Inside Golf May 2017

Australia’s

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Issue 142 // MAY 2017 www.insidegolf.com.au

> The Players Championship preview > CLUB OF THE MONTH

The picturesque Patterson River Golf Club

> Fitness

Improving shoulder mobility

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> TRAVEL LIFT-OUT

Great Golf Getaways across Australia

We look at one of Australia’s best-ever amateur golfers a trip to the 2018 US Masters... thanks to Teed-Up Golf Tours

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starters box

Golf ruling was off the ‘mark’ Richard Fellner Group Editor richard@insidegolf.com.au @insidegolf

I

t was simply a matter of time.

For those of you scoring at home, you’ll remember that my April “Starters Box” column (written in midMarch) focussed on the Rules of Golf. In the column, I said “...It seems that every year there’s some ridiculous situation where a player on Tour gets penalised (or even disqualified) for some arcane ruling that, to the casual observer, seems ludicrous...”

Well, no sooner had the magazine hit the racks before a major controversy made my prediction a reality. On April 3, during the ANA Inspiration event, American golfer Lexi Thompson was given a ridiculous penalty, for a rules violation from the PREVIOUS DAY, which was reported by A TELEVISION VIEWER. As a game/industry, it was the moment that we hit rock bottom. We became the laughingstock of sport, with television newscasters on the evening news shaking their heads at the ridiculous situation.

As a golfer, I felt ashamed.

The tours and R&A/USGA have (rightly) copped a bashing over the incident, which adds more fuel to the fire of bad publicity surrounding the rules of golf. Golf fans (and their nongolfing mates) across the globe have lashed out at the Governing Bodies (and the game itself) stating that the Royal & Ancient rules are too long, complicated, and, frankly, ancient.

Without delving into the details (see page 26 for the full story), there are a few major talking points that have been making the rounds both online, and in clubhouses across the world: A) Lexi was not purposely cheating.

The angle of her stance (while trying to avoid stepping on another player’s line, and potentially cause spikemarks) caused her to involuntary replace the ball in a slightly different position (in which she got no real improvement/ benefit anyway).

B) A two-stroke penalty is fine for a breach of the rules (perhaps a bit

harsh in this instance), but it should have been applied immediately. At the very least, before she signed her card or prior to the end of the day’s play (and thus avoiding the additional (ridiculous) two strokes for signing an incorrect card.)

C) TV viewers should have no authority whatsoever to report rules infractions. Golf is the only sport where this sort of thing happens (I have mentioned this many times in previous columns).

D) The big-name players/stars garner increased scrutiny, and have far more video footage of their rounds. This puts them at a distinct disadvantage, as the rest of the field have few or no cameras on them. (You can surely bet that at least one or more players in the ANA field, over the four days, committed similar rules breaches (or worse) without any consequence, whether voluntary or not).

E) Above all else, golf is a game of integrity and honour, and golfers are responsible for self-policing their own game.

So what can be done?

One possible solution—to level the playing field for all players—is to ensure that EVERY group has a full camera crew, capturing every move and every swing. Plus, if you’re going to make “Video Replay” an integral part of televised golf, then you need MULTIPLE angles and cameras to ensure accuracy/fairness (like in other sports).

And while we’re at it, why not attach GoPro cameras to the players, caddies, bags, flagsticks, etc. (Ok, so that’s not entirely feasible, but we have predicted that this sort of coverage may come to fruition one day in the not-too-distant future.)

Another option is that the various tours could impose a ban on ‘zooming in’ or showing extreme close-ups of a player’s ball. Again, this is not entirely feasible, as this sort of coverage is enticing to many TV viewers. But I wouldn’t be surprised if this has already been discussed at the higher levels.

The only real solution, in my opinion, is to simply deny any ‘Armchair Officials’ the right to call/email/post

EDITORIAL: Group Editor: Richard Fellner P: 0407 000 440 richard@insidegolf.com.au Chief Writer: David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au Design & Layout: Stacey Fortescue, Rhys Martin, Rob Kirk Contributors: Larry Canning, Michael Court, Andrew Crockett, Denis Dale, Steven Jeffress, Karen Lunn, David Merriman, Richard Nizielski

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a ruling. The player, their partner, the caddies and the rules official in each group (or a match committee in the case of amateur golf) must be trusted (in a game of integrity and honour) to make the right call. Though this won’t stop people on Twitter/Facebook from commenting on violations (like they do with AFL, etc), it will certainly reduce the prevalence of this sort of atrocity. And don’t get me started on the potential issues this also raises regarding online betting, etc. In any case, if an infraction is missed during the course of play, then it is missed.

Move on.

AND Once a card is signed and accepted by tournament officials, it should be final. No retroactive penalties should be applied. (Unless, of course, a player willingly comes forward to admit that, “upon reflection”, they may have breached a rule. This has been the case on a few occasions.)

So where do we go from here?

The Governing Bodies have, to their credit, taken some small steps in recent months to simplify the rules (starting in 2019), but for many golfers (including yours truly) it’s too little, too late. And the rules, as such, are almost begging for another controversy to rear its ugly head. In my opinion, the Governing Bodies need to throw their ego/politics aside, and take a hard, serious look at ALL the rules. Not just the ones they are comfortable changing, but also the tough ones like OOB, hazards, and— the elephant in the room—driving distance, technology and the ball itself.

They simply must do what is best for the game. Before we run out of time.

See you on the fairways, Richard

2 unique experiences + 2 world class golf courses

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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IN THIS ISSUE:

8 18 20 25 26 30 40 46 48 50 51 58 60 62 65 66 67

New home for Aussie handicaps

cLUB NEWS

Australian golf handicap information and scoring history successfully transitioned to the Golf Australia home page last month, with over 115,000 individual golfers checking their handicaps on www.golf.org.au in the first week following the switchover.

IG BUSINESS GENERAL MANAGERS ON TOUR women COVER STORY

“The technical aspects have all gone smoothly, but we’re also getting some positive feedback on other features and news available on our home page,” said Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt.

JUNIORS CLUB OF THE MONTH SENIOR AMATEURS gear INSTRUCTION events

Fowler king of the mountain in SA

people 19TH HOLE YOUR SAY DEMO DAYS

GOLF DIRECTORY

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Issue 43 //

Golf Great Travel Aussie Golf Getaways LIFT-OUT: GREAT AUSSIE GOLF GETAWAYS

GG lebe the

Sanctuary

Cove Golf and

MAY 2017

Country Club

Peter Fowler overcame round one leader Tim Elliott to take the top prize at the Gordon Refrigeration SA Senior PGA Championship, played at Blue Lake Public Links in Mt Gambier.

“I really enjoyed this week here at Blue Lake,” said Fowler.

Blustery conditions tested the field on both days, and when Fowler made several birdies on the front nine to catch overnight leader Elliott by the 9th hole, the onlookers knew it was a matter of time before Fowler ran away with it. And that he did, despite a bogey on the final hole.

Victorian Lucien Tinkler posted the equal low round of the event on Saturday, matching Tim Elliott’s first round course record of 65 to shoot up the leaderboard and finish in a tie for second with Michael Harwood, who carded a 68 on Saturday.

Fowler posted a final round 1-under 69 following his opening 67. It was enough to take the Championship by two shots and make it a trio of victories in the SA Senior PGA Championship in the past six years for Fowler, who heads to the Japanese Senior Tour to begin the 2017 senior tour there.

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May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

“The golf course is just superb and it’s a wonderful event which the club and council make happen.”

Despite a four-over-par 74 on Saturday, Elliott did enough to secure the massive reward which comes along with leading the Legends Tour Order of Merit following the tournament. Elliott has managed a consistent year and with the result at Blue Lake, he was invited to compete in the US Senior PGA Championship at Trump National in Washington D.C. this month.

The handicap look-up functionality is at the top of all pages on the site. Golfers simply enter their GOLF Link number into the box and hit “handicap look-up” to learn of their latest handicap information.

Pitt said the changeover was the forerunner to future initiatives.

“It’s a real game-changer for golf in this country that Golf Australia regains the full rights to the GOLF Link program,” he said.

“It will allow us to better communicate with golfers around the country and make golf stronger in Australia, so it’s a very important step.

“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.”

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Tiger to design first public access course

World handicap system proposed

79-time PGA TOUR winner Tiger Woods will be designing his first-ever public access golf course at Big Cedar Lodge, Missouri, just south of Branson on the Arkansas border.

Scheduled to open in 2019 and named in honour of the late Payne Stewart, the new “Payne’s Valley” Golf Course will be the first completed fully public-access course in the world designed by Tiger Woods’ design firm TGR Design.

Being built to showcase the region’s natural beauty, the layout will include a world-class championship golf course and a family-friendly short course.

The championship course will feature an extraordinarly dramatic 19th hole, “The Rock,” that can be used to settle unfinished wagers. The challenging but player-friendly walkable course will have an unforgettable finish where golfers will traverse through a breathtaking natural cavern system to return to the clubhouse after completing the 19th hole.

The new course will be located adjacent to a new 13-hole short course designed by Gary Player (opening in 2017) and “Ozarks National,” an 18-hole championship course designed by Coore & Crenshaw (debuting in 2018). The courses will join Big Cedar Lodge’s existing golf offerings, the 9-hole par-3 course designed by Jack Nicklaus, Top of the Rock, a 16-hole practice facility by the late Arnold Palmer, a 6,000-squarefoot Tom Watson “Himalayan” putting complex, and the 18-hole championship course designed by Tom Fazio, Buffalo Ridge.

More at www.bigcedar.com, www.tgr.design.

The R&A and the USGA are working with golf’s handicapping authorities to develop a single World Handicap System for the game.

Handicaps are currently delivered through six different systems around the world, with more than 15 million golfers in over 80 countries holding a handicap.

An extensive review of existing handicap systems administered by Golf Australia, the Council of National Golf Unions in Great Britain and Ireland, the European Golf Association, the South African Golf Association, the Argentine Golf Association and the United States Golf Association has been undertaken.

Luck joins pro ranks Curtis Luck has farewelled a highly decorated amateur career, entering the Pro ranks following last month’s US Masters.

“I’m excited to try and make some money and I’m excited to make my way through the pro ranks, or at least give it a good crack.”

He fired rounds of 78, 72, 75, 72 to finish his Major debut on 9-over the card and tied 46th.

By joining the Professional ranks, Luck forfeits his place at The Open and US Open Championship but will still try his hand at qualifying.

“I’m usually a pretty big critic when I watch it on TV,” Luck said. “So, now after playing that back-9 and through Amen Corner, I have a really good understanding, because I’ve played it in tournament golf and how tough it can be.

“If I ever watch the Masters again from the sidelines, I will not be judging so harshly.”

Now it is all looking forward for Luck who made his Pro debut at the Valero Texas Open last month.

“We’re just going through the process of trying to collect invites for the PGA TOUR. Right now we have four; we’re working on the fifth at the moment.

“It just depends on my schedule and what invites I get. But I probably am looking at British Open qualifying, I know there’s a qualifier straight after Memorial in Ohio the next day, which works out great, because I’ll be at Memorial.”

Golf organisations from different parts of the world have also been engaged with the current handicap authorities for the past two years to help shape the proposed system, which takes into account the many different golf cultures and most common formats of play.

