSTRALIA SENIOR ORDER OF MERIT Four events have now been completed in the 2015 South Australian Senior Order of Merit with Phil Smith from Tea Tree Gully currently leading the race from Steve Ross (South Lakes) and Chris Everett (Tea Tree Gully).

The most recent events been played were at Mt Osmond and Flagstaff Hill.

It was pleasing to see that the course staff had worked hard to present their courses in fine condition. All that was needed was for the players to enjoy the cool autumn Adelaide weather and play some good golf.

Mt Osmond Seniors Gross Winner: Ken Brown (Tea Tree Gully) 72 Runner Up: Steve Ross (South Lakes) 76 Hcp Winner: Alex Dixon (Kooyonga 70 Runner Up: John Anderson Flagstaff Hill) 72 Super Seniors Winner: John Hill (Mt Osmond) 73 Runner Up: George Christopoulos (Mt Osmond) 78 Handicap Winner: Tony Weber (Mt Osmond) 70 Runner Up: Joe Crawford (Mt Osmond) 73

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Phil Smith: winner of the 2015 Flagstaff Hill seniors and current leader of the SA Senior Order of Merit

Flagstaff Hill Seniors Gross Winner: Phil Smith (Tea Tree Gully) 76 Runner Up: Nigel Turner (Lady Bay) 78 Hcp Winner: Phil Smith (Tea Tree Gully) 72 Runner Up: Graham Howarth (Flagstaff Hill) 73 Super Seniors Winner: Jim Richards (Tea Tree Gully) 77 Runner Up: Paul Starrs (Flagstaff Hill) 79 Handicap Winner: Paul Stars (Flagstaff Hill) 70 Runner Up: Glen Bruce (Mt Barker) 74

There is now a break in events until a new SA Order of Merit event at Glenelg Golf Club in late August.

Mid-September has an Australian Senior Order of Merit ranking event played over 36 holes at Kooyonga and Grange Golf Clubs. Following straight after is the final event of the South Australian Order of Merit year, the 2015 South Australian Senior Amateur Championship at Links Lady Bay Golf Club.

All of these courses are highly rated championship courses and the organisers look forward to a good number of interstate entries to join with the local seniors in enjoying the competition offered.

More: www.golfsa.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

55

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juniors

Juniors in Australian team

T

Mercure Capricorn Resort golf operations manager Andrew Humble said the tournament was a huge success.

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: The Australian team to compete in the United States of America next month.

“The tournament attracted more than 160 competitors from across Australia as well as entries from New Zealand, Asia and South Africa,” he said.

This significant boost to the region’s economy attracted more than 600 new visitors to the Capricorn Coast and generated in excess of 750 room nights across the week of the event.

Perfect weather and first-class golf course conditions greeted the players.

“The players competed in age divisions off set tee distances,” Humble said.

“They were vying to be crowned Australian champion in their age division and secure a place in the Australian team to compete in the Veritas AAU Junior Olympic Games Golf Championship in California in July.”

Tournament ambassador Charlie Earp was there to

56

June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

P

EREGIAN Springs Golf Club’s junior golf program is going from strength to strength with Cassie Porter headed for the Amateur Athletic Union Veritas Junior Olympic Games Golf Championship in the USA next month.

HIRTEEN young golfers have won their way to America after taking out their respective age divisions at the inaugural Australian Junior Age Division Golf Championship.

Capricorn Resort Golf at Mercure Resort, Yeppoon played host to the three-day tournament on the specially configured Resort Course along with the renowned Championship Course.

Young Cassie US-bound

talk to the players and to help them with their game.

“Australian golf has needed this event for years and Capricorn Resort Golf has delivered it to perfection,” Earp said.

“This along with glowing reports from the players and parents will ensure that the tournament will only grow in the coming years to become one of the leading junior tournaments in the country.”

Final results: 6 years and under boys Yutaro Matsushita (114) Emerald Lakes; 7-8 years girls Sophie Thomsen (159) Pelican Waters and boys Jackson Steinhardt (104) Mt Warren Park; 9-10 years girls Caitlin Vanderkruk (137) Keperra and boys Kai Schloss (125) Wynnum; 11-12 years girls Cassie Porter (236) Peregian Springs and boys Harvey Remfrey (223) Ballina ; 13-14 years girls Isabelle Taylor (233) Sanctuary Cove and boys Ryan Stitt (220) Gladstone; 15-16 years girls Morgan Lewis (243) Gladstone and boys Josh Wellwood (222) Lakelands; 17-18 years girls Kiera King (250) Capricorn Resort and boys Ryley Martin (225) Headland.

The 12-year-old won the right to represent her country after winning her age division at the Australian Junior Age Division Golf Championship at Mercure Capricorn Resort at Yeppoon.

She carded excellent rounds of 75-83-78.

Cassie Porter “can’t wait” to represent Australia in the US.

“Cassie has risen up through the ranks of the Peregian Springs Golf Club’s junior development program and was the recipient of the club’s junior sponsorship award in 2014, which paid for her golf lessons and membership,” said CEO Declan McCollam.

“Cassie has had an outstanding year winning a number of junior golf events at the club and around the state.

The Junior Olympic Games Golf Championship is at Tustin Ranch Golf Club in Orange County and Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena, California, USA. The opening ceremony will be at the LA Angels Baseball Stadium and the medal ceremony will be at Downtown Disney, both in Anaheim.

The junior golfers will have time to have fun away from the golf course while they are there.

“It has been my dream to play golf in the US,” Cassie said. “I can’t wait.”

For more information about Peregian Springs Junior Golf Development Program contact 5471-5471 or visit www.peregianspringsgolf.com.au •

events

Balgowlah wins first Mixed Pennants

F

or the first time in its almost 90-year history, Balgowlah Golf Club took top honours in the Sydney-wide Metropolitan Mixed Pennants, beating Richmond Golf Club in the final played at Asquith Golf Club.

Joel Rose and Wendy Young went undefeated throughout the competition, winning 3-up on the 16th in the final to seal the victory. But the victory reflected a true team effort, with wins from Robyn Hare, Gary Hare, Russ Ewing, Jan Macdonald, Lynda Trevenar and Matt Rigby all performing extremely well in the finals and throughout the mixed pennant competition. Scott Allsopp and Jenny Loveridge were also undefeated throughout the pennant competition.

The victory is quite an achievement for the club, which narrowly came second in the grand final in 2014. This year’s endeavour saw Balgowlah claim convincing wins over Bardwell Valley in the quarterfinals and Rosnay in the semi-finals before taking the final against Richmond.

The mixed pennants is a Sydney-wide competition comprising 37 golf clubs in a total of nine Divisions and has been a yearly major mixed pennant competition since 1984. Balgowlah was in Division three and came first in its Division including a final round five-nil result.

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Balgowlah Golf Club is celebrating its 90th birthday on August 7th. The Club is in a cashpositive position and will soon announce some innovative junior golf incentives to entice more juniors into the game. Balgowlah is always looking for new members, especially junior and cadet memberships from only $50 per year. Adult male and female memberships are also highly encouraged with memberships starting from just $604.50 a year. For more information: www.balgowlahgolfclub.com.au •

Catch the latest golf news online: www.insidegolf.com.au.

Join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/insidegolf, keep up to the minute with our Twitter feed (@InsideGolf).

Feedback? Drop us a line at ed@insidegolf.com.au

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Volunteer Home Maintenance Service has teams of gardeners and volunteers who visit clients as part of Wicking Garden beds Water Sustaining Project.

The car with a top-up contribution of funds from VTF is to provide transport for a home visit ahead of the gardening team doing the work. By having a separate vehicle, the advisor can free up the utility van needed by the gardening team.

