Inside Golf Sept 2016 by Inside Golf

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Issue 134 // SEPTEMBER 2016 www.insidegolf.com.au

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Golden moments: Olympic Golf a major victory

SPRING BREAK Gold Coast

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

o those who doubted the validity of golf in the Olympics, it’s time to admit that you may have been wrong. Yes, the format was uninspired, and the threat of Zika made all the headlines prior to the event, but when all was said and done, the game of golf put on a gold-medal-worthy performance in front of the entire world. England’s Justin Rose (now an Official Olympic Champion!) and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson put on a brilliant display of golf in the final round. America’s Matt Kuchar and our very own Marcus Fraser added their own bits of excitement through the four days as well. And while the women’s competition has not been completed at the time of writing, the momentum (and excitement) from the men’s competition has surely been evident in the initial stages. But the big, all-important metric to the game’s success came via the impressive TV ratings. In the USA, it has been reported that an average of 8.8 million viewers tuned in during the last 90 minutes of the golf event, placing it second to only The U.S. Masters this year. To put it in perspective even further, more people watched the final round in Rio than the final round of the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship. In Sweden the audience averaged over 555,000, with a whopping 1.5 million viewers tuning in at the end to cheer on Henrik Stenson (note that Sweden’s population is only 9.5 million). By comparison, only 65,000 Swedish viewers saw Stenson’s amazing victory at this year’s Open Championship at Royal Troon. Indeed, the Olympics represented golf’s biggest-ever TV audience (estimated at nearly 4 billion). It opened the door for viewers and sports fans who, by and large, may have never heard of a Green Jacket or Claret Jug, but who unequivocally understand and respect the

The impact of Olympic Golf: How many of these fans will one day be inspired to play golf?

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From: $480 per person* On the grassroots level: members of Corowa Golf Club banded together at the club to cheer on their own Marcus Fraser as he battled for Olympic Gold. significance of an Olympic Gold Medal. Beyond the raw TV numbers, the most important and salient aspect of golf at the Olympics can be seen at the grassroots level, notably in the Corowa GC photo above, where members gathered in the wee hours to cheer on their own Marcus Fraser. Similarly, across the country (and globe) golf fans both new and old cheered on their own country’s/local heroes at clubs, pubs, restaurants and living rooms. And you can bet that it inspired many of them to have a hit soon afterwards. You cannot put a price on “inspiration”, but its effects can certainly be measured in the long term, as future generations of athletes will doubtless cite the 2016 Rio Olympics as the “moment” that they knew they wanted to be an Olympic swimmer, gymnast, sprinter... or even golfer. Throughout the broader Olympic Games, we saw many examples of how this plays out; none more so salient than 19-yearold Olympian Katie Ledecky sharing a Twitter photo of herself at age 9, getting an autograph from Michael Phelps. Phelps inspired her on that day ten years ago, and it doubtless helped drive Ledecky to greatness.

And the same will surely happen with the future generations of golfers out there. Not just from countries like England, Sweden and Australia, but also from the likes of Brazil, India, Bangladesh and others where golf is just in its infancy. Best of all, the most appealing aspect of golf is that it can be played by anyone. You don’t need superhuman speed like Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps, nor do you need the physique of a decathlete, marathon runner or weightlifter. In golf, as long as you have the inspiration, dedication and passion (and a bit of skill!) you can compete with the world’s best for a gold medal. That’s something quite unique. 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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Rose, golf clear winners in Rio

t took 112 years for golf to find a new Olympic champion, but it was well worth the wait. Great Britain’s Justin Rose followed in the footsteps of the longdeparted George Lyon of Canada when he climbed onto the podium to collect the Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro last month. In front of a sell-out crowd of 12,000 at Reserva de Marapendi Golf Course, Rose added the Olympic crown to his 2013 U.S. Open title after a prolonged and exciting battle down the stretch with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson. The packed grandstand, which turned the 18th arena into a noisy sporting amphitheatre, watched as Rose got up-anddown from the side of the green for a birdie to seal his gold medal victory.

Rose finished with four rounds in the sixties and his closing 67 secured the hardware with a 16-under-par total of 268. Stenson, who emerged on top after a similar shootout with Phil Mickelson in The Open at Royal Troon, took silver with a fourth-round 68 for 270, while Matt Kuchar of the United States brought home the remaining medal on 271 after a course record-equalling last round of 63. “Olympic gold medallist – It sounds absolutely incredible,” said the 36-year-old Rose. “I was on that last green, just sort of pinching myself and taking myself back to the quote that I had given about the Olympics all along – that I hoped my resumé one day read: ‘multiple major champion and Olympic gold medallist’ and if that happened then I’d be a very, very happy man. I pretty much just need the multiple major now. “I think [the gold medal] sits alongside the U.S. Open trophy for me, for sure. I think people want to keep comparing the two, major championship or Olympic gold, I don’t think they should be compared to one another. “The whole week, I’ve been so focused, really. I’ve been just so determined, I suppose, to represent Team GB as best as I

Henrik Stenson, Justin Rose and Matt Kuchar (Photo by Stan Badz/ PGA TOUR/ IGF) could, and it was just the most magical week, it really was.” The final round in Rio delivered the anticipated head-to-head between two outstanding major champions. And both men held a narrow lead at different times as they exchanged birdies. It seemed that Stenson might repeat his Open victory at Royal Troon when he edged in front due to a Rose bogey at the 13th, but he handed back the initiative to the Englishman when he bogeyed the 14th and Rose knocked in an eight-footer for birdie on the 15th. Despite both men missing the green at the last, it was Stenson who blinked first, hitting a weak chip to 25 feet while Rose struck a deft chip close to the hole. Stenson recognised the quality of the golf on display on the final day. “When you’re in good position to try and win, you always kind of feel a little disappointed afterwards,” Stenson said. “But at the same time, we said that all along in the Olympics, you’ve got some pretty good consolation prizes. It’s a whole new experience for us as golfers, participating here, and it’s been a fun one. I’m really happy I went. It’s memories of a lifetime being here

competing, and we’re competing for our countries more than we do normally. It’s been a nice ten days in Brazil.” Bronze medalist Kuchar just came up short, despite equalling the record 63 set by Australian Marcus Fraser in round 1. “It’s just an amazing week,” Kuchar said. “It’s a boyhood dream come true. To look at the support that was out here, to look at the guys that came through, won medals, I think it speaks for itself. This event has gone over fantastically well. Amazing support from the crowds. I wasn’t really sure what to expect as far as golf in Brazil. I didn’t think that it would have great support and it really did. I don’t know that it could have gone much better for the game. It’s a clear winner to move forward.” Australia’s Fraser, who had led the Olympic event for the first two rounds, couldn’t match his earlier form, finishing with a 1-over-par 72 to end his Olympic campaign in a T5 at 8-under. Australia’s other Golf Olympian, Scott Hend finished T39 at +1. •

Note: At press time, the Women’s Golf event had not been completed. Visit our website for the updated story.

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Min Woo makes his mark M in Woo Lee has carried the burden – and privilege – of being Minjee Lee’s younger brother throughout his young golf career.

Last month, he stepped out of her imposing shadow. The 17-year-old Royal Fremantle member won a twice weather-interrupted final 2&1 to become the first Australian winner of the U.S. Junior Boys Championship.

After being down early in the 36-hole final against Texan Noah Goodwin, Lee hit back around the turn to pull level. But it wasn’t until the 23rd hole that the Golf Australia national squad member hit the front for the first time. A par-birdie-birdie finish from Lee was a fitting finale to a gripping match at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tennessee.

Goodwin was generous in his praise of his opponent after their epic clash in which there were a combined 21 birdies and an eagle. “I couldn’t have lost to a better player,” Goodwin said. “He pushed me and challenged me every single shot today.” The result comes with great benefits. Both finalists were exempt into last month’s U.S. Amateur at Oakland Hills Country Club, and are exempt into sectional qualifying for the 2017 U.S. Open. With the age limit changing to 18 next year, they are also exempt into next year’s U.S. Junior at Flint Hills National in Kansas. Lee became the first male Australian in 10 years to win a USGA title, the most recent being Geoff Ogilvy in the 2006 U.S. Open. Other notable Australian USGA champions

Commitments from a collection of golf’s biggest stars were announced last month, and the 58th playing of the World Cup of Golf will feature a world-class and diverse field of 28 two-man teams in a return to its previous format, with teams playing for national pride as they represent their countries at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne on November 23-27. On August 16, the highest-ranked players from their respective countries had officially qualified and committed to the event, with many playing partners yet to be named at press time.

He joined his sister, who won the girls’ equivalent in 2012, to become the first pair of siblings to win the title in its rich history.

“It’s a dream come true for me (because) I’ve always wanted to win this tournament,” Lee says. “I was in good form coming into it and I knew I had a good chance. It feels great to win and be on the trophy with names such as Tiger (Woods).”

World Cup field takes shape

Headlining the field are Australians Jason Day and Adam Scott, who return to defend their title from the last playing of the World Cup of Golf in 2013. Other players to qualify and commit included Nine-time PGA TOUR winner and twotime Masters champion Bubba Watson (U.S.), 2016 U.S. Masters Champion Danny Willett with Lee Westwood (England), Russell Knox (Scotland), Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, Rafa Cabrera Bello (Spain), Emiliano Grillo (Argentina), Byeong Hun An (Korea) and other top names. include Nick Flanagan (2003 U.S. Amateur), Karrie Webb (2000 and 2001 U.S. Women’s Open), David Graham (1981 U.S. Open) and Jan Stephenson (1983 U.S. Women’s Open). Golf Australia’s high performance director Brad James said Lee’s greatest progress had been made off the course, in particular becoming more organised and self-sufficient with his training. “His ability to compartmentalise both good and bad has been fantastic for much of the past year and onlookers all week noted that he consistently rebounded from poor holes with good ones and didn’t seem to find a pressure-filled putt he couldn’t make. “Like all kids at this age, he still has a long way to go,” James said. “But this is a nice stepping stone on the pathway to what he’s really trying to achieve.

“He competes very well under pressure and he loves the big stage. He’s shown that over the last couple years in some of the biggest events in Australia, but this has taken it to another level for him.” James said Golf Australia would not shy from lofty expectations. “There’s a good culture with golf in Australia, especially when you’ve got the No.1 player in the world (Jason Day) and Minjee on the LPGA Tour who is competing for majors,” James said. “The ultimate goal of this program is to produce major champions and Jason has proven that’s possible. That’s a good culture for our younger players to strive for and be around. We’re fortunate right now, we have a lot of young talent developing.” • (Story by Mark Hayes/Golf Australia)

The World Cup of Golf returns to a strictly team format in 2016 after a combined individual and team competition in 2013. The 2016 tournament will return to a 72-hole, stroke play, two-man team event format. The first and third days of competition will be the foursomes (alternate shot) format and the second and final days are fourball (best ball) play. Tickets and hospitality packages starting at $30 are now available by visiting the World Cup of Golf website at www.WorldCupofGolf.com.

HOT-LINK: SEE THE FULL LIST OF PLAYERS VIA OUR WEBSITE STORY HERE: www.insidegolf.com.au/?p=25416

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Soniq Million Dollar Hole up for grabs again

he par-3 16th hole at RACV Royal Pines Resort will be the most eagerly anticipated golf hole this summer of

Fijian champion Vijay Singh has once again signed on to support his country’s largest sporting event; the Fiji International.

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The Soniq Million Dollar Hole gives every player at the Australian PGA Championship the opportunity to win $500,000 plus $500,000 in prizes for a golf fan on Sunday 4th December.

Being played from the 6-9 October at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course, this will be the event’s third staging. “Vijay’s presence at the Fiji International will not only boost Fiji’s position as a mustgo-to destination for golf enthusiasts world-wide, but also build our capacity to host world-class events and develop international standard venues,” said Hon. Faiyaz Koya, Fiji’s Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism.

The reward is large but the challenge is easy; the first player to ace the par-3 16th hole during the final round, which will be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 1-4 December, will walk away with $500,000. To give every Aussie sports fan the chance to share in the $1million prize that’s up for grabs, Soniq will run a competition in the lead-up the Australian PGA Championship for a fan to be aligned with each Professional in the field. If their Pro aces the million dollar 16th hole their fan will receive half the value in cash and prizes. “This is the second year that we are offering a million dollar prize for a hole-in-one on the 16th at RACV Royal Pines Resort,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. “Last year the 16th became the centre of attention for golf fans with everyone flocking to the green to see if a player could pull off the lucrative feat.” “This year with the support of our partner Soniq we have big plans for the Soniq Million Dollar Hole with even more entertainment and hospitality planned for fans.” The Soniq Million Dollar Hole will see the drama unfold as players take on the risk/ reward strategy of holing out from the tee. But as fans wait anxiously to see if the million dollar prize will go off, there will be

Singh signs on for Fiji International

Singh has won 60 tournaments including three Major Championships in 16 different countries around the world. “I am so proud that Fiji now has a worldclass tournament which brings some excellent golfers to the country,” said Singh. live entertainment keeping the buzz alive. “We are delighted to have extended our involvement with the Australian PGA Championship especially to be hosting the Soniq Million Dollar Hole which will be a hive of excitement during the tournament,” said Song Su, General Manager of Soniq. The Soniq Million Dollar Hole has already captured the attention of some of the world’s best golfers including World Number 8 Adam Scott, who announced he would be returning to the Gold Coast for the 2016 Australian PGA Championship. “I am coming home and I can’t wait to be back in Queensland for the Australian PGA Championship,” said Scott.

“But it’s the Million Dollar Hole that has my attention; I can’t wait to have a crack at acing the par-3 16th. It’s going to be an exciting week on the Gold Coast.” The Australian PGA Championship will be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 1-4 December and will be co-sanctioned by the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour for the second consecutive year. The Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as well as the City of Gold Coast and Gold Coast Tourism proudly supports the Championship. More: www.pgachampionship.com.au •

Following Cyclone Winston, Singh believes it is more important than ever that he competes in this year’s event. “Winston was devastating for Fiji, but the people of Fiji are tenacious and the country has started to recover,” added Singh. Singh will headline the Fiji International as it becomes co-sanctioned by the European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia for the first time. For the third consecutive year the prize money on offer at the Fiji International will receive a boost, with players now competing for $1.5million. This represents an increase of over 30 per cent on last year, due to the cosanctioning with the European Tour. More: www.fijiinternational.com.

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Aussie summer of golf tees off

October is Golf Month

he second half of the 2016 ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia schedule is back underway, following last month’s inaugural Northern Territory PGA Championship. This month, the Tour will travel to its fourth different country of the season; New Caledonia. The South Pacific Open Championship in Noumea is a cult favourite amongst the Tour Professionals, the French way of life providing the ideal backdrop for the AU$140,000 tournament which is played from 21-24 September. The Tour will stay in the South Pacific region when the Fiji International is played from 6-9 October at the stunning Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course for AU$1.5million.

2015 South Pacific Open Champion James Nitties

For the first time the tournament will be co-sanctioned by the European Tour and already has attracted a superstar line up headlined by World Number 24 Brandt Snedeker as well as three time Major champion and hometown hero Vijay Singh. Heading back to Australia, the Isuzu Queensland Open has taken on a new timeslot and venue for 2016 with the prestigious title to be contested from 20-23 October at the Brisbane Golf Club. The next tour stop, the NSW Open has also taken on a new look in 2016 with the tournament being elevated to Tier One status on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. As well as an increased prize purse, which is now at AU$400,000, players will be competing for more Official World Golf Ranking points and an exemption onto the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia until the end of 2018. The NSW Open will be played at Stonecutters Ridge Golf Course from 10-13 November. Staying in Sydney, one of the most coveted titles in Australian golf is next in line to be contested on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. The Emirates Australian Open will be played at Royal Sydney Golf Club from 17-20 November with World Number 1 Jason Day and World Number 7 Adam Scott returning to support their home tour.

They will be joined in the field by World Number 3 Jordan Spieth who is hoping to claim the Stonehaven Cup for a second time. The best players in the world will then converge on Melbourne for the World Cup of Golf at Kingston Heath Golf Club from 24-27 November. A return to a two-man teams format, Tour Pros are excited to partner up to represent their country as a team. Australia’s most energetic golf tournament, the Australian PGA Championship will complete the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia season at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 1-4 December.

Golf lovers – and those just curious – are invited to join Golf Month around Australia this October. Whether you’ve never had a swing, would like to get more involved or simply want to share the game with your mates and family, there will be something to suit everyone at a club or facility nearby. Throughout October, a range of activities will be held at golf facilities including come-and-try clinics, women’s programs, open days, family days, MyGolf junior programs and more. You can even participate in Golf Month by using a golf simulator, heading to a driving range or a 9/18-hole facility, giving Swing Fit a go or trying fun new formats of the game: Urban Golf, Big Hole Golf, Speedgolf and FootGolf. There will also be incredible opportunities to win money-can’t-buy experiences at an upcoming world-class golf tournament. If you are a keen golfer or just starting out and would like to give it a go, visit www.golfmonth.com.au to check out the Golf Month activities happening in your area.

Co-sanctioned by the European Tour for the second consecutive year, local hero Adam Scott will headline a stellar list of Australian and international players from all over the globe. The 2016 tournament will feature an array of entertainment on and off the course, but it’s the Soniq Million Dollar Hole where the tournament really comes alive. While players aim to ace their way to a big pay day, fans will be celebrating in the sun with great food, music and entertainment. A festival of golf, the Australian PGA Championship week also includes the Cobra Puma Orange Crush Kids Day, Greg Norman Medal Dinner and Summer Soiree. More information: www.pga.org.au. •

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Maleny GC set for 18 holes

ALENY Golf Club, 90 kilometres north of Brisbane on the Blackall Range overlooking the Sunshine Coast hinterland, looks set to expand from nine to 18 holes. Last month, the club welcomed the Sunshine Coast Council’s decision to approve the lease of additional land for construction of Stage 2 of the council’s 18-hole community golf course. Club president Dr Max Whitten said the lease would accommodate golf course architect Graham Papworth’s original 18-hole design contained in the precinct master plan, approved by the council in June 2010, and the club’s business case. “Council will now consider the club’s business case during the second round of 2016-17 budget reviews to assist with construction of the second nine holes in three phases,” Dr Whitten said. “The proposed extension of the golf course lease until 2046 is also welcomed as this provides the certainty of tenure we require to secure finance, including grant funding, to complete the course, construct our maintenance facility and eventually establish a permanent clubhouse.” The golf course is now a valuable Sunshine Coast Council recreational and tourism asset worth an estimated $3.5 million following council’s $450,000 investment to help fund the initial nine-hole development. Dr Whitten said Maleny Golf Club would now work closely with the

A sketch of the additional leased land required for extension to 18 holes. council to finalise the boundaries and register the lease to enable planning for the phased delivery of the additional nine holes to get underway.

“Construction of the next three holes in the former Unity Water effluent disposal area will then get underway with the intention of having these holes in play by early 2018,” Dr Whitten said. •

Kim Felton takes on new role FORMER touring professional Kim Felton has been appointed state manager for the Western Australia/ South Australia Division of the PGA.

commitments to focus on his progression as a corporate professional and build a sustainable career outside the ropes.

Felton, who played and won on the Nationwide Tour, is highly regarded by his peers.

Throughout his career, Felton has developed and maintained a large number of corporate relationships, integrating golf into business and delivering a return on investments.

In 2005, he won the Knoxville Open and five years later captured the Midea China Classic – a OneAsia Tour event.

“We are delighted to have Kim join the association as state manager of the Western Australia/ South Australia Division, said PGA chief membership officer Gavin Kirkman.

The 41-year-old said he was ecstatic with his new role and was proud to be giving back to the Australian golf industry. “When I got the call I was speechless,” he said. “After finishing up my playing career not so long ago and be able to have this opportunity is amazing.

championship and recorded the lowest individual score at the 1998 Eisenhower Trophy.

“I’m looking forward to giving back to an association that gave me 18 years worth of playing opportunities and meeting other PGA pros. It will be great to be on the other side now.”

He turned professional in 1999 and became only the third player to win the Western Australia PGA Championship on three consecutive occasions.

Felton was a successful amateur winning the 1997 Australian amateur

Over the past few years, Felton has stepped away from his playing

“Kim brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to the role and will do an excellent job at supporting our members and growing the game across Western Australia and South Australia.” Felton will focus on providing a high level of service and support to both vocational and tour professionals in Western Australia and South Australia •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

IG BUSINESS

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Inaugural Golf Business Forum hits the mark

ver 200 golf industry leaders converged on Melbourne in late July for the inaugural Golf Business Forum, Australia’s largest-ever gathering of golf facility owners, operators, industry leaders and business partners. “We set out to create a new opportunity for industry owners and operators to engage with industry leadership, suppliers and other participants, with a focus on facilities servicing public golfers”, said Forum co-Director Andrew Davies. “We were thrilled to see so many respond, and have received great support from across the industry to take the Forum further.” A range of golf facilities were represented at the Forum, including municipal golf facilities, private golf clubs, driving ranges, mini-golf facilities, virtual golf facilities, hotels and holiday resorts. Industry suppliers and organisations were also well represented. The Golf Business Forum featured a trade show and theatre, offering the attendees an array of speakers on topics relevant to all golf businesses across three key themes: Market Dynamics – insights into international and local sports and golf participation trends; Facility Development & Innovation – including a showcase of leading Australian golf facilities and Customer Engagement & Experiences – critical insights into harnessing digital marketing and community relations to engage golfers, build loyalty and deliver memorable experiences.

Speakers were sourced from both Australia and abroad, with keynote speakers Jay Karen (CEO of the National Golf Course Owners Association) and Lodewijk Klootwijk (CEO of the European Golf Course Owners Association) both providing highlights.

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

“To get the international perspective from leaders like Jay and Lodewijk is a huge bonus,” said Forum co-Director Guy Chapple. “Their insights gave many confidence that we can embrace the trends in other markets and leverage their experiences to our advantage here.” Feature case studies were presented by Wembley Golf course in WA, Moore Park Golf in NSW, Yarra Bend Golf in Victoria and Club Parkwood in Queensland. Each facility showcased their story with detailed presentations showing the benefits of longterm planning, an investment strategy, and committed leadership. Delegates also came together at a cocktail function in Melbourne’s CBD, with many using the Golf Business Forum as an opportunity to meet like-minded industry participants

for the first time, and engage with industry leadership. In his presentation, Stephen Pitt, CEO of Golf Australia, outlined the array of programs the industry body is rolling out to drive participation of golf into the future. “Getting engagement with all golf facilities, both public and private, is critical for us in order to grow the game in this country,” Mr Pitt said. “We were pleased to be a part of the Golf Business Forum as its Foundation Partner.” Leading sports digital expert Sean Callanan from sportsgeek.com offered valuable perspective on the state of the digital landscape, and identified practical steps golf facilities can take to manage their online presence and create engagement with customers in the use of content, data and social media. “Golf facilities are like stadia and

sports clubs around the world,” Sean said. “They need to engage with their fans, and increasingly that means a carefully managed digital strategy.” The Forum closed with an inspiring presentation from Australian adventurers Cas & Jonesy, who shared their compelling story of the longest unsupported polar expedition of all time. “[A] huge amount of information, really testing the way we think about participation in golf in this country,” noted delegate Alison McCaig, RACV’s GM of Hospitality Support Services. “I’d be encouraging a lot more clubs to be attending this, I think it could only get bigger and better.” It is anticipated an announcement about the next Forum will be made in the near future. www.golfbusinessforum.com.au

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Brookwater renovations near completion

ignificant course renovations are nearing completion at Queensland’s Brookwater Golf & Country Club, south-west of Brisbane. The investment in its showpiece layout by its owner, the Springfield Land Corporation, is certain to draw accolades from the playing public as the current phase of works draw to an end.

“We committed earlier this year to a plan of action to improve the already outstanding playing characteristics of Brookwater”, said Maha Sinnathamby, Founder and Chairman of Springfield Land Corporation. “The club has renewed its partnership with Greg Norman and we are well advanced in restoring features from the original design and improving aspects of the course’s playability and aesthetics.” The renovation comes as Brookwater, recent host to three Queensland Open championships, prepares for another chapter in its history with construction of the first phase of The Dusit Thani Brookwater Golf and Spa Resort due to commence in the near future. Over the past few months, Norman and his team at Greg Norman Golf Course Design (GNGCD) have begun a progressive overhaul that has seen every hole come under the microscope for improvements. Central to the project’s scope are that all 18 greens are being refreshed, resurfaced and in some cases redesigned, to eradicate a natural build-up of thatch and subsoil concerns that occur at any course over the passage of time. “My team and I at GNGCD are excited to

partner with Springfield Land Corporation to redesign and construct several green complexes and resurface all greens at Brookwater Golf Club.” Norman said. “During this process we considered the playability, agronomy, golf strategy, and maintenance practices, and are confident the end result will appeal to the members and future hotel guests alike.” Brookwater have taken the opportunity to modernize some of the green complexes, softening some contours in places and restoring a number of greens that had started to shrink in size from their original design. At least six of the greens have come in for particular attention, including the 1st, 10th and the “signature hole “ 13th, with more surface area created to provide additional pin placement options and improved agronomy and surface conditions through less wear. A thorough vegetation management program has also seen the eradication of overgrown foliage around the course and in waterways, while also opening up some of

the playing corridors where encroaching limbs had started to compromise the original design intent. The removal of a lot of exotic vegetation also restores the presentation of the golf course to the original vision, which was to capitalize on the layout’s natural Australian environment. “Since the club’s inception in 2002, the golf industry has evolved significantly in Australia and these updates will help better position the course in the market place and make it more sustainable for the future.” Norman said. Upon completion of all phases, the Resort will feature 520 apartments, a Central Resort Pavilion of 15,000sqm, six private clubs including the Dusit Executive Club, a Family Aquatic Club including water play area, Central Recreation Club, International Tennis Club, Family Club and South Rec Club, plus a 12,000sqm retail Emporium and a worldclass state of the art conference, convention and exhibition centre. •

Peter Thomson retires from architecture After over 50 years in golf course design, Thomson Perrett founder Peter Thomson has announced his formal retirement from golf course architecture. Peter established the company in 1965 after winning his fifth British Open and has since worked on over 250 projects in 30 countries including building over 100 new courses. Peter’s contribution and impact on golf in Asia Pacific is unparalleled. Ross Perrett, who has worked with Peter since 1986 and has been Managing Director of Thomson Perrett for the past 25 years, said “Peter’s generous support and friendship has been an inspiration to all the Thomson Perrett team and we thank him for the role he has played in each of our careers. It has been a privilege to work closely with one of golf’s most intelligent and greatest players.” When asked about the future for the company, Perrett reiterated that he will continue to lead the team and will strive to set new benchmarks within the industry locally and internationally. Perrett explained that other than a rebrand later in the year, the current Thomson Perrett operation will continue as usual. All staff have been retained and are busy working in five countries including renovations at Kooringal Golf Club, Northern Golf Club, Warrnambool Golf Club and Clearwater Bay (Hong Kong), as well as new layouts for Genung Geulis Golf Club (Indonesia), Greens Beach Golf Club (Australia), Ho Binh Golf Resort (Vietnam), Qutub Golf Course (India) and Palm Beach Golf Club (China). In addition to the above projects, Ross and the team also have an exciting selection of future projects in the pipeline.

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Summer of golf set to impress

NATIONAL software developer MiClub recently launched TeeNet, a markedly different tee time booking website.

Brian Thorburn

TeeNet offers Australia’s largest tee time range.

