Inside Golf October 2016 by Inside Golf

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Issue 135 // OCTOBER 2016 www.insidegolf.com.au

> FASHION ON THE FAIRWAYS

> CLUB OF THE MONTH

The latest gear to look your best on the course

The delightful Howlong Golf Resort

> GOLF MONTH

> TIPS

How YOU can help

5 keys to boost your

Golf Intelligence

grow the game

> GOLF TRAVEL LIFTOUT

Top treasures in

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Golf Month is here...now let’s all pitch in! Group Editor richard@insidegolf.com.au @insidegolf

It’s strikingly similar to many political systems here and abroad. Watching the U.S. election coverage, for example, is a perfect example of this. Each political party seems to quickly point fingers elsewhere, noting everything that is wrong (with a large amount of “spin”) without offering any real solutions. But with golf’s current dilemma, there ARE solutions. And this month offers a giant opportunity for us all to take the wheel of the golf cart and drive some real growth in our game. I’m talking, of course, about Golf Month (www.golfmonth.com.au), an initiative designed by the governing bodies/associations to help promote

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Gold Coast

And now, with a HUGE selection of activities on offer this month, it’s up to you to help spread the magic of golf, and get at least one person involved with the game.

Richard Fellner

very week, I read countless emails, stories, reports and news pieces about how golf is struggling to attract and/or retain golfers. It’s become a rather mundane activity, as nearly everyone is keen to point any number of fingers at any number of culprits. Whether it’s the fault of other sports like cricket, the struggling economy, less “disposable income/time” available, mismanagement by the global governing bodies or myriad other offenders, the common theme seems to borrow from the Homer Simpson mentality of “This is everyone’s fault but mine!”

SPRING BREAK

Think about it this way: Inside Golf prints over 40,000 copies each month, and (according to standard publishing estimates) is thus read by nearly 100,000 people. If every person reading this column introduced just C’mon, give it a crack: The Golf Month map shows ONE person to the game at just a sample of the country-wide events on offer. a Golf Month event, then that’s another 100,000 the game, and ignite participation in people potentially playing golf. the sport. We all know how addictive golf can be, so if only half of those people This month, there will be over continue with the game, it’s still a 1000 activities and events held at significant number. Especially when more than 350 participating clubs you consider that each of them have throughout Australia, including clinics, the opportunity to spread the “magic” competitions, open days, junior to other friends, family, etc. and ladies programs, new formats, membership offers and community With Golf Month, there’s no better events. time than RIGHT NOW to make this happen. This isn’t just about juniors. The golf industry has set the table, It’s about anyone who can pick up now it’s up to us to serve the meal. a golf club. So why not mention it Every person reading this column is to your friends, family, colleagues either a golfer, or has been exposed to or anyone else in your “circle” of golf at some point. Think back to how influence. Get on the phone, on social you got involved with golf. Maybe you media or even face-to-face (do we were introduced to it by a friend or even do that anymore?). The more family member? Maybe you saw it on the merrier. TV? Maybe you stumbled upon it by accident? Whatever the case, you were introduced to the game in some way and, at some point, decided to have a crack at it.

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

The five mostread opinion pieces on our website:

See you on the fairways (with a friend or two)

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

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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World Super 6 Perth event announced

IN THIS ISSUE:

10 16 18 24 26 28 30 34 38 40 46 54 56 58 64 72 77 80 81

club news IG BUSINESS GENERAL MANAGERS COVER STORY: MOE NORMAN ON TOUR people legends women JUNIORS CLUB OF THE MONTH FASHION FEATURE NEW Gear WIN: MIZUNO JPX900 INSTRUCTION Brian Thorburn, The Hon. Colin Barnett and Michael Long

SENIOR AMATEURS

EVENTS

he ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour are set to introduce a new format in 2017, with the inaugural World Super 6 Perth announced last month.

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To be played at Lake Karrinyup Country Club from 16-19 February, 2017 and cosanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour, the World Super 6 Perth features a unique format, combining 54 holes of traditional stroke play across the first three days with an exciting knockout match play format for the fourth and final round. A regular cut will fall after 36 holes before the field is then further reduced to the top24 players following 54 holes of regulation play, with any ties for 24th place being decided by a play-off. Those remaining players will then earn their places in the sixhole shoot-out. Any matches tied after the six holes will be decided by playing the new Knockout Hole - a purpose-built 90-metre hole which will be constructed at Lake Karrinyup, with a new

tee placed adjacent to the 18th fairway and utilising the 18th green. The Knockout Hole will be played once and if a winner is still not decided, the competitors will return to the new tee and take on a nail-biting decider, with the victor decided on a nearest-the-pin contest where only the first shot counts. That player will then progress to the next round of the match play or, in the case of the final match, win the tournament. “This is an exciting day for international golf as we launch the World Super 6 Perth; a golf tournament which is set to change the way people view golf,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia and PGA Tour of Australasia. “Cricket has Twenty20, Netball has Fast5, Rugby Union has Rugby7’s and now golf has the World Super 6 Perth.” The World Super 6 Perth will form part of both the 2017 European Tour Race to Dubai and the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit. •

Oates Vic Open dates announced The 2017 Oates Vic Open will be held from 9-12 February at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads. This will mark the fifth consecutive year the concurrent men’s and women’s tournaments will be hosted at one of Victoria’s premier golf facilities in the Greater Geelong region. The scene is set for the 2017 tournament after a thrilling finish in the final round in February this year, which saw 19-year old Georgia Hall (England) secure her first professional win, whilst New Zealand’s Michael Long produced the chip of his life out of a hazard during the first play-off hole to win the men’s title. The event is staged with both men’s and women’s fields playing on the same course, at the same time, for the same amount of total prize money. The event remains the only one of its kind on the world stage. A major drawcard of the Oates Vic Open for spectators is the opportunity to walk the fairways with the players. In 2016, world class fields including some of Australia’s top calibre talent combined with professionals from 28 different countries descended on the Beach and Creek course layouts at Thirteenth Beach. The 2016 field alone included 10 players that qualified and competed in the Olympic Games recently held in Rio de Janeiro. Olympians included past Oates Vic Open champions Australian Minjee Lee (2014) and Marianne Skarpnord (2015) from Norway whose caddie was fiancé and men’s 2015 Champion Richard Green, whilst Nanna Madsen who finished tied for second alongside Skarpnord earlier this year represented Denmark. Victoria’s own Su Oh, a former runner-up at the Oates Vic Open also enjoyed a fantastic Olympic performance, with a T13 finish. The 2017 Oates Vic Open is a sanctioned event on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and ALPG Tour. www.golfvic.org.au/vicopen

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October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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‘Chip In’ for Golf Month

his month, golf clubs and facilities around Australia will be conducting a wide variety of activities and offers to inspire people to play golf. An initiative backed by the golf industry and promoted by a national marketing campaign, Golf Month 2016 enables clubs and facilities around the country to encourage new, returning and existing players to get into golf. From humble beginnings, the Golf Month initiative has grown over the years, starting originally as a single week with a few events. Last year, with golf in the spotlight throughout October, 265 facilities and over 18,000 people participated in Golf Month and welcomed 697 new golf club memberships. This month promises to be one of the biggest and best ever, with people of all ages and abilities encouraged to take part. At time of printing, over 1000 activities are available at over 350 participating golf clubs and facilities. Current/experienced golfers are also being called upon to help introduce their friends or family to our great game. Aside from having a casual hit at the local club (or via a member/guest day), golfers (and those being introduced to the game) can sample golf at ‘come and try days’, participate in ladies Swing Fit sessions, experience open and/or family days or compete or learn in a MyGolf junior program. Whether a person is keen to start playing or looking to enhance their existing skills, Golf Month is also a great time for a lesson or clinic with a PGA professional. The diversity of golf activities on offer also extends to new formats of the game,

including Speedgolf, FootGolf, Urban Golf, Disc Golf or even the Big Hole Golf. And there are many prizes to be won! This year, Golf Month is giving away two incredible 2017 ISPS HANDA Women’s Australian Open experiences in Adelaide, including flights, accommodation, clubhouse tickets and a place in the Pro-Am. One will be given away to a club member who introduces a new member to their club and the other will be given away to a lucky Golf Month 2016 participant. For passionate golfers who share what drives them to play golf on social media during Golf Month (See hashtags and handles below), there’s an opportunity to win one of four Cobra F6 King drivers. So, whether you’re a keen golfer or just getting started, you’ll find great Golf Month activities happening in your local area at www.golfmonth.com.au.

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Free Women’s Clinic Series

Victoria’s Regional Development Officer Jo Charlton who will be conducting these free sessions as part of Golf Month.

Calling all women to come and enjoy a free hour of golf tuition and a golf specific workout at a “Swing Come & Try” Series during the week of the Seventh Annual Mornington Peninsula Golf Classic. “Swing Fit” is the new national female participation program and is all about a ‘fun, healthy and social way for women to get started in golf’.

Sessions will run from Sunday 2 October – Thursday 6 October at various facilities on the Mornington Peninsula. Everyone is welcome. No prior golf knowledge, experience and equipment required! And if you really enjoy your experience you can continue to develop your skills at Moonah Links, Eagle Ridge Golf Course or Mornington Golf Club who are all offering Swing Fit programs following the Come & Try Series.

You’ll learn the basics of the golf swing, whilst also getting your whole body moving through golf-specific conditioning and movement exercises. You’ll be surrounded by like-minded people and receive constant support from Golf

Pitch and Putt for life! Pitch and Putt is gaining popularity as a non-strenuous alternative to the long form of the game, allowing golfers and their families to play together, hone short game skills and get exercise. The Canberra International Pitch and Putt (CIPP) golf club is offering catch-up day on Tuesday, October 11. Have a coffee and a chat about CIPP and the game of Pitch and Putt (P&P) and what it is, what benefits it has and how you might get involved and playing. It is a game that provides a level of health and fitness physically, mentally and socially!

P&P golf suits players of all levels of ability. It caters for people from pre-teens to mid 90’s, takes only around 90 minutes to play, is fun, friendly and affordable and requires only a few clubs. www.canberragolf.com.au

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Boo and Bowdo headed to the Fiji International

ustralian Steven Bowditch and American Boo Weekley are heading to Fiji to tee it up at the Fiji International.

One of the newest tournaments on the European Tour, the Fiji International has become one of the most popular stops on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. Fast earning a reputation as a must attend tournament for the best golfers in the world, Bowditch and Weekley are the latest international players to sign on for the Fiji International after Brandt Snedeker and Vijay Singh also committed to the tournament. To be played from 6-9 October, the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course provides a stunning layout for championship golf, but best mates Bowditch and Weekley are also looking forward to enjoying some of the tourist attractions Fiji is renowned for. “When I heard about the Fiji International, it was immediately on the top of my list of tournaments I wanted to play,” said Bowditch, a two time winner on the PGA TOUR and three time winner on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. “To be in Fiji, with the relaxed atmosphere, and play golf will be a great way to unwind after a long season in the U.S.” “And to have Boo coming with me definitely means we will find some fun away from the course.” One of the most colourful characters on the PGA TOUR, Weekley is sure to entertain golf fans in Fiji as much as he will be entertained by Fiji. “I hope the golf is good in Fiji but I love fishing, so I’m looking forward to checking that out too,” said Weekley, a three time winner on the PGA TOUR. Bowditch and Weekley are well travelled mates. With their humorous and laid back attitudes the pair made plenty of Aussie fans when they travelled to Australia for the 2014 summer of golf and the same is anticipated in Fiji.

“Boo and Steven are world-class players who each have multiple PGA TOUR victories on their resumes but they are also great personalities,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia which oversees the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. “They are exactly the type of players we hope to host in Fiji; they are both PGA TOUR regulars and will put on a great display of golf during the Fiji International, but they will also enjoy their time in the tropical paradise.” The Fiji International continues to grow from strength to strength and the inclusion of Bowditch and Weekley to the field is a real boost for the 2016 tournament. “The momentum for the Fiji International is building and we are excited to welcome more professional golfers to the country. Every player that comes to Fiji will not only experience the fantastic courses we have but also our famous Fijian hospitality,” said the Honorable Faiyaz Koya, Minister for Industry, Trade and Tourism. “It is definitely an exciting time for golf in Fiji and we look forward to watching Steven Bowditch and Boo Weekley in action at the Fiji International.” •

Luck to contend Australian Open U.S. Amateur champion Curtis Luck will play in this year’s Emirates Australian Open. Luck, 20, whose recent Amateur win secured him entry to the 2017 Masters, U.S. Open and Open Championship, will join the likes of world No.1 Jason Day and past champions Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott in the field at Royal Sydney from November 17-20. Luck’s victory in Michigan postponed the world No.3 amateur’s plans to turn professional so that he can take up these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities next year. The Cottesloe Golf Club ace is pumped to get a chance to mix it with the world’s best before repeating it on the major stage. “It’s my first Aussie Open and I’m obviously really excited because there are some big names coming down,” Luck beamed. “It will be a real thrill to be at Royal Sydney and hopefully I’ll stand up to the test. “I definitely don’t doubt that I’m capable of contending; it obviously requires (me to have) a good week, but I’ll definitely give it a good crack.” Australian Open tournament director Trevor Herden was thrilled to invite Luck into the field. “We delight in having winners of the major championships in our national Open, so to have the champion of arguably the world’s greatest amateur tournament is a real highlight for us,” Herden said. Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt was also excited with the invitation. “Curtis has been playing exceptionally well and we’re thrilled we have the U.S. Amateur champ teeing it up,” Pitt said. “I’m sure he’ll acquit himself really well as he always does.”

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

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GOLF CLUB NEWS... AROUND THE TRAPS CHARLTON GOLF CLUB HITS 120

Charlton Golf Club in Victoria’s northwest recently celebrated a belated 120th birthday in September with a visit from five-time Open Champion Peter Thomson. The 87-year-old unveiled a commemorative plaque and a book documenting the club’s history. Thomson—who won three straight Open Championships from 1954 to 1956 before winning his final two Opens in 1958 and 1965— joined nearly 125 members and friends at the anniversary lunch on September 4 to reflect on Charlton’s history, which dates back to 1895. The legendary golfer’s visit came 60 years after he played against four-time Australian Open champion and triple Australian PGA winner Ossie Pickworth in an exhibition match at Charlton. “He’d already won three British Opens and they didn’t earn [much] from their wins and so they still played exhibition matches through the country,” said Charlton Golf Club Ladies President Chris McGurk. “Peter and Ossie played this match in 1956 with 400 people following them around our little course. Peter had a 70 and Ossie had a 71. There have only been two guys who have broken that over all those years.” Thomson launched the club’s new history book, Charlton Golf Club 1895-2016 - The Story of Golf in Charlton, which was compiled by Carolyn Olive, and also unveiled a brand-new plaque at the front the clubhouse, which pays homage to Charlton’s former site in Charlton Park, adjacent to the Avoca River. “Peter spoke, we had John Hobday speak, the ex-President of Golf Victoria,” McGurk said. “It was very special for our club to get Peter Thomson back.”

“The food was good and the music was great,” reported club president Stephen Wallis.

help raise money for a friend who had acquired a permanent brain injury through an assault.

Meanwhile, club member Paul Downman won the Tin Can Bay Golf Open, which was played in inclement weather.

“When we started in 2013 I had no idea that the event would grow so quickly,” he said.

“It was a joke because the weather was horrendous,” Paul told Inside Golf. “We had about 86 players start and only 30 finished because of the terrible weather conditions. Peter Thomson (centre) with R. Postlethwaite (President), Mary Thomson, C. McGurk (Ladies President) and J. Hobday (Golf Vic) at Charlton Golf Club’s 120th birthday celebration. Charlton—an 18-hole sand greens course— is situated about three kilometres north of the town centre and has been at its current site since 1947. The club was among the earliest country Victoria golf clubs to affiliate with the former Victorian Golf Association after its formation in 1902. “Through the papers and records, we’ve got evidence that golf was actually played in the town in 1895 and so our golfing history [started] in 1895. The club was formed in 1899.”

BIG 50 FOR TIN CAN BAY CC QUEENSLAND’S Tin Can Bay Country Club recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with a mouth-watering pig-on-the-spit feast and music shindig. It took a huge effort to feed the 200 ravenous members and guests, but no one went hungry thanks to the club’s dedicated staff and volunteers.

“I stayed out there and won the tournament with an 83 gross,” said the 12-marker. Aside from winning big events, Paul is on the executive of the Sunshine Coast and South Burnett District Golf Association.

100 HOLE HIKE DATE SET IF you want to challenge yourself and do it for a good cause, then set aside Friday, January 20, 2017. That’s when the fifth Karingal Hundred Hole Hike takes place at 13th Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads in Victoria. From small beginnings in 2013 with a field of eight to a field of 43 in 2016, the Karingal Hundred Hole Hike has become a fixture on the summer calendar for golfers who love to challenge themselves while selflessly raising money for a great cause. The only Hundred Hole Hike in the southern hemisphere, the event attracts international and local amateur and professional golfers who play six rounds of golf over 15 hours while walking, or running. Geelong businessman Brett Morrissy introduced the Hundred Hole Hike to Australia in 2013 to

“The partnership with Karingal has meant that many other people who are living with acquired brain injury (ABI) have benefitted from the extraordinary efforts of our hikers and the generosity of their supporters and sponsors.” In just four years, the Karingal Hundred Hole Hike has raised more than $180,000 dollars, which has benefitted the ABI Clubhouse, based at the Eastern Hub in East Geelong, and its programs. “The Hundred Hole Hike is Karingal’s major fundraising event,” Karingal CEO Mike McKinstry said. “It not only helps us raise much needed funds for programs for people with an ABI and their carers, but has also evolved to be a major inclusive social event with the introduction of the concert series Music To A Tee. “We are delighted that the TAC has committed to continue to partner with us for the next three years and that the wonderful team at 13th Beach Golf Links is continuing their incredible support. “Karingal has been inspired by the efforts of the golfers, not only to push themselves to the limits playing six rounds of golf in one day without the use of carts but, of equal significance, by their efforts to raise funds. “We encourage individuals and businesses to be a part of this event either by registering to play or ‘adopting a golfer’ and being a part of the event on the day.” More: www.karingal.org.au, or email sabinar@karingal.org.au. Or call Sabina Reynolds on 0409-701-697.

“Join me to learn how to best navigate the Bonville layout, read the greens and pick up some great tips that will give you the inside knowledge on how to play Bonville”

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Wanted: Remote rural club needing a mountain of free golf equipment ONE rural club, town or region in New South Wales will this year receive an amazing golf equipment bonanza, thanks to the generosity of Sydney’s Concord Golf Club members and their former PGA club pro Ken Trimble. Trimble, together with Concord’s past President and Captain Norm Buckley and numerous members each year since 2005 have organised the successful Concord Country Program.

HOME ON THE RANGE AT CURLEWIS GOLF CLUB Curlewis Golf Club has announced one of the most exciting and innovative golf developments to ever be launched in the Geelong region, with plans for a state-of-the-art golf driving range and training academy to be submitted to the City of Greater Geelong. This development will feature revolutionary golf simulators,18 indoor/ outdoor driving bays across two stories, practice greens, professional tuition and club fitting along with a relaxed cafe/ dining facility. “In Curlewis Golf Club’s continued aim to innovate golf, this new facility yet again demonstrates that Curlewis is the most revolutionary, forwardthinking and exciting club to be part

With direct access to the incredibly popular Bellarine Rail Trail and Portarlington Road, the development will also provide a way point for families and cycling enthusiasts to take a break in their leisurely stroll, ride or fitness regime.

“We can now look forward to quality golf, bowls and leisure facilities underpinned by a diverse community business model.”

The Clubs held separate Special General Meetings where both groups of members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the merge. “This merger is the culmination of extensive work by our clubs exploring options to secure our long- term future,” says Mr Geoff Ellis, President of Churchill Park Golf Club. “Both of our clubs have suffered for some time from the oversupply of golf courses in Melbourne, however, we both have committed and passionate member groups and we are confident the merger will allow existing and new members to be part of a competitive and exciting club for many years to come.”

During the 10-year period Concord Golf Club members donated approximately 500 sets of golf clubs, 400,000 golf balls, 500 golf bags, 150 golf buggies and golf shoes. Supporters of the program included Golf Pride Grips, Peter Wright Golf, Under Par Golf and various financial supporters from within Concord Golf Club. The equipment was transported using a hire truck donated by Kennards Hire.

The club has released the initial concepts and schematics, with the understanding that minor changes and adjustments are in the works.

The members of Victoria’s Churchill Park Golf Club and Waverley Golf Club last month voted to merge their two clubs into one entity, to be known as Churchill – Waverley Golf and Bowls Club Limited, with the intention to consolidate onto the current Churchill Park land in Churchill Park Drive, Endeavour Hills.

IN FORGIVENESS AND DISTANCE

The purpose of the program over the years has been to provide donated golf equipment from the members of Concord Golf Club to remote town golf clubs to help introduce local children to the great game of golf.

With the Bellarine Peninsula population continuing to grow at a substantial rate, safety for users accessing the facility is also at the forefront of the club’s mind. As part of the build, traffic engineers have been commissioned and a new entrance and exit will be constructed, featuring acceleration and deceleration lanes on Portarlington Road.

This sentiment was supported by President of Waverley Golf Club Mr Roland Nicholson.

CHANGE

And this year – in a grand finale – to celebrate the program’s 10th year anniversary they are looking for a club, town or region (not serviced by a PGA professional ) to receive approximately 40 sets of clubs (most with new grips), odd clubs (many new), 15 buggies, 10,000 balls, shoes and second-hand golf bags.

of,” said club manager Brenden Caligari.

Churchill Park, Waverley announce merger

A MATERIAL

“The merger provides the foundation for a long-term sustainable vibrant club,” says Nicholson.

The new Board will set upon delivering the vision for a premium, family-friendly sporting club and community precinct in Melbourne’s southeast, which will set new standards in leisure activities and affordability. When the merger is fully implemented the existing Waverley Golf Club in Bergins Road, Rowville will close and be sold for redevelopment. The club will then consolidate onto the existing Churchill Park site approximately 2.5km away.

All of the donated golf clubs were cut to size and re-gripped by Trimble and his staff and tuition was provided during the two-day visit by the Concord team. The Concord troupe one year travelled as far afield as Port Augusta in South Australia, but most visits were to NSW towns that included Grong Grong, Narrandera, Denman and Batlow. “With the help of Inside Golf we are looking for a worthy country town to be the recipient of this equipment – and it will be totally for free,” Trimble said. “Ideally the club or town needs to be in an area not being serviced by a PGA Professional.

The first step to achieving the final vision will include continuing the current operation of both club facilities during a ‘transition period’. During this period extensive works to upgrade golf courses, bowls greens and clubhouse facilities will be completed at the Churchill Park site. It is anticipated the ‘transition period’ will be in the order of three to five years.

“I always have been of the opinion that the more kids who get clubs in their hands the better the health of the industry will be. “And Norm Buckley and his offsiders will even deliver the equipment at no expense to the club.” To apply to be in line for this generous early Christmas offer, contact Ken Trimble on 0412 030 768 or Norm Buckley on 0418 400 667.

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

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BEVERLEY PARK GOLF CLUB OPENS NEW COURSE

WOMAN PGA PRO NOW CLUB MANAGER

Beverley Park Golf Club, in the midst of its 75th anniversary celebrations, opened its muchanticipated new course last month.

SYDNEY’S Castlecove Country Club has made history by appointing its PGA Professional Kate Macdouall, to the dual role of Club Manager/Head Professional, the only woman to hold that position in NSW.

Since November 2015, six of the holes have been out of commission with temporary greens reducing the par-70 old course to a reduced par 61 18-hole layout.

Macdouall has been the Head PGA Pro at Castlecove since 2007, having completed a PGA Traineeship at Wakehurst Golf Club with Peter Beard and Andrew Webster. After a promising amateur playing career at Wakehurst and Manly clubs, MacDouall won a prized Australian Institute of Sport scholarship. And as a PGA professional she was no slouch, qualifying to play in three Australian Opens and four Australian Masters. Although, as a young mother, her golf has been limited, her best round at the tight nine-hole, 14-tee par 64 Castlecove course is 66. Macdouall’s new role will see her in charge of the day-to-day golf operations and the Club in general. Her tasks will include organising four weekly members competitions, social rounds, private lessons and clinics for juniors and beginners. She is enjoying the challenge, saying: “Castlecove is a really friendly Club with a great atmosphere. “I love the interaction with members and public golfers alike; every day throws up a new and different task and a wide range of personalities. “Our delightful little-known polished gem of a layout is only nine holes, but it has 11 par fours and is far more challenging than people realise.”

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

DEVILBEND, BAIRNSDALE PUSH TO BOOST NUMBERS Victoria’s Devilbend Golf Club has set its sights on lifting its membership by at least 200 after last month’s release of a half-price subscription offer. The club, located on the Mornington Peninsula, is offering 50 per cent off the membership portion of their pro-rata membership rate for new members who join before the end of January 2017. Affiliation, insurance, house account and admin fees are not reduced. The special discount deal will carry new members through to the 31st of March 2017. “We’re just looking to get the place full, really; trying our best to bring new members in as soon as possible,” said Devilbend’s administration manager Graeme McIntosh. “The club had a good year last financial year recording a net operating profit of $71,642, but we have some projects that we are looking to do on the golf course which include building three new greens and extensive drainage works are needed on four separate holes. The cost to

complete these works is upwards of $200,000 so another 200 members would help with the capital expenditure needed.” McIntosh said Devilbend had 350 members when the membership offering began on September 1 and three new members and one returning member had taken up the offer within the first week. “Ultimately we want 550 to 600, so another 200 more,” McIntosh remarked. Similarly Bairnsdale Golf Club is conducting a membership drive in 2016-2017 and is offering new members who join before October 31,2016 a 50% discount for their first year’s membership. Junior coaching for under 16 beginners is conducted by PGA Professional, Wayne Thomas, on Saturday mornings. Lesson Fees are $25 per quarter and are conducted within school terms. Beginner Sunday morning sessions are planned in October to assist new members. There has never been a better time to commence playing Golf or Bowls on one of the best courses in Country Victoria. For more: 03 5156 6252.

The course now boasts two Par-5s, twelve par-4s and four par-3s. Some new changes include the relocated first hole a slight dogleg par-4 to a double green, the second, a par-3 surrounded by water and the third a challenging double dog-leg par-5. On the new three holes on the homeward stretch are just as challenging. The par-4 16th hole incorporates a creek crossing to the green, and water hazards on left and right whilst the next hole is a par3 to the double green before finishing in front of the clubhouse on the redesigned 18th hole. Six of the new holes involve water hazards with the addition of a creek, lakes and bunkers along the tree lined fairways, a real challenge for the golfer whilst embellishing the landscape and environment of the course and local precinct. Frank Bates, President of Beverley Park Golf Club said “It is exciting times for the Beverley Park Golf Club as we put 11 months of anguish behind us and open the new course to our members and the public. “The club house has been renovated, new practise green in place and the golf course is continually encouraging men, women and children to take part in the sport. We are very much a family oriented club and have golfing memberships to suit various lifestyles and training programs for beginners and schools,” Bates added.

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WERRIBEE PARK GOLF CLUB TO UPGRADE CLUBHOUSE Werribee Park Golf Club’s members would have access to their own exclusive lounge as early as late 2017 under the club board’s plans to upgrade its clubhouse. Pending planning approval from Wyndham City Council, the club will work to create a lounge area adjacent to the 18th green, but it’s yet to be determined whether any new area would form an extension of the current clubhouse or be built within it. Werribee Park currently outsources its food and beverage service to The Views - Function, Bar & Grill, which leases space within the clubhouse. “It seems to be going quite well,” said Werribee Park Captain Graham Roper. “Father’s Day, we had about 80 odd for breakfast and they had something like 150 [to] 160 people for lunch. We haven’t had those type of numbers in the golf club for a long, long while.”

Rising stars rewriting RECORD BOOKS View from the Werribee Park clubhouse, looking out over the 15th and 9th holes.

Roper predicted that construction of Werribee Park’s members lounge will begin before the end of 2017 and estimated the total cost of the project would be close to $800,000.

The club is yet to decide whether a brandnew pro shop will be incorporated into the plans for a new lounge area.

“We are now doing more detailed drawings with dimensions for costing. The drawings will then be presented to the board and we’ll either approve or ask for changes. And once we’ve settled on the plans we want, we will take it to our members so they can ratify it.”

“The club is a lot better off financially now [than] it’s probably ever been,” Roper remarked. “Many, many years ago, I think the club was in a little bit of financial trouble but they fought their way out of it, we don’t owe anyone anything, we own the land, so we can’t complain.”

“The whole idea is to have our own members’ lounge, which a lot of other clubs have got, an area where the members can go and they just sit and have a snack, a quiet drink or two, whatever they want. It will be their own lounge and it will be for members only.”

Werribee Park is also organizing its 40th anniversary celebrations, which begin on December 4, 40 years after the club moved to its current site in 1976. The week-long birthday milestone will culminate with a gala dinner on Saturday, December 10.

“Our guest speaker is none other than Merv Hughes, the former Australian fast bowler,” Roper revealed. “He’s an honorary member and has been for some years.” The club will reach another milestone on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, when it stages its inaugural PGA Legends Tour Pro-Am. “We’re trying to raise sponsorship at the moment, it’s going to cost us around about $20,000 to run it. The more money you can have [for] prize money for the pros, the better pro you’re going to get.” In addition to Peter Senior, Peter Fowler and Mike Clayton, Werribee Park is also hopeful of luring 1991 Open Champion Ian BakerFinch to play.

Lochlan Coleborn is a name you should get used to. The 17 year-old recently won the Mt Coolum Golf Club club championships, becoming the first player in the club’s history to finish under par after four rounds. Not bad for a junior. Now playing off +3, Lochie also equaled the course record 65, with seven birdies and no bogeys. The members think his 65 should be a new course record, because it was off the black tees. Lochlan has been playing most of the top echelon Amateur events and most recently has qualified for the Qld Match Play, after finishing 16th in the Stroke Play format. Fellow junior Rhianna-Maree Lewis claimed the Women’s championship, she is also a junior and showing great promise in the amateur ranks recently breaking the course record at Nambour Golf Club in the ‘Rod Pampling- Katherine Hull Kirk Open with a fine round of 67.

STRATHFIELD GOLF CLUB - CENTENARY DRIVE STRATHFIELD

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

Open Days MOnDay anD FriDay Only $33

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

club news

Track your statistics through your club National software developer MiClub has a long-standing affiliation with golfers. They design products and services with golfers in mind, whether it’s scorecard scanning software or online timesheet bookings. MiStats is MiClub’s latest offering and is sure to appeal to golfers with a love of statistics. MiStats is a tool designed for golfers to track performance across key statistical measures. For clubs who use MiScore or Autoscore scanning scorecard system, each member’s round of competition play will be automatically added to the statistical database once the competition has been closed. Players can get MiStats at the club bar after the game or pore over the wealth of information at home.

www.insidegolf.com.au/news

New works PLANNED FOR WARRNAMBOOL GOLF CLUB The Warrnambool Golf Club are planning to construct the next stage of their course upgrade in October/November. It will involve the construction of a new 13th hole, a new 4th green, new tees on holes 7, 14 and 15 and removal of bunkers on holes 4 and 7. The new short par3 13th hole will be a classic short hole in the tradition of the uphill 15th of Kingston Heath. It will played diagonally across the current hole to a much larger and more receptive green. The green complex will be framed by a large sandy wasteland. The work is being done by Ross Perrett of Thomson Perrett Design.