More information about the VTF and the Nomad Golf Club Perth can be obtained by visiting: www.volunteertaskforce.org.au and www.nomadsgolfperth.com •

• Listed in the Rolex top 1000 courses in the world 2011 • Consistently ranked in the top 20 courses in Australia (Australian Golf Digest) • No 4 Public Access course in Australia (Golf Australia Magazine 2013) • Range of membership packages available • Driving range open to public • Fully Licensed Club House DON’T DELAY - WHY NOT JOIN TODAY? For more information call (08) 9524 5991 or visit our website

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57

events

11th ASGCC adds a Royal Touch T he Australian Social Golf Club Championships (ASGCC) is staged every August on some of the Gold Coast’s best golf courses and this year the event will include the superb Royal Pines Golf Course. The 27-hole composite layout is well known for having hosted the Australian Ladies Masters and Australian PGA Championships in recent years, making it a highly anticipated addition to the ASGCC.

The ASGCC offers amateur golfers the opportunity to experience the challenge of playing in a professional tournament atmosphere. All golfers are welcome to play in the event, however only players with current, official golf handicaps can compete for the great prizes and titles on offer. All four tournament rounds are single stableford and results are entered on GOLF Link after each round.

After the success in 2014 of moving to Broadbeach on the Gold Coast, the ASGCC is expecting another bumper field in the tournament’s 11th year. Founded at Palm Meadows, in 2015 the ASGCC will also include rounds at The Glades and Lakelands Golf Clubs and host golfers at the luxurious and iconic ARIA Apartments in Broadbeach.

Event sponsors and partners Heathcote Winery, the Golf Clearance Outlet, Edge Loyalty, Good Food Gift Cards, Srixon and Garmin will all contribute to the prize pool of over $15,000. The highlight of the great prizes on offer is that one lucky golfer will again be drawn to win a free golf trip to Thailand (including airfares) to compete in the 2016 SGA International in Pattaya, Thailand.

The event is an official national championship for amateurs representing their social clubs and golf clubs that places great emphasis on enjoying playing tournament golf in the right spirit with great respect for the rules and etiquette of the game.

Australian Social Golf Club Championships golfers celebrate at the 2014 event. event experience for our golfers.”

title in a format that gives everybody a chance. Our job is to supply our golfers with a fun event that also has credibility of an official national championship.”

The ARIA Apartments is in the heart of Broadbeach and offer the convenience of close proximity to restaurants, bars, clubs, the beach, Jupiters Casino (where the ASGCC Presentation Dinner is held) and many other attractions Broadbeach has to offer. The ARIA features 4.5 star 2 & 3 bedroom apartments (as well as Penthouses and Sky-Houses) and is considered to be among the premium accommodation options on the Gold Coast.

According to Social Golf Australia (SGA) founder Matthew Pitt, the goal is to deliver the best possible value and experience for those playing in the tournament and the addition of Royal Pines has significantly increased interest in the event.

“The golfers at our event are generally people who appreciate the challenge and tests of skill and character that golf provides as well as having a laugh and enjoying the company of friends and fellow competitors.

Our event management philosophy is really as simple as that: great golf and great fun.

To us, the word “social” means enjoying the company of your fellow players and the experience of playing in a tournament.” said Pitt.

“We are delighted with the response to the 2015 event and our pre-bookings suggest that the event will book out. Our golfers like to combine a fun holiday on the Gold Coast with playing in a tournament on quality golf courses. They enjoy meeting new people from golf clubs around Australia and competing with mates to win an Australian

“We recognise that the quality of the people who play are the key to the success of the event as a memorable golfing adventure.

Each year we look for ways we can improve the championships to add value and interest for our golfers. The ASGCC is getting bigger and better every year and the addition of Royal Pines this year will certainly add to the

In 2015, the ASGCC will be staged from August 16-21 over four stableford rounds with a rest day after the first two rounds to make it easier for amateur golfers to manage the rigours of a 72-hole tournament. In addition, there is an optional, fun ambrose round on the day before the event, to be held at Palm Meadows. The event then kicks off with rounds at Lakelands Golf Club and Royal Pines Resort before the rest day, and then continues at The Glades Golf Course and Palm Meadows for the 3rd and 4th rounds.

The event is also linked with The SGA Tour event series (sgatour.com.au) hosted in each mainland capital by Social Golf Australia.

The top three place getters in the Order of Merit in each state win discount ASGCC entry the following year. For golfers who need a handicap, The SGA Golf Club is a national handicap provider offering an official handicap and a GOLF Link number for $95.

ASGCC entry forms are available at SGA Tour events, in Golf Clearance Outlet stores and online at the ASGCC website at www.socialgolfaustralia.com.au. There is event information on the ASGCC website and golfers can also contact SGA directly on (03) 5433 3213. Inside Golf is proud to continue our support the ASGCC and we will provide event coverage and results in 2015. •

Ellis wins Blind Golf Open Championship Gary McInnes Jeff Ellis from Victoria won the 2015 ISPS HANDA Australian Blind Golf Open Championship played at Rosebud Country Club on 16-17 April. Jeff, who is a B3 player on a handicap of 29, with his wife Maureen as caddie, played a brilliant first round net 62 on the par-72 South course. He followed it up with a net 79 to take out the title from Jenny McCallum (B2 handicap 36) from Western Australia caddied by her husband Ian with net 69 and 73.

Deanna Minciullo from WA won the Ladies Championship. David Blyth from Vic won the B1 title, while West Australians Malcolm Elliott and Doug Burrows won the

B2 and B3 titles respectively.

The 25th running of the Victorian Open was played on the same course earlier in the same week and the most deserved winner was Stephen Mitchell from NSW with his caddie Steve Woolford. Stephen (B3 handicap 26) put together two solid stableford rounds of 37 and 38 to just hold off David Blyth (B1 handicap 54) who had 30 and 42 points. Jenny McCallum won the Ladies Championship.

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Sponsorship opportunities are available to anyone wishing to offer charitable support to the blind golf community. Also, blind golf is open to people of all ages and is a perfect avenue for those club golfers who are experiencing some sight loss to stay involved in our great game.

Blind golf has 3 sight categories; B1, B2 and B3 which relate to how much sight a player has. B1 players are totally blind.

It was pleasing to see Billy McCallister come out from England to play in both events.

Rosebud Country Club was congratulated by Blind Golf Australia President Mr Doug Sloan for the presentation of the course and the

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58

support of all the volunteers who helped stage the two events.

More information: Gary McInnes on 0417 055 731. www.blindgolf.com.au, or www.internationalblindgolf.com. •

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2015 ISPS HANDA Australian Blind Golf Open Champion Jeff Ellis with wife and caddie Maureen

19th hole

What’s in a name?

Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

I

t seems to me if you intend to be a great sportsman, specifically a golfing legend, you need to have a name that says “greatness.”

Jack Nicklaus. Now that’s a name! The Golden Bear! Big, strong, long. The greatest golfer ever with the best name ever! I guess we’ve all seen past his voice, which sounds like a small bird pleading with its mum to regurgitate his meal of worms. But all the same, “Jack Nicklaus” screams of folklore!

Arnold Palmer. Another ripper of a name.

The King. His fans adored him. He was an exciting, attacking player who went at the ball like it was trying to defy him. “There you go, ball… that’ll teach you”. Arnold turned golf from a pleasant outing with a doctor and a judge and the local headmaster who wore plaid trousers, into a riveting gladiatorial spectacle.

Greg Norman. The Great White Shark. Noone could hit the ball further or harder and straighter. They say a great white can smell blood from a kilometre away and hone in on its prey, striking it with extraordinary force and precision. (I just scared the $#%& out of myself ).

