Inside Golf August 2015 by Inside Golf

A ustralia ’ s M ost R ead G olf M aga z ine

Issue 121 August 2015

> PGA PREVIEW

Who will reign at Whistling Straits?

> GOLF TRAVEL LIFTOUT

> GOLF TIPS

Great golf in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle and Port Stephens

5 things to do before every round

> MASHIES & NIBLICKS

Getting hooked on hickory clubs

DJ A new spin for

> CLUB OF THE MONTH

We tackle The Sands Torquay

> FATHER’S DAY FAVES Great golfing gear for Dad

Dustin Johnson’s new outlook on life and golf

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The South West Rocks Country Club boasts a picturesque 18-hole golf course worthy of any player, no matter the skill level. Nestled amongst the National Forests and beautiful beaches of the idyllic seaside getaway, it’s a truly beautiful course to play. A well designed and interesting layout, the course winds its way around tree lined fairways with the occasional kangaroo to be seen. Most holes are straight forward, however accuracy of the tee is required as the tree lines are very dense, making an escape to the green very difficult. The course is of moderate length; however there will be some wedges into greens if you are accurate off the tee. There is also a good variety of holes on offer for example our 15th (Fred’s Hole) a 383m par 4 with a water carry for your second or third depending on your drive. The greens are in fantastic shape all year round and the fairways are immaculate. With the club house located on the course, it’s the perfect venue to relax after your round for a bite to eat and a cool drink.

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starters box

How golf got into the rough Richard Fellner Group Editor richard@insidegolf.com.au @insidegolf

s I’ve regularly discussed in this column, golf is currently experiencing difficult times. But how exactly did we get here? In examining our present, we must quickly look at our past.

Prior to the 1990s, golf was generally considered a boring, elitist game for retirees. But with the entrance of Tiger Woods into the professional ranks in 1996, everything changed. Tiger made the game exciting for the masses. People of all ages hopped onto the golf bandwagon. Soon, landowners rushed to get courses built, manufacturers went into overdrive, the media took a new interest in golf, advertisers came on board...it was a “golden age” for the industry. Around this time, golf technology (and improved player fitness, etc) had advanced to a point that players like Tiger, John Daly and others were hitting the ball into the stratosphere, making courses seem shorter and easier. The immediate response by the industry was to simply make the courses longer and more difficult. Instead of designing courses that placed a premium on accuracy, the overwhelming mentality was to add “Tiger tees”, ultra-penal fairway bunkers and super-thick rough. The USGA then took the “difficulty’ factor to the next level. They soon demanded longer, tougher courses, maniacally presenting layouts with knee-high rough, ultra-slick greens and ridiculous yardages. They put golf’s gladiators into the arena and set the lions loose. As players made quick work of these obstacles, the media began to glamorise these “David and Goliath” triumphs. Ultra-difficult, long courses soon became the Holy Grail. Course owners and designers then followed suit. They all wanted to host a US Open. They wanted the prestige of having the longest, toughest courses in the world. But in the process, they largely ignored the social or club golfer’s abilities altogether. The average player was not able to

keep up. In their attempt to “be like Tiger”, they wanted (and needed) to hit the ball further. Equipment manufacturers responded with a focus primarily on “Distance distance distance!” From drivers to balls to shafts and everything in-between, weekend golfers soon bought into the “grip it and rip it” mentality.

profitable national championships, and seemingly less on grassroots golf. A push for profits from TV, for example, has seen golf sold to the highest bidders, thus moving the Majors from Free-to-Air TV (i.e. the masses—golf’s preferred target market) to Pay-TV (cashed-up sports tragics who are likely already fans of the game.)

The problem, however, was that the average golfer didn’t have the accuracy required to benefit from this extra distance. They just hit it further out of bounds (making the game harder, and slower). The pros, however, were now getting even more distance, thus furthering the cycle for even longer courses, etc.

This is in stark contrast to almost every other mainstream sport in the world. Tennis, Cycling, Cricket, Footy, Baseball, Basketball (i.e. sports which are taking participants away from golf) ALL have their major championships/ events available to the masses on FTA. Their governing bodies realise that TV is still the omnipotent medium to draw the masses into the game.

Now, while many in the industry are quick to state that golf’s woes are due to the “ball going too far”, keep in mind that, from the dawn of the game, there has always been a race to improve golf equipment. Otherwise, we’d still be playing with featheries and hickory shafts. And manufacturers are simply responding to what the public wants, and, far more importantly, what they will pay big money for. And that’s, I believe, the key to golf’s current woes: Money. At the height of the Tiger boom, golf became less of a pastime, and more of a commercial juggernaut. Chasing the almighty dollar can often lead to problems for any business or company. When an organisation’s main goal shifts from making great products (i.e. keeping customers happy) to instead making great profits (i.e. keeping shareholders happy) then trouble can often follow. Cars, toasters, TVs...they used to last a lifetime. Now, you’re lucky if they last a couple of years, as manufacturers pursue profits from repeat sales or engineered obsolescence. Banks, airlines, hotels (the list is extensive) all tack on “service fees” at every turn to maximise profit. This angers customers, and can force them to look elsewhere. Golf is no different. Some manufacturers are introducing new products every six months (good for shareholders, bad for the average cash-strapped golfer). The governing bodies like the R&A, USGA and even country-based bodies currently seem to focus more on their

Yet golf (at least in Australia) stays hidden away on Foxtel, seemingly for the sake of short-term profits. Even more worrying: when the masses DO see golf on TV, we regularly bear witness to reports of “carnage on the course”. It’s hardly the image we want to portray of our fine sport. This year’s US Open at Chambers Bay is a perfect example. The USGA’s continued push for difficult courses was disastrous. In hindsight, letting the USGA give input into the design of the course was, in my opinion, like asking a fox for his opinion on designing a henhouse. When fans go to a sporting event, we don’t want to see struggles and strife. We want to see excitement and excellence. We want to see players draining long putts for birdie, not three-putting on an ice-skating rink. We want to see long-iron approaches stiffed to tap-in distance, not hacking out of knee-high rough or ridiculously deep bunkers (like Chambers ‘Basement’).

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news Global golf handicaps on the cards? A worldwide handicap system may be a reality within the next few years, Golf Australia says. In a letter to golf clubs last month from Golf Australia Chairman, John Hopkins, the possibility of globally portable handicaps was flagged, noting support by golf’s major governing bodies. “The R&A and the USGA have for the past few years been leading a project to develop a Worldwide Handicap System. The five other organisations involved in this project are Golf Australia, the European Golf Association, CONGU (British & Irish handicapping authority), the South African Golf Association, and the Argentine Golf Association. This project has now developed to a point where we believe a worldwide handicap system will be on offer to all countries around the world within the next few years. “GA has invested heavily in the Worldwide Handicap System process and we have been very pleased to be able to lend our expertise as an international leader on handicapping. “We are mindful of the amount of handicapping change that has occurred in Australia in recent times. We also believe that the Worldwide System is likely to provide the flexibility to ensure there would be only minimal (if any) further adjustment required for Australian clubs and golfers.” The letter also noted that Australia’s 17-month-old golf handicap system is set to undergo a scheduled statistical audit—involving the analysis of over 20 million scores—to ensure current data matches pre-implementation modelling. “Before introducing Slope, Stableford Handicapping, DSR, etc in 2014, we conducted detailed statistical modelling. We were however mindful that the general experience across any field of operation is that pre-implementation modelling is not a genuine substitute for real lived, breathed experience.”

Graham inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame

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David Graham and Mark O’Meara at the Hall of Fame induction.

ne of Australian golf’s legends, David Graham, was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St Andrews last month. Inducted during the week of the Open Championship, an emotional Graham joined Mark O’Meara, Laura Davies and late American course architect Albert Tillinghast as the 2015 inductees, bringing the total number of honourees to 150. Graham’s remarkable career was given due recognition at the home of golf with his stellar resume -- most famously including the 1979 US PGA and 1981 US Open championships. The 69-year-old openly admitted he thought recognition of his 38 worldwide victories had passed him by. And for the first time publicly, he speculated that his time as a “man without a country” might have cost him one of the sport’s highest honours. “I wasn’t in Australia any more (at the height of my career). I was playing in America, but I was still an international player, and so I don’t know whether that had anything to do with the imbalance

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of what the requirement was,” said the former Melburnian who now splits his time between Texas and Montana.

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“Like Bruce Devlin (and) Bruce Crampton, we all made decisions that some people said we defected (from) our country. Well, I never defected. I just left to go somewhere else so I could make a living.

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“It had nothing to do with love of country. But I was always an Australian in America, and then when I went to Australia, I was ‘too much of an American’, so I don’t know whether that had anything to do with it or not.”

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Graham and fellow Hall of Fame members Bernhard Langer, Hale Irwin and Gary Player are the only men to have won professional events on six different continents. Graham said it was a “tremendous honour” to join the who’s who of world golf, but said he was moved most to have his name mentioned alongside the “big three” of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player. • (Courtesy of Golf Australia)

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Upcoming Annual Events DUNTRYLEAGUE ORANGE

CITY OF ORANGE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

3-5 OCTOBER 2015

ANNUAL VETERANS’ TOURNAMENT

6-8 OCTOBER 2015

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

MERCEDES BENZ DUNTRYLEAGUE CLASSIC

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

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news

Aussie summer of golf schedule finalised

he Australian summer of golf is taking shape, with last month’s confirmation of the end-of-season PGA Tour of Australasia schedule.

PGA Professionals will face a new challenge when they head to Riverside Oaks Golf Resort for the 2015 NSW PGA Championship.

“We have a very busy schedule of tournaments which will take professional golf to all corners of Australia and the South Pacific to the benefit of sports fans,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia.

Riverside Oaks Golf Resort’s new layout, the Bungool Course, will celebrate its first anniversary during the tournament and in a fitting celebration will host the Professionals as they vie to become the 2015 NSW PGA champion.

The Isuzu Queensland Open kicks off the summer schedule from 20-23 August at Brookwater Golf and Country Club for a prize purse of $110,000. This is the third year the tournament has competed on the Greg Norman-designed layout. The Tour then heads to Noumea in New Caledonia, for some French-inspired hospitality at the South Pacific Open Championship from 30 September – 3 October. Played at Tina Golf Course for AU$150,000 the tournament first started as a pro-am and has continued to expand and attract a strong field each year it’s been featured on the PGA Tour of Australasia schedule. Next up, The Fiji International is again set to wow the world when it is played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course with the stunning Coral Coast providing a unique backdrop for professional golf. The tournament is set to attract a star-studded line up to compete for a minimum $1 million in prize money from the 15 – 18 October. West Australia will then open its golf courses to the PGA Tour of Australasia with Professionals set to spend two weeks competing in the state. Kalgoorlie Golf Course will first play host from 29 October – 1 November with professionals teeing up on one of the most unique layouts on Tour for the $110,000 WA Goldfields PGA Championship. From the bush to the seaside, the Nexus Risk Service WA Open will be played at Royal Fremantle Golf Club from 5-8 November, also for $110,000. Then it’s back to the east coast of Australia for the NSW Open to be played at Stonecutters Ridge from 12-15 November for

NSW PGA to be played on Sydney’s newest golf course

Emirates Australian Open 2014 Champion Jordan Spieth a minimum prize purse of $110,000. The Australian Masters will launch the PGA Tour of Australasia’s famed Triple Crown. The first of the big three tournaments on Tour will be played from 19-22 November on one of Melbourne’s famed Sandbelt courses. The Emirates Australian Open, to be played at The Australian Golf Club from 2629 November for AU$1.25 million, is set to attract a strong field with rumours swirling of Jordan Spieth returning to defend his title. The PGA Tour of Australasia’s richest tournament in 2015, the Australian PGA Championship will then welcome the European Tour to RACV Royal Pines Resort from 3-6 December.

scheduled in the first quarter of 2016 with positive negotiations continuing with event owner, IMG, and its stakeholders,” says Thorburn. “We remain optimistic and positive about the continued success of the Perth International and believe the start of season date will work more favourably to attracting a strong field to Western Australia.” Australian 2015 Summer of Golf events DATE

Tournament

Venue

Prize Money

20-23 August

Isuzu QLD Open

Brookwater Golf & Country Club

$110,000

30 September – 3 October

South Pacific Open Championship

Tina Golf Club

$150,000

15-18 October

Fiji International

Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course

US$1 million

29 October – 1 November

WA Goldfields PGA Championship

Kalgoorlie Golf Course

$110,000

5-8 November

WA Open

Royal Fremantle Golf Club

$110,000

12-15 November

NSW Open

Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club

$100,000min

19-22 November

Australian Masters

TBC

The Perth International will take on a new slot in the international golf schedule with a move to a date at the start of 2016.

26-29 November

Emirates Australian Open

The Australian Golf Club

$1.25million

3-6 December

Australian PGA Championship

RACV Royal Pines Resort

$1.75million

“It has been confirmed that the fourth staging of the Perth International will be

10-13 December

NSW PGA Championship

Riverside Oaks Golf Resort

$ 110,000

In a break from tradition the NSW PGA Championship will be the curtain closer to the summer schedule, being played from 10-13 December at Riverside Oaks Golf Resort on the Bungool layout.The $110,000 tournament will decide the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Order of Merit whilst also deciding which Tour Professionals will retain their tour cards for the 2016 season.

“On the back of last year’s successful NSW PGA Championship at Riverside Oaks Golf Resort we are delighted to be returning this year,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia. “The Bungool Course has matured well over the past year and so we are looking forward to playing one of New South Wales’ most prestigious tournaments on the new layout.” This is the first time that a PGA Tour of Australasia tournament will be played on Sydney’s newest championship layout, adding a new testing layer of strategy for the competitors to tackle. “The Bob Harrison-designed course is sure to provide a great challenge for the professionals with its strategic design providing a number of options to play each hole, rewarding well-struck shots and punishing poor ones,” said David Scott, Deputy General Manager at Riverside Oaks Golf Resort. Adding another dimension of intrigue for spectators, the NSW PGA Championship will be the final tournament on the 2015 PGA Tour of Australasia schedule. Set to be played from the 10-13 December for $110,000 in prize money the tournament will decide the Order of Merit champion as well as be crunch time for those players looking to retain their tour cards for 2016.

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news

Sinnott signs with Callaway Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

owerful Victorian rookie professional Todd Sinnott has signed a brand-new endorsement deal with golf equipment manufacturer Callaway. Sinnott - who shot to national significance late last year as an amateur when he led both the Australian Open and Masters at various stages - has secured Callaway’s backing until the end of 2017. “The service from Callaway has been unbelievable so far. It’s really just a great opportunity to be with them because they are, arguably, the best brand in golf,” Sinnott said announcing the sponsorship deal at his home club, Metropolitan Golf Club in Melbourne. Sinnott turned professional in January after finishing runner-up at the PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School, which earned him full playing rights in Australia.

The 23-year-old earned representation from major sports management group ISM in February and has already earned several starts on the both the European Tour and its secondary circuit - the Challenge Tour. Sinnott joins fellow Metropolitan member and this year’s Australian Ladies Masters champion Su Oh as a Callaway tour player. “We do a lot of practise together Su and I, and it’s good to see the way that she’s gone. It’s exciting to both be with Callaway.” Sinnott said he idolised Tiger Woods as a child but has grown to respect a trio of fellow Callaway players in recent years. “My three favourite golfers to watch are Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson.”

of 11,000 euros. Sinnott hopes to secure a number of other starts on the European Tour to boost his earnings but expects to have to tee it up at European Tour Qualifying School starting in September. “I just want to play well and do well enough to get a tour card,” Sinnott said. “The ideal tour card would be on the European Tour for next year. If you do struggle during the year, there’s always that tour school that you can go to and get your card or just have a strong back half of the year.”

Sinnott admits his form in Europe has been average in 2015.

Beyond 2016, Sinnott is chasing a spot on the highly-lucrative PGA Tour and admits his immense length from the tee will serve him well in the U.S.

He made just one cut from five Challenge Tour events beginning in early May but had more success on the main tour, making two out of three cuts in March and earning just shy

“I think I play better on tougher golf courses. I think America would probably suit me more because the courses are more open, they’re a little bit longer, the

rough’s a little bit thicker so you might need to be stronger out of the rough.” Sinnott’s clubhead speed with his driver has been estimated to be faster than any player on the PGA Tour but he argues that driving is not his primary golfing asset. “It’s a good attribute to have to be able to hit it a long way and it’s something that everyone wants to be able to do but it’s definitely not my biggest strength. A lot of the golf courses we play, you can’t hit driver. In America, you can hit driver a lot because the courses are a little bit more open. Around sandbelt courses and a lot through Europe, you can’t hit driver that much. I think my putting has definitely improved a lot during the last couple of years. That was sort of my weakness through the early stages of playing the amateur stuff but I think I’ve nearly turned it into my strength.” •

Hole-in-One Club wants you! IF you’ve ever had a hole-in-one, join the club – the Hole-in-One Club of Queensland. This year the exclusive club celebrates its 75th anniversary and is keen to share its success and story with new members. Club secretary Joann Hunt told Inside Golf the club’s southeast Queensland members meet four or five times a year at different venues for a round of golf and plenty of laughs. “It’s unique to play with people who share the experience of having a hole-in-one,” she said. “The camaraderie is great and patron Charlie Earp is always there to give advice and tell a joke.” The next game, which is open to men and women, is at Nudgee Golf Club at 11am on Sunday, August 23 followed by a weekend trip to Toowoomba to play golf at Laidley Golf Club and City Golf Club on October 10-11. On Sunday, November 15, the club is also holding a gala day at McLeod Country Golf Club in Brisbane’s western suburbs. Anyone who has a Golf Australia handicap and has had a hole-in-one is welcome to play in the tournament and there is no obligation to join the club. “Just come and have a good day,” Joann said. “We want as many people who have had a hole-in-one to come along and find out more about this great club. “They can participate in the event even if they don’t want to join the club.” The event will be played in three men’s and three women’s divisions. Tee off (shotgun start) is at 11am. The cost is $40 per person and includes a sandwich and a drink voucher. Annual HIO Club membership is $30 and includes the current year of membership (up to September 30), a membership certificate, HIO badge, bag tag, car sticker and name badge. After that, it costs $20 per annum. That entitles golfers to play in the club’s golf days, which cost $20 per game and includes prizes and a ball run down. For more information, contact Joann Hunt on 0409-893-038, email joannh@optusnet.com.au or visit www.holeinoneqld.com.au

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Cardinia Beaconhills kicking goals on the fairways

Did you know...? Legendary American golfer Sam Snead, a winner of 82 professional tournaments including seven majors, once won a US LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour event? On another occasion, he finished third. Snead captured the Royal Poinciana Invitational, which was on the US LPGA Tour in 1961 and 1962. It was played at Palm Beach Golf Club, Florida, on a par-3 course. In 1961, the field consisted of 24 men and women – both amateurs and professionals. Louise Suggs won the 54-hole tournament by one stroke from local pro Dub Pagan with Snead third a further shot back.

s many small clubs throughout the country continue to struggle from decreasing memberships and fewer green fee golfers on the fairways, one club is kicking goals (literally) through innovative “outside of the box” thinking.

will use ‘Golf Premier League’ software, and work together with GPL to provide a platform for FootGolf Premier League. The league will be played over 10 weeks from September, with teams competing against each other for the coveted League prize

Cardinia Beaconhills Golf Links, located south east of Melbourne at the base of Dandenong Hills, is taking the concept of ‘team sport’ in golf to a new level, becoming the first golf club in the country to hold a Golf Premier League and FootGolf Premier League.

“Our club wanted to utilise both golf and footgolf, as well as include an element of ‘team sport’, to make it attractive to new members, new foot golfers and retain existing members,” said Fiza Errington, Club Manager.

The relatively new sport of FootGolf combines soccer and golf, with players kicking off from a designated area on the golf fairway, and eventually kicking the ball into a large cup. Cardinia Beaconhills was one of the pioneers of the sport in Victoria, using the new game as a means to hopefully drive traffic to the course, get people exposed to the elements of golf and the golf course culture, and eventually pick up golf as a sport. With this latest innovation, the club

The Club has improved greatly in the last two years with concentrated effort on good governance, good strategic plan and operations. This has been executed under the management of the club manager, working closely with a forward-thinking Board and Committees. With a close link to Cardinia Shire Council, the 27-hole golf club has also recently benefited from major capital improvements to the clubhouse and golf course. In addition, the club has been offering enticing membership options to appeal to

a larger demographic. “One of our latest offerings is our Golf 20 – 20 membership,” explains Errington. “This category of membership offers full 7-day playing privileges and an official GA handicap for only $575 per year. With the membership, you get 20 free rounds of golf and 20 free rounds of footgolf. The offer is attracting members who are time poor and would like the flexibility and still enjoy great membership privileges. “We also offer a wide range of membership categories such as weekday, corporate, family, country and social. The club is also continually looking at ways to improve our offerings. Starting later this year, we’ll be introducing a new reward program for our green fee players. “We pride ourselves on being one of the few golf courses that offer members competition 6 days a week for both male and female members. All of our members’ competition days are open to both genders, competing in one field.” More: www.beaconhillsgolf.com.au •

In 1962, the field consisted of Snead and 14 LPGA players and was contested over 72 holes. Slammin’ Sam won by five strokes over Mickey Wright, a winner of 82 LPGA Tour events, making him the only man to win an official LPGA Tour event.

Brown, Backwell triumph in Samoa Mitchell A Brown captured his biggest win of 2015 with a dominating performance in the SIFA Samoa Open, holding off a strong field including New Zealand’s Nick Gillespie and Queensland’s R.J Caracella. Brown fired rounds of 67-98-68 (-12) to take a two shot victory at the Royal Samoa Country Club. Played alongside the Legends Tour professionals, both categories were again extremely popular among the local golfers and it was Queensland’s Richard Backwell who successfully defended his SIFA Samoa Open Title. Backwell was far too good, shooting rounds of 70-71-70 (-5) for a five shot victory ahead of Victorian Michael Barry.

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news

Australian PGA Championship joins European Tour’s Race to Dubai

he Australian PGA Championship will become part of The European Tour International Schedule for the 2016 season following a co-sanctioning agreement with the PGA Tour of Australasia.

Matthew Giles of Australia sank a clutch birdie putt on the final hole to win the US$76,000 Bali National Golf Championship by one shot.

Played at the RACV Royal Pines Resort from December 3-6, the $1.75million tournament becomes the 28th European Tour sanctioned event to be held on Australian soil, following the ANZ Championship (2002-2004), the Australian Masters (2007-2009 - played twice in the 2009 season), the Heineken Classic (1996-2005), the Greg Norman Holden International (2000-2001), the Johnnie Walker Classic (1997, 2002-2003, 2006, 2009) and the Perth International (2012-2014).

The 25-year-old was tied with Lindsay Renolds of Canada before holing a 30-feet birdie to win his first Asian Development Tour (ADT) title with a closing three-under-par 69 at the Bali National Golf Club. Renolds, who led by two shots early in the round, shot a 68 to settle for his fourth runner-up finish on the ADT while Sutijet Kooratanapisan of Thailand and Order of Merit leader Hsieh Chi-hsien of Chinese Taipei finished third and fourth respectively.

The European Tour will receive 60 spots in the tournament, and in an arrangement with the Sunshine Tour (South Africa), 30 of those positions will be granted to Sunshine Tour membership. The PGA Tour of Australasia will receive 72 spots the tournament. In addition, there will be eight tournament invitations, six qualifying positions and three positions for PGA Vocational Members. In addition to the first prize of AU$315,000, the winner of Australian PGA Championship will be granted exemption into the European Tour’s flagship event, the 2016 BMW PGA Championship, at Wentworth Club. Keith Waters, The European Tour’s Chief Operating Officer and Director of International Policy, said: “The relationship between The European Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia continues to flourish and our partnership will continue to bear fruit over the coming years. We are delighted to assist in elevating this Championship and providing the opportunity for European Tour and Sunshine Tour members to play in this great event.” PGA of Australia Chief Executive Brian Thorburn said sanctioning with the European Tour would provide a greater reach with a new broadcast agreement through Europe, Asia and the US.

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Matthew Giles captures Bali National Golf Championship

“It is always nice to make a putt on the 18th hole to win an event. It feels fantastic. It has been a great week,” said Giles, who totalled 12-under-par 276 to win US$13,300 and earn six valuable Official World Golf Ranking points.

PGA of Australia CEO Brian Thorburn with the Kirkwood Cup. “This will be the highest purse in Australian PGA Championship history and will position the tournament more strongly on the international stage with exposure to a greater broadcast platform than any of our previous tournaments,” he said. “This is a huge step forward for the tournament to rank alongside many of the great tournaments in Europe and Asia. The partnership will also provide the opportunity to improve the strength of the field through the greater depth of international players currently playing on the European Tour.” The Championship will also provide visitors the chance to view Graham Marsh’s $10million

upgrade to the RACV Royal Pines Resort layout. “RACV has invested a significant amount of money to upgrade their championship course and it is looking exceptional,” said Thorburn. “The newly designed 16th and 18th holes will provide fantastic viewing for fans attending the tournament while the 10th tee, which is now positioned near the tournament ‘village’, will enhance the fan engagement experience even further. The tournament is supported by Tourism and Events Queensland, RACV, City of Gold Coast, Gold Coast Tourism, Emirates and CocaCola Amatil. •

Giles got off to a slow start when he turned in one-over-par 36 but bounced back on his homeward nine with five birdies against one bogey. “This is a demanding course. There are holes where you can make birdies or eagles but if you hit a bad shot then you will be punished. Every hole has its own little challenge. I just stayed in the moment and thankfully it worked out. “The front nine is more challenging. I grinded out on the front and was lucky enough to birdie 10, 11, 13 and 15. I think I probably played 10 or nine-under on the back nine for the tournament,” he smiled. www.asiandevelopmenttour.com

news

Changing of the guard Karen Lunn

Executive Director – ALPG

fter almost 20 years of holding the title as Australia’s top-ranked woman player, Karrie Webb last month passed over the baton, surrendering her position to rising ALPG star Minjee Lee following the NW Arkansas Challenge on the LPGA Tour. Minjee’s 6th place finish was enough to move her into 16th position on the Rolex Women’s World Rankings, two places ahead of Webb, whose disappointing 52nd place finish meant she would drop down two places to 18th. Minjee has had a superb start to her LPGA career this year; the highlight so far was securing her first LPGA victory at the Kingsmill Championship in May. She followed her win with a 13th place at the KMPG Women’s PGA Championship, which so far is her best finish in a major championship. There has never been any doubt about Minjee’s potential, she was the number 1 ranked amateur in the world when she turned pro and won the 2014 Oates Victorian Open beating the professionals when still an amateur. It can be a big adjustment transitioning from the amateur ranks to the world of professional golf; Minjee had a few hiccups early in the season, missing three straight cuts at one point, but she has now found her feet on the biggest stage in women’s golf competing against the best players in the world. At the time of writing Minjee currently sits 15th on the LPGA Tour Money list with more than US$486,000 in earnings and in 3rd place in the rookie of the year race. For those of you who think that Karrie’s career may be heading in the wrong direction, I would do so at your peril! Webb herself has had an up and down year so far, with three top 10 finishes in her last six tournaments mixed in with a couple of uncharacteristic missed cuts. Karrie missing cuts was unheard of a few years back, but the quality of play and the competition on the LPGA Tour now is so incredibly strong, even newly-crowned world number 1 Inbee Park missed the cut in Arkansas, while 18-year-old sensation Lydia Ko also missed her first cut recently, ending a run of 53 straight cuts made on the LPGA Tour. In order to keep improving at the grand old age of 40 and after almost 20 years on the professional tours, Webb made the decision to switch coaches last year, leaving her

long-time coach Ian Triggs for Mike McGetrick, long-time coach of LPGA Hall of Famers Juli Inkster and Meg Mallon. This decision certainly wouldn’t have been taken lightly by Karrie, who has had only had two golf coaches in her life, Kelvin Haller who coached Webb from a young age in Ayr and Triggs. For those who don’t know Karrie, she is a perfectionist, her motivation to continue to improve after all these years on tour is really to be admired. Karrie felt that in recent years she had lost some distance off the tee and with her irons, and this led her to take this bold decision. She felt that if she could get some more power back into her golf swing that would give her a better chance of competing with the younger, more athletic stars of the LPGA Tour. Only the most avid golfers would pick up on the subtle changes that Karrie has made since working with Mike, and she now feels that her game is in as good a shape as it has been for a long time. Apart from the countless hours Karrie spends on the driving range and putting greens she also works very hard on her fitness and keeping her body in shape, travelling on tour with Melbourne Osteopath Adam Olarenshaw. Karrie is still incredibly driven to win golf tournaments, but I think the ultimate goal for her is to represent Australia and have a shot at winning a medal at the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016. The irony of Minjee “stealing” Karrie’s number 1 position is that Karrie has been an incredible support to Minjee and many of the other young Australian players on tour, advising and mentoring them at every opportunity. Karrie regularly plays practice rounds at tournaments with them, as well as advising them on everything from course strategy, practise regimes, time management, and the mental side of the game, just

to name a few. It is great to watch the “kids” around Karrie, it is a little like watching the Pied Piper! Karrie’s contribution to our young players is something that very few people get to hear about, but what she has to offer sharing her experiences and knowledge is absolute gold for these young players. They are incredibly fortunate to have someone like Karrie in their corner, she is an inspiration and a fantastic role model for all of our young players. I think that the best of Karrie Webb in 2015 may well be yet to come, especially in the major championships when she always manages to step her game up a notch. Don’t be surprised if we see Karrie getting that Aussie number 1 position back from Minjee sometime in the near future! www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

industry news

Curlewis sale secures a ‘Sharp’ future

ne of Australia’s more iconic and enjoyable golf courses, Curlewis Golf Club on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula, is set to begin a new chapter in the club history, following last month’s sale of the club to Bellarine locals David and Lyndsay Sharp of Ladcom Pty Ltd - owners of Leura Park Estate, Jack Rabbit Vineyard and Flying Brick Cider Co.

Callan O’Reilly won the 2015 BMW Tahiti International Open in one of the most dominant displays in the event’s 31 year history. Starting Sunday’s final round six-shots ahead of New Zealand’s Daniel Pearce, O’Reilly held his nerves in the early stages to maintain his lead and by the ninth hole his lead had grown to seven shots with Fraser Wilkin and Edward Stedman the only challengers to rally on the final day.

