Inside Golf January 2017 by Inside Golf

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Issue 138 // JANUARY 2017 www.insidegolf.com.au

> EQUIPMENT

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Top Gear: Our favourite clubs, gadgets and accessories

Our favourite courses in and around The Harbour City

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One-length to rule them all? Our verdict on Cobra’s single-length irons

The spectacular Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club

Back in action: Hogan Golf returns with a passion for precision

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In Tom Doak’s ‘Confidential Guide’, a review of the architecture of the best courses in the world, the four par 3s at Yarra Yarra are rated seventh (the only course in this category in the Southern Hemisphere). The 11th hole, described by Peter Thomson as a ‘national treasure’, is invariably in the experts’ collections of the best 18 holes in Australia

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starters box

Seniors subdue the subsidy snare Richard Fellner Group Editor richard@insidegolf.com.au @insidegolf

ost clubs across Australia will have, in one form or another, a membership category or subsidy in place to cater to Senior Members. Designed to reward long-term loyalty (and reduce the financial strain on older members), this can take the form of a greatly discounted rate for members over a certain age, who have been at the club for a long period of time. On the surface, it sounds like a great idea. However, like an iceberg floating in the sea, these subsidies can often hide a dangerous behemoth lurking underneath. And if a club doesn’t address the underlying danger—whether choosing to ignore it, remain indifferent or simply deny the danger—then the club may be doomed to face even rougher seas (or deeper water) in the long term. There is no doubt that clubs need to examine the long-term impact these subsidies can have on their financial health. Of course, the major obstacle here is the obvious outcry that will doubtless result from the many Senior Members, right? Perhaps not. In fact, as is the case with one Melbourne club, senior members may actually be in FAVOUR of dumping their very own subsidy! Like many clubs across Australia, Melbourne’s Huntingdale Golf Club had a senior membership category that provided a 50% discount in subscriptions to members over 70 years of age and who had more than 30 years of membership.

A few years ago, the club undertook a study to ascertain the impact of aging membership on the finances of the club. This study predicted that within a few years the club would have over 20% of its total membership in this category and the value of the discount or subsidy would be well in excess of $200,000 a year. It was further anticipated that the value of the subsidy would get progressively higher over time as the population continued to age. In essence, Huntingdale’s Senior Membership category was becoming an increasingly large burden on the club; and the burden was only going to get heavier as time wore on. But Huntingdale is not alone; if we all look at the current state of the industry, with many clubs experiencing financial problems due to declining membership, etc, it’s abundantly clear that many clubs are in the same boat, and can no longer continue to support these subsidies. So what is a club to do? Huntingdale made the bold decision to tackle this issue head on. They engaged with the membership and demonstrated that the value of these subsidies was unsustainable for the long-term future of the club. The club asked the membership to consider the future impact of these discounts on cashflows and the ability of future generations to enjoy the benefits of the club which have been such an influential part of the lives of the senior members (e.g. long-term friendships, physical health, etc). To make the required modifications, the club needed to change the constitution, which required the senior members to undergo a class vote where the senior members themselves had to vote to remove these discounts.

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In a strong sign of the good will and sense of community that exists at Huntingdale, the senior members voted overwhelmingly (over 75% of the vote) to remove the senior subsidies that currently exist. A remarkable outcome! Over the next few years, the value of the discount will reduce on an annual basis until all Senior Members are back paying the same fee as the wider membership. Some have asked to go back to paying full fees immediately. In addition, the general membership have since voted to “grandfather” the senior membership category which effectively has removed the senior membership category altogether so that no current members will have the ability to enter the category moving forward. Huntingdale’s members (and management) should be applauded for their forward-thinking. By focussing on the club’s long-term health, the membership will ensure that future generations are able to enjoy the same amenity that has been enjoyed by these senior members for many years to come. We can only hope that more clubs out there will follow Huntingdale’s lead, and avoid a potential disaster of Titanic proportions.

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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 Media Association and the Golf Society of Australia, and he is a regular guest on many Australian “sports talk” radio shows.

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Michael Court joins Inside Golf Inside Golf is proud to announce that respected Australian journalist and editor Michael Court has joined the team as Staff Contributor for the NSW and ACT region. Court brings a wealth of golf knowledge and a strong media background to the Inside Golf team, with past positions including Sports Editor of Sydney

www.insidegolf.com.au Outdoor Sports Publishing Pty Ltd ACN 113 836 301 ABN 30 043 104 919 PO BOX 437, Miami, QLD 4220 EDITORIAL: Group Editor: Richard Fellner PO Box 360, Nunawading, Vic 3131 P: 0407 000 440 richard@insidegolf.com.au Chief Writer: David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au Design & Layout: Stacey Fortescue, Rhys Martin, Rob Kirk

Daily Mirror, NSW editor at The Golfer newspaper, Editor at Australian Golf Digest and Editor in Chief at Harness Racing Weekly and National Trotguide. In addition (like the entire Inside Golf Team) Court is a fanatic for the game of golf, playing off a 13 handicap at Roseville GC in Sydney. Welcome aboard Michael!

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Brazel brilliant in maiden victory

IN THIS ISSUE:

10 14 16 20 22 24 28 30 32 36 44 50 64 68 70 72 73 74

cLUB NEWS IG BUSINESS

It hasn’t always been easy, but the hard work and persistence of Sam Brazel in conjunction with the steady mentoring of Coach Richard Mercer is paying off. After meeting at a mutual friend’s home 15 years ago, Brazel and Mercer have formed a partnership that has seen ups and downs, both personally and professionally, from Australia to the U.S., Asia and now Europe. Through it all, they stayed strong together, constantly refining Brazel’s swing and getting to a stage where he was as confident in his game as Mercer has always been.

GENERAL MANAGERS WOMEN ON TOUR COVER STORY JUNIORS VETS CLUBS GEAR INSTRUCTION SYDNEY FEATURE SENIOR AMATEURS EVENTS 19TH HOLE YOUR SAY DEMO DAYS

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ustralian Sam Brazel enjoyed a life-changing victory at the seasonending UBS Hong Kong Open last month, sinking an eight-foot birdie on the last hole for a dramatic win. The 37-year-old from Lismore, NSW, showed nerves of steel under pressure to fire a final round of two-under-par 68 and capture his maiden Asian Tour title by one stroke with an aggregate of 13-under-par 267 at the Hong Kong Golf Club. Brazel, who earned US$330,330 and finished seventh on the final Asian Tour Order of Merit, pipped playing partner and Ryder Cup star Rafa Cabrera Bello, who missed a long birdie attempt at the closing hole.

“I’m still in a little bit of a shock. There’s some seriously good names on that trophy and it’s great to be a part of it. There’s a lot of great history in this event and this venue. It feels amazing, I’m speechless. What a win. I don’t know how else to explain it. I feel privileged to be playing first of all and I feel ecstatic,” said a jubilant Brazel. The Australian began the week ranked 480th on the Official World Golf Ranking but showed his poise, especially on the back nine with a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th to 13th holes getting him back into contention following two bogeys on his outward nine.

Andrew Dodt and England’s Tommy Fleetwood, who were in the thick of battle on the Sunday, shared third place on 269 after a 68 and 66 respectively.

With the title on the line, he later conceded his iron shot into the last had a touch of fortune. “It (shot on last hole) was kind of unexpected. I was trying to take it over the middle of the bunker in front of the green and play it safe.

Tied with Cabrera Bello heading down the 18th hole, which is rated as one of the toughest in Asia, Brazel produced a stunning 6-iron approach shot to set up his winning birdie.

“But I hit it a little thin and a little right but I’ll take it. The satisfying part was the putt. I’ve been working hard with my putting and it’s nice to stand there and roll one in the middle when it really counts,” said Brazel.

Brazel was visibly emotional as he lifted the trophy, which was his first major win since turning professional in 2002.

The US$2 million tournament was sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Hong Kong Golf Association. •

“Sam’s first lesson with me was in a park in Tamworth. From the first swing, I knew there was something special,” Mercer says. Mercer adds that the main goal was to simplify the fundamentals of his swing so that, under pressure, Sam wouldn’t fear the bad shot. That philosophy paid off in spades on the final hole of the UBS Hong Kong Open where Sam “mishit” his six iron into the green to ten feet, resulting in his first win on the European Tour. “For the back nine of the final round, I kept returning to my pre-shot routine that Richard and I have worked on for so long. It kept me relaxed and ‘in the zone’ the entire time,” Sam said. Brazel and Mercer are now focusing on the European Tour for the next two years, building on Sam’s newly found confidence and looking for continued success. “I look forward to the opportunities of playing on the European Tour for the next few years and can’t wait to see what the future brings,” Sam says. For more on Richard Mercer Golf: www.richardmercergolf.com

Demo the new Ping G range in your area, and get a perfect custom fit with your size and your colour.

Get fit today Turn to page 73 for a complete list of fitting days this month

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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New rule for ball accidentally moving during play

he R&A and the USGA last month announced the introduction of a new Local Rule that eliminates the penalty when a ball is accidentally moved on the putting green.

The commercial rights to Golf Link—the program which manages Australian golf handicap information and scoring history—is set to return to the sport’s governing body, Golf Australia.

The Local Rule will be available for any committee in charge of a competition to use starting this month. It will be adopted by The R&A and the USGA in all of their championships, qualifying competitions and international matches.

Golf Australia and MPower MSL announced a strategic agreement last month that will allow all Australian golf club members to check their handicap information and scoring history via the GA home page at www.golf.org.au from April 1, 2017.

David Rickman, Executive Director - Governance at The R&A, said, “For the past several years, as part of The R&A and USGA’s Rules Modernisation initiative, we have considered the penalty for a ball that is accidentally moved A new rule is set to eliminate the penalty for accidental ball movement on the green (Photo R&A) on the putting green. Both Rules If a Committee wishes to introduce this Local Rule, the Committees agreed that it needed to be changed and decided following wording is recommended: that in this particular case it was important to act now, through a Local Rule, rather than wait for the next overall set of revisions “Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows: to the Rules of Golf.” When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no Thomas Pagel, Senior Director, Rules of Golf and Amateur penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the Status at the USGA, said, “Eliminating this penalty responds player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or to the concerns we have heard from both golfers and equipment. committees about the difficulties in applying the current The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided Rules when a player accidentally causes a ball to move on the in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1. putting green. This change is a good example of the type of This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ballRules Modernisation changes we hope to implement after marker lies on the putting green and any movement is completing our fundamental review of all of the Rules. We are accidental. looking for ways to improve the Rules by making them easier to understand and apply.” The Local Rule has been welcomed by all of the major Tours worldwide, and the PGA TOUR, European Tour, LPGA, PGA of America and the Masters Tournament are among the golf organisations that will implement the Local Rule for all future events.

Golf Australia to house all handicap functions

Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.” More: www.RandA.org.

GA will invest in additional software, technical and consulting services through MPower MSL. This technology partnership will enable GA to develop accurate, real-time insights into membership trends and lead the industry in responding to changes in golf participation. “It’s a significant occurrence for Golf Australia and golf in this country to regain the full rights to the Golf Link program,” GA chief executive Stephen Pitt said. “We will be able to exert more influence on the service we provide to golfers and hopefully give them a great experience as they check movement in their handicap and playing results. “It will strengthen our ability to invest in golf and help drive our important development programs such as MyGolf and Swing Fit. “It will allow us to better communicate with golfers around the country and make golf stronger in Australia, so it’s a very important milestone.” The strategic partnership will further support the investment in Australian golf by Hyundai Genesis, which recently partnered with both Golf Australia and the Genesis Golf Link Cup. The Genesis Golf Link Cup will now also be promoted through the Golf Australia website and be Golf Australia’s preferred virtual golf competition.

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

news Griffin grabs Aus Order of Merit

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Hend tops Asian Tour OOM

Top players commit to World Super 6 Perth World No. 8 Patrick Reed and World No. 9 Alex Noren are the first players to announce they will be heading to Lake Karrinyup Country Club to compete in The ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

Matthew Griffin finished the Australian PGA at Royal Pines in a share of 40th but was left with more than enough reason to celebrate after winning the PGA Tour of Australasia order of merit. His reward was a place in the Open Championship this year at Royal Birkdale in England and two World Golf Championship events. “It is what you play golf for - to play in the Open Championship and the WGCs,” Griffin said. “It will be my first major. I have grown up as a kid dreaming of playing in a major. That is what I have played golf my whole life for - to get to a major and see how you go up against the best players in the world. “If I play well, I get Fed Ex Cup points and it opens a new world.” The 33-year-old Griffin started the Australian PGA with a big buffer at the top of the order of merit thanks to his win at the New Zealand Open earlier this year - he also recorded a share of third at the Victorian PGA and a top 10 at the Fiji International - but was forced to endure an anxious afternoon as Andrew Dodt and Ashley Hall vied for the Joe Kirkwood Cup. Either could have passed Griffin with a win. But it wasn’t to be. Ultimately, Hall finished third on the order of merit and Dodt fourth - second place was filled by New Zealander Michael Hendry.

Reed and Noren will headline a superstar field to contest the event from 16-19 February, when the European Tour and ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia come together to sanction the combined stroke play and match play tournament.

Scott Hend secured the prestigious Asian Tour’s Order of Merit crown at the seasonending UBS Hong Kong Open last month, becoming the first Australian to win the title and the fourth player to surpass US$1 million in earnings during a season. The 43-year-old Hend won twice at the True Thailand Classic and Queen’s Cup, also in Thailand, and finished top-10 on three other occasions including a runner-up outing at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland during a memorable 2016 campaign. “It’s quite special. Obviously winning any Order of Merit anywhere is very special, and this will stay with me forever,” said Hend after he carded a closing four-over-par 74 on the Sunday, to increase his season haul to US$1,004,792. “It’s just a culmination of a lot of years on the Asian Tour and coming so close and not getting over the line; it’s finally nice to reach the top and grab the trophy.” Hend’s only rival for the Merit crown, Marcus Fraser, needed to win the US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open to have any chance of winning top spot but he failed to do so at the Hong Kong Golf Club, signing off with a closing 66. A disappointing campaign in the World Golf

Championships event in Doral at the start of the year proved to be the spark that Hend needed to get his 2016 season going as he returned to Asia the following week and won in Thailand. “It’s a bit of a funny start to the year because I played in Doral, was 22-over par for four rounds and we came to Thailand and all of a sudden, the following week I was 18-under,” he recalled. “I just managed to level it off and play really solid during the middle of the year and fortunately enough for me, I won a couple tournaments and I came in a couple top fives. So it was quite nice. “It’s been a great year. I only missed out on one goal and that was obviously to get top50 in the world and play the Masters next year. It was a hard task; I had to come second here or I had to win. All in all, it’s a very good year.” In what is his 10th season on the Asian Tour, Hend has capped a truly impressive career on the region’s premier circuit with nine victories. He also finished runner-up on the Order of Merit twice in 2013 and 2014 and was fourth on three other occasions in 2007, 2009 and 2014, indicating his consistency in his game.

“From the moment I heard about the combined format I knew that I wanted to be a part of the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth,” said Reed, a five-time winner on the PGA TOUR. “Everyone on the European Tour has been talking about the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth,” adds Noren. “The format is very interesting and I look forward to playing in the inaugural tournament.” A unique format in world golf, the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth will combine 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 top-24 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 a six-hole shoot-out. ISPS HANDA has signed on as the title partner of the event for three years, with more announcements expected soon. The ISPS HANDA 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.

Entries Close April 21st 2017 | Tournament Director: Kym Doherty | Phone: 0408 310 532 | Email: golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au | Website: www.sunraysiagolftours.com.au 8

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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Maleny Golf Club president Dr Max Whitten with course superintendent Mick McCombe look over the plans for the course’s expansion.

$100,000 course expansion GRANT FOR MALENY THE Sunshine Coast hinterland’s Maleny Golf Club has successfully applied for a $100,000 Queensland Government “Getting Places and Spaces” grant under its 2016-17 “Get in the Game” funding program designed to support sport and recreation at the grass roots level.

enhancing the Maleny Golf Club’s ability to grow its membership at all levels and attract visiting golfers to play this high quality and award-winning course.” Dr Whitten said the Maleny Golf Club had already established a first-class performance track record as Stage 1 of the golf course was completed on time and well under budget for $750,000.

News of the club’s successful grant application follows the Sunshine Coast Council’s (SCC) decision to approve the lease of additional land for construction of Stage 2 of the council’s 18hole community golf course.

“Significantly, the golf club has a skilled volunteer workforce in place, led by our awardwinning superintendent Mick McCombe and can move quickly to get work underway as soon as these funds are available,” he said.

President Dr Max Whitten thanked the Queensland Government for its financial support of golf in Maleny as well as members of the grant application team led by the club’s secretary Roly Nieper.

Progressive development of Maleny Golf Club will significantly boost the estimated $3.5 million value of the SCC’s existing community sports and tourism asset. SCC also agreed at its July 2016 meeting to consider providing additional financial support for expansion of the course to 18 holes.

“These funds will be used to help finance development of an additional three golf holes to expand the present 9-hole golf course to 12 holes,” Dr Whitten said. “The addition of these holes will significantly improve the playing experience for all, thereby

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

Men’s CQ four-ball champions Len Hogarth (left) and Simon Warren (right) posed with women’s champions Vernetta Perret and Julie Morrison.

Len, Simon CQ four-ball champions

The pair, who returned 45 points, edged out Calliope Golf Club’s Korynne Brown and Vickie Pollock.

ROCKHAMPTON Golf Club’s Len Hogarth and Simon Warren carded the best stableford point score of 49 points to win the men’s Central Queensland four-ball stableford championship at Capricorn Resort in Central Queensland.

MEANWHILE, players from a number of different clubs contested the teams’ event.

The pair finished two points clear of Gracemere’s Ray Bianchi and David Wilson, who had to survive a countback to win the runners-up prizes from Capricorn Country Club’s Kia George and Adam Crew. Gladstone Golf Club’s Vernetta Perret teamed up Town of 1770’s Julie Morrison to win the women’s championship.

Daryl Myles and Bob Lindley (Rockhampton GC ), Phile Hay ward and M ike Vidler (Capricorn Country Club), Vernetta Perrett Gladstone and Julie Morrison (1770) carded a combined point score of 135 to take out the event. They finished two points ahead of Terry Bukger and Davd Barrillana (Yeppoon), John Berry and Rodney Donnollan and Wendy Daly and Gayle Mooney (Capricorn Country Club).

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A MATERIAL

New clubhouse for Nelson Bay Nelson Bay Golf Club is currently undertaking a $10 million construction of its new clubhouse after a devastating fire on Father’s Day 2015. Kwinana Cup winner Nicholas Curnow shows off the trophy.

THE 42 nd annual Kwinana Cup competition, played at Kwinana Golf Club in West Australia, is so popular it even attracted a player from Scotland.

Last month saw 70, cement trucks arrive and the floor of the actual Clubhouse poured. The Clubhouse will have the Pro-Shop, extra retail space and cart storage underneath and a function centre, main bar, sports bar, full gaming facilities, lounge, Bluewater Grill, kids play area all on one level above.

More than 75 players from nine different clubs along with sponsors took part in the stableford event on day one of the three-day tournament.

Avondale Amateur to test the best

Kwinana Cup success

“This is a fun event, enjoyed by all involved,” said Kwinana administration assistant Tiffany Franklin. Geraldton Golf Club’s Brett Steele won the event. The Kwinana Cup attracted 176 players from 25 different clubs. “The weather was amazing and players appreciated the outstanding course and the hospitality of the staff, who served wonderful food and drinks on both days,” Ms Franklin said. The competition was fierce, but Lake Karrinyup Golf Club’s Nicholas Curnow lifted the trophy after returning an overall score of 146. “Well done to Nick and all the players who participated and we look forward to hosting them all again next year … along with new faces,” Ms Franklin added. “Of course, thanks must go to the staff and volunteers and the sponsors who make the event possible.”

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Since 1961, Avondale Golf Club’s popular Avondale Medal event has attracted many leading amateurs from both Australia and overseas. Starting this year, things are set to boost up a notch, as Avondale have been invited to run a Nominated National Ranking Event, The Avondale Amateur, from 24 – 27 January. This event will run immediately following the Australian Amateur and immediately prior to the NSW Amateur, guaranteeing that the tournament will attract the best available amateur golfers from Australia and overseas. The Avondale Amateur will also be a Jean Derrin, Vardon and World Amateur Ranking Event which will feature both men and women with the men playing for The Avondale Medal and the women playing for The Avondale Bowl. There will be 120 men in the starting field and 48 in the women’s field, with a cut made after 36 holes to the top 60 men (plus ties) and the top 24 women (plus ties). The marquee player for this event is local amateur hero Harrison Endycott. Harrison will be the highest ranked player in the event, at #20 in the World. Harrison recently played in the NSW Open and also played all four rounds in the Australian Open at Royal Sydney. He will be defending his title for the second time, having won the Avondale Medal in both 2015 & 2016. His 2016 win came at the start of a stellar year which also included wins at the Lake Macquarie International, Riversdale Cup, South Australia Classic and Porter Cup in the U.S. The English Team have also entered to play, as well as players from New Zealand, Canada, France & Taiwan.

The new facilities will be targeting weddings, conferences and corporate business along with promotions for family occasions, with the kid’s space it will have. Nelson Bay Golf Club has taken pride in being a community club engaging Newcastle based companies for architectural requirements and construction. They are looking forward to opening in June 2017 which will see employment opportunities triple, the ability to host work experience students and the club be more involved in local events held in Port Stephens. www.nelsonbay.com.au

CHANGE IN FORGIVENESS AND DISTANCE

“Being awarded Golf Australia National Ranking Event status recognises the significant contribution many of our members have made to these tournaments for over 50 years. We are looking forward to stamping the Avondale Amateur as one of the premier events on the Australian amateur golfing calendar,” Avondale Golf Club President Stephen Cameron said. With a strong field expected in both the Men’s and Women’s event, Avondale Golf Club is excited about the opportunity to showcase one of Sydney’s best courses, at an elite level.

David goes extra Miles to break age YAMBA Golf Club life member and ex-everything David Miles was the toast of the club recently after firing a 77 off the stick to break his age for the first time. David, who is 78, carded 43 stableford points after parring the front nine and needing a seven or better on the last hole. The nerves were starting to show, but he still managed a six on the final hole to win the A grade competition. David finished three points clear of Richard Beresford while Dave Bruton carded 39 points to finish third on a countback. More than 140 players took to the ever-improving course. Danny Quin with 42 points won the A Reserve grade when he edged out Robb Robertson and Warren Hughes by one point. Robertson finished runner-up on a countback. www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

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Innovative One-on-One Pro-Am at Curlewis Curlewis Golf Club continues to invigorate golf with details announced of the Curlewis Golf Club 2017 Pro-Am. Following the success of the innovative 2016 event, Curlewis Golf Club will again be initiating a One-on-One Pro-Am on Monday, January 9, 2017. The concept of a one-on-one was received well last year, with authorities, PGA Pros and participants agreeing that it was a unique and exciting way to host a Pro-Am. Rather than the traditional Pro-Am model (that has a large field of morning and afternoon starts with each team comprising three amateurs and one PGA Professional), every player gets to play with their very own PGA Professional. With a Professional prize pool of $11,000, the event automatically achieves Order of Merit status and a top line up of PGA Professionals to ‘show their stuff’ on one of Australia’s most spectacular courses, Curlewis. Every player – both Pro and Amateur – will also have the chance to win $10,000 if they land a hole in one on the 8th. All that stands between each player and the cash is 139m of grass. With great prizes thrown into the mix, there will also be a Chip in for Charity where all participants will chip into a tinny on the dam. Handicap Limit: 36 (Men), 45 (Women). Must have a GolfLink number/handicap. Entrance Fee is $100 pp includes Gourmet BBQ lunch and post event Clubhouse Canapes. Entries close Monday, January 2, or when capacity field is reached. www.curlewisgolf.com.au

Piper Stubbs with Murray Sturt.

Age no barrier for golf

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Sydney’s Riverside Oaks are hosting their first ever Open Week, showcasing their Gangurru and Bungool golf courses

At Huntingdale Golf Club, the recent Championships featured their oldest winner, Murray Sturt (59) winning the Club Championship for Men, as well as their youngest Women’s Championship winner, Piper Stubbs (13 years of age). Not to be outdone, in the “B” Grade Men’s event, 12 year-old Harvey Young took the event with a 2/1 win.

The special week will run from Monday 16th to Friday 20th January with a special rate of 18 holes of golf with a GPS cart for only $45.00. The week will include a running competition all week - individual prizes given each day and an overall winner for the week.

A similar achievement was noted at Portsea Golf Club, with over 50 year’s difference in the ages of the champions. In the final of the Women’s A Grade, the title was taken out by the Club’s youngest ever winner, Keeley Marx, aged 12, on a handicap of 4.6, who defeated three-times previous winner Kim Hastie 4&2.

Special activities are also planned for the Friday, including an 18-hole par-3 competition, Free Friday Golf Clinic, NTP comp from the Terrace and more. Membership specials for the week will include pro-rata Platinum membership. Pay $980.00 and become a platinum member for the rest of the financial year.

In the A Grade Men’s Championships, Craig Jewell, 62, defeated Gary Cooper on the 37th hole. Craig said that he was just as passionate about the Club as he was when he joined almost 30 years ago. Isn’t golf the greatest??!!

Open week at Riverside Oaks

The Club Championships at a pair of Victorian clubs have proved that golf is a game for all ages.

There are also accommodation specials on offer, with a special members rate of $120per night. Craig Jewell and Keeley Marx.

www.riversideoaks.com.au

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Wire to wire wins for Wentworth and Balaklava

Balgowlah ladies shine DURING WINNING STREAK

Wentworth Golf Club and Balaklava Golf Club went wire to wire to win the 2016 Holden Scramble Championship Final at Twin Waters Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast.

The Ladies of Balgowlah Golf Club have been enjoying a purple patch lately. The run of form started with Mountain Week in September, where Pat Pashley and her Partner Nettie South from Roseville won the Division 1 Foursomes.

With rounds of 51, 50 and 49, the Wentworth Golf Club were a class above the field running away with a four-shot victory.

Eight ladies then went to Long Reef and played in a Veterans Event, with Robyn Hare, Bette Headland, Fay Briggs and Clare Swann the International Cup winners for 2016, with Wendy Young, Jenny Loveridge, Sandra Lane and Jan MacDonald winning Division 2.

“It was a pretty nervous start to the round today, but towards the end of the round we did it tough to get the required tee shots away, but we got the job done.” said Wentworth PGA Professional, Todd Brakenridge In the 25th anniversary year of the Holden Scramble, the win was special for the team who have travelled from Orange in New South Wales.

New ninth, range near completion at Ranfurlie

“We are thrilled to win the Championship Final, particularly in the 25th year. It’s nice to come from a country area in New South Wales and claim the victory.”

Melbourne’s Ranfurlie Golf Club will open both its shortened ninth hole and revamped public access driving range as soon as March.

Led by PGA Professional Chris Duke, the Balaklava Golf Club from South Australia claimed the women’s section of the Holden Scramble Championship Final. The team could not have thought in their wildest dreams that they would be national champions when they entered their local event in back in July. “Never in a million years, we are just so lucky to be here and are so grateful to the Holden Scramble. It has allowed us as amateurs to be in this position today.” said the representatives from the team.

Ranfurlie’s construction of a new dam at the rear of the club’s existing driving range forced the redesign of the practice fairway and the adjacent par-four ninth hole with golf course design firm Ogilvy Clayton Cocking Mead (OCCM) altering the ninth to a well-bunkered par-3 of approximately 160m. Soil removed for the creation of the dam has been used by OCCM to build brand-new target greens on the practice fairway, which Ranfurlie—a private golf club with limited tee times for green fee players—will open to the public. The practice fairway will retain its original length but has been angled away from

Frankston-Cranbourne Road, which runs along the right-hand side of the driving range. The ninth, formerly a 348-metre hole for men and 316 metres for women with a large red river gum in the centre of the fairway has been brought significantly forward from the former tee while the new green has been moved approximately 50 metres towards the tee and away from the adjacent clubhouse. “The new ninth hole will play slightly uphill from a tee next to a newly shaped wetland with the clubhouse providing a backdrop to the green, OCCM’s Ashley Mead said. A large cluster of bunkers has been added left and behind the green both to provide visual interest but also to separate the hole from the teeing ground on the practice fairway.” Upgrades are also pending for Ranfurlie’s clubhouse, after members voted in support of redesigning its ground floor and creating a brand new outdoor alfresco dining area.