Seve Ballesteros. The Matador. Seve took the robotic “fairways and greens” play of the stereotypical US professional and drove it to the nearest carpark. His huge legions of fans were always treated to something majestic

during the course of a round and they could see it happen up close and personal.

Mainly because he played most of his golf from inside the gallery. Watching Seve play was like being in a Zorro movie with him hanging off chandeliers, swiping his sword at the bad guys while rescuing the damsel with his other hand.

In the modern era, Tiger Woods stands out like a pole dancer in a monastery; he has broken more rules than Chopper Read and Justin Bieber combined. He spits on greens, swears, throws clubs and has had relations with every blond female under the age of 35 who has resided in the USA since 1997. Having said all that, TigerTrouser-Trout is/was the greatest striker of a golf ball I’ve ever seen. He is also the toughest competitor out there and will do whatever it takes to beat the living daylights out of you. And what about his name? No, not Woods…. TIGER! Taking up most of the front pages these days is another superbly named individual called Rory! When you whack the surname of “McIlroy” on the end he becomes the ultimate Irish light middleweight Champion. “In the red corner, wearing the shamrock shorts and drinking a pint of Guinness...” etc. His freewheeling swing, which somehow converts into distances only a physicist could explain, and his wonderful down-to earth “the beers are on me” disposition makes him one of the most sought-after best mates on the tour.

Now we come to golf’s newest superstar…Jordan Spieth. Umhmm.

Perhaps we should split the two words up, shall we? Jordan – meaning “one who descends”. Ok then. Let’s look at Spieth. The closest I could get to this being associated with a Bear, Tiger or Great White Shark was a weird looking animal, which resides in the forests of the Amazon called a Sloth. It has three toes, is the slowest moving mammal on Earth and looks like the result of a romantic, moonlit interlude with an Orangutan and Patrick Reed.

Don’t get me wrong! Jordan is possibly the finest young bloke I’ve ever, nearly met.

(There were 35 other golf journos sitting next to me at the time) His game isn’t necessarily brilliant in any one part, except maybe for putting and his style of play seems to be best described as …really excellent.

He doesn’t have bleached white hair, smash his nut inexplicable distances, or sleep with most of the Northern Hemisphere, but this 21 year-old kid is hurtling at great speed towards greatness!

We owe it to Jordan Spieth to come up with a nickname worthy of such greatness; preferably, something better than a slow moving, weird looking mammal who tells galleries to Shsssh.

Come on readers, let’s put our heads together and give the kid a cracker of a moniker.

As always, our Editor, Richard, is sitting by the computer waiting for you to respond to everything I write in INSIDE GOLF. He loves nothing more than to receive feedback.

Particularly when it doesn’t require any legal action.

Editor’s note: On that note, as you send in your creative monikers for Jordan Spieth, why don’t you also include a great nickname for Inside Golf’s one and only Larry Canning. The name “Canning” has a plethora of opportunities – from creamed corn, to lentil soup, to preserved peach? C’mon, have some fun with it! Send your nicknames to ed@insidegolf.com.au

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59

19th hole

The days of the old clubhouse Michael Green

@AussieGolfer

A

friend of mine thinks you cannot write a good novel without having read the classics. Roger Federer thinks you can’t really love a sport unless you understand its history and how it has evolved, and I know several golf writers who think all trainee golf professionals should know the history of the game.

I’m not sure I agree with any of these comments and am usually skeptical when someone is offering up the past as an example of a better way of doing things.

People often confuse nostalgia for quality.

Vinyl records conjure warm, albeit scratchy, memories in the minds of old-time music lovers. An old FJ Holden is still the car of choice for a few car lovers. And I’ve heard some people talk about having a cold pie and sauce at the footy like it’s some sort of heavenly ritual. But are these memories really any better than what we have now?

Golf is full of this sort of nostalgia and I’m the first to admit, the game is better for it.

But I’m still not convinced carrying an old leather bag is better than pulling one along on a trolley. I’m not convinced hitting a guttie with a mashie was any more enjoyable than hitting a balata with a persimmon. Or whether either of them was more fun than hitting a modern golf ball out of sight with a 460cc metal driver.

But among my skepticism and confusion comes my own nostalgia each time I walk past a golf clubhouse. I concede that it’s sentimentality for a time long gone, but one I miss dearly.

The time I’m talking about was when clubhouses were the epicentre for the members of the golf club. The place would be overflowing many nights of the week with tired golfers scoffing down Pringles, drinking beers, and embellishing moments from their tedious round.

Much of my time as a junior golfer was divided equally between the golf course, the practice range and the clubhouse. My memories of afternoons and evenings following the Thursday or Saturday competition rounds are the fondest.

After spending a round with three other members who were happy to see one of the juniors join them for a game, I’d get shouted a coke or two while they’d go over the highlights from the day. Often including a few of my better shots in the discussion. I’d be chuffed.

The club captain would announce the winners for the day to plenty of banter.

Balls were handed or launched at golfers depending on how liked (or lucky) that particular golfer was considered to be.

My understanding of the term ‘course management’ was still many years away, but the seed was sown in the clubhouse when I learned of type of golfer who was often aged over 60, didn’t hit the ball very far and who seemed to place among the ball winners every week.

I learned that if you didn’t go on to become a professional golfer - as I was going to be you could still come off the golf course with a smile on your face, even if you had a bad round.

I learned some jokes and other stuff too, that’s not fit to put into writing.

And so the sight of an empty, lifeless and often closed clubhouse after the end of

The quick nine quiz THERE are 22 stableford points up for grabs on the front nine. How many can you get?

with David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

1. Which golf club will host the 2015 US Open? (2 pts) 2. Who was the last American to win the US Open – Lucas Glover, Webb Simpson, Tiger Woods or Jim Furyk? (2 pts) 3. In the event of a tie, what is the playoff format for the US Open? (1 pt) 4. Who is the oldest winner of the US Open – Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin, Ben Hogan or Raymond Floyd? (2 pts) 5. What is the handicap limit for amateurs wanting to enter qualifying for the US Open? (3 pts) 6. How many golfers have won the US Open, which was first played in 1895 – 80, 82 or 84?

(3 pts) 7. How many US Open champions have won the title more than once – 20, 21, 22 or 23?

(3 pts) 8. How many players contest the first US Open in 1895? Was it 11, 13, 15 or 39? (3 pts) 9. What is the purse for the 2015 US Open? (3 pts) ANSWERS: (1). Chambers Bay GC; (2). Webb Simpson in 2012; (3). 18-hole playoff followed by sudden-death; (4). Hale Irwin at 45 years and 15 days; (5). 1.4 handicap limit; (6). 82; (7). 21; (8). 11 – 10 pros and one amateur; (9). $US9 million.

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Cheryl crowned 26 times

Cheryl Cowie during the height of her career.

WHEN it comes to women’s club champions, few golfers can match Cheryl Cowie’s extraordinary feat.

an afternoon round of golf does make me nostalgic. While I’m aware of golf clubs where the 19th hole is still a buzzing place to be after a round, they’re rare as hen’s teeth these days.

Were the days of busy, social, merry clubhouses better for golf than they are today? Probably. But today most people have little time to play golf, let alone spend time at the golf club. Not to mention the indisputable case for having fewer drunks on the road, quite possibly the biggest (and smartest) reason for the change in clubhouse habits.

It doesn’t make it any easier heading straight to the car after a round though. I’ll often sign the card and pack the clubs in the boot in a state of melancholy. Recounting all your great shots to yourself isn’t quite the same somehow. It’s almost enough to make me go out and buy an old FJ, put on some vinyl and read Dickens.

Perhaps I might even buy a mashie.

The Caloundra Golf Club stalwart has won 26 women’s A grade club championship spanning four decades.

Cheryl won her first title in 1971 and again in 1972 and ’73.