A joint committee led by The R&A and the USGA has been formed, including representatives from each handicap authority as well as the Japan Golf Association and Golf Canada. The joint committee plans to announce its proposals later this year.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “We have been concerned for some time that many golfers find the handicapping landscape to be complicated and can be frustrated when it is not always applied in the same way in different parts of the world.

“We are working closely with the existing handicapping bodies to benefit from their insights as we try to formulate a system that will be easy to understand and can be applied consistently on a global basis.”

www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

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‘Shep’ swaps clubs for real estate THEY say a change is as good as a holiday and that is what former Yeppoon Golf Club professional Graham “Shep” Sheppard has done.

He quit his job as club professional at Yeppoon GC to pursue a career in real estate working with Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate in Rockhampton.

“I have always enjoyed real estate and thought I would jump into the market while I was here and I’m really enjoying it,” Sheppard said.

Currently working out of the Rockhampton office, Sheppard will soon relocate to the Capricorn Coast to concentrate on sales in and around Yeppoon and Emu Park.

Mind you, “Shep” still has an interest in golf and runs the golf shop at Emu Park Golf Club with second-year trainee Josh Jennings.

Kooindah Waters overcoming hurdles Shark Waters set to open THE Eastern Golf Club has announced that its Par-3, 9-hole course will be called “Shark Waters by The Eastern Golf Club”, and will open in Spring.

“We are very excited about the addition of Shark Waters by The Eastern Golf Club to our range of available golfing experiences”, said General Manager, Ben Telley. “It will offer members and guests who have time constraints with a shorter playing option whilst providing an environment that will test even the best golfers.”

Designed by Greg Norman Golf Course Design, Shark Waters features a figure ‘8’ design flow, and while it will have a set of designated tee markers on each hole, the exact routing will

be largely left to the imagination of the individual.

“The flexibility and freedom of the routing is perfectly suited to all levels of golfer, from juniors and beginners, through to the professional toning their game”, Telley said.

For more information www.easterngolfclub.com.au

WHERE IS CORINNE? REMEMBER Corinne Dibnah?

Of course you do.

She was one of Australia’s best female golfing exports long before Karrie Webb and Rachel Hetherington arrived on the scene.

WHO would be a golf course superintendent in the current climate?

Corinne, 54, who won 13 Ladies European Tour (LET) tournaments including the 1988 Women’s British Open, is managing the Bowen Golf Club in north Queensland.

We’ve just endured the hottest summer on record followed by one of the wettest months on record.

Born in Brisbane, Corinne honed her golfing skills at Bowen and has been back there for the past five years.

Still, courses like Kooindah Waters on the NSW Central Coast to continue thrive and beat the weather.

“My parents moved up here when I was two years old so for me golf started up here.

The club recently began an upgrade of their greens, undertaking the laborious task of over-sowing a blend of A1 and A4 bent grasses.

After taking just over a week to complete the initial works, the project has progressed well with the recent rain not proving a major hurdle.

According to the club, the project has been progressing well, with a high strike rate of the seed that was spread.

“But you can’t be considered a Bowenite unless you are born here,” she laughed.

When she retired from a successful playing career, she lived in Brisbane and worked in the golf shop at Oxley Golf Complex.

Unfortunately, due to work commitments she plays very little golf these days.

“I’ve only played about three games of golf in the last 12 months, but I’m going to make an effort to play more this year.”

FOOTNOTE: Dibnah remains eighth on the alltime winners’ list on the LET.

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 66 for a complete list of fitting days this month

8

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club news

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and sport and leisure, also suggested sport participation had increased by as much as 10 per cent in three years.

the age of 21 years who are single and reside at the nominated address of the member.

So Warringah golf course again finds itself under threat . . . even though former Premier Mike Baird asked the council last November to consider ruling out any decision before council elections.

There are a number of other membership categories including junior, intermediate and corporate.

It seems the northern beach is one area with more than enough golf courses – in fact there are 13 in total – per capita which is double the rate of the entire Sydney environs.

The fact that golf clubs in general, have suffered a decline of about 10 per cent in membership in the past decade, does not help the cause.

Northern Beach Council administrator Dick Persson indicated it was now important to let the public have their say on the review before any sort of strategy was formed.

“A strategy does not lock anyone in,” Persson told the Manly Daily newspaper.

“It just means if a new council doesn’t want it [a proposed strategy], then they change it.”

WANTIMA WANTS YOU

Warringah still under threat JUST when you thought it was safe to get back on the fairways, the proverbial grass was almost pulled from under golfers’ feet last month with news that Warringah Golf Club, in Sydney’s north, may still be under threat.

That’s the direct result of the Northern Beaches Council receiving a review of sports grounds in the district which revealed a shortfall of about 25 playing fields, based on the demands of local sporting groups.

WANTIMA Country Club is making a drive for new members. Located 30 minutes north of Brisbane’s CBD, Wantima Country Club has introduced a membership offer that saves golfers up to $350.

It appeared one of Sydney’s busiest courses had been saved, for the moment, when it was announced the Warringah course’s fate would probably not be decided until after a council was elected and no longer under the care of an administrator.

And worse news was that figure was expected to double in the next 15 years – if nothing was done to arrest the shortfall of grounds.

The club has waived the joining fee and offers up to two months “bonus” membership, which will give new members full unrestricted clubhouse and golf course facility privileges.

The report also indicated up to 1000 players from a six-a-side football competition had been turned away because of a lack of venues.

There are flexible payment options, but you’ll have to be quick because these offers are only valid during the months of May and June 2017.

The review, undertaken by two independent planning groups which specialise in golf courses

Family membership is restricted to the spouse of the member and children under

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IF a desire to be a golf operations manager (GOM) at a Central Queensland facility is on your agenda then you are in luck.

Yeppoon Golf Club near Rockhampton has called for applications for a GOM as it embarks on brand-new arrangements within the club following the departure of club professional Graham Sheppard.

Club president Mick Cranny said the golf operations manager would take on additional responsibilities.

“The golf operations manager will be employed by the club and do pretty much the same work as a PGA pro would do, but have a bit more involvement with the golf operations,” Cranny said.

“We need additional income streams to keep the place moving forward.”

Cranny said the GOM does not necessarily have to be a PGA professional.

“If we don’t get a PGA pro we have a range of pros in the area who can do the teaching programs and clinics,” he said.

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Now it appears a 15-year strategy on whether to replace the course with sporting fields could be decided as early as July.

Aside from a modern air-conditioned clubhouse, Wantima offers function rooms, bistro, gaming, tennis courts and golf practice facilities.

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THIS

Kooralbyn for sale – maybe IF you have a spare $68 million lying around perhaps you’d like to splash out and purchase Ramada Kooralbyn Resort.

Yong Real Estate founder Peter Huang, who purchased the property in 2014 for a reported $7m, has it on the market.

Bayview on the rise

Huang, who has renovated the hotel and golf course, says the resort will be up for grabs for one month.

If there are no takers, it comes off the market.

According to the company, $10m was spent on renovations so “all the hard work is done”.

The assets include a fully renovated 4-4.5-star resort, championship golf

It was a family affair with Webb’s wife Ash, parents Alan and Mary and sister Amanda joining in the celebration.

“It was a big night and I didn’t get to bed until very late,” he added.

Webb first started working in the pro shop when he finished school in 2007 and moved into a management role with the City Golf Club in 2013.

According to Bayview president David Sparks, the Department of Planning has now issued the Site Compatibility Certificate (SCC) to Waterbrook Lifestyle Resorts.

He says a playing career is out of the question.

OVER THE LINE: Andrew Webb and his wife Ash celebrate his graduation as a full vocational PGA member.

FOR Andrew Webb, it’s been a long and winding road to victory.

“We will not only greatly improve the playability of our course but also consolidate our financial position well into the future,” Sparks told members.

L a s t m o n t h , We b b, t h e g o l f operations manager at City Golf Club in Toowoomba, graduated as a full vocational PGA member along with 16 other Queensland PGA trainees.

“Under the agreement with Waterbrook, they will fund extensive environmental and remedial works across the course.

“It’s been a long road but I finally graduated,” he said.

“That will mean our course will be upgraded to meet the members’ playing expectations and will increase its biodiversity and ecological sustainability.”

Sparks said course architects would initially prepare an amended course master plan to be submitted to council as part of the DA process and for David Stone to finalise and update his budget and work plans for the immediate future.

The press release says there is potential to expand the hotel to 300-500 rooms and an opportunity to build around 1000 retirement homes or 50+ living complex and establish the new international school for up to 1000 students.

qualifications at the Queensland Golf Industry Awards Night at Jupiters Gold Coast.

Members met late last month for an information night to be shown plans for redevelopment of an area of the course on the perimeter of the front nine.

The receipt of the SCC allows the club to proceed with plans for the future development of the course.

MAKES IT

Webb’s long and winding road

MAJOR changes to Bayview Golf Club on Sydney’s Northern Beaches have cleared a major hurdle.

This allows them to forge ahead with the next stage of the development process, including the lodgement of a Development Application with Nor thern Beaches Council.

course, two polo/equestrian fields, private airport, international school buildings, mountain biking tracks, huge areas of land surrounding the golf course and more.

“It took me six years to complete because I failed my playing component in my third year so I had to keep repeating my playing component until I passed.”

Three years ago, Webb passed his academic qualifications with flying colours but trainees too have to pass the stringent playing test over 20 championship rounds.

“I think I was a bit more focused on my work at the golf club and forgot how to play golf,” Webb said.

Still, he got the job done and was reward when he received his

“I envisage most of my golf in the future will be playing GMAQ (Golf Management Australia (Qld) golf days and with the golf club board when we go away,” he said.

“I don’t plan on playing any pro-ams unless they fall on a day off and only if I have the time.

“My golf will be when I am representing the golf club in events within the industry.”

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It’s been a wet and wild ride David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

C

YCLONE Debbie’s destruction was never more evident than at Bowen Golf Club where wind speeds reached more than 250km/h tearing off the clubhouse awning and downpipes, bringing down huge trees, shifting concrete bridges and destroying sections of the golf course.

The ocean side golf course was devastated and forced to close for at least a month after Debbie screamed her way over the course and clubhouse.

“We were hammered and the golf course looks very different now,” club manager Corinne Dibnah said.

Bowen Golf Club.

Yes, from Bowen in north Queensland and south to the Northern Rivers it was a similar story.

“We had a lot of trees down including some over 100 years old and bridges washed out.

For weeks, golf club car parks, clubhouses and pro shops were deserted and that meant cash registers fell silent across the great divide.

“You would have thought that concrete bridges would never move, but they were just pushed aside.

The devastation left many superintendents shaking their heads wondering where to start the clean up.

“We thought we would lose the ninth green, but she (Debbie) came a different way over the top of the golf club towards the ninth and not from the ocean.”

With only one greenkeeper on staff, it was all hands on deck as members volunteered to put the jigsaw puzzle back together.

“We had working bees for three weekends just to get the fairways cleared,” Dibnah added.

“The golf course is on the ocean and we have million dollar views, but not after a cyclone visits.

“Tell golfers to get up here and spend some money because we certainly need it.”