Four ladies went to Orange playing at Duntry League GC, with Clare Swann and Jenny Loveridge winning the 2B Charity Day with 47 points. Fay Briggs won the 36-Hole Scratch Score and 36 Hole Nett. Clare Swann was the winner of the Stableford competition in her division and Jenny Loveridge was the winner in her Division. Fay Briggs and Jenny Loveridge were Runner-Up in the Foursomes, being beaten on a countback. Barbie Cook, Clare Swann and Jenny Loveridge played in the Pro-Am at Roseville recently and won with a score of 50 points. Finally, the Veterans Foursomes Championships were held at Moore Park, with Wendy Young and Jenny Loveridge wining the Silver Salver in Bronze Division I and Jan MacDonald and Pat Pashley winning in Bronze Division 2. We reckon a Lotto ticket might be the order of the day.

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Pros honoured at Greg Norman Medal Dinner

ason Day, Peter Thomson and Minjee Lee were among a cavalcade of Australian golf names honoured by the PGA of Australia at last month’s Greg Norman Medal dinner. For the second year running Day was recognised with the Greg Norman Medal, as Australia’s best performing Tour Professional on the international stage. Day’s season was highlighted by three victories. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the very next week the WGC – World Match Play. Day’s third victory came four starts and just seven weeks later at THE PLAYERS Championship. Day played 20 tournaments on the PGA TOUR in 2016, making the cut in all but one for 10 top-10 finishes including his wins. Flying the flag for women’s golf and a strong contender for the top honour was Minjee Lee. After proudly representing Australia at the Rio Olympics, Lee’s year was also highlighted by recording her third professional victory at the Blue Bay LPGA in China. This followed a runner-up finish at the Manulife LPGA Classic in September and her second LPGA Tour win in April. The dinner also saw the introduction of a new honour with a Life Member being elevated to Immortal status. The inaugural honouree was Peter Thomson, one of Australia’s all time greatest Professionals. “Am I not a lucky man! Most people have nice things said about them at their funerals when it is too late for their own enjoyment,

Association that had the greatest impact on the industry. He was Chairman of the PGA for 32 years, which remains the longest tenure in this PGA’s history. “Success came slowly but sweetly and I would like to say in fairness, that I have always felt that I never worked a day in my life, such was the pleasure and challenge this wonderful game of golf provided. “To become President of the PGA in the Sixties was a huge thrill and my 32 years in that role was tremendously rewarding. At last I felt I was giving something back to an Association that had given me so much,” added Thomson. Complementing the pinnacle awards were the 2016 ISPS HANDA Peter Thomson, with wife Mary PGA Tour of Australasia Player of the Year, awarded to Adam Blyth, and the 2016 ALPG Player of the Year, but you’ve all jumped the gun as it were and which was awarded to Stacey Keating. given this lovely tribute for me to hear,” said Thomson. Third year PGA Trainee Luke Bleumink from Victoria was appointed the 2016 PGA “Now to be serious, I thank you all sincerely. Trainee of the Year. Head Professionals at Peter O’Malley, Chairman, Brian Thorburn, Charlestown Golf Club, husband and wife CEO and all of the board members of the duo Ryan and Janelle Smith received the PGA. To Peter Senior and every member of honour of being recognised as the 2016 our Association.” PGA National Club Professional of the Year. “I am most truly thrilled to be recognised Taking out the 2016 PGA National Teaching and honoured by my peers of this great Professional of the Year award was Richard Association.” Woodhouse the renowned Director of While his playing prowess has been Instruction at the recently opened KDV-Sport strongly documented, his illustrious career Academy of Golf in Queensland, where he featuring five Open Championship victories works successfully with both amateur golfers amongst 89 professional tournament wins and Tournament Professionals. Woodhouse has made him a household name for almost always strives for self development through 70 years. continuing education and also writes for However it is his dedication to his various publications, including Inside Golf. •

The Lakes to host 2018 Australian Open The 2018 Emirates Australian Open will be played at The Lakes Golf Club, south of Sydney. The storied Eastlakes venue will host the national championship for the seventh time from November 22-25. Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt was delighted to return to The Lakes, which most recently hosted the Open in 2012 when Peter Senior defied galeforce winds to win his second and final Stonehaven Cup. “The Lakes has been a great venue for our national championship in years past and its imagery really helps showcase Sydney and New South Wales to our growing global audience,” Mr Pitt said. “The Lakes and Golf Australia have a great relationship and we know the club, board and the members very well and we very much look forward to working with them again.” Golf Australia, along with partners the New South Wales Government and its tourism and events agency Destination NSW and event commercial partner Lagardère Sports (formerly World Sport Group), announced in 2015 a deal that will keep the Open in Sydney through 2023, with the scope for two “release years” in that period. Mr Pitt said it was his intention to continue to formalise plans about future host clubs for the event as soon as possible with plans already announced for The Australian Golf Club to host in 2017, 2019 and 2021. www.ausopengolf.com

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Brenden Caligari - Club Manager, Curlewis Golf Club One of the fastest-growing golf clubs in Australia, Curlewis Golf Club is proving that an innovative, forward-thinking approach can pay massive dividends for any golf club. This month, we chat with club manager Brenden Caligari about the Victorian club’s remarkable turnaround. Why did you join Curlewis Golf Club? After working closely with the club owners, Lyndsay and David Sharp, in a previous role, I was always impressed by both their entrepreneurialism and ability to always make important business decisions quickly; so as to seize excellent opportunities. Have you always been in Golf Club Management? This is my first foray in to Golf Club Management. I was previously the Sponsorship Manager of the Geelong Cats for the last 10 years. What do you love about your role as Club Manager? Golf in many ways is the sport that time forgot. I love that my role can be pivotal in revitalising this sport and opening people’s eyes to the enjoyment that golf can provide both on course and in the clubhouse. What are the biggest challenges you face in your role as Club Manager? The challenges for not just me, but all club managers revolves around making golf more attractive and relevant to the mass market. While I recognise that some existing golfers enjoy the traditionalist style of the game and clubhouse culture, I see my biggest challenge

is to throw open the gates to the golf course and clubhouse—as wide as possible—so as to engage the masses – not the minority. What do you see as your biggest achievement(s) at Curlewis? While only having been the club manager for 12 months, I see my biggest achievement to date has been to not lose a single “traditionalist’’ member, even after relaxing many of the traditional golf club’s “Magna Carta’’ type rules, policies and bi-laws. This has included relaxing the dress code and etiquette, opening the timesheet 15 days out at 2 pm and encouraging the general public to not only visit, but to return time-and-time again. Are you a golfer? Sadly, after 12 months, I am yet to play a full round at Curlewis. While I enjoy getting out on the course regularly and chatting to the members and ground staff, I don’t put enough effort in to making the time to play our beautiful course. But, the more I’m out on course, the harder the bug is starting to bite. Watch this space. What do you like doing in your spare time? Having spent 10 years in the AFL, I am

trying to make up to my ever-supportive wife and three children (aged 13, 12 and 9) for the time I have not spent with them. The Sharp’s willingness to allow me to work Monday to Friday, with the occasional Saturday, has allowed me to start making amends. My focus on weekends now is enjoying day trips together and a really novel outing is going to watch the mighty Cats together as a family! Curlewis has gone from the brink of closure to officially becoming the fastest growing golf club in Australia in 18 months. Why is this? Our growth has nothing to do with luck; it’s due to the significant investment that Lyndsay and David Sharp have made (and are continuing to make) to ensure that Curlewis becomes the jewel in the crown on the Bellarine Peninsula. By providing existing and new members with real value through renovating the clubhouse and facilities and engaging people such as Mike Clayton to undertake a five-year improvement plan and oversee the works, everyone is seeing the

benefits of membership. We are frequently told by people within the industry that we “are not like any other golf club” and this is because of our forward-thinking and common-sense approach to the mass market’s requirements. What is the future of Australian golf? The future of Australian golf is very healthy, provided we don’t continue marketing golf as golf. The mass market views golf as boring, old fashioned and snobby. If club managers, boards and committees start thinking and promoting their course as the most beautiful seven kilometre walk that is: A) In the outdoors. B) Safe for women and children. C) Exercise without even trying. D) Amazingly social. E) Can be enjoyed by anyone from 8 to 108 and F) It’s FUN! The future of golf is also very dependent upon the many struggling clubs quickly shedding their compliance-driven board structures that are too large, too selfinvested and too slow moving to respond to the needs of modern-day people. •

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The importance of being earnest (about the rules)

Are you feeling the VIBE? A Tour Ball for Every Swing Speed!

Aaron Muirhead National Director, Golf Management Australia eo@gma.org.au

s a golf club manager, it is generally expected by members that we know the Rules of Golf. Interestingly just last week a GM of renown, who has never been a golfer, gave a ruling in a match, despite not knowing the rules, thus proving the need for management, including golf operations staff, to be across the rules. Fortunately, that GM gave the correct ruling. Perhaps as an example of being a quintessentially typical golfer I attest to having a reasonable knowledge of the rules but was daunted when asked to undertake the rules education program that has been developed by the R&A. Why was I daunted? Because the reality is I knew I was going to be tested on the depth of my actual knowledge. In fairness, I don’t believe I have ever given a ruling or answered a question on the rules without referring to the published rules of golf to verify my accuracy.

The VIBE is a 3-piece, Double Cover Urethane ball with an extremely low 65-compression. It is a Tour ball for every swing speed, allowing slower swing speeds to compress and get maximum distance, but it maintains an extremely low driver swing speed for faster swing speeds to keep straight. It also has amazing spin around the greens for touch players. The VIBE is the best of all worlds, providing straight drives, longer distance and the best in SOFT feel! The R&A iphone app is one of the many rules tools at your disposal.

So, what was the outcome of undertaking the online program? Yes, it took a few hours to undertake the full exercise but after stepping through the introductory phase, reviewing the section on etiquette (which should be compulsory for every golfer) the principles of the rules and subsequent rules of golf were explained in layman’s fashion, equipping me to feel adept enough to have a crack at the exam. If nothing else came out of the time spent on this undertaking I am resolved to suggest the more golfers who have a go at the education program, the better for the game. I encourage you to do so and or for clubs to make the following links available to your members: http://rulesacademy.randa.org/register/ http://www.golf.org.au/rules-seminar http://www.golf.org.au/rulesaccreditation2 And lastly, put the R&A app on your phone.

We have been spoilt with some excellent golf tournaments over the past few weeks including the Australian Open at Royal Sydney, World Cup of Golf at Kingston Heath and the Australian PGA at Royal Pines. I would like to congratulate the managers of these clubs, Paul Hinton (Royal Sydney), Gregg Chapple (Kingston Heath) and David Hogben (Royal Pines) for hosting what seemed to be seamlessly managed events. All the courses looked fabulous and the quality of golf at each venue was outstanding. I would also like to wish Damon Lonnie (Lake Karrinyup Country Club) all the best with the coming World Super 6 event in Perth. This revolutionary new format features 54 holes of stroke play before the final 24 players battle it out over a dramatic final day sixhole shoot-out. Three long-serving GMA members have recently resigned from their positions, being Paul Hinton (Royal Sydney), Bill Francis (Bonnie Doon) and David Brand (Glenelg Golf Club) and on behalf of the association I wish them all the very best with their future endeavours. •

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Jeremy discovers ‘new world’ David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

FORMER Virginia Golf Club general manager Jeremy White was atop a ladder when I called to ask about his “new world” discovery. “I’m doing some painting and a few other chores,” he said. White, who retired in 2009 and moved to Byron Bay to set up a business, returned to Queensland and is living the good life at Tamborine Mountain, 40 kilometres northwest of the Gold Coast and 580m above sea level. “I love living at Tamborine Mountain,” he said. “It’s a new world and the people here are very nice. “Moving here has given me a new lease on life and the golf course is a dream.”

After a number of knee replacements, Jeremy is working out and “back in the gym after 50 years”. “The doctor told me to keep going so I go to the gym twice a week and golf three times a week,” he said. “On Mondays, 10 of us hit off and it can be a very costly day,” said Jeremy, tongue firmly in cheek. “The most I can lose is $1.80 and that’s if I lose every hole, but you’d think we’re playing for $1000 a hole. “It’s great and good stimulus with all sorts of topics discussed. “I also play golf on Wednesdays and Fridays.” Tamborine Mountain is an undulating golf course, however, Jeremy insists on walking. “I’m one of a handful of people that don’t have a battery operated buggy

and they (playing partners) give me hell about it,” he said. “But as long as I can pull my buggy around Tamborine Mountain, I will.” The nine-hole golf course, which has 18 tees, regularly receives glowing reports for the excellent condition of the greens. “We have a brilliant greenkeeper, who is virtually a one-man band with help from volunteers,” Jeremy said. “We also have a new professional, Andrew Revie, and he is servicing the members and visitors exceedingly well.” Visitors are welcome and it costs $26 to play 18 holes and $17 for nine holes. • www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

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Thorburn to step down from PGA of Australia

he PGA of Australia announced last month that CEO Brian Thorburn would be stepping down, having successfully completed his second three-year contract with the Association when it comes to the end of its natural term in February 2017.

The R&A has opened its new Asia-Pacific office at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore which will help further the organisation’s commitment to the growth and development of golf in the region.

Peter O’Malley, Chairman of the PGA Board thanked and praised Thorburn for leading the Association over these important six years and congratulated him on the significant contributions he made during that period. “Brian was appointed in 2011, by a new Board and together we immediately implemented a comprehensive restructure and change agenda which has seen the PGA deliver a financial surplus each year for the last four years, extend the services provided to Members, reduce Member subscription fees and grow tournaments on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia by over 50% to 17 tournaments offering $8.9 million in prize money,” Peter O’Malley said. “Australia’s golfing fortunes have thrived over this period with several players in the top-50 in the world including two world No 1s in Jason Day and Adam Scott. “Brian oversaw the PGA Centenary in 2011, the relocation of the Australian PGA Championship to the Gold Coast in 2013, an expanded relationship with the European Tour and the establishment of new international tournaments in Fiji, Darwin, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and Perth. “Two other very significant events were held during his tenure being The Presidents Cup in Australia in 2011 and the World Cup of Golf also in Melbourne this year and 2013,” continued O’Malley. “With the PGA enjoying high brand recognition and respect, Brian leaves at a time when we are in a powerful financial

The R&A Opens New Asia-Pacific Office in Singapore

The Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Keith Macintosh, officially opened the new office at a reception for guests from the Singapore golf industry and other bodies that work with The R&A. position well placed to continue to expand and grow.

Thorburn stated that he was very proud of his achievements as CEO of the PGA.

“The PGA looks to build greater alignment with all the other golfing bodies in Australia maximising the value and importance of its brand, celebrating its history and strengthening the position and circumstances of both its vocational and tour professionals.

“It’s been a privilege to run the PGA and I’m very pleased to have left the legacy of making a worthwhile contribution to the PGA and to the future of the great game of golf in this country,” he said.

“Brian effectively represented the PGA & the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia on the world stage, has been most constructive for the future of the game and he leaves with our thanks and gratitude for his contribution. “Last week’s successful staging of the Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort and the standing of that tournament is a credit to Brian who has driven not only the transition from Coolum to the Gold Coast but a number of other initiatives such as the Greg Norman Medal, the inaugural PGA Immortal Award which was presented to Peter Thomson, and the SONIQ Million Dollar Hole as a few examples,” concluded Chairman O’Malley.

“Living in Sydney, travelling each week to the PGA’s national office at Sandhurst in Melbourne and being on the road for over 180 days each year has been a big commitment and I am looking forward to returning to my consulting firm based in Sydney and spending more time with my young family.” An immediate restructure sees Gavin Kirkman, a long term and highly regarded PGA executive, who has been responsible for the Vocational Professionals and Stuart Hergt, PGA CFO for more than five years take over as Interim Joint CEO’s reporting to the Chairman and the PGA Board. O’Malley added, “Gavin and Stuart are very capable, experienced and knowledgeable executives, and will drive us forward, whilst a search is completed for a new CEO.” •

“I’m delighted to officially open the new Asia-Pacific office for The R&A in Singapore,” said Mr Macintosh. “Singapore is a hugely important centre in the region and is an ideal location for the new office. It will be central to The R&A’s efforts to support the development of golf throughout Asia-Pacific.” Dominic Wall, Director – Asia-Pacific at The R&A, added, “The R&A holds a long association with the Sentosa Golf Club and was a logical choice for the location of the new office given its close proximity to the headquarters of the Asian Tour and the European Tour and other sporting organisations based in Singapore.” Andrew Johnston, General Manager of Sentosa Golf Club, added, “We are privileged and honoured that The R&A has chosen Sentosa as the location of its new office in the Asia-Pacific region. We look forward to welcoming its staff to Singapore.” The Singapore Open, being staged at Sentosa in January, has been included in The Open Qualifying Series for the first time. The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, founded by The R&A, the Masters Tournament and Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation, will be staged at Sentosa Golf Club in 2018.

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women

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Top venues, players set for 2016-17 ALPG schedule love coming back to Oatlands each year; in 2017 we will once again be playing a 36-hole pro-am for $30,000 and I am sure we can expect another quality field.

Karen Lunn CEO – ALPG

After Oatlands the ALPG takes a break over the Australia Day weekend, which will give our members an opportunity to spend the weekend at home with their families, and our International visitors the opportunity to witness the Australia Day celebrations in Sydney which we all know is not to be missed.

hat a year 2016 has been for Women’s Golf! We have seen Minjee Lee win twice on the LPGA Tour, Su Oh have a breakout year securing her full card for 2017, Sarah Jane Smith having the best season of her career and Karrie Webb fighting off the disappointment of not making the Australian Olympic Team to record a top-5 finish at the Ricoh Women’s British Open. To have four women in the top 60 on the strongest tour in the world is quite an achievement when you consider that we only have around 16 full-time touring professionals! While our players have recently taken a well-earned break, plans are well and truly underway for the 2017 ALPG Tour.

The first official ranking event of the ALPG 2016-17 tour, the Anita Boon ALPG Pro-am at North Shore Golf Club in Auckland has already been completed, played on 17th and 18th November. Kiwi Jenna Hunter played some very impressive golf in tough conditions to take her maiden ALPG title at her home club, picking up the largest cheque on offer at an ALPG tour pro-am in the 2016/2017 season. A big thank you to our compatriots in NZ, the NZPWG for putting on such a great event! The 2017 ALPG Club Car Series will kick off at the beautiful Castle Hill Country Club on 17th January, where the Mulpha Norwest ALPG Pro-am will be played for prizemoney of $25,000. This will be the first event on the

Sarah Jane Smith tour for our 2017 International Members, as they and our ALPG members attempt to qualify for our 2017 major events, including the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open. The crew at Castle Hill Country Club are great friends of the ALPG; we have been working together for a few of years now with a view to bring a major international women’s tournament to Sydney. Unfortunately, government have not been as generous with funding as they are to our male counterparts but this is something that we hope will change in the future. We just need to keep knocking down those doors! For the past three years our friends at Castle Hill Renault and Power Ford have been kind enough to supply us with vehicles to get us to our NSW Pro-ams so a big thanks to them for their ongoing support.

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January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

The Tour then heads up to Queensland’s magnificent Gold Coast where we will have a new event on our schedule in 2017, the ALPG Hope Island pro-am. This event will be held on 30th January at the Links Hope Island Golf Club for prizemoney of $25,000. This is the first time that ALPG has played an event at Hope Island, and we are all very excited about our association with such a great venue. The tour then travels down the M2 to the rolling hills of Pennant Hills GC for the Goldkey Financial ALPG Pro-am. This will be the third successive year that an ALPG Pro-am has been staged at Pennant Hills GC, where the players will be playing a 36-hole event on 19th and 20th January for $30,000. Last year we had horrendous luck with the weather and were very fortunate in the end to get one round completed, let’s hope for better weather in 2017! The tour then heads 10 minutes down the road to a very familiar venue for the ALPG, the beautiful Oatlands Golf Club just outside Parramatta. Home for nine years to the Bing Lee Fujitsu NSW Women’s Open, Oatlands is a championship course with a reputation for some of the best and most tricky greens the professionals will play on all year. The players

The players will then make very good use of a couple of days off to hit the beaches, do some shopping or attend one of the many Gold Coast theme parks, before hitting the fairways of RACV Royal Pines Resort where we will play the inaugural RACV Gold Coast Challenge from 2nd – 4th February 2017. This event will see an exciting new format, the first two days will see two professionals and two amateurs paired together competing in a team event, which will be played concurrently with the tournament proper. This will give the amateur players a unique opportunity to get an up close and personal experience of playing alongside women professional golfers as they compete in a professional golf tournament. The final round will see the leading fifty professionals battle it out for prizemoney of a minimum of $150k. Already we have

women

www.insidegolf.com.au/womensgolf

commitments from ALPG stars Sarah Jane Smith, Katherine Kirk, Rebecca Artis, Sarah Kemp and Stacey Keating, along with world number 1 Jiyai Shin, legend Dame Laura Davies and Canadian star Lorie Kane.

the professional individual event played for a purse of $30,000. The final event of the 2017 Club Car Series and the ALPG Tour for 2017 will be the BWAC Employment and Community Services proam at the spectacular Yamba G&CC on the Northern NSW Coast. This will be the fourth edition of the pro-am and without doubt it is one of the most popular venues for our members and visitors with its pristine beaches and holiday atmosphere. The course itself at Yamba is truly of championship standard, if the wind gets up it can be a very tough test of golf! The pro-am will be played on the 24th February for a purse of $20,000 after which the winner of the 2017 ALPG Club Car Series will be crowned!

From the sunny Gold Coast the ALPG heads south to another jewel in the crown of Australian Golf, the magnificent 13th Beach Resort in Barwon Heads for the 2017 Oates Victorian Open. This tournament continues to go from strength to strength each year, thanks to a wonderful title sponsor in Oates and fantastic support from both the State government in Victoria and the City of Geelong. We have seen the prizemoney continue to grow for both the men and the women events, two years ago they were each playing for $150,000, in 2017 both the men and the women will be competing for a minimum of $350,000. Golf Victoria have done an outstanding job with this event and have created something really special that the players, stakeholders and fans alike all love being a part of. From the Bellarine Peninsula, the tour heads to the “City of Churches” for the pinnacle of the ALPG Tour, the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open. In 2017 the tournament will be held at the magnificent Royal Adelaide Golf Club, where 22 years ago a fresh faced Annika Sorenstam claimed her first professional victory, before going on to be arguably the most successful women golfer in history. The tournament will be played from 16-19th February for prizemoney of US$1.3 million, and will boast many of the world’s leading players including defending champion Japanese star Haru Nomura, world number 1 Lydia Ko and our own Karrie Webb. It is certainly exciting for the ladies to be playing such a prestigious event here in

Lydia Ko Australia for this level of prizemoney, and quite unique in the sporting world for the women’s event to carry a higher level of prizemoney that the men’s equivalent. In saying this the women’s event will attract a world-class field which is a direct benefit of having the powerhouse that is the USLPGA Tour as a sanctioning partner. Golf Australia has done a wonderful job in securing a three-year deal to play the Open in Adelaide, in 2016 the tournament was held at The Grange Golf Club and was a great success, in 2018 the tournament will be played at Kooyonga GC. Following the completion of our 2016 major tournaments, the tour will back to Queensland where the 2017 Club Car Series will resume at McLeod Country Golf Club for the 2017 Brisbane International. The proam will be played over two days on the 21st and 22nd of February, with day two being

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of our host clubs and sponsors for their support of the ALPG Club Car Series, along with RACV for their sponsorship of the RACV Gold Coast Challenge, Oates and the Victorian Government for their ongoing support of the Oates Victorian Open, ISPS for their sponsorship of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open and Golf Australia and Golf Victoria for their support of women’s golf in Australia Also a huge thanks to Kevin Gates and Club Car for their continued support of the ALPG Club Car Series. We look forward to seeing you at one or more of our events in 2017. If you are interested in playing in any of our pro-ams or plan to come to watch one of our major events please contact me at karenl@alpg.com.au. If you want to be in the running to win some great prizes throughout the year, go to our website http://alpg.com.au/friends.php and join our “Friends of the ALPG”. It costs nothing to join!

Tickets on sale for Women’s Australian Open Tickets are on sale for the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, as Minjee Lee and Su Oh join Lydia Ko, Karrie Webb and defending champion Haru Nomura at The Royal Adelaide Golf Club from February 16-19. The 20-year-olds, each returning from fantastic seasons on the LPGA Tour, finished in the top 20 at The Grange last season, but are keen to take the next step in February. “To win an Australian Open would be huge,” said world No.16 Lee, who won twice on the LPGA Tour this season. “It was fantastic to have so much support in Adelaide and see the tournament really grow this year and if we can put ourselves in the final couple of groups on Sunday next year, I think it would be brilliant to have that backing behind us.” Oh finished a creditable 50th on the LPGA’s money list in her rookie season that featured two top-10 finishes, including being runner-up at the Kingsmill Championship. “The Australian Open was the making of my whole year. I had one chance to improve my LPGA ranking and was fortunate enough to make the most of it,” Oh said. “I can’t wait to get back to South Australia and play Royal Adelaide for the first time. I’ve heard so much about the course and I’m sure it will be one of the best we play all year. For more information and for tickets to the 2017 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open visit www.womensausopen.com

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

on tour

www.insidegolf.com.au/golf-industry-news

PING signs Hatton to Thompson re-signs with Cobra Puma Golf multi-year agreement

PGA Star Lexi Thompson has signed a long-term extension with Cobra Puma Golf.

ING has announced the signing of English professional and 2016 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship winner Tyrrell Hatton to a multi-year agreement.

Thompson, who partnered with Cobra Puma Golf in 2010 immediately after turning professional, was the first golfer to sign with both brands following the merger. Since then, Lexi, who is ranked #5 in the world, and one of the longest in driving distance on the LPGA Tour, has been a key brand ambassador. “Lexi transcends golf. She has established herself not only as a world-class golfer and one of the top personalities in the industry, but also as an incredible athlete and role model,” said Bob Philion, President & CEO, Cobra Puma Golf. “In the past six years she has helped us grow our women’s business and establish our brand as the go-to source for stylish, fun, high-performance equipment, footwear and apparel for women. We are excited to extend our relationship with her as she continues her career, inspiring the next generation of golfers.” “I’ve really enjoyed having Cobra and Puma by my side since I turned professional, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together in the next phase of my career,” said Thompson. “They are a fun, innovative and exciting partner, keeping me looking good, comfortable and prepared with first-class equipment so I can focus on winning, training and being the best athlete I can be.”

The 25-year-old finished runner-up at the just-completed DP World Tour Championship in Dubai and amassed nine top-10 finishes on the European Tour last year, including a T5 at the Open Championship and a T10 at the US PGA Championship.

Thompson burst onto the national golf scene when she was 12 years old, setting the record as the youngest-ever qualifier to play in the U.S. Women’s Open. By 16 she was already a winner on the LPGA Tour. Now, at just 21 years old she has seven LPGA wins to her name and in 2014 won her first major – the Kraft Nabisco Championship. She also participated in the Olympic Games in Rio. Last month, Thompson joined the field at the Franklin Templeton Shootout as the only female golfer. She was paired with fellow Cobra Puma Golf athlete, Bryson DeChambeau for the 54-hole team event. Thompson was the first female participant since Annika Sorenstam in 2006. •

“Tyrrell has had an outstanding year and we’re delighted he’ll be representing PING going forward,” said PING Chairman & CEO John A. Solheim. “We’ve watched him very closely since he joined the European Tour two years ago and we’ve been impressed with every aspect of his game. He had two top-10 finishes in major championships this year, which says a great deal about his ability to compete against the best in the world. He’s a great addition to our global tour staff and we look forward to supporting him as he continues his rise in the game.” En route to his maiden European Tour title at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October, Hatton matched the courserecord with a 10-under round of 62 at the St. Andrews Old Course. Hatton’s stellar 2016 season saw him finish 4th on the European Tour’s Race to Dubai while climbing to 24th in the Official World Golf Ranking, an accomplishment which will see him make his Masters debut this year.