She missed out in 1974, but won again in 1975 and every year after that right through to 1993 – 19 club championships in a row.

Cheryl missed out in 1994 before winning again in 1995, 1998, 2000 and 2003.

I guess the club’s sign-writer never had the chance to spell her name incorrectly.

It’s been suggested Cheryl knows every blade of grass on the Caloundra course and she should after playing more than 5000 rounds there.

She joined the club in 1967 – a year after it opened.

She was 21 and had never played golf previously and within four years was A grade champion.

Cheryl represented Queensland in the amateur ranks from 1980-1984 and again from 1993-1997.

Old balls, clubs put to good use WHAT happens to old golf balls that haven’t yet found the bottom of a lake or disappeared in deep rough never to be seen again?

Well, golfing visitors to popular Howeston Golf Course in Brisbane’s east donate their close to the used-by-date golf balls to golf course owners Bill and Lynn Weston.

They bag them up and give them to Greg Norman Golf Foundation (GNGF) president Charlie Earp, who chucks them on the back of a Ute along with other donated golf balls and golf clubs he has received from other clubs.

Charlie either takes the gear to the Northern Rivers where he works closely with golf clubs as they go about teaching children to play the game.

Alternatively, he sends them to GNGF coach Doug Gardner in Central Queensland to distribute to kids as young as four and five years old.

“Doug gets a lot of thank you messages from clubs and recently got a nice letter from Biloela Golf Club thanking him for the golf balls and clubs,” Lynn Weston said.

“Doug really appreciated receiving the golf balls, but we really don’t want any recognition.

“There is always a shortage of clubs and golf balls in regional towns Doug visits so if anyone has any spare balls they should contact the Greg Norman Golf Foundation.

“Doug shortens the clubs, puts on new grips and gives them to the kids along with some golf balls.

“They bring them back with a sock over the club-heads and all the balls are nice and clean.

“That’s why our customers are happy to donate golf balls because they know Charlie and know the golf balls will be made good use of.”

If you have golf clubs or golf balls you no longer use drop them at Howeston Golf Course and have a game on the picturesque 27-hole layout or contact the Greg Norman Golf Foundation on (07) 3216-0552.

They’ll do the rest.

19th hole

Roo stands ground – golfer freaks out

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OMETIMES it helps to have all the laughs you can get when playing a round of golf.

Two players landed in a greenside bunker.

However, a large ’roo was positioned between one player’s ball and the flag.

The kangaroo was resting and wouldn’t budge so the player approached his ball, took aim and swish … sand flew.

The result? The kangaroo never moved and the player’s ball now rested less than half a metre from the big ’roo.

Heiniger believes his young protégé has a bright future in the game.

The golfer was getting no help from his playing partners. All they did was laugh.

T

Adjacent to Eastwood’s first tee stands a large Cypress tree that posed a safety risk due to its condition and was to be removed. Rather than full removal, the Club recognised an opportunity and instead opted to turn the surviving trunk into a unique work of art.

With the assistance of sponsorship from two members, Mike Rawlinson and Roger Earle, the club commissioned renowned chainsaw sculptor Rob Bast to create a wood carving with the intention of becoming a feature landmark at the course.

The design features a golfer with golf bag and clubs, accompanied by birdlife.

Eastwood Golf Club president, Lance Robinson says members watched the progress of the work with great interest and everyone is delighted with the end result.

“The sculpture is simply stunning. Rob has done an amazing job and exceeded all our expectations. The skill

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“Let’s see you play your next shot,” they laughed.

He carefully approached his ball and still the marsupial didn’t move.

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Then, in the blink of an eye, the player charged in, chipped on and retreated faster than a French General while his fellow golfers fell about laughing.

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Guess the old kangaroo has seen it all before.

One of the golfer’s playing partners captured the incident on his iPhone and posted it on the club’s website.

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FOOTNOTE: No animal or human was harmed.

Tree carving creates landmark for Eastwood hanks to some creative thinking, Eastwood Golf Club in Melbourne can now boast one of the most distinctive natural landmarks of any course in Australia.

The 16-year-old former Headland Golf Club member recently won the Clark County Amateur in Nevada to become the youngest golfer to win the championship.

Trent moved to the US a year ago and is coached by Noosa Springs Golf Club professional Peter Heiniger.

A recent incident involving golfers and kangaroos, or one kangaroo in particular, turned out to be quite amusing.

Well, on this occasion, a mob of kangaroos took up their positions around the fifth green and that’s when things became interesting.

SUNSHINE Coast teen Jack Trent is making every post a winner in the US.

He set up the win with an eight-under par 64 in the first round and followed it up with a 76 to finish on 140 – two strokes ahead of Zane Thomas from the University of Las Vegas.

At Noosa Golf Club, the friendly members laugh a lot and visitors are encouraged to join in.

Kangaroos are plentiful around the golf course and don’t mind congregating around the greens to “observe” golfers passing through.

Junior Jack making waves in US

and level of detail that has gone into the work and what he has been able to achieve using chainsaws as his tools is quite incredible,” he said.

“We always thought our course here at Eastwood was special, but we now have a landmark that is truly unique. It has become a major talking point amongst members and guests. Everyone who comes here is commenting on it and stopping to take photos at the first tee.”

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ACROSS

1 Winner of the 2015 RBC Heritage (3,5) 5 US 2009 winner of The Barclays, Heath ______ (6) 9 Third last hole in a round of golf (7) 10 Cadet (7) 11 Forcible contact made with a club (6) 13 English winner of the 2013 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, David ______ (6) 16 Winner of the 2010 Sony Open in Hawaii (4,6) 18 Fringe (4) 20 Winner of the 2011 Canadian Open, ____ O’Hair (4) 21 Australian who reached the quarterfinals of the 2015 WGC Match Play Championship (4,6) 23 Winner of the 2015 US Masters, Jordan ______ (6) 24 Malfunction (4,2) 28 Winner of the Open Championship in 1997, Justin _______ (7) 29 Hitter (7) 31 Club used on a green (6) 32 Winner of the 2007 Australian Masters, Aaron ________ (8) Answers: page 66

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DOWN

1 Winner of the 2015 Zurich Classic of New Orleans (6,4) 2 Misunderstanding (3-2) 3 Bring into play (3) 4 Sudden jerk (4) 6 Australian who came second at the US Open in 2003, Stephen ______ (6) 7 Ended (9) 8 Australian who made the round of 16 at the 2015 WGC Match Play Championship, ____ Leishman (4) 10 Unfinished business (5,3) 12 Casings that line holes on greens (4) 14 Assigned (8) 15 American winner of the 2013 US Senior Open (5,5) 17 Winner of the 2013 Australian PGA Championship (4,5) 19 The part of the clubhead nearest the golfer prior to his shot (4) 22 Concluding part of a performance (6) 25 Country bumpkin (5) 26 Show appreciation of a good golf shot, for instance (4) 27 Continent that dominates ladies professional golf (4) 30 Winner of the 2008 Australian Masters, ___ Pampling (3) www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

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your say

Letter of the Month

Committees and boards lost in the forest In response to your excellent article “See the forest for the trees” (April issue), I can relate to your article with my club. I became a member in 1951 at age 13 and was a caddy before that. In 1971 the club moved to a new location and almost immediately had problems with high salt content bore water. Expert advice from our greenskeeper in 1973 was ignored and in 1979-80 all of our greens had to be rebuilt. Naturally, a lot of members left and the club was lucky to survive.

The course was being maintained without change to the architect’s design. In 1989 the club made a small profit, the first for a decade, the course improved out of sight and stayed with his design. The club had seven profitable years and in 1996 the bank balance easily outstripped the club’s total liabilities. Membership was full and at affordable family rates and for the first time in the club’s history there was a waiting list for membership. The greenskeeper was making good progress with various course projects with 14 tees built or renovated with Santa Anna couch grass and 10 fairways were back to the original couch grass that was there in 1971.