Following a member vote in June which approved the sale of the club, the Sharps took over ownership on July 1, and the couple are set to roll out a host of course and clubhouse improvements with the goal of establishing a new benchmark in regional golfing experience. “We have made a sincere, serious commitment to Curlewis members and the local community and we intend to ensure that this wonderful community amenity is retained and enhanced as a premier 18-hole golf course now and into an energised and long-term future,” said Ladcom director, David Sharp. Curlewis Golf Club president, Peter Penning said the sale was unanimously endorsed by the management committee and put to members to vote at a meeting on June 18. “This vote is one that is very positive for the club, providing it and the members with a bright future,” Mr Penning said. Roger Grant – executive director of Tourism Geelong and The Bellarine said the Sharps have an outstanding record of delivering and managing high-quality and well-maintained tourism-related developments on The Bellarine. “They are very community minded but at the same time have a global perspective and have demonstrated the ability to deliver ‘world standard’ facilities,” Mr Grant said. “We are confident and excited by the prospect of future development of Curlewis

O’Reilly shines in Tahiti win

Curlewis Golf Club INSET: David and Lyndsay Sharp Golf Club and believe David and Lyndsay Sharp have the vision, passion and experience to deliver an outstanding outcome for members, locals and visitors to our region.” The Sharps have already demonstrated their commitment to members by not only capping annual membership fees at $1400, but removing the contentious water levy fee. Mr Sharp said he had secured the services of Australian golf course designer Michael Clayton to initiate and oversee the activation of a contemporary course Master Plan. “Curlewis is already a magnificent and much loved golf course and we are looking forward to taking it to the next level with the ongoing enhancement of the course layout under Michael’s direction,” he said. “We have also started working with architects on plans for a massive redesign of the club house and surrounding facilities – we expect to be able to announce these plans in the very near future.” Curlewis golf course is known for its

sustainability practices, a key component of which is a state-of-the-art water reclamation plant which ensures lush playing conditions year round. The Sharp’s improvement plans includes an upgrade of the current irrigation system. With its views towards the bay, undulating fairways and natural vegetation, Curlewis Golf Club is also dearly loved as a haven for wild life. Curlewis members will reap the benefits of a premier 18-hole golf course, access to top competition, a proud and wonderful member cohort, an evolving dining and social destination and a guarantee of an exciting, evolutionary future: familyfriendly, fun, great dining as well as other community facilities for members, locals and visitors alike to enjoy. “On behalf of the Curlewis Golf Club, we invite current, former and potential members to join with us on an exciting journey into the future. Of course, green fee players are also welcome,” Sharp added. •

The final grouping of O’Reilly, Pearce and Andrew Kirkman were faced with sweltering Pacific temperatures reaching the mid 30’s by noon. “I really battled out there in the final round and probably wasn’t as relaxed as I was in the first three days but It’s an amazing feeling” said the 24-year-old O’Reilly. O’Reilly hit the professional scene in style, claiming the victory at the 2013 PGA Australia Qualifying School. Since turning professional, the young gun from Toronto golf club on the NSW Central Coast has had mixed form with several top results on the Australasian Tour and several wins on the Choice Hotels PGA Pro-Am Series. New Zealand’s Fraser Wilkin posted the low round of the final round with an eight-underpar 64 to finish in outright second. The Tahiti International Open is played annually on the Oliver Breaud International Golf Course, situated about 30 minutes drive from the capital city Papeete. Past champions of the event include Brett Ogle who won the very first Tahiti International in 1984 and 2013 and 2014 winner Ryan Fox from New Zealand who has now established himself on the European Tour in 2015.

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industry news

New course built on shoestring budget

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

A new golf course, built on a shoestring budget, has opened at Maleny 90 kilometres north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

But what’s remarkable about the story is the first stage (nine holes) of the 18-hole golf course was built for less than $1m. Club president Dr Max Whitten said volunteers from the club’s 400-strong membership helped build the course for $750,000. The local council chipped in $450,000 from its capital works program and the club received donations (money and professional time) to ensure the completion of the course. “We’ve shown that building a golf course need not be an expensive exercise in a town like Maleny where the community is large enough to boast an abundance of natural talent, but small enough for residents to be able to help out and make a real difference,” Dr Whitten said. He said the club had also shown that development of a golf course could deliver positive environmental outcomes such as the rehabilitation and protection of wetlands and native flora and fauna. “We have essentially taken a neglected agricultural site and transformed it into a valuable councilowned asset, which will well serve

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OW here is a good news story.

The opening of Maleny Golf Club’s community golf course last month is indeed good news for golfers and is another good reason to visit the popular tourist hotspot.

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Queensland golf course superintendents look over the recently opened Maleny community golf course. INSET: Club president Dr Max Whitten was one of the first to tee off on opening day. the community and local tourism for generations to come.”

the Maleny community to turn our vision into reality,” he said.

Dr Whitten said the Graham Papworth-designed golf course had drawn inspiration, for both economic and ecological reasons, from Scotland’s Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course and their motto: “Golf as it began”.

The club has a temporary clubhouse and cart sheds for its small fleet of golf carts.

“We have taken full advantage of some excellent natural assets – gentle rolling hills, well drained volcanic soil, existing kikuyu pastures, pleasant climate, surrounding rainforest and some wetland,” he said.

More than 40 turned up to “inspect” the golf course.

The only excavation undertaken was to the tee blocks and greens. Dr Whitten said it was now vital that all necessary approvals for the final nine holes were expedited so that crucial momentum and the evident strong level of volunteer support within the community were maintained. “I am very confident work will soon commence on stage 2 now that we have demonstrated to council our capabilities and the enthusiastic level of support we have harnessed within

News of the new course opening even attracted the attention of the Golf Course Superintendents’ Association of Queensland.

Maleny course superintendent Mick McCombe hosted the group, who showed plenty of interest in the excellent Tifdwarf greens. Golf Queensland CEO Lindsay Ellis too took time out of his business schedule to attend the official opening along with more than 250 golfers and non-golfers alike. Sunshine Coast mayor Mark Jamieson, with support from club patron Andrew Powell MP and local councillor Jenny McKay, declared open the course when he cut a ribbon on the first tee. For more information, visit the club’s website www.malenygolfclub.com.au •

Middle Ridge fighting back TOOWOOMBA Golf Club (Middle Ridge) on Queensland’s Darling Downs is working towards reclaiming its top ranking. Golf manager/professional Paul Habgood said the club had undertaken the reconstruction of its irrigation system. Unfortunately, the club has received some negative publicity about its presentation and sub-standard playing surfaces compared to the lush fairways and challenging greens that locals and visitors are accustomed. “A major contributing factor has been the outdated irrigation,” Habgood said. To bring the course back to its

brilliant best, the club has bitten down hard on the bullet and is investing $800,000 on the latest infrastructure thanks to its strong financial position Club president Mark Mahony said it wasn’t the first time “the Ridge” had been through tough times. “We have had some issues over the last couple of years, but we are committed more than ever to implement all the changes we need to get the course back to its former glory,” he said. “The investment will provide stateof-the-art watering facilities to our new superintendent Mick Kelly who, together with his team, are already preparing for a big summer with the project due to be completed at

the start of the growing season in September.” Kelly, who arrived at the club in April, has extensive experience with bent grass greens and course construction. “These skills will prove invaluable to the course improvement plans as the club looks to the future,” Mahony said. “The improvement and work practices have been immediate with members and visitors alike openly praising the course’s revitalised condition.”

Experience for yourself what the hype is all about.

Toowoomba Golf Club (Middle Ridge) will adjust its pricing for social play during the reconstruction process to compensate any inconvenience to players. www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

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from the ceo

Golf WEEK morphs into GOLF MONTH Stephen Pitt CEO – Golf Australia

Playgolf WEEK began in 2013 in South Australia as a pilot program, and was picked up nationally in 2014. More than 7000 people participated in programs run throughout the country in November last year, but the clubs and golf facilities who took part have indicated they need more time. Hence GOLF MONTH, is part of the overall strategy for growing the game in this country. Participation is an ongoing focus area for us, and the numbers indicate the struggle to hold our ground. For the year ending 2014 national club membership was at 397,234, down 0.7 on the previous year, as I noted in the last issue of Inside Golf. But the better news was twofold: rounds of golf increased by 7.2 percent in 2014, and the decline in membership has slowed to a trickle. The challenge is to turn that graph around to the positive, which is what initiatives like GOLF MONTH are about. In addition, Golf Australia and the PGA of Australia are offering a MyGolf Sporting Schools program which is expected to engage children across Australia in what will be the country’s largest school-based participation program, working under the banner of the Australian Sports Commission. Within the MyGolf Sporting Schools program we aim to introduce children to the game of Golf through fun, engaging

ST ANDREWS bEAch

ThE NATioNAl - olD couRSE

In an exciting step forward for the Australian golf industry, The PGA of Australia and Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) last month announced a dual membership for their mutual members. The new collaboration will see an increase in female PGA Professionals which will have a direct impact on the development of golf at a grass roots level.

ustralia is about to witness its first GOLF MONTH, an exciting new participation program that is an extension of the old Playgolf WEEK.

GOLF MONTH kicks off this October, right around the country. Golf Australia and the other stakeholders of the industry, such as the PGA, ALPG and the state and territory golf associations, are fully behind expanding the event from a week to a month, in line with feedback received about previous campaigns.

PGA, ALPG forge alignment

With more ALPG members coming through the PGA’s Trainee and Bridging Programs and going on to further enhance their skills via the PGA’s Accreditation and Continuing Education Program, there will be an increased number of females coaching golf at a club level.

and challenging games and activities that are easily suited and adapted for a range of age groups and skill levels within the school environment. The Program runs for four weeks in a school program with an optional fifth week at a local golf club or facility to further enhance the children’s experience. We are seeking registrations and this can be done at www.sportingschools.gov.au As for GOLF MONTH, it is aimed at driving club membership and to re-engage lapsed golfers under the banner ‘Rediscover Your Drive’. Part of the strategy is to encourage golf people to introduce friends and family to the game. We have research to tell us that up to 92 percent of casual golfers, and 80 percent of club members, started playing the game because they were introduced by someone close to them. It is something we need to encourage and to capitalise upon. In GOLF MONTH we will offer up a coveted place in the Emirates Australian Open pro-am this November in Sydney to a golfer who introduces a new member for a golf club. Any golfer who manages to recruit a new member can enter a draw for the prize. There will be hundreds of golf clubs and facilities running programs during the month of October, with details at the new website www.playgolf.com.au . I urge golf people to get on board.

ThE DuNES

The enhanced relationship between the two bodies will also provide more playing opportunities for female Professional golfers in Australia providing them with access to the Choice PGA Pro-Am Series and ALPG tournaments. “The PGA is thrilled to be joining forces with the ALPG in this dual Membership program,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia. “We have great members across both organisations and it’s just wonderful that we are teaming up in a structured way to provide further benefits to our Members and grow the game.” “This is just another sign of the growing collaboration and increasing unity amongst all the bodies in golf.” Karen Lunn, CEO of the ALPG, echoed Thorburn’s sentiments. “The ALPG is delighted to be partnering with the PGA; this is an historical day for golf in Australia and something that we are all very excited about,” “It’s going to be wonderful for ALPG Members to access some of the PGA’s educational programs and we are looking forward to progressing this relationship for the long-term.”

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from the ceo

A new era for the Australian PGA Championship marquee players in the field for this year’s tournament shortly.

Brian Thorburn CEO – PGA of Australia

was delighted to announce that the PGA’s flagship event - the Australian PGA Championship - will become Australia’s richest Professional golf tournament in 2015 thanks to a new co-sanctioning agreement with the European Tour.

A number of exemptions will also be on offer to the winner of the 2015 Australian PGA Championship, including full exemption on the European Tour for the 2016 and 2017 season as well as exemption into the 2016 WGC Bridgestone Invitational, a World Golf Championship event which offers US$9.25 million in prize money.

2016 US Masters & British Open Tours

This is an exciting development and a significant step forward for the PGA’s oldest and most prestigious Professional tournament to rank alongside many of the renowned tournaments in Europe and Asia.

This year’s tournament will also give fans the opportunity to see Graham Marsh’s $10million course upgrade at RACV Royal Pines Resort with the back-nine layout heading into the final stages of completion after the successful redevelopment of the frontnine prior to last year’s championship.

for full event information and player announcements.

The increased depth of international Professionals currently playing on the European Tour will offer an improved strength of field for the championship and I look forward to announcing

Tickets and hospitality packages for the Australian PGA Championship will be available very soon and I encourage you to keep an eye on the website www.pgachampionship.com.au

I look forward to welcoming all golf fans to this year’s tournament for what promises to be a magnificent week of golf and a new era for our Australian PGA Championship.

Brian Thorburn at the PGA Championship announcement.

PGA to deliver ASC Community Instructor Program

he collaboration between the PGA of Australia and Golf Australia has continued to develop, with the two organisations approving a new service agreement to support the delivery of the Community Golf Instructor Program within the framework of the Australian Sports Commission’s National Coaching Accreditation Scheme. The new agreement will see the PGA develop and deliver all forms of golf coach accreditation nationally, with the Community Golf Instructor Program now joining the Professional Golf Coach accreditation, which is linked directly to PGA Membership and completed via the PGA Trainee Program.

Instructors will work alongside our PGA Professionals to assist with the effective delivery of various participation programs.”

instructor accreditation platform that fully aligns to our national participation programs to deliver real outcomes for our sport.”

Formally known as the Community Golf Coach Program, the PGA and Golf Australia have reviewed the accreditation structure to provide both improved accessibility and to better reflect the participation programs of the sport.

“Additionally, we are pleased that the program will also incorporate golf instructor accreditation for school teachers, which will lead to an uptake of golf through the MyGolf Sporting Schools Program and improve links between schools and golf facilities.”

“This is a great example of how as a sport we can work together in harnessing our resources for the benefit of golf as a whole.”

Initial modules available include the MyGolf Club Program and the MyGolf Schools Program together with a specialised Teacher module for schools who wish to implement the MyGolf Schools Program.

Training is designed to give instructors a thorough understanding of the program they wish to assist and volunteer with, and the skills required for successful delivery. The program will also make use of online learning for instructors via the PGA’s own e-learning platform, The Fairway.

“The PGA is pleased to continue its collaboration with Golf Australia to drive the development of golf at grassroots level,” said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA. “All sports benefit from a valuable volunteer workforce to grow the game and we are confident that volunteer Community Golf

Golf Australia Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Pitt, is pleased to see the continued collaboration and its benefit for golf. “Golf Australia is delighted to have established a joint agreement with the PGA to develop a new e-learning

Escorted and private tours your choice of tournament days, luxury accommodation and additional holiday packages with tee times on world-class golf courses such as Pinehurst and Pebble Beach in the US and St Andrews and Carnoustie in the UK!

PGA Professionals will also benefit from the redevelopment of the program, with Community Instructors available to assist professional coaches with the delivery of participation programs at their club or facility. In addition, modules and accreditation relating to the program will be embedded within both the PGA Trainee program and the PGA Accreditation and Continuing Education (ACE) Program. Further information about the Community Instructor Program can be found on the dedicated program website www.communitygolfinstructor.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

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general managers

GOLF – It’s more than a game David Allen

GMA Executive Officer eo@gma.org.au

ore than 200 golf club managers, senior support staff, industry representatives and an impressive line-up of industry and professional speakers will descend on Jupiters Gold Coast between Monday 31st August and Thursday 3rd September to attend the 2015 GMA National Conference. Planning for the 2015 Conference commenced almost immediately following the 2013 Conference held in Sydney, when all attendees were surveyed for feedback on items such as the quality of the education program, the line-up of speakers and were also asked for ideas that could improve the next Conference in two years’ time. Roll forward almost two years and the theme being presented for the 2015 GMA National Conference is “GOLF – It’s More than a Game”. When the 2015 Conference Committee sat down more than 18 months ago to start planning for this year, it was clear from the successful blueprint used for 2011 (Melbourne) and 2013 (Sydney) that the program for 2015 needed to go to another level to stimulate the minds of golf club managers attending this year. Some potentially risky strategies have been introduced to the Conference program this year, but the committee is confident all the planning will come together to deliver a memorable and highly beneficial program of education, networking and professional development. The previously successful formula of a single Conference emcee for the entire week introducing each speaker and filling the gaps in-between to keep the audience entertained has been replaced with a separate “day facilitator” on each of the

three days of education with well-known golf identity Bruce Young emceeing “Industry Day” on Day 1 (Tuesday). The first day is somewhat ground-breaking in that the opening speaker is a female and the opening session is all about women - when the guru of marketing, sales, customer service and consumer behaviour – Amanda Stevens will deliver a presentation on the subject “Understanding the relationship between Women and Golf Clubs”. It’s a topic not many Clubs have cracked but are very keen to try and understand! Gregg Patterson is a dynamic and energetic speaker who has featured at the last two conferences delivering his own brand of ideas and techniques for engaging members and customers. Gregg will operate as Day Facilitator on Day 2 (Wednesday) and also deliver one of 4 different workshop sessions available for delegates on the same day. Day 2 is branded as “Operational Day” and provides a great opportunity for managers to bring along some of their operational staff members to benefit from a range of topics that will help them in their everyday roles. the impressive line-up of workshop sessions on Day 2 include topics on Rules of Marketing in this Technological Age, Maximising Income Potential from Food & Beverage Operations, Presenting with Confidence and Creating a WOW factor in your service operation. A feature of the 2015 Conference Program is the number of new faces from different countries in the line-up of industry and professional speakers. Heading up an impressive overseas contingent is Dominic Wall, Director Asia Pacific from the R&A, who have also come on board as a conference sponsor this year. Lodewijk Klootwijk is flying the European flag as Chief Executive of the European Golf Course Owners Association (EGCOA) and will provide a different perspective on the topic of Membership Recruitment and Retention in Europe. Representing golf

Gregg Patterson, returning for his third GMA National Conference. in the UK will be Claire Middleton who works with the Scottish Golf Union as a Club Development Officer. Claire works closely with 250 golf clubs in the West of Scotland to deliver products and services that support the growth of golf in Scotland through those clubs, and will present an overview of Membership Trends in the UK. Greg DeRosa from the USA (who ranked so highly in the 2013 survey it was clear his special talents couldn’t be ignored) will give his own insight and philosophies on the “10 Keys to being a successful Golf Club Manager” and also “Director Induction and Education”. The final day of education on Day 3 (Thursday) is focused on the managers and their senior support staff. The focus of the day is more aligned to issues such as leadership and personal / professional development with a range of subjects from improving their ability to build positive and effective relationships to understanding how to strike a balance between work and lifestyle. Whilst the majority of golf club managers consider themselves fortunate to be working in an environment detached from the hustle

and bustle of the City with views of the golf course and the responsibility to create an environment of leisure and enjoyment for members and guests – there are many hidden challenges to a day in the life of a golf club manager. The Conference this year will address all the key issues facing golf club managers and their respective Clubs in a modern society where people have more choice than ever before when deciding how to spend their spare time and money outside of the workplace. Golf club managers across the country are looking forward to the first week in September when many colleagues and friends will converge on the Gold Coast and come together for the most important week of their work calendar this year. By the end of the week delegates will undoubtedly come away with many new innovative ideas, reinforcement of existing strategies and techniques and the confidence to go back to their Clubs ready to meet challenges head-on, and explore new opportunities to improve the Club experience for the benefit of their members and guests and perhaps improve that bottom line. •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

general managers

GM Linda driving change in the west David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

inda Duncan, the general manager of Lakelands Country Club in Perth, has a goal to make the club one of the best in the west. Since arriving at the club two-anda-half years ago, Ms Duncan, with the support of the progressive board, has been instrumental in turning around the club’s fortunes. The development of a strategic plan and significant staff changes has the club heading in the right direction. “The strategic planning process was really significant in setting the common direction for the club across all facets of our club,” Ms Duncan said. “This focus has led to a great deal being achieved over the last 12 months, including implementing a new governance model adopted by the board. “When I first got here (Lakelands), there was disengagement between the members, committees and staff.”

A survey completed prior to Ms Duncan’s appointment revealed members had complained of poor pro shop service and course presentation. So the early focus for her was to reverse the trend. “Those matters were resolved when the course superintendent resigned and the head professional’s contract wasn’t renewed,” she said. “We worked with the PGA to identify a new head professional and had a robust selection process for a new course superintendent. With a new management team in place, the focus shifted to developing a strategic direction for the club. “We brought a good cross-section of our golfing community together and developed a strategic plan. “One year on we have successfully developed good governance strategies, are re-developing the course, identifying new revenue streams and have a strong membership base. “For me the most exciting aspect is working through all the governance and planning aspects of my job. “I love governance,” she enthused. “All golf clubs who work on a really sound governance structure really experience significant long-term benefit. “Best practice is that the board develops policy and strategy and the GM ‘enables’. “Our view is that I look after the day-to-day issues and the board looks

TOP JOB: Linda Duncan says sound strategy backed by good governance can only benefit a golf club. after the long-term. If you can get that right then club managers can do the job they were employed to do. “At all our board meetings we have white papers for any decisions. It ensures that our board meetings are focussed, well prepared and decisions can be taken with all of the facts. “As a result, our board meetings are significantly quicker as well as much more effective.” Meanwhile, Lakelands plans to upgrade its golf course with the help of course architect Terry Gale. “We want a course that is playable for all members,” Ms Duncan said. “We expect the course renovations to take place over a five-year period and this, with other strategies in the Strategic Plan, will assist the club moving forward.” Ms Duncan, who is a Golf Management Australia (GMA) WA board member, is also working on ways to make more people aware of Lakelands Country Club. “We want to be widely known in our catchment area so I joined the Joondalup and Wanneroo Business Associations to get the club’s name out in the community,” she said. “That has been sensational in bringing those associations to Lakelands. I don’t know how many times their members stated ‘we didn’t know you were here’. “We now have a connection with community and business groups. We sponsor schools in our catchment area and also have a fantastic junior program going.” New road signage is helping put Lakelands “on the map” and an initiative to grow women’s membership is underway.

“We are implementing Golf Australia’s development programs with head pro Damian Chatterley and our other professionals Tristan McCullum and Matthew Heath.” Earlier this year Ms Duncan attended the CMAA conference in San Antonio, Texas and the opportunity reinforced the need for a good governance model to be a successful club as well as exposure to best practice in the USA. For Ms Duncan, the golf bug first bit on the sand greens of the Solomon Islands in 1986 and within two years was on single figures. She currently plays off 10.8 and represents the club in pennants. In 1990, she moved to Fiji for work and was captain of the Fiji Ladies Golf Club. She represented Fiji at the South Pacific Games, and during this period (1995) completed a Bachelor of Business Studies degree (Sport Management & Coaching, and Management) through Massey University in NZ. Before moving across the ditch, she ran a small country pub and prior to that she spent five years as GM at Harewood Golf Club, a 36-hole complex in Christchurch. Ms Duncan also worked at New Zealand Women’s Golf, the NZ Police Council of Sport and Wellington Tennis. It’s clear she enjoys the daily challenges of running a busy club and I asked her what aspect of her job she most enjoys. “The diversity,” she said. “In any one day I could be doing a million things and I love problem solving. “I love waking up each morning, arriving at work and saying ‘what is going to happen today’ – and excited about where our club is going.” • www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

PGA Championship Preview

PGA Championship Preview Henry Peters ed@insidegolf.com.au

@hsspeters

ive years on from one of the most controversial majors in golf history, the PGA Championship returns to Whistling Straits in the northern US state of Wisconsin. Dustin Johnson was dealt one of the cruellest blows in memory at the site in 2010 when he missed out on a playoff after being handed a two-shot penalty at the 72nd hole for grounding his club in a hazard, which he and many others thought was a waste area. The big-hitting American returns in redhot form to face Whistling Straits and its collection of roughly one thousand bunkers in the hopes of making amends for the 2010 near-miss. Red-hot Jordan Spieth will be looking to add another major trophy to his collection, as he heads to Whistling Straits jostling for outright favouritism along with Johnson and (should he recover from his ankle injury in time) defending PGA Champion Rory 1 InsideGolfAd_PTSEvolution.pdf McIlroy.

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August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Bubba Watson smashes one off the tee in a three-hole playoff during the 2010 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits (Photo: Montana Pritchard/PGA of America). Spieth, McIlroy and Johnson have ignited the rivalry that golf had been craving since Tiger Woods’ struggles to contend at major championships. While the 2010 PGA at Whistling Straits was happening, Spieth was 17 years old and probably watching the action from his couch while a puffy-faced McIlroy finished just one shot out of a playoff with Bubba Watson and eventual winner Martin Kaymer. Spieth’s US Open triumph was as impressive as his record-tying 18 under par winning total at the US Masters because he won at Chambers Bay with what appeared to be less than his best golf. Set high atop cliffs alongside Lake Michigan, Whistling Straits mimics the links style of many of the classic Irish and Scottish layouts and is regarded among the most4:05 visually 4/6/15 PM stunning major championship venues.

Dustin Johnson will take his red-hot form into the year’s final Major (Photo: Dustin Satloff Photography).

According to the PGA of America, more than a million tons of cubic earth was moved to create the Pete Dye-designed course – formerly an anti-aircraft training site for the US Army – which opened in 1998. Whistling Straits has been a source of mixed results for Australians at its two PGA Championship hostings in 2004 and, in 2010, when veteran Steve Elkington made a bold run at a second PGA title to finish tied fifth and just two shots outside the playoff. This time around, Jason Day and Adam Scott enter as Australia’s top hopes based on recent form. Scott has played sparingly in 2015 as he settles into fatherhood but his tied fourth finish at the US Open shows his game remains major-ready. The former world number one also has a top-ten to his name at Whistling Straits,

where he finished equal ninth in 2004 before a disappointing showing in 2010 when he broke par only once and finished tied 39th. Day claimed the Farmers Insurance Open in February and won huge support around the world at the US Open when he collapsed due to vertigo during the second round, held a share of the lead entering Sunday and finished tied ninth. His only visit to Whistling Straits yielded a tie for fourth in 2010 as a 22-year-old. New South Welshman Steven Bowditch this year’s AT&T Byron Nelson winner - joins Day as the only other Aussie in the field with a PGA Tour victory in 2015. Marc Leishman, Matt Jones, Cameron Smith and Geoff Ogilvy round out the Australian contingent. All of them have been showing great form of late, notably in both the US Open and the Open Championships. •

PGA Championship Preview

US PGA Championship – the Australian connection 36 years ago David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

20 years ago Australian Steve Elkington won his only major when he defeated Scot Colin Montgomerie to win the US PGA Championship in a playoff at Riviera Country Club in 1995. The sudden-death playoff began on the par-4 18th hole, where both found the fairway and reached the green in regulation. Elkington was away and birdied from six metres. Montgomerie missed his putt to extend the playoff. Both played the par-71 layout in 267 strokes – 17-under par.

25 years ago In 1990, Wayne Grady scored a three-stroke victory over American Fred Couples to win his only major. In the final round, Couples led by a stroke after a birdie at the 12th hole, but then had four consecutive bogeys, while Grady shot par for the rest of the round at Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club. Grady finished with a score of 282 – sixunder par.

David Graham, the only Australian to win two majors in the US, captured the 1979 US PGA at Oakland Hills Country Club. Going into the final round, Graham was four shots back and had a two-shot lead teeing off the 72st hole. He should have won it comfortably, but double bogeyed the 72nd hole and was forced into a playoff with Ben Crenshaw. Graham rallied and won at the third extra hole. In the same event, Sam Snead, a three-time champion, set the record for the oldest player to make the cut in a major. He was 67 years, 2 months, and seven days of age and finished 42nd.

68 years ago The first Australian to win the US PGA Championship was Jim Ferrier in 1947 when he edged out American Chick Harbert 2/1 in the matchplay final. From 1916 to 1957, the US PGA was a matchplay tournament. In 1947, the matchplay format called for 12 rounds (216 holes) in seven days. The first two days were stroke play with the defending champion Ben Hogan and the top 63 pros advancing to matchplay.

Played at Plum Hollow Country Club, Ferrier defeated Lloyd Mangrum 4/3 in the quarterfinal and Art Bell 10/9 in the semi-final. Toney Penna beat Ben Hogan 3/1 in the first round.

Aussie runners-up Four Australians have finished runner-up in the US PGA Championship. In 2005, Steve Elkington and Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn finished runners-up to Phil Mickelson. Greg Norman was twice runner-up – in 1986 to Bob Tway and 1993 to Paul Azinger. Bruce Crampton also finished second on two occasions. He was runner-up to Jack Nicklaus in 1973 and 1975. In 1960, 13 years after his only major victory, Jim Ferrier was runner-up to Jay Herbert.

Prize money grows In 1947, Jim Ferrier received a cheque for $US3500 after winning the US PGA Championship.

Did you know?

FIVE-TIME Open Championship winner Peter Thomson never played a single US PGA Championship, but he did win the US PGA Seniors’ Championship. In a career spanning more than four decades, Thommo played 43 majors – 30 Open Championships, eight US Masters and five US Opens. His best result at the Masters was fifth in 1959 and his best finish in the US Open was a tie for fourth in 1956.

David Graham banked $US60,000 for winning in 1979 and Wayne Grady collected $US225,000 in 1990

He won 11 Senior PGA Tour titles including a major – the US PGA Seniors’ Championship in 1984.

Five years later, Steve Elkington picked up a cool $US360,000 for winning in 1995.

In 1985, he won nine times on the Senior US PGA Tour and finished top of the money list. His last tournament victory came at the 1988 British PGA Seniors Championship.

This year’s winner will win around $US1.8 million. •

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

cover

A new spin for DJ

After a six-month break last year, Dustin Johnson has returned to the game with a new outlook on life and the game he loves. Prior to this year’s Open Championship, Garrett Johnson chatted with the big-hitting ‘DJ’ about his new mindset.

(Photo: Dustin Satloff Photography)

@johnstongarrett

What did you learn about yourself in your time away?

What was it like driving your son Tatum home from the hospital?

I learned a lot. More about myself, how I work. I did a lot of soul searching and then getting my priorities straight. With Paulina (fiancee) being pregnant I was just trying to get my life in order and get ready to be a father. Being prepared for a child, that was my main goal. It wasn’t golf-oriented. It was more personal; wanting to be there and be a role model for my son. So it was just getting those things in order.

I was nervous with the little man in the car. When I first got on the interstate, it was like when you’ve just got your license. Normally, I’m driving 100 mph and swerving in and out of traffic (laughs) but with him in the car it was like (hands at) “10 and 2” (on the steering wheel), going 55 mph in the slow lane. It’s just a different mentality. How rewarding is it to have your Tatum in your life?