12

May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Still, with an army of volunteers by their side they got on with the job and many soon had their courses playable again.

The cost of the cleanup was expected to run into the millions of dollars.

After departing Bowen, Debbie took aim at Proserpine Golf Club where operations manager Lisa Cavanagh and director of golf Alison Munt were stationed.

“The course drains really well because we have a creek running through it.

“Overall, we came out of it okay.

Ms Munt said the course closed for six days.

“In total we had holes 10, 11, 12, and 14 completely under water, but the course bounced back well,” she said. “We did lose the bunkers on the 11th and 12th completely.”

Proserpine Golf Club.

Many courses in Central Queensland were affected, some worse than others.

One of the hardest hit was Gracemere Lakes Golf Club, which was virtually underwater due to its overflowing lakes.

Yeppoon golf course closed for two days, but reopened within days for its Saturday competition.

Mackay Golf Club professional Jeffrey Reid told Inside Golf the course closed for two weeks.

“Prior to Cyclone Debbie, we had a significant rain event which washed us out and then Debbie came through followed by another significant rain event,” he said.

“We lost over 60 huge trees and all the bunkers were washed out. It was a mess.”

Mind you, they got off lightly despite many completely submerged holes.

Reid said the army of volunteers put in more than 1200 hours helping clean up the mess.

“The fairways on the back nine were not visible just after the rain hit, but it didn’t take long for the water to subside,” Ms Cavanagh said.

“The members and the general public have been fantastic helping us get it cleaned up and ready for play.”

Mackay Golf Club.

club news

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Somewhere under the water is a fairway or two at Gracemere Lakes golf course in Central Queensland.

Southeast Queensland’s Carbrook Golf Club suffered its worst flood in its 40-year history.

Emu Park Golf Club closed and has had to re-schedule its April men’s and women’s open championship to a date yet to be fixed.

Rockhampton Golf Club copped it from two different directions, according to the club’s manager Karen Leonard.

Bundaberg Golf Club professional Craig Swift said the course was back in play within a week of the big wet arriving.

North Rockhampton, formerly Capricorn Country Club, closed and remained closed until the Fitzroy River floodwaters dropped.

“It (water) comes from two ways,” Ms Leonard said. “We get the tidal from Murray Lagoon and when the river peaks we get the water from there as well.”

“We received around 300mm of rain whereas everywhere else received about 500mm,”he said.

The river peaked at 8.8 metres on Thursday, April 6 – a week after the heavy rain arrived.

Prior to the big wet arriving, the club removed all its pumps for fear they would be washed away.

Meanwhile, Maryborough Golf Club had a different story to tell.

Long-serving club pro Kevin Law said drought conditions affected the course for the first three months of the year.

“We virtually ran out of water,” he said. “Then we received rain on March 13 and the dams filled up.

The flash flood delivered by Cyclone Debbie put three holes under water for an hour.

Rockhampton Golf Club.

“We had 95mm in an hour and a lot of work went into getting the course open for Saturday golf,” Law said.

“We only closed for a day and a half.”

“We were back in play with carts on the course within a week.”

Up at Toowoomba’s City Golf Club, heavy rain forced the closure of the course for two days mainly because the club couldn’t get golf carts on the course.

“We didn’t have any major damage because there wasn’t strong wind,” said golf operations manager Andrew Webb.

Most Brisbane clubs coped well.

Nudgee Golf Club, which is close to Brisbane Airport, fared well considering the amount of water dumped on its 36 holes.

“We closed on Thursday and Friday and opened the North Course on Saturday, April 1,” said assistant GM Rick Anderson.

“We had a few trees and branches down, but nothing too severe.”

The club lost power on the Friday morning and the South Course reopened less than a week later.

Pacific Golf Club had a significant amount of water across its golf course, according to the club’s golf office assistant Sam Romeo.

“After two days, we were back in action,” he said.

“The water receded quite well through Bulimba Creek and we were back open although on the Saturday we had to reduce three holes from par-4s to par-3s.”

Of the southeast Queensland clubs, Carbrook Golf Club was one of the hardest hit.

The 2016 GMAQ Club of the Year suffered its worst flood in its 40-year history with the Logan River, which skirts the course, reaching an all-time high.

Whenever there is a significant rain event Carbrook cops it.

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13

club news

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Mt Warren Park Golf Club.

In a big wet some years ago, a number of sharks washed in and ended up residing in the course’s large dam.

“It is not when the course is in great condition that we understand what club spirit is,”Wagstaff said.

This time it was far worse with pontoons, a boat and a large industrial bin washing in.

“It’s when the course is at its absolute worst and the future looks grim that you understand how strong your club is.”

The entire golf course was underwater except for seven of its 19 greens.

“Within four hours of the river breaking its banks on March 31, the course was evacuated as the water level reached one metre on the driveway.

It took more than two days before the staff could gain entry and assess the damage.

What confronted them was muddy silt and it was a case of “where do we start”.

“So we embarked on a long journey to clean up the course with the focus first on greens, then tees and fairways and then the rough,” general manager Scott Wagstaff said.

“Almost all the bunkers were destroyed.”

The members played their part working side-by-side with the greens staff during the cleanup.

Of course, the biggest cost is the loss of income.

“The lack of golfing traffic will affect all revenue streams with very little expected in the next month,” Wagstaff said.

At least half of Riverlakes Golf Course went under at the height of the big wet.

Aside from removing truckloads of mud, the greens staff and volunteers had to remove plenty of dead, smelly fish that washed in.

Within a week, eight holes were open, but the club decided to suspend competition play until after Easter.

“It wasn’t good, but it’s been good for the morale of the club that members came down to help us,” pro shop assistant Nathan Schleemann said.

Logan City Golf Club had 25 of its 27 greens under water.

Windaroo Golf Club.

Initially, it was too dangerous to allow volunteers to help in the cleanup and it was left to the greens staff, club owners and family members.

“It was too slippery and dangerous and we didn’t want volunteers falling over and getting hurt,” pro Richard Rhodes said.

“At first, staff couldn’t get machinery to some greens because it was too muddy.

“The crew did an amazing job getting five greens open with a few days.”

The club opened 18 holes prior to the Easter break.

At Mt Warren Park Golf Club it was all hands on deck.

“By the end of the day two we had cleaned out the machinery sheds, rebuilt a cart shed, repaired two other cart sheds, removed the silt from all greens and even got the pro-shop back into order,” said club president Jim Lavery.

“None of this could have been achieved without the hard work of our fantastic members who turned up, rolled up their sleeves and got on with the hard work.”

Surfers Paradise golf course.

The women, too, chipped in with a BBQ lunch.

The Sunshine Coast’s Nambour Golf Club had a number of large trees down include one that fell across the fourth green.

“I have never seen the wind so strong,” club manager Steve McMahon said.

“There was a lot of debris over the golf course, but the superintendent and his staff were out cleaning up the mess and we were able to host the Masters pennants a few days later.”

On Bribie Island, gale force winds brought with it 125mm (5in) of rain to Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club.

“We did suffer some damage from the winds with two trees blowing over, however, overall we managed very well,” said director of golf operations Marcus Hartup.

“With Bribie Island being a sand island and the golf course shaped into the sand our drainage is very good to the point that we had carts out on the golf course the very next day.”

Out at Hills International golf course the recovery process was swift with nine holes open for play within a week.

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15

club news

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Murwillumbah Golf Club.

“We were one of the worst affected,” professional Tom Berndt said.

“The floodwaters reached unprecedented levels with the front nine completely under water.

“This was the worst flood in the history of the club with up to four inches of silt and mud on some fairways and through the rough,” he said.

“All our greens went under water and all of our 97 bunkers were also washed out.

“Some estimates are saying it has come up 35 metres higher than normal,” he said.

“The damage bill will be around $100,000 – not to mention the loss of revenue.

The professional at Windaroo Golf Club, Jared Love, spoke to Inside Golf from atop a bobcat on the 10th fairway.

“So, if golfers could come and play at the Glades in the next couple of months this would help us out greatly.”

He said he had a metre of mud around him and it was from tee to green.

Most of Surfers Paradise golf course went under and the buggy sheds in low-lying areas submerged.

“We had 12 holes go under water with eight of those in a bad way,” Love said.

“I think it will be a while before we are back playing 18 holes.”

Still, within a week the members were able to play competitions on a seven-hole composite course.

On the Gold Coast, the Glades Golf Club’s cleanup bill is expected to reach six figures, according to the club’s general manager Phillip Baker.

General manager Mick Ryan said the pro shop’s lower level too was under water.

“The damage to property and infrastructure is extensive,” he said.

“It took a lot of our members to volunteer to help the ground staff in clearing the course.

Ocean Shores Golf Club.

Murwillumbah Golf Club was one of the worst hit and didn’t expect to fully open for a month.

The club’s army of volunteers worked tirelessly alongside superintendant Brian Cox and his crew to speed up the cleanup.

Unfortunately, the water receded slowly and more than a week after the rain event the course remained closed.

Nine holes re-opened in mid-April with the rest of the course expected to be in play by April 30.

The clubhouse and restaurant remain open and operating as usual.

Ocean Shores Golf Club resembled a large lake with just the ninth and 18th greens above water.

“The water went to unprecedented levels,” club pro Chris Graham said.

“There was a lot of silt in the bunkers, but the greens were not too bad.”

All the tee markers washed away.

“It has had a significant effect on our revenue streams, but we have no control over nature.”

Still, the club extended a hand of friendship to nearby neighbour Murwillumbah Golf Club.

In the Northern Rivers, floodwaters devastated most courses.

“Murwillumbah is going to be shut for weeks and we have extended full reciprocal

Mullumbimby Golf Club. membership rights so their members have somewhere to play until they find their feet,” Graham said.

“We haven’t had too much damage, but our course had to close for nine days.”

Meanwhile, Mullumbimby Golf Club went under when the Brunswick River broke its banks.

The halfway house and women’s locker room flooded, but the pro shop was unaffected.

With the torrent of water running across the road and entrance, the main damage was to roads and the car park.

The course remained closed more than a week.

Of course, many more clubs and courses suffered considerable damage across both states but by the time you read this, most clubs will be back in business and urging members to return to the fairways.

This is the time when your club needs your support most so dust off the clubs and get out there.

Oh, and don’t forget to spent a few dollars in the clubhouse and pro shop. • – Additional reporting by Andrew Crockett

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IG BUSINESS

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

Masterplanning for the future competitive environments and decreasing membership numbers and as such will reach a tipping point whereby clubs will need to either increase fees to their members and customers or decrease the services they offer. A comprehensive masterplan therefore should tackle this conundrum and be made to explore all other avenues of both sides of the cost equation. It could be that clubs need to consider member services in terms of retaining members by offering additional services such as practice facility improvements, variety of membership categories or even child minding services, whatever the needs of the members are in the club’s particular demographic. It’s all about product differentiation and what the club has to offer the limited public supply.

Justin Trott

Programmed Turnpoint

A

lthough many clubs would agree that a masterplan is critical for guiding the future management and pathway of the club, it is astonishing how many fail to actively create one. Whether it is for major structural change due to safety concerns, or the redevelopment of the existing clubhouse and or practice facilities or just reviewing bunker design and cart path improvements, it’s all part of the delicate mix of creating a sustainable and prosperous future for the club.

