Inside Golf January 2016 by Inside Golf

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 126 // JANuary 2016 www.insidegolf.com.au

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The power of passion Richard Fellner Group Editor richard@insidegolf.com.au @insidegolf

ast month, I witnessed first-hand how a group of passionate people, by working together, can make magic happen.

I was part of a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, a website which helps products generate startup funds through public pledges. This campaign hoped to fund the return of a 1990s US cult classic TV show (MST3K) by generating $2 million (enough for a handful of episodes which could potentially be presented to major TV networks/distributors for backing on a larger scale.) Many “experts” in the TV industry flatly stated that the campaign would be a certain failure. The naysayers claimed it couldn’t be done. But as the great Nelson Mandela once said: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” In just 30 days, the campaign not only surpassed $2 million, but went on to generate a whopping $6.3 million, becoming the most funded TV/Film project in Kickstarter history! How did they do it? Through the power of a small number of passionate, dedicated fans. A mere 48,000 people contributed to the campaign, but their history-making endeavours went above and beyond. These people (who were all just “Average Joes”...and “Josephines”) emptied their wallets, posted tens of thousands of comments

online and inundated their own Facebook feeds for donations from friends and family. A subset of this group went even further, promoting the heck out of the campaign on social media (earning a highly-coveted Twitter “Trending” status), writing their own press releases/stories (and circulating them to the media), holding online raffles, organising local fundraising events and a plethora of other activities to help revive their favourite TV show. So what does this have to do with golf, you ask? Golf, by comparison, severely lacks this sort of passion in this country. Not just by the mainstream media and the general public, but also (more importantly) by many in the industry. We’ve had many recent opportunities to drive real excitement about golf: Adam Scott and Jason Day winning Majors...top players like Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy visiting our shores... GolfMONTH being celebrated at many clubs, etc. But really, we (as a nation of over a million golfers) failed to capture as much traction as those 48,000 TV fans. The most frustrating thing about this is that many golfers are very passionate about their sport. I’m sure we all know at least a few golfers who would be classified as “hopeless golf tragics”, with passion equal to that of the Kickstarter fans. So as we embark on 2016, I implore all of you to take inspiration from the Kickstarter story above, and give back to golf. Give until it hurts. Don’t expect our national bodies and organisations to do it. We all need to get out there

IN THIS ISSUE:

6 12 16 22 24 26 34 41 42 46 56

and promote our game. Play more golf. Get friends onto the course. Flood our social media with stories and photos. Share our love of the game with others. Do whatever we can to help the game. We have the power. And the passion. See you on the fairways,

Winner of multiple Australian Golf Media Awards -- including “Best Column” for his monthly Starters Box –Group Editor Richard Fellner is a member of the Australian Golf Writers Association and the Golf Society of Australia, and he is a regular guest on many Australian “sports talk” radio shows.

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58 INSTRUCTION NEWS 60 PEOPLE IG BUSINESS 70 SENIOR AMATEURS GENERAL MANAGERS COVER STORY: Joe Kirkwood 72 EVENTS 76 19TH HOLE ON TOUR 79 YOUR VOICE AMATEURS 80 EVENTS CALENDAR CLUB OF THE MONTH 81 DEMO DATES GEAR ROGER CLEVELAND Golf Travel LIFT-OUT: SYDNEY FEATURE GREAT GOLF IN BALI AND NEW ZEALAND JUNIORS Contributors: Bill Colhoun, Larry Canning, Henry Peters, Denis Dale, Karen Lunn, Stephen Pitt, Brian Thorburn, Richard Nizielski, Steven Jeffress

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news Felton launches career with NSW PGA victory West Australian Jarryd Felton won his first professional title last month, in just his fifth start at a Pro. Firing a final round 4-under 68, Felton secured a two-shot win at the NSW PGA Championship with a tournament total 13-under 275 on the Bungool course at Riverside Oaks Golf Resort. It’s an impressive victory for the 20-year-old who had to pre-qualify for the tournament but has now set up his career at home with exemption onto the PGA Tour of Australasia for the next two years. Feeling comfortable throughout the round, Felton was unaware of his position at the top of the leaderboard until the 18th green by which time, thanks to a birdie on the 17th, he had a two-shot lead. “I’m over the moon,” said Felton. “Walking down the last I didn’t really know what the situation was but I saw the leaderboard and it was quite overwhelming.” “It [the win] takes a lot of pressure off; a trip to Q-School was on the cards obviously so it’s taken that extra pressure off, I can plan out my year now so we will go from there.” Finishing in share of runner-up on 11-under 277 were PGA TOUR player Rhein Gibson, PGA Tour of Australasia player of the Year Matthew Millar, James Nitties, Anthony Summers and Geoff Drakeford. A shot further back finishing outright 7th was Max McCardle, while rounding out the top-10 on 8-under the card were David McKenzie, Peter Cooke and Christopher Wood. More: www.pga.org.au.

Lyle awarded PGA TOUR Courage Award

he PGA TOUR last month awarded the PGA TOUR Courage Award to PGA TOUR member Jarrod Lyle, who has overcome two battles with acute myeloid leukemia in his lifetime. The Australia native is in the second year of a Medical Extension granted to him due to his life-threatening illness. Former Open Championship winner Ian Baker-Finch presented Lyle with the award on behalf of the PGA TOUR and Commissioner Tim Finchem. The PGA TOUR Courage Award is presented to a player who, through courage and perseverance, has overcome extraordinary adversity, such as personal tragedy or debilitating injury or illness, to make a significant and meaningful contribution to the game of golf. Lyle is the second-ever recipient of the Courage Award, joining Erik Compton who received the award in 2013.

Day honoured with Greg Norman Medal Capping a stellar 2015 season, Jason Day was last month awarded the inaugural Greg Norman Medal, highlighting Australia’s best performing Tour Professional on the international stage. “On behalf of the Australian golf industry I congratulate Jason, and convey how proud we are of all his achievements this year,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA. “Jason is a wonderful ambassador for golf and it’s fantastic to see him add the Greg Norman Medal to his list of successes. Greg Norman, who was also in attendance, echoed Thorburn’s sentiments. “Jason has stood out head and shoulders above all other players, both male and female, and he’s a great representative of Australian golf.” Day, who was unable to attend the evening, appeared via video link with his mother Dening Day accepting the award personally from Greg Norman on behalf of her son.

said Finchem. “To battle and overcome leukemia twice is a statement unto itself as to his character. But he has also made a significant impression on all of us with his determination to reclaim his career as a professional golfer.” Lyle made a comeback to professional golf December 2013 at the Talisker Masters. He then returned to the PGA TOUR at the 2014 Frys.com Open, where he finished tied for 31st and has made 11 subsequent starts, the last being the 2015 Sanderson Farms Championship. He enters 2016 with eight events remaining in his Medical Extension.

The Courage Award includes a $25,000 charitable contribution to be distributed to a charity of the award recipient’s choice; this year’s contribution will be given to Challenge – Supporting Kids with Cancer, an Australian non-profit organization that delivers daily support to children and families living with cancer.

“I am very humbled to be receiving this award from the PGA TOUR,” said Lyle. “It has taken a lot of fighting for me to get back to the PGA TOUR but it has been well worth it. For me to get back after the things I have dealt with shows people in similar situations there is hope for them and if they stay positive and fight for everyday then they can succeed in life.

“Jarrod is a story of great perseverance and courage in the face of adversity,”

For more information on Challenge, go to: http://www.challenge.org.au/

“It’s an honour and a privilege to win the Greg Norman Medal, it caps off an amazing year,” said Day. Complementing the pinnacle award was the 2015 PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year, awarded to Matthew Millar, and the 2015 ALPG Player of the Year, which was awarded to Su Oh. Millar hasn’t missed a cut on the PGA Tour of Australasia this season and has secured nine top-10 finishes from 12 starts. Oh had four top-10 finishes from six starts and secured her first Professional victory on the ALPG Tour at the RACV Ladies Masters in February, a co-sanctioned tournament with the Ladies European Tour Five other national Vocational awards were also presented and included: National Trainee of the Year, Rick Coleman, National Trainee of the Year, Mark Alison, National Club Professional of the Year, Richard Caiolfa (Rich River Golf Club), National Club Professional of the Year, Ian Pritchard (Mt Osmond Golf Club) and National Teaching Professional of the Year, Stuart Leong (Albert Park Driving Range).

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news

Macpherson wins PGA TOUR China Series Order of Merit; earns return to 2016 Web.com Tour

year after finishing eighth on the Ping An Bank China Tour ‐ PGA TOUR China Series’ Order of Merit, Melbourne’s Bryden Macpherson played dominant golf in the eight tournaments he entered, and his two wins and four other top-fives earned him the top spot in money earnings, with ¥769,960 (AUD$165,614). Macpherson, who played on the 2015 Web.com Tour, returns to that circuit as a fully-exempt member. New Zealand’s Josh Geary finished second behind Macpherson after electing not to play the final two events of the China season. He will be conditionally exempt in 2016. After a Web.com Tour season where he finished 126th on the money list and didn’t qualify for the four-event Web.com Tour Finals, Macpherson returned to China in early September and tied for 13th at the Ping An Bank Open in Beijing. Macpherson won in Beijing the following week—at the Cadillac Championship and then won the Lushan Open two starts after that. From his opening-round, 1-under 71 at the Ping An Bank Open, Macpherson set a PGA TOUR China record with 25 consecutive rounds at

Bryden Macpherson (centre) accepting the Ping An Bank China Tour ‐ PGA TOUR China Series’ Order of Merit trophy par or better. The 25-year-old locked up the top spot on the Order of Merit when he passed Geary in earnings at the Hainan Open and Geary elected not to play the final event, the Capital Airlines ‐ HNA Real Estate Championship. “It feels awesome. In hindsight, it was hard to get myself amped up for this week knowing I had already achieved what I wanted to achieve from mid-August. I came over here to try to skip through the first stage (of the Qualifying Tournament), and I’ve managed to skip Q School altogether where I’ll have all year on the Tour next year,” Macpherson said. “Bryden came awfully close to earning his Web.com Tour card last

year off PGA TOUR China in 2014,” said PGA TOUR China Series’ Executive Director Greg Carlson. “This year, he left no doubt. He has not had a bad week since returning to China in September, and some of those weeks have been absolutely exceptional. We’ve enjoyed watching his career progress here and appreciated what a great ambassador he has been for PGA TOUR China. We wish him the best as he returns to the Web.com Tour.” The 2016 Web.com Tour season, the 26th in its history, begins in late-January at the Panama Claro Championship in Panama City, Panama (January 29-February 1). •

Leishman captures Nedbank Golf Challenge Australia’s Marc Leishman finished a turbulent 2015 on a positive note, claiming his second international title at the European Tour’s Nedbank Challenge in South Africa last month.

Leishman said following the win. “Henrik is an awesome player and I knew he’d make me earn it, which he did. I’m really pleased that I could play as well as I did and have a little bit of a buffer there at the end.”

Leishman claimed a huge payday at the limited-field event with rounds of 68-68-66-67 (19 under par) to win by six shots over Sweden’s Henrik Stenson. The winner’s cheque for just over AU1.7 million represents the biggest of Leishman’s career.

The win closes out a difficult year for the 32-year-old, who faced a number of family issues in 2015, and was also beaten in a play-off for The Open Championship in July.

“I knew it was going to be a really tough day, I knew I had to play well,”

“I’m pretty happy to have this year over, to be honest. Audrey [wife] got very sick and I lost an uncle who I was very close to. This tops off what

was otherwise not a great year. Three weeks ago we moved into a new house, so this will help pay for that.” Stenson, who was bed-bound with a virus in the build-up to the event, closed with a level-par 72, while Englishman Chris Wood rose into third place with a 68. Steven Bowditch was the only other Australian in the field. After a hectic finish to his season, including playing his first Presidents Cup, he couldn’t muster his best golf and finished at the tail end of the field.

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

news

Yallourn development to bring the town to the course Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

Golf design company Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead has designed a new par-three, par-four and a par-five hole for the course— which is located in Victoria’s south east—and construction is expected to commence during 2017 on a parcel of land to the southwest of the current 18-hole layout.

“Royal Sydney is one of Australia’s most revered clubs and we are excited to return to one of the great championship venues in the country,” “The atmosphere at Royal Sydney in 2013 was extraordinary, as it has been at The Australian these past two years, so we are looking forward to heading back next year.”

Construction on the new holes will begin once the first 50 homes have been sold as part of what is a 210-lot subdivision known as Monash Views. The course changes will see Yallourn lose its current par-four second, par-three third, parfour fourth and the layout will be reduced from a par-72 to a par-71.

Golf Australia, along with partners the New South Wales Government and its tourism and events agency Destination NSW and event commercial partner Lagardère Sports (formerly World Sport Group), announced in October a deal that keeps the Open in Sydney for the next eight years, with the scope for two “release years” in that period.

“We’ve done it basically to ensure the longterm viability of the Golf Club but it’s become a fairly large-scale development as well,” says Monash Views director and Yallourn life member Peter Brown.

The new properties will eventually weave around the southwest corner of the golf course and into the centre of Yallourn’s current property. “[It] will basically bring the town to the golf course. At the moment, the Golf Club and golf course are separated from the town by that area of land in between.” Monash Views will pay for 12-month memberships for every lot sold, which has sparked hopes of up to new 400 members

having to decide if they want to become paying members after the first year. “There’ll be [210] houses so you would hope that there’ll be juniors that come out of it, people that are moving there with kids that will be living adjacent to the course, around it and on it.” Brown says the new holes will enhance Yallourn’s course - which has had Santa Ana couch fairways since the early 2000s particularly in the eyes of older members. “They’re gaining three new golf holes and

they’re getting rid of three [holes], one in particular, an average hole. One of the holes is called ‘Heartbreak Hill’. It’s a particularly steep hill and has become a lot more problematic for some of the older players so that will be replaced by holes that are on a much flatter grade.” The property development has been named after General Sir John Monash, who was a civil engineer and Australian military commander during the First World War and was responsible for the development of the original Yallourn township. •

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Royal Sydney Golf Club has been chosen to host the 2016 Emirates Australian Open, marking the 15th time the Rose Bay venue will have hosted the national championship. Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt indicated his delight about the tournament’s return to the club that, in 2013, was the site of Rory McIlroy’s victory over Adam Scott in a final-day shootout.

ictoria’s Yallourn Golf Club is poised to receive three brand-new golf holes as part of a large-scale residential development and land swap.

Once the new holes are ready for play, Yallourn will acquire that land and Monash Views will receive a parcel of land to build more homes on the existing layout.

Royal Sydney to host 2016 Australian Open

“We’ve been thrilled with the support from the New South Wales Government, our naming rights sponsor Emirates and the players. Along with the clubs and golf fans of Sydney who’ve really embraced the event, we have raised the global awareness of the championship and also of Sydney as a world-class golfing destination,” Mr Pitt said. Mr Pitt said it was his intention to formalise and announce a plan about future host clubs for the Emirates Australian Open as soon as possible. More: www.ausopengolf.com

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#CROSSTHELINE

Holman wins Australian PGA, secures European Tour card

of Australasia and an invitation to the 2016 World Golf ChampionshipsBridgestone Invitational.

ictorian Nathan Holman took top honours in last month’s Australian PGA Championship, courtesy of a dramatic finish at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.

The AU$315,000 prize cheque also sees Holman secure the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit in which he will receive an invitation to The Open Championship 14-17 July at Royal Troon in Scotland.

The Woodlands Golf Club member was flying the flag for the Aussie contingent, and headed into the final day as the highest-placed Australian and well within reach of engraving his name on the Kirkwood Cup. It was far from a textbook start to the final round for eventual champion Holman, after a double bogey on the first hole for the second consecutive day. He was quick to steady the ship and began to grind away in tough scoring conditions, picking up birdies on 9, 12 and 15 to find himself leading by two. Bogeys on his final two holes, however, proved costly, with Holman ending the day tied for the lead with South African Dylan Frittelli and American Harold Varner III on even par 288. The trio entered a sudden-death playoff. A par on the first trip down 18 proved to be enough for victory for the 24-year-old Holman, as Frittelli and Varner could only manage bogeys. “It’s crazy,” said Holman. “Walking

off that 18th hole when I hit that shot onto the green, it kind of started to feel like the legs were a little bit shaky, thinking into the future a little bit and I tried to snap out of that. Obviously had a little bit of help there with the two guys making bogey, but to win the event, it’s an amazing feeling.” This was the seventh time that the Australian PGA Championship has been decided in a playoff. The Australian PGA Championship is the first tournament on the European Tour schedule for 2016 and with his win, Holman will receive exemption on the European Tour for the remainder of 2016 season followed by 2017. He also receives a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour

“For a young Australian guy to be able to go and play those events, play British Opens, it’s stuff you dream of playing golf when you’re a kid. It’s going to be an amazing feeling and to do it off the back of a victory I think is probably going to be better. I can go there knowing that I’ve done something really good to be here.” Rounding out the top-10 were, South African Zander Lombard who finished fourth on 1-over 289 taking out the Kel Nagle Plate for the best performing rookie while Queensland’s Cameron Smith secured fifth spot on 2-over 290. In a tie for sixth, Dimitrios Papadatos, Richard Green and Matthew Millar ended their week on 3-over 291. While Adam Stephens, Peter Lonard, Mathew Goggin, Jordan Zunic, Anthony Brown, Nino Bertasio, Matthew Griffin, Rory Bourke and David Lingmerth all ended their week on 4-over 292.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Jones clinches Aussie Open victory

fter a tough final round, Matt Jones has held on to secure his first victory on home soil at the Emirates Australian Open.

record, 10-under 61. Pampling will join Jones at The Open thanks to the top-3 finishers, not already exempt, at the Emirates Australian Open securing a start. This will be the second consecutive year that Pampling has earned his place via this qualification method.

Playing The Australian, his home course, Jones fired rounds of 67, 68, 68 and 73 for a tournament total of 8-under 276.

First round leader Lincoln Tighe and 2014 Australian Masters champion Nick Cullen finished tied 5th on 3-under the card.

It was a challenging day for Jones who described his golf as sloppy yet he held his nerve at key times throughout the round to ensure he held the Stonehaven Cup. This was Jones’ second win as a Professional, but it was made even more special by his friends, family and coach, PGA Professional, Gary Barter watching on. It has also seen him book a place at The Open next July. “To have my name on this trophy with Nicklaus, Newton, Norman, all those guys, it’s a dream come true for me and it’s something that I can’t have taken away from me,” Jones said. Tournament drawcard Jordan

Spieth ended the tournament tied for second with Adam Scott, with the pair finishing on 7-under 277. “I’m sure I can take confidence out of going head to head and coming out on top with those two (Scott and Spieth),” Jones said. ” Adam had a tougher task and he played amazing today. It’s something I can use down the road. I’m just happy to come out on top.” Rod Pampling was the other big story of the day, firing a new course

While Tighe would be happy with his best finish in one of the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Triple Crown tournaments, he will be disappointed not to secure the final place on offer to The Open. That honour has gone to Nick Cullen, ranked higher in the Official World Golf Rankings, he will gain a start at The Open. This year will be Cullen’s second trip to The Open after he qualified in 2012 and missed the cut by one shot. Photos courtesy of Andy Brownbill & PGA of Australia

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

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news

A new era for Bay Views golf course – Rosebud

GSM secures management at Kingston Links Golf Course

ne of Australia’s most scenic courses has undergone a significant facelift and is being launched with a new identity to reflect the change in management and significant improvements to course presentation. Bay Views Golf Course (formerly known as Rosebud Public or Carrington Park) located in Rosebud on the Mornington Peninsula is a public access course offering panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay, Bass Strait and the entire Mornington Peninsula. The clubhouse has undergone a complete renovation and now boasts a large alfresco balcony to enjoy a snack and cold drink before or after the game and new bathroom facilities. Significantly, the course is reaping the rewards of significant investment with the lush Santa Ana couch fairways as healthy as ever and the smooth, quick putting surfaces thriving. The popular social group venue still maintains a separate picnic area with multiple electric barbeques and shelters perfect for groups wanting to self cater and BYO. “The picnic areas are extremely popular with groups and we wanted to maintain this offer for those groups who have enjoyed self catering over the years. But we also wanted to provide an alternative option for those players to relax and take in the amazing views offered from the clubhouse that

Golf Services Management has been appointed to provide facility and golf operational services at Melbourne’s popular Kingston Links Golf Course.

was previously underutilised,” said Operations Manager Dean Trobbiani. “The change of name was an important decision for us but one we thought was essential for us to create our own identity and long-term vision. The licensed clubhouse also offers a relaxed feel with self cooked barbeque or a selection from a snack menu including traditional golfer favourites such as pizzas. We really do offer the best of both worlds!” Importantly, green fee prices are extremely affordable for such high quality conditions with 18 holes just $36, with concession rates now available midweek excluding peak periods. For more information in the all new Bay Views Golf Course in Rosebud visit www.bayviewsgolf.com.au or call (03) 5981 2833. •

Located just off Wellington Rd in the leafy suburb of Rowville in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Kingston Links is a fully public access facility boasting a number of spectacular water hazards, Santa Ana couch fairways, undulating greens, wonderful facilities and a large fleet of motorised carts. Arguably the highest-ranked course in the Melbourne metropolitan area with public access 7 day a week, it’s a sought-after destination for social golf groups and corporate days and provides popular food and beverage offerings in addition to excellent course conditions. Group bookings for 2016 and 2017 along with individual seasonal and yearly passes are now available. Kingston Links joins a number of popular courses operating under the Golf Services Management banner including Amstel Golf Club Ranfurlie and Park Courses, Morack Public Golf Course, St Andrews Beach Golf Course and the recently rebranded Bay Views Golf Course (formerly known as Rosebud Public or Carrington Park Golf Course). According to Golf Services Management Director Ian Denny, “Kingston Links is a well known venue for Melbourne golfers, and we are excited to bring our knowledge and expertise to this high quality facility. We are committed to providing a great customer experience and excellent value for money and look forward to an exciting period ahead.”

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Nelson Bay back in business

UST 12 weeks after a raging fire on Father’s Day almost demolished its clubhouse, the Nelson Bay Golf Club, north of Newcastle, last month declared it again was fully operational. In an amazing effort by staff, local tradespeople and plenty of volunteers, early in December Nelson Bay proudly opened a totally functional temporary clubhouse, capable of catering for about 120 customers. Acclaimed as one of the busiest golf clubs in Australia, the Nelson Bay complex reopened in time for its busiest season, the Christmas-New Year holidays. The temporary clubhouse provides comfortable accommodation and full facilities for members and visitors, with dining/bistro services and a full bar providing draught beer. Club Captain Peter Power said: “We especially are looking forward to welcoming all the festive season visitors to join us at the new clubhouse which overlooks the practice fairway and greens and from the balcony there are wonderful views of the golf course. “Our 27-hole championship layout has never been better and was open

and fully operational since the fire in September and full parking facilities are available. “Our PGA professional Maurie Moses is also providing normal services from a temporary facility and visiting golfers, whether individuals or groups, are welcome seven days a week.” Plans for the rebuilding of the permanent clubhouse are progressing well according to President Max Pride. In a November newsletter, he

said the club’s Project Manager, Coffey, would be presenting recommendations on the Building Contract to the Board of Directors around mid-December. The club hoped that the appointment of the architect chosen for the project would be made by the end of the year. Contact the club (02) 4981 1132 for golf, administration or dining bookings or visit: www.nelsonbaygolf.com •

Golf club and footy team set new trend If there ever was a perfect marketing marriage, Parkwood International Golf and Function Complex and the National Rugby League’s Gold Coast Titans, have found it - Club Parkwood – home of the Aquis Gold Coast Titans. The two sports giants have signed a unique ten-year partnership agreement that will see the rugby league team relocate to Parkwood International’s golf complex at Parkwood on the Gold Coast this year. Parkwood International managing director Luke Altschwager said Parkwood would soon undergo a major transformation, complementing the existing golf course with the construction of a multi-million dollar fully integrated sports and leisure precinct, boasting facilities to rival any similar complex in the country. “It will have everything a professional football club has, including a brand-new health and medical building offering a complete range of services involving sports science, yoga studio, as well as access to the very best in relaxation and sports massage practitioners,” Mr Altschwager said. “So, there will be physiotherapists,

medical doctors, orthopaedic doctors and everything medical.” “As well as providing a modern office environment for staff, players will have access to indoor training courts, aqua therapy, a fully-equipped gymnasium, altitude chamber, and dedicated change room facilities.” The old Parklands Showgrounds sports centre, which once attracted 100,000 visitors annually, will also relocate to Parkwood International. Blueprints of the new precinct include a vast indoor sports centre where the community will be able to access a full range of indoor cricket, soccer and netball activities, while the 25m three-lane lap pool will offer learn-to-swim classes with separate hydrotherapy baths. “I believe it’s a great fit for the Titans because Parkwood International has been building a community hub around the club with over 8000 members already. “We will remain a traditional golf club that already has things like yoga, a golf course, driving range, mini-golf, sports bar and wedding pavilion.” Mr Altschwager said golf, however, would remain the heartbeat of the property. “Our new indoor golf centre with state-of-the-art simulators will allow everyone, from beginners through to

pros, to hone their skills on some of the best courses from around the world without leaving the Gold Coast,” he said. “We still have our state-of-theart teaching facility, retail store, Footjoy shoe fitting facility, golf club fitting facility, golf course, driving range and mini-golf. “So, the basic philosophy of the property won’t change.” “All it means is we will be a multifaceted, fully licensed, community club with an exceptional range of bars, restaurants, lounge and gaming areas, together with function facilities to cater for all occasions. “But without doubt a major feature of the new precinct will see Parkwood become the permanent home of the Aquis Gold Coast Titans, delivering facilities at the cutting edge of innovation, sports science, and professionalism in the National Rugby League competition.” The project is expected to break ground next month, with an aim to complete the entire development by August, however, construction will be staged sooner in order for the Titans to move in as early as possible in the 2016 season. •

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

inside golf business

Should your club move to an outsourced maintenance model?

ith maintenance costs rising, and member numbers struggling, many clubs are at a crossroads when it comes to the best and most cost-effective way to maintain their course while still presenting the best possible conditions for members and guests. Clubs and boards are faced with a decision: is the traditional in-house golf course maintenance model still preferable? Or is it more cost-effective to outsource?

The Sandhurst Club, in Melbourne’s south east, decided to go against tradition with the maintenance of its golf courses. As one of the most prominent clubs in the country and the official home of the PGA of Australia, the Sandhurst Club outsources the maintenance of both of its courses to Programmed Turnpoint, and their courses have never looked better. Programmed Turnpoint was initially contracted to construct the Thomson Perrett designed Champions Course at the Sandhurst Club. After an extended construction period the course opened for play in 2008 and sat alongside the Club’s North Course which had opened some four years earlier. Early on, both courses were renowned for their quality of playing surfaces, and they hosted many state championships such as the Victorian Mid-Amateur. However, after successive years of deteriorating course conditions (caused through a combination of factors), and a resulting decline in membership numbers, the developer and Club board were forced to reconsider their management structures. Part of this review involved the reassessment of having an

Goulburn grabs NSW Country Champs The Goulburn Mulwaree region has won the right to host the Golf NSW Men’s Country Championship for 2016 and the following two years. The historic Goulburn Golf Club has a proud tradition associated with the Country Championship. The club’s most famous son, Bruce Devlin, who is a former Australian Open Champion and PGA Tour winner, won the Country Championship title twice before embarking on a successful professional career.

‘in-house’ course maintenance team and consideration of adopting an outsourcing model. It was suggested in some circles that the initial design and construction of the Champions Course and North Course were to blame for the poor conditions of the courses and if proven correct would potentially lead to expensive and timely rectification works. Another option was to move to an outsourced maintenance model with a firm understanding of the prevailing conditions on site and the goals of the club to be achieved. Programmed Turnpoint carried out an assessment of both courses and recommended that prevailing course conditions could be resolved with different management strategies rather than extensive and costly reconstruction works. Programmed Turnpoint was so confident in this that they actually guaranteed they could dramatically improve the presentation and playability of the courses within two years if the maintenance was outsourced to them.

The board and Club decided to take this chance and outsourced its golf course maintenance to Programmed Turnpoint. Since then, Programmed Turnpoint have greatly improved the condition of both courses to bring them back towards to their original state. As well as implementing successful greens renovation and maintenance strategies, they also ensure communication lines are always fluid via regular monthly meetings between our maintenance team and the club’s management. The move from the traditional in-house golf course maintenance model to an outsourced one proved to be a successful decision for the board and club. As a result of this, the courses are in great condition, which in turn has led to a steady increase in membership levels helping cement the club’s financial viability for the future. For more information: www.programmed.com.au, 1800 620 911 or email: marketing@programmed.com.au •

Deputy Chairman of Golf NSW, Alan Harrison presented the Golf NSW Country Championship Trophy to Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor, Councillor Geoff Kettle at the conclusion of the 2015 Championship held at Wollongong Golf Club last month. The Trophy will be displayed throughout the Goulburn Mulwaree area over the next year to help promote the 2016 Championship. “Golf NSW is proud to host the Men’s Country Championships in a regional centre as historic as Goulburn for the next three years and on one of our State’s finest and oldest inland courses as well,” Mr Harrison said. Cr Kettle is thrilled that Goulburn will be hosting the Championship. “The NSW Country Golf Championships is a chance for Goulburn to showcase our beautiful city to a host of golfers from around the state.” The NSW Men’s Country Championship will be held on the 29th to 30th October 2016.

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inside golf business

Thomson Perrett & Lobb the kings of Egypt

homson Perrett & Lobb Golf Course Architects are busy working amongst the pyramids of Egypt with a new 18hole course under construction in New Giza. TPL already has one course completed in operation in Egypt; the popular resort course at El Ein Bay in Ain Soukhna, just 110 km East of Cairo on the Red Sea. They have also recently been appointed to create a new 18-hole golf course on Egypt’s Red Sea coast. In 2006 TPL commenced with the design of the 18-hole golf course at the 550 hectare NEW GIZA site within view of the famous Giza Pyramids in to the west of Cairo, Egypt. Tim Lobb and Ross Perrett spent endless days familiarising themselves with the dramatic terrain that was formed from years of limestone quarrying. “The remnant quarry gave us a fantastic palette to work with and we wanted to create a golf course that will be visually striking and memorable,” said Tim Lobb, TPL’s principal and golf course architect. The golf course will be the centrepiece of an integrated master planned community

that includes high-end housing, apartments, universities, hospitals, hotels and other leisure amenities. The project has had to endure a global financial crisis and Egypt’s national political and social revolution but these challenges have not deterred the developers. Construction of the golf course commenced in 2014 and has progressed at a good pace. Earthworks in the abandoned quarry site are slow going, requiring rock breaking for any cuts and the crushing of rock for fills and to create mounding. The Architects have been able to retain the characteristics of the quarry with a golf course layout that meanders through man-made canyons with near-vertical quarry walls and up and over the interesting rocky terrain. The earthworks were completed early in 2015 and the process of sand capping with fertile ‘sweet sand’ has commenced to provide a growing medium for the greens, tees and fairways. Grassing of holes has followed on quickly and the project is on schedule to have all 18 holes grassed by mid 2016. The selected

grass is a specialized turfgrass Paspalum Platinum TE which is planted wall to wall and has created excellent playing surfaces. “The hole to watch out for at NEW GIZA will be the par-3, fourth hole which shoots directly over a quarry wall with the famous Giza Pyramids in the distance,” Ross Perrett says. “It is destined to become one of the most photographed holes in Egypt. On the back nine, holes 12-14 also play in amongst the old quarry walls and provide a spectacular setting for golf. “NEW GIZA has been a labour of love for our firm but we know that the wait will definitely be worth it. We are excited that grassing is progressing well and that we will see this landmark project opened to golfers in 2016.” The firm was also recently awarded their third project in Egypt, an 18-hole course that will form part of the Soma Bay holiday resort in the Red Sea, 20 minutes from Hurghada International Airport. The course will be built on a slightly elevated hillside site, and will embrace the local area’s natural desert landscape.

“The Soma Bay peninsula is a stunning location, surrounded on all sides by the Red Sea, and our goal is to create a golf course that focuses on strategic and fun play, has family-friendly options and is accessible to all,” said Lobb. “The design process has already commenced, and we hope to begin construction next year.” Soma Bay is already home to an 18-hole course designed by Gary Player’s firm, which opened for play in 1998. Lara Iskander, director of development at Soma Bay, added: “Thomson Perrett & Lobb has a strong, and growing, international pedigree in the golf course design sector and we look forward to working with Tim and his team to create a world-class, enjoyable and memorable golf experience for our guests. TPL’s vision to design a golf course that appeals to families and holidaymakers, and also marries perfectly with the Soma Bay environment, were key considerations when selecting our design partner. We are confident the new course will significantly enhance our extensive leisure facilities.” •

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inside golf business

Watson returns to Horizons golf resort

olf Course Architect, Ross Watson, the designer behind Horizons in Salamander Bay has recently teamed up with the resort’s new owners with a view to enhancing the course and bringing it back to a ranking in the top 40 in Australia.

The Board of Golf NSW has elected a new Chairman, with Mr John Robinson replacing Mr Chris Allen. Mr Robinson is a semi-retired IT Specialist and business owner. Prior to that he was an IT Data Communications Manager for Westpac and has been a Director and Chairman of several companies.

The brains behind the celebrated Ross Watson-Graham Marsh partnership, Watson spent three days at the 24-year-old course plotting a way to elevate it to its former glory. During the visit, Watson met with Peter Rickard, who purchased the resort in July with business partner, Selva Saverimuttu, to run an expert eye over the state of the course.