1996 also saw a change in the composition of the Board. 1997 saw our greenskeeper resign.

The next greenskeeper could not maintain the high standard of maintenance and the waiting list for membership became nonexistent. Directors began to put their

stamp on so-called ‘course improvements’.

It was decided kikuyu would be the grass of choice and away went the 14 tees and 10 fairways of couch grass. A couple of right-to-left dogleg holes had a concrete cart path built on the right-hand side and within a few metres of the greens. The shorter hitters have to hit to this side and on one of these holes if you hit the path you’ll finish in a creek. A par-3 hole had the tee moved 15 or 20 metres to the left and a willow tree had to be removed as the hole was a dog-leg par-3. This tee is still out of alignment to the hole and the green. The list goes on.

Members were leaving and the club borrowed money to finance projects to entice them back. I dare not mention what was done to the bunkers. Members were informed our club was going to lead the golfing world and we would be the envy of other golf clubs. A 5-year course maintenance contract was entered into and our machinery was sold. Maintenance was then down to a price and not up to a standard, and the club now has low membership numbers and substantial debt. For all that, however, the club still has the backbone of a very good course.

While your article hones in on Directors, it is the members’ vote that puts them there.

I will close with a saying from the course designer: “So many Committees don’t know what they are doing, but they go ahead and do it anyway.”

T.D.

Break the Link I have been playing golf for well over fifty years and have always believed that the name of the game was to shoot as close to par as possible. However enter Golf Link to completely destroy my beliefs.

I recently shot a dismal 91 off the stick which included a distrastrous five-over on a par-3. On checking my handicap later I found that Golf Link had adjusted my gross score to 88. I did not shoot 88, but 91. Had I stated that I’d had a double bogey on that hole, knowing that Golf Link were going to credit me with that, I would have been cheating. No thank you.

It appears to me that the days of a genuine stroke round are over, much to my dislike and dismay. I am in total disagreement with the system Golf Link have put in place.

Dave Thomas

Sweeping the broom Can you please confirm that as of January 2016, all club members will be required to stop using broomstick putters? My purpose in raising this matter is that after 30 years of club golf I developed the yips with my putting. Switching to a broomstick solved the problem and has given me another 15 years of enjoyment and participation in club competitions and golf trips. Being now 80 years old and hopefully playing twice a week, why exacerbate the problem of falling memberships by driving players like myself away from golf?

Make it mandatory for elite players, club championships and board events, but leave it optional for B or C grade players in normal club events. I would appreciate hearing other views on this situation.

Donald.

Editor’s note:

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!

Great 9-hole courses Following on from the story on 9-hole courses (March-May). Our 9-hole course, Harrington Waters, on the lower North Coast of NSW would have to be one of the best 9-hole courses in Australia. Big statement, yes, but we can back it up with a slope rating of 134. 2945m each nine, with water and/ or OB on every hole. Our four par-3 holes average 153m, with water to contend with from the four tee positions.

Give the Sandbelt a belt I often read about Melbourne’s ‘sandbelt’ golf courses. Everyone waxes lyrical about how great they are and how they are this and that.

Unfortunately, Donald, the “Anchoring” ban applies to all players—amateurs and professionals. However, the putter itself is not banned, just “anchoring” it to your body.

Many players who use broomstick putters will continue to use the club, but will just move it an inch or so away from their chest/ belly/chin so that it is not touching the body. Give that a try, and see how you go.

Offensive defense

If any of your readers are interested in a great golf course, come and have a game. We are on the mouth of the Manning River, 25 km east of Taree. 4 hrs north of Sydney.

Please desist with all this nonsense about Melbourne’s sandbelt courses and just acknowledge if a course is good, bad or indifferent without making reference to its base. It is so boring!

Congrats on a very perceptive article in the May issue. Too many golf club directors seem to lose their good sense when embarking on so-called course improvements, sometimes on well-established layouts that members enjoy playing in their existing form .The current climate sees golf clubs finding it more difficult to attract new members and retain the ones they have. If one of the factors affecting member retention is playing enjoyment, why increase the level of difficulty?

Bob Mitchell

Alex R

Noel S

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June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

I live in Perth and all our bloody courses are sandbelt courses. But nobody goes on and on about the fact that they are “sandbelt courses”. It is a given. So what?

Concern for our juniors I have only recently discovered that the Greg Norman Golf Foundation/Junior Golf Foundation of Queensland will be merging with Golf Queensland. I was very involved with the Foundation’s junior program when my son was aged 8 to 17 years and was very impressed with the effort put in by Rae Clarke and her staff at each of these tournaments. My son started off as a shy, reserved boy of 8 who hardly spoke to adults, but during the 8-9 years he was a member he blossomed into a young man. The way the juniors are made to feel important, share fun times with other juniors and learn etiquette, public speaking and play so many different courses is priceless in itself.

I am concerned that the level of attention that is given to the juniors by the Foundation will not be addressed in any merger and I hope that whoever runs the events will remember that these juniors, many who are just starting out in golf, need that extra support, words of encouragement, praise of good shots, or just to listen to the hard luck stories. The Foundation has provided all this and I know Rae at times even went above and beyond the call of duty and sat with parents and children talking about their future or solving a problem which could have become a major issue for some.

All the work over the years that Charlie Earp and his team have given to junior golf cannot be lost in the system of moving forward to a new model.

Let’s keep it enjoyable and simple for our young boys and girls, they are our future.

Alan Dennagan

Tassie 9 Your story on 9-hole golf courses reminded me of a course that my wife and I stumbled across on a golfing holiday in Tasmania about 3 years ago. We arrived in Hobart the day before we were due to depart and thought we should try and sneak in 9-holes somewhere nearby.

A newsagent directed us to Pittwater Golf Club. What a magnificent setting for a golf course. The course sat on an absolute water front and the condition of the fairways and greens were absolutely sensational.

After putting our green fees into the honesty box we set off on our way. It was one of the most pleasant 9-hole courses that I have ever played. I don’t say this lightly, as I have been fortunate to have played on a lot of wonderful golf courses over the years.

The course was challenging and the members welcoming. Something that made the course so special was that it was run predominately by volunteers. The members should be very proud of what they have.

If any of your readers are planning a golfing getaway to Tasmania in the future, I recommend that they include a trip out to Pittwater Golf Club. It is only 20kms from Hobart and they definitely won’t regret it.

Grant Harding

calendar

CALENDAR > Australia’s top courses on offer at Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic

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he magnificent Mornington Peninsula will once again be on show to golfers from around Australia and overseas as the highly-anticipated Sixth Annual Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic tees off from 4-9 October.

The week-long extravaganza is regularly recognised as one of the most enjoyable and best-value events on the annual amateur golfing calendar, and will see men and women golfers play some of Australia’s top courses in a 72-hole graded tournament, while also enjoying a fun and friendly atmosphere as they meet new friends, or catch up with friends made from previous Classics.

This year’s Classic is sponsored by Yamaha (Premier Partner), Mornington Peninsula Shire, Flinders Hotel and Schweppes, and will rotate among some of the best courses that the Mornington Peninsula has to offer, including three of Australia’s “Top 20”.

The National Old Course, St Andrews Beach, The Dunes and Rosebud Golf Club will be at their pristine best for the main 72-hole Stableford event, which runs from Monday 5 October to Thursday 8 October.

Golfers will tee off in either the morning or afternoon fields, and daily prizes will be awarded. There are also two optional days of

golf on offer:Rosebud Country Club will host an Opening Day Stableford event on Sunday, 4 October, while Safety Beach Country Club will be the venue for the Closing Day Stableford event on Friday, 9 October.