Masterplans not only put forward potential course improvements but also, and just as critically, highlight what is working well within the club and reiterate what shouldn’t be changed into the future. With each successive committee—who generously give up their family time for the betterment of their clubs—there arrives new ideas and passionate views which at times can be misguided or unrealistic given the club’s circumstances and available resources.

Rebuilding greens to add greater interest may at first appear to be a good idea, but is it commensurate with the club’s position in the golfing community and will the cost be offset by an equal or greater return on investment through increased memberships? This can only be evaluated through a thorough analysis and critical evaluation of a masterplan. Capital expenditure may be better spent on rebuilding bunkers, installing a new sub-soil drainage system to improve playing surfaces around the course, building a new stormwater harvesting dam or through the addition of cart paths which may extend the use of carts throughout the wetter

parts of the year and thereby increasing potential revenue streams of the club. Either way, a proper cost benefit analysis should be thought through with the overall picture in mind.

Most clubs these days are having difficulty in meeting increasing operational costs through wages and equipment, not to mention materials and supplies. Unfortunately this is being met with diminishing revenues streams with more

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Finally, a masterplan should tackle the more mundane and less exciting issues confronting clubs such as landscape replenishment and management and the replacement and capital maintenance of essential infrastructure such as cart paths and irrigation systems.

Of the latter, this can be horrendously expensive for clubs who have not budgeted for such repairs or replacement.

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IG BUSINESS - general managers

www.insidegolf.com.au/general_managers

There is an art to being GM Tracey-Lea David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

A

FTER 12 months at the helm, TraceyLea Tiley has settled beautifully in the general manager’s role at Links Hope Island Golf Club on the Gold Coast.

As the leader of a multi-million dollar business, she revels in her work and happily puts in 11-hour days to ensure the club runs smoothly.

“This is my second stint at Links Hope Island,” said Ms Tiley, who has a degree in hotel management.

“I started here in the early 1990s when I was 19 and stayed for about five years and I came back in August 2014 initially as marketing and membership manager.

“I also worked in marketing at Royal Pines Resort for nine years.

I was fortunate to have experienced through my time at Royal Pines the business of golf and gained an understanding of the complex balance of yield management and relationships.”

A stint in London working in conference and banqueting rounded out her vast experience.

Long hours are part-and-parcel of Ms Tiley’s work and each day she pulls into the car park before 6.30am to brief the staff members and ensure everyone is on the same page.

“My routine is to personally check in with each department to check that they have what they need, assess what is happening and make sure I am personally across all aspects of the business.”

For Ms Tiley, managing the transition of ownership has been demanding.

“The people,” she said. “We have some staff here from prior to opening and it just feels like family.

“One of the biggest challenges has been managing balance of expectations from ex-shareholders as we move to an annual membership system,” she said.

“There is genuine care and respect and that is important for all of our team.

“They are really committed and focused on lifting every aspect of the business every day.

Currently, the club has 550 members – 150 of those joined in the past year.

“We have such a diverse team and the difference is celebrated. It’s okay if you are different or creative or a bit eccentric.

In early 2018, Links Hope Island hopes to start construction of a world-class hotel and conference centre and once it’s completed the club plans to host an international golf tournament.

“That’s celebrated and you don’t have to feel the need to conform.

“Links Hope Island is not a stuffy environment; it’s very welcoming and new members really love that.

As general manger, Ms Tiley is hands-on and leads by example.

She enjoys vacating her office to work with the staff and mingle with members and guests.

“It’s just a great place to be and it’s set in a beautiful location and a wonderful lifestyle.

“We make the team feel wanted and valued and we have introduced a reward and recognition program.

Work ethics, too, is important and her mantra in business is “don’t inspect it, don’t expect it”.

“Being able to say thank you and tell people they are doing a good job is important to us.”

“And I say if you can’t put it in writing, you shouldn’t be doing it,” she added.

“For me, business ethics is really important and I like to operate with integrity.

“Since taking on the role, we have worked on ‘consistency is king’ and that’s right through from food to the surface of the course. “ ‘Attitude is everything’ is something we will be working on in the next 12 months.

Since Ms Tiley’s appointment, the club has made a concerted effort to reconnect with the local community.

“We started doing free community events from Christmas carols where we had 800 to 900 attend, to a Chinese New Year street festival which we were overwhelmed with

General manager Tracey-Lea Tiley has a lot on her plate at Links Hope Island Golf Club. when about 2000 people turned up,” she said.

“We have a free opera concert in May and an art exhibition in June.

“So, we are really trying to attract new people to the business and diversifying what we do.”

For the record, more than 60 weddings as well as conferences are held at Links Hope Island annually.

I ask Ms Tiley what makes Links Hope Island so special.

Ms Tiley also enjoys interacting with the members and guests.

“The members are terrific and I don’t mind having a little banter with them from time to time,” she said.

“The staff and members are a great bunch of people to work with and they make the day thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable.

I love it.”

Away from the rigors of work, Ms Tiley dabbles in art and even has a number of her paintings in her office.

She also happens to be a “massive foodie”.

“I’m a bit of an artist and I also love food, wine and travel,” she said. •

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IG BUSINESS - general managers

www.insidegolf.com.au/general_managers

GMs rebound into new venture

GMA Monthly Update made available to sporting clubs.

The Queensland Golf Industry has lobbied Sport & Rec to make sure that Golf Clubs are included in any potential government recovery program.

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

Cameron Harvey

I

Simon Parker

NSIDE GOLF bumped into former Brisbane golf club general manager Cameron Harvey at the Queensland Golf Industry Awards recently and he was particularly upbeat.

Their skills include golf operations, governance, clubhouse operations, membership strategies, course maintenance, project manager and financial performance and reporting.

No, he didn’t pick up a gong but he was chuffed telling us about the launch of a new business venture he and another former club manager, Simon Parker, have kicked off.

CBS’s business profile states: “With a background in providing strategic direction, training, management and leadership to quality facilities, the Club Business Solutions team is working with clubs for the betterment of the golf and sporting industries.

Harvey and Parker bit down hard on the bullet and started a company called Club Business Solutions (CBS).

Between them, they have close to 50 years’ industry experience and say they aim to build long-term relationships with their clients by providing “exceptional service and strategic advice to the club and leisure industry”.

Both men have plenty of experience.

Parker has been at the helm at clubs including Brisbane, Wynnum and worked in a senior management role at Indooroopilly Golf Club while Harvey has sat in the hot seat at Brisbane, Pacific and New South Wales golf clubs Gosford, Asquith and Pennant Hills.

“Having worked in all echelons of golf club activities, Simon and Cameron have a grounded approach to providing clear assessment and direction for clubs moving forward to achieve the extended goals of the organisation’s business.

“With a strong passion and involvement in the golf club sector, CBS is equipped to provide exceptional consultancy services to the club and leisure industries.”

For more information, call Harvey on 0414-292-147 or Parker on 0477-999-529.

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The flagship event on the GMA events calendar is the biennial National Conference which attracts renowned speakers sourced within Australia in addition to International speakers.

We’re excited to announce that Andre Eikmeier, Co-Founder + Joint CEO of Vinomofo, Dr Joanna McMillan, Nutrition Expert on Channel Nine’s Today Show, and Tansel Ali a four-time Australian Memory Champion have joined our lineup.

Please mark this event in your calendars now to ensure you don’t miss what will be another outstanding GMA National Conference in 2017.

As a result, the Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program (SRDRP) was recently released. In addition to the program, Golf Queensland have made available a contracted grant writing expert to support clubs with funding applications. This is a priority and free service so that the maximum funding can be obtained by each club.

To obtain further information about this wonderful event, please contact our Executive Officer, John Stamp at eo@gma.org.au or telephone 0418 395 140.

For further information on the available funding, please contact David Webber, Golf Queensland Club Support, david@ golfqueensland.org.au

Queensland Disaster recovery funding now available

GMA National Autumn 2017 E-Magazine out now

Cyclone Debbie impacted Queensland and Northern New South Wales recently causing huge damage to many golf clubs in the states. In an effort to assist affected golf clubs, Golf Queensland, working with industry partners, has been in contact with the Queensland Government Department of Sport & Recreation regarding possible disaster recovery programs for sporting clubs. In the past when such natural events have occurred, funding has been

The third edition of the GMA National e-Magazine is out now.

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Beware insurance traps, says expert R

UNNING a business can be as unpredictable as playing a round of golf, according to Daniel Bateup, General Manager of Golf Business Australia (GBA).

As an insurance broker specialising in golf facilities and businesses, Bateup has an indepth understanding of the hazards everpresent in today’s golf industry.

He says a tough day, probably when you least expect it, is inevitable.

Mind you, he declares that a stray shot doesn’t have to jeopardise your round or your livelihood.

Launching as an official partner at the inaugural Golf Business Forum in 2016, GBA has reportedly enjoyed an overwhelming response from various walks of the game.

“The support from the industry so far has been great,” Bateup said.

“We’ve connected with so many passionate golf facility operators and business owners seeking insurance (and finance) advice.”

So, what should golf facilities and businesses consider when insuring?

Bateup’s advice is:

• Never go it alone. Always engage a qualified broker to navigate the insurance minefield; • Understand your insurance program. Once prepared, your insurance broker should be able to demonstrate the strengths and any deficiencies in your cover requiring closer attention;

• Annually review your sums insured. Underinsurance is a common issue that leaves many out of pocket.

Ensure systematic property valuations, inventory stocktakes and financial audits to best safeguard your business;

Then there was a fire in September 2015 that all but demolished an iconic Australian clubhouse. Rebuilding efforts remained ongoing more than a year later.

And it’s not always obvious. A club was ordered to pay $600,000 for its role in an environmental disaster (water pollution) that killed more 10,000 fish as well as ducks and other wildlife.

The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia is bringing fans closer to the golfing action with the launch of PGA TV which in 2017 will live stream the final rounds of the Victorian, Queensland, WA and NSW PGA Championships.

PGA TV is an initiative which allows this talent to be broadcast via pga.org.au.

“We all know the quality of talent on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia but it is important that sport fans have the ability to engage with our leading professionals. This is why we developed PGA TV,” said Stephen Ayles, Chief Commercial Officer of the PGA.

• Don’t be afraid to claim.

He cites a number of examples including the recent storm events causing unprecedented damage to Australian golf facilities.

Australia has some of the most talented professional golfers in the world. And thanks to PGA TV, sports fans can watch them live and free.

The pathway of champions; the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia showcases the rising stars of Australian golf as well as some our leading international players.

• Enquire about ways to reduce your premium without sacrificing cover.

Consider higher excesses or implement risk management strategies to reduce your likelihood of having to make a claim; and Bateup believes businesses should guard against attitudes such as “it won’t happen to me”.

Tune in to PGA TV

Finally, a tree falls at a public golf course in the Northern Territory tragically killing a man.

“The tournaments will be live streamed on PGA TV during the final round with comprehensive highlights across the first three days.”

“We all know when a player wants to improve their game – they seek the advice of a professional,” Bateup asserts.

“All professional golfers have a story to tell.

PGA TV provides a vehicle for us to highlight the characters on Tour,” added Ayles.