CEO – PGA of Australia

As a non-commercial initiative, TeeNet has no onsite advertising or contractual pricing arrangements.

his year’s summer of golf is shaping up to be one of the best in years. The return of the World Cup of Golf to Australia, the NSW Open, the Emirates Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship are all set to dominate four weeks of fantastic competition in our own backyard. The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia will reap the reward of having such a prestigious tournament like the World Cup of Golf in town and a thrill for Australian golf fans. The NSW Open, in its first year as a Tier 1 tournament, will kick-start the excitement starting November 10-13 at Stonecutters Ridge Golf Course. The Emirates Australian Open will follow on November 17-20 and will see fans flock to Royal Sydney Golf Club to catch a glimpse of World Number 1, Jason Day, alongside Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott who are all set to headline the tournament. It’s a wonderful reflection on both Adam and Jason that they continue to support tournaments on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and I’m sure many of you will be cheering them on as they search for a victory on home soil. As one of the most historic global events in the game, the World Cup of Golf will descend on Kingston Heath Golf Club from November 24-27 and will see the format return to a two-man teams event. Australia has seen good success in the World Cup

A booking engine with a difference

There is no administration fee for players using the site and no contracts or commission fees for clubs or courses. Aside from the substantial financial benefits to clubs and courses, TeeNet removes any requirements for administration and integration as TeeNet and MiClub Green Fees work seamlessly together. of Golf over its 63-year history, with the Australian team securing victory five times. This year marks the fifth time that the tournament will be played in Australia and the first at a course other than Royal Melbourne. The Australian PGA Championship will be a festival of golf from December 1-4 and will conclude four fantastic weeks of competition. It’s a tournament that not only offers the world’s best Professionals a great week of golf, but also a fun filled week at one of Australia’s best destinations, the Gold Coast. The Greg Norman Medal Dinner will launch what will be a great week at RACV Royal Pines Resort. The Cobra Puma Orange Crush Kids Day and Ladies High Tea, both popular events in 2015, will be bigger and better in 2016 with plenty on offer for the

whole family on Tuesday and Wednesday of tournament week. This year will also see us welcome back the European Tour, while former Masters champion and local hero, Adam Scott, will head to his home state aiming to have his name engraved on the Kirkwood Cup for a second time. The Australian PGA Championship will be an exciting end to the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia season, with a quality field of domestic and international talent that promises to produce a week of outstanding golf. I encourage all golf fans to join the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia this summer across the east coast of Australia and support these tournaments and our Australian Professionals. Please visit pga.org.au for the full ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia schedule. •

“We created TeeNet to support our clients to generate more profit and green fee revenue,” MiClub managing director Peter Maddison said. “TeeNet also provides our private club market with a valuable member service by allowing bookings at other courses, direct from the club website, ideal for the holiday golfer or when the club hosts major events. “The response we have received across the industry has been extremely positive with clients appreciative of such a significant addition to the MiClub suite. “Our reach into both member and non member markets is extensive, allowing TeeNet to be promoted to a broad market.” For more information, visit: https:// www.teenet.com.au/

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IG BUSINESS - general managers

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GM Trevor’s seen it all, yet still learning

FTER 25 years in the golf industry and 33 years in club management overall, Nelson Bay’s General Manager Trevor Harrison thought he had seen it all . . . but he was

clubhouse and a golf course that was closed for days after heavy rain,” he said. “The club provided members with excellent service, but it came with high labour costs.”

wrong. On September 6, 2015, a startling new chapter of his career erupted into reality when the Nelson Bay clubhouse was destroyed by an electrical fire.

In less than two years Harrison had achieved a $1 million trading turnaround, resulting in a $640,000 surplus, a $2.8 million clubhouse refurbishment and he co-ordinated the first club-operated Professional Shop in metropolitan NSW.

“It just goes to show that you never stop learning in the unique golf management industry and I am continuing to learn through what is actually my fifth clubhouse renovation and rebuild,” Harrison says.

“At Manly I was working very long hours and it took a toll on my health and family life and after almost two years I resigned to set up my own business, Club Management Solutions,” he said.

This month Harrison celebrates being a member of the respected Golf Managers Association for 25 years and Inside Golf saw the milestone as a chance to gain an insight into the varied career of one of Australia’s most experienced golf executives.

“I identified a niche market in the club industry to provide a locum manager service and also assist clubs with reviews. Manly was my first client as a Locum Manager while they recruited a new GM.

Harrison’s entry to the club industry at age 22 was unplanned, taking a part-time position on the bar staff of a local club in Adelaide after having served six years in the Navy around Australia and overseas.

“When I accepted the GM role at Nelson Bay Golf Club in February 2015, I wound up Club Management Solutions (CMS) after 13 years of operations.”

His and wife Judy’s decision for him to quit the Navy and opt for a quiet life in Adelaide paid off and within a year he was working full-time behind the bar and three years later was Secretary/Manager at the Marion Sports Club (MSC) at age 26. Although the only permanent employee, the MSC was a great learning curve as it was home to 13 sub clubs including Aussie Rules, Trotting, Bowls, Croquet and Marching Girls. “The MSC now is one of the largest sport clubs in Adelaide with a staff of more than 30 and is where I learned about club politics and dealing with councils,” Harrison said. “After 7 years at MSC in August 1991 I became the Secretary Manager at Blackwood Golf Club (BGC), in the Adelaide foothills. “In my first week at Blackwood I hosted a Golf Club Secretaries Managers Association (SA Division) meeting and golf day. “From that day I realised the importance of the association and what I could learn from my peers across Australia.”

Harrison would go on to serve myriad senior roles over the next 25 years with the GMA, including 10 years as the Executive officer of the NSW Division. At Blackwood he discovered the many aspects and responsibilities of the golf industry, including overseeing a $1.35 million course redevelopment and clubhouse extension, as well as employees’ agreements and environmental issues. In 2001, after almost 10 years at BGC, he moved to Sydney to take up the role of General Manager at the prestigious Manly Golf Club. “Manly was a large club that needed attention to an ageing

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“Throughout my career the golf industry has been a very open experience. In the GMA we share ideas, discuss issues, benchmark our clubs and are always there for each other. “The GMA has given me lifelong friends among Assistant Managers, Operations Managers, Course Superintendents and Golf Professionals, who have become GMs. “If I can assist any person interested in a Golf Management career I am only a phone call or email away.” •

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“I have seen many changes in golf and club management over the years and the GMA introduced me to my peers,” Harrison said.

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During that time his CMS clients included: Golf Management Australia (NSW Division) -- 10 years part time position as Executive Officer; management and consulting roles with Manly Golf Club; Middle Harbour 16ft Skiff Club; Chatswood Golf Club; North Manly Bowling Club; Balgowlah Golf Club; Albion Park RSL; Pt Kembla Golf Club; Bayview Golf Club and Kiama Golf Club.

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McAra, Gilson awarded top GMA NSW honours

aul McAra of Coffs Harbour Golf Club has been named this year’s GMA NSW Club Manager of the Year, and the inaugural Provisional Member of the Year Award has gone to Newcastle Golf Club’s Golf Manager, Mark Gilson. The Club Manager of the Year award recognises a member who has excelled in their position during the past year. It carries significant industry recognition and includes a trip to the CMAA World Conference in Orlando, Florida in February 2017. The other finalist for this year’s award was Brad Constable, General Manager of Bathurst Golf Club. Paul commenced at the Coffs Harbour Golf Club four years ago at a difficult time in its history but according to their President, Kerry Wilson, they can now confidently say they are one of the strongest golf clubs in regional Australia. Paul has driven a strong financial performance which this year resulted in a net profit of almost $400,000 and surpassed all records in the club’s 90-year history. The club is now debt free after paying off a one-million-dollar loan. Under Paul’s strategies, membership has grown by 10% in the past year through improvements to the course and introduction of junior and ladies golf programs, there has been a 200% increase in corporate golf events and further growth in sponsorships and securing of government grants. A strategic plan to weatherproof the course with new cart paths is now largely completed. Paul’s strong focus on HR management with a hands-on approach has resulted in high staff

Mark Gilson (left) and Paul McAra (right) with GMA NSW President, Paul Paterson. morale. He is also engaged in a number of community projects and networking to raise the club’s profile and has achieved high member satisfaction. The Provisional Member of the Year Award was introduced to recognise the considerable amount of up and coming managers who will hopefully continue their careers in the industry and progress up the levels to club manager. They cover an array of areas in their clubs including Operations Managers, Golf Managers and administration staff. There were two other finalists for this year’s award, Denise Ward, Accountant & Office Manager at Roseville Golf Club and Lee Bradsell, Director of Clubhouse at Royal Sydney Golf Club. The 110 year old Newcastle Golf Club course suffered significant

damage in a huge storm which buffeted the region in April 2015. The club suffered financial stress due to a subsequent course closure and three months of follow-up rain. Mark’s performance since has seen a $100,000 turnaround in its business during the past 12 months and his efforts included becoming a club volunteer during the course’s closure, removing debris and fallen trees, rebuilding bunkers and drainage systems to allow the club to reopen two weeks later. He has since devised strategies to ensure that the club improves its return from the golfing operations and in turn ensuring the club’s recovery and ongoing sustainability. The Award carries a prize of a trip to next year’s National GMA Conference to be staged in Adelaide. •

Benchmarking, conferences and training via GMA Aaron Muirhead National Director, Golf Management Australia

FOOD & BEVERAGE BENCHMARKING REPORT The GMA Food & Beverage Benchmarking Report was released in July 2016 compiled using the data entered by 139 golf clubs throughout Australia into the GMA Benchmarking tool. There was no surprise that food and beverage revenues increased in line with greater member numbers and rounds played with beverage revenue attributing 45% of the total food and beverage revenues. Wage costs for clubs that operate the bar only was an average of 44% which increased to 49% for the clubs that controlled both the bar and food services. Cost of sales percentages for food averaged at 40% and 41% for beverages. To view the full report, go to www.gma.org.au MINI CONFERENCES Golf Management Victoria (GMV) and Golf Management NSW (GMANSW)

are both holding their mid-year conference in the coming months. Both state conferences have engaged quality speakers to focus on leadership and resilience training as being key subject matters. I don’t think that it is a coincidence that both states have targeted similar topics as with rapidly increasing organisational change, pressure and pace, workplace stress is becoming an inevitable part of working life and an area which all employees must become proficient in dealing with. Building resilience skills is now recognised as a necessity in order to grow in today’s complex work environment. GMV is delighted to have secured Stuart Taylor from the Resilience Institute as one of their speakers along with Steve Herzberg who will present on leadership coaching and sales development and just how golf club managers can adapt to the changing world. GMV have also engaged Dr Mary Cole who is a highly regarded plant pathologist, microbiologist and mycologist with extensive field and laboratory expertise on enhancing soil fertility and providing a balance in the

micro-ecosystem to extend across the entire soil food web. Rounding off the conference will be Greg Oakford the Marketing & Communications Manager at Golf Victoria. GMANSW have included Hugh van Cuylenburg, founder of The Resilience Project and Steve Herzberg as well on Building a high performance team, Maximising Membership Marketing and Retention, Coaching and Mentoring, Entrepreneurial Management and Making Golf Fun. STAFF TRAINING GMA is not just about General Managers as GMV has also engaged Martin Grunstein, one of Australia’s most successful motivational speakers in the customer service space, to conduct staff training at Kew Golf Club. Two sessions are being provided delivering training on “Outstanding Customer Service” and both sessions are booked out highlighting the importance managers place on service standards delivered by their staff. •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

IG BUSINESS

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Mizuno Performance Centre opens in Sydney’s west Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

izuno has plans to establish a national network of branded hitech golf club-fitting studios after opening its first Mizuno Performance Centre at Cumberland Country Golf Club in Sydney’s west. It is the first time the golf manufacturing company has opened an on-course fitting centre and complements Mizuno’s original Performance Centre at its company headquarters in the southeast Melbourne suburb of Mulgrave. “We’ve come together as a partnership to offer the premium fitting experience through Cumberland for Mizuno equipment,” said Mizuno’s Sales & Marketing Manager Anthony Gercovich. “It’s been run with success over in Europe so we’re now piloting it here in Australia.”

Golfers are not only able to test out Mizuno’s famous irons to find out which set suits them best, but can get fitted to find the perfect wedges, driver, fairways woods and Mizuno golf balls. Two qualified custom fitting specialists are running Cumberland’s Mizuno Performance Centre - Head Professional Jo Bannerman and Teaching & Club Fitting Professional David Zahra. “Three years ago we built a full swing golf simulation tech centre inside the pro shop,” Bannerman said. “Having this technology provides us with an extraordinary amount of accurate data.” Consumers can be assured of finding the correct set of clubs because all custom-fit Mizuno gear carries a Satisfaction Guarantee. “There’s no pressure to purchase at the point of the fitting however the consumer can take solace in the fact that, if they do decide to purchase and they have a concern with the clubs within 6-8 weeks after the date of purchase, they can return them to the facility, where they would be reassessed for the initial fit,” Gercovich said. Mizuno’s Satisfaction Guarantee has already been utilised by at least one valued customer. “A gentleman purchased a set of clubs, there was something that wasn’t right with them; he got back in touch with Cumberland on the Monday,” Gercovich said. “The Tuesday, we replaced the set and shipped it on the

Wednesday. And the customer received it Thursday. So it was a 4-day turnaround going from having a complaint to having a brandnew set of golf clubs through the Satisfaction Guarantee.” The Cumberland Country Golf Club Mizuno Performance Centre follows the opening of facilities in Austria, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, England, Ireland and Northern Ireland. All equipment bought at a Mizuno Performance Centre in Australia is assembled and delivered to customers within 7-10 working days. •

AGS new ECCO Golf distributor Leading golf footwear innovator, ECCO Golf, and Sydney-based American Golf Supplies Pty Ltd have announced a new partnership which will see AGS become the distributor of ECCO Golf shoes in Australia. Private company AGS, established 50 years ago and owned by Paul and Kim Roser for the past two decades, is the Australian distributor for PING clubs, bags and accessories and has 24 staff operating nationally. “We are delighted at the opportunity to represent ECCO Golf in the Australian golf market,” said Paul Roser. “ECCO is a privately-owned company committed to making the highest quality product with technical innovation. Our goal will be to make the ECCO golf shoes broadly available to the Australian golfers where they currently play and shop,” he added. The deal follows the recent appointment of Jesper Thuen as ECCO Golf’s Head of Asia-Pacific. Jesper sees Australia as a key growth region. “Paul, Kim and the team at AGS are the perfect partner for ECCO Golf in Australia. They know the golf business inside out, and I’m excited about the distribution network and expertise that they can offer,” commented Thuen. “Most importantly, their passion for our products is already shining through, and I’m sure this will filter down to the retailer and ultimately the Australian consumer in time,” he added. AGS is headquartered in the southern Sydney suburb of Caringbah. More: golf.ecco.com

Chasing the Sun Golf Tournament Ceduna to Kalgoorlie 1 - 8 April 2017

Nullarbor Links, ‘World’s Longest Golf Course’, is unique. This 18-hole par 73 golf course spans 1,365 kilometres with one hole in each participating town or roadhouse along the Eyre Highway from Ceduna in South Australia to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. Each hole includes a synthetic green, tee and somewhat rugged outback-style natural terrain fairway. The course provides visitors with a quintessential Australian golfing experience that is unmatched anywhere else in the world.

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September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

You venture passed the whales and the beautiful coastline at Nullarbor to arrive at the beaches of Eucla, to meet the Pirate and claim your treasure. Clutching your gold you move on to the remains of Skylab at Balladonia and the working sheep station at Fraser Range. The Indigenous art and dance of the Ngadju people in Norseman will features strongly in your memories of the festival. The next morning you journey on to nickel mining and land sailing at Kambalda and then finally to Australia’s gold capital, Kalgoorlie.

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Women’s Sport – moving slowly towards a level playing field Karen Lunn

Executive Director – ALPG

istory was made last month when for the first time in history the Australian team which participated in Rio had more female athletes on the team than their male counterparts. 212 of our 419 sportspeople who competed in the games of the 31st Olympiad were female, which speaks volumes for the significant progress of gender equality in sport being made in our country. This is a great sign for women’s sport, and while much progress has been made there is still a lot of work to be done across the board, especially in terms of making professional sport a valid career option for young women. In terms of the ability to make a meaningful income from professional sport, women golfers have probably been more fortunate than many of our peers from other sports, mainly due to the huge popularity of the U.S. LPGA Tour which continues to grow globally and showcase our sport on the world stage. Woman golfers who succeed at the very top level can make a very good living,

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

however the disparity in prizemoney and endorsements compared to what the top male players can make is still hugely disproportionate. On the U.S. LPGA Tour in 2015, the 80th ranked player’s prizemoney was US$133,000, which once you deduct tax, and take into account tournament expenses of around $3000-4000 per week does not leave much for a mortgage, car payments and general living expenses. In comparison, on the PGA Tour in 2015 the player who finished in 80th place on the money list made US$1.2 million. On other tours like the Ladies European Tour where many of our members have competed in recent years you really need to be in the top 10 each year to make enough money to get by. It is interesting when you compare the prizemoney that men and women golfers make at the very top level. Here are some examples; • In 2016, at the time of writing Lydia Ko leads the U.S. LPGA Tour money list with prizemoney of US$2.6 million, she has won 4 tournaments in 2016 including a major championship. In comparison Jason Day leads the PGA Tour money list with more than US$7.5 million, he has won three tournaments in 2016.

• In her illustrious career Karrie Webb won 41 LPGA tournaments including 7 major Championships, and sits second on the LPGA Tour’s career money list to Annika Sorenstam with prizemoney of just under US$20 million. • Stuart Appleby and Karrie both had their rookie seasons in the U.S. in 1996. Stuart has won 9 PGA Tour events and amassed a total of US$29 million in prizemoney, roughly 50% more than Karrie won in the same time frame. • Katherine Kirk (nee Hull) has played consistently on the LPGA Tour for 12 years, has 2 wins to her credit and career prizemoney of just under US$4 million. • In comparison Mark Leishman has played on the PGA Tour for 8 years, has one win to his credit and has amassed more than US$14million in prizemoney. These figures are unfortunately very typical of most of the other golf tours across the globe, with the guys playing for considerably more prizemoney than their female counterparts. In saying this, the LPGA Tour under Commissioner Mike Whan has really thrived in recent years. With the number of tournaments increasing, and tournament

purses and TV viewership on the rise hopefully we can see this disparity start to level out sometime in the future. Here in Australia, tournaments like the Oates Victorian Open, which offers equal prizemoney for both women and men are unique in golf and should be applauded. Golf Victoria, with the support of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Oates CEO David Birch have created a world first where the men and the women play at the same venue for equal prizemoney. The tournament has a completely different feel to a regular tour event, the players really enjoy it, the spectators and the sponsors love it, the question is why has this not caught on in other states in Australia and in other countries? It is a tournament model that ticks so many boxes. The only other event that I am aware of which is similar is in Morocco, where the Ladies European Tour and the PGA European Tour play at the same venue, however the men play the “Hassan Trophy” for 1.5 million euros while the women compete in the “Lalla Meryem Cup” and 450,000 euros!! At the Oates Victorian Open in 2015, then newly engaged couple Richard Green and Marianne Skarpnord completed a fairytale

women League last season, has been a great boost to the sport and there is no doubt the popularity of women’s cricket on the rise. As for the football codes, the AFL has launched its women’s national league to sit alongside the men’s, while the two rugby codes have announced their intentions to launch female leagues, with the NRL looking to 2021 and the ARU set to capitalise on the Pearls’ recent world sevens championship win with a national professional league in the near future.

ending and created international headlines when they won both the men’s and women’s version of the tournament. After his win Green went on to say “The format of this tournament is amazing and I really hope it kicks off some interest in other tournaments around the world because it’s a great atmosphere. Having the girls around, they’re great players and they create just as good an environment. The girls work as hard, they travel as much, they play the game as well as we do, it just doesn’t make sense that we play for so much more prizemoney than they do.” Make no bones about it, being a professional sportswoman is a tough gig. While I can attest to how difficult it is for a female professional golfer to make ends meet, many other sportswomen of different codes have it equally as tough. A few years back at the annual Jack Newton Celebrity Classic, I played a round of golf with Catherine Cox, a legend of netball here in Australia, and was really shocked to hear how tough she and her colleagues had it. The players were for the most part unpaid, and played purely for the love of their sport. They were given a miserly daily allowance for food while on tour and many players skipped

meals or pooled their money together to buy dinner. These players, like “Coxy” and Liz Ellis were some of the highest profile women athletes in the country, yet they were expected pretty much to pay their own way and also hold down a job to support themselves. I was really shocked! Thankfully things have improved for the “netties” since those days, a member of the Australian Diamonds team can now expect a salary of anything between $30,000 and $50,000 per year. It is hardly a fortune but as seems to be the way in women’s sport it will take many small steps to lead to big changes. Cricket is yet another example, the Southern Stars had for many years been making a relative pittance compared to their more famous male counterparts, despite having had great success on the international stage. Cricket Australia’s announcement in April this year that the player payment pool will increase from $2.36m to $4.23m will mean that Australia’s leading female cricketers will become the best paid of any women’s team sport in the country. Many of the Southern Stars players now have the potential to earn in excess of $100,000 a year plus endorsement deals. This announcement, along with the launch of the inaugural Women’s Big Bash

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In soccer, our Australian women’s team, the Matildas, earlier this year fought hard to strike a more lucrative collective bargaining agreement to ensure female players were provided more security and did not have to feel as though they were sacrificing their futures to play the game they loved. I am sure this was a tough decision at the time but they were smart in using the momentum that was with them at that time to put pressure on the powers that be! All of these examples illustrate that the push for inclusiveness and gender equity in the world of sport in Australia in recent years is now gaining some traction. From my perspective as a professional sportswoman for almost 30 years and now as a sports administrator it is a great relief to see that attitudes are finally starting to change.

Television revenues are starting to trickle in, and hopefully will boom in the future due to public demand. Women make up more than half of Australia’s population, and now more than ever before, they are becoming sports consumers as well as participants. It is hard to imagine 10 years ago that netballers could potentially earn more than $100,000 a year, that our most marketable female cricketers could command salaries upwards of $250,000, or that young women could consider a career in one of our football codes, but thankfully that is today’s reality. Women’s sport is just as important as men’s sport. Sportswomen and Women’s sporting organisations will continue to fight our cause for equality. We have a responsibility to ensure current and future generations of young girls are growing up watching their idols on television and reading about their achievements in the media. They need to be inspired and trust that if they choose a career in sport it is a valid career choice, and that there is an opportunity for them to make a living playing the sport that they love. Follow ALPG on Twitter @ALPGTour Instagram alpgtour and Facebook Australian Ladies Professional Golf. •

Corporate sponsors and government agencies are now being held accountable in terms of where their funding is being directed. The choice to fund men’s sport just because that has been the status quo for generations is no longer acceptable. It would be really disheartening to dwell on how far we have left to go in achieving gender equality and equity, there are still enormous strides to be taken before Australia can hold its hand up and say it is providing equal opportunity to male and female athletes in their pursuit for sporting excellence, but collectively we do seem to be making some good progress.

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www.insidegolf.com.au/author/steven-jeffress

How do you react under pressure?

with Steven Jeffress ed@insidegolf.com.au

t the end of last month’s article I mentioned that I’d had a fairly big problem with my right leg—when a simple vein injection went wrong. I am happy to report that after nearly two months I am not far from making a comeback to golf. The muscle in my calf has repaired well, so now I’m just waiting for the ulcer to clear. I’m looking forward to getting back out there, but the biggest hurdle for me now is getting my flexibility back, as I haven’t done any sort of rotation for a couple of months. But I’m sure with a lot of stretching and spikey ball work I will be back as good as new. Over the past couple of months that I have been on the sideline, I’ve had a chance to watch plenty of golf from tours all around the world. I love watching events when it’s really tight coming down the stretch and seeing how the players react. At the Barracuda Championship on the U.S. PGA tour, Greg Chalmers had his first win in around 380 starts. I loved watching this as I’ve played with Greg a few times and was keen to see how he handled what could be one of the biggest days in his golfing life. He is a seasoned pro but in the final round he didn’t look overly comfortable. He didn’t have that flow that he seemed to have the first three days. But what he did that last day, I learned from. He probably knew deep down that he was feeling a little pressure but he hung tough and just kept trusting his game. That was shown by the putt for par on 17 and then the awesome second shot into the par-5 last,

sealing his win. Instead of focusing on the nervous feeling in his body, he just went through his routine and trusted himself. As someone who has let the pressure get to them many times, I always love seeing someone react in the right way and win. Henrik Stenson won his first major at this year’s Open Championship by doing a similar thing. He had a hot Phil Mickelson at his heels but the way I saw it, that didn’t bother him. To me it looked like he knew deep down he was good enough and if he followed his process, he was good enough to win. I love watching sportsmen who know that they are good enough to win. In the past when I’ve had a highclass player in the field or on my heels, I would always be wondering firstly how they were going and secondly, am I good enough to beat them? One more example is a little bit of a sad story. We Australians love nothing more than an underdog coming through and proving himself. At the Canadian Open, underdog Steve Wheatcroft had to get up and down on the last hole out of the back bunker to force a playoff and possibly his first PGA Tour win. It wasn’t a hard bunker shot but beyond the flag was water. As some of you may remember, the pressure got the better of him and he bladed it over the green into the water and he ended up making 6. Some people tried to blame the bunker condition but I can tell you by experience that players only really do that when we are a little embarrassed! This to me was an example of what happens when you get ahead of yourself and start thinking into the future. He may have been thinking about the win or maybe the millions of dollars that were going into his bank account.

Now for you that may mean that you have had 36 points with three holes to go and you think, ‘gee I’m playing well’. For those of you that have been in this position, bad things normally happen in those last three holes because you’re not in the present. Next time you are watching the golf, whether you play off 1 or 31, watch how the players react and reflect that into your own game. You may say that a player off 31 should not and can’t compare to a touring pro. Well, you’re right, you can’t compare most of the skills that each of you show but that doesn’t mean that you can’t pick up a little skill or edge that may bring that handicap down to 30. When you see a pro react well under adversity think ‘well I could do more of that when I play’. Hence when you see them react in a bad way, watch how negative that can be for your game. I know after watching Steve Wheatcroft out of the bunker that I need to trust my technique next time I’m in a pressure situation and feel a little nervous. And remember, you are never going to get it right all the time, but as long as you keep working on it you are moving in the right direction. Hopefully I remember some of these lessons myself at the main Australasian tour events at the end of the year Hopefully my next event is the Maryborough Pro-Am followed by the NT PGA Championship in Darwin. I’ve walked a couple of rounds at Southport Golf Club and have pulled up ok. The hard thing for me is the tightness of my body, which is taking some time to get back. Who knows, maybe the break is what I needed after a really busy couple of years! •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

on tour

Day first, daylight second Championship, but did not get the chance to play in the PGA Championship.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

John Senden qualified for the PGA Championship only; Geoff Ogilvy played in the U.S. Open only, where he missed the cut; Scott Hend and Matt Jones played the Open and PGA and made cut in both; Marcus Fraser played the Open (missed cut) and PGA (made cut) and Steven Bowditch missed cut in first three majors of year and did not play in the PGA Championship.

ASON Day didn’t win a major in 2016, but his combined form in the four majors – the U.S. Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship and U.S. PGA Championship – resulted in him finishing atop the leaderboard. After 16 major rounds, the 28-year-old’s 1123 total – nine-under par – saw him finish 12 shots ahead of his nearest rival Jordan Spieth (1135).

When it came to the money list, a breakdown of the players who made the cut in all four majors shows that Masters champion Danny Willett banked US$1,885,173 –US$258,254 more than Day – courtesy of winning the Masters, T37 at U.S. Open, T53 at the Open and T79 at the PGA.

Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo finished third on 1142 – three ahead of American Kevin Na. Adam Scott was the only other Australian to make the cut in all of the majors.