“I’m delighted to be officially representing the PING brand. I’ve chosen to play their equipment in the past, and I’m excited to become part of the PING family,” Hatton said. “I won my first European Tour event this year after putting a PING putter in my bag for the first time. With PING clubs, I believe I have the finest tools available to perform at the highest level. Each club is precisely built to my specifications which gives me great confidence on every shot.” •

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on tour

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

Open season in NSW the first two days and the third day was the putter. As I’ve said in past, you need to hole putts. This game is all about the score and nothing else.

with Steven Jeffress ed@insidegolf.com.au

y next run of events started with two weeks in Sydney. I had the NSW Open and Australian Open so I decided to drive down from the Gold Coast. The NSW Open was at Stonecutters Ridge— only 5 minutes from my sister’s house! It’s always great to get down to catch up with Joanne, Mark and their kids Flynn and Jessie. (Although I must now admit, I have a new admiration for parents; gee it’s hard. They don’t stop!) The course was in great condition but not really set up for my golf. The greens were small but off the tee it was nice and wide. I don’t hit it a long way so I need a course that is tight, where hitting it straight is a real advantage. I opened with a 1-under-par 71; way back in the pack. 10-under was leading so I had some work to do. The second day was better and even though it was windy, I played awesome golf. I shot 65 to move up inside the top 20 and in great position to attack the weekend. 70 was the best I could do on moving day, which wasn’t good enough. I was still inside the top 20 but I really needed a low one to make a move. Adam Blyth was leading with a total of 21-under so a career low round was needed on Sunday to make a move. Sunday started with birdies on 1 and 2 but unfortunately that’s where it ended. This game still surprises me every day. You can be 12-under for an event and playing nicely and then suddenly you look like you’ve never played the game before. Five bogeys on the front 9 had me turning in 3-over and moving the wrong way! I ended up shooting a 4-over par 76 to finish about 50th. Disappointing. I must thank my caddy Rob Gibbison. Rob plays at Castle Hill Country Club and carried

my bag for four days. This may not sound huge, but he told me it could have been the first time he walked a course in 10 years! He did a great job and was paid in beer currency, which he was more than happy with.

course. You need to hit it straight and put it in the right spots. I played great the first day but only managed to shoot 1-under par 71. I felt like I left a lot of shots out there but it was a good start.

The Australian Open at Royal Sydney Golf Club was too far to drive from my sister’s house each day so I stayed with some friends, Glen and Sandy Phillips. Glen is the Head professional at Monash Golf Club and they always look after me and make me feel at home. (To anyone in Sydney that needs help in any area of golf, give Glen a call. His golf knowledge is awesome).

I was off late the second day and you always know playing an Australian Open, Friday afternoon the course can get firm and quick. Once again I played great and had it to 4-under for the tournament with 8 holes to go. I hadn’t hit a drive left for four weeks and, guess what? I did it on the par-5, second hole (my 11th hole for the day). Probably the only hole that you can’t hit it left! A doublebogey saw me fall back in the field but I still finished 1-under for the day and 2-under after 36 holes.

My plan for the week was to play 9 holes Monday and Tuesday, with the Pro-Am Wednesday. You need to organize your week to practice hard and get a good feel for the course but also stay fresh. The course was in awesome condition as it always is. And it really suited my eye. It’s not a bomber’s

MoSS Vale Golf club iS a

Golfer’s Paradise

Saturday is traditionally moving day and I feel that’s what I did. I started in about 40th position and moved in to 8th with a round of 4-under. The only difference between

The final day I was paired with Nick Cullen with whom I’ve played many times. We were playing behind Robert Allenby and in front of Adam Scott so I was looking forward to the big crowds that were out. And the crowds did turn up. It’s always a great feeling when you look down the fairway and the people are three or four deep. This Sunday felt a lot like the NSW Open. I started well and let it go as the round went on. I had 5-over my last 8 holes to finish 44th. It didn’t take much either; a couple of bad drives and my ball plugged in a bunker. What I did take out of the week was that I needed to improve my putting routine. I felt I was taking too long and losing a little feel. If I shortened the time in my routine hopefully I wouldn’t think too much, which would lead into better flow. I also want to thank my Caddy Peter Welden who jumped back on the bag just for this week. Pete caddied for me for a couple of years but is now working for the NSW PGA and is doing a great job. I’m not sure what job was harder for him, working at the PGA and earning a weekly wage or caddying for me and earning the inside of a donut! I jumped in the car and headed for Queensland and the Australian four-ball Championship. In the team was my sponsor Robbie Bennetts, Paul Gabell (or Boof, as we call him) and Tony Coyne. The event was three days at Royal Pines and both as a team and individually we didn’t fire. I haven’t played the new Royal Pines that much and haven’t worked out how to keep my ball away from the huge mounds and undulations. I worked hard on my putting routine with my coach Benny from Southport and felt like I hit a heap of better putts. My next event is the Finals of Japanese Tour School. The game has been in good condition and the body is feeling good so hopefully with a little momentum going my way, I could be back in Japan next year. •

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cover

Aussie golf’s Mr Nice Senior Guy Peter to dig deep in David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

ETER Senior may have quit the Champions Tour in America and the Australasian Tour’s 72-hole tournaments, but the word “retirement” isn’t in his lexicon. That’s because he loves golf so much and plans to play the odd pro-am and Legends Tour events. “Just because you’ve retired doesn’t mean you are not going to continue playing golf,” said 57-year-old Senior, who has won 34 professional tournaments worldwide over five decades. “I will continue playing pro-ams and Legends events with people who have supported me and I will play golf with my mates.” I caught up with Peter Albert Charles Senior at Links Hope Island where he spoke openly about his career, concerns for the game, other players and his plans for the future. How did your wife June take the (retirement) announcement? She was more upset than I was when I decided to call it quits in America. She was

‘retirement’

more worried about what I was going to do and that I would miss golf because it’s something I’ve done for so long. I am happy with the decision and June has been so happy since we’ve been home to spend time with the kids. It’s been great. She been a rock and your biggest supporter, hasn’t she? She’s been a piece of granite. It’s a hard life because nearly everything revolves around the game of golf. Relationships can be strained if things are not good on the course. You were born in Singapore where your dad introduced you to golf. Was that to keep you out of mischief? Dad was in the military and based in Singapore where I was born in 1959. Because of the heat, school started at 7am and finished at 1.30. Dad didn’t finish work until 5 o’clock and didn’t want us running around causing havoc so he bought a set of clubs for my older brother Jeff and we went around the army base’s nine-hole course every afternoon.

Peter Senior at Links Hope Island. Did you ever think you’d be so successful when you used to leave the classroom early to play golf at Keperra in Brisbane? Not really. I played golf in Toowoomba before we came to Brisbane. As soon as my bother Jeff started winning everything and was picked for the Eisenhower Cup, I figured it’s a game I might want to pursue. Dad bought a place next to Keperra golf course so Jeff could practice there and I started playing. I did grade 10 and when I went into grade 11, I was more interested in golf than schoolwork. I knew I wanted to be a professional golfer and played all day, every day. I got a job at night so I didn’t have to ask mum and dad for money.

the next. I have learnt a lot about the game of golf – integrity is a big part of it.

What work did you do? A friend had a contract cleaning business in the city. I worked there from six in the evening until 2am and that gave me all day to practice my golf.

Sam Torrance introduced you to the long putter. Was it your strength? I was having issues with my putting in 1988. I played with Sam at the Italian Open and it was the first time I had seen the long putter. He putted fantastic with it and a few weeks later I was still putting badly. I had 37 putts at the British Masters and said to Sam ‘would you have another one of those putters lying around’? He

What has golf taught you? Humility. It’s a great leveller. You can be on top of the world one minute and rock bottom

Toowoomba Festival of Golf Amateur Classic 19th--22nd March 2017

Who had the biggest influence on your career? At the start of my career, it was Doug Katterns (Keperra golf pro) and the last 20 to 25 years it’s been Gary Edwin. Gary has been the one who has kept me going in the game. I had all sorts of problems, a very unorthodox swing and technique and I knew I had to change if I wanted longevity in the game. Gary followed me around at the Canon Challenge one day and afterwards he said if I wanted to change, he would help. It’s been a great association. He’s been more than a coach to me.

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07 4636 9000 | For more info contact golf@citygolf.com.au or phone 46369070 | citygolf.com.au 24

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Toowoomba

cover get anything out of technology. There is a real discrepancy and it favours the guys who are big and strong.

said he had the prototype in the car so I spent a couple of hours practising with it. I arrived early on the Friday, practised for another hour and went out and shot 66. I thought it might have been a fluke – something new. Next day 66, so it’s been in the bag ever since. Who are some of the best players you’ve shared a round with? Of the Americans, I was happy to get Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus at the end of their careers. I played with Tom at the Masters and that was just a thrill. He shot 67 in windy conditions and it was one of the best rounds I’ve seen. I played with Jack in the last round of the British Open at St Andrews. Of course, Greg Norman was the best Australian by far. He could have won so many more majors. The South Africans have some great players and two of the best were Ernie Els and David Frost. They were both in the Presidents Cup team when I was in it. Of the Europeans, I played with Seve (Ballesteros) and Bernhard Langer a lot. Langer had issues in the early part of his career, but he was still dominant. Since he has fixed his problems, he’s been a machine. Toughest competitor on tour? Tiger Woods, who I played quite a bit with, was the most competitive and the strongest willed. Nicklaus was fantastic but I never saw him play at his best. What is your single happiest moment in golf? Winning the 2012 Australian Open with my son Mitchell on the bag. The most disappointing? Three-putting the last at Huntingdale to get into a playoff for the Australian Masters – the one Brad Hughes won. I did everything coming down the stretch and all I had to do was twoputt the last but I had a few problems. What is the biggest difference in the pro game now as opposed to the early 1980s? Power. All the young guys now are 6-foot, 6’2” monsters. Since Tiger’s been on the scene it’s become a fitness game. When we were

Who do you consider to be the greatest golf off all time? Jack (Nicklaus) is the greatest golfer of all time. And today? Tiger and in recent times it’s a pick of four – Jason Day, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson. How do you rate Johnson? I think we are about to see Dustin Johnson clean up. He has been so unlucky in majors and finally made one so I think that will be just the start.

Peter Senior at the 1989 Australian Open (Photo: Golf Australia). young we would go to the range, hit balls then go and play. Now they go to the gym in the morning and afternoon and it’s become a real athlete’s game. What has been the best change? For the average golfer technology has helped. I think domination in the game has become a lot harder. Technology has brought everybody closer together. There used to be 10 or 12 shots’ difference from the leader to the guy making the cut. Now it’s four or five shots. The balance is now out of kilter. What change would you like to see introduced into the game between now and 2020? I’d like to see something done with the ball and the driver. The guys are making most courses obsolete. The ball is going a long way. I know the guys are stronger, but technology is benefitting the guys with high swing speeds. The guys with low swing speeds and who are shorter in stature don’t

as well did up something else. Egypt has always fascinated me as well as the Incas in South America. June and I are going to Egypt to do a real historical tour. Finally, you must be proud of helping raise $1.4m for the Royal Brisbane Children’s Hospital. Yes, it’s for cancer research for kids. I used to host a pro-am and put up the $20,000 prizemoney. That’s when the golf course was donated to us, but that’s no longer the case so I cancelled the pro-am and donate $20,000 to the hospital each year. •

Have you set goals for 2017 and beyond? I want to keep busy. My wife June and I have some nice holidays planned. We travelled the world for 40 years and never really got to see much. Best advice you have been given? It was from Kel Nagle in 1979. I was at a dinner just after I won the South Australian Open and I went over to Kel and said ‘you’ve done well, is there any advice you can give me’? He just said ‘be good to everyone’. He said you wouldn’t believe how well you will be accepted if you are good to everyone. That’s the attitude I have adopted. It costs nothing to say hello – nothing to be kind to people. The spectators are there to see you play so I have always talked them, signed autographs and tried to endear myself to them and it’s amazing how many people stick by you. You will be fondly remembered. How will you like that to be? As a good golfer and a good guy. If you weren’t a pro golfer, what would you be doing? I have always been interested in archaeology – digging up things. I have been digging up golf courses for 40 years so I may

Senior receiving the Australian Golf Writers Association “Honouree of the Year” award from AGWA President and Life Member Brendan Moloney.

PETER SENIOR FILE Turned pro: 1978 Tournament wins: 34 First win: 1979 SA Open Last win: 2015 Australian Masters Triple crown: Australian Open (1989, 2012). Australian Masters (1991-’95-2015). Australian PGA (1989, 2003, 2010). European Tour wins: Four. Japan Tour wins: Three Best result on the Champions Tour: Runner-up six times – three playoff losses. Majors played: 29 – 19 cuts made. Best result in a major: Fourth in the 1993 Open Championship.

™

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on tour

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Aussie wins in Canada A USTRALIAN professional golfer Craig Hocknull proved he is more than a trickshot specialist when he won the PGA Club Professional Championship of Canada at Port Royal Golf Club in Bermuda recently.

The increase in prize money elevates the Men’s Oates Vic Open to Tier 1 status on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. The tournament becomes the seventh Tier 1 event on the tour alongside the Emirates Australian Open, Australian PGA Championship, World Super 6 Perth, NSW Open, ISPS HANDA New Zealand Open and Fiji International.

Hocknell finished five shots clear of Brian Hadley, who held a slim onestroke lead heading into the final round.

“This is just an awesome win,” Hocknull told the PGA of Canada’s Chris Fry. “Last year I came close to winning this championship and I wanted to make sure that this year in Bermuda I walked away as the winner.” The 41-year-old’s final round at Port Royal featured an impressive seven birdies and just two bogeys. His five-under par round was the lowest by any competitor all week. “It really all started to click for me on No. 7 when I made a nice two-putt birdie, then I birdied the ninth and really just kept it rolling from there,” Hocknull said.

The Victorian Minister for Sport, The Hon John Eren MP, last month announced a $1.1 million funding boost for the Oates Vic Open over the next two years. The increase in funding will allow the 2017 Oates Vic Open to be contested for a total prize purse of AU$1 million, shared evenly between the men’s and women’s fields. The combined prize pool will increase to $1.3 million in 2018.

The 41-year-old finished four-under par after rounds of 74-69-66 for a 209 total.

The PGA of Canada’s No. 1-ranked player Dave Levesque finished alone in third at three-over for the championship.

2017 Oates Vic Open becomes million-dollar event

On the women’s side, the tournament now offers the second-largest winner’s cheque on the ALPG Tour, behind only to the ISPS HANDA Women’s Australian Open.

Craig Hocknell “It’s just been a fantastic week here in Bermuda. “Everything and everyone has just been first-class and I’ve really enjoyed my experience here.” Representing the Outback Golf Academy and Golf Show, Hocknell banked $8000 for his effort. Meanwhile, Hocknell lost a playoff for the Arizona Open when Brian Cooper birdied the first extra hole to edge out the Australian. Port Royal Golf Club hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf from 2009-2014, seeing such winners as Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Martin Kaymer, Padraig Harrington, Keegan Bradley and Lucas Glover. •

In other news for the event, Avalon Airport signed a new two-year Premium Partnership agreement with the event that will cement their relationship with the tournament. Avalon Airport has recently secured a ten-year deal with the State Government and Jetstar. With expanded flights, along with this year’s announcement of the new Avalon Airport industrial precinct, the Oates Vic Open partnership comes at a hugely exciting time in the airport’s growth. Marking over a decade of support, Treasury Wine Estates will once again partner the Oates Vic Open, through leading Australian winery Wolf Blass. The 2017 Oates Vic Open, which is a sanctioned event on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and ALPG Tour, will be played 9-12 February at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links. More: www.vicopengolf.com.

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Nicholas inducted into Hall of Champions PGA Legends Tour Player Geoff Nicholas AM has been inducted into the 2016 NSW Hall of Champions for his achievements in amputee golf and promotion of the sport.

By Andrew Crockett

Nicholas was considered the pinnacle of amputee and disabled golf, dominating his sport for nearly two decades. He won both the British and US Amputee Open Championships for 12 consecutive years between 1990 and 2002. In total, he won over 30 national titles across countries including Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Australia

he Hills Australian Junior Championship was held at Parkwood (Gold Coast) last month. The event was staged the week leading up to the Australian PGA Championship; a deliberate plan by the boss, Tom Berndt, to allow the International Juniors to attend the PGA event and see some of their heroes play at RACV Royal Pines. Back in 2011, Hills started their first international junior tournament in Taiwan. The following year Korea and China came on board to create a circuit of three overseas events. The Hills Australian Junior Championship joined the circuit in 2013 along with Japan. Come 2016 and they now have tournaments in Taiwan, Korea, China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, India, New Zealand and Australia. They formed an Association called the Asia Pacific Junior Golf Association which is registered to their group. The Hills Australian Junior Championship had a full field of 123 players from 16 different countries, including China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, India, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, Kenya, Czech Republic and Australia.

boys and girls; under-21 years, under-18 years and under-15 years. We have 37 female entrants out of 123. That is a pretty healthy ratio which has built from only 5% in the first year of the event.” The tournament has World ranking status (R&A World Ranking) and had an opening ceremony at Parkwood on the 28th November, with delegates from several countries in attendance. The 54-hole tournament was won by Lucas Higgins on the 3rd playoff hole. Higgins shot rounds of 72, 66, 71 to tie a strong finishing Hamish Way 70, 71, 68, but it was Higgins who birdied the playoff hole for the victory. The under-18 girls was won by Ashley Lau, a Hills student. She is the #1 ranked (amateur) golfer in Malaysia and shot rounds of 69, 69, 71. The three golfers had to play off for the Hills International

Hills Director Tom Berndt said “I am positive that no other junior tournament in Australia can come close to having more international representation. There are 3 Divisions in both

Scholarship winners at The Hills Australian Junior Championship one year scholarship and Lau won on the second hole, beating both of the boys. The under-15 boys was won by Bright Thongsom (another Hills student) who opened with an 82, but stormed home with 69, 68 to win by one shot from Kaito Chiu (Japan) and Frantisek Pavek (Czech Republic). The under-15 girls saw the round of the day, as 13 year-old Nicka Kanpai fired a four-under 66 to win by 3 shots from Malaysia’s Liyana Durisic. This event is growing in status since its humble beginnings and so has the circuit of the APJGA tournaments. What a fantastic story coming out of Australian Junior golf programs. It has been a long time coming for Tom Berndt and the team at Hills International, but they now have one of the most vibrant International junior programs in the world. •

The result of a congenital disability, Nicholas had his right leg amputated below the knee at age 11, but this did not get him down and he played his first game of golf the following year. He joined the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney in 1981 where he began his golfing career. His achievements were not limited to disabled golf as he earned the right to compete on the PGA Tour of Australasia in 1992 against the likes of Greg Norman and Tiger Woods. He shot a course record in the 1994 Singapore Open and followed it up with prominent finishes in the 1996 Australian and New Zealand Opens. “I am humbled to be here and of my achievements. As a kid I was into all sports but after the surgery I really got into golf. I’ve been privileged to play golf across the world and against some of the greatest players,” remarked Nicholas in his induction speech. Not only an incredible player, Nicholas has dedicated his time and energy into promoting inclusive golf through programs with the Special Olympics and clinics for returned service veterans.

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‘Orange’ you excited to play golf?

Sportsmanship stunner at School Sport CHAMPS Winners and losers were put aside at the 12-and-under School Sport Australia Golf Championships at Murray Bridge (SA) recently. NSW students showed their class in a truly magnanimous gesture of sportsmanship on the final day after they came agonisingly close to winning the championship. They were runnersup on a countback after NSW and Victoria tied on 1488 strokes each in the Craig Parry Shield.

t was a sea of orange during last month’s Australian PGA Championship as the Cobra Puma Orange Crush Kids Day descended on RACV Royal Pines Resort. Over 350 children dressed in their Rickie Fowler-inspired orange hats to rub shoulders with their favourite Nickelodeon characters, grab autographs from Australia’s top players, have a hit and a putt, and enjoy the many activities and roving entertainment. There was a Cobra Puma fashion parade, with some of the kids chosen to be the models and show off the latest in golf gear. Aussie favourite Marc Leishman was excited to bring along his young family. “It’s awesome to see so many kids out here. My boys are out there and there’s a little putt-putt thing and Harvey, my oldest, ran up to me and he was like, ‘Daddy, daddy, I got the ball in the hole!’ He was really excited about it.” Leishman was thrilled with the day’s activities and what events like this can do to grow the game of golf. “It’s cool that they’re doing this sort of stuff for the kids because that’s where the future of the game is and for my kids to be able to enjoy it as well, it gives you a buzz and it

puts a smile on your face when you see kids smiling and having a good time. So, it’s great that the Australian PGA is doing that.” Tour Professional Jarrod Lyle brought along his daughters. “It’s just such a whole different atmosphere for us as golfers to see so many kids running around enjoying what we do for a job. “It’s something where I can put the golfer side of me aside for a little bit and just be a dad and then the golfer comes out again in afternoon.” Greg Chalmers was busy signing autographs for the kids throughout the day and was stunned by the organisation put behind it.

Official Apparel Partner for the Australian PGA Championship, Cobra Puma is also supporting junior golf via investment and support in events like the Orange Crush Kids Day. Cobra Puma have an established connection to the golf industry in both Australia and New Zealand and believe PGA Professionals are the cornerstones of the game. “Cobra Puma Golf are dedicated to supporting golf at all levels; from the amateur game to tournaments and the risings stars on the Tour,” said Christian Pegrum, Head of Golf at Cobra Puma. “PGA Professionals are the driving force behind grass roots golf in Australia and the recent expansion of our relationship with the PGA of Australia is in recognition of the important role Professionals play within the industry.”

Upon hearing the result, the NSW students shook off their disappointment, immediately getting up to shake the hands of the Victorian students at the emotion-filled closing ceremony, with parents and other student athletes left stunned. “That gesture shows what the NSW schooling system is all about,” NSW manager Drew Janetzki said. “We value the respect of opponents and the education of young people above results. These values and the process of improvement are the cornerstone of their state representation.” Victorian manger Todd Canobie added “This was sportsmanship of the highest order after a gruelling week of golf.” South Australian students played well above expectations all week, taking out both handicap events – the Bowtell / Abbott and Brenda Carnavas shields, leaving the locals truly proud of the performance of the home state. Pacific Schools Games Manager Dominic Fitzsimons outlined to the students that Golf will make its PSG debut in December 2017 in Adelaide.

“I’ve never seen so many kids like this before; I certainly don’t see it much in the States where you’ve got activities going on for the kids that are somewhat non-golf related but it gets them interested in going out there to the PGA and then you have it tied in with golf stuff.”

“This extended partnership is a further step in our support of the entire Australian golf community.”

Queensland dominated day one in the statebased teams ambrose event, with their boys shooting a nine-under 59 with their girls coming a close second to Victoria.

The day was made possible by Cobra Puma Golf, courtesy of their recentlyexpanded three-year partnership with the PGA of Australia. In addition to being the Official Uniform Partner of the PGA and

Cobra Puma Golf also supports the CCA Invitational, an industry event for PGA Professionals and General Managers, which incorporates retail development sessions to assist golf clubs to grow their businesses. •

The ACT team, competing for only the second time at these championships were thrilled with the week, including finishing ahead of the Vics in The Bowtell / Abbott shield.

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

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Ron swoops on National veterans title that does bring people together and to play for the major prize and to actually win it is a dream come true. I guess now do I go up to Queensland and defend my title [at the 2017 championship on the Gold Coast]. I guess the wife will say….’yeah let’s do it’ (laughs).”

Brian O’Hare

brian@australianseniorgolfer.com.au

OUTH AUSTRALIAN golfer Ron Sternberg wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry when he swooped from the clouds to take the 2016 Australian Veteran Golfers Union (AVGU) National Championship in the Adelaide Hills recently.

Ron has won a South Australia vets state title previously when he first turned 55 but this was an obvious career highlight. “This is the ultimate, in all the vets this is what it is. I still don’t believe it.” Ron will now have the chance to inject his golfing talents – and obvious popular persona – into the 2017 AVGU National Championship on the Gold Coast in October.

So he did a bit of both. The 59 year-old was playing in his first national championship and was ecstatic at what was his biggest career win. Sternberg, a member of Willunga Golf Club, south of Adelaide, may have had a little local advantage in the first two rounds of the 54 hole strokeplay event, having played a number of times at the two venues, Flagstaff Hill and Vines of Reynella, but had never played Blackwood Golf Club, scene of the final round. Sternberg beat a quality field, including defending champion Tom Harold from Darwin, who was runner-up, and three time champion John Ciezki from Buninyong Golf Club. Due to a technical glitch with the publishing of the progressive scoring, none of the players knew who had won until it was officially announced at the Presentation Dinner at the Morphettville Racecourse function centre. “Wow! I can’t believe this,” Sternberg said as he walked to the stage to be awarded the champion’s trophy.

The tournament promises to be one of the best weeks for veteran golfers ever with organisers going all out to provide a number of innovations on and off the course. Sternberg proved to be a real character … on and off the course. Playing in the final round off a 10 handicap (he has been down to three in earlier days), Ron put in a tremendous performance to beat his more fancied low handicap rivals off the stick. After accepting his trophy he was alternating between his hearty, infectious laugh, and “crying happy tears”. “I love golf, I should play it a bit more seriously,” Ron said. “That’s the funny thing about it. I love the game but I don’t go out and practice that much.” Ron, who started to play golf “seriously” as a 24 year-old when he moved to Coober

Pedy to work as a plumber, then opal miner, played for more than 20 years on the local sand scrape and dirt golf club, before moving back to Adelaide and the luxury of a bit of grass on his golf courses. The final round was supposed to played as a seeded draw for the top eight players but in the end that didn’t happen, and was one of the reasons the result wasn’t known by participants till later. “[Instead of the seeded draw] I played with another group of four players I had never played with before but had a wow of a time,” Ron said. “And that’s the beauty about all of this, it brings people together. And I guess this is one thing why they do it. Golf is something

The courses selected for the week-long event include RACV Royal Pines, The Glades and Palm Meadows. The event, which rotates around the states and territories annually, is open to male golfers 55 and over, and their partners, and as well as the gross championship, is run in three handicapped grades. The venues will be set up accordingly. This year as well as the 54 strokeplay championship there will daily stableford, age, club and state competitions to keep everyone involved and engaged. • Brian O’Hare is the founder and editor of Australian Senior Golfer, a website and online magazine providing news, information and entertainment for golfers aged 45 plus. Australianseniorgolfer.com.au

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For Pete’s sake, he’s a relieved man PGA teaching professional Peter Heiniger, who spent more than two decades at Hyatt Coolum, can spot a flaw in a golfer’s swing from a mile away and he has a sharp eye for racehorses, as David Newbery discovered when he caught up with him at his new “home” – Noosa Springs Golf and Spa.