Similarly, a golf facility or business wanting to get the best value out of their insurance and enjoy peace of mind should seek qualified insurance advice.

“It will also help build the profiles of young Australian talent. The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia is where they start their careers and hone their skills; PGA TV allows fans the opportunity to watch them in preparation for the likes of the European Tour and PGA TOUR.”

For more on the products and services provided by GBA, visit www.golfbusinessaustralia.com.au or telephone 1300-852-025. •

More: www.pga.org.au/pga-tv

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The Shark sighted in NQ T HERE was great excitement in North Queensland when former world number one Greg Norman dropped in for a “look around”.

“We have a lot of waterways and birdlife and Greg was impressed with that and the fact we do more than 55,000 rounds annually.”

No one is saying why he was there, which begs the question: does the Great White Shark have plans to design and build a golf course in Townsville, invest in the city or was he just visiting his old stomping ground?

Townsville has four golf courses: Rowes Bay, Townsville, the Willows and nine-hole Lavarack Barracks.

It begins a three-year relationship as the official airport duty free sponsor of the national championship, approaching its 102nd edition.

The Emirates Australian Open is a flagship tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia and is jointly sanctioned with OneAsia.

Toplis said he didn’t know the two-time major winner was going to visit until a day before he arrived.

The Shark’s whirlwind tour of the city in February started with a visit to Rowes Bay Golf Club where he first swung a golf club and where his mother Toini is immortalised as the inaugural women’s club champion in 1969.

“This is an exciting initiative for HEINEMANN Tax & Duty Free, particularly as we are aligning ourselves with one of the game of golf’s oldest and most important tournaments,” said Constantin Wiesmann, Managing Director at Heinemann Australia.

“All I was told was there was a VIP arriving to have a look around,” he said.

“It is amazing just to have him back here at our club.”

During a tour of the clubhouse, Norman’s face suddenly lit up when he spied his mother’s name on the championship honourboard as the club’s first ladies club champion.

There was also a meeting with Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill, according to Rowes Bay Golf Club general manager Gary Toplis.

“His mother (Toini) was our first ever ladies champion in 1969 and Greg played some of his junior golf here,” Toplis told Inside Golf.

“We see huge value in this association particularly because of the huge attention the Emirates Australian Open has received over the past few years with many of the world’s star players having competed in the event.”

According to the Townsville Bulletin, Norman’s visit was planned earlier in the year in Sydney when his business partner Bill Moss met with Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill, Deputy Mayor Les Walker and council CEO Adele Young.

“The (Norman) family lived just down the road at Pallarenda.”

Norman told Toplis he used to ride his horse up and down the beach.

HEINEMANN Tax & Duty Free currently offers a luxury shopping experience at Sydney International Airport and there are more than 300 HEINEMANN Duty Free and Travel Value shops, fashion label boutiques under license and concept shops at 78 airports in 28 countries, along with shops at border crossings and aboard cruise liners.

That’s when Norman was briefed on what Townsville had to offer.

“Greg was impressed with the condition of the golf course and how far the club had progressed since the late 1960s and early 1970s,” Toplis said.

“We have gone from being a goat track to the premier golf course in Townsville,” Toplis added.

Heinemann Tax & Duty Free has been welcomed on board as a new partner of the 2017 Emirates Australian Open, to be played at The Australian Golf Club from 2326 November.

“It was a tremendous honour having Greg here because he was the one player who took the game to the next level.”

It’s hard to believe it was the latter, but surely the golfing entrepreneur didn’t visit the city to kick the tyres.

“It was a very sandy track back then, but it has come along in leaps and bounds.

Heinemann new Australian Open partner

Long before Greg Norman was world number one, his mother Toini was top of the pops when she became the first women’s club champion at Rowes Bay Golf Club. On tippy toes, the Shark points to her name on the honourboard.

Apparently, Norman, who was travelling with his chief course designer and golf course shapers, inspected a number of potential sites including Rowes Bay golf course and a site at the back of Magnetic Island.

“We are extremely happy to have Heinemann Australia join our select stable of sponsors and we have no doubt they will benefit greatly from this new partnership,” said Golf Australia’s chief executive Stephen Pitt.

Stay tuned! •

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

on tour

Spiders and skewers and storms, oh my! with Steven Jeffress ed@insidegolf.com.au

A

fter a really solid start to my 2017 campaign, my next event was my favorite tour event of the year, the New Zealand Open. I’m a huge fan of The Hills golf course and always love going back to Queenstown. This year I was staying with a mate, Morton, who I had met about 7 years ago playing the Burleigh Pro-Am. Morton moves between the Gold Coast and Queenstown and has an awesome house overlooking the lake and the Remarkables. He looked after me well, with the only problem being a 15-minute stand-off in the bathroom with a spider (I eventually won). The event this year was three rounds at Millbrook Golf Club and one round at The Hills.

To make the week even better, I had a good mate caddy for me. Geoff Foote was a member at Southport who I have played a heap of golf with so he knows my game and how I tick. In saying this, it was his first time caddying so I think he was a bit nervous. An example of this was when I pulled my string line out to practice on the 3rd day he said, “I wondered if you had something sharp in your bag?” I looked at his right calf and my string line (made of BBQ skewers), was sticking out of a pocket in my bag and stabbing him as he walked along! He had scratches and blood… and for a small second, I felt sorry for him!

I had the afternoon draw for round 1 at The Hills. There was no wind and the temperature was about 18 degrees; like playing golf indoors. I played great but fell away towards the end of my round, I think due to how long we were out there. The round took nearly 6 hours, which I find difficult. I signed for a 3-underpar 69. 9-under was leading so I had some serious work to do to get back in with a chance.

I had a 7.50am tee time the next morning and it was about 5 degrees for the first couple of holes. When you hit 40, your body doesn’t move like it used to, especially in the cold. I played average all day and stood on the 16th tee thinking I needed three birdies to make the cut. I birdied 16 and had a 10-footer on 17, which I missed. I thought “well it’s all over now, I can’t make the cut.” The last is a par-3 and I hit 8-iron to about 20 foot.

Thinking I was gone anyway, I gave the putt a run and it hammered into the back of the hole. As it turned out, I made the cut on the number.

I played with US PGA 4-time tour winner Heath Slocum on the third day, and played great. I shot 4-under and could have had 4 or 5 better. I was moving in the right direction and if I could shoot a low one in the last round I might finish top 15. Well, the last day had wind, rain and some tears! For the first time this year, I putted terribly. I finished in a tie for 37th position, which wasn’t too bad considering that I thought that I was going to miss the cut.

tour. I was supposed to fly over on Tuesday morning as the event is three rounds and starts on Friday. When I went to print out my itinerary it said that due to cyclone Debbie, I had to change my flight until the Wednesday, which was ok, but not ideal. The trip was about 21 hours door to door so that extra day would have been nice just to recover from the trip. As it turns out, the flight that Jetstar took me off, flew anyway (thanks for the communication Jetstar!)

I flew out Monday back into the Gold Coast and had a day off before heading up to beautiful Toowoomba for the QLD PGA Championship. For those of you that haven’t played City Golf Club, it’s a gem. It’s really tight off the tee and the greens are pure bent grass. The clubhouse has everything you want and there is a hotel on course that is as good as I’ve stayed in anywhere.

There were two other Australians over there, Aaron Townsend and Daniel Valente and we organised a practice round together. The weather the first day was horrendous. It was 3 degrees, blowing and raining so the actual feel was about minus 2. I’m not sure I’ve ever played in weather that cold before and my golf showed. I shot 5-over and was lucky to have it.

It’s a real skill playing in the cold and fortunately due to living in beautiful places, I’ve never had to do it.

City GC is a place that I have had some success, at tour level and ProAms. That said, I struggled the first day. It was one of those days that my arms didn’t feel attached to my body, but fought back late for 1-under. I teed off the back-9 for round 2 and with 8 holes, I was heading home for the weekend. Then I found a little something and had 4-under my last 8 holes to make the cut by 3.

On the weekend my old caddy and good friend Rob Beecher came up to caddy and try to help me move up the leaderboard, but unfortunately it didn’t work. I shot even par for the weekend where the leaders were at 20-under, so a tied 35th position was the best I could do. Even though it was a tough week, I always enjoy my time up there, and want to thank Peter Constance and the City GC for looking after me.

At the Japan Q-school last year I finished in 45th position, which gives me a full card on the Japan Challenge

The second day was much warmer, about 5 degrees when I teed off but it wasn’t pouring rain so it felt like we were playing in the Bahamas! I played better but still not up to my A-game standard. I three-putted 17 to miss the cut by a shot, which on one hand was disappointing but on the other I felt that I didn’t play well enough to deserve a run on Sunday. After a nice dinner and a couple of beers, all was good again.

My movements over the next month or so are a little quieter. I am heading down to Canberra to play a few ProAms and catch up with my good mate, Pat Maher. Then it’s a couple of weeks off and time to prepare for the Volvo China Open and the Maekjung Open in Korea. These events are part of the OneAsia tour and a great opportunity to make some good money so if anyone needs me, I’ll be at Southport grinding away! • www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

25

women

www.insidegolf.com.au/womensgolf

ANA Inspiration clouded by controversial Thompson penalty Karen Lunn CEO – ALPG

M

y phone has been ringing a little more than it usually does at this time of the year, with a lot of people seemingly keen to get an opinion on what had transpired on the back nine during the final round of the ANA Inspiration, the first LPGA major of the 2017 season.

For those of you who were not watching, or did not witness the massive backlash in the media, South Korean world number three So Yeon Ryu won her second major championship in a play-off from American Lexi Thompson in highly controversial circumstances.

It appeared that, with six holes of the Championship remaining, 22-year-old Lexi Thompson was heading towards her second ANA Inspiration title and another major championship. The superstar American had teed off from the 12th tee with a three-shot lead, but had just given the chasing pack a glimpse of hope when she 3-putted from the fringe after pulling off an amazing recovery shot through the trees onto the edge of the putting surface.

While disappointed at the dropped shot, Thompson still looked composed and in control as she walked off the green; that was only her second bogey of the championship

and she knew she was playing some of the best golf of her career. The way she was playing she was going to prove very hard to catch.

However, while the final group of Lexi and Norwegian Suzann Pettersen had been playing the 9th hole, someone (who apparently has very little going on in their life) had sent an email to the LPGA tournament office, stating that Lexi had not replaced her ball in the correct position after marking it on the 17th green during Saturday’s third round.

Two senior LPGA rules officials quickly rushed to the TV compound to study the video, and as millions watched on it was confirmed to TV viewers as Lexi was putting out on the 12th that she would be subject to a 4-shot penalty; a two shots for playing the ball from an incorrect position during the third round (rule 20-7c) ; and also a further two shots for signing an incorrect scorecard after the third round (rule 6-6d) The only good news for Lexi was that before a 2016 rules change, she would have been disqualified for signing an incorrect scorecard!

As Lexi walked off the 12th green and headed to the 13th tee, she was stopped in her tracks by Sue Witters, the LPGA Vice President for rules and competitions, who notified Lexi that she had played from an incorrect position on the 17th hole on Saturday, and as a result she would be penalized four strokes. Obviously Lexi was shattered by this news and, not surprisingly,

in tears as she realised what had just occurred and what it meant at that point to her chances of winning the tournament.