The only other player to crack the milliondollar mark was Lee Westwood (T2 Masters, T32 U.S. Open, T22 Open and 85th PGA) with US$1,025,310. •

Only 14 players made the cut in all four major championships. U.S. Open winner Dustin Johnson had a commanding 11-shot lead over Jason Day going in to the U.S. PGA Championship, but the tall American missed the cut.

THE MAJORS SCOREBOARD 2016

To recap on the major season, Day tied for 10th at the Masters, tied eighth at the U.S. Open, tied 22 at the Open Championship and was runner-up at the PGA Championship.

As mentioned, Dustin Johnson (U.S. Open) missed the cut at the PGA Championship, Henrik Stenson (Open champion) put himself out of contention when he withdrew from the U.S. Open and wire-to-wire U.S. PGA champion Jimmy Walker missed the U.S. Open and Open Championship cut.

For his effort in the four majors, the world number one, banked US$1,626,919.

The 37-year-old certainly bounced back in the fourth major of the year.

Englishman Danny Willett, the Masters champion, was the only major winner in 2016 to play all four days in the four majors.

Fifty-seven players made the cut at the Masters to progress to the “second stage” – the U.S. Open.

Sergio Garcia, Matt Kuchar and Charley Hoffman, too, missed the cut at the PGA Championship to drop off the leaderboard.

That number reduced to 33 when 24 players missed the cut at the U.S. Open and to 18 after the Open Championship.

Total Name

Four major scores

To par

Money (US$)

Jason Day

289-282-285-267 1123

-9

1,626,919

Jordan Spieth

286-289-286-274

1,150,058

Emiliano Grillo

292-293-283-274 1142

+10

465,619

Rory McIlroy didn’t qualify after missing the cut at the U.S. Open.

Kevin Na

303-281-285-276 1145

+13

481,498

Lee Westwood

286-288-285-287 1146

+14

1,025,310

Rafa Cabrera-Bello

292-288-288-279 1147

+15

268,288

Of the rest of the Australians, only Marc Leishman qualified for the four majors but he missed the cut at the Masters, which put him out of contention.

Danny Willett

283-289-291-285

1148

+16

1,885,173

Bill Hass

294-292-282-280

1148

+16

317,421

Martin Kaymer

300-289-287-272 1148

+16

409,498

Adam Scott

299-286-289-275 1149

+17

310,299

Bubba Watson

297-292-288-281 1158

+26

135,035

Queensland’s Cameron Smith made the cut in the U.S. Masters, U.S. Open and Open

Justin Thomas

298-288-291-282 1159

+27

147,800

Harris English

299-289-290-281 1159

+27

128,397

Kevin Kisner

297-291-298-275

+29

220,481

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EXCLUSIVE TO ON COURSE GOLF

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A quick chat with Inside Golf chats with Adam Scott about his approach to the Majors, Augusta National and the state of Australian golf. Garrett Johnston

@johnstongarrett

Much is happening right now in the context of Australian golfing history with you and Jason Day playing well, and many more behind you both. What’s your perspective on this? I think Australian golf has been very strong since the turn of the century. You can make arguments that the last three or four years has been as strong as ever. Two number ones in the world and a couple majors in the last three years. There’s a lot. Going beyond that, there are lots of up-and-comers such as Cameron Smith and just so many steady guys around here. Marc Leishman lost an Open in the playoff last year but won a big tournament in Sun City. So it’s really the knock-on effect that Greg Norman had on the game from the early, mid, late 80s and into the early 90s. He went from being a dominant player in the world to making a number of young kids want to get out to play at local golf clubs at home, and thus turn it into such a popular sport. We’re still seeing the effects of what he did in the game out here in the U.S. It’s remarkable how many of these guys are on the PGA Tour considering the population of Australia versus other countries. Jason’s win at the U.S. PGA last year was remarkable, very good for Australian golf and a big win for him. He’s become quite a strong player. Everywhere in the world people are feeling hard times, but we’re fortunate in Australia we play golf year-round. We’ve got some golf courses and top professionals who can keep golf going for the next generation at least.

Adam Scott

The boyhood passion you have of wanting to play the game, watching Greg Norman as you grew up, how does it relate to how you view events like The Masters at Augusta?

Well I think that there’s always that desire to play and that boyhood passion. When you do it as a profession in this kind of environment it has its challenges because you don’t play well all the time. That doesn’t really matter, yet it still factors in. This is what you do and you work hard at it. When you show up to Augusta at any time, you’re like a kid in a candy store. But I think for me it’s a different feeling, especially after having won. When I defended I still got that feeling but even more so, like I could enjoy it even more because I had won it. Whereas before I loved it but the desire to win consumed me, my heart, my focus, and everything. You don’t soak it in as much as I have the last couple years because I’ve enjoyed playing there so much that I’ve won. It’s very stressful playing major golf tournaments. I think it’s a nice little advantage that I have going there now, knowing that I’m going in there a champ—the pressure’s off and it’s a really nice feeling for me.

to win there. I find a lot of enjoyment out of that because I can play and have got nothing to lose and only to gain. Talk about the proposed changes to Augusta National’s 13th? I think the course right now, they’ve got it to a good spot the last few years. I’m not against it, I’m not for it. I think they’re going to make their best decisions. But I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary nor pivotal in the outcome of the tournament. I certainly wouldn’t want it to detract anything because that’s my favourite hole on the course. They’ve got a lot of experience in knowing what they want to do. If they do change it, I think it will be the right kind of change.

You’ve made thunderous runs at The Open Championship in the last few years, why do you think that is?

That was a huge week for me, coming back as a defending champ. The other things were all there, I just wanted to be able to take it all in and not to just have it be a blur and something that I’ll forget, but I remember so much of that week. I’ve got incredible memories and I’m just lucky to have them.

I’ve really developed a strategy and approach for links golf that seems to be working very well. When I’ve been playing links golf the last few years, the first time it really showed up in my performance was in 2012 but since then I think I’ve led the Open three of the last few years with six holes to go and haven’t won and that’s frustrating. I think I’ve built a really well-rounded game the last four years for links golf. I believe in it, and that’s all that really matters and even if you looked at my resume where I have won over my career, it’s quite a variety of venues... yet I haven’t won the Open Championship [laughs] but many courses fit within my style. TPC to Colonial to Avenel, the Masters.

Of course I still work hard and all I think about is making sure that I’m peaking for the Masters and being in the best shape possible

I feel like I’ve got a game where if I figure out the right strategy to play I can compete but it’s a good thing to bring to different courses.

Describe that initial defending week in 2014 for you?

esort • RACV Royal Pines R

What’s your opinion on the final major of the year, the U.S. PGA and how it suits your game? The U.S. PGA has a generally fair set-up and it will punish a poorly hit shot but still give you a chance. I think that’s the way they’ve played the last ten years really. I think they’ve had a very good setup. One thing that distinguishes it from the other majors. It shouldn’t try to be the U.S. Open. It should just be the U.S. PGA and be the fair test it always is. We’ve seen a bit of that the last few years. Talk about the energy level you had when you won back-to-back at Honda Classic and Doral earlier this year? It was a stressful couple of weekends for me. Just trying to get it in the clubhouse at those golf courses is just brutal. That’s what many will find on the Florida Swing but especially at PGA National and Doral. I’ve just got to manage the energy a little bit and let it build back up. •

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Slow play a shared responsibility In other words, don’t overcrowd the course, players must show consideration, new players should be educated, cut back the rough and get rid of bottlenecks.

Slow play is the bane of club clubs around the world, but American slow play expert Bill Yates believes the global disease is curable, writes David Newbery

“The first two are the most important,” Yates said.

HERE wouldn’t be a club golfer who hasn’t been affected by slow play or a golf club manager that hasn’t thumped his desk in frustration because slow play is affecting the club’s bottom line.

“When we go to a golf course we teach and expose management to these ideas and these changes involve marshals and course rangers. “When we are out there we are looking at five things not five million things.

If you’re a club golfer, don’t be too hasty to blame the slowcoaches in the group ahead because it might not be their fault entirely.

“The idea is to get them to think differently. They need to look at their product differently and get them to think about their customer.”

So, who is at fault? “It’s a shared responsibility between management and the player,” said Bill Yates, who was in Australia recently to advise golf club managers to focus less on the number of rounds and more on quality and playing experience. “I give management the responsibility to manage the golf course when it comes to loading the course and monitoring play once it is loaded correctly. “Overcrowding on a golf course is typically the single reason for play being slow. “Get this right and you’ll be able to spot who the slow players are and take action where necessary. “Then it’s the player’s responsibility to play the game the way it’s supposed to be played. “Show up on time, have a when-ready mentality, leave the bag on the correct side of the green, stop copying the pros by taking six practice swings and looking at putts from four angles and mark the scorecard on the tee while others in the group tee off. “Of course, everything causes slow play – wind, rain, hot weather, a cart person delivering drinks, people walking, golf carts restricted to cart paths, unnecessary rough, distance between green and tee and so on,” Yates added. “No wonder people have a difficult time trying to solve the problem.”

Pace of play guru Bill Yates was in Australia recently to advise golf club management on slow play issues. When I suggested to Yates that a good game is a fast game, he nodded politely and then suggested, “A good game is a smooth game”.

Yates’s company, Pace Manager Systems, is recognised as a pace-of-play expert solving slow play problems for more than 150 courses worldwide.

“We are not trying to make people go faster. We are trying to make them go smoothly around the course.

He has assisted at majors and has advised the USGA and the R&A of St Andrews.

“What everybody hates on the golf course is waiting.

The R&A asked Yates to monitor pace of play and offer suggestions for improving it at the Open Championship.

“If you play golf with three friends and it takes four-and-a-half hours and you didn’t have to wait you would have a wonderful time.

“The trick of golf is to get the right flow,” Yates reiterated.

“If you played the game in the same amount of time and had to wait on every shot you would complain.

At Mission Hills Country Club in California, Yates suggested the club needed three different tee times for its three courses – 8 minutes for one course, 9 minutes for another and 10 minutes for the third and it now works wonderfully well.

“It’s not the time that makes the difference, it’s the experience. “And that is what golf clubs sell – the experience and the memory. “The customer (golfer) is interested in two things – the condition of the course and the pace of play. “Of course, you can have a beautifully manicured golf course and have an emotional train wreck on it because of slow play.”

“That starts by getting the correct starting intervals for the course.”

At another course in Canada, Yates helped shave 50 minutes off its average round. To achieve these results, Yates came up with five categories for analysis – management practices and policies, player behaviour, player ability, course maintenance set-up and course design.

The first issue is to determine starting intervals and what they should be and, of course, course design determines the intervals. The worst course sequence, according to Yates, is a par-5 followed by a par-3. That’s because a par-5 accommodates multiple groups. “If the first hole is a par-5 then you have to manage it,” he said. “It’s not a bad design – it just has to be managed. “On a par-5, you can have three groups on the hole – one group on the green, another approaching the green and another leaving the tee. “The par-3 holds one group so where are the other two groups going to go? “They are all going to meet up with each other. “Once we get the starting intervals right, then it’s about getting people from the parking lot, to the pro shop, to the range and to the tee. “You do it by making it a graceful experience for a player. “Start them at the right time, move them through the course smoothly and they’ll come back and buy a drink, a shirt and having a good time.” FOOTNOTE: For more information, go to Bill Yates’s website – www.pacemanager.com

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Octogenarians keeping up appearances

LARGE dose of golf is just the “medicine” needed when it comes to the health and fitness of an amazing group of women who play their golf at Morisset Country Club.

Pullman Magenta Shores Resort recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary with a special gala evening. With the theme ‘Ten Years of Magenta,’ a crowd of over 140 guests gathered to celebrate the special milestone. The guest list included individual villa owners, residents, golf members and resort staff. Guests were entertained by emcees Sarah and Paddy, local breakfast radio presenters from 2GO, who added a lot of fun and colour to the evening.

Each week, as many as 19 octogenarian golfers gather at the club, which is located west of Lake Macquarie just off the Sydney-Newcastle Highway, for a round of golf and get-together. To them, age is just a number.

This group of golfers, all in their eighties, can’t get enough of playing golf at their beloved Morisset Country Club. “The oldest player is 87 “The way we grow the membership is we “The ladies have a fair crack of the whip at and most of the ladies still play 18 holes,” said have what we call a ‘New Persons Day’ in ‘Royal’ Morisset. Morisset CC ladies captain Ellen Rae OAM. February every year,” Ms Rae explained. We are lucky because we have a good “They really are amazing women. Some of them still walk the 18-hole layout and play two or three times a week while others play the 18 holes, but do so riding around in a motorised golf cart.

working relationship with the men’s committee.

“One lady is 84 and plays three times a week and walks the 18 holes – rain, hail or shine.

“They listen to any of our grievances or compliments. We are fortunate.”

“They are not just golfers – they become friends.”

Morisset Country Club first opened for play on July 4, 1968 when 12 members took to the fairways.

Ms Rae said between 70-80 women turn up to play golf each Tuesday while on Thursdays 40-plus players hit the fairways. “The full members can also play on Saturdays and play in the mixed events on Sundays,” she said. Ms Rae said the camaraderie around Morisset Country Club was fantastic. “It is a friendly club,” she said.

Magenta Shores turns 10

“When they have greens committee meetings my vice-captain and I are invited to attend.

“I have been involved from day one and watched the club grow,” said Ms Rae, who has lived in Morisset for 77 years.

“The members are encouraged to bring along a relative or someone they can introduce to the game of golf. “We have grown over the years by exercising the format. “We are also fortunate we have two great professionals in Dave Stretton and David Van Raalte.” Ms Rae said the layout at Morisset CC was “wonderful”.

“With the exception of one year, I have been on the committee ever since.”

“We have nice wide fairways and huge greens and the small staff do a fantastic job looking after the golf course.

In the past 48 years, Morisset CC has had a steady membership growth courtesy of some creative thinking.

“We also have a large group of amazing volunteers who help the staff on the golf course.” •

Throughout the night, guests enjoyed a menu specially prepared by Pullman Magenta Shores’ culinary team, an array of fine wines, live entertainment, and a memorable presentation of the history of Magenta. Staff that reached their ten year tenures were also congratulated on the night. The evening concluded with a dazzling fireworks display, to the surprise and delight of guests. Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club is the only private golf course located on the Central Coast of New South Wales, boasting magnificent ocean views from the front 9 holes with the back 9 holes adjacent to the rainforest and National Parks. Built on a deep sand base and shaped in the spirit of the famous Scottish Links courses, Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club calls upon golfers to use their imagination and potentially every club in the bag. From the back tees the course stretches to around 6,300m with a par of 72. Each hole has multiple tee boxes giving plenty of flexibility and will present a very stern test for the most gifted if desired, or an enjoyable game for players of all levels.

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juniors

www.insidegolf.com.au/juniors

Unique junior program an ace for Huntingdale “One good example was a young guy who joined the club on a scholarship who came from a club up near the Murray River. He used to travel down literally every weekend on the train to play golf. During the year here, his handicap went from 16 to five. But most importantly, his mum told us at the end of the year that the scholarship changed his life and got him focused on positive things in his life. He subsequently joined the club and is in the process of finishing university.”

Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

untingdale Golf Club has thought outside the box with its approach to junior golf and attracted a brigade of close to 160 golfers across its junior membership and clinics. “We have about 80 or so juniors in the club junior programs starting from age five, which includes Sunday and weekday clinics with our professional staff. In addition, we have about 80 junior members under 21, which includes about 20 girls,” said Huntingdale general manager Stewart Fenton.

The social benefits are complemented by Huntingdale’s resurgence in Golf Victoria pennant. In 2016, the club won both Division 3 colts and Division 4 men’s pennant while its women’s team won the ultimate prize in 2015 by claiming the Division 1 title.

The sandbelt club’s junior clinic program has been active for eight years while its unusual yet highly successful scholarship program continues to blossom. Unlike most club scholarship systems which almost exclusively target elite junior players, the Huntingdale program’s primary focus is to give young people a taste of golf club membership and an opportunity to thrive socially.

11-year-old Jeneath Wong, one of Huntingdale Golf Club’s promising junior members, after scoring her first ace.

“The priorities of the program are the opportunity for young people to experience 12 months at a sandbelt club that they would not have been likely to have, the opportunity to improve their golf from playing a championship golf course on a regular basis, and making a difference to the life of that young person,” Fenton said. Huntingdale’s scholarship program has been running for six years and is traditionally awarded to three boys and three girls annually. It casts a wide net outside metropolitan Melbourne and Fenton estimated that 80 per cent of the club’s scholarship holders hail from regional or rural areas.

“Our women’s side has been very successful in Division 1 for a number of years and includes a number of girls that played all or the large majority of their junior golf at Huntingdale including the talented Do sisters [Kallista & Joelynn], Emily Smith, Lisa Teo and Bianca Ling.”

A number of other Huntingdale juniors are showing vast improvement including 11-year-old Jeneath Wong, who has already lowered her handicap to 4 and struck her first hole-in-one on the par-three ninth at Long Island in June. “She plays every week and during the pennant season, she was also playing regularly in our Friday pennant as well as making her senior Pennant team debut,” Fenton said. “She’s a lovely kid. Her father’s really passionate about her golf and is a really supportive father. She’s been a member here since August last year. She plays with all the members every week so she goes out and plays with whomever’s on the timesheet.” •

Making

HISTORY 20 – 23 OCTOBER 2016 THE BRISBANE GOLF CLUB www.qldopen.com.au

Home of golf’s past, present and future champions 30

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Yarra Yarra to stage Vic Boys & Girls Championships The stage is set for an exciting 2016 Victorian Boys and Girls Championships to be played at Yarra Yarra Golf Club 20-23 September. “Yarra Yarra Golf Club has hosted an array of major professional events in recent history. Having the support of the club is a massive boost to these two Championships and we are very excited to be here in September,” said Tournament Director Doug O’Keeffe. “I’m sure the players of this event will have a great experience over the four days on the testing layout the course provides. Some of Australian golf’s most decorated players have enjoyed success in the Boys and Girls Championships and we look forward to seeing who emerges in 2016.” The tournament is Victoria’s oldest junior event, and boasts an impressive honour roll winners, including Burtta Cheney (1935), Margaret Masters (1951 – 1954), Lindy Goggin (1969), Rachel Hetherington (1991) and Su Oh (2008 and 2010) for the girls, while past male champions include Kevin Hartley (1951), Ian Stanley (1966), Bob Shearer (1963), Marc Leishman (2001), Bryden Macpherson (2007) and Todd Sinnott (2009). The current defending champions are Celina Yuan and Cameron John who has since won the 2015 Argentine Amateur, 2015 Victorian Amateur and the 2016 Scottish Stroke Play. Peter Vlahandreas, Yarra Yarra GM is excited his club will be the new exclusive host of the event. “Yarra Yarra has a long history of amateur and junior golf tournaments and we are extremely pleased to be the exclusive host of the Victorian Boys and Girls Championships for 2016 and beyond.” More: www.golfvic.org.au.

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trainees

Hogan’s red-hot scoring wins Central Coast matchplay battle Bill Colehoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

OUKLEY’S NSW/ACT Trainees Champion Robbie Hogan had to produce five birdies to win 2-1 against Gosford’s Mitchell Ballard in a memorable Central Coast Inside Golf Matchplay shootout played at Wyong. Hogan was never behind in the match, but the furthest he was in front was just three up after 13 holes.

Top team: Robbie Hogan and caddy Jimmy Cassidy following the Riverside Oaks NSW title win

Ballard then produced the final two of his four birdies on the day to win the 14th and 15th holes. Hogan won 16 with a birdie to be two up with two to play and 17 was halved in par for him to clinch a quarter-final berth. Hogan, who won the Car Net Auctions NSW/ACT Trainee Professional Championship at Riverside Oaks in May with champion jockey Jim Cassidy as his caddy, is in line to make history as the first Trainee to win the NSW/ACT strokeplay and the Inside Golf matchplay championships.

Hogan, determined to test his game at every opportunity before hopefully heading to the Asian Tour, after completing his traineeship next year, played in the West Australian Trainees Championship at Wembley golf complex in Perth late last month.

Back-nine birdie run proved a winning edge

YDNEY’S Bonnie Doon Golf Club PGA Trainee Jimmy Edge had to overcome an amazing start by his opponent before winning 2-1 to grab a quarter-final spot in the Inside Golf NSW/ACT PGA Trainees matchplay championship.

Edge, 24, is a Second Year Trainee who began his golf at Springwood in the Blue Mountains before joining Glenmore where he played off a scratch handicap and won the club championship.

Edge must have been shocked to find himself three down after three holes, despite being square with the card after starting birdie, par, bogey.

He missed a quarter-final spot in last year’s Inside Golf PGA Trainees Matchplay after a first-round win, but this year earned a first-round bye by way of making the cut in the Car Net Auctions NSW/ACT Trainee Championship at Riverside Oaks in May.

Will Flitcroft, from Manly Golf Club, fired up early to shoot eagle, birdie, par, birdie in their match played at Wollongong Golf Club. And it continued to get worse for Edge as he slipped to four down after eight holes before he mounted a strong fightback.

Unique Trainee Tristan Morey, who is serving his time jointly under Asquith Golf Club’s PGA pro Paul Lorimer and Thornleigh Golf Centre’s Head PGA pro Steve Aisbett, is an early Inside Golf Matchplay quarterfinalist, but without hitting a shot.

While the first nine might have been dominated by Flitcroft, Edge saved his best for the homeward run and, reeling off several birdies, he won four of the next six holes to square the match with four to play. He then went one-up with a par at 15 and took a two-up lead with a chip-in birdie at 16 before clinching the win 2-1 when 17 was halved in par.

Morey also had a first-round bye and then was awarded his secondround match when Luke Morrison, from Hawks Nest, near Newcastle, was unable to play and forced to forfeit. The prized Inside Golf PGA Trainees Matchplay championship carries prizemoney of about $4000. More: www.pga.org.au

Holden Scramble celebrates One Millionth Participant Robert Osborne, from Ashmore (Qld) has been crowned the One Millionth Holden Scramble Participant at Mt Warren Park Golf Club on the Gold Coast. An iconic part of the Australian golfing landscape the Holden Scramble is Australia’s largest pro-amateur club team’s event and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2016. As the One Millionth player, Osborne and his team of Daniel Osborne (son), Greg McGibbon and Dereck Odgaard, will head off on the trip of a lifetime to attend the 2017 PGA TOUR Championship next September. Osborne, who initially thought the announcement was a wind-up by some of the boys at the club, was shocked to learn he was the millionth player. “I really don’t quite believe this is happening; this is one of the biggest things I’ve ever won by far,” he said. Holden Scramble competitions are held across Australia, from every major city to regional hubs. Local level winners go on to compete in Regional Finals with the winning team from each final progressing to the Holden Scramble Championship Final held at Twin Waters Golf Club in November. Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia, was delighted to see the Holden Scramble reach such a significant milestone and that the event continues to thrive at clubs around Australia thanks to the generous support from Holden.” “To reach this milestone of one million participants in the same year we are celebrating the event’s 25th anniversary is a fantastic indication of the position the brand holds in the Australian golf industry.”

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September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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pga igi

PGA IGI: showcasing golf education to the world

Thailand’s Min Puripark said the best pathway to working in the golf industry was to complete the PGA IGI program and university degree in sports management.

HE PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI) has become a recognisable global brand in golf education and training.

In the past 10 years, the PGA IGI’s Diploma of Golf Management has attracted students from more than 20 countries including China, Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan as well as from Europe and the Americas.

“Australia is the perfect place to enjoy your studies and play golf,” Min said. “The PGA IGI has flexibility when it comes to study and its golf coaching and the golfing facilities are excellent.

In recent years, students from Chile and Slovakia have also joined the program. As Australia’s only Diploma of Golf Management, students undertake academic learning that focuses on the business and management of the golf industry, along exclusive golf access and game development for the sport of golf. For many students, the Diploma of Golf Management is the first step towards a career in the golf industry, together with providing a pathway to the PGA Trainee Program, PGA Professional Year (PY) Program and bachelor degrees programs. “We have international graduates working in the golf industry who hold positions in management, events, operations and tourism, while others have gone on to become PGA Professionals after further study with the PGA of Australia and other international Professional Golf Associations,” said Luke Bryden, PGA IGI Marketing and Student Recruitment Manager. International Students account for half of the PGA IGI’s enrolments and highlights the popularity of the qualification internationally.

“Doing the PGA IGI program and the university degree is definitely something I would recommend to people in Thailand.”

International students Chuxiang (Rickie) Wang (left) and Li (Lee) Zhou have completed the PGA IGI’s Diploma of Golf Management. Thailand’s Min Puripark have completed the PGA IGI Diploma of Golf Management and are currently completing bachelor degrees in Sports Management at Griffith University. Lee told Inside Golf his father had encouraged him to study abroad and he opted for the PGA IGI program. “I heard the PGA IGI program was a good choice because it gave domestic students and international students the chance to get jobs in the golf industry,” he said. “At the PGA IGI, I learned all about the golf industry and also improved as a player. When I joined the program I had not played golf, but now my handicap is seven.

“Typically, we have a 50/50 split between Australian and international students each year,” said Bryden.

“I am happy with that and if I can improve more then perhaps I can work as a golf coach in China or get into management in the golf industry.”

Of the international students, China’s Chuxiang (Rickie) Wang and Li (Lee) Zhou and

Lee is currently working towards a Masters degree.

Meanwhile, Rickie said the PGA IGI program had given him the tools to work in the golf industry. “The PGA IGI program, combined with the sports management degree from Griffith University, is good for international students and has opened new doors for me,” said Rickie, who works part-time at Links Hope Island. “It has given me a new direction and the chance to improve my golf.” Rickie is now seeking full-time employment in Australia and hopes to complete the PGA PY Program required to become a PGA Professional. “That is my dream and I am working hard to achieve it,” he said. “I hope I can find full-time job in Australia because the environment here is very good. “I am grateful my parents supported me to come and study in Australia through the PGA IGI and Griffith University.”

Bryden said Australian and overseas PGA IGI students shared a strong passion for the sport of golf. “Each year our teaching team welcome new students from around the world to take their first steps towards a career in the golf industry,” he said. “Study through the PGA IGI has been a stepping-stone for many international students and a pathway towards becoming a PGA Professional. “The pathway to the PGA’s PY program has allowed eligible students from Korea, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and several other countries to earn membership to the PGA of Australia: allowing them to either coach or manage facilities throughout the world.” The PGA IGI delivers the Golf Management Program, incorporating 10459NAT Diploma of Golf Management, at its campus location on the Gold Coast. More information: Luke Bryden (07) 56576109, email lbryden@pga.org.au or visit www.pgaigi.com (PGA International Golf Institute; RTO No. 31270; CRICOS No. 02754G) •

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tournaments

www.insidegolf.com.au/events

$20,000 Australian Open Mini-Golf title at Thornleigh Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

YDNEY’S Thornleigh Golf Centre will underscore its standing as the nation’s most innovative practice range by staging the first Australian Open Mini-Golf Championship in November, presented by Coca-Cola Amatil and boasting prizemoney of up to $20,000. Already a string of leading professionals – including former Australian Open champion Rodger Davis –plus four of the best putters of all time, now playing the Legends Tour, Mike Harwood, Tim Elliott, Dave Merriman and Peter Fowler have entered for the event to try to win a $3500 first prize and be crowned the nation’s top Mini-Golf putter.