VIRGINIA GOLF CLUB WINS INTER CLUB CHALLENGE A TEAM of senior golfers from Virginia Golf Club, once dubbed “the course of champions” has come home with a wet sail to win the Inter Club Challenge.

The MiStats display will show the member an overview of their recent round trends including overall score, performance based on the par of the hole, best/worst holes and result percentage per hole.

Greg Norman, Wayne Grady, Shane Tait and David Podlich all honed their skills at Virginia, which is why Jeremy White, a former manager at the club, nicknamed it “the course of champions”.

Those who are really keen on stats can add more detail for each round.

Now the club, located in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, has another group of champions.

A Perth-based company, with offices located in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, MiClub is a specialist developer of golf management software. MiClub’s client list includes a wide range of clubs from small regional to the majority of Australia’s premier clubs and courses. Since pioneering the first online tee bookings in Australia in 2000, MiClub have continually facilitated change in the golf industry with innovative products and solutions.

“There were 14 golf clubs in the competition and all the teams played home-and-away games against each other,” team spokesperson Athol Gibson said.

More: www.miclub.com.au

Virginia and Gailes golf clubs reached the final. In the first leg of the grand final, Gailes Golf Club edged out Virginia 3½-2½ and Virginia needed to turn the tables on their rivals in the second leg. “We needed to win a minimum four of the six matches at home,” Athol said. “It was quite tense, but Virginia Golf Club prevailed 6-0.”

GLORIOUS NEW OCEAN views at Ocean SHORES CC Ocean Shores Country Club has always been known for its Championship Golf course (designed by Bruce Devlin) and the views from the clubhouse looking towards the Pacific Ocean. That view has taken on a whole new life with the building of The Front Deck looking east towards Byron Bay. Visitors can sit and have a cool drink and watch the whales migrate North and South from May through to

Bravo to Beerwah! Inside Golf recently dropped in to Beerwah & District Memorial Golf Club. The course is looking prime with new concrete cart paths, new cart shed, renovated practice nets and air-conditioned clubhouse. They recently added the electronic scoring system and updated their website with flyovers on every hole. Happy members and a fantastic looking course.

October. Enjoy a delicious meal from The Coast Restaurant, Open every day from 8am. The last Friday of every month sees Ocean Shores host its famous Blue Marker Challenge, where the greenkeepers set the course up to be as difficult as possible. Greens are due for renovation mid October after the Club Championships.

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We are looking for interesting stories, quirky tidbits, club news or anything else worth sharing with other golfers. If you or your club have an interesting story, drop us an email and let us know! ed@insidegolf.com.au

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IG BUSINESS

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GMA continues strong focus on education National Director, Golf Management Australia eo@gma.org.au

olf Management Australia (GMA) continues to have a significant focus on educating current golf club managers along with those line managers that aspire to one day be the manager of a golf club. The strong relationship that GMA has formed with the PGA IGI is continuing to increase with the number of managers enrolling into the Advanced Diploma of Management growing each year. Exclusively endorsed by GMA, the program is relevant to a range of people in positions at clubs such as General Manager, Club or House Lodewijk Klootwijk from the Europe Golf Course Owners Association Manager, Assistant Manager, Finance Manager, addresses delegates at the 2015 GMA Conference. Operations Manager, Directors of Golf, Golf Course Superintendents or PGA Professionals. The study content the industry and in the process, learn what other clubs are reflects the educational needs of the golf course and club doing, what has worked and what hasn’t! management industry, covering a broad range of club management subjects relevant to a manager in today’s The flagship educational event for GMA is the biennial business climate with many of the lecturers being GMA National Conference which is scheduled for 9 – 12 October members providing information and knowledge on their real 2017 to be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre. The GMA life experiences for the students. National Conferences have received many accolades over the past 10 years for delivering key up to date and topical State GMAs are also continuing the strong focus on information for managers, support staff and boards of which education with various states conducting mini conferences this coming event will be another extremely valuable source and even half day or full day educational sessions for their of quality information and presentations with some high members. The popularity of these educational sessions has quality speakers already locked in. been highlighted with a recent GMV seminar with Martin Grunstein presenting on Customer Service being sold out in days. It has been clear for some time that GMA members are constantly aspiring to improve their knowledge about

If you would like more information on becoming a member of GMA, please phone John Stamp on 0418 395 140 or email eo@gma.org.au •

The new Twister 2.0 from Pitchfix is based on a patented invention that makes divot repair very easy for ALL golfers to do and results in perfect pitch repairs without damage to the green. The Twister 2.0 also comes with a removable ball magnet ball marker for golf club or special event branding – Monthly Medal, Pennant Team etc. To attack the ball mark, you simply jab the tool into the ground vertically and repeat. Simple! There is no other divot tool design that comes close to the Twister 2.0 in overcoming user error and repairing the green without damge With multiple presentation options allowing the Twister to be used as prizes, awards, members and corporate day gifts etc, the Twister is truly the must have item in any golf outlet. FEaTurEs Available in 10 colour combinations, Removable Custom Ball Marker, Perfect Green repairs every time. No skill required to use, ABS rubberised gun body with Black Metal Arrow Pins

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October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Golf club managers who are looking to take the next step in their career can now access a new club management qualification thanks to the PGA International Golf Institute (IGI). The PGA IGI Advanced Club Management Program incorporates the BSB61015 Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management; a qualification that is ideal for anyone who is looking to advance into a top tier managerial position, or to validate their current skills and knowledge.

Aaron Muirhead

PGA IGI launches new Club Management Program

grEaT For corporaTE days and MEMbErs giFT prizEs

Developed in consultation with Golf Management Australia who has exclusively endorsed the program, the PGA IGI Advanced Club Management Program incorporates industry best practice for use in a club setting. Covering a broad range of club management related subjects; the program’s content has been designed to reflect the education needs of club managers in an everchanging industry. The PGA IGI Advanced Club Management Program focuses on the development of skills and knowledge required to be an effective manager in the club environment. Delivered over two years, each learner will focus on business, strategic and marketing plans, managing risk, compliance, organisational change and development, employee relations and other manager specific skills. “The PGA IGI Advanced Club Management Program not only gives Club Managers and Administrators access to a nationally accredited qualification via the Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management, but also provides a range of information, resources and templates to improve performance in the workplace,” says Geoff Stewart, General Manager of Education at the PGA of Australia. The PGA IGI Advanced Club Management Program is a fully online program offering flexibility for those who are employed full time in the golf industry. For more information: Luke Bryden on lbryden@pga.org. au or (07) 5657 6116. www.pgaigi.com.

IG BUSINESS

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Tour Edge Golf hires John Craig as EVP Tour Edge Golf last month announced the hiring of Australian John Craig as Executive Vice President effective January 1, 2017. Craig’s remarkable experience in the golf business aims to strengthen Tour Edge’s position in the marketplace, and build upon a distinguished 30-year history. “John is a significant addition to our Tour Edge team,” said David Glod, President and Founder. “His experience in the global golf market is an enormous asset for us moving forward and I am excited to have him on board to help elevate Tour Edge to the next level.”

States, and Chicago specifically. My experience forecasts great things for the future of Tour Edge, and I cannot wait to help lead the charge.”

“I have worked with David and the Tour Edge team for a number of years while in Australia, and am thrilled to be joining such a close‐knit team,” said Craig. “This next chapter of my life aligns perfectly with a move to the United

Before joining Tour Edge Golf,

Tour Edge founder David Glod, left, with John Craig.

Craig has already partially moved into the role as Executive Vice President, working remotely from Australia, coordinating the sales and marketing strategies of the new Hot Launch 2 product line.

Craig founded Cooperative Golf Services and developed it into the leading distributor of international brands to the Australian retail golf industry. In addition to his experience on the manufacturing and distribution side of the industry, Craig also brings considerable golf retail experience as well as having spent ten years outside of golf in strategic management consulting.

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Corporate merchandise makes $$$ and sense

T a time in the golf industry when all golf clubs are being encouraged to enhance existing and even look for new revenue streams, one area that has massive potential is in the corporate area, specifically branded golf merchandise.

Once they were as common as the long networking lunch, but corporate golf at many golf clubs has seemingly faded into the deep rough. Still, for those courses that still run a corporate golf program there is significant upside, says Sydney businessman Steve Shaw, who runs a company called The Back Nine.

massive potential in the corporate market as those clubs reaping the corporate golf day rewards will attest. Adding their merchandise to the mix is an added bonus. Of course, clubs lacking corporate golf expertise can call on The Back Nine to assist simply because they have the expertise and direct access to golf’s leading brands as well as its own range of custom and personalised golf items. Shaw says clubs not supplying merchandise could be forfeiting thousands of dollars on a weekly basis.

Shaw said there was massive potential for golf clubs to improve their bottom line by including merchandise in their corporate golf offering.

“We estimate conservatively an average corporate golf day is 50-60 people with $50-$60 a head being spent,” he explained. “That is $2500$3500 in added revenue and The Back Nine team does all the work.”

It’s a field he has wide knowledge in as his company supplies branded custom golf merchandise to promotional companies and golf tour operators throughout Australia and New Zealand and provides key corporate golf advice at a time when clubs are looking for ways to grow their revenue and profitability.

They are just bringing it to the course when they should be sourcing it from the club as part of their corporate day package.

There are many reasons for a golf club not to supply branded merchandise for corporate events with two key areas being the downsizing of staff and the clubs’ inability to source a wide range of products the customer may want or demand. Understandably, the golf industry has encountered tough times in the past decade, but there still remains

Merchandise can be big business and “low hanging fruit” for a golf club involved in corporate golf, as this is an area that the money is already being spent by the client.

“We have examples of golf clubs looking at their 2015-16 corporate day calendars and estimating that over $120-150K worth of golf merchandise has been brought to their course,” Shaw said. “Now that’s not going to be the situation at every club but it would be an interesting exercise to undertake. “Club staff are comfortable to talk about green fees, golf carts and

hospitality and longest drive or closest to the pin prizes but when it comes to merchandise they put it in the ‘too hard’ basket. “We say, ‘give the basket to us and we’ll manage it on your behalf’. “After all, why wouldn’t you improve your corporate service offer, adding sales and profit when someone else does the work?” At a time when cheap products are starting to replace quality, The Back Nine has a unique and innovative approach to branded golf merchandise. They specialise in sourcing quality custom golf products with very low minimum order quantities for those special corporate golf days. “When a golfer opens one of our gift packs at a corporate event we are associated with we want them to say ‘wow’ and be impressed because we have given them one high-quality product rather than five cheap promotional items,” Shaw said. “Some of our merchandise range has already been approved for this year’s 2016 Emirates Australian Open. “We know staff at clubs are extremely busy. Some even having multiple roles and that can make it difficult for them to organise merchandise for corporate events and that’s why we say ‘let us join your team do it for you’.” For more information: Steve Shaw on 0410-253-755, email steve@theback9.com.au or visit www.theback9.com.au • www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

SPIKELESS SPORT

IG BUSINESS - general managers

www.insidegolf.com.au/general_managers

GM Jason Looker’s decade at Caloundra David Newbery

In 2005, Looker moved to the Sunshine Coast and, after a short break, commenced work at Caloundra Golf Club.

david@insidegolf.com.au

He believes, post GFC (global financial crisis), the golf industry has rebounded well.

ALOUNDRA Golf Club has been one of the Queensland Sunshine Coast’s golfing institutions since 1951 and remains a traditional club with a healthy membership.

“I think golf is in good shape and is on the way back now that Jason Day and Adam Scott are helping the profile of the sport in Australia,’ he said.

The club’s general manager Jason Looker has been at Caloundra for a decade and, along with a strong management committee and staff, keeps the operation running like a welloiled machine.

“There is more confidence in the economy, retirees on fixed incomes are able to manage their finances and we have a lot of new members in the 25 to 55 age group.

Looker might carry the title “general manager”, but he is hands-on and operates without a hint of being snobbish.

“In the past six or seven years, the club has consolidated and is now in a sound financial position with money in the bank.”

“I try to lead by example and I don’t expect anyone to do things I wouldn’t do myself,” he said. “But I have fantastic staff and receive massive support from a great management committee team.”

Looker was quick to point out that the proactive officebearers at Caloundra can take much of the credit for the club’s success and its financial position. A six marker, Looker plays golf, on average, once every three weeks but he does look forward to an annual interstate trip away with a group of fellow Queensland golf club general managers.

As the club’s manager, Looker makes the club tick and operates under an “open door” policy. “We have a friendly membership and I encourage members to come in and talk to me if they have any concerning questions rather than allow rumours to fester,” Looker said.

Since 2009, they have been smashing long drives and sinking tricky putts at some of the best golf courses in Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmania and the Mornington Peninsula.

“I would rather have members approach me about issues so that I can explain why we have done something or intend doing something in a particular way.” Caloundra’s enthusiastic members (close to 1000) believe they are a spoilt bunch because they get to play on a wellmaintained parkland layout located just a few kilometres from famed Kings Beach. “The condition of the fairways and greens are fantastic and long-time members are saying the course is in the best condition it’s ever been,” Looker said. “One of the reasons for this is we weatherproofed the course with drainage, new irrigation and concrete cart paths. “In the last three or four years, we have only had golf carts off the course for an average of one day each year. “Prior to that, it was between 25 and 35 days a year. “The only time we close the course now is if there is

Caloundra Golf Club general manager Jason Looker.

Now they have their sights set on Adelaide’s best greens (and possibly reds) in 2017.

lightning or an extreme rain event makes it unplayable, but the drainage gets the water away within 30 minutes.

“When we go away we play golf for four days in a row,” Looker said. “It’s good fun and it’s a good break away from work.”

“Our superintendent Wayne Anderson and his staff do a great job maintaining the course and making sure it’s playable every day of the year.”

Mind you, I bet “shop-talk” and the sharing of ideas during these sojourns is rife, which can only be good for the golf clubs concerned.

Growing up in Mildura, Victoria, Looker started his working life in the building industry before moving to Queensland in 1993 where he later ran the golf club bar and bistro at Capricorn Resort at Yeppoon.

Away from the rigors of work, Looker enjoys spending time with his wife and children aged seven and 10.

He then moved to Emerald to manage the golf club. “I was at the club for five years and then had a break from the golf industry to run a motel for three years,” he said.

“The kids are into sport so there is lot of weekend activities which I enjoy,” he said. FOOTNOTE: Caloundra Golf Club is where Ian Baker-Finch completed his traineeship before heading off to win the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in 1991. •

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After 25 years, Sporte Leisure still the height of fashion in golf W

name essentially portrays smart casual active wear, drawing inspiration from golf, resort, leisure and travel.

HEN Sporte Leisure founders John and Margie Nelson launched their cleverly unique business in 1991, few industry observers realised that within a decade it would be Australia’s number one golf apparel brand.

From its timely launch it soon was evident the label’s message had hit its mark because by the late 1990s Sporte Leisure had become recognised as “Australia’s number one golf apparel brand”, a rating that was recently reaffirmed by its salesforce being voted number one sales team in the golf industry.

This year, celebrating the company’s 25th anniversary, the internationally-expanded Sydney-based company continues to maintain that illustrious standing and still is owned by the Nelson family.

The establishment of its strong market share in the Australian golf sector in the mid 90s had helped to shape future product development and with a national sales force, covering metropolitan and regional Australia, Sporte Leisure had arrived.

With John and Margie enjoying retirement in North Queensland in recent years, the super-successful Sporte Leisure is in the capable hands of their Chief Executive Andrew Newton, and their children Joshua (Sales and Marketing Director) and Bianca (Branding Director). They continue to push the commercial boundaries for Sporte Leisure by using the latest technology and old-fashioned grass-roots service from 50 long-term loyal employees.

Sporte Leisure’s initial success was achieved by the Nelsons brilliantly identifying a gap in the Australian market for smart/casual sportswear, backed up with customised logo capabilities for golf, retail, tourism and corporate markets.

John and Margie should be delighted with how the company is poised to take on the next 25 years.

Sporte Leisure CEO Andrew Newton on left, with Bianca Nelson and Joshua Nelson

“I am incredibly proud of building a successful business around my lifelong passion of golf and leisure,” John says with great satisfaction.

Today Sporte Leisure is a far cry from the niche-market golf-shirt personalised embroidery business which the Nelsons successfully teed off in 1991.

Sporte Leisure not only continues to be a benchmark for the golf and sports apparel industry, but is a shining example of how an all-Australian manufacturing and distribution company can take on the world and win.

Sporte Leisure in recent years has continued to set the pace for the industry in fabric creation, design, manufacture as well as the mammoth distribution of golf,

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The fulfilling of a brilliant opportunity to produce sophisticated lifestyle apparel for discerning Australians is being pursued enthusiastically today by the new generation of the Nelson family.

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corporate, tourist, sporting and promotional apparel, headwear and luggage for both the Australian and international markets.

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“Backed up by our parents’ original clear mission to become a leading brand across a range of sectors, the future looks bright with many of our core values intact,” Joshua and Bianca Nelson say today.

as countless Australian Opens, Masters, World Cup of Golf and PGA championships,” Joshua Nelson said. As Sporte Leisure’s Brand Director, Bianca Nelson has a sage outlook beyond her years when she says: “A quarter of a century has seen an evolution of fashion styles come and go. Timeless classics have always formed a strong mix at Sporte Leisure, we now complement a broad range of fresh colours and vibrant designs, which has become our signature style.”

“We are optimistic that from a solid base, established by our parents, a unique business has been built that can operate as a platform to launch new brands and categories into the Australian and International markets well beyond our original golf roots.” Over the first 25 years many major innovations and technology decisions have been successful for Sporte Leisure.

While always being acutely aware of how important it is to be creative and on trend in the ever-emerging fashion industry, Sporte Leisure always has maintained a firm focus on the nuts and bolts (or more correctly computerised/digital technology) that is production.

It began in the early 90s with investing in an apparel specific computer system, overcoming manufacturing challenges by sourcing jacquard collar machines also partnering with fabric mills to develop some of the first moisture-management fabrications. At the same time, moves to establish inhouse embroidery and digitising was a huge success and provided a winning edge over all of its local and international rivals. Soon after came offshore sourcing, then licensing the high profile Greg Norman Collection in 2007. Followed by the purchase of the Niblick shoe brand, and the creation of the golf accessory line SLX. All of these elements have delivered a comprehensive selection of premium Australian brands. “Golf is part of our heritage; it is in our DNA,” say the Nelsons. “Golf apparel forms an important mix of our business, however as a lifestyle brand we have seen the convergence of golf, lifestyle, active-wear coming together in a ‘smart / casual’ context that we refer to as Sophisticated Lifestyle Apparel.” To guide and propel Sporte Leisure further along its continuing successful pathway,

Its high-technology, computerised warehouse headquarters in Sydney’s southeast operates from 7am to midnight five days a week and sometimes at weekends. Andrew Newton recently was appointed as its Chief Executive Officer. His role is to drive the business forward, by “focusing on our people, products, customers and driving operational efficiencies”. “Sporte Leisure will continue to invest in talented and passionate professionals with the aim of leading to a range of transformation initiatives that will deliver long-term development,” he said. “The recent exciting re-branding of the famous Niblick name – expanding it beyond being seen as solely a footwear brand—is an initiative that will continue to grow into the future.” “Sporte Leisure’s extensive and varied luggage range – successfully introduced in the late 90s—now also includes an

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No surprise that, across its ranges of apparel, headwear, luggage, footwear and myriad accessories, it literally ships millions of units every year.

“We have been distributing to New Zealand, Europe, the UK, South Africa, South East Asia and the Middle East but we see room to continue to expand our overseas exports,” Newton said.

It employs 50 people, some of whom have been with the company for more than 20 years. Those employees’ loyalty and pride in the product and service they help to create is no doubt a big factor in one of Sporte Leisure’s proudest achievements: A client from any part of Australia can order embroidered apparel, headwear, luggage and accessories and they will get it within days.

“Already Sporte Leisure has an impressive international profile given that, during its 25-year reign as the apparel pacesetter, it has been the official merchandise provider for two Presidents Cups (1998 and 2011), as well

After 25 years of continuing expansion as the sport fashion industry’s leader, it’s testament to the Nelson family’s foresight and grass-roots success and something for the whole of the golf industry to celebrate. •

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Golf wins a gold...bring on Tokyo! Karen Lunn

Executive Director – ALPG

nafraid of mosquitos, capybaras, crocodiles or caimans, a star-studded field of women golfers left no doubt about the values of medals over money at the 2016 Olympic Golf tournament. On an emotion charged Saturday morning in Rio, Korea’s seven-time major champion Inbee Park overcame a chronic thumb injury and massive expectations from her homeland to claim the first Olympic Gold medal presented in Women’s Golf for 112 years. Inbee Park is a great champion, we have seen enough over the past 10 years to know that, but when she lifted her arms in triumph on the 18th green those of us who are used to watching her celebrate major championship victories with a wave of her arm could see how special this win was for her. Prior to Rio expectations from her homeland were high, perhaps at times overwhelming. There was talk of the South Korean team sweeping the podium, perhaps a ridiculous notion but one that nonetheless was not out of the realms of possibility given the quality of the team assembled in Rio. Olympic achievement tips any other athletic achievement in South Korea, a fact that all four players competing were more than aware of. Inbee’s journey to Rio had been very different to that of her three highly credentialed teammates, in Gee Chun, Amy Yang and Sei Young Kim. Even a few weeks

before the Olympics began the recently crowned LPGA Hall of Famer was unsure if she would even be fit enough to make the long trip from Seoul to Rio. All season the former world number one had battled a left thumb injury which started pre-season and had lingered on all year. She tried to play through it, she had tried to rest, and she had tried a little bit of both. Inbee had not played in an LPGA event since the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in early June where she missed the cut. Just two weeks prior to Rio, she participated in a Korean LPGA event and missed the cut there, too. Things were not looking good, but one thing that players and fans alike have learned over the years is to never underestimate Inbee Park. On the eve of the Women’s Olympic Golf competition I managed to catch up with my cousin Brad Beecher who is Inbee’s longtime caddie, and hear about all she had been through the past few months. Apart from trying to get herself as fit as she possibly could, there had also been some pressure on her to give up her place in the team to someone who seemingly had a better chance of winning a medal for Korea. Some pundits had written that perhaps Inbee had been selfish for wanting to compete when obviously she had no chance of winning or perhaps even competing in Rio! Why would she bother playing, many had asked. Brad told me that Inbee was about 80% fit, but that she was obviously lacking in “match practice”. She had not completed a fourround tournament in more than 2 months. I asked Brad if he thought that Inbee could realistically compete for a medal given her

preparation, to which he replied “I really don’t know, but she thinks she can so that’s good enough for me.” Inbee echoed those comments in her pretournament press conference when she said that she had enough game to win over the tricky Barra da Tijuca layout, which required precision and accuracy rather than brute strength and power. After 4 days of golf, played under the most intense pressure, Inbee Park did what she came to Rio to do, earning not just any medal, but the ultimate, the gold medal. Remarkably, after having not shot a round in the 60’s since April, Park achieved this feat three times in Rio. She got into contention the first day of the competition and barely wavered. For a moment on Saturday, things

got a bit dicey when Inbee bogeyed the 10th hole to see her lead shrink to just 3 shots, but she was never really challenged over the back nine and cruised to a 5-shot victory. In her press conference, a clearly overwhelmed Inbee Park said “This is definitely one of the special moments in my golfing career and whole life, it feels great. Obviously representing your country, winning the gold, it’s so special. It’s just really all I’ve wanted, I’m just happy.” Winning gold was ‘definitely at the top’ of her already glittering career “I’ve won majors, but I haven’t won a gold medal…There’s nothing I would want to change.” Whether the pressure will let up at home in Korea on Inbee and the other Korean players is doubtful. The game of golf in Korea

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is virtually an obsession, especially when it comes to the women. It all began with the success of Se Ri Pak, who was team leader in Rio for the South Korean women. When Pak won the 1998 U.S. Women’s Open and embarked on her own Hall of Fame career, she sparked a surge in golf interest which has never subsided. New Zealand’s world No1. Lydia Ko, who took the silver medal was equally as thrilled to be on the podium in Rio. The 19-year-old world number 1 said that she had been dreaming about this moment since golf had been announced as an Olympic sport in 2009. ‘I’m never going to take it off,’ Ko said of her medal. ‘I might have to shower with it. I know it doesn’t rust.’ The super impressive young Kiwi didn’t make many putts in the final round of the Women’s Olympic golf tournament, but she did make the one that counted with the silver medal on the line and celebrated as if she herself had won gold. Shanshan Feng from China took the bronze medal which could in the long term have massive implications for our sport. Of China’s 1.4 billion people, turning just 1 percent into golfers would bring 14 million more people into the game. The women’s endorsement of the Olympic tournament, with nine of the current world top 10 taking part,

set a great example for the men and hopefully should add to the impetus to maintain golf’s place in the games beyond Tokyo 2020. Australia’s team leader and 1991 Open champion Ian Baker-Finch was full of praise for the women’s commitment “I would definitely say golf deserves to be here, and I think the women have done a great job of not only supporting it but embracing it,” Baker-Finch said. “The men will do better next time, having now seen how good it was this time. I would be saying, ‘Please keep it in’. There are so many people here involved in the world of golf here, I am sure there will be a lot of note-taking and discussion about what’s going to happen. Hopefully they can meld into the IOC more of a golf mentality.” Australians Minjee Lee and Su Oh both revelled in their Olympic experience and were disappointed to walk away empty handed. During the week I managed to watch a fair bit of both Minjee and Su play and they both played fantastic golf from tee to green all week. With a bit of luck and a few more putts holed at crucial times either of them could have walked away with a medal. Minjee shot a superb final round 67 to finish at 8 under par in a tie for 7th place, just 2 shots behind bronze medallist Shanshan Feng, and said after that the pressure she

IG BUSINESS – CEOs felt was different to that of a regular tournament “Normally you’re just playing for yourself. It’s a different sort of pressure when you’re playing for your country” As the young Western Australian watched Park, Ko and Feng collect their medals she was clearly moved “I will be in Tokyo in 4 years’ time, I want one of those medals.” Su Oh, who was moving into contention for a medal on Saturday before double-bogeying the 13th hole said she was surprised by how emotional she became after she realised she was going to walk away without a medal, “But the fact that I can call myself an Olympian now is really special. Before I came, I thought I’d play like it was any other tournament, but when I got to the village and saw the other athletes, I realised it was not just another tournament. Next time I want to come to the opening ceremony. I’m pretty bummed that I missed it”. Su played her way into the Australian team at the expense of her mentor, ALPG legend Karrie Webb. Karrie showed her class by sending the young Victorian—who she considers a close friend—a message the night before the tournament. “She told me to have fun this week and get a medal, I did the first bit right.” Su eventually finished in equal 13th position on five under par. Let’s all hope that the IOC consider golf as successful as all of the competitors and fans in Rio did!

A fabulous week in store for Fiji Brian Thorburn CEO – PGA of Australia

he excitement surrounding this year’s Fiji International continues to build in what promises to be a fun-filled week for golf fans. In its first year as a co-sanctioned tournament with the European Tour and the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, the Fiji International has quickly earned a reputation amongst the world’s best golfers as a unique tournament in a tropical location that both the Pros and their families can enjoy. This year, the Pacific paradise has attracted eight-time PGA TOUR winner Brandt Snedeker; who quickly jumped on board after Matt Kuchar’s positive endorsement of the Fiji International in 2015. The talented American is sure to excite golf fans in Fiji and we are delighted to have him join us at Natadola Bay. Fiji’s own two-time Major champion Vijay Singh has again signed on to support his country’s largest sporting event. This will be Vijay’s third start in the Fiji International and he continues to be a steadfast supporter of the tournament. Joining Snedeker and Singh this year will be PGA TOUR regulars Boo Weekley and Steven Bowditch who will make their way to the Fiji International for the first time.

This year players will be competing for AU$1.5million, an increase of over 30 per cent on last year, as a result of the co-sanctioning with the European Tour. This is the third consecutive year that prize money on offer at the Fiji International has received a boost. While world-class golfers will entertain fans at the Fiji International, other first-class athletes will also be in attendance. Former Australian Wallabies captain George Gregan, Olympic gold medallists Osea Kolinisau and Masivesi Dakuwaqa as well as their national team member Vodafone Fiji 7’s player Emosi Mulevoro, have all signed on as Ambassadors for this year’s tournament.

Gregan is Australia’s highest ever internationally capped rugby union player and since his retirement from the game he has spent a lot of time on the golf course. While for Kolinisau, Dakuwaqa and Mulevoro, their ambassadorship sees the tournament’s relationship with the Vodafone Rugby 7’s continue for a second year. The Fiji International will be played at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from 6-9 October and will be broadcast live on Foxtel through Fox Sports Australia. You can find the full 2016 ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia schedule on the PGA website www.pga.org.au www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

cover story

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He had an unorthodox short backswing and short follow-through – his signature swing breaking all the rules of conventional golf mechanics.

Legends of the game

Eccentric Norman one of the best the prize he wanted and then producing the score.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

ONG John Daly is arguably the most colourful golfer playing the game today, but when it comes to eccentricity he’s a rank amateur compared to the late Murray Irwin “Moe” Norman.

If the fifth prize took his fancy, he would leave others to fight it out for first place. In one event, Norman had hit his approach shot to the final green and needed to get down from there in three to win. To him this was boring, so he putted into the bunker and proceeded to get down from there in two strokes.

Norman was an eccentric Canadian golfer, who, like Daly, wore mismatched outfits and played fast – sometimes never stopping to line up putts.

In another event a television set was first prize and Norman, so confident of winning, sold it to the highest bidder before he teed off.

Australian golf fans would have loved Moe because he wasn’t off the American college production line and he loved a bet. Norman first made his mark as an amateur winning the Canadian amateur championship in 1955 and 1956 and later won the Canadian PGA in 1966 and 1974. But he was renowned as one of the genuine characters of the game rather than a tournament winner. He didn’t set out to win tournaments, preferring to play for enjoyment in an unconventional manner.

He was always in trouble with the golfing hierarchy.

During his amateur days in Canada he came under fire from golfing authorities for picking

Once during the Canadian amateur matchplay final he got upset at his opponent’s slow play so he took off his shoes and socks and waded in the river to look for golf balls. An unusually shy man, Norman often went missing during the presentation of trophies – especially if he won and had to make a speech. He was far happier playing other golfers for money in Canada and along the golf resort strip in the U.S. where he would often rather sleep in his car than a hotel.

