Inside Golf October 2015

A u s t r a l i a ’ s M o s t R e a d G o l f M aga z i n e

Issue 123 // October 2015

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Are we all doing our part?

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

A

s a father of two schoolaged children, I am often disheartened (or even downright angry) when I see, year after year, how sports like cricket, footy, soccer, netball and basketball take centre stage in the school newsletters, notices and other communications, while golf gets nary a mention.

So imagine my surprise (nay, delight) when a recent school notice announced that the upcoming term’s Physical Education (PE) class would include a few classes on the basics of golf! I rubbed my eyes in disbelief and took a second look to make sure that I wasn’t hallucinating.

Intrigued, I immediately emailed the PE teacher, Phil Lumsden, to ask him what prompted the interest in pushing golf as a PE/school sport. Was it in response to a state educational program? Was it something that had been promoted by Golf Australia? Was there a specific club/course involved? I needed to know just how this ‘miracle of miracles’ came to be.

His response was simple: he was a golfer.

A member at Eastwood Golf Club in Kilsyth (Victoria), Phil runs a primary school golf day there as part of the Golf Vic primary school program (a qualifying for State titles.) And as he is involved with golf, he decided to introduce it to Blackburn Lake Primary School (my kids’ school) for the upcoming term.

Apart from the many advantages and benefits that golf offers, one of the main reasons why Phil believes that golf is a great PE/school sport is that every child (no matter their size, fitness level, age, gender, strength, etc) starts on equal ground.

“I find that golf is a good sport for those kids who may not be the most athletic - everyone pretty much starts from the same point, as far as experience goes,” Phil explains.

This was music to my ears (or eyes, I guess, as it was via email).

For many of the students, the introduction of golf was a welcome change from the usual sports and activities.

“Golf is much more relaxing than a lot of the other sports we do,” says Alyssa Dunn, year 6 student who is also active in netball, tennis, crosscountry and many other sports at Blackburn Lake Primary. “It wasn’t easy at first, but I really liked it when I finally hit a good shot!” she says.

Thomas Avent, another year 6 student at the school, echoes Dunn’s comments.

“In other sports we play, there’s lots of waiting, and it’s tense,” says Thomas, who also plays multiple sports at the school, including basketball and crosscountry. “Golf is more relaxing and fun.

I liked how it started with small things like hitting into the hole, and then we learned other techniques like a small chip and a big chip. I would really like to play golf again in the future.”

And that, right there, is exactly what golf needs. The future of our sport depends upon simply introducing as many people as possible to this fantastic game. Get a club in their hands. The Golf Gods will do the rest.

The key point here is that Phil (a golfer) took it upon himself to help grow the game. And it’s something that each and every one of us, as fellow golfers, must do if we want golf to thrive. Australian golf’s governing bodies and associations have introduced plenty of tools/programs to promote the game (they’ve essentially “led the horse to water”), and now it’s up to US to take the next step.

As luck would have it, there’s no better time than RIGHT NOW to follow Phil’s lead, and help spread the magic of golf—not just to juniors, but to the wider community of all ages. October is, after all, Golf MONTH (www.golfmonth.com.au), an initiative designed by the governing bodies/associations to help promote the game, and ignite participation in the sport. There will be activities and events held at participating clubs throughout Australia, including clinics, competitions, open days, junior and ladies programs, new formats, membership offers and community events.

This isn’t just about juniors. It’s about anyone who can pick up a golf club.

So why not mention it to your friends, family, colleagues or anyone else in your “circle” of influence. Get on the phone, on social media or even faceto-face (do we even do that anymore?)

The more the merrier.

Unlike most other sports out there, golf is a game that can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone at any point in their life, so let’s all get out there and spread the word, and give back to the game that we all love.

See you on the fairways.

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6 12 18 20 24 32 40 50 62 64 68 77 78 79 80

NEWS INDUSTRY NEWS GENERAL MANAGERS COVER STORY ON TOUR CLUB OF THE MONTH GEAR FASHION FEATURE RULES INSTRUCTION SENIOR AMATEURS EVENTS CALENDAR 19TH HOLE YOUR VOICE DEMO DATES

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PGA Australia launches The Greg Norman Medal

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ustralian golf will for the first time in history join other national sports in honouring its best professional golfer with the launch by the PGA of Australia of a new award.

To be called the Greg Norman Medal, the inaugural award will be presented to the best male or female professional golfer on the world stage in 2015 at a gala awards night in December.

The winner will be determined based on annual success on the Australian and International stage including all Professional tours such as the LPGA, ALPG & Ladies European Tour, and the (men’s) PGA Tour (America or Australasia), the European Tour and other Tours around the world, including those in Asia.

PGA of Australia Chief Executive Brian Thorburn said the award would at long last provide Australian golf with an opportunity to celebrate its key players’ success on the world stage.

“Australia’s athletes excel on the global sporting stage and in most sports we celebrate the success of our athletes on that stage.

“Our sport of golf has generated many stars on the world stage from Norman Von Nida, Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Greg Norman, Adam Scott and more recently Jason Day, and on the female side from Jan Stephenson, Jane Crafter, Karrie Webb to name just a few.

“But Golf in Australia has never recognized the best of the best of our Australian Professional golfers – until now,” Thorburn said.

“Greg Norman was the obvious standout choice to name this award after. A World Golf

Day on top of the world JASON Day fulfilled a lifelong dream last month, taking his place atop the World Golf Rankings courtesy of a comprehensive wire-to-wire 6-shot victory at the BMW Championship.

The win marked Day’s seventh career PGA Tour win, including five events this season.

At press time, Day had amassed four wins from his last six starts, including a major championship (USPGA) and two FedEx Cup Playoff events. He his only the third player in history to win five or more events in a single season, joining Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh.

Hall of Famer, a life member of the PGA and a recipient of the Order of Australia, Greg Norman is synonymous with the highest levels of golfing achievement.”

Norman said it was an honour to have the award named after him.

“I am deeply grateful and honoured to have this prestigious award named after me, which will hold a place of pride and prominence in my heart,” he said.

“Australian golf is in a great place right now, and I hope the young players out representing our country are inspired that hard work and perseverance can lead you to great things. My dream is to see others go on and achieve even more than I did.”

The award will be judged by a five-member panel chaired by PGA Vice Chairman Peter O’Malley and supported by PGA Director & tournament player Michael Long. PGA Life Members and legends of our game, Ian BakerFinch and Graham Marsh along with ALPG legend Jane Crafter will complete the panel. •

For Day, the achievement marks the culmination of a childhood dream to be number 1, and is the result of significant work on and off the course.

“I’ve just been working so hard,” said Day after the win. “Ever since the Open Championship, something changed in my head. I felt like it was my time to start winning tournaments. Ever since then it’s been a phenomenal run.”

Day also noted the efforts of his support team in the victory.

“My whole team has been fantastic, from Col (coach/caddie), to Bud (agent), to my wife, to Cornell (trainer). Our main goal has been to get to number 1. And we understood that you had to win consistently to get to that spot. So to have the opportunity to win and get to that number 1 spot was fantastic.”

Day becomes the 19th professional in the history of the Official World Golf Rankings to hold the top spot, and just the third Australian to do so, behind Greg Norman and Adam Scott. At 27 years of age, he also becomes our country’s youngest to hold the position.

CONGRATULATIONS 2015 CHAMPION DAVID BRANSDON

6

October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

news

Els to return to Melbourne Four-time Major Champion Ernie Els will return to Melbourne to play in the 2015 Australian Masters at Huntingdale Golf Club from 19-22 November.

Els has a great affinity for the Melbourne sandbelt, having won three consecutive Heineken Classics (2002-2004) at Royal Melbourne, where he was also an integral part of the International Team that won the 1998 Presidents Cup. Els will be looking to go one better at this year’s Australian Masters after finishing runner-up to Craig Parry at Huntingdale back in 1994.

“I have many great memories of Australia and the Melbourne Sandbelt has always been one of my favourite places to play.

I am looking forward to getting back to Huntingdale and finishing off the year strongly,” said Els. The Minister for Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport, Hon John Eren welcomed the announcement.

“The Victorian Government is delighted to continue its partnership with the Australian Masters and have one of golf’s greatest champions back to Melbourne.”

David Rollo, Vice President-Director of Golf, IMG Australia and New Zealand added; “Ernie Els is one of the icons of the modern game and we are excited to welcome him back to Melbourne.”

Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster.

Free entry for children under the age of 16 accompanied by a paying adult. www.australianmasters.com.au

Grab your ticket to fun

T

ickets for the Australian PGA Championship are on sale and with momentum building for Queensland’s premium golf tournament, this year will see the whole family entertained thanks to a number of new fan activities happening throughout tournament week.

General public tickets for this year’s Australian PGA Championship are available for purchase through Ticketek or at your local box office. Ticket prices start at $29.90 for concessions with a variety of ticketing options available including season, weekend and day passes.

Champions Club, a premium ticketing option, is also on offer that allows one-day entry, premium reserved seating overlooking the 18th green, gourmet buffet lunch, plus a flexible drinks pass enabling beverage service throughout the tournament precinct.

Children 16 years and younger will gain free admission when accompanied by a paying adult, while members of RACV and affiliated motoring clubs will also receive discounted admission. Entry will be free for all practice sessions held between Monday 30 November and Wednesday 2 December.

A new Kids day kicks off the week on the Tuesday, 1 December, with plenty on offer for the whole family. In partnership with Dreamworld, kids can enjoy bouncy castles, face painting, music, shows, wildlife, golf

Australian Open to celebrate Centenary

The Emirates Australian Open celebrates a magical milestone this November – its 100th edition. activities, player interviews and autographs, prizes and more – and all for free!

On Tuesday afternoon the ladies can enjoy a sumptuous high tea overlooking the 18th hole and the practice green while listening to Q&As with key members of the corporate world and professional golf circuit. More fan activities will be announced in the coming months.

The Australian PGA Championship will be played from 3-6 December at RACV Royal Pines Resort. Co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour, the Australian PGA Championship is one of the final tournaments on the 2015 PGA Tour of Australasia’s Order of Merit.

The Australian PGA Championship is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as well as RACV, Gold Coast City Council, Gold Coast Tourism, Emirates, Stella Artois, APN Outdoor, Coca-Cola, Liberty International Underwriters, Frizelle’s Automotive Group, TAG Heuer, E-Z-GO and Kumho Tyres.

Live domestic broadcast will be provided by the Seven Network Australia. •

To recognise the landmark occasion, the national championship will pay homage to the legendary moments and players who have, through their memorable deeds, made the Stonehaven Cup one of golf’s most sought prizes.

Many past champions will be recognised at specific functions throughout the week, including a ceremonial tee shot celebration not unlike those seen at the Masters and Open Championship.

Defending champion and world No.2 Jordan Spieth and former champ Adam Scott are already confirmed to headline the 100th Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney.

Behind The Open Championship and the national titles of the United States, Canada and South Africa, the Australian Open is the oldest continuous tournament in the world, having run since 1904 with breaks only for World War I and World War II. The Emirates Australian Open will be held from November 26-29.

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

7

news

Tour guide Mosher’s happy landing at Georges River in regards to course design and maintenance through to daily golf operations and marketing,” Mosher said.

Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

M

Teed Up has long realised the potential of the course and with the expertise and ideas he has gained over 30 years he has the chance to make Georges River an outstanding golf asset in the booming south west of Sydney.

ANY golf followers would say that Michael Mosher has been living a dream career for most of the 30 years he has been a PGA professional.

After a PGA traineeship at Sydney’s Bexley Golf club and stints as manager/club professional in the NSW Southern Highlands at Mt Broughton and Bowral Country Club, Mosher’s career horizons literally expanded dramatically when he helped to start Teed Up, Australia’s leading international golf tours operator.

“The course, designed by well-known Sydney golf industry figure Barry See-Hoe, already is a fine layout which every level of golfer can enjoy and will only improve with some Teed Up refinements we have planned.

“I was amazed to discover that about 60,000 cars pass the course every day on Henry Lawson Drive so it shouldn’t be hard to get the message out there that something exciting is happening on the local golf front.

For the past 16 years he has guided thousands of golfers on their lifetime Bucket List travels to the US Masters, the US Open, the Open Championship and Ryder Cup, while playing many of the world’s best courses along the way.

“Although there are a lot of ideas to improve the course and the range in the future, I was pleased to discover a great personal link to the past in that the Club Pro is the famous Richmond Golf Club PGA legend Les O’Keefe, who I have known for decades.”

Teed Up is one of Australia’s largest golf club management companies, already operating at Long Reef and Avalon golf clubs while also managing Narrabeen Driving Range, which are all on Sydney’s Northern Beaches region.

Mosher says his new appointment will not stop him leading tours to the US Masters and British Open, a role which he has enjoyed with a passion for 16 years.

Now Teed Up plans to grow further in south west Sydney with the purchase of Georges River Golf Club, where it will be investing in the course, driving range and other facilities.

And Mosher is embarking on what he sees as a new challenge as the General Manager of George’s River course, which is nestled between Bankstown Airport and the Georges River at Moorebank in Sydney’s south west.

Georges River, formerly known as Riverwood, is an 18-hole layout complete with driving range and is the latest golf course to come under the control of Teed Up.

8

October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Managing director Bede Hendren (left) and golf director Michael Mosher on tour at St Andrews However as an unencumbered public course, complete with a rare long-term 17year lease, it offers unlimited opportunities.

improve and expand the potential of a course which is located in one of Sydney’s most populated areas.

While committed to catering for a loyal membership, Mosher will have complete control in deciding how Teed Up is going to

“It is very exciting for me to be able to virtually do my own thing at all levels at Georges River – literally from the ground up --

“I certainly won’t be giving up Teed Up Tours and will line up for my 17th trip to the Masters next year,” he said.

“However the trip I’m really looking forward to the most is the drive from my family home in the Sutherland shire each day --- it’s another dream-job bonus as it should only take about 20 minutes”.

More: (02) 9724 1615, www.georgesrivergolf.com.au •

news

Aussie mates set their sights on Fiji

T

hree Australian Professionals are setting their sights on Fiji’s premier golf tournament in 2015, the Fiji International, in hope of securing another title to add to an already successful year on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

A ‘never give up’ attitude saw America produce an amazing come-from-behind finish to beat Europe in last month’s Solheim Cup in Germany.

David Bransdon, Aaron Townsend and Matt Millar, who travel the Tour together, are ready to take on the picturesque Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 15-18 October; continuing a season that has produced big victories for the Aussie trio.

Juli Inkster’s team started the Sunday singles four points behind, with the Europeans needing just 4 ½ points to claim their third successive Solheim Cup victory.

But the Americans rose to the occasion, securing 8 ½ points out of 12 to complete the impressive 14 ½ - 13 ½ comeback win.

Bransdon is fresh off a momentous win at last month’s Isuzu Queensland Open after surviving an epic three-hole playoff to secure his first significant title in two years after just missing out at the BMW New Zealand Open in March where he finished runner-up to Jordan Zunic.

The event came to a thrilling conclusion.

With the scores tied at 13 ½ points, Europe needed a mere half point to retain the Cup. In the final match, captain’s pick Paula Creamer secured the Cup for the Americans, beating Sandra Gal 4&3.

A solid win on the PGA Tour of Australasia this year puts Bransdon in good stead leading into this year’s tournament and he is excited about playing the Vijay Singh-designed layout.

“It’s a fantastic venue at Natadola, it’s a very tough golf course, it’s certainly a good test of golf and rewards good play,” said Bransdon.

Bransdon’s two top-three finishes have propelled him up the PGA Tour of Australasia money list, which currently sees him sitting in second place behind Zunic.

In June, Millar also won the Qantas Fiji Teams Challenge, a pro-am event, played at Natadola Bay and backed that up with a further top10 finish at the Queensland Open.

“To win in Queensland and my finish earlier in the year in New Zealand has put me in a good place on the Order of Merit and I’m looking forward to playing for some good prize money in Fiji to consolidate my performance.”

“The Fiji International is great tournament and the first year went very well, everything was there and available to both players and spectators,” said Millar, who also echoed Bransdon’s comments in relation to the challenges players face on course.

Townsend kick-started his 2015 PGA Tour of Australasia season early, claiming victory at the Victorian PGA Championship in February after he holed an incredible bunker shot on the 18th in stormy conditions to win the tournament by one shot.

“The golf course is fabulous, but very tough and demanding for the players, particularly with the wind. It’s a good test of golf at a great facility.”

Townsend will head to Fiji after playing qualifying tournaments in Japan and is excited about teeing it up at Natadola Bay for a second time. “Last year’s tournament was great, it’s a beautiful backdrop, it’s hard to get upset with your golf at times,” said Townsend.

TOUR

Both Millar and Townsend will be hoping the golfing gods shine on them this year after both missed the cut in 2014.

“I didn’t play that well in 2014 so I’m looking forward to putting on a better show this year,“ said Townsend.

“The tournament was really well run and it was one of the best tournaments we played last year.”

For Bransdon and Millar, it’s a case of those who play together stay together with the pair travelling to New Caledonia to compete in the South Pacific Open Championship prior to their arrival in Fiji.

Millar made his Tour presence felt in March, securing victory at the Holden New Zealand PGA Championship following three top-10 finishes in his first three starts on the PGA Tour of Australasia this year.

The Fiji International will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 15-18 October. Tickets are currently on sale through the Fiji International website www.fijiinternational.com •

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USA storms to Solheim Cup win

“This is just amazing,” said US captain, Juli Inkster. “I can’t describe the difference in my emotions of this morning to the emotions of this afternoon. My team played so damned good out there. They just never gave up.

“I was on them all week,” Inkster added.

“You’ve got to play with heart. You’ve got to play with fire in your belly. Never give up.”

“It’s unbelievable,” said European captain Carin Koch. “There were a few putts that could have gone in that went the other way a few times today. It’s been an amazing week. Both teams played their hearts out. It could have gone either way today. We had a couple of chances to finish it off and win, and in the end it was their putts that won this. It’s great for women’s golf. And we really showcased how good these players are.”

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Despite blaze, Nelson Bay aims to rise from the ashes Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

N

Fortunately, no-one was injured and the 27-hole course was almost completely unaffected in the multi-million-dollar blaze at the club, which is situated at Port Stephens in the Lower Hunter Region, about 50km north of Newcastle.

The club’s pro-shop, cart and bag storage areas underneath were badly affected by smoke and water damage.

Such is the determination and spirit at the innovative club, which boasts a huge membership of almost 3500 including about 1200 golf members, rounds of social golf were being played within three days of the fire.

Club President Max Pride and his Board of Directors within 24 hours of the fire had informed members in writing that the club would “return bigger and better”.

Pride spoke for most of the residents in the tourism and retirees-based town, which has a permanent population of about 6000, when he told the Newcastle Herald newspaper on the day of the fire: “This is more than a golf club, it is a huge part of the community.

“It is the hub of a lot of people’s lives.

It is devastating but we will get through it. Our priority is to have the golf course operating and to do the best for our staff and contractors,” Pride wrote to members.

The main entrance to Nelson Bay Golf Club. INSET: One of the only things to survive the blaze!

“Our insurance company will be assisting with this, including the sourcing of temporary accommodation from which the pro shop, administration (and) bar and catering can operate.”

Within four days the club had arranged for the delivery and installation of temporary buildings to house a pro shop for their longserving popular PGA Club Pro Maurie Moses and club administration staff.

“We might even be able to incorporate a café/bar area and our nearby golf halfway hospitality facility will be operational,” Pride said a few days after the fire.

The Nelson Bay club under Pride’s stewardship has this year declared a healthy $300,000 profit, which is a $500,000 turnaround on the 2013-14 figures.

No doubt it will take many months or even a year before Nelson Bay Golf Club is fully back on track but it has received massive support from surrounding golf and other sporting clubs.

Pacific Dunes at Medowie and Horizons Golf Club at Salamander Bay have volunteered

PGA CEO Brian Thorburn said Paul would be missed by the industry and the PGA membership.

Ten days after the fire, the four-day annual Ladies Classic Championship, hosting up to 200 golfers, was played at Nelson Bay with one club wag joking that the women could “play for The Ashes” in a one-off event.

“The game is in a much better position due to Paul Rak. Golfers and PGA Professionals from all around the world have been the beneficiaries from Paul’s great work,” he said.

Unfortunately the $12,000 PGA pro-am set down for this month has had to be postponed, but there even was an upside to that.

Royal Melbourne Head Professional Bruce Green who had known Paul since 1965 when they were both caddies, said he would miss his great friend and colleague.

The NSW-ACT PGA tournament coordinator Darren Baynes has offered assistance to the club. Baynes said the Nelson Bay Pro-Am could not be transferred to another course, but he would investigate holding a possible fundraiser with professionals at the Nelson Bay venue on the original date.

“Paul has always had a great connection with PGA Members and Trainees and he loved working with the PGA helping to ensure the PGA Tour of Australasia tournaments (and others) at Royal Melbourne were world class.”

‘Fired up’ with enthusiasm, the Nelson Bay membership is determined that something special will arise from the ashes of a devastating event. www.nelsonbaygolf.com •

The most central Golf Course on the Gold Coast For bookings or enquiries please contact Corporate Golf and Membership Manager Dylan Stoner on (07) 5510 6504 or email corporate@lakelandsgolfclub.com.au www.lakelandsgolfclub.com.au • 100 Lakelands Drive Merrimac QLD 4226

October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

At Royal Melbourne, Paul organised and ran world-class events including the 2011 Presidents Cup, the 2013 World Cup, the 2013 Australian Masters, and two Women’s Australian Opens. He was active in forming the sandbelt group of courses in Melbourne to promote golf and tourism in Victoria, and was a great supporter of amateur golf. He had recently received an Order of Australia for his services to golf, an award that is testament to his dedication and vision in the industry.

to cater for Nelson Bay Golf members while Nelson Bay Bowling Club has provided assistance with meeting rooms

Lakelands Golf Club

10

The golf industry endured an emotional loss last month, with the passing of Royal Melbourne CEO Paul Rak, following a long battle with cancer. He was 60.

A respected icon in the industry, Paul’s tenure at Royal Melbourne totalled 32 years—rising up through the ranks in various roles, with an additional 14 years at the helm at Kingston Heath.

ELSON Bay, one of the most popular and successful golf clubs in NSW, was devastated by a fire which destroyed most of the stylish 50-year-old clubhouse in the early hours of Father’s Day last month.

At the time of publication, the club’s insurance assessors and engineers had determined that the lower level of the clubhouse would more than likely be allowed to remain intact.

Vale Paul Rak, industry icon

“Paul created a blueprint in Private Golf Club management that took us into the modern era and he was a great mentor for many,” Green said.

Paul is survived by wife Karen, daughters Sarah and Melissa, and son-in-law Jackson.

news

Qld junior golf takes a new direction David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

T

HE Junior Golf Foundation of Queensland (JGFQ), formerly known as the Greg Norman Golf Foundation, will close its doors on December 31.

Long-servicing CEO Rae Clarke, who is approaching 15 years at the helm, said it was going to be a sad day for her and foundation staff Doug Gardner, Scott Simon and Tania Dowdle.

Rae has worked tirelessly to ensure the foundation’s success and has been a mother figure to many of the kids.

Still, it will be a new beginning when the foundation comes under the Golf Queensland umbrella in 2016.

A group of kids gather at one of the foundation’s events.

INSET: Rae Clarke “Working with kids is a different kettle of fish compared to working with elite amateurs and adults.

It’s hard to believe the foundation has been in operation for 28 years.

I remember interviewing the Greg Norman Junior Golf Foundation’s inaugural president Merv Norman (Greg’s dad) at his BHP headquarters office in Brisbane in 1987.

“Kids like to talk to you and tell you how they played. We always take a personal interest in the kids. They love that and it keeps them coming back.

He outlined the foundation’s charter, which was to give young children the opportunity to hone their skills, learn the rules and etiquette under expert tuition of coaches like Charlie Earp.

The foundation’s catchphrase, “turning little fish into sharks”, certainly worked as juniors including Adam Scott, Jason Day, Steven Bowditch, Karrie Webb, Katherine Hull, Andrew Buckle, Cameron Smith, Sarah-Jane Smith and others moved through the ranks.

“I have seen some wonderful things happen with the kids,” said Rae, who in 2014 received the Queensland Service to Sport Award.

“I have seen kids start at six years old and go through to 18 and develop into mature adults.

“It’s a wonderful story. I am going to miss a lot of these kids and their parents because you form good friendships with people over the years.”

The foundation offered Titleist scholarships and last year a parent of one of the kids started the Rae Clarke Scholarship.

“Unfortunately, the Rae Clarke Scholarship won’t continue,” Rae said.

“We started a sub-junior development program and the Stars of the Future program, which I hope will continue.”

The foundation oversees some 50 tournaments annually at different venues including Greg Norman Junior

“We have had a good team and worked well together at the foundation,” Rae added.

“Come December, it will be sad because it’s the end of another era for me.

GUESS WHO? Yes, it’s Adam Scott at one of the Greg Norman Junior Golf Foundation events.

Masters qualifying events.

“We run nine- and 18-hole events and professional Doug Gardner, who works in Central Queensland, Central Highlands and Wide Bay, also conducts six- and 13-hole events.

“It’s a lot of events, but that’s why the foundation was set up initially.

“When you talk to the kids, their major goal for the year is to qualify for the Masters.

“It’s a good event and we want to make sure it gets bigger and better.”

The good news is the tournament will retain its name when taken over

by Golf Queensland.

Ms Clarke, who has spent 33 years in the golf industry including 11 years as general manager at McLeod Golf Club and seven years as Women’s Golf Queensland boss, said working for the foundation was the most rewarding.

“This has been the most enjoyable job I’ve had,” she said.

“You get a lot of satisfaction working with kids and seeing them achieve things.

“That’s when I will realise it’s all coming to an end.”

Golf Queensland says the new operation, Junior Golf Queensland, will focus on developing a cooperative model to improve the resources available for junior golf development across the state.

“We’ve worked together for the past few years to achieve a positive outcome for junior golf,” Golf Queensland’s chair Peter Castrisos said.

“The intention of this coordinated move is to continue to keep juniors at the forefront of industry growth.”

JGFQ president Charlie Earp also acknowledged the work both boards have done to create this positive change.

“It’s always been about the kids and ensuring they get the best possible opportunities to learn new life skills and enjoy the game for life,” he said.

“The foundation is excited about the new chapter and seeing more juniors exposed to the benefits that golf offers.

“We thank our past advocates, including Greg Norman, and encourage everyone to continue to support the new direction.” • www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

11

industry news

‘Traffic light’ system gets green light to combat slow play Henry Peters

wembleygolf.com.au

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

P

ublic golf courses throughout Australia may one day adopt a ‘traffic light’ system soon to be used by one Perth golf course to improve the ever-present scourge of slow play.

Wembley Golf Course in the Western Australian capital has created a system using red, yellow and green colours for its website to alert golfers how busy the course is at different times and encourage beginners to hit the links during quieter periods.

Wembley General Manager, Matthew Day, invented the traffic light system and says its purpose is to ensure beginners can enjoy a more peaceful introduction to the game.

“Like most public golf courses, we get people that turn up here, have never played (before) and hire a set of clubs. When that happens at peak times, the experience for them generally isn’t very enjoyable,” Day states.

Under the traffic light model, beginners are recommended to play during off-peak times including anytime after midday on Mondays and Tuesday and past 4pm on weekends.

“If you are learning to play, it’s probably not the best time to play in the red zone. If you go out in the green zone, 99 per cent of the time you’re going to have an enjoyable experience.

You can play at a pace that suits you, no one is going to harass you or ask you to hurry up”.

Day admits Saturday mornings are the most hotly contested tee times at Wembley.

He believes that beginners trying to play early

Enjoy playing the game at your own pace To make your game more enjoyable at Wembley Golf Course, we have come up with a simple Traffic Light System to help you choose a time to suit your pace of play. If you’re a beginner we would advise you play in a green time zone. These are the quieter periods of the day which will allow you to play at a suitable pace as you learn the game.

The Traffic Light System Day

7am

8am

9am

10am

11am

12pm

1pm

2pm

3pm

4pm

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Monday Tuesday Wednesday

New course for Kangaroo Island GOLFERS from around the world are expected to flock to a new $30 million course planned for Kangaroo Island.

Located just off the coast of South Australia, Kangaroo Island is a tourism icon drawing more than 40,000 international visitors every year.

Developer Programmed Turnpoint Pty Ltd, who also recently completed the Cape Wickham Golf Course in Tasmania, hopes to have final approval for the course soon and have ‘tee off’ next year.

The development will include an 18hole, 6415m, links-style golf course, dining and function facilities, clubhouse and 70 accommodation suites (180 beds) for tourists.

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

A great time to be on course if you’re new to the game.

Can sometimes be busy, some golfing experience recommended.

in the morning on any day during the week may be deterred from the game altogether.

“We don’t want people to play golf once and then never go back to playing golf. The pace of play slows down when people who have never played before come at busy times due to inexperience and unawareness of surroundings. We’ve found when we try to hurry them along, they get upset while everyone behind them is frustrated, so there’s no winners. We’re trying to, in a friendly manner, push customers towards the most suitable play time for their skills and experience.”

Day is happy for other public facilities to adopt a similar strategy to thwart slow play and says his idea has already prompted interest

Very busy, pace of play is an imprortant consideration.

from one major public course in Sydney.

“What we’re trying to do is relevant and part of a holistic pace-of-play strategy; it doesn’t matter where you are. I think the challenge is everywhere. If you’re a public facility, you’ve got people turning up who have never played and think, ‘let’s go and play on a Saturday, it sounds like a good idea.’ That probably, to be honest, isn’t a good idea.”

According to Day, pace of play is the biggest issue facing the game.

He argues the traffic light system will lead to golfers consciously playing faster.

“It’s not just beginners that have pace of play issues, there’s plenty of experienced players who have pace of play issues.” •

The 220-hectare site is located on Dudley Peninsula between Pelican Lagoon and Pennington Bay on the eastern end of the 4,405-kilometre-square island. Five free-hold residential allotments, which would be used during Stage 1 of the development to help fund later stages of the development, will also be built.

“With this golf course being located on the coast in a remote area [it can become] immediately attractive to the market.

Playing golf while overlooking the sea, the drama of the sand dunes - it really will be something to behold,” General manager of Programmed Turnpoint Justin Trott said.

Kangaroo Island council expects an extra 22,000 visits a year from tourists as a result of the new golf course, boosting tourism revenue by an expected $7 million annually.

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industry news

NSW Golf Club set to launch new caddy program

N

ew South Wales Golf Club is preparing to launch a caddy program that will see the club provide caddies to work with local and international visitors.

In an initiative funded by the NSW Golf Club Foundation, the caddy program will see applicants trained in the art of caddying and the rules and etiquette of golf.

“Caddies will work in much the same way as caddies for professional golfers, they will undertake full training and receive a uniform together with access to amenities and a caddy master.”

“This is a wonderful initiative that the local community and golf industry will benefit from. Caddies play an important part in our golfing landscape, so to see a program implemented to grow the profession is simply great,” said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Office of the PGA. Steve Williams, who has served as caddy for both Adam Scott and Tiger Woods, has agreed

Golf NSW have announced a partnership with Precision Athletica. The partnership will see Precision Athletica offer Golf NSW’s high performance athletes the support and tools they need to take their athletic performance to the next level.

Pete Magner, Founder and CEO of Precision Athletica says, “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to work with the Golf NSW high performance group. We will be taking these athletes through our Silver Evaluation, setting up their training plan for the year based around their tournament schedule, and offering physiotherapy and exercise physiology services, to systematically improve the foundations of their overall performance.

We’ll be working closely with Dean Kinney, NSW National Coach and Chris Smith, Strength & Conditioning Coach.

“Pull carts and electric buggies have seen the loss of caddies at the club and there has been a long-term desire to reestablish the practice within a formal program that provides more than just a casual job,” said David Burton, General Manager at the NSW Golf Club.

The program provides a foundation for those seeking a career as a professional caddy, together with the opportunity for young golfers to gain experience and continue to practice their game with club access included as part of the program. Each caddie will be assigned to a golfer with all caddy fees going directly to the caddy.

Golf NSW partner with Precision Athletica

to be Patron of the NSW Golf Club caddy program, while American professional caddy, Jack Coaty, has also been enlisted to help with the set up.

“Because of NSW Golf Club’s reputation amongst golfers worldwide, it receives a steady flow of international visitors including many from America and the UK where professional caddies remain an important part of the game,” Burton added.

“Navigating around NSW Golf Club, especially for visitors who are out to enjoy one of golf’s real experiences, will be made easier with an experienced caddy on hand.”

From its establishment in 1928, the NSW Golf

Club had a strong group of caddies, both local and Indigenous, who were a feature at the club for over 50 years.

Local community and Indigenous leaders have shown their support and enthusiasm in an initiative that can open avenues not only for short-term employment and training but a long-term career in golf.

The NSW Golf Club is listed in the top-20 best courses outside the USA and top-50 in the world as rated by Golf Digest.

For further information about the NSW Golf Club caddie program, please contact Golf Manager Ross Kirby on ross@nswgolfclub. com.au or 02 9661 4455. •

“These assessments will enable our expert team to identify areas of weakness and to put in place strategies for each athlete to achieve their peak performance,” said Pete.

Precision Ahtletica’s Sports Physiotherapist, Matt Green, will also be accompanying these athletes on their National High Performance Camp in Coffs Harbour.

Graeme Phillipson, General Manager of Golf NSW says, “It is exciting that these athletes now have the opportunity of working together as a team in a state-ofthe-art training environment, while being overseen by the Precision Athletica team.”

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from the ceo

Exciting times for Aussie pros, amateurs and fans Tickets and hospitality packages for the 2015 Fiji International are available online at www.fijiinternational.com Momentum is also building for the Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 3-6 December with tickets to this year’s tournament now on sale through www.ticketek.com.au online or at your local box office outlet. Ticket prices start at $29.90 with a variety of ticketing options available including season, weekend and day passes together with a premium ticket option.

Brian Thorburn CEO – PGA of Australia

A

ustralia has a new Major champion, the first since 2013.