Some of Australia’s leading young professionals are expected to take part as the Mini-Golf Open is on only a week before the $500,000 NSW Open at Stonecutters Ridge. Organisers emphasise that any amateur golfer of any standard, age or gender who fancy they can putt well is welcome to enter. The week-long Mini-Golf Open, to be played over 72 holes with the final round on Sunday November 6, is expected to attract about 400 entries from pros, elite and club amateurs and Mini golf enthusiasts with a $50 entry fee providing a week of unlimited practice and unique golf fun. The Thornleigh Golf Centre lays claim to having the best Mini-Golf facility in the Southern Hemisphere, with two 18-hole courses – Palms and Billabong providing a variety of sophisticated challenges. Owner Steve Aisbett inspected America’s best Mini-Golf centres before hiring New Jersey’s Harris Miniature Golf Courses Inc, which has designed and built more than 800 courses worldwide over the past 50-plus years. Rated the world’s leading Mini-Golf facility builders, HMGC installed the 36-hole astro-turfed facility at a cost of more than $1 million in 2014. Mini-Golf is played by putting on holes which wind their way alongside rivers, across bridges, around ponds, waterfalls, bunkers and other odd-angle hazards, which proves to be a great leveller. Mini-Golf courses are tricky, with variations in the elevation and

angles of the greens, making putting skills more important than a good golf swing and luck. Good judges say one of the favourites would be 14-year-old Ethan Chambers from Bonnie Doon golf club who plays off two. However Australia’s best Mini-Golf player, Alan Cox, a top contender at Thornleigh, has played on the U.S. Mini-Golf Tour and yet as an overall golfer plays off a 27 plus handicap. So, it shows that with Mini-Golf there is hope for everybody. One of the world’s best mini-golf putters is a Czech woman, Olivia Prokopova. In 2013, aged 18 and still at school, she won the three

Mini-Golf Majors— the United States Open, the Masters and the world championships — for an unprecedented triple crown in miniature golf. And yet Prokopova couldn’t break 90 on a regular golf course. Thornleigh Golf Centre, since opening in 2012, has set the benchmark for golf practice ranges across Australia with eight PGA pros on staff for lessons and providing the most modern TrackMan-dedicated video booth available and club fitting. Now with the staging of the first $20,000 Australian Open Mini-Golf Championship it has raised the bar even higher. More: www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au

www.ontrrendgolf.com.au Intensive Golf Schools Join Richard at the Greg Norman-designed, 18 hole Championship golf course at the stunning Vintage Golf Club for a one, two or three day fun and intensive golf school. Located in the very heart of the Hunter Valley, you can look forward to: Includes * Up to 18 hours (3 days) or 6 hours (1 day) of premium golf tuition with Richard Mercer (on and oﬀ the course) * Video analysis of your swing with Dartfish and FlightScope * All schools are customised to your individual golf game * Golf at the Greg Norman-designed, 18 hole Championship course, The Vintage * Luxury accommodation packages available at either the Chateau Elan or Grand Mercure Apartments, both onsite at The Vintage Cost $435 including green fees per person (one day clinic) $670 including green fees per person (two day golf school) $905 including green fees per person (three day golf school) All golf schools have a minimum of two students. Private schools for one individual may be booked with a slight single surcharge of $150.00.

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www.insidegolf.com.au/rules

What’s the Rule?

DJ and Rule 18-2 – Ball at rest, moves Frank Gal

Director of Rules – Golf NSW

ule 18 deals with a common occurrence on the golf course; a ball in play and at rest is moved. The Rule confuses most golfers with its complicated structure containing six sections, a penalty statement and three notes that require a thorough reading and sound knowledge of the many defined terms shown in italics. Any study of Rule 18 should therefore begin with a careful reading of the following definitions listed on pages 30-45: “ball in play”, “equipment”, “moved”, “outside agency”, “stroke”, etc. Let’s try to cut through the clutter to find out what to do when our ball in play moves. Firstly, if your ball falls or is accidentally knocked off the tee at the start of a hole (unless you had an air swing), the Rule does not apply simply because the ball is not in play yet (see Definition of “Ball in Play”). Also, if your ball moves, but returns to its original position of its own accord, the ball is ‘deemed’ to not have moved at all (see Definition of “moved”). This article will focus on Rule 18-2, which outlines what to do when a ball is moved by yourself, your partner, or either of your caddies or equipment. Basically, if any of these things move your ball or cause it to be moved except as permitted by a Rule, you incur a penalty of one stroke (in match play as well as stroke play) and are required to replace the ball. You also incur the penalty if you, your partner or either of your caddies purposely touch the ball (except with a club at address). Rule 18-2 concludes by listing a number of situations where you would not incur a penalty for accidentally moving your ball in play.

Note that if the movement of the ball occurs after you begin your stroke (or backswing), you are not required to replace the ball if you continue and make the stroke - you do, however, still incur the penalty. If a ball at rest moves, the cause of that movement must be assessed. This was the case in the Dustin Johnson incident at this year’s U.S. Open. The USGA was criticised by media commentators and journalists for its handling of the situation and the subsequent penalty imposed after Johnson’s round was completed. The USGA itself conceded that it did not handle the situation well; however, its decision to impose the penalty was correct, in my view. The argument presented by the media was that Johnson (DJ) had not addressed the ball so he should not have been penalised. Although DJ did not address the ball he grounded his club immediately to the side of the ball, touched the grass with a couple of practice swings, then grounded the club again before hovering it behind his ball at which point the ball began to move. The only known fact here is that DJ’s ball moved immediately after his actions near the ball. So, what caused it to move? In circumstances where it is not clear what caused a ball to move, the Committee must follow the guidelines in Decision 18-2/0.5 which sets out the standard for determining whether a player caused his ball to move. The Decision is very lengthy so I won’t reproduce it in full here. The full Decision can be found on the following link [http://www.usga.org/rules/rulesand-decisions.html#!decision-18,d18-2-0.5] The following extract from the Decision was paramount in the USGA’s determination: “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).” In DJ’s case, the ball had been stationary for some time; it was lying on a slope on a fast putting green; he touched the ground twice directly beside his ball and the ball began to move almost immediately afterwards. Given these facts, the conclusion drawn was that it was more likely than not that DJ caused the ball to move and under its own guidelines the Committee had no option but to impose the one-stroke penalty. •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

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CLUB OF THE MONTH >

Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club Water a sparkling facet of Canberra gem Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

ANBERRA’S Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club boasts one of the most unique layouts of the hundreds of courses Inside Golf have featured over the years. True to its name, Gungahlin Lakes probably has more lakes, ponds and water hazards than any other course in Australia. The course features many holes with challenging water carries across to fairways and to greens. There are four major lake water-crossings and 13 holes where water hazards are in play. Sydney’s famous The Lakes course, by comparison, has only two holes where you have to play directly across water and about 10 holes with adjacent water hazards. The fairly constant “water torture” probably accounts for why Gungahlin Lakes has a 136 slope rating for the full-stretch men’s course and 137 for the women’s. The blue course of 6119 metre, par-72 championship layout is regarded by many who have played it as one of the more challenging courses in the ACT . The women’s red course is a 5348 metre par-72 layout. However there is another winning factor which elevates the Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club, which stems from its “community” moniker. From the time of its foundation in 1996 – making it still the youngest golf club in 42

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Canberra – it has been an integral part of the Ainslie Group of clubs in the Australian Capital Territory, which is headed by the hugely successful Ainslie Football & Social Club, giving Gungahlin Lakes a large community standing. The golf club is fully supported by the Ainslie Group and operates under a golf management committee of members as a sub-committee of the Ainslie Group. Ken Wark, the President of the Golf Committee, says this arrangement has worked brilliantly in regards to the golf club which has about 650 members. “Members of the golf club are able to benefit from facilities and loyalty programs at both Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club, and Ainslie Football & Social Club,” Wark says. “This is a great benefit to our members, considering the wide variety offered at each of the venues. “While there are 650 golf members across the various categories – about the average for Canberra golf clubs – our clubhouse has a combined database of 45,000 Ainslie Group members,” Wark says. Conveniently located just 15 minutes from the airport, a 10-15 minute drive from the City, or five minutes from the Gungahlin Town Centre, the golf club offers a variety of dining options, from the Lakes Restaurant with Riverina Angus Steak, Aroma for delicious pizza or the Ripples Café for coffee and treats. “Though we currently have no

accommodation on site, we’ve got some great partnerships with nearby tourism operators, who offer our golf guests discounted holiday packages,” Wark says. Gungahlin Lakes has become one of Canberra’s “must-play” courses and in the past three years has two hosted national championships—the Australian Women’s Senior Amateur Championship in 2013 and the Australian Women’s Interstate Teams series in 2014. With an established and well-deserved reputation of providing a challenging layout to enjoy and a friendly community atmosphere in its $9 million modern and beautifully appointed clubhouse, it attracts more than 16,000 visiting social golfers a year. To that end it regularly stages men’s and women’s Open amateur events with the next

being staged on September 24 and 25. In March the club will host Senior NSW Order of Merit events for men and women. The Gungahlin Club’s website proudly boasts: “Situated on 70ha of picturesque green land, our public access course features a superb playing surface and beautiful attention to detail throughout.” Judging by many complimentary playing reviews, most golfers report that the two feature holes at Gungahlin Lakes are number 16, a 511m par-5, and number 18, a 417m par4 which justifiably is rated the number one index hole. The two holes certainly sound impressive, based on the “how to play the course” hints on the club’s website: Number 16: “This challenging par-5 has water down the left hand side. A long tee

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shot past the ‘Hero’ fairway marker tempts the big hitters to carry the water over 220m to the green. For most players a second long iron down the fairway will leave a wedge over water to the green.” Number 18: “A drive right may find the pond. Your second shot must clear the front bunkers to reach the green. Rated No 1, par on this final hole is a good result.”

holes), one cart hire and a $10 clubhouse dining voucher. This represents a 30 per cent saving.

combine their expertise to offer outstanding coaching and club fitting for beginners through to elite players.

The members and visiting golfers are well served by the very comprehensive Professional Shop at Gungahlin Lakes Golf Course, which is open seven days a week, 364 days of the year.

Using the latest video and computer analysis equipment they provide students with the ultimate in visual feedback. Private, group and on-course tuition is available by appointment.

No matter how successful, like all clubs, Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club always is keen to attract new members and currently is offering a special membership option.

The club’s Head Golf Professional is Murray Blair, well-known as a major golf retailer in Canberra and he stocks a full range of equipment at very competitive prices at the Pro Shop.

Any new member joining before 1 October (the start of the club’s financial year) will receive 2016 rates; a saving of $250, plus there’s no joining fee.

The Pro Shop has plenty of hire equipment available including motorised golf carts, buggies, clubs and range balls for use on the club’s 260m practice range.

And in a Spring Social Golfers offer, there is a Weekday Golf Experience for two people who, for just $60, score two green fees (18

Murray is a former national coach of Malaysia, and fellow PGA professional Warren Coulson is the current ACT junior coach. They

The success of the Gungahlin Lakes Golf and Community Club is born out of humble beginnings, chronicled on the club’s website: “The course was officially opened on July, 3, 1996 and for the first few years the clubhouse was a much-loved ATCO ‘shed’.

There’s no doubt in just 20 years a lot has been achieved at Gungahlin Lakes and there looks to be even more success ahead.

FACT FILE Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club Cnr Gundaroo & Gungahlin Drives, Nicholls, ACT Phone: (02) 6242 6283 www.gungahlinlakes.com www.ainsliegroup.com.au

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As equipment specialists and professional club fitters, the pro shop team have the knowledge and tools to completely fit any golfer with the right equipment, to suit their individual needs.

“The permanent clubhouse was opened in September 1998 and in early 2012 the club celebrated the completion of a $9 million club house redevelopment. This included the expansion of the dining areas, sports bar and TAB, new function rooms, a restaurant and pizza bar, a kids’ playroom and a bigger brighter foyer.”

SPRING OFFER: GOLFING EXPERIENCE FOR TWO $60 Includes 18 holes and cart hire for two people, plus $10 clubhouse credit upon redemption of this voucher. Valid on weekdays during September 2016 only. Excludes corporate golf days. See the Proshop for full terms & conditions

Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club – 135 Gundaroo Drive, Nicholls ACT 2913 gungahlinlakes.com | 02 6242 4662

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

technology

www.insidegolf.com.au/technology

Have you tried golf’s ultimate fitting experience? are recommended a set of golf clubs on site, giving consumers the opportunity to immediately test that set both indoors on a launch monitor and outdoors on the Melbourne Golf Academy driving range.

Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

f TaylorMade’s Performance Lab (TMPL) at Melbourne Golf Academy driving range in Melbourne is good enough for World No. 1 Jason Day, it’s good enough for you.

“The majority of our customers are referred to us by our Authorized Stockist where customers who are fitting in the TMPL have the opportunity to purchase. But the primary focus for us is to give consumers the best fitting experience that they’ve ever had,” Lowe says.

TaylorMade initially created its Performance Labs overseas to service its tour players in the U.S., Europe and Asia but they are now widely available to all amateur and club golfers around the world. The TMPL in Melbourne continues to provide golf’s ultimate fitting experience. “Marcus Fraser has been through there a few times, Jason Day’s even been through there when he was down for the World Cup [in 2013]. It is still something that they look to for that key data,” says Darryn Lowe, TaylorMade’s Product & Experiential Manager in Melbourne. TMPL’s point of difference from most other fitting centres is its use of 3D motion capture technology to analyse everything about a golfer’s swing and clubs to enable equipment experts on site to recommend the best set of golf clubs for that player.

All TMPL customers who purchase their recommended set of TaylorMade golf clubs are entitled to a free ‘retro fitting’. “In the lab, we’ll test everything from driver through to putter,” Lowe says. “The main clubs that we focus on are driver, six-iron, sand wedge and putter.” After warming up and speaking with TMPL’s fitting experts about the state of their game, customers at TMPL have small reflective markers attached to their feet, knees, hips, back, elbows, shoulders, wrists, hat and the golf club itself to understand how the body and club behave during the golf swing. “Because there’s markers on the [golf club’s] shaft, head and grip, we can actually see the degree of bend and position at impact with measurement down to a 10th of a degree. That’s the sort of detail we can get down to,” Lowe says. “We’ve got the ability to show the golf swing and impact data to the individual in 3D up on the screen so they can visually see and understand everything that’s going on. Any golfer at any level can get a full understanding.” Testing at TMPL is done indoors and although there is a ball flight monitor on site, this technology is turned off during fitting to

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ensure both TaylorMade’s experts and each consumer is not biased by the direction that the golf ball is travelling. “Subconsciously, you start to react to that shot and you actually change the way in which you deliver the golf club, which is why we do it indoors and with no ball flight at this point in time,” Lowe says. “We want to see what is the true movement of your body in your golf swing without those reactive elements kicking in.” Last but not least in the fitting experience at TMPL is the putter. Although the putter is often the club which golfer’s change most, it’s often neglected in the fitting process. TMPL provides accurate data to make sure golfers can choose a putter with the correct length, grip, lie angle and loft.

“We say to every person who comes through that, if at any stage they feel like their clubs are no longer perfect for them or if their coach recommends they get them rechecked, then we provide that service for free. That’s a free service for those who have been fitted through the labs and purchased but anyone can come in and pay for a fitting session.” TaylorMade Performance Lab’s are located at The Melbourne Golf Academy in Victoria and at Golf Central at Brisbane Airport; bookings can be made via www.taylormadeperformancelab.com.au or by visiting your local TaylorMade Stockist. •

“We obviously want the putter to sit nice and flat at the point of impact, not necessarily at address,” Lowe says. “We look at loft, we know if we get the right amount of loft, which generally speaking is around 3-3.5 degrees of loft at impact, we can produce the best type of roll on the golf ball.” At the end of a fitting, golfers at TMPL

Upcoming Annual Events DUNTRYLEAGUE ORANGE

CITY OF ORANGE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

1-3 OCTOBER 2016

ANNUAL VETERANS TOURNAMENT

4-6 OCTOBER 2016

Enjoy a long weekend of golf in NSW’s premier food and wine district and play on each of Orange’s magnificent golf courses - Duntryleague Golf Club, Orange Ex-Services Country Club and Wentworth Golf Club. The three courses are played over three days, with $6,000 worth of prizes to be won. This is a championship event not to missed! Entry Fee $95. Further information is available from Golf Orange Website www.golforange.com.au This longstanding and popular Tournament includes three days of golf at Duntryleague and a Presentation dinner on the Wednesday night. Accommodation is available on site in our famous 14 room mansion. Numbers are limited to 216 players. Further information is available from our Tournament Director Tournament Director Beryl Pearce 0428 622 300 or beejaber@gmail.com

LADIES OPEN TOURNAMENT

24-28 OCTOBER 2016

HAHN GOLF AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP

5-6 NOVEMBER 2016

STEVE CONRAN JUNIOR TOURNAMENT

27 NOVEMBER 2016

MERCEDES BENz DUNTRYLEAGUE CLASSIC

15-17 JANUARY 2017

The Ladies’ Open Tournament is a much anticipated Tournament on the Duntryleague calendar. The Tournament will include golfing events each day and some great social events as well. Accommodation is available on site in our famous 14 room mansion. Further information is available from our Ladies Captain - Maria Crawford – 0427 618 164 - dandmcrawford@bigpond.com

(Golf NSW Vardon Event & Senior Event in conjunction) These two days of golf are not to be missed. Saturday and Sunday Championship with individual daily events in conjunction. Test yourself against some of the best players in Australia. Accommodation is also available on site in our famous 14 room mansion. Please contact the Golf Shop on (02) 6362 4072 for further enquiries.

A chance for up and coming juniors to experience one of Australia’s best regional courses. The Tournament is a must in every junior’s golfing calendar. Parents can relax and enjoy the hospitality and beauty of Duntryleague or take the opportunity to enjoy all that Orange has to offer. Accommodation is also available on site in our famous 14 room mansion. This 54 hole Individual Stableford Tournament continues to grow and is limited to 180 players to ensure comfortable play for everyone. It is open to anyone with a Golf Australia handicap. Duntryleague is one of the best regional golf courses in Australia and is constantly in the top 100 courses each year. Entry fees for the Tournament are excellent value at $299 which includes golf, welcome cocktail party, Monday BBQ and Gala presentation dinner. Magnificent local wines, beer and soft drinks are included for the welcome cocktail party and Gala dinner.

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

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Only 3½ hours from Sydney Ph: (02) 6362 3466

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technology

www.insidegolf.com.au/technology

New-age golf centre reignites 40-year PGA coach May’s tournament career Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

FTER more than 40 years of playing and teaching golf at the highest levels, you would think that acclaimed Thornleigh Golf Centre PGA pro Allan May could claim to knowing just about all there is to know about the game. However, remarkably, at age 61 May says he not only has learned more than he thought he knew about the golf swing in the past few years, but also has rediscovered his tournament-winning game. In the past two years – while still coaching full time – May has won three tournaments on the over-50s PGA Legends Tour which boasts such luminaries as Rodger Davis, Mike Harwood, Peter Fowler and Wayne Grady. One noted golf judge recently rated May alongside Davis as the “two best over60-year-old golfers in Australia”. In November May produced one of the best rounds of his career—a five-under 67—to win the $20,000 Legends proam at The Australian with the course at its toughest just a week before the 2015 Emirates Australian Open. May’s transformation as a more expert coach and a winning pro golfer has not come from any lightning–bolt discovery of the secrets of the game but from embracing the computerised technology tsunami that has swept over golf – TrackMan.

When he accepted TGC owner Steve Aisbett’s offer to join the eight-strong expert team of PGA coaches in 2012 May happily accepted the chance of discovering the many benefits TrackMan’s unique technology offered. A Professional Golfers Association AAArated and PGA Certified Advanced Level Coach, May says he was amazed at just how much analysis of any player’s golf swing could be accessed and gleaned with TrackMan. Importantly, at Thornleigh—Australia’s most modern golf centre—he soon realised what a valuable weapon TrackMan provided in being able to graphically show and convince golfers where they were going wrong and how they could improve. And it did not take May long to appreciate that there were TrackMan fruits for him to pluck and be enjoyed by rehabilitating his game after a history of back problems. “Personally, I hadn’t won on the Legends Tour for five years, always second-guessing my swing thoughts and not trusting them, under pressure when I needed to most,” May said. “But with positive reinforcement from TrackMan I have been able to win three times last year and this year, knowing that my swing thoughts and mechanics were sound.” As a founding partner (with Alan Campbell) in operating Sydney’s leading golf retailer Al’s Golf Centre for more than a decade, May said he has seen all of the balls and club technology that has changed the game of golf.

“To me the standout technology that has improved the game of golf most for all golfers is the TrackMan,” he said. While May makes full use of the TrackMan system when required, he still relies on his hands-on coaching knowledge, gained from more than 40 years of traditional coaching. For instance he has specialised skills to call on to help various clients who have or have suffered back pain. “Due to my own back surgery I have developed a pain-free way to swing the club and enjoy the game we love without the agony of neck, shoulder and back pain,” he said. “I work with the client’s stature and their current swing and figure out the best way

to get results from their natural capabilities, because no matter how you get there; swing path and clubface angles at impact are essential. “I have found the most common swing fault to be fixed with average golfers is the outside-to-inside-swing.” And over the years from being the club pro at Springwood on the Blue Mountains to Australia’s most-modern Golf Centre at Thornleigh, May’s biggest thrill from teaching remains the same: “To see my students of every age, shape and size hit shots that they never thought they could hit, still gives me immense pleasure.” More: www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au

Victorian Golfer Goes Mental and Drops 5 Shots

t 68 years of age and having played golf on and off most of his life, Mildura golfer Peter George had never really considered the importance of the mental game.

“By the middle of week 3 I was using my imagination to visualise each shot in my minds-eye and my body would execute the stroke with perfection.”

that was until he read about the revolutionary Pro Golf IQ mind-coaching program and how it has assisted amateur golfers worldwide to improve their game using powerful audio sessions from the comfort of their own home.

“I emailed the guys at Pro Golf IQ exclaiming ‘WOW in just 3 weeks I have gone from 21 down to 18! I wonder how far it will come down in 5 weeks?’” “Pete Nicholson replied advising me to stay 100% committed to the program, just relax and there could be some more surprises.”

Peter says “I went to Pro Golf IQ website and watched the information video about how the Pro golfer thinks on the course compared to amateurs and it just clicked…I immediately realised I had been missing out on one of the most important parts of the game.”

Dropping 5 shots “What happened next was nothing short of miraculous as my chipping yips disappeared and my precision around the greens dropped my handicap to 16…all in just over 5-weeks”

“I’m a Member at Riverside Golf Club in Mildura, Victoria and play 3 times per week. With my favourite club, a taylor-made M1 driver, my tee-shots have always been pretty good along with putting. However, a lack of confidence and focus with long irons and the short game had always kept my handicap hovering around 21.” He went on “Upon learning how Pro Golf IQ has helped other golfers I felt an investment of less than 100 bucks would be worth a try, and, as the program is so simple to use it sounded like the easiest golf training ever!” How it works Pete Nicholson, Pro Golf IQ Director, said “Yes, the program is straightforward and very effective for golfers of all standards. Simply put on headphones, lie back and relax as you let the audio sessions coach your mind to think the same way as the worlds top players.” He added “Just listening for half an hour, 3 times per week is all that’s required for you to eradicate bad habits, learn how to ignore distractions and hazards while gaining consistency throughout the whole round”

“then out of the blue I received a call from the team at the Genesis Golf Link Cup advising that my last 4 scorecards of 5 over, 42, 41 and 37 Stableford points had won a prize of a dozen balls” Pro Golf IQ Director, Pete Nicholson with Mildura’s Peter George

Peter George started the program late June and after watching the introduction video via the Members Area on his computer then commenced listening to the first of the five different weekly audio sessions. Early results “the first thing I noticed,” he said “was the feeling of relaxation on the tee-box. During the initial week of using the Pro Golf IQ techniques I felt calm and full of belief in my game. I had found the Zone that you hear the Pros talk about.”

Nicholson asked Peter “What do your golfing mates think?” He replied “they ask ‘what are you doing differently, we’ve never seen you play so well!” “I’m now looking forward to using the supplementary sessions Enforcer, Putting IQ, Driving IQ and Pitching IQ and have set myself a target to get down to 12 over the coming months” When asked by the Pro Golf IQ team how he would sum up the program, Peter said “that’s simple…It WORKS!” Inside Golf readers can score a great deal on Pro Golf IQ for just $97 (RRP $219). Go to www.progolfiq.com/sept OR call Pete Nicholson (07) 5657 0902.

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

new gear

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>NEW GEAR

Odyssey Milled Collection RSX Odyssey’s latest path in insert innovation has led to a deeper exploration of sound and feel, with the Milled Collection RSX. Milled from 1025 carbon steel, it features Odyssey’s best-selling #7 shape, a progressive V-Line Fang mallet, and the #001. The precision milled sound chamber pocket is set behind a 17-4 stainless steel striking surface for great feedback and feel. The 17-4 stainless steel insert has been chemically etched with Odyssey’s patented oval pattern to provide a better roll off the face, while the Stabilizing Crossbar helps stabilize sound and feel across the face.

PING iBlade iron

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Golf Cars International is proud to launch the all new LION vehicle. The new technologically advanced LION is ready to take on the rest with its AC Power, Toyota Controller, Class leading design and extensive range of included options the LION is the best value golf car on the market. You can stop in to see the all new LION at Golf Cars International on the Gold Coast and buy the vehicle direct from the importer. By purchasing your new LION vehicle from Golf Cars International you get the comfort of knowing you are buying a vehicle from one of the industry’s largest players and you can rest assured in the knowledge that your new vehicle will be backed by a large team of dedicated, skilled people. Golf Cars International, 20 Kingston Drive, Helensvale, Qld, 4212 07 55 299 499 www.gcint.com.au admin@gcint.com.au

to help ensure a smoother swing, promoting more consistent contact. It’s designed to function like an Approach Putter, providing an easyto-hit option that plays perfectly between a putter and a wedge for those tricky shots around the greens. The Hi-Def Marxman Alignment System significantly increases accuracy while the soft polymer insert and hybrid-like sole design help get the ball out of trouble and rolling right to the hole.

The new iBlade iron is designed for golfers who rely on the precision and control to execute the most demanding shots in the game. The body is cast from soft, high strength-to-weight ratio 431 stainless steel. A thinner top rail, minimal offset, straight lead edge and sharp high toe will appeal to the eye of the discerning player. Refined bounce angles and ample heel relief, optimised with the same sole width as the S55 iron, produce a workable sole design for confident shot making from all conditions. Further precision comes from the milled tour-spec grooves and precisionmachined fly-cut face. The unprecedented feel is achieved through a combination of the soft stainless steel and a larger surface area behind the face that houses an elastomer insert. The insert is “activated” at impact, which results in more vibration damping in the player’s hands and a softer feel and pleasing sound. A hydropearl chrome finish repels water for more control and helps minimize fliers from wet conditions and lies in the rough. RRP: $250 per club w/ steel shaft; $275 per club w/graphite shaft

WE TRIED IT! - UPDATE ProGolf IQ Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

Over the last year, I’ve shared my various thoughts on the Pro Golf IQ mental training program, and how it has helped transform my game. This has led to many golfers coming up to me at the course, week after week, and asking “So, is the Pro Golf IQ program REALLY as good as you say? Is it TRULY ‘one of the most beneficial game-changing tools’ you’ve ever tested?” My answer is simple: Yes. Yes it is. The proof to this is no more apparent than in the fact that A) My handicap has dropped a solid four strokes since I began the system, and B) I recently won my first-ever Monthly Medal by using the techniques within the program! My results are not uncommon. Here are two comments we’ve received from recent users of the program: “I have found that the Pro Golf IQ program helped my game very much,” begins golfer Les Dick. “I was able to 46

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

lower my handicap (so thank you for that!) but I thought I should let you know that what I have learnt from the program allowed me to win the A grade 56-65 age group Stableford event at the Thailand World Masters in Hau Hin last week!” And here’s another from Mildura golfer Peter George: “I have completed three weeks of Pro Golf IQ and my Golf handicap has gone from 21 to 18. WOW. The program is fantastic. Thank you so very much. I wonder how far it will come down after 5 weeks?” (The answer, it turns out, is that after five weeks, he had dropped from 21 to 16!) To recap, The Pro Golf IQ program consists of a series of audio sessions that you download and listen to via your favourite electronic device. 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 Inter-hemispheric 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

Hill Billy

helping you create ‘quiet time’ in your mind; which is critical to playing like a pro.