He never had a lesson in his life. Asked why he had never taken a lesson from other pros, he says “because I haven’t found the guy who can beat me”. Many of his peers believe he was the greatest ball-striker in the history of the game, but he only ever achieved a small fraction of what he deserved. When he joined the U.S. PGA Tour in 1959 it seemed he would clean up, but he was openly rejected by many fellow pros. In tournaments he would make side bets with spectators on the results of certain shots. On one occasion, in the Los Angeles Open, he teed off with a Coca Cola bottle and hit the ball straight down the middle. He was amazingly accurate and that’s why they called him Pipeline Moe. “Mine is straight down the middle,” he would often say. “I’m still waiting for a tournament at midnight,” he once joked, implying that he would be the only player to find his ball in the dark. Considered one of the best shot-makers to play the game, Norman held more than 30 course records in Canada and the U.S. He contested two U.S. Masters as an amateur and is one of the few players to drop out of the event when in contention. After receiving a tip from Byron Nelson he went out and hit hundreds of golf balls to try and master the shot and woke up the next day too stiff to swing a club. Lee Trevino said Norman was a genius when he had a golf club in his hands.

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Norman’s inferiority complex meant that when he saw a big-name player on the tee he would often fall apart. A fourth place at the 1959 Greater New Orleans Open was his best finish. In 1992, Jack Kuykendell developed what he considered to be the ideal golf swing by replicating Norman’s technique. Inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame in 1995, Norman won 13 Canadian Tour titles, represented Canada in the World Cup and won the Canadian Senior PGA seven times. He shot 59 three times and had 17 holes-inone. One of Norman’s eccentricities was wearing five wrist watches ensuring that he always had the correct time. In 1995, a leading golf ball company provided him with 500 dozen golf balls a year, but that didn’t stop him searching for golf balls in the out-of-bounds area off the first tee at Royal Oaks Golf Club in Florida. He would use the balls he found and sell the new ones. Moe Norman died of heart failure in 2004, aged 75. •

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The Mental Game – with Moe Norman (1929-2004) enthusiasm, a strong disciplined response, progression of power, extension of the circle, the deltoid muscle on your left shoulder, the elasticity of your body, the axis of your spine, your left brain, your right brain, your kinaesthetic mind, your body mind…all this has something to do with golf. ‘

By Andrew Crockett

oe Norman is revered by golf technicians for his unique singleaxis golf swing, but what he is not so well known for is his insight into the mental game of golf. Accepted as being shy, Moe was a high-functioning person, socially awkward but focused … focused on one thing, golf. He would pound golf balls down the range until his hands bled … regularly. His swing was so unique that his good friend Jack Kuykendall patented it in 1998. Moe’s joy was striking pure golf shots and that he did, becoming known as one of the greatest ball strikers of all time. Without going into his biography as a professional golfer, lets just say – he broke countless course records and won several prestigious events, including back-to-back Canadian Amateur championships in 1955-56 and was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1995. Moe did tee it up on the U.S. PGA Tour (for two fledgling seasons), but suffered from shyness and was somewhat ostracised for his eccentric personality. He played 27 events in the US and made 25 cuts. His strange path to golfing prowess was complete when a deal was brokered with Wally Uihlein (CEO of Titleist) at the 1995 PGA show for $5000 a month for the remainder of his life. From 1992 to 1995 Moe performed golf clinics in numerous states, in the U.S. and Canada. There are not many golfers who overcame almost every disadvantage a person can have, but Moe Norman is one of them.

‘This is the way winners think… We see what we want to happen, losers see what they don’t want.’ ‘When we go from the practice tee to the first tee, winners take their swing with them, losers don’t. What’s the longest walk in golf? It’s from the practice tee to the first tee, I don’t care if its only ten yards, it’s the longest walk.’ ‘People are afraid to win.’ ‘Every time I teed it up I wanted to shoot another course record and I shot 41 of them in my life.’ Moe Norman’s unconventional swing broke all the rules of golf mechanics. His legacy lives on and the following are quotes by Moe Norman, from an interview conducted by one man that Moe Norman trusted, his good friend Jack Kuykendall.

‘Stabilise, energise, contain and release, or, force, form, hold, release. What most golfers do is strike, steer, stare and stall and that is bogey golf.’

For golfers who are aspiring to learn the single-axis golf swing that Moe is famous for, there is a book and instruction videos available at moenormangolf.com

‘Losers live in classic style and they never lay in golf’s Sunday aisle. They blame bad luck each time they lose and hide with sickness, drugs and booze. Winners live each day as if their last, not in the future or in the past and that someday becomes now. That is the way winners live, now. We are here today, LIVE, we might not be here tomorrow.’

‘To me a good golfer is one who can hit the golf ball to a defined target area with the least amount of effort, but, with an alert attitude of indifference. A person must first change his mental attitude, then and only then will his ability produce positive results.’ ‘We are taught too much mechanics. Not enough about motor skills, manual dexterity, imagination, orientation, administration,

‘87% of this game is knowing what it is all about. And the main thing is knowledge, the rest of it is insight. The computer of our brain sends out messages through our nerves to our golf muscles to help produce the shot. This of course means your own heart and soul, plus your own personal character are part of every shot you make.’ • *images supplied by moenormangolf.com

Moe’s method coming to the Gold Coast The golf swing of legend Moe Norman is regarded as the simplest, most efficient and accurate in the game today. Now golfers on the Gold Coast have an opportunity to learn Norman’s Single Plane Swing at a transformative golf school experience that has helped thousands of worldwide golfers to play better, hit the ball longer and more accurately. Founded in 2000 in the U.S., Graves Golf Academy (GGA) schools have developed a fanatical following among golfers who have learned the unique Single Plane Swing and rediscovered that golf can be fun again and easier on their bodies. At a GGA three-day school at the Palmer Colonial Golf Course in Robina, Queensland, you’ll learn the correct movements and feelings of the Single Plane Swing, and take advantage of proprietary GGA training devices that make it easy to master the Single Plane Swing and keep improving on your own. GGA schools were founded by Todd Graves who met Norman in 1994 and spent 10 years learning the swing from his friend and mentor. Using 3-D-motion-capture research, Graves discovered that the Single Plane Swing is biomechanically easier on the body and simpler to repeat than the conventional swing. Upcoming school dates are Oct 21-23 and Oct 28-30. They are also offering other school programs at various dates each month More information: 0432 128 720, email info@gravesgolfaustralia.com or visit www.moenormangolf.com/schools/3day-schools.

Royal Canberra Golf Club

The most prestigious golf club of the Nation’s Capital, Royal Canberra has been the benchmark of championship golf in Australia, staging many international events culminating in the Women’s Australian Open in 2013. They have undertaken an extensive renovation of the championship Westbourne Course to further enhance the quality and grand stature of the historical course. Led by golf course architects Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead (OCCM) Pty Ltd., the visually stunning yet challenging new design boasts pure bent grass greens, tees and fairways amidst the natural beauty of the Westbourne Woods and is fast becoming one of the few courses in Australia to offer such a unique playing experience. Since the establishment of the Club within the magnificent arboretum of the Westbourne Woods, Royal Canberra has continued to develop its reputation, playing host to a number of major amateur and professional tournaments and regularly featuring in the top 50 courses of Australia. So to further enhance its reputation, the impressive Master Plan behind the recent renovations was implemented by the Club, to proactively strengthen and protect the design integrity and standards of the historical course, which was granted its Royal status in 1933 by King George V. And now, by enhancing the quality of the course through the Master Plan Royal Canberra is launching into an exciting new chapter. To celebrate, the Club is hosting a Grand Opening Gala of the new Westbourne Course on Sunday the 13th of November. The Club will open its gates to the golfing community with a 7-hole Exhibition Match between US Open Winner Geoff Ogilvy, and a number of hand-picked key Australian Professional Golfers. The event will feature exciting golf action, entertainment, BBQ, food and beverage outlets and Royal Canberra logoed merchandise, creating an exciting and spectacular gala. For more information, and to register for the event visit the Club’s website www.royalcanberra.com.au. All who register and attend the event will go into the draw to win a Limited Edition Golf Club, which will be drawn following the exhibition match. An exciting new era for Royal Canberra, the Club welcomes new Members and local, interstate and international visitors for a variety of special golf days and organised events. The Grand Opening will be an unforgettable opportunity for the community to experience the Club’s world-class facilities and the spectacular Westbourne Course.

Royal Canberra Golf Club | Phone: (02) 6282 7000 | Website: www.royalcanberra.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

on tour

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

Grinding out a hard-fought win! with Steven Jeffress ed@insidegolf.com.au

mentioned at the end of my last article that the forced break that I had may have been good for my golf. Well I made my comeback at the Maryborough Pro Am and I can tell you, it didn’t feel like the break helped me. It’s amazing, I have played this game for 30 years, over half of that professionally and when I got out there I felt like I had never competed before! I had 3-over the first day and 1-over the second to win last money. How long has the game been this hard? But at least Maryborough once again ran a great event. The course was in excellent condition and you are always welcomed with open arms. The following week I headed up to Darwin for the first time ever. It’s nice to go somewhere that’s new, as in the golfing circles we seem to go to the same places and play the same courses year after year. The NT PGA was played at Palmerston Golf Club, which is about a 20 minute drive from Darwin’s city centre. The course layout was great. There were quite a few holes on the front 9 that you had to stand there and hit a straight tee shot. The 9th hole tee shot was a cracker with water all the way down the left and a line of trees down the right. You had to ‘man up’ as either of the options weren’t great! This was my first four-rounder for a while and I will be honest, it took a couple of rounds to get my head back into the grind of four days of golf. The putter was hot on day 1 but the ball striking was a little off and I ended up shooting 2-under par 69, to be around 20th heading into day 2. I improved my ball striking but the putter that was excellent the first day disappeared. I signed for an even-par round to be mid-field and

in a good position considering my lack of competitive golf. Once again on day 3 my long game was great and I shot a 4-under-par 67 but again I felt like I missed quite a bit on the greens but was moving in the right direction. The last day was a tough assignment as the wind decided to get up. I grinded all day and was hanging in there until a double bogey on 17. I can tell you that I wasn’t overly happy leaving the car park that afternoon. But after sitting down and once again putting it all into perspective, it was a great week. My next run of events were on the QLD Pro Am tour. I had Maroochy River, Mt Coolum, Coolangatta Tweed Heads, Southport, Riverlakes and Windaroo. I won’t bore you with a shot-by-shot reply of all these events but just a few highlights.

Firstly Mt Coolum, what a great little golf course. I hadn’t played there before and I was really impressed with not only the condition of the course but also the layout. It had a great mix of short and long holes with dog legs both ways. It was great to get back to Southport Golf Club for the Pro Am as it is without doubt the best Pro Am we play all year. When you arrive you are greeted with a smile and a buffet lunch that is awesome. The golf course was once again in great condition and it is always a pleasure to play. When you finish your round you sit down for a dinner, drinks and desert. Benny the head chief always does a great job and I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal there. I had even-par, unfortunately, but I would like to say thank you to the members that followed me around the course and supported me. Straight after Southport was

the Riverlakes Pro Am. For those of you who don’t know where Riverlakes is, it is just past the Logan motorway turnoff, approximately 40 minutes from the Gold Coast. And once again what a great golf course! I would call Riverlakes a fun place to play, as there are quite a few holes where the water really comes into play, as the course name may suggest and the greens were rolling pure. In the earlier events I was struggling to finish up near the leaders. There were 2 reasons for this, firstly since coming back from my injury I found myself hitting shots that I wasn’t hitting before. I’ve always prided myself on being a good ball striker and never too far off line. But it seemed that now I would throw in 3 or 4 really wide shots which some of you will know isn’t what you need to do when you’re trying to shoot a good golf score. Secondly I found myself getting quite nervous, which is a feeling that I never really had before. So I went into Riverlakes with a plan to commit 100 percent to every shot and, surprise surprise, I won! I shot 6-under to win by a shot and even though I have won a heap of Pro Ams it felt like I got the monkey off my back. The day was made easier as I played with Robbie Bennetts, Footy and Tik Tac (I won’t go through the story of that name!). As most of you know Robbie has sponsored me for a lot of years. It’s a massive help and I can’t thank him enough. My next event is the Korean Open which is played at Won Jeong Hills Country Club and it is a brute of a course. This is also why it was a great time to win Riverlakes. You can’t have better preparation than winning another event just before it. I think Tiger Woods once said winning breeds winning and he’s right. I finished 5th at this event last year so I am hoping that all these positives will lead to another high finish. But on the other end of the scale, I still have to remember that I still haven’t played a heap of golf and I am coming back from a very bad injury. Confidence is great but you need to keep it in perspective. Maybe a good plan maybe to lower my expectations and just commit to what I have at that time. But a win would be nice!! •

Gailes Golf Club Brisbane, Australia

Gailes Golf Club would like to introduce our new Head Professional, Matthew Docking. Matt comes to us from the Cowra Golf Club in the central west of NSW. After a successful playing career on the PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, he chose to pursue his passion for teaching and helping other golfers. Drop in to see Matt for all your coaching needs for golfers of all ages and talents. His simple but effective approach to teaching golfers, promotes definite results. For all COACHING or TEE TIMES: Contact GAILES GOLF CLUB on (07) 3271 2333 or email: office@gailesgolf.com.au Gailes Golf Club Inc. 299 Wilruna Street, Wacol, QLD 4076 26

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

people

www.insidegolf.com.au/people

Richie’s got a secret!

Les Dance, one of Cammeray Golf Club’s oldest members, hit a remarkable milestone last month, 100-years-old and he’s still going strong.

Head Teaching Professional and PGA Tour Player Richie Gallichan holds eight course records in Australia, is a qualified club fitter and technician and knows Bonville Golf Resort on the NSW Mid North Coast better than most. We catch up with Richie to find out about his move from Long Reef Golf Club and his latest project. So, Richie, tell us a little bit about your move to Bonville Golf Resort on The Coffs Coast On many levels, as a golf professional it’s the best thing I could have done. The lifestyle on The Coffs Coast is very laid back and gives me the chance to do the things I love like golf, teach and fish. I’ve come from Long Reef Golf Club on Sydney’s northern beaches, which was a fantastic club and I had a great rapport with members and guests there. I hope that they come to visit me here at beautiful Bonville. The opportunity to base myself at Bonville, educate both members and visitors alike, and also have full use of the brilliant course and facilities to hone my own game was too good to pass up! What inspires you to keep learning as a golfer? To be honest, I’ve learned more about the game since I’ve been teaching at Bonville. Being forced to articulate technique and what’s required to get the most out of my students inspires me to better myself and my own golf. Being able to teach and learn on a course like Bonville is a dream. Not only is the course commonly acknowledged as one of Australia’s most beautiful golf courses, they continue to invest in practice facilities conducive to a great teaching environment.

Mr Dance has been a member of the Lower North Shore club for over 50 years and they held a presentation to celebrate the milestone after his regular Saturday golf game.

Tell us about your ‘Secrets to Bonville’ clinic

His son-in-law Derek Halliday Brown said Les still loves his regular game of golf. “Les enjoys playing with his mates and likes to keep on his feet.”

The ‘Secrets to Bonville’ clinic is aimed at groups both large and small that are coming to Bonville and looking for a unique experience. The clinic is aimed at giving the group an understanding of the specific challenges that Bonville presents such as understanding our undulating greens, how to manage the deep bunkers and how to handle the downhill, uphill and side hill lies that you are faced with on many holes.

“He’s a fit gentleman, albeit he’s 100 years old. He’s played golf for years and won lots of cups and trophies. In his day he was very good.” Being legally blind, Mr Dance has overcome a couple of obvious hurdles that golfers with sight don’t have to think about. He uses fluorescent yellow golf balls and a homemade tee on a string to make sure it doesn’t fly out of his limited range of sight.

What can students expect from a lesson with you? Golf is a wonderful game in that there is always more to learn and experience. No two rounds are exactly the same so we focus on making the most of each and every shot and try to turn difficult shots into opportunities. People can expect to learn in a supportive and encouraging environment no matter what level their game is at. Why should golfers include a ‘Secrets to Bonville’ clinic in their next visit to Bonville? The idea came about because Bonville is such a unique golf course. We wanted to equip guests that perhaps have not

Les hits 100 at Cammeray

Richie Gallichan – Head Teaching Professional and PGA Tour Player at Bonville Golf Resort. experienced a course like ours before with the necessary tools to make the most of their Bonville experience and knock a few shots off their score. It’s a great addition to any group looking to add something really different to their visit. For more information: www.bonvillegolf.com.au .

“He can’t see his tee when he hits the ball,” Mr Halliday-Brown said. “So to stop it flying away and losing it he glued it to a piece of elastic about a foot and-a-half long. He’s attached a red woollen pom pom to it.” Dance, who lives at Greenwich also keeps fit by walking up and down the steps to his boatshed at the bottom of his house. He is fond of a bit of fishing too. “He keeps a tinny down there, and fishes out at Lane Cove River for Flathead, and Blackfish,” Mr Halliday-Brown added.

Learn the Simple Single Plane Swing of Moe Norman Now in Australia Contact information: Info@gravesgolfaustralia.com Phone: 0432-128-720 Website: www.MoeNormanGolf.com/australia

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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E-Z-GO pga legends

Australian legends still going strong

fter calling time on his international golf career, veteran Professional and PGA Life Member Peter Senior has been taking on Australia’s best legend Professionals on the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour.

Peter Fowler is enjoying his time on the European Seniors Tour with five top-10 finishes from nine starts this year, including a second place finish at the Scottish Senior Open in August, and sees the five-time winner 5th on the Tour’s Order of Merit.

As one of the most recognisable faces in Australian golf and with a career spanning more than three decades, Senior continues to be one of Australia’s most popular golfers and loyal supporter of the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour.

Mike Harwood has also been a dominant force and after eight starts this season has had three top-10 finishes. The Victorian is 13th on the European Seniors Tour Order of Merit and, together with Fowler, certain to keep his card. Peter O’Malley has also been teeing it up in Europe this year. The PGA Chairman sits at 25th on the Order of Merit after nine starts in his first full season.

Since returning home the reigning Australian Masters champion, who has 34 professional titles to his name, has played the Queensland swing of the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour after six years on the Champions Tour. His first tournament back on home soil was the Brisbane Legends Pro-Am where a 4-over 76 saw the 57-year-old make his first top-10 finish. A fortnight later Senior teed it up at the Wynnum Legends Pro-Am followed by the Kerry Campbell Homes Legends Pro-Am which saw the Gold Coast native finish T4 and T7 respectively. However, it was at the Bargara Legends Pro-Am where Senior’s game really clicked into place; securing a one stroke victory over Russell Swanson. After an even round of 72 on day one, Senior followed up with a 4-under 68 on day two, which was highlighted by a chip in eagle on the par-5 18th, to take the title. 74 Professionals joined Senior in the field including Rodger Davis, Tim Elliott, David Merriman, Glenn Joyner and Krishna Singh, who will compete in the World Cup of Golf alongside his brother Vijay. While Senior has returned to the pro-am scene where his career began, a number of his fellow countrymen continue to dominate the seniors circuit overseas.

Fowler, Harwood and O’Malley continue to support the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour and have each featured heavily on the over-50s circuit in Australia this year. Managed by the PGA of Australia, the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour is the Professional golf circuit for Professional golfers aged 50 and over. Approximately 70 tournaments operate throughout Australia and New Zealand, with approximately AU$1 million in prize money on offer each year. Former Major Championship winners Wayne Grady (US PGA), Ian Baker-Finch (The Open) along with Australian golfing legends such as Rodger Davis, Peter Fowler, Mike Harwood, Mike Clayton and Peter Senior all feature regularly on the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour. The PGA of Australia welcomes new events on the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour. Golf Clubs who are interested in running an E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour event are encouraged to contact Andy Rogers, Legends Tour Coordinator, at the PGA on 03 8320 1992 or arogers@ pga.org.au for further information. •

Sim, Jeffress capture pro-am victories Perfect conditions greeted professionals for the annual Riverlakes Pro-Am, with Adam Stephens setting the pace in the morning field with a five-under- par 65. Stephens waited for the remainder of the day, only to be bettered by the third-last card to be handed in, a tidy 64 by Inside Golf columnist Steven Jeffress. Stephens finished in a tie for second with Tim Hart. It has been a testing time for Jeffress, who had only returned to competitive play in the previous month due to injury. “The road to recovery has been a long and agonising one, but that is all in the past now and it’s great to be back on the course competing,” said Jeffress. Meanwhile former U.S. PGA Tour star Michael Sim overcame a slow start at the Victoria Park Golf Complex to win the 2016 City of Brisbane Pro-Am. Sim carded a nine-under-par 56, to finish two shots ahead of a pack of professionals including, Callan O’Reilly, Marcus Cain, Brenton Parrish and Steve Jones. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Sim, who found himself at one-over-par standing on the sixth tee. Two eagles and a birdie over the next four holes was the spark required for Sim to turn the day around, and with a further five birdies over the back nine, his nine-under-par would be good enough to secure the win. “It wasn’t one of my greatest of starts to a round, though it’s a real positive to have turned that poor start around and produce some quality golf over the final 13 holes,” said Sim.

Golf Shop: 07 5544 5919 Resort Reception: 07 5544 6688 (24 hours) 1 Routley Drive, Kooralbyn QLD 4285, Australia 30

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

trainees

Zirov cruises into Inside Golf Trainee Matchplay final Bill Colhoun ed@insidegolf.com.au

YDNEY’S Eastlake Golf Club Trainee Professional Marco Zirov has bolted into the final of the $2500 Inside Golf NSW/ ACT PGA Trainee Matchplay Championship after surprising himself with an easy 5-4 semifinal win over the highly ranked Trent Smith, from Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club. Although playing at Stonecutters Ridge, a course which seemingly suited the longhitting Smith—the NSW Trainee Order of Merit leader—Zirov was quietly confident, having shot five-under-par to win the weekly Trainee Match at the course in March. However Zirov did not expect to lead all the way in the match, especially as the first hole is a short par-five and an easy two-shotter. But it was the shorter-hitting Zirov who only needed par to win the hole for a surprise one-up lead. After two more birdies and winning pars at the ninth and 10th holes Zirov had a 5-up lead which eventually gave him a 5-4 win. Zirov, at 31, is an internationally experienced golfer having spent two years in the U.S. where he played on the celebrated golf team at University of Alabama in Birmingham, which is where U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell previously played. To get to the final Zirov had a bye in round one and then had to beat Molly Lavercombe, from Ryde Parramatta, who provided him with his toughest matchplay game this year. He admits he had to “almost hole a miracle bunker shot (to 60cm) from a divot lie” to take the lead at 16 before snatching a 2-up win. His quarter-final win over his friend and housemate James Edge from Bonnie Doon

Marco Zirov, in action at the Car Net Auctions NSW/ACT PGA Trainee Professional Championships at Riverside Oaks came at his home course Eastlake. It was all square with six to go before a birdie at 13 broke the deadlock and Zirov won 3-1. Zirov is a consistent performer, finishing third in the Car Net Auctions NSW/ACT PGA Trainee Professional Championships at Riverside Oaks this year and last year he made the semi-finals of the Inside Golf matchplay. He topped off his preparation to play in the Inside Golf Matchplay final and the Queensland PGA Trainees championship last month by winning the Springwood Trainees Match on September 8 with a par round, winning by two shots. He will meet the winner of the other semi (which was still to be played as Inside Golf went to press) between this year’s Car Net Auctions NSW/ACT Trainee Professional champion Robbie Hogan, from Toukley, and the experienced Lachlan Foulsham, who trained at Elanora and Killara.

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Foulsham defeated Toukely Golf Clubs Patrick Joseph 4-3 in the first round at Terrey Hills and then, after being behind for most of the day against Jason Butt from Wyong Golf Club at The Ridge, won the last two holes with a birdie and a par, to win two up. Rowan Thomson, from Bexley, also took Foulsham to the 17th, which he won, to get home 2-1. Hogan beat a fellow second-year Trainee in Jordan Widdicombe, from Concord Golf Club at Concord, grabbing three birdies in six holes, after turning all square; to eventually win the match 3-2. All four semi-finalists will divide up not only the $1000 from Inside Golf but also the entry fees for the title, providing about $2500 in overall prizemoney. www.pga.org.au •

On Course conference a hit Over 90 On Course members attended the On Course Golf National Conference last month, held at Peppers, Kingscliff, NSW. One of the largest gatherings of PGA professionals annually, the conference is now considered the ‘must attend’ event of the year. Conference training sessions focused on how members could be more successful in their businesses, and included a Titleist Tour fitting session at the Chinderah Golf Club featuring Guest touring pro – Michael Sim. There were also a wide range of educational sessions covering social media marketing, Pro shop merchandising methods, revenue generation from lessons and club fitting, engagement with club boards and members, Intergenerational staff management and apparel merchandising for profit. An entire day was devoted to a Supplier Trade Day, where members could view and discuss the products that will feature in their pro shops this summer. There were also three member dinners, with one dedicated to the company’s supplier partners. Award winners included: Supplier of the year – Srixon; Gold Supplier of the year, Fitting – Mizuno; Gold Supplier of the year, Promotions – Amer Sports; and Gold Supplier of the year, Growth – Walkinshaw Sports. Franchise of the year awards went to VIC – Centenary Park (Warren Young & Steve Montgomerie); NSW – Northbridge (Ray McGlinn); QLD – Surfers Paradise (Paul Orchard); SA/NT – Highercombe (Cameron Scott) and WA – The Sanctuary Resort (Rob Miguel). The National Franchise of the year winner was Centenary Park. The members’ golf day was held at the Glades Golf Course including the supplier partners. Over a hundred golfers took part, with fun had by all.

Upcoming Annual Events DUNTRYLEAGUE ORANGE

HaHn Golf amateur CHampionsHip 5-6 november 2016 (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.

steve Conran Junior tournament 27 november 2016 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.

merCedes benz duntryleaGue ClassiC 15-17 January 2017 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

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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

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women

www.insidegolf.com.au/womensgolf

Sarah moving in right direction

HEN builder Allan Wilson decided last year to move his family from Cairns to the Sunshine Coast to help make his daughter Sarah’s golfing dreams come true, he must have known it was a gamble.

Mark Hale has grabbed the second regional qualifying spot on offer for the 2016 NSW Open Golf Championship after a thrilling finish to the Northern NSW Amateur Championships at Gunnedah Golf Club.

But it’s one that’s already paid off – and who knows what the ultimate dividend will be?

The Mudgee Golf Club member posted rounds of 2-under par 68 on the Saturday followed by a 1-over par 71 on Sunday to win by two shots from last year’s champion and Gunnedah Golf Club local Luke Streater.

Last month Sarah cruised around the deceptively tough Maroochy River layout in two-under 70 to take the girls’ section of the Maroochy River Junior Open.

Although Hale seemed to be heading towards an easy win late in the second round, back-to-back birdies on the 16th and 17th from his playing partner Streater meant it was going to be a nail-biting finish on the final hole. The man from Mudgee didn’t disappoint and sealed the deal with a 40m pitch-in eagle to grab the victory.

The win capped an extraordinary two months of golf for the 15-year-old protégé who is already mapping out a path to becoming a professional golfer in the mould of her North Queensland compatriot Karrie Webb. On August 21, Sarah shot 74 to tie with fellow Maroochy River junior Danika Coyne in the Headland Junior Classic. A fortnight earlier she fired her best ever round – a two-under par 68 – to finish second to yet another Maroochy River junior star Rhianna Lewis in the Nambour Junior Open. That followed a win in the Mt Coolum Junior Open (two-over 74), success in the two-day Winter Classic at Keperra with rounds of 75 and 74 and a 15-shot victory in the Far North Queensland Ladies Open. Sarah represented Queensland in the state schools 17 and under championship in Adelaide last month, winning all five matches and leading Queensland to national honours. That week of spectacular golf earned her a place in the All Australian team. Sarah puts it all down to practice.

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Hale too hot at Gunnedah

Hale is now guaranteed a place in the 2016 NSW Open Championship at Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club this November. It will be the second time he’s teed it up in the State’s premier golf championship.

Sarah Wilson “Every day I get home from school, get changed and go to the golf course to practice,” she said. “I practice hard – at least two hours a day – sometimes much more. “I understand the sacrifice my parents made for me and I’m not going to let them down.” Though she’s not yet 16, Sarah will complete Year 12 at Caloundra City Private School next year, and then think about turning professional. Right now her immediate goal is to lower her handicap to +1. Her Golf Australia

handicap is currently 0.2 and she plays off scratch. She is delighted that two of her closest friends – and fiercest rivals – are fellow Maroochy River juniors Rhianna Lewis and Danika Coyne. All three girls are ranked in the nation’s top 75 female juniors and they compete regularly. “We get on well but we all love to win,” Sarah said. “Our games are always played with great sportsmanship, and we know that nothing will interfere with our friendship.” •

“It feels awesome, I can’t wait,” Hale said. “I played at the Vintage a couple of years ago but I missed the cut.” “I want to make the cut this time for sure, that’s my goal to play the weekend for sure,” he smiled. The Northern NSW Amateur win caps off a solid run of results this year for Hale. He was an integral part of the Mudgee team that won the Central West District A grade Pennant title in June - the Club’s first A grade pennant in its 109 year history.

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pga igi

PGA IGI the ideal pathway to jobs “If not, maybe I’ll look towards a managerial role somewhere.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

“With my finance degree and the skills the PGA IGI have given me I believe this is a possibility.”

T 23, Rob Foster is giving himself every opportunity to make a successful career in the golf industry after utilising the PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI) as a pathway to the PGA Trainee Program.

If Foster successfully completes his time in the PGA Trainee Program, he will graduate as a Full Vocational Member of the PGA of Australia at the end of 2017. PGA General Manager of Education Geoff Stewart said the PGA IGI’s Diploma of Golf Management qualification continued to be a leader for golf management education within the golf industry.

“The PGA IGI is a great pathway to learn about the golf industry,” said Foster, who completed the one-year PGA IGI’s Diploma of Golf Management qualification and secured a job as a Trainee PGA Professional at Beerwah Golf Club.

“For many years we have seen a number of PGA IGI graduates take steps to becoming PGA Professionals through the pathways on offer to eligible students,” he said.

The program prepared his golf game for his time in the PGA Trainee Program and gave him a greater understanding of the golf industry.

“A number of those graduates have moved into roles of coaching or management within the golf industry throughout Australia and the world.

Introduced in 2015, the program provides a one-year credit into the traditional three-year program for successful graduates of the PGA IGI Golf Management Program.

“The one-year credit pathway from the PGA IGI into the PGA Trainee Program offers a platform for IGI graduates to develop their skills and knowledge of the golf industry prior to applying for the PGA Trainee Program.

Of course, students keen on joining the PGA Trainee Program must meet the entry requirements. Foster met those requirements and was then provided with the skills and best practices to enable him to become job ready as a PGA Trainee Professional.

“Rob is an excellent example of a student who has leveraged the skills and knowledge learnt from their time studying with PGA IGI and applied it to their employment during the PGA Trainee Program.

“I would definitely recommend the PGA IGI Diploma of Golf Management to anyone interested in working in the golf industry because it’s the ideal pathway to getting a job in the industry.

“We look forward to seeing many more graduates like Rob utilise the pathways the PGA IGI Golf Management Program offers to successful graduates.”