You seem to be more committed to fitness this season.

It’s definitely a change. I love it. I love him. We have a great family and we have fun. So I’m looking forward to the future. Before, golf was my priority, now it’s the family and golf is a game I love playing.

I’m just more disciplined at it now. I’m doing it every day. Keeping up the routine, week-in and week-out. Last year, it was about getting in the gym for warm-ups or stretch after my round but I wasn’t really religious about doing it all the time, working out after the rounds. Especially in my off weeks. I wasn’t very good at it. So now I’m doing it all the time whether I’m playing or not.

How inspiring is your future father-in-law, Wayne Gretzky, to you? We play golf just about every day and, yeah, he is a great role model and obviously he’s had the best career of any athlete. He’s the

How good can Dustin Johnson be?

Your former caddie told Inside Golf that you have a great gift of forgetting bad golf shots. Where does that come from? With golf you’re going to hit bad shots, you’re going to make mistakes, but the quicker you can turn around the better. I’ve always just tried to do that. Sometimes it’s really hard. But you’ve really got to just focus on the next shot. You’ve already hit the shot; you can’t change it, there’s nothing you can do about it. You really just try to keep looking forward. What do you make of the heat of a backnine on Sunday? I love it. That’s the reason I’m out here, that’s why I’m playing this game. I love having that pressure on the last day. You get to see what you’re made of. What are your thoughts on the missed putt to win the US Open?

With a win under your belt this year (WGC Cadillac Championships), what does success look like for you on the PGA Tour from here? Having a chance to win on Sundays. I’d like to think I can contend every week. I can’t control what others are doing. I’ve just got to play my best golf. I’ve only had one year where I’ve won twice (Johnson has won in each of the eight years he’s been on Tour), so I’d like to get multiple victories in a year. And it’ll come. You create a tremendous amount of clubhead speed. How important is that for your game? Where it helps is off the tee. Having shorter clubs into the greens and out of the rough, it’s a bonus. Even when the rough is ridiculous I’m able to always chase it up around the green which is nice. What inspires you about golf?

It’s just how it goes. I did everything that I could. I tried my damndest to get in the hole. I just couldn’t do it. I had a lot of putts on the back nine that I missed. At the end of the day, golf is golf. I’ve got my family and that’s most important to me. My trophy at the end of the day is holding up my little man. I couldn’t

I’ve just always loved the game. I’ve loved everything about it. It’s very individual. When you’re out playing it’s you and the golf course. No matter what course you’re playing it’s always different. It’s a game where you can play with anyone—whether or not they are good—and still have a good time. •

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I don’t know. I still don’t think I’ve reached my potential. I think I’ve only scratched the surface. I think I can be as good as I want to. I’ve just got to go for it. I’ve kind of rededicated a little bit. I’ve been working hard.

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You’ve had your brother, Austin, as your caddie for a while now, what’s that like?

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be more proud of myself and my family. No matter what, I’m going to keep my head high and I’m going to be happy.

Obviously he’s learning still. We’re getting into his second year so we’re just starting. He does a great job and obviously I love having my brother on the bag. That’s been awesome.

Garrett Johnston

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

best at his sport (hockey), so it’s cool to be able to hang out with him and just kind of see the things he does and how he acts. It’s been really cool.

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August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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Scottish links

The forgotten Scottish ‘links’ to the majors By Andrew Crockett

s time marches on, the Scottish link remains firmly entrenched in our golfing DNA, even in America. Scotland shared their love of the game with the rest of the world, with golfers willingly leaving Scotland to establish themselves in the far-flung countries to teach other people how to play the game. Scotland in the late 1800s and early 1900s was a powerhouse in engineering, science and invention, sending workers all over the world. Glasgow was one of the largest cities on Earth and the Scots loved golf. The workers needed something to do in their spare time, so they built makeshift golf courses and played with rudimentary equipment. Sharing their love of the game in Argentina, Scottish engineers who were employed to build the railways of Argentina put a golf course at every train stop! Without getting into the debate as to where golf started, it is fair to say that most golf courses draw their design inspiration from the natural features and now template - the

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Old Course, the home of Golf, St Andrews, Scotland. After all, why do golf courses have 18 holes, and why do they have sand bunkers? We follow the Scottish archetype. Closer inspection shows that our very own golfing majors are modelled off the original, The Open Championship. 72 holes of strokeplay was the formula that The Open Championship adopted by 1892, a model still used today by all four major championships. The ‘cut’ was introduced after two rounds in 1898 due to the swelling number of participants. While Scotland may no longer be a global powerhouse, akin to the Roman Empire, there is no doubt that Scotland has its fingerprints all over world golf. Nothing can change that. The US PGA didn’t eventuate into a 72hole stroke event until 1958, prior to this it was a matchplay tournament (with a strokeplay qualifier). The first US PGA championship was contested in 1916 and won by notable English golfer Jim Barnes, a 4 times major champion who also amassed 21 PGA Tour victories, he beat Scotland’s Jock Hutchinson (two major titles and 14 PGA Tour victories.) Barnes was a prolific champion; in fact his winning margin in

Scotland’s Jock Hutchinson with Jim Barnes (England) at the first US PGA championship in 1916. the 1921 US Open was nine shots and took a talent like Tiger Woods to break the record 80-odd years later. Hutchinson, while originally from Scotland, became a nationalised American and in 1921 returned to England to become the first American (and first non UK resident) to win The Open Championship. Later he famously became the honorary starter at the US Masters, an honour he kept until 1973.

The beginnings of the (now ‘major’) US PGA championship had its roots in Scottish and English golf. International jetsetter Gary Player won the US PGA in 1962 becoming the first non-American to win the event in the modern strokeplay era, the only other international name that shows up as a US PGA champion before him is Australia’s Jim Ferrier who won the championship in the matchplay era, 1947. The 97th staging of

Scottish links the USPGA championship is in 2015, with prizemoney exceeding $10million.

donated $25,000 of his $26,000 prizemoney to the USGA to assist in Junior Golf Programs.

The US Open began in 1895 and for the first 16 years was won by a golfer from Scotland or England. Much like Australia, this link back to Scotland can be attributed to the ‘Carnousite 300’, a golfing phenomenon unlike any other. Our own premiere event, The Australian Open began in 1904 and for the first decade was won by Scottish/ English emigrants; by the great names Michael Scott, Dan Soutar and Carnegie Clark who brought so much to the game of golf in Australia. With his Scottish ancestry deep in his veins, Carnegie Clark grew up as a caddie at Carnoustie and later became a professional golfer and clubmaker. In the early 1900s he was part of the ‘Carnoustie 300’ – professional golfers and clubmakers who ventured to other parts of the world to promote and share the game of golf and ultimately create their own livelihood. The United States was lucky enough to acquire many of the ‘Carnoustie 300’.

The Open Championship (British Open) started in 1860 and was won by a Scottish golfer for the next 29 years. English Amateur John Ball, who won at Prestwick in 1890 and pocketed a whopping 13 pounds for his victory, became the first non-Scottish ‘Open Champion.’ Ball, with that feat, pioneered the way for other English golfers to feel they had the ability to beat the golfers from Scotland; until that point in the history of the Open Championship first and even second place had only been achieved by golfers from Scotland. Two years after Ball’s victory, The Open Championship had another nonScottish champion in Harold Hilton (also an amateur) paving the way for such notable champions as J.H Taylor (England) who won the title five times between 1894 and 1913. Since the Second World War only two golfers from Scotland have won the Open Championship, Sandy Lyle (1985) and Paul Lawrie (1999).

Clark, instead of going to America, became one of the first professional golfers in Australia. Born in 1881, he arrived in Sydney in 1902 to work in a sports store. During his tenure here, Clark undertook what was to become known as his ‘Northern Tour’. Visiting Tamworth, Armidale, Glen Innes, Tenterfield, Warwick, Toowoomba, Ipswich, Brisbane, Casino, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Taree and Newcastle, ‘Neg’ promoted the game, gave tuition and obtained orders for golf clubs and balls. As a player, he won three Australian Opens and several Australian PGA titles. Carnegie Clark is credited with introducing the ‘Vardon grip’ to Australia and being a fine teacher of the game.

The US Masters started in 1934 and by that time America had its golfing superstars in Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones. Again, Gary Player was the first nonAmerican golfer to win the tournament, 1961. Prolific golf course architect Alister Mackenzie is the link back to the UK for the US Masters, having worked with Bobby Jones to design the layout. Sadly for Mackenzie after completing the construction of Augusta National in 1933, he never saw the first tournament, as he died January 1934, aged 63. If we look at the other three majors, the roots of the tournaments extend back to Scotland, perhaps that makes the US Masters even more unique…a tournament that started out as the Augusta National Invitational Tournament, with a clear vision by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts. •

In America, following the Scottish supremacy of professional golf in the early 1900s John McDermott became the first

Carnegie Clark, Circa 1911 (Photo courtesy of Golf Australia). American player to win the US Open (1911) and then began an American dominance of the event that lasted over fifty years. It took a legend of the game in Gary Player (South Africa) to become the first International player to win the event in the modern era; he won the US Open for the first time in 1965, beating Australian legend Kel Nagle in an 18-hole playoff. Nagle had a solid start to the

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playoff, but Player holed three lengthy putts in the first three holes, while Nagle missed three shorter ones – it wasn’t to be Nagle’s day, he hit a female spectator on the 5th hole (the patron was unconscious) and Kel never fully regained his composure … he lost by three shots. Player became only the 3rd golfer to win a career Grand Slam (joining Gene Sarazan and Ben Hogan) and Player famously

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on tour

Kim Felton goes ‘undercover’ David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

ORMER touring professional Kim Felton is back in the winner’s circle after capturing what is arguably the world’s first indoor pro-am in his home state of Western Australia. Felton took out the OptiGolf WA Invitational when he edged out Josh Madden and Matt Wolfe at the first extra hole on the Muirfield Village golf course. Playing the back nine holes at Muirfield Village, the trio each carded a 39 – threeover par – when hitting and putting into the indoor simulators at Joondalup in Perth. Fourteen professionals and 28 amateurs took part in the tournament. Scott Player, who plays off nine, won the amateur section after returning a gross score of 43 (nett 34). Felton, an ambassador for OptiGolf WA, said the indoor facility had seven simulators and was the perfect venue to test one’s skills on one of the 114 layouts available including St Andrews, Augusta National, Pebble Beach and many others. After 16 years touring around Australia and abroad, the 40-year-old called it quits and now plays just a handful of selected events in Western Australia. “I still play the major events in WA, but my wife and I have a young daughter (21 months) so I decided to focus on staying at

home and getting into business,” said Felton, who won on the Nationwide Tour (now Web. com Tour) in the US and the OneAsia Tour. He won nine professional events, including numerous state open titles, while his best finish in an Australian Open was fourth behind Peter Senior in 2012. “I had a chance to win with two holes to play and needed to make a couple of birdies, but it didn’t happen. “Since then, I haven’t had the same drive and excitement playing in Australian Opens and Australian Masters so I decided to move into something else. “I have now started a company called Felton Golf where I entertain and play golf with small groups of corporate clients and work with OptiGolf WA,” said the 1997 Australian amateur champion. In his prime, Felton was extremely competitive courtesy of his accuracy off the tee and a good short game (chipping and putting). He told Inside Golf he enjoyed playing tough, challenging golf courses. “I love tight golf courses,” he enthused. “In 2004, I played in the British Open at Troon and was playing really well. “It was super tight and you had to hit shots to the right spots. “I was coming 13th or 14th with about five holes to play before falling away, but it was a great experience playing my first major.” I ask Felton if he would do anything differently if he had his time over again.

Kim Felton. “I think I had a successful career over 16 or 17 years and don’t have any regrets stepping away from touring golf,” he said. “Golf was great to me and now I wake up excited about doing something else in golf. “I am looking forward to this (OptiGolf ). I wouldn’t align myself with something like

this if I didn’t think it was something people would enjoy.” • FOOTNOTE: Kim Felton co-hosts The Golf Guys radio show on 91.3 SportFM with teaching professional (Meadow Springs Golf and Country Club) and popular WA figure Craig “Tappie” Tapp. The show goes to air every Thursday between 6-7pm.

20-23 AUGUST 2015 BROOKWATER GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

on tour

Grinding on (and off) the course with Steven Jeffress ed@insidegolf.com.au

t the end of my last article I was preparing to play in the Japan Tour Championship at one of the toughest courses that I have ever played, Shishido Hills. My preparation was great with practice rounds Monday and Tuesday. When I have practice rounds, I’m not just hitting shots at the flag. Every tee I ask myself ‘where do I want to go and where don’t I want to go?’ Thinking about where you don’t want to go is very important in the planning, as you want to be in the tournament and know what line you need to hit it in every condition and what will be ok if you mishit it. When I get to the greens, I stand at the front of the green and imagine where the pins may be from day 1 to day 4. The next step is again working out the best place to miss the pins (i.e. short, long etc). I was playing late on Day 1, which can be tough as you see the leaderboards when you tee off and sometimes see the boys going low. I played great and was running 8th with four holes to go in round 1, but bogeys at 15 at 17 had me signing for an even-par round of 71, in 26th place. The two late bogeys left a sour taste in the mouth; I had played so well all day and just let it slip at the end. If you wonder why golf pros drink, this is why! Day 2 had me teeing off at 6:50am. I played nicely for the first 9 holes, turning in 1-over with the only blemish on the 9th hole after three-putting. But as I have mentioned before,

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

golf is a strange and frustrating game. A bogey on 10 and a double bogey on 14, and suddenly I was standing on the 15th tee 4-over for the event and around the cut line. I’m not sure about other golfers but when I’m in this position I feel more pressure than when I’m close to the lead. Solid pars on 15 and 16 had me near/on the cut line with two of the hardest holes on any course ahead of me. I had 174 meters into 17th hole, to a front pin, water short, left and right. I played one of the best 6-irons of my life, lipping out and finishing 6 inches behind the hole. I tapped in and thought ‘ok, I’m on the cut line…let’s just make a par down 18 and make the weekend.’ One bit of advice I can give amateurs, is you must always stay in the present. I snaphooked my ball up against a tree, followed by five more shots. A double-bogey 6, signing for a 5-over 76 and missing the cut. I love this game!! After a pretty flat weekend, Monday morning I flew to Thailand for the Thailand Open. I had a little trouble checking in my golf bag at the airport. The Japanese security wouldn’t allow me to have golf balls in my golf bag! After 50 minutes of arguing and attempting to work out the Japanese logic (they thought I had exploding golf balls), the balls were allowed. Not what you need at 5:30am. We were playing Siam Country club (20 minutes out of Pattaya). I started terrible with

three bogeys in my first four holes and knew it was going to be a tough day. These days are the most important in tournament golf. Days when you make a heap of birdies are easy, it’s the days when things aren’t going the way you would like, and managing the damage is important. I ground it out to shoot even par and I was running 56th going into Day 2. I played great Day 2, shooting 4-underpar which made the grind on Day 1 so much better. Day 3 started awesome with a birdie on the first but unfortunately that’s where it finished. I shot 76 and went from 29th to 56th. I pretty much did everything bad, from the tee to the green. We had a lot of delays on the final day and running towards the end of

the field makes it even harder. You know that you’re not going to make a lot of money but you still need to keep working hard. I played great with just one blemish: a 9 on my 11th hole. I signed for a 1-over 73 which wasn’t bad with a 9! I had a 7:50pm flight and it was 5pm when I putted out on the last. With a 1 hour and 45 minute drive to the airport, I was in trouble! After quickly packing my clubs, I had a mate pick me up and drive like mad. I checked in with 5 minutes to spare. Not all the stress we suffer is on the course! I now have a little time off to catch up with domestic duties, clear the head and set new goals for the second half of the year. •

2016 VIETNAM & CAMBODIA GOLF TOUR 20th January – 6th February 2016

NEORW MAN’S

PLAY N GC THE BLUFFS

The Bluffs GC

Join Kim & Denise from PaR nz Golfing Holidays to these unique golf destinations. On our 18-day tour we visit 6 culturally diverse cities, play 9 rounds of worldclass championship golf and explore 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Our tour starts in Cambodia taking in the magnificent Angkor Wat Temples, the legendary Phare Circus Spectacle and playing 2 golf courses, Nick Faldo’s Angkor GC and Phokeethra GC. We fly into Vietnam to Saigon playing 3 courses – the new Bluffs GC, Jeong San GC and the best course in the city, Long Thanh GC. We take a city tour including a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The tour then heads north to the famous China Beach in Danang where we stay in ultimate luxury right on the beach. Danang boasts 3 international designed courses by Faldo, Montgomerie and Norman – yes we play them all. We experience a tour of the ancient city of Hoi An and for those adventurous ones – a Vietnamese Cooking School. From Danang we fly north and enjoy a cruise on Halong Bay, one of the world’s natural wonders. We then travel west for our last stop in Hanoi one of our favourite shopping cities. Our 9th round is played at Kings Island GC a unique island resort course and a fitting golf finale.

2015 Tour Group at the Angkor Wat Temples Our tour is limited to 32 golfers. Contact Kim or Denise for full tour package details

PaR n.z. drives

amateurs

The Auto Club Golf Championship kicks off its fourth series Hayley Hunt Champion Events

he Auto Club Golf Championship is back for the 2015/16 series and is set to be better than ever. Regional events will be kicking off in Western Australia with the first event at Narrogin Golf Club on the 23rd of August. After the success of the 2014/15 series, the ACGC Committee has decided to increase the amount of regional events for this series to 90 events nationally. The new tournament rules now allow all golfers with a Golflink handicap to enter, so expect to see a larger field of competitors at your local event. Auto Club members will receive a discounted entry of $27 compared to non-members who will pay $36. The key feature of the Auto Club Golf Championship is that there are no fees to pay if you win through to the final—it’s simply a one-off entry fee per event per pair. With a three-day stay at the RACV Royal Pines Resort in Queensland up for grabs, you can see how this tournament has become the largest Amateur Pairs event in Australia. As if the top prize wasn’t enough to tempt the amateur golfers out there, all players will receive a Registration gift on the day of the event plus lots of amazing offers from our great event partners. The increase in regional events and opening the tournament up to all Australian golfers will make for an epic Championship Final at Royal Pines in May 2016 where the finalists will play at the home of the PGA of Australia and Australian Ladies Masters for the Final. For all event information, please visit the website www.acgc.com.au where you can enter events and see all the FAQs for the event. •

UPCOMING ACGC DATES STATE

EVENT

DATE

Narrogin

23/08/2015

Goomalling

2/09/2015

NSW

Shelly Beach

5/09/2015

NSW

Thurgoona

5/09/2015

VIC

RACV Torquay

14/09/2015

QLD

Rowes Bay GC

19/09/2015

Berri Golf Club

19/09/2015

Albany

25/09/2015

QLD

Half Moon Bay

26/09/2015

VIC

Goonawarra

3/10/2015

NSW

Eden Golf Club

4/10/2015

NSW

Narrandera

5/10/2015

Kalgoorlie/Goldfields

10/10/2015

NSW

Moruya

11/10/2015

VIC

Lang Lang

12/10/2015

Thaxted Park

18/10/2015

Lakelands

20/10/2015

Belair

23/10/2015

VIC

Club Mandalay

24/10/2015

VIC

Kooringal

30/10/2015

NSW

Fairfield Golf Club

1/11/2015

QLD

Rockhampton

8/11/2015

Port Augusta

8/11/2015

TAS

Launceston GC

8/11/2015

Hillview

11/11/2015

VIC

Kingston Links

14/11/2015

North Adelaide

22/11/2015

TAS

Greens Beach

22/11/2015

NSW

Griffith

29/11/2015

VIC

Maryborough

29/11/2015

McLaren Vale

5/12/2015

Wannero

8/12/2015

TAS

Devonport

13/12/2015

Capel

13/12/2015

QLD

RACV Royal Pines

17/12/2015

VIC

Gisborne AM

19/12/2015

VIC

Gisborne PM

19/12/2015

VIC

Box Hill

8/01/2016

VIC

Lang Lang

15/01/2016

VIC

RACV Golf Club Members

16/01/2016

Margaret River

22/01/2016

VIC

Stawell

24/01/2016

NSW

Armidale

30/01/2016

VIC

RACV Healesville

30/01/2016

NSW

Fairfield Golf Club #2

7/02/2016

VIC

Cohuna

13/02/2016

McCracken

11/03/2016

VIC

Garfield Golf Club

13/03/2016

This schedule is subject to change, and venues are being added regularly. Visit www.acgc.com.au for the latest schedule.

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August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

people

Pro’s sage advice for club golfers David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

UEENSLAND PGA Club Professional of the Year Dave Delahunty has some sage advice for club and social golfers … avoid the internet if you want to improve your golf game. The club pro at Emerald Golf Club 270kms west of Rockhampton and 900kms northwest of Brisbane made the comment after taking out the award at the Queensland Golf Industry Awards. “I think people get confused by looking at things online – things like a quick-fix for their golf swing,” Delahunty said. “They can make a mess doing that and instead should have a lesson and start to understand what they are doing and get on track.

What makes a good club pro? Being there for the members and trying to look after everyone because it’s a service industry. It’s about making sure everyone is happy and it’s about getting people in the club to meet other members … making people feel part of the club. What makes a good club member? A good member is not someone who only comes to play golf. A good member also gets involved in the club and does things to help improve the club. A little help goes a long way. What are the three best golf courses in your area? Obviously, Emerald and I really like Springsure. They probably have the best greens in Queensland and another nice course is Dysart.

“My advice is to see your club pro and take lessons because the better you play the more enjoyable the game becomes.

What annoys you about club golfers? Post-mortems (laughter). I always said if I ever had my own shop, I would have a sign on the back wall saying: “No post-mortems”. But I really love my job and I am quite lucky in that regard.

“I’d also like to see club golfers introduce their friends to the game because it’s a great game that can be played for life.”

Are you involved in the course set-up? Yes, I oversee the course ground staff because I am also a qualified greenkeeper.

The 40-year-old spoke with Inside Golf about his love for the game, teaching philosophy, mistakes mid-to highhandicappers make and more.

What is the hardest thing about being a club pro? The hours. I do around 60-plus hours a week. It’s basically a seven-day-a-week job because on my one day off a week I usually do the invoices. The only day we don’t work is Christmas day.

Did winning the award surprise you? Yes, I was surprised, but also honoured. My wife Kai deserves this award as much because she allows me the time to do all the things I need to do to make the club great for the members and guests.

What is the strangest question you have ever been asked? Someone has asked me what tees are for.

Dave Delahunty at the “coalface” at Emerald Golf Club.

Dave Delahunty working with a young student.

What has been your best commercial idea? I think selling yourself is the key and it all flows from there.

I make sure golfers get the basics right – good grip, alignment and get them coming from inside rather than outside. I make sure they get their hands involved in the shot and get them coming from inside allows them to release it. Once they can do that, they can play any shot.

Do you wish you could play more golf? Yes. I only play every two weeks, but I love it and still play off +2 at the club. What part of your job do you most enjoy? All of it, but I really do enjoy the coaching side. I probably give 12-15 lessons a week. How often do you have to sort out rules disputes between members? I get them a bit – at least once a week. How important is dress code at your club? It is important. The club doesn’t like golfers looking grubby on or off the course. What is your teaching philosophy?

What’s the biggest mistake B and C grade club golfers make? Normally it’s alignment. Most (righthanded) golfers aim too far right instead of aiming parallel to the target line. What would you do if you weren’t a golf club pro? I did work in real estate for a while and enjoyed working in property, but when I was young, I wanted to be an architect so maybe something like that. •

Australia wide Phone 1300 883 643

Batteries & accessories for all applications & technologies www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

clubs

Unique Mollymook shines out in Troon’s galaxy of stars Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

ROON is one of the world’s largest golfcourse management groups, operating exclusive resorts and championship layouts in 28 countries, but the most unique of its five select clients in Australia is one of its smallest properties, the picturesque Mollymook Golf Club on the NSW South Coast. Mollymook, nestled around a beautiful beach, is one of the nation’s most pleasant golf surprises, offering two courses; a gem of a nine-hole surfside layout, named “Beachside”, and a fully-fledged championship parkland course titled “Hilltop”. Each boasts its own clubhouse and a different golf challenge. While the par-33 2145m Beachside serves as an ideal warmup, the par-72, 6225m Hilltop has a 134 slope rating and both offer super green-fees value. Hilltop was chosen to stage the Srixon NSW Mid-Amateur Championships (for male and females aged 30 to 54) and only one player broke 70 over 54 holes. While Mollymook can deliver the quality golf experience Troon customers have come to expect worldwide, the club’s unique setting with a spectacular seaside modern clubhouse and friendly small-town atmosphere makes it a delightful experience away from the fairways. Mollymook Golf Club’s Marketing Manager Paul Slinger summed it up well when he said:

“Mollymook is a magnificent beach escape, ideal for holidays or that weekend golf getaway. The district is a comfortable threehours drive from Sydney and just over two hours from Canberra. “Hilltop is considered one of the best layouts on the NSW South Coast and has earned the infamous title of ‘the ultimate challenge’ having been rated in several Top 100 Golf Course publications over the years. The Beachside clubhouse is fortunate to be surrounded by motels with accommodation options to suit any budget.

A natural wonder: The 17th hole at Mollymook’s beautiful parkland Hilltop course.

“Our current Play-and-Stay package deals include generous golf savings for customers staying at the Mollymook Shores Motel, Mollymook Surfbeach Motel and Apartments, Kings Point Retreat or Mollymook Seaspray Motel.

In November it was the venue for the NSW PGA Legends Tour Championship, attracting some of the most famous senior professionals in Australia, including winners of the Australian Open, Masters and PGA championships.

“Troon has operated the facility for three years and the Hilltop course is consistently presented in ‘tournament-ready condition’, a commitment for which Troon justifiably has become famous worldwide.”

The Beachside clubhouse is open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week, featuring magnificent views overlooking Mollymook Beach while providing quality meals in luxurious surroundings with full TAB and gaming facilities available.

Troon’s other upmarket Australian facilities are Kooindah Waters on the NSW Central Coast at Wyong, Peregian Springs and Brookwater, in Queensland and Araluen in Perth. “The Hilltop Course, which opened for play in 1977, was carved out of natural Australian bushland,” Slinger said. The course winds its way through the native trees and features many water-courses with an abundance of wildlife. The bent grass greens are contoured to make putting a true test even for the advanced player.

More information: (02) 4455 1911 www.mollymookgolf.com.au

Teed up for top award MOLLYMOOK Golf Club’s Hilltop layout has been nominated in a worldwide contest to choose the best course in Australia. Hilltop is the only NSW contender among the 12 Australian courses listed in the famous World Golf Awards.

Both courses are open to the public to play 7 days a week with bookings essential for the Hilltop course. It is the perfect destination for couples or groups from beginners to the accomplished player with the choice of tee options and a modern fleet of golf carts.

Mollymook’s Director of Golf, Barry West, said the championship course was nominated alongside Victoria’s Royal Melbourne (last year’s winner), the National Golf Club and Victoria Golf Club, all of which have staged national tournaments.

Green fees for visitors on Hilltop: On weekdays it is $33 for 9 holes, and $49 for 18 holes. Weekends: 9 holes is $40, 18 holes is $59. The weekday Beachside fees for visitors is $19 for nine holes, $25 for 18 holes. On weekends it is $25 for 9 holes and $35 for 18 holes.

All golfers can vote in the awards on www.worldgolfawards.com and West said he was hoping the entire NSW golfing community would support the South Coast course.

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RESULTS 10th July 2015 WiNNER - J. Clarke Runner Up - R. Gleeson Next Best - R. Lawerson Best Gross - N. Baker N.T.P 3rd - B. Rowney N.T.P 6th - S. Wyndham N.T.P 12th - N. Powell Approach 11th - N. Bancroft Approach 17th - B. Smith

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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clubs

CLUB OF THE MONTH >

The Sands Torquay

The picturesque 13th hole.

ituated on the world-famous and beautiful Surf Coast in Victoria— just an hour’s drive from Melbourne at the start of the Great Ocean Road—The Sands Torquay offers a fun, challenging and picturesque round of championship golf amid stunning natural surrounds. Offering a five-star layout and practice facilities, the course was designed by Australian touring professional Stuart Appleby in 2004, and offers a challenge to all levels of golfer—from weekend warrior to top professionals. The course has been rated highly by PGA players and officials, with especially high praise received following the innovative 2011 Surf Coast Knockout, when it tested some of Australia’s top PGA professionals. After some minor adjustments following that event, the course has increased its playability immensely, and is now one of the Surf Coast’s more enjoyable layouts. Local members Ben Eccles and Jarrod Lyle have regularly spent much of their “off season” training on the superb practice facilities and working their way around the challenging and strategic layout that is complemented by the luxurious Peppers The Sands Resort. The Sands Torquay is a wonderful members’ course but also a premium golf destination for golf groups or a stay-andplay holiday. Inside Golf has played the course a number of times over the years (including a few “Annual Golf Weekends”) 32

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

The challenging par-4 6th hole. and we have always come away impressed with the quality of golf, the conditions of the course and the luxury of the well-appointed accommodation. With rolling dunes and easy access to the stunning White’s beach nearby, this course will test your shotmaking ability while helping you relax with beautiful vistas around the wandering championship layout.

conditions. The benefit of the multiple tee positions is no more apparent than during their Tuesday “Seniors nine and wine”, which as the name suggests is a leisurely and enjoyable round, followed shortly thereafter by their Sunday “Black Tee Challenge”, which scares even the longest of hitters due to the course’s prodigious length and challenge from the tips.