The British-designed and engineered Hill Billy has been cruising the world’s golf courses for more than 20 years, and is now available to Australian golfers.

So it’s no wonder why 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 Pro Golf IQ and supplementary modules a serious look.

Hill Billy comes standard with the unique plug and play Lithium Battery, which drops into place without any fiddly wires to connect.

(Note: Inside Golf readers can get the full five-week program for just $97 (regularly $219). Or get a 60% discount off the complete suite of sessions for just $194 ($495 RRP). Just go to the special website link for more: www.progolfiq.com/insidegolf )

The new Hill Billy comes with a 2 year warranty on the Buggy, Lithium Battery and charger, backed by a nationwide Service Centre network. It also features a 12-month easy payment plan and a 30-day no questions asked money back offer!

The buggy is exceptionally light and strong, and folds quickly with the added benefit of a height-adjustable handle to suit players of varying heights. The Hill Billy even stands on its end taking up the minimum of space for storage in your garage.

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GolfBuddy LD2 Ladies GPS Golf Watch GolfBuddy PT4 The GolfBuddy PT4 touchscreen has been upgraded from a pressure based touch screen to a capacitive touch screen - the TouchSwipe screen enables taps and gestures to be even more responsive, just like your smartphone. The 4” LCD touchscreen, precisely measures the distance to any target, as well as shot distance measurement. Includes Dynamic Green View, moveable pin placement, automatic course and hole recognition, digital, interactive scorecard and statistics module.

Ladies now have an elegant, lightweight and chic golf GPS option. The gorgeous light sapphire crystals from Swarovski® and the rich alligator grain leather watch band bring fashion and function to one device. Small, lightweight, stylish, & comfortable, it offers distances to front/centre/back of the green, Distances to hazards, Dual shot distance measurement, Automatic course/hold recognition, GPS Odometer, Premium mineral crystal lens, Stainless steel crown button and bezel and Watch mode (time). Rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 6 hours in GPS modes or 9-weeks in standard watch mode. Waterproof up to 10 meters. USGA/R&A compliant - legal for handicap and tournament play. RRP: $379.95 www.gpsgolfbuddy.com.au

100% fee-free with no annual subscriptions or course download charges to pay after purchase. Complete with over 37,000 pre-loaded global courses. RRP: $599.95 www.gpsgolfbuddy.com.au

GolfBuddy WT5 With a slimmer design and a more comfortable fit to your wrist than its previous model, you can fully utilise Dynamic Green View and moveable pin placement features with simple press-and-hold buttons. The GolfBuddy WT5 is a fully functional digital wristwatch with a rechargeable battery. RRP $349.95 www.gpsgolfbuddy.com.au

GolfBuddy LR5 Laser Rangefinder A compact and easy-to-use device weighing just under 200 grams and featuring three different scan modes: The LR5’s scan and pin mode is used with just one click. Standard mode: Provides distance to the target, Scan mode: Continuously scans for 10 seconds to shows distances to varying targets. Pin mode: Continuously scans for 10 seconds to shows distances to varying targets; the LR5 will display the distance to the closest target. RRP $449.95 www.gpsgolfbuddy.com.au

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

TECH ON THE TEE

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

TECH ON THE TEE

Bushnell neo iON GPS watch

GolfBuddy Voice2 GPS The Voice 2 is the 2nd generation to the best-selling Voice in GolfBuddy’s line of audio distance measuring devices. With a simple click of one button, the golfer can get the distance to the centre of the green as well as the front and back. The Voice 2 boasts an increased battery life of up to 14 hours and can be used on back-to-back 18-hole rounds. A line of accessories were created specifically for the Voice 2 and it can be clipped on a hat to provide distance readings directly into the ear, but can also be worn as a watch or be clipped onto a belt, pocket, etc.

Bushnell NEO GHOST Bushnell’s Pocket-sized, easy-to-use Golf GPS comes pre-loaded with over 35,000+ courses. Easy-to-read front/centre/back distances and up to four hazard distances per hole. No downloads and no membership fees ever. Long battery life gives up to three full rounds before recharging. Includes Auto course recognition and Auto hole advance, Multi-function clip and USB charging cable. RRP: $169.95 www.bushnellgolf.com

distance calculator, pedometer, odometer and the ability to decipher up to four hazards per hole.

The neo iON, Bushnell’s lightest and thinnest golf watch, comes pre-loaded with more than 35,000 courses in over 30 countries. It’s is an easy-to-use GPS rangefinder with instant yardage measurements in a simple, fashion-forward design and with no membership fees. The neo iON delivers even longer battery life than its predecessor, with a single charge lasting for more than three rounds of golf. The unit features a shot

The neo iON Golf GPS Watch is capable of instantly recognizing courses. It features an auto-hole advance feature which automatically changes from one hole to the next. A new integrated step counter has been added allowing the golfer to track distance, speed, and total activity time throughout their round of golf.

New Bushnell Tour V4 Laser Rangefinder

and locked onto the flag. Along with the JOLT Technology, a faster processor has been incorporated into the unit to provide yardage readings quicker than the Tour V3.

Bushnell Golf, makers of the #1 Laser Rangefinder on the PGA Tour, has unveiled the new Tour V4 rangefinder. The Tour V4 is faster than its predecessor, 30% smaller, and more ergonomically designed to increase the ease and accuracy in acquiring yardages.

Accurate to within one yard, the V4 includes 5-1,000-yard range performance (400 yards to a flag), 5x magnification, New ergonomic design with Stabi-grip, Fast focus system, New premium carry case and three-volt battery included, plus two-year warranty.

When the golfer aims the Tour V4 at a flag, JOLT Technology provides short vibrating bursts to signal that Bushnell’s advanced PinSeeker Technology has isolated the target

RRP: $249.95 www.bushnellgolf.com

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The Voice 2 is water resistant, and also has a shot distance measurement feature. Like all GolfBuddy GPS products, the Voice 2 features dynamic green viewing capabilities based on the golfer’s position, automatic course and hole recognition, and comes pre-loaded with over 38,000 courses worldwide with free lifetime software and course updates. RRP: $249.95 www.gpsgolfbuddy.com.au

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Target Caddie WS 400 The new Target Caddie WS 400 is the newest introduction to the Target Caddie Range. With its latest innovative design and technology, the WS 400 offers a unit which is fully waterproof and shock proof at an affordable price point. It also features 6x Magnification, High Definition LCD lens, Target Seeking function up to 200m, Yards or Metres functionality, Automatic power save function and a Storage Bag.

IZZO Swami GT The IZZO Swami GT works as a traditional GPS to provide instant, accurate distance for each and every shot. But thanks to NFC (Near Field Communications) technology, it can do so much more. Tracker Tags are inserted into the end of each of your clubs. These tracker tags work together with the GPS technology to transmit and track data from every shot during every round on the Swami GT – without any manual inputting Simply log in to your Swami GT account and instantly see how you did. All stats of your game are recorded, calculated and displayed. RRP: $319 03 5277 3944 sales@golfimports.com.au

Sureshotgps GW2 Golf Watch Packed full of features, the Sureshotgps GW2 Golf Watch is a lightweight and comfortable accessory that provides you with easy-to-read live distances to the front, centre and back of the green, plus a handy hazard information system at the touch of your wrist. The GW2 Golf Watch also doubles as an everyday sports watch, with a real time display, alarm, odometer, round timer and stopwatch.

RRP $199 Visit www.sureshotgps.com or call 1300 644 523 for stockists

Sureshotgps Hero 350X

Sureshotgps SS9500x With its slim design, the sleek SS9500x leaves otherd evices behind with a faster GPS processer than ever before. Enjoy updated features including full touch screen for pinpoint precision and handy in-built scorecard. Use the colourful 3” transflective screen to view detailed preloaded aerial images and see the challenges that lie ahead. The SS9500x allows you to play in any weather and see the screen clearly.

With a large database of pre-loaded course maps and features including auto course recognition and auto hole advance, it’s the smarter way to play golf. Analyse your game by measuring distances across the course and take advantage of the individual shot assessment to line up your position.

Get to know the distance quickly with accurate readings to all hazards and the front, centre and back of the greens. Zoom in and out for that extra accuracy and create your own point-to-point measurements for the optimum distance information.

Available in black/grey and black/lime. RRP $199 Visit www.sureshotgps.com or call 1300 644 523 for stockists

The SS9500x lasts up to 36 holes between charges and will automatically recognise the hole and course when you step on to play anywhere in Australia. Receive free access to the Sureshotgps worldwide course database to take your golfing abroad.

Sureshotgps Hero 750X The Sureshotgps Hero 750X delivers exceptional quality with professional features including the advanced ability to customise maps. Measure specific point-to-point distances on any map, and go beyond the standard front/centre/back. This device offers a clever function to track personal status updates including distance walked, duration of round and calories burnt. With a huge database of pre-loaded maps, this device will follow your position using auto course recognition and auto hole advance. Switch the GPS to hazard mode and you can evaluate any risks ahead to avoid making mistakes. Available in white/grey and white/orange. RRP $249 Visit www.sureshotgps.com or call 1300 644 523 for stockists September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For more information please visit your local Drummond Golf Store.

The GW2 comes ready to play straight out of the box with no setup required. Pre-loaded with Australian and New Zealand courses, you’ll be ready to play or jump online with your lifetime membership to the Sureshotgps international database where you can get free downloads and updates for all your favourite courses.

Improve your strength, stamina and speed using the new Sureshotgps Hero 350X and see results in your golf swing. This handy and compact device is the perfect tracking tool for more than just golf. The multisport mode provides cycling and walking functions where you can monitor distance walked and ridden, calories burnt and even duration of a round while out on the course.

The Target Caddie WS400 also enables all golfers to measure distances up to 400m. The unit only weighs 185 grams, and with the rubber hand gripping grooves enables all golfers maintain a comfortable feel and stability when playing in all challenging conditions.

RRP $399 Visit www.sureshotgps.com or call 1300 644 523 for stockists

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junior instruction

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Balance, tempo and timing How can you test yourself for these important elements?

Jamie McCallum

Teaching Professional - Albert Park Driving Range - (03) 9696 4653

ood balance, tempo and timing are all important elements for consistent shot making by junior players as they develop their game. To accomplish these, you must first have good timing to your swing. “Timing” is the sequence of moving body parts during the swing. Elite players make the swing look effortless because their arms and body swing the club back and through with the correct sequence of movements. To develop good timing, you need to have a good “tempo” to your swing. Tempo is related to the pace of the swing and is an individual characteristic for every golfer. Good tempo is making your swing at a steady pace throughout your backswing and followthrough. Some players will naturally have a quicker or slower tempo than others so find what works for you. Good balance is when you can maintain the position of your feet throughout your swing and follow-through. If your balance and tempo are good, your timing will likely be good and you will make solid and consistent contact with the ball.

On the practice tee after warming up hit a drive and check whether you’ve finished in a balanced position. You want to finish with your hands high, most of your weight on your left foot (for RH), your right foot on your toes, your belt buckle facing the target and be comfortable holding this position for three seconds (Photo 1). Congratulations if you’ve finished with good balance as your tempo and timing must also have been good. To get a fuller swing while increasing your balance, try taking some slow practice swings with your feet together. This drill teaches you what it feels like to stay centred over the ball and what it feels like to get a good, full turn whilst maintaining good balance. You will also find that your tempo will be a lot more even (Photo 2). Using the correct equipment is critical for junior golfers to be able to develop the fundamental elements to a good swing. Golphin for kids clubs have been designed specifically for beginners and provide kids who are new to the game with the best chance of mastering these elements as their innovated club head design and correctly weighting allows kids to control their swing. •

Jamie offers lessons to all ages and abilities. He is also responsible for the Albert Park Junior Golf Academy - running term clinics and school holiday programs. Jamie is a former Victorian state team captain and Australian team representative. He has been a member of the PGA since 1996 and was an Australian Tour player from 1996 to 2001. For lessons call: (03) 9696 4653. More information on Golphin: www.golphin.com.au, (03) 9021 2073 email: sales@golphin.com.au

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instruction

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My top ten tips for great golf until you master them then move on. Most of your swing practice should be ball flight to target.

David Merriman Golf Professional, Australian PGA 0412 442 205

TIP 8 – PLAYING ACCORDING TO YOUR HANDICAP AND CAPABILITY

his month, I thought I’d share my top 10 tips. All or one of them will help you achieve great golf.

TIP 10 – THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT Work with golf equipment that suits your game. Key things to look at when buying a set of clubs are length and lies, the flex of the shaft (which should suit your club head speed) and the head of the club. A club with a bigger sweet spot is better for high handicappers, a club that is a little offset is good if those who slice the ball and no offset if you are a low handicapper and like to work the ball. Check that the grip on the club suits your hand size. Grips range from standard to jumbo in size. If the grip is too thin it may cause a hook; too thick may cause a fade.

TIP 9 – CORRECT PRACTICE There are two types of practice – A) Preround warm up practice and B) Swing Improvement Practice. For a warm-up, start with a slow swing speed using a sand iron or wedge, increasing to normal speed. Gradually work through every second club in your bag to your driver, hitting fewer balls once you make it there. Swing Improvement Practice involves having one or two key thoughts to work on at a time. Don’t complicate it by working on too many things every time you practise, stick with one or two

If you want a good score in a competition play smart and play within your capabilities. Don’t try to extend your game at this time. For example, if it’s a tight fairway stick to a 3-wood or rescue off the tee, if it’s a tight flag your target becomes the middle of the green rather than the flag. It will vary depending on how well you are playing on the day. Some days you feel confident and can go at the flag, some days you are cautious and need to go at the middle of the green.

TIP 7 – DEVELOP A CONSISTENT GOLF SWING Remember the 3 stages. Stage 1 - swing back to waist high with the shaft pointing down your target line and the toe of the club pointing straight up. Repeat this action on the other side of your body. This move helps the golf ball go straight. Stage 2 - cock your wrists so your thumbs are pointing up and the shaft is vertical to the ground and pointing towards your ball target line. Mirror image this on the other side. Stage 3 - Swing the club back (right handers) over the outside of your right shoulder. In this position your left thumb should be under the grip, shaft pointing down the target line and the toe of the club pointing towards your ball target line. Repeat this on the other side. Practice in front of a mirror.

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Ensure the equipment in your bag is suited to your game.

TIP 6 – MATCHING THE SAND TO YOUR SWING IN BUNKER PLAY When playing a bunker shot, the amount of sand you take has to match the length of your swing. In other words if you take a lot of sand you have to make a bigger swing, if you

Easier to swing, helps maintain balance. Encourages kids to instinctively hinge and rotate their wrists and arms on the backswing.

take a small amount of sand make a smaller swing. In a normal bunker swing the followthrough should almost be a full followthrough and slightly open your club face so you use the bounce of the sand iron to skip through the sand.

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Giving kids the clubs they need to succeed 56

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

instruction

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TIP 5 – GOOD BALL CONTACT WHEN CHIPPING

Strong ratings drive Fox Sports expanded golf offering

Good ball contact gives consistence and control. Good contact is crucial in golf and never more so than for chipping. When you are having a practice swing, learn to clip the grass exactly where the golf club is sitting on the ground. This will teach you to bring the clubhead back to the exact same spot. Achieving greater consistency with this will help you make better contact and have greater control with distance. When selecting the type of shot you want to play the lower you keep the ball to the ground the more control you will have.

TIP 4 – DISTANCE CONTROL AND HITTING THE BALL ON THE LINE IN PUTTING The number one focus in putting is the ability to have distance control and hit the ball on the line that you choose. Once you develop these two main skills you become a better reader of greens. If you have a sixfoot put with 5cm of break, the speed that you hit the ball determines the line that you need to choose. The better you get at speed control the clearer you will see the line.

THE TOP 3 TIP 3 – GOOD AIM This is crucial for all aspects of the game whether it’s putting, chipping or full swing. Aim is crucial to create a consistent golf swing. Practise with an alignment stick on the ground between the front of your shoes and the golf ball pointing towards your target. Stand square to your alignment stick and swing straight down that line towards your target.

Proper posture is critical to good golf.

TIP 2 – GOOD POSTURE Good posture is very important to create consistency and power in your golf swing. Simply stand straight, bow from your hips, unlock your knees and feel slightly more weight on the balls of your feet but not on your toes. This should put you in an athletic position. Maintain this position during your back swing and down swing.

TIP 1 – ROUTINE, RHYTHM AND BALANCE These are the most important things in your golf swing. They help glue all the other components together to make the swing complete. Routine is creating some very simple thoughts in preparation for your golf shot such as a key swing thought, ball flight and target. Rhythm is crucial to create consistency in ball control. The rhythm of your

golf swing is the actual beat of your swing or tempo. This varies from player to player. The average beat of a golf swing is just under a second between the start of your takeaway to impact. Balance: there are four places in your golf swing that you need balance. Your address position, your back swing, your impact position and the most important of all your followthrough. Focus mostly on having good balance on follow-through. If you have good balance at the finish of your swing the other three will take care of themselves. For a better understanding of your golf game contact your local PGA member or book a lesson with me at Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast. David Merriman is an Australian PGA Tour Player and Teaching Professional at Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast. Contact David on 0412 442 205.

A boost in golf ratings has led FOX SPORTS to expand its golf offering for 2016. With average audiences for the 2015/16 USPGA Tour on FOX SPORTS up 73% Yearto-Date compared to the same time last year, the network has committed to a slate of new programming set to deliver golf fans more entertainment than ever before. The first of the three new dedicated golf shows, On Par with Paul Gow premiered on August 2nd, and will continue on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm EST on FOX SPORTS 503. A collection of Australian golf-loving celebrities will join Gow each week on the 30-minute show for a round of golf at some of Sydney’s best courses. NRL great Gorden Tallis, Rugby legend George Gregan, cricketing hero Allan Border, V8 Supercars drivers James Moffat and Scott McLaughlin, and Cold Chisel front man Jimmy Barnes are just some of the big names set to feature on the new show. Brett Ogle returns to host PGA Tour with Brett Ogle on Monday nights at 7:30pm after every USPGA Tour event, where he will look back on the final day of play and recap Aussie players’ success in competitions around the world. A third brand-new golf show will premiere in October (details TBA). The new entertainment programs complement FOX SPORTS’ extensive golf coverage, which includes all four majors, the Ryder Cup, plus the USPGA, European, Champions, Asian and USLPGA Tours. www.foxsports.com.au

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Let the club find your ‘toeline’ Glenn Whittle

glenn@whittlegolf.com.au 0439 165 750

new client of mine, Mark, came to me with the concern over inconsistency in his game. He has had three lessons with me so far and is progressing nicely, I thought his takeaway in lesson one and his new improved takeaway would be a good topic for this article.

It was obvious to me during the first lesson that one of the areas that was hurting Mark’s ball striking and consistency was the fact that his hands, arms and club was swinging way too far inside in the takeaway. After hearing his answers to a few questions, I was starting to understand that his issue came from his lack of understanding of how he should start his golf swing and what “swinging from inside” really means and how to achieve it during motion. We always have to be mindful that the golf swing only takes about one second in total from start to finish, so it’s not like we have heaps of time to think, check and correct where we are going wrong. As you can see in photo 1, because Mark’s arms and club was so far inside in the backswing it started to affect his shoulder turn and rotation in general. So, after checking Mark’s grip and set up, I explained to him and demonstrated that the body turns to the right in the takeaway but the wrists and arms work up (not around like the body). After several minutes of doing some exercises that helped him understand clearly, we moved onto what I call the “toeline”; a simple reference point in the takeaway. To feel and improve your awareness of this important position, grab a short iron and swing back till your club is parallel to the ground, at this point look down and see if your hands and club are both on your toeline (line running along the front of your toes, parallel to the target line—see photo 2), once you have done this a few times and have been watching the club to ensure you are doing it properly, start

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

looking at the ball and not looking at the club and see if you can turn your hips and let the club float back and find that position again. Letting the club through a soft relaxed grip is key, a tense grip and steering the club is not quite what we are after; you may achieve the toeline position but always remember it’s is a motion; a swing that works with gravity and NOT positions that we push the club into and hitting the ball. Photo 2 of Mark more recently clearly shows that he has been working hard at home on the drills (you don’t have to go to the range three times a week to improve) and his takeaway has improved. It always makes me feel good when my clients get better, it’s very rewarding. Thanks to the golfers all over Australia that send me messages letting me know they enjoy the articles, keep them

coming because it encourages me to keep writing them if I know they are helping people. Good news - I have recently uploaded a number of free tips and drills videos onto my new Whittle Golf TV section on the homepage of my website www.whittlegolf.com.au - Check them out! You can book a private lesson on my website. Men’s clinic, Every Monday 10am-11am at Barton Park Golf Range $25, no need to book - Email glenn@whittlegolf.com.au for more info. Women’s clinic, Every Thursday 10am-11am at Barton Park Golf Range $25, no need to book - Email glenn@whittlegolf.com.au for more info - Barton Park Golf Range is 210 West Botany St, Arncliffe (5 minutes from Sydney Airport). •

The 2008 NSW PGA Teacher of the Year, Glenn Whittle is a Certified PGA Professional, Advanced Status – Coaching. He is coaching at Barton Park Driving Range in Arncliffe. If you would like to book a one-on-one private golf lesson with Glenn Whittle, visit www.whittlegolf.com.au and click on BOOK NOW!

fitness

Loaded carries for improved strength 1

Richard Nizielski www.golffitsolutions.com

hen considering strength training, body control and movement awareness, carrying a heavy load from one place to another is probably the simplest and yet most underrated of load bearing activities. Far too often, we a looking to the latest trend, machine or exercise regime to get the answers, before the basics have been addressed. Loaded carries are one of the most simple but effective basic exercises for fundamental development of trunk, shoulder, hip and grip strength. The basic weighted carry activities are simple: Pick up a heavy object, hang on to it, and walk for a required distance or time. There are a variety of loaded carrying activities. Here are some of the more common activities for you to try. For all loaded carry activities, as with other more complex movements, posture and structural stability are a must. For each activity described here, always aim for a tall posture with the eyes looking forwards, spine long and the deep abdominal muscles active. Before you lift any weight, either from a rack or the floor, make sure you are capable of lifting that weight. Visually look at the kg or lb amount printed on it and perform a partial lift of the weight. Always lift a weight with your whole body (legs muscles, abdominals muscles active and shoulder muscles active) and not just your back muscles.

Exercise 1: Farmer’s Walk Hold a suitably sized weight in each hand—such as a dumb-bells or kettle-bells by your sides, stand tall, engage the deeper abdominal muscles and walk. Exercise 2: Unilateral Farmer’s walk As described above, but using one weight and one hand. The urge will be to lean the torso towards the opposite side to counterbalance carrying of the weight. Aim to maintain a tall, vertical posture throughout the movement, not allowing the integrity of your posture to be compromised. Exercise 3: Rack Walk Hold a suitably sized weight in each hand, lift the weights up to your shoulders stand tall, engage the deeper abdominal muscles and walk. Exercise 4: Unilateral Rack walk As described above, but using one weight and one hand. The urge will be to lean the torso towards the opposite side to counterbalance carrying of the weight.

Aim to maintain a tall, vertical posture throughout the movement, not allowing the integrity of your posture to be compromised.

Exercise 5: Combo Walk Hold a suitably sized weight in each hand— lift one weight up to your shoulder and the other remains by your side. Stand tall, engage the deeper abdominal muscles and walk. Exercise 6: Waiter’s Walk Hold a suitably sized weight overhead with the elbow locked. Stand tall, engage the deeper abdominal muscles and walk. As with any exercise, work on form and control of the movement before working on the amount of load being used. If possible, use the mirrors in the gym to monitor your movement and structure as you do the exercise. •

Richard Nizielski is a Brisbane-based golf fitness expert and the Director of Golf Fit Solutions. A three-time Olympian and medallist in the sport of short track speed skating, Richard is a qualified sports and personal trainer designing individual fitness and nutrition programs for both professional and amateur golfers here in Australia and overseas. www.golffitsolutions.com

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

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

Claney wins the Gold Coast Senior Classic

ictorian senior Gordon Claney has been one of Australia’s top ranked senior golfers for several years and once again he showed his class with a final round of even par 72 to comfortably win the 2016 Gold Coast Senior Classic.

now won the last three Australian Senior Ranking events he has played in. Second place in the Gold Coast Senior Classic went to Warren Colefax and this newcomer to major senior golf tournaments is a welcome addition to the playing ranks. Colefax had rounds of 77-72-77 for a total of 226. Queenslander Mario La Chiusa took out third prize with consistent rounds of 75-7775=227 to record his first top-three placing in an Australian Senior Ranking event. With the

The Gold Coast Classic is played on three of the best 2016 Gold Coast Classic winner Gordon Claney with placegetters Mario courses on the coast LaChiusa (left) and Warren Colefax (right) and this year was no form he displayed this week La Chiusa will be exception. In winning, Claney had rounds of 75 a player to watch in future major events. at Royal Pines, 74 at The Glades and 72 at Links Hope Island for a 54-hole total of 221. FINAL LEADING SCORES 221 CLANEY Gordon 75-74-72 Claney had shared the overnight 36-hole 226 COLEFAX Warren 77-72-77 lead with Murwillumbah senior Warren 227 LA CHIUSA Mario 75-77-75 Colefax with quite a few other talented senior 228 BARLTROP Michael 75-76-77 golfers within one or two strokes. There was 230 OLSEN Kym 78-72-80 anticipation of a real battle in the final round. 232 SMALL Terry 79-74-79 233 CRANFIELD Geoff 74-80-79 However, in an immaculate display Claney 234 FROST Ian 79-75-80, proved far too good for the top class field, PITCHES Neale 77-78-79 making no mistakes and eventually winning 235 HANNAH Peter 82-77-76 by five strokes. 236 TOYNE Steve 80-78-78 A few weeks earlier Claney had won 237 HALLAM Col 79-73-85, the 2016 Australian Senior Matchplay DEAKIN Tim 79-80-78 Championship and he is clearly the in-form 238 DALE Denis 75-86-77 240 PEECK Mike 82-77-81 senior golfer in Australia. In fact, Claney has

Olsen captures Queensland Senior Amateur Championship

ictorian Kym Olsen has won the 2016 Queensland Senior Amateur Championship played over 54 holes on the Bribie Island course. Olsen fired a final round of one over par 73 to maintain his overnight lead and defeat the Barltrop brothers, Michael and Rodney who had made the trip from New Zealand. Always good to see these two great players playing in major Australian senior events. Olsen has now played just two Australian Senior Ranking events and he has moved into 28th place on the ranking table. A member at The National Golf Club where he plays to a +2 handicap Olsen is a welcome addition to the playing ranks and looks certain to make senior representative teams in the near future. Victorian Gordon Claney finished in equal fourth position alongside the emerging NSW star Geoff Cranfield. Claney has been in great form and he is such a fine player he is probably a little disappointed with his final round 78 that saw him finish in equal fourth position in this championship. He now holds down second place on the national ranking table just a point behind fellow Victorian Greg Rhodes. Geoff Cranfield is another newcomer to Australian Senior Ranking events and the scratch marker from Long Reef in Sydney has quickly made his presence felt. Look for him to also feature in many events in the next few years. The best score in the final round belonged to another Victorian, Ian Frost. He returned a card with two birdies and two bogies in his even-par round of 72. Ray Geary (Southport) won the Nett Section with a total of 216, with Robert Carter (Yeppoon) as runner-up on 220. The Club Teams Challenge, consisting of the three best Nett scores out of the four

2016 Queensland Senior Amateur Champion Kym Olsen with Peter Castrisos (Golf Qld right). team members was won by the Redcliffe team of Mogens Andersen, Col Hallam, John Campbell and Neil Moss. Players enjoyed three spectacular days, with the excellent course conditions and service to be commended. The players were also keen to recognise proud sponsors Prescare and the Moreton Bay Regional Council for their support of the event. FINAL LEADING SCORES 221 OLSEN Kym (VIC) 77-71-73 225 BARLTROP Michael (NZ) 76-76-73 227 BARLTROP Rodney (NZ) 77-76-74 229 CLANEY Gordon (VIC) 76-75-78, CRANFIELD Geoff (NSW) 80-74-75 230 CLARKE Brett (QLD) 76-79-75 233 LACHIUSA Mario (QLD) 76-77-80, TOWLE Phillip (QLD) 80-76 – 77, TOYNE Steve (QLD) 82-77-74, HALLAM Colin (QLD) 75-81 – 77, 234 FROST Ian (VIC) 85-77-72 236 HORNE Keith (QLD) 76-83-77, CHRISTIE Samuel (QLD) 73-85 -78, DEAKIN Tim (QLD) 75-83-78 237 DUGUID Greg (QLD) 76-84-77 238 ELLIS Greg (NSW) 82-80-76, COLLINS Gregory (QLD) 81-79 – 78 More: www.ausoom.com

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RESULTS 12th Aug 2016 WiNNER - C. Do Runner Up - E. Estella Next Best - J. Comerford Best Gross - C. Smidt N.T.P 3rd - E. Estella N.T.P 6th - P. Brown N.T.P 12th - T. Rodger Approach 11th - S. Irving Approach 17th - C. Auty

senior amateurs

NSW

First time winners in NSW Senior Order of Merit events

Cabramatta Seniors Most years Cabramatta Golf Club proves to be one of the hardest courses on the NSW Senior Order of Merit calendar. 2016 was no exception and the Cabramatta Seniors Cup was a real test for the field of 60 senior golfers. The Cup was played on a cool breezy morning with the recent rainy weather meaning that the course played to its full length. Good scores would be hard to find. Concord golfer Ken Brewer recorded his first NSW Senior Order of Merit win for the year

with a very good round of 73. He edged out St Michael’s member Steve Gibson on 74 and the defending 2015 champion Twin Creeks senior Denis Dale on 75. Local member Peter Hart was next on 79 and the only other player to finish under 80. Hart was the winner of the Under 61 handicap prize with a nett score of 70 from his 9 handicap while Ajit Singh (Fox Hills) won the Over 61 prize with a nett score of 72 from his 24 handicap. All players remarked on the outstanding greens with Ken Brewer commenting they were “the best greens I have played on this year”. Dale had extra reasons to be happy after achieving a hole-in-one on the 12th hole.