What makes a good teaching pro? One that is able to communicate with different people. I think the use of the English language is important. Knowledge does help, but being able to communicate is one of the most important skills and you need to have a good rapport with people. What is your teaching philosophy? You have to teach the person. I don’t like to teach a certain way. To make someone a better golfer, you have to be versatile because everyone learns differently. When I was at school the teacher would say something – some kids got it and some didn’t. So, sometimes as a teaching pro you have to say the same thing but in a different way so that they understand it. That’s the challenge I like. What are the benefits of having a playing lesson? Often a person’s swing is good on the driving range but they can’t play golf. So, I teach them how to play golf by putting them in situations and ask ‘what would you do here, what shot would you play and what club would you use’? I try to stay clear of technique and focus on shot selection, club selection, course management, golf management, rules and etiquette. What is the hardest thing about being a teaching pro? I would say people’s patience. People expect results overnight

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You spent 23 years as head teaching professional at Hyatt Coolum. What are your favourite memories of the place? I had so many, but the Australian PGA Championship was a standout. I met many great people there who were clients and turned into good friends as well. We had a good man, Maurice Holland, at the helm and he was passionate about golf at the same time, which helped. Was it a disappointment or a relief to leave there? I was a little disappointed to leave Hyatt Coolum, but relieved at the same time. It was my home for 23 years and it was a great place. It was a tough decision, but deep down inside I knew it was the right decision. In the end, I was relieved to go and even more relieved to get the opportunity to work here at Noosa Springs.

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and when it doesn’t they are disappointed. Being a professional, you understand how long it takes, how many balls you have to hit to get there. Unfortunately, the average golfer doesn’t appreciate that. They think it happens overnight and when it doesn’t, they give up. What part of your job do you most enjoy? Seeing my students succeed. Whether it’s getting off a 45 handicap to 44 or someone like Sarah-Jane (Smith) or Steve (Bowditch) go on to play on the world stage. I like seeing people reach their potential. What’s the biggest mistake B and C grade club golfers make? So many students start the downswing in the wrong order with the club going too quickly from the top and they get out of sequence. Before they know it, they are hitting up on the ball, hitting behind the ball or over the ball. If they can get their weight to shift earlier, on the downswing, it will work a lot easier. Do you wish you could play more golf? I wish I could practice more to enjoy my golf more when I go on holiday and play with my boys Jack and Blake. But I miss the practice days at Keperra Golf Club where I did the first two years of my traineeship. I’d take a bag of 60 balls to the range and there would be Jeff Senior and Steve Taylor hitting balls. Then I’d pick up balls, come back and do it again. I miss that. I think driving ranges can be quite boring because you just bash balls and leave them there. We had a lot of fun. We would play punch shots out between trees, hit over trees and around trees. You don’t get that with driving ranges.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a teaching pro? Probably a very poor professional punter. (Laughter.) Do you enjoy punting on horses? I am not a big punter, but I like going to the races. I love going to horse sales and that sort of thing. My dad used to breed and race horses. His company had a stud farm at Bowenville, near Toowoomba, so we used to go to horse sales and the races all the time. I loved going to the farm. You are a bit of a cricket tragic as well, aren’t you? Yes, I love my cricket and play a lot. Both my boys, Jack (19) and Blake (16), represented Queensland in cricket. One year Blake represented Queensland in cricket and golf at the Australian Schoolboys’ Championship. Is it true you named your eldest son after Jack Nicklaus? Yes and I wanted to name my second son Seve, but we called him Blake. Jack and Seve (Ballesteros) were my idols. Three people you’d pick for your fantasy foursome?

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Jack and Blake because I love playing golf with them and if Seve was still alive, I’d pick him but my boys love Rickie Fowler so I will say Rickie. •

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FOOTNOTE: Peter Heiniger is sole director and head teaching professional of Heiniger Golf and was instrumental in honing the skills of Steven Bowditch and SarahJane Smith (nee Kenyon). He is also lecturer to the Australian PGA and China Golf Association. www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

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CLUB OF THE MONTH >

Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club W

hen it comes to great golf on offer along the NSW Central Coast, there is arguably none better than the spectacular Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club, just north of The Entrance.

About 90-minutes’ drive from Sydney, and an hour from Newcastle, the Ross Watsondesigned links layout is challenging, beautiful and fun, and is rated among the top courses in Australia. Though only 10 years old, the 6000m par-72 (5200m par-73 for women) ocean-front course has been rated as NSW’s top resort course. It is also listed as the sixth best course in NSW and number 23 in Australia. In NSW that puts it just behind time-honoured rating favourites as NSW Golf Club, Ellerston, The Australian and The Lakes, yet the Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club is far more accessible to all golfers. So it’s no wonder why it’s on most golfers’ “must play” list. The spectacular course is a true test, especially when the wind blows. With a slope rating of 142 off the Black tees (Blue 138, White 137, Red 138 and Yellow 133), it can seem daunting to some. But despite those numbers, it is playable (and enjoyable) by golfers of all levels as there are plenty of bailout areas for those who wish to avoid trouble. And then there’s the scenery; with the Pacific Ocean on one side, Tuggerah Lakes on the other and Wyrrabalong National Park 32

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

to the north, every hole at Magenta Shores offers the golfer a landscape with a variety of views to add to the enjoyment of the golf. The club is well-equipped for a warm-up prior to your round, with a five-star practice facility consisting of putting greens, a warmup driving range and a chipping green with bunkers. Although Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club is a private club (the only one

on the Central Coast), it is possible for nonmembers to play; the club has a very close and effective working relationship with the five-star Pullman Magenta Shores Resort, a member of the Accor group of hotels. This enables the club, in partnership with the hotel, to successfully facilitate a wide range of Play-and-Stay events and Corporate days. The Pullman Magenta Shores Resort regularly advertises packages on the internet,

and the hotel also advertises year-round offers on their web site. And you’ll never need to worry about poor weather: Magenta Shores’ design and sandbase location means that the course is able to stand up to some of the toughest weather conditions so golfers can book ahead with confidence. In the 10 years since Magenta Shores opened, play has been cancelled only a handful of times because of inclement weather.

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Equal opportunity at Magenta Shores Over the past two years, the ALPG National Women’s Clinics have proven to be a great hit at courses across the country, with women benefitting and learning from the experience and knowledge of ALPG’s female golf coaches. At the request of Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club, the ALPG introduced a slightly refined model to be piloted whereby the club’s male members would also be welcome to attend.

If you’re considering a membership at this highly-rated club, then there’s never been a better time to hop on board and enjoy their highly-rated, 18-hole Ross Watson championship course. Magenta Shores is an equal opportunity club, owned by the members, where men and women have equal playing and voting rights with mixed competitions. Full individual membership is available from just $3570pa. Add a partner or friend as a Dual Member for a total of $5790pa. (A joining fee may apply for Individual and Dual.) You’ll receive an ‘Exclusive members welcome Pack’ including Four TrackMan Lessons with Club Fitting, a custom-made set of Cobra golf clubs with Odyssey putter and Golf bag, and a $500 golf shop voucher. Membership categories (9 in total), cover a wide range from young Juniors through

to the seasoned golfer. Adapted to fit the needs of busy lifestyles, there’s a category for everyone. This is a progressive club offering special clinics for juniors, Rookies clinics for new or recent golfers and the very latest in teaching facilities, the world famous TrackMan electronic training system with the club’s resident professional. Plus they have regular new initiatives such as par-3 and 9-hole competitions. Also, Junior and Intermediate age memberships have no joining fees. For more information: Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club 1 Magenta Drive, Magenta 2261 (02) 4336 0100 membership@magentagolf.com.au www.magentagolf.com.au

The ALPG teaching professionals Rachel Hetherington, Shani Waugh, Annabel Rolley, Nicky Henderson, and Lee Harrington, along with local PGA professional Nat Whittington were the hosts for the day, and the feedback from both the women and the men who attended was fantastic. “If this model was going to be tested anywhere it absolutely made sense for us to do so at Magenta Shores,” said Karen Lunn, CEO of the ALPG. “While the layout and the resort are both five-star, it is the structure of the club which is equally as impressive. If you take a look at the club’s constitution you will see no reference to women, men, male or female members. You see Magenta Shores is an equal opportunity club in every sense. I have had the

pleasure of visiting Magenta Shores on a couple of occasions now and it is fantastic to see the camaraderie and respect which exists between the members regardless of their gender. “The Chair at Magenta Shores, Jodie Skellern, is a woman of great experience in the business world and is also as passionate a woman as you will meet when it comes to fairness, diversity and equality. She is a PhD candidate researching the gender gap in large law firms and its connection to participation in sport.” Magenta Shores also recently played host at a day-long forum to a group of 30 women involved in golf club governance to discuss how to attract more women into golf club governance, and how to get more women playing golf and joining golf clubs. At the forum it was acknowledged that women in the golf industry face similar challenges as women in corporate Australia—the most prominent being the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. Studies across a range of countries and businesses show that organisations where women and men collaborate to solve problems and make decisions outperform those who do not.

Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

clubs

www.insidegolf.com.au/course-reviews

Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort’s multi-million dollar transformation

The golf pro will buy you dinner?

ollowing its acquisition in 2013, a multi-million dollar refurbishment is currently underway at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort. The goal of the project is to “Redefine Hunter Valley hospitality”, and the new owners, Oaks Hotels & Resorts, are determined to achieve that goal. Inside Golf was keen to see the latest improvements to the resort, and sample this hospitality for ourselves. Ranked among Australia’s top resort courses, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort’s picturesque 18hole championship golf course has already received $3 million in course upgrades since the acquisition. A further $1.5 million will be invested into the course over the next three years. A long-time favourite getaway by the Inside Golf team, the course looked spectacular. We were pleasantly surprised to see that the 12th hole has been reinstated as a blind risk/ reward Par-4, after having been relegated to a relatively disappointing Par-3 for a couple of years. The rest of the course looked well-watered and tidied up. The fairways were in great shape; with some additional landscaping around the tee box areas and greens playing beautifully. The always impressive-looking Clubhouse lived up to all expectations. There is always a good buzz around the place, with plenty of golfers and non golfers enjoying a coffee, lunch, snacks, wine or just soaking up the atmosphere overlooking the upgraded Lagoon pool. 1_4_final_A.pdf 1 14/10/2016 4:55:42 PM

The short drive to our villa saw us staying just shy of the 14th green - one of the highest points of the resort, facing southeast. The room layout was luxurious and relaxed, with fresh fixtures and fittings; private and yet convenient. The living room was spacious; the bathroom and spa bath huge and balcony perfect for relaxing after a day on the course. The renovated villas boast well-equipped kitchens and a large dining room, making entertaining easy. The resort oozes relaxation with an emphasis on carefully selected colour palettes and the backdrop of the magnificent Brokenback Ranges. Half of the resort’s 136 self-contained one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom villas have already undergone a modern makeover, with the remaining villas scheduled to be completed over the next 12 months (so our tip is to ask for a refurbished room when you book). The Resort will also continue to see substantial upgrades to its dedicated

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conferencing and events precinct with accommodation for up to 400 guests, and the installation of state-of-the-art air conditioning and lighting systems. The Lagoon Pool area will cater for up to 800 guests and is in growing demand for conferences, weddings, functions and special events. Foodies will increasingly be drawn to the resort; with delicious new lunch and dinner menus and dining venues in keeping with the new overall look and feel of Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort. With upgrades well underway, Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort are heralding a new era of lifestyle accommodation in the Hunter Valley that will certainly appeal to a broad range of leisure and corporate travelers. All in all, our trip was an easy recharge; a totally enjoyable break from our busy life (and perhaps a glimpse into what hopefully awaits us in retirement...) •

YOUR BLUE MOUNTAINS parmaker OUTLET

Golf To The Max have been coordinating the best value Hunter Valley Golf Play and Stay Packages for over 20 years. Now, golf professional Kieran McMahon is offering all 2017 You are on a winner social golf group with Golf To The Max bookings a FREE welcome dinner to kick off their trip. Stay at the Cumberland Comfort Motel (with ensuites) in the heart of Wine Country and enjoy all the facilities of the famous Pedens Pub right next door. Play your choice of The Vintage, Cypress Lakes, Crowne Plaza and Cessnock golf courses and your group will also enjoy the best pub food, best cold beers, best punting area and best live music in the Hunter Valley. “Kieran not only bought us dinner on our first night but he joined us for a beer and gave us a few swing tips to get us through the weekend,” says Andrew Taylor (Balmain Social Golf). “I only lost two dozen balls at The Vintage...without Kieran it could easily have been three dozen!” For more information, contact Kieran to secure the best deal for your social club in 2017: Mobile: 0408 633 377, email kieran@golftothemax.com.au or visit www.golftothemax.com.au.

For Parmaker after-sales repairs, service & spares in the Blue Mountains Area (Blacktown to Lithgow & beyond) contact Mike Budden. We conduct warranty repairs on all models and have most walker and ride-on models available for demo. Collection & delivery is available. Phone & fax: 02 4751 8226 Email: wesden@dodo.com.au www.bluemountainsgolfbuggies.com Sales • Repairs • Service • Spares

AUSTRALIAN MADE • BUILT TO LAST

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If you love your monthly fix of Inside Golf, but can’t always get your copy before they’re all snapped up, then we’ve got some great news: our new and improved Inside Golf Digital iPad app is now available on the App Store... and it’s absolutely FREE. Now, not only can you view current and back issues of your favourite golf magazine for free every month, but our new app includes the latest and breaking news across a variety of categories, tips and instruction, gear reviews, quizzes, puzzles, social media and more. Plus, our unique Golf Map is updated each month with links to reviews and information about all courses featured in both the main magazine and Inside Golf Travel. Download it today from the App store (search Inside Golf Magazine), or scan the QR Code. Alternately, get the link from our website or at http://goo.gl/ZAXaFD

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January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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>NEW GEAR Golf: Think Your Way To Your Next Level This innovative book is for every golfer who wants to get on with serious improvements to their game. Doug Hannaford has distilled almost forty years of study of the game into 30 absolute fundamentals (“objectives”). This book is for every golfer, from the absolute beginner to the accomplished tournament player. For the beginner, it presents four objectives to achieve a correct setup, five objectives to build a repeating swing, three putting objectives and four short game objectives. Doug believes that the game of golf is largely psychological and he prepares you to think like accomplished golfers do, with five clear mental objectives to help you develop consistency. Later sections of the book address the fundamentals of good strategy on the course, by helping you recognize your own strengths and weaknesses, then marries them up with the design concepts of the game’s most influential course architects. Doug closes with several mental discipline skills taken from other walks of life, to help you achieve a calm state and maintain it in the heat of battle. Available at www.golfingworld.org

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Tour Mentality, Inside the mind of a tour pro Ever wondered what tour pros are thinking? Every golfer out there wants to lower their scores and unlock the secret to the game. Now you can go inside the mind of a tour pro that lived, breathed, and played golf at the highest level. Nick O’Hern was a grinder on Tour extracting every ounce of ability from what he’d been given. Proving even if you aren’t the most physically gifted golfer, you can still compete with anyone if you’re mentally tough. That’s the secret that allowed him to forge a successful career in a sport that’s one of the toughest to do so, and it’s the secret he offers in these pages. What’s your pre-shot routine? How do you prepare for your next round of golf? How should you practice and how do you beat first-tee nerves? These are just some of the questions he answers to bring you inside the mind of a tour pro and learn the Tour Mentality. Available at www.nickohern.com as well as through Amazon.com

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EVER since Tiger Woods burst on the golf scene winning his first major, debate has raged as to who is the greatest golfer – Tiger or Jack Nicklaus. Well, author Colin Koenig has crafted a fictional match between golf’s greats. It’s 1997 and Nicklaus watches the new star, Woods, destroy the competition at the Masters. When Woods declares his goal is to beat Nicklaus’ 18 major golf titles it gets Nicklaus wondering. Does the kid have what it takes? The story answers questions every golf enthusiast has probably asked – What would happen if the two pros played one-on-one?

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

A long-time sports enthusiast, Koenig reveals what he thinks the answers to those questions are in a fast-paced narrative that will keep readers turning pages.

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WE TRIED IT!>

Cobra KING F7 and FORGED One-Length Irons

ONE DISTANCE IRON. TWO WAYS TO PLAY.

Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

ising star Bryson DeChambeau has turned the golf world on its collective head over the last two years, not just due to the fact that he achieved a rare amateur “double” (winning both the NCAA and U.S. Amateur championships in the same year), but rather because he achieved the feat using single-length irons; a set of clubs where all shafts are the same length. The theory behind the singlelength phenomenon suggests that, by having all shafts the same length, a golfer won’t need to adjust their stance or ball position based on the club choice. Whether a player is hitting a 4-iron or a 9-iron, a singlelength club set allows them to make the exact same swing (that of a 7-iron), and simply let the club’s loft and weighting take care of the rest. The single-length concept isn’t new; Tommy Armour Golf Company introduced single-length irons in the 1980s, with little success. Critics pointed to the reduced shaft length, coupled with weight imbalances, as the prime weakness in the theory itself. Fast-forward to 2016. Golf club manufacturing materials and processes have made huge technological advances. Engineers at Cobra Puma Golf, one of the industry’s most innovative and forward-thinking manufacturers, now have the technology and tools to not only eliminate the previous shortcomings of single-length mechanics, but to actually create a club that, for a wide variety of players, outperforms most standard-length sets available on the market.

OUR TEST>

Armed with our new-found understanding of single-length theory, we took sets of the new KING F7 ONE and the KING FORGED ONE to the testing bay and TrackMan station. Right off the bat, we were given a 7-iron to begin the test (since all onelength irons feature a standard 7-iron length, this acted as a baseline). Once we got a feel for our 7-iron swing, we were then handed a variety of other irons (but not told their loft/number), and instructed to make our same “7iron swing”. As you can imagine, it was at first disconcerting to test a club this way. But we quickly began to appreciate the pure simplicity of this theory. And after a short adjustment period, it actually became easy (and fun). After all, we didn’t have to adjust our swing to the club; the club did all the work. A short time later, we were absolutely hooked on these clubs.

According to Jose Miraflor, Director of Product Marketing at Cobra Puma Golf, the one-length concept required a tremendous amount of study in a very short time, especially given DeChambeau’s meteoric success and his desire to work with Cobra Puma Golf.

length. Do they fly too high? Do they fly too far? Is there a 10-yard gap between all these clubs? Those were the quick studies that we had to do. Because we really take big pride. We believe R&D starts with performance, and we can’t really go out and sell something that doesn’t work.”

“From the moment Bryson’s agent called and said, ‘we want to come and investigate Cobra Puma Golf’, we hustled,” explains Miraflor. “We hustled to study what he was doing, how we could make clubs for him to try, how we could make a pair for him that suits his style.

According to Miraflor, the biggest technical challenge with singlelength was managing club weight.

“So, even though he wasn’t yet signed with us, we were already studying. From the moment he gave us the chance, our engineers devoted 80% of all of our studies to understanding one-length irons... does it perform? And if it didn’t perform, how were we going to MAKE it perform? Not everybody can hit a one-length 4-iron—for that matter, not everybody can hit a standard length 4-iron—so we really had to study that; the cut-off for where players can hit one-length. We know that’s around a 5-iron. We had to study pitching wedges at 7-iron For the average golfer who struggles with their long irons (as Miraflor notes above, there are many of you out there), then Cobra’s KING F7 ONE will be a revelation; a gift from the Golf Gods. With a KING F7 5-iron, swinging our “7-iron swing” we hit some of the best (and longest) 5-iron shots we’ve seen in ages. Shot after shot were right on the sweet spot—a rarity for us with our 5-iron. And this extended to the short irons. Though playing a wedge with a 7-iron-length shaft took some getting used to, they quickly became a true pleasure to hit, and allowed some incredible workability. Not surprisingly, the KING FORGED ONE clubs were equally amazing, with superior control in long irons, and outstanding feel in the short irons. The TrackMan numbers revealed an even BIGGER benefit to these one-length clubs: our accuracy improved immensely. Through the bag (with both sets), our distance and dispersion variation was much

VARIABLE IRONS FOR DISTANCE AND ACCURACY.

“In our current designs, the F7, we were lucky because they are hollow construction: to make the longer irons (5, 6) “heavier” we could just grow the weight, make the CG go lower and made it more forgiving. That was the easy stuff. The hard part was taking the 8-iron, 9-iron, pitching and gap wedges and making them lighter without losing performance. So that’s where we really had to study, how to make things hollow, how to weld caps on. Then in the forging iron, the irons that Bryson’s playing, it was hard because it’s forging; you don’t have much to play with. So we incorporated high-density tungsten that was strategically positioned to deliver a better forgiveness, and at the same time more weight.” tighter than normal (i.e. the shots were tightly grouped). These results mirror research by Cobra, which found that players of different levels all received similar benefits from one-length clubs. Cobra offers two varieties of onelength clubs, the KING F7 ONE (suitable for players of all levels) and the KING FORGED ONE (for better players who prefer a forged club). They also offer ONE LENGTH specialty wedges in 56o and 60o.

ONE LENGTH. ONE SWING. MORE CONSISTENCY IN EVERY SWING.

COBRA’S commitment to innovation comes to life in our new KING F7 high-performance distance irons, now available in two game-changing lengths: standard variable length, or our new ONE-Length set design. Both offer incredible distance and accuracy thanks to our TECFLO construction and new PWRSHELL face. TM

The KING F7 ONE (RRP: $149pi steel/$169pi graphite) will feature a 5-GW standard set make-up, and be available in both RH and LH versions, in steel Stiff and Reg flexes, and graphite Stiff, Reg and Lite flexes.

But if you are looking for more simplicity and consistency in every swing, try the new ONE-Length irons. You will be amazed by what you discover – a simpler, easier way to play. COBRA. Doing things differently.

The KING FORGED ONE (RRP $199pi), will offer a 4-PW standard set make-up, available in RH only in steel Stiff and Reg flexes. Our verdict: Try these. Immediately. More: www.cobragolf.com

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

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Hogan Golf is back, and better than ever

ong considered one of the greatest golfers in history, Ben Hogan was an icon of the game. Revered by many for his tremendous success on the course, Hogan would not only leave an indelible mark on the record books, but his name would also soon become synonymous with highquality, world-class golf equipment.

In 1953, with the belief that the golfers at the time weren’t getting the high-quality golf equipment that they yearned for, Hogan started the original Ben Hogan Company, with a promise to “design and manufacture the best golf clubs in the world” with “the most exacting tolerances modern machinery will allow.” Manufactured to strict quality standards, the clubs quickly became known for their quality, performance and precision. While the brand may have not been entirely visible over the last decade or so (the business and brand name went through a succession of owners, including AMF, Top-Flite, Callaway and Perry Ellis International) The Ben Hogan Golf Equipment Company has recently made a rapid reappearance, with a desire to bring its vaunted reputation and the high ideals it always represented back to the golf equipment industry. Last year, the company launched its brand-new line of irons, hybrids and wedges, featuring the traditional iconic Hogan look, feel and (most importantly) performance. These highquality clubs are now available in Australia, and are sure to be a massive hit. The first thing golfers will notice about the Hogan irons is that the traditional club numbers on the sole (e.g. 5-iron, 6-iron) have been replaced with a club loft number (e.g. 26o, 30o, etc). This “Precise Loft System” features 44 available loft options (irons and wedges), and it not only allows golfers to know exactly what they are hitting (iron lofts these days vary greatly between manufacturers), but also ensures perfect gapping within the set. When paired with expert clubfitting (see sidebar), this gives you the most accurately custom-matched set of irons possible, and allows you to get a set that matches your “Launch Profile” (e.g. Low Launch, High Launch, etc). The company’s new iron sets provide something for players of all levels; Fort Worth irons (i.e. a player’s club), the Fort Worth Hi irons (a player’s club with “game improvement” technology in the long irons), as well as the Forged PTx irons (game improvement). The Fort Worth irons feature Perimeter Weighting (mass distributed behind the primary impact area), as well as progressive weighting throughout

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

the set (with each iron weighted slightly differently, to optimise performance). The PTx irons are a blended set of game improvement irons, with Multi-material forged hollow construction in the longer irons (for higher ball speeds), while the scoring irons feature a “co-forged” construction to put more mass behind the “impact zone” for better dispersion/ accuracy. They also feature progressive weighting for better CG positioning and improved feel.

Clubfitting for Hogan clubs

Similar to Ben Hogan’s dedication to precision in his club manufacturing, the new line Hogan golf clubs are only available through a precision clubfitting performed by an approved clubfitting professional. This ensures that the clubs are matched exactly to your swing mechanics. Approved clubfitters are listed below, but we recommend you check www.championsportshogan.com.au for any updates/changes. NEW SOUTH WALES: CAMDEN LAKESIDE, Jeff Mansfield, 0433 214 389 DURAL GOLF RANGE, David Reckless, 0409 913 367 GOLFTECH, Milperra, Grant James, 0435 970 177 PRECISION GOLF, Raymond Hawkins, (02) 9417 7704 PUREFORM GOLF ALEXANDRIA, Paul Jenner/ Wil Urasaki, (02) 9669 3200 THORNLEIGH DRIVING RANGE, Peter Hayhoe 0450 597 265, Steve Aisbeth (02) 9875 5445 WAKEHURST GOLF CLUB, Andrew Webster, (02) 9948 6126, Ben Burge 0412 450 077 BEN HOGAN GOLF AUSTRALIA, Greg Tucker, 0412 449 226

The company has also introduced the VKTR Hybrids, designed as a long iron alternative for players who are seeking higher ball flight without sacrificing workability, distance control and performance. An advanced movable weight technology system (18g and 2g weights around the extreme perimeter of the club) provides golfers customisable ball flights, while the perimeter weighting system creates the proper launch angle and spin rates needed to generate the ideal ball flight to hold greens from long range. They are offered in every loft from 17º to 27º to ensure precision distance gapping.

QUEENSLAND: FRANK WILSON GOLF, Frank Wilson, 0407 119 226 OXLEY GOLF CLUB, Channon Ryan, (07) 3379 6322 EMERALD LAKES TEACHING ACADEMY Tom Linskey, (07) 5510 6121 Paul Buchanan, 0408 312 053 Adrian Lawson, 0468 309 163 Linford Jaquelyn, 0409 537 864 David Waters, 0423 524 673

Finally, Hogan’s TK wedges take a slightly different approach to wedge design and weighting. First, they offer every loft from 48 to 63 degrees, so you can put together the exact set of 3-4 wedges that will optimise your distance gapping. Second, as loft decreases from the lob wedge down to the pitching wedge, some of the mass is gradually redistributed more toward the heel and toe, and higher on the clubhead. This ensures optimum trajectories on full shots, and improved distance control anywhere.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA: COLLIER PARK GOLF COMPLEX, David Wilson, 0438 943 752

For more information about the line of Hogan irons, hybrids and wedges here in Australiam visit www.championsportshogan.com.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: MILE END, Wayne Tanner, (08) 8354 2662

VICTORIA: KEILOR, Bryan Ferguson, 0417 590 723 MELBOURNE GOLF ACADEMY, Shane Tate, (03) 9558 3477 PUREFORM GOLF - SANDRINGHAM DRIVING RANGE Jeffrey Anderson – (03) 9584 9524 Nick Ward – (03) 9584 9524 TOTAL PERFORMANCE GOLF, Jon Tetau, (03) 9570 9792 BEN HOGAN GOLF AUSTRALIA, Barrie Joyner, 0418 391 041 NORTHERN TERRITORY: DARWIN DRIVING RANGE - Graeme Chin, 0414 392 497

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new gear

www.insidegolf.com.au/gear

DRIVER: >Top GEAR Mizuno JPX 900 of the year The newest and best products that we’ve added to our bags

– and you should too! Richard Fellner Group Editor richard@insidegolf.com.au

@insidegolf

Last year, the Inside Golf staff tested and reviewed a heap of new gear and gadgets in our “We Tried it” pages. This month, we reveal our favourites, including many which we put into play in our own bags!