He is a member of both Elanora Country Club and the Australian Golf Club. He has been involved in the development and presentation of educational material on golf etiquette and the Rules of Golf. Mr. Robinson has had an extensive involvement with the game, and is an accredited Golf Australia National Referee, a Governor of the NSW Golf Foundation and is a member of the Golf Australia Council.

“The putting surface remains second to none and the fairways are magnificent,” Watson said. “Some of the tees may need some work and the bunkers reviewed …I’m talking mainly cosmetic improvements.” “We are looking at establishing a nursery to grow and harvest grass and are looking at improving the area around the 9th and 18th holes,” Rickard said. “I take my hat off to the current owners, members, and those who tended the course over the last 3 years when the former course owners went into administration,” Watson said. In just five months the new owners overhauled the Horizons operation with Rickard as Chief Executive Officer and Saverimuttu as Chairman. Greg Ramsay, renowned PGA professional was appointed Director of Golf. A new fleet of 40 Yamaha carts were delivered in August and the much needed new Toro course-maintenance equipment were put into action on the fairways last month.

Robinson new Chairman at GolfNSW

Ross Watson (centre) with Horizons Golf Resort Chairman Selva Saverimuttu (left) and CEO Peter Rickard The Gold Coast-based Watson estimates he had designed more than 35 golf courses in Australia and Asia in 35 years of business. Some of these courses include Royal Sydney, Kooindah Waters, Paradise Palms, The Vines and Magenta Shores. His partnership with former pro Graham Marsh lasted five years and Horizons was the last from the team.

a special place in my portfolio because of its sandy base,” said Watson.

“Horizons was created from swampland and a long boardwalk through the wetlands. It took about a year to construct and holds

With the expert advice of Mr. Watson, the pair will map out a four-year plan to reestablish the course as one of Australia’s best.

Estimated to have cost its Japanese developers in the vicinity of $10 million, Horizons had a chequered financial history before being purchased in July by Rickard and Saverimutto.

“I trust that I can execute the role of Chairman in a way that does justice to our fabulous game and to the many wonderful people across our State that make Golf NSW the organisation it is today.” Mr. Robinson says. Mr. Allen was recognised for the extent of his commitment to Golf NSW and across the State over the last five years by the new Chairman. “Mr. Allen has dedicated an incredible amount of his time to Golf NSW.” Mr. Robinson says. “Golf NSW has come a long way since amalgamation. Such a journey always throws up many challenges and Chris has successfully navigated the path to where we are today. For that we thank him.”

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inside golf business - general managers

GMA announces PGAIGI Scholarship

Royal Auckland Golf Club’s Warwick Hill-Rennie has been appointed to the role of General Manager of The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, following an extensive recruitment process to fill the role following the passing of Paul Rak last year.

David Allen

GMA Executive Officer eo@gma.org.au

Warwick started as The Chief Executive Officer at the Grange Golf Club in 2010 and joined Royal Auckland Golf Club—one of New Zealand’s premier golf clubs—in November 2012. He will assume the role at Royal Melbourne in March this year.

MA is very pleased to announce a bursary partnership with the PGAIGI (PGA International Golf Institute) where nominations will soon be accepted for one selected golf manager (GM, Assistant Manager, Golf Manager, Duty Manager, etc, who is either a Full or Provisional Member of GMA) to receive a fully funded bursary to complete the Advanced Diploma of management with the PGAIGI. Developed in consultation with GMA, this study program incorporates best practice principles for use in the golf industry. The study content has been chosen to reflect the education needs of golf course management and covers a broad range of golf club management and golf related subjects. The Advanced Diploma of Management provides targeted golf education for club managers. Program content focuses on specific skills and knowledge required by a golf club manager in today’s industry – providing further education for future career development for students. The program focuses on seven subject areas specific to the skill set of a Golf Club Manager: Financial Management for Golf Clubs; Strategic Planning & Effective Organisational Governance; Marketing to Attract, Retain and Re-engage Members; Golf Course Maintenance; Effective Leadership & Team Management; Business Planning; and

Hill-Rennie new GM at Royal Melbourne

Royal Melbourne Golf Club Captain James King announced the appointment in a letter to members last month.

Delegates receiving education from Greg De Rosa at the GMA National Conference 2015 Develop Systems for Regulatory Compliance. In each state, a GMA State panel will assess the state applications received on the basis of how successfully it meets the application criteria (detailed on the nomination form). One applicant will progress from each State GMA Body to the GMA National Selection panel. State Finalists will receive air fares, other travel costs and (where required) overnight accommodation to attend the scheduled National panel interviews. The overall GMA PGAIGI ADOM bursary winner will receive air fares, other travel costs and (where required) overnight accommodation to attend the PGAIGI campus as appropriate. The selection of the bursary winner will

be based on the merit of the application and is open to General Managers/Secretary Managers, Assistant Managers, Golf Managers, Duty Managers etc who are either Full or Provisional members of GMA. In addition, each of the state’s nominations that progress to the interview stage at National level will receive free registration to the next GMA Biennial Conference to be held in Adelaide in 2017. It is anticipated that nominations will open on 28 January and will close on 4 March. For any further information on the ADOM PGAIGI/GMA Bursary, please contact Aaron Muirhead (Nudgee Golf Club) on (07)3267 7744 or email aaron.muirhead@nudgeegolf. com.au. •

“Warwick is a successful leader with a proven track record in private golf club management and, before that, in a number of corporate roles. He possesses strong communication and member engagement skills and also has extensive event management and hospitality experience. “His education includes a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Auckland (2003) and a Diploma of Business Administration prior to being selected for MBA cohort. He is also a keen golfer with a handicap of nine.” “Warwick will relocate to Melbourne with his wife and teenage daughter later this year. His son is currently already residing and studying at Melbourne University. I am sure that all Members will offer Warwick a warm welcome when he commences in this important role on 15 March.”

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inside golf business

Meet Drummond MD Jamie Cooke David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

T’S a familiar story – university dropout rises from shop floor to managing director.

Thankfully, these opportunities still exist in the 21st century or Jamie Cooke, a man with plenty of business acumen, might not be managing director at Drummond Golf. But he is and he’s relishing the challenge after succeeding Mark Abeyaratne in June last year. “My foray into the golf industry started in 1989,” he explained.

“The next 13 years will be more about transition than new stores. “We can’t physically have too many more stores but what we can have is an established franchise group.”

“For me, the great challenge is to help transition those franchisees and find new franchisees to acquire those businesses,” he said.

“Chris and I effectively ran the shop for a few years and then bought the business (franchise) in 1995.

Cooke says he inherited a perfectly good working model, but since becoming MD has initiated a program to develop a second level of management.

“We have grown at quite a rate over the last 13 years,” said Cooke, who was 2IC (director of product) for 13 years.

“We employ more people than our competitors and our staff retention is very high, which is a good sign of a good culture within your business,” he said.

“It’s akin to painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” he laughed. “Once I get through visiting all the stores it’s time to start visiting again.”

“I started working for a golf professional in Bendigo and after three years a position came up at Drummond Golf in Bendigo where a friend Chris Wilkinson worked.

Since then, Drummond Golf has grown from 12 to 49 stores.

For Drummond Golf, customer service is paramount and Cooke is proud of the company’s record.

He exudes a restless energy and visits every store annually.

“I had started a business degree at university, deferred for a year and never went back.

“We got a group of investors together and began our national expansion from there.”

“Indoor golf simulators allow golfers to hire an indoor space one night a week for an hour or two with some friends, have a few drinks in a more social atmosphere and play golf”

Bright and articulate, Cooke sees his primary role as supporting franchisees with budgeting, financial planning and making sure their cash flows are working.

Another major focus over the next five to 10 years is to help franchisees who want to do other things exit the business.

“In November 2002, another franchisee Mark Abeyaratne, Drummond’s former MD, and I got talking about potentially buying the group franchise business.

said. “The one thing working against golf is time. It takes so long to play a round in the conventional sense.

Jamie Cooke and his wife Amanda. I ask Cooke what he sees as the company’s biggest challenge. “The game itself,” he says. “From a retail perspective we are strong and our model services our customer base very well. “But the game is a little stagnant at the moment and it needs to get player numbers back up.

“We have a lot of owner-operator franchisees who take on a lot of responsibility because it’s their business and they work extremely hard.

“One of our frustrations is we are primarily off-course so it’s difficult for us to influence the way the game is played in a traditional sense.”

“I am trying to encourage them to get more training and education into their assistant managers to help run the business.

To attract and inspire more golfers, Drummond Golf has embarked on installing indoor golf simulators.

“We have had our first 2IC conference and ran a two-day seminar on different aspect of the business to try and help them understand the business better.

In coming months, six stores will have between three and five simulators for people to play a round of golf indoors. “Golf needs a little bit of reinvention,” Cooke

“We are a value proposition retailer. It’s not just about ticketing things and cash and carry. “We have many different service mechanisms including a high-tech fitting system called MiMatch, which helps fit golfers with the correct set of clubs.” With three young daughters, Cooke, a four marker, knows of the frustration of not being able to play golf as regularly as he would like. “I don’t play as frequently as I once did because I have a young family and a lot more work,” he said. “My golf consists of more corporate type events.” Cooke says the most enjoyable aspect of his job is working with people. As for a sea change, forget it. “Drummond has been the better part of my life for 25 years,” he said. “By the time I’m not managing director at Drummond Golf I’d like to think I’m playing more golf and relaxing.” •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

inside golf business

Super job at RACV Royal Pines David Newbery

Lincoln Coombes says the new-look RACV Royal Pines Resort layout will challenge and excite golfers.

david@insidegolf.com.au

HE Australian PGA Championship professionals have given the new-look Graham Marsh-designed golf course at RACV Royal Pines Resort the thumbs up and now amateurs are itching to test their skills on the layout. According to RACV Royal Pines Resort superintendent Lincoln Coombes the recently completed back-nine holes will challenge and excite amateurs of all levels.

“Producing a playing surface everyone is proud of is so rewarding,” he said. “It’s a thrill when members walk past and say they love the golf course.

Coombes, who plays off 11 and has “test-driven” the golf course, said the new holes (10 to 18) were fantastic and complement the front nine completed in November 2014.

“But with five sets of tees, you don’t have to beat yourself up every time you play it. You can choose to play off the forward tees and still enjoy the golf course.” “It’s definitely tougher than the original design, which had more of a resort-style feel to it,” he said. “But Graham (Marsh) has taken this into account by placing bunkers short of the greens to give more space around the greens. “For example, the 12th hole is now a short par-5 with better placement of bunkers, the green has been pushed right so anything right of the green is going to get wet.” Some 15 bunkers have been added, but they are not as big the traps on the “old” course. “There are more bunkers in play now, but they are not overly deep,” he said. “The average player has always had problems with bunkers that require hitting the ball 30-40 metres. “With more space around the greens players who miss with

their approach will have to hit more chip shots from swales and mounds. “There are some deep swales around some of the greens so if don’t hit a great shot you can be penalised, but still have a change to get up and down. “Aesthetically, the bunkering looks daunting from the tee but once you get up there you’ll find there’s plenty of space. “The other change is the many greens have subtle ridges across them.” Coombes believes amateurs, regardless of handicap, will get value for money playing the new-look layout. “Golfers will have to think their way around the golf course and shot-selection is vastly different to playing the previous layout,” he said. “Because some holes have been lengthened and others shortened, golfers will have the opportunity to use most or all clubs in the bag.” Still, golfers aren’t the only ones facing new challenges. Coombes and his team are enjoying the challenges that come with a re-designed layout that has more undulations and different grasses.

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“Now we are finding out what we can cut, how we can cut it and how the TifEagle greens react to the fertilisers and pesticide programs we previously had in place. “It’s always evolving, but the members and guests are very happy with how the front nine presents and I’m happy with how we have managed to maintain the back nine.

So what can they expect?

“From the back tees the course now has a slope rating of 141, which is the second hardest golf course in Queensland behind Brookwater,” Coombes said.

“A lot of maintenance practises were based around the old 328 grass and the greens that predominantly had flat surfaces,” he explained.

“You take a bit of ownership when it comes to making the members happy and making sure the visitors enjoy the course.” Like all golf courses, maintaining the bunkers is an arduous task. “Bunkers do take up a lot of time with edging, making sure the sand consistency is right and the faces are not too soft so golf balls don’t plug,” Coombes said. “Bunkers have gone from being a hazard to a playing surface and golfers expect them to be perfect. “But the greens are our money spinner. When they are rolling perfectly, golfers are happy. “Most people don’t worry too much about a slight blemish on a tee or fairway, but if their putts don’t drop … look out.” While Coombes and his staff work around the clock to ensure excellent playing conditions, golfers can do their bit by repairing plug markers, divots on the fairways and raking bunkers properly. “All we ask is rake the bunkers better, fill in divots and DON’T drive or walk through puddles,” Coombes said. “A puddle can turn into mud quickly. When that happens, the grass takes much longer to regrow and aesthetically it’s an eye-sore.” •

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from the ceo

ALPG season bigger and better in 2016! Richard Green and Marianne Skarpnord at last year’s Oates Vic Open

Karen Lunn

Executive Director – ALPG

After this event the players will take the rest of the week off to enjoy the Australia Day Celebrations, and prepare themselves for the ALPG’s major tournament swing, which will be played over four consecutive weeks from the 1st week in February.

The first event of 2016 will be held at the beautiful Moss Vale Golf Club in the Southern Highlands, south west of Sydney. The Moss Vale ALPG Pro-am will be played over two days, the 7th and 8th January. There will be no rest for the players, with the Mt Broughton Ladies Classic being played immediately following the Moss Vale event over two days at the very challenging Mt Broughton Golf Club. It is an easy journey though, with Mt Broughton just a 5 minute drive south of Moss Vale!

The Oates Victorian Open will be the first major event of the 2016 tournament season and will once again be played at the magnificent 13th Beach Golf Links at Barwon Heads, from the 4th to 7th February. This tournament continues to go from strength to strength each year, thanks to a wonderful title sponsor in Oates and fantastic support from both the State government in Victoria and the City of Geelong. We have seen the prizemoney continue to grow for both the men and the women events, two years ago they were each playing for $150,000, in 2016 they will be playing for a minimum of $300,000. Golf Victoria have done an amazing job with this event and have created something really special that the players, stakeholders and fans alike all love being a part of. It will be hard to top last year’s result with Richard Green winning the men’s event and his fiancé Marianne Skarpnord winning the women’s event, but who knows? Watch this space we may see some big names committing to the tournament in the near future!

The tour then heads to a familiar venue for the ALPG, where the players will tee it up in the Bing Lee Oatlands Golf Club Pro-am, being played on the 14th and 15th January. The ladies will then get a few days to rest up and enjoy the sights of Sydney, after which they will tee it up again on the 19th January on the championship layout at Castle Hill Country Club in the Ford Castle Hill CC ALPG Pro-am.

From the Bellarine Peninsula the ALPG will then head across the Tasman to for the first Ladies European Tour (LET) co-sanctioned event in 2016, the ISPS Handa New Zealand’s Women’s Open. The tournament will once again be played at the stunning Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch, from the 11th to 14th February. The defending champion is Rolex World No. 1 Lydia Ko. I

n 2016 the ALPGTour will once again play host to the best women golfers in the world when they travel to our shores and vie for a share of $3.58 million in prizemoney on offer. The 2016 ALPG Tour officially gets underway on 7th January with the first of the ALPG Club Car Series Pro-am events, and runs through to the first week in March. The ALPG Club Car series continues to thrive, in 2016 it will be played across 8 venues, with the players competing for a total of $220,000 in prizemoney.

We then head down the M2 to the stunning Pennant Hills Golf Club for The Pennant Hills ALPG Pro-am being played over two days on the 21st and 22nd January. We then have a real treat in store for the

ladies when we head to Sydney’s stunning Northern Beaches for the inaugural ALPG North Shore pro-am, which will be played on 25th January at the challenging and picturesque Long Reef GC.

Calling all golf Enthusiasts Play your part in the Grand Reopening of an iconic Golf Course, where professional golfers Jason Day and Adam Scott have played. Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley will be reopening their World renowned 18 hole Championship golf Course (after the full renovations), together with Private Airport and Polo Fields, from the 5th February 2016. 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 had 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 per person with brand new carts (based on Twin Share). Call (07) 5544 6688 to ensure your place for the opening day on the 5th February 2016, as places are filling fast. Email: Marketing@ramada-kooralbyn-valley.com.au

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

from the ceo am sure that the huge galleries will be once again out in force to watch their superstar in action. Lydia has had a phenomenal 2015, winning her first major championship, the LPGA Money List and Player of the year title as well as the $1 million dollar end of year bonus at the CME Group Championship. The women then head to South Australia for the first time since 1994, where Annika Sorenstam claimed her first professional victory in the Australian Open at Royal Adelaide, before going on to be arguably the most successful women golfer in history. The pinnacle of the ALPG Tour, the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open will be played on the magnificent Grange West course from the 18th to 21st February 2016. Golf Australia has done a wonderful job in securing a three-year deal to play the Open in Adelaide, in 2017 and 2018 it will be played at Royal Adelaide and Kooyonga. In 2016 the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open will once again be co-sanctioned with the LET and LPGA, assuring a worldclass field yet again. Lydia Ko will defend the title she won in such spectacular fashion at Royal Melbourne in 2015. The purse in 2016 will be US$1.3m (approximately $1.823 million), up from US1.2m in 2015. It is certainly exciting for the ladies to be playing such a prestigious event here in Australia for this level of prizemoney, and quite unique in the sporting world for the women’s event to carry a significantly higher prizefund that

the men’s equivalent. In saying this, the women’s event attracts a worldclass field which is a direct benefit of having the powerhouse that is the USLPGA Tour as a sanctioning partner. LPGA commissioner Mike Whan has done an exceptional job in the 5 years since he joined the LPGA. When he arrived in early 2010 the tour was not in great shape as it struggled to cope with the economic downturn. The 2010 season was the tour’s smallest schedule in nearly 40 years, and many pundits were starting to question its future. In stepped Mike Whan and the rest as they say is history, in 2016 the LPGA Tour will be playing 33 events, a number Whan sees as the optimum number for the LPGA, and playing for prizemoney in excess of US$63m. The ALPG tour then heads to the sunshine of The Gold Coast for the LET co-sanctioned RACV Ladies Masters. The event once again returns to the jewel that is the RACV Royal Pines Resort, and will be played from the 25th to 28th February on the revamped Graham Marsh designed layout. Young Aussie star Su Oh returns as defending champion to the venue which saw her capture her first major professional victory in early 2015. RACV have been a wonderful partner and sponsor of this event, and RACV Royal Pines Resort which also hosts the PGA Championship of Australia has now firmly established itself as the “Home of Professional Golf” In Australia. After the major tournaments are

over, the Club Car series will wind up with the final two events of 2016. The Brisbane International will be played at McLeod Country Golf Club on the 1st and 2nd March, and the BWAC Regional Employment and Community Services ALPG Pro-am will be the Club Car series finale on the 4th March at the beautiful Yamba Golf Club on the mid north coast of NSW. I would sincerely like to take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors and partners for their continued support of the ALPG, in particular to Dr Haruda Handa for his support of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open, RACV for their continued support for the RACV Ladies Masters, Oates for their sponsorship of the Oates Victorian Open and finally Golf Victoria for their great work in securing additional government support for the event. 2015 has been an extremely exciting and successful year for Women’s Golf across the globe, and the emergence of Minjee Lee has been a great shot in the arm for Australian golf.

Brian Thorburn CEO – PGA of Australia

ast month saw the Australian PGA Championship enter an exciting new phase that reignited the Gold Coast as a top golfing destination for domestic and international golf enthusiasts. Our co-sanctioning agreement with the European Tour brought a diverse field of international talent to the Gold Coast. Providing an improved strength of field through a greater depth of international players, Australian golf fans had the opportunity to see both experienced and up-and-coming international Professionals from all over the globe compete. Tournament week commenced with the inaugural Greg Norman Medal Dinner at RACV Royal Pines Resort, which saw members of the professional golf circuit, government, corporate world,

It was wonderful to see Jason Day receive Australian golf’s most coveted award as our best performing Tour Professional on the international stage. It’s been an incredible year for Jason, who opened his 2015 PGA TOUR campaign solidly with a victory at the Farmers Insurance Open before going on to secure a further four victories on the PGA TOUR this season. However, by far the standout achievement of the year for Day was claiming his first Major title, the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, before rising to Australia’s newest World Number 1. Day was one of eight nominees in the running to take home the award with Adam Scott, Matt Jones, Marc Leishman, Steven Bowditch, Karrie Webb, Minjee Lee and Rebecca Artis also up for golf’s most prestigious award. Complementing the pinnacle award was the 2015 PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year, awarded to Matt

I am confident that our Tour schedule, combined with our 2016 Club Car Series ALPG Pro-ams will ensure that we attract quality players from all around the world to our shores, and give the Australian public a great opportunity to witness the quality of our women players and overseas visitors, Follow the ALPG Tour at www.alpg. com.au and on twitter @ALPGtour

A great week for Australian Golf celebrities and the golf community gather to celebrate the achievements of both Tournament and Vocational Professionals.

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Millar, and the 2015 ALPG Player of the Year, which was awarded to Su Oh. On behalf of the Australian golf industry I congratulate all our award winners and convey how proud we are of their achievements, each of them are wonderful ambassadors for Australian golf. The week also saw our first Kids Day. Hundreds of local children descended on RACV Royal Pines Resort where they were able to enjoy autograph signing sessions and golf demonstrations with Brett Rumford, John Senden, Peter O’Malley, David Lingmerth, Peter Lonard, Ryan Fox, Ollie Goss, James Nitties and Nick Cullen together with other activations in the tournament village. The Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, as well as the City of Gold Coast and Gold Coast Tourism proudly support the Australian PGA Championship, and we’re grateful for their ongoing commitment to the tournament and look forward to producing another successful tournament in 2016.

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

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cover story

Joe Kirkwood: Australia’s ‘larger than life’ golf icon By Andrew Crockett

oe Kirkwood is an Australian icon, akin to a Steve Irwin or Mick Dundee. Kirkwood took his larger-than-life personality to America and the rest of the world, leaving one commentator (Lowell Thomas) to say “I suspect that Joe Kirkwood did more to popularise golf than any other man who ever lived.” Golf Magazine in 1971 said “It would be impossible to measure his contribution to the growth of the game.” Joe Kirkwood’s story is truly one of the greatest yarns … His life achievements are now folklore, the whispers you hear on the golf course are true, Joe Kirkwood is an Australian golfing legend worthy of the highest honours. Born in 1897 in Sydney, Australia Kirkwood left home at the age of 10 and walked 370 miles to work on a sheep station. Age 10 he walked alone, without compass, map or watch, following the rivers and woods, guiding his way with the help of a railroad timetable by mentally clocking the movements of freight trains with the sun above. Travel, it turns out, would be something Kirkwood would become famous for. Luckily for Joe, the sheep station owner

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

(J.R.Sellar) was a golf enthusiast and had Joe set up a makeshift 3-hole course on some pasture land. The young drover made his own clubs forming the heads and shafts from saplings and using snakeskin for the grips. He won his first tournament age 16 and after serving his five-year apprenticeship at Manly Golf Course and winning pretty much every tournament he entered, he was on his way to America and England by the age of 21. With the full support of the golfing establishment in Australia, many of whom contributed to his travel costs, Kirkwood was taking Australia to the world in the 1920s. His first International trip to America and England (with Victor East) won him many fans and he had people talking when in his first International match he beat his childhood hero, the great Harry Vardon. After competing in several British and Scottish tournaments, including the Open Championship (where he came 6th) Kirkwood was wined and dined all over Europe, he was even invited to give lessons to the king and queen of England. Kirkwood is perhaps best known for his sense of humour, but with golf, it was his prowess as a trick shot artist. While Kirkwood did muster 17 professional victories, it was his trick shot routine that won him fame and fortune, after thousands of exhibitions around the world. Kirkwood said that he learned to hit trick shots with the use of just one arm or leg to offer encouragement to injured

soldiers who were missing limbs after World War I. Kirkwood himself said “It was never my intention to make exhibition material the main breadwinner of my life – it happened quite by accident.” The first organized exhibition that Joe Kirkwood did in America was after a four round tournament, where he was paired with none other than Walter Hagen. People gathered around as the major of New York gave a prominent speech to the assembled crowd “folks,

cover story this lad has come a long way to entertain you all, and I think it is up to us to show our appreciation.” Kirkwood left that exhibition with a staggering $770 in his pocket, the Americans loved his country wit and larrikin ways. Needless to say, Walter Hagen paid attention, he won the British Open in 1922, 1924, 1928 & 1929 and each victory earned him 75 pounds. Despite the obvious financial incentive to stay in America, Joe Kirkwood set sail for England, where he had commitments to play in several events, including The Open Championship. The English didn’t take quite so warmly to Joe Kirkwood and his trick shot routine, his wit and humor, the press saying he was “burlesquing and buffooning their hallowed game of golf.” It certainly didn’t help when Joe showing how to truly pivot. Minutes later it won a tournament in Lossiemouth, Scotland came to his attention that this was in fact the by 13 strokes. While being refused entry to Queen of England, wife to King George VI. one tournament, Kirkwood received a rather Thus is the Australian way. important-looking letter that had the British Kirkwood was traveling from England Royal Crest on it, requesting Kirkwood to back to Australia, via America, when he give an exhibition for the royal family, on a was approached by swashbuckling Hagen Saturday. True to his style Kirkwood wrote to perform (together) on a joint exhibition back and said “Sorry, I have a commitment tour. The $770 for their first exhibition was on Saturday in Scotland, so I will see you on enough motivation for any golfer of the era, Sunday.” This generated even more press before the ‘tour’ when golfers’ tradesmen in England. When Kirkwood arrived at 2am were struggling to make ends meet. Hagen Sunday morning at the royal Sassoon’s Estate was perhaps the most popular golfer on on Trent he was greeted by a butler “By jove, the planet at the time (having won several you are tardy Mr Kirkwood. We expected you majors) and together they played 125 fourhere before this.” ball matches in the next six months … their The following morning Kirkwood woke up blossoming and successful partnership and saw the beautiful manicured golf course would continue for several years. They on the royal grounds, took his ‘shag bag’ of golf partnered on a circuit that took them around balls and found a convenient place to practice the world, to golf courses and galleries of when a most attractive lady came strolling the world; South America, Africa, Egypt, along and wanted to watch him practice, citing Burma, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, in her regal accent: “I have been watching you China, Japan, Belgium, Scotland, Australia from my bedroom window, maybe you can and others teaching golf to a vast array help my chronic slice”. Kirkwood proceeded of people including a ceasefire between to tell this lady “you can’t play golf in high Japanese/Chinese military during World heels, try barefoot”, which she did. Joe then War II, barefooted African natives, sultans, determined the lady had ‘lazy hips’ and 1 4/6/15 presidents, InsideGolfAd_PTSEvolution.pdf 4:05 PM kings, queens and notoriously, nestled in behind her, hands on her hips, princesses.

Kirkwood was instrumental in bringing both Hagen and Gene Sarazen to Australia to play our most prestigious event, The Australian Open. (Sarazen won it in 1936). Norman Von Nida followed in Kirkwood’s footsteps, encouraging the great Gary Player to come to Australia, Player returned every year for a decade winning the Australian Open a record seven times. Player still recalls “Every year I went to Australia I won. The Ampol tournament in Melbourne enabled me to get married! That was during the Olympic Games in 1956. There was a first prize of 5000 pounds, which was the biggest prize in the world, outside of America. It was 5 times the money that first prize in the British Open had.” Peter Thomson followed in Von Nida’s footsteps encouraging the great Bobby Locke and others to come to Australia, but it was Kirkwood who initially took Australia to the world of golf and brought the stars back with him. We can only hope that Adam Scott and Jason Day will continue to encourage the top players to come to Australia.

Kirkwood pioneered Australian professional golf in America, becoming the first Australian to win, on what is now known as the PGA Tour, when he won the Houston Invitational in 1923. The following year he had five wins, three of them consecutive. The folklore with Kirkwood is impressive. Credited with 29 holes in one, two of them in the same round. The first golfer to tee off from the howdah atop a domesticated elephant … Kirkwood broke his age with a 10-under 62 when he was 63 years old, rumours of sexual conquests of women from every culture on earth, personal friends with former US Presidents Nixon and Eisenhower and many other noted celebrities. In April 1917 he went around Riversdale (Melbourne) in 65 and Royal Melbourne in 68. A Riversdale member then challenged him to a match in which the member used a full set of clubs and Kirkwood only his putter. Using a straight-faced goose-necked putter Kirkwood shot 74 off the stick and won by 14 shots. Kirkwood claims to have played over 6000 golf courses in his travels. He popularized the use of wooden tees instead of placing the ball on small mounds of sand or dirt. He returned to Australia in 1928, 1930, 1934, 1937 and 1954; in the 1930s, with Hagen and Sarazen, he attracted large crowds. Every year the Kirkwood Cup is presented to the winner of the Australian PGA tournament, a tournament he never won. Kirkwood is in the American Golf Hall Of Fame. His autobiography ‘Links Of Life’ was published in 1973 and was used to aid the writing of this story. *This story (including the photos) is brought together with the help of Lynn Altadonna of the Stowe Country Club in Vermont, USA. Stowe was Joe Kirkwood’s home course where they have played the Joe Kirkwood Memorial Tournament since 1967. An Australian team has never won the Joe Kirkwood Memorial Tournament. www.kirkwoodgolftournament.com

CMY

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

tour talk

Shanghai, the Sandbelt and Sydney Not only did Adam hit the ball unbelievable, but the way he handled himself around the course and with spectators showed me why he is one of Australia’s best sporting ambassadors. To top it off he is just a really nice guy and didn’t treat me any different, even if I hadn’t made quite the career money he has!

with Steven Jeffress ed@insidegolf.com.au

I was still running at the top of the wrong end so the last day was all about grinding and finding something for the upcoming Australian events and Japan Q School.

ue to my 2 place finish on the Australian Order of Merit I received a start in two WGC events. I played the Cadillac Championship at Doral in early March and now, my second event, was the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, China. Pete and I flew over on the Sunday before the event so we could have a really good look at the course as it was a place we both had never been before. As in the first WGC event, the way you are treated is amazing. There was a driver waiting to meet us when we landed into Shanghai and a car to take us to the hotel, which was free all week, and yes it was 5-star. I must admit that it takes a bit to get used to being treated like a world-class player. Out there on tour, most professionals are always organizing our own travel, pickups, hire cars, hotel, etc., all while attempting to do it on a shoe string budget. nd

I played with Marc Warren on the final day. He is a player from Scotland that has made over 1 million euros this year, so he can play. He was a great guy and I really enjoyed the day. It was just a little bonus that I got him!! So I finished 74th in the event but had a great week mixing it with the world’s best. I was lucky enough to have lunch with Jordan Spieth and Sergio Garcia during the week, which was awesome. Even finishing down the wrong end makes you keen to work hard to be able to play more of these events and I could get used to the paycheques! The start of the Australian events was in Melbourne at Huntingdale Golf club for the Australian Masters. The course was in good condition but unfortunately I didn’t bring my A game in the first round, shooting a 7 over 79 to be a long way back in the pack. I came out firing the second day and was 4 under after 10 but had to withdraw as I injured a rib with a swing. The physio was not sure if it was a crack in the rib or muscular but I can tell you, it hurt.

The next two days we played practice rounds. On Tuesday I was lucky enough to play with Marc Leishman and Nick Cullen. We had a little side bet and Marc won 20 bucks off me (doesn’t he have enough?!) The course was an absolute beast. It was really wet under foot so the greens were soft which made it easier but unfortunately so were the fairways. And the rough was about six inches thick which meant you could only get about an 8-iron out of it. Golf has slowly changed over the last 10 years or so. The young kids are taught to hit it so far now. When I was taught, I was taught a neutral grip and hold the back of your left hand on the way through impact. Now the younger players grip it really strong in their left hand and whip their wrists on the way through, to create the maximum amount of clubhead speed. So most of the younger guys fly it about 20m past me which is a nice advantage.

The Australian Open was next at the awesome Australian Golf club but due to my rib, I didn’t play a practice round, just to give myself the maximum time for it to repair. The course was unbelievable and it is always a pleasure to play. I hit a bucket of balls on Wednesday to see if I was going to be able to play, and it felt ok which was great news. That night I went out to dinner with some family and friends as it was my 40th birthday. I always seem to be away during my birthday so it was great to able to celebrate with them. A part of the touring life that people forget about is not always being around to celebrate different things in the lives of friends and families.

Anyway, when I missed a fairway I would have about 190m in, which meant I couldn’t reach or hit the greens if I missed a fairway. What that does is put a lot of pressure on your driving. But suddenly if you miss a couple of fairways, it also puts pressure on the rest of your game.

Once again, as at the Masters my 1st round was very average, shooting a 7-over 78 and once again leaving myself plenty to do. I turned in 1-under on day 2 but after a couple of short missed putts on 10 and 11, my week was done. I signed for a 75 and unfortunately missed the cut.

I opened with a 76 followed by a 78. If you do this in a world class field, you’re going to be back in the pack. I felt like I was just doing everything poorly which was disappointing in such a great event.

On Day 3 I was paired with Chris Kirk, a top-20 player in the world from the United States, and our own Adam Scott. I hadn’t played with either player before so I was looking forward to the experience and watching the top players to see what they do differently to me. At the day’s end I signed for a 1-over 73 but learned a great lesson. These top guys are good!