This beautiful and challenging course features five different tee positions that not only caters to golfers of every level, but also offers a new challenge each week depending on the competition type and weather

The Sands sits as a pristine part of Victoria’s Surf Coast. Rolling dunes and thriving wetlands are part of the experience; the course begins in The Sands Estate and winds its way towards the beach and the infamous

The long par-3 17th. Point Impossible, where some of the hardest par-4s in golf will have your grip tightening and your nerves tested. The Sands Torquay features a nicely manicured and quite challenging layout that requires concentration and solid performance from all aspects of your game, not simply how far you can drive the ball. While a long ball is certainly helpful at times, regularly bombing it on this course comes with quite a few risks, as the bunkering and hazards lining most of the fairways are quite punishing to wayward tee shots.

clubs A few of the standout holes on the course include the par-4 6th, which measures 405m from the back tees. Bunker placement in the landing area makes the hole look ominous, but there is actually a fair amount of fairway available. Your second shot, however, requires careful attention, lest you find yourself in the treacherous bunker on the right side, which is short of the green and very difficult from which to escape. The par-4 11th (435m from the back), is the number 1 index hole, and features sand dunes, bunkers and tall grass. With the wind at your back, a well hit-tee shot is necessary to set up the hole. But as the fairway splits around a natural slope (with four embedded bunkers) and rises to a well-protected green, you need to keep your focus. Of the par-3s, a standout challenge is the 210m 17th. Playing into a prevailing wind, you will need every bit of your distance to get home. You’ll also need accuracy to avoid the many bunkers protecting the green. A disciplined style of play is definitely the overarching key to playing this course well, and if you’re not a consistent “fairways and greens” type of player, then it may be best to choose a safer club for your tee shots. In truth many holes can be safely navigated with an iron or hybrid off the tee to either steer clear of the ball-grabbing bunkers or play to some of the narrow landing areas. With the wind up, the course can really show its teeth, so playing a bit of “pick your target” will help you stay out of trouble and piece together a nice round. And if you do happen to find yourself in a spot of bother, taking your medicine (though often hard to swallow) is the best way to recover, and avoid a potential blowout. Also, it’s key to play this course “from the green backwards”; careful course management is critical, and must be front

of mind. There will be times when a more conservative style of play will leave you with a nice, easy wedge or 8-iron approach shot, versus hacking out of trouble or playing from a bunker (we know which way we’d rather play!) Overall, the greens are well-bunkered and relatively small, which make them challenging to hit, even more so if you’re playing from a bunker or the rough. Once on the dance floor, though, they play as true as any green around, and are an absolute pleasure to putt on. Following a round at The Sands, many players head to the lovely Hanners al fresco bar for a well-earned beverage, and the opportunity to re-live the great shots and lovely scenery of the day. Paired with the 4.5-Star Peppers The Sands Resort, your golfing experience can be rounded out with an evening of dining while overlooking the course, a trip to the boutique health club, or a luxurious overnight stay by the beach. The Sands is accessible to the public outside of members competition times (see details on their website.) Lessons and clinics are available through The Sands Golf Academy which utilises a 300m practice range, full chipping area, and putting green adjacent to the course.

Peppers The Sands Resort features top conference and catering facilities.

It is also an ideal location for corporate golf events, meetings and business events. This elite golfing venue offers excellent features to suit the smaller business group through to the large and extensive conference. With rooms catering from small, private meetings to groups up to 450 guests, the facility can accommodate events of most sizes. The golf operations team specialise in corporate golf events and conferencing for the state’s leading business names. While enjoying the facilities at Peppers The Sands Torquay, corporate guests can use

The luxurious accommodation at Peppers The Sands Resort. the high-level practice facilities, play the championship golf course, or visit the amazing Torquay region including the Great Ocean Road and Bells Beach. The Sands also can help arrange Teambuilding exercises including Tennis, Golf Cart Rallies, creative art activities with The Mind Gallery, wine experiences and more. The beautiful fine dining areas and catering options allow for terrific golf course views in a first-class and professional environment that will leave guests relaxed and looking to explore the natural windswept landscape. Conferencing clients are invited to select from an extensive range of mouth-watering menus catering for various tastes, and utilising The Surf Coast region’s abundance of fresh food and gourmet wines, as well as the Peppers The Sands Resort’s homegrown vegetables and herbs. Alfresco dining is available (weather permitting) and private dining and themed dinners can be arranged on request.

Hanners al fresco bar.

Accommodation at Peppers The Sands Resort offers the ultimate in luxury, with modern, contemporary Deluxe Suites, Studio Rooms and Premier Suites, all featuring ensuites, designer fittings and appliances

and all the modern comforts you would expect. Some feature private terraces or balconies overlooking the championship golf course. During our many stays there, we have found the rooms to be extremely comfortable, tasteful and luxurious. Certainly an ideal location for a quick weekend escape, fun-filled golf weekend or extended golf holiday. Highly recommended. •

FACT FILE The Sands Torquay Phone: (03) 5264 3316 Pro Shop: (03) 5264 3307 Email golfops@thesandstorquay.com Web: www.thesandstorquay.com Events: Elise Getson, Events Sales Manager Phone: (03) 5264 3308 Email: elise.getson@thesandstorquay.com Peppers The Sands Resort 2 Sands Boulevard, Torquay, VIC 3228 Phone: (03) 5264 3333 Email: sands@peppers.com.au Web: www.peppers.com.au/sands

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

clubs

Resort village opens at Bellarine Lakes

ellarine Lakes Country Club has officially opened its Resort Village and Community Club Facilities for the use of their current Residents.

When complete, Bellarine Lakes will be a vibrant community and a home for in excess of 500 likeminded and active residents drawn from all parts of Victoria and Australia. The new Community Centre will form the social

› › › › › ›

Horizons was left in limbo following an aborted sale in 2011, and has since been operated under license by Peter Rickard and a committed group of members under the banner of Par for the Course. During this time they have returned the golf course from a parched, neglected state, back to pristine condition.

and support hub of the Bellarine residents and provide a valuable piece of infrastructure to support the emotional and physical wellbeing of older Australians. “Our Community Centre comprises a theatre room, library, billiard room, craft room, large lounge and dining area with bar and outdoor BBQ Area. Other facilities that the Village will offer is a golf clubhouse, bowling green, outdoor and indoor pool, gym, tennis court and a caravan storage area which is available now. The bowling green is now under construction and the balance

Right in the heart of Queensland’s famous Sunshine Coast Only 1 hour north of Brisbane 18 Hole, Par 72 Graham Marsh Designed Championship Golf Course Motorised cart hire Hire clubs Superb dining

Opening special

4 x players with 2 x golf carts

Horizons Golf Resort has found new owners, after being purchased for an undisclosed sum by long-term members Peter Rickard and Selva Saverimuttu. The former owner of the facility, Le Mellieur, went into receivership in 2010 and previous efforts to sell the course, had been blocked by their Korean banks who were owed around $12 million and had control of the deed for the land.

The village which is a $170 million dollar development commenced in 2013 and is recognised as the fastest-selling retirement village in Victoria selling 150 units within the last 18 months. It is one of few over-55s communities in Australia that offers a private golf course exclusive for resident use. Overall the village is a staged development and has been under construction for around two years and will continue invest in the local Geelong economy over the next five years through local contracts, building materials and providing employment opportunities directly or indirectly to the City of Greater Geelong. Bellarine Lakes is part of the Country Club Villages Group which has nine villages across Australia and is a Resort Style Development which when complete will comprise of 338 units with a choice of 2 or 3 bedroom open planned units with either single or double garages, a mix of self-contained apartments, a private 9-hole golf course with a club house and a 108-bed aged care facility which has been recently purchased by BUPA.

Horizons Golf Resort finds new owner

of the facilities will commence immediately following its construction. “We currently have completed landscaped walking tracks and a fully-operational private 9-hole golf course for the leisure of our residents. “We are extremely excited with the progress of the development and the success of the village to date which is due to the resort style living and state of the art facilities offered at the village but also the lifestyle offered to keen golfers.” •

Designed by Graham Marsh and Ross Watson, Horizons is an 18-hole worldclass championship golf course located in Port Stephens on the NSW mid-north coast. The facility is surrounded by natural bushland and an abundance of wildlife, offering challenges and rewards for players of all standards. After such a beleaguered past and three previous owners, the golf resort is now in the hands of two experienced individuals who are committed to returning the golf course to its former reputation as one of the top golf courses in Australia. www.horizons.com.au

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374-514 David Low Way Bli Bli, Sunshine Coast QLD 4560 ph (07) 5373 1000 | pro shop (07) 5457 0900 | fax (07) 5373 1099 | email operations@maroochyrivergolfclub.com.au

www.maroochyrivergolfclub.com.au 34

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

SENSATIONAL DEALS FOR DAD THIS FATHER’S DAY Receive these great Father’s Day deals* by entering the corresponding coupon code at the online check out.

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THE RAKE SAND AND LOB WEDGE THE MOST ADVANCED WEDGES IN GOLF THE DUAL BOUNCE RAIL DESIGN GIVES YOU INCREDIBLE CONTROL AND IS EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE FROM GOLF’S MOST DIFFICULT LIES. BY DESIGN, THE RAKE WEDGES WILL EFFORTLESSLY COMB THROUGH DEEP GRASS AND SAND.

THE 1 PUTT PUTTING GUIDE FOR THE PERFECT STROKE EVERY TIME DESIGNED TO HELP YOU DEVELOP A NATURALPENDULUM STROKE AND SINK MORE PUTTS. IT CAN BE USED ANYWHERE, ANYTIME WITH MOSTLY ANY PUTTER.

“PNP Golf’s short game clubs have increased the confidence in my students ability to score and are making my job much easier. If you are looking for golf results now - PNP Golf clubs are the answer” Officially endorsed by Kathy Gildersleeve-Jensen 2014 PGA Teacher of the Year

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clubs

Pacific Harbour packs a punch

F you took up golf largely for the challenge then Pacific Harbour Golf belongs at the top of your “must-play” list.

Pacific Dunes Golf Club is heating up this winter after launching a competition that is sure to turn heads.

Located on Bribie Island midway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, Pacific Harbour has been wooing golfers who enjoy the challenge of playing on a top-quality island links-style golf course.

All golfers who play a public round of golf at Pacific Dunes before September 30 will go into the draw to win the golfing experience of a lifetime – a trip for two to the 2016 PGA Masters in Augusta, Georgia.

The Ross Watson-designed championship golf course is a serious golfer’s dream however; golfers who don’t take their golf too seriously can enjoy the challenge by playing from the forward tees.

The prize includes flights for two to Augusta from the winner’s nearest city, two passes to three days of the Masters (Friday, Saturday & Sunday), accommodation, breakfast, transfers to and from the hotel, and an exclusive invitation to the fully-catered ‘Host House’ barbecue event on the Saturday evening, where you can mingle with golf’s elite.

Watson describes the course as “risk and reward”, which works well for championship, resort and club golf. The bunkering at Pacific Harbour is a standout feature.

The competition is open to the public, members of other clubs, group bookings and member’s guests with every round giving golfers a chance to win the prize, worth $10,000.

Beach bunkers merge with lake edges with natural grasses, reed and sedges. As well as wetlands, bunkering is the dominant feature, in many cases framed with native grass “eyebrows”. “We have over 80 bunkers so the key to success is you have to be straight off the tee,” said golf operations manager Zac Chipperfield. “It’s a thinking golfer’s course. You can’t just stand up and hit driver on every hole. “You have to pick your lines and try to land your golf ball in the right areas of the fairways and greens.” Most holes have a range of play options. The short holes (par-3s) are exceptional with the 17th having the longest bunker in the Southern Hemisphere. “From the back tees the hole is 205 metres and the bunker on the right is 190 metres long,” Chipperfield said.

Play Pacific Dunes, win a trip to the US Masters

Pacific Harbour golf course on Bribie Island. Water is at every turn with reflective lakes, the ocean in the background and even the clubhouse is “floating” over a lake and aquatic driving range. When Watson designed the golf course he said it would be “challenging, memorable and visually attractive” and he’s right. The slope rating is black 138, gold 131 and jade 132. The 250-metre aquatic driving range, putting green and practice pitching area are located adjacent to the 18th fairway. Visitors are welcome to play seven-days-

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a-week. It costs $79 per person (golf cart included) and $99 on weekends (cart included). Before or after a round golfers can enjoy casual dining at the Deck Café and Restaurant, which is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am-6pm. With two large function rooms, Pacific Harbour is the perfect venue for weddings and other functions. For more information, telephone the pro shop on (07) 3410-4011 or go to the website www.pacificharbourgolf.com.au •

Ranked as the #4 best public access course in NSW, Pacific Dunes is an 18-hole championship golf course and residential golf estate just 25 minutes from Port Stephens and 20 minutes from Newcastle. The opening nine holes wind through the native woodland setting, perfectly complementing the stunning wetland back nine. Players can warm up at the driving range and putting green, take a lesson with one of the four PGA professionals, or jump straight in and test their game on the challenging 18 holes. Visitors, new members and new residents are all welcome.

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August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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new gear

>NEW

GEAR We highlight the latest products to hit the market NEWS

A joy ride for golfers of all ages

he latest craze to hit the fairways is the Golf Skate Caddy™ (GSC™), a purpose-built, single-person “vehicle”.

Though it’s been around for four years, in recent times it has started to attract golfers of all ages. It’s even caught the attention of Southport Golf Club on the Gold Coast. The club recently purchased two for its members and visitors to hire. Resembling a skateboard, the device doesn’t have a steering wheel or brake pedal.

Steering is similar to being on a skateboard or surfboard – leaning left or right and allowing the GSC™ to follow your moves. It’s easy to manoeuvre and travels as fast as a golf cart.

Golf Skate Caddy™ co-designer and Australian distributor Douglas Mizzi said the vehicle could be enjoyed by golfers of all ages.

“It’s interesting that a vehicle perceived to be a young person’s excitement ride is being taken up by mature age players,” Mizzi said.

“We were aiming at younger demographic to bring younger golfers back to golf,” he said.

“It’s quite amazing because it’s a fun and exhilarating vehicle to ride.

We thought it would bring some fun into the game for people aged between 20 and 40, but we were getting sales from older golfers – people aged 50 to 70.

“The product has four different speeds so people never feel out of control. “When you let go, it slows automatically and doesn’t run away on hills – all the safety features have been built in.” Mizzi said golfers were finding it more convenient because “they don’t have to transport a golf cart on a trailer”. “They don’t have to worry about maintenance of a trailer and many golf cart storage spaces at clubs are full.” The GSC™ folds down and can be easily transported in a station wagon, 4WD, ute or hatchback and golfers who travel can keep it in the caravan. The GSC™ has a storage compartment for golf balls and tees, a sand divot pourer, scorecard holder and a padded seat Other features include a 5V USB charger (for a mobile phone, GPS device, etc), chill box, front drink holder and more. It even has a very clever wind-resistant umbrella, which can be attached when needed. The vehicle comes with dual 1000w brushless motors, 30ah lithium battery, 10inch all-terrain tyres, twin LED driving lights and a smooth ABS braking system. The RRP for the Golf Skate Caddy™ is $4350. For more information, call 1300-556979 or visit www.golfskatecaddy.com.au

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

MD3 Milled Wedges also have what Callaway calls Progressive Groove Optimization—a three-groove package that is precision milled into the face. This pattern optimises spin as you go up in loft for a smoother spin transition from your irons to wedges. The 30V grooves in the pitching and gap wedges are designed for shots that require a steep angle into the ball. The 20V grooves in the sand wedges are designed for full shots and bunker shots. The 5V grooves in the lob wedges offer better control on shots out of the rough and around the green.

Available in Satin Chrome and new Matte Black At Retail: Late September, 2015

With four drive speeds, it is able to negotiate steep inclines and the rough with ease.

The new MD3 Milled Wedge line is Callaway’s most complete wedge range ever, featuring three unique grinds to provide the versatility you need to get up and down from any lie. The W-Grind features a slightly wider sole, ideal for golfers with a steep angle of attack and great for bunker play and softer course conditions. The highly versatile S-Grind is suited for a wide range of conditions, shot types and attack angles. The heel and toe relief of the C-Grind make it ideal for golfers with a more sweeping angle of attack and a great performer in firmer conditions. Use the C-Grind to open the face and keep the leading edge low if you choose.

W-Grind

S-Grind

Legendary wedge designer Roger Cleveland used extensive input from Tour players to craft the toe profile, semi-straight leading edge, sole and grinds of the MD3 Milled Wedges. Weight ports in the back allowed engineers to reposition weight for better shot-making, especially out of deep rough.

To get it going, simply squeeze the trigger controller supplied and hold onto the ergonomic ball/handle and you’re off on a joy ride to find your golf ball.

“Even people in their 80s are buying them and so are a lot of women.

Callaway MD3 Milled Wedges

RRP

$209.99 C-Grind

AUD

BOOK: A champion’s story revealed IT’S been a while in the making, but former champion Queensland golfer Anne Alletson Brown has finally released a book on her extraordinary life as a golfer and sailor. The autobiography tells of her life growing up in the small country town of Boonah where she learnt to play golf, encouraged by her mother Meg Nunn, who has the state inter-district matchplay named in her honour. “After breaking my ankle last year and being ‘confined to barracks’, I opened an old suitcase that had been hiding in a wardrobe for more years than I care to remember and discovered old press clippings, tournament programs and photos from my golfing career,” Anne said. “Then I found the logbooks from my sailing days in the Pacific and decided to write an autobiography.” Anne won five State Championships, one Queensland junior, two women’s foursomes (one with her mother) and the Queensland Championship twice. She also represented Australia at home and abroad. Anne’s mother played golf for country Queensland against a British junior golf team that had a match at Toowoomba in 1955. “She also played Vigoro for Queensland before WWII,” Anne said. “My dad was a Queensland and Australian clay target champion.

“Not many families would have father, mother and child represent their state in three different sports.” Anne soon discovered the joy of sailing and spent the best part of a year travelling through the French Canals on a yacht and sailing along the coast of the south of France with her first husband John and son Tom. Years later, Anne remarried sailor Bob and the couple spent 17 years living and sailing around the islands of New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Solomon and the Louisaides on the 42-foot yacht Phoenix V and then catamaran “Endless Summer”. After a lengthy period away from golf, Anne returned to Boonah to play in a number of Australia Senior Championships. Anne’s self-published book covers two arenas – the fairways and the ocean waves. The book’s first print run sold out in quick time, however, the second print run is on the printing press. If you would like a copy of the book ($25 plus $4.70 postage), email Anne at annealletsonbrown@gmail.com A donation goes to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

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great gifts for dad

Yep, that special day is just around the corner, so forget about the tacky tie, silly socks and “World’s Greatest Dad” Coffee Mug. Here are a few gift suggestions that the old man will really appreciate. Callaway Chrome Soft One of the biggest sellers this year through On Course Golf stores is the Callaway Chrome Soft Golf Ball. The perfect gift for any golfing father! Chrome Soft is the only ball that has the SoftFast Core with low compression and the Tour Urethane cover. You don’t have to choose between feel and distance anymore.

Happy feet Niblick DUNES Golf Shoe

RRP: $44.95/doz Available in store at On Course golf shops or online at www.oncoursegolf.com.au

With over 100 years perfecting its COMFORT FIT TECHNOLOGY, the Niblick Dunes model microfibre golf shoes are the preferred golf shoes for fit, stability and weather protection. The Dunes are made from the new SHEILD System Microfibre, which is an ultra lightweight material with superior breathability. SHEILD System Microfibre is designed to shield Dad’s feet from the weather while giving ultimate comfort. This revolutionary material is easy to clean and super soft with a very wide last for superior fit and comfort. The new RAPTOR TPU sole features four separate layers for extra comfort and stability and utilises superior Black Widow cleats from Softspikes for grip. 12-month waterproof warranty. Available in white with black trim, or black with grey trim.

Bump and Run: At the feet of the masters

A greadt rea

Take a step back in time and read interviews with the gun golfers of the past, as the legends of the game open up with some serious golfing stories, advice and tips that might just get dad striping it down the middle. www.bumpandrun.com.au $44.50 signed by the author.

RRP: $99.95 www.niblick.com.au

Coolcore Coolcore provides a cooling solution that goes beyond traditional moisturemanagement fabrics or evaporative cooling technologies that rely on chemicals or polymer crystal treatments. The result is a technology that will keep Dad cooler, drier and more comfortable on the golf course. www.coolcore.com.au 03 8562 6688

A coold roun

Puma Road Map Polo Bold, distinctive and envied by all who see it: this polo and Dad’s swing are a match made in heaven. Puma’s Road Map Polo features DRY CELL technology which draws sweat away from his skin and helps keep him dry and comfortable; and UV +40UPF provides the ultimate protection from the sun. Keep him RRP: $89.95

table comfor

Puma PWRWARM Golf Crew Top

Puma Golf Rain Jacket

PWRWARM Golf Crew Top features Puma Golf’s latest technology PWRWARM A strategically placed print of adaptive materials on the inside of the garment that help increase Dad’s body temperature without losing his momentum. Together with WarmCELL which retains heat close to the body, this Crew Top will keep Dad at his optimum temperature when it’s cold outside.

The Puma Golf Rain Jacket is designed for protection, comfort, convenience and style whatever the weather – because a damp game is rarely a good game. Featuring StormCELL properties (Waterproof fabric with critical seam-sealing) this jacket will keep Dad dryer than the martini (or beer) waiting for him at the 19th. 1 Year Waterproof Warranty. RRP: $169.95

RRP: $109.95

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August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

great gifts for dad

Biion Footwear

IceRays UV Protective and Cooling Armsleeves

Why choose a pair of golf shoes that can only be worn for golf? Biion Footwear was originally designed to play a full 18 followed by hanging out at the 19th hole, but these versatile shoes can be worn beyond the course. Dad can also wear them as a walking shoe, whilst travelling, to work, while he’s out on a boat, on weekends, spending a night out on the town and everywhere in-between. Made from a lightweight and flexible Ethelyne-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) material, Biion Footwear cleans up easily and makes for a comfortable fit all day long. Inspired by the classic Oxford Brogue style, Biion shoes feature a honeycomb spikeless rubber outsole providing excellent grip and are available in a wide variety of colours and patterns. So you can be sure to find a pair that will match your Dad’s one-of-a-kind style.

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

www.biionfootwear.com.au Use the promo code FATHERSDAY and save $10 a pair with free shipping* (*Offer cannot be used on prior purchases or combined with any other coupon, offer or discount. Valid only at

e Add soemto styl me his ga

www.biionfootwear.com.au . Offer valid until 31st August 2015 or until sold out.) RRP: $139.95 - $149.95 Phone (03) 9005 7015 Email: sales@scmcgroup.com.au

ing Somethhis up es sleev

The Pill

www.sureshotgps.com 1300 644 523 RRP: $329

A putting aid that will only roll honestly if hit correctly. Dad will get immediate feedback if he pulls or pushes his putt. If hit improperly, The Pill will lean, roll off line or tumble wildly. It’s the only practice device designed to be played all the way to the hole.

Official AFL Golf product range.

The official AFL cart golf bags are the flagship product of the AFL golf range, and are packed with features that golfers desire and must have on the fairways, including 15-way top with oversize putter well, easycarry handles, large cooler pocket, internal umbrella sheath and full rain cover built into the bag. RRP: Golf Bag: $299.95 Pom Pom: $49.95 Optima Balls: $14.95 Golf Pack: $49.95 Deluxe Head cover: $49.95

is Show uhrs colo

RRP: $29.95 including delivery anywhere in Australia. www.icerays.com.au Email: enquiries@icerays.com.au or call or SMS Anne on 0404 235 563 or Linz on 0434 246 549.

Help huirme meas up

It is quick and simple to set up and is powered by three modes to make every swing interesting and enjoyable. The first mode will measure exact swing speed, shot distance, ball speed and smash factor per club and shot.

Help Dad improve his game whilst supporting his AFL club on the fairways. The Official AFL golf product range (utilising the PGF and Optima brand under licence with the AFL) has all 18 teams available across all core product lines, including gift golf packs, tee-Up kits, accessory packs, golf towels, Optima Tour Soft golf balls, golf umbrellas and golf head covers. Renowned for a soft feel around the greens and distance off the tee, the Optima Tour Soft golf ball is used in all AFL gift packs and ball packs.

Now, Dad can protect his arms from the sun without the hassle of sunscreen or long sleeves. No more hot, sticky arms; just cool comfort. With 50+ UV protection and no uncomfortable seams, they are the only Armsleeve tested by the Government body ARPANSA to be totally UV protective to 50+. A great option to keep Dad cool and protected, Icerays are available in lots of different colours and one size fits all.

Gustbuster Umbrella

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When “umbrellageddon” strikes again, Dad will thank you for his Gustbuster. While inferior umbrellas usually end up in the bin, the Gustbuster lasts a lifetime – guaranteed. Built to stand up to 80kph winds, the uncompromised quality of the Gustbuster Umbrella will keep him dry, every time. Nowhere is this more important than on the golf course. Lightweight, lightning resistant with comfortable rubber grips, this is the perfect umbrella for Dad’s golf bag. Don’t let the rain interrupt his game. Available at all good golf shops and retailers.

This product will improve Dad’s putting and handicap if used correctly. Great for chipping and out of bunkers. PGA Tour Players like Sergio Garcia, Jason Day, John Senden, Phil Mickelson and Danny Lee–as well as coaches Denis McDade, Dale Lynch and Butch Harmon School all use or have used the PILL. www.thepillgolf.com.au Peter@thepillgolf.com.au 0408 330 800

Award-win 2013 PGA Shner, ow

ct A perfieng putt aid www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

great gifts for dad

PING Glide wedges The name says it all: these wedges glide through the turf. The proprietary Dylawedge grip is ¾ of an inch longer to encourage gripping down to control ball flight. The CFS Wedge shaft is optimized in weight, flex and balance to provide a stable feel and lower ball flights. Three versatile sole designs vary in width – standard, wide, and thin – enabling Dad to be fit for his angle of attack and common turf conditions. In lofts 47 through 54, loft-optimised Gorge grooves have a 16º sidewall to maximize groove volume for improved performance on full shots. A 24º sidewall and tighter radius in lofts 56 through 60 optimize spin on chips and pitches. The chrome-plated 431 stainless steel head repels moisture to create more friction for improved spin and consistency in wet conditions and lies in the rough.

Ghost Tour Black Putter Classic tour validated shapes will give Dad confidence at address, while the deep milled aluminium inserts give precise auditory feedback. The Milled 6061 aluminium insert provides tour inspired feel and sound, while the four different head shapes can suit all putting strokes RRP: $249.00 (*$269.00 Super Stroke)

PNP Putter, RAKE Wedge The RAKE Wedge series and the SX1 Point N Putt putter from PNP Golf make for perfect gifts for any golfing Dad. The RAKE Sand and Lob Wedges have a patented Dual Bounce Rail Design which effortlessly combs through thick grass and sand resulting in more power and control with less effort. Precision-cut grooves provide the perfect amount of spin on approach shots, giving Dad more opportunities to score his best. The SX1 Point N Putt putter targets those who struggle with putting alignment and has been proven to improve the alignment of a majority of golfers in tests by SAM PuttLab, golf’s authority on putter testing. All 3 clubs conform to USGA rules and produce results around and on the green that will make dad look like a short game pro. All PNP Golf clubs come with a 30-day money back guarantee. PNP Golf has a sensational deal for Father’s Day. Purchase a SX1 Putter online and use the coupon code DAD1 and get a RAKE Sand or Lob Wedge at half price. (Save $84.50).

RRP: $200 w/steel shaft; $230 w/ graphite shaft

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RRP: Point N Putt SX1 Putter $198.00 ea RAKE Sand/Lob Wedge $169.00 ea Phone: 02 6239 3462 www.pnpgolf.com info-aus@pnpgolf.com

Daddy Long Legs + Putter Featuring TaylorMade’s Deep Milled 6061 aluminium insert for tour-inspired sound and feel, this putter will give Dad proven performance with added stability. The Super Stroke 2.0 Mid-Slim XL features a 125g Counter Core weight for greater control, and a True Temper lightweight steel shaft for extreme counterbalancing. RRP: $349.00

G30 LS Tec Driver

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The LS Tec (Low Spin Technology) is engineered with less spin and an extremely high MOI to give Dad distance and accuracy. A sole weight positions the CG extremely low and back to generate low, stable spin with a high MOI for exceptional flight control and distance on off-centre performance. Turbulator Technology on the crown reduces aerodynamic drag on the downswing to help increase clubhead speed, and the thin T9S titanium face increases ball velocity for more distance. Using Trajectory Tuning+ Technology, players can add or subtract up to 1 degree of loft. The high-balance-point TFC 419D shaft has a CG closer to the grip end, promoting a simultaneous increase in the clubhead’s energy, momentum and inertia. Lofts: 9° & 10.5° (5 settings: Standard, +0.6º, +1º, -0.6º, -1º). Std. length: 45.75”, Std. swingweight: D3, Head weight/size: 206g, 460cc. RRP: $540 ($580 for Tour 65 and Tour 80 shafts)

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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Featuring a rich and soft tumbled leather upper, OrthoLite® EVA sockliner, softer PU midsole and full-length cushioning on top of the insole board, Dad will enjoy incredible comfort that lasts all day. A new comfort last offers a more generous forefoot for increased comfort, while the versatile spikeless outsole delivers increased traction, additional cushioning and enhanced flexibility. Colours: Tan Brown/Dark Brown/White, Black/Dusty Teal/White, Medium Grey/Dark Silver Metal/Shamrock Green, White/Navy/Classic Blue RRP: $159.00

Give e h t m hi ce n a t s i d

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Pinpoint Laser Range Finder New to On Course Golf shops and a perfect gift for any golfer. The Pinpoint Laser Range Finder is compact, light and simple for Dad to use. Includes pin seeker function, Carry Case & belt loop. RRP: $249 Available in store at On Course golf shops or online at www.oncoursegolf.com.au

TomTom Golfer GPS watch TomTom’s new Golfer GPS watch acts as Dad’s personal caddy for over 34,000 worldwide courses which can be updated daily. It has all the must-have functions for golfers, and for non-techies, the one button navigation pad is quite user friendly. The Golfer offers helpful course intel like the distances to the front, middle and back of the green, precise distances to hazards, doglegs, lay-ups, a green view (with hazard warnings), and a digital scorecard along with calculating calories burnt and distance walked through a round. The Golfer sports a 10-hour battery life and if it rains, no worries – the Golfer is water resistant to 50 meters. When not in golf mode –when GPS isn’t switched on – the battery life, which is fully rechargeable, is more like a regular digital watch. www.tomtom.com/sports/golf RRP: $299

Callaway 300 Laser Rangefinder Give Dad pin-seeking precision in a sleek, sophisticated design. The exclusive Pin Acquisition Technology (P.A.T.) lets him lock onto the pin from up to 300 yards away, ensuring accuracy even when trees and other objects are in the background. Scan the landscape to acquire distances to multiple targets, like greenside bunkers and water hazards. RRP:$399 www.CallawayDMD.com Phone 03 5277 3944

Callaway ECLIPSE GPS

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This GPS packs a powerful punch delivering front, center, and back of green distances, even accurate yardages to the front and back of hazards. The Callaway ECLIPSE GPS offers elite, accurate performance in a unique design that delivers unmatched versatility and convenience. Dad can just clip it on his belt or bag bag, or simply detach it from the clip and carry it in his pocket. Any way he uses it, he can be sure it’s one of the most convenient, accurate golf GPS units on the market today.