Ball: Callaway PUTTER: PNP SiteLine putter and chipper combo Chrome Soft The “Dynamic Duo” by PnP Golf, the SiteLine Chipper and Putter are designed to be used together to develop a repeatable swing. Brilliant! The Chipper features an anti-dig, flat sole, which glides across the ground for consistent contact. With a loft similar to a modern 8-iron, it can be hit from a variety of distances. For shots under 30 metres, use your regular putting stroke and grip, resulting in a lower shot with more roll. For shots longer than 30 metres, use your normal iron/wedge grip which gives you a higher trajectory and more backspin. Meanwhile, the Putter has a small, face-balanced mallet head which gives a soft feel and good feedback through the stroke. It is designed to be used with a pendulum putting stroke—simply back and forth, and can be used no matter how you grip the club. You’ll feel like you can sink everything! http://pnpgolf.com/au

We don’t know how the Callaway engineers have done it, but they have managed to create a sort of “Super Ball” which is both soft and durable at the same time, suitable for different swing speeds and skill levels. It feels and plays like a tour ball, yet is strong and durable. The ball’s SoftFast Core is designed to reduce spin and retain energy off the driver to maximize ball speed and distance. With a low 65 compression, golfers can compress the ball on iron shots for incredibly soft feel and responsiveness around the green. The Soft Duraspin Cover— Callaway’s softest and most durable—also helps deliver excellent control into the green by gripping the clubface. Callaway’s patented HEX Aerodynamics make the ball even longer by reducing drag and increasing lift. www.callawaygolf.com/au

I liked this driver so much that I actually bought one (yep, with real money!) and immediately put it in my bag. Fully adjustable, the Quick Switch hosel allows you to change the loft of your driver from 7.5 degrees to 11.5 degrees for men, or 10.5 to 14.5 for the women. The club offers a pair of 8gm weights, as well as three of the company’s “Fast Tracks” to help you set the weights 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. And it feels GREAT off the tee. www.mizuno.com.au

BUGGY: Concourse CBM

Not really a “buggy” in the traditional sense, the CBM is a “Compact Bag Mobiliser”. Unlike any buggy out there, the frame stays attached to your bag, even when you pack it away in the car. After detaching the wheels (which come off as easy as anything, with a simple push of the buttons), the handle simply folds down and clicks into place, staying on your bag as you pop it into the car. The wheels then click together and fit neatly into their own space-saving carry bag. This makes quick work of your arrival and departure times in the carpark, and saves heaps of space in your boot. Light, strong and ergonomic, it’s a marvel of technology and form. www.concoursegolf.com

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

MENTAL GAME: ProGolf IQ Over the last year, I shared my various thoughts on the Pro Golf IQ mental training program, and how it has helped transform my game. But many readers have asked me “So, is the Pro Golf IQ program REALLY as good as you say?” My answer is simple: ABSOLUTELY YES! The proof? Well, A) My handicap dropped a solid four strokes since I began the system, and B) I began winning EVERYTHING: from my first-ever Monthly Medal, to the annual Boys Weekend, to the prestigious Australian Golf Writers Championship in November. A lot of the success was due to my (renewed) mental attitude. So, yeah, you could say that my game has improved immensely with the help of ProGolf IQ! www.progolfiq.com/insidegolf

new gear

www.insidegolf.com.au/gear

WEDGE: Callaway Mack Daddy PM-Grind Wedge

IRONS: PING G Series irons + Crossover

Featuring a unique shape and massive surface area, this wedge is extremely easy to hit, no matter the lie. From hardpan, thick rough, sand, fairway and virtually everywhere else I tried, the Mack Daddy PM-Grind Wedge performed exceptionally well. Full wedge shots with the Mack Daddy gave plenty of bite and control; bunker shots popped out effortlessly; and the high flop shots cleared the hazards and trees with ease, landing softly like the proverbial ‘butterfly with sore feet’. Shot after shot, it quickly became the ‘go-to’ wedge in the bag. The Mack Daddy PMGrind Wedge is by far, the most versatile wedge we have ever tested at Inside Golf.

I’ve always loved PING irons, and the G-Series was no exception. These irons felt absolutely pure with every shot, and my TrackMan numbers showed faster ball speeds and lower dispersion than my regular set. The most exciting bit of the set, however, was PING’s new “Crossover” club, which combined the precision, workability and control of an iron with the ball speed and forgiveness of a hybrid. It’s a revolutionary idea that will help any golfer who struggles with their longer irons. Overall, these irons and Crossover were an absolute standout, and I highly recommend that you test them out at your next Fitting/Demo day. Pure gold.

www.callawaygolf.com/au

SHOES: Puma Golf’s Titantour Ignite The Scottish band The Proclaimers were famous for walking “500 miles” (twice) for someone they love. Well, a round of golf may not be quite that far, but with Puma Golf’s Titantour Ignite Golf Shoes, you could certainly make it through a round or two feeling as fresh-footed as when you started. Featuring the new IGNITE foam and PWRCOOL technology, the shoe is made from premium materials; including a fullgrain leather upper, heavy gauge thread and a dual-density TPU outsole, providing

long-lasting quality and durability. After a full round with these shoes, our feet and legs were less tired/fatigued, and certainly cooler. In general, they provided ultimate comfort, and secure grip in any turf, wet or dry.

METALWOODS: TaylorMade M2 The M2 Metalwoods offer massive distance, with plenty of forgiveness. At address, the M2 metalwoods—Driver, Fairway and hybrids—all look and feel like a high-performance club should. Well balanced and light, they inspire confidence, and give you the sense that you are going to hit the ball like TaylorMade staffer Jason Day. They are the most forgiving

GADGETS: Bushnell Tour V4 Slope Laser Rangefinder One of the lightest and most powerful Laser units we’ve ever used, The V4 is packed with technology, from the JOLT Technology which indicates a lock on the target, to the ultracool Slope Technology that compensates for elevation differential between you and the pin. This unit is a must-have, and gives you absolute confidence of your distances. Accurate to within one yard, the Tour V4 SLOPE can measure distances to nearly 1000m (and 360m to a flag) and features a solid 5x magnification. It features a three-volt battery, is water resistant, and includes a twoyear warranty and quick-access carry case.

and exciting TaylorMade clubs we’ve ever tested. And they are definitely worth a test drive if you’re looking for more distance and playability. www.taylormadegolf.com.au

GolfBuddy Voice 2, GPS The latest in GolfBuddy’s line of audio distance measuring devices, this handy little GPS unit TALKS to you! With a simple click of a button, you get the distance to the centre of the green as well as the front and back. The Voice 2 boasts an increased battery life of up to 14 hours, and it can be clipped on a hat/belt, or worn as a watch. It’s water resistant, and also has a shot distance measurement feature. It features dynamic green viewing capabilities based on the golfer’s position, automatic course and hole recognition, and comes pre-loaded with over 38,000 courses worldwide with free lifetime software and course updates. www.gpsgolfbuddy.com.au

www.bushnellgolf.com

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

instruction

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More power in golf Peter Croker www.keytofgolf.com

hen asked whether a golfer wants: A) More Power, B) More Control or C) More Consistency, the answer I most often hear is that we want all three. But that said, “More Power” is a very common response. To drive an extra 20m requires an increase of 7 to 10 mph in clubhead speed as well as solid and square contact on the ball. Besides club head speed, there is definitely a need to have “Power” over the Mind – this kind of “Power” requires another set of skills. We are looking to have higher levels of focus, less conscious thinking, a calmer mind, and more awareness. Where “physical power” is our concern, the following drill will lead to an extra 5 to 15 mph club head speed on your driver.

“The PIVOT for POWER DRILL” Part 1 Here we focus on the loading of the “Lower Body” - hips, knees, and feet in the backswing. a) The Hips turn around the center of the hips – there is NO SWAY. b) The Right Knee maintains its flexed position as at Address. c) The Right Hip turns back fully with a feeling of sinking and sitting down. d) The Left Knees bends out in the direction of the toes of the Left Foot.

e) There is a “feeling” of “Cork Screwing” into the Ground. f) B oth Feet remain “Flat and Heavy” in the Ground g) The “Hips” are truly “Coiling” against the “Knees” and “Feet.” h) Repeat this action a minimum of 5 to 10 times, holding the “Fully Coiled Top of the Backswing” position – Breathe In – Breathe Out – and on each complete breath focus your attention on one of the following:

Power extends from your ability to “hold your position in space” and to do so requires a “stable base” to hit from. That Base is your feet, and in particular your back foot.

1) Right Hip complete turn and sinking feeling (approx. 40 degrees of hip rotation) 2) Right Knee stable and acting as an anchor 3) Right Foot flat and heavy in the ground 4) Left Knee out towards the toes of the Left Foot – limit of knee movement not past vertical from toes of left foot 5) Pressure forming heavy on Ball of Left Foot

IN THE DOWNSWING:

Maintain coiled position until you’ve scanned each of the points above

Part 2 Here we focus on the unloading of the “Lower Body” - hips, knees, and feet against the ground as a Base by the “active” use of the hands to “throw” the club head directly down and out through the Ball. The “A to B” Throw of the Clubhead at the ball, triggers the release of the wrists, arms, shoulders, hips, and legs in the sequence that delivers maximum power and compression on the ball. What helps the golfer increase the Clubhead speed and the effective release of the weight of the body against the ball has much to do the ability to coil the hips against the knees and feet in the backswing.

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January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

The feeling of “cork screwing” the hips into the ground in the backswing and especially the “pressure” being created by the ball of the left foot (for right handed golfers) promotes the unwinding of the body against the ground to assist the release of Clubhead, hands, arms, and shoulders in the downswing. a) The Hips turn around the right hips as center – there is NO SWAY. b) The Right Knee maintains its flexed position as at Address for as long as possible (Right Knee Anchor). c) The Left Hip turns forward fully as the left leg straightens, creating a “firm left side” to hit against. d) There is a “feeling” of “heavy feet” in the ground as you fire the Clubhead directly down and out into the ball. e) Repeat this action slowly to start a minimum of 5 to 10 times, ending in the fully “Thumbs Down (uncocked) alignments as in the picture following. f ) Next is to add speed to the “Throw.” The faster you “throw” the faster the body unwinds, and the faster the left leg straightens and the release of the Clubhead then pulls you up to a full and balanced finish. Maintain coiled position until you’ve scanned each of the points above. Hold the “Full and Balance Finish” position – Breathe In – Breathe Out – and on each complete breath focus your attention on one of the following:

1) Left Hip complete turn and balanced feeling (approx. 120+ degrees of hip rotation) 2) Left Leg fully straight. 3) Right Knee tucked in snug against the left knee 4) Right Foot fully released and up on the toe. 5) Pressure forming flat and heavy, and balanced on the Left Foot • ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 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. Experience the complete Croker Golf System material and more through the Master Coaching Community for free at www.crokergolfsystem.com, or book an Individual Lesson, School or Workshop. Phone: 0415 292 549 or email: crokergolfsystem@gmail.com

S TAY P L AY

mental game

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The behaviour of golf Peter McConnell

n aspect of all of us that is very difficult to mask is the nuance we show on our face when we are a little out of sorts on the inside. In poker, this is known as the ‘tell’. It’s the small or large facial expressions we inadvertently display when something on the inside is awry. We show these emotions for many reasons and in many situations in our lives. In sport, in my opinion, these small wrinkles in our fabric of resilience can be the ‘tell’ of our undoing. In sport more broadly, I have seen these beginnings of problems in many athletes: In tennis, Samantha Stosur gives off strong signals before she battles to win a match she was rolling well in. The vast majority of the time, Sam would not win the match. In Rugby League I see players giving off different body language, especially their eyes, when, for example, it’s time for representative football selection. In golf, I distinctly remember Tiger Woods at the U.S. Masters displaying a huge ‘tell’ on the 3rd hole in the final round of 2007 (if my memory serves me correctly). At that moment I could see he wasn’t prepared to win the tournament. Not because he didn’t have the skills or drive, but because his body language told me that all was okay and he would make plenty of birdies even though he just missed that short attempt. His face was telling me that he didn’t have enough respect for his opponents or the course, and he would overrun everyone in due time. Now, while this may seem easy to say in hindsight, these ‘tells’ are very rarely wrong, and that is a conservative statement. No matter how much preparation occurs, and no matter how good you are, if you

have the expectation of winning, rather than the intention, you will make it virtually impossible to get over the line, which is what I saw in Tiger’s case. Similarly, I have seen the same behaviour in Jason Day of late. In my opinion, before he became #1 in the world, his focus and attitude were different. Now when he makes a mistake on the course, his facial expressions remind me of Tiger at the Masters in 2007. It’s almost like he feels that being #1 there is no room for errors, so when they come, his expressions pass them off as ‘no big deal’. Prior to being #1, he would not display these mannerisms, he would just get on with the job of doing his best to win a tournament. These little cracks make big differences in results. While they may appear innocuous, they shine a small light on what is really happening in the mind and to the emotions. They can display the greater inner picture of how a person or player really feels about a situation, and how they feel about themselves. These displays are really the tip of the iceberg. So the issue is not working hard on your poker face, the issue to be addressed is your perception of what’s going on at any one time, on and off the course, or field, or court. Another thing I see more players doing more often now on the greens is looking back from where they just putted after they missed the hole. This is a silent claim that there must have been a small spike mark or similar that they didn’t see. Adam Scott does this quite often, and I would love to see him own the error instead – this will make him a much better putter over time because he is back taking responsibility for his mistake. Obviously greens can throw curve balls at you and be a little confounding, but for the most part, a missed putt is more our error than the green’s, especially at the Tour level where you have the best putters in the world on the best greens in the world.

These observations are why I want to see a player or team in action to see how they behave in their chosen environment. More often than not, golfers go back to the drawing board of their swings and techniques. While grooving your swing into something very reliable and consistent is vital, I urge people to take the time to reflect on what’s going on in their heads, because very often, the dysfunctional thinking patterns will create a dysfunctional swing. Our Aussie golfers are collectively doing our country proud – no doubt about it. Getting

even higher will mean a bit more tweaking in the head, I think. In contrast to what I have discussed here so far, Greg Chalmers put on a truly amazing display of mental courage and fortitude in his win last year. The fact that he hadn’t won in 385 previous attempts can become an enormous hurdle to leap before he sets foot on the course, not to mention holding it all together down the stretch, regardless of what else is happening. It was an amazing event for him, and an inspiration for so many other players who have questioned themselves and their ability. •

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January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

fitness

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Four basic reasons for improving your fitness same muscle group). While example 1 may be accidental, the risk of overuse injuries, example 2, can be reduced if measures are taken. These include Training the surrounding muscle groups to add strength to the vulnerable area; and Correcting muscle imbalances to improve load distribution.

Richard Nizielski www.golffitsolutions.com

ou all know where I stand when it comes to having better physical condition and playing better golf. If I you’re still not convinced that a good training program can help you play better, then I am hopeful the following four reasons will get you over the line and doing some exercise to help your golf.

Reason 4: A better body = a better lifestyle Okay, so while not strictly a golf reason to improve fitness (but probably even more important for us mere mortals not playing on a professional golf tour), having a better level of fitness and health will let you enjoy life more fully and that obviously includes playing better golf.

So, in no particular order, here they are.

Reason 1: A stronger body means a greater capability to swing the club faster

There are many other reasons that are just as important. Fitness and health improvement does not need to be complicated, overly hard to do or require specialised equipment. Implementing some basic stretches, some well-chosen resistance exercises and doing these with consistency is a great way to ease your way into making changes, which will benefit you. Not only for golf, but for the long-term as well.

Research has proven that engaging in a physical training program will strengthen the muscles both individually and as a whole system as well as improve the rate of contraction of the muscles. All that adds up to more muscles sharing the load and working together in a more coordinated manner and generating great speed.

Reason 2: Muscles respond to being used If you have a job which has you sitting most of the day at a desk, then many of the muscles used in the golf swing, both to generate speed and hold good golf posture are not getting used. When these muscles

Happy Golfing! •

particularly the ones required for posture become switched off, it leave us more susceptible to using the wrong muscles or the wrong sequence of muscles for the golf swing, making it a less efficient movement and a greater risk of injuries, which leads to...

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Reason 3: Injuries Injuries in golf generally occur because of two reasons. 1. An external impact at a high speed (e.g. striking an exposed tree root with a golf club and spraining the wrist) and 2. Overuse (e.g. extended repetitive use of the

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 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

2017 BRISBANE INVITATIONAL 21-22 February

The best are coming to Brisbane

3-5 April 2017

The F.O.O.D. Week Plate provides an ideal opportunity for all male and female golfers with an official handicap to play at one of Orange’s great golf courses. It is a fantastic time to come and visit Australia’s Colour City and leading cool climate wine region, during Orange F.O.O.D. Week 2017. The 54 hole indiviual stableford tournament is limited to 180 players. Entry fees are great value at $160 per person which includes all green fees and competition fees, $5,000 worth of prizes, 3 course presentation dinner extravaganza with champagne on arrival. Accommodation is also available at Duntryleague’s Historic Mansion. • Monday 3 April – All day individual stableford • Tuesday 4 April – All day individual stableford • Wednesday 5 April – All day individual stableford and Presentation dinner

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www.duntryleague.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

CHINA CHALLENGE 2017

THE ARNOLD PALMER MEMORIAL TOUR

SANYA: The Hawaii of China 7 Days / 4 Courses Departure: 23 April 2017

13 Days / 6 Courses Departure: 28 MAY 2017

Blue Bay • Sun Valley • Luhuitou • Yalong Bay • Play in carts and with your personal Caddie • 6 nights at the 5-star Marriott Yalong Bay Resort • Daily Breakfast • Welcome Drinks and Dinner • Presentation Dinner • All Transfers

Play six of the most important golf courses in Arnold Palmer’s life visiting Los Angeles, Denver, La Trobe, Orlando and Palm Springs including a day at the World Golf Hall of Fame in Florida. Win great Arnold Palmer Memorabilia and meet some special guests along the way!

$2,320 NON-Golfer: $1,460

US$7,040

Golfer:

Play for fantastic Prizes and Trophies

Limited to 24 players

CAMBODIA CHALLENGE

HAWAII CHALLENGE 2017

7 Days / 4 rounds of Golf Departure: 22 October 2017

8 Days / 4 Courses Departure: 25 June 2017

Angkor Golf Resort (2) • Phokeethra • Boo Young

Mauna Lani South • Hapuna Beach • Mauna Kea • Mauna Lani North

• Play in carts and with your personal Caddie • 6 nights at the 5-star Borei Angkor Resort and Spa • Daily Breakfast • Welcome Drinks and Dinner • Presentation Dinner • All Transfers

• 6 nights at Hapuna Prince Resort • 1 night Waikiki • Daily Breakfast • Welcome Drinks • All Transfers • Presentation Dinner • All resort charges and gratuities

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Play for fantastic Prizes and Trophies

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US$1,445 NON-Golfer: US$895 Golfer:

The Big Island of Hawaii and Waikiki

Play for fantastic Prizes and Trophies

US$2,670 NON-Golfer: US$2,040

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fitness

www.insidegolf.com.au/golftips

Low back pain in golfers, is there a simple fix? David Dawes ed@insidegolf.com.au

Caloundra Veterans Golf Club held its inaugural fund raising “Man Day” in November to support the Sunshine Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group (SCPCSG).

ow back pain is familiar to many golfers, so much so that it accounts for up to 50% of musculoskeletal complaints in amateur golfers. There are numerous reasons that golfers can develop low back pain ranging from hypomobility (stiffness) to poor muscle strength to poor swing mechanics.

The SCPCSG is a voluntary organization that provides support and education to the more than 450 members on the Sunshine Coast. It conducts meetings to help men, their partners and family coping with diagnosis, who have had various forms of treatment and men living with prostate cancer.

During a golf swing, your low back undergoes a lot of compressive force (as much as eight times your body weight!) A lot of the time, this force is the result of striving for those extra few metres on each club. As a one-off, an over-swing is rarely an issue. But if we add up every swing—from warm-up, to practice swings to actual swings—taken throughout a round of golf, we accumulate a lot of compressive load in the low back. Over the weeks and months, this can build up and cause injury that is at best, annoying (and an excellent excuse for a bad round), and at worst enough to cause you to cancel your tee time for the weekend.

“Prostate cancer is a matter all our members need to be aware of and concerned about,” Veterans Golf Club President John Fengler said. “We hope our support will assist the SCPCSG to continue the support it provides to the community through its programs and activities.

So what if there were a simple solution? A recent study done at the University of Alabama tested a group of amateur golfers and found that we can significantly reduce these compressive forces by taking a shorter backswing. By reducing swing length (but most importantly, maintaining your normal swing) you will get almost 10% less force going through your low back every swing. The study also showed that you are likely to see a slight increase in accuracy with the shorter swing, but also slight reduction in length. Most golfers would gladly trade a few metres of length for greater accuracy anyway! So if you think that low back pain is, or might become an issue for you, then try the following modification to your current swing: • Try to swing normally as you bring your club back • Stop your backswing as soon as your lead elbow (left elbow for right-handers) is directly over your back foot. • Swing through normally from this shortened backswing position

Man Day for Caloundra veterans

A shortened backswing, with your lead elbow over your back foot, can help reduce the compressive forces exerted on your low back (and may even increase accuracy) Having a golf professional guide you through this process will help to ensure that you maintain your normal swing, but with a reduced range. This should reduce your club angle by 30°-40° and in doing so, your lumbar spine will be subject to significantly less force. This will help many golfers to reduce low back pain, in particular those guilty of overswinging! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dave Dawes is a Perth-based sports physiotherapist, and senior practitioner at Highgate Physiotherapy, where he provides golf screening, performance programs and injury management strategies for many golfers. For more information and golf-specific advice, please visit us at www.highgate.physio

5 MEMBERSHIPS, 1 LIFESTYLE. GOLF ACCESS MEMBERSHIP

“The club is pleased to be able to donate $2500 to the Support Group from the Man Day competition. We greatly appreciate the generous support our members, sponsors and donors have provided in supporting this event. Together we can help make a difference,” Fengler added. Malcolm Hughes, of the SCPCSG, thanked the club for its support and generous donation. “It will assist the Group respond to what unfortunately is an increasing need on the Coast where Prostate Cancer takes more lives than all other cancers. We will have succeeded if we help one person and save one life.” The Group meets the last Tuesday of each month (except December) between 9.30am and noon, at the Waterfront Hotel, David Low Way, Diddillibah. More: Caloundra Veterans Golf Club - Varmi Geyl 07 54382595; Sunshine Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group - Rob Tonge 07 54461318.

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www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

SYDNEY feature

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

Bankstown Golf Club

Woollahra Golf Club • Come & play Australia’s best 9 hole course 10 minutes from Sydney CBD • Fast, friendly, fun golf • Great social competitions • Weekend Tee times available • On course lessons available • Perfect for Functions, Meetings or a nice meal from our cafe • New Members Welcome

Woollahra Golf Club

O’Sullivan Road, Rose Bay, 2039

www.woollahragolfclub.com

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

p: 02 9327 5404

E: office@woollahragolfclub.com

proshop@woollahragolfclub.com

SYDNEY feature

Bankstown Golf Club

BANKSTOWN Golf Club is a welcoming oasis in South West Sydney. Not only is it an immaculate Group One-rated layout, but it offers top-value for golfers of all skill levels. Membership has recently been degendered. Now the traditional ‘Men’s only Saturday competition’, welcomes all 7-day members to participate. There is still, however, one competition per week that is exclusively for men and women alike. Membership has been made even more affordable with three tiers of membership within their 5 and 7-day categories. Members may choose a level that suits their competition activity with a scale of subscription/competition fees. With full membership starting at only $1750, no entrance fees, no waiting lists and payment plans available, membership at this stunning club is now a viable option. The team at Bankstown are currently offering a 6-month Gold Plus membership for only $1400. This category is the mid-range tier that allows 7-day access to the course, with competition fees at $10. Perfect for those wishing to utilise the course on a regular basis. The Group One Club, a $99 per year social golf membership category, is the next best thing to being a full member. This offers social golfers a new way to play golf and belong to a prestigious club with heavily discounted social green fees ($29 per round instead of the usual $60); allowing you to decide how often and how much you pay each year. Bankstown also boasts a brand-new practice facility including what their pro, Lee Hunt, believes to be the Number 1 Coaching and Fitting Facility in Sydney’s West. Accessible to all members and guests, it is definitely worth the trip to Bankstown Golf Club.

Carnarvon Golf Club Conveniently located only 30 minutes from both the Sydney and Parramatta CBDs and situated right next to the M5 motorway, Bankstown Golf Club is a central meeting place and easily accessible. There has never been a better time to book a social round of golf at Bankstown. Escape the office on Thursday and pay only $50 for two players with a cart after 12:30pm or enjoy Twilight Golf, and play unlimited golf after 2pm for only $29per player. Accessible seven days a week, Bankstown

Golf Club offers an open competition every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday. Join as a 5- or 7-day member in January 2017 and mention this article to receive either a private 30 minute lesson with the Pro, a $100 additional House Credit or a Pros Pack. For more information, visit www.bankstowngolf.com.au or call (02) 9773 0628.

Carnarvon Golf Club Carnarvon GC is a premier Sydney Golf Club. The 6,170m course has won wide acclaim in recent years as one of Sydney’s best courses visiting golfers can play for under $50. The par-72 course is equally challenging for the casual player and professional with bunkers, mounds and large undulating greens. The Ray Harrison and Alec Mercer Junior Masters Golf Day is proudly supported and hosted by Carnarvon Golf Club on Monday

Roseville Golf Club

LADIES GOLF CLINIC

2017

22nd February - 22nd November Join one of Sydney’s longest established and most successful ladies golf clinics WOULD YOU LIKE TO... - Develop your skills - Gain knowledge of the rules and technical aspects of golf - Familiarise yourself with the terms of golf and the ettiquette of playing golf and its various competitions - Meet people and make friends you can play with each week - Have monthly lessons from PGA Professionals

For enquires: (02) 8467 1800 | www.rosevillegolf.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

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Barnwell Park Golf Course

Barnwell Park Golf Course, in Five Dock, NSW, is an enjoyable course that features stunning views over Canada and Kings Bays. Measuring 3400m, the course offers a comfortable walk, and as a result, quick rounds are a feature. The club also features a fleet of the new Golf Skate Caddys available for hire, which allows golfers to “surf the turf” during a round. In addition, ladies can play Saturdays. Before or after your round, check out the club’s new restaurant “Carmen’s on the Park”, which is serving delicious meals.

Barnwell Park Golf Course 23rd January 2017. Age divisions for both boys and girls are on offer and it is open to all junior golfers with a Golf Australia handicap. Ray Harrison and Alec Mercer are both wellknown names in Australian Golf. Ray, who has sadly departed, was a former Australian of the Year Nominee and Award recipient from the NSW PGA for his contributions to amateur and professional golf. Alec is a senior PGA golfer, a former coach of the Australian Eisenhower Cup Team and a very successful golf coach in general. Together

they contributed over many years to amateur and professional golf by raising funds and coaching young (male and female) golfers to assist them in a career in golf. The pair teamed up with Carnarvon Golf Club to continue their passion of supporting junior golf. After hosting qualifying rounds for the Australian Open over the past six years and the Australian Schoolboys Championships, Carnarvon Golf Club is a challenging test for up-and-coming golfers. The course itself is in immaculate condition

and the day will provide an enjoyable challenge to our future golfing stars. Entry forms and information sheets are available at the Carnarvon Golf Club ProShop or on the Club’s web-site. For more information, phone: Club House (02) 9649 6255, Pro-Shop (02) 9649 2438, Email: info@carnarvongolf.com.au, proshop@carnarvongolf.com.au or visit www.carnarvongolf.com.au

Above the smog and below the fog

Social Clubs and Corporate Days welcome. As an example, book a group of 16 or more players, and get green fees, half-way soft drink, bacon and egg roll, plus $70 group bar tab for only $36 per player. Book for 25 or more players and get green fees, half-way soft drink, burger or schnitzel and chips, plus $100 group bar tab for only $41 per player. Weekday Corporate days can be customised for you, and the club can also tailor packages to suit. Menu Options and exclusive use of the club’s function room is also available. Social Clubs are also catered for, with Sundays tee times available from first light to 9am, and Saturdays after 11.30am. The club is offering a $149 Membership Special (see advertisement in this feature). Or you can email membership@ barnwellparkgolfclub.com.au. For more information, contact: Club House: (02) 9713 1162, Pro Shop: (02) 9713 9019, Food/beverage bookings 0414609398. Email manager@barnwellparkgolfclub.com.au, Pro: cwillard@pgamember.org.au, or visit www.barnwellparkgolfclub.com.au

• • • • • • • • •

Only 1 hour from Sydney and 15 mins from Penrith Fantastically maintained course with 360 degree views of nature at its very best Well stocked Pro Shop for your golfing needs. Fleet of new golf carts Fully licensed clubhouse Enjoy a cold drink on the balcony with views over the course and with a backdrop of the Sydney skyline Kids play area. Corporate and social bookings welcome Range of Memberships available

Springwood Country Club | 70-84 Hawkesbury Road, Springwood, NSW, 2777 Pro Shop (02) 4751 2484 | Clubhouse (02) 4751 1122 www.springwoodgolfclub.com.au | springwoodgolfshop1@gmail.com or info@springwoodgolfclub.com.au 52

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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Woolooware Golf Club

Woolooware Golf Club is proudly celebrating its 60th year in 2017. Located just a short walk from Cronulla Beach and open to the public 7 days a week. With an overall length of 5772m and heavily tree-lined fairways, Woolooware is a challenging golf course. The Club’s management is focused on growing the game of golf by getting more people involved in the game, so additional shorter

tees have been implemented to allow golfers of all levels to play – so bring the family! It is easy to spend an entire day at the golf club, starting with a coffee and snack in the Pro Shop Cafe and finishing with a cold beverage in the in the Golf Club with a meal from LT’s Bar and Grill. For the juniors, Woolooware Golf Academy boasts one of the largest junior golf programs in Sydney and can provide private and custom packages to suit your needs.