“It’s also well recognised around the world. “At PGA IGI, they have highly-trained experts that teach you how to run a golf club, manage staff, how to get more people into the game, hospitality and much more. “The people who work at IGI are also very supportive and the networking opportunities are awesome.” Foster is undecided on whether to pursue a playing career or to transition into the managerial side of the golf industry. “It would be the ultimate dream to play golf professionally,

Rob Foster poses with PGA IGI teaching professional Mark Gibson (right) after graduating from the PGA IGI in 2015. but if that doesn’t happen I’d love to work in the golf industry in operations or at a club overseas. “I will see how my playing is going when I finish the Trainee Program. If I am playing well I might try to qualify for the Australian Tour.

The PGA IGI delivers the Golf Management Program, incorporating 10459NAT Diploma of Golf Management, at its campus location on the Gold Coast. For further information regarding the PGA International Golf Institute, please contact Luke Bryden on (07) 5657-6109, email lbryden@pga.org.au or visit www.pgaigi.com (PGA International Golf Institute; RTO No. 31270; CRICOS No. 02754G) Facebook - facebook.com/pgaigi •

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juniors

www.insidegolf.com.au/juniors

A little help for junior friends

OR the second successive year, a strong contingent of juniors from Pacific Golf Club in Brisbane jumped on the club’s bus to make the 90-minute journey to play in the Toogoolawah Golf Club Junior Classic.

OUR Brisbane golf clubs recently established an interclub challenge for their littlest golfers and it’s been a huge success.

“Twelve Pacific juniors travelled as a team and once again enjoyed the experience of playing on a country course,” said Pacific junior president Peter Johnstone.

Teams of six eager peewee juniors from Pacific, Brookwater, Nudgee and Wynnum golf clubs competed for prizes including Olympic-style medals for the winning club.

During their visit, Pacific presented two sets of junior golf clubs to two new Toogoolawah juniors.

President of the Pacific Junior Golfing Academy Peter Johnstone said the event replicated a similar challenge established for older juniors.

“These clubs were donated by Pacific members,” Peter said. “Toogoolawah is very appreciative of the support shown to our young golfers by Pacific.

“The Brisbane Junior Interclub Challenge has proven so successful we decided to create something similar for our youngest players,” he said.

“It is great that a city club can support a smaller regional club in this way.

“These little kids play great golf and they are so excited about the opportunity to represent their club in a team format.”

“I cannot speak highly enough of the effort put in by Toogoolawah Golf Club in running this event,” he added. “The volunteers out there do such a wonderful job. I think it is important for city clubs like Pacific to support their country counterparts. “Pacific is very happy to bring our juniors out to this event and we are delighted to be able to support Toogoolawah’s juniors with some equipment. “We hope they enjoy the game and maybe even become future winners of the Toogoolawah Classic.” This year’s Toogoolawah Junior Classic, a regular event on the Queensland junior

Peewee interclub golf a big hit

WE LOVE GOLF: This enthusiastic group of juniors played in the Toogoolawah Junior Classic calendar since 1993, attracted strong support from juniors, who play two rounds on the nine-hole layout.

Pittsworth Golf Club’s Mitchell Fowler won the boys’ open after carding a 74 – one stroke clear of Will Letts of Pacific Golf Club.

Stalwart club captain Judie Marshke, along with volunteers and an enthusiastic committee, maintain the course, which is in very good condition.

Middle Ridge Golf Club’s Kamryn Dunemann took out the girls’ title.

“It’s great to see so many kids come out to play at Toogoolawah and it’s wonderful for our club to see so many great young players in action,” Judie said.

Roseville Golf Club

One of the highlights was an eagle scored by 13-year-old Mackenzie Devine on the par5 fifth hole. To mark this great achievement, Toogoolawah Golf Club presented Mackenzie with a gold eagle badge.

LAdiEs GoLF CLiniC

Wynnum Golf Club junior co-ordinator Matthew Gahan said it was a great way to keep younger kids interested in golf. “Most of them are 8 to 10 years old but they get to travel to a different course, they represent their club and they make new friends,” he said. “There should be more opportunities like this available to our juniors.” Pacific Golf Club, who put on a lunch for the youngsters, won the interclub challenge with Brookwater finishing runners-up. Pacific’s Lily Saba fired a 31 on the ninehole par-3 layout to claim best individual

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October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

juniors

www.insidegolf.com.au/juniors

Pinehurst the Pinnacle for Aussie kids

Pacific Golf Club’s Laura Ward shows off her putting style during the interclub challenge. round. Wynnum junior Ryan Hocking took out the nearest the pin prize on the second hole. Nudgee Golf Club junior co-ordinator Colin Marshall also sang the praises of the new competition. “It has been a great event for our juniors and a wonderful opportunity to prepare ahead of the Junior Golf Queensland Pee Wee Pennants that will be conducted later this year,” he said. “We hope that we can continue this event in future years as another way of encouraging our peewee golfers to keep developing their skills and to maintain their enthusiasm for the game. “Events like this create a team culture among our juniors which will no doubt play a part in keeping kids involved.”

he stories of many champions and the traditions of championship golf have been played out at America’s “home of golf”, Pinehurst, since 1898. On August 4th, it was the turn of 25 of our young Aussie kids playing in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships, to walk these hallowed fairways and try their best against others in their own age group from over 52 countries. “From the outset the kids were made to feel like they were true golf professionals, playing in a top shelf PGA event,” said Dave Farquharson, Dad of 8 year-old Hamish from Melbourne. “Caddy bibs were distributed with their surnames on the back, they were ferried to and from the course in chauffeur-driven hire cars from Honda, the organisation and coordination of the tournament - all were as it would be if these players were indeed on the Pro circuit.” Aged between 5 and 14 the young Aussies from all over Australia had qualified to play at “The Worlds” through playing in the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tours in their state. “All our qualifiers have performed well at a local level either winning or gaining a place in the U.S. Kids Golf Local Tours which consist of 8 tournaments held at various golf courses around each state,” enthused Managing Director of U.S. Kids Golf Australia, Kevin Wallis. “Having the opportunity to compete on the world stage amongst 1500 other kids from all around the world however, takes their golf to another level. It is an incredible experience that gives them a true understanding of the history and traditions of the game as well as the experience of world championship golf”, Wallis said.

Eight year-old Hamish Farquharson with his father as a caddie, being treated like a true professional after placing 2nd in the Parent Child Event. 8 year-old Hamish rose to the challenge as the best-placed Aussie, missing out on a top-10 place by just one stroke over 3 rounds. Other impressive finishes came from 8 yearold Ruby Kavanaugh (NSW) and 9 year-old Sarah Hammet (Qld). “The conditions were tough. The 35-degree heat, 100% humidity and the fastest greens I have ever seen, really challenged the kids,” Dave Farquharson said. “One of the greatest things to come from this event was the friendships Hamish created with his playing partners from all over the world”. In the Parent Child Cup, Hamish and his Dad came a narrow second to a Canadian father and son team. The boys became great friends over the tournament and apart from winning

a medal in next year’s U.S. Kids Golf World Championships, Hamish and his Canadian friend have set themselves the long term goal to play together as professionals against the U.S. in the Presidents Cup! U.S. Kids Golf Australia is the Australian subsidiary of U.S. Kids Golf – the Number 1 Brand in Junior Golf Worldwide - based in Georgia. U.S. Kids Golf Australia distributes the full range of U.S. Kids golf equipment throughout Australia. The U.S. Kids Golf Foundation is a not for profit entity that promotes and manages U.S. Kids Golf Tour Events, Competitions, Coaching Program and Kids Learning Program throughout Australia. For more information on U.S. Kids Golf Australia www.uskidsgolf.com.au

Play with the professionals at the Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club Pro-Am and promote your company.

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

clubs

CLUB OF THE MONTH >

Howlong Golf Resort

estled alongside the picturesque Murray River and only 20 minutes from the regional city of Albury/Wodonga, Howlong Golf Resort is one of the finest courses in the area. Situated in the heart of the Rutherglen wine and food district, it is ideally located for anyone wanting to partake in one of the many local delights while on a golfing trip away – whether it’s a quiet weekend for two, or a full-scale “Annual Mates Golf Trip”.

The clubhouse features all of the dining and leisure facilities that you’d expect from a modern, welcoming club. Choose to dine-in or alfresco on the deck, while enjoying the service of the attentive staff. With wide open windows and your choice from the Bridges café and restaurant, you can enjoy panoramic views over the gardens, lake and golf course. The club also features two bowling greens, croquet lawn, Keno and TAB, sports bar, live entertainment and weekly raffles and promotions. Accommodation options at Howlong Golf Resort have recently been kicked up a notch with four new luxury apartments. These apartments have redefined the standard that is synonymous with country golfing accommodation, surrounding guests with the perfect combination of luxury and comfort. The apartments each have two generous bedrooms each able to sleep three and two beautiful bathrooms, a full kitchen, 6 person dining setting and a 55” flat screen TV. These luxury apartments are at an attractive price point. With a group of 6, you can each stay from just $40 per person per night. With full golf packages – which include 40

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Course Superintendent Paul Irvine accommodation, unlimited golf, meal vouchers and breakfast – starting from $99 per person so you can visit and indulge in Howlong’s country hospitality. Howlong Golf Resort is just three hours from Melbourne and 30 minutes from the Albury Airport. Sydneysiders can fly down and the resort will arrange to pick you up from the airport. Howlong’s mission is to overdeliver on your expectations and provide a golf resort experience that is far more than you would ever expect. The resort overlooks the golf course, bowling greens, croquet lawn, tennis court and golf shop. The resort also offers modern

Howlong is known for a strong junior program studio rooms located in a quiet setting off the highway. There is also an in-ground pool, outdoor spa, kids play ground, BBQ, canoes and bike hire. The rooms are just 50 metres from the club with fine dining seven days a week. The area surrounding Howlong is famous for its wineries and with 19 different options to choose from in the Rutherglen Region it is not hard to fill in a few days just taking in the rolling hills around this beautiful region. Currently Howlong Golf Resort has the largest membership base in Australia with a large number of remotely-based members who enjoy the low fees and the quality

course, accommodation and clubhouse facilities when they visit. Howlong hosts a number of major tournaments including the NSW Open Regional Qualifier, Murray Masters and Top of the Murray which attract hundreds of members and guests to the area each year. Howlong Golf Resort is highly recognised by Golf Australia as a leading force in Junior Golf programs, receiving the 2011 Jack Newton Junior Golf Club of the Year, MYGolf Centre of the Year for 2012, a Highly Commended award in the ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards 2014 and was a 2015 Finalist in the ClubsNSW Clubs & Community Awards.

clubs

www.insidegolf.com.au/course-reviews

Howlong’s new apartment accommodation Howlong Golf Resort’s greens are kept in immaculate condition by Superintendent Paul Irvine and his team. Paul brings with him experience gained from his time at Murray Downs Golf & Country Club, Rich River Golf Club, Finley Golf Club, Kew, Kingston Links and Royal Melbourne Golf Club and has been Superintendent at Howlong Golf Resort for the past three and half years. His experience on the river together with an understanding of budgets and Royal Melbourne inspired presentation

have positioned him well for his role at Howlong Golf Resort. Paul’s love of golf introduced him to the trade of turf management more than 22 years ago. Paul shares that “the tight layout and heavily treed roughs at Howlong is what keeps most golfers honest. It is a ‘hit to position’ type of course which is not long, but certainly strategic.” You can often see him playing on an afternoon and weekend. His favourite spot on the course is the 3rd

Hole. “It is a strong par-4 which we have made many alterations to which makes it rewarding” shares Paul. The most satisfying part of Paul’s week (apart from playing a round of golf ) is the final course inspection on a Friday afternoon knowing everything is prepped for the weekend. Golf and Accommodation packages at Howlong Golf Resort start from $99.00 per person (based on four guest staying

Howlong Golf Resort

midweek in a superior studio room) – includes accommodation, unlimited golf, meal vouchers and breakfast. MORE INFORMATION Howlong Golf Resort 186 Golf Club Drive, Howlong NSW 2643 (02) 6026 5321 www.howlonggolf.com.au enquiries@howlonggolf.com.au

Play & Stay Packages starting from a CRAZY $99 per person!

One of the finest courses on the Murray is also the BEST VALUE CLUB in the country.

5 Star luxury apartments available at an amazing price

Stay, play, relax... be entertained at Howlong on the Mighty Murray Golf Club Drive, Howlong, NSW 2643 T: 02 6026 5321 E: enquiries@howlonggolf.com.au www.howlonggolf.com.au

2011 Junior Club of the year

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www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

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fashion on the fairways

>on Fashion the Fairways From the early days of the plus-fours and ruffled cravats, to today’s bright colours and plaid ensembles, golf and fashion have long been intertwined. Looking good both on and off the course is becoming easier and easier these days, with a massive variety of styles on offer. Here are some of Australia’s top products, services and shops to help you get your wardrobe looking top notch!

Sundog Eyewear

The popularity of Sundog Eyewear continues to grow and evolve with the needs of their customers and they’ve got you covered with frame styles and lens technology suitable for both on-course and off course vision protection and performance. From aggressive sport styles, to the perfect blend of “athleisure”, to pure fashion – Sundog has a frame style for every lifestyle.

www.insidegolf.com.au/gear

Wrightsock Wrightsock double layer socks provide you with dual layer performance and one sock feeling with a blister free guarantee! Made in America with the most technically advanced fibres to wick moisture away from the skin, preventing moisture build up and blisters. Available in tab, quarter and crew lengths and a variety of bright colours to stand out from the crowd. Wrightsock is the right fit for every type of golfer and will keep you comfortable during a long day on the course! Available online at wrightsock.com.au or from selected leading pro shops and Drummond golf outlets. RRP: $24.95 - $34.95 03 8562 6688 info@wrightsock.com.au www.wrightsock.com.au

For years, Sundog has been on the leading edge with lens technology addressing the dangerous effects of blue light. They are pleased to exclusively offer patented TrueBlue lens technology which filters the blue light portion of the spectrum like no other lens can. TrueBlue features synthesized Melanin plus OLP (Ocular lens pigment) which are naturally produced by the human body to filter blue light. For maximum protection, clarity and comfort, lenses should filter blue light and TrueBlue lens represents the evolution of filtration effectiveness. www.sundogeyewear.com.au

Looking and Feeling Great is the Key to Great Golf! GLF have just launched their Exclusively Ladies Pro Shop, website & online store - visit us and explore the latest equipment and fashion for women - we cater for all ages and sizes. Shop from home 24/7!

Ocean Drive, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444 | Tel: 0431 248847 or 0401726598 E-Mail: info@golfladiesfirst.com.au | Web: www.golfladiesfirst.com.au | www.facebook.com/golfladiesfirst.com.au 46

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

fashion on the fairways

www.insidegolf.com.au/gear

Puma Ignite Drive Golf Shoes Comfort never quits. Drafting off the performance features of Puma tour shoes, the IGNITE Drive brings Puma’s proprietary IGNITE cushioning technology to golfers at any level. Premium materials, rich details and unrivaled cushioning technology unite for a classic Puma golf silhouette with a sporty twist. The full-grain leather upper, textile lining and heavy gauge thread provide long lasting quality and durability. 2 Year Waterproof guarantee. www.cobragolf.com.au/pumagolf

On Trend Golf On Trend Golf is a new online-only company based in Australia. Founded in 2015, the team at On Trend Golf supply the latest brands in golf equipment, including market-leading names like PING, Travis Mathew, Adidas, and Nike. The website is constantly updated with new products coming online every

day, all at great prices. On Trend Golf strives to bring you the newest golfing products and with express delivery right to your door. www.ontrendgolf.com.au info@ontrendgolf.com www.facebook.com/ontrendgolf/

RRP $149.95 AUD

IceRays UV Protective and Cooling Armsleeves If you hate messy sunscreen but don’t want to wear hot, long sleeve shirts, then IceRays are the perfect answer. No more hot, sticky arms; just cool comfort. With 50+ UV protection and no uncomfortable seams, they are the only Armsleeve tested by the Government body ARPANSA to be totally UV protective to 50+. A great option to keep you cool and protected, Icerays are available in lots of different colours and one size fits all. Just $29.95 including delivery anywhere in Australia. Email: enquiries@icerays.com.au or call or SMS Anne on 0404 235 563 or Linz on 0434 246 549. www.icerays.com.au

Niblick is a name as old as Golf. Australian since 1884, Niblick has always been the name synonymous with comfort, style and fit at an affordable price. The brand which has been aligned with the most famous names in golf is totally committed to comfort technology for avid golfers. Niblick is the preferred golfing shoe for fit, stability and weather protection. With over 100 years’ experience working to perfect the golf shoe, Niblick is expanding to hardware categories including golf buggies, bags, clubs and golf sets. Niblick products are committed in supplying quality and value for money. Introducing one of their newest additions is the Scorch Cart Bag which features 10 individual storage pockets, 14 way top with full length dividers, upper lift handle, metal towel ring and glove holder, velour lines waterproof valuables pocket, large easy access apparel pocked, lower lift handle, internal putter storage well and oversized vented cooler pocket. Comes in 2 colourways black/blue/white and black/red/grey/white NIB104 RRP $199

fashion on the fairways

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Lynlan Ladies Golf Fashion Lynlan is the newly launched golf fashion brand bringing stylish and fashionable golf clothing to the women of Australia.

The unique concept of Golf Ladies First was formed in October 2015 with a part of the main pro shop at Port Macquarie Golf Club being transformed into an area exclusively for ladies’ golfing needs by Gordon and Chantale McCallum. They are both PGA Professionals with over 30 years’ international experience in all aspects of the profession, specialising in clubfitting, tuition and pro shop. They felt the need to give women in a male-dominated environment a friendly, comfortable atmosphere in which to involve themselves in golf and the pro shop. They wanted to give women golfers the opportunity to ask questions, discuss their thoughts and experiences from the golf course with a team willing to be involved, while understanding their needs.

Their spring range consists of Lynlan’s original tailored split golf skort with built in stretch shorts. Available in six different fabric designs, some of which are “limited edition” exclusives. A taste of high summer styles is also available. The pre-summer capsule comprises a co-ordinating printed sleeveless top and printed stretch golf skort in cool summer weight fabric. Lynlan also offers ‘golf couture’, made to measure golf skorts in your selection of fabric print from their couture exclusives range. After your order is confirmed Lynlan will make up and post your golf fashion to you within seven days. A range of ‘Lynlan basics’ is due to arrive soon. These stretch golf skorts in black or

Golf Ladies First launches online

Their goals are to get more women playing golf on a regular basis, for women to enjoy golf on and around the golf course, and to improve their game. Lastly and most importantly for women to look outstanding and play impressive golf. navy blue are perfect for teams, and can be personalised with your club / team logo embroidered onto the front hem. Tel: 0410 454 875 www.lynlan.com carolyns@lynlan.com for special orders.

The result is a ladies’ pro shop which has everything from the latest equipment through to the most exciting fashion outfits for all ages and sizes. The “Golf Ladies First” Pro Shop is now an online shop and website (www.golfladiesfirst.com.au) giving ladies the chance to shop 24/7. Golf Ladies First puts ladies first with attention to detail, whether it’s custom-made clubs, the ideal package set or the perfect outfit to suit you. They have a great product range with all the latest and popular equipment brands including Callaway, PING, Cobra and Srixon, as well as the newest collections in apparel from Annika, Bette & Court, Birdee Golf, Corsican Golf, Greg Norman, Nivo, Sport Leisure and others. Play and pack in your suitcase. This is the website exclusively for ladies. Tel: 0431 248 847 or 0401 726 598 Email: info@golfladiesfirst.com.au www.golfladiesfirst.com.au

COOLING 50+UV GOLF SLEEVES

PrOtECt yOUr armS FrOm thE SUN wIthOUt thE haSSLE OF SUNSCrEEN Or hOt LONG SLEEVES Fully tested and certified to be 50+ UV, One size fits all.

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More and more of the pro’s on the tours are wearing them now and Anne Rollo from Anne Rollo Golf schools has been wearing them for over 2 years and loves them... ”I recommend them to all my students, I don’t have to wear sunscreen on my arms anymore and they are surprisingly cool on the skin, I love them” Go to www.icerays.com.au to order and have yours to wear in a few days. Or call Linz on 0434 246 549 or email enquiries@icerays.com.au to order yours now. 48

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

fashion on the fairways

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Sporte Leisure Celebrating 25years of sophisticated lifestyle apparel at Sporte Leisure, this year’s Summer 2016/17 collection was derived from the tech driven era. This direction combines elements with powerful graphics, high-octane colour and creative customisation.

AMIE Polo The stylish long-sleeve AMIE polo incorporates all the technical properties of their popular performance polos. The underarm lightweight open mesh fabrication offers additional airflow and its moisture wicking and Anti-bacterial attributes helps you stay dry and comfortable in all Aussie conditions. The Amie Polo comes in 4 amazing colours- White, Aquamarine, Bubblegum and Blueberry. Sizes: 8-22 Proudly distributed by Sporte Leisure, call 02 9693 5777 for stockist information.

Greg Norman Short Greg Norman is argued by many as the greatest ever Australian golfer, a golfing hero all around the globe and an avid outdoorsman with a balance of business, sport and leisure. For classic and timeless style you can wear on and off the course, the Greg Norman short will easily become your essential bottom for the season. Combining moisture wicking, comfort stretch and easy care features, the Greg Norman bottom will fit all body types and deliver the highest level of performance. Currently available in black, dark navy, bamboo, steel and dolphin. Proudly distributed by Sporte Leisure, call 02 9693 5777 for stockist information.

Dunning In 2001, Dunning revolutionized the golf industry by launching the very first golf apparel line comprised exclusively of performance fabrics.

RRP $85.00 AUD

Today’s active lifestyles demand clothing that performs; Dunning delivers unsurpassed quality, year round versatility and timeless styling, making it ideal for golf, travel and leisure. Engineered specifically for golf, the player merino base layer was created using the perfect weight of merino wool that will regulate your body temperature in any weather. It’s the must-have addition to a player’s wardrobe. RRP For stockists call Sporte Leisure on 02 9693 5777 or www.sl.com.au

$129.95 AUD

RRP $79.95 AUD

www.ontrrendgolf.com.au All Leading Brands including Bushnell, Travis Mathew, TaylorMade and Ping More Specials coming online everyday

OPENING SPECIAL All ADIDAS SHIRTS

www.facebook.com/ontrendgolf/ https://twitter.com/ontrendgolf EMAIL: info@ontrendgolf.com www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

WHAT WINNERS WEAR

fashion on the fairways

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PATENTED LENS TECHNOLOGY FEATURING MELANIN AND OLP™ (OCULAR LENS PIGMENT) BASED ON NATURE’S PROTECTION FOR THE EYE FILTERS BLUE LIGHT FOR TRUE COLOUR BALANCE AND SOOTHING COMFORT SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN SUPERIOR VISUAL PERFORMANCE AND PROTECTION

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October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au/gear

fashion on the fairways

Puma Golfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s IGNITE Spikeless Sport The IGNITE Spikeless Sport provides the ultimate in function, versatility and fashion, coupled with Tour-proven performance and stability, making it a must-have shoe for golfers to wear on and off the course. To create a comfortable, high-performing golf shoe, the team at PUMA Golf focused specifically on the material, utilizing a unique four-way stretch waterproof mesh combined with a leather saddle. The shoes also integrate premium detailing including a leather pull-tab, reflective laces and a U-shaped heel clip providing extra support for all types of players and swing types. A new Hybrid Bootie construction along with the 360 tongue design locks in your foot for a glove-like fit coupled with ultimate flexibility. The addition of a full length IGNITE Foam midsole works to provide unparalleled comfort. IGNITE Foam is an ultra-responsive cushioning foam with incredible energy return properties providing the perfect combination of support and stability. Available in Smoked Pearl/Silver/Green Gecko; PUMA Black/Silver. www.cobragolf.com.au/pumagolf

RRP $149.95 AUD

Goodstart Polos Recognised internationally for its outstanding quality, tailored styles, innovative fabrics and designs, Goodstart Polos (Aust) now have a Queensland base to make it even easier to access the ultimate in premium golf and active wear for men and women. While Goodstart can and do manufacture the more traditional design options, the main focus will be to provide regular updates of limited ranges which are unique in design and of exceptional quality using the latest Mag Cool moisture technology. Goodstart apparel is high performance, designed to offer freedom of movement, support where you need it most in a washable easy care garment at realistic prices. Each garment comes to you with a 100% quality guarantee. As Custom Corporate, Club and Event specialists, Goodstart will bring your ideas and colours to life and help you create your very own identity. Goodstart are very active in golf, running, cycling and marathons and it is this hands-on knowledge that assists us in the design, testing and development of new ranges and fabrics to ensure you get the very best. If you are looking for a luxurious feel, high quality, high performance apparel, Goodstart will keep you looking great on and off the course. www. goodstartpolos.com sales@goodstartpolos.com

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

fashion on the fairways

ECCO Golf Shoes ECCO Golf shoes are designed with the utmost attention to how your feet relate to your swing, and constructed to provide luxurious comfort from the first time you put them on. Trek through a bunker, summit a hill, kneel on the green; your feet won’t know the difference. ECCO shoes are created with the goal of making your game even more enjoyable. The soles reduce contact pressure with scientific accuracy and aim to eliminate stress where you’re most likely to feel it. The inner linings wick away moisture from the inside, while treated leather blocks moisture from the outside.

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ECCO BIOM Hybrid 2 strikes the perfect balance between inspiring comfort and lightweight performance. Updated with a thinner midsole that brings players closer to the ground, ECCO BIOM HYBRID 2 also features BIOM NATURAL MOTION technology that mirrors the foot’s anatomical shape, while a snug heel setting combines with a roomier forefoot area to allow the foot to move naturally. ECCO CAGE was built to release your power on the course. It’s light, flexible, and contoured to fit the foot as only an ECCO shoe can. Equipped with Slim-Lok spikes for an improved grip that’s still gentle on the green, and surrounded in tough, waterrepellant leather, the Cage will have you feeling your very best and playing to match.

Design your own Nexbelt If you are looking for a perfect belt, but can’t find something you like, then look no further. Lyle Apparel now stocks a range of Nexbelt buckles and straps that can be ordered as separate pieces. You now have the ability to create your very own, unique fashion accessory, for both on and off the golf course. Simply select the strap that you like, and pair it with the buckle of your choice. Included as part of the range are some very elegant faux-reptile straps, which are alligator or lizard embossed genuine leather. Just like every product in the Nexbelt range, the straps are all the same length and can easily be cut down to size for a perfect fit. There are no holes in Nexbelt straps, giving you the luxury of ¼” adjustments using a ratchet system. Best of all, you’ll no longer have a belt that falls apart where you position the buckle. In addition to that, all of the buckles in the Golf Series range include their signature ball marker. RRP: $38 - $110 www.lyleapparel.com.au info@lyleapparel.com.au

For the latest in Performance Golf and Active Wear Luxurious Fabrics Mag Cool Moisture Control Available online now goodstartpolos.com Summer 2016 Collection arriving instore October 52

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

fashion on the fairways

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Golf Clothing Factory Outlet GCFO is now into its 10th year of providing golfers quality international golf clothing at amazing prices. Well known in Victoria – golfers make a point of visiting this popular shop to enjoy up 70% OFF (RRP) top brands including Calvin Klein Golf, Nike, FootJoy, Green Lamb, Sporte Leisure, Dwyers , Cross and Nancy Lopez – just to name a few. With a large and changing range of golf polos, pants, shorts, skorts, capris, knitwear, wet weather gear and accessories there is sure to be something to tempt the keenest buyers.

Ample on-site car parking and a large airconditioned interior – AAA PGA Professional Neil Clutterbuck and his staff look forward to welcoming you. Trading 7 days a week – Monday to Saturday 10 – 5pm and Sunday 11 -5 pm. Show this feature and receive 20% off, or spend over $250 to receive 30% off (not valid with other offers – expires end of November 2016) Golf Clothing Factory Outlet, 176 Boundary Road, Braeside Vic 3195 (opposite Woodlands GC). 03 9588-1779. www.golfclothingfactoryoutlet.com.au

Travis Mathew Founded in 2007 and proudly distributed by the team at Walkinshaw Sports, TravisMathew draws inspiration from all aspects of Southern California culture and lifestyle. TravisMathew excels in making premier men’s apparel for work and play and this functional approach has cemented their foothold in the sportswear world. Over the past several years, TravisMathew has been leading the way in quality and active-wear design. TravisMathew remains committed to constant innovation and discovery to bring the best to their customers. The current collection in store is the Fall Holiday 16 collection. The Fall Holiday collection is all about The Big City; a place of

excitement, energy, and fun. All things that the team at TravisMathew have captured in this collection. The fresh styles will take you on a journey down the bustling streets of the city, but will carry a sense of the coastal golfing landscape - with the same unique functionality and adaptable fabrications that TravisMathew have been known for. Head into your local stockist to check out the latest collection where golf meets the big city for true clothing versatility. RRP: Polos from $79.99 1800 656 968 www.wsports.com.au and www.travismathew.com ws.orders@wsports.com.au

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QUALITY GOLF CLOTHING AT BARGAIN PRICES www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

new gear

>NEW GEAR Callaway Steelhead XR Irons and Hybrids

More speed and distance on mis-hits is made possible thanks to a modern Hollow BoreThru hosel design, which allowed Callaway engineers to remove weight from the hosel and reposition it in strategic areas within the head.

The face of each Steelhead XR Hybrid is larger and incorporates next-generation Hyper Speed Face Cup technology that allows the edges of the face to flex and release faster at impact, raising ball speed on both centre and off-centre hits to promote more distance.

Callaway Big Bertha Fusion Driver and Fairways The Big Bertha Fusion Driver marries an allnew aerospace-grade titanium exoskeleton called Exo-Cage with an ultra-lightweight triaxial carbon crown and sole plates, resulting in dramatically higher levels of forgiveness. The fusion of Exo-Cage with triaxial carbon positions substantially more weight in the perimeter and far back from the face compared to previous drivers, resulting in a driver that has a 26% higher MOI, compared to XR 16. The Big Bertha Fusion Driver is available in 9°, 10.5° and 13.5° HT loft options. Designed alongside the Fusion Driver, the new high MOI Fusion Fairways, available in 3 (15°), 5 (18°) and 7 Wood (21°) options, benefit from a Carbon Composite Crown, Speed Step technology and triedand-tested Hyper Speed Face Cup technology. www.callawaygolf.com.au 54

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Get In The Hole Golf The Get In The Hole Golf Voucher app tees off this month, offering discounts to golfers at a number of golf courses in Western Australia and Bali. For only $25 per year, the Get in the Hole Golf voucher app offers members access to over $4,000 in voucher savings for use at a selection of 19 public, resort, and private golf courses across categories such as green fees, twilight golf, driving range, pro-shop and coaching. The Get In The Hole Golf Voucher App is free for golf courses to use with the aim to helping increase participation across all areas of their business. Golf courses can promote up to 10 vouchers across 14 different categories; Plus Golf Courses have the ability to update and change vouchers depending on seasonality, product availability and demand. Until Christmas, if you download and join Get In The Hole Golf, not only will you receive

The progressive CG positioning helps launch longer irons higher for more carry and distance, and the scoring irons lower for added control and accuracy. Enhanced feel and sound are delivered by the new steel-infused polyurethane layer positioned low in the head, behind the lower portion of the face. In addition to absorbing unwanted impact vibration, it also helps lower the CG to promote faster ball speed and higher launch characteristics for more distance.