Now, Dad can get elite performance on the course with an elegant, fashionable design. Hit more greens and minimize penalty strokes by knowing precise distances to the front, center, and back of the green, as well as distances to hazards and doglegs. Sync the Callaway GPSync Watch with a Bluetooth® enabled smartphone* device to enable text, email, missed call, and other notifications right on the wrist. Also provides the opportunity to upload and save each round’s score to the app.

RRP: $299 www.CallawayDMD.com Phone 03 5277 3944

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Sureshotgps Micro 300X

Sureshotgps Hybrid Golf Watch GW3

Garmin Approach The Approach S6 is a feature-packed hi-res color touchscreen GPS golf watch with first-of-its-kind swing metrics built right in. SwingStrengthTM calibration helps Dad immediately know how hard he swings, so he can train himself to swing more consistently. Plus, SwingTempo (and TempoTraining) helps him fine-tune his swing timing. www.garmin.com.au

Bushnell Tour X Laser Rangefinders The TOUR X has been engineered with Exchange Technology: Using two interchangeable faceplates, Exchange Technology gives Dad a 2-in-1 device. The TOUR X conforms to USGA rule 14-3/.05 and R&A rule 14-3 when the black faceplate is engaged. When Dad switches to the red faceplate, the TOUR X deploys Slope Technology, providing him with adjusted distance readings based on elevation changes. The TOUR X features Dual Display Technology that allows users to easily toggle between the bright red display featuring Vivid Display Technology or the crisp black display, incredible ranging capability of up to 1,200 metres (410+ metres to a flag), 2nd Generation E.S.P. (Extreme. Speed. Precision.) and PinSeeker with JOLT Technology.

The Sureshotgps Micro 300X provides accurate, easy to read distances to the most important position on the course, the green. The GPS device is preloaded with thousands of courses sporting slim-line casing and simple navigation menus. With plenty of features, Dad can gauge the distance of his longest drive with the easy to use Shot Distance feature then simply mark his position, hit the ball and away he goes. www.sureshotgps.com 1300 644 523 RRP $199

This Sureshotgps Hybrid Golf Watch GW3 is a little powerhouse device that features a hightech odometer, tracking speed and distance as well as calculating calories burned while using the programmed modes to walk, run, cycle or play golf. It comes preloaded with 28,000 Australian, New Zealand and International golf courses so Dad can see accurate distances to the green with a flick of the wrist. It boasts a range of different features for improving Dad’s golf game including live distance updates to the front, centre and rear of the green, as well as individual shot distances, auto hole and course recognition software and a built-in scorecard. www.sureshotgps.com 1300 644 523 RRP: $299

www.bushnellgolf.com RRP:$599

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

history

Museum salutes Australian golf’s special war heritage Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

UNIQUE and enthralling museum exhibition -- titled Golf & War-- which was launched in Sydney recently, has revealed some amazing stories from the array of Australian amateur and professional golfers who went to war in defence of the nation. Among the many fascinating facts Golf & War reveals, in an excerpt from the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper in 1915, are that the first Australian winner of our highest military honour, the Victoria Cross, was Manly Golf Club member Dr Neville Reginald Howse, in the Boer war at Vredefort, South Africa in 1900, and that Parramatta Golf Club member Richard Stanley Meek was the first golfer to be killed during World War I. The Australian Golf Heritage Society Museum in Sydney – already acclaimed as Australia’s most comprehensive golf display – has upstaged other major sports with its expertly compiled exhibition, launched to commemorate the centenary of World War I. Golf & War, at the AGHS Museum (located in space generously donated by Golf Mart on the top floor of its huge store on Parramatta Rd in Granville, in Sydney’s west) is an amazing trek back in time. In a stirring passionate, emotional, reverential and even, at times, humorous

collection of enlistment banners, photographs, newspaper accounts and numerous golf clubs and artefacts, the Golf & War display is entertaining and at the same time educational. It chronicles and features in panels of the display the active involvement in the two World Wars of 42 men and women amateur and professional golfers and it lists more than 200 PGA Members who served.

... at a meeting of the original NSW Golf Association, an instruction was issued to the effect that any unmarried golf club member who did not enlist to fight in the war should be banned from club membership. And any club which allowed such a person to join or remain a member could be expelled from the association. Interestingly Golf & War also shines a light on aspects of how Australian society in general, as well as golf clubs and manufacturers, reacted to the harrowing war years. AGHS President John Buckley, in opening the exhibition, together with Parramatta’s Lord Mayor Scott Lloyd and the Granville State Member of Parliament Julia Finn,

offered an interesting insight into the official outlook of golf administrators in 1917. Buckley quoted an excerpt of the book by David Innes on the history of Golf in NSW, where at a meeting of the original NSW Golf Association, an instruction was issued to the effect that any unmarried golf club member who did not enlist to fight in the war should be banned from club membership. And any club which allowed such a person to join or remain a member could be expelled from the association. Such drastic directions or suggestions were hardly needed as hundreds of golfers were quick to enlist in both wars, so much so, that many clubs suspended competitive play and dozens of pro shops closed with the club pros enlisting in large numbers. Apart from golfers who enlisted in military and nursing units, golf equipment factories converted to other uses for the war effort and many golf clubs were heavily involved in war fund-raising.

Call to arms: An original war enlistment poster. The Golf & War exhibition stemmed solely from a discussion at the AGHS and an enthusiastic group headed by the museum’s curator Vicki Stanton and AGHS members Steve Doorey, Norm Richardson and Tony Doggett worked on researching and organising the

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August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

history new one,” she said. “Another favourite are the postcards used in the Digger Days which mimic the postcards supplied to the troops on the Western Front in World War I. And I do love the ‘Take your caddy’ recruitment banner.” Doorey said that one of the surprising stories or facts uncovered in the research was being able to tell the story of servicemen – ordinary members -- listed on the Liverpool Golf Club Honour Board ,based on a poem which was published in the Liverpool area local papers on 24 December 1941.

History on show: PGA Historian and AGHS founder Tom Moore shows the Parramatta Lord Mayor Scott Lloyd some of the display. top-quality display for almost a year. “With the commemoration of World War I, we wanted to not only highlight those golfers who enlisted, but also the social effects within the golfing community in Australia so we included fundraising efforts, the effects on the sporting manufacturers, the changes to the golf courses and the Digger Days,” Stanton said. “It was an angle on war that no other museum or organisation would be taking. We also were careful to include amateurs and professionals, men and women.” At the moment, Golf & War displays items from the Boer War to World War II, but there is ongoing research on the Korean, Vietnam and the latter Middle East wars. However with the AGHS exhibition unlikely to be static and if this research can be refined to include individuals, it will incorporate these later.

World War One. It was an honour to have been entrusted with such personal documents.” Some of the major items, of general interest, in the display; rated highly, by Stanton and Doorey, are the “Trembath golf clubs” – part of the museum’s collection. The Trembath Clubs were buried in New Guinea as owner Bill Trembath had to retreat from the Japanese advance in 1942. After the Japanese retreated, the surviving clubs were retrieved by Padre Graydon and returned to Trembath in Australia who used them until 2000. Stanton also chose the “Sunshine rebuild ball” as being an unusual item. “It shows the ingenuity of the golf manufacturers. Due to rubber restrictions in World War II no new balls were allowed to be made so a scheme was devised to recycle balls by using two used ones to make one

“Another one was Betty Sale, who was ladies champion of both Royal Hobart Golf Club and Tasmania before the Second World War,” he said. “She enlisted in the Women’s Transport Service in November 1939, left Australia in January 1940, served in Finland, England and North Africa, and came home in 1945 with the rank of Captain, an MBE, and a Finnish service ribbon.”

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Stanton said that the story concerning golf professional Fred Anderson particularly was sad. “Anderson had enlisted and was away fighting when his German-born wife was interned and after the war Fred was expelled from the Queensland PGA. He was shunned by many members of the PGA,” Stanton said. Entry is free to the AGHS Museum and its Golf & War exhibition, which will continue for at least six months. The museum is open only on Sundays – unless by private arrangement -and is a fascinating and worthwhile experience for all golfers, old and young. For more information: www.australiangolfheritage.org.au

Overall the list of golfer/war combatants mentioned in Golf & War is about 212 with all but 43 of those amateur golfers.

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“Most of the research was done online using TROVE (National Library of Australia), the Australian War Memorial, State Library of NSW, Department of Veteran Affairs and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission,” Doorey said. “We also used club histories and, in the cases of some of the better known individuals, biographical material from a number of separate sources.”

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“From my perspective, the diamond among the research was correspondence with the family of professional golfer George Lowe,” Stanton said. “His granddaughter provided us with an anthology of poetry he had written while serving overseas in

Available at your leading pro shop or online at Club golf honour roll: AGHS Captain Tony Doggett and his Liverpool club’s historic honour roll boards. www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

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Brassies and mashies and niblicks, oh my... Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

s a hopeless golf tragic, I’ve always been passionately intrigued about golf’s colourful history. From the wondrous and mysterious origins of the game through to the romantic times of plusfours and the featherie ball, I’m inextricably drawn to the “throwback” aspects of this great game. So when I was invited to play in a Hickory Golf Day last month at Yarra Yarra Golf Club, I jumped at the chance. The event was organised and run by the Golf Society of Australia, a Golf Australia-recognized organisation whose mission is to research and preserve the history of golf in Australia. To that end, they run regular 9-hole “Hickory Heroes” events to boost interest in Hickory golf as a unique and fun way of playing the game as our forefathers did. Rocking up to the course in my plus-fours (hey, a guy’s gotta look the part!), I was met by a friendly and affable bunch of players who were joining me in the day’s adventure. As I was handed my set of clubs for the day, I became giddy with excitement; immediately taking practice swings with clubs featuring names like “Play Club”, “Brassie”, “Mashie” and “Niblick”. This was going to be fun! Now, most golfers will agree that golf is already a difficult game, even with today’s high-tech, graphite and titanium-powered weapons. But after just a few holes with a hickory-shafted club, I quickly discovered that playing with these wooden beauties can be infinitely more challenging (and humbling) than with any modern club.

Hickory Heroes at Yarra Yarra: Cliff George, Garry Powerlett, Max Findlay, Paul Burgess, Tim Groves, Tony Rule, Chris Vogt, Bill Young, Neil Walker, Richard Fellner. In order to successfully play with these clubs, it’s key to understand how they were made. In the late 1800s and early 1900s driver heads were primarily made of hardwoods like maple, ash or persimmon. Each club was handcrafted – one by one— by the players themselves or by the local golf pro (Can you imagine what type of set you’d get if it was crafted by Inside Golf’s own Larry Canning?) The clubs had no standard shape or form (much like Larry himself ), and thus the performance of each club varied tremendously. There was little or no consistency between clubs, and no standardisation for lofts (a Niblick built by one clubmaker could be quite different from a Niblick by another), so you’d have to play each of these clubs regularly to get a feel for their own individual “personality”.

A typical driver clubface of the time could measure around 6cm wide by 3cm high— around half the size of today’s clubs. And the sweetspots were just that: a spot. There was brutally little room for error; miss the spot and you would lose the vast majority of distance and accuracy. Much like today, shafts of the day were key to a club’s playability. The hickory (and other wood) shafts of yesterday were a finicky bunch, and were highly vulnerable to the elements. Excessive heat, cold or moisture would often affect the club’s distance or performance, thus forcing some golfers to adjust their game dramatically depending on the day’s (or the hour’s) playing conditions. With all this to consider, the mind boggles at how players of the past were able to

Grip it and whip it: Bobby Jones maximised the flexibility of hickory shafts. perform as well as they did. Understanding the limitations of yesterday’s technology gives one a greater appreciation for these historic heroes, and makes one contemplate how yesterday’s golf stars like Bobby Jones would compare (on a level playing field) to the big-hitting bombers of today like Rory McIlroy or Bubba Watson. The key to playing Hickory clubs, I was told, is to swing slowly while sweeping the club back. The flex in the hickory shaft requires an extra split second at the top of your backswing to let the head catch up, lest you find yourself slicing all over the course. Hickory clubs are also generally heavier than modern clubs. Thus, a light and relaxed grip is recommended, allowing you to “feel” the heaviness of the clubhead through the swing.

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It took me a few holes to get the feel for playing these clubs. Off the tee, the extremely small wooden heads—combined with the “whippy-feeling” shafts—require the utmost concentration if you want to make solid contact. The tiniest of errors in your swing will often result in a topped or duffed shot. But when you hit it pure, the pleasing sound of the wooden “crack”—matched with the soft and springy feel off the face— is absolute heaven. In truth, a good hit with one of these clubs can feel far more satisfying than with any modern club. As for the irons, the extremely thin heads and heavy soles made them felt unwieldy at first—especially off tight lies. And even a pure contact had a distinctly “hard” feeling to it. But once you get the hang of it, they are a pleasure to play. Approach shots are where a hickory club can really be a challenge, as determining your yardages can take a few rounds for the novice to sort out. With no standardised lofts or club numbers, a Mashie-Niblick (7iron equivalent) might only carry as far as one of today’s wedges. Thus, as my round progressed, the tiny sweet spots, paired with the inconsistencies between the clubs (as well as those within my swing itself ), generally saw me either leaving my approaches 20m short, or flying 40m over the back...with the same club. And you can forget about getting any consistent backspin or stopping power, even with modern golf balls (note: we were playing with soft-feel balls, as they tend to perform best with these clubs). As for playing from the sand, it’s best to avoid the situation altogether, if possible. Escaping a bunker can feel akin to breaking out of a maximum-security prison, as the thin leading edge combined with the lack of bounce on the sole causes the club to dig deeply into the sand. But with a little practice, popping the ball out of the bunker can become slightly less frustrating.

Typical hickory set Brassie 13-15° 220 yards Mid Iron 25° 175 yards Mashie 35° 150 yards Mashie Niblick 45° 125 yards Niblick 50-55° 100 yards Putter

DID YOU KNOW:

• “Par” wasn’t the original term for measuring the preferred number of strokes. Instead, “Bogey” was the target score. “Going round in bogey” was the common phrase for even-par in England in the 1890s, based on the song “Here comes the Bogey Man”. Players were said to compete against “Colonel Bogey”. As golf developed, scores soon dropped, and with a push for standardisation in the US, the term bogey was changed to one-over-par. • Today’s golf clubs are more forgiving than ever before. When the USGA tested a wooden driver on their Iron Byron swing

machine – and set it to deliberately hit the club off-centre -- the ball travelled 45 yards less than when hit purely. Conversely, when the same off-centre test was done with a titanium driver, the ball flew only 10 yards less than a properly-hit ball. • In the early days, as the Church frowned on golfers having a hit on the traditional “day of rest”, many eager golfers are said to have carried “Sunday Sticks” (aka Sabbath Sticks). Cleverly disguised as simple walking sticks -with the clubhead fitting in the palm of the golfer’s hand -- the golfer simply wandered into a field or onto the links, waited until noone was looking, then quickly reversed the stick and had a hit. Brilliant!

The names of older clubs (and their equivalent in today’s terms):

When you’re on the green, it’s a new adventure altogether. After four-putting the first few greens (!), I discovered that success on the green is all about matching the right club to your stroke (some heads are made of steel, others of wood, with many having upwards of 10 degrees of loft) , and then practising a LOT to get a feel for your flatstick. On this day, the Golf Gods (in typical fashion) decided to save some of my best strokes for the last two holes. With a few tee shots smashed down the middle, followed by a few stiff approaches, I had finally settled into my groove, and I found myself laughing and smiling from ear to ear with each strike. In short, I was hooked on Hickory. The Golf Society of Australia run regular “Hickory Heroes” events in Melbourne, and I highly recommend that you check one out. For more information, check out their page on the Golf Australia website: www.golf.org.au/golf-society-of-australia.

Woods Play Club: Driver Brassie: 2-Wood Spoon: Higher-Lofted Wood Baffing Spoon: Approach Wood Cleek: 1 or 2-Iron Mid Mashie: 3-Iron

Mashie Iron: 4-Iron Mashie: 5-Iron Spade Mashie: 6-Iron Mashie Niblick: 7-Iron Pitching Niblick: 8-Iron Niblick: 9-Iron Jigger: Wedge

An early 1900s driver compared to a modern behemoth.

NOtes On the early gOlf balls: The first recognised balls were made of wood in the early 17th century. These eventually gave way to the Featherie Ball, which was a hand-sewn leather pouch stuffed with feathers. And they didn’t use just a few feathers, mind you, they crammed enough feathers in there to fill a top hat. The ball was then boiled and put in a cowhide bag. As it cooled, the feathers expanded while the hide shrank, resulting in a compact and solid ball. Though they flew better than wooden balls, they were far from perfectly round and they had a tendency to fly irregularly. Like the clubs of the day, the featherie also had issues in wet weather (the stitches would rot) and the

ball could split when hitting hard surfaces. They were also not cheap. Each ball would sell for between 2 and 5 shillings -- the equivalent of $8 to $17 today. The featherie was the ball of choice for over 200 years until the gutta-percha ball was invented in 1848. Created from the dried sap of a Sapodilla Tree, it was cheaper to make, had a rubbery feel and could be shaped by heat. Interestingly, ballmakers soon discovered (by accident) that little nicks and scrapes actually improved flight characteristics of the ball – and thus they began to intentionally hammer little dimpled patterns into the ball. Thus was born the now ubiquitous dimple.

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juniors

Junior stars shining at Kew

ew Country Club, situated in the small rural village of Kew on the mid-north coast of NSW, started life as a dairy farm. A group of dedicated locals decided that part of the farm should be turned into a nine-hole golf course. This subsequently became twelve holes and finally eighteen picturesque holes with treelined fairways, plenty of water hazards and abundant wildlife. Since its inception, KCC (formally known as Camden Haven Golf Club) has promoted junior golf in the area and that focus continues to this day. The club has had three professionals during its life and all have devoted a good deal of time and energy to the development of a strong junior program within the club. Jason Laws stared his professional career at KCC and now runs a highly acclaimed teaching academy at Newcastle Golf Club. Jason was followed by Steve Boswell who continued the junior program and the current professional Luke Garel regularly works with the squad affectionately known as The Red Swarm, due to the bright red shirts worn by its members. Of the past twenty A grade men’s club championships, thirteen have been won by graduates from the junior program and two of these juniors have gone on to be trainee professionals. Indeed, junior graduates have won the past eleven men’s championships and there is every possibility that they will win many more. While the girls who have graduated into the senior ranks have not been as successful as the boys, it is worth noting that the current assistant junior coach Annie Sheridan was the C grade ladies champion in 2008, the A grade ladies champion in 2011 and has recently returned from attending college in Dodge City, Kansas (USA) where she was a member of their very successful golf team. Currently KCC has 12 registered junior golfers who regularly play in club competitions, area and statewide junior competitions. They also have 13 cadet golfers who participate in the Sunday afternoon coaching and nine-hole competitions and are all working towards obtaining their GA handicaps. For several years KCC has run a one-day junior tournament but after intense lobbying of the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation, they were successful in obtaining a leg of the prestigious JNJG

Girl power at Hurstville GC AN enthusiastic group of young girls from Hurstville Golf Club in Sydney has won the Female Encourage Shield. The club’s junior development manager Martin Johnson said it was a win of David and Goliath proportions. “Against the odds, our young female team, with an average age of 12 years of age, won the Encourage Shield against more senior females,” he said. “In our practice sessions we spent months expressing the notion of distance in shot was not their goal. Their focus was to have fun, position the ball, accuracy and being tight around the greens was more valued.”

Junior Masters Series this year. The tournament was held over two days in May and a field of 88 young golfers from all parts of NSW contested the event. The best young players in the state showed that the future of Australian golf is in good hands with some outstanding performances in very trying conditions with Corey Rae from Cromer Golf Club in Sydney winning the boys open title and Hannah Park of Dunheved in Sydney taking the girls open title. One of Kew’s own juniors, Daniel Morgan led the boys open division after day one firing a one-under-par 69 but was unable to repeat the performance on day two. In another outstanding effort on day one, 12 year old June Song of Avondale in Sydney shot a one-under-par 70 to lead the girls open division but June could not hold off the ever-consistent Hannah Park on day two and finished a close second. JNJG were delighted with the overall presentation of the course and the running of the tournament and have already confirmed that the Masters series will return to KCC in 2016. The junior program is run by a small but dedicated band of volunteers headed by junior co-coordinators Howard Burrows and Greg Mitchell and ably assisted by Annie Sheridan. All at KCC believe the program is in good hands and the future looks extremely bright for both the club and junior golfers. •

Well, the message and training paid off for Anika Rathbone, Jasmine Driscoll, Carmen Truong and Selena Bosevski as they reached the final against Avondale Golf Club – a Group 1 club. The teams met at North Ryde Golf Club. “The host golf course was in great condition and the game was played fairly and in good spirits, which the players and the spectators appreciated and enjoyed,” Martin said. It was a tightly fought contest with the lead swapping numerous times over the first nine holes. “It was only at the 15th and 16th holes that the Hurstville team looked a chance,” Martin said. After 18 pulsating holes, the teams were level at 2-2 and a sudden-death playoff ensued with Hurstville claiming victory at the 19th hole. “Our four young Hurstville girls realised a dream through having fun, being patient and being able to positioning the ball in the right areas,” Martin added. Hurstville Golf Club pro shop runs junior golf clinics. More: (02) 9534-5024 or visit: www.hurstvillegolfclub.com.au

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US PGA championship flashback

Short-hitter Runyan wins US PGA – twice He was head professional at a Little Rock club by age 18 and served as an assistant pro to Craig Wood at Forest Hills Golf Club in New York in 1931.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

E was short in stature and off the tee, but that didn’t stop Paul Runyan winning two majors – both the US PGA Championship.

The American, who stood 1.70m (5’7”) and weighed 59kg, may have lacked length off the tee, but he certainly made up for it on and around the greens.

He hit his best form from the early 1930s to early 1940s and was leading money winner in both 1933 and 1934.

Whoever coined the phrase drive for show, putt for dough must have had Runyan in mind.

He finished third in the US Masters on two occasions and had seven top-10s in US Opens. A member of the US Ryder Cup team (1933 and 1935), Runyan never played in the Open Championship.

He was deadly on the greens and that’s why they nicknamed him “Little Poison”. A winner of 37 professional tournaments, 29 on the US PGA Tour, Runyan won the US PGA Championship in 1934 and again in 1938 when the tournament was a matchplay affair. In the 1934 final, he defeated Craig Wood at the 38th hole and in 1938 accounted for seven-time major champion and winner of 82 professional tournaments Sam Snead 8/7. That’s not a defeat – that’s a walloping. Runyan was five-up after the morning round and needed just 11 holes to finish off Snead, who was one of the longest hitters on tour often outdriving Runyan by 70 metres. It was the largest victory margin ever in the matchplay finals of the US PGA Championship. “Little Poison” Paul Runyan

In 1933 and 1934, Runyan won 16 times on the US PGA Tour and his nine victories in 1933 make him one of only a handful of golfers to win nine or more times in one year on the tour.

Like many golf pros of that era, Runyan started out as a caddie and then began an apprenticeship at a golf course in his home town of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

When his US PGA Tour career ended, he joined the seniors’ tour and finished runner-up in the Senior US PGA Championship in 1959 and went on to win it in 1961 and 1962. When Runyan was in his late 70s and early 80s, he drove the ball around 180-190m metres yet he regularly broke his age. From a very young age, Runyan worked tirelessly on his short game because he realised if he were to succeed in golf, he had to compensate for his lack of length. A teaching professional, Runyan specialised in putting problems. Many leading pros went to him to learn the art of putting and chipping, which led to a book he penned and titled The Short Way to Lower Scoring. Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1990, Paul Scott Runyan died in 2002 aged 93.

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PGA Legends

Hat trick for legendary Barry year on the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour he is fourth on the Order of Merit.

Olivia McMillan media@pga.org.au

Already looking to the future Barry hopes to be playing on one of the international Seniors Tours.

ictorian Michael Barry is taking the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour by storm in his rookie season.

“The best possible platform is the Champions Tour or the European Seniors Tour. I have to go through the Tour School process to obtain a card so that is my focus long-term,” added Barry.

A PGA Professional for more than 20 years, Barry is renowned throughout the golf industry for his golf apparel business, 38 Degrees South, but now is making his presence felt on Tour. “I have always loved playing golf and I have never stopped playing but I’ve been getting my ducks in a row so that I can get the balance right between business, family and golf,” said Barry who has found that balance to be able to compete on the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour. “I couldn’t focus purely on golf, just like I couldn’t focus purely on business. I need to give each aspect the concentration it requires.”

“The golf courses we play on the Legends Tour are completely different to overseas. I need to really improve some aspects of my game which haven’t been tested by the courses where I have won my events.”

honours with Michael Harwood and Allan May.

the pair walked away with a win on 4-under the card.

“I go out and treat every game with the respect that it deserves depending on what type of venue we are playing on,” said Barry of the strategy which is serving him so well.

With two victories under his belt Barry turned up at West Wyalong for the two-day pro-am with a winning hat trick on his mind.

“I just try to the best of my ability; the only person I have to compete against is myself.”

Barry opened with a 3-under 69 which he backed up with a 4-under 68 in the final round.

It was in the New South Wales swing of the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour that Barry really ignited.

He once again finished on top of the leaderboard and was joined by Queenslander Craig Warren on 7-under the card.

Showing the more established names on Tour like Rodger Davis, Mike Harwood and Peter Fowler that he was on Tour to contend, Barry posted a further four top-10 finishes.

Teeing off his hot streak at the Jerry Stolhand Memorial Legends Pro-Am, Barry fired rounds of 72 and 73 to finish atop the leaderboard with Lucien Tinkler, Allan May and fellow rookie Guy Wall who notched up his first win on the Tour.

In winning form, Barry headed for warmer climates and jetted to Samoa for the 2015 SIFA Samoa Seniors Open.

Heading to Naracoorte Legends Pro-Am in good form, Barry broke through for his first victory on the over-50’s circuit sharing the

After a five-day break, Barry headed to Cootamundra Legends Pro-Am where again he and Guy Wall couldn’t be separated and

“I am extremely lucky, things have really turned out right where I wanted them but I have worked hard to achieve that,” added Barry. Barry turned 50 in January this year making his debut on the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour at the Claremont Legends Pro-Am with a top-10 finish.

However, Barry’s hot streak cooled and despite holding a one-shot lead heading into the final round he finished runner-up to defending champion Richard Backwell. It’s been an impressive debut season for Michael Barry and halfway through his rookie

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people

Lorna’s 100 reasons to keep golfing David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

EEN golfer and lover of life Lorna Jane Rickert celebrated her 100th birthday with a party and a round of golf and then it was back to doing what she does best – keeping busy at home and in the community. I found that out after calling her at her home at Nobby (population around 400) on Queensland’s Darling Downs. After introducing myself, I ask her if she has time to tell her story. “Well, you will have to be quick because I am just about to leave to help prepare for the 90th anniversary of the CWA,” she said. “We have to prepare food for our guests, do the floral arrangements and decorate the hall. “Tomorrow I am busy doing the gardening and mowing the lawn.” Lorna is one of a kind – sharp as a tack, doesn’t mind sharing a joke and extremely smart. She has also been the main organiser of the Sister Kenny Memorial Fund. Elizabeth Kenny (1880-1952) was credited with the controversial new approach to the treatment of polio. “We have a beautiful memorial to honour her work and I can tell you it’s well attended by visitors from all over the world,” Lorna said. A late entrant to golf, Lorna was 58 when she joined Clifton Golf Club in 1973. She was hooked and hasn’t stopping playing the game since. In fact, she continues to play golf each Wednesday with her close friends.

The golf club gave Lorna a party when she turned 100 and so did the local community.

where technology allows you to switch a button to get something going.”

Golf Queensland presented Lorna with a Certificate of Appreciation “for her dedication to playing the game of golf”.

Lorna still drives her trusty Toyota to golf, but things were very different around the time she left school and started work.

“I had a fabulous party in the town hall,” she said. “We had about 250 there and couldn’t fit any more in.

“I would have to ride my horse to work because there were no motorcars in my early years,” she said.

“My daughter Janice did all the decorating – it was like fairyland.

Occasionally, Lorna had issues rounding up her horse for the return leg.

“I also got a letter from the Queen and from Prime Minister Tony Abbott confirming I reached 100. That was nice.”

“When I was a telephonist we sometimes had to work at night so I first had to catch my horse in the dark and then ride home,” she laughed.

A Clifton Golf Club stalwart, Lorna says she enjoys the social aspect of golf, the challenge and the fun. “There are a lovely lot of ladies at the club and we have a lot of fun together,” she said. On the golf course, Lorna continues to have a deft touch around the greens. “I enjoy a challenge but these days I have to rely on my short game because I can’t drive the ball very far. I only have a slight frame and don’t have big muscles.” It’s clearly evident Lorna is not your average retiree, and she has a number of hobbies. “I am an artist, I paint and I also do wood carving,” she said. “My house is full of paintings and woodcarvings. I started the group 30 years ago and we have made some beautiful furniture for our homes.” One of 14 children, Lorna grew up on a dairy farm. “I had to do the hard work like getting up early to milk the cows,” she explained. “There was a lot of labour – not like today

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I ask Lorna the secret to longevity. “I can’t tell you. I wake up each morning and here I am ready to face the day,” she said. “I haven’t had the time to worry about getting old – that’s the truth of it. “I honestly don’t know what it is to be bored.” Perhaps Lorna’s road to longevity stems from living, working and devoting her life to a small community, marrying her childhood sweetheart Clarence and having five children, nine grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Lorna and Clarence were married for 70 years before his passing 11 years ago. She has sage advice for aging golfers and older people who do not play golf. “If you are a golfer getting on in age, keep playing as long as you can,” she said. “If you are not a golfer, try it because it’s lots of fun. Once you try it, you’ll be hooked for life. “I plan to keep playing golf as long as I can. I haven’t had anything to stop me yet.” •

Lorna Jane Rickert shows off her Certificate of Appreciation after turning 100.