There are also optional social functions available, including two optional dinners: a gala food and wine dinner on Monday 5 October and a Sports Dinner on Tuesday 6 October. For the first time, a program for nonplaying partners has been arranged and will provide the opportunity to explore the other delights of the Mornington Peninsula, such as the Hot Springs, spa treatments, High Teas, art, glass and craft gallery trips and wine, food and farm gate visits.

ENTRY AND INFORMATION The entry fee incorporates golf on four days, shared carts at The National, The Dunes and St Andrews Beach, lunches on all four days (light buffet at The National and The Dunes; prepacked at St Andrews Beach and Rosebud Golf courses). Daily and overall prizes are included as are the Welcome Function at Rosebud Country Club and a three-course gourmet buffet at the Presentation Dinner at The National Golf Club. You will also get a show bag of goodies and a souvenir polo shirt. Early Bird entry (before June 30) is just $545. Entries received after June 30 are $595.

GOLF NSW JUNE CALENDAR OF EVENTS Golf NSW Events Date 30-Jun – 03-Jul

Event Boys’ and Girls’ NSW Amateur Championship (inc State Age)

Venue The Links Shell Cove & Wollongong GC’s

Men’s Vardon Events Date 06-07 Jun-15 07-Jun-15 13-Jun-15 14-Jun-15

Event Cessnock Cup Wollongong Open Amateur Cromer Bowl Pymble Winter Cup

Venue Stonebridge GC Wollongong GC Cromer GC Pymble GC

Women’s Jean Derrin Date 17-Jun-15 25-26 Jun-15

Event Carnarvon Cup & Salver The Australian Golf Club Medal

Venue Carnarvon GC The Australian 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 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 July 15-17 Australia vs New Zealand – Sanctuary Cove GC

July 17 Coffs Harbour Seniors (NSW) July 18 Bonville Seniors (NSW) July 19 Ocean Shores Seniors (NSW) July 20-22 Coomealla Seniors (VIC) July 22-24 * Gold Coast Senior Amateur – Royal Pines, The Glades, Hope Island July 27-28 * Queensland Senior Amateur Championship – Southport GC July 27 Cabramatta Seniors (NSW) August 1-2 Port Macquarie Seaside Classic (NSW)

The National Golf Club is one of the many spectacular courses on the bill for this year’s Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic.

Entries close on August 31 or when fields are full. This is going to be a sell-out Tournament, so register early to ensure you secure your place. Refer the tournament to your family and friends to win prizes. See website for more details.

Phone: 0439 396 617 Website: www.golfmorningtonpeninsula.com.au Email: info@golfmorningtonpeninsula.com.au

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: Cowra Golf Club Mees Road, Cowra NSW 2794 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 4th Qualifying Round 9th June 2015 5th Qualifying Round 16th June 2015 Final 23rd June 2015 Penrith Golf & Recreation Club 1939 The Northern Road, Penrith NSW 2750 5th Qualifying Round 6th June 2015 Final 13th June 2015 The Links Shell Cove Cnr Southern Cross Blvd & Shellharbour Road, Shell Cove NSW 2529 4th Qualifying Round 13th June 2015 5th Qualifying Round 20th June 2015 Final 11th July 2015

WIN: Free entry into the Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic

Inside Golf and Golf Mornington Peninsula are giving away ONE FREE ENTRY to this year’s Sixth Annual Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic ($545 Value). Terms and conditions apply.

To enter, visit www.insidegolf.com.au/competitions Hurry: Entries close June 22 Good luck!

Parkes Golf Club London Road, Parkes NSW 2870 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 2nd Qualifying Round 6th June 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 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 6th June 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 Beverley Park Golf Club 87 Jubilee Avenue, Beverley Park NSW 2217 1st Qualifying Round 20th June 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 27th June 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 11th July 2015 4th Qualifying Round 18th July 2015 5th Qualifying Round 25th July 2015 Final 8th August 2015 Wagga Wagga Country Club Plumpton Road, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 1st Qualifying Round 20th June 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 5th July 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 11th July 2015 4th Qualifying Round 12th July 2015 5th Qualifying Round 26th July 2015 Final 2nd August 2015

* Part of the Australian Senior Ranking System www.insidegolf.com.au | June 2015

63

demo dates MIZUNO

mizuno.com.au

Location

Day Date Time

New South Wales / ACT Long Reef G.C * Wednesday Dg Taren Point * Thursday Pittwater Golf Centre Thursday Ryde Parramatta G.C * ** Thursday Thornleigh Driving Range * Tuesday Port Mcquarie GC * Wednesday The Custom Golf Shop * Thursday Belconnen G.C * Thursday Power Golf - Alexandria * Monday St Michaels GC * ** Tuesday The Ridge Driving Range * Wednesday Concord GC * ** Friday Bayview GC * ** Friday Catalina CC * Sunday The Australian GC * ** Wednesday Killara GC * ** Thursday Mona Vale G.C * Thursday Drummond Golf - North Mead * Thursday Warringah GC * ** Friday Moore Park Driving Range * Tuesday Queensland Vic Park * Tuesday Ballina * Wednesday Golf World Townsville * Thursday Cairns Golf Club * Friday Drummond Cairns at Paradise Palms Saturday Sanctuary Cove * Tuesday Indooroopilly Golf Club * Wednesday Warwick * Wednesday Drummond Maroochy at Twin Waters Sunday Bribie Island Wednesday Palm Meadows Friday Victoria Rosanna GC @ Mizuno Fitting Centre * ** Monday Yarra Yarra @ Mizuno Fitting Centre * ** Wednesday Melbourne Golf Academy Wednesday Centenery Park @ Mizuno Fitting Centre * ** Tuesday Commonwealth GC @ Mizuno Fitting Centre * ** Wednesday Growling Frog @ Mizuno Fitting Centre * Thursday Woodlands GC @ Mizuno Fitting Centre * ** Friday Cranbourne GC @ Mizuno Fitting Centre * ** Friday

COBRA PUMA Location

New South Wales / ACT Ocean Shores Country Club Drummond Golf Northmead ** Ballina Golf Club Cumberland Country Golf Club Muree Golf Club Queensland Caloundra Golf Club Southport Golf Club Golf Central Burleigh Golf Club Drummond Golf Underwood ** Western Australia Sun City Country Club Victoria Melbourne Golf Academy

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4 - 7pm

www.callawaygolf.com.au | callawaygolf.com/demo-days

Location

New South Wales / ACT Oatlands Golf Club √ ≠ Canterbury Golf Course √ ≠ Roseville Golf Club ≠ Camden Golf Club √ ≠ Pittwater Golf Centre ≠ Castle Hill Country Club Ltd √ ≠ Pennant Hills Golf Club ≠ Liverpool Golf Club √ ≠ Merewether Pro Shop √ Pymble Golf Club √ ≠ Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club √ ≠ North Ryde Golf Club ≠ Moore Park Golf House Lake Macquarie Golf Schools √ Long Reef Golf Course ≠ The Australian Golf Club Ltd ≠ Massey Park Golf Club Ltd √ ≠ Elanora Country Club ≠ * ** Paradise Golf Driving Range √ ≠ Auburn Public Golf Course Pro Shop √ Rolfe Golf Pty Ltd √ Queensland Gold Coast Burleigh Golf Club ≠ Wynnum Golf Club √ * Proserpine Golf Club Rockhampton Golf Club Pro Shop Gold Coast Burleigh Golf Club √ ≠ Twin Waters Golf Club Victoria/Tasmania I DS Golf Enterprises P/L √ Western Australia Mount Lawley Golf Club The West Australian Golf Institute Wanneroo Golf Club Cottesloe Golf Club Royal Perth Golf Club