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access to a growing number of vouchers and savings, but you’ll also get the chance to in a Golf holiday for two to Bali. www.getinthehole.golf Contact Mike Bullen on 0400 388 389 or mike.bullen@getinthehole.golf

Cleveland RTX-3 wedges With Callaway’s Speed Step Technology, designed with the assistance of aerospace experts, airflow has been improved to promote faster clubhead speed for more distance. The Steelhead XR Irons are available 3-PW, AW, SW, LW (RH and LH in Men’s and Ladies). The Hybrids are available in 3H (19°), 4H (22°), 5H (25°), 6H (28°), RH and LH, 3H-6H in Men’s, and RH 3H-6H and LH 4H-6H in Ladies. www.callawaygolf.com.au

Callaway Big Bertha OS Irons The extraordinary combination of strength and lightness in the Exo-Cage chassis means more discretionary weight can be redistributed to beneficial locations within the head, and also allows the next-generation 360 Face Cup to flex more, maximising ball speed and distance, even on off-centre hits. The addition of a tungsten-loaded Standing Wave, accurately positioned in each Iron helps designers to progressively move the CG throughout the set, improving carry in the long irons and increasing control in the short irons. Callaway has also targeted the needs of women and senior golfers with specific Big Bertha OS Iron sets that are lighter in overall weight and offer more loft to promote faster ball speeds and higher launch.

RTX-3 wedges feature key technologies to help you get closer to the hole than any wedge Cleveland Golf has ever made: NEW Feel Balancing Technology shifts the centre of gravity closer to the centre of the wedge face to decrease vibration and maximize head stability at impact. By adding a microcavity inside the hosel and shortening the hosel, nine grams of mass are optimally redistributed in the head for a more centered CG location. This improves feel and tightens shot dispersion, giving you maximum control. NEW V Sole Grinds feature a V shape with more leading edge bounce to help get the club head through the turf faster at impact. This promotes crisper feel and more consistent head speed for increased spin and control. New Tour Zip Grooves have a deeper, narrower U shape with a sharp edge radius in all lofts to enhance contact across a wide variety of conditions. The advanced, 2-pass micro milling pattern increases friction and is directionally enhanced by loft: low lofts (46°- 52°) have a straighter pattern to accommodate full shots and high lofts (54°64°) have a more angled pattern to optimize open-face shots. Perfectly matched to the Big Bertha OS Irons, the new Big Bertha OS Hybrids, with Optifit adjustability, offer golfers the ultimate forgiveness in a hybrid. With a deeper body, a larger and faster face and next-gen Face Cup technology, they are designed to be super-easy to launch high and long. Key refinements to the head design include a longer heel-to-toe length that allows for a larger and more forgiving face and a deeper body that offers increased MOI and stability. Big Bertha OS Irons are available in 4-PW, AW, SW (RH/LH Men’s and Ladies). Hybrids are available in 3H (19°), 4H (22°), 5H (25°), 6H (28°), 7H (31°). RH 3H-7H in Men’s (LH in 3H-6H only); RH 3H-7H in Ladies (LH available only in Men’s heads). www.callawaygolf.com.au

The RTX-3 Blade, Cavity Back and Women’s Cavity Back are all available in the Tour Satin finish. For the Blade, Black Satin and Tour Raw finishes are available. The Cleveland Golf RTX-3 wedge line is available in lofts from 46° to 64° in both righthanded and left-handed options. RRP: RTX-3 Blade: $199.99 each RTX-3 Cavity Back: s teel $199.99 each graphite $210 each Women’s RTX-3 Cavity Back: graphite $210 each

Tlink Tlink is a lightweight Bluetooth Device that pairs with your smartphone to give you accurate front, middle and back yardages to the green. It also works as a pedometer, tracking your steps, calories and distance walked on the course. With over 30,000 courses worldwide, Tlink has you covered no matter where you play. For further information please visit your nearest Drummond Golf Store.

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Compact Bag Mobiliser Concourse Golf has introduced the next generation of golf buggy, the “Compact Bag Mobiliser” (CBM).

The 2016 International Design Award-winning CBM3 delivers a new level of convenience for the walking golfer, both on and off the course. Constructed of high-grade diecast aluminium, glass fibre pultrusions and weighing a little over 4kg, the

Big Max Auto Fold FF Big Max, a leader in golf buggy technology, releases the new Auto Fold FF. The key to success of this unique product is the patented Flat Fold technology, which enables the buggy to be folded down with a one-move folding mechanism. This means it can be lying flat while being transported safely in your car. Not only is it compact, but it’s absolutely stable on hilly courses. It has maintenance free, wheels and securely attaches your bag to the push buggy. This award-winning product offers a full 5 year warranty demonstrating its strength and reliability. For further information please visit your nearest Drummond Golf Store.

PING Vault putters Taking inspiration from its legendary Gold Putter Vault and long-held reputation as a leader in putter design and manufacturing, PING introduced its PING Vault series. Four models are designed for golfers seeking a putter engineered to exacting standards and precisionmilled to the tightest tolerances: two blade designs (Voss and Anser 2) and two new mallet models (Oslo and Bergen) Players will experience improved putting touch and speed control with the patented TR face technology, one of the most significant and measurable innovations in putting performance in the last several years. The individually milled face pattern varies in depth and pitch across the face, which speeds up off-centre impacts – ultimately leading to fewer three putts. The blade models are fully machined from 303 stainless steel forged billets, ensuring the highest quality and precision in design and manufacturing

while delivering a tremendous look, feel and sound. The Voss is a new design that features a ball-width cavity and sloped heel-toe weights for precise setup. The bodies of the Oslo and Bergen are milled from 6061 T-6 aluminium. The improved stability and roll characteristics result from stainless steel bottom weighting, which boosts MOI and lowers the CG. Both models feature a precision doublebend shaft that can be adjusted to match either a Slight Arc or Straight stroke type.

new gear

CBM3’s ultra compact form requires minimal time and effort to assemble, making setup and transportation a snack. The incredibly streamlined frame folds flat against the golf bag, eliminating storage issues. Removing the wheels and storing them in their own bag is great for a clean car boot and fine for placement on even the most fastidious car owner’s leather seats. The CBM3 is full featured and one of its many patented innovations is its ability to be separated from the bag with the flick of a lever.

COBRA KING OVERSIZED IRONS are back, and better than ever. With a new oversized PWRSHELL Face that delivers greater ball speed and a higher launch, the KING Oversized Irons have an extra large sweetspot and provide forgiveness across the entire face. TM

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Cobra KING Oversized Irons

Cobra re-introduces the new KING oversized iron, featuring an all new PWRshell face technology, which helps to lower the CG (Center of Gravity), and provides a thinner, lighter face and sole structure, delivering higher ball speeds across the face for more distance. A full-hollow body construction throughout the set delivers a soft, yet solid sound for higher launch and improved consistency. Additionally, a 100% milled face improves groove structures for maximum spin and trajectory control, while progressive spin technology delivers optimum spin performance. V-grooves on the 4-6 irons reduce spin for more distance, U-grooves on the 7-PW increase spin for more controlled shots into greens, and wedge spaced grooves on the GW and SW produce extra spin for scoring around the green.

And with a full-hollow construction that delivers a smooth yet solid feel, now you can enjoy the longest, most forgiving iron COBRA has ever made.

The Oversized irons are available in RH & LH in 4-SW and will be at retail in November 2016. Available in steel (stiff and regular flex) or graphite

The Oslo is a simpler mallet with a smaller footprint and lower-level sightline. The Bergen features a raised ball-width crown alignment aid similar to the award-winning Ketsch model. The new PING Pistol (PP62) grip is standard on all four models. The Pistol shape fits naturally into the palm and fingertips for moreconsistent grip pressure. The lightweight (68g), oversized grip’s soft, tacky polymer construction ensures a comfortable feel.

SIZE GOES A LONG WAY

AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 2016 cobragolf.com/oversized (stiff, regular and light flex). The irons feature a black Lamkin Ace Crossline grip and come stock with a UST Recoil 460 ES graphite shaft or a True Temper XP 85 steel shaft. www.cobragolf.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

gear

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WE TRIED IT!>

The sole of the club also features a silver “face angle” disc, which allows you to set the face to Open, Neutral or Closed. This helps you to adjust the look and setting of the club at address to suit your eye and swing.

Mizuno JPX900 Driver We’ve tried many drivers and woods over the years, but the Mizuno JPX900 may very well be one of the best!

Next, the Quick Switch hosel allows you to change the loft of your driver quickly and easily, from 7.5 degrees to 11.5 degrees for men, or 10.5 to 14.5 for the women. It also features the benefit of being able to quickly swap out a shaft with a turn of a key. And while this all may seem confusing to the average golfer, trust us that it can make a BIG difference to your game. With the help of your local pro or clubfitter (using Trackman or a similar fitting/ measuring system) you can try a variety of settings to maximise your performance off the tee.

hile they have long been known for their innovative, high-performing irons, Mizuno has recently made a serious push into the woods category, with last month’s launch of their new JPX900 Driver, Fairway Wood and Hybrid series. Inside Golf were among the first to testdrive these sleek, new sticks, and we are excited to report that they are phenomenal. We’ve tried many drivers and woods over the years, but the Mizuno JPX900 may very well be one of the best! With the launch of the line, Mizuno stated that the JPX900 “showcases a sciencedriven process to create clubs with the ultimate in optimisation, performance and control”. When they say ‘optimisation’, they aren’t kidding, as the JPX900 Driver offers

a mind-bending array of adjustments you can make to dial-in the EXACT ball flight you are looking for. Just looking at the sole of the club—with all the adjustable weights and slots—fills you with excitement and confidence that this club has every game and swing covered. For golfers who want to optimise the launch angle and spin rate (which can significantly crank up your distance off the tee) the club offers a pair of 8gm weights, as well as three of the company’s famous “Fast Tracks” to help you set the weights precisely where you want them. The toe and heel port allows spin and launch to be adjusted alongside fade/draw bias, while the middle slot slides from back to front for further optimisation. The weights can also be removed completely if you desire.

We took the driver out for a significant session on the range (where we tried every setting combination imaginable, before dialling-in our optimal ball flight) and then took to the course, filled with confidence. After just one round, we knew this club was something special. Drive after drive was pumped down the middle, with significant distance gains over our current driver. Even our miss-hits were finding the fairway more often than not. Our playing partners began to take notice, and soon they were begging for a hit of their own. This was followed by the wide eyes and big smiles as their own drives were crunched down the middle. Over a few rounds, the JPX900 has proven to be a real crowd pleaser.

drivers/clubs can suffer from a tinny sound at impact with certain settings, this isn’t the case with the JPX900. It sounds solid and clean, in all of the settings. The way a good driver should sound. Even the stock shafts are something to sing about, as the JPX900 Driver and Fairway Wood come with high-performance Fujikura Speeder Evolution II shafts (ranging from lightweight to heavy/stiff options for all types of swing speeds.) Overall, we were gobsmacked at just how good the Mizuno JPX900 Driver performed. If you are in the market for a new driver— and want heaps of distance and control off the tee—we urge you to give it a test-drive of your own. RRP Driver: $779.00 Fairway $499.00 Hybrid: $399.00 www.mizuno.com.au Inside Golf and Mizuno are giving away a JPX900 Driver to TWO lucky readers this month. Simply visit our website, www.insidegolf.com.au/competitions, and sign up for our monthly e-newsletter. In addition, you can visit our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/insidegolf and click “Like” on the competition post. Good luck!

WneIoNf TWO00

O JPX9 no u z i M rivers D

Another exciting aspect of the JPX900 which should be noted is its remarkably pleasing sound. While many adjustable

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New Model Yamaha AC

Alternating current is the most efficient way to transmit electricity, delivering more voltage while drawing fewer amps. Yamaha states that its Drive AC batteries will last longer and require less electricity to recharge. The Drive AC is driven by a 6.7 horsepower engine that provides 50 percent more power and torque than its closest competitor. AC provides an immediate acceleration from a standstill from the bottom of a hill. It’s very quick, steady and smooth. It pulls well.”

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The importance of club face control Glenn Whittle

glenn@whittlegolf.com.au 0439 165 750

Titanium was promised to be the hot new material for golfers back in the 1990s, but given recent events in California, we’ll bet the creators had no idea of the flammable properties.

his is a nice image sequence of one of my clients who is working hard on his game to increase his consistency and lower his handicap. I thought these images would help me explain how the club face works in the golf swing.

TV stations in America reported last month that a golfer was trying to hit his ball out of dry rough at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club (California) when his titanium-alloy club struck a rock, causing a spark that, in turn, set off a blaze that eventually spread to nearly 100 acres of adjoining bushland.

The simplest way to think about the Club face for a relatively straight ball flight (assuming the swing path and angle of attack are correct) is the club face should remain square to your body throughout the swing Even though you can’t see his club face in Photo 1, because he has a neutral grip, you can tell from his hands that his club face is square to his body. If he was to turn his feet around and face the club face and drop the club head to the ground, it and his body would be in a perfect position to hit a normal shot. In other words he wouldn’t have to adjust (open or close) the club face; he would be ready to go. Photo 2 - This is an impressive impact position; his hips are turning to the left, shoulders square and club face once again square to his body. And finally, same on the follow through (photo 3), If he was to turn his feet around and face the club face and drop the club head to the ground as we discussed in the backswing, it and his body would be in a perfect position to hit a normal shot, in other

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Golfer has hot streak with Titanium club

words he wouldn’t have to adjust (open or close) the club face; he would be ready to go. I am now coaching at Barton Park Golf Range (210 West Botany St, Arncliffe) every day except Tuesdays and Fridays. To book a lesson visit www.whittlegolf.com.au and click on BOOK NOW - Barton Park uses real golf balls and has grass and also undercover hitting . For more info please call 0439165750. • 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!

The science behind it all is that a metal clubhead won’t spark with a rock, but a titanium head will – just about every time it strikes a rock at 90 miles per hour or more. In fact, the temperature of a spark coming off a Titanium headed golf club can be as high as 1648 degrees Celsius, reported the local Californian Fire Authority. The golfer in question attempted to put the fire out, but it spread too quickly. It was three hours before it was fully contained. Interestingly, the same thing happened at the same course in 2011 and has happened at other golf courses in America. What does it all mean? Keep your ball on the fairway and if you are playing a dry course in Victoria this summer and happen to hit a wayward shot into the hay, perhaps chip it onto the fairway, or if you must have a lash, make sure you are carrying a fire extinguisher!

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The ‘Penalty Shootout’ for fun family practice Jamie McCallum

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

pring is here and with it comes more daylight hours and sunshine. This provides us all with extra incentive to get into the outdoors and spend time with our family and friends and also practice our golf. Like all games, golf is more fun when you can play with your family and friends. You don’t need to be on a golf course or driving range to practice your game. Fun golf games which focus on some basic skills can be played anywhere there is sufficient space. At home in your garden, on the local sporting field or in the park. You can even do some games in the house. In last month’s edition, I spoke about the importance of balance, tempo and timing. A fantastic game which continues your development of these fundamental skills and your distance control whilst allowing you to have some fun with family and friends is “Penalty Shootout”. How to Play • You can play in pairs or as individuals • Use jumpers to mark your starting position and a safety standing position

• Set up some goal posts approximately 5 metres (club lengths) away from the starting position • Decide how many shots each team has • Take it in turns to try to chip your ball through the goal • The player/team with most goals scored are the winners • Use Golphin clubs and Golphin Flipper balls You can easily change the game to make it harder or easier by; • Making the goal posts closer or further apart • Moving the goals posts closer or further away from the starting position • Creating a catchment area behind the goals where the balls must land to be counted Let us know how you go by posting your photos or ideas for new fun games on our

She said she'd leave me if I go golfing again this weekend ...

Facebook page @golphinaustralia or Twitter @golphinau. Fabulous prizes for the best games created and posted. 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

Bushnell Golf named official laser rangefinder of the Qantas GC Bushnell Golf has been appointed as the ‘Official laser range finder’ of the Qantas Golf Club. Bushnell Golf will be accompanying the Qantas Golf Club on their Challenge Series road show, which is made up of 14 qualifying one-day events that take place on some of Australia’s most majestic golf courses like The Lakes, Huntingdale and Royal Queensland. Bushnell Golf will be providing Qantas Golf Club members the opportunity to experience the latest addition to their market-leading range of golf laser range finders, the Tour V4, to try out during their Challenge Series events. “The Qantas Golf Club is excited to have the world’s best performing provider of laser range finders as a partner of our program. We believe this partnership will give Qantas Golf Club members access to the best tools to help them accurately measure their distances on the course as well as becoming invaluable tools to enhance their game,” said Richard Davey, head of Qantas Golf Club. Fiona Marty, Marketing Manager for Bushnell Golf Asia/Pacific shared a similar sentiment. “We are extremely excited to partner with the Qantas Golf Club and showcase our leading range of GPS & laser rangefinders to Qantas members throughout the Challenge Series. We know the members will love trying out our products and seeing improvements in their game out on the course”.

Former world #1 tennis player and recent golf addict Andy Roddick has some tough decisions to make. travismathew.com

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Relaxed body - calm mind decision to make, when you want to have a restful sleep. Actually, all times during the day and night when you want to reduce thinking, increase feeling, and focus your attention.

Peter Croker www.keytofgolf.com

ABDOMINAL BREATHING TECHNIQUE

Place one hand on the chest and the other on the belly, deep breathe in through the nose and either out through the nose or mouth, ensuring the diaphragm (not the chest) inflates with enough air to create a stretch in the lungs.

any golfers will have been told that they need to “relax” in order to freeup their swing, and help improve consistency. To relax the muscles and calm the mind, you must first focus on breathing. There are a number of breathing techniques for various circumstances and different focusing exercises to bring the mind and body into harmony to produce a well-coordinated, powerful, and consistent strike on the golf ball. Controlled breathing keeps the mind and body functioning at their best and promotes feelings of calm and relaxation under pressure and helps us de-stress. We encourage using the breath as a means of increasing awareness, becoming more mindful, and finding that elusive state of Zen, or at least be more in the “Now.”

Here are a few tips to improve your breathing before (and during) a round. BALANCED BREATHING Balance in golf is key to control and consistency and it starts with the breath. This is a simple as breathing in to the count of four and out to the count of four. Place your attention on your breathing and breathe deep into the abdomen having your stomach

The goal is for 5 to 8 deep, slow breaths per minute for 10 minutes each day to experience immediate reductions to heart rate and blood pressure.

expand as you do so. On the exhale start exhaling deep from the abdomen and feel and watch your stomach contract. Do all breathing here through the nose. This helps regulate the temperature of the air coming in to your body and helps relax the body and calm the mind, reducing stress while helping to increase focus. With practice you can extend the inhale and exhale count to five or more seconds. Besides being a balance of breath in and out, you also need to make it become a natural (and not forced) exercise. Practice Balanced Breathing anytime you wish to calm the mind and relax the body. This means before, during, and after every golf shot. When you face any important

Do this before any game, or any stressful event. But keep in mind, those who operate in a stressed state all the time might be a little shocked how hard it is to control the breath.

$10,000 fires up Nathan JOINING a golf club paid handsome dividends for an Ipswich teenager after he scooped the cash in the “Join a golf club and win $10,000” promotion. Nathan Jones, who joined the Ipswich Country Club 40 kilometres west of Brisbane, collected the $10,000 cash prize when his name was pulled from a champagne bucket at Carbrook Golf Club following the successful promotion. Nine southeast Queensland clubs were involved in the promotion. They were Carbrook, Ipswich, Keperra, McLeod, Nudgee, Oxley, Pacific, Redland Bay and Wynnum golf clubs. “At first I didn’t believe it and thought someone was playing a joke on me,” Nathan said. “I didn’t join the club knowing about the promotion, but I did see the sign at the club and thought ‘wouldn’t that be good’. It’s one of those things you never expect to happen.”

While stress, frustration, and other daily setbacks will always be there, the good news is, so will our breath.

The 18-year-old single-figure marker said he was undecided on how he would spend the money.

Suggested Reference material on Breathing: www.breatheology.com

“I’m not sure what I’ll do with the money, but a new set of golf clubs is definitely on the cards and I might do some travel,” he said.

Peter Croker is a Certified PGA Professional, and has been a PGA Member since 1971. He has given lessons using The Croker Golf System to many students from beginners to Major Championship winners including Arnold Palmer, Vijay Singh, Rocco Mediate, Fred Funk, Bob Charles, and Olin Brown. www.crokergolfsystem.com. Phone: 0415 292 549 or email: crokergolfsystem@gmail.com

Ipswich Country Club general manager Darren Richards said the promotion was beneficial for the club. “The promotion is a great one for us to be involved in with the Brisbane golf clubs,” he said. “It gave us some market space we wouldn’t normally do so it was fantastic for the club.”

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mental game

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Five keys to improving your Golf Intelligence 5) Decision Making

Nick Sutherland

When working with high handicappers, I can generally help them to save between 5 and 10 shots PER 9 HOLES just by making better decisions.

contact@nicksutherland.com.au

agician Michael Ammar once said something that really resonated with me “Practice doesn’t make perfect – practice makes permanent”. We can practice as much as we like but if we’re practicing in ways that aren’t leading to improvement, we’re going to be permanently frustrated with the outcome of all that practice!

If you remember why you play, spend your warmup time practicing with purpose, stay in control, play within yourself and are realistic in what you should shoot then you will have a greater capacity to make better decision. But what exactly is a better decision?

Before you make the mistake of running off to overhaul your bag and buy all the latest equipment to improve your game, try spending some time developing your golf brain. The mind will “break down” before the body usually does, so why don’t golfers do more mental exercises? Nearly all amateur golfers work solely on the physical side of the game and spend no time developing the mental component which to me is crazy because the mental game is the foundation of your whole golf game – the body can’t do anything without the brain. Here are 5 Keys for you to start improving your golfing intelligence. Do them in this order and let me know what it changes for you. 1) What’s your WHY? Take a moment and ask yourself why do you play golf. Really think about it – what got you into the game? Why do you make it a priority, putting it before anything else that you could be doing on a Saturday morning? Now imagine someone has been filming you and you watch a highlight reel of your last 10 rounds – do you see a person playing in a way that reflects why they play? On the way to the course, try remembering why you play and how it makes you feel so by the time you tee off, you’re in a much better headspace. 2) Invest your time and energy wisely Think about how much time you spend hitting 7-iron after 7-iron on the range. Now think about how many times you hit 7-irons in a row on the course. Hardly ever. Try practicing with

intent and purpose – before a round, start with short game to loosen up then for full swing, imagine teeing off the first and practice hitting the shots that you want to hit for the first few holes (if you know the course). 3) React vs Respond Want to know the secret to staying in control? Choose how you respond. Too often I see clients I‘m working with react poorly to a bad shot or not so great lie instead of taking a moment to choose how they respond. Try laughing as soon as you realise its going sideways or when you see its plugged or in a divot, then see it as an opportunity to hit a great recovery. I guarantee it will help you to enjoy your round a whole lot more. 4) Be realistic Play within yourself. Do you have a spare 10,000 hours to practice? According to Swedish psychologist Anders Ericsson, that’s how long it takes to become an expert or elite in something. So if you train for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 52 weeks then it will take you just under 5 years to be as good as most amateurs think they should be. Try giving yourself a break, let go of unrealistic expectations and go and be as good as you can be on the day.

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In a nutshell, Yes its great to be competitive and we all naturally want to improve and get better but we need to balance that out with reality – we’re not professionals and we’re never going to be. My advice is to get your head in a good space by practicing these five keys, go and get a few lessons to work on the physical fundamentals, give those changes time to settle in and then see how much happier you walk off the course in the future. Happy golfing. Nick Sutherland is a psychotherapist and performance consultant based out of Moonah Links Golf Academy on the Mornington Peninsula. Nick specialises in helping golfers of all abilities to take their game to the next level by improving their mental performance. Nick has worked with Olympic and World Championship winning athletes, AFL players, Hall of Fame triathletes and professional golfers to achieve their goals and he can help you too. For an free assessment and phone consultation call 0448 339 662 or email contact@nicksutherland.com.au

Price Puts His Mind To Coaching

fter traveling the globe for more than a quarter of a century, Australian and European PGA Tour Pro Terry Price has played with many of the games greats such as Jack Nicklaus, Ballesteros, Monty, Greg Norman and Adam Scott

focus, concentration and confidence in EVERY shot”.

Along with his vast experience and learning from coaches like Butch Harmon, David Leadbetter and David Pelz, Terry now shares his skills with amateur golfers at Terry Price Golf Schools based at world renowned Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club on the Gold Coast.

Pro Golf IQ is a 5-week audio program used in the comfort of your home, which has seen amateur golfers worldwide dramatically improve their game.

Terry says “we offer golfers a unique opportunity of learning from a current Tour Pro, providing them with a ‘swing for a lifetime’ along with many tales from life on the road.

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Not going for the hero shot. Taking more club than you think. Laying up. Playing away from the flag….all of these are part of the mental game. If you hit a shot and end up in trouble, chances are it’s a mental error, not physical. Start taking notes of how many mental errors you make compared to physical ones then start correcting them and watch your handicap come tumbling down.

He added “I really enjoy putting back into the game and seeing players of all standards dramatically improve. However, while we coach the physical side, mastering the mental game can be more challenging”. “Professional golfers have a strong mental stability which is something many amateurs struggle with. However, by training your mind using a program called Pro Golf IQ, it’s possible to replicate the Pros thought process and gain

“The program teaches how to cope under pressure just like the worlds’ top Pros who consistently make those clutch putts and big shots as they are always in complete control of their mental state”.

Inside Golf recently described Pro Golf IQ along with its supplementary modules for putting, driving and pitching as the most game-changing product on the market, with Editor, Richard Fellner, dropping 4 shots and winning his first ever monthly Medal by using the programs’ techniques. INSIDE Golf readers can score the main 5-week program for just $97 (regularly $219) or save a massive 60% off the full suite at only $194 (rrp $495). Just go to the special website link to learn more www.progolfiq.com/october oR call Pete Nicholson (07) 5657 0902.

fitness

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Maintaining strength and fitness for better golf required to perform a task. Systematic strength training also improves recovery rates through structural and functional adaptations of the muscles.

Richard Nizielski www.golffitsolutions.com

As well as muscle size and strength improvements, consistent strength training has been found to improve the components of intramuscular coordination - Synchronisation (the ability to contract all the motor units of the muscles involved simultaneously), Recruitment (the capacity at which the motor units of the muscles involved are recruited and Rate coding (the capacity to increase the firing rate of the motor units to express more strength). When these components are maintained the body has a greater opportunity to perform the task, in this case the golf swing, with less effort.

hope you are all staying warm and healthy during these winter months.

While we may not be getting in as much golf as we would like during the winter, it does provide us with an opportunity to focus on other areas to improve our golf, in particular, golf fitness. Whatever you think about physical preparation for golf, there is one undeniable fact. To execute a golf swing it will require muscle activation. The better the muscle activation the better we can recruit and use the muscles involved.

All in all, investing even the most basic fitness training can benefit not only our golf but our overall health as well. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not sure where to begin, then have a look at my website: www.golffitsolutions.com or contact me for information.

On average, our strength levels peak at around 25 years of age and plateaus somewhere between 35 or 40 years of age. As we get older, both peak force and overall muscle mass decrease, which for golf means a slowing of clubhead acceleration and maximum speed of the golf club. Although it is most likely that muscle mass, speed and power will diminish as we age, evidence shows that the process can be slowed and as such our golf game maintained for longer. Several studies have shown that older adults (mid 50s to 80 years of age) improved both club head speed and golf fitness when engaging in a resistance-training program. While some of the training programs included very golf specific exercises, others included what might be considered

Happy golfing.

generic exercises and movements such as the leg press machine, bench press and lat pull-down machine. While these exercises might be more global in their use and all the participants in the research were involved in the same training program rather than having individually designed fitness programs, it does indicate that maintaining your fitness will help you maintain your golf game. Even if your goal does not include

increasing your club head speed, maintaining a good level of strength and fitness through strength training has other benefits. Having a higher level of muscle strength increases our level of injury prevention of both the muscles and joints. Where resistance training is part of the fitness program, strength reserve (the difference between maximum strength and the strength required to perform the skill) is better, meaning there is less overall effort

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 | October 2016

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

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WA Chappell

wins the 2016 WA Senior Order of Merit

Mandurah Seniors The final event of the 2015-16 WA Senior Order of Merit competition was the Mandurah Senior Amateur. The event was played in very tough conditions as just before play began there was a heavy downpour which flooded the greens and then presented some testing conditions for the field.

West Australian Senior team to compete in the 2016 Australian Senior Amateur Championships to be played at Kooyonga GC in October. This year the clear winner of the Order of Merit was Hartfield senior Paul Chappell. Amongst his wins was the 2016 West Australian Senior Amateur Championship.

The winner of the 2016 Mandurah Senior Amateur was John Wallace from Lake Karrinyup who edged out Hartfield senior Michael Dunsmore by a single stroke. The 2015-16 Senior Order of Merit finished with the Mandurah Seniors. This timing allows the leading players to be recognised with selection in the

Order of Merit Final Standings Paul Chappell – winner of the WA Senior Order of Merit.

395 Paul Chappell, Hartfield 347 Dennis Warburton, Melville Glades 330 Trevor Hughes, Hartfield

320 Michael Dunsmore, Hartfield 310 Neville Delane, WA GC 305 John Banting, Royal Perth 302 John Wallace, Lake Karrinyup The West Australian team for the Australian Senior Championships is Paul Chappell, Dennis Warburton, Trevor Hughes and Michael Dunsmore.. With three players from the Hartfield Country Club in the state team it shows that they are the top senior club in Western Australia. This was also identified earlier in the year with their win in the 2016 WA Men’s Senior Pennant competition.

NSW Results from Senior Order of Merit events Carnarvon Seniors Concord senior Ken Brewer took a long time to win his first NSW Senior Order of Merit event in 2016 but he has wasted no time in making it two in a row. After a good win in the Cabramatta Seniors Brewer followed up by taking out first prize in the next event– the 2016 Carnarvon Senior Amateur. Brewer played his usual controlled game and the plus one handicapper finished with an excellent score of one over par 73. Brewer’s consistency this year has been outstanding and from 20 starts in NSW Senior Order of Merit events he has finished

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

in the top three places 11 times. Rex Suckling made the trip from Belmont Golf Club well worthwhile finishing with a score of 75 and the runner-up prize. The Over 55 Scratch prizes went to John Kindred (Kogarah second from left) with a round of 77. Mick Brooks won the handicap prize with a net score of 69, edging out Ken Lockery by a single stroke.

Kooindah Waters Seniors Mollymook senior Graham Beasley has won the 2016 Kooindah Waters Senior Amateur.