My next event is the Japanese Qualifying School which is really the biggest event of the year for me, as it will give me a tour to play next year. The form has been a little rough but as we all know in golf, anything can happen! •

Entries Close April 19th 2016 | Tournament Director: Kym Doherty | Phone: 0408 310 532 | Email: golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au | www.sunraysiagolftours.com.au 24

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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amateurs

Aces to power 24th Swing along the golf trail Tri-State Masters

he Tri-State Masters Tournament, held in the Mildura Region (Sunraysia) for the past 23 years, is set to continue for the 24th time in May. The Tournament is now recognized as the “SHANE DOHERTY MEMORIAL Tri-State Masters” in honour of the founder and original tournament director, Shane Doherty. Over 6,100 people have converged on the Mildura Region during the past 23 years to participate in this festival of golf and social activities. The Tri-State Masters attracts people from all over Australia and New Zealand with no less than 263 different golf clubs being represented since 1993. The golf will be played from May 15 – 20, and will be held at Riverside Golf Club (Monday), Red Cliffs Golf Club (Wednesday) and Coomealla Golf Club (Friday). There is also an optional 4BBB at Mildura Golf Resort on Tuesday and 4-person Ambrose at Coomealla Golf Club on Thursday. Optional social functions are conducted each night, giving the competitors and their partners the choice of relaxing at their accommodation or socializing with old and new friends. In 2015 golfers and non-playing partners representing over 81 different golf clubs converged on Mildura to compete for over $250,000 in hole in one prizes, trophies, teams prizes and door prizes that were on offer. Unbelievably, on the Wednesday last year, there was not just one hole in one but two at Red Cliffs Golf Club. The first ace was in the morning field with Mark Alvey from Mildura Golf Resort acing the par-3 181m 15th to win a Harley Davidson XG500 Street

Bike courtesy of Quick-Fix Harley Mildura. Then, during play in the afternoon, Peter Wight from Tocumwal Golf Club had his ace on the par-3 125m 8th to win a Honda Jazz motor car courtesy of Auto Synergy Mildura. The Tri-State Masters targets mid-range club golfers who are looking for a golf holiday in which they can combine golf and social interaction with other like-minded golfers from all over Australia and New Zealand. The trophies and prizes on offer are arguably the best in any amateur golf tournament in Australia. The tournament is still months away and after the two aces in the 2015 event, the indication is many of the past players are set to return and with the number of enquiries already received regarding 2016, it would appear that the tournament is likely to be fully booked. Contact Kym Doherty on 0408 310 532 or email golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au

CHAMPIONSHIPS TOUR 2016 ✓ Amateur Golfer’s Tour with Golf Australia Handicaps ✓ The more you play, the more points you earn = Grand Prize...1 night stay in a superior room for 2 adults including buffet breakfast at Mercure Gold Coast Resort + 3 TaylorMade Wedges + $100 Gift Certificate ✓ Single Stableford – Tournament Tees ✓ Individual Tournament & Overall Prizes ✓ Individual Tournament Raffle ✓ 18 Holes inc. Electric Cart ✓ Male & Female ✓ Adults & Juniors Sunday 6th March Saturday 16th aPril Sunday 29th May Saturday 23rd July Sunday 21St auGuSt Sunday 27th novEMbEr

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

But it’s not just the number of clubs and courses that draw the acclaim, it’s the astonishing variety of terrain and playability for experienced and novice golfers; The Mornington Peninsula Golf Trail features links, parkland and resort courses, many designed by prominent golf architects such as Tom Doak, Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones Jr, Tony Cashmore, Michael Clayton and Thomson Perrett. Sand dunes create naturally contoured challenges, underlying sandy soils drain quickly and the cool maritime climate makes

for superb year-round play. The settings are magnificent, with courses perched on clifftops, in nature reserves and commanding spectacular bay and ocean views. The Trail starts just one hour from Melbourne and stretches from Mornington Golf Club in the north to Sorrento, Portsea and Flinders in the south. All courses are within an easy 30-minute drive of each other. Non-members are also welcome on the Trail courses. Take advantage of the great value golf Hot Deals and get the best play at the best prices. Players will also be rewarded with a free polo top and cap for tackling seven different courses on the Trail. Pick up the Golf Trail map at any of the golf courses or tourism outlets on the Peninsula or visit www.golfmorningtonpeninsula. com.au for more information.

DUBAI GOLF TOUR Discover how old traditions merge with modern living in a cosmopolitan city, where humble fishing villages meet the global metropolis of some 200 nationalities. Join us as we mix pleasure, leisure and culture in one go. Explore the bustling souks and the vibrant historic places of Dubai while you enjoy playing Golf in the most prestigious golf courses in the city. What better way to indulge yourself some fun with a taste of a culture that has been kept alive over many centuries.

26th March - 2nd april 2016 ACCOMMODATION: ✓ Stay at the 5-star Intercontinental Dubai Hotel ✓ 6 nights with breakfast ✓ Twin sharing (Unless requested otherwise) ✓ Drinks & canapés upon arrival at the Intercontinental including a Welcome Gift Pack TRANSPORT: ✓ All airport and golf courses transfer are provided GOLF TOURNAMENT: • Creek Dubai Course • Arabian Ranches Golf Club • Faldo Course-Emirates Golf Club • Al Badia, Golf club

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✓ Four rounds of golf ✓ Eighteen holes per round ✓ Shared golf carts ✓ Driving range balls included LEISURE: ✓ Exclusive look at an iconic architecturally renowned site with a tour guide ✓ Local fine dining at one of Dubai’s restaurants serving the finest authentic Emarati Cuisine

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emgolf@hotmail.com | www.emgolf.com.au www.facebook.com/emgolftournaments Ellesha Michie 0411 515 402 26

thE GladES Golf club

ne of Australia’s top golfing destinations, Melbourne’s famed Mornington Peninsula, is home to the superb Mornington Peninsula Golf Trail, which features 14 clubs and 16 outstanding courses (with 11 of the courses ranked in Australia’s Top 100).

* Farewell dinner/winners award presentation PACKAGE EXCLUDES: ✓ Airline tickets ✓ Personal Items and Meals PACKAGE COSTS: Price per golfer, shared room = $2,145 in USD Price per golfer, single room = $2,770 in USD

PalM MEadow

Nabil Bisher 0419 552 324 uaegolftours@gmail.com www.uaegolftours.com

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amateurs

Discover a more rewarding way to play golf T

he launch of Qantas Golf Club created a buzz in golf news in 2015, giving the game in Australia a much needed injection of support and promotion. Qantas Golf Club aims to connect the many golfers in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program with golf courses around the country. The program makes it easy for members to book and play golf at over 120 golf courses around Australia. With up to 30,000 tee times available every month, it’s fast becoming one of the most convenient ways to book golf and earn Qantas Points whilst playing. The program has been officially endorsed by Golf Australia, and Qantas works hand-in-glove with Golf Australia, State Golf Associations and Golf Management Australia (GMA) to keep developing the program, making sure it works for golfers, golf clubs and the industry, alike.

Membership: There are two categories of membership: Premium and Free. Members can book tee times via an online booking system, compete in events and tournaments, explore a great range of golf holidays or even create their own experience.

PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP Premium members pay $249 for the year and have the opportunity to take up an official Golf Australia handicap, access over 120 private and public courses throughout Australia and earn 3 Qantas Points for every dollar spent through qantasgolfclub.com. Members have the opportunity to play on some of Australia’s most exclusive private golf courses with the launch of the ‘Elite Collection’. The Collection includes soughtafter courses like Royal Adelaide, Barwon Heads, The Lakes, Huntingdale, Manly, The Grange and Woodlands – with more being added all the time.

FREE MEMBERSHIP Free members can enjoy access to over 100 courses throughout Australia and earn 1 Qantas Point per dollar spent through the program.

Clearwater Golf Course, New Zealand, will host the final of the 2016 Qantas Golf Club Challenge. (Photo by Gary Lisbon)

THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES The Championship Series – renamed the Qantas Golf Club Challenge for 2016 – was a real favourite with members, with the 2015 Final held in Queenstown, New Zealand. Finalists enjoyed an all-expenses paid trip to Queenstown, as a reward for winning one of the 12 qualifying events held throughout Australia in 2015. The 2016 Series includes an impressive collection of host golf courses, including The Lakes, Avondale, Huntingdale, Yarra Yarra, Royal Queensland, The West Australian and Adelaide’s Greg Norman-designed Grange Golf Club. The winners of each event will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip in November 2016 to play Clearwater Golf Club,

Christchurch - recently ranked as the best course in New Zealand and Oceania at the 2015 World Golf Awards.

MORE BENEFITS Qantas Golf Club hosted international tournaments around the world. This year will feature a once-in-a-lifetime tour of the US Masters in Augusta, Georgia, and an incredible tournament in Vietnam later in the year. Members can choose from a great range of golf holiday packages in Australia or overseas, or even design their own experience - from the Murray River to St Andrews in Scotland, there’s sure to be a holiday that’s perfect for you. Qantas Golf Club is also proving a winner for non-club golfers wanting to play more of their favourite sport, with Premium membership giving them the opportunity to gain an official handicap, and move a step closer to becoming a club golfer. Having a handicap encourages those that are not yet ready to become club golfers to get more involved in the sport and to start getting the experience of playing competitive golf. It is a great first step towards club golf. For golfers who are already members of a club, Qantas Golf Club is the perfect extension to their existing membership - providing opportunities to play courses their current reciprocal program may not offer, as well as giving them entry to tours and tournaments. For more information on Qantas Golf Club, visit www.qantasgolfclub.com . Or, if you’d like your club to start benefiting from Qantas Golf Club, send an email through to clubs@qantasgolf.com.au.

FACT FILE Qantas Golf Club Street Address: 10 Bourke Road Mascot NSW 2020 Phone: 1300 733 465 Website: www.qantasgolfclub.com Email: To contact Qantas Golf Club, please fill in the enquiry form found at www.qantasgolfclub.com/contact-us Price: (Premium membership): $249

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

NATADOLA BAY GOLF COURSE, FIJI

ARE YOU READY? THE 2016 FIJI PRO-AM EXPERIENCE PRO-AM GOLF IN NATADOLA BAY - HOME OF THE FIJI INTERNATIONAL

You’ll stay in luxury at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, where you will enjoy: • Five days, four nights and three rounds of golf at Natadola Bay • Playing with a PGA Golf Professional • Competing for a share of 600,000 Qantas Points> • The opportunity to participate as a team or as an individual Prices start from just $2,490 per person<

FIND OUT MORE AT QANTASGOLFCLUB.COM/FIJIPROAM OR CALL US ON 1300 733 465

Important Information You must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to earn and redeem Qantas Points. Membership and earning Qantas Points are subject to Qantas Golf Club terms and conditions available at qantasgolfclub.com/terms-and-conditions and Qantas Frequent Flyer terms and conditions available at qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/terms. Free members could earn 1 Qantas Point per dollar and Premium members could earn 3 Qantas Points per dollar spend on goods and services offered for sale through qantasgolfclub.com. To access private golf courses you must be a Premium member of Qantas Golf Club. Annual membership fee of $249 applies for Premium membership. To take part in a Qantas Golf Club event, participants must be 18 years or older unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. > To be eligible for a share of the prize of 600,000 Qantas Points you must have a valid Golf Australia handicap and be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program and Qantas Golf Club. 400,000 Qantas Points will be shared by each Amateur Participant in the winning team, and the individual male and female winners with the best total score will be awarded 100,000 Qantas Points each. Qantas Points will be allocated to each winning Participant’s Qantas Frequent Flyer account within 6 weeks of being awarded the prize. The 2016 Fiji Pro-Am Tournament is subject to the tournament rules and regulations. Full terms and conditions available at www.qantasgolfclub.com/2016-fiji-pro-am-terms-conditions < Prices start from $2,490 which is based on twin share accommodation. Additional costs apply for single room occupancy.

amateurs

Auto Club Golf Championships heating up

STATE

EVENT

DATE

VIC

Box Hill

8/01/2016

VIC

Yallourn

10/01/2016

VIC

Lang Lang

15/01/2016

Mount Gambier

17/01/2016

Margaret River

22/01/2016

NSW

Magenta Shores

23/01/2016

VIC

Stawell

24/01/2016

NSW

Federal ACT

28/01/2016

NSW

Armidale

30/01/2016

VIC

RACV Healesville

30/01/2016

VIC

Mornington

5/02/2016

Meadow Springs

5/02/2016

NSW

Fairfield Golf Club #2

7/02/2016

NSW

Tura Beach

7/02/2016

VIC

Cohuna

13/02/2016

West Lakes

14/2/2015

TAS

Royal Hobart

14/02/2016

NSW

Corowa

14/02/2016

Belair

19/02/2016

VIC

RACV Torquay

21/02/2016

Port Kennedy

24/02/2016

VIC

Lakes Entrance

28/02/2016

McCracken

11/03/2016

VIC

Kingston Links

12/03/2016

at hosting clubs around the country, with plenty more coming. Registering for a regional event near you is the perfect way to celebrate holiday time off work, or as a gift for the golf lover in your life.

VIC

Garfield Golf Club

13/03/2016

VIC

RACV Cape Schanck

15/03/2016

NSW

Casino

20/03/2016

VIC

Sanctuary Lakes

31/03/2016

Visit www.acgc.com.au for a list of upcoming regional events near you or to learn more about the first place prize of an all-expense paid golf trip to the Gold Coast.

VIC

Morwell

03/04/2016

s the Auto Club Golf Championship 2015/16 series nears the halfway mark, the ACGC committee is reflecting upon what has so far been the best year since the tournament’s inception. The exciting changes to the tournament that were introduced this year have brought in hundreds of new golfers to the regional events, mingling with the many golfers who have competed in years prior and returned for more. By opening the tournament to any Australian golfer, regardless of Auto Club membership, the ACGC committee has seen bigger events and tougher competition. Auto Club members have been enjoying the discounted registration fees, and the spirit of the tournament remains with celebrating the national Auto Clubs and their commitment to excellence in customer service. The ACGC partnership with Simply Energy is now in its second series, and has developed into an exciting opportunity for anyone who enters the event. Simply Energy remain steadfast in their commitment to powering the game of golf and supporting Australian golfers around the country. The Simply Energy Powerdrive competition, a favourite at the regional events, celebrates the most powerful drives of male and female golfers at each event. All winners go into a draw at the end of the series for a chance to win a $1,000 gift card back at the club they qualified at, a prize that celebrates both the power hitter and their hosting club.

throughout the regional events will win the Golden Ticket to the Championship Final at Queensland’s RACV Royal Pines Resort. With stakes that high, tournament organisers have been waiting to celebrate the first golfer to hit the ace that wins them the trip.

In an interesting turn of events, there is yet to be a hole-in-one in the series so far. Any golfer who hits a hole-in-one on ANY par-3

With the summer weather heating up, the Auto Club Golf Championship tournaments are filling up quickly. Events are scheduled

UPCOMING ACGC DATES

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

AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP S 2E5N% U RY N O B FF T UNT O

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www.acgc.com.au 30

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

legends tour

Davis claims Australian PGA Senior Championship

odger Davis claimed his first Australian PGA Senior Championship in dramatic fashion in November, birdying the third play-off hole to claim the title from Michael Harwood and Peter Senior.

2016 E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour Schedule* DATE 06/01/16 08/01/16 19/01/16 20/01/16 21/01/16 22/01/16 29/01/16 31/01/16 01/02/16 03/02/16 05/02/16

With 54 players making the cut in one of the strongest fields the tournament has seen in years, Davis started the final day four shots behind the leaders which included Harwood, Senior and Peter O’Malley.

09/02/16 10/02/16 11/02/16 12/02/16 13/02/16 15/02/16

Davis rallied on the back nine finishing with consecutive birdies on 17 and 18 to force his way into a play-off and ultimately claim the trophy.

17/02/16 18/02/16 20/02/16 22/02/16

“I am so honoured to win this championship as I know the background involved in the establishment of this event. The PGA Legends Tour is growing from strength to strength and to have Richmond as our flagship event is outstanding,” said Davis in his acceptance speech.

23/02/16 25/02/16 26/02/16 27/02/16 03/03/16 04/03/16 06/03/16

Davis’ final round of 66 equaled the lowest round of the tournament, which was made even more impressive with heavy rain and inclement weather inhibiting low scoring.

08/03/16 09/03/16

Three rounds of 69, 68 and 66 were somewhat of a surprise with Davis, who credited his form to Royal Sydney Teaching Professional, Ron Luxton.

10/03/16 11/03/16

“It was more of a discussion over dinner than a lesson. Ron, knowing my swing, made some suggestions to me which got me striking the ball really well.”

15/03/16

The sixty-four-year old now adds the Australian PGA Senior title to his impressive resume which already includes the Australian Open, New Zealand Open and Australian Seniors Open.

31/03/16 01/04/16 03/04/16

Richmond Golf Club hosted the tournament for the third consecutive year and received high praise from players and officials with regard to course preparation and presentation. The $100,000 tournament is the richest on the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour and continues to attract players such as Davis, Harwood, Senior, O’Malley and Peter Fowler.

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

19/03/16 20/03/16

05/04/16

With a full E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour schedule planned for 2016, it will be wonderful to see the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour continue to flourish over the coming months. For further information about the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour, including how you can become involved in running an event, please contact the PGA Legends Tour Coordinator on (03) 8320 1911, email admin@pga.org.au or visit www.pga.org.au

08/04/16 10/04/16 11/04/16 12/04/16 13/04/16

Tournaments 2016 E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour Qualifying School Sandhurst (Champions Course), Sandhurst, VIC Penrith Golf Club Legends Pro-Am Penrith Golf Club, Penrith, NSW Pymble Legends Pro-Am Pymble Golf Club, St Ives, NSW David Mercer Seniors Classic Pro-Am Killara Golf Course, Killara, NSW Fuso Trucks & Buses Cromer Legends Pro-Am Cromer Golf Club, Cromer, NSW Claremont Legends Pro-Am Claremont Golf Club, Claremont, TAS Tasmanian Senior Open Devonport Golf Club, Devonport, TAS Shepparton BMW Victorian Senior Open Black Bull Golf Club & Yarrawonga-Mulwala Golf Club Resort, Yarrawonga-Mulwala, VIC Gleniti Legends Pro-Am (NZ) Gleniti Golf Club NZ, Timaru, New Zealand Timaru Legends Pro-Am (NZ) Timaru Golf Club, Timaru, New Zealand Tokarahi Legends Pro-Am (NZ) Tokarahi Golf Club, Tokarahi, Otago, New Zealand Waimairi Beach Legends Pro-Am (NZ) Waimairi Beach Golf Club, Parklands, Christchurch, NZ Bottle Lake Golf Club 8-inch cup Pro-Am (Non-OOM) Bottle Lake Golf Club NZ, Christchurch, New Zealand New Zealand PGA Senior Championship Bottle Lake Golf Club & Terrace Downs, Christchurch, NZ Formosa Legends Pro-Am (NZ) Formosa Golf Club NZ, Auckland, New Zealand The Grange Legends Pro-Am (NZ) Grange Golf Club NZ, Papatoetoe, New Zealand Rotorua Legends Pro-Am (NZ) Rotorua Golf Club, Whakarewarewa, New Zealand Lakes Resort Pauanui Legends Pro-Am (NZ) Lakes Resort, Pauauni, New Zealand Bega Cheese Legends Pro-Am Tura Beach Country Club, Tura Beach, NSW Phillip Island Golf Club Legends Pro-Am Phillip Island Golf Club, Cowes, Phillip Island, VIC Eagle Ridge Legends Pro-Am Eagle Ridge Golf Course, Boneo, Mornington Peninsula, VIC Portsea Golf Club Legends Pro-Am Portsea Golf Club, Portsea, VIC Sandhurst Club Legends Pro-Am Sandhurst (Champions Course), Sandhurst, VIC Gardiner’s Run Legends Pro-Am Gardiner’s Run Golf Course, Lilydale, VIC Growling Frog Legends Pro-Am Growling Frog Golf Course, Yan Yean, VIC Craigieburn Legends Pro-Am Craigieburn Public Golf Course, Craigieburn, VIC City of Greater Bendigo Heathcote Legends Pro-Am Heathcote Golf Club, Heathcote, VIC South Australian PGA Seniors Championship Blue Lake Golf Club, Mount Gambier, SA Naracoorte Legends Pro-Am Naracoorte Golf Club, Naracoorte, SA Robe Legends Pro-Am Robe Golf Club, Robe, SA Adelaide Shores Legends Pro-Am Adelaide Shores Golf Park, West Beach, SA SA PGA Senior Foursomes Championship Royal Adelaide Golf Club (71), Adelaide, SA The Vines of Reynella Legends Pro-Am The Vines GC of Reynella (SA), Woodcroft, SA Stirling Legends Pro-Am Stirling Golf Club, Stirling, SA Tanunda Pines Legends Pro-Am Tanunda Pines Golf Course, Tanunda, SA

Schedule is subject to change*

Prize money None $15,000 $20,000 $60,000 $15,000 TBC TBC $35,000 NZD$10,000 TBC NZD$20,000 NZD$10,000 TBC TBC NZD$10,000 NZD$10,000 NZD$10,000 TBC TBC $11,000 TBC TBC TBC $15,000 TBC $11,000 $11,000 $25,000 TBC TBC TBC Sweepstakes TBC TBC TBC

4-7 Feb 2016

clubs

CLUB OF THE MONTH >

Yering Meadows Golf Club The Past

embers who have recently joined Yering Meadows, and visitors to the wonderful new facilities in the Yarra Valley, may be unaware that the Club has a rich and illustrious history dating back almost a century. The Club was formed in August 1925 and began life under the name of The Croydon Golf Club. Initially, nine holes opened for play at Dorset Road, based on the plan submitted to the Greens Committee by Mr. David Young, the then Royal Melbourne professional. The first Clubhouse was opened to members in December 1926 and was just like the current one in that it offered delightful views across the neighbouring valleys to the surrounding hills beyond. Golf proved so popular that it soon became evident that a nine-hole golf course was insufficient to meet demand. Under the guidance of the Lilydale Shire Engineer, Mr. David Oliver, who was also a committeeman, the course was increased to fourteen holes and by playing four holes twice, competitions over eighteen holes were able to be conducted. The next stage was to add a further five holes, which were designed by Mr. Alex Russell. The new full course was first played in December 1932 with a length of 6,128 yards and a par of 73. Other improvements to the course – such as the building of a large dam – and the Clubhouse ensured Croydon Golf Club was regarded as one of Melbourne’s most highlyregarded clubs. But the dawn of the new Millennium brought with it the opportunity of a fresh start and the Club carefully investigated the possibility of moving from its longtime home to a new site nestled in the magnificent Yarra Valley, just 15 minutes away. The move, which was overwhelmingly supported by members, provided the Club 34

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

with the opportunity to upgrade its facilities and safeguard its financial future. After much tireless work, Croydon Golf Club relocated to its new home in Yering in June 2008. Initially, 18 holes of the Ross Watson-designed championship golf course were open for play, with the additional nine holes being opened the following year. The Club has produced some outstanding golfers during its history. Jack Westmore holds the most club championships with nine wins over a fifteen-year span from 1966 to 1980. Jim Barker won seven times (six in a row) and Keith Arnott won six times in a row. Lyn Evans and Geoff Waghorn also won on five occasions. Aaron Baddeley, who joined the Club as a twelve-year-old in 1993, won both the junior and Club Championship at the age of fourteen. In 1999 Aaron helped the Club land the Division 4 pennant, the same year he became the youngest player to win the Australian Open Championship. Aaron was made a life member in 2000, after winning his second Australian Open. Nobody associated with the Club will ever forget the many happy memories shared at Dorset Road under the banner of the Croydon Golf Club. But new and exciting chapters are waiting to be written there over the coming years at Yering Meadows.

The Present Whichever pair of nines you are lucky enough to play, the result is consistent in terms of pleasurable golfing test: an invigorating par-72 challenge containing four par-3s and four par-5s and very similar in terms of length and quality. There are short par-4s, whose defence is smaller-than-average greens with some clever run-off areas to test the short game. Other larger, two-tiered greens elsewhere on the course are easier to hit but test distance control with the approach shot or leave the golfer with a testing uphill or downhill putt. Then there are the par-5s. Several can be reached in two by the golfer able to pull off two perfect shots and willing to risk the penalty for waywardness. All reward the golfers who play within their limits and chooses strategy over strength by opting for the three-shot approach. Well-defined irrigated fairways lead to high quality greens that are even-paced and true. The Santa Ana couch tees, Legend couch fairways and Creeping Bentgrass greens are invariably superbly presented, thanks in no small part to the hard work of the dedicated team of greenkeeping staff at Yering Meadows. The three course options are: Nursery (Holes 1-18; 6,408m off the Black Tees, 5,325m off the Ladies’ Red Tees). Socalled because Holes 1-9 skirt round the edge of the commercial plant nursery in the south eastern corner of the property.

Valley (Holes 10-27; 6,336m off the Black Tees, 5,280m off the Ladies’ Red Tees). Holes 10-18 enjoy lovely views of the Yarra Valley, hence the name. Homestead (Holes 19-27 and 1-9; 6,366m off the Black Tees, 5,409m off the Ladies’ Red Tees). So-called because this nine loops around the original heritage-listed farm homestead. Even though the courses are less than a decade old, they have already started to receive national recognition. In 2015 one magazine ranked the Homestead Course at No.56 and Nursery Course at No.67 in its list of the country’s top 100 public access courses. Factors considered were design, condition and visual appeal. As the course continues to mature, there is every expectation that it will continue to rise up the rankings. Because the course is a modern design, the fairway bunkers have been skilfully positioned in all the right places to combat today’s golf equipment. In short, the sand does a lot of business. Water is also a feature and is present to remind players to think before picking a club from their bag and then hopefully select one they can hit straight. Everyone will have their favourite holes, but the par-5 eighth has already proved to be a hit. Inside Golf called it “an absolute gem” when we reviewed the course previously, while another reviewer said: “The green is

clubs framed by water short and right just a pace or two from the putting surface so never out of play until your ball is in the cup. It’s a harrowing approach shot, whether it’s for your second, third or fourth.”

The Future As all Club Committees and Boards are well aware, golf clubs play an integral role in the structure of any local community, and therefore it is important that such clubs evolve and change in line with the changing moods and trends in such local communities. With that in mind the Yering Meadows Golf Club Board has engaged the team at Sanctuary Living to prepare a Plan for the Future which was recently launched to members of the Club. In summary, the Plan would, in effect, result in the transformation of the Club into a Resort via the inclusion of short-term accommodation (STCA), resort facilities, and a refurbishment of the beautiful old homestead that sits high on the hill with magnificent views over the Yarra Valley. The conversion of the physical amenity would not only provide benefits to the existing golf club members and their guests, it would also provide a magnificent amenity for the benefit of the entire Yarra Valley

region. Such facilities are sure to attract “stay and play” golfers, conferences, and functions (weddings, parties, etc). The “stay and play” golfers will have the opportunity to not only enjoy the great golfing experience at Yering Meadows Golf Club, they would be able extend their stay, and enjoy the beautiful wineries and many tourist attractions in the region, and play at the other outstanding golf courses in the region. The Board and members of the Club are very excited about the Plan for the Future, and the experienced and well-credentialed Sanctuary Living team will continue to work hard to finalise such plans with a view to attending to the transformation of the plan into reality.

Playing at Yering Meadows With 27 holes of quality golf, equally impressive areas for practice and wonderful new Clubhouse facilities, Yering Meadows is a golfer’s paradise. Tempted to join a forward-thinking organisation offering countless opportunities to enjoy your favourite sport, make new friends and access a range of other benefits including priority tee times? Then join the

Club! Seven-day memberships are available for men, women and juniors. New members can join at any time and pay a pro-rata subscription in their first year. There are occasional special offers for new members and it is always worth checking the Club website for details. The Club conducts golf competitions for Men on a Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and for Women on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. There are mixed golf competitions on Public Holidays, and a 9-hole twilight competition on Friday evenings during daylight saving. Not everyone is concerned with having their name up in lights, however, and if you

• 27-hole championship layout with 3 composite courses • 18 slope-rated courses to cater for golfers of varying ability • Extensive practice facilities including driving range, pitching and chipping practice areas and warm-up nets • Pro-shop staffed by 3 PGA professionals (and 2 trainees) delivering tuition and the latest in golfing equipment, accessories and apparel • Competitions 5 days per week • Terrace Café and Grove Restaurant dining options • Spectacular vistas of the Yarra Ranges and Christmas Hills

like playing golf just for the love of the game, you’ll find many like-minded friends at Yering Meadows. Visitors wishing to come and enjoy a spectacular championship golf course are made to feel most welcome at Yering Meadows Golf Club. •

FACT FILE Yering Meadows Golf Club 178-180 Victoria Road, Yering VIC 3770 Office: (03) 9738 9000, Pro-shop (03) 9738 9001 www.yeringmeadows.com.au ym.reception@yeringmeadows.com.au

$1650

YERING MEADOWS GOLF CLUB 178-180 Victoria Road, Yering, Vic 3770 Office and Membership: 03 9738 9000 Golf Shop: 03 9738 9001 www.yeringmeadows.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

clubs

Pacific Harbour launches ‘golf only’ memberships

acific Harbour Golf Club has released a new range of membership packages, which range from casual passes to the full annual membership.

World No.1 Lydia Ko has announced that she will defend her ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open championship in Adelaide. She will be joined by Australia’s top-ranked players, LPGA Tour winner Minjee Lee and five-time national champion Karrie Webb – the first confirmed starters in what will be a star-studded field back in South Australia for the first time in 21 years.

With four new options available, each with varying inclusions and price ranges, there is something to suit everyone, from the local lads who play regularly to the visitor who is looking for more than just an average round of golf. “Previously, the only memberships on offer were the Island Escape Membership and the Full Membership,” said Club Manager, Michael Carter. “Based on feedback we were receiving, we decided to introduce some golf only options that don’t include usage of the country club facilities,” he said. ‘’We have had a lot of interest from teenagers and young adults in junior golf since Jason Day had his big win,” said Michael. “It really gave junior golf a big nudge, and golf has become very cool again.” The Under 30s Gold Pass is a great initiative to encourage some younger players to get involved in the club. To be eligible for this rate, members must be under the age of 30 at the beginning of each financial year. “At Pacific Harbour we also have a very strong women’s golf culture,” said Michael. “In some competitions we have men and ladies in equal numbers, which is much higher than the average club.” Pacific Harbour have encouraged women golfers with several social groups that assist with technique and the rules of the game. Mondays is the beginner group who don’t count shots and the Tuesday group is focussed on protocols and improving the game to progress to competition standard. “We felt that there were a lot of women

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Ko, Lee, Webb to contest Open

keen on taking up golf but weren’t interested in a competitive game, just fun,” said Michael. “We designed the Midweek Premiere pass to suit this style of golfer.” The Midweek Premiere Golf Pass is best suited to a more casual, but regular golfer who wants to enjoy a year with the club, enjoying all the bells and whistles that come with the club, but avoiding the competitive play and business of weekend play. The Pacific Privilege Pass has been specifically designed with the more relaxed casual golfer in mind, someone who regularly visits Bribie Island but doesn’t have the time to enjoy a full membership. This option gives visitors a place to call home with their AGU handicap while they enjoy all the club has to offer. For the more avid golfer, the Weekly Platinum Golf Pass is a great option to experience everything available at the club before committing to a full membership. The Island Escape and Full Membership will continue being offered for those members who still want the full country club experience, including fully-equipped gymnasium, 25m lap and recreational pool,

steam room and spa, day lockers, and tennis courts. The Island Escape membership has been designed specifically for golfers who love to play the Pacific Harbour Golf Course but live some distance for Bribie Island. To be eligible for this option, players must reside south of the Bruce Highway or North of Steve Irwin Way. Players holding a Full Membership or Island Escape Membership are also eligible for an annual golf cart pass. The Pacific Harbour golf course, designed by Ross Watson, has been described as a ‘risk and reward’ course which works well for championship resort and club golf. “I like to think of it as a ‘thinking persons’ course,” said Ross. “At 6460 metres par 72, from the championship plates the course will present a test and challenge from scratch and professional players.” Conquering Pacific Harbour should be on every golfer’s bucket list! Ph (07) 3410-4011 Email golfadmin@phgcc.com.au www.phgcc.com.au

“The ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open really helped to jump-start a great year for me in 2015 and I am thrilled to be the defending champion,” said Ko, who also won the LPGA’s season-long Race to the CME Globe as the Tour’s top player for 2015. Webb, the record-holding five-time champion, is also keen to kick-start her 2016 campaign. “It’s fantastic for the tournament to get back to South Australia and I can’t think of a better way to start a big year than by getting into contention on Sunday afternoon in Adelaide,” Webb said. Lee, 19, was low amateur at the Open at Victoria in 2014 (T11 overall), leading Australian as a pro in 2015 (T7) and is looking to continue that progression in Adelaide. “I can’t wait to get to Adelaide and take on the world’s best players in our own backyard again,” Lee said. The 2016 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open will be held from February 18-21 on The Grange Golf Club’s West Course. Tickets: www.Ticketek.com.au

clubs

FEATURED FAVOURITES>

Flinders Golf Club

memorable holes on the Mornington Peninsula. If you somehow manage to survive The Coffin with your game (and nerves) intact, you will be rewarded with a bit of a respite, starting at the 5th (Beach Hole). It is here that you can finally open up the shoulders off the tee and give it a whack. But beware that the Ocean borders the left-hand side of the fairway (and is known for grabbing balls on a regular basis). If you haven’t played Flinders in a while, you’ll really love the par-4 11th, ‘Fairy Dell’, which has been completely overhauled in recent years. Formerly a short, downhill dogleg-left par-four framed by houses to the left, the green was moved 100 metres to the right, which transformed the hole into a short dogleg-right and protected the nearby homes from any stray tee shots. In addition, the huge Cyprus Trees that backed this green have been removed and the view now opens up to the ocean and across to both French and Phillip Islands.