64

June 03 June 04 June 04 June 04 June 09 June 10 June 11 June 11 June 15 June 16 June 17 June 19 June 19 June 21 June 24 June 25 June 25 June 25 June 26 June 30

June 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Day Date Time Monday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Friday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday

June 01 June 03 June 03 June 04 June 04 June 05 June 10 June 11 June 11 June 12 June 12 June 17 June 18 June 20 June 24 June 24 June 25 June 25 June 25 June 26 June 26

1 - 5pm 9am - 3pm 9am - 12pm 7am - 1pm 4 - 7pm 9am - 2pm 10am - 1pm 9am - 2pm 1 - 4pm 10am - 3pm 2 - 5pm 8am - 11am 4 - 7pm 8am - 12pm 8am - 12pm 10am - 1pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 12.30pm 2 - 6pm 8am - 4pm 12 - 4pm

Wednesday Thursday Sunday Tuesday Thursday Sunday

June 03 June 04 June 07 June 09 June 11 June 14

10.30am - 12.30pm 2.30 - 5pm 12 - 2pm 1 - 3pm 2 - 5pm 9.30am - 11.30am

Saturday

June 13 10am - 2pm

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

June 15 June 16 June 17 June 18 June 19

9am - 4pm 9am - 4pm 9am - 4pm 9am - 4pm 9am - 4pm

PING

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

Location

Day Date Time

New South Wales June 01 Randwick Golf Club ◊ * Monday Camden Lakeside Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday June 02 The Australian Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday June 03 Killara Golf Club ◊ * Thursday June 04 Yowani Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday June 09 Royal Canberra Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday June 10 Canberra Int Driving Range ° Wednesday June 10 Gold Creek Golf Club ◊ * Thursday June 11 Wagga Wagga Country Club ◊ * Friday June 12 June 17 Nambucca Heads Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday South West Rocks Golf Club ◊ * Thursday June 18 Port MacQuarie Driving Range ◊ * Friday June 19 Hawksnest Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday June 23 Taree Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday June 24 Nelson Bay Golf Club ◊ * Thursday June 25 Morisset Golf Club ◊ * Friday June 26 Maitland Golf Club ◊ * Monday June 29 Pennant Hills Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday June 30 Queensland Victoria Park Driving Range ° * Tuesday June 02 Golf World Townsville ◊ * Thursday June 04 June 04 Golf Central ◊ * Thursday Cairns Golf Club ° Friday June 05 Paradise Palms c/ Drummond Gold Cairns ° Saturday June 06 June 09 Noosa Tewantin Golf Club ° Tuesday Peregian Springs ◊ * Friday June 12 Twin waters c/- Drummond Maroochydore ° Sunday June 14 Middle Ridge ◊ * Wednesday June 17 Pacific Golf Club ◊ * Friday June 19 Nudgee Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday June 24 Redcliffe Golf Club ◊ * Friday June 26 Palm Meadows ° Friday June 26 Victoria Monday June 01 Medway Golf Club ◊ * Kooringal Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday June 02 Melbourne Golf Academy ° Wednesday June 03 Patterson River Golf Club ◊ * Friday June 05 Settlers Run Golf & Country Club ◊ * Saturday June 06 Melbourne Golf Academy ◊ * Tuesday June 09 Wednesday June 10 Kingston Heath Golf Club ◊ * National GC - Long Island ◊ * (putter fitting) Thursday June 11 Thursday June 11 Yarra Bend Golf Driving Range ° ◊ * Kingswood Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday June 17 National GC - Long Island ◊ * Saturday June 26 Western Australia Collier Park Golf Club ° Friday June 05 Sanctuary Golf Club ° Wednesday June 10 Capel Golf Club ° Thursday June 11 Victoria Park Driving Range ° * Tuesday June 02

TaylorMade Location

New South Wales / ACT NSW GC * Cromer GC * Charlestown GC * The Heads GC * Port Kembla GC * DG Warrawong * Illawarra Golf Complex * Cumberland GC * Audi Day - Concord GC * HOG Coffs Harbour * South West Rocks * Wauchope GC * Kurri GC * Thornleigh Golf Centre * Mereweather GC * Waratah GC * Queensland Wantima GC Cairns GC * (by appointment til 1pm) Paradise Palms GC Royal Queensland ** * The Grand ** Twin Waters for Drummond Maroochydore Bribie Island Mt Warren GC Drummond Underwood * Victoria Park Mcleod GC Golf Central * Palm Meadows Hope Island ** Hope Island ** Victoria / Tasmania MGA » Centennary Park (ball seed) Sandringham » Morack † Drummond City †

12 - 4pm 9am - 3pm 9am - 1pm 8am - 1pm 1 - 5pm 9am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 3pm 9am - 4pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 3pm 1 - 5pm 11am - 4pm 9am - 2pm 5 - 7.30pm 9am - 12pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 5pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 1pm 10am - 1pm 9 - 11am 9.30am - 12.30pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 1pm 1 - 4pm 1 - 5pm 9am - 1pm 1 - 5pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 12 - 4pm 9.30am - 1pm 9.30am - 1pm 5 - 7.30pm

www.taylormadegolf.com.au | 1800 700 011

Day Date Time Wednesday Thursday Friday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

June 03 June 04 June 05 June 09 June 10 June 11 June 12 June 13 June 15 June 17 June 18 June 19 June 23 June 24 June 25 June 26

9am - 2pm 1 - 4pm 1 - 4pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 12pm 12 - 4pm 10am - 4pm 9am 2 - 7pm 9am - 4pm 9am - 3pm 9am - 1pm 6 - 8.30pm 1 - 4pm 10am - 2pm

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

June 03 June 05 June 06 June 12 June 13 June 14 June 17 June 19 June 20 June 23 June 24 June 25 June 26 June 27 June 27

1 - 4pm 10am - 5pm 9am - 2pm 12 - 5pm 10am - 1pm 9.30 - 11.30am 9.30am -1pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 1pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 12 - 2pm 4 - 7pm 2 - 5pm 10am - 1pm 10am - 1pm

Wednesday Saturday Wednesday Tuesday Friday

June 03 June 13 June 17 June 23 June 26

4 - 7pm 7 - 1pm 5 - 7.30pm 3 - 7pm 10am - 5pm

* Appointment Only. ** Members Only. » TaylorMade Demo day. † TaylorMade Fitting. °Ping Demo day. ◊ Ping Fitting. √ Callaway Fitting Day ≠ Callaway Demo Day. Dates subject to change without notice. It is recommended that you contact venue before attending.

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

Benalla Golf Club

pp $215 From share twin eek w mid

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

from $125 per person per night (min 4 pp) * 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

BARGARA GOLF CLUB Winner 2014 Legends Tour Pro Am of the year

Home of the Bargara Junior Classic & Ladies Classic

Complimentary Continental Breakfast

Other packages available

Call us to help plan your next golfing adventure *Conditions apply. Valid May-October 2015.

WINTER STAY & PLAY PACKAGES

$115 p/person (min 2pp)

• Twin Share Accommodation • 18 Holes on our Championship Course • Lunch at the BGC Bistro • Twin Share Electric Cart • Beautiful beach side location • Short walk to the first tee *Conditions apply available Tuesday-Sunday only.

For bookings call (07) 4159 1180 info@shorelineapartments.com.au | www.bargaragolfclub.com.au

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)

$

210

pp twin share

There is nothing like golfing in the high country of Orange only 3 hours drive from Sydney.

Orange has three wonderful courses where visitors are most welcome. All courses are minutes from Melview Greens which is a chip away from Wentworth Golf Course and owned by a keen golfing family. All apartments are fully appointed with undercover parking at the door.