On a beautifully conditioned course the large field struggled on the tight layout with Beasley winning with a round of five over par 77. Beasley’s round consisted of three birdies and he was the winner by one stroke from Stefan Albinski (Mona Vale) and Rex Suckling (Belmont) after these two golfers returned scores of 78. In form Concord senior Ken Brewer was well on track to record his third successive win until he recorded a quadruple bogey seven on the par three second – his fifteenth hole after the shotgun start. Brewer finished with a round of 80.

Monash member Jacqui Morgan was an easy winner in the women’s scratch with a round of 82. Local member Robyn Tetley won the handicap with a nett score of 75. Perhaps the real story of the day belonged to Lane Cove senior Mark Spence. In his round Spence had the excitement of recording a hole-in-one on his first shot. He then went amazingly close to a very rare feat as his final card contained scores of 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. All he needed was a 2 to complete what would have been a most remarkable scorecard. More www.golfnsw.org

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senior amateurs

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

senior amateurs

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QLD LaChiusa and Ryan win PresCare Senior Order of Merit

ow in its fourth year, The PresCare Queensland Senior Order of Merit continues to prove its popularity providing an excellent avenue for senior golf around Queensland. This year the PresCare QSOOM year attracted 687 players participating in 27 events all over the state. Of this, there were 225 women and 462 men who played in at least one event. The average field size was 56 players with two thirds of the fields being 50 or more players. This year the season was changed to finish in July to correspond with the playing of the Gold Coast Senior Classic and the Queensland Senior Amateur Championship The major champions for the year were Mario LaChiusa and Josie Ryan. Special mention to Gwen Clutterbuck who played in 19 women events with Tim Deakin and Joe McDermid, participating in 21 events for the men.

2016 Queensland PresCare Senior Order of Merit winners (l to r) Judy Logan (Golf Queensland), Cheryl Sternberg, Wendy O’Connell, Philip Towle, Tim Deakin, Josie Ryan, Mario La Chiusa, Margaret Emerson, Peter Hannah, Adrienne Naismith, Allanna Kelsall (PresCare). Winner Women Nett: Runner Up Women Nett: Winner Men Super Senior: Runner Up Men Super Senior: Winner Women Super Senior: Runner Up Women Super Senior:

Wendy O’Connell Gwen Clutterbuck Philip Towle Trevor Box Adrienne Naismith Margaret Emerson

PresCare will continue supporting the Senior Order of Merit series in 2016-7 as well as sponsorship of the 2017 Queensland Senior Amateur Championships. All players were highly appreciative of the ongoing support and dedication by PresCare in sponsoring these senior events.

Northlakes Seniors

Josie Ryan & Mario LaChiusa winners of the Queensland PresCare Senior Order of Merit. The prize winners for the 2015-6 PresCare QSOOM series were as follows: Winner Men Scratch: Runner Up Men Scratch: Winner Women Scratch: Runner Up Women Scratch: Winner Men Nett: Runner Up Men Nett:

Mario La Chiusa Peter Hannah Josie Ryan Cheryl Sternberg Joe McDermid Tim Deakin

Runner Up Men Nett: Winner Ladies Scratch: Runner Up Ladies Scratch: Winner Ladies Nett: Runner Up Ladies Nett:

David Bowtell 35 points ocb Wendy O’Connell 83 ocb Josie Ryan 83 Belinda Hogarth 35 points June Wills 34 points

Beerwah Seniors The second event of the 2016-17 PresCare QSOOM year was played at Beerwah Golf Club. This was the first time the Beerwah course has been used for a PresCare QSOOM event. The day was glorious and the course was presented in fabulous condition.

The first event of the 2016-17 PresCare QSOOM year was played at North Lakes Golf Club with a total of 54 players (31 men and 23 woman) competing. It was especially pleasing to see so many ladies in the field.

The event attracted a large field with 70 players (59 men and 11 woman) competing. It was also great to see so many Beerwah members (29 in all) playing in their first senior event.

Many of the players commented that the North Lakes course was in the best condition it has ever been.

Winner Men Scratch: Runner Up Men Scratch: Winner Men Nett: Runner Up Men Nett: Winner Ladies Scratch: Winner Ladies Nett:

The prize winners for the day: Winner Men Scratch: Runner Up Men Scratch: Winner Men Nett:

Steve Toyne 75 David Hannah 80 Larry Pumpa 35 points ocb

The prize winners for the day: Mario La Chiusa 74 Steve Toyne 75 Trevor Morrison 67 Robert Swanson 70 ocb Theresa Tatham 87 Marie Voorma 72

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senior amateurs

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VIC Claney and Owen on fire in Senior Sandbelt Week

ne of the most anticipated weeks of golf for Victorian and interstate senior golfers is the “Senior Sandbelt Week”.

Claney finished 6 shots ahead of Stephen Valentine (Kew) with the handicap honours for 2016 going to Royal Melbourne’s Alan Evans who returned a nett 74 from his 5 handicap. Evans narrowly edged out New South Welshman Drew Simonsen (Castle Hill) who finished with 75 from his 10 handicap.

This year the courses included Yarra Yarra, Kingston Heath, Commonwealth, Victoria, Metropolitan and Royal Melbourne. The undisputed star of the week was Gordon Claney who won the first four events. To complete the week Barwon Heads senior John Owen then took out the final two events.

Yarra Yarra Seniors Yarra Yarra was once again the venue for the first of six August Senior Amateur events across the Melbourne Sandbelt. 66 players teed it up to compete for the “Ray Barned” trophy in cold August weather. Gordon Claney fired the lowest round of the day, a five over par 77 to claim the first event and the coveted trophy named after the late Ray Barned. Claney’s round in difficult conditions was a very good one and it was highlighted by birdies on holes 14 and 18. Runner up was The National Golf Club member John Wheeler who was the only other golfer to break 80 with his round of 79. In the nett, it was Dave Berg from Lakes Entrance who stayed the most persistent to card a nett score of 73.

Kingston Heath Seniors Gordon Claney made it two wins in as many days as he tamed brutal winds to win the 2016 Kingston Heath Senior Amateur. The strong and unpleasant winds were prevalent throughout the entire round which guaranteed high scores would be common. Claney, a local member at Kingston Heath, was the most enduring out of the 96 player field with his round of four over par 76 including three impressive birdies.

Victoria Seniors The fourth leg of the Senior Sandbelt week of golf took place in blustery conditions as the spotlight for 91 senior golfers turned to Victoria GC. Gordon Claney – winner of the 2016 Yarra Yarra, Kingston Heath, Commonwealth and Victoria GC Senior Amateur. The top two on the leaderboard hadn’t changed from Yarra Yarra with The National’s John Wheeler once again claiming runner up, shooting a round of 77. In the nett, Rod McNeil (Eastern GC) carded a fantastic nett score of 73 to claim the Handicap event. With the tough conditions it was no surprise that the average scratch score was 93 with an average nett score of 83.

Commonwealth Seniors

In the gross championship, Gordon Claney (Kingston Heath) continued his hot run of form to record his fourth win of the week after shooting a four over par round of 76. This time Claney was tested and he won on a countback from Trafalgar’s Jeff Hasthorpe. Roger Hogg was another player on the same score of 76. In the handicap competition Lakeside’s Roger Hogg recorded the day’s finest nett round winning outright with a nett score of 71 from his handicap of 5. Mike Steventon (Northcote) was runnerup in the handicap competition with a nett score of 72 from a daily handicap of 16.

Metropolitan Seniors

83 competitors from throughout Victoria and interstate teed it up in this years’ edition of the Commonwealth Senior Amateur, the third event in the ‘Senior Sand Belt’ series.

The windy and wintery weather had gone and the 2016 Metropolitan Senior Plate was played in beautiful sunshine that certainly warmed the field of 70 senior male golfers.

A windy afternoon greeted the field, following on from the first few days of wintery weather that Melbourne had provided. It certainly created a challenge for all who took to the fairways of the par 73 Commonwealth layout.

John Owen of Barwon Heads came in with the best round of the day, shooting 3 over par 75 to finish a single shot ahead of PeninsulaKingswood’s Mark Abeyaratne. A trio of golfers were next on 77 including Michael Doutch, Ian Frost and Robert Wallace. Gordon Claney’s run of success ended with the star golfer finishing with a round of 78.

In the end it was hot favourite Gordon Claney (Kingston Heath) firing the round of the day – a one-under-par 72. The win gave Claney a 100% strike rate for Sandbelt Week winning all three of the events played.

The nett section was dominated by interstate visitors from NSW, with Rod Fraser from Monash Golf Club taking top order from

John Owen – winner of the 2016 Royal Melbourne Senior Amateur and the Metropolitan Senior Plate. Ian Ashton of Pambula Merimbula. Fraser had a net 73 off a handicap of 8, one better than Ashton’s nett 74.

Royal Melbourne Seniors The August Senior Sandbelt week concluded with a spectacular day at Royal Melbourne. Sunshine beamed down on the East Course with a strong northerly breeze graduating throughout the day. John Owen backed up his win in the Metropolitan Plate with another solid round today to take home the coveted silver trophy at the Royal Melbourne Senior Amateur. The Barwon Heads member has recently returned from an injury and he recorded the good score of 75 in the testing conditions. Owen defeated his nearest rival Gordon Claney of Kingston Heath by 3 shots. Claney claimed runner-up prize from Robert Wallace of Midlands on a count-back. The nett section was tightly contested with victory going to John Hoare of Pakenham. The 13 marker posted a nett 73 to win on a countback from Lonsdale’s Adam Charleston. More: www.golfvic.org.au

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qld open

Is there a second Open for Senior? David Newbery

Royal Perth Golf Club was written into the history books recently, courtesy of the Chasing the Sun Challenge.

david@insidegolf.com.au

Father-son duo break world golf record

INNING the Queensland Open in 1984 was the springboard to Peter Senior’s magnificent career.

18 holes of golf, at six different courses, on six different continents, in less than 118 hours and 48 minutes. That’s what Bret Dandoy (aged 52) and his father Jeremiah (81) had to do to break a Guinness World Record by playing golf on six continents in the fastest time.

Now, 32 years after that famous victory at Royal Queensland, the 57-year-old is keen to add a second Open title to his impressive CV. Senior is currently recovering from an elbow injury, but organisers are confident he will tee it up in the $110,000 Isuzu Queensland Open at The Brisbane Golf Club from October 20-23. “I understand he will be right to play, which would be great for the event,” Golf Queensland’s manager golf operations and tournament director Luke Bates said.

Peter Senior and wife June show off the Queensland Open trophy he won in 1984.

Jarrod Lyle, who has overcome two battles with acute myeloid leukemia, will also be in the field.

the U.S. Amateur champion, will join him after he joined the likes of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson to have his name on the Havemeyer Trophy.

Bates said he was hoping to secure a couple of other name players including Aron Price and rising star Cameron Smith.

Luck’s win means the world number three amateur secured spots in next year’s U.S. Masters, U.S. Open and British Open.

Defending champion David Brandson is another target, but he is currently playing on the European Tour and the Portugal Masters and Queensland Open dates clash.

“There are some exemptions there for some of those guys if they want to play,” Bates said.

“We are hoping Cameron Smith will come and play,” Bates said. “He’s been a great supporter of Queensland events in the past. “If he is available he will be keen to play, but that will depend on his U.S. schedule.” Still, there will be plenty of talent at Brisbane Golf Club including a number of world-class amateurs. Min Woo Lee, the U.S. Junior Boys champion, will tee it up and Bates is hoping Curtis Luck,

“It would be great for the event if we had the reigning U.S. Junior champion and the U.S. Amateur champion play.” Imagine the excitement of watching veteran Peter Senior coming down the stretch with these two up-and-comers of Australian golf. The youngsters would give their back teeth to play alongside the master. Mind you, all 132 players in the field give themselves a chance of winning. The top 50, plus ties, will play on the weekend.

Bates said fans could expect to see during the tournament. “I think the winning score will be around 14-under par,” he said. “I don’t think it will be around 20-under, but the club is keen to see how low the players will go.” Aside from the exciting golf expected, there are plenty of activities being organised for families. “We have some nice side attractions,” Bates said. “We are putting a lot of work into a community engagement hub where there will be activities for kids like jumping castles, face painting and putt-putt competitions. “There will be food vans, beer tasting (for adults of course) as we want to create a village-type atmosphere.” Some famous names engraved on the T.B Hunter Cup include Norman von Nida, Greg Norman, David Graham, Ian Baker-Finch, Kel Nagle and the inaugural winner Harry Sinclair, who won it at The Brisbane Golf Club in 1925. •

Calderwood Valley Golf Course

The quest commenced in North America at the Golf Club of Houston on 24 July and was followed by rounds in Brazil, South America at Sao Paulo Aruja Golf Club (25 July), the Glendower Golf Club in South Africa (26 July), Germany’s Frankfurter Golf Club formed the European leg (27 July), before Asia’s Thai Country Club (28 July) and the final round at Royal Perth Golf Club in Australia. For those of you who love statistics, here are a few: Planning: 18 months Total duration of Challenge: 104 hours (4.3 days) Continents: 6 Flight miles: about 25,000 Flight time: 40 hours Transit time: 35 hours Free time: 9 hours Golf rounds: 6 Golf Time: 20 hours Non-airline meals: 2 Hotel nights: 0 Headache/pain medication: 14 times (just Bret!) Further details of their accomplishments are available via www.blueribbongolf. org/dandoy

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October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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qld open

FLASHBACK – WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Ricky dreams of Qld Open shot and competitive enough to go out there and win.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

“I’m actually hitting the ball alright at the moment.”

ORMER Queensland Open winner Ricky Schmidt says he would love to play in the tournament he won in 2006, but knows it’s highly unlikely.

With some good form under his belt, Schmidt would relish the opportunity to tee it up in the Queensland Open one more time.

He certainly has fond memories of his playoff victory over Tristan Lambert and Brad Kennedy after the trio had finished on 14-under par at Ipswich Golf Club.

“It would be great if Golf Queensland sent me an invite saying ‘we want you to come back and play’,” he said.

“It was the best week of my life,” said Schmidt, who had his late father and best friend Darryl on his bag. “My dad caddied for me in all my victories.

“I keep thinking if they sent me an invite I would love to go and play. “Perhaps previous winners, or winners over the past 10 years, could be invited to play. That would be nice.”

“I remember I had been playing pretty good golf for quite a few years. “Ipswich was a course I played well at and I had been knocking on the door when it all came together that week.

Mind you, Ricky is realistic and isn’t waiting for the postie to deliver that “special invitation”, but he is optimistic he will one day join the professional circuit – albeit in the senior ranks.

Ricky Schmidt and his late father and caddie Darryl show off the T.B. Hunter Cup.

“I was disappointed it wasn’t played at Ipswich again because when you win somewhere you are confident when you go and play there again.” Schmidt, who owns and operates the Bateau Bay Golf Range on the NSW Central Coast, has retired from regular competition golf, but there are times when he contemplates dusting the cobwebs off the clubs for another crack at tournament golf.

“The concept of me taking over the golf range was to try and hang in until I turn 50, practice hard and get ready for the seniors,” the 44-year-old said. “At the moment I am enjoying what I am doing because I love teaching and seeing people improve.”

“I get the urge to play all the time because when I start hitting balls I just want to go and play again,” he said.

One tournament Schmidt does contest annually is the Vanuatu Open.

“I run into a few of the boys who come here to hit balls and see Andre Stoltz quite a bit and Matt Millar is a good friend.

“I’m just about to go over to play in the Vanuatu Open,” he said. “I go there once a year to play and have a family holiday. Vanuatu is such a great place.”

“When I see them, I want to play again but it’s not easy to sneak off and go and play in tournament when you have a business to run. “But I’ll never say never because I still believe I am good enough

SPIKENOTE: The Brisbane Golf Club will host the Queensland Open from October 20-23. David Bransdon is the defending champion. •

Seven secures World Cup of Golf The Seven Network last month confirmed an agreement for all-encompassing coverage of the World Cup of Golf to be played in November. Seven’s agreement for the World Cup of Golf delivers all rights in Australia including free-toair broadcast television, subscription television rights, and expands to Seven’s digital platforms including online, mobile and social media. The World Cup of Golf will be played 23-27 November at Kingston Heath in Melbourne. The event – first played in 1953 – is one of the oldest and most prestigious global golf team events in the world. The 2016 World Cup of Golf will be the 58th staging of the event. Names such as Snead, Hogan, Nicklaus, Palmer, Trevino, Faldo, Ballesteros, Langer, Woods, Els and Day have all been able to call themselves World Champions. Jason Day and Adam Scott were champions in 2013. Seven’s partnership with the World Cup of Golf builds on Seven’s coverage of The Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship along with The Masters from Augusta. Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia said: “Seven is a strong supporter of Australian golf already, so the PGA is thrilled that Seven has secured the broadcast rights for the World Cup of Golf. With the Emirates Australian Open the week before and the Australian PGA Championship the week after the World Cup, Australian golf fans can look forward to watching three consecutive weeks of world-class golf on Channel Seven.” The 2016 World Cup of Golf will mark the fifth time in the tournament’s history that it will be played in Australia and the first at any course other than Royal Melbourne.

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

golf new south wales

Armstrong into Golf NSW HP squad

Entries roll in for NSW Open Entries are open and a high quality field is already lining up for the 2016 NSW Open Golf Championship. Five former Champions have confirmed their participation with defending Champion Ben Eccles heading the list. He will be joined by Aron Price (2013), Peter O’Malley (2010), Leigh Mc Kechnie (2009), and Aaron Townsend (2008). “There’s no doubt this year’s NSW Open is going to be a high quality field. It’s great to see this number of former champions have already entered,” said Tournament organiser Graeme Phillipson. For Eccles, the chance to defend his first career title will be an exciting thought. The 20-year old who turned professional straight after his 2015 win, has been making the most of his rookie year as a professional gaining starts on the European Tour. 2013 Champion Price has been grinding out a career on the secondary US Tour for a number of years. His 2016 highlight would doubtless be his appearance in the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. O’Malley, now the Chairman of the PGA of Australia is sure to attract a following of loyal fans, while Newcastle’s Aaron Townsend, who regained playing rights on the Japanese Tour for 2016 will be ready to return to Stonecutters Ridge after impressing in 2015. The Central Coast’s Leigh McKechnie will also be out to rekindle the form that saw him come from the clouds to grab his NSW Open back in 2009 at the Vintage Golf Club in the Hunter Valley.

NSW Sand & Grass Greens Champs decided

he ACT’s Josh Armstrong has been added to the Golf NSW High Performance Squad after some impressive performances in the last 12 months.

Forbes local John Betland has won the 2016 NSW Sand and Grass Greens Championship at Grenfell Country Club and Forbes Golf Club. Betland posted a score of two-over-par at Grenfell in difficult conditions then followed it up with a great round of one-under-par at Forbes to clinch the title by eight shots from Walcha’s Andrew Brennan.

Armstrong has just arrived home after six weeks of competition overseas, the highlight being a runner-up finish at the Junior World Championships at Torrey Pines.

The Women’s Championship was taken out by Rosemary Orr of Narrandera by four shots from first round leader Margaret Naseby of Coleambally.

Dean Kinney, National Coach – NSW was delighted to recognise Armstrong’s work ethic with HP squad selection. “I’m impressed with his application and desire to improve himself holistically every day. He approached the experts at Precision Athletica to assist him physically, Noel Blundell to assist psychologically and Gary Barter for technical advice. He will set the benchmark amongst his peers in his dedication to improve.”

In the handicap competitions, Paul Friend of Peak Hill had an exceptional score of 83 stableford points for the two rounds to beat Binalong’s Joe Dyball on 76 points. In the women’s section, Maria Neill of Grenfell had a great second round of 40 points to go with her first round 30 points to eventually win by eight shots from fellow Grenfell member Virginia Drogemuller.

keeps me going, keeps me motivated,” he said.

Armstrong, who plays his golf at the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney was thrilled with the news. “This will give me a great deal of confidence. I’ve looked at the others in the squad and I realise now that I can play at this level. “I’m the youngest guy in the squad. It’s going to spur me on too.” The 17-year-old began his golf career at Canberra’s Gold Creek at a very young age. His dad David put a club in his hand as soon as he could stand up. “I got my first handicap before I turned six, I look up to my dad. He

Prior to his world junior result, Armstrong’s biggest win was in the Australian Schoolboys Championships at Thirteenth Beach in Victoria, which seems like a long time ago to him now. ”When I think back to that, I realise now how much I’ve matured as a golfer and learnt to deal with situations,” he said.

www.golfnsw.org

Congratulations to the latest St Hallett Wines Hole-in-One Achievers:

Armstrong knows how far he still needs to go in the game and the work that’s required to get there. “I definitely want to turn pro and become at least a top-three player in the world.” He’s hopeful too that one day he’ll compete alongside his golfing hero, Jason Day. “He handles himself so well. He’s done so many things others haven’t done. It would be great to tee it up beside him one day,” he laughed.

Raymond Clelland, Samantha Greaves, Francois Hebert, Kathy Jansen, Reece Jones, Albert Kim, Barry Mortimer, Peter Ravell, Peter Swan, Robyn Syme, David Tufrey, and Ron Welfare.

THE

NSW

OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

2016

Defining Legends since 1931

Come and walk the fairways with the players

November 10th – 13th, 2016 Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club For more information, visit www.nswopen.com

To secure your complimentary season pass, valued at $60.00, go to www.nswopen.com/ticketing before November 1st, 2016

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

golf queensland

Queensland titles a tense battle

ylan Perry dominated the recent Queensland Men’s Stroke and Amateur Championships, picking up both titles and a spot in the 2016 Isuzu Queensland Open.

The countdown has begun to the start of the Isuzu Queensland Open and it promises to be the biggest Open to be seen with a new venue, talented playing field and a party-style “Nineteenth” zone.

Rebecca Kay and Celina Yuan picked up the women’s honours in the prestigious events. Kay took home the Queensland Women’s Stroke Play and Yuan secured the Amateur Championship. Men’s Stroke Play – Pacific Harbour Golf Club Dylan Perry, who hails from Hunter Valley, NSW, finished the tournament with an impressive 4-under par on 284 claiming the title by four shots over Maverick Antcliff (Indooroopilly). Perry’s campaign started slow with rounds of 76-71 but was kick-started on Tuesday morning after his caddie joined him on the 10th tee. Despite being three-over through nine holes, Perry proceeded to shoot 12 birdies over the concluding 27 holes! His 6-under back nine became the catalyst of his victory posting rounds of 69-68 to win his first state championship. Women’s Stroke Play – Bribie Island Golf Club QAS Squad member Rebecca Kay took out the 2016 Women’s Stroke Play title after successfully holding off defending champion Karis Davidson (Sanctuary Cove). Kay, who is also a Golf Australia National Squad member, had started sluggish in her opening round with a two-over par 76 round, burdened by a cold. Ka Yeon Park of Sanctuary Cove also fired a course record 5-under par 69 in Round 3 comprising of an eagle, 5 birdies, 10 pars and 2 bogeys.

Are you ready for the Qld Open?

2016 Amateur Champions Champion of Champions The Champion of Champions event is open to all players who have won a Club or District Championship in the previous year with the title decided over the first 36 holes of the Stroke Play Championship. Women’s Champion Karis Davidson emerged a six-shot victory over Isabelle Taylor (Sanctuary Cove) with two consistent rounds of 75. Men’s Champion Adam Mollis (Blackwater) won the Champions title with rounds of 69 and 77. Mollis, from the town of Blackwater over 800km North West of Brisbane, held a one shot margin from Douglas Klein (Redcliffe). Men’s Amateur Championship – Pacific Harbour Golf Club Dylan Perry’s form continued with him taking out the Men’s Stroke Play Championship, the fifth New South Welshman to win in the past seven years. Standing in his way in the final round was Douglas Klein, his opponent in the final of the recent Australian Interstate series. The Perry versus Klein match will go down as memorable for all those watching with first class respect shown between both players.

2016 Stroke Play Champions Perry joins Daniel Nisbet (2009) and Jason Day (2006) on an exclusive list of players who have won the Queensland Stroke Play and Amateur title double. Women’s Amateur Championship – Pacific Harbour Golf Club Celina Yuan had to fight all the way in the Women’s final against her New Zealand opponent Brittney Dryland. The match remained a tense affair until the 16th hole, where Yuan made a clutch 10-foot putt to keep the match alive. Dryland was unable to coax a putt to drop on the 17th to take the match, then with the pressure building, a couple of unfortunate events on the 18th saw Dryland struggle to find ‘dry land’, losing two balls in the greenside water hazard, which gave the hole to Yuan. The match continued to the 19th where Yuan kept her composure holing a 15-foot putt for victory and the 2016 Queensland Women’s Amateur title. The Queensland Men’s and Women’s Stroke and Amateur Championships were proudly sponsored by the Moreton Bay Regional Council. www.golfqueensland.org.au

The 2016 Isuzu Queensland Open returns home to The Brisbane Golf Club from October 20 to 23, where it was first played in 1925 and last played 25 years ago in 1991. The Championship has always held a special place in the hearts of Queensland golfers. Over four days and 72 holes of stroke play, professionals and amateurs will battle for the title of the T B Hunter Cup and a slice of the $110,000 prize purse. However, this tournament will be much more than just competition. Spend some time at the “Nineteenth”– a world of entertainment, food and fun. The pop up food stalls are set to keep you fed, refreshed and ready to walk the fairways with the Pros. The kids area boasts a putting green, jumping castle and MyGolf Centre, where children can get advice from PGA professionals. And for a donation to Isuzu Queensland Open’s charity partner, the Queensland Golf Foundation, you can put your putting skills to the test and go into the draw to win a prize. There will also be a Puma merchandise stall where you can stock up on your golf accessories. The 2016 Isuzu Queensland Open will have something for everyone – great golf, great food and great entertainment, so help make history and get to The Brisbane Golf Club from October 20 to 23. www.qldopen.com.au

Making

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

Home of golf’s past, present and future champions www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

events

37-year victory drought broken WHEN Keperra Country Golf Club team captain Daniel Butler was asked to describe the feeling after the club won its first Brisbane District Golf Association Division 1 overall pennant in 37 years he didn’t hesitate. “It was awesome,” he said immediately after Keperra had edged out close rivals Nudgee Golf Club in the final showdown of the pennant season. The odds didn’t favour Keperra who needed to defeat Nudgee on their home track – a feat no club has achieved in umpteen years. “We were on six points and Nudgee on seven points so we had to win overall because they had a higher for-and-against record,” Butler explained. “A draw wouldn’t have been any good. “Nudgee hadn’t been beaten at home in about seven years and we managed to do it by winning 12/9 overall. “The last time we won the pennant overall was in 1979 so it’s a long time between drinks. “Our Open team won the flag this year, which was great and our Masters team (over 50s) and our juniors finished equal second on points. “The Open side is very strong. Our top two players, Scott Draper and Ashley Grosvenor, led the way each winning four from six matches. “We also have a strong junior team and the Masters side had more players competing for places than ever before. “Whilst the Open team brought it home in the final game, it was a combination of all three sides that secured victory.” After the formalities, Keperra’s pennant squad then retreated to celebrate at “home” with the club’s supporters. “We all went back to the club and did the presentation of the year’s awards,” Butler said. “There were about 50 people in the locker room including players and caddies and everyone spoke and said what it meant to them and the club to win the pennant. “There is a good culture at the club and a strong bond between the players. “We get together and have barbeques, team meetings and this year it all clicked. “The club is very involved in pennants and the team would especially like to thank club president Leo Scott and all the caddies and supporters for their contributions.” For the record, Daniel Butler was named club player of the year after finishing the season undefeated (five wins and one square). Matthew Lake, Darryl Hine and Tom Harvey picked up Open, Masters and Junior player of the year awards respectively. SPIKENOTE: The Brisbane Golf Club won Division 2, Royal Queensland secured Division 3 and McLeod took out the Division 4 flag.

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au/events

Castle Hill to stage famous global Faldo Series T

HE Australian Championship in the unique Faldo Series – the world’s biggest event for junior golfers – for the second successive year will be staged in December at the Castle Hill Country Club in Sydney’s north-west.

And three Castle Hill golfers – who all qualified for the Asian Grand Final of the 2015 event—Samuel Nashaar, Lucy Harris and Jordan Garner—again will try to become the first Australians to win the prestigious title. Founded and actively supported by the sixtime World Major champion Sir Nick Faldo— Britain’s most successful golfer—the Faldo series is for boys and girls aged 12 to 21 years and the only qualifying criteria is that they have a singlefigure handicap.

Nick Faldo checks out Castle Hill’s Samuel Nashaar’s swing at a clinic at the 2015 Asia Final in China in March.

The entry fee for the Australian Championship, to be played over 36 holes strokeplay on Tuesday December 20, is $100, which includes the 36-hole tournament and the opportunity for two practice rounds.

“My thanks go to officials and members at Castle Hill Country Club who have given us such tremendous support, initially to get the Faldo Series Australia Championship off the ground and now to consolidate its place on the calendar.”

A two-part global event – the Europe Grand Final is played in the UK and the Asian Grand Final this year will be decided at Laguna Lang Co in Vietnam in March. The Faldo Series attracts about 7000 golfers playing in 17 countries each year.

David Geraghty, the President of Castle Hill Country Club, said: “We are delighted to be partnering Sir Nick Faldo by hosting the Faldo Series Australia Championship for the second year in succession.”

Past winners include former world numberone ranked players Yani Tseng from Taiwan and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. The five champion (Boy and Girl) winners from each age category will be invited to attend the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final and the trip includes coaching and access to Sir Nick Faldo. The Boys overall winner of the Asian Grand Final will earn a playing spot in an Asian Tour pro event and the overall champion Girl will get to compete in a Ladies European Tour professional title. Both will also win trips to compete in the 2017 Faldo Series Europe Grand Final. Faldo recently said: “We were thrilled to welcome Australia into the Faldo Series Asia fold last season. As one of the world’s great golfing countries, I’ll be expecting a strong challenge from the Australian representatives who qualify for the Grand Final in Vietnam.

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Melissa Ellis, General Manager at Castle Hill, said: “Castle Hill Country Club is thrilled to again host the Faldo Series Australia Championship and to showcase our challenging course to leading Australian junior players.” Nashaar won the 2015 Faldo Series Australian overall and under 21 Boys section by three shots, shooting an excellent 54-hole total of nine-under-par after rounds of 64, 70 and 73. “Winning this event opened so many doors for me, especially the opportunity of not only meeting, but spending some very valuable one-on-one time with Sir Nick Faldo’s coach, Keith Wood, and also Sir Nick himself, at Mission Hills, in China.” Harris won the overall and Under 21 girls event returning rounds of 80, 79 and 82 and was just as impressed saying: “The opportunity to represent CHCC and go to China as part of the Nick Faldo team was

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life changing. To spend time and talk with a great golfer like Sir Nick Faldo was also of significant value.” Garner, who represented Pennant Hills last year but is now at CHCC, came second to Nashaar in the overall event with rounds of 74, 70 and 66, but won the Under 18’s boys event, also was impressed. “The Asian Final was such an awesome experience and meeting Sir Nick himself was jaw-dropping in itself,” he said. At the Final in China, Garner did best of the trio at ninth in the overall scores and third in the Under 18 section, Nashaar finished 14th overall and third in the Under 21s, Harris was 58th and eighth in the Under 21s.