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instruction

Improving impact alignment Randall Hollands Smith randall@rhgolfrange.com.au

ne of my students said to me recently “How could a player like Jim Furyk swing the club so differently and be a winner on tour?” My response to him was that although his swing looks different, I could guarantee you that his impact position is as good as most players on tour. Although no two golf swings are the exactly the same from start to the finish, you will notice that all swings have one common area where they will be almost identical: impact. If you look at any swing sequence of any of the top golfers and look specifically at their impact positions you will notice that at impact they all have the same characteristics. A straight lead arm in line with the golf club, a left wrist for a right-handed player or right wrist for a lefthander that is slightly bowed towards the target. The shoulders should be square to slightly open with the hips turned out towards the target. Your weight should have shifted into the left side for a righthanded golfer or right side for left-hander. Achieving these positions is extremely difficult, especially when you are swinging the golf club in excess of 100kph, therefore it is very important that you try and improve your technique using drills that will simulate the types of feelings that you will need when swinging at normal speed. The following drill will help you ingrain the correct sense of feel as at impact.

In this drill we are using an impact bag or something similar in replacement of a golf ball. In photo 1 you can see the set-up for this drill. Simply take your normal set up position as if you were going to hit a ball. In photo 2, Rachel has made a slow and deliberate swing only to a half way back position in preparation to come down into impact. Because it is only a simulation drill it is not necessary to swing the golf club all the way to the top of your back swing. In photo 3, you can see that Rachel swung the golf club down into impact, trying to simulate the same impact alignments that you would have if you were hitting a normal

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golf shot. You will notice here that Rachel’s left arm and club shaft are in a straight line with her hands advanced forward or closer to the target that the club head. Rachel is attempting to have her hands already in this position as the club head strikes the bag. Many players strike the bag and then allow their hands to move forward after the strike. Her hips are turned out towards the target while her shoulders remain square or slightly open to

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Many players make very fast and aggressive movements when rehearsing or simulating a movement pattern. If you take your time and concentrate on the feelings from this drill I am confident that you will improve your impact positions. •

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the target line ensuring that she will hit the ball straight. It is good to note that Rachel hasn’t hit into the bag with much force but just enough to feel that it is a real simulation.

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instruction

Pre-round golf tips – 5 things to do before every round Liam Warburton

s golfers we all want to consistently perform at our best. However, many players have an irregular pre round golf routine that fails to prepare their mind and body for competition play. If you arrive late, take a few practice swings and only have a couple of putts you will rarely start well and play your best. A good pre-round golf warm up starts well before you arrive at the course and it will help to ensure you play the kind of golf you are capable of. 1) M entally prepare for your round and plan your warm up on the way to the course: Your warm up should begin before you arrive. While you drive or walk to the course, set your intentions for the day, think about the course conditions and also the way you have been playing lately. This will help you decide on how you should spend your time so that you can plan a constructive warm up. 2) Accomplish the three pre-round goals: •D o a few stretches and warm up exercises to improve your mobility and energize your body. This is important and only takes a few minutes •G et a feel for the course conditions. Get comfortable with the speed of the greens and the firmness of the sand in the bunkers • I f possible, test both your long game and short game so that you find out how things are feeling and what your strengths are for the day 3) Simulate competition play: If you have time for a range session, spend the first half getting warm. The second half should be dedicated to course simulation, e.g. changing clubs and selecting a new target after each shot. Remember, you don’t want to take a technical

Brent Dale brent@brentdalegolf.com.au

Do you know how to correctly line yourself up at the target? It’s a question I always ask my students and I generally do not get the correct answer from them.

liam@completeplayergolf.com

Here are 5 pre-round golf tips:

Fixing your alignment

or practice mind set to the first tee. You only get one opportunity on the golf course! 4) Spend two thirds of your warm up on your short game: Over half of your score will come from your short game. To reflect this importance, be sure to spend enough time chipping, pitching, putting and hitting bunker shots. Spend time getting the speed of the greens with long putts and then build your confidence by sinking short putts before you leave. 5) Arrive early for your tee time: You don’t want to rush to the first tee. Instead, aim to arrive a few minutes before your tee time so that you can compose yourself and start your round in a relaxed mindset. This type of preparation takes a little bit more time but it will help to ensure you play well and have an enjoyable day. If you feel like there is never enough time to properly warm up then you might be interested in our pre-round golf audio that you can listen to while you drive to the course. Visit: www.thinkwellplaygreat.com for more details, or send an email to: info@completeplayergolf.com • Visit www.thinkwellplaygreat.com for more details. Enter coupon code: Insidegolf for 25% OFF. For more information, email: info@completeplayergolf.com

A majority of students will generally say that they line their feet up at the target intended, But what happens when we do this is that our club then aims out to the right of the target, and you have to either come over the top on the downswing or really flip your hands at the ball to help hit it at the target. What I want you to do next time you practice is: Place a ball down and grab an alignment stick or club and lay it on the ground behind the ball, pointing at your target. Now grab another alignment stick/club and place it about 12 - 18 inches on the inside of the ball parallel to the stick/club we have aiming at the target.Take your stance so your feet are square to the inside stick and place your club down at the ball. This may feel like your alignment is way off, but it will be correct and you have to practice hitting balls to help ingrain the feeling of the correct alignment. The only way to get comfortable with a change is to continue to practice it until it becomes a natural feeling. Problems in your swing may have come about from poor alignment. So be sure to have a check up with your local PGA member. Brent Dale is a Certified PGA Professional, Advanced – Coaching, and Head professional at Liverpool golf club. Full Swing, Short Game and On Course Lessons available. Brent is also TPI Certified. www.liverpoolgolf.com.au, www.brentdalegolf.com.au. brent@liverpoolgolf.com.au. 0499 009 770

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instruction

VIDEO LESSON #12 > Peter Croker www.keytofgolf.com

ower in golf is the ability to exert maximum force as quickly as possible, as in accelerating the clubhead down, out, and through the golf ball, deep into impact and follow through. Also in golf as in all other activities where skill to perform on a consistent basis is the goal, Power needs to be defined to include the ability to control your Mind. Knowing how to access the current power that you have requires your understanding of the fundamentals of both swing mechanics and what constitutes the basics of controlling your Mind – Body connection. The Key to Golf over the past 11 Lessons has presented the “Mechanics of an Orthodox and Aligned Golf Swing” and we have several Exercises still to present to you for you to gain the tools to build your own Powerful Golf Swing. STEP 1 for power: The first entrance step for power is to relax your mind! STEP 2 for power: Your next step for power is to relax all your muscles, especially those in your hands, arms, neck, shoulders, chest, and core area. This applies for the shortest putt to the longest drive. STEP 3 for power: Become aware of your whole body and its state of balance. Breathe in through your nose and out through your

Power exercise

mouth – feel your whole body in a relaxed and balanced state. Now you are ready to exert both power and control more easily than before STEP 4 for power: Do the exercise below. I strongly recommend you watch the video before, during, and after you head for the Practice Tee. PS: True Power is being able to do what one is doing when one is doing it. The benefits from doing this Drill will not only improve your golf game but also much more in your work day world.

VIDEO DRILL:

https://vimeo.com/user14583831/ review/65015807/56f90dbddb Purpose: To give you a personal understanding of where to go to for more power in the golf shot. Training Emphasis: Work to develop a solid base to hit out from. Place the clubhead against a solid object while in address position. Pushing the clubhead with the hands against this solid object will produce an equal and opposite reaction. Become aware of the feeling of the “push back” against: Your head, left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left foot and right foot. Repeat this exercise in a new unit of time until you can easily feel the reaction the solid object causes to the body parts.

power exercise Peter Croker is a Certified PGA Professional, and 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: 0415 292 549 or email: crokergolfsystem@gmail to book a School or lesson.

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August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

fitness

Are your feet affecting your swing? Richard Nizielski www.golffitsolutions.com

s I am sure you are well aware, your feet are the foundation for your entire body. So when there is a problem at the feet, it will more than likely affect the golf posture and the golf swing. A large majority of people have feet problems. Mainly these are over-pronation or excessive supination. Over-pronation is when the arch of the foot collapses too much, making the foot roll inward excessively and distributing weight unevenly. Excessive supination makes the foot lean to the outside, distributing the weight along the outside edge of the sole. In the golf swing movement there is a considerable amount of weight transfer from one foot to the other. Where there are feet problems present, then there will be problems controlling the movement from one side of the golf swing to the other. Differences in leg length can also be an issue that affects the golf swing. This is particularly true if the longer leg is on the backswing side of your body. For a righthanded golfer, having a longer right leg will make it difficult to set up with the right hip lower than the left hip when at address. Having one leg considerably longer than the other can also place an uneven load on the spine, which can create other physical problems. Our body will naturally adapt to feet and

Over Pronation leg problems, but that’s not to say that this means the body is correcting the conditions.

for golfers one who specialises in sports performance.

Several of the players I work with have feet problems. Often no amount of fitness training or golf coaching will improve their ability to play golf if the feet problems are not addressed.

If you’re not sure if you need to see a podiatrist, then a quick look at your feet while in front of a mirror might help. If the arches of your feet are very flat and the inside ankle is sitting low then it may indicate over-pronation. Similarly, from behind the attachment of the Achilles tendon will angle inwards (from the ground upwards) towards the calf muscle. Ask someone if they can take a photo from behind for you.

For the best advice regarding feet and lower limbs you should see a podiatrist or physiotherapist. A check of your feet, lower limb joints as well as the way you stand and walk will determine if there are any problems that need addressing. A common method of improving the foot mechanics is with corrective innersoles. These need to be prescribed and correctly fitted by a podiatrist and in particular

Oppositely, excessive supination will present as the Achilles tendon attachment angling outwards. From the front view, there will be a high arch area and the inside ankle bone will appear raised.

Note the difference with corrective orthotics Taking care of your feet can be one area that may not only improve your golf, but your general posture as well. By supporting the feet properly, overall body alignment can be improved, alleviating pain and helping the body heal itself. Happy golfing Richard Nizielski is a Brisbane-based golf fitness expert and the Director of Golf Fit Solutions. A three-time Olympian and medallist in the sport of short track speed skating, Richard is a qualified sports and personal trainer designing individual fitness and nutrition programs for both professional and amateur golfers here in Australia and overseas. www.golffitsolutions.com

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events

Volunteer in paradise at the Fiji International

ne of the most beautiful pacific paradises and home to the Fiji International is preparing the sun loungers and tropical fruit punch for a new batch of volunteers to hit their shores in October. Fiji is one of the world’s most idyllic holiday destinations. Its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and soft coral reefs is what makes Fiji irresistible, but the heart of the South Pacific isn’t just a great place to holiday - it’s also a great place to volunteer. The PGA is searching for 300 enthusiastic volunteers to fill various roles that will assist in delivering this year’s tournament, which just happens to be located in one of world’s most exquisite destinations. Sally Thomassen, a first time volunteer at the inaugural Fiji International in 2014, found the experience both enthralling and tranquil in a location that provides one of the most spectacular backdrops in tournament golf. “It was a great experience to volunteer in Fiji, it’s a beautiful place and the golf course was breathtaking to walk around,” said Thomassen. “The tournament has a very relaxed feel about it and this flowed through to the Pros as well.” Volunteers are an important component to running any event. The benefits of being a volunteer, both personally and professionally, are significant and provide a positive impact on local communities, expand social networks and offer individuals the opportunity to learn new skills or even kickstart a career in major events. “It was great to meet so many volunteers from different places including the locals,

Aussies and Kiwis,” added Thomassen. It doesn’t matter what your experience, there is a volunteer role to suit everyone. Volunteering offers the chance to get inside the ropes at a PGA Tour of Australasia tournament and be involved in the logistical side of an international event. Plus, you might even get the chance to rub shoulders with the Pros! Thomassen possessed good golf knowledge that enabled her to act as an oncourse scorer; a crucial tournament role. “Acting as walking scorer was a wonderful inside the ropes experience. I was lucky enough to walk with Stephen Leaney’s group and received a signed a ball for my efforts,” “It was really nice to know that the work volunteers do is appreciated by the Pros.” Volunteers are required to work a shift

of four to six hours on all four days of the tournament and in all weather conditions. Volunteers may find themselves assigned to various duties that are crucial to the overall running of the tournament, including ball spotters, scoreboard attendants, walking scorers, courtesy car drivers and driving range attendants. To ensure volunteers feel confident in their role by the time the tournament commences, full training is provided. Volunteers receive lunch and drinks each day and a free shuttle bus will run from Nadi and the Shangri-La Hotel during the tournament to allow easy access to Natadola Bay Golf Course. As a thank you, volunteers receive two guest tickets and the opportunity to attend a golf clinic after the tournament. International and local residents are welcome to volunteer at the Fiji International.

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August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Flight and accommodation packages are available for international volunteers through tournament travel partner, Flight Centre, and as the halfway point between North America and Asia other parts of the world can be easily accessed from Fiji for the enthusiastic traveller. “I would encourage anyone thinking about volunteering at the 2015 Fiji International to do it!” said Thomassen. “I volunteered for the tournament which I thoroughly enjoyed and then had a holiday afterwards. It was the perfect combination.” Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course on the coral coast will host the 2015 Fiji International from October 15th-19th. To find out more about volunteering, please contact Norm Emerson on nlemerson@ozemail. com.au •

holden scramble

Iconic Aussie golf event celebrates milestone A

Pro takes 17 on one hole YOU know you are in for an ordinary day on the golf course when you record a 17 – 12-over par – on the first hole.

momentous occasion in the history of the Holden Scramble has been celebrated at Muswellbrook Golf Club.

It happened to Russian professional Andrey Pavlov in the second round at the Austria Open on the European Tour.

In its 24th year, the Holden Scramble has achieved a key milestone with the 10,000th local event played at Muswellbrook Golf Club in New South Wales on Saturday 11th July.

Pavlov shot a first round 71 to be six off the pace before the nightmare hole on day two.

It was a celebration of all things Holden Scramble that was made possible by the support of golfers all across Australia and New Zealand who have participated in a local event over the past 24 years.

Playing the par-5 first hole, Pavlov found the water six times at the Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg.

“The PGA of Australia is extremely proud of the longevity and the position that the Holden Scramble has in the golf industry,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia. “The relationship formed with GM Holden over the years and the vision to support the growth of golf at the grass roots level has enabled the PGA to stage this event in all corners of the country.” Over the years the Holden Scramble’s success has been built on the basis that it’s open to golfers of all age groups and skill levels, providing an opportunity to participate in a national championship. The appeal of the Holden Scramble is further enhanced by the opportunity for amateur golfers to play alongside their club’s PGA Professional and for a lucky few, a PGA Tour Professional at the Championship Final. “The PGA would like to thank each and every supporter of the Holden Scramble from participants, PGA Professionals and Golf Clubs to Holden Dealerships and event partners for their support of the event,” added Thorburn.

Muswellbrook Golf Club participants celebrate the Holden Scramble’s 10,000th local event “Muswellbrook Holden and the Golf Club have formed a strong relationship over the years, and continue to support this event and the local golfing community.”

There have been plenty of onehole disasters over the years. In 2003, Chris Gane of England had a 17 on one hole at Gleneagles.

The day left a lasting impact on local club members Jaye Johns, Kyle Blinco, Adam Payne and Luke Cameron who won the Muswellbrook Holden Scramble with a score of 55.4.

Still, Philippe Porquier eclipses that with a 20 at the French Open in 1978.

“It is fantastic to win the Holden Scramble on this special day. I have played in the event for the past five years and this is my second time qualifying to the Regional Final,” said Johns, following the round.

“They have all provided a significant contribution to where we are today, celebrating this momentous achievement.”

“The team didn’t get off to the best start, opening with a bogey. However, we got on a run with seven consecutive birdies to set up our round.”

Participants at the Muswellbrook Holden Scramble experienced a fantastic day on course with friends and were treated to a host of gifts and prizes to celebrate this milestone.

“We are looking forward to going to the Regional Final in October and hope that we can put in another good performance and qualify for the Championship Final.”

“The club could not believe that we would be hosting the 10,000 event,” said Jason Taylor, the PGA Professional at Muswellbrook Golf Club.”

The team will be joined by Taylor at the Regional Final with the winner advancing to the iconic Holden Scramble Championship Final, being played at Twin Waters Golf Club, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast in late November. •

“The Holden Scramble is highly anticipated on our club’s calendar each year with the local golfers in the region really embracing the event.”

His two-round total of 161 – 17-over par – left him in a tie for 137th, but in front of a number of players.

That’s three shots better than American Ray Ainsley and Scot Tommy Armour, who both took 23 shots on a single hole on the US PGA Tour. Armour, who won three majors, managed the unwanted feat at the 1927 Shawnee Open, while Ainsley suffered his nightmare at the 1938 US Open.

Junior ClassiCs Gary Player Classic

22-25 September 2015

Katherine Kirk Classic 20-22 September 2015

Pacific Golf Club

Maroochy River Golf Club

Entries close 5pm, Wednesday 9th September

Entries close 5pm, Friday 11th September

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

seniors

SENIOR AMATEURS: With Denis Dale ed@insidegolf.com.au

est Australian senior Ian McPherson made it two national titles in the last three years with a dramatic victory in the 2015 Australian Senior Matchplay Championship, played at the Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club. This year’s field was the strongest ever assembled for the national matchplay championship with twenty-two of the top twenty-five players on the Australian Senior Ranking table competing. On the West Course at the Coolangatta Tweed Heads, the winner would need to survive five rounds of top level matchplay golf. The main surprise from the Round One matches was the defeat of Stefan Albinski (three times Australian Senior champion) by Queenslander Trevor Box. Box only made it into the field after a late withdrawal and in an impressive display was well under par in winning 4&3. Leading New Zealand senior Michael Barltrop opened his quest for an Australian title with a good 4&3 win over Ross Banks. With some very interesting matchups in Round 2, it was hard to predict the winners. The top match between number one seed Victorian Barry Tippett and the highly rated West Australian Trevor Hughes was a close affair before Tippett won on the seventeenth hole. 2013 champion Ian McPherson battled all day with Victorian Greg Rhodes with victory finally coming to McPherson on the last hole. Trevor Box continued in his giant killer role, again finishing under par in a devastating 7&5 win over Victorian Mick Streit. Long hitting NSW newcomer Mark Pearson came from 3 down with 4 to play to eventually edge out WA senior Martin Minogue on the 21st hole. In the Round 3 quarterfinals, 2013 matchplay champion Ian McPherson kept his hopes alive for a second title with a 3&1 win over the 2014 runner-up Barry Tippett. NSW player Sal Ballard won his match against

Sensational finish in Australian Senior Matchplay Queenslander Steve Toyne on the last hole and he would now play McPherson in the first semi final. He wasn’t even in the field on Friday but no one told Trevor Box he was a long shot to win the title and he made it to the second semi final after defeating Mark Pearson at the 19th hole. Box would face up to Vince Clark (NSW) who was impressive in defeating the Kiwi champion Michael Barltrop 4&3. After some beautiful Queensland weather for the opening rounds, the semi finals were a mixture of rain, postponements in play then more sunny conditions interrupted by some heavy showers. Nothing this field of senior golfers hadn’t experienced before and they played on accepting the challenges. The first semifinal saw two of the oldest competitors in Trevor Box and Vince Clark doing battle. In a high quality match it was Box who made it through to the final with a 3&2 victory. The second semi final saw Ian McPherson playing strongly and he led Sal Ballard by two holes when play was postponed due to failing light. The players resumed early the following day with McPherson moving through to the final against Box. The final proved to be a match worthy of the Australian Senior Matchplay title. Trevor Box continued his wonderful form with some great early golf to open up a 3-hole lead. McPherson kept plugging away and gradually worked himself back into the match. On the sixteenth tee he was just one hole behind. When McPherson parred sixteen the match was all square but then Box immediately won seventeen to take back his one-hole lead as they headed to the eighteenth. Both played the par-five well and when McPherson missed his birdie putt Box needed to hole a four-footer for his par and the title. It slipped past the right edge and the match was allsquare and for the second successive year the title was extended into extra holes.

Vince Clark, Ian McPherson and Trevor Box in the 2015 Australian Senior Amateur Matchplay Championship. The competition was intense, with halves on the 19th-23rd holes. The match came down to the 24th hole, the par-3 sixth. McPherson played a sensational iron to eight feet but this was then matched by Box who was just a foot longer. A sizeable crowd was enjoying the golf and feeling the pressure that continued to mount. Box putted first and watched a very good putt just slide by. McPherson studied the line and with a firm stroke knocked his birdie putt right in the centre. The crowd cheered and McPherson had his second Australian Senior Matchplay title. For Box it was a great tournament but one that very easily could have been just that little bit better. Well done to both players.

In the playoff for the bronze medal Vince Clark edged out fellow NSW player Sal Ballard on the nineteenth hole after both players had produced some excellent golf. It had been a wonderful week of golf on a championship course. Congratulations and thanks were justifiably made to the staff at Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Course. The course was presented in excellent condition and when the wet weather arrived they worked hard to make sure the course was very playable. Cameron Vincent and Adam Power from Golf Australia ran their usual first rate national championship and this helped all players enjoy their week. It’s on again at the same course next year! More: www.ausoom.com

NSW Tapper on top in NSW Senior Order of Merit The 2015 NSW Senior Order of Merit competition continued with three prestigious events played in late June. The Manly Seniors attracted one of the strongest fields of the year with many of the state’s leading seniors taking this opportunity to play on the course that will host the 2015 Australian Senior Amateur Championship in September. The course setup ensured Manly played at its hardest with the back tees being used and some very testing pins – a real test for the quality field. The winner was Mona Vale senior Stefan Albinski with an excellent round of 74. He edged out senior golf newcomer Ken Brewer from Concord who returned a round of 75. Graeme Howland and Denis Dale were next finishing in a tie for third place. Dale was the winner of the Over 65 section.

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

The Oatlands Seniors followed the day after the Manly Seniors with another good field enjoying a round on the picturesque course, often described as “the best par 70 in Australia”. The defending 2014 Senior Order of Merit champion Denis Dale (Twin Creeks) notched his second win of the season with a solid round of two-over-par 72. He won by four strokes from Mark Stannard (Oatlands) and ACT senior Christopher Winslade who made the journey from Yowani a worthwhile one. The Pymble Seniors is always a muchanticipated event and the field was again rewarded with the championship course presented in tiptop condition. NSW Senior Order of Merit newcomer Ken Brewer (Concord) recorded his breakthrough senior victory. Brewer posted a score of 2 over par 74 to take out the event by a single stroke

from the well-known and top-level senior golfer Richard Greville (Avondale). Mona Vale’s Greg Stanford maintained his solid run of form finishing in third place with a score of 76. With Brewer’s win coming from only three starts in senior ranking events he is definitely a player to watch in all future tournaments. With half of the events now complete the NSW Senior Order of Merit competition is looking like a tight finish. Bayview’s Dale Tapper has moved into the lead and with 1116 point he leads from Long Reef’s Ross Bockman (1020) with Greg Stanford (Mona Vale) next on 990 points. Kogarah senior Steve Musgrave holds a commanding lead in the NSW Handicap Senior Order of Merit with 1113 points from his fourteen events. Links Shell Cove senior Graham Leake is next (777 from 11 starts)

Dale Tapper leads the 2015 NSW Senior Order of Merit. just ahead of Windsor senior Robert Lewis (721 from 13 starts). More: www.golfnsw.org

seniors

VICTORIA

Pascoe’s trifecta of titles venue for the opening round of the Tocumwal Senior Amateur at the Tocumwal Golf Club. Players endured heavy rain for the first half of their round before the skies eased up and provided some relief from the cold conditions. Despite the difficult conditions there was some great scoring from the leading players in both the men’s and women’s fields. Chris Tatt from Buninyong was the round one leader after a round of four-over-par 76. He held a one stroke lead over George Kotaridis (Kew) with another stroke to Ian Frost (Bendigo) and Greg O’Brien (Albury).

2015 Heathcote Senior Winners Phillip Nunn, Gordon Claney, Helen Pascoe and Bobette Wilkinson. The Doug Bachli Trophy (scratch) and Paul Lulofs Trophy (handicap) Order of Merit competitions continue and at the end of June there have been twenty-one events completed. The 2015 Heathcote Senior Amateur was played over 18 holes with a quality field of 61 players taking to a course presented at its finest for the players, despite lower-thanaverage Autumn rains. Luckily the players had a relatively calm day with the sun making a welcome appearance. Gordon Claney prevailed as the 2015 Champion, after the Kingston Heath member and the current top ranked senior golfer in Australia returned a neat 74 around the par71 layout. Claney cruised around his opening nine with a more than respectable two-overpar 38 before finishing one-over on the backnine to total three-over-par. In second place and two shots behind was The National’s Guy Krall on 76. Helen Pascoe from Buninyong Golf Club scored a fine Scratch Stableford score of 31 points to triumph in the main women’s event, edging out Tocumwal’s Bobette Wilkinson who scored 27 points. In the men’s handicap section, it was Tocumwal’s Phillip Nunn who took out the major prize with a round of 71 from his handicap of 8. Nunn defeated Hill Top’s John Fanning and Yarram’s Ignatius Duivenvoorden after a three-way countback. Following after Heathcote was the 36-hole Shepparton Senior Amateur that began

with cloudy skies and some light rain that rolled across the Goulburn Valley for the majority of the day. The course was in its best condition for some time and it proved to be quite a test of skill. After the opening round it was Guy Krall leading the charge after The National member carded a three-over-par 75. Chasing Krall was Chirnside Park’s Ray Walker, only one shot behind on 76. Having just claimed the Senior Heathcote title Buninyong member Helen Pascoe was again on top of the leader board after a scratch Stableford round of 30 points and a good lead over nearest competitor Bobette Wilkinson (Tocumwal). Misty rain for the early part of the morning meant low scoring wasn’t an easy task for the players as they began the final round. The overnight leader Guy Krall played solid golf all day to finish with a two round total of 151 (75-76) to claim the championship. Second place went to the always reliable senior Ray Walker (Chirnside Park) who finished three shots back on 154. Christopher Mansour (RACV Cape Schanck) shot rounds of net 70 and 75 to win the handicap title by a single stroke from Shepparton’s Peter Junor. Helen Pascoe successfully defended her 2014 title in winning the Women’s Shepparton Senior Amateur Championship posting very good scores of 30 and 32 scratch Stableford points. Runner up was Heather Harley (Kooringal). Two days later a wet President’s course was the

Helen Pascoe moved closer to a trifecta of wins for the week of golf posting a Scratch Stableford score of 27 points to lead regular rival Bobette Wilkinson from the host club. The final round was played on the Captain’s Course. The overnight leader Chris Tatt (Buninyong) gave none of his followers a chance recording a great round of even-par 72 and a 36-hole total of 148. Tatt was in fine form over the two days, making the wet conditions look easy in round one and even easier when the sun came out for the second round. Ian Frost (Bendigo) matched Tatt with an even par round of 72 but eventually finished two strokes behind the winner. This was another runner-up position for Frost who had finished second in this event in 2014. Helen Pascoe completed a great week of golf winning her third title after rounds of 27 and 26 scratch Stableford points. Pascoe had earlier claimed the titles at Heathcote and Shepparton. More: www.golfvic.org.au

QUEENSLAND

2015 Queensland PresCare Senior Order of Merit results Indooroopilly PresCare Queensland Senior Scratch Winner: Sam Christie (72) Scratch R-up: Lindsay Brown (73) Net Winner: Joe McDermid (38 points) Net Rup: Alan Spenser (37 points) Ladies Net: Wendy O’Connell (33 points) Ladies Net R-up: Cheryl Sternberg (31 points)

Pelican Waters PresCare Queensland Senior Scratch Winner: Steve Toyne (73) Scratch R-up: Mario LaChiusa (76) Net Winner: David Bowtell (37 points) Net R-up: Michael Andrews (36 points) Super Senior Winner: Ian Read (81) Super Senior R-up: Philip Green (87) Ladies Scratch Winner: Ruth Yelland (85) Ladies Net Winner: Sandra Ainsley (35 points)

Caloundra PresCare Queensland Senior Scratch Winner: Tim Deakin (74) Scratch R-up: Robert Smith (77) Net Winner: Keiry Shirvington (39 points) Net R-up: Ray Densley (38 points) Super Senior Winner: Ray Smith (79) Super Senior R-up: Paul Foster (82) Ladies Scratch Winner: Wendy O’Connell (83) Ladies Net Winner: Margaret Emerson (35 points)

Laidley PresCare Queensland Senior Scratch Winner: Trevor Box (75) Net Winner: Paranjit Singh (36 points) Ladies Net Winner: Helen Gray (37 points) R-up Ladies Net: Jan Sippel (37 points) 2015 Tocumwal Senior Winners Ian Frost, Chris Tatt, Kerry Boehm.

More: www.golfqueensland.org.au

MoSS Vale Golf club iS a Golfer’S paraDiSe

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www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

golf nsw

Cusack smiles her way to the top A bout a year and half ago Sophie Cusack declared three goals: to get better results in amateur events, make it into the Top 25 National Amateur Rankings, and to be selected in the State Team over the next year. She not only accomplished those goals, she went better by winning the 2015 Women’s Northern Territory Amateur Championship on 31st May at Darwin Golf Club. Sophie’s positive attitude paid off as she climbed the top of the leaderboard at the NT Championship. After finishing equal sixth, eight-over-par 80 in her first round, she decided to set one goal for her second round…to smile after every shot, no matter the result. She said, “(In round 2), I followed my birdie on the first with six consecutive pars. I was hitting it close but not holing the birdie putts. I was getting frustrated and the smiling goal was being tested.” “After two closing bogeys on the front nine, I realised all those pars I was getting annoyed with weren’t so bad after all,” said Sophie, who signed for even par in her second round. A birdie on the last hole of round 3 sealed Sophie’s victory, whose 80-72-72 (224) tournament total was two shots in front of VIC’s Alizza Hetherington, and QLD’s Kirsty Hodgkins and Sheridan Gorton. Fellow team member Paige Stubbs finished a further two shots back in fifth. What makes Sophie extraordinary is that she only picked up her first club four years ago after watching her dad practice on their large property in Tenterfield. He used to pick up a forky stick and took a few swings at some cow manure while he walked behind a mob of sheep. Sophie said, “I played with him at home recently at the Tenterfield Golf Club and he still looks like he is hitting that cow manure.” She found her own way to the sport by teaching herself how to play watching YouTube, then joined the local Tenterfield Golf Club. Fellow Tenterfield members and

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

her dad nurtured her passion for the game, which resulted in her gaining a scholarship to Bonnie Doon Golf Club.