For more information, phone (02) 9544 0555, or visit www.wooloowaregolfclub.com.au. Or contact them directly via email. Club: marilyn@wooloowaregolfclub.com.au, Golf: bookings@wooloowaregolfclub.com.au, Academy: lessons@wooloowaregolf.com.au

Roseville Golf Club

Roseville Golf Club, a most immaculate, successful and private golf club on Sydney’s Lower North Shore is among many fine, private clubs in the area – Killara, Avondale, Pymble, Monash to name a few – and is proud to be considered an equal. The leafy par-66 course has over many decades provided a unique offer in support of womens’ golf in Sydney – the immensely popular Ladies Golf Clinic. Many women

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Roseville Golf Club return to golf or come to play golf later in life when children have begun school or for other reasons and are keen to learn the game and all of its nuances. Roseville, which already has a healthy women’s membership, has approached the introduction to golf wisely for anyone interested in learning to play properly and wanting to be taught in a structured and professional environment. The women-only program of weekly lessons is spread over approximately a nine-month period. It is offered at a substantial discount to normal fees and a further rebate is applied to membership fees upon joining Roseville Golf Club as a five or seven-day member. Participants will graduate with welldeveloped skills that will equip them to play golf on any standard of course, anywhere. They also will receive detailed education and

knowledge of the etiquette, rules and technical aspects of the game and become familiar with all the golf terms and the golf course. The Clinic includes an active involvement between Roseville’s PGA Professionals and experienced lady club members who provide teaching, education, knowledge, support and that level of comfort that “you do not have to get it right straight away”. Players are mentored on course for the duration of the clinic which is held in a relaxed and fun environment and supports and nurtures new friendships and social interfaces. Finally, all graduates who join the Club will receive membership of Golf Australia with an approved GolfLink handicap. This is your passport to playing golf with your family and friends anywhere in Australia. A major asset of Roseville Golf Club is the undulating scenic and challenging course that

Springwood Country Club provides a great experience for all levels of golfers. Over the past decade the course has undergone a multi-million-dollar transformation which has delivered a first-class layout. The redesign was by renowned golf course architect, James Wilcher, who also happens to be a member and a regular competitor at Roseville. The course, set among the pristine bushland of Roseville’s valleys and creeks, is a unique setting and it’s hard to believe you’re only 10km from the heart of Sydney’s CBD. With a strong financial position, the Club has been able to modernise and upgrade its course and facilities with a multi-million dollar spend in recent years to offer its members all of the comforts and amenities you would expect from a private club.

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

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

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

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

Flexible payment options, monthly, quarterly or halF yearly For more information about this offer, contact the General Manager on (02) 9728 7777 or visit www.liverpoolgolf.com.au Hollywood Drive, Lansvale NSW 2166 | Pro Shop: 9727 2422 | email:office@liverpoolgolf.com.au 54

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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Asquith Golf Club Shore club is the perfect setting for meetings, corporate seminars, product launches and golf days. The versatile, pillar-free rooms are filled with natural light and showcase the golf course and come complete with modern integrated audio visual facilities, a variety of menus and ample parking. For more information, phone (02) 8467 1800, visit www.rosevillegolf.com.au, or email admin@rosevillegolf.com.au.

Springwood Country Club

Located in the beautiful Blue Mountains and just one hour drive west of Sydney and only 15 minutes from Penrith, Springwood Country Club is the ideal course to start your golfing tour in the Blue Mountains, or, make it your last stop on the way back to the hustle and

bustle of the city. There couldn’t be a better way to start or finish your golfing tour. At 371 metres above sea level, you can take advantage of the temperate climate of the region and escape the heat of the Sydney basin, whilst enjoying 360 degree views of nature at its very best. With a fleet of new golf carts, playing the wonderfully maintained course couldn’t be easier or more relaxing. The par-69, 18-hole course has been established on its present site for over 100 years and warmly welcomes you as a visitor to enjoy their fantastic course. After your round, relax on the Clubhouse balcony and enjoy the views over the course and the backdrop of the Sydney skyline. The facilities at the club include a recently refurbished Pro Shop for all your golfing needs, while the fully licensed Clubhouse has a Bistro and a fantastic kids’ play area where

you can keep an eye on them whilst enjoying a cold drink on the balcony, all the time enjoying the views. Make the most of the great practice driving range and putting green before the round to be at your best, or book a lesson with their friendly Golf Professional, Eugene Finn. For the more energetic, they have two Squash Courts that are available to help burn off the calories from lunch, which is available from the Bistro. Corporate and social golf day enquiries are also always welcome. For more information, 70-84 Hawkesbury Road, Springwood NSW 2777, Pro Shop (02) 4751 2484, Clubhouse: (02) 4751 1122, www.springwoodgolfclub.com.au, springwoodgolfshop1@gmail.com or info@springwoodgolfclub.com.au

Calderwood Valley Golf Course

Asquith Golf Club Asquith Golf Club in Sydney’s north, is a well-established, peaceful and challenging golf course easily accessible from the M1. It is a ‘feel-good community local’ where golfers and non-golfers alike can enjoy the friendly ambience and facilities that the club offers. When golfers first visit Asquith Golf Club— whether a corporate day guest, first-time or social golfer—they are immediately captivated by the warm welcome, relaxed environment, enthusiastic staff and great ‘experience’. Once on the course, golfers are then challenged by the 5494m Par-70 course, complete with three lakes coming into play. Asquith is recognised as one of the most progressive golf clubs in Sydney and has grown its hugely popular Lifestyle,

Social Golfer’s Paradise Social groups and players are welcome 7 days a week • Fleet of 30 carts available • Terrific Tuesdays - $16 all day • Twilight golf every day from 2pm • Weekday discounts for seniors and clubs • Wednesdays - $28pp for 18 holes with a cart 20 minutes south of Wollongong Visit our website….Facebook us…or call 02 4256 3055

532 Calderwood Rd, Albion Park 2527 Pro Shop: (02) 4256 3055 www.calderwoodgolf.com.au

*Bookings required, conditions apply.

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Drive, Lansvale New South Wales. The course is unique in that it‘s been designed and built on the peninsula formed by the Georges River and Prospect Creek, set on the banks of the Chipping Norton Lake. Quiet and secluded, you’ll enjoy the tranquil setting, so much so that you’ll find it hard to believe that you’re actually in the middle of Sydney. The course makes for an excellent test of skills both for the professional and amateur golfer. With a length of over 6300 meters, water comes into play on 14 holes, so shot selection is important and you’ll be rewarded for strategic shot placement along with many risk and reward opportunities. Liverpool has also hosted many prestigious events, including the Australian PGA, the NSW Open in 2006 and 2007 and has been a qualifying venue for the Australian Open for the past 10 years.

Liverpool Golf Club Family and Junior Membership classes. Matt Furze, Asquith Golf Club’s General Manager of nearly two years is ecstatic about having focussed on a few new classes of membership that have really given new members the flexibility they were looking for.

Members and guests are wanting to spend time here before and after a game of golf to enjoy the atmosphere that Asquith Golf Club has to offer,” says Furze. “Our mantra at Asquith Golf Club is everyone is always welcome.”

“Our membership numbers are up significantly, bucking the trend locally.

For more information, phone (02) 9477 1266 or visit www.asquithgolfclub.com.au

Liverpool Golf Club

Despite the often challenging nature of their course, it’s still Liverpool Golf Club’s passion to provide golfers of all skill levels with a memorable and enjoyable experience at the course known as ‘the golfer’s golf course’. A picturesque 18-hole par-72 Championship golf course, Liverpool is located in Hollywood

Non members of the club can access discounted rates for social golf other purchases by becoming a Social Golf Affiliate. It costs just $6 per annum or $10 for two years and opens the door to great pricing deals and other special only available to Social Golf Affiliates. There is no joining process and you can sign-up on the day. For more information, bookings call the pro Shop on (02) 9727 2422 or email brent@liverpoolgolf.com.au. Phone (02) 9728 7777, or visit www.liverpoolgolf.com.au.

SUPER SUNDAYS January 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th

Open to visiting club members with a GA handicap Individual and other events with prizes increased Call the pro shop on 9523 3882 for more information Woolooware Golf Club Harnleigh Avenue, Woolooware NSW 2230 (02) 9544 0555 www.wooloowaregolf.com.au bookings@wooloowaregolfclub.com.au

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Providing free programs for all levels of junior golfers, running each fortnight between 4-5pm, with Golf Professional Gerry Hyde. For more information, please contact Carnarvon Golf Pro Shop: (02) 9649 2438 65-95 Nottinghill Rd, Lidcombe NSW 2141

www.carnarvongolf.com.au

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Precision Golf

Precision Golf has the most technologically advanced teaching, club fitting and indoor golf studio in Australia. Advanced technology allows the team at Precision Golf to pinpoint problem areas in your game. They aim to then offer simple fixes for maximum results. They incorporate the newest and up-to-date technology for golf lessons, clubfitting and entertainment (from everyday use, to party and corporate bookings). With the ultra-high-tech 3D swing analysis, Precision Golf provides you with the latest Worldwide Technology to improve your game. Their Flightscope 3D Launch monitor is the most accurate launch monitor in the world, not only helping you and your instructor analyse every aspect of your swing, but as a clubfitting tool it also ensures that you’ll find the right clubs for your game. For more information, phone (02) 9417 7704, Shop 101, 354 Eastern Valley Way, Chatswood, NSW, 2067, or email ray@precisiongolf.com.au or visit www.precisiongolf.com.au Precision Golf

WOOLLAHRA Golf Club

Arguably the best 9-hole golf course in NSW, Woollahra Golf Club is located in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, 10 minutes from the CBD, adjacent to Sydney Harbour and close to Bondi Beach. Easy to access and fun to play, the course is beautifully maintained with greens and fairways to rival many of Sydney’s exclusive golf clubs.

A round of golf at Woollahra Golf Club provides challenging yet fair conditions without ‘hidden tricks’. Beware, the course is ready to punish the over ambitious. So don’t let the flat, open fairways deceive you with the wrong club, or else your ball may end up in some challenging places. Golf at Woollahra offers a variety of playing options, ranging from a ‘quick-9’ for those

who are time poor to a traditional members’ competition format. The Club runs social competitions most days, sponsored by local businesses and other social groups and clubs. The ‘Crust Pizza Run’ on Fridays will always have 100 players! The Pro shop staff and Professionals at Woollahra provide experienced, knowledgeable advice on equipment,

learning the game and one-on-one lessons— most of which are conducted ‘on course’. Woollahra Golf Club is friendly and relaxed, welcoming locals and visitors of all ages and levels. The clubhouse hosts a great cafe, relaxed bar and outdoor eating area, great conference and function facilities professionally run at realistic prices.

ASQUITH GOLF CLUB

5, 6 & 7 Day Playing Memberships Available NOW! Championship 18 hole golf course set in a peaceful bushland setting Flexible Lifestyle Membership

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Woollahra Golf Club Membership is a great way to meet the great people playing at Woollahra and with its great course and diverse membership base, joining is a simple, easy and worthwhile decision.

quality public layout with stunning scenery welcomes social players 7 days a week.

For more information, phone (02) 9327 5404, Proshop (02) 9327 3683 or visit www.woollahragolfclub.com

The course is always immaculately presented, featuring well-contoured fairways and true greens. The inclusion of recent course upgrades allows for a layout that caters to all levels of golfers.

Calderwood Valley Golf Course

Nestled within the picturesque Illawarra Escarpment, Calderwood Valley Golf Course is the ultimate social golferâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s course. A high-

Set in a quiet rural location 20 minutes south of Wollongong, Calderwood offers a relaxed, friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

The only distractions whilst playing Calderwood are the views of native fauna, the abundance of wildlife and crystal clear creeks winding throughout the course

iP h s r e b m e m l a Promotion

Calderwood Valley Golf Course Calderwood offers some of the best value golf deals available: $16 greens fees all day every Tuesday, $28pp with a shared cart every Wednesday, Twilight Golf every day from 2pm and senior weekday discounts. Without competitions, Social Clubs are catered for 7 days a week. Midweek discounts for groups of 12 or more players. A fleet of 30 carts is available, bookings are recommended. Calderwood is known as the friendliest course on the South Coast. You will always receive a warm welcome and helpful service from the wonderful team.

Come in and see Brad Mcintosh master club fitter at Precision Golf. He will take you through a process of complete golf club fitting from driver through to wedges to ensure you get the best equipment for your golf swing regardless of your level.

Group bookings are available in advance until 2025. For more information, visit www.calderwoodgolf.com.au, email admin@calderwoodgolf.com.au, or call (02) 4256 3055 to book your round.

Would you like to see your club included in a future Inside Golf feature? Then have your General Manager or Marketing Manager contact us for details.

Take advantage of our 2 hour full club-fit for $199

Custom club fitting improves your game by creating custom golf clubs that are built for your specific swing and style of play. At Precision Golf, you will have access to all the best golf club combinations from the starting golfer all the way up to the seasoned professional.

$149 - Incl. $50 bar tab $99 - Age 18-24. incl $20 bar tab $30 - Juniors 7-18 yrs *Ts & Cs apply, only available once every 5 years. Membership to 30/6/17, full details on application.

GOLF CLUB 58

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

551 Lyons Road West, Five Dock, NSW, 2047 Email: membership@barnwellparkgolfclub.com.au Call: (02) 9713 1162

We have all the latest and greatest brands at Precision Golf with thousands of shaft and head combinations to fit your game. Precision Golf is open 7 days a week for lessons, club fittings, individual and corporate entertainment and functions, as well as driving range practice sessions 7am-10pm Weekdays and 8am-6pm Weekends

Book in for our special 1 hour introductory video analysis lesson for

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Visit www.precisiongolf.com.au Email ray@precisiongolf.com.au Call us (02) 9417 7704 or drop into 354 Eastern Valley Way Chatswood

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seniors

Take a leaf out of Helen’s book David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

GAINST all the odds, Helen Stuart, who plays out of the Gosford Golf Club on the Central Coast of New South Wales, had had a remarkable year on the golf course.

Less than two years after undergoing spinal surgery to remove a tumour in the spinal canal, Helen is the toast of the golf club after winning no fewer than five significant events. To add to the remarkable achievements, Helen, who only took up golf in her 60s, recently turned 80. “After my surgery, I had 18 months off playing golf,” she said. “I came back in February 2015 and played a few nine-hole rounds and built it up from there. “I won the club championship in 2015, but this year (2016) I have had an amazing year.” Helen Stuart is an inspirational golfer.

For the record, Helen won the club’s division 3 monthly medal, the division 2 singles knockout, the veterans championship and the club championship. To cap it off, the octogenarian captured the Champion of Champions title at Magenta Shores. I didn’t think I had any chance of winning the Champion of Champions, but did it and it’s amazing,” she said. Helen, who plays off a 32 handicap, credits Gosford Golf Club professional Scott Cubis for her 2016 success. “I had a couple of lessons with Scott and he corrected my iron play. Until then, my ball was going off in all directions,” said Helen, who usually splits the fairway. “I also think it was just determination to do well.

“She definitely is 80 years young, not 80 years old.” Frank Ward told Inside Golf his good friend Helen was the best dressed golfer on the golf course. “Helen is a great seamstress and makes all her own golfing outfits,” he said. Helen plays golf twice a week, sometimes three, and walks the golf course. “I used to be able to play four or five days in a row, but now I find if I play two days in a row my shoulders ache,” she said.

“At 80, I don’t hit a long ball so I rely on keeping it on the fairway.

“I put up with it because after a good night’s sleep I’m back out on the golf course again.

“I get a lot of encouragement from my two beautiful children Sonia and Paul and from friend Frank Ward,” she said.

“I saw my surgeon recently and he told me I was doing well and the eight screws holding my back together are fine.”

Daughter Sonia told Inside Golf her mum was an amazing and inspirational person.

Helen has an impressive golfing resume, but there is one thing missing – a hole-in-one.

“Mum has a ‘give it all you have’ attitude to life,” she said.

“My next goal is to get a hole-in-one,” she said.

Mind you, it will be weather dependant according to Helen. “I will have to wait until we get dry weather so we have a lot of run on the course because I struggle to get on some of the par3s off the tee,” she said. “Sometimes, I can reach them if I hit it out of the middle. I used to be able to, but I find it difficult these days.” Still, Helen is a determined person and no one is betting against her achieving her dream of scoring a hole-in-one. “I never thought I would achieve anything by playing golf, but I have had an amazing year,” Helen said. “I don’t think I could better what I have won this year. “An ace would definitely cap it off. “I love getting out on the course and playing golf. The company and the exercise you get by walking the golf course keeps you young.” Golfers of all ages should draw inspiration from Gosford’s “golden girl” Helen Stuart. •

PRESCARE QUEENSLAND SENIOR ORDER OF MERIT Open to all men and women golfers over the age of 55 years Scratch and nett divisions for all events and order of merit Over 65 years section Play a few or play them all! Go to www.golfqueensland.org.au for event details and to register. upcoming events WHEN WHERE Friday 20 January Palmer Colonial PresCare QSOOM Monday 6 February Wynnum Golf PresCare QSOOM Friday 17 February Bribie Island PresCare QSOOM Monday 13 March Redcliffe PresCare QSOOM Monday 3 April Indooroopilly PresCare QSOOM Wednesday 19 April Laidley Ladies’ Classic Saturday 22 April Laidley Men’s Classic

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ENTRIES CLOSE Tuesday 17 January 2017 Thursday 2 February 2017 Tuesday 14 February 2017 Thursday 9 March 2017 Thursday 30 March 2107 Thursday 13 April 2017 Friday 14 April 2017

Contact American Golf Supplies (02 9524 8233) or ping@americangolf.com.au for PING fitting account information

seniors

Temora’s ‘Little Master’ winds down That’s because he once fired a 65 off the stick (nett 60) at Harden Golf Club.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

Ken is rightly proud of his achievements, which include five club championships, five foursomes titles, six mixed foursomes championship, four veterans championship and three South West district championships.

T 70, golfer Ken Jordan is starting to slow down, which is understandable after a golf career spanning close to five decades. In that time, Ken, who plays his golf at Temora Golf Club 420 kilometres southwest of Sydney, has captured everything there is to win from chook runs, monthly medals, club championship, foursomes, mixed foursomes, veterans, district championships and more.

In addition, Ken has won Open titles at Temora (five), Coolamon (two), Ariah Park (two), The Rock (two) and one each at Ardlethan, Junee, Tallimba, Cootamundra and Mollymook. In his prime, Ken represented South West against Riverina 11 times in matchplay winning nine of those matches.

Affectionately known as “The Little Master” around the Riverina area of New South Wales, Ken has been a prolific winner in his time and even attracted the attention of the late, great Kel Nagle. “I played golf with Kel Nagle and Frank Phillips at Tumut in around 1987 and we all shot 77 off the stick,” said Ken, who played off four and hardly missed a fairway. “The strength of my game was that I was accurate off the tee. “When we reached the 10th tee, Kel said to me ‘Ken, I’d like a dollar for every time you hit the fairway’.

Temora Golf Club’s Ken Jordan rostered days off (from the railways), I would use a seven-iron as it was the only club I had. “At each workout, I’d spend six hours hitting with this club and my swing became almost automatic. Mind you, after hitting so many practice balls it left my hands blistered.” Ken lowered his handicap to four (currently 11) and is self-taught.

“I have never forgotten those words. My wife Noeleen was caddying for me that day and she witnessed it. I took it as a compliment.”

“In 49 years, I never had a private lesson,” he said. “I started as a raw beginner with no knowledge of this challenging sport.

Ken first picked up a golf club, a seven-iron, in 1967 aged 21 and within four years won his first of five Temora club championships.

“I did research and learnt by reading golf instruction books.

“I would hit golf balls in the paddock on my father’s wheat farm,” he recalled. “On my

“It took me four years to become Temora club champion (1971) and then the passion for the game of golf kicked in.

“Golf is a demanding game of skill and technique. You also need fitness, concentration and confidence to master the striking of the little white ball.” So, how did Ken get the moniker “The Little Master”? “I think it was because I kept winning club competitions nearly every weekend around here,” he said. “I was also up with the leaders in other tournaments and won my fair share of those. “The other reason is I’m not tall. I’m 5’6” (170cm), which is the same height as Gary Player.” Sometimes the local media dubbed him “Superman”.

A proud moment occurred in 1990 when Ken and wife Noeleen both won club championship. While Ken remains passionate about the game, he no longer practises and only plays golf once a week. “I have started to wind down and only play golf on Sundays,” he said. “I’ve started playing bowls to do something different. “I’m proud of my golf achievements over the years, but I have lost a little bit of interest in golf. “Perhaps it’s because I’ve done everything I’ve needed to do in golf except for a holein-one.” Of course, Ken remains hopeful of one day joining the exclusive ace club. “I have been close a few times,” he said. “That’s something I’d like to achieve.” •

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David McClelland finished third overall with rounds of 86-78-81 = 245. Terry Small was fourth and Peter Crocker fifth.

Australian Senior Ranking

NATIONAL

Australian Senior Amateur Rankings ACT Senior Amateur Championship Russell Bunn (76-74-74) fired a great last round of 74 to come from behind and snatch victory in the 2016 ACT Senior Championship. The final round of the 54 hole championship was played at Federal Golf Club with the first two played at Queanbeyan and Gunghalin Lakes. Bunn’s last round was enough to pass overnight leader Ken Brewer (74-72-79) who recorded a 79. Brewer played well early in his round and turned one over par and seemingly in charge of his game. Then Brewer dropped five strokes in the last five holes while Bunn parred the last three holes to record the narrowest of wins. Wayne Buick (77-74-76) and Graham Beasley (76-74-77) finished in a tie for third place two strokes behind Brewer in a consistent display. John Neeson (78-74-76) rounded out the top five finishes.

2016 Tasmanian Senior Masters Steve Toyne easily won the inaugural Tasmanian Senior Open played at the Royal Hobart Golf Club. Toyne fired a third round of 77 to go with his earlier rounds of 75 and 76 to defeat a gallant Mark Gatty. Toyne’s total was 238 while Gatty had rounds of 80-76-77 for a 54hole total of 243.

The 2016 Australian Senior Ranking competition finished with the playing of the Victorian Senior Amateur Championships at Coomealla and Riverside Golf Clubs. The winner of this event was Greg Rhodes. With all events now complete the winners of the prestigious medals for the top placed person in each competition are final: Australian Senior Ranking: Open 1. Greg Rhodes (Victoria) 2. Gordon Claney (Victoria) 3. Michael Barltrop (NZ) This makes it two years in a row for Rhodes and two years in a row as the runner-up for Claney. They will be certainly hard to beat again in 2017. Good to see popular Kiwi Michael Barltrop taking home one of the medals. Australian Senior Ranking: Over 65 1. Phil Towle (QLD) 2. Vince Clark (NSW) 3. Roy Vandersluis (NSW) A win for Queenslander Phil Towle and with a few more seniors joining the Over 65 ranks it could be more new names in 2017. Australian Senior Ranking: Handicap 1. Steve Toyne (QLD) 2. Greg Rhodes (VIC) 3. Peter Hannah (QLD) A very consistent performer for several years Steve Toyne has won the top medal in the 2015-16 Handicap Order of Merit. In this year-long competition the best 40 net placings in each event receive points. A player can only count his best five finishes during the year.

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NSW Senior

NSW Order of Merit winners – Geoff Cranfield, Ken Brewer and Denis Dale.

Order of Merit Champions 2016 Bankstown Seniors 69 players graced the tight fairways of Bankstown Golf Club on a beautiful spring day. The players were treated to a course set up for scoring and we were not let down with 2 scores under par. Geoff Cranfield shot a one-under par score 70 to beat evergreen veteran Noel Wood on a countback. Local Bankstown member Ken Dawson won the handicap prize with a nett 65 in his first SOOM event and Warren Marsh from Kogarah won the over 65’s with a scratch score of 80.

Mollymook Seniors Neil Bartley from the Port Kembla Course has won the 36 hole Mollymook Senior Open. Played on a beautifully presented course the field certainly enjoyed the day and the course. Bartley had an opening round of 75 and a closing round of 79 for a 36-hole total of 154. He defeated local member Frank Lampe by two strokes. Popular Camden member Bob Zelesco won the handicap prize with a two round total of 144. He edged out Port Kembla’s Robert Montgomery by a single shot.

Long Reef Seniors Unlike the last few years it was a fine day with only a mild breeze. With the dry conditions the course was fast which was reflected in the scores. The leading players in the NSW SOOM, Ken Brewer, Geoff Cranfield and Stefan Albinski were drawn together and Cranfield advised he was injured and on pain killers. Beware of the sick golfer as Cranfield shot a two-under 69 to take the Medal from Warren Gorton (72) from Hawks Nest and SOOM leader Ken Brewer on 73.

The Over 65 went to Greg Stanford (74) and the net to local Hugh Wilson (67).

Cromer Seniors The season-ending Cromer Seniors saw Geoff Cranfield record another win in the NSW Senior Order of Merit. Cranfield has been playing great golf recently and he has won at his last three starts, Cranfield had a round of 72 to defeat Warren Horton (Hawks Nest) and Ken Brewer (Concord) by a single shot.

Nsw Senior Order of Merit Ken Brewer has won the NSW Senior Order of Merit for 2016. Brewer played exceptionally well during the season and finished with 4 wins. More importantly he had 16 top three places and he finished the season with 2025 points. Second place went to Long Reef member Geoff Cranfield who finished the season with a bang winning his last three starts. He had a season total of 5 wins and finished with 1900 points. Third place went to the defending champion Denis Dale of Twin Creeks who failed in his attempt to make it 10 wins in the event. Dale had a season total of 7 wins. Still, Dale was pleased to win the Over 65s medal. The Handicap section went to Bob Zelesco who zoomed home to snatch victory in the very last event. Zelesco won the Mollymook event and his overall consistent play gave him enough to edge out Graham Leake and William Warren and claim the prize. www.golfnsw.org

senior amateurs

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VIC Senior Order of Merit Champions 2016

Melton Valley Seniors

Mick Kaufman, now of Melton Valley won the Melton Valley Seniors by 3 shots with a fine 73 defeating Bachli leader Ian Frost (76). This also gave Kaufman the best nett score off his 4 handicap. The course was in good condition and it was a warm 27 degree day although the wind came up quite strongly after a few holes to make conditions difficult. The nett was also won by a local, Leo Strebs-Stelps. Playing in his first seniors event he won the nett with a score of 70 to defeat Rob Bride from Foster by a single stroke There was also a small women’s field where Bev Smith from Hepburn Springs won with 33 points, and Helen Pascoe won the scratch with 26 points.