Tee it up in Magenta Shores Pro-Am Following their successful Pro-Am in October last year, Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club is this year hosting a two day event on Thursday October 13th and Friday 14th. Over 80 professionals will be competing and playing opportunities are available for up to 300 amateur golfers. With the Pacific Ocean on one side, Tuggerah Lakes on the other and Wyrrabalong National Park to the north, every hole at Magenta Shores offers the golfer a wonderful landscape and stunning natural views to add to the enjoyment. An open Golf Clinic will also be run on Wednesday October 12, under the auspices of the ALPG and club professional Nat Whittington. This will include a variety of indoor and on course learning experiences and golfers of all levels are welcome. Numbers are limited to 60. To secure your place, visit www.magentagolf.com.au/pro-am call +61 (2) 4336 0107 or email: membership@magentagolf.com.au

events

www.insidegolf.com.au/events

Cobram Barooga launches Family Golf Tournament After another successful year of running the Accommodation Cup Challenge during Winter, Cobram Barooga’s Accommodation Group have decided to put together a tournament for the WHOLE family to enjoy. This Summer School Holidays why not bring your family to Cobram Barooga and enjoy a weekend playing golf and having fun in the sun. The tournament will be played over two days on the two 18-hole Cobram Barooga Golf Club courses, with different grades for adult and junior golfers. There will be plenty of prizes to win as well as a great opportunity for young golfers to play in

tournament conditions. The weekend is aimed at having fun and is family orientated. Family members not playing golf are encouraged to join in for a BBQ dinner and activities at the end of the day. Cobram Barooga, on the mighty Murray River, is the perfect holiday destination, so turn your weekend into a week and enjoy the river beaches, bush walking tracks and numerous gourmet food and wineries this area has to offer. This tournament is open to all juniors and adults with a handicap. For more information: email cobrambarooga@gmail.com

Women to shine at Roseville Gold Mashie pro-am

YDNEY’S Roseville Golf Club’s First National Lan-Dom Gold Mashie PGA Legends pro-am has become famous and unique in many regards over its 88-year history, but in recent years one of its proudest distinctions is the rare opportunity it affords women golfers. Roseville’s exciting up-market pro-am, to be played on November 4-5 (Friday and Saturday) is the only 36-hole pro-am Legends Tour event in NSW which stages one round exclusively for women and it has proved to be extremely popular. Roseville is among the top three clubs in NSW in regard to numbers of women golfers, boasting about 400 among its 900plus membership. The Roseville pro-am uniquely offers a complete competition of package for every golfer – the pros play for top prizemoney, the elite amateurs can choose to play 36 holes strokeplay for the Gold Mashie; or men and women club players can play 18hole individual stableford comps and also join with their Legends pro in team events. Little wonder Roseville’s $25,000 First National Lan-Dom pro-am – one of NSW’s richest in prizemoney – has been a regular finalist for the NSW PGA’s best event of the year award and continues as one of Australia’s longest-running pro-ams. It also is unique in that it offers the defending champion and the current Legends Tour Order of Merit winner a chauffeur-driven Jaguar luxury car transport to and from the course each day. This year’s Jaguar high-roller beneficiaries will be the 2015 winner Peter Fowler and probably Tim Elliott, who late September led the OOM by a healthy margin. The Roseville First National Lan-Dom Gold Mashie PGA Legends pro-am professional competitors and Roseville Members are not the only golfers able to tee it up in the prestigious event. Any male or female Golf Link registered golfer can

Duffer tipped to pip pro stars in $20,000 Mini-Golf Open

book a playing spot by calling the Roseville club on 02 8467 1800. The picturesque but challenging par 66 Roseville layout on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, always attracts one of the best fields on the PGA Legends Tour. Among those again likely to tee it up are European Tour greats Mike Harwood, Peter Fowler, Peter O’Malley, Rodger Davis and David Merriman. They will star alongside regular Legend Tour winners Tim Elliott, Richard Backwell and Mike Zilko. And it will all be for a great cause with fund-raising proceeds during the event going to the Cromehurst School for Intellectual Disabilities at Lindfield. Roseville’s General Manager, Noel Robertson, is delighted with how the revitalised First National Lan-Dom Gold Mashie pro-am has helped to re-establish the private club’s presence on the Sydney golf scene. “Roseville, although only 20 minutes from the CBD and very close to the booming centre of Chatswood, is tucked out of the way and not mentioned often enough among North Shore’s mainstream private clubs,” he said. “We are situated in a serene unique scenic setting with a northerly aspect overlooking Garigal National Park and the upper reaches of Middle Harbour and our pristine water-abundant course has never looked better. “In recent years, the board of directors has done a fine job in promoting our brand to the local community. “The result is we are reaching the customer demographics we are seeking in our community. In the past five years the picturesque Roseville has been polished to a brilliant standard following a dramatic re-design by acclaimed Golf by Design’s James Wilcher, who is a club member. www.rosevillegolf.com.au

VETERAN golfer who plays off a 25 handicap and only ever has had one golf lesson, is the hot favourite to beat some of the nation’s most famous professionals in the $20,000 first Australian Mini-Golf Open, to be played at Sydney’s Thornleigh Golf Centre next month.

which have more predictable aluminium walls or rails along the sides,” Cox says.

While 55-year-old Allan Cox from Prestons in Sydney’s south-west freely admits to being a “very ordinary overall golfer”, when it comes to putting on Mini-Golf and Putt Putt courses, he is world class.

“I will spend many hours, even weeks, working on my diagrams on how to play particular holes. The Thornleigh layouts are very testing in that several holes are parthrees whereas in Putt Putt all holes are partwos. It is more a game of strategy.

Cox, who holds the world record for the most holes-in-one in 24 hours – 1516 – set in Sydney in 2012, has won the Australian Putt Putt Championship five times and has competed on the U.S. Putt Putt and Mini Golf tours, winning more than $50,000. About 25 years after he had his one and only golf lesson and was told by PGA pro Sean O’Toole that it was going to take “a lot of money and time to stop hooking every shot”, Cox has no regrets about mainly restricting his golf ambitions to putting. A sales representative with a chemical cleaning company, Cox has raised many thousands of dollars for charity in 24-hour putting marathons and from his trick-shot exhibitions all across Australia. He particularly is pleased to support Bear Cottage, the only children’s hospice in NSW, which is available for every family caring for a child with a life limiting or terminal illness. He became involved after his eight-yearold nephew Chaise was cared for at Bear Cottage before losing his battle with cancer and diabetes a few years ago and Cox has established a popular YouTube channel and Facebook page called PuttPuttDownUnder as a fundraiser.

“The secret to Mini-Golf putting is to map out each hole by plotting a line to either go for a hole-in-one or else to ensure that you two-putt. Sometimes I will practise for a whole day just aiming to two-putt.

“On the Australian and U.S. professional Putt Putt tours, four men have had 18-hole rounds of perfect scores (that’s 18 aces in a row) during tournaments. You generally need to fire about 10 to 12 under par to be competitive in Putt Putt, but Mini-Golf is tougher due to the more challenging holes and unpredictable wall deflections. “On the Australian Tour we used to have ‘Aces Races’ where, from a shotgun start, the race was on for competitors to score an ace at every hole on the course and sometimes it would take only 10 minutes for someone to do that. “My best score in an 18-hole competition round is 15-under-par (21) in Putt Putt but my best Mini-Golf score would be 6 under par (30).” Cox, who will head a team of regular Putt Putt and Mini-golf pro colleagues vying for the $3500 first prize, uses an old and rare Odyssey Dual Force 222 putter and U.S. Chromax balls. “I used to use a Ping Anser but once I picked up the Odyssey a few years ago it just felt comfortable. Fortunately I have a second identical putter as a back-up.”

He has never competed against a field of PGA Tour professionals before and on Sunday November 6 is looking forward to putting off against some of Australia’s best including Australian Open winners Rodger Davis and Peter Fowler and Legends Tour stars David Merriman, Mike Harwood and Tim Elliot on the $1 million Mini-Golf layout at Thornleigh.

Some of Australia’s leading young professionals are expected also to take part at Thornleigh as the Australian Mini-Golf Open is on only a week before the $500,000 NSW Open at Stonecutters Ridge.

Cox already has aced every hole (over a number of rounds) on what he says is an “awesome 36-hole layout” at Thornleigh but warns that in the Australian Open championship two putts on most holes will be a good effort.

The weeklong 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.

“Mini-Golf courses, which have pavers along the edges, are different to Putt Putt layouts,

Organisers emphasise that any amateur or pro golfer of any standard, age or gender, who fancy they can putt well, is welcome to enter.

www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

events

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New-look Keperra to test Carver new star of blind golf the best

HEN the game’s elite amateur tee it up in the 13th Keperra Bowl from October 1114, they will have more than the usual course challenges to mull over.

A new star has emerged in the blind golf world in Australia. After playing two rounds in the field of the recent Queensland Open for handicap purposes, Brad Carver (Keperra CC) travelled to Western Australia to compete in the West Australian Open and the Australian Open.

Redesign changes to three holes – all on the front nine – mean the players will have to be more cautious when it comes to club selection.

The West Australian Blind Golf Open was played at Collier Park on 16 August, and Brad was runner-up on countback to Jenny McCallum from WA. Jenny, who is a B2 player on a handicap of 32 scored 37 stableford points, with her husband Ian as caddie, was a very deserving winner of her State title. Carver (B3 handicap 36) also scored 37 points with his grandson Josiah Gilbert as his caddie.

The players won’t have long to wait as the first change they’ll see is at the 341m par-4 second. A relatively steep-faced fairway bunker is a new addition on the left and the greenside bunker on the right is now closer to the side and front edge of the green.

The ISPS HANDA Blind Golf Australian Open was scheduled for the 17th and 18th of August at the Wembley Golf Club, however, due to heavy storms and the condition of the course the first day was abandoned. On day two, Carver again with Josiah as his caddie excelled, scoring a nett 62 on the par 72 layout of the Old Course to take out his first ever blind golf championship event. Local Alan Rusland (B2 handicap 45) with James O’Halloran as his caddie came in with a nett 63 to take the runners-up trophy. Jenny McCallum fired another superb round with a nett 75 to take out the Ladies Championship.

“Now there’ll be more thought required off the tee and on approach as the trap has tightened up some of the pin spots,” general manager Gavin Lawrence said. On the 466m par-5 fifth, two fairways bunkers 60-70m short of the green are no more and the other bunker on the left has been moved to a more central area. This won’t worry the elite players, but members and visitors will be delighted because now there is more landing area on the second shot.

First played in 2004, the Keperra Bowl is a national selection event and that means every elite player wants to play in it.

The final change is on the 471m par-5 ninth –a dog-leg left.

Previous winners include Marc Leishman, Andrew Dodt, Matt Griffin, Daniel Nisbet, Brady Watt and Taylor Macdonald.

The tee has been shifted back 65 metres, which means the big-hitters will now reach the top of the hill rather than bombing it over the hill leaving them with a short iron to the green.

“We will have a good field – no doubt about it,” Lawrence said. “The course will be set up to championship condition and it will be a good challenge.”

“We think more balls will land on the upslope at the top of the hill leaving the players 230m to get home to an elevated green,” Lawrence said.

An added bonus is the winner receives automatic entry into the Queensland Open played the following week.

“It will take two quality shots to get home in two on the hole now. At 230m, there is also going to be more risk with out of bounds on the right.”

Anyone interested in watching some of the world’s best amateurs should head for Duggan Street, Keperra later this month. Entry is free.

David Blyth (VIC) (handicap 53), with Gary McInnes as his caddie, shot a nett 75 to take the B1 championship. Current World Champion, Malcolm Elliott from WA on a handicap of 43 with Neville Walker as his caddie won the B2 championship with a nett 64. The B3 title went to David Wheatley (VIC) (handicap 35) with Peter North as his caddie, shooting a nett 69. The B1 gross trophy was won by Doug Sloan (VIC) scoring 138. The B2 gross went to Gary Sargent (NSW) with 111, and the B3 gross winner was Doug Burrows (WA) with 109. Blind golf is open to people of all ages and is a perfect avenue for those club golfers who are experiencing some sight loss to stay involved in our great game. Blind golf has 3 sight categories; B1, B2 and B3 which relate to how much sight a player has. B1 players are totally blind. Anyone wishing to learn more about these sponsorship opportunities, or either playing blind golf or caddying for a blind golfer may contact Gary McInnes on 0417 055 731. They may also go to the Blind Golf Australia website www.blindgolf.com.au or www.internationalblindgolf.com

Cobram barooga Family

Golf TournamenT

Join us this summer at Cobram Barooga for the first Cobram Barooga Accommodation Group Family Golf Tournament. Enjoy a 2 day event at one of the Murray’s finest courses and have some fun with the whole family. Plenty of other activities for the rest of the family to enjoy as well.

Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd January 2017 Cost is $90pp For all enquires regards the tournament and accommodation please email:

cobrambarooga@gmail.com

El Sierra Motel 74

Barooga Country Inn

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

River Gums Motor Inn

Cobram Colonial Motor Inn

calendar

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CALENDAR > OCTOBER

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 Queenslandranked 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

WHEN: 15-16 October WHERE: Walcha Golf Club This event is open to male amateur golfers with a GA handicap of 27.4 or under. It is played over 36-holes stroke play, 18-holes on the first day and 18-holes on the second day. The Championship also incorporates the NSWVGA Sand Greens Championship, the Junior Sand Greens Championship, and the NSW Sand Greens Teams Event (teams of three compete, with the two best nett scores each day counting towards the team total). Entries close on Friday 5 October. www.golfnsw.org.

When: Various

Where: Various

WHEN: 17 to 20 October WHERE: Lithgow, Blackheath, Leura and Wentworth Falls Golf Clubs This 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.

2016 Women’s NSW Sand Greens Championship

Men’s NSW Sand Greens Championship

Handiskins

2016 Women’s Mountain Meeting

WHEN: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October WHERE: Walcha Golf Club

The Championship is open to female amateur golfers who hold a current Australian or overseas equivalent handicap. It is played over 36-holes stroke play in two divisions. The Championship also includes the popular teams events whereby teams of three compete, with the two best scores each day counting towards the team total. There is the SWLGA Bowl (Gross) and RLGA Jug (Nett) awarded in the teams events. For further information regarding this event please contact Olivia Wilson on olivia.wilson@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105.

Info: www.handiskins.com.au

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

UPCOMING HANDISKINS EVENTS: Nelson Bay Golf Club Dowling Street, Nelson Bay NSW 2315 5th Qualifying Round 22nd October 2016 Final 26th November 2016 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 Northern Golf Club 97 Glenroy Road, Glenroy VIC 3046 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 5th Qualifying Round 1st October 2016 Final 12th November 2016

Hurstville Golf Club Lorraine Street, Peakhurst NSW 2210 Final 8th October 2016 Bribie Island Golf Club Links Court, Woorim QLD 4507 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 5th Qualifying Round 8th October 2016 Final 15th October 2016 Rosebud Country Club 207 Boneo Road, Rosebud VIC 3939 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 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 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 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 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 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 2nd Qualifying Round 1st October 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 8th October 2016

COMING SENIOR AMATEUR EVENTS October 1-2 Sandhurst Seniors (VIC) October 4 Brookwater Seniors (QLD) October 6 Monash Seniors (NSW) October 6-7 Bendigo Seniors (VIC) October 11-13 * Australian Senior Amateur Championships (Kooyonga) October 17-19 * Victorian Senior Amateur Championships (Coomealla) October 16 Moss Vale Seniors October 17 Windsor Seniors (NSW) October 20 Darling Downs Seniors (QLD) October 24 Camden Seniors (NSW) November 3 Twin Creeks Seniors (NSW) November 7-8 Melbourne Senior Classic – Spring Valley & Woodlands (VIC) November 7 Virginia Seniors (QLD) November 8-10 * ACT Senior Amateur Championship November 15-16 Eureka Senior Amateur - Midlands & Buninyong (VIC) November 15 Bankstown Seniors (NSW) November 16-18 Asia-Pacific Senior Amateur – Manila, The Philippines November 20-21 Mollymook Seniors (NSW) November 22-23 Warrnambool Seniors (VIC) November 24-25 Moyne Senior Classic – Port Fairy (VIC) November 25-27 * Tasmanian Senior Masters (Royal Hobart) November 28 Long Reef Seniors (NSW) Cromer Seniors (NSW) November 29 North Lakes Seniors (QLD) November 29 * Part of the Australian Senior Ranking System

4th Qualifying Round 15th October 2016 5th Qualifying Round 5th November 2016 Final 12th November 2016 Lynwood Country Golf Club 253 Pitt Bottoms Road, Pitt Town NSW 2756 2nd Qualifying Round 1st October 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 15th October 2016 4th Qualifying Round 29th October 2016 5th Qualifying Round 5th November 2016 Final 10th December 2016 Commercial Club Albury Golf Resort 530 North Street, Albury NSW 2640 1st Qualifying Round 8th October 2016 2nd Qualifying Round 15th October 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 22nd October 2016 4th Qualifying Round 29th October 2016 5th Qualifying Round 5th November 2016 Final 19th November 2016 Berwick Montuna Golf Club 335 Beaconsfield-Emerald Road, Guys Hill VIC 3807 1st Qualifying Round 8th October 2016 2nd Qualifying Round 15th October 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 22nd October 2016 4th Qualifying Round 12th November 2016 5th Qualifying Round 19th November 2016 Final 4th December 2016 Macquarie Links International Golf Club Macquarie Links Drive, Macquarie Links NSW 2565 1st Qualifying Round 5th November 2016 2nd Qualifying Round 12th November 2016 3rd Qualifying Round 19th November 2016 4th Qualifying Round 26th November 2016 5th Qualifying Round 3rd December 2016 Final 17th December 2016

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

opinion

Australian golf hijacked by politics A USTRALIA has always had a strong affinity with golf and we can draw that from our strong Scottish ancestry.

Rather, they somehow ended up with an inferior tournament – the Australian PGA Championship – that they claim is a “pinnacle event”, but it simply isn’t. With a history dating back to 1905, the Australian PGA has never attracted an international field … and won’t.

Gary Player, circa 1956

But what we cannot quite understand is how Australia can go from having some of the most lucrative golf tournaments in the world in the 1960s and ’70s to being hard-pressed to host one legitimate world-class event per year in the modern era. Some will argue the tyranny of distance while others will cite a fall in Australian manufacturing or a decline in the economy, but the real answer lies within the internal golf industry politics that has handcuffed golf in this country.

In 1979, the Australian Masters was born, complete with an ugly gold jacket, to mimic the unparalleled success of the coveted U.S. Masters. Today, the tournament is a complete distraction in Australian golf. The fact that it’s not being held this year could mean we may soon be writing its obituary. Sports management giant IMG own it and boldly suggest the tournament is the “pinnacle” of Australian golf, but the real head-scratcher is there are people that buy the claim.

Grand slam champion Gary Player said his Ampol tournament victory at Yarra Yarra afforded him “enough money to have the wedding of my dreams”.

Many of the world’s best players are on record saying the Melbourne sandbelt courses are some of the best in the world and that they relish the opportunity to play them yet the Australian Open has been played in Sydney for the past 10 years. We have the bidding war between the NSW and Victorian governments to thank for this travesty. The Emirates Australian Open has been secured for Sydney by the NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, in partnership with Golf Australia. It seems strange that state politics should stand in the way of the success of our premier golfing event and our national interests to get Australian golf back onto the world stage.

That was 1956 and the prizemoney was £5000 – five times what the British Open offered in the same year. Australian golf was humming in the 1950s and ’60s courtesy of the success of the incomparable links champion Peter Thomson, the loveable Kel Nagle, the flamboyant Norman von Nida and a host of Australian tournaments that attracted the best players in the world. Of course, the most notable was the Australian Open, which Gary Player won seven times and the greatest of them all, Jack Nicklaus, won six times. Australia led the way with golf club manufacturing and we had one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world. In the 1970s, the Australian Open captured the imagination of the Packer family. The tournament pioneered the best television coverage ever seen in the world as Packer insisted on having cameras on every hole – a bold groundbreaking move. By 1980, the tournament was all but dead when Packer fell out with the organisers over a car parking sham where the organisers allegedly tried to charge $1 per vehicle without Packer’s knowledge. Australia has its “Summer of Golf” strategically timed for when the world’s best golfers take time off from busy, yearlong schedules. They (tournament organisers) then wonder why they can no longer attract the best players in the world. Australia has three pinnacle events – the Australian Open, the Australian PGA and the Australian Masters. It’s labelled the “triple crown” and is marketed as the coveted prize, but it simply isn’t. The Australian Open is one of the oldest tournaments in the world and has a pedigree of champions that reads like the who’s who of golf – Gene Sarazen, Gary Player, Bobby Locke, Jack Nicklaus, Peter Thomson, Arnold Palmer, Kel Nagle, Tom Watson, Greg Norman, Mark Calcavecchia, David Graham, Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth.

Founded in 1904, it’s the fourth oldest tournament in the world behind the Open Championship, U.S. Open and South African Open. Seemingly, a promoter’s dream yet the 100th staging of the Australian Open in 2015 came and went with barely a whisper. The prizemoney on offer was approximately $6m less than a tournament held at the same time in Turkey – a country with no golf history whatsoever. The Australian Open is owned by Golf Australia, which receives government funding and millions of dollars in capitation fees from club golfers. The staging of the tournament is outsourced to the French sports management company Lagardere and the television coverage is sold to the highest bidder – usually Channel 7. Golf Australia has little or no skills in organising a golf tournament, their skillset lies in other areas; promoting the game, training kids, amateur events and corporate sponsorship. If anyone in the golf industry in Australia has the skills to organise a world-class tournament it’s the PGA of Australia, but it has zero financial interest in the Australian Open.

MoSS Vale Golf club iS a

Golfer’s Paradise

That’s it in a nutshell folks – three tournaments, three different owners and three different agendas. It’s a bit like running a business with three CEOs, anyone with business acumen knows that never works, yet that is what we have with Australian Golf. There are literally three chefs in the kitchen and they should be preparing one meal, one really substantial meal that appeals to the world, but they are making three entrées and can’t agree on the main course. When will the golfing bodies in Australia start singing from the same hymn sheet and lead our country back to golfing greatness? Who knows, it may happen while Jason Day is world number one, but we can only dream, because this whole fiasco started when Greg Norman was on top of the world. Australia is arguably the second best golfing nation behind America, yet we cannot put on one legitimate world-class event per annum. Fail. We are failing and someone needs to bring these organisations to the table and give them a lecture in business 101. (Note: the above letter has been submitted to Inside Golf under conditions that the writer remain anonymous. The points within do not necessarily represent those of Inside Golf.)

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19th hole

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Faster, higher, golfer-er

The quick nine quiz THERE are 20 stableford points up for grabs on the front nine. How many can you get?

Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

with David Newbery

Why did they have that Olympic hiatus, I hear you ask? Turns out, after the Roman Empire decided to do some extensions and conquered Greece in the mid second century the standard became a little shabby. In one notorious year everyone’s favourite pyromaniac, Nero, entered the Chariot event. He fell out of his rig early in the race but declared himself the winner…. Because he could. Not only did this incident obliterate any credibility the Olympics had it also was the last time Chariot racing was an official event at the games, which is a shame. Ever since Charlton Heston won gold in 26 AD it’s always been a favourite of mine. I don’t remember much about it as I was just a little fella, but I recall the Olympics beginning back in 776 BC. A cook named Coroebus won the only event of the games; a foot race over 192 metres. Slowly over the years, some other sports were introduced like distance running,

david@insidegolf.com.au

long jump, javelin, discuss, boxing and of course chariot racing. When the games were reborn under the direction of the newly formed IOC in 1896, there were all kind of new sports introduced and now we have 43 in total. Well, 42 sports and the Equestrian Dressage. There have been a few different events that have come and gone from the Games like croquet, rope climbing and believe it or not, tug of war. Some even made a comeback like tennis and the reason I’ve been boring you with all this stuff…. GOLF. What did we make of it then? Justin Rose seemed to be over the moon when he made the winning putt and broke into a Tiger like celebration. It was made all the better for me by our very own Marcus Fraser who was leading at the halfway mark. He was still in with a great chance for a medal going into the final round but slipped back into a tie for 5th. I guess the final hole was pretty exciting with two of the best players in the game locked in the lead. But overall I can’t really say I was glued to the TV anything like I was during the U.S. PGA. And I have to say, when I

was watching possibly the most unanimated professional golfer on the planet, namely Inbee Park, plot her way around the brandnew course, I found myself looking for Solitaire on my iPhone. I want desperately for golf to be on display in as many forums as possible but I really don’t think the Olympics are doing the game a lot of good. Is it really bringing the game to other countries and societies? And that beautiful golf course purpose-built for this year’s games will surely only be available to play for the rich and infamous and the odd wealthy American or Asian tourist. The idea of making it an Amateur event only was being bandied around before the games but one would have to think it’s too late for that now. A change of format could help maybe similar to the one being used for this year’s World Cup? I reckon the next Olympics in Tokyo will be the real test of what the future will be for Golf in the Games. Between you and me, I am more than a little concerned. The good news was, I did manage to download the app for Solitaire and it was free!

1. Justin Rose won gold, Henrik Stenson silver but who won bronze in the men’s Olympic golf in Rio? (3 pts) 2. Can you solve the following anagram – banker pie? Clue: She won a medal at the Olympic Games in Rio. (2 pts) 3. What nationality is world No. 2 women golfer Ariya Jutanugarn? (2 pts) 4. Which Australian golfer was arrested for disorderly conduct and trespass outside a casino in America recently? (1 pt) 5. The head of a player’s club separated from the shaft during his backswing. The player completed the swing but missed the ball. Is the player deemed to have made a stroke? (2 pts) 6. True or false: Peter Senior has won the Qld Open twice and his brother Jeff once. (2 pts) 7. What is the name of the men’s European secondary tour? (3 pts) 8. Who was the leading money winner on the PGA Tour in 2015? (2 pts) 9. Who was Rodger Davis’ playing partner at the 1987 World Cup – Ossie Moore, Mike Clayton, Greg Norman or Wayne Grady? (3pts) ANSWERS: (1). Matt Kuchar; (2). Inbee Park; (3). Thai; (4). Robert Allenby; (5). No. A stroke is “the forward movement of the club”. A shaft by itself is not a club; (6). False – Peter won it once and Jeff twice; (7). European Challenge Tour; (8). Jordan Spieth; (9) Ossie Moore.

endiatris Citius, Altius, Fortius sounds very much like my last Nespresso order but it is in fact Latin for “Faster, Higher, Stronger”; The Olympic motto. It was created by Baron Pierre de Coubertin when the International Olympic Committee kicked off in 1894. (I thought you had to have a name starting with “Von” to be a Baron?). Anyway, Pierre was the person responsible for firing up the games again after a bit of a break. 1,500 years to be exact.

• Membership available • Green Fees & Social Groups welcome • Corporate golf days

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www.gardinersrun.com.au

• Bar & Café open 7 days

Call now (03) 9739 7522 132 Victoria Road Lilydale 3140 | For more information contact Gardiners Run Golf Course | P (03) 9739 7522 E manager@gardinersrun.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

19th hole

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Macca’s still going strong at 88

The hand of fate strikes IT’S a well known fact golf clubs put the “brakes” on golf carts to stop lead-footed drivers causing mayhem.

John the ace man delivers again

But even at walking pace or slower golf carts can cause pain as one golfer discovered recently. Minding his own business, he went to collect a club from his golf cart when struck by another golf cart. His leg was crushed when the “driver” leaned over from passenger seat and hit the accelerator … wait for it … with his hand. Hmmm, you have to wonder.

A handy hint AGE NO BARRIER: Colin McKay at his beloved Tin Can Bay Country Club.

P at Tin Can Bay Country Club just north of Noosa, Colin “Macca” McKay is a living legend.

The 88-year-old has been winning tournaments at the club for more than four decades and he has lost count of the number of times he has broken his age in the past 17 years. Last month, Macca won the B grade club championship with consistent, age-breaking rounds of 83-83-83-84. “I have broken my age six times in the last seven rounds and I have done it more than 40 times in my life,” he said. Oh, and he won the A grade veterans championship – a tournament he once won 11 times in a row. “I wasn’t going to play in the B grade championship this year because I am getting a bit old and four rounds can be tiring,” the 14 marker said. “I’m only 83 kilograms and don’t hit the ball as far anymore so I try to keep the ball straight and on the fairway.” Colin is almost a permanent fixture around the club as he practises and plays competitions “as often as I can”.

“If you practice you get results. Besides, the game is good for you because it keeps you young and fit.” Colin gets around in a golf cart during competition play, but he walks the practice fairway and “walks for miles at night”. In his young days, Macca worked for the Ford Motor Company in Brisbane and played his golf at Victoria Park and Nudgee golf clubs.

“He shot a 79 when he was 86 and for the 12 months he was 86, he shot 86 or better more than 30 times,” he said.

Late last year, the Malaysian-born Chinese octogenarian played eight games of golf in eight days at his home club and at nearby Tenterfield Golf Club.

“When he turned 87, he equalled or bettered his age 55 per cent of the time. “Shooting his age or better here so often means Macca is a bona fide Tin Can Bay legend.”

Golf hits nightclub precinct

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

“If he has reached your level, he has grooved his faults and knows how to score,” Harvey said.

GREG Yap, a retired doctor who plays out of Stanthorpe Golf Club on Queensland’s Darling Downs, can’t get enough of golf.

Colin has seven holes-in-one to his name and is a life member of the golf club.

Lining up a putt after a few cocktails will add to the challenge, but a prayer will help.

“The player to beware of is the one with the bad grip and the bad swing.

Club member Gary Parker told Inside Golf Colin first broke his age when he was 71 years old.

“I practice because you only get out of this game what you put into it,” he said.

Now we know drinking and driving is a nono, but at the Holey Moley Golf Club it’s quite okay because it’s a bar where you can order a Tee Quila Mocking Birdie cocktail, a G and Tee or something from the “Don’t Worry Be Hoppy” beer selection before having a hit on one of the two indoor nine-hole courses.

“Don’t be afraid of the player with a bad grip and a good swing.

Greg, 82, goes 12 rounds

For the record, that’s four or five times a week.

The “club”, at 25 Warner Street in Fortitude Valley, took over the site of an old church that once traded as a nightclub.

“Don’t be afraid of the player with a good grip and a bad swing.

Prior to his retirement in 1985, he travelled to Tin Can Bay every second weekend to stay and play golf.

Never one to seek accolades, Colin is a little publicity shy so whenever he’s congratulated on breaking his age he simply says “it just gets easier every year”.

A NEW golf club opened in Brisbane recently called … wait for it … the Holey Moley Golf Club.

THE late and great professional and coach Harvey Penick, coach to Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw, left a helpful tip to amateur club golfers.

Well, it is an old church so why not?