The infamous par-4 Coffin hole at Flinders Golf Club, one of the most memorable holes in Australia (Photo by Gary Lisbon)

Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

ust a short drive to the east side of the famed Mornington Peninsula is the lovely and picturesque Flinders Golf Club, an 18hole seaside beauty built along an amazing stretch of land overlooking Bass Strait. While I’ve played heaps of golf on the Peninsula, Flinders has always held a special place in my heart. Though it may seem a bit detached from the other well-known Mornington courses on the Port Phillip Bay side, in reality it’s only 15 minutes away from the Cape Schanck area, so it is well within reach for a social group weekend or casual round. And boy, is it fun. In my opinion, Flinders is one of the most underrated courses on the Peninsula. But don’t just take my word for it. The great Golf Architect Dr Alister Mackenzie was so impressed with the course during a visit

in 1926 that he was quoted as saying that Flinders was “equalled by only one other natural course, which is in California.” (He was referring to the famed Pebble Beach) . Founded in 1903, Flinders Golf Club is the oldest golf course in Victoria that still exists at its original site. And while it isn’t long by any stretch (5,277m with a par of 69), it still has plenty of bite, and is absolute proof that a great and challenging golf course is not dictated by excessive length. “It is enjoyable no matter the conditions,” says Flinders Golf Club Professional Gavin Coyle. “It’s not like going to a 450-metre par-four into the wind and the tour guys are hitting drivers and a three-wood to the green. Even on a windy day, because it’s a short course, you can still enjoy yourself.” A handful of the par-4’s at Flinders are easily drivable (if you hit it straight), yet if you are even slightly off-line you can forget about par, as you’ll be contending with deep bunkers, tall trees and any number of ballgrabbing shrubs or hazards.

Despite the length, Flinders proves to be a championship test for all levels, especially when the wind is up. The fairways are well shaped to test driving accuracy and the greens have slopes and enough speed to test your putting skills. The first hole sets the scene for your round. Though short at a mere 244m, the hole easily punishes the wayward drive. Longer hitters are thus forced to make a risk-reward decision right off the bat: start cautiously with an iron or rescue from the tee (with a short chip shot to follow), or be bold with a driver (and risk the potential punishment from missing the green). Soon, you’ll arrive at the famed par-4 fourth, the club’s signature hole known as The Coffin. Another short hole at 263 metres, this beauty is precarious. Originally a par-3, it was redesigned into a par-4 by Mackenzie in 1926, who moved the green back and behind the aptly-named “Purgatory Ravine”, thus creating a true risk-reward scenario, and transforming it into one of the most

In truth, all the holes on the course are special. Each with its own unique character and challenge. But the real test at Flinders is on and around the splendid greens – which are always in fantastic condition. Ultra slick, deceptive, undulating and creatively contoured, these greens roll extremely true, yet the breaks and pace can be almost impossible to read correctly. Thus, your approach shots have added importance at Flinders. Whenever possible, aim for the low side of the greens to ensure you have an uphill putt. Overall, Flinders is a fantastic, fun and challenging course. And the members and staff are all top-notch, friendly and welcoming. Perfect for social groups or a casual day of golf, Flinders is a great venue that doesn’t disappoint. •

COURSE NOTES Flinders Golf Club Bass Street, Flinders, Vic 3929 Pro Shop (03) 5989 0312 www.flindersgolfclub.com.au

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legends

Legendary Thornleigh coaches deliver winning lessons Bill Colhoun

Australian bears testimony to the regular putting practice he has been putting in on the Thornleigh Golf Centre’s 36 holes world-class professional standard mini golf course.

ed@insidegolf.com.au

HE infamous sporting adage: “Those who can, play; those who can’t, teach” has been quashed as an uninformed joke by two of the PGA coaches at Sydney’s Thornleigh Golf Centre. TGC owner Steve Aisbett and Allan May, two of the most experienced of the six-strong all-PGA team at one of Australia’s best golf training facilities, had won five times in 2015 by December last year on the starladen PGA Legends Tour. May, 61, earned an avalanche of acclaim when, just 10 days before the staging of the Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club, he ripped around the famed Kensington layout in 67 – five under par—to win the Sydney City Lexus $20,000 pro-am. And he did it in style, having four shots to spare over a field which included European Senior Tour stars Peter Fowler, Mike Harwood, Rodger Davis, Terry Price and David Merriman, despite the course being “toothed-up” with many final-round Australian Open pin placements. It was May’s third win of 2015 after a fiveyear win drought since joining the over-50s Legends Tour was broken with early-year success in Naracoorte and Tumut. Aisbett, 51, who won on the all-age PGA pro-am circuit at Pymble before joining the Legends in 2014, has been quicker to grab his first Legends Tour winner’s cheques scoring at Kiama, in October, and Rosnay, in November last year.

Coached to win: Allan May (left) and Steve Aisbett at Thornleigh Golf Centre May, once a major part of the famous The Als retail golf group and a star of TV’s mostinfamous “Hello Al” commercials, admits that the “best win of my career” at Kensington was a “bit out of the box”. He said he was fortunate to have played in the morning and to have had John Cox, a former club captain and scratch golfer, on his pro-am team. “A lot of the time I just hit it where John said and it worked well”, May admitted. That game plan was executed brilliantly with May, from a shotgun start at the tough par-3 second hole, grabbing birdies at the fifth and seventh before a bogey at the eighth. He re-boarded the “birdie train” at the 11th and 12th holes, to get to three-under and finished in style with birdies at 18 and the first (played as normal for members as a par-five). May said the fact he had just 24 putts at The

The mini-golf putting practice routine has not been lost on Aisbett either and he credits it to his recent improvement which saw him follow May’s effort the following week with a Legends win at Rosnay where he needed just 27 putts to shoot 63, also five under-par.

“No wonder the Legend Tour’s best putter Dave Merriman—when in Sydney—is a regular visitor to Thornleigh to test his putting prowess with me and Allan on the 36 holes mini-golf layout – it’s an elite putting test as well as lots of fun,” Aisbett said. After missing out on playing tournament golf during 18 years as a club pro, he said he felt in 2015 that he was finally regaining the short game scoring skills needed to beat the Legends superstars. Both Aisbett and May still put in long hours teaching at Thornleigh and their wide variety of pupils should be impressed that their coaches definitely can play and win at the highest level. More information: See the latest Thornleigh Golf Centre advertisement on Page 55 of this issue. Phone (02) 9875 5445, www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au.

Legends pro-am puts spotlight on Springwood THE PGA Legends Tour focus was on Springwood Country Club’s annual Elders Insurance pro-am in November as it was the lead-in event to the Australian Seniors Championship. The E-Z-GO Legends PGA Tour, for professional golfers aged over 50, consists of about 70 tournaments all over Australia and New Zealand offering prizemoney of about $1 million. The Springwood club Captain Robert Bradley was able to organise for Springwood’s $11,000 pro-am to be staged just before the flagship national title at Richmond, and as a result the event attracted a strong field. Simon Corbett won his second Legends Tour event of the year, when he shot a fourunder-par 65 to win by one. The winning form at Springwood held good for Corbett, who shot par figures (69, 72,69) in the national championship the following week to finish 10th. He was one of only three players to break par on the challenging Springwood layout although the weather was perfect. The other sub-par scores came from Richard Backwell, 66, and Bryan Wearne, 67. The course was presented by Superintendent Nathan Ball in such fine condition that well-known pro Ossie Moore commented that the greens were as good as the famous Royal Sydney, which will stage the Australian Open next year. The Springwood Country Club particularly was grateful to the major sponsors Elders Insurance and Bradley’s willing team of volunteers.

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January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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rules

New Decisions in the Rules of Golf Ball Moving After Address We discussed last month that under the new Rules, if your ball moves after you address it, the question that must be answered is, did you cause the ball the move?

Frank Gal

Director of Rules – Golf NSW

New Decision (18-2/0.5) gives guidelines to Committees to assist them in making a ruling based on all relevant information and the weight of evidence. The guidelines are rather lengthy but important enough to include here to assist in understanding the principles involved. The Decision advises as follows:

ast Month’s article focused on the major Rule changes which will take effect from 1 January, 2016. The article made mention of a number of new Decisions which give guidance on how to interpret the new Rules. We will now look at some of the key Decisions which will help to clarify some of these rules.

“When a player’s ball at rest moves, the cause of the ball’s movement has to be assessed. In many situations, the answer will be obvious: the player may have kicked the ball inadvertently, dropped his equipment on it, or otherwise clearly caused it to move; alternatively, the player may have taken no action near the ball and something else (such as a spectator or animal) clearly caused it to move.

Incorrect Score Card Last month we discussed that a limited exception has been added in the new code stating that, if the only reason you returned the lower score is that you failed to include a penalty stroke/s you did not know that you had incurred, you will no longer be disqualified. However, your score will be amended to add the penalty under the Rule that was breached plus an additional penalty of two strokes for the score card error. There are five new decisions which explain the application of the exception in various situations: Decision 6-6d/6 confirms the new provision that if you failed to include a penalty in your score (e.g. you removed an interfering boundary stake) then: 1. You are disqualified if you knew before the competition closed that there is a penalty for removing the stake, and 2. If you did not know there is a penalty, then you incur the two-stroke penalty for removal of the stake and an additional two-stroke penalty for failing to include the penalty in your score. Decision 6-6d/7 advises that if you fail to include two or more penalties that you did not know you had incurred in your score, then the penalty for each breach is added to your score, as well as an additional two-stroke penalty for each breach. Decision 6-6d/8 confirms that the exception does not apply if you fail to include a penalty of disqualification in your score, even if you were unaware that you had incurred the penalty of disqualification. Decision 6-6d/9 covers situations where a one-stroke penalty is included on the score card rather than the correct two-stroke penalty. For example, if you move your ball in play you incur a penalty of one stroke under Rule 18-2 and must replace the ball. Failure to replace the ball before playing it increases the penalty to two strokes (see the penalty statement in red on page 91 of the new book). If you failed to replace the ball and only included one penalty stroke in your score rather than two penalty strokes, the Committee would include the additional penalty stroke to your score, along with the additional penalty of two strokes for breach of Rule 6-6d. Decision 6-6d/10 confirms that if you are in doubt as to whether you incurred a penalty you are deemed to have known about the penalty if you fail to check the doubtful point with the Committee before returning you score card. For example, if you removed an interfering boundary stake without knowing it was a breach of the Rules and a fellow-competitor advised before you returned the score card that you had incurred a two-stroke penalty for removing the stake, then if you failed to add the penalty to your score, you will incur the two-stroke stroke penalty for removing the stake, plus the additional two-stroke penalty for breach of Rule 6-6d.

anchor point to exist, the following two criteria must be met: (1) the player must intentionally hold a forearm against the body; and (2) he must grip the club so that the hands are separated and work independently from one another (i.e. the top hand effectively secures the club in place as if attached to the body to establish a stable point, while the bottom hand is held down the shaft to swing the lower portion of the club around that point)”. You are permitted to hold the club against your hand or forearm in making a stroke. Decision 14-1b/3 explains that for this purpose, “forearm” is the part of the arm below the elbow joint and includes the wrist. Decision 14-1b/4 clarifies that the anchoring provision only applies while you are making a stroke, so it is permissible to anchor the club at address or during your backswing, provided you stop anchoring the club before making the stroke (i.e. the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball). Following on from this, Decision 14-1b/5 advises that if you intentionally hold the club or a gripping hand against your body, or establish an anchor point during any part of the stroke (i.e. the forward movement of the club made with the intention of striking at and moving the ball), you are in breach of the Rule. A concern expressed by many golfers is that they may be penalized under the new Rules if their club or gripping hand inadvertently comes in contact with or brushes against their body. Decision 14-1b/6 allays this concern by confirming that you will only be penalized if you intentionally anchor a club, either directly or through use of an anchor point, in making a stroke. Another concern often expressed since the prohibition on anchoring was announced is that a player might be penalized if their hand or club touches their clothing while making a stroke. Decision 14-1b/7 explains the circumstances in which this would constitute anchoring as follows:

Decision 14-1b/2 explains the meaning of an anchor point as follows:

“Clothing held against the body by a club or gripping hand is treated as if it is part of the player’s body for the purpose of applying Rule 14-1b. Therefore, if the player were to intentionally use the club or a gripping hand to press an article of clothing against any part of his body, other than the forearm or a gripping hand, he would be in breach of this Rule. However, merely touching an article of clothing with the club or gripping hand in making a stroke is not a breach. This might occur in various situations, such as where the player is wearing loose fitting clothes or raingear, where the player’s physical size or build causes his arms naturally to rest close to the body, where the player holds the club extremely close to the body, or where the player for some other reason touches his clothing in making a stroke.

“The “anchor point” provision prohibits only a very specific type of stroke in which a forearm is intentionally held against the body as an indirect means of anchoring the club. For an

Intentionally using a gripping hand to hold an article of clothing worn on any part of the body while making a stroke is a breach of Rule 14-3 – see Decision 14-3/7”.

Anchoring the Club There are a number of clarifying decisions on this issue. Firstly, Decision 14-1b/1 advises that you are permitted to intentionally hold one or both forearms against your body in making a stroke, provided doing so does not create an anchor point.

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

In other situations, however, there may be some question as to why the ball moved – e.g. because it is less than certain that the player’s actions near the ball caused it to move, or because multiple factors were present that potentially might have caused the ball to move. All relevant information must be considered and the weight of the evidence must be evaluated (Decision 34-3/9). Depending on the circumstances, the relevant considerations may include, but are not limited to: • The nature of any actions taken near the ball (e.g. movement of loose impediments, practice swings, grounding club, taking stance, etc.), • Time elapsed between such actions and the movement of the ball, • The lie of the ball before it moved (e.g. on a closely-mown area, perched on longer grass, on a surface imperfection, etc.), • The conditions of the ground near the ball (e.g. degree of slope, presence of surface irregularities, etc.), and • Wind, rain and other weather conditions. If the weight of evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the player caused the ball to move, even though that conclusion is not free from doubt, the player incurs a onestroke penalty under Rule 18-2 and the ball must be replaced. Otherwise, the player incurs no penalty and the ball is played as it lies unless some other Rule applies (e.g. Rule 18-1). With reference to the considerations above, examples of situations where the weight of the evidence would indicate that the player caused the ball to move are: • A player’s ball lies on a flat portion of the putting green on a day with light winds. The player addresses the ball and the ball immediately moves. Under these circumstances, it is more likely than not that the act of addressing the ball caused the ball to move. • A player’s ball lies on a tuft of grass in the rough. The player takes several practice swings near the ball, with the club coming into contact with grass in the process. Almost immediately, the ball then moves vertically down in the grass. Under these circumstances, it is more likely than not that the practice swings, in conjunction with the lie of the ball, caused the movement of the ball. With reference to the considerations above, examples of situations where the weight of the evidence would indicate that the player did not cause the movement are: • On a very windy day, a player addresses the ball on the putting green. A short time later the ball moves slightly in the direction the wind is blowing. The strength and direction of the wind and the delay in the movement of the ball after the club was grounded indicate that factors other than the player are more likely than not to have caused the movement. • A player’s ball lies on an upslope in a closely-mown area. He makes a practice swing, but does so some distance from the ball as he is concerned that the ball may move. He carefully takes his stance but does not ground his club. Prior to making his backswing for the stroke, the ball moves. As the ball did not move while the player made the practice swing or took his stance, it is more likely than not that other factors (i.e. the ball’s lie on an upslope) caused the ball to move. •

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WE TRIED IT >

ProGolf IQ (Part II - Update) Richard Fellner Last month, I shared some of my early results from using ProGolf IQ, a Mental Golf training program used by golfers across the planet to help them improve their golf. Though I had not yet completed the 5-week training program at the time of writing last month’s review, I HAD noticed a remarkable change in my golf. In fact, I noted that the program had completely changed my game. Well, over the ensuing weeks following that review, I’m happy to report that my game has gotten even better! I am currently enjoying a “purple patch” of play that is unprecedented in my 40+ years of golf. And I firmly believe that ProGolfIQ is the reason. In fact, the ProGolf IQ program has improved my mental game so dramatically, that I came within a whisker of winning my first Monthly Medal last month (a plugged lie in a bunker on the 18th hole was my undoing!). And while a Monthly Medal victory would have made for a “Cinderella Story” for this review, I can say with full confidence that, with the help of Pro Golf IQ, there is a win in the near future for me. As a quick refresher: The Pro Golf IQ program consists of a series of five audio sessions (as well as an introductory video, and some booster/enforcer sessions on Driving, Pitching and Putting). You simply download them to your computer and listen on your favourite device, smartphone, tablet, etc. You listen to one session three times a week via headphones, in the comfort of your home. The system (which

uses a unique process called Interhemispheric Synchronic Mediation (ISM) plus several other key techniques) teaches you how to get both the left AND right sides of your brain working together, while also helping you create ‘quiet time’ in your mind; which is critical to playing like a pro. (See the complete article on our website for more.) Since the last review, I’ve also experienced the Pro Golf IQ ENFORCER, which is vastly different from the other sessions in this program. In essence, the ENFORCER acts as a reinforcement of the main program, “locking it in” to your mind. Whereas the other sessions are best experienced early in the day, you listen to the Enforcer at night, before bed (and particularly before game day). The combination of audio cues, relaxing sounds and subliminal auditory tones help ensure your subconscious mind continues to develop as you sleep. I wholeheartedly recommend that if you are looking to boost your mental game when on the course (and enjoy a “Balanced Brain” approach that professional golfers employ) then give the ProGolf IQ program a serious look. (Note: Inside Golf readers get a massive discount off the regular $219 RRP. Just go to the special website link to get the ProGolfIQ program for just $97: www.progolfiq.com/insidegolf ) www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

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Short Game Innovators

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Roger Cleveland: The club designer from tee to green Roger Cleveland is rare in golf – a club designer who has done it all, from classical wooden drivers to the latest high-tech wedges. He was in Australia for Callaway during the Australian Open and had a chat with Inside Golf. Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

ERY few people – even world champions—in the long history of golf have had major equipment company brands carry their name. So Roger Cleveland and Ely Callaway are unique in establishing two of the most successful labels in the modern era, Cleveland Classics and Callaway Golf. Roger Cleveland raised the golf-club design bar in the 1980s after establishing his Cleveland Classics equipment company in 1979, setting new standards in woodenheaded drivers and fairway clubs and highperformance wedges. And after hitting the ceiling in research and development of new concepts, after selling his company in 1991 and staying on as a designer, for the past 20 years he has been heading the design thrust of one of the

most innovatively creative brands in modern times—Callaway Golf. Cleveland, an educated, polished Californian scholarship college golfer and US PGA Tour aspirant in the 1970s, found his love of the game, all-round golf knowledge and talents lay in a different direction – business and club design. After working in the finance world at massive aircraft company McDonnellDouglas, he decided to sate his passion for golf, became an assistant professional at a club in New York for three years and tried to qualify as a tournament pro at the PGA Tour a couple of times. At that the time he began collecting old hickory clubs and embraced the history of golf. He came across an old school friend who had a foundry producing golf club heads and he was able to fulfil a project of which he had dreamed – making authentic replicas of Bobby Jones’ famous putter called Calamity Jane.

Spalding had owned but had relinquished the rights to the design and that venture led him to the PGA Show in Florida (in the pre-metal woods days). Cleveland was not so impressed with the standard of the wooden drivers and fairway woods on offer at the PGA Show. So he found a golf woods maker and designed clubs which soon found acceptance with his friends on the PGA Tour. “I started getting some recognition for my driver and it turned out that was the product that launched the Cleveland brand,” he said. “At that stage I wasn’t doing wedges but when I went out on the tour with the woods I found that everybody was playing old wedges. “No-one was playing new-design wedges. They were using old-style wedges –old Dynapower and Wilsons—and buying them for a lot of money. “So I decided to make some wedges – I didn’t want to copy anything, I wanted to do my own thing. I got some help from some players, such as Dave Stockton, on how to fine-tune my design. “They were interested – if I could make a good one—because they were sick of paying big money for wedges. And Peter Thomson was another who was kind enough to help with the wedges. He had

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January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

gear come to the US to play the Seniors Tour and had called in to check out our woods. “So I learned from those guys and produced the 485 wedge (485=fourth generation iron in 1985). That was a smallish wedge but then I made a bigger one—the 588 which proved to be very popular (the 588 is reported to be one of the biggest-selling clubs in golf history). “But I always have kept learning and I’m still learning today.” After becoming a quality force in the golf industry with a hugely popular range of beautiful replicas of classic clubs, Cleveland applied a philosophy he maintains today at Callaway. He developed a proud heritage of being at the cutting edge of innovation, helping golfers of all abilities have more fun and hit the ball longer, straighter and closer to the hole. By the time he sold control of the Cleveland Classics company in 1990 (to provide funds to enhance the business with more marketing and research) his innovations in persimmon-headed woods had seen the TC 15 model driver become very popular on the US PGA Tour and two of his wedge models the R485 and the R588 become among the biggest-sellers in golf history. Equipment experts say Cleveland can lay claim to being one of the earliest supporters of marrying golf clubs and science. So when Cleveland signed on with Callaway in 1996 and became its Chief Club Designer his “innovation and more-fun” philosophy had found a natural home. “I love Callaway’s passion and their focus on engineering – they had the biggest R&D spend (in the golf industry) when I joined them in January 1996 and they still do,” he said. “Their woods were good but the irons weren’t what they could have been and I helped them develop the X12 irons which became quite popular.” One of the most exciting developments he has seen at Callaway is the development

Hands-on designer: Roger Cleveland’s opinions were sought by the media and players in a visit to The Lakes, where he found time to work on bunker play with Craig Parry. (Pictures: Callaway Golf ) and successful transfer of their “face cup” extra distance feature from the drivers to the hybrids and finally to the irons. At Callaway, Cleveland says he has true satisfaction in not only developing an ongoing string of the highly successful Mack Daddy wedges, but in recent years having a unique and absorbing design relationship with short-game superstar Phil Mickelson. Cleveland has driven the Mack Daddy wedges from the tee-off with splendid support from Callaway’s unique “test pilot” Mickelson. “Well, the first Mack Daddy prototype that I built for Phil for the 2014 PGA Championship was the most fun,” Cleveland said. “The first time he tried it he hit an almostfull, open-faced beautiful shot about 40 yards onto the green and it comes ripping back about 40 feet to the hole. “Phil looks down and sees the mark of the golf ball on the clubface like a tyre tread you could peel and says: ‘Now that’s what I’m talking about. That’s my Mack Daddy groove’. “That was fun, creating what Phil had in his

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mind. And then he used it and almost won the 2014 PGA with it. “It’s great to work with Phil because he speaks his mind. He’s so skilled in this area and he has such a passion for it that it’s contagious. I have that same passion for the short game which is really important for the amateur player. “For average golfers what’s great about the Mack Daddy is how it does out of the bunkers. It’s big, it looks big, the grooves make the face look bigger, and it’s confidence. And when you open it up a little bit, it looks like you have a spatula down there and it just looks like it’s easy. “All you have to do is hit behind the ball in the sand and the ball comes out. And it’s really great out of deep rough and on flop shots too. “The higher toe, the extra capacity with the face and the extra capacity with the grooves – all that is confidence. You can swing hard with it.” The Cleveland-Mickelson partnership is amazingly illustrated in one of golf’s most

stunning video clips shot in 2013 (viewed more than a million times) where Mickelson hits a string of flop wedge shots in a row directly over Cleveland’s head —with the designer standing face-on directly in front and just 37.5 inches from the ball. The fact that Cleveland does not appear to even flinch – let alone duck—speaks volumes for the confidence he has in Mickelson’s ability and the scientifically designed club which the designer provided for the chilling demonstration. It’s one thing for a golf equipment manufacturer to boast that they “stand fully behind their wedges” but it is another thing to say their Chief Designer “stands fully in front of them as well”. Cleveland has never been one to shirk a challenge and he’s still on his quest with more fun to come for all golfers. • Interesting follow-through: Every Callaway wedge carries a small “R” stamped on the hosel – that’s a personal tribute to Roger, he’s with you on every shot.

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SYDNEY feature

Sydney Sensations We explore some of our favourite courses in and around The Harbour City Roseville Golf Club

Interested In Golf? EXCLUSIVE LADIES CLINIC

Moore Park Golf

Join us for the best clinic on Sydney’s north shore A structured program of weekly lessons spread over 9 months that will give you the confidence and skill to play socially or join one of Roseville’s friendly competition days. You will graduate with: • Well developed skills that will equip you to play golf on any course, anywhere • Educated knowledge of the rules and technical aspects of golf • A familiarisation of the terms of golf and the golf course • Etiquette of playing golf and its various competitions • The opportunity to join one of Sydney’s best golf clubs • Friends that you can play with each week, or travel with on golfing holidays • Graduates who join the Club will receive membership of Golf Australia with an approved Golf Link handicap

Roseville Golf Club / 4 Links Avenue Roseville Tel: (02) 8467 1800 / E: admin@rosevillegolf.com.au 46

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

SYDNEY feature

Moore Park Golf

As Sydney’s home of public golf, and conveniently located just five minutes from the CBD in the heart of the entertainment quarter, Moore Park Golf offers more than just spectacular views of the city skyline. Developed in 1913 as the city’s first public golf course, Moore Park Golf boasts facilities including an 18-hole championship course and one of the largest driving ranges in the southern hemisphere. Featuring 60 bays over three weatherproof levels, the range includes two disabled access tees, four auto tee bays and the world’s first driving range Big Screen. Measuring 22sqm, the Big Screen showcases live sport, golf tuition and featured entertainment and adds a completely new dimension to your practice session. It’s not hard to see why thousands of golf enthusiasts flock to this golf entertainment complex each year. In fact, over 15 million balls are hit off the range each year. Moore Park Golf has a particular focus on growing the game at a grassroots level and offers a fun and engaging range of tuition programs through the Sydney Golf Academy. Fast becoming the country’s leading golf tuition facility, Moore Park Golf delivers a great learning experience, forging a lifelong passion for the game whatever your age or ability. Use of the Big Screen for tuition experiences provides a great example of Moore Park Golf’s innovation through technology. The team recently ran a beginner’s golf clinic with four PGA professionals and 30 golfers over two levels of the driving range. Led by one instructor projected on the Big Screen, and with full audio across the included levels, the group were guided through the engaging and interactive training experience. This type of event creates a unique

Roseville Golf Club experience for corporate golf groups who are also well catered for at the venue. Through the adaptation of facilities, and by creating different experiences such as this, Moore Park Golf provides golf entertainment packages that can be run in as little as 60 minutes. Modern function spaces that can accommodate groups up to 150 in size and contemporary food completes the picture. Moore Park Golf truly is one of the ultimate golf entertainment venues. For more information, phone (02) 9663 1064, visit www.mooreparkgolf.com.au or email: info@mpgolf.com.au.

Roseville Golf Club

and all of its nuances.

Roseville Golf Club, a most immaculate, successful and private golf club on Sydney’s Lower North Shore is among many fine, private clubs on in the area – Killara, Avondale, Pymble, Monash to name a few – and is proud to be considered an equal.

Roseville, which already has a healthy women’s membership, has approached the introduction to golf wisely for anyone interested in learning to play properly and wanting to be taught in a structured and professional environment.

The leafy par-66 course has over many decades provided a unique offer in support of womens’ golf in Sydney – the immensely popular Ladies Golf Clinic. Many women return to golf or come to play golf later in life when children have begun school or for other reasons and are keen to learn the game

The women-only program of weekly lessons is spread over approximately a ninemonth period. It is offered at a substantial discount to normal fees and a further rebate is applied to membership fees on them joining Roseville Golf Club as a five or sevenday member.

SYDNEY’S HOME OF PUBLIC GOLF Conveniently located just five minutes from the CBD in the heart of Sydney’s entertainment quarter, Moore Park Golf offers more than just spectacular views of the city skyline. KEY FACILITY FEATURES: • Day/Night public access driving range • 18 hole Championship golf course • Learn at the Sydney Golf Academy • Excellent membership options with great accessibilty and facility benefits • The world’s first driving range Big Screen

OPENING TIMES: Golf Course Monday - Sunday

6am - 8pm

Driving Range Monday 10am - 10pm Tuesday - Thursday 6am - 12am Friday - Sunday 6am - 10pm

www.mooreparkgolf.com.au | 02 9663 1064 | www.sydneygolfacademy.com Moore Park Golf Cleveland Street, Moore Park, Sydney NSW 2021

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

SYDNEY feature The fully air-conditioned bar, casual lounge, extensive beverage list and an outdoor terrace, overlooking the 18th green and fairway, is a great place to relax. The Club’s social and function calendar is focused in the Garigal Room overlooking the beautiful gardens and practice green. From à la carte dining to trivia nights or wine tasting dinners, there is something for everyone. The club says the recently renovated, spacious open rooms and outdoor terrace allows guests to enjoy a relaxed and stylish atmosphere along with a superior level of customer service. It is a popular venue for a variety of celebrations – birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, christenings, fundraising or school and corporate events. With the ability to cater for between 10 to 200 delegates the very accessible Lower North Shore club is the perfect setting for meetings, corporate seminars, product launches and golf days.

Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club Participants will graduate with welldeveloped skills that will equip them to play golf on any standard of course, anywhere.

the clinic which is held in a relaxed and fun environment and supports and nurtures new friendships and social interfaces.

They also will receive detailed education and knowledge of the etiquette, rules and technical aspects of the game and become familiar with all the golf terms and the golf course.

Finally, all graduates who join the Club will receive membership of Golf Australia with an approved GolfLink handicap. This is your passport to playing golf with your family and friends anywhere in Australia.

The Clinic includes an active involvement between Roseville’s PGA Professionals and experienced lady club members who provide teaching, education, knowledge, support and that level of comfort that “you do not have to get it right straight away”. Players are mentored on course for the duration of

A major asset of Roseville Golf Club is the undulating scenic and challenging course that provides a great experience for all levels of golfers. Over the past decade the course has undergone a multi-million-dollar transformation which has delivered a first-

class layout.

The versatile, pillar-free rooms are filled with natural light and showcase the golf course and come complete with modern integrated audio visual facilities, a variety of menus and ample parking.

The redesign was by renowned golf course architect, James Wilcher, who also happens to be a member and a regular competitor at Roseville.

For more information, phone (02) 8467 1800, visit www.rosevillegolf.com.au, or email admin@rosevillegolf.com.au.

The course, set among the pristine bushland of Roseville’s valleys and creeks, is a unique setting and it’s hard to believe you’re only 10km from the heart of Sydney’s CBD.

Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club

With a strong financial position, the Club has been able to modernise and upgrade its course and facilities with a multi-million dollar spend in recent years to offer its members all of the comforts and amenities you would expect from a private club.

Set amongst a spectacular 800 acres of rural landscape with stunning woodland backdrop, Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club offers a challenging yet rewarding experience to golfers at all skill levels. The Par-72 Championship course, meticulously designed by renowned golfer Graham Marsh, is one of Sydney’s best-kept golfing secrets.

CAMDEN GOLF CLUB Studley Park

Located in the historic and fast growing Macarthur area. • Golfing and Social memberships available • Green fee play every day (from $25 for 18 holes midweek) • Visitors always welcome • Twilight Golf from 3pm • Fully stocked Pro-Shop • Modern Carts available for hire • Function Centre available for parties, corporate seminars with views over the golf course • Dine in “The View” with spectacular views over the golf course

50 Lodges Road, Narellan | Phone: (02) 4646 1203 | www.camdengolfclub.com.au 48

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

SYDNEY feature Challenging to professionals yet enjoyable for the purely social golfer, the course design takes into account the spectacular rural setting to create a visually stunning and tranquil golfing experience. This meticulous design results in a consistently high standard of balanced golfing facilities destined to stand the test of time. In addition to golf, the facility offers comprehensive practice facilities including a full turf driving range, putting green and bunker complex. Featuring One of Australia’s leading golf cart fleets boasting 72 carts, all motorised carts include a fully integrated in-cart navigation and information system. The touch screen technology offers on course ordering, hole by hole descriptions and many other functions designed to assist with your game. Head off course to relax and enjoy the contemporary surrounds of the awardwinning clubhouse, home to the 19th Bar, exclusive Members Lounge and the à la carte Paperbark Restaurant, boasting uninterrupted views of the 18th green. All complemented by a magnificent rural setting within beautiful surrounds of the Nepean Valley. Twin Creeks is easily accessible via the major motorways and centrally located between Western and North Western Sydney’s major business districts of Penrith, Parramatta and The Hills. Their focus is on ensuring brand synergy and delivering a quality product to meet and exceed the expectations of members, guests and corporate clients. Play Twin Creeks before the end of February for $85.00 per person including golf cart and a burger! Contact the proshop on (02) 9670 8888.

Thornleigh Golf Centre For more information, visit www.twincreeksgolf.com.au, phone (02) 9670 8888 or email sales@twincreeks.com.au.

Thornleigh Golf Centre

At Thornleigh Golf Centre, the staff’s proven philosophy of instruction is based on improving the student from tee-to-green without reinventing their swing. PGA professional Steve Aisbett said the golf centre was the perfect venue for golfers to iron out their swing under the guidance of highly-trained teaching professionals. Thornleigh Golf Centre offers group lessons, beginners’ clinics and individualised programs

and lessons for all ages and levels of golfer.

the bells and whistles.

“Our coaches have learnt from many years of teaching all standards of pupils and working within their capabilities,” Aisbett said.

The centre has 56 hitting bays (20 automated), which means at the press of a button a golf ball will pop up every 6 seconds. In addition, two 18-hole mini golf courses - Palms and Billabong -- have proven very popular with people of all ages and great family fun. A mini golf birthday party is a great idea with a range of party package options available to choose from, both catered and self-catered. They also have a fully-stocked golf shop and a cafe on site to cater for everyone’s needs.