I’m sure all Australian golf fans join me in congratulating Jason Day on his inaugural Major victory.

Jason’s win at the PGA Championship in August was magnificent, setting a new record for the lowest to par score (20-under) to win a Major Championship and subsequently elevating him to World Number 3. Not to mention following up with a win at The Barclays the week after. It’s always wonderful to see our Australian Professionals performing so well on the world stage and to see Jason’s highly successful season on the PGA TOUR continue is just fantastic.

However, what Jason’s victories also highlight is the importance of having a PGA Professional by your side. For Day, caddy and confidante Colin Swatton - a PGA of Australia Member for over 20 years - has been a crucial element in Day’s success to date; proving the commitment and dedication from a PGA Professional results in positive outcomes on course.

A PGA Professional is the most experienced and respected resource

in the Australian golf industry. No matter what level of golfer you are, a PGA Professional is the best source of advice and guidance to help all golfers Silence their Scorecards.

To find your local PGA Pro visit www.findapgapro.com.au The PGA was delighted to announce seven-time PGA TOUR winner Matt Kuchar as the first of our marquee players to headline the 2015 Fiji International at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from the 15-18 of October following the Presidents Cup in Korea.

Ranked in the top-20 in the world, Kuchar’s last appearance on the PGA Tour of Australasia was the Australian Masters in 2013 where he finished runner-up to winner, Adam Scott.

This year will see the whole family entertained thanks to a number of new fan activities happening throughout tournament week including, Ladies High Tea and Kids Day. The inaugural Greg Norman Medal will also be held on the Tuesday night.

Last month the Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) released the latest national competition rounds report highlighting increased engagement by club members with the number of competition rounds growing by 3.6 per cent in the last financial year. In addition to this, the AGIC also announced the inaugural Premier’s Cup in an exciting step towards uniting the golf and business communities together. I look forward to bringing you further information about this inaugural event, which will be held in February 2016. •

GOLF MONTH is here. Spread the word!

Stephen Pitt CEO – Golf Australia

W

e are about to embark, as an industry, on a really important month.

No, it’s not October, it’s GOLF MONTH – an initiative that I reach out to you, the golfer, to help espouse.

The majority of you who read these words are already golfers.

You know the thrill of nailing that putt to beat your mate on the final hole; the serene beauty of a breathless morning as the sun rises over your favourite course; the joy of sharing the stories of your round back in the clubhouse.

Well, part of GOLF MONTH is for you to share just how special those moments can be with those in your life who’ve thought about golf, but never taken that next step.

They might be in your office, your footy or netball club, your school canteen – anywhere.

The important thing is to get them to a golf facility and give them that exposure to a game you know is great for so many reasons.

You’ll notice I didn’t say golf club, or course – these days there are many more alternatives, such as urban golf, foot golf, speed golf, driving ranges, other practice facilities and a whole new range of golf simulators.

As a collective of golfers, I urge you to get a friend along to any of these facilities – and to ask that you and your clubmates give your utmost effort to make them feel at home, relaxed and want to come back.

Let’s face it, it’s something we haven’t done well collectively for a long time. The traditional club set-up has the potential to be intimidating to many who’ve privately yearned to give golf a crack.

GOLF MONTH is partly about putting that right. It’s about a sport

that can mean different things to different people, not just the traditional outlook, time constraints or locations.

It’s about participation and inclusion for ANYONE who wants to try – or get back into – golf.

To that end, we’ve even got a money-can’t-guy prize at the Emirates Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney in November for an existing member who introduces a new member to their facility.

Full details are on the website, www.golfmonth.com.au, but with a spot in the pro-am, tickets to the Golf Australia Club and an insidethe-ropes access, suffice to say it’s an experience of a lifetime.

In short, help us spread the GOLF MONTH word.

Every level of golf will benefit with an infusion of new blood. We’re trying to do our bit; we’d love if you pitched in, in more ways than one! •

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

15

women in golf

The teenage invasion Karen Lunn

Executive Director – ALPG

Charley Hull Lexi Thompson (Photos: Dustin Satloff, Paul Shire)

T

he 10,000 or so fans who flocked to Royal Melbourne GC to watch the final round of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open earlier this year, could have been forgiven for thinking that they had arrived to watch a schoolgirl’s tournament, such were ages of the majority of the players in contention that Sunday afternoon.

The favourite at the start of play on Sunday was the newly-crowned world number 1 player, 17-year-old Lydia Ko, followed by a chasing pack that included fellow teenagers England’s Charley Hull and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanagarn along with our local hope 18-year-old sensation Minjee Lee. Turn back the clock 15-20 years and it was considered the norm for women professional golfers to reach their peak somewhere between 25 and 35. Karrie Webb became world number one in 1996 at the age of 22, Annika Sorenstam did so in 1995 at 25, Lorena Ochoa in 2007 at 27 and Laura Davies in 1993 at the grand old age of 30.Times have changed.

It has been fascinating to watch the emergence of this production line of “youngstars” over the past 10 years. The first of them was Amy Yang, who in 2006 stunned the Australian golfing public by winning the 2006 ANZ Ladies Masters at the ripe old age of just 16 years and 6 months.

At that time no amateur had ever won an

16

October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Australian Ladies Professional Tournament, and no-one younger than 18 had ever won an event on any of the major women’s golf tours in the world. It was only Amy’s 2nd ever start in a professional event and she seemed completely at ease and oblivious to the fact she was about to create history. By winning, Amy also became the youngest winner on both the ALPG and Ladies European Tours.

The next prodigious youngster to hit the world scene was the long-hitting American Lexi Thompson, who at age 16 years took the LPGA Tour by storm winning the 2011 Navistar Classic. At age 12, Lexi was the youngest golfer ever to qualify to play in the U.S. Women’s Open (and she made the cut!) and turned professional in June 2010 at age 15. Three months after winning the Navistar Classic, Lexi became the second youngest winner of a Ladies European Tour event, when she won the Dubai Ladies Masters in late 2011. She went on to win her first major championship at the 2014 Kraft Nabisco Championship at 19 years of age, the 2nd youngest woman in history to win a major championship.

In January 2012, 14-year-old Lydia Ko teed it up at the Bing Lee NSW Women’s Open at Oatlands Golf Club, having finished 2nd in this event in 2011 as a 13-year-old (this had really created quite a stir as well as some banter amongst the professionals in the field!) I was fortunate enough to be paired with Lydia for the first two rounds of this event, it was the first time I had seen her play and it was easy to see the reasons for all the hype. I was so impressed not only by her incredible ability, but also with her maturity

and attitude. She was humble, respectful and totally unpretentious; character traits that I am very pleased to say that she still possesses today.

Even back then at 14 Lydia was the best “hybrid” player I have ever seen and certainly one of the best putters. I had never seen someone hit the ball so straight and “miss” so few shots in two rounds of golf. Lydia went on to win the event in 2012, making her the youngest ever winner of a professional golf tournament.

Lydia also went on to win the Canadian Women’s Open later to become the youngest ever winner of an LPGA event at just 15 years old, and also won the 2013 New Zealand Open in front of a delighted home crowd to oust Amy Yang as the youngest ever winner of a Ladies European Tour event. Lydia turned professional in October 2013 and has since won 8 tournaments on the LPGA Tour, taking her impressive tally of professional victories to 12, all by the tender age of 18!

On 2nd February this year Lydia became the No 1 player on the Rolex Women’s World Rankings at just 17, and would go on to win both the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, and the ISPS Handa NZ Open in front of huge galleries in Christchurch. Lydia continues to impress both on and off the course and it will be exciting to continue to follow her career and see how it compares to the greats of the game once she retires as she says she will at 30.

England’s Charley Hull has long been touted as a potential champion. Charley turned professional in January 2013 aged 16 years and 9 months and went on to finish

women in golf 2nd in five consecutive tournaments in her rookie season on the Ladies European Tour.

She secured the 2013 Rolex Rookie of the Year award and became the youngest competitor ever to play in the Solheim Cup when she was selected by European team captain Liselotte Neumann. Charley did provoke a little controversy at the Solheim Cup. After she had thrashed Paula Creamer 7&6 in the Sunday singles to set the tone for a famous European victory, she turned to a dejected Creamer and asked her to autograph her golf ball! Oh the innocence of youth!

“

she would be the best player in the world in two years and the next woman to break the 60 barrier. Ariya did go on to win that tournament, but unfortunately later in 2013 while playing a practice round with her sister at the LPGA Championship she badly injured her shoulder which required reconstructive surgery and a long stint out of the game. Ariya was playfully chasing her sister “Mo” down a slope from the teeing ground attempting to throw water over her when the accident happened. Ariya is just now getting her form and her confidence back, unfortunately she has had to adjust her swing slightly since the

Charley did provoke a little controversy at the Solheim Cup. After she had thrashed Paula Creamer 7&6 in the Sunday singles to set the tone for a famous European victory, she turned to a dejected Creamer and asked her to autograph her golf ball! Oh the innocence of youth!

Charley went on to record her first professional victory at the 2014 Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco. Currently she is ranked 45 in the world, without doubt that ranking will continue to improve and there will be many victories to follow.

Thailand’s Ariya Jutanagarn turned pro in early 2013 at age 17 with a huge amount of hype and big expectations surrounding her.

Ariya had qualified for the 2007 Honda LPGA Thailand at age 11, making her the youngest player ever to qualify for an LPGA Tour event. Ariya has an aggressive and fearless playing style, as one of the longest hitters in the women’s game she has the ability to completely overpower any golf course. I was fortunate to play with Ariya at the 2013 Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco when I was the defending champion, and I could not have been more impressed with her. She is one of the best ball strikers, if not the best I have ever seen and I did “crow” at the time that

“

accident, which is never an easy thing to have to do. She has climbed her way back to 55 in the Rolex Rankings. I really hope the golfing world gets to see the real Ariya Jutanagarn, if so we are all in for a real treat!

Young Canadian star Brooke Henderson has quite simply taken the golfing community by storm in 2015. In late 2014 Brookes petitioned LPGA commissioner Mike Whan seeking permission to attend Qualifying School as an underage player. Unfortunately for Brooke this request was denied by Whan, but she chose to turn professional regardless, and she has been competing on the LPGA Tour this year through sponsor invitations and through Monday qualifying. Prior to her recent win at the Cambia Portland Classic, Brooke had amassed more than US$480,000 in prizemoney and moved to number 32 on the Rolex Rankings.

Not bad work for a player with no Tour Card!

Following Brooke’s win she again petitioned Whan for LPGA membership which she had

G OLF TOURS ABROAD WE TAKE YOU FURTHER

earned as a tournament winner. This time it was granted! This young lady appears to be the real deal and it will be fun watching her compete now she is on a level playing field will full playing status on the LPGA tour.

Aussie sensation Minjee Lee has had a fantastic rookie season on the LPGA Tour.

She bagged her first LPGA victory in May at the Kingsmill Championship at 18 years of age, becoming the youngest ever Australian winner on the LPGA Tour. She has finished in the top 30 on 15 occasions and at the time of writing has won more than US$600,000 in prizemoney so far in 2015. For those who had seen Minjee play at amateur level her success in the pay-for-play ranks has come as no surprise.

Minjee was the number 1 ranked amateur in the world when she turned pro, and as an amateur beat a high class field of pros when winning the 2014 Oates Victorian Open. It is only a matter of time until Minjee starts contending more regularly and cracks the top 10 in the world.

Lydia Ko

Many other sports such as tennis and swimming have been producing teen sensations for years, it does seem that this is now a trend in golf which is here to stay.

Golf has become an unlikely host to this teenage invasion, but it is fantastic for our sport and also for the promotion of young women in sport.

If there are young girls out there of any background, culture or race who need inspiration, they have many fantastic role models in women’s golf to choose from. This young group of ladies in particular are all modest, articulate and incredibly talented, all attributes we should be looking for as role models for young girl golfers out there to aspire to. The Women’s game is also in very good hands! •

Minjee Lee

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17

general managers

GM Gavin adds top award to CV David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

W

HEN Gavin Lawrence left the commercial world and joined the golf industry as general manager at Keperra Country Golf Club in Brisbane, not even he could imagine winning the Golf Management Australia (Qld) Manager of the Year Award.

Lawrence took on the role at Keperra in December 2010 and earlier this year received the award.

“It’s always nice to be acknowledged by your industry peers, but you are only as good as your team,” he said.

“Individually, it’s a great accolade but at the same time without the support and capabilities of your team you don’t achieve anything.”

Still, Lawrence does acknowledge a general manager needs to bring a leadership element to the table and believes he is providing that at Keperra.

“The job was awfully challenging in the early days, but incredibly rewarding as well,” he said.

Lawrence also gives credit to GMA for the support he received in his formative years at the club.

Mind you, his previous experience as a regional manager in the banking and finance sector with Suncorp helped make the transition somewhat easier.

His management skills came to the fore early when he recognised a need to employ a full-time membership manager.

“We did a solid review of our internal activities, restructured our resources and spent some time trying to understand what the business was trying to achieve,” he said.

“One of the key things we did was to appoint a membership manager – someone who exclusively looks after memberships.

“That was because our membership revenue represents a large part of our income.

“I look at clubs who invested a lot of money employing corporate golf managers and coordinators but at most clubs corporate golf revenue is, at best, a low percentage of what the membership income is.

“So it made sense that we had someone owning our membership sales, acquisition and retention rather than putting money into some of these lesser areas that have never generated anywhere near the same level of income.”

Another initiative was to adopt a more relaxed approach to the club’s nomination (joining) fee.

“The current market is dictating that there isn’t a huge demand for membership – in Brisbane anyway – but I believe there is a place for a joining fee in some shape or form.

“There are other ways to get people in to the club without putting that in the way of their decision to join.”

Like many clubs, Keperra has had its water issues. Oftentimes, the course is inundated with water when summer storms hit or they don’t have sufficient water when it doesn’t rain for long periods.

“Our water retention capabilities aren’t as good as they need to be,” he said.

Gavin Lawrence.

“That is the bit we need to be focussing on – getting people to come back. If you do it right they do come back.”

“We are currently evaluating new water retention programs – fundamentally based on dams between the 13th and 14th and 16th and 21st holes.”

Lawrence operates out of a modest office that overlooks the golf course and has a home that overlooks the 14th green and 15th tee.

It’s clear Lawrence, who spent time on the club’s board before becoming general manager, is passionate about the club he joined as a junior.

I ask him if it’s an advantage or disadvantage living so close to “work”.

“I love golf and the club and wouldn’t be doing the job if I didn’t,” he said.

“We are in an industry that is about providing great customer experience. There is nothing better than seeing people come out and enjoy themselves, go home with a smile on their face and then come back.

“At times, I think it makes it hard to separate yourself from the daily activities of the club but at the same time it makes the drive to work a lot easier than driving to the city in traffic which I used to do,” he said.

“There’s a lot of Keperra in my blood, which was probably a big part of the decision to take on the role. I joined as a junior in 1983

and played pennant for the club.

“These days my game is a little rusty, but I’m clinging to a four handicap.”

Lawrence’s handicap would allow him to contest the prestigious Keperra Bowl, which is open to elite amateurs with a handicap that does not exceed 4.4.

But the 47-year-old won’t tee it up because he would rather see the spot go to a young player.

Lawrence said the club had hosted the 72hole national-ranking event for the past 11 years and would continue to do so.

“It gives the club a good profile and enables the club to contribute to the development of the game.” •

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

golf managers

GMA Conference a hit on the Gold Coast David Allen

GMA Executive Officer eo@gma.org.au

O

rganisers of the recent GMA Conference on the Gold Coast were thrilled with the early feedback from delegates, especially first-time attendees, who numbered about 20 per cent.

Those new to the industry were also blown away by the variety and depth of conference speakers and the strong bond between golf club general managers.

As outgoing GMA President Damon Lonnie said at the conference opening: it is not only about what members take away from the talented array of local and internationals presenters but also about networking with your peers.

Golf Australia board member, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, and marketing guru, Amanda Stevens set the tone with their inspirational opening.

Amanda’s presentation, ‘She Marketing-The Secrets of Female Engagement Participation and Loyalty’, was both entertaining and informative.

And the quality just kept coming, be it in plenary sessions or workshops.

The diversity of speakers drove the success of the conference.

Whether it was Greg DeRosa, from the Roaring Fork Club in Colorado, former

Former GMA President Damon Lonnie closes the conference.

Amanda Stevens and Kerri-Anne Kennerley at the opening keynote presentation. (images © Yme Tulleners - Kirkland Photography

Lodewijk Klootwijk from the Europe Golf Course Owners Association addresses delegates at the Conference.

International Cricket Council CEO, Malcolm Speed, renowned chef, Ian Curley or Dr Ian Fraser and creating ‘The Third Space’ for our mental health and wellbeing, the quality continued unabated.

And believe it or not, there was even a hypnotist.

Rohan Gazzard - the ‘Bizarre Gazzard’ presented on the Power of the Positive Mind. It is an understatement to say he had attendees spellbound, especially the handful of delegates who volunteered to be his ‘guinea pigs’ as part of an impressive show.

And the conference was as informative as it

was entertaining, with, among others things, educational sessions on Benchmarking and Marketing.

Above all, though, delegates met other general managers with a range of similar challenges. They are now friends whom they can call upon for support at any time.

Everyone came away refreshed and with an overwhelming enthusiasm and new set of skills to tackle the daily hurdles they face in the rapidly evolving golf industry.

So it’s onward and upward until Adelaide in October 2017, where, impossible as it seems, the bar will be set even higher. •

STAYPLAY

Muirfield’s club pro swings on to new era Muirfield’s PGA professional, Peter Jones, will maintain his 40-plus years link to the north-west Sydney club with a five-year contract extension ushering in an exciting new pro shop.

Jones in the 1970s began as a junior at Muirfield and after a PGA traineeship represented the club with distinction in tournaments.

He famously went head- to-head with Greg Norman in the 1986 Australian PGA at Castle Hill before finishing in a top-10 spot behind winner Mike Harwood.

Now by 2020 the popular On-Course retail group pro will have served almost 20 years as Muirfield’s club professional.

Jones has welcomed the new contract with a new-look pro-shop, boasting the latest GC2 High Tech Simulator which will provide multiple benefits for the large Muirfield membership.

Supplied and installed by Clive Davies’ Golfbiz, rated Australia’s leading supplier of golf simulation equipment, the club-fitting and teaching studio provides shot valuable tracking, ball flight and clubspeed information.

KEEP UP WITH US ONLINE! Catch the latest golf news online: www.insidegolf.com.au.

Join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/insidegolf, keep up to the minute with our Twitter feed (@InsideGolf). Feedback? Drop us a line at ed@insidegolf.com.au

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19

cover story

The Presidents’ Men: Which team will capture the cup?

This month, The Presidents Cup travels to Korea, marking the first time the event has been staged in Asia.

With 8 out of the 10 stagings of the event going to the American Team, all eyes will be in the Internationals: can they break the American stranglehold?

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

W

hile it might not match the drama and excitement of the Ryder Cup, The Presidents Cup nonetheless represents one of the most thrilling team events on the world golf stage.

This year, golf fans from Australia, South Africa, Japan, India, Thailand, New Zealand and South Korea will all be watching in keen anticipation to see if their International Team heroes can finally wrest the cup from the long-dominant US Team.

This year’s Aussie contingent of Jason Day, Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and (Captain’s Pick) Steven Bowditch are all in fine form, with Day a notable standout following his US PGA and Barclays victories. They and their fellow international teammates will have their hands full, however, facing players the calibre of Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Zach Johnson and Dustin Johnson, all of whom have enjoyed stellar form during this year’s majors. And let’s not forget players like Jim Furyk and (Captain’s Pick) Phil Mickelson, who—while their form may not be as red-hot—have the most experience (and competitiveness) of any golfer out there.

With a slightly tweaked format launched this year, all eyes will be on the stunning Jack Nicklaus GC Korea to watch as the drama unfolds.

Presidents Cup format changes PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem recently announced changes to the format of The Presidents Cup, starting with this year’s event: • Structure of the matches will be reduced from 34 total points to 30, with five four-ball and five foursome matches on Thursday/ Friday (versus six and six previously); and four four-ball and four foursome matches on Saturday (previously five and five). The first four Presidents Cup events (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000) were played with a total of 32 matches; • Each player will be required to participate in two of the first four sessions, with every player competing in the Sunday singles. In the past, team members were required to play in at least three of the four four-ball/foursome segments; • The order of the matches for Thursday and Friday will be determined by the host team’s captain, versus being set forth in the competition agreement. In this scenario for 2015, Captain Price can determine which format – four-ball or foursomes – will be played on Thursday and Friday; • Finally, foursome, four-ball and singles matches that are all-square after 18 holes are determined to be a draw, with each team receiving a half point. Previously, singles matches that were all square after 18 holes were extended to sudden death to determine the winner until one team had enough points to win The Presidents Cup.

The Presidents Cup

Thursday Oct 8 - Sunday Oct 11, 2015 Jack Nicklaus GC Korea • Songdo IBD, Incheon City, KOR www.presidentscup.com

UNITED STATES TEAM

INTERNATIONAL TEAM

Jordan Spieth Bubba Watson Jimmy Walker Zach Johnson Jim Furyk Dustin Johnson Patrick Reed Rickie Fowler Matt Kuchar Chris Kirk

CAPTAIN: NICK PRICE VICE CAPTAIN: K.J. CHOI CAPTAIN’S ASSISTANTS: T. JOHNSTONE, M. MCNULTY PLAYERS COUNTRY Jason Day AUS Adam Scott AUS Louis Oosthuizen ZAF Hideki Matsuyama JPN Branden Grace ZAF Marc Leishman AUS Anirban Lahiri IND Charl Schwartzel ZAF Thongchai Jaidee THA Danny Lee NZL

* Captain’s Picks: Phil Mickelson, Bill Haas

* Captain’s Picks: Steven Bowditch (AUS), Sangmoon Bae (KOR)

CAPTAIN: JAY HAAS CAPTAIN’S ASSISTANTS: F. COUPLES, D. LOVE III, S. STRICKER PLAYERS

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

cover story

Past Results at The Presidents Cup 2013 - US Team wins 18 1/2 to 15 1/2 Course: Muirfield Village Golf Club Location: Dublin, Columbus, Ohio, USA Captains: Fred Couples, U.S. Team; Nick Price, International Team 2011 - US Team wins 19 to 15 Course: Royal Melbourne Golf Club Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Captains: Fred Couples, U.S. Team; Greg Norman, International Team 2009 - US Team wins 19-1/2 to 14-1/2 Course: TPC Harding Park Location: San Francisco, Calif., USA Captains: Fred Couples, U.S. Team; Greg Norman, International Team 2007 - US Team wins 19-1/2 to 14-1/2 Course: The Royal Montreal Golf Club Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Captains: Jack Nicklaus, U.S. Team; Gary Player, International Team 2005 - US Team wins 18-1/2 to 15-1/2 Course: Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Location: Prince William County, Virginia, USA Captains: Jack Nicklaus, U.S. Team; Gary Player, International Team

2003 - Teams Tied at 17 Course: The Links at Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate Location: George, South Africa Captains: Jack Nicklaus, U.S. Team; Gary Player, International Team 2000 - US Team wins 21-1/2 to 10-1/2 Course: Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Location: Prince William County, Virginia, USA Captains: Ken Venturi, U.S. Team; Peter Thomson, International Team 1998 - International Team wins 20-1/2 to 11-1/2 Course: Royal Melbourne Golf Club Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Captains: Jack Nicklaus, U.S. Team; Peter Thomson, International Team.

1996 - US Team wins 16-1/2 to 15-1/2 Course: Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Location: Prince William County, Virginia, USA Captains: Arnold Palmer, U.S. Team; Peter Thomson, International Team 1994 - US Team wins 20 to 12 Course: Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Location: Prince William County, Virginia, USA Captains: Hale Irwin, U.S. Team; David Graham, International Team

The Course: The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, located in Incheon, Korea, is the host course for The Presidents Cup 2015, when the event makes its first trip to Asia.

The club, which is located 40 miles west of Seoul in the country’s largest economic development zone, celebrated its opening in September 2010 with the Champions Tour’s first official money/official victory event held in Asia. The course hosted the Songdo Championship in 2010 and 2011, and the 2012 Korea Women’s Open on the KLPGA Tour.

Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea features a par-72, 7,413-yard Signature Golf Course, and offers world-class amenities, including a 60,000-square-foot clubhouse.

For The Presidents Cup 2015, the course has undergone some minor renovations and the holes rerouted to accommodate hospitality and the match-play format.

Presidents Cup by the numbers MORE Australians have represented the International team in the history of the Presidents Cup. Between 1994 and 2013 16 Aussies – Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Jason Day, Steve Elkington, Mark Hensby, Brad Hughes, Stephen Leaney, Marc Leishman, Peter Lonard, Greg Norman, Geoff Ogilvy, Nick O’Hern, Craig Parry, Adam Scott and Peter Senior – have played in the Presidents Cup.

South Africa is next with 11 representatives followed by Japan with six.

Zimbabwe, New Zealand and South Korea are next with three countrymen taking part in the tournament followed by Canada with two.

Fiji, Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia have had just one player appear at the Presidents Cup. Ernie Els (South Africa) and Vijay Singh (Fiji) have most appearances (eight) followed by Robert Allenby and Adam Scott with six.

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www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

21

cover story

Presidents Cup for the ages That got me thinking.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

S

O far, 10 Presidents Cups have been played and it’s been the American juggernaut that has dominated, winning eight times to the International team’s one win with one tie.

Since 1994, the US has reigned save for 1998 when the Internationals had a convincing 20½-11½ win at Royal Melbourne and 2003 when teams tied 17-17 at Fancourt Country Club in South Africa.

Who would win a fantasy match if one could pick the best players to have represented both teams over the past 21 years?

My American-born editor Richard Fellner will probably say the US, but I think I have come up with a rather good International team that will shake up the Yanks.

First, let’s look at the captains.

Both sides have had five captains – the Internationals: David Graham, Peter Thomson, Gary Player, Greg Norman and Nick Price. The Americans: Hale Irwin, Arnold

FANTASY TEAM: THE INTERNATIONALS

Palmer, Ken Venturi, Jack Nicklaus and Fred Couples.

My International team captain is Peter Thomson with Gary Player vice-captain simply because of the one win under Thomson and the tie under Player.

For the US, it has to be captain Fred Couples (three impressive wins) and vice-captain Ken Venturi, who led the US to a record 21½-10½ victory in 2000.

When it comes to team selections, experience counts so only players who have played in two

FANTASY TEAM: THE AMERICANS

W = Matches won, L = Matches lost, H = Matches halved

W = Matches won, L = Matches lost, H = Matches halved

Appearances Matches Points Winning Overall Player

Percentage W L H

Appearances Matches Points Winning Overall Player

Percentage W L H

Shigeki Maruyama Steve Elkington Mike Weir Ryo Ishikawa Greg Norman Geoff Ogilvy Retief Goosen Charl Schwartzel Ernie Els Vijay Singh

2 4 5 2 3 3 6 2 8 8

Fantasy captain’s picks Jason Day 2 Adam Scott 6

8 19 24 9 14 14 29 10 40 40

6 11½ 14 5 7½ 7½ 15½ 5½ 21 20½

75% 60.53% 58.33% 55.56% 53.57% 53.57% 53.45% 55% 52.5% 51.25%

6 10 13 5 7 7 14 5 20 16

2 3 9 4 6 6 12 4 18 15

0 6 2 0 1 1 0 1 2 9

Mark O’Meara Scott Verplank Jim Furyk Chris DiMarco Davis Love III Loren Roberts Fred Couples Scott Hoch Tiger Woods Steve Stricker

2 2 7 2 6 2 4 3 8 5

10 30

5 13½

50% 45%

4 12

4 15

2 3

Captain’s fantasy picks Hunter Mahan 4 Phil Mickelson 10

9 9 33 10 28 7 16 12 40 24

7 6½ 21½ 6½ 18 4½ 10 7½ 24½ 14

77.78% 72.22% 65.15% 65% 64.29% 64.29% 62.5% 62.5% 61.25% 58.33%

7 6 20 6 16 4 9 7 24 14

2 2 10 3 8 2 5 4 15 10

0 1 3 1 4 1 2 1 1 0

18 47

10½ 25½

58.33% 54.26%

10 20

7 16

1 11

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

cover story or more Presidents Cups are considered.

Adam Scott sneaks into the International team courtesy of his experience while Craig Parry might consider himself unlucky to miss out.

In three appearances, Parry has a 50 per cent winning percentage and a 100 per cent singles record.

Peter Lonard, Michael Campbell (NZ), David Frost (South Africa) and Peter Senior also have a 50 per cent winning record. Nick Price (Zimbabwe) and Angel Cabrera (Argentina) have a less than 50 per cent winning record.

The Internationals with a better than 50 per cent winning record, but not considered because of only one appearance are: Graham De Laet (Canada), “Joe’” Ozaki (Japan), Greg Turner (NZ) and Marc Leishman (Australia).

Like Scott, Mickelson scrapes into the US team courtesy of his experience and good foursomes and fourball experience with numerous playing partners.

He edges out Jay Haas, Charles Howell III, David Duval, Stewart Cink, Webb Simpson, Zach Johnson and David Toms – all of whom have slightly better winning percentages.

The players not considered because they have only played in one tournament are: Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, Jason Dufner, Notah Begay III, Keegan Bradley, Woody Austin, Jim Gallagher Jr, Hale Irwin, Anthony Kim, Jeff Maggert, Hal Sutton, Kirk Triplett and Nick Watney.

Where are the victorious internationals?

IT’S hard to believe it has been 17 years since the International team’s historic first and only Presidents Cup win over the United States.

In 1998, the Internationals, led by captain Peter Thomson, defeated the Jack Nicklaus-led Americans 20½–11½ at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

Four Australians were in that line-up: Greg Norman, Stuart Appleby, Steve Elkington and Craig Parry.

They were joined by Kiwis Frank Nobilo and Greg Turner, Japan’s Shigeki Maguyama and Naomichi “Joe” Ozaki, South African Ernie Els, Zimbabwe’s Nick Price, Vijay Singh (Fiji) and Carlos Franco (Paraguay).

Inside Golf tracks down the heroes that hold a special place in the hearts of the International team supporters ahead of this year’s event to be played at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Korea from October 8-11.

Greg Norman, 60: For the Great White Shark, today is more about business than birdies. Norman has a huge business portfolio and spends more time in the boardroom than the locker room. He’s even found time to do television commentary and analysis. Does the Shark ever sleep?

Stuart Appleby, 44: “Apples” has limited playing rights on the US PGA Tour where he has won nine times. He enjoys family time and getting his wife Ashley and their four children back to Australia to “hang out on the farm”. In his spare time, Appleby enjoys motor racing.

Craig Parry, 49: Paz turns 50 in January and rumour has it he won’t be rushing to play on the Champions Tour. Currently, Parry plays the odd pro-am, dabbles in golf course design and works with his sponsors

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Steve Elkington, 52: The Elk plays on the Champions Tour.

In 41 events, he has earned $845,000 and has career earnings of more than $15m.

He resides in Houston, Texas.

Frank Nobilo, 55: Nobilo swapped his clubs for a microphone when he joined the Golf Channel and currently serves as a lead analyst for the network’s PGA Tour coverage.

When he is not working, he enjoys Formula 1 motor racing, home improvements and photography. He was the assistant captain for the 2009 and 2011 International team.

He has committed $US6m of his own money to help fund an Autism Centre of Excellence.

His son Ben has autism.

Nick Price, 58: The Zimbabwean continues to play professionally. He has expanded into golf design and he has his own line of signature golf apparel. The three-time major winner and former world number one is the International team captain for this year’s Presidents Cup.

Greg Turner, 52: A winner of 12 professional tournaments, Turner is long retired from tournament golf. He has set up a golf course design and corporate hospitality business.

He also promotes a series of pro and amateur tournaments in New Zealand.

Shigeki Maruyama, 46: No one will forget the “Smiling Assassin”, who won all his matches at the 1998 Presidents Cup. At the end of the 2008, he announced he was returning to Japan after failing to maintain full playing rights on the PGA Tour.

Naomichi “Joe” Ozaki, 59: A winner of 32 tournaments on the Japan Tour, Ozaki played on the Champions Tour with his best result a playoff loss at the 2007 Boeing Classic and a T-2 in the 2010 Regions Charity Classic. He quit in 2013.

Ernie Els, 45: With one of the best swings in the game, the Big Easy remains competitive.

A winner of four majors and 70 pro tournaments, Els, like Norman, has built a business portfolio including a successful golf course design business, but much of his time goes into the Els for Autism Foundation.

Vijay Singh, 52: With three major titles and 59 PGA Tour wins, the Fijian plays on the PGA and Champions tours. He resides in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida where he continues to spend long hours on the practice fairway.

Carlos Franco, 50: The Paraguayan has put up the “gone fishing” sign. A winner of 22 professional tournaments, Franco this year has played just six events with limited success. He has a club named after him – the Carlos Franco Country and Golf Club – but spends more time fishing than golfing.

Captain Peter Thomson, 86: The five-time Open Championship winner has designed hundreds of golf courses around the world.

Thomson has perhaps been the most active as a golf writer, having contributed to the Melbourne Age for some 50 years (not to mention the occasional article in Inside Golf!). A winner of 88 pro tournaments, Thomson captained the Internationals in 1996, 1998 and 2000.

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23

tour talk

More pro-am success! and cold but you wouldn’t know it when you saw the deep green fairways and greens. I had a late night the night before and, to be honest, wasn’t feeling like it was going to be my day. In saying that, I think the days where you aren’t expecting to do well, you take the pressure off yourself. I played solid all day and signed for a 5-under 67, which just was enough for the win. Maybe I should stay up late misbehaving more often!

with Steven Jeffress ed@insidegolf.com.au

T

he last month has been great for my golf, with some good money Pro-Ams mixed with days off where I can work on my game.