Melbourne Senior Classic Mark Stanford from The National won the 2016 Melbourne Classic. Stanford opened with a 71 to establish a fiveshot lead over the field and with a fine76 at Woodlands held on to win by one shot over Gordon Claney (76,72). A further 5 shots back was Ian Frost in third place. Stanford’s great first round was emphasised by the quality of the field in his wake – one of the best of the year. The Nett event was taken out by Bill Estrada from Yallourn (Nett 74, 70) by three shots over Kelvin Steel from Eastern (74,73). There was also a small women’s field where Chiristine Greenhatch from Yarra Yarra won the event and Helen Pascoe won the scratch stableford.

Eureka Seniors Ken O’Brien from Rossdale won the inaugural Eureka Seniors played at Midlands and Buninyong Golf Clubs with rounds of 78, 73. He closed with a great 73 at Buninyong to beat local scratch marker Chris Tatt (75,76) on a countback with 2 shots further back to Ross Percy (75,78) from Cobram Barooga. The Nett event was taken out by Ballarat player Bob Cooper (Nett 72,68) off his 18 handicap to lead

The women’s event was won by local Vicki Johnstone with 64 points and Helen Pascoe won the scratch stableford with 53 points.

Moyne Senior Classic

Victorian Senior Order of Merit winners – Ian Frost and Gordon Claney. runner up Jim Llewellyn from Bellarine Lakes (72,68) by four shots. There was a good sized field of 16 Women with local Midlands player Jill Morrison winning with 66 stableford points. The scratch was taken out by local favourite Helen Pascoe with 66 points. The small field of 35 men enjoyed very good playing conditions on both days. The event will move to an April timeslot this year.

Warrnambool Seniors Greg O’Brien (75,80) from Commercial Albury won this year’s Warrnambool Seniors by two shots from fellow traveller David Robb (79,78) from Thurgoona. A further shot back was Guy Krall (80,78) from The National GC. In fine conditions on Day 1 O’Brien had a good round of 75 to lead the field by two shots with only four players breaking 80. Day 2 was an eventful round for O’Brien - he started with two double bogeys and was in big trouble when he had a 10 on the par-4 14th. Aside from these holes he played some excellent golf in cool, but fortunately dry, conditions to card an 80 and win by two shots. He also had the best nett score for the event off his handicap of 4. Gary House from Sanctuary Lakes won the nett event (72,76) by two shots over Greg Welsh from Colac (76,74) on a count back over Col Gardner from Melton Valley. House was one of only four players on day 1 to break 80 and had a solid 82 in the leading group to win the nett event.

Rob Wallace (77,77) from Midlands won the Moyne Senior Classic at Port Fairy by one shot over Greg Welsh (77,78) from Colac and Chris Tatt (76,79) from Midlands. In a closelyfought event a further three players were just another shot back. Wallace who started playing seniors mid last year has played many events this year and this was his first victory. The victory also raised him to 4th overall in the Bachli in his first full year. The Nett event was won by Greg Welsh off his 5 handicap, two shots ahead of Tony Hyde from Patterson River (71, 76). The women’s event was won by Sue Mahwhinney from Portsea with 66 points and Helen Pascoe won the scratch event with 58 points. The dinner on Thursday evening included the presentation of the women’s annual trophies - a successful and entertaining evening.

Victorian Order of Merit Winners 2016 Doug Bachli Trophy Ian Frost won his second successive Doug Bachli Trophy. It was another close battle between Frost and fellow Australian star Gordon Claney. 1 Ian Frost 2783 2 Gordon Claney 2638 3 Robert Wallace 2209 For the first time in five years there is a new name on the Paul Lulofs Trophy for the best nett performance throughout the year. Ken O’Brien won convincingly from Guy Krall and Greg Welsh and the winner for the last five years Ignatius Duivenvooden.

2016 Paul Lulofs Trophy 1 Ken O’Brien 2 Guy Krall 3 Greg Welsh

1708 1487 1378

Senior Order of Merit

The culmination of the 2016 senior golf season in South Australia was held at the magnificent Kooyonga club. There were 115 seniors at the end of season dinner to see the presentation of the senior order of merit trophies. This season saw ten events being played with further expansion on the cards for next year. The winner of the John Beaumont Trophy for seniors for the third consecutive year after another consistent season was Norm Cordina from Tea Tree Gully with Nigel Turner the runner-up from Blackwood. The Tony Mazzone Trophy for the super seniors was won by Chris Claxton with the runner-up being Tony Timmins from Kooyonga. This year saw the introduction of a

SA Order of Merit winners Chris Claxton and Norm Cordina. handicap trophy with Chris Claxton winning from Mt Barker’s Gordon Whittaker.

Senior Pennant Tea Tree Gully won the South Australian senior pennant for the 10th year running with a strong five-two victory over Grange GC at Kooyonga. On a beautiful Adelaide day with a good breeze blowing as always the Kooyonga course was presented in wonderful condition.

Tea Tree Gully Senior Pennant Team – winner of the pennant 10 years in a row. After being undefeated during the season the Tea Tree Gully team were never headed in the final although first blood went to Grange in the first match out with Rob Crawford going down to Kym Meyer. From there Tea Tree Gully won the next four matches to be decided with Mike Richards, Ken Brown, Marty Miller and John Davey winners to secure another pennant victory. The Plate, a team stableford event, played by all other fourteen clubs was won for the first time by the hosts, Kooyonga. www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

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golf new south wales

Golf NSW welcomes new Chairman

r Andrew Tharle has been elected Chairman of Golf NSW, replacing Mr John Robinson.

Mr Tharle has served as a Director of Golf NSW since 2013, chairing the Golf NSW Finance Committee for the past two years. He has been instrumental in strengthening the financial governance of the organisation during this time, allowing it to reinvest in the game across the State and for the body to meet its strategic objectives. Mr Tharle has been involved in the sport as a player, administrator, and junior mentor for over 25 years, and has served as a Director and Vice-Captain of Royal Canberra Golf Club.

Andrew Tharle

Top amateurs set for NSW Amateur Championships A host of the world’s leading amateur golfers will contest the 2017 Men’s and Women’s NSW Amateur Championships, with players likely to be competing from England, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Scotland and Ireland. This year will see some of Sydney’s finest courses host the event, with Terrey Hills Golf and Country Club and Killara Golf Club secured. The event is held over 5 days from Monday 30 January to Friday 3 February. The Men’s NSW Amateur Championship is the oldest major event conducted by Golf NSW having first been played in 1898. The list of former winners contains a who’s who of NSW and Australian Golf greats including the likes of Bruce Devlin, Jack Newton, Tony Gresham, Brett Ogle, Peter O’Malley, Michael Campbell and Brendan Jones. It is the first men’s state Championship of the year, one of the major national amateur tournaments, and is a National and World Ranking Event.

Like the men, the Women’s NSW Amateur Championship is steeped in tradition, having been first played in 1903 and the trophy bearing the names of Edwina Kennedy, Rachel Hetherington, Karrie Webb and Nikki Campbell. “This championship attracts the best amateur golfers in the state, both young and old, plus leading golfers from other states and internationally. With the final two players having played five grueling days of golf, it really is a test of skill, mental strength, and endurance”, remarked Graeme Phillipson, General Manager – Golf, Golf NSW. Plenty of interstate visitors are expected to be in town for the event, with representatives from Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania. Visitors have taken out both titles in recent years and the locals are determined to stop that trend.

Congratulations to the latest St Hallett Wines Hole-in-One Achievers: Trevor Cook, Michael Fox, Peter Garner, Luke Hannon, Matt Hughston, Michael Jackson, Misook Kim, Steven Loader, Phil McColl, Deborah Patch, Robert Procter, Jeff Prowse, Virendra Sharma, Colin Townsend, and Bill Wilkinson.

“I am looking forward to working with the committed staff of Golf NSW to fulfil the objectives of the organisation’s business plan, and to continue to grow the game of golf across our State,” Mr Tharle said. One of the goals of the incoming board of Golf NSW will be the appointment of a new advisory committee to help promote, market and develop the sport in the State as well as provide advice on future priorities for the organisation. “A key initiative of the incoming board will be the appointment of the new advisory committee, whose role will be to provide feedback to the board on the direction

of, and general development of the game across the State,” he said. Mr Tharle has spent over 20 years in public service in a range of management and executive positions with a focus on financial management. He has been a member of the Australian Society of CPA’s for 20 years and is a graduate member of the Institute of Company Directors. The 2015-2016 Golf NSW Directors are Michele Adair, Gemma Dooley, Meralyn Fage, Grant Harding, Peter Mitchell, John Robinson, Andrew Tharle, Les Wallace, and Darrell Watts.

GOLF NSW JANUARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS Golf NSW Events Date 16-17 Jan-17 30-Jan-3-Feb 30-Jan-3-Feb

Event Women's Summer Foursomes Men’s NSW Medal & Amateur Championship (National Ranking Event) Women’s NSW Stroke Play & Amateur Championship (National Ranking Event)

Venue Northbridge GC Terrey Hills G&CC / Killara GC Terrey Hills G&CC / Killara GC

Men’s Vardon Events Date 07-Jan-17 14-Jan-17 14-Jan-17 15-Jan-17 21-22 Jan-17 24-27 Jan-17 29-Jan-17

Event North Ryde Amateur South Coast Amateur Glenmore Cup The Great Lakes Open Lake Macquarie Amateur Championship Avondale Amateur Championship (National Ranking Event) The Lakes Medal

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

Women’s Jean Derrin Events Date 21-22 Jan 24-27 Jan

Event Lake Macquarie Amateur Championship Avondale Amateur Championship (National Ranking Event)

Venue Belmont GC Avondale GC

Men’s Senior Order of Merit Events Date 16-Jan 23-Jan 24-Jan 25-Jan 30-Jan

Event Forster-Tuncurry Seniors Lake Macquarie Seniors The Coast Seniors St. Michael's Seniors Wollongong Seniors

Venue Forster Tuncurry GC Belmont GC The Coast GC St. Michael's GC Wollongong GC

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

ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 2017 NSW AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS WHEN: WHERE:

January 30th – February 3rd, 2017 Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club and Killara Golf Club

ENTRIES CLOSE:

January 13th, 2017

HANDICAP LIMIT:

5.4 for Men and 14.4 for Women

For more information and to enter online, go to www.golfnsw.org/events

SUPPORTING PARTNERS 66

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

golf queensland

Pee Wee Pennants fun for all

Start swinging with iGolf

f you’re ready to step up from being a casual player, but you’re not quite ready to join a golf club, iGolf is the perfect pathway. Whether you’re burning to play competitively or you simply love playing the game, Golf Queensland’s iGolf program provides an easy introduction to playing competitively, whilst giving you the opportunity to meet like-minded golf lovers through access and invitations to exciting events. You’ll also get a chance to sample some of the benefits of membership at a selection of great golf clubs.

Golf is not just about sport! he Pee Wee Pennants Final took place in late November at the picturesque Indooroopilly Golf Club.

Pee Wee Pennants is a club versus club competition for juniors and it all wrapped up for 2016 with McLeod Golf Club crowned the champions. However, it was a win for all as teams from the 12 clubs across Brisbane each played with pride and enthusiasm each week while embracing the elements of 2 person ambrose matchplay over a modified 9-hole course layout. The Finals McLeod 20.5 vs Redcliffe 6.5 Pacific 18 vs Virginia 9 Indooroopilly 12.5 vs Keperra 14.5 Brisbane 15 vs Brookwater 12 Wynnum 14.5 vs Ashgrove 12.5 Oxley 15 vs Nudgee 12 Pee Wee Pennants has been such a success amongst the golfing community with 12 Brisbane based clubs participating, ensuring their juniors have the opportunity to play in the tournament. “It’s been a fantastic response from clubs, kids and families to Pee Wee Pennants. It just keeps growing year by year,” said Golf Queensland Participation Development Manager Adrian Hewat.

“The kids get to explore new courses, represent their club and meet new friends. Everyone has the opportunity to play, develop their skills and learn more about the game.” “Tremendous camaraderie and sportsmanship was on display and has been throughout the 2016 season,” Hewat said. “All teams, clubs, junior co-ordinators and parents should be commended for the excellent year of Pee Wee Pennants.”

It provides the community with opportunities to learn key core life skills including honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgement. The iGolf program is designed to do just that, engaging with the casual golfer and increasing participation of the wonderful sport throughout Queensland. The program provides a bridge for casual golfers by increasing the frequency of play, an easy start to competitive play.

If you’ve always wanted to play, but just never had the money, iGolf Queensland is a cost-effective pathway that keeps you involved in the sport even when your budget is a little bit stretched. The major driver for golfers actively participating in clubs these days is relaxation, health benefits, intrinsic satisfaction of play and opportunity for socialisation, with most of them more important than competition. As a virtual club, iGolf Queensland will increase casual golfer’s participation, improve their experience while encouraging an active healthy lifestyle and engaging with other like-minded golfers. No matter what age you are or your golfing ability, everyone can enjoy the game of golf and reap the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. For more information visit www.igolfqld.com.au

New app for junior golf in QLD Golf Queensland has recently unveiled an all-new app delivering all the best news and views that Junior Golf Queensland has on offer, all in the one place. Available for both iOS and Android, the Junior Golf Queensland app will be the junior golfers’ new best friend. The app features the latest news, events calendar, social media and membership information. It also allows for push notifications, meaning the young golfer will never miss out on any important information. Golf Queensland Participation Development Manager, Adrian Hewat said Junior Golf Queensland

was excited about embracing new technology to communicate with its members. “Our members will be able to access their membership profile and nominate for events with just one touch of a button,” Mr Hewat said. “The Junior Golf Queensland app will be a central hub for information pertaining to junior golf in Queensland and I encourage all members to download the app to their mobile devices.” The Junior Golf Queensland App is now available for download from the iTunes (iOS) or Google Play (Android) app stores.

NEW WEBSITE: Golf Queensland has launched a new-look website which aligns with the national body, Golf Australia. Check it out at www.golfqueensland.org.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

calendar

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Tri-State Masters prepares for Silver Anniversary CALENDAR >

JANUARY

he Shane Doherty Memorial Tri-State Masters Golf Tournament, held in the Mildura Region (Sunraysia) for the past 24 years will celebrate its Silver Anniversary this year, marking a momentous 25 years. The event will be held from the Sunday 21st to Friday 26th of May, 2017. The Tournament is named in honour of the founder and original tournament director, Shane Doherty.

Mercedes-Benz Duntryleague Classic When: January 14-17, 2017 Where: Duntryleaue, Orange, NSW Info: www.duntryleague.com.au/ annualtournaments.htm Enjoy three rounds of golf at Duntryleague’s Championship Golf Course as well as a welcome cocktail party, wine tasting and presentation dinner. Open to all male and female golfers with an official handicap. Over $7000 worth of prizes to be won. For more information please contact Duntryleague on 02 6362 3466 or golf@duntryleague.com.au

Over 6,350 people have converged on the Mildura Region over the past 24 years to participate in this festival of golf and social activities. The Tri-State Masters attracts people from all over Australia and New Zealand with no less than 292 different golf clubs being represented since 1993 The golf will be played at Riverside Golf Club on the Monday, Red Cliffs Golf Club on Wednesday and Coomealla Golf Club on Friday. There is also an optional 4BBB at Mildura Golf Resort on Tuesday and fourperson Ambrose at Coomealla Golf Club on Thursday. Optional social functions are conducted each night, giving the competitors and their partners the choice of relaxing at their leisure or socializing with old and new friends. This year, to celebrate the Silver Anniversary, there will be included in the optional social functions a Winemakers Dinner at Trentham Estate and also a Dinner Dance on the PV Mundoo whilst cruising on the magnificent Murray River. In 2016 golfers and non-playing partners representing over 84 different golf clubs converged on Mildura to compete for over $250,000 in “hole in one” prizes, trophies, teams prizes and door prizes that were on offer. Again this year there were two “holes in one” during the week of the tournament. The first at Coomealla Golf Club, where David

FEBRUARY

2017 BARRENJOEY WEEK OF GOLF

Players at the upcoming Tri State Masters will be looking to emulate Jenny Stephenson and David Bath from last year, who each scored Aces, and $10k in prizes/cash Bath from Kyneton Golf Club won $10,000 cash courtesy of Tankard Dental; and the second, again, the 7th hole at Coomealla Golf Club, where Jenny Stephenson from Broken Hill Golf Club won a Yamaha Golf Cart valued at $10,000. This follows on from two aces in 2015 when a Harley Davidson XG500 Street bike and a Honda Jazz car were the prizes. Prior to 2015 and 2016, in the previous 22 years of the event, there had only been 7 aces and none since 2007. The Tri-State Masters targets mid-range club golfers who are looking for a golf holiday in which they can combine golf and

Enjoy the hit in Arnie’s footsteps T

he great Arnold Palmer left an indelible stamp on the world of golf. To many, he was not only an icon of the game, but the pure embodiment of golf. In essence, he was The King.

can replace him. I went through his records and immediately had the idea to put together a tour celebrating his greatest victories and the place which was his home and will be his home forever, Latrobe in Pennsylvania.”

“I was 19 years old when I played my first major event on the PGA Tour in Melbourne” says Tim Ireland, member of the Australian PGA for 49 years. “I didn’t sleep the night before once I realised I would play against the King. I still remember the feeling as if it was yesterday, what an honour for a rookie, simply unforgettable.” Palmer’s recent death was devastating to the golf world. In its wake, however, rose a variety of events and tributes.

Now, you can celebrate Arnie’s life by being one of 24 golfers joining The Ultimate Golf Challenge on a 13-day “Arnold Palmer Memorial Tour” in May 2017, playing six of the most important courses in his life: Riviera CC in Los Angeles, Cherry Hills CC, Denver (where he won his only U.S. Open title), Bay Hill GC, Florida, Palmer PGA West and Bermuda Dunes in Palm Springs and, of course, Latrobe GC, Arnie’s home course.

“September 25 was a sad day waking up to the news that the King had died. Golf will never be the same, nobody

For more information and detailed itinerary please visit www.enjoythehit.com

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

social interaction with other like-minded golfers from all over Australia and New Zealand. The trophies and prizes on offer are arguably the best in any amateur golf tournament in Australia. The tournament is still six months away and after the two aces in the 2016 event and the 25th Silver Anniversary Celebration, the indication is many of the past players are set to return and with the number of enquiries already regarding 2017, it would appear that the Tournament is likely to be fully booked. Contact Kym Doherty on 0408310532 or email golf@sunraysiagolftours.com.au •

WHEN: 13 to 17 February 2017 WHERE: Northern Beaches - Bayview, Cromer, Long Reef, Manly, Mona Vale, Monash and Wakehurst Barrenjoey Peninsula Week of Golf 2017 turns 35 this year. It is an exciting and unique ladies golf tournament, and one of the largest amateur women’s golfing tournaments in the Southern Hemisphere. Women with a current Australian or Overseas Golf Handicap, can play at seven stunning Northern Beaches golf courses. The format begins on Monday and Tuesday with individual stroke for Divisions 1 & 2 and stableford for Division 3. On Thursday the Foursomes are held in four divisions. On the final day, Friday a four person Best Ball v Par event, with shotgun start, completes the tournament. Players can nominate to play on all four days or play in 1, 2 or 3 events. Entries online are - Any 3 or 4 days $90 (postal $100), any 1 or 2 days $60 (postal $70). Entries close on 11 January 2017. Full event details are available at www.barrenjoeyweekofgolf.com

Handiskins

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

UPCOMING HANDISKINS EVENTS: Everglades Country Club Dunban Road, Woy Woy NSW 2256 1st Qualifying Round 18th January 2017 2nd Qualifying Round 25th January 2017 3rd Qualifying Round 1st February 2017 4th Qualifying Round 8th February 2017 5th Qualifying Round 15th February 2017 Final 1st March 2017

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19th hole

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Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

s you are probably aware, “The Larrys” have been awarded to some seriously significant golfing luminaries since they were created all those years ago. “Just how long ago?” I hear you ask. “Damn fine question”, I hear me say. They actually date back to 1497 when my ancestor “Prince Larry the Impaler” used to cut the heads off his vanquished enemies and belt them around the castle with a branch from a tree. Although the facts are a little sketchy, some historians believe the big guy created the first weekly competitions between all the local conquerors. As you can imagine, unless you wanted to have your melon belted across the field in the following Saturday’s Monthly Medal, you’d let the Prince win. For the rest of the field, there was, of course, the “head run-down” allocated at the presentations. (... “And the last head on a countback goes to Ivan the Slicer with 35 points”). The Impaler ended the season with his annual awards, which he again dominated, so from humble beginnings, arose one of Golf’s most respected awards ….. “The Larrys”. First award for 2016 goes to the Player with the biggest display of Asthma coming down the stretch. Nominees are: Lee Westwood, picked as a “Wild Card” for the Ryder Cup by his good mate Darren Clarke but, unfortunately, took the term “Wild” literally. There are 50 states in the USA and Lee’s golf ball landed in at least 30 of them that week. Another crowd favourite, Ernie Els, has made

some clutch putts over his career but the clutch pedal had worn out as he nudged his 6th putt into the edge of the hole on the first green at Augusta. Both worthy nominees, but the winner of “The Larry” is Jordan Spieth! Usually Spiethy has nerves of titanium but on Sunday at Augusta he was seen unexpectedly reaching for the Ventolin. With a two- shot lead Spiethy pushed his iron shot into the water on the 12th. OK, that’s not the first time this evil little hole has done that to a leader but it was the resulting chunked pitch shot, which removed most of the drop zone that stunned the world. A conversation I had down at Mittagong Green Grocery with the owner, Russell Sprout, reminded me of one my favourite award categories – The “Larry” for the funkiest name. If it hadn’t been for some extraordinarily bad breaks over the entire season, Ireland’s Daniel Rawluk could have easily won on the European Challenge Tour this year. One player on the Korean LPGA tour had a simple answer as to why she had such a disappointing year. “I was trying to play more aggressive golf but when I attempted to put the foot down nothing happened” explained Ka In Park. This year’s winner was India’s Shankar Das who recently had a good finish in the New Delhi Open. It could have been a lot better had it not been for a bad finish. Shankar left himself with a wedge shot to the final green off a side hill lie. He had to take an unplayable. I’ve created a new “Larry” for 2016, (my wife Sandra will be beside herself with excitement). It’s awarded to the person whom I most enjoyed watching win a major. There were some serious contenders for

this puppy including Jimmy Walker whose ball striking totally deserves to be endowed with his first major. The tall Yank has been easily the most underrated and for that matter, understated competitor on the U.S. PGA Tour for the past 3 or 4 years. He’s quiet, unassuming and is completely void of any angry spurts. This makes him about as interesting as me taking a drop out of GUR. Henrik Stenson has had an extraordinary career but up until July 2016, didn’t have a major trophy on his Swedish mantelpiece. That all changed at Royal Troon, in style! Dustin Johnson apparently has more talent than Bolt, Bradman, Jordan, Ali and my Dad, Arthur Canning. I’m basing Arthur’s inclusion on this list on what he tells us every Christmas when he has his largest and most receptive audience. Dusty’s U.S. Open win has been coming since he burst onto the scene in the same event at Pebble Beach in 2010. The winner of “The Larry” goes to Danny Willett for showing some extremely large Srixon Z Stars by defeating the best in the game over four long days at Augusta. The most disrespective and ignorant pieces of journalism I’ve read was by a jerk named Evan Hilbert and it was published by CBS Sports. This wanker came up with “The worst Golfers to win a major”. I’m not going to acknowledge this bloke’s work by naming any of the champions on his list but I suspect Danny may become fodder for his next piece of…. “poo”. As a proud Aussie I love an underdog and anyone who can survive 72 holes of gut-wrenching, life-changing pressure, while being watched by 50 million TV viewers has deserved his Major! Finally, I mentioned my Dad earlier…. Well, behind every great Arthur there is a Madge and this special pair are about to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary! That’s worth a “Larry” don’t you think?

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

with David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

1. Which leading Australian professional retired from tournament golf during the Australian Open due to a hip problem? (2 pts) 2. Curtis Strange won two of the same majors. Was it the Masters, U.S. Open, The Open or PGA Championship? (3 pts) 3. May spectators and fellow competitors assist a player in removing a large loose impediment? (1 pt) 4. Who won the European Tour’s Race to Dubai? (3 pts) 5. Who said, “I’ve been down six before, but I’ve never been six down and won.” Was it Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els or Nick Faldo? (2 pts) 6. Where was former world number one Nick Price born? (2 pts) 7. Who has the most career earnings on the European Tour? Is it Ernie Els, Rory McIlroy, Lee Westwood or Colin Montgomerie? (3 pts) 8. Can you solve the following anagram – Monarchs item? Clue: He tied second at the 2016 Australian Open. (3 pts) 9. What nationality is European Tour player Alexander Levy? (3 pts) ANSWERS: (1). Peter Senior; (2). U.S. Open; (3). Yes; (4). Henrik Stenson; (5). Tiger Woods after winning the 1994 U.S. Amateur; (6). South Africa; (7). Lee Westwood; (8). Cameron Smith; (9) French.

The Larrys for 2016

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January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

19th hole

www.insidegolf.com.au/19thhole

Gangster Al fires up on course DID you know American gangster Al Capone shot himself while playing golf?

It’s questionable, but perhaps he was a better gangster than he was a golfer.

In 1928, he was playing golf at the Burnham Woods Golf Club near Chicago, when a gun he kept in his golf bag for protection went off, wounding Scarface in the foot.

This snippet of trivia was printed in a book titled “Golf? Great Moments and Dubious Achievements in Golf History” written by Floyd Connor.

Crossword > 1

In truth, Bill’s drive went a full 48 meters INTO the bin.

Bill Nichols was playing his usual Monday round of skins with his mates in the Stableford comp at Ocean Shores Country Club when a most unusual thing happened.

Bill, a 29-marker, extracted his ball, and teed it up again with a penalty. He proceeded to score a 6 on the hole for a Nett Par, winning the skin!

Playing off the white tees, the foursome arrived at the 10th, with the skins all squared away. His three partners got their tee shots off fairly successfully, before Bill teed it up and slammed his drive. “Did you see that?”, playing partner Michael said. “I think it hit the bin!”

Adam’s made it IT has been a long time in the waiting but success has finally come to our favourite Queensland golfing son Adam Scott. Don’t think about all those tournaments he has won around the world. This is serious.

IG Editor hits hot streak It seems that Inside Golf editor, Richard Fellner, hit a bit of a purple patch recently. Following his noted Australian Golf Media Award for “Best Opinion” in his Page 5 column (see story on our website), Fellner replicated his winning form on the golf course the following week, capturing the Don Lawrence Trophy a t t h e AG MA’s a n n u a l G o l f Wr i t e r s Championship. Played at the Greg Normandesigned Sanctuary Lakes Golf Course, Fellner played a solid round amid some difficult conditions on the back-9 (excessive heat, followed by rain and wind from the now-famous “Thunderstorm Asthma” event that struck Victoria), Runner-up was Golf Australia Editor and AGWA Captain Brendan James. The Darrell Fazio Trophy for the best Stableford score on the day was won by AGWA Vice President Martin Blake, pipping AGWA Secretary George Begg by a shot. “It’s a massive honour to win this illustrious trophy,” Fellner said. “And while Mother Nature made it tough out there, the Sanctuary Lakes course was an absolute treat, and it was in top condition. I really love the course, and rate it very highly among Melbourne’s better layouts.”

Regaling the feat, and mentioning that it was Bill’s first and only ‘hole in one’, club legend Eddie Pittendrigh’s reply was “that hole in one was sheer garbage!” An interesting postscript to the story: On the previous Saturday, member Steve Bravington, playing from the blue tees, also dunked his tee shot into the bin. These men sure know how to make a tough hole even more difficult! In a recent Sunday Mail BIG CROSSWORD he was 32 across – Australia’s first winner of the U.S. Masters. Adam … (5). Without him, you couldn’t have got 24, 25, 33 and 34 down. Now he’s working out how to get half the prizemoney. Don’t it make you proud?