“We believe controlling the clubface and the flight of the ball is the foundation of a great player. “When a student has had a lesson with us they have a true understanding of their swing and faults and a far better idea of how to correct a bad shot. “We do not teach a method or a one-sizefits-all idea, just instilling great basics that last a long time. “If you have a connected swing, there is no strain on muscles or joints”. The Thornleigh Golf Centre certainly has all

“We have a team of qualified PGA professionals here so if there is anything anyone needs, a professional is here to assist,” Aisbett adds.

Randwick Golf Course Golfing With A View • Junior golfer’s encouraged • Pay As You Golf membership option • Enjoy spectacular views and food from our award winning chef

CURRENT SPECIAL ONLY $425 FOR A 7 DAY MEMBERSHIP www.randwickgolfclub.com.au | Ph: (02) 8347 3777 | email: proshop@randwickgolfclub.com.au or manager@randwickgolfclub.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

SYDNEY feature

Cumberland Country Golf Club “We have the best facility, great mats to hit off, great balls and great staff”. For more information, contact Thornleigh Golf Centre on (02) 9875 5445, or visit www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au

Cumberland Country Golf Club

Located just off the M4 between Penrith and the CBD is the beautiful Cumberland Country Golf Club. Cumberland was founded back in 1935 and is regarded as one of Sydney’s premier courses. The course is set amongst magnificent Tallowwood and red gum trees, earning its reputation as an

exceptional and challenging championship course. The course plays 5962m from the back plates, and is coupled with tight fairways, multiple water hazards and a slope rating of 136. Cumberland tests the true abilities of even the most accomplished players. Members and visitors enjoy pristine fairways, greens and tees all year round due to an unrestricted reclaimed water supply ensuring long-term sustainability. Members keep their game in tune with a range of course facilities including two large practice greens, short game range, practice bunker and practice hitting bays. Catering for both the corporate client looking to host an event to the social player, Cumberland’s welcoming and experienced staff will ensure

your visit is a memorable one. The club house offers a spacious members’ lounge overlooking the picturesque course with all the essentials including TAB and Keno and boasts the very popular Harmony at Cumberland, offering authentic Chinese cuisine that is fast becoming a growing favourite amongst Sydneysiders. Cumberland’s professional Joanne Bannerman maintains a state-of-the-art pro shop. Banners Golf Tech Centre features the latest FlightScope X2 radar unit complete with simulation and GASP Lab 4 analysis software utilising three high-speed cameras with 40” plasma display units. In addition to this, KVEST bio-feedback sensors and software can track

and display data on virtually every aspect of what is happening at a technical level in relation to not only the golf ball but the player themselves. Joanne and her staff pride themselves on the fact that they don’t simply sell golf equipment; they use the very latest technology, equipment, training and years of professional expertise to help every individual improve their golf game. Cumberland is proud to host “Banners Golf Academy”, one of Sydney’s leading junior training facilities. It is a testament to the training staff and an honour to watch as their youngest members recently competed in the finals of the 2015 Junior Pennants. Availability in the academy is limited, so please contact the

LiverpooL is a Championship par 72/73 Course – sLope 139

HoSt to NSW oPeN (2005/06) aNd auStraliaN oPeN qualifier for PaSt 11 yearS 35 miNuteS from CBd

New MeMbership subscriptioN fees available froM february 1, 2016 Full member $1,200 p.a - 7 day entitlement 5 Day member $850 p.a | Ladies Membership $700 p.a Applicable Comp Fees for above categories, Mid Week - $12, Saturday - $22, Sunday - $17 Intermediate Membership - Open to Men and Women 21-36 years - Men $1200 p.a, Women $500 p.a - No Comp/Green fees Available for new memberships only

Flexible payment options, monthly, quarterly or halF yearly For more information about this offer, contact the General Manager on (02) 9728 7777 or visit www.liverpoolgolf.com.au Hollywood Drive, Lansvale NSW 2166 | Pro Shop: 9727 2422 | email:office@liverpoolgolf.com.au 50

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

SYDNEY feature

Pro Shop for further details. If you want to be welcomed with a smile, enjoy the experience of playing a championship golf course followed by a relaxing beverage and fantastic meal, then you must treat yourself and visit Cumberland Country Golf Club. Special Packages: Monday and Tuesday from midday “Cart till Dark”: two players 18 holes and cart for just $44. Thursday “For the love of Golf”: $20 per player 18 holes. All day Friday “Friday Combo”: two players 18 holes plus cart, pie and schooner: $80. Australian RRP/Prices: Visitor in comp $35. Social green fee: 18 holes $40. Cart hire: 18 holes $40. For more information, phone Admin (02) 9631 0688, Proshop (02) 9631 3878, visit www.cumberlandgolf.com.au or email admin@cumberlandgolf.com.au

Camden Golf Club

Camden Golf Club, know to many as Studley Park or just ‘Studley’, is the Macarthur area’s oldest and most respected golf club. Camden Golf Club is steeped in rich history. The land was originally part of a land grant made to John Macarthur and two of his employees were the original owners of what is now Studley Park. Located within the golf course site is the separately owned Studley Park House, and historic mansion built in 1888. In 1933 Archibald Gregory and Executive of 20th Century Fox Films purchased Studley Park House and the complete site and commissioned Eric Appleby of Manly to design a nine-hole course. Appleby was a NSW State champion golfer and went on to design many golf courses throughout NSW.

Camden Golf Club Golf has been played on the current site since 1933 with Camden Golf club incorporated in 1950. Camden Golf club has hosted many outstanding golfers over the years and still hosts and annual Pro-Am in spring. The club’s claim to fame is that Greg Norman received his first professional purse at Camden and remarked that “it was one of his

favourites amongst public (access) courses”. Today the club boasts a course nearing 5862m off the Men’s black tees and is both a very playable course as well as a true test of golfing ability. In the last year the club has introduced a new irrigation system and the benefits to the course and its playability are already evident. Camden Golf Club is today is a vibrant club

in one of the fastest-growing areas of NSW. The clubhouse boasts all the usual facilities including 100 seat restaurant and function Rooms for up to 140 persons. A fully-stocked Pro-Shop with PGA teaching professional is there to assist members and visitors with all their golfing needs. For more information, phone (02) 4646 1203, or visit www.camdengolfclub.com.au

Have you been looking for a golf club that ticks all the boxes?

✓ Friendly members ✓ Par 72 championship course

✓ Range of membership categories ✓ Excellent clubhouse facilities

With full playing membership equating to less than $135 per month, no joining fee and pro rata currently available, Cumberland Country Golf Club is what you have been searching for.

You deserve Cumberland Country Golf Club Contact us today (02) 9631 0688 | Email admin@cumberlandgolf.com.au | www.cumberlandgolf.com.au | Follow Us On Facebook www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

SYDNEY feature The club’s lady membership is strong and the ladies are friendly and welcoming. Randwick also encourages junior golfers and is a great place for boys and girls to learn and enjoy the game. Professional, Darren Buhagiar, who has been with the Club for more than 20 years, is an excellent coach and mentor to the junior golfers. He is ably assisted by PGA Professional, Glen Lilley. The clubhouse enjoys spectacular views of the bay and ocean and award-winning chef, Niklas Eberhardt, provides first-class food at reasonable prices. The dining room and auditorium is very popular for functions such as christenings, weddings, wakes and corporate events. A BBQ is also available Tuesday through Sunday After golf, enjoy a BBQ on the balcony, Bistro style snack food or an à la carte restaurant. PAY AS YOU GOLF now available. Club fees no longer need to be a strain on your budget; the Pay As You Golf facility allows you to spread your annual membership across the year rather than paying them all at once. Randwick Golf Club at Malabar

Randwick Golf Club at Malabar

One of Sydney’s best kept golfing secrets, Randwick Golf Club is a public 18-hole golf course only 10 minutes from Coogee. Situated on the impressive Malabar headland and opposite Magic Point National Park, the club offers views of the famous WWII gun turrets on Magic Point, while it is not unusual during winter months to see migrating whales and pods of dolphins in and around the bay.

Although only a 2545m Par-59 with 13 Par-3 holes, the course can test the A-grade player whilst still accommodating beginners and the

average golfer. The course can also be played in under 4 hours – perfect for those new to the game. The golf course is open to the public 7 days a week outside competition times. Green fees for the general public are $27 for 18 holes, including a $3 drink ticket; after midday Monday-Friday and after 4.00pm on weekends green fees are $20 (including a $3 drink ticket). Visitors’ competition fees are $24. Carts, Buggies and Clubs are available for hire. Those wishing to join Randwick have several options, including 6-day ($719) or

7-day ($849) memberships. There are also memberships for Colts (18yrs-25yrs, $250), Juniors (under 18 yrs, $75) and Country Members ($329) There is no joining fee and all new members can join pro rata. New members will receive $100 worth of RGC money when they renew their membership for 12 months. They will also receive one free golf lesson and two complimentary junior memberships. As a member of Randwick Golf Club you can enjoy the option of playing weekends, mid week or both, offering competitions for Men’s, Ladies, Mixed and a Veterans Competition.

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For more information, visit www.randwickgolfclub.com.au, phone (02) 83473777, email proshop@randwickgolfclub.com.au

Bankstown Golf Club

Any seriously keen male golfer in Sydney’s south-west wanting to play a superb Group One course in weekly competitions or just play unlimited social golf should immediately check out the variety of unique and topvalue membership offers at Bankstown Golf Club. The dazzling array of packages (all of which involve no joining fees) vary from a top-ofthe-line $3500 a year all-inclusive Category

Play 4 great golf courses for just

$99

Blackheath Golf Club Leura Golf Club Springwood Country Club Wentworth Falls Country Club

BLUE MOUntAinS GOLF 52

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Players can purchase their golf pass on line at www.wfcc.com.au/golf/ bm-golf-pass

SYDNEY feature

Bankstown Golf Club 1A full membership to a non-handicap supervalue $995 Social Golfer option, providing unlimited free rounds of golf. The Category 1A is a once-a-year only payment for any golf you want to play – including competitions, free of any fees, three or four days a week. And, on top of that, free social golf and practice whenever you like. The $995 Social Golfer package also offers enormous savings with 18 holes for social golfers, normally costing $60. So, if a golfer played Bankstown only once a week, on that package the annual saving would be $2000. Play twice a week and you’ll save $4000. In-between these offers there are several other options including the popular $99 a year Group One Social Play deal where you get more than 50 per cent off the $60 green

fees any time you play, plus $50 credit at the Milperra Driving Range and pro-shop, bistro and bar discounts. Then there are the traditional Category 1 Memberships, which involves an annual subscription of $2450 plus a $10 fee per competition, and the Category 1B which costs $1500 a year plus $30 each time you tee it up in a competition. And remember: all of this is available at one of Sydney’s finest golf layouts which boasts championship-course-level slope ratings of 124 from the Black Tees and 122 from the White. The General Manager of Bankstown Golf Club Jason Kitchingman says there also are a variety of special packages to attract women golfers, juniors and corporate golfers and the club provides membership payment options

Riverside Oaks and pro-rata part annual fee deals. For more information, visit www.bankstowngolf.com.au or phone (02) 9773 0628.

Riverside Oaks

Australian PGA Tour Professionals faced a new challenge in December when they teed off at Riverside Oaks Golf Resort for the 2015 NSW PGA Championship. Riverside Oaks Golf Resort’s new layout, the Bungool Course, celebrated its first anniversary during the tournament and in a fitting celebration, hosted the Professionals as they contended to become the 2015 NSW PGA champion. “The Bungool Course has matured well over the past year and is a true testament to the staff of Riverside Oaks. This was the

first time that a PGA Tour of Australasia tournament was played on Sydney’s newest championship layout, adding a new testing layer of strategy for the competitors to tackle,” said General Manager David Scott. As well as two Championship Golf courses, Riverside Oaks Golf Resort also boasts new Luxury accommodation set on 587 acres of pristine Australian bushland overlooking the magnificent Hawkesbury River. Only a short 80-minute drive north-west of Sydney. The resort offers a unique wilderness experience amongst its stunning surroundings and a reputation for quality that attracts golfers, business events, families and weddings from Sydney, NSW, across Australia and around the world. Golfers can enjoy a round of 18 holes on the Bungool course for only $79 per person,

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Group 1 top class club Situated in the heart of Sydney Easy walking course-carts and buggies available Competitions daily - Men’s and ladies competitions every day Open days for members and guests Mondays and Fridays Excellent dining / bistro/clubhouse recently refurbished Excellent practice facilities Junior/cadet programme Free Golf lesson + 2 complimentary guest vouchers for new members Direct Debit/quarterly/half yearly subscription payment options AAA accredited PGA professional Mark Reeve available for golf lessons 3 month membership for overseas guests

You can join and play 7 days per week from as little as $1300 per annum* Special 30% discount membership available to two members of the same household. First member pays full category price additional family member living at the same address will receive a 30% discount on the full subscription.

New members who join before January 31 2016 will also receive a FREE Golf Lesson and 2 complimentary visitor vouchers. *(A house account applies) NEW Limited 35 game midweek category only $900pa* Special family price for second member only $650pa*

STRATHFIELD GOLF CLUB www.strathfieldgolf.com 84 CENTENARY DRIVE, STRATHFIELD NSW 2135 OFFICE : 9642 0326 • PRO SHOP: 9642 8642 • EMAIL: office@strathfieldgolf.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

SYDNEY feature

Blackheath Golf Club midweek, which also includes a schnitzel, chips and drink (tap beer, wine or soft drink). Stay and play options include: Overnight luxury accommodation in a Deluxe Room with a King Bed, a full hot breakfast and 18 holes of golf with a motorised cart on Bungool Course for two: $250.00 Twin Share - Mid Week. For more information, phone (02) 4560 3200, visit www.riversideoaks.com.au, or email info@riversideoaks.com.au.

Blue Mountains Super Saver Golf Pass There is something new and exciting for the golfers of Australia. The four golf clubs in the Blue Mountains (Springwood, Wentworth Falls, Leura and Blackheath) have come together to launch the Blue Mountains Super Saver Golf Pass. The Golf Pass is available to all golfers Australia-wide to enjoy the spectacular Blue Mountains area as a golfing destination, the only golf destination in a

world heritage area where you can play 72 different holes of golf. The Blue Mountains boasts one of the best climates in the world for sightseeing, adventure and golfing experiences. The natural wonder of the world heritage Blue Mountains can be seen in all four of the golf courses. Springwood Country Club has a welcoming layout with beautiful views over the course to the city of Sydney. Wentworth Falls Country Club with its tree lined picturesque fairways and Leura Golf Club

with extraordinary views over the Jamison Valley are both peaceful and friendly while Blackheath, the highest of the course, has lush fairways with magnificent gardens. The Blue Mountains Super Saver Golf Pass can be purchased online which give you a round of golf at each of the four courses for only $99.00. Valued at over $160 this is a great saving. Players purchase their golf pass on line at www.wfcc.com.au/golf/bmgolf-pass and the pass is valid for a 6 month period.

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NSW PGA STAY & PLAY Overnight luxury accommodation in a Deluxe Room with a King Bed, a full hot breakfast and 18 holes of golf with a motorised cart on Bungool Course for two.

$250.00 Twin Share - Mid Week

*Excluding public holidays

Riverside Oaks Golf Resort | p (02) 4560 3200 | info@riversideoaks.com.au | www.riversideoaks.com.au

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

SYDNEY feature

Strathfield Golf Club For more information, visit www.facebook.com/bluemountainsgolf, phone 0414 571202 or email bluemountainsgolf@gmail.com

have open days on Mondays and Fridays open to both members and visitors.

Strathfield Golf Club

For more information, phone the pro shop on (02) 9642 8642.

Strathfield Golf club welcomes social golfers with open arms. They are ideally positioned for social golf seven days per week as with a one tee start all competitions have completed hitting off by 12.30 and social golf can commence immediately without players having to wait for the traditional “crossover”. On Tuesdays and Thursdays this time is brought forward to 10.30 a.m. so even in the shorter winter days social golfers can still play 18 holes before dark. The price is more than reasonable with green fees before 2 pm being only $40 and after 2 pm they are reduced to $30. For visitors who have a handicap, Strathfield

Bookings for social golf can be made up to a week before your tee time. Motorised carts are available for hire.

Liverpool Golf Club

Liverpool Golf Club boasts one of Sydney’s finest and most challenging layouts. Located at Lansvale in Sydney’s western suburbs, it’s just 10 minutes off the M5 and only 35 minutes from the CBD. The quality of the Liverpool course has been recognised time and again by being selected as the host venue for the Australian PGA, the NSW Open (twice) as well as a qualifying venue for the Australian Open for the past 10 years.

Liverpool Golf Club Being situated at the intersection of the Georges River and Prospect Creek, this hidden gem provides players with the ideal opportunity to enjoy a round in a tranquil and secluded setting, without the distraction of traffic or surrounding houses.

While the course is open to social play on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the club does allow social play at limited times on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday subject to availability based on competition fields.

Players of all standards will be challenged by the 6,332 metres as well as the river and natural lakes that ensure water is in play on 14 of the 18 holes.

Social play has never been more affordable at Liverpool and by becoming a Social Golf Affiliate, a range of playing options will become available with the promise that players will want to return again and again to this challenging course.

Although it is an ideal walking course, Liverpool has 40 modern electric carts, all with state of the art GPS, eskies and rain covers. Social players can take advantage of special pricing packages by becoming a Social Golf Affiliate for only $6 per year ($10 for 2 years). In addition to the playing packages, Social Golf Affiliates are also entitled to member discounts at the Bar and on all their Pro Shop purchases. All players receive a $3 discount voucher which can be used at the bar on the date of issue.

Current rates: Mid week: 2 Players in a cart $64, 4 Players in a cart $120. Weekend (subject to availability): 2 Players in a cart $105. All players receive a $3 bar discount voucher. For more information, visit www.liverpoolgolf.com.au, phone (02) 9728 7777, Pro Shop (02) 9727 2422 or email scott@liverpoolgolf.com.au

chance to t s la r u o y is This anied guest p m o c c a n u n a ks as play Twin Cree

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

juniors

Club boosts junior numbers

US Kids Golf Australia Tournaments Summer Tour 2016 US Kids Golf Australia offer fun tournaments for kids, featuring ultralight equipment that is easier to swing, making the game more fun for the younger players! Aussie kids can tee it up at one of the following events across three states: New South Wales 11th January 22nd January 7th Feb 21st Feb 20th March 3rd April 11th April 21st April

Moore Park Richmond Golf Club Bayview Golf Club Cammeray Golf Club Bankstown Golf Club Campbelltown Golf Club Ryde Parramatta Golf Club Long Reef Golf Club

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Queensland 11th January 18th January 22nd January 7th February 21st February 6th March 20th March

Children hone their skills at one of the five activity stations at Oxley Golf Club.

F juniors are the future of club golf, Oxley Golf Club in Brisbane is working overtime to attract as many kids to its junior programs as possible. Since the start of 2015, the club’s junior base has grown from 20 to 51 – a spike of more than 150 per cent. To attract even more children to the game, Oxley held a junior golf expo late last year and seven kids hopped off the jumping castle and tore themselves away from the free sausage sizzle to take up junior membership. While club professional Channon Ryan is ecstatic with the growth, his aim is to double the number of junior members in 2016.

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Western Australia

“We have gone from having 20 junior members at the start of 2015 and we now have 51,” he said.

with all children rotated through the five activity stations on a regular basis,” Ryan said. The event even had the added attraction of being the first official event held on the club’s new synthetic practice facility.

“It’s a good start, but I’d like to see the number grow to over 100. I think it is achievable based on that growth. “Juniors are the future of the golf club and in 2016 we will continue to promote junior golf with beginner, intermediate and advanced clinics.” Oxley’s focus is getting children active and engaged with others through participation in a friendly club setting. “The expo was a great success with a large group of children and their parents attending

The practice facility not only includes an all-weather practice tee, but a four-hole course with synthetic tees and greens that allow children and new golfers the opportunity to hone their skills before taking on the challenges of the championship course. “This facility is a great compliment to the junior clinics held at the club on Saturdays and during the school holidays,” Ryan added. •

25th January 21st February 11th April 12th April 24th April

Secret Harbour Golf Club Point Walter Golf Club Geraldton Golf Club Geraldton Golf Club Lake Karrinyup Golf Club

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US Kids Golf Australia Championship Tournaments 2016/17 27th May 28th May 4th -6th Aug 18th -20th Jan 17

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To register visit www.uskidsgolf.com.au or contact them on 0498 988 455.

STAYPLAY

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January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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juniors

School Sport Victoria driving junior golf participation “We feel the partnership that School Sport Victoria’s had with Golf Victoria (GV) over the last six or seven years, where we’ve worked really closely together, is now starting to bear fruit,” said Nick Mooney, National Secretary for Golf at School Sport Australia, and Strategic Manager for School Sport Victoria. “These are the kids that are now coming through, winning junior Interstate series’ and senior Interstate series’. What we’ve seen is a real evolution of a pathway that starts at ten or 11.”

Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

s Australia’s golf industry looks forward to 2016 and the hope of experiencing even higher highs than a year headlined by Jason Day’s majorwinning climb to world number one, School Sport Victoria could soon lay claim to helping creating our next wave of superstar.

In 2015, Victoria became the first state ever to capture a clean sweep of the boys’, girls’, women’s and men’s Interstate Teams Matches - all series’ littered with golfers who once competed in their respective state primary school championships.

In 2015, School Sport Victoria, in conjunction with Golf Victoria, ran almost 60 events around the state for grade 3,4,5 and 6 students as part of the Primary School Golf Championship and the State Final was held at Kooringal Golf Club in Melbourne on December 2.

School Sport Australia also conducted 17 and under national championships for golf and it was a Victorian, Melbourne girl Kono Matsumoto, who saluted by five shots at the 2015 title in Canberra.

Victoria’s best primary school golfers have plenty to look forward to on a national scale in 2016 with the chance to qualify for the School Sport Australia 12 and under national championships to be held at Murray Bridge Golf Club in Adelaide this November.

Children play a shortened form of the game at all Primary School Championship events.

School Sport Victoria’s events have helped produce a list of young Victorian professionals.

Par-3 holes are 100 metres long, par-fours are 200 metres and par-fives are reduced to 300 metres.

2015 Australian Ladies Masters champion Su Oh, Geoff Drakeford, rookie pro Lucas Herbert and Breanna Elliott, who won on the US secondary Symetra Tour in 2015, were all regular competitors in the Victorian Primary Schools title.

“It’s really a great introduction for kids for their first competitive game,” said Mooney, who oversees both the Victorian Primary Schools Championship and the national 12 and 17 and under titles. “A lot of them take like a duck to water once they’ve had that first introduction.”

In 2015, Victoria became the first state to achieve a clean sweep of the boys’, girls’, men’s and women’s Interstate Team Matches. The list of team members who have come through School Sport Victoria/Golf Victoria events include: Brett Coletta, David Micheluzzi, Frazer Droop, Joanna Charlton, Steph Bunque, Cameron John, Alexandra Hilliard, Matias Sanchez, Soo Bin Park and Konrad Ciupek.

School Sport Australia has also strengthened ties in recent years with golf’s governing bodies - Golf Australia (GA) and the PGA of Australia having worked in isolation previously. At the 2015 national 17 and under championship in Canberra, Golf Australia’s high performance coordinator Matt Cutler conducted a vital workshop for young

Mooney said the flow-on effects from events like the Victorian Primary Schools Championship relies on strong backing from teachers who are willing to incorporate golf

The Links

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During the 2015 UNIQLO Masters, School Sport Victoria combined with GA, GV and the PGA of Australia to run an annual workshop at Oakleigh South Primary introducing teachers to MyGolf--Australia’s nationallyrecognised introductory golf program for schools. IMG also provided free tickets to the Masters at Huntingdale for all teachers who attended. Mooney argued that incorporating golf into more primary schools will also encourage countless children to take up the game socially and drive a spike in club memberships levels in future decades. • M ore information: www.ssv.vic.edu.au/Pages/Golf.aspx

• Listed in the Rolex top 1000 courses in the world 2011 • Consistently ranked in the top 20 courses in Australia (Australian Golf Digest) • No 4 Public Access course in Australia (Golf Australia Magazine 2013) • Range of membership packages available • Driving range open to public • Fully Licensed Club House DON’T DELAY - WHY NOT JOIN TODAY? For more information call (08) 9524 5991 or visit our website

GA’s high performance director Brad James recently attended the national 12 and under championship in Newcastle. “Brad stood on one tee all day and identified kids all day and contacted their parents to tell them their child is really talented,” Mooney said. “That’s a really important step at getting to the talent at the right age. All sports are scrambling for the talent and if all kids are looked after and put into the system and developed properly, we’re going to have a much greater chance of having the next generation of superstars coming through.”

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

into sporting curriculums.

golfers, outlined what it takes to get to the elite level and what support is available for talented juniors in each state and territory.

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Email info@kennedybay.com.au • www.kennedybay.com.au • Tel 08 9524 5991 www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

instruction

Drive it straighter and longer David Williams david@willowgolf.com.au 0422 276 142

verything we do should be about being able to deliver the club correctly to the ball on our way from the top of the backswing through to finish. Miss-hits are the main reason for a lack of potential distance that your technique might produce. I see so many golfers tee up the ball high, but then place the club on the ground with the sweetspot directly below the ball. I used to tee the ball up like this and my miss-hits would always strike the face towards the heel or nearer to the hosel. Gear effect would usually mean a heel impact on the face would produce fade or slice spin. I now tee the ball up so that when the club is on the ground behind the ball, the ball is positioned on the toe of the club. This improved my ball striking with my driver immediately. Here is the reason why… When you strike the ball through impact, each golfer will have a set radius of their swing. The radius of the swing is the length of your target side arm and club from shoulder to clubhead. If you place the club on the ground at address and then lift the club up a couple of inches off the ground, if you maintain your radius the club will not only move up but also away from the body. This is due to the fact that we play golf on an incline plane.

Addressing the ball so the toe is behind the ball will improve contact at impact.

Since we must ensure that we make solid contact with the ball through impact it then seems logical that we allow for any differences from where we address the ball to where we need to strike the ball. So in the photo, we can see that SET UP should be with the toe of the club behind the ball (Blue Line) and IMPACT should happen with the sweetspot making contact with the ball (Red Line) So now with teeing the ball up on the toe of the club, the golfer won’t need to make any compensations by: shortening their radius (bending of the target side elbow or wrist) or by moving their centre of gravity either back or up to create room. If the golfer sees the ball as slightly further away at address it will help promote extension through impact and allow the golfer to maintain their radius. The result of this will be a more centered impact with less loss of potential distance and straighter shots.

Setting up to allow for impact to happen correctly will lead to better ball striking.

World Class Golf Course in the Outback

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

David Williams is a PGA member, and the Director of Golf and coaching at Rossdale Golf Club. He is also a Master Instructor of Medicus Golf Institute. www.willowgolf.com.au

mental game

The 7 Secrets to Mind Control Golf, Part 1 lungs all the way to high in your chest. Focus intently on this “Full Breath” exercise for as many times as possible. Your goal for the first week is to see if you can do so for 6 or more quality “deep breaths.” You will find this takes a minute or more when done thoroughly.

Peter Croker www.keytofgolf.com

While your focus is on your breathing in this manner, you are losing yourself in the physical doing and you find yourself slipping into the “Now”. You are now ready for your next exercise in “Mind-Body” Awareness.

’ve had the privilege to contribute instructional articles for Inside Golf since August 2009. Over those 60+ articles, my focus has been on the Mechanics of an Orthodox Golf Swing.

Relax all muscle groups starting at the feet and moving up the body one joint area at a time, all the way to the top of your head and scalp. You have now arrived in “Present Time.” You are now ready to experience feeling and learning the Basics of MindBody connection in building your own best golf swing from Putt to Drive.

The time has now come to address the Mind side of the process. What will now follow is a series uncovering some of the principles of the Mind Game that are currently being applied by the likes of Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, and other superstars. Over the past few years, I’ve been most fortunate to test these principles while being assembled by Graham Boulton, Henry Boulton, and the Team at FocusBand. When combined with sound swing mechanics, these will help all golfers make the quantum leap from inconsistency towards control, power, consistency and confidence. Anyone who plays this game experiences that “One Shot”- the shot that feels just right, the shot that climbs into the air, flies effortlessly in the direction of the pin, and lands softly on the green next to the hole. Now the challenge confronts us to do it again, and again! This is where our next frontier starts and with it the series of steps that will unfold into “The 7 Secrets to Mind Control Golf.” The areas of focus we will cover are: Be in the “Now”, Apply Learning Principles, Build Foundation, Blend Mind and Body, Swing Stress Free, Make Permanent, and Measure to Manage. Secret #1 – Be in the “Now” BUILDING BODY - MIND CONNECTION - Attention and intention become the catalysts for the “NOW.” While golf will always be a physical game, unless the Mind is engaged in the process on a moment by moment basis directing a “feelingawareness” for the shot at hand, results will always fall short of what is desired. Belief in ourselves ultimately shapes the flight of the shots we are about to see, not the other way around. Therefore we must

As will be the case with all Fundamental Mechanics that follow, the critical factor here is that the mind needs to be calm and centred and the body relaxed. “Never Hurry, Never Worry” and relax into the depth of feeling as you focus on each individual part of each component. allow ourselves the luxury of “knowing” that visualising the shot you want to play and connecting as though it is already happening, brings the “future” into the “Now.” We do not have to be a slave to our past or a victim to past action and events, on or off the golf course. We are totally a product of what we are doing right now. Certainly what we are doing right now is a product of our decision on what cause of action is appropriate. If our “knowledge base” is flawed or lacking the necessary “right stuff” for an appropriate action in the “Now” the result cannot be what we were hoping for. THE ONE-MINUTE MEDITATION Place your attention on your breath to start. Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Direct the breath deep into the abdomen and continue to fill up the lungs from the bottom up. One breath cycle consists of “Breathe in - Breathe out.” Start by counting the breaths and see if you maintain total attention on your breath for one complete cycle, breathing deep into the abdomen and filling up your

The Flinders Golf Club “Flinders is one of those unique coastal courses…….not quite links…..neither is it woodland or marsh, that perches high on the cliff top, making it a distant cousin of Pebble Beach and a relative of Murfield.... The Flinders golf course is friendly yet full of surprises and intrigue. Bring all your clubs because you are going to need them and a good understanding of what Golf is all about.” Peter Thomson OBE

Only by paying attention to what you are doing right “Now” can you expect to build any real control or heightened awareness of what you are doing and what is correct for what you are attempting to achieve through your actions. This is focusing. VIDEO: Centering Exercise with Laura Silva: https://youtu.be/-22y7OP6bS0 Next month: Secret #2 – Apply Learning Principles Peter Croker is a Certified PGA Professional, and has been a PGA Member since 1971. He has given lessons using the Key to Golf Program to many students from beginners to Major Championship winners including Arnold Palmer, Vijay Singh, Rocco Mediate, Fred Funk, Bob Charles, and Olin Brown. You can sign up for a Free Webinar on “How to make Golf Simple to Learn”, book an internet or individual lesson or test drive a Module from www.keytogolf.com. Phone: 0415 292 549 or email: crokergolfsystem@gmail to book a School or lesson.

Green fees: Weekend $49 Midweek $35

Book online to receive a $5 discount and be in the running to win a “Mates Day” (10 free rounds) New Flexible Membership - Limited numbers available - Enquire NOW www.flindersgolfclub.com.au Proshop: (03) 5989 0583 www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

people

Greg, 81, making up for lost time

preferred walking the golf course.

REGORY Kheng Hock Yap, a retired doctor who plays out of Stanthorpe Golf Club on Queensland’s Darling Downs, was a late entry to golf but it seems he’s making up for lost time.

“It’s much better walking because when you are in a golf cart and take the wrong club to your ball it can be frustrating,” he said.

The 81-year-old only took up the noble game of golf when he was 66 and only after he retired from general practice.

Greg, who plays off a 21 handicap, won C grade championship in 2006 event and was named club golfer of the year in 2008 and 2010.

Since then Greg, who graduated from University of Sydney in 1960, has been playing golf as often as possible.

“I have been playing golf three or four times a week since my wife Betty died five years ago. I have nothing else to do.

Last month the Malaysian-born Chinese octogenarian really tested his stamina by playing eight games of golf in eight days at his home club and at nearby Tenterfield Golf Club.

“I don’t have any particular strength like chipping and putting – I just play golf according to my age and handicap. “But I do have two aims in life – to equal or break my age and have a holein-one.

“I don’t know any other silly old bugger who would play eight days straight,” he laughed.

“I was playing at Tenterfield recently and had 39 off the stick on the front nine and thought I would equal or break my age but I had 44 on the back nine for an 83,” said Greg, who has lived in Stanthorpe for the past 44 years.

“Maybe playing golf eight times in eight days at my age is something no one else my age has achieved. “The number eight is the Chinese lucky number so I feel lucky to be able to play so much golf.”

“I studied at the University of Sydney in the 1950s and worked in Rockhampton for three years before going home to Malaysia.

Stanthorpe Golf Club captain Matt Waterworth said Greg loved his golf and played whenever possible.

“Then I migrated to Stanthorpe in 1971 and became a naturalised Australian in 1973. I have been here ever since, but I am also proud of my Chinese heritage.

“He’s unbelievable and popular around the club,” Matt said. “He plays golf regularly and always walks the golf course.

“I love golf and play all the courses in the Darling Downs including City and Middle Ridge golf clubs at Toowoomba and all the country courses.

“Greg just hits it down the middle and when we walk off the green with a bogey he’s made par.” Greg, a soccer fanatic who played his last game aged 67, told Inside Golf he

Passionate golfer Greg Yap won’t give up until he has that elusive hole-in-one and beaten his age.