After four days off after Yeppoon, I headed up to play the Maryborough Pro-Am. Maryborough golf course is a track that I really like, but have never played well. It’s got some great holes, with my picks being the 8th and 9th . They are surrounded by water, which makes them a real mental challenge and any offline shot will be in with the fishies! The first day I hit the ball everywhere but chipped and putted my butt off to shoot a 3-under-par 68, which had me in about 5th position. I spent a couple of hours in the motel room that night in front of the mirror working on my technique (as the day’s ball striking wasn’t very good.) So when you wonder what golf pros get up to during the evening, now you know! (And, by the way, it’s the only time I look in the mirror; it’s not a pretty sight!)

Anyway, I thought I found a little key that may help, so I went with it. The second day was opposite to the first with my ball striking great, but now I couldn’t get it in the hole.

No wonder golf pros drink! I made three late birdies to shoot another 3-under and finish 3rd, so not a bad result considering I felt like I had my B game.

The following week was the Noosa par-3, 27-hole event. It’s a fun little golf course but another place I’ve really never played well. I shot 1-over, which was nearly a career best there for me so I was fairly happy.

The Queensland Open was my next event, played at Brookwater Golf Club. I had Peter, my caddy, coming up as it was a great opportunity to work together again before the main events at the end of the year. It’s a tough layout and you can’t drop your guard for a minute or it will jump up and bite you. I

Steven Jeffress at the Twin Waters Pro-Am. played solid from tee to green but didn’t really get going on the putting surface. I finished 15th but didn’t break 30 putts any day.

The next day, we were at the beautiful Southport golf club for their Pro-Am. Southport won an award last year for their event and after playing this year’s event, I can’t see why they won’t win another. The course was in awesome condition and the lunch and dinner we received was easily the best meal I have ever eaten at a ProAm. It was a day when I couldn’t quite get going. Every time I looked like moving

into a winning position, I’d make a bogey.

I still played nicely, shooting a 4-under-par 67 to finish tied 3rd. I would have loved to win this event as it’s where I practice, and everyone at the club is always supportive of my golf. Sometimes in this game you have to remember you can’t win them all, even though we would like to.

The next day I jumped in the car with my mate Ed Stedman and headed up to Twin Waters Golf Club. This golf course could be regarded as being in the best condition in Australia. The weather has been a little dry

We had a day off before playing the Maroochy River Pro Am. Maroochy River is a brand-new course on the Sunshine Coast. It is actually the old Horton Park Golf Club that has now moved out towards the airport. What a great track. It’s only about three months old and has a little bit of maturing to do but I loved the layout. It’s a links-style course which is unusual in Queensland. There are a lot of fairway bunkers and water off the tee which can make some drives intimidating. And the large greens mean you could play there all the time and never feel like you’re playing the same course. We only played 14 holes the first day as we got stormed out and had to return for a 6.10am hit off the next morning to finish our round. I made a birdie on my second-last hole that morning and signed for a 4-underpar, 68 which had me in 2nd position. Due to the storm delay we had to head out straight away to start our second round. I started on fire, holing putts from everywhere and was 5-under through 9. One of my playing partners said to me “geez you’re putting great”. Well, that was the end of that! I had been given the kiss of death. I had 1-over around the back-9 to sign for another 68.

Luckily that held on and tied with Michael Wright for the win.

Two wins in a row. My mum rang me that night and told me I wasn’t that good. Thanks mum!

So the last month has been great with a couple of wins and top-10’s. Someone told me that winning was a great habit to get into and with some big events coming up it was nearly perfect preparation. My next trip is to Korea for their national open so let’s hope the habit of winning continues! •

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on tour

Lonard eyes off US Champions Tour Bill Colhoun

A

relaxed and fitter Peter Lonard will use the current $5.5 million Australasian PGA Tour summer circuit to hopefully reignite his career on the US Tour next year as a shortcut to the $30 million US Champions Tour in 2017.

Jim served on the SC&SBDGA for 23 years and was president and Golf Queensland delegate for 18 years.

He was a life member of his beloved Beerwah Golf Club and SC&SBDGA life member.

Lonard, who turned 48 in July, has applied to the US PGA Tour and is in line to gain one of three regular-start cards issued to Champions Tour aspirants on the US web. com Tour in 2016 under a US Tour career earnings and age category.

However if three higher US Tour earners, who qualify on age, apply for the exemption, Lonard may have to go the Champions Tour Qualifying late next year, even though he is a US Tour winner.

Lonard, who has been recuperating in Sydney in recent months from his persistent back problems in 2014, has played little golf, although he had fun winning the Midweek Scratch trophy in July with a par round of 73

JIM Dalrymple commanded a packed gathering last month as family, golfing friends and Beerwah Golf Club members came together for his funeral.

The popular former Sunshine Coast and South Burnett District Golf Association president suffered a major heart attack and passed away on September 3. He was 69.

ed@insidegolf.com.au

The top three career moneywinners, aged 48 or 49, in each event on the web.com Tour in 2016 will earn extra starts enabling them to tune up for and play on the over-50s Tour and Lonard, with US earnings of just under $10 million, hopes he can make the initial cut.

Vale Jim Dalrymple

Jim also served on the Glasshouse Mountains Golf Zone for eight years – three of those years as president.

at The Lakes, where he is a member.

If Lonard, the winner of the 2003 and 2004 Australian Open, the 2002-2004 and 2007 Australian PGA titles and the 1997 and 2002 Australian Masters, can rekindle that form, he again will be a force to reckon with.

He is planning to resume in the West Australian PGA and West Australian Open this month, and in November again play the NSW Open at Stonecutters Ridge in Sydney, where last year he opened with two 69s before slipping back with 73s at the weekend for 25th spot.

Lonard finished 18th at the 2014 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Pines and 56th at the Masters at Huntingdale, where, as a club pro, he famously upstaged Tiger Woods with a record win in 1997.

Surprisingly he missed the cut at the 2014 Emirates Australian Open at The Australian, one of his favourite courses, where he won the 2004 Open.

A fit and refreshed Lonard, with the goal of a new US Tour opportunity beckoning, definitely will be someone to watch this summer.

He served for two years as a director of the former Queensland Golf Union and was Beerwah GC president for several years.

Jim worked tirelessly for the betterment of golf and implemented the South Burnett greens assist program and spent many years as a marshal and rules official for Golf Queensland. He spent some 18 years as a course-rating officer.

Jim dedicated a lifetime to golf and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by Cheryl, his wife, son Robert and daughter Toni.

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amateurs

ACGC Junior Golf Participation Initiative

Grab your ACGC Golden Ticket Lauren McGregor Champion Events

A

CGC 2015/16 series has launched to a sensational start with the first events being played in September. Congratulations to the first of our very excited winning pairs receiving the first of the ACGC Golden Tickets, securing their place to compete for the chance to call themselves Australia’s BEST Amateur Golf Pair.

ACGC are passionate about encouraging young Australians to get out on the greens and enjoy the game of golf. To affirm our commitment to growing the game we are thrilled to announce the ACGC Junior Golf participation initiative for this 2015/16 series.

Every Junior with an official golf link handicap who participates in any of the ACGC qualifying rounds will go into a state-based draw to have their Golf Club Membership Subscription paid at their home club for 12 months to encourage them to continue to grow their own game.

With the 2015/16 ACGC series only just underway there are still plenty of opportunities to get your hands on the hottest ticket in golf by winning one of the 80 regional events and snagging yourself and your playing partner an exclusive golfing vacation to the Queensland’s home of Championship Golf, RACV Royal Pines Resort. Winners will join hundreds of fellow fairway fans from around the nation for three sensational days of golf and fun, in what has become Australia’s favourite amateur pairs golf event.

ACGC have also upped the stakes this year by turning every par-3 hole into a Hole in One prize opportunity. This isn’t just your average prize; any Hole in One hit on any par-3, at any regional event will win a VIP Experience to the ACGC Championship. One perfect shot and you’ll be on your way to the Gold Coast!

In past ACGC series, the rules surrounding entry into the regional events required one

player per pair to be a member of one of the seven Auto Clubs. We want to make it very clear that this is no longer the case; any Australian golfer with a current Golf Link handicap is eligible to play in the ACGC events for only $36 entry fee per player. By opening the tournament up to all Australian golfers, expect fiercer competition that gives much more weight to the term “Australia’s Best Amateur Golf Pair”. Imagine those bragging rights around your club.

Auto Club members will still enjoy their club benefits by receiving a discount on their entry fee into the regional events. Any active member of the RACV, NRMA, RACQ, RAC, RAA, RACT, or AANT will pay an entry fee of only $27. For questions on what defines an active auto club member, please see the FAQ’s on www.acgc.com.au.

Check out the events page on www.acgc. com.au for a list of upcoming tournaments and instructions on how to register. •

UPCOMING ACGC DATES STATE VIC NT NSW WA NSW VIC SA WA SA VIC NSW VIC NSW QLD SA TAS WA SA TAS VIC NSW QLD VIC SA VIC WA TAS WA VIC SA QLD VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC WA NSW VIC

EVENT Goonawarra Alice Springs Golf Club Narrandera Kalgoorlie/Goldfields Moruya Lang Lang Thaxted Park Lakelands Belair Club Mandalay Deniliquin Kooringal Fairfield Golf Club Rockhampton Port Augusta Launceston GC Hillview North Adelaide Greens Beach Lonsdale Golf Club Griffith Noosa Golf Club Maryborough McLaren Vale Queens Park Wannero Devonport Capel Horsham West Lakes RACV Royal Pines Gisborne AM Gisborne PM Box Hill Yallourn Lang Lang #2 Margaret River Magenta Shores Stawell

DATE 3/10/2015 4/10/2015 5/10/2015 10/10/2015 11/10/2015 12/10/2015 18/10/2015 20/10/2015 23/10/2015 24/10/2015 25/10/2015 30/10/2015 1/11/2015 8/11/2015 8/11/2015 8/11/2015 11/11/2015 22/11/2015 22/11/2015 22/11/2015 29/11/2015 29/11/2015 29/11/2015 5/12/2015 6/12/2015 8/12/2015 13/12/2015 13/12/2015 13/12/2015 14/12/2015 17/12/2015 19/12/2015 19/12/2015 8/01/2016 10/01/2016 15/01/2016 22/01/2016 23/01/2016 24/01/2016

NSW VIC NSW VIC WA NSW

Federal ACT Mornington Armidale RACV Healesville Meadow Springs Fairfield Golf Club #2

28/01/2016 29/01/2016 30/01/2016 30/01/2016 5/02/2016 7/02/2016

VIC TAS SA VIC VIC

Cohuna Royal Hobart McCracken Garfield Golf Club RACV Cape Schanck

13/02/2016 14/02/2016 11/03/2016 13/03/2016 15/03/2016

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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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

education

Hills College ‘ticks all boxes’ “We are ranked eighth in the country for the most improved and number one in Queensland,” he said.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

S

“We are very strong across the board and the curriculum and golf program fit together nicely.

HOULD I send my child to a school or college that specialises in golf?

“When the students get to grades 11 and 12, they do golf as a recognised subject and a Certificate III in Sport. That virtually guarantees them an OP of 15 or less.”

It’s a question many parents ask when their golfing child is about to enter high school.

Many parents enrol their kids in golf for the social skills the game teaches and oftentimes in the hope of creating the next Jason Day. Tom Berndt – director of golf at Hills International Golf Academy, Hills College – believes in providing a child with the best possible golfing and academic education.

“It’s well-documented Jason Day attended Hills College,” he said.

“Hills is a school that focuses on the pathway kids can take to advance a career in golf.

“The US College pathway is a good one for the better players, but not everyone can be tournament players so we encourage them to look down the Australian PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI) route to stay in the industry.”

Berndt said Hills College at Jimboomba near Brisbane not only helped children achieve their golfing goals, but their academic ambitions.

“From an academic point of view, we have all the bases covered.

“From a golfing perspective, the students have the luxury of

Jason Day lookalike Rugthai (Bright) Thongsom re-enacts one of the scenes for an upcoming documentary on the Australian.

Jason Day lookalike stars

Tom Berndt.

Berndt said the program’s elite golfers were provided with the tools and information to get them a US College scholarship.

A week before Jason Day won the US PGA Championship a Canadian film crew arrived in Australia to finalise a documentary on Day’s life.

residing on campus where there is a cafeteria that caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“We are now an accredited school with the Western American Schools and Colleges (WASC),” he said.

They visited his old haunts including Beaudesert Golf Club where Jason learned to play golf as a six-year-old under tutelage of his late father Alvin.

“It’s a two-minute walk to school and a three-minute walk to the range so there is no down time and that’s a huge benefit.

“To qualify for a US scholarship, international golf students need to accumulate 16 academic points, which means they need to be doing the right subjects and that’s where Hills comes to the fore.

They also visited Hills College where Day boarded and honed his skills under the watchful eye of Col Swatton.

“The coaches are the equal of any academy in the world. We have all the high-tech equipment needed like Trackman and PuttLab to help students with their game.

“We tick a lot of boxes at the school and as a golf academy.

We have a gymnasium, strength and conditioning trainer as well as dieticians to psychologists and physios.

“Hills College has everything that helps the kids become as good as they can be.”

Berndt said the school recently topped NAPLAN testing in Queensland.

“If you don’t get the points you can still go to college, but can’t get a scholarship.

“At Hills, we have monitored that very closely and make sure our students are doing the recognised subjects to get those points.

“Of course, Hills is only one of three schools in southeast Queensland that has the credentials to do the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) – the entrance exam for any college in the US.” For further information, call Tom Berndt on (07) 5546-0667.

Hills College director of golf Tom Berndt said it was an “unbelievable coincidence”.

“They called me and asked if I had a Jason Day lookalike,” he explained.

“I said I had a young boy that would be perfect for the role of a young Jason.

“So Rugthai (Bright) Thongsom acted out the role and became the star of the show.

“Because they had interviewed Jason there were things he told them about what he did at Hills and Beaudesert and they basically had Bright acting out what Jason did as a youngster.

“It was a phenomenal experience for Bright.

“The students were so excited and missed out on a bit of golf tuition, but it helped them get a better understanding of being a famous player.

“They started to think maybe one day they could be like Jason.”

Hills College congratulates alumni, Jason Day, on winning the US PGA Championship.

“Our aim is to develop the potential of junior golfers in a world class academic and sporting environment, preparing them with the necessary mental and physical skills to shine on the world stage golfing stage, like former student Jason Day. Many students have gained US College scholarships in golf as a result.”

For information regarding the Hills Golf Programme contact Tom Berndt, Director of Golf Ph ( 07) 5547-9655 | Email tom.berndt@hills.qld.edu.au | www.hills.qld.ed.au 28

October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

clubs

Kooralbyn on track to reopen David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

W

HEN Kooralbyn Valley Golf Club reopens on February 5 2016, as scheduled, you will hear golfers who appreciate great layouts cheering from the rooftops.

The Desmond Muirhead-designed layout, which stretches to 6417 metres, was once a glamour playground for golfers and their families before it closed in 2008.

In fact, Muirhead, who designed more than 100 golf courses, said Kooralbyn was one of his finest achievements.

And the late, great Norman von Nida said there should be a Kooralbyn in heaven.

Kooralbyn, the first resort course to open in Australia, is located in the foothills of the McPherson Ranges near Beaudesert midway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Kooralbyn’s marketing manager Lynne Dawe told Inside Golf the golf course and the on-site hotel would start welcoming golfers in early February.

“The golf course is being brought back to its former glory and the first and 18th holes will return to the original design,” Mrs Dawe said.

“Our rates for Monday to Friday will be $48 per person and that includes a cart. On weekends and public holidays it’s $68.

“The Ramada-branded hotel will also reopen so we will offer generous play-andstay packages for small and large groups.

“A one night’s accommodation

play-and-stay package starts from $121 per person per night.

“The restaurant and bars will be open for guests’ comfort.

“There will be substantial group discounts for more than 36 people.”

Mrs Dawe said guests would be welcome to use the tennis courts and other facilities.

“The resort is going to have quite a number of things including a spa massage clinic, Aussie Muster, sheep shearing, an aviary, a crocodile enclosure, snake enclosure, koalas and kangaroos,” she said.

“It’s going to be a great golfing destination for golfers and for families.

“There will be gold panning, a maze where kids can explore, a skate park and train track for kids.

“We are going to extend some of the lakes so there will be some water sports as well.”

JHC Subsidiary, headed by Peter Huang, purchased the resort for an undisclosed sum.

Huang, the owner and founder of Yong Real Estate, last year told me more than $10 million would be spent upgrading the golf course and facilities.

“When the work is complete, it will be one of the most unique resorts in the world,” he said.

“It will be the first and only integrated tourism, health and wellness resort in the world.

“We will eventually offer over 70 different recreational activities. There will be skydiving and water activities, a multiple sports centre, koala centre, crocodile centre, fish feeding, facial massage and more.

“It will be unique and nothing in the world will compare with Ramada Resort Koorlabyn Valley.”

Huang said he planned to market the newlook resort worldwide.

“The Australian market is too small and not sustainable,” he said.

“We need to get international students and international tourists to come to Australia.”

Adam Scott and Jason Day attended the international school along with Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman.

In the early 1980s, Kooralbyn hosted the Australian Teams’ Championship, the Queensland Open and the Queen Sirikit Cup. In the 1990s, the resort hosted the popular Battle of the Media competition.

Media personalities from magazines, newspapers, radio and television would flock to the resort in the hope of winning the “battle” and media bragging rights.

For more information, call Lynne Dawe on 0401-599-354. •

Calling all golf Enthusiasts Play your part in the Grand Reopening of an iconic Golf Course, where Jason Day and Adam Scott have played.

Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley will be reopening their World renowned 18 hole Championship golf Course, together with Private Airport and Polo Fields, from the 5th February, 2016, after the full renovations.

Kooralbyn Valley Golf Club was one of the first golf resorts built in Australia and it is widely known as being one of the most natural golf courses in the country.

Since 1986, for many years it has been included in every National rating list and there’s good reason as the course offers a superb combination of challenging holes with dramatic views of some of Australia’s genuine landscape.

It was the timeless piece of virgin country that inspired Scottish golf architect, Desmond Muirhead, to create this masterpiece, a legacy for all golfers to enjoy. The latest practice green was designed by Adam’s father Phil Scott.

Come and play for a day or join us overnight with the best unlimited play and stay packages.

Bookings for this auspicious occasion are available now from $48 with brand new cart.

Call (07) 5544 6688 to ensure your place on this opening day the 5th February, 2016.

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

29

clubs

13th Beach captures the sun, dunes in two bold initiatives

O

NE of Victoria’s leading golfing, dining and conference locations, Thirteenth Beach Golf Links, has launched two key initiatives which should see the club further its standing in the golf and conference industries.

ONE of Victoria’s premier golf resorts, Moonah Links Resort, has announced a membership offer that is sure to turn heads.

Golfers who join before the 31st of December will receive 15 months’ membership for the price of 12. This represents a saving of up to $700.

Last month, the club finished a spectacular internal transformation of their clubhouse spaces. Brian Mathieson, from Perrot Lyon Mathieson, who was the original architect and designer of the clubhouse, oversaw the project which included choosing colours inspired by the local coastal landscape.

Moonah Links Resort offers two worldclass championship golf courses, each boasting superior course conditions which assure year-round playability.

The Open Course is a true test of golf.

Designed to host the Australian Open, the course is long, challenging and full of riskreward situations. It is a visually stunning course that offers some of the most amazing scenery around, and some of the best-conditioned greens in the area.

“The brief to Brian was to capture the beautiful coastal colours of the dunes and native grasses and flow these through the building. He nailed it,” says Thirteenth Beach General Manager, Anthony Masters.

The clubhouse refurbishment included new chairs, tables and occasional furniture, black and white course photography, bench seating, stunning new lighting, new carpet plus new conference and meeting facilities for members, guests and visitors.

A launch event was held following the completion of the project, with members and guests singing the praises of the transformation.

The clubhouse project follows another recent innovation by the club; the “Green Carts” initiative, which entailed the installation of a huge 60kW solar panel system which covers the cart garage and maintenance shed.

Moonah Links offering three months’ free membership

The Legends Course offers the perfect complement to the Open Course. While equally stunning in both design, scenery and conditioning, the Legends Course gives golfers of all levels a setting that is fun and challenging. Complementing the course facilities are a driving range and practice facilities designed to Australian Institute of Sport specifications and one of the foremost elite training facilities in world golf.

City to Surf Solar+ director, Christian Pritchett believes the club will see the benefits immediately with the system “offsetting electricity bills by approximately 190kWh/day.” Masters says that already the panels have generated nearly 7 megawatts of energy, enough to light the Eiffel Tower for 33 hours!

With the largest fleet of motorized golf carts in Victoria, a comprehensive pro shop, 92 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, restaurant, spike bar, extensive banquet and conference facilities and ancillary recreational facilities such as a swimming pool and tennis courts, Moonah Links resort is one of the finest, most comprehensive golf resorts in the country.

Masters said Thirteenth Beach placed great importance on the environment and sustainable practice.

The club has projected electricity bill savings of around $13,000 in the first year.

Over the system’s 25-year life, that saving is projected to be about $475,000, according to system installer City to Surf Solar+.

“We wanted to reduce our overall power footprint and one way to do this was to install solar power to recharge our large number of golf carts, among other things.

The club also hopes to inspire others to take action and do their part for the environment,” he said.

This Green Carts initiative aims to combat the considerable amount of electricity needed to re-power carts.

Featuring two championship golf courses designed by Sir Nick Faldo and Tony Cashmore, Thirteenth Beach Golf Links

is a popular spot for both amateurs and professionals, and the course will host the next three Oates Vic Opens until 2018.

More: www.13thbeach.net

For further enquiries, call Golf Administrator, Kate McLean on 03 5988 2034. For full terms and conditions on the membership offer, visit www.moonahlinks.com.au.

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CLUB OF THE MONTH >

Huntingdale Golf Club

Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

W

ith a rich and storied history dating back to 1886, Huntingdale Golf Club has long been celebrated as one of Australia’s top golf clubs. Nestled in the famed Melbourne Sandbelt, the immaculate 18-hole championship golf course has, over the years, hosted numerous world-class events, with the most notable being the Australian Masters, which called Huntingdale home for 30 consecutive years, from its inaugural staging in 1979 through to 2008.

This year marks a monumental “homecoming” for the Australian Masters, as it returns to Huntingdale from November 19-22. And the event’s competitors, fans and volunteers will all be welcomed to a club that is sporting a renovated layout, an award-winning clubhouse, and a renewed dedication to member benefits, value-adds and world-class service.

The new clubhouse opened in August 2014, and is now considered by many as one of the best golf clubhouses in Australia, featuring sweeping views of the golf course in a warm yet modern setting. The clubhouse has excelled in the major building awards for 2015, after winning both the Victorian Interior Architectural Award and Excellence in Construction of Commercial Buildings Awards ($10M/$15M category) at the Victorian Architectural Awards and Masters Builders Award ceremonies recently.

The judges at the awards ceremonies noted some of the standout features of the clubhouse: “The angular roof and its complementary design features are a visual treat for golfers working their way among Huntingdale’s eighteen holes. Its welcoming entrance 32

October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

and grand corridors lead to an elevated, expansive dining area with sweeping views over the golf course with large windows that frame the beauty of the surrounding natural environment. Upon entering the clubhouse, one is immediately compelled to gaze upwards to admire the intricate, raked and folded timber ceilings. Additional luxurious interior features of the clubhouse include copper paneling, stone fireplace mantles, timber veneer joinery and chandelier lighting over a grand staircase.

Externally, the eye-catching terracotta-tiled, multi-pitched roof provides a highlight of this new two-level clubhouse surrounded by pristine landscaping.”

As for the course itself, it has undergone a bit of a facelift over the last few years.

A positive by-product of the Australian Masters leaving the venue in 2008 was that it gave the Club an opportunity at the time to reassess its strategic direction and, in particular, review the Course Master Plan and Clubhouse Master Plan in a completely new light. This opportunity may not have happened had the event remained at the venue.

As a result, the Club seized the chance to undertake a number of course works to improve playability and aesthetics. The Club engaged Course Architect Martin Hawtree to undertake a strategic review of the Course

Master Plan. Martin is a renowned third generation UK-based Course Architect whose great grandfather worked with Charles Alison (and Harry Colt), the original course designer for Huntingdale. Martin is seen as a Colt and Alison expert and has been Course Architect for clubs such as Royal Birkdale, Sunnydale, Wentworth, Lahinch and the building of Trump International in Scotland.

Martin is also the R&A consulting architect for the Open courses and is probably best well known for being engaged to undertake the changes to the Old Course at St Andrews.

Since engaging Hawtree, the Club has rebuilt the 14th and 17th holes, removed fairway bunkers on the 16th and 18th holes,

clubs undertaken some minor works on 10th and 5th holes and, perhaps most significantly, undertaken extensive native revegetation works throughout the course to return the “sandbelt” feel, much of which had been trampled over 30 years of Australian Masters at Huntingdale.

This work has been extremely well received

by Members and guests playing the course and in recent years Huntingdale has soared back up the course ratings on the back of the changes and, most importantly, its day-today conditioning.

Inside Golf had the pleasure of playing the course last month, and we can attest that the conditioning was the best we’ve ever seen.

The fairways, greens, bunkers and surrounds were in top-notch shape. The greens were absolutely beautiful, and were running extremely true. They will certainly give the professionals a real test come November, as they did earlier in the year for the Victorian PGA championships. The feedback from the professionals, celebrities and amateurs playing in that event was exceptional, with high praises sung for both the new clubhouse and the revamped course.

On the back of the new clubhouse and course works, Huntingdale is bucking all of the trends in membership being experienced around Australia. In the last five years, the club have admitted 277 new members with an average age of 39, making Huntingdale the “youngest” club in the sandbelt. This is

looking for more than just a golf course.

They are looking for a complete package.

Whilst the golf course will always be the key priority, members and prospective members are looking for a club where they can be proud to entertain their family and friends, to work away from the office and to participate in social activities and make new friends.

“The new clubhouse is state-of-the-art and we are certainly seeing more and more of our younger members entertaining in the new clubhouse with their families and friends or using the business facilities, like the board room, meeting rooms or business centre, available to them in the new clubhouse,” he adds.

In addition, Fenton explains that the club has recognised the importance of adding value to memberships.

“The club is constantly looking for ways to continually enhance its membership offering and to raise the bar in everything we do,” he says. “This has included establishing non-golf reciprocal relationships with organisations such as Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club. This has provided a unique but significant additional value to our membership offering on top of the extensive interstate and international reciprocal network, as well as the benefits of the sandbelt reciprocal card available to all Members of the sandbelt clubs that allows a game of golf at our respective clubs.

a fantastic result, and when combined with the extremely healthy junior program—with over 80 kids starting from 5 years of age— as well as their “Spring into Golf” Women’s programs which are attracting record numbers—Huntingdale is well positioned for long-term success. In addition, their corporate membership offering has also seen a significant increase in demand, and corporate golf was booked out in 2015 with only a few days left in 2016.

“There is no doubt that the new clubhouse has supported a spike in new memberships and membership enquires,” says Stewart Fenton, General Manager of Huntingdale.

“More than ever, prospective members are

“We also offer a competition (not compulsory) every day of the week and round times are a comfortable four hours on most occasions and we ensure that members always have easy access to the golf course without the crowds of many private clubs.”

Over the past few years the Club has also undertaken an extensive membership process review. They have moved away from the model of maintaining long waiting lists and now open the membership when spots are available. This has significantly reduced waiting periods.

“We are also now more than ever cognizant of the transient nature of younger members both intrastate and interstate,” Fenton says.

“We no longer require applicants to know 10 people within the Club and are more flexible and sensible in our approach to new members than ever before. This has included five-year payment plans for the entrance fee and flexible payment options on the annual

subscription. We can also accommodate applicants who may have moved into the area and do not know Members at the Club. We have also introduced a range of junior membership initiatives and family memberships with lower entrance fees.”

Whilst things are clearly travelling well the Club is currently undertaking a new Strategic Plan to further enhance its bright future. •

For further information on Huntingdale Golf Club including membership opportunities, function and corporate event enquires, group or interstate bookings or our woman or junior programs please contact the Club on 03 9579 4622 or email info@huntingdalegolf.com.au or www.huntingdalegolf.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

33

clubs

Howeston pro-am is always a big hit family-run business headed up by the hard-working Bill and Lynn Weston.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

T

They rarely take a holiday but recently did sneak away to Stradbroke Island for a few days to recharge their batteries in the lead-up to the pro-am.

HE professionals who play in the popular Howeston pro-am take their work seriously, but when the event ends the fun usually begins.

While away, Bill and Lynn’s son Kel, a qualified greenkeeper, and grandsons Kerron, Jake and Lachlan kept the course pristine while daughter Donna, daughter-in-law Sue and sonin-law Keith contributed to the smooth running of the place.

That’s when the big-hitters let their hair down, flex their muscles and turn themselves inside out as they attempt to win the long drive competition…and bragging rights.

Then there’s close family friend Lew Noyes, who works tirelessly to ensure the pro-am is a success.

Conducted on the first fairway, the long drive competition is an exciting sequel to the pro-am and a definite crowd-pleaser.

Lew visited the Westons in 1980 and has been there ever since.

US PGA Tour player Steven Bowditch once thrilled the gallery with some booming drives – one a record-breaking 341metres.

That record stood for some time.

Then, in 2013, little-known Gold Coast professional Nicholas Russell launched a 359-metre drive, took the cash and the puff out of his opponents.

The contest is the delicious dessert that follows the main course (the pro-am).

This year’s event, the 36th consecutive Howeston pro-am, tees off on Thursday, October 8.

Over the years, players of the calibre of Ian Baker-Finch, Peter Senior, John Senden, Rod Pampling, Steven Bowditch, Peter McWhinney, Terry Price, Mike Ferguson, Wayne Grady and others have entertained the galleries.

Some of the senior professionals could line up again this year, but the spotlight undoubtedly will fall on the next wave of top young professionals.

The Howeston pro-am, part of the Sunshine Tour, is where many players kick-start their careers and earn their first cheque.

Howeston is a testing layout carved out of an old strawberry farm that was owned by Jack (a former Wallaby, who played against the All Blacks and the Springboks) and Kath Howard.

To be successful, players need to master the golf course’s subtleties, remain focussed and not take for granted the “Bermuda Triangle”.

“He puts his heart and soul into the pro-am,” Lynn said.

GOING STRONG: Howeston Golf Course will host its 36th successive pro-am.

The “triangle” is the 363m fifth, 145m sixth and 580m seventh holes on the Howard nine. (Howeston is a 27-hole course with three distinct nines that have their own identity – the Howard, Weston and Westward nines).

A warning – the ninth green on the Weston course has been reshaped and a deep pot bunker introduced to catch wayward golf balls.

When the pro-am and long drive contest is over, Howeston becomes one big family-friendly environment where players and officials can enjoy the family barbecue and have a few drinks to celebrate or commiserate.

Howeston has managed to keep the pro-am going for 36 years because of the generosity of their loyal sponsors.

“A lot of pro-am sponsors have stuck with us through the years and that has helped us keep going,” Lynn said.

“Our major sponsor BMD has been a big pro-am supporter for a long time, but going back even further are local supporters like Wellington Point Hotel, Yellow Cabs and Capalaba Social Golf Club.

“They (Capalaba Social Golf Club) helped us get it up-andrunning and have been marvellous.

“They play here regularly and keep up their pro-am sponsorship.”

For the record, more than 850 different professionals have teed it up in the Howeston pro-am over the past 35 years.

They can even kick on into the night and many do as they gather around to tell and listen to colourful stories.

The pro-am is a win-win for golf fans because they get to see the professionals chasing birdies and eagles on the course and unwinding during the long drive contest.

There are yarns about eagles and birdies gained, lip-out putts, drained three-metre putts that stretch to six metres by the end of the night, unlucky bounces and lost opportunities.

Howeston is affectionately known as “Royal Birkdale” because it is located in the suburb of Birkdale in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs.

The players love the camaraderie, friendship and laid-back atmosphere and as each year passes, the stories get better which just adds to the colour.

Golf is great value with green fees $16 on weekdays and $20 on weekends.

What makes Howeston Golf Course so popular is it’s a

For more information, call (07) 3207-2452. Entry to the Howeston pro-am is free. • Major Sponsor

Presents its 36th annual $11,000 one-day pro-am | Thursday, 8th October 2015 W. Weston, L. Weston and families wish to thank the sponsors who have made this event possible BMD Group major sponsor Yellow Cabs Wellington Point Hotel Larry McFarlane Cabinetmakers Millar’s Plumbing Services Betabord

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

National Australia Bank Howeston Golf Course Wednesday Club Shand Taylor Lawyers Allshots Ken Churchill Ray White Wynnum-Manly

Birkdale Saturday Club Jenny Thomas Q Tech Linings Capalaba Social Golf Club Club Car Golf World, Capalaba

Birkdale Tuesday Club Clear Audio Visual and Security Lew Noyes Dawn Breakers OzDogs Covering Australia Col McCarthy Home Builder

clubs

Pro talent pool runs deep at Hervey Bay David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

W

HEN it comes to club professionals, Hervey Bay Golf Club on Queensland’s Fraser Coast boasts a talent pool that runs deep in Queensland golf.

The line-up includes brothers Gerry, Stephen and Chris Taylor, Shane Tait and Matthew Keegan.

All were fine players, who now split their time between the golf club and Hervey Bay’s day/night driving range.

“It all works really well,” Gerry said. “The members and the public have five good pros they can call on.

“We take it in turns to move around, but Steve spends majority of his time at the range and I spend most of my time here.”

In the 1980s, Gerry, Hervey Bay’s head pro for the past 25 years, spent eight years playing the European Tour with the likes of Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer, Seve Ballesteros and others.

In fact, Gerry contested for the lead in the 1987 Open Championship at Muirfield before fading to finish 25th and a year later finished runner-up to Seve in the Scandinavian Open.

Older brother Robert, a retired professional, finished runner-up in the 1975 Australian PGA Championship and was club pro at McLeod and Pacific golf clubs in Brisbane.

“I always wanted to be a golf pro and never thought about doing anything else since the age of five or six,” said Gerry, who honed his skills at Keperra Golf and Country Club.

“At the age of six or seven I started caddying.

Hervey Bay Golf Club head professional Gerry Taylor. INSET: Chris Taylor

Teaching pro Stephen Taylor works with a student.