“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 | June 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

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

“you give up things when you buy a Kahma Golf Bag”

Play Australia’s Finest Sandbelt Courses

• clanging clubs • damaged irons • worn graphite shafts • frustration finding the right iron From the inventors oF the CaddyraCk

GET ORGANISED WITH

• 6 nights accommodation • Green fees on 5 golf courses (Cape Schanck, Devil Bend, Eagle Ridge Golf From Course, Flinders Golf Club, Moonah Links, Mornington Golf Club, Portsea Golf Club, Rosebud Country Club, Sorrento Golf Club, The Dunes Golf Links, The National Golf Club, St Andrews, Mornington Peninsula) • Cooked or Continental breakfast included • Foxtel in all units per person per night* • Rosebud House also available to hire

110

$

Patented Softgrip Technology

*Extra fees apply for Moonah Links, Sorrento Golf Club and The National Golf Club

1300 738 557

ROSEBUD MOTEL

1869 Point Nepean Rd Rosebud West VIC, 3941

www.kahmagolf.com

Crossword Answers

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AUS TRA LIA ’S

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Plus, our unique Golf Map is updated each month with links to reviews and information about all courses featured in both the main magazine and Inside Golf Travel.

Download it today from the App store (search Inside Golf Magazine), or scan the QR Code. Alternately, get the link from our website or at http://goo.gl/ZAXaFD

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For further enquires and bookings P: (03) 5985 2041 E: rosebudmotel@bigpond.com W: www.rosebudmotel.com.au

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InsideGolf

Australia’s Most Read Golf Magazine

J U S T I N R O S E C L A P

For advertising call 1300 465 300

I M F U R Y K I S A I X T E E N U K M P A C T H U A Y A N P A L M D S L E A N J O H M F T S P I E T H C N E E O N A R D T L U T T E R B

L O O S E E N D A S I A

S L E E A N W E Y R H S E E P L

O C O R N C L L U E D E N D

U M A E R C G E

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golf directory

Aquarius R

E

S

O

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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

*WINTER 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

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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

www.insidegolf.com.au

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 more information, pricing and to order Phone 1300 852 433 or visit our website Patent # 7374839

For advertising call 1300 465 300

www.batteryreviver.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | June 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

June 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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‘JUNE 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 ยฝ Days penrith_golf@iprimus.com.au

Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted $7 NSW, $9 VIC & QLD, $10 SA, TAS, NT & WA Postage and handling any quantity

Cleveland Lightweight 2.8kg Bag

Urethane (Soft) Cover Balls Not Individual Callaway Hex Chrome TaylorMade Tour (Seniors Compression) $24 Preferred (4 piece) $36 Callaway Hex Chrome Tour $25 TaylorMade $36 (4 piece) Preferred X (5 piece) Callaway Hex Black Tour Chrome Soft $29 Callaway $39 (5 piece) (Low compression) TaylorMade Lethal Z-Star or $30 Srixon $39 (5 piece) Z-Star X (2015)

$99

14 full length dividers All zippers waterproof

$169

Blue/white or Black

NEW WEBSITE GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN www.penrithgolffactory.com.au Narellan Supa Centre, Narellan Rd

CG waterproof cart bag 2014

$20

Callaway Set & Bag Package 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

Dozen Balls

Individually Boxed

$899

HOT PRICES

Cleveland Hybrid Iron 588 Altitude Golf Buddy Laser Right & Left Mens Altitude Sale Steel

Right Hand - Mens, Ladies Seniors Graphite

$69

Each

Left Mens Graph + Steel

$49

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. PW + SW

Graphite Shaft Not all versions of each club available

Callaway Irons

Each

Lightweight Steel Shaft

TaylorMade Seniors Flex Jetspeed Fairway

Right Hand Regular flex Steel Shafts Easy use model X Hot, 5-SW

No. 3-15ยบ, including cover

$399 $149

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

144 balls ($13/dozen) Individually boxed

$156

TaylorMade Rescue Hybrid RBZ Stage 2 No. 5 - 25ยบ Regular Right No. 4 - 22ยบ Stiff Right No. 3 - 19ยบ Seniors Right No. 3 - 19ยบ Regular Left No. 6 - 28ยบ Ladies Jetspeed Includes Cover

TaylorMade Putter Ghost Tour Corza 72 Face Balanced 35โ Including Cover

$189

$139

$179

$119

Chippers (Approach Putters) Tour Special Right Hand Mens or Ladies Lengths Infiniti Left Hand Stainless Steel Head

$49

$29

Srixon Airlite 2.9kg Bag (light) 14 Way Top

$259

Range Finder

Black/Green/White only

$199 $99

TopFlite Gamer V2 Blade Irons 588 MB 3 piece ball Cleveland Forged (8) Long and soft HALF 3 piece quality PRICE! $144 for 144 Individually boxed balls

$12

DZ

3 to wedge Dynamic Gold S300 stiff shafts

$680

Nike Covert 2.0 Driver TaylorMade RBZ Regular and stiff Adjustable Adjustable driver Stage 2 Driver Right hand only Includes cover & wrench

$369

$239

$18 Dozen Balls

Individually Boxed

Srixon Superceded

Superceded

Srixon Soft Feel White or Yellow Balls

Callaway HX Diablo White

Q-Star White or Yellow Balls

Pinnacle Dimension White Balls

TaylorMade Fairway Woods FOOTJOY 3 - 15ยบ Superfast 2.0 Regular Right SHOE SALE No. HALF No. 3 - 15ยบ RBZ Stiff Right SUPERSEDED IN-STORE ONLY

Optima TS+ or Srixon Lady Soft Feel

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 7 Days

8ยบ to 11ยบ Loft Adjustable 50grm Firm 60grm Stiff TP Shafts

SAVE $100

$199

Includes Cover and Wrench

No. 3 - 15ยบ RBZ Stage 2 Regular Left No. 5 - 19ยบ RBZ Stage 2 Regular Left No. 5 - 19ยบ RBZ Regular Right No. 5 - 19ยบ RBZ Ladies Right Includes cover

PRICE!

$89

72 Srixon Soft Feel Balls

6 DOZEN FOR

$72

New (Loose) Balls (not boxed) 2015 Model Also available in 288 or 144 cartons Brand New Green Number Srixon Soft Feel

Cleveland Classic XL Rescue Hybrid $79 Fairway Metalwood $89 Titanium Head Driver $139 Including covers

Maxfli Gear Cleveland Deluxe 12 Foot Ball Scoop Solar Dual Canopy Umbrella

$20 $29

14 Way Bag Horizontal and vertical full length dividers Putter holder Cooler pocket Red or Charcoal Only

$129 SAVE $60

Eagles & Birdies Callaway X Hot Pro Cleveland 588 MT TaylorMade Graphite Irons x 6 ATV Wedge Lightweight Bag 18ยบ Hybrid

3kg Dominator

$109

15ยบ or 13.5ยบ 3 Fairway

14 full length dividers Yellow/Black/White

Srixon Z-Star or Srixon Z-Star XV

$26

Doz

2014 model

Not individually boxed URETHANE COVER TOUR BALL

9.5ยบ Adjustable Driver Project X Stiff Shafts Including Covers

$79 ea $79 ea $149 ea

Ping G25 Mens 5 Regular Flex Right or Left Hand Wood 19ยบ Loft Includes cover

$149

5 to Pitching Wedge Graphite Regular Flex Shafts

Responsive face for shot stopping Long Grip for grip down shots 60ยบ Loft Lob 56ยบ Loft Sand 52ยบ Loft Gap Right or $129 Left hand (Except 60ยบ Left Hand)

Callaway Super Soft Balls (2014)

MORE SPECIALS ON OUR WEBSITE

$390

38 compression for moderate swing speeds Individually boxed

$22

Doz