Coffs Harbour Seniors Forster-Tuncurry senior Gary Cush won the 2016 Coffs Harbour Senior Amateur with an excellent round of 72 on the testing layout. It was the first Order of Merit win in 2016 for Cush. Second place went to Belmont senior Garry Barber with a round of 74 a stroke ahead of another Forster-Tuncurry visitor Tony Jay who finished with a score of 75. This event was the first round in the 36hole 2016 Coffs Coast Senior Open with the second round played at Bonville Golf Club the following day.

Bonville Seniors 2016 Cabramatta Senior Cup winner Ken Brewer accepts the major trophy from 2015 winner Denis Dale.

Bonville is one of the highest slope-rated courses in Australia and it proved a stern test for the field of senior golfers that contested the 2016 Bonville Senior Cup.

In a testing day on the beautiful course often described as “the Augusta of Australia” only one golfer managed a score under 80 while not one managed to play to their handicap. The scratch winner was Leigh Anthony who recorded his inaugural Order of Merit win with a score of 78. Second place went to Garry Barber on 80 with Gary Cush in third place one stroke further away on 81.

The Bonville Seniors was the second round in the 36-hole Coffs Coast Senior Amateur with the first round played at Coffs Harbour Golf Club the previous day. The overall winner was Gary Cush with rounds of 7281 for a total of 153. Cush finished a stroke ahead of Garry Barber 74-80 and Leigh Anthony 76-78 who tied for second. More: www.golfnsw.org

VIC Rhodes goes wire to-wire in Coomealla Senior Amateur

Local favourite Greg Rhodes went wire-towire in winning the 2016 Coomealla Senior Amateur. Rhodes was the defending champion after a sensational win in 2015 when he had rounds of 67-68-72 to finish five under par and win by an amazing 28 strokes. In 2016 Rhodes was not quite so devastating but he did save his best for last, producing a slick two-under-par final round of 70 to cruise to a comfortable 13shot victory. The prolific winner who is currently ranked the number one senior golfer in Australia, used a combination of local knowledge and precision shot making to record another dominant win. Second place went to Midlands senior Robert Wallace with rounds of 74-73-80 with South Australian visitor John Davey in third place after rounds of 74-81-76. In the men’s nett event, Coomealla’s Peter Duscher ensured both the nett and gross title’s would remain in local hands finishing with a two round nett total of 215 taking the nett event from Rhodes by five shots. Buninyong’s Helen Pascoe was crowned the Women’s Senior champion with a

scratch Stableford total of 58 points with Jillian Morrison (Midlands) in second place with 47 points In the Women’s championship, Noelle Hartnett (Rossdale) took top prize in the Stableford event with a two round total of 69 points with Coomealla’s Sue Jones in second place with 63 points. More: www.golfvic.org.au

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seniors

Albinski honoured by Mona Vale Golf Club

Avondale Amateur becomes 2017 Nominated National Ranking Event

he Mona Vale Golf Club recently held a special presentation night for one of their more famous golfing stars – Stefan Albinski. This presentation was in recognition of Albinski’s incredible golfing career. Albinski is a long-time loyal member of the Mona Vale Golf Club on Sydney’s northern beaches and in what most consider his greatest club achievement he has won the Club Championship in each of the five decades since the 1970s. He has represented the Mona Vale Club many times in the Major Pennant competition and is currently a member of the Master Pennant team. He has won a number of Club Foursomes Championships and in 1990 won the NSW State Foursomes Championship with another long-term member and close friend, Greg Stanford. However, it is his record since becoming eligible to compete in senior amateur competition, both in Australia and overseas, that his record has been nothing if not stellar! Albinski’s first foray into senior golf (over 55 years in Australia) was in the 2007 New Zealand Senior Amateur Championship. Whilst he was only 54 at the time, in New Zealand the qualifying age is only 50, so he took his place in the field. He started with an incredible 9 under par 63 and went on to win by 13 shots! Since then, his winning record has been phenomenal. His major victories include: three Australian Senior Amateur Championships, three Australian Senior Amateur Match Play Championships and two Asia Pacific Senior Amateur Championships. Since reaching the top spot on the Australian

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Stefan Albinski – honoured by Mona Vale Golf Club. INSET: The framed award Senior Ranking table in November, 2008 Albinski has held this position for an incredible total of 250 weeks. He was passed six times during this period and six times he played great golf to take back his position. The next best record on top of the table is 112 weeks. He recently won the 2016 NSW Senior Championship, which meant that he had won every State and Territory Senior Amateur Championship in Australia; several on more than one occasion. For example, he won the West Australian Senior Championship in six consecutive years. Albinski has represented Australia many times in both the Asia Pacific Senior Championship and the Sanctuary Cove Trophy against New Zealand. As you might expect he has been a key player in many winning teams.

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It has been said by those who study such statistics that Stefan Albinski has the best record of any Australian golfer at any level since 2008. He has won 29 Australian Senior Order of Merit events in nine years. The next best is 16 events and third place is 12. While Albinski has won 29 times his total of second and third place finishes is only six. This highlights that when he is in a position to win he usually does. He is a legend in Australian senior golf and it is unlikely that his record will ever be equalled. Albinski’s career is by no means over and he continues to work on his game and recently commented “I keep practising in the belief that my best golf is still ahead of me!” A true champion. •

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Golf NSW has announced that the 2017 Avondale Amateur has been afforded Golf Australia Nominated National Ranking Event status. “We can’t wait to witness many of the nation’s and the world’s best amateurs compete on one of New South Wales’ finest layouts,” Golf NSW General Manager of Golf, Graeme Phillipson said. “Being awarded Golf Australia National Ranking Event status recognises the significant contribution many of our members have made to these tournaments for over 50 years. We are looking forward to stamping the Avondale Amateur as one of the premier events on the Australian amateur golfing calendar,” Avondale Golf Club President Stephen Cameron said. The 2017 Avondale Amateur will see the men’s 72-hole Avondale Medal and the Avondale Women’s Bowl combine to become the Avondale Amateur. The tournament will be an attractive proposition for elite amateur golfers to pencil into their calendar, especially with the NSW Amateur Championships scheduled for the following week. Harrison Endycott, the 2015 and 2016 Avondale Medallist and a member of the Northern Sydney Club, is hoping to defend his title for the third year. “The Medal means so much to everyone here at Avondale and to be able to win it back-to-back as a member made it extra special for me,” Endycott said. The Avondale Amateur 72-hole stroke-play tournament will be held at Avondale Golf Club in Northern Sydney from January 23rd to 27th 2017, the week following the Australian Amateur Golf Championships.

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golf new south wales

Competition rounds on the rise across NSW Participation in club golf across New South Wales increased by almost nine percent in the three months to June. The number of competition rounds played across the state came to 1,354,974 for the period from April to June 2016 compared to 1,244,857 for the same time last year. All up, 5,414,535 competition rounds were played across NSW in 2015/16 according to the Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC). The impressive growth in participation has thrilled Graeme Phillipson, General Manager of Golf at Golf NSW. “It’s encouraging to see this level of growth across our member clubs,” Mr. Phillipson said.

Allen awarded Life Membership

olf NSW has announced that Mr Chris Allen has been awarded Life Membership.

Mr Allen was the inaugural Chairman of Golf NSW following the merger of the New South Wales Golf Association (NSWGA) and Women’s Golf NSW from July 2010 until November 2015. He provided stable and inspirational leadership during that time as the organization took its first steps as a truly unified entity.

The national handicapping database Golflink reported that 14.76 million competition rounds were played by registered Australian golfers over the last 12 months, with over 3.7 million rounds played between April and June 2016, a four per cent increase across the nation, compared to the same three-month period last year.

Mr Allen also served as Chairman of the NSW Golf Foundation and has been involved as a Chairman or Director of the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation since 2007. Chris served on the Board of NSWGA from 2007 until 2010. He has been a member of the Golf Australia Rules, Amateur Status and Handicap Policy Committee, and a GNSW representative on the Golf Australia Council. He is a Club and State Accredited Rules Official, and National Accredited Referee.

Brian Thorburn, AGIC Chairman, was pleased with the latest figures particularly given the winter period was here.

Chris has been a member of Pennant Hills Golf Club for thirty-one years, serving eight years on the Board and six years as Club Captain.

“It’s fantastic to see steady growth continuing into the cooler months; it’s very encouraging for the Australian golf industry,” Thorburn said. Adverse weather did impact the results across NSW in June with heavy rainfall and flooding at the beginning of the month forcing many clubs out of action for a period of time. “It’s not uncommon to see a small decline in rounds entering this time of year purely due to changing weather conditions. It is certainly reassuring to see a steady increase leading into winter,” Mr Thorburn said. Female participation in the sport increased by just over one percent during the reporting period, to be almost 19 percent of the total market.

“The Board of Golf NSW is thrilled to unanimously approve Chris’s appointment as a Life Member of Golf NSW. Clubs and golfers across the State owe Chris a huge vote of thanks,” Chairman of Golf NSW John Robinson said. “From time to time, there is an individual that puts the welfare of the game and his fellow golfers ahead of his own interests. Chris is such a person. He has dedicated many years to improving golf across New South Wales. The extent of his contribution has been enormous,” Mr. Robinson added.

Pine nematode alert and reporting information Have you noticed any rapidly dying pine trees in your local area? The NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSWDPI) needs your help to find dead and dying pine (Pinus) trees across New South Wales. An infestation of an exotic pine nematode was discovered in the wood of a single dying pine tree in Sydney in March 2016. Damage caused by pine nematodes can lead to rapid tree wilt and death. The NSWDPI is conducting surveillance of pine trees

across New South Wales to identify any further infestations. This pest poses a serious threat to Australia’s softwood plantation forest industry and the Department is asking for the assistance of all land managers across the State to look at pine trees in their local area and report their observations. For details on pine nematodes and how you can contribute to this surveillance program, visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/pine-nematodes where you will find information pamphlets for guidance and pine tree health reporting sheets.

GRAB YOUR CHANCE TO COMPETE IN THE 2016 NSW OPEN GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP STONECUTTERS RIDGE GOLF CLUB Next Events: Forbes Golf Club Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th

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Wauchope Country Club & Kew Country Club Saturday, October 8th and Sunday, October 9th

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Camden Golf Club Thursday, September 29th and Friday, September 30th

Griffith Golf Club Saturday, November 5th and Sunday, November 6th

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September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

golf queensland

Isuzu Cobra Puma Golf Queensland partners with Open launches Golf Queensland dedicated website

Zunic captures NT PGA Championships Going wire-to-wire, Jordan Zunic claimed an emphatic victory at the inaugural Northern Territory PGA Championship last month. Firing a final round even par 71, Zunic finished with a tournament total of 13-under 271 to claim the title by two shots. “I can’t describe how I am feeling; it’s absolutely amazing, it’s really what I wanted to do from the start of the week,” said the 24-year-old from Wollongong.

olf Queensland celebrated 100 days until the start of the Isuzu Queensland Open in July with the launch of the dedicated tournament website, www.qldopen.com.au.

The website boasts new features, tournament information, live scoring, a countdown clock and social media integration to enhance user experience. Through the website, Golf Queensland is encouraging more people to get involved in the premier golf championship played at The Brisbane Golf Club from 20-23 October 2016. Tournament Director, Luke Bates said the Isuzu Queensland Open media reach has grown significantly over the past three years, the ability to deliver extra services to the golfing community through the new website will help to promote the Championship further and ultimately engage more people in the promotion of golf and our sponsors.

“We are very excited to have a dedicated site for growing our state’s Open championship. As part of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia schedule, the Isuzu Queensland Open promises to continue to grow adding to a tantalising summer of golf in Australia.” The Isuzu Queensland Open will be played from 20-23 October at The Brisbane Golf Club. This will be the fourth year Golf Queensland has managed the Championship since the organisation reignited the interest in this Queensland event.

It was a nervous back-9 in the final round for Zunic who dropped shots on the 11th, 12th and 16th. However, he maintained his composure to ensure he closed out the win.

Turning Professional just last year, this is the second victory for Zunic on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia after he won the New Zealand Open last year.

obra Puma Golf has continued to show its support for the golf industry by partnering with Golf Queensland and the Isuzu Queensland Open.

“To get another win a little over a year after my first one is awesome. You get one win and you feel like the monkey is off your back but then you want to win again,” added Zunic.

Golf Queensland’s Golf Operation Manager and Isuzu Queensland Open Tournament Director Luke Bates said it was the support of industry partners such as Cobra Puma Golf that motivate the industry to continue to innovate. “We are excited to partner with Cobra Puma Golf, a brand driven to engage and work with the golf industry,” Mr Bates said. “Their dedication to golf is unquestionable and we look forward to working with the team.”

Max McCardle finished outright runner-up after he fired 1-under 70 in the final round to be 11-under the card.

Head of Golf at Cobra Puma Golf Christian Pegrum said they were delighted to partner with Golf Queensland and the Isuzu Queensland Open. “Further to our alignment with the PGA and Golf Australia, our partnership with Golf Queensland will further allow us to work with an organisation that will shape the game of golf in the future” Mr Pegrum said.

A shot further back and outright third was Tim Hart with Stephen Leaney and Deyen Lawson rounding out the top-5 on 8-under the card.

“Golf Queensland are a fantastic organisation which influence the growth of golf through the Queensland market headlined by the Isuzu Queensland Open and to be held at a partner location of ours, The Brisbane Golf Club.

The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia now travels to New Caledonia for the South Pacific Open Championship to be played at Tina Golf Club in Noumea from 2124 September.

“We are excited about this partnership alignment and look forward to the journey ahead,” Mr Pegrum said. Cobra Puma Golf is the Official Apparel Partner for the Isuzu Queensland Open and Golf Queensland.

Keperra Bowl 11 – 14 October 2016 Keperra Country Golf Club Entries close 5pm, Monday 26th September

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www.golfqueensland.org.au T: (07) 3252 8155 www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

events

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Howeston pro-am offers new challenge David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

ROFESSIONAL golfer Ossie Moore will be pleased. For years, he has been urging Bill and Lynn Weston, hard-working owners of Howeston Golf Course at Birkdale in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs, to reshape and strengthen the 365m par-4 fourth hole on the Weston Course. Well, they finally bit-the-bullet and made the changes ahead of the 37th successive pro-am to be played on Thursday, September 22. Now it presents a fairer challenge as the landing area has been raised and now a well-struck tee shot stays in the fairway rather than rolling left and towards a hazard. It will be interesting to see how the professionals and their amateur partners tackle the 365m hole that has water down the left side of the fairway and crosses the fairway 120 metres short of the green. Up ahead an island green awaits. “There is water on both sides making it more like an island green,” Bill Weston said. There is a very narrow key-hole opening (10 metres) short of the green, but it would take a brave golfer to attempt to run his or her ball between the water left and right. With Ossie an almost certain starter, there is another playing professional who can’t wait to get back to play in the Howeston Pro-Am. Last year Chris Wood was the pro-am’s joint winner with Tim Hart and Daniel McGraw. The trio carded 68 to share the spoils. “Having grown up in the Wynnum area, the Howeston ProAm is one event that I always wanted to play and win,” Wood said. “Witnessing some of Australia’s greatest professionals competing at Howeston over the years certainly gave me the passion to forge a career in the game of golf. “After only being a professional for a couple of years, I was

Howeston Golf Course will host its 37th successive pro-am. able to record a win at Howeston joining the likes of Peter McWhinney, Terry Price and Ossie Moore as winners of the Howeston Pro-Am. “I was lucky enough to chalk up another win at Howeston last year (2015) and I really can’t wait to return in September to defend my title.” In 2013, Wood fired a 67 to win and Marcus Cain was all smiles when he fired a course record 60 in 2014. One of the highlights at the Howeston Pro-Am is the long drive exhibition conducted on the first fairway. It’s an exciting sequel to the pro-am and a definite crowdpleaser. In 2015, Tim Hart opened his shoulders and smashed a 294m drive to win the showdown. Hart finished seven metres ahead of Michael Wright (287m) with rising star Aaron Wilkin third with a 285m blow. Steven Bowditch once thrilled the gallery with some booming drives – one a record-breaking 341metres. That record stood for some time until Gold Coast pro Nicholas Russell launched a 359-metre drive to win the contest in 2013. The Howeston Pro-Am has always been one of the most

popular on the pro-am circuit. More than 820 different professionals have teed it up over the years. Peter Senior, Terry Price, Rod Pampling, John Senden, Steven Bowditch and others regularly played in the pro-am. What makes Howeston Golf Course so popular is it’s a familyrun business headed up by Bill and Lynn Weston. Bill and Lynn’s son Kel, a qualified greenkeeper, and grandsons Kerron, Jake and Lachlan work on the course while daughter Donna, daughter-in-law Sue and son-in-law Keith contributed to the smooth running of the facility. Excellent and friendly staff, including those in the golf shop, is what makes Howeston tick. Then there is close family friend Lew Noyes, who works tirelessly to ensure the pro-am is a success. “He puts his heart and soul into the pro-am,” Lynn said. Of course, no tournament would survive without the generosity of sponsors and supporters. “A lot of pro-am sponsors have stuck with us through the years,” Lynn said. “Our major sponsor BMD has been a big pro-am supporter for a long time, but going back even further are local supporters like Wellington Point Hotel, Yellow Cabs and Capalaba Social Golf Club. “They (Capalaba Social Golf Club) helped us get it up-andrunning and have been marvellous. “They play here regularly and keep up their pro-am sponsorship.” At Howeston, the professionals enjoy the fun-filled atmosphere of the event and so do their amateur playing partners and the gallery. Golf is great value with green fees $18 on weekdays and $22 on weekends. For more information, call (07) 3207-2452. Gallery entry to the Howeston pro-am is free. FOOTNOTE: Howeston Golf Course has 27 holes, which are broken up into three separate nine holes – the Howard, Weston and the Westward. The pro-am is on the Howard (par-35) course and the Weston (par-36) course. •

Major Sponsor

Presents its 37th annual $11,000 one-day pro-am | Thursday, 22nd September 2016 W. Weston, L. Weston and families wish to thank the sponsors who have made this event possible BMD Group major sponsor Yellow Cabs Wellington Point Hotel Larry McFarlane Cabinetmakers Millar’s Plumbing Services Betabord

National Australia Bank Howeston Golf Course Wednesday Club Shand Taylor Lawyers Allshots

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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events

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Why stage a PGA pro-am? F OR amateur golfers, playing in a pro-am is an excellent chance to learn from the professionals.

can strongly influence course stature both internally and externally to the golf industry.

In no other sport can amateur players share the stage with professionals.

If clubs are looking for strong models for staging a pro-am, take a look at Rockhampton Golf Club.

For example, you can’t play doubles with tennis pros Nick Kyrgios or Bernard Tomic even if you so desired and you can’t play in the same team as Jonathan Thurston.

The club’s pro-am has grown from a $15,000 event in 2005 to a $55,000 tournament in 2016. During the event, they put on junior clinics, shootouts and sponsors’ days. Past winners include Sam Brazel, Kurt Barnes, Adam Crawford and Ashley Hall who are now playing on the international stage.

But A, B and C grade golfers are fortunate because they can play alongside professionals without being intimidated. For golf clubs and companies, the benefits of hosting an annual pro-am can be wide and varied. The primary reason many golf clubs stage a pro-am is it’s a revenue stream for the club, sponsor or promoter and it increases food and beverage sales as well as excess in sponsorship. Many clubs use it as a promotional tool. They are quick to advertise that leading professionals will grace their fairways and exhibit their skills while the pros reciprocate by spreading a positive word about the golf club and associated facilities. For regional clubs, a pro-am can have a significant economic impact as well as a moral benefit both during and after a tournament in the region. “We often get told that our course is a hidden gem though when the pros come to town it allows us to promote it far wider and to an audience that people will listen; bringing business benefits for the next 12 months,” Joe Chillcott, golf operations manager at Murwillumbah Golf Club said. Mackay Golf Club tournament director Bill

Rockhampton Golf Club’s annual pro-am is a strong model for any club to follow Cooper said the pro-am was the club’s biggest marketing tool.

Sponsors, too, see the enormous value in sponsoring a tournament.

“Our club members, staff and entire community look forward to the event and it provides year-long engagement with everyone following the professional’s progress over the next 12 months,” he said.

“The 2016 Shepparton BMW Senior Victorian Open was a testament to all involved in running such a fantastic tournament,” said Aaron Brain, Dealer Principal Shepparton BMW.

A pro-am is also an added service to golf club members and can be a culture building exercise.

“As a first-year naming right sponsor we were unsure what to expect and we were well and truly impressed by the professionalism of the players, the PGA and the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club along with Black Bull Golf Club.”

It provides an opportunity for members to look forward to a unique event, which also extends to providing added motivation to staff. Then there is the charity contribution. Using a PGA pro-am as the medium for a particular cause can greatly assist with raising sponsorship and can create an annual event with direct and indirect benefits to the golf club or host facility.

Clubs that do host pro-ams are supporting the dream of golf’s future stars. In decades past, golfers of the calibre of Greg Norman, Ian Baker-Finch, Wayne Grady and others honed their skills by playing pro-ams. A pro-am also gives a golf club the opportunity to be on show and, as a result, injects motivation to ground staff, board members and the community as a whole

The PGA offers two primary pro-am models – the PGA Pro-Am Series and the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour. The former is where past, current and future stars of professional golf entertain club officials, sponsors and their amateur partners. For the pros, it is a platform to forge a playing career to the world stage. The E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour is where PGA professionals over the age of 50 offer experience, tips and tell wonderful stories about life on tour. Who can stage a pro-am? Golf clubs can by using club suppliers, club members and local business to support the event. Companies, medium to large, can use their major partners and suppliers to leverage the opportunity to entertain guests and a local facility and individuals can stage a pro-am for a specific purpose or cause. For more information, contact the PGA on (03) 8320-1911 or your local PGA divisional office. Details at www.pga.org.au •

Mount CooluM Golf Club

MEMBERSHIP OFFER

1 MONTH FREE! PLUS Receive 50% off Joining Fee - Save $300 PLUS Get your Joining Fee back in credit over the first 3 years of membership Limited time only. Conditions apply. New members only.

✓ 18 Hole Championship Length Golf Course

✓ Air-conditioned Clubhouse

offering spectacular views, with Bar, Bistro and gaming facilities

17 Lumeah Drive, Mount Coolum (off Suncoast Beach Drive) Phone (07) 5446 1539 www.mtcoolumgolf.com

✓ PGA Professional on course with fully stocked Pro Shop including hire carts and equipment www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

events

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Spring has sprung in Orange

Strong line-up in Hickory Championship THIS year’s Australian Hickory Championship, to be played with century-old wooden shafted sticks at Sydney’s Carnarvon Golf Club on September 16, will boast one of its best fields in a decade. Staged by the Australian Golf Heritage Society, at which men and women competitors wear traditional outfits from a century ago, the 18-hole event will attract dozens of amateur and professional golfers from across Australia.

he staging of the 21st Annual 2016 Landrover City of Orange Golf Championship will be played over the October long weekend, Saturday 1, Sunday 2 and Monday 3 October 2016. Played over the three golf courses in Orange, this event attracts golfers from far and wide. Last year, over 45 golf clubs were represented from all over NSW and the ACT attracting both men and women with varying handicaps, and the same is again expected this year. “This is why this event gets bigger and better every year”, Chairperson of Golf Orange, Guy Chapman stated. “Plus the fact that we have a major competition where both sexes can play alongside one another and get to meet so many other keen golfers” Changing from Stroke to Individual Stableford for the Major Prizes for Grades B

and C, has seen participant numbers increase dramatically for these grades. The A Grade Major Championship prizes are still Stroke, with the Daily Prizes determined by Individual Stableford. Golf registrations for 2016 are now available through www.golforange.com.au and are limited to the first 200 nominations received with an entry fee of $95 per player. This includes all three rounds of golf, prizes totalling $6,000, along with complimentary nibbles and beverages at the presentation on the Monday evening at Wentworth Golf Club. With a spectacular rural landscape and a vibrant restaurant and cafe scene, Orange is an exciting destination for wine, food and golf. All this within 3.5 hours from Sydney and 3 hours from Canberra.