“There are a few more years of golf left in me.” •

$107

Pro robbed while he slept MISSING the cut by one shot in a professional tournament goes with the territory, but being robbed while you sleep does not. That’s what happened to Victorian professional David Bransdon during the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast. The Queensland Open champion and his caddie Justin Boyle had their fourth floor Broadbeach unit burgled while they slept. “During the night, someone has climbed onto our balcony on the fourth level of an apartment building and robbed us while we were asleep,” a disgruntled Bransdon said. “My golf clubs were gone, my phone was taken off the charger beside my bed, my wallet was open and the cash and debit card I use to pay for everything was gone. “And we both had our watches stolen. “My wedding ring was on the bedside table with my watch and phone, but I found it in the lounge room in the morning. “We found my wet-weather gear and my brand-new hats in the pool area, which is weird.” That’s not all. The brazen thief even raided the fridge. Bransdon, currently eighth on the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, had to make a flying visit home (Sale, Victoria) to “rustle up a set of clubs” ahead of the NSW PGA Championship.

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January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

people

Ian builds on breaking his age “One night there was a knock on the door and it was the captain of Lindisfarne golf course in Hobart. He asked if I was interested in looking after their course.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

“It was crazy. I had no qualification apart from agricultural qualifications in the orchard.

HERE are keepers of golf records and then there is Ian Grimsey.

“So I went there and discovered they were hitting over streets at Lindisfarne, a suburb of Hobart.

The 83-year-old, who plays off nine at Tamborine Mountain Golf Club an hour from Brisbane, hasn’t bothered keeping track of the number of times he has equalled or broken his age, but believes it could be close to 100.

“I suggested they move and build a new course. “The captain and I found land by the Hobart Airport, bought it and I built the Tasmania Golf Club.

“I have no idea how many times I have broken my age,” he said. “I don’t bother keeping records.”

“Al Howard designed the course and I built it with one labourer in about 18 months.”

Mind you, officials at the golf club do.

For Ian, it was the start of a career in golf course construction.

When Ian reached half a century, the club recognised his fine achievements.

Royal Canberra Golf Club approached Ian and he completely rebuilt the golf course.

“I have broken my age at least another 30 times since then,” Ian said.

“I was in Canberra for eight or nine years when Al Howard called to ask if I would look at a course he designed at Tweed Heads (Club Banora Golf Club) that was having issues because it was built on a peat swamp.

Tony Cole, president of the club’s veterans, told Inside Golf Ian had broken his age a staggering 20 times in 30 rounds including eight times in a row.

“After that, I formed the company Grimsey Johnson Constructions.

“His gross average for the year is well under his age,” he said. “Because shooting his age has become such a regular occurrence, I am ashamed to say it often doesn’t even get mentioned at the weekly veterans’ presentation, which probably doesn’t bother Ian as he is a very quiet, unassuming person. “Ian has the sweetest, most effortless swing and has no trouble keeping up with our longest hitters. “The course is not long, but it’s very undulating and is a stern test of golf with a slope rating above the median at 114. Born in Tasmania, Ian didn’t take up golf until the age of 28 but it didn’t take him long to reach scratch at Kingston Beach Golf Club. That resulted in a call up to the Tasmanian state team. A promising cricketer and AFL player, Ian took up golf at the invitation of his brother.

“We built Noosa Springs, North Lakes, Paradise Springs (now Palmer Colonial), the second 18 holes at Royal Pines and golf courses all over the place including two in Canberra. Ian Grimsey can’t stop shooting his age. “My brother was having a hit and invited me to play,” said Ian, who worked on the family’s apple orchard. “I went along one Sunday and had a hit and I gave up cricket and football overnight. “I got so wrapped up in golf that when the apple harvesting season clashed with the main golf season I thought ‘this is no good’. “I couldn’t play enough golf so I mentioned to a fellow in Hobart that I wouldn’t mind looking after a golf course.

“We were building golf courses for the Japanese in the late ’80s and early 1990s. “Graham Marsh did a lot of the design and my company did everything from clearing the bush to completion and ready to play. “We were the first company to give a complete price to do the job from start to finish as nobody else was game. “I played golf all through these years and kept myself fit.” Today, Ian is retired, plays golf twice a week, never practices and has had “about four aces”. Told you he doesn’t keep records. •

Play and Stay

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people

An industry homecoming for Mildura pro Henry Peters

The 2016 Golf New South Wales High Performance Squad for 2016 has been announced.

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

Five athletes have been included as Tier 1 members and five as Tier 2 members for 2016.

rendan Rowse has vowed to give back to golf after returning to his home town of Mildura and assuming the role of head professional at Mildura Golf Resort, where he once worked in the pro shop as a 14-year-old boy. Rowse—who was born and raised in Mildura before playing high-level pennant golf in Melbourne and completing a PGA traineeship—took the top job at Mildura in late October last year to join a very short list of PGA-accredited professionals in the region. “To be back here in charge, it’s a bit of a weird situation to get my head around to start with,” the 28-year-old says. “I sort of feel like I’m a 14-year-old kid working in the shop again. The juniors, I see them looking up to me just like I did look up to the pro when I was a junior here.” Rowse has been a member at Mildura since the start of his teenage years. He moved back to the Sunraysia region more than two years ago and—up until his appointment—had been working outside the golf industry for the first time. “I was working at a disengaged youth school up here as well as studying a diploma of community service work, which I’ve put on hold now. When I moved back here a couple of years ago, I knew that there wasn’t any work in the golf industry so I did something different. Two years was probably a good experience to get out and do some other work.” Rowse had previously worked at Anglesea

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

2016 Golf NSW HP Squad announced

The successful athletes named as Tier 1 HP Squad members are: Cameron Davis, Travis Smyth, Harrison Endycott, Troy Moses and Elizabeth Elmassian. Tier 1 athletes will benefit from the full support of the Golf NSW High Performance Program. Brendan Rowse (Courtesy of Paul Mensch, Mildura Weekly) Golf Club and Rossdale Golf Club in Melbourne as part of his traineeship. “I could have continued on at Anglesea under Steve Lipovas, but family ties and friends brought me back here, so I needed to give up one thing, I guess, and that was working in the golf industry.” Rowse credits Lipovas—who he also worked under at Rossdale—for much of his knowledge of the industry. “He’s what you call the modern age golf professional and always thinking of good ideas that are different and new. A lot of the older style professionals just run (the pro shop) how it’s been for so long. It’s a matter of creating new ideas and implementing new strategies to get people playing and also into your pro shop.” Rowse—who played pennant at Commonwealth Golf Club from the age of 15 until commencing his traineeship—says he never had intentions of becoming a touring pro and played only the minimum amount of events as a trainee. His experience

at Commonwealth proved a wake-up call because his pennant teammates included Marc Leishman, Jarrod Lyle, Asian Tour winner Kieran Pratt and former PGA Tour of Australasia pro Craig Hasthorpe. “That’s probably part of the reason why I didn’t see myself playing on tour or have too much of a go throughout my traineeship because I knew how good they were so I was pretty realistic about things and gauged myself against them.” With no professionals at the four other golf clubs in Sunraysia—Coomealla, Red Cliffs, Merbein and Riverside—Rowse is set to add much-needed golfing expertise to the district. While many other golf clubs around Australia have chosen to move forward without a resident teaching pro, Rowse argues children entering the sport are losing out as a result. “Having a PGA member here to do lessons for juniors is definitely a benefit for them getting the right tuition from the get-go.” •

The Tier 2 Squad members are: Blake Windred, Doey Choi, Stefanie Hall, Daniel Gale and Sophie Cusack. Tier 2 athletes will benefit from targeted squad training, high performance camps and targeted coaching assistance. Selection in the 2016 High Performance Squad was based on performance and developmental criteria, as well as an additional interview and the discretion of the high performance committee. In addition to the 2016 Golf NSW High Performance Squads, a watch list of athletes who will be given assistance in specific areas of their game has been named. These athletes will be given some HP opportunities, including tournament training, high performance camps and targeted assistance. The ten athletes named on the watch list are: James Grierson, Kevin Yuan, Celina Yuan, Jordan Garner, Jason Hong, Isaac Noh, Mitch Gannon, Josh Armstrong, Amy Chu and Harry Doig.

people

Graham’s visit revives caddie’s telling blow in 1977 Open win Stonehaven Cup was within reach.

Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

The battle naturally was intense with the down-to-earth Australian playing business-like golf against the more outgoing American veteran. So it shattered the grim proceedings that on the next hole (the 188m par three 15th on the southwest corner of the course) as the players were preparing to putt, a Mr Whippy Ice Cream Van, complete with a loudspeaker blaring the tune Greensleeves, drove around the corner into Tunstall Ave, beside the course.

HEN World Golf Hall of Fame Member David Graham returned to Sydney for the 100th staging of the Australian Open in November last year he could hardly comprehend the wave of nostalgia that swelled around him nor a surprise connection from the past that awaited him. Not only was Australia’s only dual US Major winner feted for his 2015 WGHOF achievement and being able to join 25 former Open winners, he also was named the 2015 Australian Golf Writers Association’s Honouree in a sentimental ceremony at Bonnie Doon Golf Club. At the AGWA dinner to celebrate his acceptance of his prized Honouree award from renowned journalist Peter Stone, Graham was delighted to see a familiar face in Sydney golfer Mark Evers, who revived and recalled many happy memories for Graham of his 1977 Open win 38 years ago. Evers, a low-marker golfer at Castlecove, is the son of Barry Evers, Graham’s caddie in 1977, who is credited by the 69-yearold veteran as being a huge factor in his breakthrough win at The Australian. Mark Evers walked every hole of Graham’s Open, which was played for the first time on the brand-new Jack Nicklaus designed layout, and was able to remind Graham of two treasured highlights. The 1977 Open boasted an international superstar field including, Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Don January, Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, Ray Floyd, Greg Norman, Jack Newton, Graham Marsh, Bruce Devlin, Bob Charles, Bob Shearer, Bruce Lietzke, Jerry Pate, Manuel Panero, Bill Dunk and Frank Phillips. Barry Evers, a hotshot low marker at St Michaels, was not a regular professional caddie and looped only occasionally for his mate Bob Stanton, to whom he was a strong mentor. (Stanton delivered the eulogy at Barry’s funeral on the Gold Coast several years ago). But when “those in the know” at The Oz were asked “who was the best caddie when it came to playing Kensington,” Barry was recommended and was asked to link up with David. The duo hit it off perfectly and the rest is history (including one key shot which certainly helped clinch the deal).

Famous Open win recalled: Mark Evers and David Graham at the Australian Golf Writers Dinner at Bonnie Doon The 1977 Open was tough and exciting with the tried and tested American Tour star Don January leading into the last round (on his 48th birthday) at four under, with Graham, Jack Newton and Kiwi John Lister a shot back and Nicklaus ominously poised on par. The machine-like January stayed on course most of the day to the extent that by the par-five 500m+ 14th hole he was a shot in front with just four holes to play. But come-the-moment-come-the-man as they say and Graham, who then was considered the best exponent in the world of hitting the difficult one-iron, called on his caddie Barry to hand him just this club to get home in two and try for an eagle. However the straight-talking Barry was not convinced that the trusty one could get the job done and stated very plainly to Graham that a three-wood was needed. The scratch-marker caddie had played the Oz many times and knew that the strong southerly wind, which provides the “teeth’’ at most of the championship courses in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, had plenty of bite late that Sunday. So the pair apparently discussed at length all the circumstances of the moment as they stared down the roughly 200m shot. Graham, renowned as one of the best thinkers in the game, changed his mind and decided to go with Barry’s local knowledge. He selected the three-wood, elegantly thundered it onto the green, where incredibly it finished just about 60cm from the hole, tapped in for eagle three, watched January take five and realised he was ahead by one and that the cherished

Then apparently something happened which proved to be an unusual memory of the day. To much hilarity and applause from the large crowd, the normally fairly taciturn Graham suddenly began “pirouetting or waltzing” briefly around the green in time to the ice-cream van’s music. It might have relaxed Graham and the crowd who warmed to the then 31-year-old Aussie, but it proved not so uplifting for January who seemed to lose his momentum and putting touch to the extent that he only parred 15, 16 and 17 and bogeyed 18 for a 75, while Graham, who made birdie at 17, swept away to a three-shot win with a closing 71. Graham’s winning total of 284 (74, 71, 68, 71) – especially the 71 final effort—on the windswept Kensington layout can be well-assessed by the fact that Nicklaus closed with an 80. Following the presentation of the trophy and the $40,000 cheque, Graham soon had to leave to catch a plane to the US but before he left he wrote a cheque for Barry which apparently contained a hefty bonus for a job well done. David is said to have acknowledged that Barry’s experience in being able and capable to argue the case and convince him to hit the three-wood on 14 had been a huge boost – maybe the turning point – to his winning chances and he was very appreciative. The pair remained good friends and while Barry never caddied for him again, he often travelled to the US and enjoyed numerous rounds of golf with David, who continued to blossom as a world-beater, winning the 1979 US PGA Championship and the 1981 US Open. And just to complete the circle of friendship, Graham signed a welcoming poster for Mark’s son Scott who is to attend the University of Texas (Graham’s sons Andrew and Michael and Jordan Spieth’s Alma Mater) this year in Austin, Texas, as an exchange student. •

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people

Game, set and course record David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

ORMER Australian Davis Cup tennis star Scott Draper has aced fellow golfers by firing a course record 62 – 10-under par – at Keperra Golf and Country Club in Brisbane.

Draper, 41, told Inside Golf breaking the course record at the club he joined as an 18-year-old was “special”. “I had a day out,” said Draper, who plays off a +4 handicap. “It’s always nice to go low. For some reason, when you have those days when the birdies are flowing you get in the zone and away you go. “It’s a nice feeling because as everyone knows golf is a bloody hard sport.”

Draper shows off the NSW PGA Championship trophy he won in 2007.

Draper was six-under par after nine holes and eight-under when he reached the 17th – a 182-m par-3. He didn’t need his putter after his well-struck tee shot found the bottom of the cup for his first competition ace.

Draper has won two club championships at his beloved Keperra.

Draper, who plays golf right-handed and tennis left-handed, is one of those rare individuals who played tennis and golf professionally.

“I have won the last two I contested although they are 11 years apart,” he said.

“It was a big thrill,” he said. “I think to go to another sport and have success like that, especially after people thought I was a sideshow act and questioning if I was the real deal, was satisfying,” he said.

Open mixed doubles.

For Draper, being a member at Keperra is a family affair as his brother Mark and their father are members.

Today, he rarely plays the game although he does coach periodically.

“Dad has been a member for 55-60 years,” he said. “Mark is a member there and we often play together on Saturdays, which is enjoyable.

“My body doesn’t like it,” Draper said. “Hitting is alright, but not the running around.”

“It vindicated my decision to have a go because I’m a big believer in having a crack in life.”

“I love the club and never get tired of playing the golf course, which is fantastic.

Draper campaigned for almost three years in the US, prequalifying for a number of Nationwide Tour (now Web.com Tour) events, but back issues cut short his golf career. He quit pro golf in 2009 and was reinstated to amateur golf in 2011.

“The members are a good bunch of people and we have a strong pennant team, which I like competing for. To me the club feels like home.”

“I gave pro golf my best shot but the back injury got me in the end and I called it quits,’’ he said.

During his tennis career, Draper was ranked as high as #42 in the world making the final 16 at the French Open in 1995 and ’96 and the US Open in 1997.

“I never had back issues in tennis – not until I played a lot of golf.”

In 2005, Draper teamed with Sam Stosur to win the Australian

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Scott Draper tees off en route to a new course record.

Speaking with Draper revealed the talented golfer and former tennis star has another passion … movies and music. “I am a movie buff and I love the music and entertainment industry,” he said. “If I had the choice to be an amazing singer/entertainer or a musician versus winning Wimbledon or the Masters in golf, I would nearly choose the music side,” said Draper, who “tinkers on the piano” and has a “reasonable singing voice”. “I don’t think there is anything that comes close to music when it touches you. I love music.” •

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He turned to professional golf in 2004 and in 2007 made people sit up and take notice when he won the NSW PGA Championship.

“I won in 2004, turned professional, got my amateur status back in 2011 but I went to Melbourne for three years so 2015 was the first club championship I played since 2004.”

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obituary

Farewell Robert Hogan David Newbery

the Courier-Mail before embarking on a career in television and radio with the ABC.

david@insidegolf.com.au

In 1974, he covered the devastating floods and even went beyond the call of duty to get the story.

NYONE who met Robert Hogan, a larger than life journalist, didn’t forget him in a hurry.

He became the story when, at 4am, he managed to drive into deep floodwaters. Luckily, a tow-truck driver was nearby and dragged him to safety.

At 6’4”, he was an imposing figure who had a wonderful, dry sense of humour and I don’t think you could tell him a joke he hadn’t heard. Mind you, when Robert got down to the business of writing he was one of the best. He certainly had ability to draw stories out of people including politicians, rock stars, golf administrators, professionals and amateurs. Robert wasn’t interested in awards, rather preferring to work at the coal face, meeting and talking to people. Robert wrote articles for me when I was editor of The Golfer when it was relevant in the 1990s and early ’10s. His best stories were people stories, but he did pen many hard-hitting columns oftentimes laced with sardonic wit that made some golf administrators nervous. I remember one senior golf administrator calling to ask, “Has Robert written a column this month and do I have anything to worry about?” Still, many golf club managers couldn’t wait for the next issue to read his enlightening articles and humorous snippets. And I lost count of the number of invitations he received to play a round of golf and have lunch at their club. Often misunderstood, his heart was far

bigger and more generous than he often let on. As a professional journalist, Robert would offer to help young up-and-coming golfers deal with the media. Those who listened would often shine at their next podium visit or press conference. “He simply was the nicest person and I’m sad to hear of his passing,” one Brisbane golf club manager told me. Robert passed away after a valiant two-year battle with illness following a stroke. He was 74 and put to rest on November 26 – the day he and wife June would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. Many people leave us and are vaguely labelled as being one of a kind – Robert Edward Hogan truly was one of a kind. Born in Bega, NSW, Robert started his journalism career at the Canberra Courier before moving to the Goulburn Post. In 1966, he moved to Tasmania to work for the Burnie Advocate. He moved back to NSW to work in Orange and Griffith before June dragged him to Queensland where he had a short stint with

“He thought the shiny surface was new road work,” June recalled. Queensland politics called and Robert left the ABC to work as press secretary and advisor to Justice Minister John Herbert. He later worked for Sam Doumany and the formidable ex-detective Don Lane and in the premier’s department. That was when I first met him and he started penning golf articles for the publication. The magazine thrived, but I’ll never forget the day Robert walked into my office to inform me his son Nathan, 23, had died suddenly. He was a broken man and, like any parent, never got over it. With grieving came anger, but as time passed his wit and jokes returned … thankfully. An avid NSW Blues supporter, Robert cheered for Parramatta in the NRL and Carlton in the AFL. Robert is survived by wife June, son Scott, daughter-in-law Kylie and grandchildren Lincoln, Mackenzie, Ford and Cleveland and his sisters Marie and Edna and families. Rest in peace, Robert, and thanks for the time you spent with us.

2016 Oates Vic Open launches The Grovedale Hotel played host to the Official Launch of the 2016 Oates Vic Open last month. The 2016 event will be played between 4-7 February at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links for the fourth consecutive year. The 2015 event culminated with several memorable highlights including eventual champion, Richard Green’s hole-in-one albatross on the par-4 15th during the Pro-Am and the fairy tale finish when he joined his fiancé atop the podium after a two-hole playoff with 2014 Australian Masters Champion, Nick Cullen. In 2016, up to 132 men and 132 women will be vying for their share of the increased $600,000 prize pool, split equally between the fields. Golf Victoria CEO Simon Brookhouse is confident that the event will continue to improve upon recent success. “Since taking the event down to the Greater Geelong region it has experienced a complete resurgence. The mounting crowds have been a strong indicator of the quality of golf and also the spectator experience provided at Thirteenth Beach,” said Brookhouse. “We’d like to thank the State Government, City of Greater Geelong, naming rights sponsor Oates and our other tournament partners for their ongoing support of this premier Australian golfing event.” The event will remain sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the Australian Ladies Professional Golf (ALPG) Tour. More: www.golfvic.org.au/vicopen.

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veterans

Wayne top of the class at Vets Matchplay Brian O’Hare

brian@australianseniorgolfer.com.au

AYNE GILL was a little worried his golfing involvement and enjoyment might go downhill when he retired from full-time work as a school teacher early in 2015. But then he discovered the rejuvenating and expanding world of veteran golf. “So just when you think retirement and you‘re getting older and you’re on the way down I find vets golf and its fantastic,” the 60 year-old Charlestown Golf Club member said recently. Gill had just won the final of the 2015 NSW Veteran Golfers Association Matchplay Championship conducted over four rounds in his home district of Newcastle in his debut appearance. The four marker had been playing golf since he was a 15 year-old and the new state title joined a somewhat fluky pro-am win in the early 80’s as career highlights. “As a junior I grew up alongside Woolooware Golf Course in Sydney,” he said. “I spent too much time on a golf course and not enough time studying I think. I‘ve just continued to play since then. I love the game, love the challenge.” The NSW Veteran Matchplay Championship this year was in its 17th edition after starting off in Coffs Harbour in the early 1990s. It travelled down to the Illawarra for a number of years before finding a new home in Newcastle for the past three stagings.

In November it was played at the Australian top 20 rated Newcastle Golf Club, Belmont Golf Club, Waratah Golf Club and Charlestown. Gill, who began playing in the Newcastle district’s rotating Monday vets events in 2015 after leaving work, decided to give it a try. He joined some 100 men and lady over-55s golfers who registered. “I was encouraged to have a go by some blokes from last year and I just thought yeah OK,” he says. “I played a bit of match play as a junior and just as an ordinary pennant member but this format was really good. The elimination thing is pretty high pressure stuff.” The event is played over four rounds in handicapped divisions with every entrant playing out the full tournament. Winners play winners in each division till there is an overall

divisional winner while those losing a round are matched against another golfer with a similar result. “I was a bit worried about [playing] four days out of five but I stood up alright,” Gill laughed. (Play is Monday to Friday with a rest day on Wednesday). “I played pretty well at Belmont on Monday, just sort of really consistent play. I played pretty ordinary at Waratah on Tuesday; the wet conditions were very awkward. “My best day was Thursday (at Newcastle GC), I played Warren Gorton (2014 runner-up) who is a really good player and it was a bit windy and I played really, really well to beat Warren. That was a good win.” “Today I was a bit anxious but so was my opponent Steve Pryor (Belmont GC) and we

just battled it out. I putted really well all four days … putting was the main thing.” Gill initially thought he would have a tough time getting past Gorton and defending champion Greg Kent, also a Charlestown member. “I thought I was up against it really because those two guys, Greg and Warren, I thought might have fought out the final. It just goes to show it is a different game matchplay. It is a really good achievement for me, I’m really pleased.” Also pleased was tournament director John Mason. “I’m very happy with the way the week went. It was a little wet on Tuesday but every other day was fine and it has worked out great,” he said. “Hopefully next year will be bigger and better. There is a maximum field of 128 and we should reach that no problems.” Mason in particular was encouraging more ladies to register for 2016, when the event will be held a week earlier, from October 24 – 28th. This will allow veteran golfers a week to travel down to South Australia to play the 2016 AVGU National Championship, which will be conducted in the Adelaide hills from November 6 - 11. Gill, who will be doing quite a bit of holidaying and travelling in the meantime, was definitely planning on being home so he could defend his title. “I think it is the right thing to do to defend it. I’ve enjoyed it so why not,” he said. Brian O’Hare is the founder and editor of Australian Senior Golfer, a website and online magazine providing news, information and entertainment for golfers aged 45 plus. Australianseniorgolfer.con.au

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PGA IGI

Join the program, say PGA IGI students

MBITION will only take you so far, hard work a little farther, however you just might reach your goal by attending and completing the PGA IGI International Golf Institute (PGA IGI) Diploma of Golf Management. That’s the opinion of students Byungwook Song and Terrence Ng took, with both harbouring ambitions of being touring professionals. Song and Terrence, 19 and 21 respectively, can’t recommend the PGA IGI Diploma of Golf Management highly enough. Both are outstanding golfers who have had a taste of playing professional tournaments thanks to their education and training through the PGA IGI. Song, who recently completed his PGA IGI studies, played in the NSW Open while Terrence played in the Hong Kong Open after winning the Hong Kong Amateur Championship. Terrence completed his PGA IGI Diploma of Golf Management and is currently in his second year of a Bachelor of Business in Sport Management at Griffith University. “My long-term goal is to turn professional and play on the Asian Tour, but I won’t do that until I finish my degree,” Terrence said. “I also want to do the PGA Professional Year and become a PGA Member with the PGA of Australia. “I would recommend the PGA IGI program to anyone who wants a career in the golf industry. “The coaches Chris Lee, Darren Weatherall and Ian Triggs are excellent and the lecturers are so helpful with your studies. “The Gold Coast is a great place to study and play golf, because the weather is perfect all year.” Song has already turned professional, but hasn’t ruled out completing the Bachelor of Business in Sport Management at Griffith University. In April, he will attempt to secure a card on the Korean Tour through the Tour’s second stage of qualifying school. “I passed the first stage, but if I miss out at the second stage I will do the university course and keep practising my golf until I get better,” he said.

Terrence Ng “The PGA IGI course is great because you learn so much.

Byungwook Song

“Sure, you become a better player but there is so much more they teach you about golf course maintenance and golf management.

“When they complete their studies we look forward to seeing them succeed down the professional golf pathway as a PGA Tour player or as an accredited golf coach, becoming a full vocational member of the PGA of Australia,” he added.

“I have already recommended PGA IGI to four or five other people.

“Each year we have graduates take their first step into a career in golf.

“I tell them they will get better, improve and learn a lot of other things as well. “The lecturers are very good and make the course easy to understand even though my English is not perfect. They always go out of their way to help us.” PGA IGI Dean and General Manager Geoff Wessling said Terrence and Song were shining examples to other students. “It is great to see Terrence and Song experience playing top level professional golf tournaments,” he said. “Their consistency on the golf course with PGA IGI shone through and helped them reach these heights in 2015.” Wessling said the pair had used the PGA IGI as a steppingstone to joining the professional ranks.

“This may be through pathways into the PGA Trainee Program to become a PGA Professional or towards a career in golf management working in golf clubs with members, administrations or managing golf events around the world.” PGA IGI enrolments are now open for 2016 for intakes at their Sydney and Gold Coast campus locations. Classes commence in February 2016 at both campus locations. For further information regarding the PGA International Golf Institute, please contact Luke Bryden on (07) 5657-6109, email lbryden@pga.org.au or visit www.pgaigi.com Facebook - facebook.com/pgaigi Twitter - @PGAIGI

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senior amateurs SENIOR Amateur WRAP With Denis Dale ed@insidegolf.com.au

orster-Tuncurry senior Greg Ellis now has the honour of winning back-to-back titles on the Australian Senior Amateur circuit. In an exciting day at Federal Golf Club, Ellis clung to his one stroke overnight lead to win the 2015 ACT Senior Amateur Championship by the same margin. His round of 75 on a day that was interrupted with some heavy rain, water-logged greens and then clear and sunny conditions was a very good one and he was a deserved winner.

Ellis a new star in Australian Senior Golf his closing round of 74 saw him just miss another title. He has, however, extended his lead in the national rankings and is now clearly the dominant and number one senior golfer in Australia. Tied for third were Peter Hannah (Pelican Waters) and Greg Stanford (Mona Vale). Hannah is a relative newcomer to senior golf and his recent efforts have been top class and he now finds himself well inside the top twenty ranking list. Hannah closed with a good round of 74 and a win is definitely on the cards in the near future.

Just a few weeks prior Ellis won the 2015 Victorian Senior Amateur Championship and he is definitely the form senior golfer in Australia. In both wins Ellis has played with the pressure of being in the last group and on both occasions he has come out on top.

Greg Stanford played consistently well all week and his equal third place was his best result in recent events. In an interesting side note the final group consisted of the four “Gregs” – Greg Ellis, Greg Rhodes, Greg Stanford and Greg McKay.

Runner-up was Greg Rhodes from Coomealla. Rhodes was great from tee-togreen but had no luck with the putter and

Fifth place was a three-way tie between Steve Toyne (Nudgee), Denis Dale (Twin Creeks) and Sal Ballard (Penrith). A highlight of the final day

Frost and Duivenvoorden win the Bachli and Lulofs trophies The Victorian Senior Order of Merit is played for the Doug Bachli medal and each senior player counts their best 12 results from a possible 36 events played across Victoria during the year. The winner of the 2015 Senior Order of Merit and the 2015 Doug Bachli Trophy was Bendigo golfer Ian Frost. Runner-up was Portsea and Commonwealth senior Alan Bullas who finished the season very strongly to edge out the 2014 winner Gordon Claney (Kingston Heath). In an outstanding year of senior golf Ian Frost won four Bachli Trophy events with numerous top five finishes. His total of 2761 points saw him win by almost 600 points. Frost won the Cobram-Barooga Senior Amateur, the Kingston Heath Senior Amateur, the Bendigo Senior Amateur and the Moyne Senior Classic. Nationally Frost won the South Australian and Queensland Senior Amateur Championships, helped Victoria to a clear win the teams section of the Australian Senior Amateur Championships and was selected to represent Australian in China for the 2015 Asia-Pacific Senior Amateur Championships. Second placed Alan Bullas won the Bachli Trophy in 2012 and he has been a strong supporter of senior golf in Victoria and across Australia for many years. He is one of Australia’s best senior golfers when on his game and 2016 may be a year to watch for Bullas. Gordon Claney is well known as one of Australia’s best senior golfers and this

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Ian Frost, Ignatius Duivenvoorden and Stan Davis. year he won four Bachli events including a purple patch that saw him win successive events at Royal Melbourne, Metropolitan and Commonwealth Golf Clubs. The 2015 Victorian Handicap Senior Order of Merit for the Paul Lulofs Trophy went to Yarram senior Ignatius Duivenvoorden who has now won this year-long handicap competition for five successive years. A marvellous achievement and it is hard to imagine it could ever be beaten (unless he improves on his own record with another win in 2016). Duivenvoorden played more events than any other Victorian senior (32 events) and with a total of 1538 points just edged out RACV senior Paul Fink who finished with 1521 points. The National’s Guy Krall was in third place. Jeff Hasthorpe of Trafalgar was the winner of the Doug Bachli 65+ trophy for the scratch champion while the Paul Lulofs 65+ Handicap Trophy went to Stan Davis of Bendigo with the highlight of his year being a win at the Alpine Senior Masters More: www.golfvic.org.au

was a hole-in-one by Dale on the sixteenth (a lucky bounce off the bunker helped!). Golf Australia has announced the twelveman team to compete in the 2016 Sanctuary Cove Trophy international series played between Australia and New Zealand. This is an annual event played in a similar format to the Ryder and Presidents Cups with the venue alternating between each country. The 2016 Australian team is Greg Rhodes VIC, Gordon Claney VIC, Barry Tippett VIC, Ian Frost VIC, Steve Toyne QLD, Ian McPherson WA, David Limbach NSW, Stefan Albinski NSW, Peter Hannah QLD, John Banting WA, Mark Pearson NSW and Lester Peterson NSW. The non-playing captain is Tony Kennings and non-playing vice-captain is Denis Dale. Australia won the first two years in 2007 and 2008 but New Zealand has been dominant in recent years and now holds a six to three series lead. The matches this year will be played in New Zealand in February at

Greg Stanford, Greg Ellis, Peter Hannah – top three in the 2015 ACT Senior Amateur Championship . the Royal Wellington Golf Club, a wonderful course to celebrate the tenth playing of the Sanctuary Cove Trophy. The date for 2016 Tasmanian Senior Amateur Championship is February 10-12, 2016. As usual the venue is Mowbray Golf Club in Launceston. This is a change from earlier advice that the tournament would be moving to a November date. More: www.ausoom.com

Hannah, Ryan top PresCare Senior OOM The PresCare Queensland Senior Order of Merit is in its third year and in 2015 once again benefited from generous sponsorship from PresCare – an outstanding aged care provider in Queensland. PresCare are continuing their support for the event into the future. They have also extended their sponsorship to include the Queensland Senior Amateur Championship. This year The PresCare Queensland Senior Order of Merit had 779 players play in 26 events. There were 294 women and 485 men who played in at least one event this year. The average field size was 60 players with 70% of the fields being 50 or more players. The overall men’s scratch winner was Pelican Waters senior Peter Hannah playing his first year in the senior ranks. Hannah played 9 events with a win in the Toowoomba City Seniors his best performance. He was very consistent in all events and finished ahead of Nudgee’s Mario LaChiusa who recorded three wins from his fourteen starts. Runner-up LaChiusa had finished third in 2014 and will be looking to improve another spot and take home the top position in 2016. Third place went to Timothy Deakin from McLeod Golf Club who played in 18 events with wins at Caloundra and Virginia his best results. Trevor Box (Windaroo Lakes) repeated his 2014 title in claiming the Super Senior medal for the Over 65 year old seniors.