“All the boys in a family of 10 caddied to get a few dollars. We went looking for golf balls, then started hitting golf balls and that was it.

Stephen represented Australia and played in the Craig Parry and Brett Ogle era.

first came here there were 10,000 people in Hervey Bay and now there is 60,000-plus.

“Steve won a Queensland amateur championship by 15 or 16 shots, which is a ridiculous record,” Gerry said.

“We have a lot of playing members and run competitions for the members six days a week.”

Hervey Bay has a strong junior base thanks to junior co-ordinator Brian Carrigan.

“I’m really lucky because I have just turned 56 and I’m still working in golf.

“He was really talented, but got caught up a little bit in technique, but he is turning 50 next January and is showing signs of wanting to go and play a few senior tournaments,” Gerry said.

“I still enjoy playing, serving the members and coaching.”

“I think that’s exciting because he still plays very well.”

Gerry said he, like so many Australian players, was inspired by Greg Norman.

Nicknamed Seve, Stephen played the Australian and Asian tours for a number of years before settling at Hervey Bay.

“The principal of my school was a gentleman by the name of Brother David and he kept pulling me aside saying ‘Taylor, Taylor, there is no money in sport’. That was back in the ’70s.

“When Greg was number one in the world for a ridiculous period of time (331 weeks) he was an inspiration to everyone,” he said.

“When Greg was playing he was the one to beat.

Of the brothers, Stephen was without doubt the most talented.

“They called him Seve because his short game was impeccable,” Gerry said.

Hervey Bay Golf Club, which leases its clubhouse to the RSL, is popular with members and visitors alike.

“It’s a busy golf course,” Gerry said. “When I

“Professional Adam Crawford went through our junior program under the guidance of Brian.

“The kids all start learning the basics with Brian and progress to us (the professionals) and we take them to the next level,” Gerry said.

TAYLOR’S TIP: Gerry says many mid- to highhandicap club golfers need to work on their weight transfer.

“It’s the most common mistake amateurs make,” he said.

“Most club golfers finish their swing with the weight on their back foot. If you watch the pros they finish with weight on the front foot.” •

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35

legends

Bring back respect, says Watson David Newbery

epitomised it right there.”

david@insidegolf.com.au

Watson is one of the game’s true gentlemen, but he is also known for his forthright comments.

I

N his Open Championship swansong, Tom Watson took his verbal driver to unruly golf fans saying they should have more respect for the game.

Which brings us to swearing and club throwing – another no-no in Watson’s book.

In a 2010 interview, Watson was critical of Tiger Woods’s antics when things didn’t go his way.

The five-time Open Championship winner was highly critical of golf patrons who yell out idiotic remarks like “you da man”, “be the ball”, “mash potatoes” and “get in the hole”.

“His (Tiger’s) swearing and club throwing should end,” Watson said.

“The game doesn’t like things like that,” Watson said. “I’m sorry, it doesn’t.”

“That’s not what we want to project as far as professional golf is concerned.”

“If we look at our society, in general, I think we are losing focus in a lot of ways and our respect for each other.

“There are all kinds of political issues and other issues, which take precedence over common respect.

And during his final Open Championship at St Andrews, Watson accused Phil Mickelson of Ryder Cup sour grapes almost a year after Lefty’s internal criticism of his captain’s tactics.

“The way my dad lived his life was the golden rule, which is in every major religion there is and that is do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

“Phil was very disappointed about not being able to play,” Watson told Daniel Schofield of The Telegraph (UK). “It was kind of sour grapes.

“Jack somehow extricates his ball out of the rough onto the green.

up and as I stood up I see out of the corner of my eye Jack with raised hands and in three seconds that tumultuous roar went to an absolute silence – in three seconds.

“That’s understandable, and we just got waxed, the whole team, and the disappointment was just there.” •

“He has about a 40-foot putt and he makes the putt forcing me to make this short putt.

“There would have been 15,000 people around there and they were all silent.

“I tell people about our game which is different to any other game.

“The crowd was in a roar and it didn’t diminish,” Watson said. “It didn’t diminish and it didn’t diminish.

“That is the respect those people had for the game … and for Jack. And Jack had for the game.

At the final hole at Turnberry in 1977, Jack Nicklaus hits it in the right rough and I am in the fairway,” he recalls.

“I said ‘I am not going to wait around any longer. I’m going to go ahead and putt even with the crowd still cheering for Jack’.

“That is the difference of our game versus other games.

FOOTNOTE: Tom Watson won his first of five Claret Jugs in 1975 when he edged out Australia’s Jack Newton in an 18-hole playoff at Carnoustie and his last in 1983 at Royal Birkdale. Watson has Scot James Braid (five victories from 1901 to 1910), Englishman JH Taylor (1894 to 1913) and Australian Peter Thomson (1954 to 1965) for company. Only Harry Vardon, from Jersey, has more. He won six times from 1896 to 1914.

“If you show others respect they will respect you. We have lost that … and a lot.

“Golf still has that arena of respect.”

Watson cites an example of utter respect shown by fans while duelling Jack Nicklaus for the 1977 Open Championship at Turnberry.

“I had a one-shot lead and I hit my shot first.

I don’t know how close it is, but I know it’s close.

“So I put my ball down, picked my marker

YOUR

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Better Golf

“There is a certain amount of respect with which you play the game and that

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money

Rolling in the money pit

The European Tour and the Asian Tour have announced an innovative joint vision for the future of professional golf.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

The vision will see the business element and the Membership portfolios of both Tours combine, reinforcing the current strengths of the two Tours by maximising global opportunities, as well as increasing playing opportunities and prize funds for the respective Memberships.

W

HEN Si Woo Kim won the Stonebrae Classic on the Web.com Tour recently it got me thinking: what happened to another champion named Kim – Anthony Kim.

Both organisations will now enter into an exclusive discussion period, working through the key points with their respective Boards, Tournament Committees and Memberships.

Remember him?

Five or six years ago, he was touted as being the next Tiger Woods – young, marketable, combative and a winner.

In 2008, as a 23-year-old, he inspired the US to a famous Ryder Cup victory over Europe when he rolled Sergio Garcia 5/4 in a pivotal singles clash.

In the Presidents Cup the following year, he accounted for Robert Allenby 5/3 and finished third in the US Masters in 2010.

He won three tournaments on the PGA Tour and tied seventh and fifth in the Open Championship in 2008 and 2011 respectively.

In six years on the tour (2006-2012), he banked more than $A16 million in prizemoney and at the end of 2008 reportedly signed a major endorsement contract with Nike pushing his endorsement income to $6m the following year.

Then, before the end of 2012, he disappeared and has become an actual mystery man.

So, why would a successful professional walk away from the game at 27?

Well, we know he had an Achilles tendon operation at the start of 2013 and he has never returned to competitive golf.

Perhaps he grew tired of the public eye,

European Tour, Asian Tour to combine?

Anthony Kim at the 2011 US Open. Photo: USGA/Hunter Martin. corporate responsibilities and travel.

Maybe there is another motive?

According to Alan Shipnuck at golf.com, “the answer may very well lie in an insurance policy Kim has against a careerending injury”.

Apparently, the insurance policy could be between $US10m and $US20m – tax-free.

If he returns to the tour, the policy would be void.

The report states Kim would have to earn around $US35m on and off the golf course to match the amount he would collect by never playing golf again.

Kim is just 30 and it’s hard to fathom why someone so talented, and in the prime of their life, wouldn’t want to return and maybe add a major or two to his CV. For the world’s best players it’s not about the prizemoney – it’s about winning major tournaments.

Tiger Woods certainly doesn’t need the dough, but he’s soldiering on despite being in a severe slump and being scrutinised at every turn.

American Zach Johnson could have quit the game after winning the 2007 US Masters and spent the rest of his life counting his $US37m.

But no, the 39-year-old kept going and now has another major – the Open Championship.

For some, the lure of retiring before the age of 30 might appeal, but if your dream were to be a professional golfer wouldn’t you want to win major titles?

Maybe, just maybe, there is too much prizemoney in golf?

It’s incredible to note that Henrik Stenson, who has not won a tournament this year, has earnings of more than $A5.5 million and is 10th on the money list. •

Keith Pelley, CEO of The European Tour, said: “I am excited about the prospect of what is to come and the opportunity that this announcement presents. Over the next few months we will work through, with our membership, all the specific details of what I believe will ultimately provide significant benefit to them.”

Mike Kerr, CEO of the Asian Tour, said: “This will benefit both memberships in creating greater playing and earning opportunities while also establishing a defined career pathway for all players. This initiative will ultimately create an inimitable platform that will enhance our appeal to sponsors, partners and golf fans around the world.”

The agreement is the natural extension in the existing partnership between the two Tours which stretches back to February 1999 when the first co-sanctioned tournament – the Malaysian Open – was staged at Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur.

Since then there have been 92 co-sanctioned events offering considerable playing opportunities for Members of both Tours with total prize money in excess of €160 million.

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

new gear

>NEWGEAR We highlight the latest products to hit the market decrease in overall club weight and allowed engineers to add a revolutionary T-Track system that houses 25g of adjustable weight. The M1 Driver features one 15g moveable weight in the Front Track, sliding from heel to toe, allowing golfers to adjust their draw or fade bias by up to 25 yards.

Similarly, the Back Track on the M1 Driver allows the golfer 10g of moveable weight, sliding from front to back, permitting up to 300rpm of backspin and 0.8 degree in launch angle adjustment.

The 12 position loft sleeve provides up to four degrees of loft adjustment, the T-Track can be set for more/less draw/fade and higher/lower trajectory, all combined with a choice of three tour-proven, premium stock aftermarket shaft offerings.

TaylorMade M1 Family TaylorMade Golf have developed a multimaterial combination of titanium and a seven-layer carbon composite crown to unlock their longest driver and most fittable product line in company history, M1™. In M1, engineers have created a line of drivers, fairways and Rescue® clubs designed to provide golfers with more ball speed, forgiveness and distance in TaylorMade’s first-ever “unmetalwood” family.

The use of revolutionary carbon composite crown design in TaylorMade’s new M1 driver resulted in a significant

Featuring the same Front Track system as the M1 driver, the M1 fairway utilises two 15g tungsten weights that can slide easily to promote a draw or fade using the TaylorMade torque wrench. The M1 fairway is equipped with a four degree loft sleeve, which allows for a two degree increase or decrease in loft.

In combination with 1.5 degree loft sleeve, the M1 Rescue also features two moveable weights (one 3g and one 25g) that can be set for neutral or fade bias to optimise shot shape and trajectory.

Additionally, the M1 Rescue has a speed pocket, increases the size of the sweet spot and reducing spin.

RRP: TBA Available: October 8 www.taylormadegolf.com.au

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Mizuno MP-5 Irons The MP-5 sits neatly between Mizuno’s classic blades and smaller cavity-backed clubs. The Channel Back concept was refined through a harmonisation of CAD design and traditional Japanese craftsmanship, creating an iron suitable for Professionals to the low singlefigure markers.

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Mizuno MP-25 Irons The MP-25 is the first true high ball-speed iron, Grain Flow Forged for the feel and touch indispensable on tour. Stunning tour inspired design with an injection of Boron for added ball speed and distance.

Recommended for tour players to low/mid handicaps.

Mizuno S5 Wedge An enticing midsize profile, grain flow forged with sharply visible sole grinds for imagination and creativity around the green.

The Mizuno S5 wedge was first put in play with short game master Luke Donald at the BMW championships/Wentworth 2015. Suits players from pro to mid handicaps. www.mizuno.com.au

KeyReturn keyrings

You may never have lost your keys…..yet, but hundreds of people in Australia lose their keys every day, most never to be seen again, but now there is hope thanks to Australian company KeyReturn who produce quality metal keyrings with secure ID and a free return feature.

KeyReturn have re-united hundreds of owners with their lost / found keys thanks to their secure branded keyrings for the past 6 years. You can have a members keyring or company keyring designed and produced

by KeyReturn and any lost / found keys are securely returned for Free.

Kingston Heath Golf Club members already enjoy the security of having their own member’s keyring by KeyReturn, along with Manly Golf Club and Bonville Golf Club.

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

With major companies such as RACQ, GIO, PGA of Australia, Bunnings Trade, Bradman Foundation, Pirtek, CareFlight and many more using KeyReturn for their keyrings, you will be in good company.

Car keys, remotes, and keys can add up to hundreds of dollars to replace, not to mention the inconvenience. You would be providing your members and clients with a valuable item that they will use for years, because of the secure free return feature and pride in their club.

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KING LTD Driver & Fairway COBRA Golf is announcing the return of a name synonymous to the brand with the launch of KING LTD.

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Fuelled by research in space, the KING LTD Driver & Fairway feature a revolutionary Spaceport design that allowed the brand’s R&D team to strategically position the Centre of Gravity (CG) and make COBRA Golf’s key internal technologies visible for the first time. The SpacePort system serves the dual-purpose of a 16-gram Aerospace grade Aluminium weight as well as being a translucent port system that allows golfers to view the internal driver technologies. In total there are more than 28 grams of discretionary weight strategically positioned in and around the Port perimeter, positioning the CG low and to the back of the clubhead.

“Most Drivers in the marketplace today have a Centre of Gravity that is positioned above the neutral axis line. KING LTD is our first driver to ever get it to the neutral line (Zero CG), and deliver a more efficient transfer of energy at impact without sacrificing forgiveness,” says Cobra Golf’s Category Manager Jason Louey.

What does this mean to golfers?

More distance through higher launch, less spin and more ball speed.

Available: 15th October

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TOM TOM From the shoes on your feet, to the gloves on your hands, and the club you hold in them, golf offers no shortage of gear to upgrade your game. But if you’re going to wield them to any benefit, you might want to know what the course looks like. That’s where TomTom’s new Golfer GPS watch comes in to act as your personal caddy for over 34,000 worldwide courses which can be updated daily. 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 your calories burnt and distance walked through your round. The Golfer sports a 10hour battery life and if it rains, no worries – the Golfer is water resistant to 50 meters.

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new gear

WE TRIED IT!> Great Big Bertha / Big Bertha Alpha Richard Fellner

a few rounds under my belt with the driver (which has been fitted to my specific swing), I have gained significant distance off the tee (to the dismay of my regular playing partners!).

The driver can be configured into four weight classes to suit every swing, and it includes 19 premium shaft options (with no upcharge fee). It comes with all the bells and whistles to set the club configuration to suit your swing type—adjustable loft, draw bias, perimeter weighting and various weight configurations from 295 to 325g.

Last month saw the return of Callaway’s ‘Great Big Bertha’ line, which originally put the Callaway brand on the map in the mid-90s.

Callaway has been waiting for just the right product for this re-launch of the Great Big Bertha brand name, and with this latest iteration of the club, it’s apparent that they’ve nailed it. Inside Golf was privileged to be one of the first publications to test-drive both the Great Big Bertha and the new Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond family, and we loved what we saw (and hit!)

First up was the Great Big Bertha Driver and Fairway set. Callaway’s mantra with this line is to “Leave No Yard Behind”, meaning that golfers are now able to squeeze every extra yard/metre of distance out of their clubs. It also plays to the point that the vast majority of golfers out there are losing yardage and performance by not taking advantage of the myriad adjustability options available.

In fact, a study by Callaway found that golfers could be gaining a whopping 21.5 extra yards through a properly fit and adjusted driver.

The “fitting” aspect is key to that last statement. Inside Golf has long touted the benefits of getting properly fitted for a set of clubs. Without properly-fitted clubs, you are likely not only missing out on extra distance, but you could actually be making the game even harder than it already is.

Built to be fit for 95% of golfers, The Great Big Bertha driver and fairway represents the complete package of looks, feel and performance in an advanced adjustable driver which is light, fast and stable. At address, the matte grey finish offers a welcome reduction of glare, while the overall head shape inspires confidence. The balance also feels superb. Off the face, the ball catapults into the distance, with a pleasing “thwack” sound that is lacking from many modern drivers and fairways. I absolutely loved the feel of the Great Big Bertha, and with

Available: Now RRP: Driver $649.99 / Fairway $379.99

PING Cadence TR putter Engineered to fit a golfer’s stroke tempo and feel preference, Cadence TR models advance putter fitting by using different-weight face inserts.

Traditional-weight models feature an aluminium insert (blue) and typically fit golfers with mid-tofaster tempos and can help with lag putting. Heavy versions (black) add mass with a stainless steel insert to match slower-tempo strokes, and can lead to better results on shorter putts. Both face inserts feature the next generation of True Roll (TR) Technology grooves that provide forgiveness by normalizing ball speeds across the face.

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GEAR NEWS Taking the ‘mystery’ out of grip pressure

Next up was the Callaway Big Bertha Alpha 816 Double Black Diamond Driver. Built for expert players, this club delivers extreme distance for the low markers, with a deeper face, low centre of gravity and dual distance chambers with gravity core.

Adjustability is the name of the game here. If you’re looking for a neutral or draw ball flight to work the ball with more control, simply pick the left or right chamber, then set the Gravity Core up or down depending on where you hit the ball for maximum ball speed. It works like a distance turbo charger to increase your ball speed and the ultimate combination of extreme distance and shot-shaping control for the best players. The easy-to-use OptiFit hosel lets golfers add or decrease loft and adjust the lie angle to fit their specific swing.

The low markers and consistent ballstrikers will love this club, as it greatly rewards a pure hit with amazing distance off the tee. Hitting the 816 ‘off the screws’ feels like launching a rocket into the stratosphere. With this bad boy in your bag (along with its related fairway wood), the par-5s at your club won’t stand a chance.

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Just how tightly should you grip the golf club? For many golfers, it’s a mystery. We’ve all heard “grip the club as if holding a small bird or a baby’s hand” or “grip as if squeezing toothpaste from a tube”.

This approach to achieving the ‘right’ grip pressure can lead to inconsistency in the grip and playing performance. Knowing your exact grip pressure in different parts of the swing and how this compares with the ideal grip pressure removes a potential mystery in golf.

Now there’s a way to know your grip pressure that eliminates guess work and interpretation to help obtain a more consistent grip.

David Nevell of Inventors HQ Australia Pty Ltd is the inventor of Lepards Light Grip® Golf Glove, a revolutionary new product that is not just an ordinary glove.

A mad keen golfer based at Bonnie Doon Golf Club in Sydney, David believes his own swing has improved as a result of the new grip pressure glove and even had his first hole-in-one not long after starting to use it in his training.

Tom Linskey, Director of Australian Golf Schools at Emerald Lakes in QLD has been trialling the new glove with his students and coaches and says he has achieved immediate results with students’ swings and shot improvement. Tom said grip pressure and general tension is one of the major problems faced by coaches and his experience has been that the common ‘word pictures’ used by coaches generally do not communicate the desired result.

He was greatly impressed by the instant impact generated by the Lepards Light Grip® Golf Glove. The lights showed his students just how tight they were gripping and when they saw the red lights they immediately released the pressure to get the green or yellow lights which means they are in the mid to light range of the grip pressure.

A number of retailers, Golf Teaching Professionals and Pro Shops have been spreading the word about this amazing new grip pressure training glove. David is also working on a second golf product for helping weight transfer, stay tuned for its launch.

RRP for The Lepards Light Grip® Golf Glove is $57. For more information, Phone: 0422 253 751, visit www.lightgrip.com.au, lepard@lightgrip.com.au.

After years of product development with feedback and input from a number of seasoned and experienced Golf Professionals, David has created a product that help golfers to understand and maintain the ‘right’ grip. David has been able to combine a normal golf glove with some very clever sensor technology, electronics and LEDs to produce a glove that signals your grip pressure with lights that can be seen as you take your grip and during your swing. As you increase the grip pressure the lights change from yellow to green and green to red. Red tells you that you could be too tight (depending on the type of shot you are playing) which affects the proper release through excess tension.

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

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people

43 club championships and counting That decision resulted in her winning 16 Western Riverina Open Championships, 10 Champion of Champion titles, six Riverina sandgreen titles and three ACT Open Championships.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

I

F there is one person in Australian club golf circles who knows her way to the podium, it is Elizabeth Graham (nee Bowditch).

She has won tournaments – sometimes more than once – in Sydney, the Gold Coast, Wentworth, Murray Downs, Orange, Tocumwal, Leeton, Narrandera, Finlay, Hay, Berrigan, Wagga, Jerilderie, Coolamon, Hillston, Holbrook and Gosford.

The Griffith Golf Club (NSW) stalwart has racked up hundreds of individual, foursomes and team titles over 50 years, but the record she is most proud of is the 43 A grade club championships won between 1966 and 2015.

Perhaps it’s best to ask where hasn’t she won a tournament.

Elizabeth’s impressive golfing CV eventually attracted the attention of the Griffith City Council, who once named her Sportsperson of the Year.

Oh, she also has one B grade club championship, which she won in 1965 not long after taking up the game.

Elizabeth’s best score off the stick is a 67. She is consistent off the tee and has a deft touch around the greens.

“Winning the A grade championship 43 times is a definite highlight of my golfing career,” Elizabeth said.

“I don’t hit the ball as long as some other players, but I am consistent,” she said.

She’s also proud of her six holes-in-one and winning the club’s Ladies Foursomes Championship 33 times – eight of those with her mother Anne Bowditch.

When Elizabeth won her 40th A grade championship in 2012, she celebrated the milestone with fellow club members Joan Staines and Heather Eagleton, who joined her in a rare triumph.

Elizabeth, who plays off a nine handicap but has been as low as four, also won the Ebert Cup Open Championship 38 times and the club’s Mixed Foursomes Championship 31 times.

All three winners in 2012 were the same winners, in the same divisions, 30 years earlier.

The 67-year-old has been a prolific winner ever since being introduced to the game by her mother.

Even impending motherhood did not deter her when, in 1976, she won again just three weeks before giving birth to her son.

That year might have been a double celebration, but her first A grade win in 1966 was joyous and sad.

She was happy she won, but a little disappointed the victory was at the expense of her mum.

“My mum and dad played golf, but it was mum who inspired me to play golf,” Elizabeth said.

“Once I had my first game when I was 14, I was hooked and attended many junior Riverina coaching clinics.

“When I won the A grade club championship in 1982, Joan and Heather captured the B and C grade titles,” Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth Graham has been a prolific winner over the past 50 years.

“Ray Thomas, the pro from Wagga Wagga, coached us and about three years after that I went to Country Week at Royal Sydney with my mother.

“I did quite well and was invited to join the NSW junior squad.

“I was in the squad for about two years and sometime after than I was offered employment in Sydney to further my golf, but I decided to stay in Griffith.”

“Then in 2012 when I won my 40th title, Joan and Heather also won the titles they won in 1982.

“We didn’t realise it until the last round when someone said ‘do you realise the three of you won this 30 years ago’.

“That’s incredible. Just imagine us thinking back in 1982 that we might do this again 30 years later.

“Well, we did and it’s special.”

One gets the feeling Elizabeth has many more victory walks to the podium so it’s best she doesn’t discard the winning speech just yet. •

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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people

An English mission for Aussie and China golf

Scott Arnold rallied to a maiden European Challenge Tour title as the Australian toppled Dutchman Daan Huizing with an impressive back-nine performance to earn a two-shot victory at the Cordon Golf Open.

Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

A

key figure within the world’s largest golf club, Mission Hills Executive Director Iain Roberts visited Victoria and Queensland last month and outlined his plans to increase golf traffic between China and Australia.

Roberts has managed Mission Hills’ junior programs, teaching academies and vast array of reciprocal clubs since 2010.

The Englishman hopes his visit will encourage more Australian and China golfers to visit each others’ courses and clubs and also entice more Australian clubs to consider forming reciprocal arrangements with Mission Hills.

“We’ve been developing the reciprocal network with Mission Hills and the clubs overseas so we’ve now got 438 clubs around the world,” Roberts remarked.

Roberts said Mission Hills—which boasts 12 world-class courses at its Shenzhen and Dongguan sites and an additional 10 public courses at Haikou on Hainan Island in China’s far south—hopes to build a reciprocal arrangement between PGA-qualified professionals in Australia and Mission Hills.

“Through the PGA family, I want to try to build a reciprocation for PGA pros to come to China. We’ve got 38 teaching pros at Mission Hills at the teaching academy and I want them to come over and bring groups to Australia.”

Roberts—who has already rebranded Mission Hills’ former John Jacobs, David Leadbetter and Hank Haney teaching academies as the Mission Hills Golf Academy— said the club had built a model to encourage

Arnold wins in France

The former World Amateur Number One entered the day one shot off Huizing’s lead but an impressive three-under back-nine earned him a two-under-par 68 and a first title on European soil.

Iain Roberts (Right) with Australian golf course architect Ross Perrett millions of young Chinese people to take up the sport.

“We go into the local schools and teach them to hit these shots, trying to give them an understanding of golf. One of my dreams is to get every kid in a school to actually hold a golf ball, feel a golf club.

That way, you can have all of these children intrigued by golf. I was intrigued by golf when I was a young guy.”

Mission Hills also offers free golf to juniors under the age of 16 at three of its 12 member courses and runs close to 60 junior tournaments annually, 47 of which are open to juniors who aren’t members of the club.

Now 56, Roberts retired from competing professionally in the 1980s before embarking on a career in golf teaching and administration.

At this year’s Open Championship at St Andrews, he became just the 38th person to be named a PGA Master Professional.

Roberts - who enjoyed a long tenure as head pro at Hong Kong Golf Club beginning in 1995 - admits visiting Mission Hills and its staff of close to 15,000 people is

5 MEMBERSHIPS, 1 LIFESTYLE.

like nothing else in golf.

“The experience of golf in China is quite different because every golfer that plays, plays with a caddie and a cart. It’s 20 square km of land that we have on those two sites and then on Hainan Island, we have another 20 square km, one site, ten courses and that’s where we’ve just launched our new hotels, our new entertainment sector and our new Movie Town. The scale is quite huge.”

Roberts also praised the recent third staging of the Mission Hills Reciprocal Championship, which offers golfers from reciprocal clubs around the globe a free trip to China to stay, compete and social at the event.

“We invite teams to come and play for one week at Mission Hills Haikou, we subsidise the golf and the hotel rooms, we have an opening celebration party and then closing party.”

Any club interested in becoming a reciprocal or associate member with Mission Hills, contact Steven or Kevin at play@cge.com.au or Iain Roberts at Mission Hills at IainRoberts@missionhillschina.com. •

The 28-year-old was three shots back when he reached the turn but his playing partner from the Netherlands dropped three shots in the space of four holes and Arnold capitalised in ruthless fashion with back-to-back birdies at the 15th and 16th.

Arnold, who made the cut at this year’s Open Championship, said he was delighted to have finally lifted a trophy in his second full season on the Challenge Tour.

“It’s my first win on the Challenge Tour so it’s really exciting,” he said.

“The more times you can put yourself into a position to win titles, the more you get used to the people and the crowds around.

“I think when I played The Open this year, it really helped me. That was really good, I felt pretty comfortable out there. I was a little bit nervous today but it was more that I had to focus on what I was doing and hit some targets.

“I looked at the leaderboard for the first time on my way to the 16th green and I saw that I had a two-shot lead, but I still had two holes to go so I was telling myself not to get carried away, because if you make one or two bad shots it can quickly turn into bogeys.

Now offering five levels of Membership, Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club has a Membership to suit every lifestyle.

With two championship golf courses and two exceptional clubhouses, Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club offers a unique selection of Membership options, with or without golf, including: -

Golf Clubhouse Access Membership Gym and Golf Clubhouse Access Membership Corporate Golf Membership Golf Access Membership Equity Membership

Selected Memberships also include access to the The Country Club with a range of first class gym equipment, fitness classes and expert instructors, plus access to the 25m heated outdoor pool and five flood lit tennis courts.

Contact our Sales Team for further information: +61 7 5699 9001

Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club Gleneagles Drive, Sanctuary Cove Email: info@scgcc.com.au www.sanctuarycovegolf.com.au Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/sanctuarycovegolf Conditions apply for each Membership category.

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

47

people

Walker strides into 70s still a winner Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

Lydia Ko won last month’s 2015 Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club, becoming the youngest major winner in the history of women’s golf at 18 years, 4 months and 20 days old.

R

ichard Walker at 70 has marched across the world on golf’s never-ending journey – from playing some of the world’s greatest courses in British Amateur Championships to a humble nine-hole course in Sydney – and clearly there are many winning fairways still to tread.

Ko, who began the final round two strokes off the lead, birdied three of the last four holes to shoot a flawless final round 63 (-8). Ko’s 72-hole total of 268 (-16) secured a six-shot victory over Lexi Thompson at the spectacular Alpine setting.

About 40 years ago in England, Walker was off scratch and competed with players who later were some of Britain’s best pros like Colin Montgomerie, Sandy Lyle, Gordon Brand and Mark Roe. Now Walker plays off 8 at Castlecove on Sydney’s Lower North Shore.

Ko became the youngest winner of the Louise Suggs Rolex Rookie of the Year in 2014 and the youngest ever golfer to reach No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings in February 2015.

A member at Castlecove for almost 20 years since migrating to Australia in 1990, Walker recently turned back the clock with a treble burst of winning form on the par-64,14-tee, challenging layout.

For the first time in his career he beat his age to win the August Monthly Medal with a 69 off the stick and capped a brilliant month by also winning the club’s singles and twoball handicap matchplay titles – a rare double for a single-figure handicapper.

Walker beat his long-term mate 12-marker Peter Thomas 4-3 in the singles final and a week later the pair teamed up to win the two-ball final 4-2 against Kevin Heathcote and Don Cameron.

“I was really chuffed to win the two-ball event with Peter, who starred that day with probably the best golf I had seen from him in years,” Walker said.

“If he had gone that well the week before he would have cleaned me up in the singles.

Ko makes history with Evian victory

He actually clinched our win with a net eagle at the16th hole.”

Walker has framed his age-breaking card, but a special golf memory is when playing an amateur match against Mark Roe, later a European Tour and World Cup star and now a Sky Sports commentator and short-game guru.

“Early in the round Mark said I was using the wrong ball because my hard-cover Top Flite would never stop on the firm greens. Three holes later I had a hole-in-one and was able to rib him by saying: ‘I found a way to get it to stop that time’.

“My other big thrill was competing against

a 15-year-old Colin Montgomerie in a Yorkshire Inter-District foursomes match and you could see then he was going to be a world-beater.

“On reflection this rush of form was probably due to being thrust into playing Master Pennants against players 10-15 years younger and with handicaps 5-6 shots less than mine.

“This fuelled my competitive juices and, although my winning percentage was modest, I at least took matches deep into the round.

“Golf is not all about winning, but winning still is fun.” •

“Rolex congratulates Lydia Ko on marking a new record in women’s golf,” said Rolex Director of Image & Communication, Arnaud Boetsch. “In her final round, Lydia demonstrated incredible talent, courage and composure beyond her years which will doubtless see her continue to reach new heights. Rolex has rich associations with great sporting achievement and we are proud to be a part of the evolving history of the game.”

Playing alongside Ko in the final group, Lexi Thompson carded a final round 70 to finish in second place. Meanwhile Leona Maguire, qualifying through the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings earned low amateur honours finishing T34 on 286.

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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fashion on the fairways

>on Fashion the Fairways From the early days of the plus-fours and ruffled cravats, to today’s bright colours and plaid ensembles, golf and fashion have long been intertwined.

Looking good both on and off the course is becoming easier and easier these days, with a massive variety of styles on offer.

Here are some of Australia’s top products, services and shops to help you get your wardrobe looking top notch!

GolfKnickers – a world leader in traditional golf apparel Starting out of his garage in 2001, President Joe Parisi has made it his passion to bring golf back to its roots and invite others to play the game the way it was meant to be played.

Parisi, who comes from a family of tailors, stresses the idea of quality in every product. Each knicker (or Plus Four) comes specially tailored for each customer and are pressed for the ultimate comfort. GolfKnickers.com offers 49 plaid colors and 20 different solid colors in microfibre or cotton fabrics for all sizes. They also offer multiple items to complete any golf outfit, including; golf caps, golf shirts, over 120 different argyle socks, 20 different solid socks, belts, and bow ties.

Golfknickers.com is the perfect website for any occasion RRP from golf outings, weddings, special gatherings, $69.95tournaments, or even Footgolf. $189.95 Website: www.golfknickers.com Email: email@golfknickers.com

Shipping available to Australia.

AUD

Nexbelt has arrived in Australia The world of belts is changing with the introduction of Nexbelt in Australia. With a wide range of styles and colours to choose from—for men and women both on and off the course—you will never look at belts in the same way again.

Nexbelt products have several unique features that set them apart from the rest. All belts come in one length and can be cut to size for a perfect fit, eliminating the need to shop for your specific size. There are no holes in Nexbelt straps, which means you have the luxury of ¼” adjustments using a ratchet system. Best of all, you’ll no longer have a belt that falls apart where you position the buckle. In addition, all belts in Nexbelt’s golf series feature a hidden ball marker inside the buckle.

The buckles and straps are interchangeable between designs – so the right selection of two or three different Nexbelt products will provide you with several unique accessories for a variety of outfits. You can even have your own logo etched onto the buckle for that one-of-a-kind gift, perfect for tee prizes, major clients, monthly medals, sponsors and corporate days.

Nexbelt can be seen inside the ropes on the PGA Tour, with Jim Furyk, Marc Leishman, Jarrod Lyle, Greg Chalmers and Kevin Na all proud members of the Nexbelt team.

Website: www.lyleapparel.com.au Email: info@lyleapparel.com.au

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

RRP $65-$150 AUD

fashion on the fairways

That’s My Ball We all want to look the part on the golf course with current season fashion but there’s one important thing to never forget to style up ...... your golf ball!

The Rules of Golf state that it is a player’s responsibility to put an identification mark on their golf ball. Many golfers play the same brand of ball and if you can’t identify your ball, it is considered lost and you will be penalised (see Rules 12-2 and 27-1) Style up your golf ball with an ID stamp or Tin Cup that suits you to a tee. By styling up your ball with an identification mark, not only will it remove the risk of a couple of penalty strokes, you can let your ball say something about you!

That’s my Ball ID stamps & markers to allow golfers to mark and identify their golf ball quickly and easily.