Good shot? Rubbish!

12 13

15 16

21 23

24 25

ACROSS

DOWN

1 Public notice (7)

1 Aussie winner of the 2016 Shriners Hospital for Children Open, Rod ________ (8)

5 Winner of the 2016 RBC Heritage event, _______ Grace (7) 9 Australian who won the 1997 US Senior Open, Graham _____ (5) 10 Describing bronzed Aussies like Greg Norman (9) 11 Part of a clubhouse set aside for changing (6,4)

2 Nationality of golfer Ernie Els, South _______ (7) 3 Golfer who tied for second at the 2016 Australian Open (6,4) 4 2017 February event on the European Tour, Dubai ______ Classic (6) 5 Pick up a ball, for example (4,4)

12 Implement used to keep a bunker in good order (4)

6 Winner of the 2016 NSW Open, ____ Blyth (4)

14 Hole that comes just before the turn (5)

7 Country that won The World Cup of Golf in 2016 (7)

15 Swede who tied for second at the 2016 WGC-HSBC Champions tournament, ______ Stenson (6) 18 Winner of the 2014 Australian Masters, Nick ______ (6) 19 A deep murmur uttered in derision, disapproval, etc. (5) 23 A well-known or notable person (4) 24 Second place-getter at the 2008 British Open Championship (3,7) 26 Great hit down the fairway, maybe by a computer expert (4,5) 27 Who has shot a round of 57 on the PGA Tour? (2-3) 28 Open and genuine (7) 29 Gets firmer, like the greens during a dry, windy tournament, perhaps (7)

8 Moved slightly (6) 13 NZ golfer who won the Australian PGA Championship in 1999 (4,6) 16 Punish by adding a shot to a player’s score (8) 17 Devices used by those looking for submerged golf balls, perhaps (8) 18 Golfer who tied for second at the 2016 Australian Open, _______ Smith (7) 20 Upshot (7) 21 Short distance described by American golf commentators (6) 22 US golfer who won the 2016 Australian Open, Jordan _____ (6) 25 Fringe (4) Answers: page 75 www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

your voice

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This month’s winner!

Ready “fore!” golf

This month’s Prize: Two Dozen Volvik golf balls

I enjoyed the ‘Ready Golf’ article in the December issue.

Equality in golf – let’s grow the game not retard its progress Regarding your article on Gender Equality (Starters Box, December) it is inconceivable that in the 21st Century there are many golf clubs who openly discriminate against members. Much of discrimination is against women members who, for the wrong reasons, are alienated and are not treated appropriately, fairly or with respect. Then there are a few male members who think they are discriminated against because they cannot play on a morning which many clubs provide for their weekly women’s events. I know at my club Men are most welcome to play on that day but choose not to. That is their right and it is also the right of the women to arrange competitions. It is my observation that women are extremely active in ensuring women members are provided with a great variety of events, competitions and special social activities. They are indeed a very active and an extraordinarily important part of any golf club. Our sport is in deep trouble due to the lack of numbers and here we are as an industry discriminating against golfers based on gender, just unbelievable! What our sport needs is more players—a million more playing today would solve a great deal of problems—and being discriminative is just going to retard the growth. Federal and state golfing bodies and golf clubs have for many years spent millions on marketing the game to attract more players but many clubs continue to play the ‘male versus female’ card which is so terribly wrong and very damaging to our sport. We as a sport, due to our many draconian rules and regulations as a game and as a club, are unable to move forward to be an inclusive sport that is often identified by which Colour Tee we play off or what restrictions we place upon our different levels of Membership. Membership should be identified by category of membership, that is 4, 5, 6 or 7-Day membership or whatever categories clubs have, but it should never be based on gender. As an industry, we must remember that there are more women in Australia than there are men, so what are we doing by openly discriminating against women? I would also like to mention another gender issue that also contributes to our lack of growth and that is to move away from gender bias by removing the “colour of the tee” mentality. This will provide our total Membership the opportunity to play off whichever tee they decide to play as all tees are rated, or should be, so golfers of all standards can be appropriately handicapped and therefore able to enter competitions. The changing of this thinking also allows for those new to the game to play off a tee that is more appropriate to their skill level and provides the improving player the option to play off the longer course as their skills improve and participate in weekly club events. So, if you decide to play the longest course available on the day or the shortest, or any in between, then that is your choice. I am sure some of these ideas and others that have been and will be generated by your readership will only provide our so-called industry experts sitting in Golf Australia and State association boardrooms, some serious food for thought. Let us have less discrimination and therefore more people playing golf and this will help golf move away from being a sport that is seen and thought of as a game supporting inequality. Graeme Mathers

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.) 72

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Have you got something to say? Then tell us!

I have a pet hate: when playing partners walk ahead too fast and then are in your line of sight. They claim to speed up play. It does a couple of negative things: a. It slows you down waiting for him/her to get out of the way, b. Usually ruins your shot because you try to keep an eye on him/ her so it wastes time playing again, c. They become a candidate to be hit, especially if you’re a high handicapper, and d. When they play a bad shot and ask you where the ball landed...how would I know if you’re so far ahead? Another pet hate is marking your ball after your first putt, even though you can putt out without standing on anyone’s line. Arghhh! Andrew Papadopoulos

A weak Open week

Clubs must change with the times

Being an avid reader of your magazine I fully agree that most Golf Clubs of today are totally different to those of years gone by. Previously Golf Clubs were thought of as elitist and for the wealthy only. These days the club situation is totally different in areas other than most cities. The club of today must cater for all situations. My suggestion to these clubs is fairly simple. 1 The club must have a five-year plan; that is financial, course etc. 2 The board members should be elected for at least a three-year term to give continuity. 3 A brainstorming meeting of selected members be held at least every year to look at ways of improving all facets of the club.

The Australian Open deserves far better than this. Past winners of the Stonehaven Cup, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Greg Norman, et al, must be looking askance at this year’s entrants to the tournament. There are tournaments in Asia on the secondary tours offering more prize money than the Australian Open.

Barry Cooper

The Web.com tour in the USA also promote their tournaments with almost equal prize money on their secondary tour. Golf Australia should be marketing Australia as a golfing destination with the unbelievable opportunity to showcase this magnificent country to entice the best golfers in the world to come and play...and bring their families. Have we not got some of the best golf courses in the world in Australia? The sandbelt in Victoria, picturesque Tasmania, Gold Coast etc. Coming into winter in the Northern Hemisphere, what a perfect time to experience summer sunshine in the Southern Hemisphere.

The loyal golfing fans and the Grand Old Lady of professional golf, The Australian Open deserves better.

www.twitter.com/insidegolf

In reference to your call (December Letters) for concurrent victories “across the globe”... in 1995 when Steve Elkington won the USPGA Championship, on the Saturday of that event his brother Robert and father Ross won the A and B Grade Monthly Medals at Port Kembla Golf Club. A pretty good family effort! Brian White

Shame, shame, shame on the board members of Golf Australia currently responsible for the weakest field participating in our national open at Royal Sydney Golf Club. A total prize pool of $1,250,000 with a winner’s cheque of $225,000.00 is embarrassing to say the least. Watching the tournament, all I saw were golfers past their prime, some amateurs, and just two noted players in Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth.

Is it not possible for each of the six states of Australia to release $1,000,000 to sponsor this icon of sport?

www.facebook.com/insidegolf

Golfing History, Part II

What a wasted opportunity to pump up and promote Australian golf and Australia to the world. Chuck Gard

4 Quarterly reports to be provided to members so they can feel involved in their club. 5 If a member (i.e. male, female, junior) has an issue that they be encouraged to contact the club (preferably in writing) to have it resolved. These are just a few items that I feel will help a club deal with ever changing situations.

Foxtel, don’t tell!

Don’t you hate it when you are watching a program and they tell the result of an event you have recorded and were going to watch later as if live? This is in particular regard to Foxtel TV golf. My wife and I like to record the USPGA, European Tour, USLPGA, PGA Seniors and even the Web.com events. We rarely watch the whole five hours but we get engrossed in the final-round back-9 or last five or six holes as the excitement builds. But invariably on the replay they flash the results of other events. This means knowing who wins, and takes most of the suspense out of it; like telling you the end of a movie at the start. Perhaps they could warn us the results are coming on and then don’t comment or give us a chance to change channels. But they’ve got our money so who cares? While on Foxtel, the idiotic promotion for the new Cameron Daddo Golf Show must make watchers think golfers are morons, as they thrash around in the bushes like an unbalanced helicopter or bash a sixinch putt 50 yards away. With the stupid promotion, Daddo and no Ogle, we don’t watch it any more. Tony McManus

demo dates TAYLORMADE Location

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New South Wales/ACT Wenty Golf Club (Bathurt Golf Range) † * Tuesday Bathurst Golf Club (Bathurt Golf Range) † * Tuesday Bankstown Golf Club † * Wednesday Charlestown Golf Club † * Thursday Cumberland Golf Club † * Friday Kilara Golf Club † * Friday Thornleigh Golf Centre † * Thursday Golf Paradise Driving Range † * Wednesday Monash Country Club † * Thursday Oatlands Golf Club † * Monday Queensland Oxley Golf Club † * Wednesday Golf Central † * Saturday Royal Queensland Golf Club † * ** Thursday Indooroopilly Golf Club † * ** Friday Wantima Golf Club † * Wednesday Pacific Golf Club † * Saturday Drummond Golf Underwood † * Thursday Victoria Park » Friday Parkwood Golf Club † * Wednesday Maroochy River Golf Club † * Saturday Brookwater Golf Club † * Thursday Victoria Friday Northern Golf Club † * ** Settler Run Country Club † * ** Saturday Yarra Yarra Golf Club † * ** Wednesday Victoria Golf Club † * ** Thursday Heidelberg Golf Club † * ** Friday Woodlands Golf Club † * ** Saturday Gisborne Golf Club † * ** Tuesday Eastern Golf Club † * ** Wednesday Ballarat Driving Range † * Thursday Patterson River Golf Club † * ** Friday Rossdale Golf Club † * ** Saturday Kew Golf Club † * ** Wednesday Queens Park Golf Club † * ** Thursday Western Australia Friday Lakelands Country Club † * ** Carramar Golf Club † * ** Saturday

Date Time

January 10 January 10 January 11 January 12 January 13 January 17 January 19 January 25 January 26 January 30

10am - 4pm 12 - 4pm 12 - 5pm 2 - 5pm 12 - 5pm 12.30 - 5pm 3 - 7pm 3 - 7pm 10am - 3pm 1 - 5pm

January 11 January 12 January 13 January 18 January 19 January 20 January 21 January 24 January 25 January 27 January 28

10am - 1pm 9am - 5pm 12 - 5pm 9am - 2pm 1 - 4pm 10am - 1pm 9am - 1pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 3 - 6pm 1 - 5pm 9am - 1pm

January 06 January 07 January 11 January 12 January 13 January 14 January 17 January 18 January 19 January 20 January 21 January 25 January 26

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

January 20 January 21

2 - 5pm 9am - 1pm

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Day Date Time

Queensland January 18 Cairns Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday Victoria Park Driving Range ° * Tuesday January 24 Pelican Waters Golf Club ◊ * Wednesday January 25 Maroochy River ° * Friday January 27 January 30 Palm Meadows ° Friday

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8am - 12pm 5 - 7.30pm 9.30 - 12.30pm 12 - 5pm 1 - 5pm

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New South Wales / ACT Parkes Golf Club √ ** Young Golf Club √ ** Cootamundra Country Club √ ** Tumut √ ** Queensland Windaroo Lakes Golf Club ≠ ** South Australia Mt Osmond Golf Club √ ** Victor Habrour Golf Club √ ** Victoria The Dunes Golf Club √ Craigeburn Golf Club √ Tocumwal Golf Club √ ** Western Australia Maylands Golf Club √ Collier Park Golf Club √

COBRA PUMA Location

Victoria Gisborne Golf Club Heidleberg Golf Club Queensland Victoria Park Golf Complex Palm Meadows GC Western Australia Sanctuary Golf Resort Busselton Golf Club

Day

Date Time

Monday Wednesday Thursday Thursday

January 09 January 11 January 12 January 12

Wednesday

January 11 2.30 - 5.30pm

Wednesday Wednesday

January 19 2 - 6pm January 20 11am - 3pm

Monday Tueesday Wednesday

January 04 10am - 2pm January 10 12 - 4pm January 11 10am - 2pm

Wednesday Friday

January 11 2 - 5pm January 13 12 - 4pm

1 - 6pm 11am - 3pm 9am - 11pm 12 - 3pm

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Day Date Time

Thursday Friday

January 19 January 20

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Tuesday Friday

January 24 January 27

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January 18 January 19

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

What’s the Rule? Rule 22: Ball assisting

or interfering with play

ule 22 tells us how to proceed when one player’s ball might help or hurt the play of another player.

A golf course is a big place, but still it sometimes happens that one ball gets in the way of another (or is in a position to help it). Rule 22-1 entitles a player to lift his own ball or have any ball lifted if he believes that it might assist any other player. This may be done anywhere on the course, including in hazards. However, it may not be done while another ball is in motion. In forms of stroke play (including Par & Stableford), a player required to lift his ball may play first rather than lift it. In order to appreciate Rule 22-1 completely we have to recognise the fundamental difference between Match Play and Stroke Play. In match play, only the player and his opponent are involved but in stroke play, every competitor in the field has an interest in the results of every other competitor’s play. To elaborate further, it is obvious that in match play the player, being present, can protect his interests whenever they may be jeopardised by any of his opponent’s actions. However, in stroke play, since the other competitors in the field cannot be present to protect their rights, it is essential that the Rules serve instead to safeguard their interests. It would be difficult or impossible to draft a Rule which would establish without doubt when or if a player’s ball lying near a hole provided assistance to another player in stroke play.

Therefore Rule 22-1 does not penalise the owner of the ball lying in a position to offer possible assistance, and does not penalise the player gaining advantage from a ball offering possible assistance UNLESS another competitor or member of the Committee considers that the ball assists the play of another player and requests that the ball be lifted. Also, if the Committee determines that players have agreed to leave a ball in position to assist any player the players involved are subject to disqualification. So, if another player’s ball lies near the hole in position to act as a backstop and assist your play, and the other player asks if you want it marked or left, you should insist that it be marked and lifted. If you agree to leave it there you would be in breach of Rule 22 and subject to the disqualification penalty. All things considered, in Stroke, Stableford and Par competitions, should a ball lie near the hole in a position to serve as a backstop for any player chipping or putting from just off the green, the other players present have a duty or obligation to all other competitors in the field to have the offending ball lifted. If a player says he will lift his ball because it might help another player, (or if he is requested to lift it by another player or Committee member) the second player is obligated to let him do it. If the second player hits his shot without giving the first player a chance to mark it, he is disqualified under Rule 3-4 for failure to comply with a Rule. If two players agree to exclude the operation of Rule 22-1 by agreeing not to lift a ball that might

assist, both should be disqualified under Rule 22 or Rule 1-3 for agreeing to waive a Rule. On the other hand, Rule 22-2 entitles a player to have any other ball lifted if he thinks the other ball might interfere with his play. Again, this may be done anywhere on the course, including in hazards, but it may not be done while another ball is in motion. In stroke play, a player required to lift his ball may play first rather than lift it. A close reading of Rule 22-2 shows that, except on a putting green, a player is not permitted to lift his ball because he thinks it might interfere with the play of another player - that’s a decision solely up to the other player. If you pick up the ball in a case when your opponent doesn’t think it interferes, you incur a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2 in either match play or stroke play for lifting your ball except as permitted by a Rule – see note 1 at the end of Rule 22-2. Rule 22 also applies to ball-markers that might assist or interfere with play. A player is entitled to move his ball-marker if he thinks it might assist another player and the other player may not insist on its being left where it is. And, of course, a player may require another player to move his ball-marker if he thinks it will interfere, and the other player must comply – see Decision 20-1/11. As this is one of the few Rules that permits the player some latitude in deciding whether to lift his ball or require another player to lift, the player is not permitted to clean the ball when lifted under Rule 22, except on the putting green. Therefore, it is a good idea to

be careful if the ball has mud on it because accidental cleaning is penalised the same as intentional cleaning. When Rule 22 says that you may have any ball lifted if you think it might interfere with your play, it means any kind of interference. So, if another ball isn’t in your line but is a distraction, you may ask for the ball to be lifted due to mental interference (Decision 22/1). This is different from an immovable obstruction or abnormal ground condition. In those cases, you are not allowed to take relief due to mental interference. (An example would be if your ball is very close to a sprinkler head that does not interfere with your swing.) Rule 22 also allows some latitude in terms of distance. Decision 22/2 states that you may have a ball lifted even if it is 30 yards away. However, Decision 22/3 protects the integrity of this Rule. If a player asks that a ball be lifted when there is no reasonable possibility it might interfere or assist, the committee in charge of the competition has the authority to penalise the player for undue delay under Rule 6-7. Finally, don’t forget that since a ball lifted under this Rule must be replaced, it must always be marked before it is lifted (Rule 20-1). www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

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Issue 138 www.iNsid // JANUARY egolf.com 2017 .AU

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KEEP UP WITH US ONLINE!

Catch the latest golf news online: www.insidegolf.com.au.

http://goo.gl/ZAXaFD 74

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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

For advertising call 1300 465 300

golf directory

GOLF CLOTHING FACTORY OUTLET PRESENT THIS ADVERT AND

SPEND $200 for $40 DOLLARS Off or SPEND $400 for $100 DOLLARS Off Valid till 28 february 2017

NEW ARRIVALS

- Nancy Lopez - Jo fit - Greg Norman - Dwyers Shorts - Sporte

UP TO 70% Off RRP* Tops Brands include: Calvin Klein Golf – Green Lamb – Dwyers & Co Cross – Hollas – Greg Norman – Nancy Lopez Callaway – Travis Mathew & more With a large and changing range of Men’s & Women’s Golf Polos, Pants, Shorts, Skirts, Skorts, Capris, Knitwear, Wet Weather gear & accessories etc you are sure to find something to enhance your game!

INSTORE SHOPPING ONLY

Trading 7 days a week ~ Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm, Closed Public Holidays

176 BOUNDARY ROAD, BRAESIDE VIC 3195 | (03) 9588 1779

www.golfclothingfactoryoutlet.com.au

QUALITY GOLF CLOTHING AT BARGAIN PRICES Need new batteries?

IS YOUR GOLF CART SLOWING DOWN?

OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCREASE THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERIES?

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

Want to triple the life of your good batteries? Increase the life of your batteries by up to three times by eliminating the main reasons the batteries fail, SULPHATION. If you eliminate the main reason your batteries fail, it must increase the life of your batteries. 30 DAY SATISFACTION GUARANTEE OR YOUR MONEY BACK Patent # 7374839

InsideGolf

AustrAliA’s Most reAd Golf MAGAzine

If your golf club needs more copIes of AustrAlIA’s most reAd golf mAgAzIne then pleAse cAll InsIde golf on 1300 465 300

www.insidegolf.com.au Saturday Golf & Breakfast Online Special Tee off on our South Course between 6.20 & 7.30am on a Saturday for 13 holes golf & then relax in our air conditioned club house with a

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

Bacon & Egg Burger & Hot Drink

$30 per player

For more information, pricing and to order

Phone 1300 852 433 or visit our website

www.batteryreviver.com.au

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.

Offers only available online. Visit our bookings site

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

Crossword Answers

C I A N A M C E H A R E O S I N

C A S S H L K E Y T H A U L L E E D D G C E

R D B R A E E D S U N T A E D M R R O O M T V G H E N R P R E L E N G N S T I A N P O U L I R R I V E N S T E R E H A R

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

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

$485

P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

4 Rounds of golf + Carts Breakfast each day FROM

L A F A R I O C A I N

FROM

P A M P L I N G

$555

P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

golf directory

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

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

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

BEERWAH GOLF CLUB All golfers stay for

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

At the base of the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains…

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

*SPECIAL*

4 nights accommodation with cooked breakfast (twin share), 4 games golf/carts, (playing Horizons, Nelson Bay, Muree and Tanilba Bay) All for $400 per person

Other packages available upOn request

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

More social playing times now on a Monday & Thursday

(Wed, Sat & Sun)

For reservations or additional information call Christine or Mike on

47 Meredith Ave, Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319 Email: lemontreepassagemotel@idl.net.au

admin@beerwahgolfclub.com.au www.beerwahgolfclub.com.au

Phone (02) 4982 3300

www.lemontreemotel.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

Biondi Crescent, Beerwah (only 20 minutes from the Coast)

Clearwater Noosa 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 The R&A has ruled - more accurate shots that these clubs - greater success = more enjoyment conform to the rules of golf IT’S TIME TO START ENJOYING YOUR GOLF MORE

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

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 76

Visitors pay only $25 to play in our competitions

January 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 465 300

Some conditions apply

golf directory

3 Great Courses and a Great Place to Stay in Orange

Golf & Accommodation from only $70 per day

The Original Golf Package Specialist in Orange 2 Night Accommodation and 2 Rounds of Golf (Duntryleague and Wentworth)

Port Stephens Golfing Holidays

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.

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

www.facebook.com/golfpsgh

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

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

AcRoss fRom thE 3Rd, sAlE Golf club

“The Castle” MELVIEW GREENS

$670,000

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

Packages

To suit your individual needs

18 HOLES

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

p/person

1 NiGHt PACKAGE DEALs

125

p/person

To book accomm call 02 6680 2222

Real Estate

• 1 night’s accommodation in twin share or double room

sale.eldersrealestate.com.au property ID 666584

Tracey Wrigglesworth 0427 444 044

• Continental Breakfast • 18 holes of Golf with shared electric cart at Ocean Shores Golf Club

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

32*

Visitors

*Conditions apply

If your golf club needs more copIes of AustrAlIA’s most reAd golf mAgAzIne then pleAse cAll InsIde golf on

Summer Special FREE CART

at Cobram-Barooga Only *Conditions apply THE CART OFFER AVAILABLE: 1st December - 23rd December & 10th January - 17th February

1300 465 300

www.insidegolf.com.au For advertising call 1300 465 300

www.insidegolf.com.au | January 2017

www.golfskatecaddy.com.au 1300 55 69 79

Barnwell Park GC have just taken delivery of their new fleet of GSC! Call the Pro shop (02) 9713 9019

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

Callaway Graphite XR Irons

Moderate Swing Speed Tour Balls

5 - PW (6) Regular Flex Graphite Right or Left Hand

Urethane Cover Superceded Bridgestone B330 RX or RXS or TaylorMade Project (a)

2015 Model

$660

Nike NDX Turbo Balls

$33 DOZEN

Callaway Hybrids XR - 2015 5 - 25º Regular 3 - 19º Regular + Stiff

3 Dozen for

$42

Left Hand 3 - 19º Regular

$189 Includes Cover

Left Hand Only Specials Callaway XR Irons 4 - SW (8) Regular Steel Cleveland Smart Square Putter + Cover Callaway X-Hot 19° - 5 Wood Regular + Cover Ping G30 19° - 3 Hybrid Regular + Cover Callaway XR Irons 5 - PW (6) Regular Graphite Cleveland CG - 16 Wedges 54°, 56° & 58° Loft Callaway Mack Daddy 2 Forged 60° Lob Wedge

$649 SET $79 $79 $129 $569 SET $39 EA $89

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

$179

$239

Yellow Ball Sale Both Soft Compression Srixon Soft Feel Durable Cover

$20 Doz

Callaway Hex Chrome Urethane Cover 3 Piece

$23 Doz

TaylorMade ATV Lob Wedge 60º Loft Original Model KBS Tour Shaft

$129

Right Hand Only

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

$109 $169

$299

$99

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

Cabretta Leather Srixon Gloves 3 FOR (White Only)

$42

Mens Left S, M, M-L, L, XL Mens Right S, M + XL Ladies Left Medium Tour Quality $7 Postage Anywhere in Australia

Ping G30 CLEARANCE $129 BOTH STORES

Mack Daddy 2 Callaway Forged Wedges SLATE FINISH

56º Sand 60º Lob Dynamic Gold Wedge Flex

Srixon All Weather Gloves Mens Left S, M, M-L, L, XL Mens Right Black Only Ladies Left S, M, L Ladies Right Black Only White or Black Left Hand

Optima Soft Feel

$54 FOR 3 DOZ

Individually Boxed

$40 5 FOR

+ $7 POSTAGE ANYWHERE IN AUSTRALIA

Srixon Distance

$42

Individually Boxed

3 Doz

GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN Narellan Supa Centre, Narellan Rd

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 7 Days Callaway Apex Pro Forged Irons Mid Cavity 4 - PW (7 Irons) KBS Tour V 110 Stiff Flex Shafts Superceded Models

Right Hand Only

$699 $24 $1050

Srixon Z H45 Hybrid

$269

$149

Regular Flex 16º - 2 Kurokage Shaft

Optima TS Premium

Includes Cover

Callaway X-Hot Pro Project X-Stiff Graphite 6.0 18º - 2 Hybrid Right 15º - 3 Fairway Right 13.5º - Strong 3 Right 9.5º - Left Driver

Doz

Callaway Hex Diablo Balls

Soft Feel Durable Cover Sleeves (not individual)

$99 6 Dozen

TaylorMade Burner Soft Balls

$79 EA $17 Doz

Including Covers & Wrench (Driver)

TaylorMade Tour Preferred Balls

$52

2016 TP X or TP Std

Dozen

Individually Boxed

Callaway Big Bertha Fairway 5 Wood 18º Loft Regular Flex Fubuki Shaft Fully Adjustable Includes Cover +Wrench

$269

$149

Tour Velvet Cord Golf Pride Grip

Fairway & Hybrid Sale (Right Hand with Cover) Callaway Set + Bag Package Deal

Mens Standard Thickness White Only Full Cord

TaylorMade AeroBurner Hybrid 4 -22º Seniors

$8 Fitted

Each

Callaway 3 Irons HALF PRICE

XR Pro Mid Cavity KBS Tour V90 Stiff Shaft

$89

Right Hand Only

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

SUMMER SALE

Rescue Hybrid Number 5 25º Loft Includes Cover

$179

$69

$99

Callaway X-Hot N14 3 -15º Regular or 3 -19º Stiff Flex Graphite

Cleveland Classic 3 + 5 Regular Stiff F/W Callaway X-Hot 11 -25º Regular Fairway TaylorMade AeroBurner F/W 3 -15º Seniors or Regular Graphite Shaft

$999

8 Irons, 1 Hybrid Graphite $139 1 Titanium Driver $89 1 Fairway Graphite $119 1 14 Way Divided Bag Black/Red, Blue or Black Bag $159 X-Series 2016

Left Hand Only Cleveland RTX 2.0 Tour Satin Wedges $129 2016

$59

Srixon Z-Star or Z-Star XV

$39

(All Matching) 64º or 62º Flop (Std Bounce) 60º or 58º Lob (Low or Std Bounce) Ea 56º or 54º Sand (Low or Std Bounce) 52º or 50º Gap (Std Bounce) Dynamic Gold 48º or 46º Pitching (Std Bounce) Wedge Flex Only

Gold or Silver Box

Eagles & Birdies Royal Troon 4.2kg

Srixon Lady Soft Feel Balls (2015)

Cloudy (not see through) GPS/ Phone Pocket 14 Full Length Dividers Oversize Putter Holder Waterproof Bag Coverall Cooler Pocket Variety of Colours

$349

$199

Huge reduction due to cloudy pocket

Urethane Tour Cover Ball White or Yellow

dozen

CURRENT Model

$22 dozen

Individually Boxed

easy TO USE Model

Srixon 545 Driver Kurokage 60grm Regular or Stiff Shaft 10.5º Loft Adjustable Includes Cover & Wrench

$259

Ladies Graphite Set & Bag & Putter Package Graphite Set Divided Bag Putter & Covers ‘Ready to Play’ Tour Special by Srixon Black/Purple or Black/White

$599

$469

SIGNATURE SHAPE MEETS EXPLOSIVE PERFORMANCE.

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