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I have known Sue Witters for many years, and she is one of the fairest and most respected officials on tour. After the round

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she was clearly upset as she explained what had happened to waiting journalists. She said the ball was misplaced by “maybe an inch.” and added: “I’m 100 percent certain it was not intentional. Lexi is a classy lady.”

Asked if she was aware that the overwhelming reaction on social media was negative, Witters said: “Sure, but what was my choice? I ignore a violation of the rule then I get criticized for that. It made me sick but I had to do it.”

While on face value it may have seemed harsh, the decision made by the LPGA was 100% the correct one.

The LPGA and other professional tours do not make the rules, their job is to enforce them and once they were notified of the breach they had no choice but to enforce the rules and apply the penalty.

The LPGA Chief Communications and Tour Operations Officer Heather Daly Donofrio, a former LPGA tour player herself also defended the decision of the LPGA rules officials.

“When you have a situation like this, it’s extremely difficult,” she said. “This is the last thing that the rules team want to do. But their job is to enforce the rules of the game, regardless of who the player is and what the situation is and what the championship is.”

Lexi’s ability to regain her composure through the tears and birdie the very next hole after being informed of the penalty is one of the most remarkable bouncebacks I’ve witnessed in golf. She was absolutely devastated as you would expect, and her ability to somehow put it behind her shows what a tough cookie she is.

“I just tried to gather myself to hit that drive,” she said after the round about her emotions on No. 13 tee. “I learned a lot about myself today and what I have in me. I’m proud of the way I played coming in.”

The enthusiastic galleries at Mission Hills Country Club rallied around Lexi when word of the penalty spread, as she walked past the grandstand to the 18th green brushing away tears they were chanting her name loudly.

The Floridian is the only American ranked in the top 10 (number 4) on the Rolex Women’s World Rankings, and the partisan fans were not about to let her go down without a fight!

was clearly shocked and saddened by the events of the past two hours.

The stain that will hang over this tournament is that for the third time in less than a year, one of golf’s major championships was marred by a rules situation that could have been avoided. This time, Lexi was the victim, and there is little doubt that it cost her a second title at the ANA, for moving her ball less than an inch.

There is no doubt that Lexi should have been more careful in replacing her ball after she had marked it.

While I am confident that there was no intent on her behalf to improve the position of her ball on the green, the fact remains if Lexi had replaced her ball and played it from the correct position none of this would have happened.

women It does seem wrong that someone not at the golf course or involved in any way in the tournament itself is able to e-mail or phone in and threaten a player’s ability to win a golf tournament or at least to alter that player’s score. Golf seems to be the only sport that believes someone sitting in their living room or at a bar should have a say in the outcome of the tournament.

If the person who emailed in was a real golf fan they would have known that there would be serious consequences for Lexi, for the life of me I do not know what kind of person would want to do such a thing.

The USGA and the R&A, the governing bodies of the game, have come out recently with plans to modernize the Rules of Golf which is fantastic news for our game.

In her defence, Lexi was not marking the ball from the same angle she would normally do, as she was trying to avoid stepping on her playing partner’s line. It also looks on the video that she was attempting to line up the line she has marked on her ball to the hole which is not easy to do from the side.

There is no doubt that the rules relating to this incident need to be reviewed. As the rules stand currently a player can be penalised retrospectively after any round apart from the final round, as once the tournament is complete and the results are published then the outcome or scores cannot be changed.

At last year’s U.S. Open, Dustin Johnson was told on No. 12 tee that he might be penalized for causing his ball to move on No. 5 green. He was assessed two strokes although he was not told until his round was over, but bailed out the U.S. Golf Association by winning anyway.

If Lexi had made the same mistake on Sunday and someone contacted the LPGA on Monday, no action could have been taken.

The U.S. Women’s Open a few weeks later went to a three-hole playoff between Brittany Lang and Anna Nordqvist, and Nordqvist was given a two-stroke penalty for inadvertently touching the sand with her club in a bunker. That violation was also determined on TV and Nordqvist lost by two strokes.

I think most people close to the game agree that once a player’s scorecard has been signed and returned that score should be final, regardless what facts are brought to light after the round.

My understanding is that if the new rules of golf are adopted they will come into force from 2019, and the proposed new rule below should prevent these kind of incidents from happening in the future.

Aussie legend and LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer Karrie Webb tweeted soon afterwards;

1.3a(2) “so long as the player does all that can be reasonably expected under the circumstances to make an accurate estimation or measurement, the player’s reasonable judgement will be accepted even if later shown to be wrong by other information” (such as video technology)

“Seriously people! We have policed ourselves for 200+ years! No need for call ins! @USGA needs to stop this.”

However, there are still 21 months we must get through until this happens! •

This latest episode was yet another embarrassment for the game of golf.

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“The fans were amazing,” Lexi said after So Yeon Ryu had birdied the first playoff hole for the victory.

“They got me through the whole round.”

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The ANA championship was the second major win for So Yeon, who had won the U.S. Women’s Open back in 2011, and it was unfortunate that her second major championship victory was blighted by what had transpired on the back nine on Sunday. The popular Korean www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

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IG BUSINESS - from the ceo

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The exploration of innovation

The NSW Open Golf Championship has found a new home and will once again be an integral part of the 2017 Australian summer of golf.

Gavin Kirkman

The Graham Marsh-designed Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club will host the NSW Open for the next three years. This year’s tournament will be held from November 16th to 19th, the week before the Emirates Australian Open.

CEO – PGA of Australia

I

nnovation is a buzz word in international golf at the moment and here at the PGA of Australia we are always looking for ways to modernise our contributions to the game and industry.

The ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth was a huge success and highlights the progressive nature our sport is now taking. It is pleasing to see the Super 6 format already being adopted by other countries and Tours with the European Challenge Tour hosting an event this year under the unique format.

But that isn’t the only innovation the PGA has launched recently. By far I believe one of the biggest success stories for Tour golf in the country has been the launch of PGA TV; a live streaming platform for ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia tournaments.

With live TV coverage on mainstream TV networks a costly endeavour, we have been seeking a solution to ensure that golf fans can watch live golf. PGA TV is it! Across the 2017 season the final rounds of the Victorian PGA Championship, Queensland PGA Championship, WA PGA Championship and NSW PGA Championship will be live streamed via PGA TV on pga.org.au.

Australia has some of most talented players in the world and we want everyone to have the opportunity to watch them but also get to know them. The ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia is the pathway of

champions; the players who win our State PGA Championships often go on to forge successful careers on international Tours. PGA TV not only showcases our players’ skills but thanks to the talented, fresh voices of our hosts Shura Taft and Allison Whittaker we also get to know the personalities on Tour.

However innovation is not only happening on the Tour front. I am often asked why Australia has some of the best coaches in the world. Think guys like Col Swatton (coach of Jason Day), Denis McDade (who has Marc Leishman amongst his enviable stable of talent), Gary Barter (whose players includes recent winner Brett Rumford) through to young rising stars in the coaching world; Craig Bishop (coach of Curtis Luck), Richard Woodhouse (who is admired for his combining golf and fitness) as well as many other respected PGA Professionals. What do they all have in common? They all completed the PGA of Australia Trainee program.

Our Trainee Program is one of the best in the world and the simple reason for this

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is innovation. We continually review our standards and procedures to ensure we are leaders in best practice. We have one of the most stringent playing standards to ensure Australian PGA Professionals have an intrinsic knowledge of the golf swing. But we also regularly modernise the way we deliver the program; we utilise e-Learning, face-to-face learning, online webinars amongst other channels. But we also ensure that we are producing modern PGA Professionals who know how to harness the power of coaching tools like Trackman and Sam Putt Lab to provide insight to the players they go onto coach.

Innovation is never ending; a culture of change and ideas is one that I am proud to be fostering at the PGA. One project that we are busy working on and will launch soon is the reinvigoration of the PGA Golf Expo that will unite the golf industry, showcase leading edge products and continue to create learning opportunities.

Golf is on the precipices of an exciting time and I am just so glad to be involved!

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.

Rated inside Australia’s top 100 Golf courses, the formidable par 72 layout at Twin Creeks will provide a solid test to the game’s best professional and amateur golfers alike.

“The 2017 NSW Open will once again be an ideal lead-in event for golfers immediately before the Australian Open,” Andrew Tharle, Chairman of Golf NSW said.

Stuart Fraser, CEO of Golf NSW, acknowledged the support of the Championship from the Western Sydney community.

“In 2016, The NSW Open attracted a field of over 150 national and international competitors as well as upwards of 5000 spectators to our State and the greater Western Sydney area. This year will be no different; our goal is to ensure that the NSW Open grows and will always be a healthy and viable part of the Australian sporting Calendar.”

Competitors in this year’s tournament will be playing for a total prize pool of a minimum of $400,000. The Champion will not only lift the Kel Nagle Cup, but he will also be exempt for the remainder of the 2017 season and the following two years on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia.

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cover story

Ivo the great!

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

I

T’S hard to believe this year marks the 50th anniversary since the passing of one of Australia’s greatest golfers – an amateur at that.

His father Percy was a keen golfer and young Ivo got started in golf by practising with his dad’s old two-wood.

He joined other boys who had designed a five-hole layout in a paddock near his home at Caulfield because in those days young boys were often hounded off the golf course.

Ivo Whitton, who was born in 1893 and died in 1967 aged 73, was a legend in Australian golfing circles.

Apparently, golf club officials were terrified the sight of young boys on the golf course might offend licensing authorities and cost them their liquor license.

In the modern game, it’s hard to imagine his golfing feats being eclipsed.

But cricket remained Whitton’s passion and in 1906 he captained Melbourne Grammar’s Preparatory School team.

For a start he is, along with Greg Norman, the only Australian to have won the Australian Open five times.

Overlooked when he entered high school, Ivo decided to concentrate on golf as his public servant father was honorary secretary at Caulfield Golf Club, which later became Metropolitan Golf Club.

Of course, we all remember how good the Shark was but let’s not forget Whitton played golf in a coat and tie, wore plus fours and a floppy hat.

What is even more remarkable about this extraordinary amateur golfer is he played with only six clubs in his bag – a twowood, a one-iron, a five-iron, seven-iron, a wedge and a putter.

Oh, and he played off a +8 handicap.

So, let’s trawl through history as a reminder of Ivo’s magnificent golfing achievements.

His golfing CV tells us he also won two Australian amateur championships and nine state amateur titles including five Victorian, one New South Wales and three Queensland amateur titles.

A modest and unassuming man, the king of amateur golf in Australia also captured 17 club championships – nine at Royal Melbourne, four at Barwon Heads, three at Metropolitan and one at Flinders.

Born at Moonee Ponds in Melbourne, Whitton took up golf aged 12 after the school dropped him from the cricket team.

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May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

At 14, Whitton joined the golf club on a handicap of eight and won his first trophy two months later.

It didn’t take him long to make the club’s pennant team and by the time he was 16 he was their number one player.

In one match, he played against the Hon. Michael Scott, who was Australia’s leading golfer with two Australian Open titles and four Australian amateur titles under his belt.

Starting nervously, young Ivo was five-down after 12 holes but rallied to be all square on the 18th tee.