That’s my Ball offers easy to use and highly durable ball marking tools, a huge selection of designs or you can create your own and purposeful gifts for golfing family and friends.

So, be fashion forward on the course and style up your golf ball today!

Phone: 1300 445 054.

Web: www.thatsmyball.com.au

IceRays UV Protective and Cooling Armsleeves If you hate messy sunscreen but don’t want to wear hot, long sleeve shirts, then IceRays are the perfect answer. 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 you cool and protected, Icerays are available in lots of different colours and one size fits all.

Just $29.95 including delivery anywhere in Australia.

Email: enquiries@icerays.com.au or call or SMS Anne on 0404 235 563 or Linz on 0434 246 549. www.icerays.com.au.

Coolcore offers the Coolest Towel Coolcore provides a cooling solution that goes beyond traditional moisture-management fabrics or evaporative cooling technologies that rely on chemicals or polymer crystal treatments. The result is a technology that will keep you cooler, drier and more comfortable on the golf course.

Coolcore’s cooling material innovation has undergone over four years of lab and field testing and recently became the first US Company to receive the “Innovative Technology” recognition from the world-renowned Hohenstein Institute recognized globally since 1946 for its market leading testing systems serving the textile industry.

Coolcore consists of a patented combination of chemicalfree blended yarns that deliver three distinct functions, wicking – to move sweat away from your body, moisture transportation – to avoid saturation and accelerate drying and regulated evaporation – for cooling effect.

Add the Coolcore Chill Towel to your golf collection for that extra comfort on the course during the warmer months. With the added benefit of being up to 30% cooler lower surface temperature, zero cling and non-saturating, chemical-free, zero degradation overtime and providing you with sun protection of UPF 50+, there’s no need to miss out on a day

RRP $29.95 AUD on the course during the sometimes unbearable conditions of the Australia summer.

03 8562 6688 Website: www.coolcore.com.au Email: info@coolcore.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

51

fashion on the fairways

Perfect Socks Perfect Socks was started in 2011 by Sherrill Sibun, a life-long golfer who represented New Zealand in 1959.

Axis Golf launches SS15 IZOD Golf apparel line

Frustrated at not being able to buy woollen golf socks that would withstand 18 holes and keep her feet comfortable, she decided to make her own.

First they had to find the perfect yarn to use. It is a mixture of 70% Merino wool and 30% Cashmere. This provides all the benefits of a natural fibre that wicks away the moisture from the foot. The cashmere means the sock is super soft and most importantly, comfortable to wear.

The design of the socks includes the latest fine toe seam, arch support, cushioned sole and reinforced heel and toe.

They are also odour resistant. www.perfectsocks.co.nz

Axis Golf, the exclusive South Pacific Licensee of IZOD brand, has announced the launch of the IZOD Spring/Summer 2015 apparel line. IZOD brand ambassador and 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson debuted the line at the 2015 Masters Tournament and it is now available to consumers through Australia & New Zealand’s leading golf retailers.

Designed for the serious golfer, this new product offering includes features intended to enhance comfort and performance, including sun protection, roll resistant collar, wicking and stretch attributes.

GOLF CLOTHING FACTORY OUTLET QUALITY GOLF CLOTHING AT BARGAIN PRICES!

UP TO 70% OFF RRP*

Tops Brands include: Calvin Klein Golf Green Lamb – Dwyers & Co Cutter & Buck – Cross – Hollas Second Skin – Sunice With a large and changing range of Golf Polos, Pants, Shorts, Skirts, Skorts, Capris, Knitwear, Wet Weather gear & accessories etc you are sure to find something to enhance your game!

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www.golfclothingfactoryoutlet.com.au

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

The polos in the IZOD SS15 collection features a variety of top of the line fabrics, including piques, interlocks and jersey, which delivers superior performance and protection from all of nature’s elements. The line also includes performance shorts and pants that feature stretch, moisture wicking and sun control qualities.

RRP www.IZOD.com

SHIRTS $50-$80 SHORTS $60-$90 AUD

fashion on the fairways

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

53

fashion on the fairways

adidas Climachill Polos ready for Spring climachill is a revolution in active cooling apparel technology.

This line incorporates innovative fabric woven with titanium and industry-first 3D aluminium cooling spheres. The technology provides an instant chilling sensation to help athletes’ performance in warm conditions – lowering their body temperature so they can train harder, run longer, retain their focus and compete at the highest level. www.adidas.com.au/golf

Vanity Fairways Vanity Fairways is one of only few retailers in Australia who have dedicated their business to lady golfers. They want all lady golfers to “Look Good, Feel Good, Play Better.” To that end, they are continually sourcing great golf gear that will also double as great casual wear.

New Jamie Sadock gear for 2015 has just arrived along with new EP Pro, Bette & Court, Sport Haley and Nivo. There are gorgeous colour combinations for the coming summer with cool blues, white and pinks to purple, aqua and navy. If you like a plain solid colour for your bottoms teamed with prints and patterns in the tops, or the other way around, Vanity Fairways are sure to have a combination that’s just right for you. If you have any problems locating what you want on the website then just email them, tell them what you are looking for and even if they don’t have it they will do their utmost to get it for you. Vanity Fairways pride themselves on their great customer service.

They don’t carry huge quantities so if you see something you like on the website then grab it straight away or you could be disappointed.

If online isn’t for you, then a quick phone call will put you in contact with Deborah. And if you happen to live in or near Brisbane—or are visiting for a short time— why not call to make a time to come visit their “at home” store. www.vanityfairways.com.au shop@vanityfairways.com.au Phone: 07 3279 1358 or 0418 754 717

Jarrod Lyle

We have your Nexbelt!

Lyle Apparel is an exclusive Nexbelt distributor for Australia

• No holes • One size fits all • Interchangeable buckles and straps • Hidden ball marker in golf series buckles • Showcase your own logo on the buckle and ball marker • Great styles for men and women

www.lyleapparel.com.au

Lyle Apparel donates $1 from the sale of every belt to Challenge 54

October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Jim Furyk

Marc Leishman

fashion on the fairways

>New fashions from Cobra Puma

Some settle. Some follow. Some iterate. Cobra Puma Golf innovates. Featuring technologies developed for space, their gear doesn’t just mean groundbreaking style but innovation in technology that makes golf easier and more enjoyable to play.

RRP $39.95 AUD

Puma King Cap With antibacterial and thermoregulating bond tape, stainblock technology and interior moisture wicking sweatband; this cap manages to look sharp and keep you cool, all at the same time.

Puma Tech Pant Flattering. Comfortable.

Functional. Built with an exhaustive attention to detail, from a sweat-wicking UV-blocking fabrication to its slim fit, this item is everything you need in a golf pant.

The Worlds CoolesT sporTs ToWel POWERED BY

Puma Titantour King Shoes Puma’s latest Tour Shoe – fit for a King. Featuring Outlast, Space developed cooling technology, to increase comfort by preventing blisters and sweat, these shoes will keep you cool while you play. Premium full grain leather paired with Shapelock memory foam and PowerVamp technology provide the perfect combination of comfort and stability, reflected in their 60-day comfort guarantee.

RRP $229.95 AUD

• 30% cooler

Puma Titantour King Polo For a sport that requires a lot of standing still, golf also requires a ton of flexibility. Puma Golf engineered this polo based on the latest Spacesuit construction, with engineered cutlines tailored for your ideal range of motion. In addition, its moisture wicking properties will keep you fresh.

This is the ultimate golf polo.

• Chemical free RRP $89.95 AUD

• Dries soft & machine washable

Stay Cool All Day!

Once wet, the towel’s surface temperature lowers by up to 30%, keeping you feeling cool & refreshed all day.

Puma Flipside Fitted Belt Made of a 100% genuine leather, this stylish Puma belt will certainly round up your style.

Available at your leading pro shop or online at

RRP $59.95 AUD

www.coolcore.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

55

fashion on the fairways

Biion Footwear – Try on a Biion Nothing fits, forms, feels or functions like Biion Footwear: One of the lightest performance golf shoes on the market that provide great support in stylish designs.

Golf Clothing Factory Outlet: Quality golf clothing at bargain prices

Why choose a pair of golf shoes that can only be worn for golf? Wear Biion shoes beyond the course as a walking shoe, to work, whilst travelling, while you’re out on a boat, on weekends, and everywhere in-between.

Inspired by the classic Oxford Brogue, Biion shoes are made from a high quality, lightweight and flexible Ethelyne-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) that makes for a comfortable fit all day long and features a honeycomb spikeless solid rubber outsole.

Available from Golf World, Golf Mart and other leading golf specialist retailers.

Phone: 03 9005 7015 Website: www.biionfootwear.com.au Email: sales@scmcgroup.com.au

RRP $139.95$149.95 AUD

Golf Clothing Factory Outlet has been providing quality men’s and women’s international brands of golf clothing at greatly reduced prices for over nine years.

Trading from Bay Road, Sandringham for 7 years, the outlet moved to its present location in Braeside in April 2014.

10–5pm, Sunday 11–5pm. Closed Public Holidays. Mastercard, VISA and Eftpos accepted.

Enjoy up to 70% off RRP. Top brands include Calvin Klein Golf, Green Lamb, Dwyers & Co, Cutter & Buck, Cross, Hollas, Second Skin and Sunice. With a large and changing range of golf polos, pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, capris, knitwear, wet weather gear and accessories, you are sure to find something to enhance your game.

Trading 7 days a week, Golf Clothing Factory Outlet is open Monday to Saturday

Protect your arms from the sun without the hassle of sunscreen or hot long sleeves

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They are the only sleeves tested by the government body ARPANSA to be 50+

Just $29.95 including P&P More and more of the pro’s on the tours are wearing them now and Anne Rollo from Anne Rollo Golf schools has been wearing them for over 2 years and loves them... ”I recommend them to all my students, I don’t have to wear sunscreen on my arms anymore and they are surprisingly cool on the skin, I love them” Go to www.icerays.com.au to order and have yours to wear in a few days.

Or call linz on 0434 246 549 or email enquiries@icerays.com.au to order yours now.

56

October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Golf clothing is no longer boring!

With ample onsite car parking and a large comfortable air-conditioned interior – the staff at Golf Clothing Factory Outlet look forward to welcoming you.

GOLF CLOTHING FACTORY OUTLET Street Address: 176 BOUNDARY ROAD, BRAESIDE VIC 3195 Phone: 03 9588 1779 Website: www.golfclothingfactoryoutlet.com.au Email: admin@golfclothingfactoryoutlet.com.au

Nivo Daily Sport Birdee Sport Haley Bette & Court Loudmouth Golf Jamie Sadock Cutter & Buck Nancy Lopez Robbie Brown Golf Accessories & Gifts

gear news

Golfer Girl the new face for Cobra Puma Referring to Golfer Girl as her ‘pride and joy’, Finlay has put her golfing aspirations on hold to strengthen her company and brand.

Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

“I want to focus on Golfer Girl, get it where I really want it to be and hopefully, in the future, take it international.”

Q

ueensland golf businesswoman and aspiring touring pro Jasmine Finlay has been unveiled as Cobra Puma Golf’s latest brand ambassador.

Finlay is set to take Golfer Girl global at next year’s Stallion Scramble, which is a major charity golf event in the Philippines raising money to benefit the ERDA Tech school in Manila.

Finlay – who is the founder and CEO of corporate golf events company Golfer Girl – will join Cobra Puma to help promote their brand in ladies golf within the Australian Industry.

“Lorena Ochoa did it last year so I’ve got some shoes to fill,” Finlay said referring to her role at the Stallion Scramble.

The 24-year-old will be a regular presence in brand photoshoots and catalogues and is poised to front a nationwide product launch of Cobra Puma’s imminent release of the King LTD range.

Finlay has also outlined her hope to attract more young women to the game.

“I promote Cobra Puma Golf by wearing their apparel and using their golf clubs, and we have been able to amalgamate that with Golfer Girl so I can also co-promote my own brand,” Finlay said.

“I’m always trying to bring a new hip style to the golfing world to invite more women into playing golf, especially younger girls, encourage the younger generation to think it’s a cool sport to play. I think Cobra Puma does that well.”

The Hope Island-based entrepreneur and her Golfer Girl brand has quickly gained immense traction on social media platforms.

Cobra Puma Golf’s Head of Marketing in Australia, Michael Angus, said Finlay is a perfect fit for the brand.

Finlay’s Instagram account - @golfergirloz – has already accumulated 10,000 followers and drawn comparisons between Finlay and American Cobra Puma ambassador Blair O’Neal.

“We wanted to find a way to show the female golfers in Australia, particularly the Gen-Y age demographic, how playing golf can be fashionable, as well as fun. Jasmine is a good brand for us because not only does she look great in our Puma clothing, but she hits our Cobra gear…long!”

Finlay says Golfer Girl is unlike any other golf events company because it supplies fashionable and accomplished female golfers to help enhance golfing events around the country. “We attend corporate golf events, charity golf days and provide our female golfers to play rounds of golf with our VIP clients” Finlay remarked. “There are model caddies over in America and eye candy

caddies in the UK, but I’m all about the girls who are attractive, but as importantly have a good personality and can play.”

“Cobra Puma saw my company, Golfer Girl, and the traction it was gaining and expressed the idea of a partnership. I feel that we can both make a huge impact on attracting more women here in Australia to play golf.

I couldn’t be happier!”

Finlay first picked up the game as a 13-year-old and now plays her golf at Windaroo Lakes in Brisbane but her talents extend far beyond the golf course.

Finlay was a national swimmer before she took up golf, speaks fluent Japanese and hopes to eventually compete professionally in Japan to make use of her second language.

Angus has also predicted Cobra Puma’s upcoming launch of the King LTD range will revolutionise golf club manufacturing.

“At this very moment in time, what we are about to bring to the market is unrivalled. We couldn’t be more excited,” he said. •

Home of the 2016

Victorian Open

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

57

veterans

Lefty Tom gets it right Brian O’Hare

brian@australianseniorgolfer.com.au

T

OM HAROLD didn’t quite realise the long-term ramifications when he first picked up his dad’s golf clubs as a teenager.

Most troubling, the clubs were left-handed and Harold played all other sports, including batting in cricket, as a right-hander.

“It’s the biggest mistake I ever made,” the soon-to-be 59 year-old Darwin golfer says.

“In my opinion, I’ve got no touch with my left hand. No dexterity!”

The other long-term effect of the then 14 year-old hitting dad’s golf clubs around the backyard was that some 45 years later his love affair with golf would still be growing.

The relationship deepened recently when Harold, showing all the dexterity you’d like, won the 2015 Australian Veteran Golfers Union (AVGU) National Championships in Darwin.

“I’m thrilled to bits. It’s magic. I never thought I’d win an ‘Australian’ anything, so it is fantastic,” a not-so-subdued Harold offered.

Some 200 golfers from around the country participated in the week-long event in the Top End, with the three championship rounds conducted at the Darwin and Palmerston Golf Clubs.

Harold led by one stroke after the first round at Darwin Golf Club, his home course,

and extended it over the next two to end up streeting the field by 13 strokes.

meet, fantastic people. I can’t wait for next year.”

Runner-up was Chris Rose with Ken McNamara, who was tournament director of the very successful 2012 national vets championships on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, outright third.

Harold, who is due to retire as a teacher soon, is kicking himself he didn’t know more about Veterans Golf, which usually includes more graded, handicapped events, and the more elite senior amateur golf, which includes a national Order of Merit run by Golf Australia.

Harold was just happy to get his hands on another trophy to add to what is obviously a very full cabinet.

“I didn’t watch the scores closely [in the final round], I thought I might be leading, if not I’d be very close to it because it was pretty tough at Palmerston [in the second round]. I knew I had a one-shot lead after the first day. But yeah, I was as nervous as hell, I was really tight.”

Though he began knocking golf balls around at home and playing as a teenager, Harold didn’t get serious about the game till his early 30’s when his career playing Aussie Rules in Victoria’s second tier competition came to an abrupt end when he lost a kidney due to an on field injury.

He was soon off a handicap of four and played off just 1 during the recent championship.

Over the years he was won his share of club championships, state league events and the like (he won the 1997 Northern Territory Amateur Open), but has really blossomed of late.

“I can’t believe how many fantastic golf opportunities are out there for seniors and vets, you know over 55’s. I didn’t realise it and I missed two years,” he says.

“I love the competition; love the blokes you

sand Nestled amongst 3 of Sydney’s most prestigious private n. belt courses; the Australian, the Lakes & Bonnie Doo ly Open to members and the community offering a high rated course for any grade golfer.

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“Up here golf is relatively small,” Harold says.

“It’s not like down south, I didn’t know about the seniors or vets. My first event Joe Smith [Darwin Vets] said: ‘Oh Tom you should come up and play in the Australian vets’, which was two years ago at Canberra. So I went and played in that and had a ball, really enjoyed it, got close but not quite and then someone there told me about the seniors so I’ve been playing in the seniors big events since then. I got in the Australian team this year which was an absolute buzz. I played [in the Australian team] at Sanctuary Cove against the Kiwis. It was fantastic, a great experience.”

The AVGU National Championship is another great opportunity for 55 years and over amateur golfers in Australia. It has rotated around the states and territories since 1990 with Darwin this year being its 26th edition.

AVGU National President Dick Farrant was full of praise for tournament director John Baylis and his team from the NT Veteran Golfers Association for the obvious effort that had gone into organising the week.

“This is my third visit up here to the Top End to play in these championships and I can honestly say that each time we come up here we see both the improvement in the golf

courses and the event itself.”

The next championship will be in the Adelaide hills in South Australia from the 6th to 11th November, 2016.

Courses involved will be The Vines of Reynella Golf Club, Flagstaff Hill Golf Club and Blackwood Golf Club, all courses within a 10km radius from each other and just 20km from the city and from the McLaren Vale wine growing region.

There, Tom Harold is committed to defending his title and will likely run up against Ballarat golfer John Ciezki, who won the past three championships in WA, ACT, and Victoria but was unable to make it Darwin.

Harold isn’t fazed.

“You bet!” he said of defending his title. “I can’t wait. Come on John, bring it on!” •

Upcoming Annual Events DUNTRYLEAGUE ORANGE

ANNUAL VETERANS’ TOURNAMENT

6-8 OcTObER 2015

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.

F.O.O.D. WEEk PLATE TOURNAMENT

11-13 APRIL 2016

The F.O.O.D. Week Plate provides an ideal opportunity for all male and female golfers with an official handicap to play at one of Orange’s great golf courses. It is a fantastic time to come and visit Australia’s Colour City and leading cool climate wine region During Orange F.O.O.D. Week 2016.

Accommodation is also available at Duntryleague’s Historic Mansion.

• Monday 11 April – All day individual stableford • Tuesday 12 April – All day individual stableford • Wednesday 13 April – All day individual stableford & Presentation dinner

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

New Model Yamaha AC

Alternating current is the most efficient way to transmit electricity, delivering more voltage while drawing fewer amps. Yamaha states that its Drive AC batteries will last longer and require less electricity to recharge. The Drive AC is driven by a 6.7 horsepower engine that provides 50 percent more power and torque than its closest competitor.

AC provides an immediate acceleration from a standstill from the bottom of a hill. It’s very quick, steady and smooth. It pulls well.”

Buy any new Yamaha golf car and ask about your

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legends tour

Legends gear up for Seniors Championship

Harwood out to make history at Roseville THE famous $25,000 Roseville Gold Mashie PGA Legends pro-am next month could see Australian golf history in the making as Mike Harwood continues his record-breaking string of wins in 2015.

A

host of legendary senior Professionals are gearing up for this year’s Coca-Cola Australian PGA Seniors Championship.

As of last month Harwood had won nine Legends events from 33 starts to amass almost $50,000 in the Order of Merit. With this win ratio he doubtless will smash the Legends Tour mostseason-wins mark.

90 senior Professionals will hit the fairways at Richmond Golf Club in regional New South Wales in November, vying for a total prize purse of $100,000.

Defending champion Simon Owen is a confirmed starter together with several wellknown Australian Professionals, including former Alfred Dunhill Cup winner and USPGA Champions Tour winner, Rodger Davis.

PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour winner, Peter Fowler, and recent European Seniors Tour player, Peter O’Malley, have also indicated their intention to play upon returning home after a successful season in Europe.

Another potential inclusion is Peter Senior who has also expressed his interest to play, depending on his tournament commitments overseas.

An invitation has also been extended to International Professionals, with two senior Korean players expected to make a start in the field and help them to gain more international exposure.

Already, just by playing in the Gold Mashie, Harwood has won a prize unique to Roseville. For the two days the OOM leader, and the defending champion Dave Saunders, will be chauffeur-driven to and from the course in a luxury Jaguar.

continue to establish a base in regional New South Wales and assist in developing golf at a grass roots level.”

The Coca-Cola Australian PGA Seniors

Championship will be played at the Richmond Golf Club in the Hawkesbury region from 12-14 November 2015.

More information: www.pga.org.au •

PGA E-Z-GO Legends Tour schedule DATE

TOURNAMENTS

PRIZE MONEY

19/10/15

Bermagui Legends Pro-Am - Bermagui Country Club, Bermagui, NSW

$10,000

21/10/15 - 22/10/15

Catalina Legends Pro-Am - ClubCatalina Country Club, Batemans Bay, NSW

$25,000

23/10/15 - 24/10/15

NSW/ACT PGA Seniors Championship - Mollymook Golf Club (Hilltop), Mollymook, NSW

$30,000

“It’s always wonderful to see our senior Professionals play in regional tournaments, it’s great for the game of golf,” said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA.

26/10/15

Kiama Legends Pro-Am - Kiama Golf Club, Kiama Downs, NSW

$10,000

28/10/15

Tooheys Senior Pro-Am - Wakehurst Golf Club, Seaforth, NSW

$10,000

29/10/15

Kids Xpress Legends Charity Pro-Am - Manly Golf Club, Manly, NSW

$15,000

02/11/15

Cabe Legends Pro-Am - Panthers Wallacia Golf & Country Club, Penrith, NSW

$10,000

04/11/15

Chatswood Golf Club Pro-Am Sponsored by LJ Hooker Lane Cove - Chatswood Golf Club, Chatswood, NSW

$10,000

“The Coca-Cola Australian PGA Seniors Championship is the flagship event of the PGA E-Z-GO Legends Tour, and the PGA of Australia is pleased to see the championship

06/11/15 - 07/11/15

Roseville Golf Club Mens Gold Mashie & Ladies Pro-Am - Roseville Golf Club, Roseville, NSW

$25,000

09/11/15

Blackheath Legends Pro-Am - Blackheath Golf Club, Blackheath, NSW

$10,000

10/11/15

2015 Elders Insurance Springwood Legends Pro-Am - Springwood Country Club, Springwood, NSW

$11,000

11/11/15 - 14/11/15

Australian PGA Seniors Championship - Richmond Golf Club, Richmond, NSW

$100,000

Pro-Ams at Noosa Golf Club - More than just golf

M

ention the words ‘Pro-Am Golf Tournament’ around the Noosa Golf Club, and you’ll see eyes light up and the conversation immediately change to excited chatter, with everybody jumping in to tell their own story of past experiences, fun times had, characters met and long lasting friendships made.

The late John Piercy, Club President of Tewantin-Noosa in 1979, had seen the course go from 12 holes to a championship 18-hole layout in 1978 and, having appointed the club’s first golf professional, decided that this small country golf club could run a Pro-Am. Many phone calls later, and with the calling in of past favours, the date was set and the format of a Noosa Celebrity ProAm established. The end result of that first tournament set the trend for many years to come. The list of professional players and the popular celebrities was something no one could really believe. Jack Newton had recently won the Australian Open and comedian Ronnie Corbett from ‘The Two Ronnies’ joined in the fun and created an atmosphere that over the years attracted more and more first class golf professionals and celebrities who begged to be invited.

60

October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Helicopters with news crews and reporters, from the four major channels, including Pat Welsh from Channel 7 Sport, would regularly land on the practice fairway, after phoning the club to stop players hitting balls. Sponsors from the major breweries, accommodation houses, sporting goods and airlines all clamoured to be a part of this amazing phenomenon.

For the next fourteen years the tournament grew in popularity, attracting the best golf professionals and celebrities, from Prime Minister Bob Hawke, to music legends Red Symonds, Wilbur Wilde, James Reyne, The Chantoozies, the late Ricky May and sporting greats from the world of AFL, surfing, motor racing, tennis, hockey and cricket including the late Richie Benaud who was a regular visitor. People who enjoyed the golf and the after-golf parties still call at the club from time to time to reminisce and have a laugh.

Following Jack Newton’s horrific accident, the tournament was renamed the ‘Jack Newton Celebrity Classic’ which eventually outgrew Noosa and moved on to bigger venues. The tournament, with its starting history in Noosa, is still being played in a similar format today in the Hunter Valley.

Some thirty five years later the club is still supporting the Pro-Am circuit, although it is now the PGA Legends Tour. The young golf professionals, who were just starting their careers during the late seventies and early eighties and were part of the Noosa Pro-Ams, are now legends of the game. They have experienced the world stage of golf and many of them have reached the highest pinnacle of the game, winning major tournaments on the PGA tour. Players, who have always supported golf in Noosa, are returning this year to compete in the PGA Legends Pro Am on Tuesday 15 December 2015. Ian Baker Finch, Wayne Grady, Rodger Davis and Ossie Moore are but a few of the long list of stars.

The Sunshine Coast is very fortunate to enjoy so many quality golf courses in such a small area and for the 2015 season, the tournament at Noosa Golf Club will be followed the next day by round two at Peregian Springs Golf Club and the following day with round three at Twin Waters Golf Club. Planning permitting, it is hoped to include a fourth day at one of the three courses, making it a four round event for Queensland’s Sunshine Coast fans.

More: www.noosagolf.com.au, 07 5447 1407, admin@noosagolf.com.au. •

There also will be a Jaguar car for a hole-in-one at the 193m 12th hole and $25,000 of Yamaha products for an ace at the 3rd.

At Roseville, the picturesque but challenging par-66 layout on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, Harwood will face the best field on the PGA Legends Tour this year. European Tour greats Peter Fowler, Peter O’Malley, Rodger Davis and David Merriman will star alongside 2015 winners Tim Elliott, Richard Backwell and Mike Zilko.

The Gold Mashie, over 36 holes on Friday-Saturday (November 6-7), is one of Australia’s oldest pro-ams with a women’s event Friday and a seeded draw men’s pro-am to follow. Any male or female Golf Link registered golfer can book a playing spot.

For the first time there will be charity fund-raising during the event and all proceeds will go to the Cromehurst School for Intellectual Disabilities at Lindfield.

More: 02 8467 1800, www.rosevillegolf.com.au

Australian Masters returns to Huntingdale Golf Club This year, the Australian Masters will return to its original home of 30 years, Huntingdale Golf Club from 19-22 November 2015, for the first time in seven years.

Steeped in a rich history together, the Australian Masters and Huntingdale Golf Club have created many memorable moments in Australian golf over the past four decades and 2015 will reopen another chapter in this story.

Many of the game’s finest players have won the gold jacket at Huntingdale including six time champion Greg Norman, Bernhard Langer, Mark O’Meara, Ian Baker-Finch, Colin Montgomerie and Justin Rose and 2015 will crown another great champion. www.australianmasters.com.au

success stories

From multi-million-dollar range to historic garage sale – Inside Golf hits the target the Thornleigh Golf Centre, has seen customers and Inside Golf readers arrive from all over Sydney and is confident the magazine exposure is hitting his target marks.

Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

W

HEN two of Australia’s most experienced and respected PGA professionals needed to connect with the golf public nationally to successfully launch and complete each of their totally different lifechanging projects, there was only one answer...get Inside Golf on the job.

The two totally separate enterprises based in Sydney’s northwest could not have been more different in scale – one introducing multi-million-dollar modern technology and the other involving a garage full of hundreds of century-old treasures of Australia’s golf history.

The ambitious ventures are the culmination of lifelong dreams by both men and no doubt history will record that they both long will be remembered for the mark they left on the game.

“We cater for all levels of golfers, as does Inside Golf, and we appreciate our monthly listing on the Demo Page with our comprehensive array of leading club brands for clients to try,” Aisbett said.

The Thornleigh Golf Centre has an unmatched teaching staff of seven AAA rated PGA pros and offers an amazing variety of outstanding features which verifies its claim to be Australia’s most modern and best practice centre.

Right on track: Steve Aisbett, armed with his all-seeing Trackman swing computer system, puts 84-year-old Tom Moore, and his 100-year-old-plus wooden driver through their paces at Thornleigh Golf Centre. the nation’s most extensive array of heritage golf equipment before down-sizing to a retirement village next year.

Steve Aisbett, 35 years a PGA professional and his partner, printing entrepreneur Paul Selig invested millions of dollars in establishing their Thornleigh Golf Centre, recognised as Australia’s most modern and extensive golf practice complex.

Both Aisbett and Moore – wise as they are in all aspects of the golf industry – knew the only vehicle to promote their launching a new venture or having an unprecedented super golf garage sale was Australia’s most read golf magazine -- Inside Golf.

When it opened in August 2012 with the full support of Hornsby Shire Council, they were proud of their achievement and wanted golfers from all over Sydney to come and enjoy their unique facility.

Moore, who has taken a series of small ads in the recent issues, frankly admits to being staggered at the geographical reach of the Inside Golf readership which has brought a stream of buyers to his garage in Becky Ave, North Rocks.

Meanwhile, Tom Moore, aged 84, is a Life Member of the PGA and is Australia’s foremost expert on our nation’s golf history and especially revered for his efforts in preserving an infinite variety of golf equipment and paraphernalia.

Since 1973 he has collected and restored myriad hickory-shafted golf clubs, bags, books et al...so much so that after personally establishing the Australian Hickory Championship and the Australian Golf Heritage Society 20 years ago he supplied a vast amount of the displays on show at the AGHS’s impressively comprehensive museum in the Golf Mart store in Granville.

Now after almost 60 years as a golf pro he is selling all of his prized collection -- probably

“When I advertised my hickory putters for sale in the August issue I was amazed at getting dozens of phone calls and emails from Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and all over NSW. I sold more than 50 putters and I still get inquiries. Inside Golf sure gets out and around Australia,” he said.

“I expect a similar reaction to my latest offering, the sale of my entire collection of more than 300 books which include rare editions by Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Norman Von Nida and the pride of the pack – a beautifully restored copy of Dan Soutar’s 1906 classic, “The Australia Golfer” which was the first golf book published in Australia.”

Aisbett, a regular advertiser since launching

It boasts of always having the best conditioned tees (20 of which have adjustable electronic automatic tee adjustments) from where players hit to six precisely measured greens. Hitting from a special bay, golfers even can get a precise reading of how far each of their shots fly.

Aisbett has embraced the latest teaching technology in the electronic US system Trackman, which is regularly used by Jason Day and more than 120 US Tour pros to keep their games fully tuned.

“We give more Trackman lessons than any other facility in Australia and I have added at least 10 metres to my drives by using it,” he says.

Other exclusive features his facility offers are two 18-hole world-class mini-golf courses (a national mini-golf championship is planned for 2016); a special white sand lessons-only bunker (“Sydney’s best sand” says Steve) a chipping area and a golf shop with all the top brands and used clubs for sale.

“We are unique in that we can provide dayand-night lessons under cover from 8am to 9pm each day – even on Saturday and Sunday.

“And on top of all that we have plenty of parking and the superb Bunker Café where non-golfers can relax with a coffee and watch Foxtel Sport while their kids have fun,” Aisbett says.

For more information: Tom Moore (02) 9871 2798, Steve Aisbett (02) 9875 5445, www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au •

Goulburn secures NSW Country Championship Goulburn has been announced as the host course of the NSW Country Championship for the next three years.

Graeme Phillipson, Golf NSW General Manager Golf, said it was fitting the Championship was returning to Goulburn in 2016 as the region has a rich golfing heritage with a number of Australia’s leading golfers having played the picturesque Goulburn Golf Course layout.

“Bruce Devlin and Brett Ogle both called Goulburn home before going on to stellar golfing careers on the toughest golf stage of them all, the US PGA tour,” Phillipson said.

“They have excelled on and off the fairways of golf, Bruce with his international course design business and Brett as a successful sports commentator.

“On behalf of the Board of Golf NSW I congratulate Goulburn Mulwaree Council and local Goulburn member Pru Goward MP for their combined efforts in securing the Championship for the next three years.

“Some very talented golfers have their names on the trophy including Lucas Parsons, Nathan Green and four-time Goulburn Club champion Bruce Devlin.

Golf NSW is hoping another future PGA winner is just 18 holes away from achieving success on the big stage courtesy of the event being staged in Goulburn,” Phillipson added.

Mayor Geoff Kettle said Goulburn Mulwaree Council was very pleased to be hosting Championship.

“Our city has a strong sporting community with many sporting legends having been born and raised in Goulburn, including Brett Ogle, with others such as Peter O’Malley choosing to relocate here in more recent years,” Kettle said.

“We are thrilled to be hosting the event for the next three years and thank The Hon. Pru Goward for advocating Goulburn as the host City for this signature NSW sporting event.

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

61

rules

What’s the Rule?

Golf Qld congratulates Jason Day

Cleaning the ball Frank Gal Director of Rules Golf NSW

R

ule 21 is the shortest Rule and only merits five decisions in a book of more than 1,200. The Rule begins by clarifying that a ball on the putting green may always be cleaned after it is lifted under Rule 16-1b. It also clarifies when you may clean a ball lying anywhere else, but it does this by specifically telling us the three times we cannot clean it when lifted.

A ball may be cleaned when lifted except when it has been lifted: • To determine when it is unfit for play (Rule 5-3); • For identification (Rule 12-2, in which case it may be cleaned only to the extent necessary for identification); or • Because it is interfering with or assisting play (Rule 22).

If you clean the ball in any of these situations, you are penalised one stroke in both stroke play and match play.

Interestingly, you are not penalised for cleaning the ball after lifting it when you were not allowed to lift it under another rule (you are, of course, penalised one stroke under Rule 18-2a for the improper lifting.)