Prize winners from the 2015 Prescare Queensland Senior Order of Merit competition. Josie Ryan and Peter Hannah are the major winners holding their trophies. Queensland also conducts a year-long competition for senior women and the winner was Josie Ryan from Headland Golf Club. Ryan had a great battle with Wantima’s Wendy O’Connell before claiming the title with victory in the Brookwater Seniors. That made it seven titles for Ryan in 2015. Laidley’s Cheryl Sternberg was third. The calendar for the 2015-16 PresCare QSOOM has been changed and the season will now finish with the 2016 Queensland Senior Amateur Championships for men and women to be played at Bribie Island Golf Club in July. This means the 2015-16 year is already underway with quite a few counting events already played. More: www.golfqueensland.org.au

senior amateurs

Dale and Musgrave tops in the NSW Senior OOM The 2015 NSW Senior Order of Merit competition counted each player’s best fourteen scores from a possible 41 events held at metropolitan, regional and country golf clubs across the state. The 2015 NSW Senior Order of Merit medal went to Twin Creek’s golfer Denis Dale who has now won this title nine times in the ten-year history of the competition. After a slow start to the year Dale found his best form in the second half of the season and finished with five wins, three seconds, one third and a total of thirteen Top 5 finishes. After receiving the trophy and Tom Tom watch prizes at the season ending presentation dinner at Cromer Golf Club the 67-year-old Dale indicated he looked forward to playing as many events as possible next year in his quest to make it ten titles. Second place went to Greg Stanford (Mona Vale) who narrowly defeated Dale Tapper (Bayview) for the runner-up position. Stanford recorded two wins during the year and the 2014 Order of Merit runnerup showed his consistency in accumulating enough points to again finish in second place. Dale Tapper had the honour of winning the most individual titles with six victories during the year and only an injury midseason stopped him from finishing higher than third place. Long Reef’s Ross Bockman was another to miss part of the season through injury and he was not far away in fourth place. The Handicap Order of Merit gold medal went to Kogarah senior Steve Musgrave who journeyed far and wide playing in 28 events and taking home the winner’s medal. Runner-up was another “senior tour” regular in Windsor’s Robert Lewis. He finished just a few points ahead of Port Kembla’s Brad Fifield who recorded the most handicap wins during the year with four victories. The Super Senior’s medal for the Over 65 year olds went to Denis Dale ahead of

2015 NSW Senior Order of Merit winners – Denis Dale (Twin Creeks holding trophy) and Steve Musgrave (Kogarah).

2015 SA Senior Order of Merit Over 65 winner Chris Claxton receives the Tony Mazzone Trophy.

2015 SA Senior Order of Merit winner Norm Cordina receives the John Beaumont Trophy.

senior golfer. This trophy is named after a great South Australian senior golfer John Beaumont who passed away in 2014.

he final of the South Australian Senior Pennant was played on very breezy afternoon on a wonderfully presented Kooyonga course. The winners were again the Tea Tree Gully Golf Club with a strong 51/2 to 1/12 victory over a gallant Blackwood team. This now makes it nine pennants in consecutive years for the Tea Tree Gully team. They have won every pennant since the inception of this event in 2007.

Vince Clark from The Lakes. Third place went to the 72-year old John Benn from Chatswood who enjoyed his best season for several years. This year the final day and presentation luncheon was supported by the TomTom company with the major winners of the Order of Merit trophies receiving new TomTom Golfer GPS watches. Special mention goes to a number of senior “iron men” who once again journeyed across the state to play in NSW Senior Order of Merit events from Mollymook in the south, to Orange in the west and Ocean Shores in the north. Cabramatta’s Chris Collins played in 32 events to take home the iron man title just ahead of Links Shell Cove’s Graham Leake (29 events), Geoff Lumsden (Pennant Hills 28), Steve Musgrave (Kogarah - 28) and Don Brown (Long Reef - 26). More: www.golfnsw.org

Cordina and Claxton take SA OOM honours

This undefeated winning streak is a record that the Tea Tree Gully club are extremely proud of and will be looking to extend their winning record to ten consecutive titles in 2016. The pennant competition in Adelaide has grown and now includes sixteen teams as senior golf in South Australia continues to grow and develop. The season ending Senior Golf dinner was held at Kooyonga Golf Club where the newly named South Australian Senior Order of Merit trophies were presented. The winner of the inaugural John Beaumont Senior Order of Merit trophy was Norm Cordina from Tea Tree Gully for the second consecutive year. A fitting reward for another consistent year from South Australia’s leading

Another great South Australian senior golfer was Tony Mazzone and sadly we also lost him in 2014. The Super Senior Trophy is named in his honour and the 2015 winner was Blackwood’s Chris Claxton another long time supporter of senior golf in his home state and across Australia. The 2016 South Australian Senior Order of Merit event schedule has now been finalised and there are ten events on the calendar for next year. A great addition to the schedule is Royal Adelaide on Monday 29th August. This new event allows those seniors with the time available to play Adelaide’s four premier golf courses (Glenelg, Royal Adelaide, Grange and Kooyonga) in a two-week period beginning late August. A great time for a holiday and some time in the wine country! The 2016 Australian Senior Amateur Championship will be played at Kooyonga in October so it certainly looks like a great year of senior golf in South Australia in 2016. More: www.golfsa.com.au

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www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

events

Tee it up at Asia’s best tournaments for club golfers

fter 20 years of hosting Australia’s biggest tournaments for club golfers, Gold Coast-based Go Golfing Travel are now attracting big numbers to tournaments in Asia. In June last year, 750 golfers played in the week-long Centara World Masters in Hua Hin, Thailand. In 2016, more than 2,000 golfers will participate in four tournaments spanning Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Go Golfing is well known for its Masters tournaments for club golfers aged 35 plus, where you play with golfers your own age and similar handicap. These four-round tournaments are played at premier golf resorts and there are nightly cocktail parties and glamorous welcome and presentation dinners with world class entertainment and massive prize pools. The Gold Coast World Masters, sponsored for a long time by Mitsubishi and now Ladbrokes, has just celebrated its 20th year. At its peak the event attracted more than 1,000 golfers from all over Australia and around the world. According to tournament manager, Mark Hawley, the amazing service and hospitality golfers experience in Asia has taken these events to a new level. “The courses all have full-time, well-trained caddies who know their stuff and are keen to please. All caddies wear a caddy bib bearing the player’s name and country flag. It’s a nice touch. We have hospitality staff handing out complimentary water on the buses to and from golf. At the hotels, courses, restaurants and bars, all of the staff are ready to help and do it with a big smile.” In just two years, the Centara World Masters in Hua Hin, Thailand has quickly become the biggest and richest amateur tournament in Asia. The four course rotation is Black Mountain, voted the best course

Teeing off at the 2015 Accor Hotels World Masters Golf Championship in Asia and host to many world class PGA tournaments, the multi-award winning Banyan, Jack Nicklaus-designed Springfield and Imperial Lakeview. Add to this the charm and attractions of the beachfront resort town of Hua Hin and you can quickly see why this event is a natural winner for golfers and partners alike.

three World Heritage attractions less than an hour away, including the ancient trading port of Hoi An, Danang is a compelling golf and holiday destination.

Many choose to extend their stay in Thailand to play in the Mercure 4-Ball Challenge which is hosted from 19-25 June in Pattaya. Playing as a team of two, the competition format includes two rounds of best ball, ambrose and aggregate events with three rounds at Siam Country Club’s course combinations as well as a round at Laem Chabang.

For more information visit www.gogolfing.net.au

By popular demand the Accor Vietnam World Masters returns to Danang in Central Vietnam from 4-10 September 2016. Playing two rounds at the Greg Norman-designed Danang Golf Club and Montgomerie Links, golfers relish the second chance to play both courses. The stunning Pullman Danang beachfront resort, located on a beach rated in the world’s top 10, hosts nightly socials and the welcome and presentation dinners. With

Go Golfing’s expansion into Asia will continue when they host the inaugural Philippines World Masters in November next year.

2016 ASIAN TOURNAMENTS 12-18 June: Centara World Masters www.thailandworldmasters.com 19-25 June: Mercure Pattaya 4 Ball www.pattayagolftournament.com 4-10 September: Accor Vietnam World Masters www.vietnamworldmasters.com SPECIAL OFFER Register for 2 events – save 10% off your SECOND event. Register for 3 events – save 10% off ALL 3 events Terms and Conditions apply.

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David & David a hit at Blackheath Legends Pro-Am With sizzling rounds of 66 (three-underpar) David Hando and David Hughes took “joint winner” honours at The Blackheath Legends Pro-Am, played in November. Contested under sparking blue skies, the stunning event raised Blackheath Golf Club’s profile within both the golfing and wider Blue Mountains’ community. The comments by all who played, and especially the many golf professionals, were highly complementary of the beautiful course; some even suggested that the course would be a great venue to host the Senior PGA final. The club’s “Foundation” dinner following the golf was well supported. Professional Lindsay Stephen proved to be an excellent emcee and his colleagues quickly entered into the fun. The relaxed atmosphere of the evening helped the speakers entertain those present with tales of golfing experiences. Tournament organisers wish to express their thanks to visiting professionals Chris Williams, Simon Owen, Thomas Mezera, David Mercer and Mark Tickle. Thanks also go to all who assisted in making the day a success, especially sponsors: Manildra Group, Sinclair Hyundai, Office Choice Katoomba, Hudson Timber and Hardware, CPS Private Wealth Management, Mitre 10 Blackheath, Blue Mountains Mazda, ISM Group & Blackheath Automotive. More: www.blackheathgolf.com.au.

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January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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events

Numurkah, Griffith take Holden Scramble

he team from Numurkah Golf Club has taken out the 2015 Holden Scramble Championship Final in a thrilling finish at Twin Waters Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast.

Winners are grinners: Numurkah Golf Club and Griffith Golf Club

The team consisting of Andrew Nicholls, Nathan Hickey, Colin McMinn, Paul Fry and PGA Professional Anthony Sanders, were joined by PGA Touring Professional Anthony Summers in the final round. In what would be the lowest round of the tournament, the team carded a nett score of 50.3 finishing less than one shot ahead of overnight leaders Wolston Park Golf Club.

Winner Tim Hart (centre) with Doug Barton and Mick Power. THE $60,000 Bartons/BMD Wynnum ProAm attracted some of the big guns of Australian golf, but it was Tim Hart who took home the $10,788 winner’s cheque.

Located 220km north of Melbourne near the NSW border, Numurkah team captain Anthony Sanders said he was thrilled to be a part of the winning team. “We all talked last night about being patient because we felt that we had played some pretty good golf the first two rounds without too much luck and I guess that luck came our way today.” “We had a rule today that we weren’t allowed to look at the leaderboard though it was really tough when we got on a roll making seven birdies in a row through the middle part of the round. When we birdied the tough 17th hole with Rod Pampling joining us and then eagled the 18th, we thought we must have been a chance.” “Playing with Anthony Summers was great today. He made our team feel so relaxed and he hit a couple of clutch wedges on the back nine, not to mention a long drive down the par 5 18th hole which only left us with 160m to the flag.” “I have been at the Numurkah Golf Club for 16 ½ years and really enjoy the people, board and management at the club. This week has certainly been one of the proudest moments I

Tim all Hart at Wynnum pro-am

have had representing the club.” It was disappointment for the team from Wolston Park who needed to eagle the last to win the championship though when 16 handicapper Arron Puna still had one drive remaining to reach his quota on the 18th hole, a short tee shot left them too far back to reach the green in two and a birdie was the best they could manage. Michael Wright who joined the Wolston Park Team, talked about their round. “We couldn’t really get anything going through the middle part of the round and with the challenge of two players needing to get a drive each away on the final couple of holes, it was going to be difficult to make enough birdies to win.” In the Women’s Holden Scramble Final, Griffith Golf Club made eagle on the final hole to win by just 1.2 shots from Lucindale Golf

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Club. Lucindale also finished with a birdie on the 17th hole and an eagle on the 18th to card a final round score of 50.3 setting the scene for a classic finish. Though when former PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit Winner Mark Brown hit a massive drive down the final hole, it gave the team from Griffith the perfect platform to also make eagle. “Our girls could not be more ecstatic about winning” said PGA professional and Griffith Team Captain Wayne Rostron. “We couldn’t make any putts during the middle part of the round though we combined really well down the stretch including Rod Pampling hitting a great bunker shot on the 17th hole to help save our par.” “We knew what we had to do coming down the last and although birdie would have been enough, it was a great feeling to win in style by making eagle”. •

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The one-day pro-am field read like a who’s who of Australian sport with Allan Border, Wally Lewis and Paul Green (North Queensland Cowboys premiership winning coach) joining golfers Peter Senior, Rod Pampling, Cameron Smith, Rhein Gibson, David Bransdon, Terry Price, Wayne Grady and Ossie Moore at Wynnum Golf Club. In winning, Queenslander Hart etched his name into the history books alongside the likes of Peter Senior, Jeff Senior and Vaughan Somers as only the sixth player in the event’s 37-year history to win the proam a second time. Hart’s nine-under-par 61 resulted in him finishing one shot ahead of Adam Stephens (NSW), Chris Wood (Qld) and Daniel Fox (WA) by a single shot. En route to victory, Hart made back-toback eagles at the par-5 13th and 14th holes and recorded six birdies. “This year has been one of my more consistent years and I guess it’s due to the hard work I have been putting in both on and off the golf course with my coach Richard Woodhouse,” Hart said.

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golf nsw

Hutton and Fittler front membership drive

t’s no secret TV star and Media Entrepreneur Deborah Hutton loves golf. Anyone willing to take her on in a quick four or five hole challenge between takes while she’s on set had better be ready - she’s very competitive. Her victim this time is TV commercial costar, NRL Commentator Brad Fittler. Perhaps the competition is a little one-sided, after all Hutton has been an active member of the Australian Golf Club at Kensington for years, while the former League legend - turned Channel Nine NRL Commentator Fittler, has only just joined Terrey Hills Golf Club. “Yeah, I’ve joined Terrey Hills,” says Fittler. “My passion for golf has just been reignited, the fire’s starting to burn again. I’ve had a couple of games in the last week.” Hutton and NRL Legend Fittler are together for the filming of the Golf NSW - Join Your Local Golf Club TV commercial. The film set for the day is Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club, home of the 2015 NSW Open Golf Championship. The theme being relayed through the commercial - Come on and Join Your Local Golf Club - is a message both stars are happy to extol. “The most important thing for people to understand about a golf club is it becomes a part of your family and a part of your community,” says Hutton. “It’s just a great place for you, your family, and kids to hang out.” “It’s a great sporting environment for them to come to, for the whole family really,” says Hutton. Fittler agrees with Hutton’s sentiments. “I’m only now recognising the benefit of being out here, says Fittler. “Spending four

11-year old Kade Webber, meeting TV star Deborah Hutton and NRL legend Brad Fittler during a break in filming at Stonecutters Ridge. hours with good friends out here hanging around in the sunshine, the trees and grass. it’s great.” “I went through a period where I didn’t get to play that much at all, but now my kids are getting to that age - they’re a little bit older, they’ll be out there with me too,” he says. Fittler grew up in the suburbs surrounding Stonecutters Ridge, and between takes looked around and likes what he sees of the Championship layout. “This place is impressive, they’re putting some real quality facilities out here now.” “For Greg Norman to put his name on something out here is fantastic. It puts Greater Western Sydney on the map,” Fittler says. The positive vibe, family friendly atmosphere and the sense of community that membership brings however was the purpose of the shoot. Hutton sums it up: “We’ve all got to help break down that barrier to people and say…Your local Golf Club is a wonderful environment for families and golf is a great sport for life.”

Congratulations to the latest St Hallett Wines Hole-in-One Achievers: David Bailey, Adrian Boyle, Michael Butcher, Allan Crapp, Ian Douglas, Philip Edgar, Paul Eding, Peter Emslie, Mark Hicks, Kevin Joyce (2x), Dev Kuna, Graham McCartney, Mitch Panada, Warren South, and Robert Stamp.

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Future stars to be unearthed at the 2016 NSW Amateur

he 2016 Men’s and Women’s NSW Amateur Championship, incorporating the NSW Medal, the NSW Club Champion of Champions, and the Women’s Stroke Play Championship will be conducted from January 27 to February 2, 2016 at Lynwood Country Club and the Riverside Oaks Golf Resort in North West Sydney. The NSW Amateur is a National and World Amateur Ranking Event and regarded as one of Australia’s leading amateur tournaments. A field of 350 players is expected with competitors from China, England, Korea, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales, and every State and Territory in Australia taking part this year. Some of NSW finest players including the 2015 Australian Amateur Champion Cameron Davis of Monash Country Club, Blake Windred of the Australian and Daniel Gale of Castle Hill will vie for the 2016 title against the likes of English amateur stars Adam Chapman, Bradley Moore, Jonathan Thompson and Ashton Turner. “The Amateur is a great proving ground for future stars of the game, with many Champions going on to make their mark in professional golf,” Graeme Phillipson General Manager of Golf, Golf NSW says. Ben Eccles, the current NSW Open Champion, won the NSW Amateur in 2013, while Jarryd Felton, winner of the Amateur title in 2014, has just turned professional and has performed well in his first few professional events.

2011 Medallist Andy Sullivan from England is making his mark on the European Tour, and has just pushed world No.3 Rory McIlroy all the way in the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. Other recent international winners include Paul Howard and Jack Senior. Future Korean star Eun-Bin Lim is likely to return to defend her 2015 Women’s Amateur title and will be accompanied by a strong contingent of Korea’s best female golfers. She will face some strong opposition in defending her title however, with NSW players Elizabeth Elmassian, Celina Yuan and 2014 Amateur Champion Doey Choi, who won the Women’s title as a 13 year-old, ready for the challenge. The host courses for the 2016 Amateur Championships will be worthy tests of golf for the large field also. Lynwood Country Club has already hosted a NSW Seniors and an Australian Mid Amateur Championship, while the new Bungool course at Riverside Oaks has just played host to the 2015 NSW PGA Championship.

Grant opportunities for golf clubs Golf clubs in NSW currently have access to two grant programs offered by the State government. Through the Local Sport Grant Program funding is available for projects covering sport club development, community sport events, sport access and facility development and capital equipment. Each NSW electorate has been allocated $50,000 towards the grant program, with funding limits set dependent on the project

category. The Community Safety Fund has been established to assist in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour through infrastructure and service delivery projects. Funding is available for local organisations to develop new and targeted projects to help people feel safe and proud of their community. More information on these grant programs can be obtained by contacting the Golf NSW office on (02) 9505 9105.

golf queensland

Golf shines at Queensland Sport Awards

he Queensland golf industry enjoyed an exceptional night at the Queensland Sport Awards, held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in November. Golf was successful in two categories, with Max Whitten taking home the Sport Volunteer of the Year Award while Jason Day won the coveted Sport Star of the Year Award.

Teed-up donating money to purchase a Paragolfer trailer

Max Whitten and Jason Day’s mother, Dening Day, with Chair Peter Castrisos

Golf Queensland Chair Peter Castrisos said it was very pleasing for the Queensland golf industry to be recognised in such a way. “We are thrilled that golf has featured so heavily in the Queensland Sport Awards this year. Having three finalists was a remarkable accomplishment for Golf Queensland and we are very pleased that Max and Jason were able to win in their respective categories,” Mr Castrisos said. “All of our finalists were fantastic contenders in their categories and we are very proud of their achievements.” Day’s mother, Dening, gratefully and gracefully accepted the award on her son’s behalf. “We are ecstatic for Jason,’’ she said. “The year has been so wonderful and it has now ended on an even higher note. “He has worked so hard for what he has achieved and so many people in Queensland have known him since his young days in amateur golf. Golf Finalists: Jason Day: Sport Star of the Year Max Whitten: Sport Volunteer of the Year Rebecca Kay: Junior Sport Star of the Year Winner’s background: Max Whitten has been the driving force behind the establishment of the Maleny Golf Club, Sunshine Coast, commencing play late

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June which has seen him fittingly earn the award for Volunteer of the Year. The course was 15 years in development and it was only Max’s efforts in the early years and during construction that made the course and club possible. Max’s leadership, commitment, drive and enterprise has facilitated the construction of the course to meet an unmet demand for golf in the area. Jason Day had a stellar year, becoming the youngest and only the third Australian to hold the World Number 1 ranking. In winning his very first major in August, Jason made history for the most shots under par in a major (20-under) with his recordbreaking win at the BMW Championship catapulting him to the World Number 1 title. In terms of his year, Day has lived up to his early promise he made as a junior Beaudesert Golf Club member; exclaiming “I want to take down Tiger.” Nine years later, Day’s resume for 2015 was impressive, but it’s more representative of a long, steady build-up where he has built his game to be unmatchable when it’s on song. His five PGA tour wins, including his first major at the PGA Championship, and nine top-10 finishes was gold of the most consistent calibre. Congratulations to all winners and finalists.

eed Up Golf have announced that they will be donating funds towards the purchase of a ParaGolfer Trailer used by Empower Golf to transport the amazing ParaGolfer to various golf courses around the country. Empower Golf Australia is the driving force behind facilitating and promoting golf for less able Australians. James Gribble and the team at Empower run golf clinics across Australia that provide much needed coaching and emotional wellbeing for disabled golfers across the country. One of the key pieces of equipment used by Empower Golf is the ParaGolfer, which lifts people from a sitting to a standing position to allow unrestricted shoulder movement to facilitate a golf swing action. Empower use trailers that are specially designed to transport the ParaGolfer. These trailers also allow the ParaGolfers to be transported to Empower Golf Clinics and to fundraising days - this helps Empower Golf spread the word and become more selfsufficient. Starting in October of last year, Teed Up Golf Tours will make a donation for every International Tour booking they receive until the trailer is fully funded. Golfers are encouraged to support this worthwhile cause by making your own

donation to this fundraising project. As with all Common Cents Fund projects, the raised funds go directly to the purchase of this equipment and all donations over $2 are tax deductible. You can also visit https://youtu.be/ MyQ5xQo3EfA for more information on Empower Golf, its founder James Gribble, and the amazing ParaGolfer as featured on the Fox Sports Golf Show. Teed Up is Australia’s leading golf touring company specialising in golf trips to the US Masters and British Open that are escorted by Golf Professionals. For more information visit www.teed-up.com, email info@teedup.com or call +61-2-8458-9000 To make your own donation to support the purchase of a ParaGolfer Trailer visit http://commoncentsfund.com/projects/ empower-golf-paragolfer-trailer-teed-upgolf/

JOIN NOW! WWW.JUNIORGOLFQUEENSLAND.ORG.AU www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

19th hole

Monkey business in 2016 David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

CCORDING to Chinese astrology, 2016 is the Year of the Monkey.

Not sure if it means those worldclass players who have never won a major will finally rid themselves of the ‘monkey on the back’ label or whether it will continue to haunt them. In recent years, a number of players have been categorised with the tag and continue to struggle with the appellation. Adam Scott did have the monkey on his back, but he brushed it away with his broomstick putter when he won the 2013 US Masters. Phew! Jason Day never had the monkey on his back because, at 27, he had not yet qualified. Of course, he won’t have to worry anymore because he won the 2015 US PGA Championship. Anyway, I was discussing the monkey on the back issue with a group of keen golfers recently when one hacker challenged my suggestion it’s a label no golfer particularly wants. “I wouldn’t mind having the monkey on my back,” he chirped. “If I did, it would mean I’m one of the best players in the world and I would have a healthy bank balance.” Mate, for those players with the monkey on the back it’s not about how much money they have in the bank. As an elite golfer, they want a major or two. So, can the players with the unwanted label finally shed the “major” monkey in 2016? Of course, it won’t be easy with golf’s new “Big Three” – Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day – virtually dominating the game. Maybe so, but let’s not forget the older and wiser Adam Scott. He’s not going to go away any time soon. Feel free to agree or disagree with Inside Golf’s list of players considered to have the monkey on the back. Sergio Garcia, 35, burst on the scene at the 1999 US PGA Championship when he finished runner-up to Tiger Woods. In 2008, he finished in a tie for second. In a stellar career, Garcia has had 20 top10 finishes in the majors, including a second place in the Open Championship in 2007 and again in 2014. His best finish at the US Masters was in 2004 when he tied for fourth. Garcia finished fourth and tied third in the US Open in 2002 and 2005 respectively. Lee Westwood, 42, won the Australian Open 19 years ago in 1997 and looked a certain major winner. After 42 professional wins, he’s still searching for his first major. 76

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Will 2016 be the year Sergio Garcia sheds the “major” monkey? He had finished inside the top-10 in majors 17 times and inside the top-5 on 10 occasions. His best was runner-up to Louis Oosthuizen by some distance in the 2010 Open Championship and runner-up at the Masters to Phil Mickelson in the same year. He has also finished tied third in the US Open and the US PGA. Henrik Stenson, 39, has promised much in the majors with nine top-10s – the best being runner-up in the 2013 Open Championship and a third place finish in the 2013 and 2014 US PGA Championship. Old man time is catching up with the Swede. Brandt Snedeker, 34, is a guy who is not overly long off the tee but he did win the FedEx Cup US$10m prize in 2012. In 2012, he finished tied third at the Open Championship and in 2008 tied third at the Masters. In the past eight years, he has four top-10s at the US Open. He’s been earmarked as a major winner for a number of years, but will have to carry the monkey around for some time to come. Luke Donald, 38, is a former world number one who promised much but delivered little, save for 2011 when he won the US PGA Tour and European Tour money list and the Race to Dubai. His best finishes at the Masters was a third place in 2005 and T4 in 2011. In 2006, he tied third at the US PGA while his best at the Open Championship is a tied for fifth in 2009 and 2012. Donald, who has 16 professional career wins, has dropped to 70th in the world golf rankings.

Ian Poulter, 38, is a player most thought would have won a major by now. The Englishman is a gritty grinder, who has had six top-10s in majors – three of which came in 2012. He is a shorter hitter and struggles to tame long courses. Still, he is a magnificent clutch putter and had a good chance of getting rid of the “monkey” in the 2008 Open Championship at Birkdale. When he parred the 72nd hole, everyone thought he had won it but no one told Padriag Harrington who hit some great shots

down the stretch to win. Perhaps, Poulter, who has eight top-10s in majors, should enter majors with the same enthusiasm he demonstrates when playing the Ryder Cup. So there’s my list. I could have included 31-year-old Dustin Johnson and will if he doesn’t win a major in 2016. I didn’t include Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan, Thomas Bjorn, Robert Karlsson, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby or Miguel Angel Jimenez but others might.

Holey Foley’s ace double IT’S taken just over two-and-a-half years, but former Collingwood defender Kerry Foley is starting to make himself feel quite at home at Portsea Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula. Last month, Foley, who joined the club in 2013, aced the club’s 151-metre second hole appropriately named The Bowl. It was his first hole-in-one, but he wasn’t finished there. Two sleeps later, he repeated the ace feat – this time at the 169-metre Glory Box seventh hole. Despite writing a “1” on two different scorecards, he didn’t win either competition. On the first occasion Kerry, who plays off an eight handicap, returned 41 stableford points but was beaten by a 24-handicapper who had 44 points.

PAIR OF ACES: There’s no stopping Portsea’s Kerry Foley.

Two days later, he fell one shot short in the competition.

His next assignment is to ace the par-3s on the back nine – the 151m 13th hole called Delgany and the 158m 16th – Bank hole.

Ah well, at least Kerry can say he has conquered the two short holes on the front nine.

If that happens, his golfing group might take to wearing earplugs.

19th hole

And the award goes to… Inside Golf celebrates who made 2015 a year to remember

New kid on the block 1: Brisbane’s Cameron Smith. The 22-year-old played 13 tournaments on the US PGA Tour, made eight cuts, had two top-10s, including a fourth place at the US Open, and earned more than $1.3m.

Player of the year (men): Jordan Spieth edges out Jason Day after winning five tournaments including the Masters and US Open. Players of the year (women): Nothing separates New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and Korean Inbee Park. Ko recorded five wins on the LPGA Tour, including the Evian Championship and also won the NZ Women’s Open. The 18-year-old recorded 13 top-10 finishes and banked more than $3m. Park has four wins on the LPGA Tour in 2015, including Women’s British Open and Women’s PGA. The 27-year-old recorded 13 top-10 finishes and banked more than $3m. Best senior citizen: American Jeff Maggert with four tournament victories on the Champions Tour in the US. He earned more than $2.9m in prizemoney. Show me the money: In 25 events on the PGA Tour in 2015, Jordan Spieth won five events and more than $16.5m in prizemoney and a further $14m for winning the FedEx Cup. Best non-winner: Henrik Stenson played 16 PGA Tour events and banked more than $6.5m without a victory. Military handshake award: No contest, the award goes to Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson. Playing together at the Presidents Cup the pair must have shaken hands 30 times on day one alone. Virtually after every shot, they would approach each other, come to attention, shake hands and nod their heads. On day three, they switched to lefthanded handshakes. Baywatch award: Lee Westwood wins the award for saving a man from drowning in Barbados. The Englishman was on the beach when he saw Colin Davies floundering in the ocean. Westwood raced into the water and rescued Davies before he went under.

Easy transition: Rookie Tony Finau, a 2014 Web.com Tour graduate, played 31 events on the US PGA Tour, made 22 cuts, five top-10s to finish 40th on the money list with $2.9m.

short second putt on the 17th and mistakenly picked up her ball. But the Europeans had not conceded and, playing by the rules, Pettersen claimed the hole for a one-hole lead. The match was halved.

New kid on the block 2: In her rookie year on the LPGA Tour, WA’s Minjee Lee had one win (Kingsmill Championship), five top10s and finished 16th on the money list with $935,000.

Lydia Ko. Caddie sack award: Robert Allenby split with yet another caddie, this time Mick Middlemo. After a mid-round argument at the Canadian Open, Middlemo put down Allenby’s bag and stormed off. Choke award: German Martin Kaymer’s capitulation from being 10 shots ahead with 13 holes to play to losing by two to Frenchman Gary Stal at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Contract award: Horizon Sports Management who ended a contract dispute with Rory McIlroy. Terms were not officially disclosed, but British media suggested McIlroy agreed to pay HSM more than $20m. Late rally award: Aussie Rebecca Artis came from six strokes behind Norway’s Suzann Pettersen to claim her second Ladies European Tour title at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. Best team, men: The US team, who edged out the Internationals 15½-14½ to win the Presidents Cup at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea. Gritty player award: South African Branden Grace, who won all five Presidents Cup matches he contested.

Putting the boot in award: Robert Allenby. The Victorian was allegedly drugged, kidnapped, bashed and placed in the boot of a car before being dumped at a site occupied by homeless people in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Best team, women: The US women’s team, who rallied to beat the Europeans 14½-13½ in the Solheim Cup. The Americans did it by winning the singles matches 8-3. One match was halved.

I didn’t see it coming award: Tiger Woods, who became Toothless Tiger in Italy when a camera knocked out a front tooth.

No gimme award: Americans Alison Lee and Brittany Lincicome thought Suzann Pettersen and Charley Hull had given Lee a

Hickory Heroes battle in Melbourne

Melbourne’s Hickory Heroes golf group sported their century-old golf gear and attire at the Latrobe and Woodlands golf clubs last month, battling it out in historic matchplay fashion on the lovely, well-presented courses. The Photo above shows the competitors prior to teeing off at Latrobe: L/R Peter Stickley, David Kelso, Bill Young, Ian Pearce, Neil Walker, Max Findlay, Glenice Brown, Richard Fellner (Inside Golf ), Peter Gompertz, Prue Ellis, Cliff George, Vince Sofo Vice Captain Latrobe/GC, Jeff Scofield Vice President Latrobe/GC, Paul Burgess. The Golf Society of Australia run regular “Hickory Heroes” events in Melbourne. For more information, check out www.golf.org.au/golf-society-of-australia

Welcome back award: Rod Pampling, 45, returns to the US PGA Tour full-time after finishing 17th on the secondary Web.com Tour courtesy of one victory – the BMW Charity Pro-am. Second fiddle award: Two-time Australian Open winner Aaron Baddeley and former Australian PGA champion Greg Chalmers lost their US PGA Tour cards and will have to do a Pampling and battle back from the secondary tour.

Crossword > 1

12 13

18 22

ACROSS

1 US golfer, Scott, who won the 2003 Ford Championship at Doral (4) 4 Winner of the 2015 Australian Open (4,5) 9 Coloured marker identifying a hole, perhaps (3,4) 10 Found (7) 11 Australian, Peter, who won the Australian Masters in 2015 (6) 12 Appraise carefully (8) 14 The starting-point for a player or competitor without a handicap (7) 15 Contents of 27-across (4) 18 The procedure by which a ball is put back into play after it’s been lifted (4) 20 Club sometimes used for safety off the tee (3,4) 24 Shooter of an incredible 10-under round at the 2015 Australian Open (8) 25 High-finishing American at the 2015 Australian Open (6) 26 Talk that is not allowed while golfers play their shots (7) 27 Hazards that protect a green (7) 28 Positions of players at the end of each round (9) 29 Fringe (4) Answers: page 83

DOWN

2 Not below or above par (8) 3 Make a putt, chip in etc (4,3) 4 Large cup, but not a trophy (3) 5 Medium by which most people watch golf (10) 6 British golfer, Tony, who won the Open Championship in 1969 and the US Open in 1970 (7) 7 Aussie winner of the 2009 Canadian Open, ______ Green (6) 8 City that hosted the 2015 Australian Open (6) 9 Stand firm against (6) 13 A low-running shot played around the greens where the ball spends more time on the ground than in the air (4,3,3) 16 Buried lie you might have in a sand trap (5,3) 17 Short distance described by American commentators (6) 19 Describing Jack and Gary Nicklaus, generally (7) 21 Day-to-day cost of touring, perhaps (7) 22 Intervals (6) 23 Popular US golfer, Mark, who won the Australian Masters in 1986 (6) 27 Perhaps a form of transport taken by spectators to watch golf (3) www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

The Larry awards for 2015 ed@insidegolf.com.au

ever before have we seen twelve months of such passion, emotion, disappointment, heroism and lots of other words.

Nominations for “The Larry” are: Once again, Jason Day when he suddenly suffered a bizarre bout of vertigo during the US Open. The extraordinary way he got back to his feet, wobbled down into a bunker that resembled a small volcano, splashed his ball out successfully then had to be pulled out by his trusty caddy, was truly heroic. Those shots can be terrifying even when you are in total control of your facilities. (Not that I’d know).

So let’s jump right in before I write too many words, and my editor Richard Fellner has to sub-edit the living daylights out of this (Editor’s note: too late.).