Two years into the game, Sophie left the comfort of her local town and moved to Sydney to attend the Australian College of Elite Golf, where she was the only female amongst thirty-two boys. She faced the hurdle of changing her swing, which saw her game plummet. A year later she made the reserve list and competed in her first professional event at the Women’s NSW Open. Sophie’s goal to get better results in amateur events reflected in her meteoric rise in the national rankings. She scaled up the Women’s Open Rankings from 139th in 2013, to 48th in 2014, to her current 13th position, surpassing her goal of making the Top 25 National Amateur Rankings a year and a half earlier. She is now the top third female player in NSW. Sophie’s third goal to make the State Team came to fruition when she was invited to be a reserve on the Women’s State Team in February this year. Two months later she was called up as a full member of the team after Shelly Shin left for Korea due to family circumstances. Coach Dean Kinney said, “Sophie is a great example of how the correct attitude and mindset can get you to where you want more quickly. She invests everything into her golf and I expect her only to keep improving. She deserved the win at the NT Amateur Championship.” Sophie’s next goal is to get inside the Top 10 National Women’s Rankings. After her result in Darwin, she discovered her love for winning and said, “I would like to do more of that. Whether it be on that national level or just winning $5 from the boys at Bonnie Doon…it all counts!” Without many tournaments during the winter months, Sophie plans to work really hard on her game both on and off the course. She is hoping this preparation will lead to some good results during the summer. •

Congratulations to the latest St Hallett Wines Hole-in-One Achievers: Kim Barnes, Peter Connor, Peta Griffin, Trevor Hodkinson, Pat Mackie, Alan Parsons, Simon Phan, Jo Phillips, Kevin Wilson, and Larry Woldenberg who had two hole-in-ones in June at Oatlands GC.

golf queensland

Congratulations Cameron Smith The Golf Queensland Board, staff and Queensland golf clubs have congratulated Queensland Professional Cameron Smith after his T4 finish in the 2015 US Open at Chambers Bay.

2016 Isuzu Queensland Open moves to Brisbane

Macdonald does Queensland proud in Scotland

In his first major, Smith sealed his position on the 18th hole when he played a spectacular three wood for a kick-in eagle. As the only player at the event with four rounds at par or better during the tournament, he tied with fellow Queenslander Adam Scott and earned himself $US407,037. It’s been a big 12 months for the 21-yearold who has gone from strength to strength since his tied third finish at the 2014 Isuzu Queensland Open. Smith accumulated seven top 10 finishes from nine starts on the Asian Tour, making him eligible to compete in the USPGA Tour event, the CIMB Classic where he finished tied fifth and earning more than $250,000. Following on from the CIMB Classic, Smith played four US Tour events including the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines and the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro Am at Pebble Beach, missing the cut on each. Smith then flew back to his hometown of Brisbane to play in the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship at City Golf Club Toowoomba where he finished in 2nd place to Ryan Fox, a gesture which was recognised by many people in the Queensland golf industry. Since then, Smith competed in the New Zealand Open (T4) and played four events on the US Tour including the RBC Heritage (T15), the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (T43), AT&T Byron Nelson (T46) and the Memorial Tournament (MC). His top-4 finish at the US Open gives Smith a start at the 2016 Masters Tournament, 2016 US PGA Tour Card as well as earning enough points for US PGA Tour Special Temporary Membership Category for the remainder of the year and being ranked in the world’s top 100.

Golf Queensland has announced that the 2016 Isuzu Queensland Open will be hosted by The Brisbane Golf Club. The three-year agreement will see the Queensland Open return to the course that has hosted the Championship 18 times over its 90-year history. Golf Queensland chairman Peter Castrisos said it was pleasing to have the backing of Queensland golf clubs, like The Brisbane Golf Club and their members, to ensure this great Championship remains successful. “There has been tremendous support for the Queensland Open since its return to the PGA Tour of Australasia calendar three years ago,” Mr Castrisos said.

The British Amateur Championships held at Panmure and Carnoustie golf clubs in Scotland in June provided invaluable learning opportunities for one of Queensland’s top amateurs. Taylor Macdonald, 2014 Male Queensland Amateur of the Year, travelled to Scotland with Golf Queensland Head Coach Tony Meyer and the Golf Australia team to compete in one of the oldest and most prestigious amateur events in the world.

“Golf Queensland, along with a number of stakeholders, banded together to get this historical championship back up and running.

This year, the Amateur comprised almost two-thirds foreign players including five of the world’s top 20 all of which compete for a start in the Open Championships of the same year, as well as the following year’s Masters Tournament and the US Open.

“Brookwater Golf and Country Club was one of those behind the return and we thank them immensely for hosting the tournament over the past three years and look forward to another successful event this August.

Day one saw Taylor shoot an opening round 72 (E) at Carnoustie, placing him in good position heading into the final qualifying round. After a second round even-par 70 in tough conditions at the Panmure course, Taylor finished T32 in the qualifying.

“The next phase will see the championship back at The Brisbane Golf Club, 25 years since they hosted the event which saw then amateur, Stuart Appleby, claim the title.”

Day three saw him up against world number 10 and two-time European Amateur champion Ashley Chesters of England for the first round of match play at Carnoustie. Unfortunately, Taylor fell behind early and the Englishman played a solid game, leaving no opportunities for Taylor to come back and took the win over Taylor 3-2.

The Brisbane Golf Club President, John Kelly, said that The Brisbane Golf Club is delighted to support Golf Queensland in hosting the Queensland Open and contributing to the development of golf in Queensland. “We are also tremendously excited about this great opportunity to showcase our fantastic course to the golfing world,” said Kelly. The 2015 Isuzu Queensland Open will be played at the Brookwater Golf and Country Club from 20 to 23 August. Entry is free for spectators who are also welcome to walk the course with the Professionals. More: www.golfqueensland.org.au

Despite the loss, the tournament has provided new opportunities for the Queenslander who impressed his coach Tony Meyer. “Taylor played extremely well in very tough conditions and should be proud of how he played all week. “These couple of weeks in Scotland have been a great learning curve for Taylor and will no doubt help him continue to develop as player,” says Tony.

Queensland Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship 13 – 15 September 2015 RACV Royal Pines Resort Entries close 5pm, Monday 31st August Discounted accommodation rates available

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

new zealand

Mangawhai Golf Club to host New Zealand Golf Mid-Amateur vision and skill of the original course architect, Harry Dale, lives on. A designer of more than 60 courses, Dale presented the Mangawhai course on natural terrain with spectacular views of neighbouring coast, countryside and natural wetlands that are home to a wide range of bird life.

Denise Langdon PaR nz Golfing Holidays

ompetitors in the next New Zealand Golf Men’s and Women’s Mid Amateur will experience a shift in time and place when it is held north of Auckland early next year.

Set out in a typical links setting, Mangawhai is a wonderful all-weather course on a freedraining sand base. Natural hazards abound, demanding finesse rather than raw power from players. The par 72, 5924-metre course from the blue tees winds along wide and narrow fairways, and its par-4 second hole is considered one of the toughest in the country. The large, undulating greens are ranked among the best in New Zealand for their quick pace and true roll.

For the past two years, the scenic Wairakei International Golf Course in Taupo has hosted the popular tournament during November. However, the event is having a ‘gap year’ in 2015 and is scheduled for January 15-17, 2016 at Mangawhai Golf Club. The new, mid-summer dates will avoid clashes for low handicappers aged 30-plus who wish to compete in other mid-amateur tournaments throughout Australia and the Pacific. Mangawhai last hosted a national event in 2013 when it staged the New Zealand Women’s Senior Foursomes. That was the same year the coastal course was ranked 19th in the top 25 courses in New Zealand by a panel of NZPGA Professionals and Golf Travel operators. Only 90 minutes north of Auckland and minutes away from Mangawhai beach and township, local and international visitors alike consider Mangawhai a must-play experience – often ranking it higher than the published 19th spot. The course opened in 1979 after local residents endorsed the formation of a golf

$107

club and course, and the first nine holes were constructed in record time. Titirangi member Mr N. Edwards set the first record for that first par-34 course at 36. Almost 10 years later, the 18-hole championship course was opened with a special ceremony marking the occasion on the May 1, 1988. A new course record was soon set by Kevin Billington, at 70 and one under par, and bettered by Phil Hunter in 1989, with a 68. The club history records the opening of the clubhouse in 1992, at a cost of only NZ$265,000 thanks to much volunteer labour,

*Conditions Apply. This offer valid Sunday to Thursday Only (Friday & Saturday $112.50). Per person twin share - executive room. Note: A full buffet breakfast can be organised for group bookings of 20 or more.

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

and well-known professional Ted McDougall took up residence in 1995. The club instigated a change to the course layout in 1997, with the first nine holes effectively becoming the back nine and the addition of new bunkers and remodelled greens making the course even more challenging.

The 2016 Men’s Mid Amateur will be the tournament’s 11th, and the concurrent women’s mid-amateur tournament, the NZ Women’s Trust Shield, will be the eighth such event. Mark Bolton from Australia is the current men’s champion, and defending women’s champion Kathy Olsen, a well-known Hawkes Bay representative, is expected to defend the title she has won a record three times.

The club hosted its inaugural pro-am in 1999, the New Zealand Women’s Autumn Foursomes in 2002, and celebrated its 25th Jubilee in 2004.

Handicap limits are set at 14 for men and 24 for women. Entries are expected from throughout New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific – and are welcome from further afield. Last year, a French player competed in the men’s tournament.

Though there have been many changes and enhancements over the past 36 years, the

Entry forms will be available from www. parnz.co.nz or www.golf.co.nz. •

19th hole

Bob’s cup runneth over with putters David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

T had to happen.

Avid putter collector Bob Abbott has finally run out of space in his garage for his vast putter collection and his wife won’t allow him in the house. I’ll rephrase that – she won’t allow him to store any spare putters in the house. “As you can see, I have run out of space around the garage and have some putters in bags,” said Bob, who lives on the Sunshine Coast. Bob Abbott’s fascination with putters has resulted in a large collection.

So how many putters has Bob collected? Well, he contacted Inside Golf last month to say he now has more than 1000 putters – 1018 to be precise. Just over a year ago, Bob said he aim was to collect 500 putters and now the 73-year-old has double that number. Where and when will it end? “I don’t know,” said Bob, who passed the 1000 mark in May. “I will still collect for a hobby, but will slow down as I have to work out where to store them. “I played at Bargara in a Veterans competition and before leaving for Bargara I did a putter search and on the way I picked up 12 putters,” he said. “Then I went to play at Horton Park Golf Club,

but it was raining heavily so my mate and I pulled out of the event. “That meant another putter crawl and I picked up 15 more. “The last 25 I got were all different and I saw nine other putters that I knew I had. “Earlier this year, a fellow from New Zealand holidaying at Noosa rang to say he read about my collection in Inside Golf and said he had a Ben Hogan Bettinardi he would give me.” Bob has a rare Glenmorangie putter made in Scotland as a promotional item for whiskey. Of course! He also has a JB Halley hickory putter from London, a long nose Auchterlonie handmade in Scotland.

“I have 87 left-handed putters, 20 PING, 7 Odyssey, 2 Scotty Cameron and 9 hickory shaft putters,” Bob said.

said. “I pick them up for 50 cents or a $1.

He also has a Bobby Jones Calamity Jane putter, a Kel Nagle, Arnold Palmer and Bruce Devlin blade.

“I have every putter listed in the computer. I clean and remove any surface rust and most of them come up looking like new.”

Others in the collection include a James Braid (The Onion) and John Henry Taylor putter. Both won the Open Championship five times. Bob, who took up golf more than 50 years ago, still has his first putter – a Kel Nagle. He even has a number of broomstick putters. The most expensive putter in his collection is an $80 Scotty Cameron, however, most of the putters have been inexpensive purchases. “Most of the putters I have bought cheap,” he

“I go to the dumps. It’s amazing how many you pick up there.

So, what’s Bob like with a flat-stick in his hands? “I’m not too bad,” said Bob, who plays off 11. “I won the club championship five times between 1969 and 1976 and finished runnerup six times. “I used to play off a two handicap and in 1967 a mate and I won the Queensland Foursomes. I also won the Queensland Country Week title over 36 holes.” •

Is it a Loose Impediment?

The status of various objects not specifically mentioned in the Definition need clarification. The “Decisions on the Rules of Golf” advise that the following objects ARE loose impediments:

• A fruit skin • An ant hill • Insect-like creatures, such as spiders. Also, a spider web is considered to be a cast made by an insect and is also a loose impediment, even if attached to another object. • Dead animals, eg snakes or land crabs. • A fallen tree if it is not attached to the stump. • A worm partially underground. • Plugs of compacted soil produced through aeration of fairways. • Loose lumps of earth. Although loose soil is not a loose impediment except on the putting green, a lump of earth is not loose soil. • Gravel used to surface a road or path. The gravel is a loose impediment even though the road becomes an artificially surfaced road and thus an obstruction when covered with gravel. • Saliva may be treated as either a loose impediment or an abnormal ground condition, at the option of the player. • Grass cuttings are always loose impediments. They are also ground under repair if they have been piled for removal. • A live insect on a ball. A live insect, whether stationary or crawling, is not considered to be adhering to the ball, so it is a loose impediment.

• Live animals are outside agencies, not loose impediments. • A fallen tree still attached to the stump. • A solidly embedded acorn. • A ball embedded in fruit, eg, an orange. Since the orange is adhering to the ball, it is not a loose impediment. • Loose soil from the cast of a hole made by a burrowing animal. • Moss or creepers growing in a tree. • A divot which is not completely detached is not a loose impediment.

• A half-eaten pear, whether or not there is a pear tree in the vicinity.

On the other hand, the following objects are NOT loose impediments:

The next article will address the subject of relief from loose impediments. •

Dew and frost are not loose impediments.

Frank Gal

Chairman of Rules Committee, Golf NSW

ule 23 is dedicated to certain “natural objects” found on a golf course that might interfere with play. It is considered reasonable that the player may remove such loose objects from almost anywhere on the course, but the first thing we need to know is whether or not the object really is a loose impediment. The definition in the Rules of Golf booklet advises that: “Loose impediments’’ are natural objects including:

• stones, leaves, twigs, branches and the like, • dung, and • worms, insects and the like, and the casts and heaps made by them, provided they are not: • fixed or growing, • solidly embedded, or • adhering to the ball. Sand and loose soil are loose impediments on the putting green, but not elsewhere. Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player.

These are differentiated from artificial objects, called obstructions, which are covered in Rule 24. As you can see, to be loose impediments, the natural objects must really be loose. They cannot be fixed or growing, solidly embedded, or adhering to the ball. What if a stone is partially embedded? If it can be picked up with ease, i.e. without needing to pry it loose or dig it up, it is loose. Also, size doesn’t necessarily matter in determining whether the stone is loose. If it is not solidly embedded and may be removed without unduly delaying play, it is a loose impediment. In fact, if these conditions are met, a player may be assisted by spectators, caddies, fellow-competitors, etc. in removing a large loose impediment (see Decisions 231/2 & 23-1/3). The definition also states that sand and loose soil are loose impediments on the putting green only. They cannot be removed anywhere else on the course, including the fringe of the green.

Some examples of loose impediments (image: R&A)

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

19th hole

Chewing the fat with ‘Choppers’ Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

was sitting behind the Mount Broughton Golf Club Pro-Shop counter the other day —pretending to know what I’m doing in my role as Australia’s oldest Assistant Professional—when in walked former Australian Open Champion Frank Phillips. It wasn’t as if this is this is an unusual occurrence; Frank lives in the nearby town of Moss Vale and, along with another former Aussie legend Billy Dunk, co-designed the Mount Broughton course and is now the proud Patron of the club. What’s also not uncommon is for Frank or “Choppers” as he was affectionately known, to offer up an opinion on… well, anything, really. Except for anything to do with his own career, where you have to tie him to a chair and torture him with food to reveal anything, (he didn’t get the name “Choppers” for flying helicopters!). Another Frank (Williams), the president of the club, was talking to Choppers about the New Zealander, Danny Lee who had just captured his first US PGA title at the Greenbrier Classic and asked if Frank had ever played the course and, in fact, did he play much in the States at all? As I was busy trying to work out the register code for a Natural Muesli Baked Yoghurt & Apricot bar, so my customer could eventually get out of the shop and join his mates waiting on the first tee, the two Franks walked upstairs to the clubhouse with Choppers already telling our “Pres” what he

Frank: “aaah, Me.”

thought of the Greenbrier course he had played back in the sixties.

Me: (now a little excited): “Did you play much in America?”

Suddenly I had one of those weird events, a déjà vu. Having a déjà vu is strange enough but actually writing it on your computer screen and watching those wonderful little symbols appear on top is quite captivating. (I think I might have just exposed my middle-aged boring life.)

Frank: “I played a bit in the States but the courses weren’t all that good back then…. Except for the majors… they were always beautiful…. Augusta was great.” Me: (now extremely excited): “So you played the Masters! What were some of the holes like? What about the famous 12th?”

Anyway... I recalled an extraordinary conversation I once had with Phillips about 25 years ago. It came completely out of the blue, while I was warming up for a Pro-Am at the old Ashlar Golf Club in Sydney’s west. A couple of days earlier, I’d been watching TV when on came a special about the history of the famous Victoria Golf Club and some of the club’s highlights. It was mostly centred around life member, Peter Thomson, but in-between his achievements, up bobbed an exhibition match played between Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Bruce Crampton and Frank Phillips. At the time, it struck me just how good a player Frank Phillips must have been and who he must have competed against. After my third warm-up wedge which skidded through the end of the short range and banged into someone’s fence, causing a dog to start barking out something in dog language along the lines of “do that again and Ill bite your knee cap off!”, I heard someone behind me drop their bag of golf balls and begin to practice. I turned to say hello and saw it was none other than Frank Phillips. He looked up, smiled and said G’day.

Frank: “One of the hardest holes to pick the right club on I’ve ever played. The wind would swirl through the pines. Once in a practice round, I hit a perfect 7-iron which caught a gust and finished in the water short, I then hit an 8-iron clean over the back!” Me: “How did you play the par-5, 13th?” Frank: “I worked on this top spinning 3-wood shot which would hook around the dogleg and run for miles. I hit a 5-iron for my second in there one time.” I started telling him about the TV special I’d seen. I quizzed him about that match at Victoria and the result and he said that Crampton and he had won and picked up a pretty big cheque at the time. This is roughly how the conversation went: Me: “Did Player and Nicklaus come out for just that event?” Frank: “No it was a week or so before the Australian Open, so they were both in Australia.” Me: “Oh, who won the Open that year?”

New King reigns; Queen retains her crown

2015 ‘Ace of Clubs’ Queen, Pam Pain, receiving her crown from PMGC Ladies President Maureen McArdle.

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

leasant winter conditions on the NSW South Coast provided an ideal setting for the 19th Annual Ace of Clubs Tournament. This year, entries came from 292 individual players representing 61 Clubs from NSW, ACT, Queensland, Victoria and King Island. The event was played on four of the Sapphire Coast’s best golf courses – Bega Country Club, Eden Gardens Country Club, Pambula Merimbula Golf Club, and Tura Beach Country Club.

score of 128.

The tournament featured daily individual Stableford events at each of the courses, with scores from all these events tallied for the overall total points for the 72 holes. The players with the highest points being declared the King and Queen of Clubs.

It is a credit to the Course Superintendents that each course was well presented and stood up to tournament play on four days. The week’s golf was played in bright winter sunshine, a marked contrast to the rain of the previous week.

This year’s King of Clubs is Joe Slater from Sale Golf Club (Victoria) while, for the second year in a row, the Queen of Clubs is Pam Pain from Cromer Golf Club (NSW). Joe, playing off a GA handicap of 8.2, won the tournament with an overall total of 141 points, and an individual win at Bega on the Tuesday. Runner-up was Dominic An from Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club with a total score of 135 points followed by George Begg from Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club with a final-round win at Pambula Merimbula for his total

Pam, playing off a GA handicap of 24.8, produced an overall total of 125 points with individual wins at Tura on the Monday, Pambula Merimbula on the Tuesday and Bega on the Friday. Runner-up was Heather Parke from Heildelberg Golf Club with a total score of 114 points closely followed by Cootamundra golfer Julie Jenkins after a count back with a total score of 111.

A feature of this year’s tournament was the number of large teams representing their clubs. The team of 48 golfers from Medway Golf Club in Melbourne made their annual trip to play in the Ace of Clubs Tournament. Other large representations included 23 golfers from Korumburra, 15 from Queanbeyan and 11 from Murrumbidgee. Once again King Island provided a team of four players. The Ace of Clubs tournament is very popular among ACT golfers with almost every Canberra Club being represented. •

Me: “A 5-IRON! What did the blokes you were playing with hit?” Frank: “Well, Hogan hit a 2 iron.” Me: “As in BEN HOGAN?” Frank: “Yeah.” Unfortunately I don’t have enough room on this page to tell you about the rest of the conversation and how I all but missed my tee time at Ashlar that day, but let me tell you, the next time you’re standing at the bar discussing some of this country’s greatestever players, do not leave out the name of Frank “Choppers” Phillips. •

Webb embarrassed KARRIE Webb poked a sharp burning stick in an old wound when she rushed to the defence of Dame Laura Davies, who missed her own induction to the World Golf Hall of Fame. Davies, who competed in the US Women’s Open, was due to fly directly to Scotland in order to attend the ceremony but her flight was delayed and she was forced to watch on from the car while in transit in Scotland. Webb blamed officials for poor induction scheduling. She tweeted: “2day I’m deeply embarrassed 2 be a member [Golf Hall of Fame]. More effort should have been made 2 ensure [Laura Davies] made it 2 her own induction!” “Being inducted in 2 [Golf Hall of Fame] was a highlight of my career. This special occasion has been taken from [Laura Davies] thru terrible scheduling!” Aussie Jane Crafter agreed with Webb. “They can get there from John Deere right? I think scheduled without thought of Laura & fellow LPGA peers,” Crafter tweeted. “Completely agree! The @LPGA and [Laura Davies’] schedule wasn’t even a consideration!” Webb responded. Davies, a four-time major winner, prerecorded an acceptance message at the US Open in case she couldn’t make it to the ceremony. It was played at the induction in her absence.

19th hole

Girls back in the swing at Lakeside

Crossword > 1

Girls celebrate a successful golf clinic at Lakeside Golf Club Camden.

HE women members at Lakeside Golf Club Camden in New South Wales have resurrected the “Golf for Girls” clinics introduced by the late Penny Kelly some years ago. Club spokesperson Lyn Hall said two successful clinics were held during the July school holidays.

Golf provided the expertise. “Ross Abbott from Jack Newtown Junior Golf provided the teaching kit to facilitate the day and Wests Campbelltown and Secco Fresh and donations from the Lakeside Ladies contributed to the day.

“Thirty-nine girls aged 7 to 14, participated over the two days,” she said.

“The morning activities finished with lunch and a presentation to all the girls participating with very positive feedback received from the parents.”

“Instruction was provided by the Lakeside Ladies in the basic skills of putting, chipping and hitting and Jeff Mansfield of Absolute

Ms Hall said further clinics were planned for September. Registration will be available online at www.lakesideladies.org.

Ben, let’s do lunch BEN Dobson, the general manager at Headland Golf Club on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, is back in the winner’s circle. Earlier this year Dobson was the deserving winner of an Inside Golf bursary that allowed him to spend three days at Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Golf Club where he was able to pick the brains of GM Gregg Chapple. Now comes news Dobson is the lucky

winner of a $500 food and beverage voucher from Jupiters Gold Coast. The first 70 people to register for the Golf Management Australia national conference at Jupiters from August 30 to September 3 went into a draw for the prize and Dobson’s name was first out of the hat. Ben, let’s bring back the long lunch and it’s your shout.

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. Jack Nicklaus won his first of five US PGA Championships in 1963. In what year did he win his last title – 1975, 1980 or 1985? (2 pts) 2. True or false: Jack Nicklaus is the only player to win five US PGA Championships. (2 pts) 3. In which year during World War II (1939-1945) was the US PGA Championship not held? (3 pts) 4. Who has the lowest US PGA Championship 72-hole score of 265 – Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, David Toms or Keegan Bradley? (3 pts) 5. What is the greatest winning margin in the matchplay era (1916-1957) of the US PGA Championship – 9/8, 8/7 or 7/6? (2 pts) 6. What is the greatest winning margin in the stroke play era – 8, 10 or 12 shots? (2 pts) 7. Can you name the host venue for the 2015 US PGA Championship? (2 pts) 8. Which European player did Steve Elkington defeat in a playoff to win the 1995 US PGA Championship? (4 pts) 9. How many times has Vijay Singh won the US PGA Championship? (2 pts)

20 22

21 23

ACROSS

1 American who tied for second at the 2015 Wells Fargo Championship, Webb _______ (7) 5 Final part of a tournament that separates those finishing on the same score (4-3) 9 Dressing (5) 10 Golfer (in general) not quite the world’s best (6,3) 11 Former top Australian golfer who was runner-up at the 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic (5,5) 12 Winner of the 2015 Crowne Plaza Invitational, Chris ____ (4) 13 Great Australian golfer and course designer, Greg ______ (6) 15 Earnings from a golf tournament, for example (6) 19 Aussie golfer, Bowditch, who’s back playing on the PGA Tour (6) 20 Winner of the 2015 Travelers Championship, Bubba ______ (6) 23 Off course (4) 24 Australian winner of the 2014 Valspar Championship (4,6) 26 Aspect of golf that generally covers approach shots and putting (5,4) 28 Colour seen over the green? (5) 29 Perform the role of a golf commentator (7) 30 Worked hard (7)

DOWN

1 Holds up (8) 2 A small natural hill (5) 3 American winner of the 1991 Honda Classic nicknamed “Volcano” (5,4) 4 18-over for a round at the 2015 US Masters (6) 5 Aussie winner of the 1999 Canon Challenge, Rod ________ (8) 6 Hole in one (3) 7 Those given little chance of winning a tournament (9) 8 Many big groups of people (6) 14 Definite water hazard (9) 16 As a rule, typically (2,7) 17 Move, possibly to play golf overseas (8) 18 In a trap (8) 21 See 22-down 22 & 21-down Winner of the 2009 Joburg Open (6,6) 25 A player’s first tournament appearance (5) 27 Hot drink (3) Answers: page 74

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ANSWERS: (1). 1980; (2). False – Walter Hagan also won five; (3). 1943; (4). David Toms; (5). 8/7 – Paul Runyan beat Sam Snead; (6). 8 – Rory McIlroy in 2012; (7). Whistling Straits; (8). Colin Montgomerie; (9). Twice.

your say Regarding your article “A Constitutional Crisis?” (Starters Box, June), I have another belief on how to drive change for the common good of golf.

opinion

Letter of the Month

Driving change in our sport is not so much about constitutions, it is more about those who run clubs, plus state and federal associations (like Golf Australia) and worldwide bodies, like the USGA and The R&A and their lack of attention to what matters most to golf: more people playing more golf.