Under each of the three “non-cleaning” Rules listed above, the following provisions

Golf Queensland chairman Peter Castrisos saluted Jason Day as a “superb golfer and tremendous role model” after the Queenslander’s inspirational victory in the US PGA Championship.

must be met before lifting the ball: (i) The opponent, marker or fellowcompetitor must be advised that the player intends to lift the ball (except under Rule 22)

Day, a member of state junior and senior teams during his amateur days, joined Greg Norman, Wayne Grady, Ian Baker-Finch and Adam Scott as Queenslanders to have won major championships.

(ii) The ball must be marked (iii) The opponent, marker or fellowcompetitor must be given the opportunity to observe the lifting and replacement of the ball (except under Rule 22)

“It makes us very proud that a player who came through our junior and senior ranks can move on to the world stage and achieve the highest honours,’’ said Mr Castrisos.

(iv) If the ball is being lifted for identification (Rule 12-2) it must not be cleaned beyond the extent necessary to identify it If you fail to comply with all or any part of the procedure, you incur one penalty stroke under the applicable Rule, but if you clean the ball as well you do not incur an additional penalty stroke under Rule 21 (see Decision 21/4).

It does pay to know the Rules - and the Decisions. Take Decision 21/5 for example.

It deals with a player who lifts his ball under one of the Rules that does not allow it to be cleaned. He notices a piece of mud adhering to the ball. Before he lifts it, the ball is oriented such that a stroke at it would require the clubface to make contact with the mud as it strikes the ball. The player replaces the ball so that the mud is on the opposite side of the ball, where the clubface won’t strike it. Is this player in breach of the Rules? The answer is “no.” As long as the ball is replaced on the spot from which it was lifted, it does not matter where the mud is positioned in

relation to the clubface. The one thing you cannot do in this case is position the ball so that the mud would act as a tee.

If you have viewed coverage of PGA tour events you would probably have noticed that a player who lifts his or her ball under a non-cleaning rule is careful to hold the ball in such a manner that makes it clear to observers that they are not taking any action which might be construed as cleaning the ball.

This is a wise move, since Decision 21/3 advises that if an action is taken which could result in the lifted ball being cleaned (such as a caddy throwing the ball to the player), any doubt should be resolved against the player. •

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ThE homE oF aUsTRalian GolF

“Jason’s victory was inspirational for all of us at Golf Queensland and very satisfying to our coaches and high-performance managers. He always set a good example and is a tremendous role model for juniors, indeed all golfers.”

Day debuted for the Queensland senior amateur team as a 17-year old in 2004 and played again the following year when he was also leading amateur at the Queensland Open Championship. He turned professional in 2006.

The 2015 Isuzu Queensland Open was contested recently at Brookwater where the Australasian PGA Tour’s director of tournaments, Andrew Langford-Jones, also hailed Day’s magnificent victory.

“We all knew that fame was not far away for Jason, even when he was a 17-year old. He was always something special,’’ said Langford-Jones.

“It is great that he now has his name on the Wanamaker Trophy (US PGA Championship) and how far Jason goes from here is purely up to him.”

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Moonah Links Resort T: (03) 5988 2034 E: golfadmin@moonahlinks.com.au W: www.moonahlinks.com.au 62

October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

game improvement

How to sharpen your short game T HERE’S no harm in searching for consistency with your driver and longirons, but if you really want to improve and shave strokes off your handicap you must practice your short game.

Of course, this advice is not a new discovery, but a short-game facility that teaches you how to practice effectively is.

Golf Central BNE, opposite DFO at Brisbane Airport, is becoming the venue of choice for serious golfers keen to hone and improve their short-game skills.

That’s because Golf Central’s Cleveland Scoring Centre is a 10,000-sqm facility that allows golfers to hit every short imaginable inside 100 metres.

“There’s a chipping green, putting green, grass swales, bunkers and areas where golfers can practice flop shots and shots from up-slopes, down-slopes and side-slopes,” said the facility’s sales and marketing executive Tim Chatfield.

“There’s a grass tee area where the yardages to the small targets on the greens are updated daily.

“The putting green has been designed so that golfers can hit every putt imaginable.

There are enough holes cut to try every putt including big-breaking putts to short putts with subtle breaks.”

The good news is Golf Central is offering keen golfers the chance to join the facility as a member.

“It costs $395 per year and allows golfers unlimited use of the short-game area and the chance to practice with tour quality Srixon Z Star golf balls.

“We also have the Cleveland wedge bar

A golfer hones his short-game skills at Golf Central’s Cleveland Scoring Centre. so golfers can try all the latest wedges with every loft, lie-angle, length and grip size imaginable. Golfers can also try the range of putters.

“It’s a good feature for the membership.

“Unfortunately, a lot of golfers don’t know how to practice,” he said.

“So we have put together some programs and processes so the time you spending here practising is valuable to your golf game.

Chatfield said non-members pay $15 per hour to use the facility while the option to pay monthly is available at a cost of $39.95.

Golf Central is open from 7am to 10pm Monday to Thursday and from 7am until late Friday through Sunday.

“Members also receive discounts – 20 per cent off range balls, 20 per cent off mini golf, 10 per cent off food and beverage, 10 per cent off coaching from PGA professionals and six complementary short-game clinics.

“Hitting balls to different targets will make some improvement, but our professionals will give you the tools and a schedule to practice properly.

Peter Claughton, who used to coach Adam Scott and Jason Day at Koorlalbyn, is here and so is short-game specialist Murray Lott.”

“There will be skill tests, putting challenges and chipping challenges which really engage the golfing community we are building.”

“A lot of elite players come out and use the facility because it’s good value for money and will definitely improve your game.”

Chatfield, an Englishman who represented his country at boys, youth and men’s level, knows the importance of short-game practice.

More than 150 members have already signed up as members of the excellent shortgame facility.

For more information, call (07) 3087-7800 or visit the website www.golfcentralbne.com.au •

“This will definitely improve your golf.

“This facility is one of a kind and it’s such a convenient location being 10 minutes from the CBD through the tunnel,” Chatfield said.

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

63

instruction

The mechanics of putting of your putt. When your eyes are directly over the line of the putt you will see the line more clearly as well as the putter head alignment. The triangle created by your arms and shoulders remains constant. A good drill to fine-tune your skills and to become a more consistent putter is to place two tees in the ground approximately 40cm in front of the ball a fraction wider than the golf ball. Place a coin next to golf ball so you are putting from exactly the same spot each time and repeatedly hit the ball through the tees until you become consistent. This will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to achieve success. The more times you practice this drill the more consistent you will be on the golf course. As you get better at this exercise place the tees in line with the hole then hit the ball through the two tees aiming into the hole.

David Merriman

Golf Professional, Australian PGA 0412 44 2205

I

n previous articles I have outlined ways in which you can achieve putting success.

This month, we’ll examine the mechanics of putting.

There are many ways to putt. You have only to look to the golfing greats to appreciate this: players such as Aoki, Crenshaw and Nicklaus right through to current players such as Woods and Day. They are all great putters, but they all use a different putting method. They do, however, all have one thing in common, they all perfect their putting method and stick with it. Their stance, stroke and method hardly ever vary during their career.

Golfers who struggle with their putting will change their method, then their putter then their stroke and have too many technical thoughts impeding their motion. When you use the same method over a long period of time and perfect that method you don’t need to think about your mechanics. All you need to think about is reading the green, your speed and line.

To achieve consistency with your putting you have to fine-tune your skills to the point that you consistently hit the ball on the correct line with the correct speed.

A common cause of putting woes is not having your putting alignment match the direction that you want to hit the ball. This won’t be as significant with a short putt. Your putter face may be square at impact with the putter going in the wrong direction and

Putter head square (red line) with incorrect club head direction (yellow line) pulling ball off line (black line).

A good practice drill is to have alignment stick down the target line to check face alignment.

Place four tees either side of club head 10cms before and after the ball to ensure clubhead direction through the ball.

you can still make the putt. However, the longer the putt the more the direction of your putter influences the line. In a long putt your face may be square at impact but the wrong direction of your putter will pull the ball offline. Very simply, your putter needs to be square at impact and the blade needs to be travelling along the target line.

The most common method used to achieve putting success is to let your arms hang down from your shoulders, have your putter in line with your forearms looking down your target line. You should feel like you are putting with your arms and shoulders, your shoulders are rocking up and down your target line, your eyes are directly over the line

You only need to be good at four things to be a great putter. 1. Develop good feel/ speed 2. Hit the ball on the line you choose, 3. Reading the green (the skill of reading the green will develop once you achieve the first two), lastly, and most importantly, 4. Have the belief and commit to the putt.

For more information on how to play better golf contact your local PGA member or contact me at Royal Pines Golf Course on the Gold Coast. • David Merriman is an Australian PGA Tour Player and Teaching Professional at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast. He has an academy at Royal Pines for golfers wishing to achieve success with their game.

For more information, contact David on 0412 44 2205.

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mental game

One good shot and one bad shot Randall Hollands Smith randall@rhgolfrange.com.au

E

very golfer has, from time to time, felt as if their golf game seems to take a turn for the worse the very moment they step onto the golf course. All of that hard work and dedication that you put in to your game at the practice tee just seems to disappear into thin air just as if you had never warmed up or even practiced in the first place. Or, alternatively, things can be going along just perfectly and you can be having the game of your life when all of a sudden nearly everything about your once solid golf game seems to go south.

Understanding what happens to your game on the golf course and what can contribute to your inconsistency from time to time is your very first step to getting your golf game under control and ultimately assisting you in your quest for a more consistent golf game.

Too many swing thoughts Just consider this for a moment, how many times have you been standing over the golf ball prior to starting your swing or moving the golf club away for the shot and find your brain is racing like a freight train trying to get to the next station on time? Your hands and arms are now tensing up and you seem increasingly concerned with the “how” factor of hitting the shot rather than the “where” factor of what you are trying to achieve which will make the ball fly towards your target.

Your answer to this question is, of course, many times; and I can assure you that most golfers go through this very same thought process prior to hitting the vast majority of golf shots on the golf course.

The reason behind this typical scenario is quite simply most of us have watched countless YouTube videos or read far too many golf magazines that contain detailed golf instruction in an effort to better inform us of what we could be doing better.

Don’t get me wrong, not all instruction is bad and, in fact, most of the time it’s good advice. It’s just that quite often the information may not be relevant to you and your particular problem along with the fact that your interpretation of what has to be achieved in the tip or drill may sometimes get muddied and end up causing another fault to arise.

Your first step in playing better golf on the golf course is to simply understand that the golf course is for playing golf and the driving range is for practice, not vice versa. The idea that you can work on your golf swing on the golf course is definitely not something that will produce good results. You must start putting some quality time aside for practicing the latest piece of information from your pro, or tip of the month from your magazine at the driving range or as I like to call it the “Practice Tee”. This is your first and only direct step to making your golf swing feel instinctive or as I quite often say “natural”.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the various technical aspects of playing good golf, and this is when you invariably try and combine the “working on your swing” bit while at the same time, the “working on your score” bit. Just remember the two don’t mix and are a certain prescription for trouble.

Out on the golf course you must try and release yourself and most importantly discipline yourself to let go of all of the technical stuff that you have racing around in your mind and begin to concentrate your efforts solely on the most important aspects of a sound and repetitive golf swing. Swinging the golf club at 80 to 100 mph makes it seem unrealistic and difficult to be achieving certain swing positions during a round of golf. If I could offer some advice for your next round of golf it would be “not” to have any practice swings whatsoever. Use the time that your practice swings would take to better judge the wind, or whether you face an uphill lie or downhill lie, or even club selection. More often than not the practice swings aren’t a true reflection of the shot that you’re about to hit anyway; plus you might just save some energy that you may need towards the end of your round.

A simple focus of remembering that the practice tee is for practice and the golf course is for golfing will allow you to distinguish where and what your mind should be focused on in order to play your best golf. • PGA Professional Randall Hollands Smith and Rachel Hetherington are instructors at Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club, Soorley Street, Tweed Heads South, 2486, and are available for lessons specialising in video analysis and launch monitor. Please contact Randall on 0408 381924, or Rachel on 0418 652730, or email rhs_golfpro@hotmail.com for further information. www.Rachelhetheringtongolf.com

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www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

65

mental game

How to think like a pro A

s the professional game becomes increasingly competitive, more and more pros are openly discussing the importance of sports psychology in raising their performance to the next level.

perfect shot. No nerves, no negative mind chatter or indecision that can result in a poor stroke.

A popular mind-coaching program, Pro Golf IQ, has helped many golfers of all levels lift their game. Inside Golf recently spoke with the program’s creator, Pete Nicholson.

PN: We have all hit perfect shots in the past just like a Pro, so physically we are capable of achieving excellence. Our mental skills are quite different in that we need to re-train our brains to send the correct messages to the body to replicate perfection on every shot, which in turn builds confidence and consistency.

Inside Golf: What was the reason for developing Pro Golf IQ? Pete Nicholson: I’ve been a social golfer for 30+ years and regularly witnessed mates have mental meltdowns halfway through a round and completely destroy a good scorecard. I would hear them groan “If only I could get my head right”.

Clearly there was a massive opportunity in the marketplace for golfers to understand and learn how to deal with the mental game.

IG: So, are you talking about relieving frustration?

PN: Partly, but the real question is what causes the frustration in the first place. It can be a variety of reasons including lack of focus, poor concentration, negative thinking, tension or anxiety. We all react differently to stressful situations and it’s easy to pile on additional pressure if the mind is not clear.

IG: What do the Pros do differently from amateurs to ensure mental stability?

PN: Research shows that when the average golfer sets up for a shot, the left hemisphere of the brain sparks up; this is the side that analyses the course around you, distance to the target and hazards and remembers repetitive drills and all the good and bad advice you have ever been given.

Unfortunately the amateur gets stuck in that left side. The same studies show the top golfers are able to bring in the creative right hemisphere, which deals with rhythm, timing and co-ordination. The Pro’s brain activity reduces in the crucial few seconds before swinging, producing a calm state and enter the ZONE as it directs the body to play the

IG: How can an amateur golfer achieve this state of mind?

Pro Golf IQ focuses on the unconscious mind, which is the human version of autopilot. Think back to when we were children…we had to consciously think how to tie our shoelaces. However, in time we learned how to ‘just do it’ without thinking… the same principle applies to your golf shot.

When faced with a difficult shot—like over water—do you have the mental strength to pull off the shot?

IG: What actually is Pro Golf IQ? PN: Pro Golf IQ is five-week audio program composed of five downloadable audio sessions. Each 25-minute session has a range of state-of-the-art soundscapes to promote relaxation along with narration from Dr Jason Gregg, providing guided imagery to the user; the brain learns new golfing skillsets to think the same way as a Pro. The golfer simply relaxes using headphones and listens to each session three times per week, moving on to the next audio the following week over the five weeks. It really is the easiest golf training you will ever do.

IG: It sounds very different to working on the mechanics of playing the game.

PN: Absolutely. Our customers report that when using the Pro Golf IQ techniques, hazards and other distractions appear invisible. For example, the fear of pitching 40 metres over water to the green can be daunting for many golfers. However, by taking away the image of the water from the mind and replacing it with a lush green fairway the worry and pressure is eradicated The program teaches how to change this negative frame of mind from ‘I’m unsure if I can make this shot’ into “I can do it”.

IG: Does the program work for all types of golfers?

a game to get the brain in optimum state.

PN: Pro Golf IQ has worked for male and female golfers of all standards and ages from 11 to our oldest who is in his late 70s and is effective for low, mid and high handicappers who are looking to gain that mental edge to their game.

We also have Pitching IQ, Driving IQ and Putting IQ, which are very specific to these parts of the game. Pitching and putting are the ‘scoring zones’ where we see many of our customers report great success as their new mindset enables them to approach the target and sink putts with a newfound confidence.

IG: What sort of results have your customers reported?

IG: You guarantee the program works…or the user gets a full refund?

PN: We have reports of high handicappers of 27+ slicing big numbers from their scores— probably because they have plenty of scope for improvement. But we regularly find that golfers who play off 16-25 shave around five from their scores, some results happen very quickly while others may take a couple of months to master the mental game.

PN: We offer our customers a full six months to experience the benefits of Pro Golf IQ. If, after this period they haven’t seen either a marked improvement in their performance on the golf course and/or an increased enjoyment of their game we refund their money in full. All we ask is that the customer commits to using the program as per instructions and if they have any issues along the way that they contact me direct for my personal assistance to get the best from the program. •

IG: Do you have any other products?

PN: Yes, after completing the main fiveweek program there are four supplementary audio sessions: The ENFORCER enhances everything learned from the main program and can be used as often as necessary. Dr Gregg recommends listening the night before

More information: www.progolfiq.com/insidegolf or (07) 5657 0902

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fitness

The benefits of using suspension training equipment in the gym on machines or supported on a bench, the plane of motion is mainly in the sagittal plane (moving forward and backward).

Richard Nizielski richard@golffitsolutions.com 0438 027 768

Unlike machine-based exercises the suspension trainer allows the exploration of a variety of angles of movement and actions, which will aid in developing your physical range and your skills.

H

ave you ever seen that late night TV ad for “Body by Jake” where he says his catch phrase, “You got a door, you got a gym”?

The suspension training equipment can be utilised for all kinds of fitness training, such as; strength, flexibility, cardiovascular and power.

Okay, well I’m not here to sell you his product, but I am going to talk about the benefits of using suspension training equipment, which you can hang from a door in your house.

Where golf fitness is concerned, the suspension training equipment is ideal for doing all the upper body pulling, core control and lower body stability and strength exercises.

Suspension training equipment has been around for a while now. Its development is attributed to US Navy Seal, Randy Hetrick as a means of keeping in shape whilst on missions. His system, the TRX Suspension Trainer, has led the way for a wide variety of similar pieces of equipment to enter the market.

Exercises such as the lying pull-up, front bridge and Bulgarian lunge squat can all be performed with the suspension training equipment.

Adjusting the intensity of the exercise for your level of fitness and ability is as simple as changing the angle of your body, the repetition amount or speed of the movement

For home training this piece of equipment offers a portable, easy to set up and use alternative to dumbbells and gym machines.

The adjustability that the majority of suspension training equipment has means exercises can be easily modified for both level of resistance and degree of difficulty, making this type of training both versatile and suitable for almost anyone.

As a body weight exercise modality, suspension training provides a means of developing both the pushing as well as the pulling muscles in a manner that facilitates greater body control than more traditional exercises.

Consider the suspension trainer push up

If you haven’t used suspension training equipment before, speak with a Personal trainer or ask to try one at a sports store.

Happy golfing. •

and the bench press exercise. Both train the pectorals, anterior deltoids and triceps muscles.

However, what the bench press will not incorporate is the core control and shoulder stabilisation required to maintain postural

“

correctness throughout the suspension push up movement. This requirement will give you extra bang for your buck and another level of challenge.

Suspension training is one of the best ways to train all three planes of motion. Generally,

Richard Nizielski is a Brisbane-based golf fitness expert and the Director of Golf Fit Solutions. A threetime 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

I listened to the Pro Golf IQ program and my handicap went from 22 to 17 in just a few weeks

“

Ty Kostevski, Gold Coast Pro Golf IQ is a revolutionary new program that gets your mind into optimum shape for golf. A safe, highly advanced, scientifically proven system, consisting of a 5-week course in the comfort of your own home. Pro Golf IQ will coach you to think like a Pro and get into the ZONE on every shot.

Before long, you’ll be playing the best golf of your life.

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67

seniors

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

V

Rhodes climbs ranking table Zealand. He currently sits in second place on the national ranking behind fellow Victorian Gordon Claney.

ictorian senior Greg Rhodes continued his rapid climb up the Australian Senior Ranking System with an impressive victory in the 2015 Grange/ Kooyonga Senior Open. Rhodes had rounds of 75 on both the Grange East and Kooyonga courses to total 150 and defeat a good field by six strokes.

Second place in the Grange/Kooyonga event went to the remarkable NSW senior Vince Clark with rounds of 79-77=156.

Getting closer to 70 years old, Clark’s form in the past twelve months or more has been outstanding and he is clearly the top rated Over 65 senior golfer in Australia.

Earlier this year Rhodes won the NSW Senior Amateur Championship with a record score of six under par and in July represented Australia in the matches against New

Third place saw a four-way tie between Ian Frost (84-73), Gordon Claney (82-75), Mick Streit (73-84) and Wayne Humphries (77-80).

Claney’s trifecta in Vic Sandbelt Week Perhaps the most anticipated week in the year-long Doug Bachli (scratch) and Paul Lulofs (handicap) Order of Merit competitions is the week now known as “Sandbelt Week”. The opportunity to play on many of the best courses in Australia in one long week of golf attracts senior golfers from all states and 2015 was no exception.

The week began with the 2015 Yarra Yarra Seniors. Huntingdale’s Mick Streit returned the day’s low round of four over par 76. Streit’s consistent play of 38 on the both the front and back nine’s in cool and breezy conditions saw the plus-one marker take home the ‘Ray Barned’ title for 2015. The Metropolitan’s Paul Bray finished in second place just two shots off the pace after a solid round of 78 with Yarra Yarra member Guy Krall finishing third with a round of 79.

In the nett event, Yarram’s Ignatius Duivenvoorden finished the day with the top nett round of 74 from a daily handicap of 11.

The defending Paul Lulofs champion snuck home by a stroke from NSW visitor Ross Manton (Castle Hill) who finished second on a countback with a nett 75.

The following day Ian Frost (Bendigo) claimed the 2015 Kingston Heath Senior Amateur with a fine round of 75 (3 over). Beginning on the 10th hole, Frost played consistently in the difficult conditions with a highlight being a birdie on the tough sixteenth hole.

Ian Frost and winner Greg Rhodes (right) at the 2015 Grange/Kooyonga Senior Open.

In the main event of the day Greg O’Brien from the Howlong Golf Club in New South Wales snatched victory by a single shot.

O’Brien fired a 4 over par score of 76, to take the title from Kingston Heath member Gordon Claney on 77.

In the nett section, a countback was required to separate two interstate players, with Rod Fraser (Monash, NSW) coming out on top ahead of Neville Hewett (Yowani, ACT) with both players returning nett scores of 72.

Kerry Boehm.

Talented Victorian Barry Tippett (Thirteenth Beach) filled second place, a further shot back with a score of 76. In the nett, it was Ian Donaldson (Yering Meadows) carding a nett score of 72 off his handicap of 5 to be crowned the handicap champion for 2015 Next event was the 2015 Victoria Golf Club Seniors where the highlight was not the winning score but a hole-in-one on the opening par four by Rossdale’s Kerry Boehm.

After the game Boehm reported that “a smooth 3-wood with wind assistance” was all that was required for him to have his fourth career hole in one. Not surprisingly, this was his first on a par four.

The fourth event of the 2015 August Sandbelt Seniors week was played at the prestigious Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

Gordon Claney (Kingston Heath) made another appearance at the winner’s lectern after defeating senior newcomer Mark Abeyarante (Peninsula-Kingswood) on a countback. Both players had carded scores of three over 75.

In the nett, Rod Fraser (Monash, NSW) continued from his winning form at Victoria on Wednesday as he fired a nett score of 70 off his handicap of 7.

After watching Jason Day’s inspiring victory at the PGA Championship, 81 players were revved up to compete at this years’ Metropolitan Plate.

Gordon Claney of Kingston Heath produced an outstanding two-under-par front nine and a one-under-par back nine to finish with a round of 69 to take this years’ top honours.

Claney, who finished runner-up in this event

last year, made it two wins in a row after his victory at Royal Melbourne. Michael Doutch (Woodlands) had the unusual position of breaking par in a senior event and finishing two strokes from the winner after his round of 71. Mick Streit from Huntingdale finished third with a score of 76.

In the Handicap section Michael Doutch was rewarded with the top prize with a great nett score of 70 from his one handicap. Box Hill’s Gary Cornish was next with a nett score of 71.

The last event of the August Seniors Week teed off in the 2015 Commonwealth Golf Club Seniors. A good field of 77 enjoyed calm but chilly weather at this championship course.

It was again Kingston Heath member Gordon Claney who won after a round of two-over-par 75, to win by one stroke from Guy Krall (The National). This made it three in a row for Claney with his earlier wins at Royal Melbourne and Metropolitan.

In the handicap, visiting West Australian Steve Langoulant (Mt. Lawley) had a respectful round of nett 72 off his handicap of 8 to win on a countback from the wily Victorian veteran, Pat Giles.

“Sandbelt Week” is on again in 2016 and there will certainly be no shortage of starters so do make your plans early for this memorable week of golf.

More: www.golfvic.org.au

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seniors

Frost wins SA Championship in playoff

Dale takes NSW Senior OOM lead

VInce Clark, Greg Stanford, Leigh Anthony - Newcastle Seniors winners.

Ian Frost (left) and Gordon Claney - 2015 South Australian Seniors Championship.

The 2015 South Australian Senior Amateur Championship was played over 54 holes at the testing Links Lady Bay Golf Club. There was an excellent field for this championship and they all enjoyed the challenge of this wonderful links style course.

The winner was Victorian Ian Frost after an exciting final round that included a playoff. Holding a three-stroke lead overnight Frost fired a final round of 76 that included four bogies and fourteen pars. While he was playing steady golf, fellow Victorian Gordon Claney was on fire with seven birdies in his round of three under par 69 to finish in a tie with Frost. Following a three-hole playoff, Frost took the title with a solid par.

NSW senior Chris Gordon finished in third after a countback from local Nigel Turner and the defending champion John Banting. Joseph Scopacasa (Grange) was the winner of the 54-hole handicap section with a total of 210 defeating Rod Phillips (Royal Adelaide) on 217.

More: www.ausoom.com

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fter a slow start to his season Twin Creeks senior Denis Dale has taken over the lead in the 2015 NSW Senior Order of Merit competition. Dale has been in excellent recent form with three wins and three seconds from his last eight starts and this has moved him ahead of long time leader Dale Tapper (Bayview) and regular top line performers Greg Stanford (Mona Vale) and Ross Bockman (Long Reef ).

Day had a round of three over par 75 to edge out Richard Greville (Magenta Shores) and Denis Dale by a stroke.

Day’s round included two birdies and two double bogies. In fourth place was Long Reef senior Ross Bockman with a round of 77.

Dale will be looking for his ninth title in the ten-year history of this event. At the time of writing there were fifteen events remaining including the 54-hole ACT Senior Amateur Championship that carries 400 points to the winner.

The 2015 Newcastle Golf Club Seniors began with a continuation of the heavy rain that had fallen the preceding day. The large field that gathered were wondering if there would be any play at all when miraculously the rain eased, the sun appeared and the players made their way out for the shotgun start.

Local member Paul Day showed his class with a narrow win in the 2015 Kooindah Waters Seniors. Day enjoyed playing on his home course that was presented in great condition with the superb greens perhaps the best played on this year.

The Over 65 section went to Jim Hogg (Cessnock) who defeated local Rob Steele on a countback after both players had returned rounds of 83.

At the end of the day there were three golfers in a tie for the lead after four over par rounds of 76. The player’s were Mona Vale’s Greg Stanford, The

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Lakes’ Vince Clark and Waratah senior Leigh Anthony. The winner after the countback was Stanford with Clark receiving the runner-up prize and Anthony third.

The next best round of the day was a 78 by Twin Creeks’ senior Denis Dale and he was the winner of the Over 65-years scratch from local member Stephen Docherty who finished with a round of 79.

The overall net prize went to Michael Coughlin (Newcastle Golf Club) with a net round of 70. He edged out Cabramatta senior Chris Collins by a single stroke.

This event was once again generously sponsored by local retirement village, The Cove. The prizes were in excess of $2,000 and the large field did appreciate both the sponsorship and the work of the Newcastle club in hosting the event.

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seniors

OOM Medals named after two SA Greats

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olf SA have announced that the two medals within the South Australian Senior Order of Merit will be named in honour of two stalwarts of senior golf.

The 2015 Gailes Seniors attracted a good field with the winner being local member Leigh Madsen with a good round of 73. He defeated McLeod member Tim Deakin by two strokes with another two strokes to another local member, Peter Duncan.

The South Australian Senior Order of Merit Medal will be named after John Beaumont who passed away in late 2014.

John was based in the state’s southeast playing for many years at Millicent golf club before transferring to Mt Gambier.

A reserved and quiet person John was a determined golfer.

He loved golf and travelled many times with his wife Maree in their caravan playing in east coast senior events.

John was a top-level senior golfer known for his consistent play and length off the tee. He represented Australia from 2009-2012 in the Sanctuary Cove Trophy against New Zealand and was a member of the winning 2010 Australian AsiaPacific Championship team in Thailand. In 2010 he won the Queensland Senior Amateur Championship, the Grange Senior Open and finished second on the Australian Senior Ranking table.

The South Australian Super Senior Order of Merit medal will be named after Tony Mazzone who passed away early in 2014. Tony had been a long time member of Grange Golf Club where he represented the club in pennant golf for many years before taking to the then fledging Australian senior golfing tour he helped develop in the early 2000’s.

Tony was a talented golfer and won the South Australian Senior Amateur Championship in 2001 and 2004. He also gained selection a number of times in the Australian Senior team that played the Australian Defence Forces. Tony had an extremely generous nature and many times assisted in the promotion of senior golf tournaments, usually insisting there be no recognition of this generosity. He is also remembered for his strong support of junior golf at Grange.

Both were gentlemen and are sorely missed within the golf community for their play, their friendship and their personalities. They will not be forgotten with the naming of these prestigious medals in their honour.

The Senior Pennant began in late September with sixteen clubs competing over two divisions. The majority of Adelaide metropolitan clubs are competing and they will be joined by the Mt Barker, South Lakes, Victor Harbour and Gawler clubs.

Update on Queensland PresCare SOOM

John Beaumont, Tony Mazzone.

The competition will again be strong with all clubs looking to stop the run of Tea Tree Gully who will be attempting to keep their record in tact with a ninth straight win.

24th August saw a new Senior Order Of Merit event being added to the South Australian calendar with the 18 holes Glenelg Senior Amateur. This is one of Adelaide’s premier clubs and the response was excellent with a field of 58.

The greens were firm and fast and with the wind blowing strongly from the south, putting was a real challenge.

Winning the inaugural Glenelg Senior Amateur was Tea tree Gully’s Norm Cordina with a fine round of 77 in the testing conditions. Cordina won by seven strokes from Steve Ross (South Lakes) and Glenn Smith (Flagstaff Hill) who returned rounds of 84.

Matthew Kim won the men’s handicap with 38 points and MokKyung Han the women’s Steve Rowley (left) accepts the section with 34 points. 2015 Nudgee Masters Trophy from 2014 winner Mario La Chiusa.

Pacific Harbour is one of the best tests of golf in Queensland and the field of senior golfers for the 2015 Pacific Harbour Seniors did find the course a real test. The winner was the only score under 80 with local member Peter Gwyther finishing on 79. Timothy Deakin (McLeod) and Lindsay Brown (Keperra) tied for second place on 80.

Paul Murray (Oxley) took out the handicap section with 35 Stableford points and Adrienne Naismith the women’s with 34 points.

The 2015 Nudgee Masters was played over 36 holes and the winner of the men’s scratch championship was Nudgee member Steve Rowley with two excellent rounds of 72-70 for a 36-hole total of 142. Rowley was a dominant winner with a winning margin of seven strokes.

Coolangatta Tweed Heads senior Phil Towle finished in second place and was the winner of the Over 60 section with rounds of 72-77 = 149.

Peter Bywaters (Victor Harbour) won the Super Seniors with his round of 84 while the handicap prizes went to Tony Smith (Flagstaff Hill) and John Reynolds (Grange). The efforts of Glenelg to put the event on were appreciated by all and everyone looks forward to continuing the challenge of Glenelg in 2016.

Josie Ryan was the winner in the ladies section with very good rounds of 81-80 = 161 to defeat Cheryl Sternberg (81-84) by four strokes.

More: www.golfqueensland.org.au

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seniors

David Bromley ends an era at the Doon John Coomber

qualifying rounds he shot 65 off the plates his best round at the Doon.

ed@insidegolf.com.au

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He won a club championship of one sort or another in five consecutive decades from the 1960s to the 2000s. His last was the club senior championship in 2002.

ot many club golfers can say they played with Jack Nicklaus in the Australian Open and made the cut.

Dave Bromley can.

His much older brother Les, who died two years ago at the age of 86, won the club championship three times - in 1954, 1956 and 1962.

Bromley partnered the great man in the first two rounds at The Lakes in 1964.

Nicklaus went on to beat Bruce Devlin in a playoff and record the first of his six victories in a tournament then considered the world’s “fifth Major”.

Now, after 55 years, Dave is saying goodbye to the Doon. He is also saying goodbye to work after the same length of time.

Bromley, a 20-year-old member at neighbouring Bonnie Doon, was understandably nervous at the prospect, but he was soon put at his ease.

“Jack was very good,” Dave recalled. “He didn’t say too much - ‘good shot’ and that sort of thing.”

Dave Bromley – leaving Bonnie Doon after 55 years.

He must have said “good shot” quite a few times to the young Bromley, who had opening rounds of 78-74. It might not sound brilliant in today’s terms, but he was only six shots behind Nicklaus (75-71) and made the cut comfortably.

(The name of that no-hoper: David Graham, recently inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, and the only Australian to win two majors in the US.) “I’m a good judge, aren’t I,” David said.

Good judge or not, David was certainly a fine player. He finished runner-up in the Australian Amateur in 1982, to Eric Couper, and also made the final of the NSW Amateur at St Michaels the same year. He played against Tony Gresham, perhaps Australia’s greatest post-war amateur.

David finished the tournament tied 33rd.

Conditions must have been tough - there were only a handful of rounds in the 60s throughout the four days in a field that also included British Open winner Bob Charles, Bruce Crampton, Ted Ball, Billy Dunk and Peter Thomson, who was to win his fifth British Open eight months later.

“I was playing pretty well at the time,” David recalled. “I thought: ‘If I shoot par around here I’ll be in with a decent chance’.”

Bromley, known in those days as “Daryl the Dart” for his great accuracy, made the cut in three Australian Opens.

He also shot 71-70 to lead The Lakes Open at the halfway mark, though the pressure of being in front told on the weekend.