And the nominations are: Jason Day, for losing his stuff at the thought of only needing four putts on the final green to win his first major. Col Swatton, for losing his stuff at the thought of Jason only needing four putts on the final green to win his first major. And Brandt Snedeker for welling up right after John Senden handed him his scorecard after the first round of last month’s Aussie PGA and said – “I make that 84, Brandt?” The winner is: Jason Day, who somehow found a way to win the US PGA before he dehydrated…. And before I got busted watching the whole thing on TV and howling like an Aussie Senior Tour player right after being told he has to pay for his own sandwich today.

LARRY

A new category for this year’s awards is for the player who dug deep when something really crappy happened to them . This award should really be named “The Sandra”, after my wife, who was dealt a terrible blow some 35 years ago when she said “I do”. Then again, she freely admits she has never read a single column I’ve written. (Editor’s note: I envy her. Smart woman.)

Larry Canning

As tradition demands, my first award is “The Larry” for the biggest display of man emotion. American nice guy, Steve Stricker, has collected this honour more than anyone in “Larrys” history during a golden period where he seemed to win just about every tournament he entered. He would burst into tears each time someone handed him a cheque for $900K. I can actually sympathise with Stevey. I used to bawl my peepers out every time I didn’t win; which seemed like it was every tournament, I entered.

Jason Day battled back from a severe bout of Vertigo at the 2015 US Open (Photo: USGA). Another of my personal faves is “The Larry” for the funkiest name. And the nominations are: South Africa’s Rourke Van Der Spew. Rourke first came to my attention when he made the cut in the Aussie PGA despite suffering a dreadful case of food poisoning. Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand got off to a flyer in his first event of the Asian PGA Tour when it took three lines to fit his name on the Malaysian Open leader’s board. His resulting three toptens in one week pretty well secured his card for another 12 months. And India’s Shanker Dat, who, on the other hand, is struggling. But “The Larry” goes to: 2005 US Women’s Open Champ, Birdie Kim. Despite her disappointing season, Birdie has gained a lot of inspiration from her famous Korean Olympic Table Tennis Mother, Ping Pong Kim and former World Gymnastics Champion and father, Cartwheel Kim. Watch out for the name Birdie, in 2016!

The look on Marc Leishman’s face when he walked to his ball in the first play-off hole of the British Open and saw it had come to rest in a divot that looked like an Egyptian Archaeological site, was one of obvious disappointment. But the way he shook it off then gouged through the turf with resolve, sending his nut over the Swilcan Burn and safely onto the back of the green was inspirational. The third nomination and winner of “The Larry” is my mate Peter Senior. This down-toearth little gold nugget showed his trademark grit and determination when he beat blokes half his age to take out this year’s Aussie Masters at Huntingdale. But it’s not his victory that sees him being nominated. No, it’s the sheer class of the guy when he opened up his Australian Open account the next week with a disastrous 81. In a brief interview with Peter Stone, Senior actually apologised to the public for his round and said how embarrassed he was. Peter, no need to apologise mate, you are a true Aussie sporting hero! Thank you Ladies and Gentleman. Have a safe and happy New Year!

DID YOU KNOW?

The quick nine quiz THERE are 22 stableford points up for grabs on the front nine. How many can you get?

with David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

1. What were the first golf balls made from? (3 pts) 2. What did American Harold Varner III and South African Dylan Frittelli have in common on the final day of the Australian PGA Championship? (2 pts) 3. What was world number one Jordan Spieth’s ranking at the end of 2014 – 5th, 7th, 9th or 11th? (3 pts) 4. Who is New Zealand’s highest ranked golfer? (2 pts) 5. At the 2015 Australian PGA Championship, how many players finished under par? (2 pts) 6. Can you solve the following anagram – Crab endanger. Clue: He was the Internationals best performer at the Presidents Cup. (3 pts) 7. Who won the 2015 Nedbank Golf Challenge? (2 pts) 8. A ball is embedded in an orange lying under an orange tree. What is the ruling? (3 pts) 9. Who said: “Going to the gym is great for your body, but it’s also great for your mind.” Was it Gary Player, Craig Stadler, Jack Nicklaus or Rory McIlroy? (2 pts) ANSWERS: (1). Wood – specifically beech; (2). They lost the playoff won by Aussie Nathan Holman; (3). 9th; (4). Kiwi Lydia Ko is world #1; (5). None; (6). Branden Grace; (7). Marc Leishman; (8). The player must play it as it lies or deem it unplayable. Since the orange was adhering to the ball it was not a loose impediment.; (9). Rory McIlroy.

19th hole

The US Open playoff of 1990 went to 19 holes when Hale Irwin and Mike Donald tied on 280 in regulation play and again with 74s in the 18-hole playoff. Irwin birdied the 19th to win.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

HE longest playoff in the history of professional golf dates back 84 years.

In the 1931 US Open at the Inverness Club in Ohio, Billy Burke needed 72 holes to defeat George Von Elm. Tied on 292 after 72 holes of regulation play, the pair tied in the first 36-hole playoff with scores of 149. They had to return the next day for a further 36 holes as there was no provision for sudden-death.

On that day, Burke carded 148 to Von Elm’s 149 – a one shot victory (total 589 to 590) after five days and 144 holes of golf. For the record, Burke was the first winner of the US Open (1931) to use steel shafts. In the early years, the 36-hole playoff was the benchmark for all the majors and occasionally prolonged to 37 or 38 holes 78

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

when sudden-death was needed after a 36hole tie.

In 1958, our own Peter Thomson defeated Dave Thomas in 36 holes at Royal Lytham to win his fourth of five Open Championships.

These days a number of different playoff formats are used in the majors.

Kiwi Bob Charles, in 1963, became the first left-hander to win the Open Championship when he defeated American Phil Rogers in a 36-hole playoff.

The US Masters is the only major that employs a sudden-death playoff to determine the winner in the event of a tie while the US Open has its 18-hole playoff followed by sudden-death. The Open Championship opts for a fourhole aggregate playoff followed by suddendeath while the US PGA Championship goes for the three-hole aggregate playoff followed by sudden-death.

The longest-ever sudden-death playoff went to 11 holes. It took 20 holes to separate Se Ri Pak and Jenny Chuasiriporn in the 1998 US Women’s Open. Pak birdied the second extra hole after the pair tied on 290 in regulation play and again on 72 in the 18-hole playoff.

In the Motor City Open in 1949, Carey Middlecoff and Lloyd Mangrum went to sudden-death and were still tied after 11 holes as darkness descended.

Twenty holes were also needed in a threeway playoff for the 1994 US Open.

They were declared co-winners of the tournament after an agreement between themselves and tournament officials.

The pair tied on 283 after regulation play and both shot 71 in the 18-hole playoff. Woods won on the 19th extra hole with a par to Mediate’s bogey.

Ernie Els, Loren Roberts and Colin Montgomerie tied on 279 after regulation play. Els and Roberts had 74s in the 18-hole playoff, eliminating Montgomerie who shot 78.

Now, if your life depended on winning a playoff and you could choose someone to take your place it would have to be Tiger Woods.

Yes, it took Tiger 91 holes to triumph over Rocco.

Els won on the second sudden-death hole with a par to Roberts’ bogey.

On the PGA Tour, he has an 11-1 winning playoff record.

The longest playoff in recent times was Tiger Woods’ 19th hole victory over Rocco Mediate at the 2008 US Open.

THE WINNER Yep, that’s right! Starting this month, Inside Golf is going to include reader photographs as part of our “Your Say” monthly competition. Now, not only can you submit your great stories, comments, feedback and ideas to Inside Golf each month, but you can also send us any quirky or exciting photographs for print consideration. This month’s winner is Glenn Hinds, who submitted this great photo of himself (taken by Anthony Wood/pixonline.com.au) at the recent Armidale Jug at the Armidale Golf Course in Northern NSW.

NEW:

PHOT of theO Month ! If you look closely, not only can you see the ball, but you can also see the HEAD OF HIS DRIVER which came off during the shot and flew into an adjacent tree (and stayed there). We can only hope that the ball travelled further than that!

your voice

Grooving on Hickory In the article “Hickory switch helped conquer depression” in the November issue, it discussed the face markings on the old hickory shafted irons. It is true that many grooves are not parallel and would therefore not conform under the current Rules. This is despite the fact that the old grooves are quite shallow and spaced in a way that, in imparting spin to the ball, they are inferior to modern irons. The article also claims that the old style of punched holes on the

face is non-conforming. This is a common misconception. Punch marks are perfectly legal in competition play if they conform to the specifications laid down in the current Rules (pages 157, 158).

Editor’s note: Thanks Michael. We forwarded this to our rules guru, Frank Gal (Golf NSW) who added the following:

groove specifications – as these do not apply at Club level as yet. We are simply referring to the basic groove Rules regarding, for example, “straight and parallel” and separation.)”

The R&A’s generic advice on this topic is as follows: “We can’t provide a blanket comment about the likely conformance status of hickory clubs except to say that they would be required to conform to the current Rules in order to be used.

AT’S H T w o N our y g n i s u head!

Many such clubs do have conformance issues when viewed against the modern Rules, for example, in relation to their grips, head shapes and face markings. (When we say face markings, we don’t necessarily mean the 2010

There is a growing worldwide movement to play golf with hickory clubs, for the sheer joy of it as described in your article. Michael Sheret

The R&A does also say that they don’t see any harm in a club organising a ‘hickory’ event for fun and writing its own conditions of competition for that event. They would see this on a par with events such as ‘3 clubs and a putter’, ‘iron only’ competitions and Texas scrambles. None of these formats would be covered by the Rules of Golf and, as such, would not be ‘counting’ events for handicap purposes (albeit, there may be circumstances where such a competition may be used for ‘reduction only’).

More hysteria on the range

Your Voice

Have you got something to say? Then tell us! Write to us via email at ed@insidegolf.com.au. Tell an interesting story or something funny about golf and you could WIN a prize like this month’s GolfBuddy Voice GPS unit!

Australia’s best Super Senior?

Help Mary with her a little plan

I suggest we launch a Super Senior Rating (SSR). Put simply, an SSR is a golfer’s age minus his handicap e.g. an 80-year-old off 15 has an SSR of 65, a 75-year-old off 12 has an SSR of 63 and a 60-year-old off scratch has an SSR of 60. Obviously the whole thing is slanted towards the older or super senior. To complicate a simple formula we might subtract the derived rating from 100 so that the lower figure is in line with normal handicapping procedure. Thus the above handicaps would adjust to 35, 37 and 40 respectively. But this is optional. Submissions from readers might prove interesting and we might find Australia’s champion Super Senior. Jon White, Rosebud Country Club. Editor’s note: Great idea Jon. Let’s see what other readers say!

I suspect you have been inundated with mail regarding Mary Brewer’s plan to play every golf course in Australia (November issue). I think this is a real pioneering objective and one we should all support in different ways, from sponsorship arrangements to helping Mary access courses at little or no cost to herself. Accordingly, if Mary has not played Glenmore Heritage Valley Golf Course [Penrith NSW], I would be happy to invite her to do so as my guest at any time that is suitable to her. I feel sure that most Veteran golfers across this wonderful country would be willing to support Mary in this way. Could I suggest that you invite a ‘call to help’ from golfers everywhere to assist Mary to reach her laudable goal. Richard Doyle Councillor - NSW Veteran Golfers Association Inc.

Re: ‘Hysteria on the practice range’ (issue 120), this relates to a very similar situation I found myself in recently.

Never in my life have I ever been spoken to so rudely and basically been told that ‘YOU ARE NOT WELCOME’.

I will not mention the club involved. I was in a lower tier category of membership at this club and have been for over a year. As I wanted to mainly just practice and occasionally play when I had the chance, I asked the person running the Pro Shop if it was ok to use the practice facilities. He was a good guy and said there was no problem with me using the facilities as long as I did the right thing.

I bit the bullet and went to join this club recently, when again I had to deal with this individual in order to pay for my full membership.

Throughout this period of over a year I used my own practice balls that I bought with my own money. I take my practice reasonably seriously and like using my own golf balls that are good high-quality balls. However, one day two months ago, when I was practicing on the range for close to an hour, a new person (who I believe is the new pro – he never introduced himself ) rocks up in his golf cart and asks if I was a member. My response was that I was in a lower tier member bracket. This person told me that I wasn’t allowed to use the range; that I was wrecking it when I wasn’t, (I mean, any proper golf shot takes a divot), and that I basically wasn’t to use my own balls unless I want to hit off synthetic mats. This person’s arrogance and rudeness towards me left me absolutely flabbergasted. I am in my mid-30’s and like most people have played numerous sports from golf to cricket, tennis, basketball, Aussie rules etc.

When I was about to pay, I asked if I had full access to the club and the practice facilities and could I use my OWN practice balls. After he raved on for about ten minutes about “it’s a business” and he has to make money and there are safety issues with people collecting their own golf balls, etc., I said that I would give it a miss. He took my number and said he would try to work something out and get back to me. I have not heard back from this person... and I couldn’t care less. Mr Graham’s article made some very valid points about this situation and clubs no doubt need to address it and find a solution. Why should members have to pay extra on top of their membership to use golf balls that are not of that good a quality anyway? And they are only getting a small bucketful that could last maybe 20 minutes to half an hour. What if a low handicapper is practicing 3 to 4 hours, 4 days a week? Golf is struggling in Australia, and the last things that any club, big or small, needs is people being turned away by petty issues as simple as harmlessly using their own practice balls on a driving range. Name withheld by request

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

calendar

Fowler chips in to support expanding Legends Tour IT is little wonder the PGA of Australia’s Legends Tour is rapidly growing across the nation’s golf clubs when you see pictures like this, captured following Peter Fowler’s win in Roseville’s Gold Mashie pro-am. Here Fowler, the former Australian Open champion and renowned as being one of the best chippers in Australian golf history, is giving his final round pro-am partners a private short-game lesson. This you might rightly think is common at a pro-am but this lesson (conducted in light rain) took place just minutes after Fowler had easily won the 36-hole $25,000 historic Gold Mashie Cup event. His playing partners, pictured from left, Roseville members Aaron Wagner and James Marshman and Alan Hui of Concord Golf Club, were joined by the Super Senior (plus 65 years) winner at Roseville Noel Ratcliffe to hear some chipping pearls of wisdom from one of the world’s best short-game exponents. A couple of hours earlier Fowler’s playing partners had seen him put the theories into practice as he strode away from a quality field including European Senior Tour stars to win the 36-holes event with a final round of two under par 64 to add to his 65 for a three under 129.

EM Golf is passionate about hosting the EM Golf Championships Tour each year for adults and juniors, male and female, who hold a current Golf Australia Handicap. The more tournaments you play in, the more points you will earn, giving you a bigger chance of winning the grand prize of a one-night stay for two adults in a superior room (Inc. Buffet breakfast) at Mercure Peter Fowler offers a chipping lesson to his pro-am partners He had five shots to spare from three players: Mike Harwood (70, 64), David Merriman (68, 66) and Chris Williams (68, 66). Darren Baynes, the PGA of Australia’s Tournaments Coordinator for the NSW/ACT division, is confident the Legends Tour will continue to expand in 2016 after staging almost 70 events across Australia and New Zealand in 2015 and playing for more than $1million. And the playing ranks of the over 50s will be boosted this year by 2015 “newcomers” Peter O’Malley and Craig Parry playing more events and the recent 50th birthday addition of David Ecob, the former regular PGA Tour of Australasia performer.

CALENDAR > JANUARY

2016 Women’s Summer Foursomes

WHEN: Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 January 2016 Where: Kareela Golf Club The tournament is open to female amateurs whose individual GA handicap does not exceed 32.4 at the date of entry. The format of day 1 is 18-hole Scratch Stroke Foursomes with the top four pairings qualifying for Match Play on Tuesday 19. The Semi Finals will be played on Tuesday morning with the two remaining pairings playing the final on Tuesday afternoon. Traditionally the Summer Foursomes is a strongly contested event with teams being represented from around the state. Last year’s event was held at Cronulla Golf Club. Prizes awarded for the Summer Foursomes Tournament will be in three Divisions: Match Play Winners, Match Play Runners up, 18 Holes Nett Winners, 18 Holes Nett Runner up, 18 Holes Scratch Winners. Online entry is $80 per pair or $90 for all other forms of entry. Entries close: 5pm Friday 18 December. Full event details are available at www.golfnsw.org.

Master of the Amateurs

WHEN: 6-9January, 2016 WHERE: Royal Melbourne Golf Club INFO: www.masteroftheamateurs.com.au The Australian Master of the Amateurs is the highest ranked Category A event in Australia, and is ranked by the R&A as the highest ranked Amateur Championship in Australia. 80

January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Tee it up at the EM Golf Championships Tour

Amateurs from around the world will go stroke for stroke against each other in this 72hole stroke amateur golf championship. The 2016 Australian Master of the Amateurs Green Jacket Champion receives an exemption into the 2016 Amateur Championship UK, Porter Cup USA, The Players Amateur USA, and The Dogwood Invitational USA.

MARCH

NSW VETERANS STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIPS WHERE: Richmond, Penrith and Stonecutters Ridge WHEN: 21-22-23 March 2016 INFO: Chris Evans, Secretary, WSRVGA on 0413912888 Now in its third year in Western Sydney, the 54-hole State Strokeplay Championships are now also a Senior Order of Merit (SOOM) event and attracting the very best golfers (aged 55 years and over) from across the state. A rule change in 2014 means that all players can enjoy the final day of these Championships from the luxury of a cart, if they so choose. With significant sponsorship from Frasers Property Australia and Warren Saunders Insurance Brokers, the entry fee remains at just $99 for the three days of golf competition and this includes a luncheon on the final day at Stonecutters prior to the presentation of trophies. A full field of 144 players is anticipated.

Gold Coast Resort, PLUS three TaylorMade Wedges and a $100 Gift Certificate. All tournaments are a single stableford event off tournament tees. There will be a raffle at each event giving you the chance to win even more prizes. Sponsors are welcome to help and support this event. Please contact Ellesha Michie 0411 515 402.

Upcoming EM Golf Championships: 6th March, Palm Meadows, $65 inc. elec cart 16th April, The Glades Golf Club, $75 inc. elec cart 29th May, Coolangatta Tweed Heads, $65 inc. elec cart 23rd July, The Glades Golf Club, $75 inc. elec cart 21st August, Palm Meadows, $65 inc. elec cart Sunday 27th November, Coolangatta Tweed Heads, $65 inc. elec cart For more information, contact: Ellesha Michie, director of EM Golf (Member: ALPG). Mobile: 0411 515 402, emgolf@hotmail.com. Or visit www.emgolf.com.au

COMING SENIOR AMATEUR EVENTS January 6 NSW Senior Foursomes (Belmont)

Feb 10-12

January 7-8

New Zealand Senior Feb 11-13 Amateur – Paraparaumu GC

Belmont Seniors (NSW)

Forster-Tuncurry Seniors January 11 (NSW)

* Tasmanian Senior Amateur – Mowbray GC

Feb 15-17

* Australia vs New Zealand – Royal Wellington GC

Feb 15

Concord Seniors (NSW)

St Michael’s Seniors (NSW)

Feb 16-17

Kooringal Seniors (VIC)

January 28

The Coast Seniors (NSW)

Feb 25-26

Warragul Seniors (VIC)

Feb 1

Yarra Courses Senior- Latrobe GC (VIC)

Feb 29-Mar 1

Cranbourne Seniors (VIC)

Mar 1-3

* NSW Senior Amateur – Bermagui & Narooma GCs

Keysborough Seniors (VIC)

January 11

* Royal Melbourne Senior January 18-20 Classic January 27

Feb 1 Wollongong Seniors (NSW) Feb 11-12

Surf Coast Seniors - The Sands GC (VIC)

* Part of the Australian Senior Ranking System

GOLF NSW JANUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS Golf NSW Events Date 06-Jan-16 18-19-Jan-16

Event Men’s NSW Senior Foursomes Medal Women’s Summer Foursomes

27-Jan-2 Feb

Men’s NSW Medal & Amateur Championship

27-Jan-2 Feb

Women’s NSW 72-hole Stroke Play & Amateur Championship

Venue Belmont GC Kareela GC Riverside Oaks GR & Lynwood CC Riverside Oaks GR & Lynwood CC

Men’s Vardon Events Date 09-Jan-16 10-Jan-16 16-Jan-16 18-Jan-16 21-24 Jan-16 30-Jan-16 31-Jan-16

Event North Ryde Amateur The Great Lakes Open South Coast Amateur Men’s Lake Macquarie Amateur Championship Qualifying Men’s Lake Macquarie Amateur Championship Glenmore Cup The Lakes Medal

Venue North Ryde GC Forster Tuncurry GC Wollongong GC Belmont GC Belmont GC Glenmore Heritage GC The Lakes GC

Women’s Jean Derrin Events Date 21-24 Jan-16

Event Women’s Lake Macquarie Amateur Championship

Venue Belmont GC

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

demo dates

Demo Days: The right and wrong way to evaluate gear

oing to a Demo Day is one of the best ways to test the latest gear available. In addition to getting a feel for newest sticks on the market, you can get expert technical advice from the person conducting the demo day, and even compare side-by-side how your current clubs performs against recommended clubs. But just rocking up and banging out balls willy nilly is not necessarily the best way to evaluate the effectiveness of a golf club. In fact, there are many common mistakes that most golfers make when approaching a demo day. The first mistake is usually upon arrival, where most golfers – in their excitement to hit the newest Big Dog — forget to warm up first with some iron shots. “On most occasions golfers go straight for the driver and start hitting. This can leave them with negative thoughts because they haven’t warmed up,” says Daniel Marsh, Fitting Specialist for Callaway Golf South Pacific. “In addition, golfers usually judge distance with clubs they are trying at Demo Days, but this is generally a false indication as most ranges used limited flight balls that don’t go as far,” he adds. Another common mistake is choosing the wrong equipment to demo. With so many

PING

Location

models and brands to choose from, golfers sometimes just grab the one that “looks” the best. But this can lead to disappointment. “Hitting ball after ball using the wrong club is one of the most common mistakes golfers make,” Marsh explains. “The golfer needs to be educated by an expert on what specification golf club best suits them, and then demo that specific club,” he adds. This sentiment is echoed by Adam Nance, the PING Technical Rep in NSW. Nance has seen many golfers approach a Demo Day with the wrong mindset. “Golfers need to ask what they should be using. A lot of times golfers come to a demo day, and they have already done the research on the internet and they presume they need a particular club, but in a lot of the cases they need a completely different club,” Nance explains. “Because they have been using a certain driver in the past – say 9-degrees—a golfer expects that they want to be hitting the same 9-degree loft again,” Nance says. “A lot of people presume that to get more distance they need a lower loft, but 99 percent of the time they need to go to MORE loft. And as the clubheads have gotten bigger in the drivers over the years, we’ve had to introduce more loft to get the ball into the air,” he adds.

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

New South Wales Marrickville Golf Club ◊ * Monday January 11 Thornleigh Golf Driving Range ◊ * Tuesday January 12 Bonnie Doon Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday January 13 Cumberland Golf Club ◊ * Thursday January 14 New South Wales Golf Club ◊ * Friday January 15 Concord Golf Club ◊ * Monday January 18 Pymble Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday January 19 The Lakes Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday January 20 Moore Park Driving Range ◊ * Wednesday January 20 St Michaels Golf Club ◊ * Thursday January 21 Terrey Hills Country Club ◊ * Friday January 22 Toukley Golf Club ◊ * Saturday January 23 Illawarra Driving Range ◊ * Monday January 25 The Australian Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday January 27 Killara Golf Club ◊ * Thursday January 28 Windsor Golf Club ◊ * Friday January 29 Victoria National Golf Club - Cape Schanck ◊ * Saturday January 16 Lonsdale Golf Club ◊ * Thursday January 21 Portarlington Golf Club ◊ * Friday January 22 Barwon Heads Golf Club ◊ * Saturday January 23 Sorrento Golf Club ◊ * Saturday January 30

TAYLORMADE Location

Queensland Golf Cental † Victoria MGA » Corowa GC † » Corowa GC † » Drummond Ballarat † Centenary Park † Wodonga GC † Latrobe GC †

1 - 6pm 3 - 8pm 9am - 2.30pm 1 - 7pm 9am - 3pm 9am - 3pm 9am - 3pm 9am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 4pm 9am - 2pm 9am - 3pm 9am - 3pm 7am - 12pm 12 - 6pm 10am - 4pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 3pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm

www.taylormadegolf.com.au | 1800 700 011 Day

Date Time

Thursday

January 28

4 - 7pm

Wednesday Saturday Sunday Friday Saturday Tuesday Wednesday

January 06 January 09 January 10 January 15 January 16 January 19 January 27

4 - 7pm 9am - 5pm 9am - 5pm 9am - 5pm 8am - 1pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 3pm

Beyond the driver, choosing the right iron sets or combinations is also important. “Getting the right loft, shaft and lie angle is critical in irons, as is getting the right iron set combination,” Nance says. “Should you hit a 4-iron or 4-iron hybrid? The ladies, for example, as their clubhead speed slows, they basically hit those clubs the same distance. By asking the technical expert at the Demo Day, they can discover which club fills the correct ‘gap’ in their distances, and thus is best for their game,” he says. Matching a specific shaft to a club is also an area that is fraught with danger

“People presume that the standard shafts aren’t as good as the aftermarket shafts, but at PING they are probably better, because they have been designed for the actual golf club,” Nance explains. “They presume that because they’ve been comfortable with a specific shaft in that model before, that it’s going to be good with a new head, but it’s completely different. It reacts differently. The shafts that we put in are specially designed for that head. In 99 percent of the cases, they are probably the best shaft for that club. A lot of people get wrapped up assuming a $1000 retail shaft will be better than a standard shaft. But it’s not really true in many cases.” •

What about Fitting Days? While Demo Days are certainly useful for the majority of golfers, manufacturers like PING, Callaway and TaylorMade are beginning to focus more on Fitting Days. This is a more in- depth process as technical representatives use a launch monitor to best help you choose the right club for you.

CALLAWAY

Location

Fitting days are usually run by appointment only, can take around 20-60 minutes, and you get the full attention from the fitter. For a full listing of Demo Days and Fitting days, visit www.insidegolf.com.au/demodays-australia

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

New South Wales / ACT Drummond Golf Shellharbour ≠ Friday Monash Country Club √ Friday Mt Broughton Golf & Country Club √ ≠ Friday Nowra Golf Range √ ≠ Thursday Illawarra Golf Range √ ≠ Friday Toukley Golf Club √ Saturday Mollymook Golf Club √ ≠ Thursday Elanora Country Club √ ** Friday Highlands Golf Club Friday Queensland Tewantin Noosa Golf Club Tuesday Golf Central Pty Ltd Thursday Victoria/Tasmania Launceston Country Club √ Thursday Riverside Golf Club √ Thursday Flinders Golf Club √ ≠ Tuesday Flinders Golf Club √ * Thursday

COBRA PUMA Location

New South Wales / ACT Forster Tuncurry GC Toronto GC Victoria Melbourne Golf Academy Albert Park Driving Range Midlands Golf Course Queensland Windaroo Lakes GC Victoria Park GC Palm Meadows Driving Range

Date Time

January 08 1 - 4pm January 15 10am - 3pm January 15 12 - 4pm January 21 12 - 4pm January 22 1 - 5pm January 23 9am - 2pm January 28 10am - 3pm January 29 8am - 12pm January 29 9am - 2pm January 19 10am - 12pm January 28 4 - 7pm January 21 January 21 January 05 January 07

8am - 12pm 2 - 6pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 2pm

cobragolf.com.au

Day Date Time

Thursday Friday

January 21 January 22

10am - 3pm 12 - 4pm

Wednesday Wednesday Thursday

January 06 January 13 January 14

4 - 7pm 5 - 7pm 9.30am - 12.30pm

Wednesday Tuesday Friday

January 13 January 26 January 29

3 - 5.30pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 2 - 5pm

* Appointment Only. ** Members Only. °Ping Demo day. ◊ Ping Fitting. » TaylorMade Demo Day. † TaylorMade Fitting. √ Callaway Fitting Day. ≠ Callaway Demo Day. Dates subject to change without notice. It is recommended that you contact venue before attending. www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

golf directory

Moonah linkS

Stay & Play

Benalla Golf Club

pp $215 From share twin eek w mid

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STAY & PLAY PACKAGES

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For bookings call (07) 4159 1180 info@shorelineapartments.com.au | www.bargaragolfclub.com.au

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January 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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golf directory Male & Female Golfers & Non Golfers Welcome

“you give up things when you buy a Kahma Golf Bag”

The 9 day escorted golf tour is fantastic value. To ensure your trip is the luxurious and hassle-free experience you expect, numbers on each tour are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. The package price includes: • Airfares from Sydney • Transfers within Vietnam • Airport Taxes • Accommodation

Twin Share $2,985 | Single $3,200 | Non Golfer $2,300

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www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

golf directory

Port Stephens Golfing Holidays Golf & Accommodation from only $70 per day 9 16 Golf courses including Horizons, Nelson Bay, Newcastle, Muree, Tanilba, Cypress Lakes, Pacific Dunes, The Vintage, by boat to Hawks Nest & others 9 Play any day & with any number of people 9 Golf & accommodation from a choice of motels, hotels, units & resorts

www.facebook.com/golfpsgh

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golf directory

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www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2016

ANDREW DADDO

REVIEWED

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$159

Srixon Carry Bag With Pop Out Legs Black / White Black / Yellow Black / Red Black / Blue

2016 WEBSITE www.thegolffactory.com.au Visa, Mastercard and American Express accepted $7 NSW, $9 VIC & QLD, $10 SA, TAS, NT & WA. Postage and handling any quantity

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

$299

$99

Rescue Hybrid Number 5 25º Loft Includes Cover

$179

Optima TS+ Balls Nike Covert 2.0 Driver

$20

Regular and stiff Adjustable driver Right hand only Includes cover & wrench

Dozen

$369

$239

Callaway Hex Chrome Ball

TaylorMade Balls

Urethane Cover White or Yellow

Burner Individually Boxed

$15

Aero Burner Pro 3 Piece

$24

Project A 3 Piece Urethane

$30

$24

$39 Dozen

$79 $79 $79

16º or 18º Hybrid Right Hand 15º 3 Fairway Right or left

$109Rubber grips $2

13.5º Strong 3 Fairway Right Hand 9.5º Adjustable Driver Right or Left

Mens Black Srixon or Cleveland Ladies Tour Special Minimum qty 10

Lightweight

72 Srixon Soft Feel Balls

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 7 Days

8 Irons 1 Driver 1 Fairway 1 Hybrid 1 Bag 1 Odyssey Putter Includes 4 Covers

Mens Right Only

$849

Callaway X-Hot Original Fairway Metalwoods (not Pro Model) Regular Flex Right 11 Wood Left 5 + 7 Stiff Flex Right Hand 5

Seniors Flex Right 3 , 9 and 11 Left Hand 5

EASY USE model

$199

$119

Includes Cover

Eagles & Birdies Stableford Bag 3.5kg

$159

14 Full Length Dividers Cooler Pocket Tour Preferred Std 4 Piece $39 Internal Putter Pit Tour Preferred X 5 Piece $39 Black/Orange or Black/Yellow

Callaway X-Hot Pro Model

$179

Narellan Supa Centre, Narellan Rd

Callaway Set + Bag + Odyssey Putter Package

$69

Individually Boxed

GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN

$149

Project X Stiff Graphite Shafts (6.0) Including Covers & Wrench (Drivers)

Tour Special Set + Bag + Putter Package 7 Irons 2 Hybrids 1 Driver 1 Fairway 1 Putter Includes 4 Covers

Ladies Graphite

each

Ping I25 Hybrid Iron Covers Plus postage

$249

Mens Right Standard or + 1” Long Mens Left Standard or + 1” Long

$399

$429

Srixon Deluxe Cart Bag

6 DOZEN FOR Number 3 Eagles & Birdies New (Loose) Balls $229 Cypress Point bag 19º Loft (not boxed) 14 Full length dividers SAVE$60Regular Magnetic pockets Current Model Cooler pocket Flex Lots of colours Also available in 288 or 144 cartons Includes Cover Brand New Green Number Srixon Soft Feel

Eagles & Birdies Black Only Fits Right or Left Hand

Eagles & Birdies Magnetic Pro Bag

Callaway HX Bite Titleist Velocity $ In-Store Ladies Callaway

$72$199

$249

14 Full Length Dividers 6 Magnetic Pockets Putter Pit Cooler Pocket Black/Orange or Black/Green

$349

TaylorMade Rescue Hybrid RBZ Stage 2 $179 No. 4 - 22º Stiff Right No. 3 - 19º Seniors Right adidas BOA leather No. 3 - 19º Regular Left shoes 2 year waterproof No. 6 - 28º Ladies Jetspeed

BOA tightening system Cover No Includes traditional laces

$119

$129

Srixon Distance

$59 3 - S.W

$35 Set of 9

Full Length 14 Way divided External Putter pit $239 Rain Cover Cooler Pocket Black, Red, White Black, Black, White Black, Blue, White

$189

Bridgestone E6 Optima TS +

3 Dozen for

$39

3 Dozen for

$55

Callaway Left TaylorMade ATV Only Lob Wedge Wedge adidas BOA leather shoes year waterproof Mack Daddy 2 2BOA tightening system No traditional 60º Loft $150laces 60º Lob Right Dynamic Gold White or Black Wedge Flex US Sizes 56º Sand Right Slate Finish 56º Sand Left 52º Gap Left

$89

$79 $189

$129

Srixon Q-Star White or Yellow Srixon Soft Feel Yellow Srixon Distance *Superceded models

$24 X-Hot Irons (6) $20 Graphite Shafts $20 $18 $13

6 - SW Easy to use

$499

$329

Game Improvement Models

Right Hand

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