Australia’s top courses on offer at Seventh Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic The magnificent Mornington Peninsula will once again be on show to golfers as the highly-anticipated Seventh Annual Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic tees off from 2-7 October. The golf extravaganza is regularly recognised as one of the most enjoyable and best-value events on the annual amateur golfing calendar, and will see men and women golfers play some of Australia’s top courses in a 72-hole graded individual stableford tournament, while also enjoying a fun and friendly atmosphere as they meet new friends, or catch up with friends made from previous Classics. This year’s Classic will rotate among some of the best courses that the Mornington Peninsula has to offer: Portsea Golf Club, St Andrews Beach, Moonah Links (Legends), and Sorrento Golf Club. The entry fee of $655 incorporates golf on four days, shared carts, lunches on all four days, daily and overall prizes are included as are the Welcome Function at Rosebud Country Club and a three-course gourmet buffet at the Presentation Dinner at The National Golf Club. You will also receive a souvenir polo shirt. Phone: 0439 396 617 Website: www.golfmorningtonpeninsula.com.au Email: info@golfmorningtonpeninsula.com.au 68

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Steeped in history, Duntryleague is regarded by many as the most elegant landmark in the Orange District. The Guesthouse accommodation in this 19th century mansion ranges from original master suites through to smaller guest rooms. The 4 Star Templers Mill, situated in the heart of Orange and fittingly within easy walking distance to all the CBD attractions including first class Pubs, Cafes and fine Restaurants. The Templers Mill is conveniently part of the Orange Ex-Services’ Club and when staying at the Templers Mill you will also enjoy the benefit of free use of the pool and leisure centre including a 25 metre indoor heated pool, exercise room and sauna. Visit www.golforange.com.au for all off your accommodation and golfing needs.

Tee it up for the 21st Ladbrokes World Masters

or more than 20 years the Ladbrokes World Masters has put smiles on thousands of golfers’ faces. It’s more than just a golf tournament, it’s a week-long party for over 35’s who all share a passion for golf and fun. In fact, more than 13,000 golfers from all over the world have played. Check out what’s in store for you at the 21st annual World Masters on the Gold Coast from 23-28 October 2016. This year the event packages has been handpicked from the most loved and enjoyed masters over the past 20 years and have bundled the best of best into this year’s event: • Welcome Reception: Australian Outback Spectacular Dinner Show, includes 3-course dinner, beverages and High Country Legends Show • 19th Hole celebrations: East Dining & Bar, Broadbeach - 60’s, 70’s and 80’s theme nights, includes finger food, discounted drinks and golf presentations • Gala Presentation Dinner, includes 3-course dinner, beverages and dance band at Gold Coast Event Centre • Non-Golfer activities: Because everyone deserves to have a great time The event is a 72-hole single Stableford event, open to all male and female golfers aged 35+. You play with golfers your own age and standard, and enjoy the best courses including Sanctuary Cove The Pines , RACV Royal Pines Resort , The Glades and Palm Meadows. $100,000 in prizes to be won, with the top prize a fully escorted golf tour for 2 to South Africa including airfares. More than 250 golf prizes awarded. FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.gogolfing.net.au/golftournaments/ladbrokes-gold-coast-world-masters

The top contenders this year will include 2015 winner Darron Watt (Wagga Wagga), 2012 and 2014 winner and the 2011 US Hickory champion Alan Grieve (Brisbane), and Manly Golf Club professional Phil Baird, the runner-up for the past two years. Watt, who finished second three times before winning last year, last month did not have high hopes of a successful title defence, having not played any golf since March, due to bad weather and football coaching commitments. However Watt, who plays all of his golf with hickory shafted clubs, is brilliant on his day. He finished second in the club championship at Wagga City Golf Club in November, shooting an amazing three-over-par 75 final round to lose by just two shots. “It definitely was the best tournament hickory round I have played from the back markers,” he said. Grieve is probably the favourite as he plays off six at Brisbane Golf Club and regularly tees up in a nine-hole hickory competition each month at Royal Queensland. Watt is tipping another top showing by Baird, who he sees becoming the “next custodian of Hickory Golf” due to his enthusiasm for the traditional game. Baird, a lifetime hickory club collector, is fired up for the event, armed up with several “new woods” – classic old clubs which have been refurbished for him by the famous hickory clubmaker Ross Baker. AGHS Captain Ross Howard says the event, to tee off at 12 noon, is open to all men, women, juniors, professionals and amateurs, AGHS members and non-members. The cost is $65 which includes golf and presentation dinner. Sets of hickory clubs are available for hire on the day from Australia’s hickory expert and PGA Life Member Tom Moore. Entry inquiries: Ross Howard 0402 148 946 email ross@howrd.com

calendar

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CALENDAR > SEPTEMBER

2016 Women’s Coronation Medal

44Th South Pacific Ladies Open Classic

WHEN: 9-12 October 2016 WHERE: Surfers Paradise Golf Club This long running tournament popular with local and interstate entrants commences with a Mixed Foursomes on Sunday, October 9 followed by three stroke rounds for ladies in this Golf Australia and Golf Queensland-ranked event. Four divisions of Classic, Mid Amateur, Senior and Super Senior means everybody is welcome to compete for 54-hole and daily prizes. Visit www.surfersparadisegolfclub.com.au for registration and conditions of play, or enquires to surfersparadiseassociates@gmail.com.au

2016 Women’s Mountain Meeting

Handiskins

When: Various Where: Various Info: www.handiskins.com.au Handiskins the ultimate game of skins for club golfers. Handiskins is a five-qualifyinground stableford competition. A player’s best three rounds count towards their final score. Players don’t have to play all five qualifying rounds if their scores are good enough. The top four players with the best scores at the end of the qualifying rounds go into the ‘skins’ format final and have the opportunity to play for $1,200 in club or pro shop vouchers.

Pacific Dunes Golf Club Championship Drive, Medowie NSW 2318 4th Qualifying Round 1st October 2016 5th Qualifying Round 5th November 2016 Final 19th November 2016

Women's Country Meeting

Northern Golf Club 97 Glenroy Road, Glenroy VIC 3046 2nd Qualifying Round 10th September 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 22nd October 2016 4th Qualifying Round 5th November 2016 5th Qualifying Round 3rd December 2016 Final 10th December 2016 Northbridge Golf Club Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge NSW 2063 3rd Qualifying Round 10th September 2016 4th Qualifying Round 17th September 2016 5th Qualifying Round 1st October 2016 Final 12th November 2016 Hurstville Golf Club Lorraine Street, Peakhurst NSW 2210 3rd Qualifying Round 3rd September 2016 4th Qualifying Round 10th September 2016 5th Qualifying Round 17th September 2016 Final 24th September 2016 Moss Vale Golf Club 38-48 Arthur Street, Moss Vale NSW 2577 3rd Qualifying Round 3rd September 2016 4th Qualifying Round 10th September 2016 5th Qualifying Round 17th September 2016 Final 25th September 2016

Keno NSW Mixed Fourball Championship - STATE FINAL Women's Coronation Medal

Venue Roseville & Concord GC’s Shelly Beach, Wyong and Magenta Shores GC’s Bonville GR Cumberland & Lynwood CC’s

Event Lynwood Twin Towns Amateur Wyong Open Amaateur Shelly Beach Open Amateur Stonecutters Cup Goulburn Cup Killara Cup Gosford Open Amateur Liverpool Cup

Venue Lynwood CC Coolangatta Tweed Heads GC Wyong GC Shelly Beach GC Stoncutters Ridge GC Goulburn GC Killara GC Gosford GC Liverpool GC

Women’s Jean Derrin Events Date 02-Sep-16 11-Sep-16 12-15 Sep-16 15-Sep-16

WHEN: 17 to 20 October WHERE: Lithgow, Blackheath, Leura and Wentworth Falls Golf Clubs TThis event is one of the longest running and most popular tournaments on the Golf NSW women’s calendar. The format begins on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 with 36-hole stroke play for Divisions one and two with 36-hole stableford for Division 3. On Wednesday 19 the Foursomes are held in two divisions. On the final day, Thursday 20, a four-person Teams V Par Event completes the tournament. Players can nominate to play in all four days of play or play in individual days of their choice. Golf NSW is happy to assist competitors to find a partner for the foursomes or complete a team of four for the Teams Event. Entries for this event are now open. Entries are One Day - $45 one day ($35 online). $80 two days ($70 online), $115 three days ($105 online) or $120 four days ($110 online). Entries close: Friday 30 September 2016 at 5.00pm. Full event details are available at www.golfnsw.org.

Shortland Waters Golf Club Vale Street, Shortland NSW 2287 Final 24th September 2016

05-08-Sep-16

Date 03-Sep-16 04-Sep-16 10-Sep -16 11-Sep -16 17-Sep -16 17-18 Sep-16 18-Sep-16 24-Sep-16 24-Sep-16

OCTOBER

Nelson Bay Golf Club Dowling Street, Nelson Bay NSW 2315 4th Qualifying Round 10th September 2016 5th Qualifying Round 22nd October 2016 Final 26th November 2016

Event Women's Bronze Medallion

Men’s Vardon Events

More: Nicole Bessant at Golf NSW on 9505 9105 or email nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org

Mudgee Golf Club 21 Robertson Road, Mudgee NSW 2850 Final 11th September 2016

Date 02-Sep-16

14-Sep-16

The format is an 18-holes stroke handicap competition for teams of four players on GA handicaps from plus to 20.0, played over two courses which are determined by the previous year’s competition. Each club entering the competition nominates the players to represent it and the courses on which each pair will compete.

Cowra Golf Club Mees Road, Cowra NSW 2794 5th Qualifying Round 17th September 2016 Final 25th September 2016

Golf NSW Events

06-09-Sep-16

WHEN: Monday 12 September WHERE: Cumberland and Lynwood CC

UPCOMING HANDISKINS EVENTS:

GOLF NSW SEPTEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

19-21 Sep-16 22-Sep-16

Event St. Michael’s Salver & Jug Bermagui Open Nelson Bay Ladies Golf Classic Bankstown Salver CSGA Open Annual Championships Pennant Hills Cup & Bronze Salver

Venue St. Michael’s GC Bermagui CC Nelson Bay GC Bankstown GC Highlands, Moss Vale & Bowral GC’s Pennant Hills GC

Pennants / Grade Date 11-Sep-16 11-Sep-16 18-Sep -16 25-Sep -16

Event Eric Apperly Shield (& Junior Pennant) Metropolitan - FINAL Warren and Gibson Trophies - Rd 6 Warren and Gibson Trophies Elimination Finals Warren and Gibson Trophies – Quarter Finals

Venue Various Various Various Various

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

Bribie Island Golf Club Links Court, Woorim QLD 4507 2nd Qualifying Round 24th September 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 15th October 2016 4th Qualifying Round 19th November 2016 5th Qualifying Round 26th November 2016 Final 10th December 2016 Sandhurst Golf Club 75 Sandhurst Blvd, Sandhurst VIC 3977 1st Qualifying Round 3rd September 2016 2nd Qualifying Round 10th September 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 17th September 2016 4th Qualifying Round 24th September 2016 5th Qualifying Round 8th October 2016 Final 15th October 2016 Rosebud Country Club 207 Boneo Road, Rosebud VIC 3939 1st Qualifying Round 3rd September 2016 2nd Qualifying Round 24th September 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 1st October 2016 4th Qualifying Round 5th November 2016 5th Qualifying Round 12th November 2016 Final 10th December 2016 Orange Ex-Services Country Club Anson Street, Orange NSW 2800 1st Qualifying Round 10th September 2016 2nd Qualifying Round 8th October 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 15th October 2016 4th Qualifying Round 22nd October 2016 5th Qualifying Round 29th October 2016 Final 5th November 2016 Bayview Golf Club 1825 Pittwater Road, Mona Vale NSW 2103 1st Qualifying Round 17th September 2016 2nd Qualifying Round 24th September 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 15th October 2016 4th Qualifying Round 22nd October 2016 5th Qualifying Round 29th October 2016 Final 12th November 2016

Maitland Golf Club 2 Tenambit Street, East Maitland NSW 2323 1st Qualifying Round 17th September 2016 2nd Qualifying Round 24th September 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 8th October 2016 4th Qualifying Round 12th November 2016 5th Qualifying Round 19th November 2016 Final 3rd December 2016 Singleton Golf Club 51 Boundary Street, Singleton NSW 2330 1st Qualifying Round 17th September 2016 2nd Qualifying Round 24th September 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 5th November 2016 4th Qualifying Round 19th November 2016 5th Qualifying Round 26th November 2016 Final 11th December 2016 Devilbend Golf Club Loders Road, Moorooduc VIC 3933 1st Qualifying Round 24th September 2016 2nd Qualifying Round 8th October 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 15th October 2016 4th Qualifying Round 22nd October 2016 5th Qualifying Round 29th October 2016 Final 5th November 2016 Burleigh Golf Club Cnr Albion & Bardon Avenue, Miami QLD 4220 1st Qualifying Round 24th September 2016 2nd Qualifying Round 1st October 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 8th October 2016 4th Qualifying Round 15th October 2016 5th Qualifying Round 5th November 2016 Final 12th November 2016

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

19th hole

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In search of the lost nut hire some clubs, which wasn’t a problem, but it was when I had to purchase 4 brand-new Wilson Duo Soft golf balls, I started to feel a little lightheaded.

Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

I poked and steered my way around the first few holes with a mixture of hybrids and 3 woods, managing to stay away from the evil jungle until I reached a long par five and decided to “man up”. Sure enough… snap hook straight into the mangroves.

want to get this out in the open in the hope I can help someone else suffering the same condition. Put simply, I cannot cope with losing my golf ball! You see, that part of my brain that was created for the sole purpose of dealing with a lost golf ball, (Its actual medical name is “The Findmyballum”), was damaged as a kid, leaving me incapable of handling it. It doesn’t matter how old it is, or how bad a shot it was that led to the situation, I simply can’t bare losing my nut. I’ll never forget the day I suffered the injury, way back when I was an 11-year-old playing at Gosford Golf Club. A couple of months earlier, I was given my first brand-new golf ball for my birthday. It was magnificent looking sphere wrapped in bright red cellophane, with a sticker on the front saying “Penfold Ace”. For weeks, I would run home from school grab my Ace, kiss it and hold it above my head pretending to gesture to the millions of golf fans after winning my first major. I

The quick nine quiz THERE are 21 stableford points up for grabs on the front nine. How many can you get?

with David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

1. Who won the 2016 US PGA Championship? (2 pts) 2. Which American golfer recently fired a 58 at the Travelers Championship on the US PGA Tour? (3 pts) 3. Which major manufacturing company recently exited the clubmaking business? (3 pts) 4. Can you solve the following anagram – deny ant twirl. Clue: He won a major in 2016. (2 pts) 5. A player’s ball is lying on grass-covered ground within the bunker. The player deems the ball unplayable and elects to drop it under Rule 28b. Must he drop it in the bunker? (2 pts) 6. True or false. John Daly was quoted as saying “And I don’t cook, either. Not as long as they still deliver pizza.” (1 pts) 7. In women’s golf, what does LET stand for? (2 pts) 8. How many countries had a golfer as their flag bearer at the 2016 Olympics – 1, 2, 3, or 4? (3 pts) 9. Only two of this year’s men’s major winners attended the Olympic golf event. Can you name them? (3 pts) ANSWERS: (1). Jimmy Walker; (2). Jim Furyk; (3). Nike; (4). Danny Willett; (5). No. Grass-covered ground within a bunker is not part of a bunker. He can drop the ball behind the bunker; (6). False – Tiger Woods; (7). Ladies European Tour; (8). Two – Bangladesh and Paraguay; (9) Danny Willett and Henrik Stenson. 70

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

had obviously overlooked the fact that I had theoretically just played 72 holes with a ball still in its wrapping. I finally decided to unsheathe my pride and joy on the first tee in my maiden monthly medal. I teed it up carefully with “Ace” pointing straight down the fairway then proceeded to snap hook it over the fence and out of bounds. Despite calling two groups through, while I frantically rummaged around in the Pine Forest, l never saw that ball again. The impact of my loss was so catastrophic and after many sleepless nights and nightmares where I would wake up and scream – “I Love you Penfold!” my Dad took me to see a doctor. He told me to try and remember the good times I had with Ace and maybe go back to cricket just for a season to clear my thoughts.

As I removed my second brand-new Wilson from the box, Sandra had hidden the driver and placed a 3 wood into my (now shaky) hand. My chauffer and caddy, fully aware of my disorder, approached the Everglades in the hope of a miraculous bounce…. “There it is!” she yelled. It was low tide and the ball was perched up on the sand about 15 metres into the swamp. Now, if you’re familiar with Port Douglas, this isn’t just ordinary marshland. It’s the home of a whole bunch of animals that can kill you in a second. Box Jellyfish, poisonous snakes, Crocodiles and rumour has it, some breed of Piranhas Christopher Skase introduced to keep his creditors away. Before I had a chance to discuss it with Sandra, she was wading out to my ball seemingly oblivious of the danger. And the sign saying “Warning- Crocodiles”. Do you know what I did, readers? I’m ashamed to say, absolutely nothing. I was torn between losing my beautiful wife and mother of my three sons… and the impending loss of my nearnew Wilson Duo Soft.

It seemed to be working until one day, Garry Spence hit me for 6 over mid-wicket into someone’s back yard and I took off after the ball to try and find it.

Sandra made it back OK and suggested the next time I miss a fairway, she would keep driving and hand me $4.50. I smiled and pretended to agree but I didn’t touch the driver for the rest of the round.

I’ve been coping pretty well lately due to being given balls for nothing by my sponsor, but my disorder flared up recently when I was having a holiday with my wife Sandra in Port Douglas.

I’m now back home and talking to my therapist who is quite happy with my progress. He reckons I’ll soon be able to switch the slightly more expensive second-hand balls.

Something came over Sandra one day and she decided she‘d drive the cart while I played 9 holes at the beautiful The Mirage Port Douglas Golf Course. With no gear, I had to

If you’ve been through something similar and would like someone to talk to, please contact me on my new website Larry.whatsa_ newballcost.com.au

Seven clubs and stymies… PRESIDENT’S Trophy a hit Last month, the Golf Society of Australia held their annual President’s Trophy at Royal Melbourne Golf Club. A popular event on the GSA calendar, players were limited to seven clubs in their bag for a 9-hole stroke play event, followed by a match-play playoff for the top four scorers. The event was conducted under the 1950 Rules of Golf, with a few of the differences including no restriction on ball size, a ball on the green can be marked but not cleaned, marks cannot be repaired until the hole is completed, etc. In addition, for the Match play section, the rules for stymies applied, thus a ball cannot be lifted unless it lies within the width of a scorecard from the opponent’s ball. Under blue skies, with a strong breeze, players battled it out on the beautiful and challenging Royal Melbourne West Course. When the scores were tabulated, the four matchplay qualifiers were Max Findlay (33 nett), Inside Golf’s Richard Fellner (37 nett), Paula Gompertz (38.5 nett) and David Ryan (39.5) nett. Following an exquisite lunch at the club, the matchplay finalists took to the East course, with some amazing golf on display, including a gallerycheering chip-in by Ryan to stay alive in the on the 3rd hole. In the end, Findlay proved to be too good for his fellow competitors, taking the victory on the par-3 4th hole, and claiming the President’s Trophy. Players and organisers wish to commend and thank the Royal Melbourne Golf Club for their hospitality.

Naomi, 13, wins second club title

OR the second time in three years, 13-year-old Naomi Moore has taken out the Ladies Club Championship at Noosa Golf Club on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

“Her strength is she bombs it 100 miles and she can chip and putt, but we are working on a few swing changes at the moment to get variety in her game. “Naomi has a natural draw so that’s why the ball goes 100 miles.

With scores of 78-81-76-81, Naomi finished with a 316 total – nine strokes ahead of runner-up Olivia Dolan, who won the club championship last year.

“That’s not terribly useful for holding greens so we are working on a more upright swing with her irons.”

Naomi, who plays off a two handicap, won her first club championship as an 11-year-old in 2014.

Alex said he would like to add to Naomi’s shot-making repertoire. “I would like her to be able to play all the different shots needed to be successful in the game.

According to her dad and coach Alex, the teenager, who plays off a handicap of two, has had a golf club in her hands from a very young age. “Naomi has always had cut-down clubs around the house, but when she was seven years old I gave her the choice to go ten-pin bowling or go to the Noosa Par-3 course and we ended up at the Noosa Par-3 course,” Alex said.

“We are trying to turn our weaknesses into strengths.”

Naomi Moore is making every post a winner. – Photo courtesy of Graeme Miller, The Invincibles Sunshine Coast Junior Golf Tour.

FOOTNOTE: Earlier this year, Naomi fired a 75 off the stick during a monthly medal competition to break the women’s back-marker course record at Noosa Golf Club. She had 25 putts en route to a nett 72 on the par-73 course.

19th hole

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Golfers chip in for cancer research T

HE Col Shields Memorial Golf Day at Keperra Country Golf Club was a huge success courtesy of the generosity of the players, supporters and sponsors of the event.

“This amount took us past the magical figure of $5000 of donations to the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation.

Goth appeared in Inside Golf in the May issue after he won the individuals and two-ball in all three club events staged in one week in March and he repeated that feat in April before an even better round of 69 in May. Firing below your age is no mean feat – even when par is 64 as at Castlecove -- but beating it by 11 strokes, as he did on May 14 to score 44 points off 13, is amazing.

Crossword >

“As a result, Col Shields’ name will be inscribed on the Donors’ Honour Board in the foyer of the Greenslopes Hospital.

Ms Coles said the money would go towards many varied and worthwhile projects in the pursuit of a cure for many cancers.

If you would like to donate to a good cause, log on to www.gallipoliresearch.com.au

Well, if your name is Peter Wolfenden, you slap $100 on the bar.

Of course, the club’s thirsty members will be hoping Peter scores another ace soon.

It seems Peter, who only recently joined Mt Coolum Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast, now has a bunch of new friends courtesy of his ace and generosity.

Peter joined Mount Coolum on their current local golfers’ special, offering $0 joining fee for Sunshine Coast golfers transferring from a local club to Mount Coolum. For more information, telephone 5446-1539.

His playing partners Grant Airey, George Koziol and Archi Baxter witnessed it and became more excited and animated as the ball rolled towards the hole. “It’s in the hole”, someone shouted. Peter, who used his trusty hybrid club to achieve the feat, still didn’t believe it and even checked through his rangefinder. Still unconvinced, he went around the back of the green to check it hadn’t gone through. When he couldn’t see his ball behind the green he checked the hole and there is was. HAVING A BALL: Peter Wolfenden after his first ever ace.

21 23 25 26

of his achievement and his name on the club’s honourboard.

“Once I had seen the ball land on the green I turned away because I was content with that,” Peter said.

WHAT do you do after scoring your first ever hole-in-one?

Mind you, it took some convincing because he didn’t see the ball find the bottom of the cup.

The best he could hope for was an ace and that’s exactly what he delivered.

16 CHEQUE IT OUT: Marlene Shields (left) hands over a cheque to Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation philanthropy manager Anna Coles.

Ace Peter a popular new member

For his effort, Peter received a $30 top-up on his voucher account, a trophy as a token

Donations came, in part, from those who played on the day and the generosity of Assett Fire & Security and the Shields Family.

Playing off the black tees, Peter reached the 145m par-3 eighth hole hoping for the best.

“It’s a fitting tribute to a man who helped so many people in so many ways through his teaching career, his community involvement and his family life.”

In a wonderful gesture, the winners – Bob Large, Geoff Bennion, Ken Large and Ken Clowes – donated their $200 voucher prize to the Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation.

SYDNEY’S 80-year-old Jim Goth has done it again – scoring better than his age by five shots off the stick on his way to winning every club event in one week in April and then smashing 80 by 11 in another win at Castlecove in May.

Wielding his non-anchored long putter front-on style (head and feet facing the hole) he reeled off 39 points (75 hits) to win twice in April. Goth’s handicap is now down to 13 from 17 in February.

“We exceeded our fund-raising target of $1113 by raising $2115 this year,” said event organiser Roy Ryan.

“We are grateful to Asset Fire & Security who was also our main sponsor for the day providing the trophies and prizes,” Roy Ryan said.

Ageless Jim in another clean sweep

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Birth country of Jason Day, Adam Scott, John Senden and many other great golfers (9) 6 Golf club with much loft (5) 9 Power, energy or speed (5) 10 Fight back (9) 11 Executes a false shot (8) 12 Winner of the 2011 South African Open, ______ Otto (6) 13 Lofted club (4,4) 15 Prepare for publication (4) 18 Winner of the 2015 Humana Challenge, Bill ____ (4) 20 Top part of a conventional putter’s grip (4,4) 24 Act or proceed without restraint (3,3) 25 Money earnt from a professional golf tournament (8) 27 Over the top (9) 28 Lady winner of 2016 Marathon Classic, _____ Ko (5) 29 Tail end (5) 30 Female attendants at a function perhaps (9)

1 Take for granted (6) 2 Winner of The Open in 2016, Henrik _______ (7) 3 Wandering around (8) 4 1987 US Masters champion who chipped in to beat Greg Norman in a play-off (5,4) 5 Performs (4) 6 Winner of the 2016 US PGA Championship ahead of Jason Day, Jimmy ______ (6) 7 Extremely tired from a big effort (7) 8 Golf hole that’s eight from the end in a full round (8) 14 Those given little chance of winning a tournament (9) 16 Australian winner of the 2016 Barracuda Championship, Greg ________ (8) 17 Kiwi winner of the 2016 Greenbrier Classic (5,3) 19 Newspaper piece (7) 21 Strips (7) 22 Aussie who finished second at the 2016 Ellie Mae Classic on the Web.com tour, Rhein ______ (6) 23 Awards given in the US but not for performances on the golf course (6) 26 Towering, like Jason Day’s approach shots (4)

Answers: page 75

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

your voice

www.facebook.com/insidegolf

This month’s winner!

Caddies are key As an experienced professional caddie I would like to offer a contrary opinion to the August “Letter of the Month” from Bruce Ferrall regarding banning caddies.

This month’s Prize: Two Dozen Volvik golf balls

The Duke of Hazards? I play with an individual who I reckon has set a new record (of sorts) and I am interested to hear if any other clubs have similar stories. I play with this guy every week but in a recent Saturday competition he unfortunately let his buggy and clubs roll into a water hazard on the 5th hole. After extricating clubs and balls, keys and phone from the water, we proceeded on, only for him to cry out in desperation when his bag and buggy again disappeared into the water hazard on the 7th, this time disgorging all his golf balls and tees to the bottom of the dam. After we all stopped laughing and teasing him about his stupidity we were able to finish the round, where were quickly related the situation to all the members in the clubhouse over a quiet beer. David Rose Editor’s note: Thanks David. We can’t help but feel sympathetic. Enjoy your two dozen Volvik golf balls—one for you, and one for him (but with his track record, perhaps you should store his golf balls in YOUR bag)!

Caddies have been part of the game and enshrined in the Rules since the game began. Bruce may not be aware that virtually all professional golfing bodies around the globe already run mini tour or Tier 2 events that allow the use of Laser measuring devices as well as not making the use of caddies compulsory, and these Professional events do not show a marked improvement in the pace of play. Elite or Tier 1 events that do require the use of caddies have very strict Pace of Play guidelines that all players and caddies are only too well aware of because of the significant monetary fines involved. A good caddie will have a raw yardage ready within moments of the player arriving at the ball and discussions about the lie of the ball, the predicted flight, wind, the slope of the landing area, the bounce at the landing area, the intended target distance, target and ultimately club selection will be made in the shortest time possible and perhaps whist fellow competitors are playing their shots. As far as decision-making goes every golfer, professional or otherwise, already makes their own decisions because fundamentally only the person hitting the shot bears the full responsibility—a caddie has never hit a good shot or a bad shot in a tournament, they have never got it up and down from a bunker and they have never made a winning putt. Just as other sports advisers like football coaches have never kicked the winning goal or scored a winning try. Lastly, I am not sure the golfing public want to see stars like Jason Day carrying his own bag up the hill on the 18th at Augusta and then putting it down and reaching for his laser before doing some mental arithmetic and lifting it up to pull a club and play his shot and then fetching and replacing his divot, cleaning and replacing his club in the bag and carrying it to the green to repeat the process. Would be a bit like watching Roger Federer collecting his own tennis balls from all over the court during a Wimbledon final. A caddie is defined in the Rules as “one who assists the player in accordance with the Rules” and quite rightly this allows the player to fully concentrate on displaying their individual golfing talents. Gary Parker

No Gold for golf JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Richard, you are so wrong to support the inclusion of golf into the Olympic arena. The Olympic Games is losing its heritage and meaning for amateur athletes.