He did shoot par in the first round and was seven-down. “Gresham shot 65 with a lost ball”. When the match finished at the 33rd hole David was two-under and lost 5 and 3.

You’d think he might know what a good golfer looked like. His partner in those first two rounds was a young bloke playing in his first professional event.

For all that, his proudest achievement in golf is winning six club championships at Bonnie Doon. And he’s most proud of the first one.

“He hit it sideways,” said Dave, who later declared to his father “This fella will never, ever make it as a pro.”

It was 1966 and in the final he found himself up against Barrie Baker, who had won the NSW and Australian Amateur titles

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Nearly 50 years later, “The Brom” can recall exactly what happened then. “I birdied 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 to get to one down. Then holed a 20-footer on 14 for par to get to square.

“I parred the 15th to go one-up. We got to the 16th (in those days an eccentric and very difficult par-three with the green down near the fence on Heffron Road).

“My hands were shaking but somehow I got it on the green. Barrie hooked his way left then hit a magician’s pitch that went round the hole and finished half an inch away.

“Somehow I holed a 30-footer for birdie and I was dormie.

“We halved the 17th in fours and that was it. I could hardly believe it.”

Dave also went on to win the club title in 1972,1974,1977,1978 and 1982. In one of the

He retired from the markets recently and with his wife Jeanette (his first wife Margaret died in 2000) is moving to Lake Illawarra. He is joining Port Kembla Golf Club.

Recently, the newly retired David had his first round in the Bonnie Doon Wednesday member’s competition in more than 30 years.

He marked the occasion by getting a hole-inone at the 15th.

Dave has been captain of Bonnie Doon’s Masters Pennant team for many years.

At 70 he still plays off six, as does his mate and rival Barrie Baker, who is 77.

With David Meredith, who died in June at the age of 74, they formed a formidable troika for Bonnie Doon over many years in both Major and Masters pennants.

The two Davids worked together at the markets and were the closest of friends.

“The thing I’ve enjoyed most about Bonnie Doon has been the camaraderie and the good sportsmanship,” David said.

“I have made a lot of good friends, and I think I can say I’ve never had a cross word with anybody over more than 50 years.”

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And so it was no real surprise when he found himself three-down at lunch and then six-down with 10 holes to play.

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“I thought ‘Gawd, I’m no chance here’,” Dave recalled.

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a bit over a year earlier, and had played Eisenhower Cup for Australia.

Unlike today’s leading amateurs, Dave has always been a working man. After studying to be a gemologist in his teen years he went to work for his father in the vegetable markets at Haymarket and later at Flemington. He worked from 4am until about 11am, leaving him plenty of time for golf.

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golf nsw Cusack and Grierson win Mixed Foursomes Championship

Luke’s luck shines at Gunnedah

Local junior wins Thurgoona Open

L-R-Bernard Bratusa (Golf NSW), Phil McGhie, Kevin Anderson (MP, Member for Tamworth), Luke Streater, Andrew Brennan, and Peter Spackman (Gunnedah Golf Club President.)

Sophie Cusack and James Grierson have won a hotly-contested 2015 NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship. The clubhouse lead changed several times throughout the afternoon, however it was the Bonnie Doon Golf Club pairing who saved the best for last, finishing in the final group with a 2-over-par 74. Only three strokes separated the top three positions with Chizuru Ueda and Tristan Berrett from The Lakes Golf Club posting a 3-over-par 75 while Kate King (Manly Golf Club) Julian Jackson (Manly Golf Club) finished a shot further back on 76. Cusack and Grierson, who are the reining Bonnie Doon Golf Club Mixed Foursomes Champions, also claimed the Champion of Champions title.

In the Nett event, it was Pamela and Ken Dilucchio (Camden Golf Club) who claimed victory, posting an impressive 68.5. Lauren Maher (Queanbeyan Golf Club) and Stephen Dewar (Junee Golf Club) finished runner-up with a score of 72.

Players braved icy conditions as a cold front, which had dropped over four inches of snow in Orange, moved through the Southern Highlands. At the commencement of play the mercury had reached a chilly three degrees (with a wind-chill adjusted temperature of minus two degrees). www.golfnsw.org

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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rilliant sunshine greeted players who teed it up at the 2015 Northern NSW Regional Championships with the added bonus of the 36-hole tournament scratch winner gaining automatic entry into this year’s NSW Open to be held at the Greg Normandesigned Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club.

Local Gunnedah star Luke Streater (72 and 70) and Bonville visitor Tim Hyland (70 and 72) both recorded 2-under-par totals of 142 with Luke winning on a count back to earn a tee time at the Open.

“This was a fantastic opportunity as country golfers don’t get the chance to qualify for events like the NSW Open on their home course,” Streater said.

Streater was humble in his acceptance speech, acknowledging the excellent play of Tim Hyland, his playing partners together with thanking Club management and course staff for their combined efforts in delivering a quality event.

“Having a home ground advantage and local knowledge of the course was really beneficial.

It hasn’t really sunk in yet at the moment but

I’m absolutely thrilled to get the opportunity to play in the NSW Open,” Streater added.

The field included players from across the Coffs Harbour, Mid North Coast, New England, North West, and Woolgoolga regions and with the Club Championship having been held some two weeks earlier, the course and great weather conditions preferred a real test for the players.

Steve Johnston, General Manager Gunnedah Golf Club said, “We were happy to promote the game and give an opportunity to players to enter the NSW Open. It was satisfying to present a good quality country course and also get the exposure for the local community.”

The opportunity to win automatic entry into the 2015 NSW Open continues with the following Regional Qualifying events scheduled: • City of Wagga Open - Wagga Wagga (3-4 October) • Queanbeyan Cup - Queanbeyan (10 October) • North Coast Open Amateur - Coffs Harbour (24-25 October)

An impressive 71 off the stick saw local junior member Liam Gransden take top prize in the recent Murray District Golf Association Thurgoona Open; thereby winning his way into the NSW Open field.

“The Peter Thomson and Mike Wolveridge-designed course was at its challenging best for the players with a quality field of amateurs teeing it up,” said Stuart Fraser, CEO, Golf NSW. “It was a true golfing test with Thurgoona’s couch fairways and bent grass greens ensuring the winner earned their victory and I congratulate the course Super and his team on their efforts in delivering a quality course for the event,” Fraser added.

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golf queensland

Volunteers make the tournaments go around

Bransdon wins dramatic Isuzu Queensland Open

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avid Bransdon prevailed over fellow NSW professional Rohan Blizard after a three-hole play-off in a dramacharged final round of the Isuzu Queensland Open at Brookwater.

After Blizard birdied the 71st hole to level at 12-under, the duo made regulation pars on the 18th and then returned to the tee to determine a sudden-death winner.

In the end it was 41-year old Bransdon who hoisted the T B Hunter Cup after making a curling four-metre putt as they contested the 18th for the third time in the playoff.

They are dotted around the course wearing red shirts and white caps, enjoying the golf and exuding enthusiasm.

Hardly a golf tournament in the world can operate without volunteers and the Isuzu Queensland Open is no exception.

About 25 volunteers worked at the event this year and Golf Queensland manager Matt Field says they were stretched to cover myriad tasks on and off the course.

“Without the help of the volunteers the event would simply not function efficiently,’’ said Field. “They all have a love of golf, but are not necessarily good golfers or even regular golfers.

“We have a lady who worked at last year’s Open after just starting the game at St Lucia. She enjoyed the experience so much she is back again this year.’’

Field said the majority of volunteers were golf club members from nearby areas such as Oxley, Ipswich and host club Brookwater.

“But we have people from further afield such as Redland Bay,’’ he said.

“They all enjoy watching the players and also to see how a tournament functions. We receive some very positive feedback on their experience.’’

Aside from the satisfaction of being involved, volunteers receive a free Isuzu Queensland Open shirt, cap and voucher for a free game at Brookwater. They also receive an invitation to Golf Queensland’s annual Volunteer Day. Duties for the volunteers are varied, ranging through scoring, spotting, providing information, player transport, car parking, on-course drinks, tending leaderboards and more.

“My putter wasn’t behaving early in my round but ultimately it was what won it for me,’’ said Bransdon.

After an extra 3-hole playoff David Bransdon putts to win the Isuzu Qld Open

“Rohan played great and threw everything at me. He didn’t give anything. I had to earn it.’’

Bransdon’s experience, consistency and shot-making made him a worthy champion, but there was justifiable sympathy for the gritty Blizard who carded his third successive 67 which included a self-imposed penalty stroke called on the par-four, 12th hole.

Blizard, 31, called the penalty when he believed his ball had oscillated minutely after he removed a nearby twig. He immediately summoned a rules official and added a shot to his score on the hole.

“Golf is an honest game. If you see a ball move you call it on yourself,’’ he said. “I’d hit a bad shot off the tee and was moving a stick behind my ball when it touched a leaf and the ball kind of oscillated.’’

Blizard, who ultimately chipped-in from 25m to par the hole, admirably refused to blame the penalty for his defeat.

His 67 included consecutive eagles on the par-five 8th hole and par-four ninth to grab the outright lead at the midway stage of the round.

“Rohan really produced some fireworks before the turn with those eagles but I figured I’d just do what I needed and hit it in the fairways and on to the greens,’’ said Bransdon. “If he kept making birdies and eagles he’d win, but I wasn’t going to change from the way I’d played the golf course all week. Get aggressive at Brookwater and it will jump up and bite you.’’

Bransdon carded a closing 69 to finish tied at 12-under with Blizard (67) with a four-shot break to third-placed Kiwi Mark Brown who shot 69. The consistency of Bransdon’s game was illustrated in the 21 holes he played on Sunday (including the playoff) which comprised 17 pars and four birdies.

“The old adage in golf says patience will be rewarded,’’ he

said. “Patience is normally not my forte but I hung in today and eventually the putts started to drop.’’

Bransdon, who lives in Sale, Victoria, with his wife and three children, said the Open victory will be a confidence boost when he tackles the European PGA Tour Q-school later this year.

21-year old Royal Queensland member Jake McLeod closed with a four-under 68 to be leading amateur, finishing in a tie for fourth place with Adam Blyth (Qld) and Aaron Townsend (NSW).

McLeod is an exciting prospect, as evidenced by his 67 on Saturday, and he produced more action in Sunday’s final round when he notched five birdies and two bogeys in a rollercoaster opening eight holes.

“I started well with successive birdies and then three-putted the third,’’ he said. “I held it together really nicely although I didn’t make many putts coming home.’’

McLeod described his opening round 74 on Thursday as “scrappy” but was delighted with subsequent rounds of 72-6768.

“It was a good finish and I couldn’t be happier,’’ he said.

McLeod, who won the 2012 Queensland Amateur Championship, is a member of the QAS squad and the state men’s team.

“I still have a couple of amateur events to play in a month or so before I prepare for qualifying schools on the Australasian and Asian Tours,’’ he said.

McLeod was easily the best of the three amateurs to make the cut finishing 13 shots in front of Zach Murray (Victoria) and 18 strokes ahead of Travis Smyth (NSW).

Queensland Boy’s and Girl’s Amateur Championships 7 – 9 December 2015 Indooroopilly Golf Club Entries close 5pm, Friday, 27 November 2015 www.facebook.com/GolfQueensland

@GolfQueensland

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

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Qld Open helping grow the game

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HILE all attention was on the players at the Isuzu Queensland Open at Brookwater Golf Club last month, there was plenty of action going on behind the scenes.

It’s well-documented David Brandson won the tournament in a thrilling playoff with Rohan Blizard but there were other important activities in the lead-up and during the tournament.

For a start, far more children now know about golf as a sport than before the tournament started.

That’s because Golf Queensland took the game to schools in the area.

“The Isuzu Queensland Open is also about growing the game of golf,” said Golf Queensland manager golf operations Luke Bates.

“Our community engagement broke last year’s record of the number of kids we introduced to golf through the schools.

“We had over 2100 schoolchildren involved during the week.

“We took professionals to the schools to do clinics and talk to the kids about the event.

“Two schools came to Brookwater and we gave the kids a rundown of the event by taking them to the driving range to chat with players and then brought them up to the media centre to show them how that works.

“It’s all about introducing kids to the game.”

Bates said crowd numbers had also grown this year courtesy of the extensive media coverage.

“Numbers were definitely up on last year’s figures,” he added. “We had over 50 volunteers controlling the large galleries each day. They were a big help.”

Growing the game has been a huge focus for organisers of the Isuzu Queensland Golf.

This year the curtain came down on Brookwater Golf Club who did a brilliant job hosting the tournament for the past three years.

Now, all eyes are on the Brisbane Golf Club, who will host the tournament for the next three years.

Organisers have already started planning the 2016 tournament.

“The transition from Brookwater to Brisbane has been good and we are looking forward to it,” Bates said.

“Brisbane Golf Club is super keen to host the event, promote their club and showcase the revamped golf course.

“What is also exciting is we will have a lot of new schools to work with.”

Of course, golf tournaments can’t go ahead without sponsors.

Well, for Golf Queensland and golf fans there is good news – major sponsor Isuzu have thrown their weight behind the tournament for a further three years.

“We are thrilled with that because it puts the event in a strong position,” he said.

“Our discussions with other important sponsors have all been positive because we are hoping to make next year’s event bigger and better.” •

YOUR BLUE MOUNTAINS parmaker OUTLET

Shoot the lights out at Tocumwal GC Golfers are invited to “shoot the lights out” at the Tocumwal Golf Club for the inaugural Victorian 36-Hole Two Person Ambrose Championship supported by Garnaut Private Wealth and Golf Victoria.

The club is introducing this new event onto the Murray River golfing calendar to be played on their magnificent two championship courses, the President’s and the Captain’s, ranked in the top-100 public access golf courses in Australia. The course is held in such high regard that it plays host annually to the CPM Southern PGA Trainee Championship.

The event is 6-7 February 2016 and is open to all male and female amateur golfers. There is an impressive list of trophy packages for each day plus the overall winners of the championship in both scratch and handicap divisions.

The course will be available to all entrants for a practice round, free of green fees, on the Friday afternoon. Both days will be a multiple tee start with an early hit off on the Sunday to cater for those travelling home that afternoon. Presentation of trophies will take place for both days including the overall winners immediately following golf on the Sunday.

At the conclusion of golf on the Saturday you will be encouraged to join the biggest party atmosphere conducted on the clubhouse balcony and flowing onto the lawn area directly below where music, refreshments and a shootout will be offered to golfers testing their short game skills, pitching 80 to 90 metres to the president’s 10th hole. A cash prize will be on offer.

More: 1800 631 197, (03) 5874 9105, www.tocumwal golf.com.au

For Parmaker after-sales repairs, service & spares in the Blue Mountains Area (Blacktown to Lithgow & beyond) contact Mike Budden. We conduct warranty repairs on all models and have most walker and ride-on models available for demo.

Collection & delivery is available.

Phone & fax: 02 4751 8226 Email: wesden@dodo.com.au www.bluemountainsgolfbuggies.com Sales • Repairs • Service • Spares

AUSTRALIAN MADE • BUILT TO LAST

Members $20.00, Non Members $30.00 RESULTS 11th Sept 2015 WiNNER - B. Warwick Runner Up - B. Hutchins Next Best - R. Rule N.T.P 3rd - J. Comerford N.T.P 6th - J. Kim N.T.P 12th - P. Duncan Approach 11th - C. Halls

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

events

Being a champion as easy as ABC

A

nyone can become a champion at the Queensland AB&C Grade Championships. For the first time this year, Noosa Springs has opened the field to all amateur golfers with a registered Golf Australia handicap.

The re-named Calvin Klein Queensland AB&C Grade Championships tee off at Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort 27-29 November 2015. The pristine championship golf course in the heart of Noosa is one of Australia’s best resort golf courses and also the testing ground for PGA Australia qualifying events.

The three-day competition will be played over 54 holes of Stableford play. The entire field will contest all three rounds –18 holes each day –and the men’s and women’s winners for each category will be the persons with the highest aggregate scores.

The event opens with welcome drinks Thursday 5-6pm (November 26) and the golfing fun is rounded off with a presentation and nibbles at 1pm on the Sunday afternoon (November 29).

The tournament packages appeal to everyone from the budget conscious to couples and independent travellers. Stay in a fully self-contained one or two-bedroom apartment with complimentary daily breakfast for: $80pp / per night (quad share) / $120pp / per night (twin share) or $220pp / per night (single). (Minimum two night stay.)

Everything for a luxury golf retreat is catered for onsite: spacious apartments; award-winning dining; aqua day spa; heated swimming pool; tennis courts and fitness centre. Stay exclusively at the resort or discover Noosa’s cosmopolitan shopping and dining strip, pristine beaches and National Park with coastal hiking trails just three

minutes’ drive away. Complimentary twice daily shuttle bus to Hastings Street.

latest in golf fashion and apparel by Daily Sports, EP Pro and Nuni.

After the tournament why not double your golfing pleasure and play at the superb sister golf club, Links Hope Island – Gold Coast? Designed by five-times British Open champion Peter Thomson and partner Mike Wolveridge, it’s the Gold Coast’s most iconic golf course. Noosa Springs’ guests are invited to play Links Hope Island at a special rate of $90pp including motorised cart. To redeem this offer, drop into Noosa Springs’ flagship golf shop and while there, check out the

Noosa Springs is 1.5 hours north of Brisbane Airport and 30 minutes from Sunshine Coast Domestic Airport. Links Hope Island is on the north shore of the Gold Coast, 20 minutes from Surfers Paradise and 40 minutes south of Brisbane Airport.

Entry is just $319pp. For more information, download the registration form at www. noosasprings.com.au Alternatively, phone the Golf Shop to register (07) 5440 3333 or email: golf@noosasprings.com.au •

Fiji Rugby and Golf join forces Fiji 7s team Captain, Ratu Osea Ramodi Kolinisau and Fly Half, Emosi Mulevoro will swap their rugby boots for golf bags and golf clubs as they kick off their Ambassador roles for the 2015 Fiji International.

The Fiji Rugby Union and Fiji International have joined forces to promote both sports in the country and increase development of the game across Fiji.

“We look forward to the opportunity of working with Fiji Rugby to increase the profile of Golf and Rugby in Fiji and provide more fan activities for locals attending the tournament,” Fiji International General Manager, Natalie Ritter said.

Kolinisau and Mulevoro will make public appearances during the tournament week of the Fiji International from October 15th – 18th 2015. Spectators can look forward to meeting the two 7s champions at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course as well as enjoying a great day out at one of Fiji’s most stunning golf courses in a professional golf environment.

Fiji Rugby Union CEO, Radrodro Tabualevu said “We anticipate our partnership with the event will deliver exposure to both Golf and Rugby in Fiji paving the way for a sustainable future for both sports in the nation.”

American golf star and World Number 14 Matt Kuchar has confirmed his participation in the $1,000,000 prize purse golf tournament. www.fijiinternational.com

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

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events

O’Dell the local hero at Barcaldine

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arcaldine member Jacob O’Dell has beaten one of the strongest fields in recent memory, to claim the 2015 Men’s Sand Greens.

One of New Zealand’s most exciting golf resorts is teeing off with one of the most exciting and interesting challenges in the southern hemisphere.

Leading by two shots after Round 1 with a 6-under 67, the pressure was on O’Dell with 2012 Champion Anthony Timms (City Golf Club) primed for a final round charge.

The Grand Challenge Trophy returns to Terrace Downs Resort Sunday 29th November. This event is spread across four different activities that embraces a great team day out!

Coming through 9 holes in Round 2, O’Dell had extended his lead to 3 shots over Timms with fellow City member Nigel Weldon making a run. Timms birdied the 10th and 11th holes to close the gap to only 1, but when O’Dell responded with birdies on 13, 15, 16 and 17, the title was staying in Barcaldine.

The action begins at 9.30am where teams will start off with Archery, Clay Shooting and Modified Golf Cross. Then in the afternoon, enjoy an Ambrose round of golf using large (20cm) cups.

A final hole eagle secured a runner-up finish for Timms, but all the plaudits go to O’Dell who closed with a steady par, a final round 8-under 65 and a two-shot victory.

Scores from throughout the day are combined to give each team their final score.

Edward Choyce (City Golf Club) overcame a 2 shot deficit to win the B Grade Championship from overnight leader Barry Littlewood (Isisford Golf Club).

The grand prize is a Terrace Downs Ultimate Getaway Package, including accommodation, golf, archery & clay shooting.

Birdies on the 17th and 18th holes proved to be difference after Littlewood surrendered his lead with a double bogey on the 10th.

The C Grade Championship proved to be a popular victory with 23-year Sand Green veteran Jim Bourke (Baralaba Golf Club) receiving a rousing ovation after claiming his maiden title by 1 shot over Phil Kennedy (Mitchell Golf Club), with rounds of 83 and 86.

The Fourball Championship was held on Friday with Wes Waugh and Cameron Tindall winning in a triple countback (52 points) from the teams of Jesse Noonan and Ted Choyce, and Glenn Forsyth and Bob O’Brien.

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Grand Challenge Trophy at Terrace Downs Resort

Team entry is only $390 for a team of 4 and includes all activities, as well as a BBQ lunch, one drink and snacks at prize giving.

Jacob O’Dell, the 2015 Queensland Men’s Sand Greens Champion Barcaldine Golf Club is to be applauded for the outstanding job in hosting the 2015 edition of Men’s Sand Greens.

Thanks also to the local sponsors and the naming sponsor City Golf Club, for their

generous continued support.

With the previous two editions of the Men’s Sand Greens reaching capacity field, players are already excited for Quilpie in 2016. •

Reserve your spot today for the Grand Challenge Trophy. Bookings essential and spaces are limited.

Contact the pro shop on: (NZ) 03 318 6943 or golf@terracedowns. co.nz

calendar

CALENDAR >

OCTOBER

World Urban Golf Day IX

WHEN: 3 October, Starting from 1pm WHERE: Newcastle NSW, Toowoomba, Townsville, Cairns QLD and Perth WA How much: $5 The World Urban Golf Day festival consists of a series of events held across the world over the course of two weeks to promote and celebrate the sport of Urban Golfing.

Australia’s participation in this year’s events will be held across 5 locations to kick off national golf month and will be open to anyone regardless of skill level, weight, race, age or club membership status.

All the equipment is provided so all players need to bring is themself and whatever they deem appropriate to wear. Events consist of massive street courses, food and live music into the night. Entry includes scorecard, balls and club hire. Prizes will be awarded on the day for best dressed as well as for chipping competitions and sportsmanship.

More: Chris Connors, admin@ australianurbangolf.com, 04 0205 7891, www.australianurbangolf.com

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: Nelson Bay Golf Club Dowling Street, Nelson Bay NSW 2315 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 4th Qualifying Round 17th October 2015 5th Qualifying Round 31st October 2015 Final 22nd November 2015 Hurstville Golf Club Lorraine Street, Peakhurst NSW 2210 Final 10th October 2015

3rd Annual Galston Club Charity Golf Event WHEN: 14 October 2015 WHERE: Riverside Oaks Golf Resort Supporting Books in Homes Australia & Special Olympics Australia. Entry includes Golfer’s gift bag, BBQ breakfast, drinks on course, sit down lunch and plenty of great prizes and the opportunity to network. Entry is $150 per player. Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact James, P: 0438 980 734 gm@galstonclub.com.au

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).

Northbridge Golf Club Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge NSW 2063 3rd Qualifying Round 3rd October 2015 4th Qualifying Round 14th November 2015 5th Qualifying Round 21st November 2015 Final 28th November 2015 Rosebud Country Club 207 Boneo Road, Rosebud VIC 3939 4th Qualifying Round 17th October 2015 5th Qualifying Round 24th October 2015 Final 7th November 2015 Singleton Golf Club 51 Boundary Street, Singleton NSW 2330 1st Qualifying Round 19th September 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 26th September 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 21st November 2015 4th Qualifying Round 28th November 2015 5th Qualifying Round 12th December 2015 Final 13th December 2015 Macquarie Links International Golf Club 207 Boneo Road, Rosebud VIC 3939 1st Qualifying Round 12th September 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 19th September 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 26th September 2015 4th Qualifying Round 17th October 2015 5th Qualifying Round 24th October 2015 Final 7th November 2015 Singleton Golf Club Macquarie Links Drive, Macquarie Links NSW 2565 1st Qualifying Round 7th November 2015 2nd Qualifying Round 14th November 2015 3rd Qualifying Round 21st November 2015 4th Qualifying Round 28th November 2015 5th Qualifying Round 5th December 2015 Final 12th December 2015

Entries close: Friday 25 September. Full event

COMING SENIOR AMATEUR EVENTS

details are available at www.golfnsw.org

National Left-handed golfers, 50th Anniversary Tournament WHEN: 25-30 October WHERE: Port Macquarie - Wauchope South West Rocks

Over 200 Golfers (Men, Ladies and even righthanders) will compete in A, B and C Grades.

Senior and Super Senior Divisions. The event is a 72 Holes Medal Championships, with Stableford Events.

Entry is $350, and includes Welcome Function and Awards Dinner, welcome bag and. $8000 of prizes. Simply joining the Association for an annual fee of $25 will make you eligible to compete – see website for benefits.

For more: Phone: 02 4883 4271 Mob. 0428 380 413. Email: nalganationals@gmail.com. www.nalg-nsw.org.au

DECEMBER

Dick Reynolds Club Golf Day WHEN: Thursday December 3 Where: Sandhurst Club

Play with an Essendon Football Club current or past AFL star at the beautiful Sandhurst Club!

The format is Ambrose and there will be plenty of prizes, including a KIA car as a hole in one prize. A range of sponsorship opportunities are available. It is rare that you will have the opportunity to spend 5 hours socialising with an AFL personality so don’t miss out.

For more information contact Jessica Newman at the Essendon Football Club at events@essendonfc.com.au or 0418 822 097

October 2 Liverpool Seniors (NSW) October 5 Wanneroo Seniors (WA) October 6 Brookwater Seniors (QLD) October 11 Cronulla Seniors (NSW) October 14 Charlestown Seniors (NSW) October 13 Melville Glades Seniors (WA) October 14-16 Asia Pacific Senior Amateur

Championships, Qingdao, China October 18 Moss Vale Seniors (NSW) October 19-21 * Victorian Senior Amateur

Championships – Bright & Myrtleford October 19 Windsor Seniors (NSW) October 19 Horton Park Seniors (QLD) October 20 Wyong Seniors (NSW) October 22-23 Darling Downs Seniors (QLD) November 5 Twin Creeks Senior (NSW) November 9-10 Melbourne Senior Classic

(Spring Valley &

Woodlands VIC) November 9 Virginia Seniors (QLD) November 10-12 * ACT Senior

Amateur Championship

(Gold Creek,

Gungahlin Lakes, Federal) November 16 Oxley Seniors (QLD) November 20 Lake Karrinyup Seniors (WA) November 22-23 Mollymook Seniors (NSW) November 26-27 Moyne Senior Classic (VIC) November 30 Long Reef Seniors (NSW) December 1 Cromer Seniors (NSW) * Part of the Australian Senior Ranking System

GOLF NSW OCTOBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS Golf NSW Events Date 06-09-Oct-15 17-18-Oct-15

Event NSW Men’s Fourball Championship - State Final Men’s NSW Sand Greens Championship

19-22-Oct-15

Women’s Mountain Meeting

Venue Bonville Golf Resort Cobar Bowling & GC Blackheath, Lithgow, Leura & Wentworth Falls GC’s

Men’s Vardon Events Date 03-04-Oct-15 03-04-Oct-15 05-Oct-15 10-11-Oct-15 10-Oct-15 11-Oct-15 24-Oct-15 24-25-Oct-15 31-Oct-15

Event City of Sydney Amateur Mudgee Open Steelworks Cup W.E. Alexander Open Mona Vale Medal Cronulla Open and Seniors Event Bankstown Cup Bathurst Cup Prince Henry Cup

Venue Moore Park GC Mudgee GC Shortland Waters GC Waratah GC Mona Vale GC Cronulla GC Bankstown GC Bathurst GC The Coast G&RC

Women’s Jean Derrin / Senior Order of Merit Events Date 03-04-Oct-15 12-Oct-15 13-Oct-15 24-25-Oct-15

Event City of Sydney Women’s Amateur Blue Water Classic Wakehurst Salver and Bowl Coffs Harbour Ladies Classic

Venue Moore Park GC Shelly Beach GC Wakehurst GC Coffs Harbour GC

Pennants / Grade Date 11-Oct-15 18-Oct-15

Event Warren and Gibson Trophies – Semi Finals Warren and Gibson Trophies – Final

Venue Various Riverside Oaks GC

Women’s Senior Order of Merit Events Date 24-25-Oct-15

Event Coffs Harbour Ladies Classic

Venue Coffs Harbour GC

For information on any of the above events, or for a full list of fixtures go to: www.golfnsw.org www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

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19th hole

All the Presidents’ men: Part II Larry Canning

I

t’s time! The long-awaited Presidents Cup is upon us. And here is my breakdown of both teams:

AMERICANS Jordan Spieth: I’m a huge fan of this kid!

He plays with passion and grit, but noone plays with more respect for his (usually vanquished) playing partners. The glimpses of anger and frustration just make him more likeable!

Bubba Watson: Spoiled little brat.

Jimmy Walker: Great golf swing and beautiful putter. I think I’m in love!

Zach Johnson: I had no reason to dislike this nice, spiritual, religious guy until he beat an Aussie in a Major playoff. Now he’s on “Larry’s most hated American” list along with Larry Mize, Paul Azinger, Mark Calcavecchia, Justin Bieber, Donald Trump and all the Kardashians.

Jim Furyk: For as long as he swings the club that way in public, I will feel like Adam Scott!

Rickie Fowler: Too much like Justin Bieber.

Dustin Johnson: No-one is that cool without the use of something you can’t buy in a Chem-mart.

Patrick Reed: America’s most targeted player… and he’s on the American team!

Matt Kuchar: Good bloke. The only thing more down-to-Earth than Matt, is his backswing plane.

Chris Kirk: Another grounded, good bloke.

Flies under the radar and beats some bloody good players. Actually, I don’t like him now.

Bill Haas: Son of the Captain. I’ve never heard a Presidents Cup Captain justify a

“Captains pick” like that in my life!

Phil Mickelson: Has a way better chance of becoming president than Donald Trump!

with David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

INTERNATIONALS Jason Day: Finally a major winner! I have never cried that much while watching a sporting event in my life… well since I saw that Russian gymnast mis-time a routine on the pommel horse.

Louis Oosthuizen: Despite having the full name of Lodewicus Theodorus Oosthuizen, the South African appears to have discovered a new form of golf which is far simpler to the one I play. He puts less effort into a 300 yard drive than it takes me to remove the head cover off my driver! Clearly, he failed physics at school!

Adam Scott: Apparently has lost a bit of passion for the game thanks to the “Royal & Bloody Ancient”. Ironically, the name of the governing body in charge of taking our game into the future. Word is, Scotty has invested some serious cash in the recycling of long putters into TV antennas so the punters, who will be forced to give the game away in 2016, can at least watch other people play it with a better picture.

Hideki Matsuyama: The young Japanese Golf Samurai! (That sounded pretty cool, didn’t it?)

Branden Grace: Appears to be a real street fighter who loves playing well in big events.

I would love to whack Bubba Watson in one of those cage fighting octagons with Grace.

“Mummy, I don’t want to play with Branden anymore!!”

Marc Leishman: I love watching this freewheeling Aussie play! He is another player who puts the pedal down when others are squirming around reaching for the hand

Couples battle to win challenge SOMEONE once said you are extremely brave to play golf regularly with your life partner.

Well, up at Mount Coolum Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast they run a “Couples Challenge” throughout the year in conjunction with the club’s Thursday competitions and we understand it’s been smooth sailing.

brake. If there was a golfer who epitomizes everything I’m not, its Marc (they don’t call me “Skid Marks” for nothing!)

Anirban Lahiri: We don’t know much about this Indian Professional except he plans to give the Yanks some curry!

Charl Schwartzel: Charl and I didn’t kick our relationship off very well after he birdied the last 4 holes in the 2011 Masters to beat Adam Scott and Jason Day. It’s OK though, we are talking again now.

Thongchai Jaidee: Thailand’s Legend.

Despite being roughly half the weight of Phil Mickelson’s golf bag, Thongchai will not go away.

Danny Lee: – About time Danny!. With your talent, where have you been mate?

Steve Bowditch: The Aussie with the eyebrows resembling two ferrets kissing has become a week-to-week threat on the big stage.

Sangmoon Bae: Belting the Yanks will be good practice for his impending stint in the South Korean Military. With a different haircut, Patrick Read looks strangely like Kim Jong-un as well.

So there it is…. Internationals, Internationals, Internationals... Oi, Oi, Oi! The competition is in its fourth year.

The players partake in a drink after each round and attend an annual presentation function where the winners receive a trophy.

This year Alan Valle and Louina Robertson won the Couples Challenge, breaking Al and Leigh Bruschweiler’s two-year reign.

This story reminded me of a couple playing club foursomes. It would never happen at Mt Coolum.

It’s a team competition where couples play together with their scores pitted against other couples in a round-robin matchplay competition each week. Points are allotted for a win or tie.

On the first hole, the husband hit a booming 300m drive down the middle of the fairway.

It’s played in two divisions with the winners of each division playing off in the final.

Wife steps up and shanks the ball under a bush.

The competition is the brainchild of Denise Degenhardt, who plays alongside her husband and ex-club captain Barry Degenhardt.

Husband crawled into the bush and played a terrific shot onto the green two metres from the hole.

Wife hits putt three metres past hole, leaving hubby with a nasty downhill twisting putt, which he miraculously sinks.

The only rule of the competition is that each team must be a couple (husband and wife, de facto or same sex couples) and must be living together.

The living together bit applies so that a team member has to put up with the wrath of their partner at home if they let the team down.

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

As they leave the green, he says to his wife “you are going to have to lift your game”.

Couples Challenge winners Alan Valle and Louina Robertson.

THERE are 21 stableford points up for grabs on the front nine.

How many can you get?

Furious, she retorts, “I only had two shots on the hole while you had three so don’t tell me to lift my game.”