The new venue is targeting corporate types aged between 18 and 35, but Inside Golf feels sure senior types will be welcome provided they are wearing the correct attire. And that means no shorts, polo shirts and dirty golf shoes. The company behind the project is Funlab, who started the Strike Bowling chain and Sky Zone indoor trampoline centres. Apparently, they plan to roll out many more golf outlets around Australia over the next four years.

Well, the 82-year-old, who only took up the noble game of golf when he was 66 and only after he retired from general practice, bettered that marathon effort when he played 12 consecutive days of competition golf at Stanthorpe, Tenterfield and Toowoomba. “I had the opportunity to do it and the conditions were favourable, so I did it at 82,” said Greg, who walked the courses for three of the 12 days. “I wonder whether any other silly octogenarians have done it?” he asked. “Maybe playing golf 12 times in 12 days at my age is something no one else my age has achieved.”

ACE: With his trusty 4-iron, John Pantelimon nailed his 19th hole-in-one on his home course.

OR Surfers Paradise Golf Club member John Pantelimon, scoring a hole-in-one is becoming a little ho-hum.

Last month, the 80-year-old racked up his 19th ace when his tee shot on the 150-metre second hole at Surfers Paradise found the bottom of the cup. “I have had 12 holes-in-one at Surfers Paradise and seven in Victoria at three different golf courses – Queens Park, Geelong and Altona,” John told Inside Golf. “I remember having my first hole-in-one at Queens Park when I was 30 years old and that was 50 years ago. “I was a good iron player and maybe that’s why I have had so many aces.” Romanian-born, John, who plays off 18, is self-taught although he admits to having just one lesson in 50 years. It must have been a good lesson because he won two club championships at Geelong Golf Club and played A grade pennant for close to 40 years. “I don’t keep records on my holes-in-one,” he said. “After a while, you get used to it.” Surfers Paradise golf professional Paul Orchard said John doesn’t give himself enough credit for being a good player. “He plays down his ability a little, but he is a very good player,” he said. “I used to play challenges matches with him a lot and he was competitive.

Greg, who plays off a 22 handicap, won the C grade championship in 2006 and was club golfer of the year in 2008 and 2010.

“I think he has had so many aces because he hits the ball low and flat and I think that’s the secret.

He remains a popular figure around Stanthorpe Golf Club where he plays up to four times a week.

“If they are straight there is a better chance the ball will hit flagstick and drop in,” said Paul, who has had six holes-in-one in a long career.

“I love golf and play all the courses in the Darling Downs including City and Middle Ridge golf clubs at Toowoomba and all the country courses,” Greg said. “There are a few more years of golf left in me and I have two aims and that is to equal or break my age and have a holein-one.”

“I got my first five aces before I was 25 and have only had once since then and I am 53. “I suppose it shows how much golf I played up until I was 25. “Now a Wednesday competition is my exciting venture out on the golf course and that’s about it.”

19th hole

www.insidegolf.com.au/19thhole

Webb, Bowditch record equalled

ECORDS are made to be broken, or equalled, and that’s what Pelican Waters junior golfer Rhianna-Maree Lewis did during the Sunshine Coast Burnett and District Women’s Golf Open and Closed Championship at Nambour Golf Club. Played in conjunction with the Rod Pampling and Katherine Kirk Classic, Rhianna-Maree, who plays off four, fired a three-under par 67 (nett 63) to equal a longstanding record set by Karrie Webb and Leanne Bowditch when they were juniors.

What’s in a name? WHEN it comes to nicknames, no one does it better than the Aussies. The Tuesday working bee group at Beerwah Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast is a good example. There’s Steve “Milly” Milgate, the course superintendent, who took charge of slab construction for the new practice nets. The crew involved in the old net removal and reconstruction were “AB”, “Stocky”, “Smiley”, “Rusty”, “Tonka 2”, “Son of Fang”, “Divot”, “Tonka 1” and “Chainsaw”.

“There were some remarkable scores among the junior girls including a two-under par from Sarah Wilson and Rhianna-Maree’s three-under par. It was very competitive.

Rhianne-Maree Lewis has been in recordequalling form. “There is a lot happening with the kids and it’s quite remarkable the scores they are shooting.”

When the magazine wasn’t on display, she was all over the golf club’s front office staff demanding to know why that month’s issue wasn’t on display. “I can’t wait to read Inside Golf,” she told us. “It was a delight when the next month’s issue arrived.” By the way, our loyal supporter reads the magazine from cover-to-cover and is an avid fan of Larry Canning’s monthly column.

Burchall, 72, was called “Ace” by his schoolmates for his proficiency at all sports, especially rugby league, which he played for many years in the North Sydney area, along with tennis and golf. Born and raised nearby, Burchall has played thousands of rounds at Castlecove, riding his bike on a bush track to get there in the ‘50s and regularly playing socially at The Cove, before joining as a member about 20 years ago. He currently plays off an 18 handicap (the highest of his career) but it took until August this year for Ace to score his first ace. Burchall achieved his perfect-shot hole-inone feat with a four iron at the 159m ninth hole and as the Vice-President of the club naturally was obliged to buy plenty of drinks for his fellow members. He summed up his success succinctly: “It shows practise makes perfect – eventually.”

He’s the man to contact if you have any suggestions for improvements around the course.

THE idiom “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” came to mind recently when the women’s captain of a New South Wales golf club didn’t receive her monthly copy of Inside Golf magazine.

NEIL Burchall, who has been playing golf at Castlecove Country Club on Sydney’s Lower North Shore for 60 years, has finally lived up to his lifetime nickname with an ace.

Don’t ask.

13 14

Where is my magazine?

After 60 years -- Ace finally scores an ace

The moniker for Roger Bonhomme, the club’s Tuesday working bee convenor, is “Blisters”.

Crossword >

Webb set the record as a 16-year-old in 1991 while Bowditch matched her score in 2004. “It was a great effort by Rhianna-Maree, who beat her best ever score by two shots,” said The Invincibles Sunshine Coast Junior Golf Tour president and founder Graeme Miller. “It was her first sub-par round.

They are, in fact, Andy “AB” Bullen, Gary “Stocky” Stockwell, Bill “Smiley” James, Russ “Rusty” Tillyard, Kev “Tonka 2” Norton, Mick “Son of Fang” Warry, Dennis “Divot” O’Connor, Graeme “Tonka 1” Weller and Col “Chainsaw” Penney.

18 19

22 23

25 26

“I also read Larry’s column first, but don’t tell him,” she begged.

ACROSS

DOWN

Oh don’t worry, Larry isn’t at all bigheaded about such things.

1 Highest-finishing male Aussie in the 2016 Olympic Men’s Golf Competition, Marcus ______ (6) 5 Make a putt, chip in, etc (4,3) 9 A brim that projects to the front to shade the eyes (3,5) 10 Country that received the bronze medal for the 2016 Olympic Women’s Golf Competition (5) 12 Winner of the 2009 Joburg Open, ______ Hansen (6) 13 Length (8) 15 Highest-finishing Aussie at the 2016 Travelers Championship, ____ Leishman (4) 16 Australian golfer who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2001 (4,6) 19 One who is in charge and watches over other people (10) 20 How many times Rodger Davis won the Australian Open (4) 23 Over which a golfer must play if blocked by a wooded area (8) 25 Putting surfaces (6) 27 Winner of the Volvo Golf Champions tournament twice, _____ Oosthuizen (5) 28 17th at the Old Course at St. Andrews (4,4) 29 Come up to expectations (7) 30 Warmest season of the year (6)

2 An outing to a place and back again (5,4)

A rule to speed up play THE rules of golf are not meant to be broken, however, one social club is “bending the rules” in an effort to speed up play. One rule change the club thought would help make the game flow relates to a lost ball. The social club’s Steve Pollock told Inside Golf that, with the agreement of a player’s marker, a lost ball be dropped on the edge of the fairway at the point of it last being sighted. “A replacement ball would be dropped on the edge of the fairway and a two-shot penalty taken,” Steve said. “This rule helps speed up play on the golf course no end. “The two-shot penalty is equivalent to the stroke and distance rule for a lost ball.”

3 Very strict (6) 4 Winner of the 2016 Olympic Men’s Golf Competition, Justin ____ (4) 5 Winner of the Honda Classic in 2015, Padraig __________ (10) 6 Site or position (8) 7 Constellation known to golfer Mahan, no doubt (5) 8 An item of property that is given as part payment for a new one (5-2) 11 Best conditions in which to play golf from a wind perspective (4) 14 Aussie winner of the 2007 Australian Open (5,5) 17 Highest-finishing Aussie in the 2016 Olympic Women’s Golf Competition (6,3) 18 Objections against rulings (8) 19 Comes to rest like a ball in the rough (7) 21 Ernie Els is also known as “The Big ____” (4) 22 Winner of the 1977 Australian Open and 1981 US Open, David ______ (6) 24 Break out suddenly; throw out lava (5) 26 Containers designed to carry golf clubs (4) Answers: page 83 www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

your voice

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This month’s winner!

TV viewership = participation?

This month’s Prize: Two Dozen Volvik golf balls

Time for the Super Flag round (Writer’s note: When I use the words manipulate, manipulation and manipulator, the reader, at their discretion, may substitute the word CHEAT.) In my opinion the biggest fault with the present GolfLink handicapping system is that it publishes the exact information that unscrupulous players need to “manipulate” their handicaps in order to have more strokes than is commensurate with their current ability. They do this by constantly reviewing their records to check their flagged scores and then use the very information the website provides (DSR, Slope Rating, Slope Played To etc.) to adjust their competition play to, over time, remove the good flagged scores that limit their handicap. Most weekends at my club we have certain players “playing dead” better than a poor actor in a cowboy movie so that when a desirable event like an Honour Board event or Club Championships roll around these handicap manipulators can then play to their true ability and win convincingly (and then plan to again, over time, wipe out any handicap reduction that these winning rounds have caused and bulk up their handicap to be ready for the next big event they wish to win.) Unfortunately these handicap manipulators have been part of the game for a long time. But in the past, vigilant Captains or Committees would be aware of the practice and could, with the proper resolve, unilaterally adjust a manipulator’s handicap “on suspicion”. That flexibility is not readily available in the present GolfLink system. I would like to see consideration of a system change to allow Club Committees to designate up to 15 rounds, such as Club Championships or Honour Board events, a year as “Super Flag” rounds. These “Super flagged” rounds would not count for just the 20 rounds as part of their average of 8, but would have it count in their average for 60 rounds. This change would have little effect on the majority of us who honestly play to our ability each and every week but manipulators would have to “play dead” for a lot longer every year. Come on, administrators, look hard at your system to give the honest golfer a fair go! Gary, via email

would be interesting to test what it would be like if women’s tees were set so they had equivalent clubs into the green as men. Not only would this speed up play, it would mean men’s and women’s handicaps would be comparable. Robyn, via our iPad app

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: 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.) 80

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Long (lost) ball Hi Larry, having just read your article (Sept issue), I’m embarrassed to admit that I, too, suffer from losing a new ball. I have over 12 boxes of new top class Titleist and TaylorMade balls at home and have four in my bag at any one time. However I never use a new ball off the first tee. When I do build up the courage to use a new ball it really plays on my mind. And when I do lose a new ball I will persist with playing a old ball for the rest of the round. I know it affects my game but can’t get over the feeling. Am I a scrooge? I have no problem spending good money on golf equipment each year but can’t bear to part with a new ball. This is a typical Pauline Hanson ( PLEASE EXPLAIN ) Chris, via email

Keep it simple Simplifying the rules (via our iPad App article), good idea. As a long standing club member, I find that new golfers come in without knowing rules or etiquette very well, also tricks to speed up play. Just to simplify the rules, as long as people do not get advantaged from simple rules for dropping for example, is a great idea. I also believe it

I have just read the Starter’s Box article in the September issue regarding the viewer figures during the Olympics. It doesn’t surprise me at all. The question that comes to mind is: could there be a correlation between the so-called numbers dropping at clubs and very little, if any, golf coverage on free-to-air stations. The only way I get the chance to watch any golf is via the internet or on Foxtel (which I don’t have any more). I also remember when the stations went digital and Channel One almost continuously aired golf. That was about the time that I took the game up. Even 7’s coverage of the Olympic golf was done via an app and the internet. It’s food for thought. Are we not getting to new players because of the restrictions placed on viewing the game by big business? Paul McDonald, via email

Straight to the pool room

A long failure The rule change introduced on January 1 this year to stop golfers using a long putter has been a failure. All it achieved was for the belly putter to disappear from the game, and for some players to voluntarily switch to a short putter (well done Adam Scott, Brett Rumford and Peter Senior). The recent U.S. Senior Open highlighted just how ineffective the ban on anchoring has been. The tour’s dominant player, Bernhard Langer, continues to use his favourite long putter, and obviously his putting effectiveness has not diminished. On this occasion he was joined high on the final leader board by Billy Mayfair, Ian Woosnam and Michael Allen, who also used long putters. Of course each of them would claim to hold the club an inch or two away from their chest, but really, so what? And who is policing it? Thank goodness the winner Gene Sauers didn’t resort to this blight on the game. I suggest the following rule change for January 1 2017 (I know, I’m dreaming!): In making a stroke, the player must not use separated hands on the club in such a way that the top hand remains virtually stationary and contributes nothing towards propelling the ball. Tony Whitford

I just want to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone at Inside Golf for the signed 2015 Jason Day PGA championship flag and frame and Inside Golf shirt (via the Inside Golf Facebook competition)! I am over the moon that I won it and it’s something I will definitely cherish forever. When I received it, it was straight up on the wall for everyone to see. Such an amazing piece of golfing history! It was definitely icing on the cake after my trip to this year’s 2016 PGA. I am a huge fan of Inside Golf Magazine. I love reading the latest issue every month. I think it’s a really great read because you’ve got every asset in golf covered from travel, new products, course reviews and tips from PGA professionals. Thanks for creating a great golf magazine every month! Thank you again for choosing me as the winner of this competition. I am over the moon and so excited to have this prize hanging on my wall. Kind regards Mitch Morgan, Shortland Waters Golf Club

I have just read of Steven Jeffress’ misfortune with the injection and am sending this email to wish him a full recovery! I do not know him but read his column regularly and particularly his love of Fiji as I played my first game of golf at the Fiji Golf Club in 1957 and return there as often as possible. Best wishes Steven! Jim Hollingsworth

demo dates PING

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Day Date Time

New South Wales October 01 Toukley Golf Club ◊ * Saturday October 06 Leeton Golf Club ◊ * Thursday Griffith Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 06 Wagga Wagga Country Club ◊ * Friday October 07 October 10 Cabramatta Golf Club ◊ * Monday Thornleigh Golf Driving Range ◊ * Tuesday October 11 Shelly Beach Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 12 October 13 Springwood Country Club ◊ * Thursday Moore Park Driving Range (Golf Expo) ° Thursday October 13 Bayview Golf Club ◊ * Friday October 14 October 17 Randwick Golf Club ◊ * Monday Killara Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday October 18 Castle Hill Country Club ◊ * Wednesday October 19 October 20 Cowra D/Range (for Shoalhaven Heads Golf Club) ◊ * Thursday Drummond Golf Shellharbour ◊ * Friday October 21 Illawarra Driving Range ◊ * Friday October 21 October 24 Monash Country Club ◊ * Monday Tuncurry Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday October 25 October 26 South West Rocks Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 26 Nambucca Heads Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday Kew Country Club ◊ * Thursday October 27 Port Macquarie Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 27 October 28 Port Macquarie Driving Range ◊ * Friday South Australia The Vines Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 13 October 15 South Lakes Golf Club ◊ * Saturday Port Linclon Golf Club ◊ * Sunday October 23 Murray Bridge Golf Club ◊ * Friday October 28 Victoria October 05 Melbourne Golf Academy ◊ * Wednesday October 06 Rosebud Country Club ◊ * Thursday Riversdale Golf Club ◊ * Friday October 07 Barwon Heads Golf Club ◊ * Saturday October 08 October 11 Warragul Country Club ◊ * Tuesday Cardinia Beaconhills Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 12 Yarra Bend Golf Driving Range ° Thursday October 13 October 14 Green Acres Golf Club ◊ * Friday Wodonga Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday October 18 October 19 Yarrawonga Mulwala Resort ◊ * Wednesday Cobram Barooga Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 20 Rich River Golf Club Resort ◊ * Friday October 21 National Golf Club ◊ * Saturday October 22 Western Australia October 19 Wembley GC ◊ / ° Wednesday Geraldton GC ◊ / ° Thursday October 27 Spalding Pk GC ◊ / ° Friday October 28 South Australia The Vines Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 13 South Lakes Golf Club ◊ * Saturday October 15 October 23 Port Linclon Golf Club ◊ * Sunday Murray Bridge Golf Club ◊ * Friday October 28 Tasmania Ulverstone Golf Club ◊ * Tuesday October 25 Ulverstone Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday October 26 Country Club Tasmania ◊ * Wednesday October 26 Tasmania Golf Club ◊ * Thursday October 27 Royal Hobart Golf Club ◊ * Friday October 28 October 29 Launceston Golf Club ◊ * Saturday

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Day

Date Time

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

October 04 October 05 October 05 October 06 October 07 October 07 October 10 October 13 October 17 October 20 October 21 October 24 October 25 October 28 October 29

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

October 11 5.30 - 7.30pm October 19 10am - 1pm October 27 1 - 4.30pm

Thursday

October 27 4 - 7pm

Monday Saturday

October 03 11am - 3pm October 08 11am - 3pm

2 - 5pm 9am - 1pm 2.30 - 6pm 12.30 - 4.30pm 9am - 2pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 4pm 4 - 7pm 8am - 12pm 4 - 7pm 8am - 2pm 11am - 3pm 8am - 2pm 11am - 3pm 10am - 4pm

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

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TAYLORMADE Location

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Day

Date Time

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

October 04 October 05 October 06 October 10 October 12 October 13 October 14 October 14 October 17 October 19 October 20 October 21 October 31 October 31

4 - 7pm 8 - 11am 4 - 7pm 3 - 7pm 8am - 1pm 3 - 9pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 1 - 6pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 3pm 10am - 2pm 1 - 5pm 4 - 7pm

Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Friday Sunday Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday Friday Thursday Friday Friday Friday

October 04 October 05 October 05 October 06 October 06 October 07 October 09 October 10 October 12 October 13 October 14 October 14 October 20 October 21 October 28 October 28

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

Wednesday Wednesday Friday

October 05 10am - 2pm October 05 4 - 7pm October 07 9am - 3pm

Friday

October 21 10am - 2pm

Saturday Friday Thursday Friday Friday

October 08 October 14 October 20 October 21 October 28

8am - 12pm 10am - 2pm 3 - 8pm 4 - 8pm 11am - 4pm

www.taylormadegolf.com.au | 1800 700 011

New South Wales/ACT St Michaels Golf Club † * ** Duntry League Golf Club † * ** Orange Golf Club † * ** Lithgow Golf Club † * ** Oatlands Golf Club † * ** Bexley Golf Club † * ** Bonnie Doon Golf Club † * ** Moore Park Driving Range † * ** Windsor Country Club † * ** Nelsons Bay Golf Club † * ** Roseville Golf Club † * ** Northmead Drummond Golf † * ** Queensland Indooroopilly † * ** Golf Central † Coolangatta † * Rockhampton GC † * Drummond Rockhampton † * Victoria Park » Golf Central † * Brookwater † * Victoria Werribee Park † * ** Melbourne Golf Academy » House of Golf Ringwood VIP Day » * Drummond Golf Niddrie » * Portarlington Golf Club † * ** Anglesea Golf Club † * ** Goonawarra Golf Club † * ** Corowa Golf Club † * ** Drummond Golf Albury » * Drummond Golf Shepparton » * Melton Valley † * ** Drummond Golf Kew » * Western Australia Cottesloe Golf Club † * ** Marangaroo Golf Course † ** Sanctuary Golf Resort » **

COBRA PUMA Location

New South Wales / ACT Moore Park Driving Range (Golf Expo) Asquith Golf Club (Fitting Day) Magenta Shores Golf Course Drummond Golf - Penrith Camden Lakeside Victoria Melbourne Golf Academy Eynesbury Golf Course Heidelberg Golf Club Queensland Wolston Park Golf Club Bribie Island Golf Club Vic Park Golf Complex Surfers Paradise Golf Club Palm Meadows GC Western Australia Geraldton Golf Club Wanneroo Golf Club (Ladies Only +Apparel Showing) Sun City Country Club

Day

Date Time

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

October 01 October 03 October 04 October 05 October 10 October 11 October 12 October 13 October 15 October 17 October 19 October 27

9am - 2pm 10am - 3pm 12 - 4pm 1 - 5pm 12 - 5pm 11am - 3pm 9am - 1pm 3 - 9pm 8am - 1pm 10am - 4pm 9am - 1pm 4 - 7pm

Wednesday Thursday Friday Thursday Friday Tuesday Thursday Saturday

October 12 October 13 October 14 October 20 October 21 October 25 October 27 October 29

9am - 1pm 4 - 7pm 2 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 1pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 2 - 6.30pm 9am - 1pm

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

October 04 October 05 October 06 October 08 October 13 October 14 October 15 October 19 October 20 October 21 October 27 October 28

9.30am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 9am - 5pm 12 - 5pm 9am - 4pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 5pm 10am - 4pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 5pm

Thursday Friday Saturday

October 13 October 14 October 22

10am - 1pm 1 - 5pm 11am - 4pm

cobragolf.com.au

Day Date Time

Thursday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

October 13 October 18 October 19 October 27 October 28

3 - 9pm 12 - 4pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 2 - 5pm

Wednesday Thursday Wednesday

October 05 October 06 October 26

4 - 7pm 2 - 6pm 10am - 2pm

Saturday Saturday Tuesday Thursday Friday

October 08 October 15 October 25 October 27 October 28

9am - 12pm 9.30am - 12.30pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 1 - 4pm 1 -4pm

Thursday Thursday Thursday

October 06 October 13 October 27

8.30am - 12.30pm 10am - 1pm 10am - 1pm

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

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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

Patent # 7374839

“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 E R O I S E S C G R A V I G O P A R R F Y

O D E S S

H A R R I N G T O N

B O A G S

O L O C A S T I N O N R G G R A D H A U M

E O U T R R H I N A O D A N C E I R M A N I O N C E J A E E N S E Y O L E E M E R 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

S E T R E T R L O U E P S A T

A S E N V E E R E C P E R O E T E I S T I S

FROM

C A L M

F R O S U N N D T A R I U P

$555

P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

www.insidegolf.com.au | October 2016

golf directory

HICKORY GOLF IRON CLEARANCE AUTHENTIC PLAYABLE CLUBS - LEFT AND RIGHT HAND

Benalla Golf Club

pp $215 From share n twi week mid

Three Day / Two Night Golf Package Includes: Unlimited golf, two nights accommodation, breakfast each morning, 2 x evening meals (vouchers up to the value of $20)

Your chance to own a piece of golfing history

$25 each

• Fully Irrigated Greens & Fairways • Full Bar & Bistro Facilities • Abundant Wildlife including Kangaroos

plus postage & packaging

From Tom Moore 52 Becky Ave, North Rocks, NSW 2151 | (02) 9871 2798

www.benallagolfclub.com.au (03) 5762 1920 | benagolf@bigpond.net.au

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

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

Visitors pay only $25 to play in our competitions

More social playing times now on a Monday & Thursday

(Wed, Sat & Sun)

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

PW - 4 iron stainless steel shafts $499 PW - 4 iron graphite shafts $549

Benefits of Milford single-length irons? • Simplicity • Comfort • Consistency • Confidence • Success • Enjoyment

- 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 of additional L, S and A wedges, please contact Fred Stewart on 0412 563 977, at fred@milfordgolf.com.au or Milford Golf on Facebook.

SIMPLE SYSTEM THAT WORKS 84

October 2016 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 465 300

golf directory

www.ontrrendgolf.com.au All Leading Brands including Bushnell, Travis Mathew, TaylorMade and Ping

TRUEMANS COTTAGES

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.

Stay 7 nights play 5 rounds

from

$650p/p

Choose from: The Dunes, Moonah Links, St Andrews, Portsea, Cape Schanck, Flinders, Sorrento or Rosebud CC.

P: (03) 5988 6540 | M: 0419 365 142 | www.truemanscottage.com.au

More Specials coming online everyday

OPENING SPECIAL All ADIDAS $ 39 SHIRTS www.facebook.com/ontrendgolf/ https://twitter.com/ontrendgolf EMAIL: info@ontrendgolf.com

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 | October 2016

Over 40,000

magazines delivered direct to over 420 golf clubs every month

Largest circulating monthly golf magazine in Australia (CAB Mar16) Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Most-Read Golf Magazine (SMS Surveys 2010-2015) Over 1.2 million online page views per year Delivered to 97% of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s private golf clubs 72% of our readers are aged from 36 - 65 Over 11 years of publishing experience with over 75 years of golf journalism

INSIDE GOLF Digital

Inside Golf content is available on the Inside Golf website and Digital Daily App. Available via the App Store.

CONTACT:

NSW/ACT SALES Megan Symington p: 0419 575 000 e: megan@insidegolf.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au

Inside Golf ENEWS

Monthly communications sent to over 10,000 dedicated, organically-grown subscribers.

QLD/NT SALES David Ross p: 0439 612 458 e: david.ross@insidegolf.com.au facebook.com/InsideGolf

@InsideGolf

Award-Winning Publication

Group Editor Richard Fellner. Winner: Best Photojournalism (2006-2007) and Best Column (2011-2012); Australian Golf Media Awards.

VIC/TAS/SA SALES Jon Perrett p: 0402 852 637 e: jon@insidegolf.com.au

AUST/NZ SALES Lisa Coleman p: 0406 031 344 e: lisa@insidegolf.com.au

www.youtube.com/InsideGolfAustralia

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

2016 WEBSITE www.thegolffactory.com.au

Srixon All Weather Gloves

14 Full Length Dividers (2016 Model) Oversize Putter Tube $399 Waterproof Bag Coverall Cooler Pocket Black/Charcoal Black or Black/Red

Mens Left S, M, M-L, L, XL Mens Right Black Only Ladies Left S, M, L Ladies Right Black Only

Oversize Grip Face Balanced Tour Special Putter

Callaway Apex Pro Forged Irons

White or Black Left Hand

4.5kg

Bridgestone E6 3 Piece Ball (or E7)

$49 $79

Right Hand Only

$99 3 DOZEN FOR

Individually Boxed - White

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

$264 for 12 Dozen Carton

2015 Model

MIXED CARTON AVAILABLE

$22 Dozen

Cleveland RTX 588 Chippers (Approach Putters) 2.0 Satin Wedge Right 56º Sand 14º Bounce Left 52º Gap Left 60º Lob

$79

Dynamic Gold Wedge Flex Shaft

TaylorMade RSi2 Irons (not offset) Mid Cavity 4-PW (7 Irons)

$1043

$833

KBS Tour 105 Stiff Shafts

Tour Special Right Hand Mens or Ladies Lengths Infiniti Left Hand Stainless Steel Head

$39

$49

$189 $239

+ $7 POSTAGE ANYWHERE IN AUSTRALIA

$17

Individually Boxed Doz

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

$109 $169

Classic XL Includes Cover

$89 $13

Doz

Individually Boxed

Iron Covers - Black Eagles & Birdies 3 - SW (9) Fits Right or Left Hand

$35

$18

Castle Bay 2 - SW (10) Right Hand Only

$49

Dozen

Oversize Putter Tube Waterproof Bag Coverall Cooler Pocket Red/Grey or Black/Orange

$990

Seniors or Regular Flex Graphite

$299

$199

Callaway Number 6 Hybrid Big Bertha 28º Loft Mens Regular Flex Graphite

$329

$229 Includes Cover

Srixon Tour Combo Cap $29

Callaway Super Soft Balls (2015)

Adjustable

38 compression for moderate swing speeds Individually boxed White or Yellow

$15

Airflow material at back of cap (not mesh)

TaylorMade Fairway Aeroburner 15º Number 3 Right Hand Graphite Regular or Seniors Includes Cover Shaft

$159

$28

Doz

Bridgestone B330 Balls (Urethane Cover) Moderate Swing Speed RX Red Box RXs Silver Box

$33

Fast Swing Black Box

DOZEN

Left Hand Only Specials

$49 EA $129 EA $79 $279 SET $229 $79

Cleveland CG-16 Wedges 54°, 56° & 58° Lofts Ping G30 19° or 22° Hybrid Regular + Cover Cleveland Smart Square Putter + Cover Cleveland MT Irons 5 - PW (6) Regular Flex Callaway Big Bertha Adjustable 10.5° Regular Driver Callaway X-Hot 5 Wood Regular + Cover

TaylorMade Small Tour Bag

Callaway Black Towel - Large

Callaway Hex Chrome Ball

TaylorMade RSi 1 3 Iron

Vinyl not Nylon

Big Bertha

Urethane Cover Yellow only

17° Loft 39.5” Long Driving Iron Specifications Regular or Stiff Steel Shaft

$399

$249

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

Gold or 3 dozen for Silver Box

Tour Special by SRIXON Includes 5 Covers

$1199

(2016 Model)

2015 Model

Srixon Z-Star or Z-Star XV

$599

Graphite Seniors TaylorMade Irons RSI 1 8 Irons 4 - SW

$249

$189

Black, Black/Blue, Black/Grey, Black/Green, Black/Red or Black/Orange

Red/White or Maroon/White

$139

Callaway Hex Diablo Balls Soft Feel Durable Cover Sleeves (not individual)

14 Full Length Dividers Oversize Putter Hole Cooler Pocket

Right Hand Only

Right or Left Regular Flex

Eagles & Birdies Stableford 3.5kg

$699

3 15.5º Loft

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

$479

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 7 Days

$1050

Mid Cavity 4 - PW (7 Irons) KBS Tour V 110 Stiff Flex Shafts Superceded Models

TaylorMade Eagles & Birdies Augusta Bag 3.7kg Burner Soft Balls 14 Full Length Dividers

Srixon Deluxe Bags - 2015 Models Cart Full Length Dividers Full Length Rain Cover Putter Holder Cooler Pocket & Hood Black/Red/White or Black/White

$40 5 FOR

Cleveland Fairway Srixon Distance

Srixon Soft Feel Balls

Narellan Supa Centre, Narellan Rd

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

Eagles & Birdies Magnetic Pro

$325

GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN

Urethane Tour Cover Ball

$123

76cm x 51cm Connects to Bag

$30

$19 $23

Callaway GPSync Watch $349

$229

Dozen

Pinnacle Balls Distance 2015 Models Mens or Ladies Models Individually Boxed (144) $13 DOZEN FOR 12 Dozen

Rubber grips Mens Black www.callawaydmd.com Srixon or Cleveland Ladies Tour Special

$39

$129 OVERSIZE HEAD

TaylorMade Driver AeroBurner

Mens Right Hand Regular Shaft 10.5º Loft Only

$156 $279

each

Includes Cover

SIGNATURE SHAPE MEETS EXPLOSIVE PERFORMANCE.

THE NEW STEELHEAD XR IS PACKED WITH DISTANCE AND BUILT TO SCORE.