Be part of Inside Golf’s community of vocal and loyal readers! Share your opinions on anything related to golf via our Facebook page, Twitter account or by email: ed@insidegolf.com.au Tell an interesting story or something funny about golf and you could win a great prize, like this month’s two dozen Volvik Vista IV golf balls valued at $69.95 per doz (Your choice of white, yellow or orange.)

Have you got something to say? Then tell us!

We are denigrating the Olympic Gold Medal to trinket status to be held in a trophy cabinet for just another tournament by a golfing millionaire. The Olympic Games, I’m sad to say, have become an unwieldy monster fed by billions of dollars, run by corrupt officials, where cheating is commonplace. The great runner Herb Eliott once said “It is the inspiration of the Olympic Games that drives people not only to compete but to improve, and bring lasting spiritual and moral benefits to the athlete and inspiration to those lucky enough to witness the athletic dedication.” Golf has no seat at the Olympic table. www.facebook.com/insidegolf

TOP-5 ONLINE

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The five mostread opinion pieces on our website:

It’s time to get ‘real’ about Slope and indexing Can “Real Data” fix handicapping and Slope problems? www.insidegolf.com.au/?p=25222 Suited to a tee: Going beyond the red, white and blue The key to making golf better? Don’t be colour blind. www.insidegolf.com.au/?p=24902 Tough tracks: Do we want David versus Goliath? Learn how The USGA is hurting amateur golf in Australia. www.insidegolf.com.au/?p=25180 Good news: Golf is in better shape than we think! See how one Australian golf course is beating the odds. www.insidegolf.com.au/?p=25112 Cereal killer: golf and the “convenience” factor What the golf industry can learn from breakfast cereal. www.insidegolf.com.au/?p=24975 72

The modern Olympics has become a sporting dumping ground with the addition of so many professional events as basketball, table tennis, rugby 7’s, field hockey, beach volleyball, synchronized swimming to name a few. How can we appreciate the dedication and human spirit to excel at a physical activity when you have millionaires performing at their chosen careers at the Olympic Games?

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Chuck Gard

Gold for golf! Muhammad Ali was quoted as saying “a man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.” For me the way I viewed golf in the Olympics in April is different to how I view golf in the Olympics in August. After seeing not only the reaction from Justin Rose but the tweets and absolute emotion and delight of Matt Kuchar, the crowds, the course, how the players truly embraced the Olympic spirit, I firmly believe golf has an Olympic future. I truly understand the likes of Adam Scott and Rory McIlroy not being interested; growing up, their goal was to win majors like their heroes. If golf had never been kicked out of the Olympics and a young Adam Scott watched Greg Norman drain a 35-foot putt for gold, you bet he would be there, but the Olympics was a whole other world. Now for the future Adams and Rorys, playing in the juniors or for a young kid partly interested in golf who just watched Justin Rose win gold, this will become part of their dream: “I just putted for the Masters”, “I just putted to win the U.S. Open”, “I just putted for gold at the Olympics” (it has already become part of my practice routine) and that is great for the future of golf… go team Australia in the women, I can’t wait to see who wins gold, silver and bronze! Greg Cook

demo dates PING

Location

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

New South Wales September 01 Queanbeyan Golf Club ◊ * Thursday Terrey Hills Country Club ◊ * Friday September 02 September 05 Oatlands Golf Club ◊ * Monday Elanora Country Club ◊ * Tuesday September 06 The Australian Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday September 07 September 07 Moore Park Driving Range ◊ * Wednesday Golf Paradise ◊ * Thursday September 08 September 09 Kiama Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 12 Muswellbrook Golf Club ◊ * Monday Gunnedah Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday September 13 September 14 Moree Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday Armidale Golf Club ◊ * Thursday September 15 Tamworth Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 16 Thornleigh Golf Centre ◊ * Saturday September 17 Ryda Parramatta Golf Club ◊ * Monday September 19 September 20 Pennant Hills Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday Links Shell Cove Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday September 21 September 22 Moss Vale Golf Club ◊ * Thursday Highlands Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 23 Tura Beach Country Club ◊ * Tuesday September 27 Pambula Merimbula Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday September 28 Narooma Golf Club ◊ * Thursday September 29 September 29 Moruya Golf Club ◊ * Thursday September 30 Mollymook Golf Club ◊ * Friday South Australia Mount Gambier Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 16 September 17 Royal Adelaide Golf Club ◊ * Saturday Glenelg Golf Club ◊ * Sunday September 18 Clare Golf Club ◊ * Monday September 19 Mount Osmond Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday September 20 September 20 Mount Barker Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday Royal Adelaide Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday September 21 September 22 The Grange Golf Club ◊ * Thursday West Lakes Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 23 Kooyonga Golf Club ◊ * Saturday September 24 Sandy Creek Golf Club ◊ * Saturday September 24 Victoria Mornington Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 02 Woodlands Golf Club ◊ * Saturday September 03 Gisborne Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday September 06 September 07 Spring Valley Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday Melbourne Golf Academy ° Wednesday September 07 Yarra Bend Driving Range ° Thursday September 08 Sorrento Golf Club ◊ * Friday September 09 Ranfurlie Golf Club ◊ * Saturday September 10 Warrnambool Golf Club ◊ * Thursday September 15 Rossdale Golf Club ◊ * Thursday September 29 Western Australia Hartfield Golf Club ° / ◊ Thursday September 01 WA Golf Club ° / ◊ Friday September 02 September 16 Collier PK Golf Club ° / ◊ Friday Joondalup Golf Club ° / ◊ Wednesday September 21

TAYLORMADE Location

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

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

New South Wales/ACT Northmead Drummond Golf † * ** Thursday The Lakes Golf Club † * ** Friday Griffith Golf Club † * ** Tuesday Leeton Soldiers Club † * ** Thursday Friday Gunghalin Lakes Golf Club † * ** Tuesday Yowani Golf Club † * ** Royal Canberra Golf Club † * ** Wednesday Thursday Queanbeyan Golf Club † * ** Murrumbidgee Golf Club † * ** Friday Thornleigh Golf Centre Expo † * ** Saturday South West Rocks Golf Club † * ** Monday Port Mac Golf Club † * ** Tuesday Wednesday Port Mac Drummond Golf † * ** Wauchope Golf Club (Port Mac Driving Range) † * ** Thursday Queensland Hills Golf Club † * Thursday Drummond Golf Underwood † * Saturday Surfers Paradise Golf Club † * Thursday House Of Golf Hervey Bay † * Friday Wantima Golf Club † * Wednesday Headland Golf Club † * Thursday Virginia Golf Club † * Friday Keperra Golf Club † * Thursday Brisbane Golf Club † * Friday Victoria Park » Tuesday Golf Central † * Thursday Victoria Golf City Ballarat † * ** Thursday Woodlands Golf Club † * ** Saturday MGA † * ** Wednesday Morack Golf Club † * ** Thursday Wodonga Golf Club † * ** Tuesday Drummond Golf Charity Day - Northen Golf Club † * ** Friday

Date Time

September 01 September 02 September 06 September 08 September 09 September 13 September 14 September 15 September 16 September 17 September 19 September 20 September 21 September 22

4 - 7pm 10am - 3pm 9am - 3pm 9am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 3pm 8am - 12pm 1 - 5pm 12 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 12 - 4.30pm

September 01 September 03 September 08 September 09 September 14 September 15 September 16 September 22 September 23 September 27 September 29

1 - 4pm 10am - 1pm 1 - 4pm 12 - 4pm 1 - 4pm 9.30am - 12pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 1 - 4pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 2 - 7pm

September 01 September 03 September 07 September 08 September 13 September 16

2 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 3 - 6pm 10am - 5pm 12 - 6.30pm

* Appointment Only. ** Members Only. °Ping Demo day. ◊ Ping Fitting. » TaylorMade Demo Day. † TaylorMade Fitting. √ Callaway Fitting Day. ≠ Callaway Demo Day. ∑ Cobra Puma Fitting Day. ∞ Cobra Puma Demo Day. Dates subject to change without notice. It is recommended that you contact venue before attending.

MIZUNO

Location

New South Wales / ACT Belmont G.C * Thornleigh Golf Centre * Drummond Golf - North Mead * Thornleigh Golf Centre - Golf Expo * Moore Park G.C * Royal Sydney G.C * ** Toronto G.C * The Lakes G.C * ** Queensland Pacific * Royal Queensland * Jindalee * Vic Park * Brisbane * Golf King Mackay - Black Springs GC Willows Golf Club * Windaroo * Rowes Bay Golf Club * Rockhampton Golf Club * HOG Hervey Bay Pelican Waters Ballina * Tewantin Noosa Middle Ridge * Wantima Country Club * Maroochy River Golf Club Palm Meadows * Victoria House of Golf Melbourne * Woodlands GC * ** House of Golf Malvern * MGA Driving Range Royal Melbourne GC * ** The National GC * ** Kew GC * ** Northern GC * House of Golf Lynbrook * Beaconhills GC * Metropolitan GC * ** Sands Torquay * Western Australia Fremantle Public Whaleback Marangaroo Sun City Albany GC Mt. Lawley My Lawley Tasmania Seabrook GC Mowbray GC Tasmania GC Devonport GC Royal Hobart GC Launceston GC Launceston Casino GC South Australia O’Halloran Hill DR Kooyonga GC North Adelaide GC Grange GC House of Golf Mile End West Lakes Mt Barker

CALLAWAY

Location

mizuno.com.au

Day

Date Time

Saturday Tuesday Thursday Saturday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

September 03 9am - 1pm September 06 4 - 7pm September 08 2 - 5pm September 17 10am - 2pm September 27 4 - 7pm September 28 10am - 2pm September 29 1 - 4pm September 30 1 - 4pm

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

September 02 10am - 1pm September 02 1 - 5pm September 07 3 - 5pm September 06 5.30 - 7.30pm September 09 2 - 5pm September 09 12 - 5pm September 10 1 - 5pm September 14 2.30 - 5.30pm September 14 8am - 1pm September 15 9.30am - 1pm September 16 12 - 5pm September 17 10am - 2pm September 22 2 - 5pm September 27 9am - 1pm September 28 9am - 12pm September 28 12 - 4pm September 30 2 - 6pm September 30 1.30 - 4.30pm

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

September 01 10am - 4pm September 03 10am - 2pm September 06 12 - 5pm September 07 4 - 7pm September 08 10am - 2pm September 09 12 - 5pm September 16 11am - 3pm September 17 9am - 3pm September 22 4 - 7pm September 23 1 - 5pm September 29 9am - 1pm September 28 10am - 3pm

Thursday Saturday Friday Saturday Friday Saturday Sunday

September 01 12 - 4pm September 03 11am - 3pm September 09 12 - 4pm September 10 10am - 2pm September 16 10am - 2pm September 17 10am - 2pm September 21 10am - 2pm

Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Saturday

September 20 9am - 1pm September 20 3 - 6pm September 21 9am - 2pm September 22 9am - 2pm September 23 9am - 1pm September 24 7.30am - 12pm September 24 1 - 5pm

Saturday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Friday

September 10 10am - 4pm September 13 10am - 5pm September 14 10am - 5pm September 15 9am - 5pm September 16 10am - 5pm September 19 2 - 6pm September 23 11am - 5pm

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

New South Wales / ACT Drummond Golf Northmead ≠ Coolangatta Tween Heads Golf Club ≠ Moore Park Golf Club ≠ Drummond Golf Northmead ≠ Queensland House Of Golf Hervey Bay √ Victoria Park Golf Complex ≠ Oxley Golf Club ≠ Pacific Golf Club √ Parkwood International ≠ Surfers Paradise Gofl Club √

COBRA PUMA Location

New South Wales / ACT Toronto Country Club Tech Centre ∑ ** Australian Golf Club Toronto Country Golf Club ∞ ∑ Kiama Golf Club Victoria MGA Mansfield Golf Club Queensland McLeod Country Golf Club Southport GC Caboolture GC Gainsborough Greens Victoria Park Golf Complex Palm Meadows GC Western Australia Drummond Cannington ∞ Carramar GC (YGP) Pinjarra GC

Day

Date Time

Thursday Friday Thursday Thursday

September 01 September 09 September 15 September 22

4 - 7pm 2 - 5pm 4 - 7pm 4 - 7pm

Friday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Wednesday Thursday

September 09 September 10 September 26 September 09 September 10 September 26

12 - 4pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 1pm 3 - 6pm 1 - 4.30pm

cobragolf.com.au

Day Date Time

Saturday Wednesday Friday Wednesday

September 03 September 14 September 23 September 28

10am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 11am - 5pm 1 - 5pm

Wednesday Thursday

September 07 September 22

4 - 7pm 10am - 1pm

Friday Thursday Friday Saturday Tuesday Friday

September 02 September 08 September 09 September 10 September 27 September 30

10am - 2pm 10.30am - 2.30pm 12 - 4pm 9.30am - 1.30pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 1 - 4pm

Saturday Saturday Saturday

September 03 September 10 September 17

10am - 1pm 10am - 2pm 10.30am - 1.30pm

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

golf directory

BARGARA GOLF CLUB Winner 2014 Legends Tour Pro Am of the year

Home of the Bargara Ladies Classic & Qld Amateur Junior Championship

Other packages available

STAY & PLAY PACKAGES

$120 p/person (min 2pp)

“you give up things when you buy a Kahma Golf Bag” • clanging clubs • damaged irons • worn graphite shafts • frustration finding the right iron From the inventors oF the CaddyraCk

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1300 738 557

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Aquarius R

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

• 4 days golf playing at the beautiful Sapphire Coast courses of Pambula/ Merimbula, Tathra Beach, Eden, Bega, and Tura Beach. All courses are only 5 to 20 mins drive from the Resort. per person

$250

• 6 nights accommodation in a 2 & 3 bedroom fully self contained apartment (linen supplied). • 6 FREE fully cooked poolside breakfasts, buffet style.

Packages starting from: $499*pp / 2 Share $415*pp / 3 Share $395*pp / 4 Share

• Free use of resort facilities, indoor gas heated pool, sauna & spa, full size tennis court, BBQ area and outdoor pool.

*Conditions apply

• Large Groups Welcome

Phone Toll Free 1800 688 881 Ring toll free for free brochure

Packages

All golfers stay for

$50 per night including cooked breakfast (twin share) week days only ...minimum group of 10. Rounds of golf not included

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

*SPRING SPECIAL*

Other packages alsO available

• 3 Games Golf - Horizons, Nelson Bay and Tanilba Bay • 3 x $20 Dinner Vouchers • 3 Cooked Breakfasts • 3 Nights Accomodation (twin share) • Total Cost per person $300 (Arriving Sunday, Monday or Tuesday)

For reservations or additional information call Christine or Mike on

47 Meredith Ave, Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319

Phone (02) 4982 3300

www.lemontreemotel.com.au

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Email: lemontreepassagemotel@idl.net.au

To suit your individual needs

18 HOLES

On our championship course. Includes Twin Share electric cart hire and lunch.

p/person

1 NiGHt PACKAGE DEALs

118

p/person

To book accomm call 02 6680 2222

• 1 night’s accommodation in twin share or double room • Continental Breakfast • 18 holes of Golf with shared electric cart at Ocean Shores Golf Club

BLUE MARKER CHALLENGE Played last Friday of each month. Play to your handicap or better & receive a dozen Pro V’s. Only 30 minutes south of Coolangatta and 15 minutes north of Byron Bay *Conditions apply

For advertising call 1300 465 300

Visitors

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

golf directory

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

www.facebook.com/golfpsgh

T: 02 4984 9618 | M: 0428 820 477 | info@psgh.com.au | www.psgh.com.au

For nine and 18 holes - $18 weekdays - $22 weekends and public holidays*

Need new batteries?

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3 Great Courses and a Great Place to Stay in Orange The Original Golf Package Specialist in Orange 2 Night Accommodation and 2 Rounds of Golf (Duntryleague and Wentworth)

210

pp twin share

There is nothing like golfing in the high country of Orange only 3 hours drive from Sydney. Orange has three wonderful courses where visitors are most welcome. All courses are minutes from Melview Greens which is a chip away from Wentworth Golf Course and owned by a keen golfing family. All apartments are fully appointed with undercover parking at the door.

www.batteryreviver.com.au

“Once you have stayed you’ll come back again”

AS SEEN ON TV: Find-A-Ball golf glasses

The Find-a-Ball glasses come complete with a moulded, zip up case that can clip onto your bag and a cleaning cloth. For more information, cost or to order visit our website www.golfscene.com.au or call us on 1300 852 433.

Find-a-Ball glasses are designed to block out the majority of light, creating a clever way of locating your white or yellow balls easily. The specially tinted, UV coated lenses filter out foliage and grass, enabling the ball to stand out.

MELVIEW GREENS

Phone 02 6362 0955 Studio & Family Apartments, Ploughmans Lane Orange NSW 2800 www.melviewgreens.com.au

Crossword Answers D R A I N E D

G E L T E V I E N I T H

D E O N G S U C D I A E R S E S For advertising call 1300 465 300

4 NIGHTS ACCOM. 5 NIGHTS ACCOM. 3 Rounds of golf + Carts Breakfast each day

$485

P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

4 Rounds of golf + Carts Breakfast each day FROM

I A W E C A E T A L I S K S H E N R R O N E U D F T H A N S N W I N N I D Y V E L Y R E O S T E S

FROM

A U S T R A L S T A A S T E A M R U N B R M I S P L A Y E O I M N I N E I C G Z H A A S L E A R G L E T R I P M I B H E X C E S S I R L O G S T E R N H

$555

P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

golf directory

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BEERWAH GOLF CLUB At the base of the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains…

This Single Stroke event has been running since the mid ’80s on the last Friday of each month. The course is set up at its most difficult to test all levels of golfers. If they play to or break their handicap they receive a dozen golf balls. Champion of Champions is open to all male GA Handicapped golfers. Any past monthly champions qualify to win an additional $400 voucher. The time sheet will be either a 7.30am or a 12.30pm shot gun start.

PHONE THE PROSHOP FOR BOOKINGS 02 6680 1008

• Timeless Tuesday - Unlimited* Golf for ONLY $25 • Golf Equipment for Hire & Sale • Fully Licensed Clubhouse • Social Clubs & Corporate Days • No JoiNiNg Fees

More social playing times now on a Monday & Thursday

Visitors pay only $25 to play in our competitions (Wed, Sat & Sun)

Biondi Crescent, Beerwah (only 20 minutes from the Coast) admin@beerwahgolfclub.com.au www.beerwahgolfclub.com.au

Ph: (07) 5494 0630 Golf Shop (07) 5494 6611

SINGLE LENGTH IRONS

NOW AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA Is this you? • Wish all your irons were as easy to hit as your 7 iron? • Despair when hitting longer irons? • Frustrated with lack of consistency in your iron play? • Longing for an easier way to play the game? JOIN THE MOVE TO MILFORD SINGLE LENGTH IRONS

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- all irons equal in length, weight and lie-angle - same set-up, stance, ball position and swing - single swing plane and tempo - through consistent ball striking - more accurate shots The R&A has ruled - greater success = more enjoyment that these clubs conform to the rules of golf IT’S TIME TO START ENJOYING YOUR GOLF MORE For more information on Milford single-length irons, including pricing and the fantastic value offered with our introductory Foundation Club, contact Fred Stewart on 0412 563 977, at fred@milfordgolf.com.au or Milford Golf on facebook

SIMPLE SYSTEM THAT WORKS 76

September 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 465 300

golf directory Play Gold Coasts finest Golf Courses then relax at Boulevard North in our north facing ocean view apartments at Broadbeach. We would like to offer 10% discount from our advertised rate to Guests mentioning this add when making a reservation. Discount not available with any other promotions, reservations need to be made direct to the resort on 07 5538 7666

E: stay@boulevardnorth.com.au www.boulevardnorth.com.au

TRUEMANS COTTAGES

Saturday Golf & Breakfast Online Special

18 holes of golf followed by a hot meat pie and a cold pot of beer

Tee off on our South Course between 6.20 & 7.30am on a Saturday for 13 holes golf & then relax in our air conditioned club house with a

$30 per player

Bacon & Egg Burger & Hot Drink

$30 per player

Offers only available online. Visit our bookings site

www.nudgee.miclub.com.au/cms/public-bookings/

Mornington Peninsula In the heart of Mornington Peninsula golf country, 3 spacious self contained houses accommodating groups of 2-12 people with Foxtel, Wifi and BBQ areas. Golf Packages tailored to suit.

Winter Special – 2 nights midweek with 2 rounds inc carts from $275p/p

Vacancies available for Mornington Peninsula Classic P: (03) 5988 6540 | M: 0419 365 142 | www.truemanscottage.com.au

Clearwater Noosa

Genuine All Inclusive:

• On Course accommodation all on ground level. Central to all Murray Courses • Self-serve, eat as much as you like, Buffet Continental Breakfast • Club evening dinner vouchers • Group organisers free of charge (groups of 12 or more) • Unlimited golf each day (conditions apply at some clubs) • Non golfers deduct $30 per day • Single Supplement $20 extra per day • Upgrade to Spa Room or cooked breakfast only $7.50 per person per day! • FREE Golf Prizes - min. group of 12 • WEEKENDS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS $10 extra per person per day • FREE Wifi

$85 per person per day twin share

Bla

Your choice of resort and club courses. • Noosa Springs • Twin Waters • Club Pelican • Coolum Golf & Spa • Mt Coolum • Noosa Golf Club • Maroochy River • Headland • Caloundra • Peregian Springs Some conditions apply

For advertising call 1300 465 300

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2016

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

Callaway Hex Chrome Ball Urethane Cover White or Yellow

$24

RSI 1 8 Irons 4 - SW

Seniors or Regular Flex Graphite each

TaylorMade Plus postage Burner Soft Balls

Individually Boxed Doz

Nike NDX Turbo Balls

3 Dozen for

38 compression for moderate swing speeds Individually boxed

Project (a) Tour Peferred X Model

Mens or Ladies Models

Doz

Moderate Swing Speed RX Red Box RXs Silver Box Fast Swing Black Box

$42

Graphite Shafts 2 year waterproof

BOA tightening system No traditional laces

$499

Easy to use

$369 White or Black US Sizes

Game Improvement Right Hand Models

Vinyl not Nylon

$399

Iron Covers - Black

$35 $49

Carry with Pop Out Stand Lightweight Black Bag with either White, Yellow, Red or Blue Piping

$239

$169

Callaway Forrester 14 Way Bag

Callaway Big Bertha Fairway Wood

Black/Yellow only Full length dividers Cooler pocket

5 - 18º Regular or Lady

$189

Right Stiff 9.5º Loft Left Regular 10.5º$189 Loft Right Regular 14.5º HL Easy Driver

$239

Includes Cover

$299

$199

AFL Carry Bags Callaway Pop Out Stand Big Bertha Kangaroos, Crows, Power, Lions, Cats and Swans Made by PGF

$89

Superceded Model

Mack Daddy 2 Callaway Forged Wedges SLATE

Srixon Z-Star XV

Dozen

$30

Doz

SUPERSEDED model

Not individually boxed URETHANE COVER TOUR BALL

Individually Boxed

2015 Models

$15 $13

Chippers (Approach Putters)

$259

TaylorMade Purelite Stand Bag Black/Green only

$149

$39

Callaway HEX Diablo Balls Wicked Distance Incredible Feel 2015 Model Sleeves (not individual)

$108 for 6 Dozen Carton

$18

Dozen

Srixon Black Gloves All Weather Durable

Titanium - Graphite Driver Graphite Fairway Metalwood 2 Graphite Hybrids 5 Graphite Irons 1 Putter Bag Black/White or Black/Purple

$8 EACH

Tacki Mac Jumbo

$20 $8 $8

Golf pride Tour Velvet Cord White

$479 $599

Tour Special by SRIXON Includes 5 Covers

Grips (supply only) Precept Balls Ping Std Rubber

Individually Boxed

Ladies Graphite Set + Bag + Putter Package (Game Improvement)

Alpha Driver Stiff or Regular Fubuki Shaft 9º Loft Fully Adjustable Cover & Wrench

Odyssey Jumbo Putter Black

Doz

Dozen

Mens Left - S, Medium-Large or Large Mens Right - S, M, M-L, L, XL Ladies Left - Large Only Ladies Right - Small, Medium, Large

Includes Cover & Wrench

$139

$22

$269

$159

52º Gap 56º Sand 60º Lob Dynamic Gold Wedge Flex

2015 Model

MIXED CARTON AVAILABLE

Fubuki Shaft Fully Adjustable

FINISH

2015 Model

Individually Boxed Green Box White Ball Pink Box White Ball Pink Box Pink Ball Green Box Yellow Ball

3 - 15º Regular or Seniors 7 - 21º Lady

Distance

Srixon Distance

Eagles & Birdies 3 - SW (9) Fits Right Tour Special Right Hand or Left Hand Mens or Ladies Lengths Infiniti Left Hand Castle Bay 2 - SW (10) Stainless Steel Head Right Hand Only $49

Srixon Deluxe Bags - 2015 Models Ping G30 Sale BOTH $109 STORES $189

Srixon Soft Feel Balls

$264 for 12 Dozen Carton

Superceded Models

DOZEN

Eagles & Birdies Augusta Bag 3.7kg 14 Full Length Dividers Oversize Putter Tube Waterproof Bag Coverall Cooler Pocket Red/Grey or Black/Orange

$44 doz

$33 $249

Ladies Callaway TaylorMade Driver X-Hot Irons (6) AeroBurner adidas BOA leather shoes 6 - SW

$33 doz

Mens Left Hand S, M, Med-Lar, Lar, XL Ladies Left Hand Small or Medium Current Model EACH

Cart Full Length Dividers Full Length Rain Cover Putter Holder Cooler Pocket & Hood Black/Red/White or Black/White

VE$60

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 7 Days Pinnacle Balls

Bridgestone B330 TaylorMade Small Balls (Urethane Cover) Tour Bag

$990

$17

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

Narellan Supa Centre, Narellan Rd

TaylorMade Tour Srixon All Weather Quality Balls (Urethane) Gloves (Black or White)

$28

$1199

199

www.thegolffactory.com.au

GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN

Callaway Super Soft Balls (2015)

Dozen

Graphite Seniors TaylorMade Irons

s ag

$39

2016 WEBSITE

Laddie Mens Model

Individually Boxed

$25

$15 DOZEN

TaylorMade Irons Graphite AeroBurner

Lady Precept IQ+ Balls

Seniors Flex Left Regular Flex Right Regular Flex Left 5 to Sand (7 Irons)

Pearl Pink Only

TaylorMade Hybrid Aeroburner 19º Number 3 Graphite Stiff Shaft

$189

$139 Includes Cover

Optima TS Premium

$29

$769 $12

DOZEN

$22

Individually Boxed Doz

AIRWAYS HIT

AY SCORE

STENSATIONAL Henrik Stenson used an XR16 Driver to shoot a legendary final round 63 to win this year's Open. It mastered Augusta and tamed Royal Troon - now see what it can do for your game.

©2016 Callaway Golf Company. Callaway, the Chevron Device, XR and R•MOTO are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Callaway Golf Company. Henrik Stenson plays an XR 16 Driver in competition. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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