1. Which club will host this year’s Australian Open? (2 pts) 2. What nationality is Russian Open winner Lee Slattery? (2 pts) 3. Can you solve the following anagram – Gran monger? (He’s Australian). (3 pts) 4. How many majors did Seve Ballesteros win?

(3 pts) 5. Name the year Australian Geoff Ogilvy won the US Open. (3 pts) 6. A player is nearly struck by a ball played by a player in the following group. In anger, he hits the ball back towards the group. Has he played a practice stroke or a wrong ball?

(3 pts) 7. Who is the taller – Ian Woosnam or Craig Parry? (1 pt) 8. In what country will you find Natadola Bay Golf Course? (2 pts) 9. At what age did Ian Baker-Finch win the 1991 Open Championship – 27, 28 or 29?

(2 pts) ANSWERS: (1). The Australian Golf Club; (2).

English; (3). Greg Norman; (4). Five – three Open Championships and two US Masters; (5). 2006; (6).

Neither. However, in equity (Rule 1-4), the player should incur the general penalty of loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play; (7). Parry is 1.68m and Woosnam 1.64m; (8). Fiji; (9). 27.

ed@insidegolf.com.au

The quick nine quiz

Ian calls ace before tee off HAVE you ever stood on the tee of a par-3 hole and, before hitting, told your playing partners you are about to have a hole-in-one?

Ian Harrison, a member at Mt Coolum Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast, has.

Ian’s “called ace” occurred on the 140m par-3 eighth hole during a Thursday stableford competition.

He was playing in his regular group that included fellow member John Saunders, who scored an ace at the club in January 2012.

Lining up his tee shot, Ian turned to his playing group and said, “I am going to hit a hole-in-one on this one so I can have my name on the honourboard next to yours John.”

Yeah, right, they thought.

To the astonishment of the group, and Ian, his perfectly struck tee shot finished in the cup.

It was Ian’s first ace, which was 57 years in the making.

Mind you, it may take another lifetime for him to have another “called hole-inone”.

your voice

Thinking “outside the (tee) box” I take interest in reading your editorial and your comments about the state of club golf.

My brothers and I grew up playing golf during the ‘70s. Our parents were members, and we joined at about 12 years old, played practise rounds after school, Saturday competitions, pennants, etc.

During that time there were constantly about 20 juniors, with some of them very good players.

Demands of family and work has meant that I’ve been a member of four different clubs at various times, but play still about 10 times a year. It’s been obvious that club membership and participation has fallen and this has affected clubs. Not all can be successful as a function centre.

How do we maintain the number of clubs and courses into the future?

I wonder whether we need to take a different look at the problem? While there has been a drop in numbers in golf participation, there has been a growth in participation in running, cycling, walking and fitness.

Letter of the Month So with large landscaped grounds (the golf course) why not limit days / times when golf is played and open the course to joggers, walking, cycling (with construction of paths), fitness, etc.

The club could cater for these new members in their “sport shop” (as opposed to just a pro shop). Coffee is a huge part of peoples’ lives, and clubs could incorporate this experience into their building—not just with a lone coffee machine in the pro shop or behind the bar but in a separate area modelled on any of the successful chains.

Clubs can become venues for competitions (not just in golf ) and thus re-brand themselves into modern up-to-date trendy sporting clubs.

‘you must have played 8 competitive rounds to ensure your handicap is fair’.

The Club Championships start this weekend and I am not eligible to play because I have not handed in 8 cards in the last 12 months.

Why? A-grade is off the stick, handicaps don’t come into it?

Surely you would think I am at a disadvantage for not having played much in the last year? But apparently their ‘laws’ are

Just another example of golf clubs being stuck in their ways and losing membership.

D.C.

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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!

When I was watching the 2015 US. Open Golf Championship, I was appalled at the choice of course because it was so disgusting. I said at the time that if it was a public course they would go broke because nobody would play on it.

Now I am watching the 97th US PGA Championship and I have found a course that is worse. When the images first appeared on the screen I could not believe it. Whistling Straits would have been rejected as a city dump...they could not get the trucks in.

Yet the ‘Powers that Be’ compel their members, clients and supporters, to play on these dreadful apologies of golf courses.

The best golfers in the world are clamouring to play in these Major Championships, so why do they have to make the courses so impossibly difficult that these best golfers in the world are shamed, humiliated and belittled when they cannot perform as they normally would.

Have Major Championship courses long, hard and taxing, sure, but not stupid.

Peter Morphett

I play off 3 at my home club. I have been a member for 10 years.

Ian Wright

Your Voice

Dump the stupid courses

Antiquated Rules

How golf got into the rough Congratulations on an incisive, logical and informative summary (Starters Box, August issue). These are the problems that need discussion and resolution... and the sooner the better.

Granting TV rights to Murdoch was a monumental, short-sighted decision.

Golf is the poorer for short-term money with the real prospect of negative growth resulting in the product value reducing.

Your previous comments on the curse of slow play were excellent. When I was introduced to golf, a round on a Saturday took 2 and a half hours, 3 on a slow day. Now with motorized carts, 4 hours is considered a fast round. This can be partly blamed on the appalling pace of play shown on professional events with some taking forever to hit a shot or putting.

Gary Kind

24

25

26 27

29

ACROSS

1 The part of golf takes place on a green (7) 5 Provided golf lessons, for example (7) 9 Type of money paid to David Horsey, winner of the 2015 Made in Denmark tournament (5) 10 Australian who led the 2015 US PGA Championship before fading in the last round (4,5) 11 Situation where one player’s ball blocks the path of another (6) 12 Keep or maintain in unaltered condition (8) 13 Brought up (6) 15 Rubbed out (6) 18 Unbroken series of tournament wins, say (6) 20 Device for making a golf ball clean (6) 23 Haphazardly (2,6) 24 Prepares to play a hole (4,2) 27 Woman whose husband or partner spends many hours on the course (4,5) 28 Public profile (5) 29 Australian who won the Senior British Open in 2001, Ian _______ (7) 30 A form of speech peculiar to a particular region or social group (7) Answers: page 82

28

30

DOWN

1 Tension that builds towards the end of a tournament (8) 2 Australian who tied for second at the 2015 Made in Denmark tournament, _____ Pilkadaris (5) 3 Provide encouragement (7) 4 A competitive pursuit, like golf (4) 5 Food and drink providers at a tournament, perhaps (8) 6 Adapts to a new environment (7) 7 A position that would surely see a golfer miss the cut (9) 8 Made a quick move forward (6) 14 Country that won the World Cup of Golf in 2013 (9) 16 Winner of the 2015 US PGA Championship (5,3) 17 American who won two events on the Champions Tour in 2014, Kirk ________ (8) 19 Notice offering continuing club membership (7) 21 Home of the most lucrative golf tour (7) 22 Facilities where golfers can practise their driving (6) 25 Winner of the 2015 WGC Bridgestone Invitational, _____ Lowry (5) 26 Outstanding (4) www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

79

demo dates MIZUNO

Location

New South Wales / ACT Avondale GC * ** Royal Sydney G.C * ** Drummond Golf - Gosford * Nowra Driving Range * The Lakes G.C * ** Power Golf - Artarmon * Thornleigh Golf Centre * Barton Park Driving Range * Drummond Golf - North Mead * Moore Park G.C * Ballina * Gold Creek G.C - Golf Expo * Queensland Gympie Golf Club Brookwater * Brisbane * Pelican Waters VIC Park * Headland Golf Club * Pacific * Carbrook * Yeppoon Golf Club * Coolangatta Tweed Heads * Emerald Lakes * Warwick * Indooroopilly Golf Club * Golf Central * Drummond Rockhampton Pal Meadows Drummond Rockhampton South Australia Drummond West Beach Flagstaff Hill North Adelaide Golf Links The Vines Western Australia Geraldton Albany Golf Club Wanneroo Royal Fremantle Secret Harbour Albany Golf Club Victoria MGA Driving Range Northern GC * ** Horsham GC * ** The National GC * ** Bulleen Driving Range * Tasmania Ulverstone GC * Devonport GC * Launceston Casino GC * Tasmania GC * Royal Hobart GC * Drummond Golf Launceston * Riverside GC * Mowbray GC * Launceston GC *

TAYLORMADE Location

New South Wales / ACT The Coast GC (14 in 14) * Cumberland GC (14 in 14) * Windsor GC (14 in 14) * Bexley GC (14 in 14) * Illawarra Golf Complex (14 in 14) * Murrumbidgee CC (14 in 14) * Yowani GC (14 in 14) * Oatlands Golf Club * † Pymble Pro Shop * † The Vintage GC * † Drummond Golf Taren Point ≈ The Ridge GC † » The Heads GC † » Charlestown GC * † Royal Canberra GC * † Gungahlin Lakes ≈ Drummond Golf Fyshwick (Gold Creek) ≈ Queensland Indooroopilly GC * ∞ Oxley GC * ∞ Brookwater (14 in 14) * ∞ Bribie Island (14 in 14) * ∞ Wynnum (14 in 14) * ∞ Wynnum (14 in 14) * ∞ Indooroopilly (14 in 14) * ∞ Surfers Paradise * ∞ Mcleod GC * ∞ Parkwood GC * ∞ Vic Park (M1 Experience) Vic Park » Golf Central * † Rockhampton † Rockhampton † Victoria Werribee Park † Southern Golf Club † Centennary Park † Latrobe † Mandalay Golf Club † Morack † MGA † Rossdale GC † Patterson River † Settlers Run Golf Club † Yering Maedows GC † Medway GC † Centennary Park † Morack DR † Rossdale GC † Drummond Golf Hepburn Springs † Rossdale GC (Ball Seed) Altona Lakes DR † Box Hill GC (Activation)

COBRA PUMA Location

New South Wales / ACT Hawks Nest Golf Club Charlestown Golf Club Hawks Nest Golf Club Pro AM (Apparel Showing) Queensland Pelican Waters Golf Club Wolston Park Golf Club Victoria Melbourne Golf Academy Cranbourne Golf Club Gardiners Run Golf Club

mizuno.com.au

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

October 01 October 07 October 08 October 08 October 09 October 12 October 13 October 15 October 22 October 27 October 29 October 30

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

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

October 01 October 01 October 02 October 02 October 06 October 08 October 09 October 14 October 15 October 16 October 21 October 22 October 28 October 29 October 30 October 30 October 31

1 - 4pm 3 - 5pm 2 - 5pm 2 - 5pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 9.30am - 1.30pm 11am - 2pm 9am - 12pm 2 - 6pm 3 - 5pm 12 - 4pm 9am - 12pm 9am - 1pm 3 - 7pm 1 - 5pm 1 - 4pm 8am - 1pm

Monday Wednesday Friday Friday

October 05 October 07 October 16 October 30

4 - 7pm 10am - 3pm 2 - 7pm 3 - 7pm

Wednesday Friday Wednesday Friday Friday Friday

October 07 October 09 October 14 October 16 October 23 October 23

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

Wednesday Saturday Wednesday Friday Wednesday

October 07 October 10 October 14 October 16 October 28

4 - 7pm 10am - 3pm 11am - 3pm 12 - 5pm 4 - 7pm

Monday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Friday Friday Saturday

October 26 October 26 October 27 October 28 October 29 October 29 October 30 October 30 October 31

9am - 1pm 2 - 6pm 11am - 5pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 2pm 6 - 9pm 9am - 1pm 2 - 6pm 8am - 12.30pm

www.taylormadegolf.com.au | 1800 700 011 Day

Date Time

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

October 01 October 02 October 03 October 04 October 06 October 07 October 08 October 12 October 13 October 14 October 15 October 21 October 22 October 23 October 28 October 29 October 30

12 - 4pm 12 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm TBC 10am - 2pm 1 - 5pm 11am - 4pm 9am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 1 - 5pm 12 - 5pm

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

October 01 October 02 October 03 October 07 October 08 October 09 October 10 October 14 October 15 October 15 October 22 October 27 October 29 October 30 October 31

10am - 3pm 10am - 1pm 10am - 3pm 9.30am - 4pm 3 - 5pm 12 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 3.30 - 5.30pm 9am - 11.30pm 3 - 6pm 5 - 8pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 4 - 7pm

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

October 01 October 02 October 03 October 04 October 05 October 06 October 07 October 08 October 09 October 10 October 15 October 16 October 17 October 20 October 22 October 23 October 24 October 30 October 31

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

cobragolf.com.au

Day Date Time Friday Friday Saturday

October 16 October 23 October 24

12 - 5pm 1 - 5pm 9am - 12pm

Friday Saturday

October 2 October 3

2 - 5pm 9am - 12pm

Wednesday Saturday Saturday

October 07 October 10 October 24

4 - 7pm 10am - 1pm 12 - 5pm

* Appointment Only. ** Members Only. °Ping Demo day. ◊ Ping Fitting. » TaylorMade Demo Day. † TaylorMade Fitting. ∞ TaylorMade M1 Fitting. ≈ TaylorMade Expo. √ Callaway Fitting Day. ≠ Callaway Demo Day. Dates subject to change without notice. It is recommended that you contact venue before attending.

80

October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

CALLAWAY

Location

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

New South Wales / Act Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club √ ** Cromer Golf Club √ * ** Tuncurry Golf Club √ Taree Golf Club √ Wauchope Golf Club √ Port Macquarie Golf Club √ Muree Golf Club √ Drummond Golf Northmead Lake Macquarie Golf Schools √ Toukley On Course Golf √ Sharks Golf Centre √ * ≠ Moore Park Golf House Drummond Golf - Taren Point √ Elanora Country Club √ * ** Windsor Pro Shop √ * ≠ Shellharbour City Council √ * ≠ Drummond Golf Casula √ * ≠ Cumberland Golf Club √ * ≠ Merewether Pro Shop √ Gungahlin Lakes Pro Shop √ * ≠ Drummond Golf Fyshwick √ * ≠ Twin Creeks Golf Clubs √ * ≠ Queensland Club Pelican Golf Pty Ltd Toowoomba Golf Club ≠ Warwick Golf Club √ Victoria Park Golf Complex Pacific Golf Club √ Drummond Golf Underwood √ Mt Warren Park Golf Club ≠ Palm Meadows Driving Range ≠ Victoria/Tasmania Rossdale Golf Club * ** Melbourne Golf Academy ≠ Drummond Golf Preston Rosebud Golf Club √ ≠ Morack Golf Course √ ≠ Commonwealth Golf Club Inc. √ ** * Sorrento Golf Club √ * Drummond Golf Niddrie Warragul Country Club √ ≠ Kew Golf Club √ * South Australia Drummond Golf SA Driving Range √ Adelaide Shores Golf Park √ * City Of Adelaide Golf Links √ ≠ Highercombe Golf Club √ ≠ Western Australia Secret Harbour Golf Links Marangaroo Golf Course

PING

Location

Day

Date Time

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

October 01 October 01 October 03 October 06 October 06 October 07 October 08 October 08 October 10 October 14 October 14 October 15 October 15 October 16 October 16 October 21 October 22 October 23 October 29 October 29 October 30 October 31

9am - 1pm 1 - 4pm 11am - 3pm 8.30am - 11pm 2 - 5pm 8am - 12pm 2 - 6pm 4 - 7pm 7am - 11am 9am - 1pm 4 - 7pm 4 - 7pm 4 - 7pm 9am - 1pm 1 - 6pm 9am - 1pm 4 - 7pm 12 - 5pm 1 - 5pm 1 - 5pm 12 - 5pm 10am - 3pm

Friday Friday Friday Tuesday Friday Saturday Friday Friday

October 02 October 09 October 09 October 13 October 16 October 17 October 23 October 30

12 - 4pm 9am - 12pm 2 - 5pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 11am - 2pm 10am -1pm 2 - 5pm 2 - 5pm

Thursday Wednesday Saturday Saturday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Friday Saturday

October 01 October 07 October 10 October 10 October 14 October 15 October 16 October 17 October 23 October 24

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

Monday Thursday Friday Saturday

October 12 October 22 October 30 October 31

Friday Saturday

October 09 8am - 2pm October 10 10am - 2pm

4 - 7pm 12.30 - 4.30pm 1 - 5pm 9am - 1pm

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

New South Wales Thursday October 01 Killara Golf Club ◊ * Elanora Country Club ◊ * Friday October 02 Saturday October 03 Toukley Golf Club ◊ * Pennant Hills Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday October 06 The Coast Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 07 Toronto Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 08 Friday October 09 Windsor Golf Club ◊ * Marrickville Golf Club ◊ * Monday October 12 Nelson Bay Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday October 13 Hawks Nest Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 14 Barton Park Driving Range ◊ * Thursday October 15 Castle Hill Country Club ◊ * Wednesday October 21 Morisset Golf Club ◊ * Friday October 23 Pambula Merimbula Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday October 27 Tura Beach Country Club ◊ * Wednesday October 28 Narooma Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 29 Gold Creek Country Club ◊ * Friday October 30 Queensland Burleigh Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 01 Friday October 02 Lismore Golf Club ◊ * Victoria Park Driving Range Tuesday October 06 Yamba Golf Clu ◊ * Wednesday October 07 Wednesday October 07 Grafton Golf Club ° Mcleod Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 08 Thursday October 08 Coffs Harbour Golf Club ◊ * Royal Queensland ◊ * ** Friday October 09 Caloundra Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday October 13 Oxley Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 14 Thursday October 15 Indooroopilly Golf Club ◊ * Maroochy River Golf Club ° Friday October 16 Wednesday October 21 Dalby Golf Club ◊ * Drummond Golf Underwood ◊ * Thursday October 22 Pacific Golf Club ◊ * Friday October 23 Bargara Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 28 Bundaberg Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 28 Golf Central ◊ * Thursday October 29 Palm Meadows ° Friday October 30 Capricorn CC c/- Drummond Golf Rockhampton ° Friday October 30 Capricorn CC c/- Drummond Golf Rockhampton ° Saturday October 31 Victoria Kingswood Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 07 Melbourne Golf Academy ° Wednesday October 07 Yarra Bend Golf Driving Range ° Thursday October 08 Green Acres Golf Club ◊ * Friday October 09 Clifton Springs Golf Club ◊ * Saturday October 10 Kooringal Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday October 13 Horsham Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 14 Murray Downs Resort ◊ * Thursday October 15 Kew Golf Club ◊ * Friday October 16 National Golf Club ◊ * Saturday October 17 Wodonga Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday October 20 Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Resort ◊ * Wednesday October 21 Rich River Golf Club ◊ * Friday October 23 Western Australia October 07 Joondalup GC ° Wednesday Nedlands GC ° Thursday October 08 Saturday October 17 Kalgoorlie GC ◊ * Kalgoorlie GC ◊ * Sunday October 18 South Australia September 30 Kooyonga Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday Grange Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 01 Mt Barker Golf Club ◊ * Friday October 02 Mt Osmond Golf Club ◊ * Saturday October 03 Copper Club ◊ * Saturday October 10 Drummond Golf West Beach ◊ * Monday October 12 Adelaide Shores ◊ * Thursday October 15 Links Lady Bay ◊ * Friday October 16 South Lakes Golf Club ◊ * Saturday October 24 Highercombe Golf Club ◊ * Saturday October 31 Tasmania Devonport Golf Club ◊ * Saturday October 24 Seabrook Golf Club ◊ * Sunday October 25 Ulverstone Golf Club ◊ * Monday October 26 Country Club Tasmania ◊ * Tuesday October 27 Tasmania Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 28 Royal Hobart Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 29

8am - 1pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 8am - 2pm 11am - 4pm 1 - 5pm 1 - 5pm 1 - 4pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 3pm 4 - 7pm 9am - 1pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 4pm 8am - 12pm 12 - 5pm 1 - 5pm 2 - 5pm 5 - 7.30pm 10am - 1pm 3.30 - 5.30pm 9am - 12pm 11am - 5pm 1 - 5pm 11am - 2pm 12 - 3pm 1 - 5pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 2 - 5pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 1pm 2 - 5pm 4 - 7pm 1 - 5pm 12 - 5pm 9am - 12pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 4 - 7pm 1 - 7pm 11am - 3pm 1 - 5pm 11am - 3pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 3pm 11am - 4pm 10am - 2pm 8am - 1pm 9.30am - 1pm 12 - 4pm 9am - 4.30pm 8am - 12pm 8am - 4pm 8am - 4pm 8.30am - 4pm 8.30am - 12.30pm 10am - 3pm 3 - 7pm 8am - 12.30pm 2.30 - 6pm 9.30am - 12pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 11am - 3pm 9am - 3pm 9am - 3pm

golf directory

Wine and Golf Weekend Stay for 3 nightS, pay for 2 Stay at picturesque Greentrees Guest House located on the Doorstep of Wentworth Golf Club and Duntryleague Golf Club, close to our premier wineries and restaurants.

Stay for 6 nightS and pay for 4 Conditions apply

From $145 /person twin share accomodation only

Ph: Jasmin (02) 63 614 546 www.greentreeshouse.com.au

Port Stephens Golfing Holidays

Benalla Golf Club

pp $215 From share twin eek w mid

Golf & Accommodation from only $70 per day

Three Day / Two Night Golf Package Includes: Unlimited golf, two nights accommodation, breakfast each morning, 2 x evening meals (vouchers up to the value of $20)

9 16 Golf courses including Horizons, Nelson Bay, Newcastle, Muree, Tanilba, Cypress Lakes, Pacific Dunes, The Vintage, by boat to Hawks Nest & others

• Fully Irrigated Greens & Fairways • Full Bar & Bistro Facilities • Abundant Wildlife including Kangaroos

9 Play any day & with any number of people 9 Golf & accommodation from a choice of motels, hotels, units & resorts

www.benallagolfclub.com.au (03) 5762 1920 | benagolf@bigpond.net.au

www.facebook.com/golfpsgh

T: 02 4984 9618 | M: 0428 820 477 | info@psgh.com.au | www.psgh.com.au

BARGARA GOLF CLUB

per person

$250

Winner 2014 Legends Tour Pro Am of the year

Home of the Bargara Junior Classic & Ladies Classic

Complimentary Continental Breakfast

Other packages available

STAY & PLAY PACKAGES

$115 p/person (min 2pp)

• 1 night Twin Share Accommodation • 18 Holes on our Championship Course • Lunch at the BGC Bistro • Twin Share Electric Cart • Beautiful beach side location • Short walk to the first tee *Conditions apply available Tuesday-Sunday only. Comp fees extra POA.

For bookings call (07) 4159 1180 info@shorelineapartments.com.au | www.bargaragolfclub.com.au

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

Need new batteries?

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

Want to triple the life of your good batteries?

3 Great Courses and a Great Place to Stay in Orange The Original Golf Package Specialist in Orange 2 Night Accommodation and 2 Rounds of Golf (Duntryleague and Wentworth)

$

210

pp twin share

There is nothing like golfing in the high country of Orange only 3 hours drive from Sydney.

Orange has three wonderful courses where visitors are most welcome. All courses are minutes from Melview Greens which is a chip away from Wentworth Golf Course and owned by a keen golfing family. All apartments are fully appointed with undercover parking at the door.

“Once you have stayed you’ll come back again”

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

www.batteryreviver.com.au

MELVIEW GREENS

For advertising call 1300 465 300

Phone 02 6362 0955 Studio & Family Apartments, Ploughmans Lane Orange NSW 2800 www.melviewgreens.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

81

golf directory

WOULD YOUR MEMBERS LIKE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT GOLF WAS LIKE 100 YEARS AGO?

“you give up things when you buy a Kahma Golf Bag”

Promote a hickory day at your club Many sets available for hire - left and right hand @ $20 set

contact tom moore (02) 9871 2798 | 52 becky ave, North rocks, NSW 2151

• clanging clubs • damaged irons • worn graphite shafts • frustration finding the right iron From the inventors oF the CaddyraCk

GET ORGANISED WITH

Patented Softgrip Technology

1300 738 557

www.kahmagolf.com

Packages

4 NIGHTS ACCOM. 5 NIGHTS ACCOM.

$475

P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

4 Rounds of golf + Carts Breakfast each day FROM

FROM

3 Rounds of golf + Carts Breakfast each day

$545

P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

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

Read Inside Golf FREE on iPads If you love your monthly fix of Inside Golf, but can’t always get your copy before they’re all snapped up, then we’ve got some great news: our new and improved Inside Golf Digital iPad app is now available on the App Store... and it’s absolutely FREE.

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Download it today from the App store (search Inside Golf Magazine), or scan the QR Code.

Alternately, get the link from our website or at http://goo.gl/ZAXaFD

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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Now, not only can you view current and back issues of your favourite golf magazine for free every month, but our new app includes the latest and breaking news across a variety of categories, tips and instruction, gear reviews, quizzes, puzzles, social media and more.

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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GOLF COURS OPEN TO E THE PUBLIC 7 DAYS

www.joon

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Played last Friday of each month.

Play to your handicap or better & receive a dozen Pro V’s. e

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

Crossword Answers P R E S S U R E R A N G E S

For advertising call 1300 465 300

U T T I N E N U R O S R P T Y M I E R E A R E D U S T R E T E T R A N D A E O L F W I I A T A N L E

G C A A M A T E E P R E E R J S A K S O M N O D O W A E Y D

O A D T J U E S T A S

C H U O N D E R E E D T W A S H M T E E S R H I M A C N I A L E

E D A E S H V E D E U G C

T R I P L E T T

golf directory

Aquarius R

E

S

O

R

MAGIC MERIMBULA

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

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

T

• 4 days golf playing at the beautiful Sapphire Coast courses of Pambula/ Merimbula, Tathra Beach, Eden, Bega, and Tura Beach. All courses are only 5 to 20 mins drive from the Resort.

• 6 nights accommodation in a 2 & 3 bedroom fully self contained apartment (linen supplied).

• 6 FREE fully cooked poolside breakfasts, buffet style.

Packages starting from:

• Free use of resort facilities, indoor gas heated pool, sauna & spa, full size tennis court, BBQ area and outdoor pool.

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

Phone Toll Free 1800 688 881 Ring toll free for free brochure

*SPRING SPECIAL*

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

www.lemontreemotel.com.au

*Conditions apply

• Large Groups Welcome

Other packages alsO available

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

vember 2015 7TH & 8TH No

Book a 3 or 4 night stay in one of our properties during the weekend of Saturday 7 & Sunday 8th November 2015 & save up to 25% on your stay

Play Australia’s Finest Sandbelt Courses • 6 nights accommodation • Green fees on 5 golf courses (Cape Schanck, Devil Bend, Eagle Ridge Golf From Course, Flinders Golf Club, Moonah Links, Mornington Golf Club, Portsea Golf Club, Rosebud Country Club, Sorrento Golf Club, The Dunes Golf Links, The National Golf Club, St Andrews, Mornington Peninsula) • Cooked or Continental breakfast included • Foxtel in all units per person per night* • Rosebud House also available to hire

110

$

*Extra fees apply for Moonah Links, Sorrento Golf Club and The National Golf Club

ROSEBUD MOTEL

1869 Point Nepean Rd Rosebud West VIC, 3941

For further enquires and bookings P: (03) 5985 2041 E: rosebudmotel@bigpond.com W: www.rosebudmotel.com.au

Fairways to Paradise & Greens of Dreams Philippines Club Tours Golfers the Philippines is a must for your Club’s next “Members on Tour” • Playing 6 Championship Courses, designed by legendary golfers.

• Staying In 5 Star Luxury Hotels.

• At night sampling the exotic Filipino culture.

• Rolling the dice in world class casinos.

• Tours are tailored to suite your club’s special needs.

For a Club Tour that you will never forget contact: Les Smith, Philippines Club Tours.

Mobile: 0413 931 320 Office: (02) 9630 5780 Email: golftours@philippinesclubtours.com www.morefuninthephilippines.com.au www.tourismphilippines.com.au

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

For advertising call 1300 465 300

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2015

83

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

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October 2015 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 465 300

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

• • • • • •

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

Fabulous Locations. Championship Courses. Outstanding Service.

Experience the Troon® difference: tournament ready course conditioning, beautiful playing surrounds and a variety of course styles designed by some of the world’s leading golf course designers.

With incomparable golf experiences, exceptional membership opportunities and a welcoming club environment, we invite you to experience Troon in Australia. For more information including special offers, please visit TroonGolf.com.au.

Clockwise below: Peregian Springs Golf Club, Queensland, Australia; Araluen Golf Resort, Roleystone, Western Australia; Kooindah Waters Residential Golf & Spa Resort, New South Wales, Australia; Mollymook Golf Club, New South Wales, Australia.

ENJOY WINTER/SPRING GOLF AT PEREGIAN SPRINGS! 18 Holes of Golf, GPS Cart, 6 Srixon Golf Balls — $79 per person Call 07.5471.5471 for details!

ARUBA • AUSTRALIA • AZERBAIJAN • BAHAMAS • EGYPT • ENGLAND • FRANCE • GREECE • HONDURAS • INDIA ITALY • KAZAKHSTAN • KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN • MALAYSIA • MALDIVES • MEXICO • MOROCCO • NORWAY • PANAMA • PUERTO RICO • RUSSIA SAUDI ARABIA • SCOTLAND • SOUTH KOREA • SPAIN • SULTANATE OF OMAN • UNITED ARAB EMIRATES • UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

INDIA

TROONGOLF.COM.AU

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

TaylorMade R15 Driver

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

Cleveland 588 MT $449

Fully adjustable White or Black 9.5 or 10.5 Various Shaft Flexes

NEW WEBSITE GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN www.thegolffactory.com.au Narellan Supa Centre, Narellan Rd Graphite Irons x 7 4 to Pitching Wedge Graphite Regular Flex Shafts

$349 $455

Includes cover & Wench

Srixon Deluxe Cart Bag

Noodle Lady Maxfli TopFlite Gamer V2

$189

TaylorMade Burner 2014 Callaway HX Diablo Pinnacle Dimension

Cleveland 588 MT Cleveland or TT Irons

15ยบ Loft, Regular Flex Includes cover Easy use model

Regular or Stiff Steel Shafts 4 to Pitching Wedge (7 Irons) Some left hand also available

$99

$349

Urethane Cover Balls Callaway Forrester Callaway Hex Black Tour 14 Way Bag 5 Piece $29 TaylorMade Project A 3 Piece $30 TaylorMade Tour Preferred 4 Piece $39 TaylorMade Tour Preferred X 5 Piece $39

Left Hand Only TaylorMade Driver 8ยบ to 11ยบ Loft $299 Adjustable Jetspeed 49grm Firm Stiff Shaft Includes Cover & Wrench

$129

Nike Forged Wedges 60ยบ Lob Wedges 56ยบ Sand Wedges

$179

$110

Nike Covert 2.0 Driver Regular and stiff Adjustable driver Right hand only Includes cover & wrench

$369

$239

Black/Yellow only Full length dividers Cooler pocket

Classic XL Rescue Hybrid Fairway Metalwood Titanium Head Driver

$79 $89 $139

Including covers

15ยบ or 13.5ยบ 3 Fairway 9.5ยบ Adjustable Driver Project X Stiff Shafts Including Covers

$79 ea $79 ea $149 ea

TaylorMade T8 Golf Bag

$18

$109

TaylorMade Adjustable Hybrid

$149

Rescue 11 Right Hand #4 Regular shaft 21 degree adjustable +/- 1 degree Wrench and cover included

$26

Doz

2014 model

Not individually boxed URETHANE COVER TOUR BALL

Individually Boxed Dozens

19ยบ Loft Regular Flex

2014 model

$749

Golf Buddy Laser $259

Range Finder

$229

$129 Includes Cover

7 Irons Light, 5 to SW Steel Shafts 2 Hybrids Graphite Shaft 1 Fairway Wood Graphite Shaft Includes 1 Driver Graphite Covers Shaft Titanium Head (4) Mens Right Hand Regular Only

14 Way Top Divided Lightweight Black Only

TaylorMade Aero Burner Pro

Yellow Srixon Ping I25 Hybrid Ball Sale Number 3

Callaway X Hot Pro Callaway X-Hot Set 18ยบ Hybrid

- Yellow or white available

Srixon Z-Star or Srixon Z-Star XV

Soft Feel or Q-Star

$189

Bridgestone E6 Callaway Hex Chrome

$109

Srixon Distance

Callaway X Hot 3 Wood

3 Piece Balls

$12 Eagles & Birdies $12 Lightweight Bag $12 3kg Dominator $13 $15 full length $18 14 dividers $18 Yellow/Black/White

Maxfli Black Max

Full Length 14 Way divided External Putter pit $239 Rain Cover Cooler Pocket Black, Red, White Black, Black, White Black, Blue, White

$24

DOZEN

$199

TaylorMade RBZ Adjustable Stage 2 Driver 8ยบ to 11ยบ Loft Adjustable SAVE $100 50grm Firm 60grm Stiff TP Shafts

$199

Includes Cover and Wrench

TaylorMade Putter Ghost Tour Corza 72 Face Balanced 35โ Including Cover

$189

$129

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

$299

$99

Rescue Hybrid Number 5 25ยบ Loft Includes Cover

$179

$69

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 7 Days

TaylorMade RBZ Pro Set of 3 10.5ยบ Driver Titanium Head 15ยบ 3 Wood 19ยบ 3 Rescue/Hybrid Regular Flex Graphite Shafts Includes 3 Covers

$299

Cleveland Deluxe 14 Way Bag Horizontal and vertical full length dividers Putter holder Cooler pocket Red only

$129 SAVE $60

TaylorMade Burner Soft Balls Soft Feel Balls Individually Boxed

$17

2015 model

Dozen

144 Individually Boxed $204

Cleveland Hybrid Iron 588 Altitude Right & Left Mens Altitude Sale Steel

Right Hand - Mens, Ladies Seniors Graphite

$69

Each

Left Mens Graph + Steel

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

Graphite Shaft Not all versions of each club available

$49

Each

Lightweight Steel Shaft

Callaway X-Hot Sand Wedge

$39

TaylorMade ATV Wedge

TaylorMade Sldr TP Stiff Driver

$269

Cleveland 588 TT Graphite Sand Wedge

$39

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

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

$156

144 balls ($13/dozen) Individually boxed

Lightweight 14 Way Bags

$99

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

Srixon Airlite 2.9kg Black/Green /White only

72 Srixon Soft Feel Balls

6 DOZEN FOR

$72

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