Scott won the match one-up, but the result had golfing aficionados predicting a huge future for Whitton.

In 1911, Whitton started work at a wool broking company, which allowed him time off to play golf.

A year later, just as the critics had predicted, Whitton won the first of his five Australian Open titles.

cover story He led from go to whoa to finish five strokes ahead of Dan Soutar and Fred Popplewell.

Going into the final round at The Australian Golf Club, Whitton was in eighth place.

But a few days after the event the Australian Golf Union (AGU) decided to investigate claims that Whitton had breached the rules during the third round.

Playing in a gale, he went out in an amazing 33 strokes to lead Ferrier by one stroke and finished with a 72 to stay in front.

According to spectators, Whitton had hit his tee shot at the 14th hole into an unplayable lie in thick bush.

Unfortunately, Whitton lost his beloved felt hat at the tournament and predicted he would probably never win again without it.

A rules official told Whitton he could take a two-shot penalty and drop the ball in line with where it had landed, which he did.

Throughout his career, Whitton was deadly accurate with his woods and played his irons as well as anyone in the professional ranks but he excelled around the green.

Whitton played on and walked off the par-3 14th with a six.

His deadly accurate short game mostly left him with a simple tap-in.

The spectators argued he should have gone back to where he hit the tee shot.

Whitton’s record five Australian Open titles remained intact until South African Gary Player reached his sixth and seventh in 1970.

After the two-hour hearing, the AGU decided in Whitton’s favour but the case was referred to the R&A in Scotland and they ruled that Whitton should have been disqualified.

Whitton was club captain at Royal Melbourne from 1947-50 and was Australia’s representative on the R&A’s Rules of Golf committee from 1948-53.

The AGU ignored the advice and Whitton remained the champion.

A year later (1913) he continued on his winning way with a record-breaking score of 302 to finish three strokes clear of amateur A.R. Lempriete, who was his boss at the wool firm.

In 1960, the Victorian Golf Association established the Ivo Whitton Trophy for the lowest average stroke score in designated tournaments held each year and Royal Melbourne Golf Club instituted the Ivo Whitton Cup in his memory.

Dan Soutar was the nearest professional on 317 – 15 shots behind Whitton.

Well played, Ivo Harrington Whitton. •

During World War I (1914-18), Whitton went to England and served with the Royal Garrison Artillery when rejected by the Australian Imperial Force.

Photos courtesy of Golf Australia.

Ivo Whitton - Tournament wins

In 1920, he won the Helms Award as the most outstanding Australasian athlete and returned to the wool industry as a wool appraiser for the Australian government.

1912 Australian Open, Riversdale Trophy 1913 Australian Open. Riversdale Trophy 1919 Victorian Amateur 1920 Victorian Amateur 1922 Australian Amateur, Victorian Amateur 1923 Australian Amateur, Victorian Amateur, Queensland Amateur 1924 Victorian Amateur 1925 Riversdale Trophy 1926 Australian Open, Riversdale Trophy 1928 Queensland Open 1929 Australian Open, New South Wales Amateur 1931 Australian Open

Later he became general manager for the Spalding sporting good company.

Critics said his passion for business had destroyed his interest in winning tournaments, but he won the Australian amateur in 1923 and 1924 and captured his third Australian Open at Royal Adelaide in 1926.

In 1929, he won his fourth Open – again at Royal Adelaide.

Two years later, at age 38, he outclassed Jim Ferrier and Harry Williams to win his fifth Open title.

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on tour

THE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

Q&A with…

Matt Rapp PGA Tour Senior VP, Championship management

Matt Rapp served as executive director of The Players Championship starting with the 2011 tournament and concluded his term of service following Jason Day’s 2016 triumph. Rapp, a native of Louisville, Ky., still remains involved with The Players, but he is now the Tour’s senior vice president for the Championship Management department, a position that allows him to oversee all the events the Tour runs. With another Players almost upon us, the 36th to be contested at TPC Sawgrass, Rapp took some time to discuss the tournament he’s grown to love and what makes it— and its home course—so special.

How do you view TPC Sawgrass in the firmament of great golf courses in the world?

When I first got this gig, one of the people I talked to was Tour administrator (and former PGA Tour player) Mike Bodney, who ran Championship Management for the Tour for a number of years and been involved with the Tour for years and years and years. One of the things he said was don’t underestimate the power of this piece of property.

What did others tell you about TPC Sawgrass?

Jay Monahan (the new PGA Tour commissioner), who was my predecessor as The Players’ executive director, said the same thing as Mike. He said, “Don’t forget you have this property.” Mike was talking more about

how the tournament lays out and how the course is laid out for fans, how wonderful it is for fans and how it was built for fans and how unique the course is because it’s so balanced.

Jay talked about how No. 17 is the most famous hole in golf and this is a course that’s known all around the world. He basically said you can get people who are willing to come out and look at the TPC Sawgrass because of how unique it is, people who wouldn’t just go out and look at a golf course, even some prized golf courses. As Jay said, TPC Sawgrass is not just any golf course.

What are your thoughts about the course?

It’s the purest test in golf. It was built so you can walk the course easily, so you can

Matt Rapp driving Jason Day following his victory at the 2016 Players Championship.

Photo: PGA TOUR Images walk and see all 18 holes and look at every shot. Or you can sit in one spot and walk a short distance that way, a short distance this way and see three or four holes of great golf in close proximity. That’s where we put the fan hubs. If you’re hot, if you’re thirsty, if you have to go to the bathroom, there are fan services in these places. Then you go back to watching golf.

Do you have any stories about someone who came away particularly impressed with the course?

I was talking with a person who is with Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce.

The person whose company makes all the flatware that is sold at Walmarts in the United States and many other places is a Chinese

gentlemen, and most of the stuff is made in China. He wanted to make some of his products in the U.S., so he was out looking and scouting for places to build a factory.

He has a base in New Jersey, and he came down here to North Florida. We brought him out to the course, and he was very impressed. He said, “Whenever there are Chinese businesspeople who are coming to Jacksonville, bring them to this course because they will then appreciate where Jacksonville is. People in China know this course. Since that time I’ve done a number of business exchanges where we’ve had Chinese businesspeople come. I’ve given tours, we’ve had meals, we’ve walked around the property.

And I’ve done this with up to and including

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on tour same with people from here in Ponte Vedra Beach and Jacksonville. People who travel around and say they’re from Jacksonville tell me that maybe Jacksonville isn’t the most well-known city, but when they tell people Jacksonville is where The Players Championship is, the home of TPC Sawgrass, the 17th hole, they understand.

the Chinse Ambassador to the United States.

I gave him a tour of the property, took him out on No. 17 and walked him around the clubhouse. He’s not an insignificant person in China. For people like that to be wowed by a golf course, that shows you the power of TPC Sawgrass. It’s pretty special.

Why is this golf course so great as a host to a significant PGA Tour event?

This place was made for golf fans. Most golf courses aren’t built to accommodate large amounts of spectators. They weren’t built to test the very best players in the world and do so on a completely neutral basis. This course favours no player, no style of play. If you look at the history of the champions, that’s proven out. There are long hitters who have won, and there are short hitters. There are left-toright champions and right-to-left guys. As Deane Beman, the former Tour commissioner who oversaw the construction of this course, said to me before the 2013 event, “This course was built to test every club in your bag and to reward the person who could control his golf ball the best.”

What do you say to someone who is visiting The Players Championship for the first time?

If you’re a golf fan, there is no better experience. If you were to ask golf fans to create in their minds what elements would go into making a tournament like Commissioner Beman described, you would come up with The Players Championship because the fan would want all the best players to play, and at The Players they do. The fans would want to test the players on a neutral site where no one player would have an advantage. This course allows that. They would want to be able to see the PGA Tour players hit any shot on any hole, and they would want to enjoy the beauty of golf in a wonderful setting. We have all that here at the course, as well.

We also have the surrounding areas. This part of Florida is a great place to visit. The World Golf Hall of Fame is a short distance

TPC Sawgrass 18th fairway with the clubhouse in the background. Photo: Getty Images/Cy Cyr from here. There are 70+ golf courses in the area, and most golf fans like to play golf, too.

Then they can witness history, either here at the golf course during The Players or at the Hall of Fame. Fans can really soak it all up.

have a bad product yet people think you’re great. I think if that were the case, sooner or later people will figure out your product isn’t great. But our product is great, and it’s our job to help people understand that.

Do you find yourself comparing this event to other golf tournaments?

Actually, I grew up in Louisville. I grew up going to the Kentucky Derby, and so that’s my frame of reference for what a big event is. We’re there at The Players in terms of where the physical product is. But we’re not there in terms of reputation on a national and international basis. We’re getting there, though. Now I would rather have the best product and not be known for it yet than

What is it about the Kentucky Derby that makes you want to turn your golf tournament into its equivalent?

The Derby is one of those defining, global events on the calendar that people understand and appreciate. I’ve traveled around quite a bit and gone overseas.

People ask you where you’re from, and if I say Louisville, they may not necessarily know where that is. But if I say Louisville is where the Kentucky Derby is, they know. It’s the

It seems The Players Championship has a much higher stature than it previously did. Do you agree?

I think the real growth of the event started between the ’06 and ’07 tournaments and the building of the clubhouse. While the original clubhouse was spectacular for what it was (completed in 1981), it had very much outlived its useful life. So getting the course sand capped (covering tees and fairways with several inches of sand to help improve grass health), getting the SubAir system (to pull excess moisture from greens) installed and improving the infrastructure of the course to make sure we had the best playing surface was critical. Then building the clubhouse made it so there are two iconic things about the tournament and the course—the 17th hole and that amazing piece of architecture. People see that clubhouse and that view you get from 18 tee looking at that clubhouse, and it’s pretty dramatic and spectacular. That period in 2006 and 2007 was really the start of the elevation of the tournament. It has always been a great event, but in that time period, that’s what’s taken The Players to the next level.

Is that the idea, that the 2017 Players Championship will be better than the 2016 version which was better than the 2015 version and so on?

We need to continuously improve The Players Championship. And we have definitely improved it for 2017. The changes people will see this year will really blow them away. There will be people who have been coming here all their lives who will be lost on this golf course because some places on this golf course look so different. • Story provided by the PGA Tour.

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USPGA

Aussie history at The Players Championship

B

y 1980, The Players Championship was no longer a newcomer to the golf scene.

Started in 1974 by then PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman at Atlanta Country Club in Georgia, The Players Championship rotated to various courses throughout the U.S., before finally moving permanently to the enclave of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., in 1977, a city outside Jacksonville where the PGA Tour would eventually move its headquarters. Sawgrass Country Club hosted the event from 1977 to 1981, so in the final year the Tour contested the tournament at the seaside golf course, Aussie players Jack Newton, Bruce Devlin, David Graham and Bob Shearer all teed it up in the tournament but none made it to the weekend. It was the first time in Players history that an Australian had not played 72 holes in what had become the PGA Tour’s flagship event.

In 1998, that dubious history repeated itself.

Stuart Appleby, Craig Parry and Wayne Grady didn’t play well at TPC Sawgrass, the tournament’s home since 1982, and they, too, sat on the sidelines on the weekend.