Progression is driven by the ability to court, persuade and encourage those not yet converted to the wonderful aspects that our great game has to offer. Boards/Committees of clubs and associations members sometimes fail to “get it” due to most of their time being directed at keeping their organisations and clubs afloat financially and relevant to their existing members and trying to keep their membership happy. There are many clubs financially strapped with high debt and falling income streams. Combined with golf’s ageing demographics, this situation will only worsen and add enormous pressure over the next 5 to 10 years. Our sport is fractured and divisive and therefore very difficult to bring all involved together working with a “united front”. This happens as a result of very restricted and often very self-centred thought practices. It is seen in the wrong light and generally golf is seen as very elitist, too hard, too expensive and too many rules and regulations. To my way of thinking, our sport needs to review its position collectively through all bodies getting together and looking at golf from a “balcony view”, as opposed to reviewing from a position “on the dance floor”. Clubs, state and federal associations predominately draw people into their fold and onto their Boards from golfing backgrounds. It is time for golf to take a hard look at why other successful sports have developed into strong, purposeful and proactive bodies driving their sports into new and stronger markets. Golf is driven by history, rules and regulations, ageing regressive bodies of golf-centric men and women who by and large are not proactive in improving participation. They “talk the talk” but do not “walk the talk”. Associated organisations spend too much time and money on developing high performance program, ensuring the rules are adhered to, and running state and national events that largely do nothing for grass roots golf. Instead, they should start looking at ways to bring our sport into the 21st Century. Other sports like basketball, tennis, soccer, AFL and cricket have reinvented themselves extremely successfully. I doubt if that was achieved through the use of “amateurs”, but more than likely, highly-professional people, professional bodies, external consultants, strong marketing and support. I would suggest funds be directed toward attracting people who can bring new thoughts, ideas and concepts to the sport as to modernise the game. Golf remains well behind its contemporaries and in need of some wholesale changes before it becomes obsolete. Here are some thoughts: Marketing – engage the advertising agency world to provide thoughts and ideas on what they could do to progress the sport. Use tender process to select the best. Consultants – through the appropriate and carefully-directed appointment of external non-golf consultants, establish independent opinions of the best way to run golf in Australia. A view from “The Balcony”. Amalgamation – combine state associations and the national associations and run golf from a combined body. A collective attach to improve our sport. “Walk the Talk” In closing, there is no doubt that if we had an extra 1,000,000 people playing golf in Australia, we would not be in the crisis our sport currently finds itself. We would not have a problem as a participation sport and we would be better off financially. However, to obtain these extra numbers, our current custodians of our sport need to have an independent, professional and realistic look at where the sport is and where it needs to be. Based on current numbers, we are some distance and a long time away from being where we should for golf to prosper, let alone survive. Graeme Mathers

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! 70

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

A travesty for Australian Golf You know golf in Australia is struggling when one of the peak bodies (The Australian PGA) claims on social media that the Australian PGA tournament is the ‘oldest’ and most ‘prestigious’ event in this country. A statement like that illustrates precisely how confused the governing bodies of golf in Australia truly are. The Australian PGA started in 1905. The Australian Open started in 1904. The Australian Open’s list of International champions is an incredible list of major talent with Grand Slam Champions Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus heading the list with 7 and 6 victories respectively. The illustrious list of International champions for The Australian Open also includes major golf champions Gene Sarazen (Grand Slam - 7 major victories), Bobby Locke (4 majors), Arnold Palmer (7 majors), Tom Watson (8 majors), Bill Rogers, Mark Calcavecchia, and the two boy wonders in Rory McIlroy and Jordan Speith. Which International major champions have won this so-called ‘most prestigious’ Australian event, the Australian PGA Championship? The only Grand Slam champion to have won it is Gary Player. There are two other notable International champions (Seve Ballesteros and Hale Irwin) who have won the Australian PGA, but it pales into insignificance when you look at the history of the Australian Open. Professional golf in Australia was on par with America and anywhere else in the world during the 1960s and into the 1970s. Australia had its ‘Australian Open’ touted as ‘the fifth major’ by none other than Jack Nicklaus after he won the Australian Open in Tasmania. (Yes, Tasmania!) The best golfers from all over the world descended on Australia every year to compete for the coveted title. Under Kerry Packer’s guidance, The Australian Open had the best television coverage ever seen at a professional golf tournament. Australian golf was buzzing and while there were other tournaments on the players’ radars, because they offered worldclass prize money, the Australian PGA tournament was not one of them. Australia had the McWilliams Wines events, Sporting Goods companies, Dunlop, Slazenger, Speedo, Ampol, Wills Masters and other sponsored events all circling around the premiere event, The Australian Open. The prize money on offer in Australia was often more than the British Open Championship of the time. The whole concept of ‘major championships’ only really came into vogue with the advent of Arnold Palmer winning the 1960 US Masters, then the US Open and he commented to the media that ‘if I win the Open Championship and the US PGA, I will have a calendar Grand Slam all of my own’ in reference to Bobby Jones’ feat of winning ‘the four majors’ in the 1930s (Originally The Open Championship, The Amateur Championship, The US Open and the US Amateur.) There is a reason a star golfer like Peter Thomson never played the US PGA, he simply didn’t see it as a ‘major’ tournament, after all, the USPGA started in 1916, 12 years after the Australian Open. In Thomson’s (and many other golfers’) eyes, The Australian Open was the more prestigious event to win. Through the 1960s, as the golfing world warmed to the idea of four professional major championships, Australia was on the verge of securing its future in World Golf, but internal politics between the Australian PGA and Golf Australia/AGU stifled our growth and now we are merely a colonial outpost.

the subject of appearance fees, I lean towards what the older guys say: ‘they don’t pay people to play The Open or the US Masters, so why should we pay them to win our coveted title.’ It is in the financial interests of the Australian PGA to make ‘their tournament’ a financial success. Likewise, Golf Australia has their financial interest in the Australian Open and sports management company IMG has their interests in the Australian Masters. We have three chefs in the kitchen and it is a crying shame for Australian golf. If all the energy was directed at the Australian Open, if the governing bodies and NSW and VIC could agree, if they pooled all the prize money from all the events into the Australian Open, maybe Australia could get a purse of $5-$10 million and actually attract a world-class field, rather than trying to entice one or two drawcards for our three flailing events. But first things first, the Australian PGA, Golf Australia and the Australian Sports Commission need to agree on what is our premiere event. But they can’t (or won’t) agree. One year it is all about the Australian Masters; the next year it is all about the Australian Open; then it is all about the Australian PGA, as it seems to be in 2015. Add in the ever-growing tussle between Victoria and NSW as to whom is the home of Australian Golf and the picture gets even more out of focus. TURKEY (the country), has zero golf history, yet can pull a whole new event and raise $7 million in prize money for their ‘Open.’ We, in Australia have it all. The only thing holding us back is an arm wrestle between Golf Australia, the Australian PGA, IMG and the NSW and Vic Governments. Who leads Australian Golf into the future? Golf Australia? Nope. The Australian PGA? Nope. IMG? Not at all. So who is it? It’s about a dozen different people, all with a different agenda and the net result is that it leaves golf in this country wailing like a ship cast out to sea with no captain. Who is the captain of the Australian Golf ship? We don’t have one. It is a complete shambles and someone should be hung out to dry for how pathetically it is run. What is the solution? Keep it simple. The governing bodies need to accept that they are all white-anting each other for their own personal financial success, to the detriment of the game in this country. They need to all agree that Australia has the potential to have one legitimate international event. They don’t have the resources for two, or three. They need to accept that the premiere event is The Australian Open and all their energies need to go towards bringing that one tournament back onto the world stage. They have everything in place with the defending champion being Jordan Spieth (reigning Australian Open, US Masters and US Open champion) who ignited his burgeoning career with a superb final round 63 at The Australian Golf Club in 2014. Spieth will be back to defend his title and all of Australian Golf’s resources should be poured into making the event bigger than it has been for a decade. The Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Government should be involved to see this unique opportunity, but they won’t, as evidenced by the Australian PGA pushing their resources towards the Australian PGA championship on the Gold Coast. Golf, in Australia, will continue to flounder and we can thank our governing bodies for their lack of foresight, cohesion and professionalism.

How did it all go so wrong? The writing was on the wall when Australia tried to copy America by introducing the Australian Masters (1979), complete with a gold jacket, a clear indication that Australian Golf had lost its way, not realizing the importance of the premiere event, The Australian Open. While a whole discussion could be brokered on

Written by Andrew Crockett the author of the acclaimed ‘Bump & Run’ golf book. bumpandrun.com.au

(Note: the opinions on this page are those of their respective authors, and do not represent the views of Inside Golf.)

calendar

CALENDAR > 2015 Women’s Coronation Medal

Randwick Golf Club Annual Charity Day

WHEN: Monday 14 September WHERE: Manly and Lynwood Golf Clubs

WHEN: 24 August This is the club’s 21st year of holding this event. Over that time, they have raised over $385,000 for a number of causes. Most recently, they have been supporting the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit at POW Hospital.

The Coronation Medal has become a most prestigious event. The Medal was donated by the English Ladies Golf Union to celebrate the Coronation of King Edward VII. The format is an 18-holes stroke handicap competition for teams of four players on GA handicaps from plus to 20.0, played over two courses which are determined by the previous year’s competition. Each club entering the competition nominates the players to represent it and the courses on

Golfers start the day at 8 am with a game of golf, before heading indoors for lunch. There is a silent auction, tombola, balloons with prizes and a raffle. More information: Megan Jennings, Ladies President, 0411 363 073

which each pair will compete. For further information about the 2015 Women’s Coronation Medal contact Nicole Bessant at Golf NSW on 02 9505 9105 or email nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org

2015 Women’s Bronze Medallion WHEN: Monday 21 September WHERE: Monash and St. Michael’s Golf Clubs

The event is an 18-holes stroke handicap competition for teams of four players on GA handicaps from 20.1 to 29.0.Each club entering the competition nominates the players to represent and the courses on which each pair will compete. The Bronze Medallion is awarded to the team with the best aggregate of four nett scores. For further information about the 2015 Women’s Bronze Medallion contact Nicole Bessant at Golf NSW on 02 9505 9105 or email nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org

Women’s Mountain Meeting

WHEN: 19 to 22 October WHERE: Lithgow, Blackheath, Leura and Wentworth Falls Golf Clubs One of the longest-running and most popular tournaments on the Golf NSW women’s calendar, the format begins with 36hole stroke play for Divisions one and two with 36-hole stableford for Division 3. On day 3, the Foursomes are held in two divisions. On the final day, a four-person Teams V Par Event completes the tournament. Players can nominate to play in all four days of play or play in individual days of their choice. Entries are One Day - $45 one day ($35 online). $80 two days ($70 online), $115 three days ($105 online) or $120 four days ($110 online). Entries close: Friday 25 September. Full event details are available at www.golfnsw.org.

GOLF NSW AUGUST CALENDAR OF EVENTS Golf NSW Events Date 01-02 Aug-15 22-23 Aug-15

Event Women’s NSW Sand Greens Tournament Women’s Weekend Tournament

31-Aug - 3 Sep-15 Women’s Country Meeting

Venue Coonamble GC The Vintage GC Monash, Warringah & Wakehurst GC’s

Men’s Vardon Events Date 01-02 Aug-15 15-Aug-15 22-Aug-15 22-23 Aug-15 29-30 Aug-15 30-Aug-15

Event

Seaside Classic Cumberland Cup Toukley Cup Mollymook Amateur Northern NSW Regional Championships Kooindah Waters Cup

Venue Port Macquarie GC Cumberland CC Toukley GC Mollymook GC Gunnedah GC Kooindah Waters GC

Women’s Senior Order of Merit Events Date 10-Aug-15

Event Kooindah Waters Ladies Seniors

Venue Kooindah Waters GC

Pennants / Grade Date 02-Aug-15 02-Aug-15 09-Aug-15 09-Aug-15 16-Aug-15 16-Aug-15 23-Aug-15 23-Aug-15 23-Aug-15 30-Aug-15 30-Aug-15

Event Eric Apperly Shield Metropolitan Rd 3 Warren and Gibson Trophies - Rd 1 Eric Apperly Shield Metropolitan Rd 4 Warren and Gibson Trophies - Rd 2 Eric Apperly Shield Metropolitan Rd 5 Warren and Gibson Trophies - Rd 3 Eric Apperly Shield Metropolitan Quarter Finals Eric Apperly Shield Country Play Offs Warren and Gibson Trophies - Rd 4 Eric Apperly Shield Metropolitan Semi Finals Warren and Gibson Trophies - Rd 5

Venue Various Various Various Various Various Various Various Various Various Various Various

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

COMING SENIOR AMATEUR EVENTS August 1-2 Port Macquarie Seaside Classic (NSW) August 10 Carnarvon Seniors (NSW) August 10 Gailes Seniors (QLD) August 10 Yarra Yarra Seniors (VIC) August 11 Kingston Heath Seniors (VIC) August 12 Victoria GC Seniors (VIC) August 14 Royal Melbourne Seniors (VIC) August 17 Metropolitan Seniors (VIC) August 17 Kooindah Waters Seniors (NSW) August 18 Wyong seniors (NSW) August 18 Commonwealth Seniors (VIC) August 24 Newcastle Seniors (NSW) August 24 Pacific Harbour Seniors (QLD) August 24 Glenelg Seniors (SA) August 28 Gardiners Run Seniors (VIC) September 1 Palmer Gold Coast Seniors (QLD)

September 3-4 Kooindah Waters Seniors (NSW) September 3-4 West Australia Senior Fourball – Kwinana GC WA September 7-9 * South Australian Senior Amateur – Links Lady Bay (SA) September 11 Maroochy River Seniors (QLD) September 13 Shelly Beach Seniors (NSW) September 14 Magenta Shores Seniors (NSW) September 14 Keperra Seniors (QLD) September 14 Lang Lang Seniors (VIC) September 17 Port Kembla Seniors (NSW) September 17 Melton Valley Seniors (VIC) September 21 Camden Seniors (NSW) September 24-25 Bendigo Seniors (VIC) September 29-1 * Australian Senior Amateur – Manly GC (NSW)

Handiskins

When: Various Where: Various Info: www.handiskins.com.au Handiskins the ultimate game of skins for club golfers. Handiskins is a five-qualifyinground 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 5th Qualifying Round 15th August 2015 Final 23rd August 2015 Parkes Golf Club London Road, Parkes NSW 2870 5th Qualifying Round 15th August 2015 Final 30th August 2015 Dubbo Golf Club Newell Highway, Dubbo NSW 2830 5th Qualifying Round 2nd August 2015 Final 9th August 2015 Charlestown Golf Club Baker Avenue, Hillsborough NSW 2282 5th Qualifying Round 8th August 2015 Final 15th August 2015 Thurgoona Golf Club 1 Evesham Place, Thurgoona NSW 2640 5th Qualifying Round 8th August 2015 Final 15th August 2015 Wagga Wagga Country Club Plumpton Road, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Final 2nd August 2015 Pacific Dunes Golf Club Championship Drive, Medowie NSW 2318 4th Qualifying Round 8th August 2015 5th Qualifying Round 22nd August 2015 Final 29th August 2015

Palm Beach Golf Club 2 Beach Road, Palm Beach NSW 2108 2nd Qualifying Round 15th August 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 26th September 2015 4th Qualifying Round 17th October 2015 5th Qualifying Round 28th November 2015 Final 12th December 2015 Nelson Bay Golf Club Dowling Street, Nelson Bay NSW 2315 2nd Qualifying Round 22nd August 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 19th September 2015 4th Qualifying Round 17th October 2015 5th Qualifying Round 31st October 2015 Final 14th November 2015 Lynwood Country Club 253 Pitt Town Bottoms Road, Pitt Town NSW 2756 1st Qualifying Round 8th August 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 29th August 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 26th September 2015 4th Qualifying Round 17th October 2015 5th Qualifying Round 31st October 2015 Final 22nd November 2015 Bayview Golf Club 1825 Pittwater Road, Mona Vale NSW 2103 1st Qualifying Round 8th August 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 15th August 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 29th August 2015 4th Qualifying Round 12th September 2015 5th Qualifying Round 19th September 2015 Final 26th September 2015 Moss Vale Golf Club 38-48 Arthur Street, Moss Vale NSW 2577 1st Qualifying Round 22nd August 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 29th August 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 5th September 2015 4th Qualifying Round 12th September 2015 5th Qualifying Round 19th September 2015 Final 26th September 2015 Hurstville Golf Club Lorraine Street, Peakhurst NSW 2210 1st Qualifying Round 29th August 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 5th September 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 12th September 2015 4th Qualifying Round 19th September 2015 5th Qualifying Round 26th September 2015 Final 10th October 2015

* Part of the Australian Senior Ranking System www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

demo dates MIZUNO

Location

mizuno.com.au Day Date Time

New South Wales / ACT Oatlands GC * ** Monday Drummond Golf - North Mead * Thursday Power Golf - Castle Hill * Monday Moore Park Driving Range * Tuesday Queensland Vic Park * Tuesday Friday Pacific * Brisbane * Friday Lismore * Tuesday Golf King Mackay - Black Springs Golf Club * Friday Golf King Mackay - Black Springs Golf Club Saturday Emerald Golf Club Sunday Tewantin Noosa Tuesday Wantima Country Club * Wednesday Golf Central Thursday Friday Palm Meadows South Australia DG West Beach * Monday Western Australia Albany Golf Club Friday Friday Albany Golf Club Karratha Country Club Saturday Sunday Karratha Country Club Carramar Saturday Lakekands Friday Saturday Marangaroo

COBRA PUMA Location

New South Wales / ACT Coolangatta Twead Heads Golf Club Queensland Mount Warren Golf Club Western Australia Lake Karrinyup Country Club Victoria Sandhurst Golf Club

TaylorMade Location

New South Wales / ACT Nelson Bay GC * † Drummond Northmead * † Richmond GC * † Asquith GC * † Forster Golf Range » † HOG Coffs Harbour * » † Audi Day - Bonville GC (PRIVATE) Toukley GC » † Drummond Gosford * † Campbelltown GC † Camden GC » † Strathfield GC * † Windsor GC † Canterbury GC » † Royal Sydney GC * † Toronto GC » † Waratah GC * » † Queensland Pacific GC † Virginia » Surfers Paradise » 4.30pm Royal Queensland † Brookwater GC † Woodford GC » Wolston Park » Golf Central » Redcliffe † Drummond Underwood † Victoria / Tasmania Ivanhoe (Putter & Boost) - (Marketing Event) Morack † MGA » Rosanna † Riverside DR † Anglesea † Werribee » † Gisbourne † Patterson River » Yarrawonga † Wodonga † Cobram-Barooga † Gisbourne † 72

August 10 August 20 August 23 August 25

1 - 5pm 4 - 7pm 2 - 6pm 4 - 7pm

August 04 August 14 August 17 August 18 August 21 August 22 August 23 August 25 August 26 August 27 August 31

5.30 - 7.30pm 11am - 2pm 2 - 5pm 12 - 3pm 3 - 6pm 9am - 1pm 8 - 11am 9.30am - 12.30pm 1 - 5pm 3 - 6pm 1 - 4pm

August 17

4 - 7pm

August 14 August 28 August 15 August 16 August 22 August 28 August 29

10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 12 - 4pm 10am - 2pm

cobragolf.com.au Day Date Time Tuesday

August 21

3 - 6pm

Wednesday

August 05

10.30am - 2pm

Sunday

August 09

8.30am - 12.30pm

Thursday

August 20

10am 3pm

www.taylormadegolf.com.au | 1800 700 011

Day Date Time Tuesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

August 04 August 06 August 07 August 10 August 11 August 12 August 13 August 15 August 17 August 19 August 20 August 21 August 22 August 25 August 26 August 27 August 28

Saturday Sunday Thursday

August 01 9am - 12pm August 02 9am - 12pm August 06 1 -

Friday Saturday Thursday Saturday Thursday Friday Saturday

August 07 August 08 August 13 August 15 August 27 August 28 August 29

12 - 5pm 10am - 1pm 12 - 3pm 9am - 12pm 3 - 6pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 1pm

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

August 01 August 03 August 04 August 05 August 10 August 12 August 14 August 15 August 20 August 21 August 26 August 27 August 28 August 29

7am - 1pm 8am - 12pm 3 - 7pm 4 - 7pm 8am - 12pm 3 - 7pm 7am - 4pm 9am - 1pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 4pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 4pm 10am - 4pm 9am - 1pm

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

9am - 3.30pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 11am - 3pm 11am - 4pm 2 - 7pm 12pm Private 9.30am - 1.30pm 1 - 4pm 11am - 2pm 6.30am - 12.30pm 1 - 4pm 7am - 12pm 9am - 3pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 4pm 11am - 5pm

PING

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

Location

Day Date Time

New South Wales Cabramatta Golf Club ◊ * Monday August 03 Tuesday August 04 Bayview Golf Club ◊ * Castle Hill Country Club ◊ * Wednesday August 05 Cumberland Country Club ◊ * Thursday August 06 Mona Vale Golf Club ◊ * Friday August 07 Duntryleague Golf Club ◊ * Monday August 10 Tuesday August 11 Bathurst Driving Range ◊ * Mudgee Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday August 12 Dubbo Golf Club ◊ * Thursday August 13 Friday August 14 Wentworth Golf Club ◊ * Charlestown Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday August 18 Forster Tuncurry Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday August 19 Kew Golf Club ◊ * Thursday August 20 Port Macquarie Driving Range ◊ * Friday August 21 Monday August 24 Tamworth Golf Club ◊ * Narrabri Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday August 25 Wednesday August 26 Moree Golf Club ◊ * Armidale Golf Club ◊ * Thursday August 27 Friday August 28 Muswellbrook Golf Club ◊ * Queensland Nudgee Golf Club ◊ * Saturday August 01 Noosa Tewantin Golf Club ° Tuesday August 04 Victoria Park Driving Range ° Tuesday August 04 Wantima Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday August 05 Friday August 07 Royal Queensland ◊ * ** Pacific Golf Club ◊ * Friday August 07 Bundaberg Golf Club ◊ * Monday August 10 Wednesday August 12 Emerald Golf Club ◊ * Bargara Golf Club ◊ * Thursday August 13 Thursday August 13 House of Golf Hervey Bay ◊ * Parkwood International ◊ * Thursday August 13 Friday August 14 Gympie Golf Club ◊ * Noosa Springs Golf Club ◊ * Thursday August 20 Friday August 21 Peregian Springs Golf Club ◊ * Bribie Island Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday August 26 Golf Central ° Thursday August 27 Palm Meadows Driving Range ° Friday August 28 Victoria Metropolitan Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday August 05 Melbourne Golf Academy ° Wednesday August 05 Victoria Golf Club ◊ ** Thursday August 06 Kew Golf Club ◊ * Friday August 07 Saturday August 08 National Golf Club ◊ * Melbourne Golf Academy ◊ * Tuesday August 11 Heidelberg Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday August 12 Yarra Bend Golf Driving Range ° Thursday August 13 Mornington Golf Club ◊ * Friday August 14 Mornington Golf Club ◊ Saturday August 15 Southern Golf Club ◊ * Saturday August 22 Gisborne Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday August 25 Peninsula Country Golf Club ◊ ** Wednesday August 26 Rossdale Golf Club ◊ * Thursday August 27 Saturday August 29 Sorrento Golf Club ◊ * Western Australia Meadow Springss Golf Club ° Wednesday August 05 Lake Karrinyup Golf Club ° Sunday August 09 Mount Lawley Golf Club ° Wednesday August 12 Whaleback Golf Club ◊ Wednesday August 19 South Australia Port Augusta Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday August 05 Grange Golf Club ◊ * Saturday August 08

Callaway Location

1 - 5pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 12 - 5pm 8am - 1pm 11am - 3pm 11am - 3pm 12 - 4pm 11am - 3pm 10am - 2pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 3pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 4pm 11am - 3pm 12 - 5pm 12 - 5pm 9am - 2pm 9.30am 1.30pm 9.30am - 12.30pm 5 - 7.30pm 1 - 4pm 1 - 5pm 9am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 9 - 11.30am 8 - 11am 1 - 5pm 3 - 6pm 9am - 12pm 2 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 1pm 3 - 6pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 9.30am - 5pm 11am - 1pm 10am - 2pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 3pm 9.30am - 1pm 8.30am - 12pm 9.30am - 1pm 4 - 7pm 10.30am - 4.30pm 10.30am - 1pm

www.callawaygolf.com.au | callawaygolf.com/demo-days

Day Date Time

New South Wales / Act Waratah Golf Club ≠ Saturday Gosford Golf Club √ ≠ * Thursday Newcastle Golf Professional Shop √ ≠ * ** 7am - 12pm Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club Wednesday Auburn Public Golf Course ≠ Friday Maitland Golf Club √ ≠ * Monday Queensland Virginia Golf Club Sunday The Golf Shop Wednesday Victoria/Tasmania Melbourne Golf Academy Driving Range Wednesday The Peninsula Country Golf Club ** Wednesday

August 01 7 - 10am August 06 9am - 1pm Saturday August 08 August 12 10am - 1pm August 21 7 - 10am August 24 12 - 4pm August 02 11am - 1pm August 05 10am - 12pm August 05 4 - 7pm August 26 10am - 2pm

* 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.

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Benalla Golf Club

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210

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As we are open at selected times only during each season, our Personal Shopping Options are very popular. If you would like to visit with a group of golfing friends at other times during the week or weekend please call Susan on (02) 9452 6046 Mob: 0423 924 273. For 22 years we have been offering an exclusive collection in a unique location -10 minutes from Chatswood:

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www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

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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

Read Inside Golf FREE on iPads

AUS

Issue 121

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.

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August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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August

F L O C K S E N S N A R E D

GOLF COURSE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 7 DAYS

golf directory

Aquarius R

MAGIC MERIMBULA

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

This is the most popular package on the Sapphire Coast, it gets booked out early - don't miss out

• 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.

$499*pp / 2 Share $415*pp / 3 Share $395*pp / 4 Share

Ring toll free for free brochure

IS YOUR GOLF CART SLOWING DOWN? OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCREASE THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERIES?

www.lemontreemotel.com.au

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

Packages

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

Want to triple the life of your good batteries? Increase the life of your batteries by up to three times by eliminating the main reasons the batteries fail, SULPHATION. If you eliminate the main reason your batteries fail, it must 30 DAY increase the life of SATISFACTION your batteries.

GUARANTEE OR YOUR MONEY BACK

For more information, pricing and to order Phone 1300 852 433 or visit our website Patent # 7374839

• 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)

*Conditions apply

• Large Groups Welcome

Phone Toll Free 1800 688 881

*WINTER SPECIAL*

Other packages alsO available

www.batteryreviver.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

Fairways to Paradise & Greens of Dreams Philippines Club Tours

17th Green, Langer Course, Riviera Golf Club, Philippines

For advertising call 1300 465 300

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2015

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

August 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 465 300

Bla

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

• • • • • •

Dual 1000w brushless motors 10 inch all-terrain tyres 30ah lithium battery (2+ rounds of 18 holes) Five volt weather-proof USB charger Ergonomic mono handle Storage compartment for four balls, a selection of tees and a sand divot pourer • Rear chill box capable of carrying three cans or two bottles of water • Quick release spring seat (cannot be used while moving)

• • • • • •

Score card holder Front drink holder High wind resistant umbrella Customised bespoke synthetic grass surface Smooth ABS braking system Two LED driving lights

Pete Wilson PGA Japan Golf Tour

Rod Browning Newcastle NSW

Liz Sullivan Kalgoorlie WA

Peter Flemming Tugan QLD

"I can play more practice rounds faster on my GSC™- love it”

It's the most fun I've had on a golf course in ages

I can't imagine playing golf without one now!

Even bad golf is fun on a Golf Skate Caddy™

www.golfskatecaddy.com.au

| 1300 55 69 79

Interested in purchasing a GSC then call our golf shop to arrange a demonstration.

Southport Golf Club, Gold Coast.

Come down and rent a GSC™ for a game OR look at a demonstration with our friendly team at the "Golf Shop" should you consider wanting to purchase.

Ph: 07 5571 1444 Email: golf@southportgolfclub.com.au www.southportgolfclub.com.au

is a registered trademark of Karsten Manufacturing Corporation USA.

Go to www.pinGapparel.com.au to view the 2015 pinG apparel line available in australia or contact american Golf supplies on 02 9524 8233 for pinG apparel stockist information.

GOLF FACTORY PENRITH 269 High St, Penrith (near Officeworks) (02) 4722 8640 - Mail Order - 6 ½ Days penrith_golf@iprimus.com.au

Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted $7 NSW, $9 VIC & QLD, $10 SA, TAS, NT & WA Postage and handling any quantity

TaylorMade T8 Golf Bag

Callaway X-Hot Sand Wedge

$39

14 Way Top Divided

TaylorMade Sldr TP Stiff Driver

$219

Lightweight Black Only

$109

$99

Cleveland 588 CB 2 Iron Stiff

$299

$99

Rescue Hybrid Number 5 25º Loft Includes Cover

$179

$69

Easy Launch Model 72 New Loose (not boxed) Top Flite Gamer V2 Balls

$50 $65

Cleveland 588 6 DOZEN FOR Hybrid $139

$72

TaylorMade Tour Preferred Carry Bag

Callaway Driver

Number 2 Wood Loft 13.5º Adjustable Closed, Standard or Open Durable X-Hot Driver Stand Bag Regular Flex only SLDR Model Includes Cover

$169

4 - 23º Loft 5 - 26º Loft Regular Flex Right hand

$79 Includes Cover

Ping I25

$239

$199

Driver, Fairway, Hybrid, Gorge Wedge

SALE

$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 Including covers

Cleveland 588 MT Ping G25 Graphite Irons x 7 4 to Pitching Wedge Graphite Regular Flex Shafts

Fairway Woods

$455

3 - 15º Tour Stiff Shaft 5 - 18º Regular Shaft 5 Wood right or left Includes Cover

$149

Individually Boxed

$69

Each

Left Mens Graph + Steel

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. PW + SW

Graphite Shaft Not all versions of each club available

$49

Chippers (Approach Putters) Tour Special Right Hand Mens or Ladies Lengths Infiniti Left Hand Stainless Steel Head

$29

$49

Callaway X Hot Pro 18º Hybrid 15º or 13.5º 3 Fairway 9.5º Adjustable Driver Project X Stiff Shafts Including Covers

$79 ea $79 ea $149 ea

Range Finder

$199

5 - 19º RBZ Mens Right 5 - 19º RBZ Ladies Right 3 - 15º + 5 - 19º RBZ Stage 2 Regular Left

Graphite Gap Wedge 49º Loft

1/2 PRICE

$229

Doz

2014 model

Not individually boxed URETHANE COVER TOUR BALL

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

144 balls ($13/dozen) Individually boxed (2014)

$156

Lightweight 14 Way Bags

$99

Cleveland Waterproof zippers 2014 Model 14 Full Length Dividers Blue/White or Black

$24

Number 3 19º Loft Regular Flex

$26

$129

Individually Boxed

Ping I25 Hybrid

$89

Includes Cover

Srixon Z-Star or Srixon Z-Star XV

8º to 11º Loft $299 Adjustable Jetspeed 49grm Firm Stiff Shaft Includes Cover & Wrench

Bridgestone E6 Balls

Includes Cover

$259

Each

Lightweight Steel Shaft

$119

$129

Optima TS+ or Srixon Lady Soft Feel

Cleveland Hybrid Iron 588 Altitude Golf Buddy Laser Right & Left Mens Altitude Sale Steel

Right Hand - Mens, Ladies Seniors Graphite

$179

Rescue Hybrid $79 Fairway Metalwood $89 Titanium Head Driver $139

$20

Pitching Wedges

Left Hand Only TaylorMade Driver

Cleveland Classic XL

Dozen Balls

$59

$749 Cleveland 588 TT $59

2 Hybrids Graphite Shaft 1 Fairway Wood Graphite Shaft Includes 1 Driver Graphite Covers Shaft Titanium Head (4) Mens Right Hand Regular Only

No. 5 - 25º Regular Right No. 4 - 22º Stiff Right No. 3 - 19º Seniors Right No. 3 - 19º Regular Left No. 6 - 28º Ladies Jetspeed Includes Cover

72 Srixon Soft Feel Balls New (Loose) Balls (not boxed) 2015 Model Also available in 288 or 144 cartons Brand New Green Number Srixon Soft Feel

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 7 Days

Cleveland 588 MT Callaway X-Hot Set Cleveland 588 RTX TaylorMade Irons Light, 5 to SW Fairway Woods Graphite 3 Iron 7Steel 54º Sand or 46º Shafts

TaylorMade Rescue Hybrid RBZ Stage 2

Ladies Only TaylorMade Jetspeed Model Driver 12º Loft Can be adjusted down to 10.5º or up to 13.5º Includes Cover & Wrench

NEW WEBSITE GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN www.penrithgolffactory.com.au Narellan Supa Centre, Narellan Rd

Dozen

Srixon Airlite 2.9kg Black/Green /White only

Callaway X Hot 3 Wood 15º Loft, Regular Flex Includes cover Easy use model

$99

Urethane (Soft) Cover Balls Not Individual Callaway Hex Chrome TaylorMade Tour (Seniors Compression) $24 Preferred (4 piece) $39 Callaway Hex Chrome Tour $25 TaylorMade $39 (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)

TaylorMade ATV Wedge

Left Hand Only Ping K15 Driver

Cleveland Deluxe 14 Way Bag

Responsive face for shot stopping Long Grip for grip down shots 60º Loft Lob 56º Loft Sand 52º Loft Gap Right or $129 Left hand (Except 60º Left Hand)

9.5º Loft (for high hitter) Stiff Flex Graphite Shaft Anti-slice weighting and set up driver Includes Cover

Horizontal and vertical full length dividers Putter holder Cooler pocket Red or Charcoal Only

$129

$129 SAVE $60