In every other year of the tournament’s 43year history, Australians have made the cut, many playing well and some—we’re looking at you Steve Elkington, Greg Norman, Adam Scott and Jason Day—winning the tournament.

This month, another group of Australians will try to join that quartet, etching their names in history as Australians who have won The Players Championship, a

tournament contested on an iconic golf course. Here’s a look at the best finish, by year, of Australians in The Players Championship.

Year

Player

Finish

1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Bruce Crampton Bruce Crampton David Graham Bruce Devlin David Graham Jack Newton David Graham None Bob Shearer David Graham David Graham David Graham Greg Norman Greg Norman Greg Norman Greg Norman Steve Elkington Steve Elkington Ian Baker-Finch Greg Norman Greg Norman Greg Norman Steve Elkington Steve Elkington None Steve Elkington Greg Chalmers

3rd T34 T9 T3 T20 T9 T41 T72 T35 T41 T33 T33 T4 T11 T4 T16 Won T2 T3 Won T37 T19 Won T38 T9

Pilkadaris bags share of 1 million Qantas points Terry Pilkadaris has become a ‘millionaire’ of sorts, grabbing his share of one million Qantas Points thanks to an ace with his pitching wedge.

Earlier this year, the PGA of Australia in partnership with Qantas Golf Club, announced the One Million Qantas Points Hole-in-One promotion to run at all ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia State PGA Championships in 2017.

As part of the airline’s partnership with the PGA, Qantas put one million Qantas Points up for grabs at State PGA Championships across the country.

Pilkadaris, on the par-3 15th in round two of the Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship at City Golf Club became the first player of the season and current holder of the entire prize pool.

Adam Scott is among a small band of Australians to succeed at The Players.

Photo: Chris Condon/PGA Tour 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Robert Allenby Robert Allenby Robert Allenby Adam Scott Steve Elkington Greg Owen, Craig Parry Peter Lonard, Adam Scott Stuart Appleby Aaron Baddeley Robert Allenby Aaron Baddeley, Jason Day Geoff Ogilvy Marc Leishman Matt Jones John Senden Jason Day

T21 T11 T4 Won T6 T22 T6 T15 T9 T2 T6 T12 T8 T17 T8 Won

Story submitted via the PGA Tour.

Redcliffe Golf club

“I got lucky, I hit a pitching wedge in there, one bounce and side spins into the hole and the rest is history I guess,” Pilkadaris said of the 13th hole-in-one in his career.

Any professional golfer will tell you just how valuable a prize like this can be and it certainly won’t go to waste on Pilkadaris.

Thanks to his commitments on the European and Asian Tour, he’s already travelled to Singapore, Myanmar, Malaysia, Perth, India and now Toowoomba.

“I play in Asia and Europe so I’ll be using those points to fly to those destinations.”

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Scramble ready to tee off T he countdown is on with only a few short weeks until Holden Scramble’s biggest season yet tees off.

The country’s most successful amateur golf event, run by the PGA of Australia, has evolved, expanding the season over summer to increase accessibility of the Holden Scramble event to participants.

The local season will now run from 1 June 2017 – 28 February 2018 with Regional Finals held in March 2018 and the Championship Final in May 2018.

To reflect the Holden Scramble’s exciting new season, a new brand identity has been developed together with Holden and will begin to roll out to clubs and partners over the coming weeks.

Holden, one of Australia’s most iconic brands, are thrilled with the new direction of the Scramble event, with Emma Pinwell, the General Manager of Marketing, Brand and Media Strategy stating: “We’re very excited to be supporting an inclusive event in the Holden Scramble. We are driven to turn possibilities into reality and the Holden Scramble’s format provides golfers of all skill levels the opportunity to participate in a national event and even be crowned an Australian champion.”

“Through our extended network of Holden Dealerships we look forward to engaging even more Scramblers and continuing to engage the local golfing community.”

CEO of the PGA of Australia Gavin Kirkman is delighted Holden has decided to continue their partnership under the Scramble’s relaunched season.

“It’s terrific to have Holden partner with us again in delivering this immensely popular event across Australia,” Kirkman said.

PGA Club Professional for the chance to qualify through to the Holden Scramble Championship Final on the Sunshine Coast.

“The PGA of Australia has been dedicated in developing a re-vamped Holden Scramble for the upcoming season and I’m sure with the continued support of Holden we’ll see this event grow under the new model.”

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May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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juniors

www.insidegolf.com.au/juniors

Juniors tackle Curro South African Junior International

J

ACK Newton Junior Golf is lucky to have substantial sponsorship from a number of individuals and organizations within the state.

Thanks to this generosity they are able to provide the junior golfers of NSW some excellent playing and development opportunities.

One organization that gives financial support to junior golf is The Nomads Golf Club of Australia.

Lewis rounded off her tournament with a seventh place finish.

Duncan and Heaton battled some excellent competitors in the boys division to finish tied 39th and 57th respectively.

All four juniors did their country and state proud both on and off the course.

JNJG believes the whole overseas tournament experience is beneficial for juniors as it prepares them for the professional golfing life.

The Nomads Golf Club began in 1960 with a small core of businessmen enjoying each other’s company on a golf course.

The South African Nomads - as an organization - has donated to various charitable organizations over more than 50 years of its existence. Nomads has a membership of more than 3000 members belonging to 12 clubs in South Africa, three clubs in Zimbabwe, one in Botswana, one in New Zealand and three in Australia.

They also believe it is important for the children to experience the environment and culture of the country they are travelling in.

This year, with the help of Nomads Australia, four juniors, two from NSW and two from Queensland, attended the Curro South African Junior Masters.

“Going to South Africa was definitely a trip I will never forget, the places we went to and the calibre of golf over there was awesome,” said Tyler.

Hannah Park (NSW), Rhianna Lewis (QLD), Tom Heaton (NSW) and Tyler Duncan (QLD) accompanied by managers Tanya Smith (JNJG) and David Twycross (Nomads) headed to Cape Town for the week-long event.

“The whole trip was just an amazing experience and it was a pleasure to be a part of an incredible team.”

The Durbanville Golf Club played host to the event, which saw almost 150 juniors from all over the world take part.

“But this trip meant more than just participating in an event.

The Australian team made a great showing, led by Park, who finished in third place, just one shot from getting into a playoff for first.

John, Kim tops at Australian Junior Championships

This trip was no exception: The team and managers made the most of their time in Cape Town visiting Boulders Beach, Table Mountain, the Waterfront and the amazing Aquila Safari Private Game Reserve.

All of the juniors and managers had an incredible week.

Hannah summed up her experience: “The tournament itself was thrilling.

“Experiencing a whole new country, meeting and living with new people, and being on a new golf course, I really appreciate everyone who offered me this opportunity and made this possible. I learned so much.”

C

ameron John and Grace Kim are the Australian Junior champions of 2017.

In thrilling finales at both boys’ and girls’ championships, Victorian John and Kim, of New South Wales, each prevailed on the 72nd hole to join a tremendous honour roll of past champions.

At Wollongong Golf Club, John held his nerve with a par up the closing hole – in fact, nine in succession – to hold off New South Welshman Jordan Garner by a stroke in a tense finale.

And at nearby Port Kembla Golf Club, Kim went one better in nailing a birdie on the final hole to prevail after an epic battle with state teammates Hannah Park and Doey Choi.

Both winners earned exemptions into their respective national Open championships next summer.

John, 17, said the thought of competing against a worldclass field in the Emirates Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in November had been his primary motivation on the closing hole, which included a clutch 3-iron second shot for a long water carry on the par-5 18th.

“I actually stood over that shot and said to myself, `You have to hit this well if you want to play the Aussie Open’ and thankfully I managed to do it,” said John after his fifth and final year of eligibility for the junior title.

jack newton junior golf - Driving Junior Golf in NSW since 1986

www.jnjg.com.au (02) 9567 7736 FOLLOW US ON: @JNJGTOUR 40

May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

juniors

www.insidegolf.com.au/juniors

Juniors light up age championship

“I’ve watched some really good players win these in the past few years and I knew this was my last chance and I didn’t want to regret it, so I’m really pleased to have ticked it off now.

“I can’t wait to play in November and hopefully compare my game to some of the best professionals in the world – it’s going to be awesome.”

Kim, 16, has had a massive summer, winning the Greg Norman Junior Masters in Queensland and being named not only to the NSW girls’ team, but also next month’s open-age women’s interstate series.

And next summer promises to be even bigger, with a start in the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at Adelaide’s Kooyonga Golf Club now locked in.

“I’m stoked. I just heard about that and I can’t think straight right now,” Kim beamed.

“I really can’t put into words what that means.”

Kim never led outright until the final putt, but drilled her closing approach to within 2m to turn up the heat when it mattered most.

Park, who’d led or shared the lead for the entire tournament, watched in disbelief as her 2.5m birdie putt horse-shoed out and then Kim calmly rolled in her own birdie try in a storybook finish.

AFTER three days of tough competition between junior golfers ranging in ages from five to 17 years, the Australian Junior Age Division Golf Championship wrapped up at Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon.

The tournament proved to be another major success as players from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, New Zealand, France, New Caledonia and India turned up to compete.

In the 17-18 years division Frenchman Norman Bonnet won the boys’ division after carding rounds of 71-8274 for a 227 total.

He finished nine shots clear of Capricorn Resort’s Caleb Scott.

Moree junior Brenna Purse (262) won the girls’ division.

A first for Kwinana juniors IT took close to six decades, but West Australia’s Kwinana Golf Club this year was able to field both a junior male and female pennant team.

Founded in 1959, Kwinana Golf Club has never fielded at junior girls pennant team and in 2016 the club was unable to fill a junior boys pennant team.

“This year we were able to field both junior teams mainly due to the efforts of the fantastic First Tee Program, which is run at Kwinana and encourages golf and life skills to children between 5-17 years of age,” the club administration assistant Tiffany Franklin said.

“Both our boys and girls teams played extremely well, stepping up to the challenge of pennant golf.

“The club received many compliments on our juniors from other clubs.

“The Kwinana Golf Club is proud of our junior pennant teams and knows the future is in good hands with these young golfers.

“Seven of the players also had the opportunity to play a nine-hole matchplay event at the end of the State Junior Amateur open field at Gosnells Golf Club last month.”

Capricorn Resort’s Ben Scott won the 15-16 aged boys’ division from Bailey Callander of North Lakes while Pelican Waters junior Brigette Griffin took out the 1516 age girls’ division from Blackwater’s Rae Weiki.

New Zealand’s Caerwyn Ross won the boys’ 13-14 age division and France’s Maiwen Delamaire captured the girls’ division.

In the 11-12 boys’ age division, Isaak Jensen of Yeppoon was victorious and in the girls’ it was Dalby’s Mary Golder.

Melbourne’s Arrow Shah won the 9-10 years boys’ title and North Lakes Juhi Rampersad took out the girls’ title.

In the boys’ 7-8 age division, New Zealand’s Ethan Lam was successful while Moranbah’s Talie Hampton was the girls’ winner.

In the 6 years and under boys division, Tin Can Bay’s Chase Rendall took home the winner’s trophy and in the girls’ Maroochy River’s Ellianna Macrae was victorious.

Top juniors to battle for Trans Tasman Cup

W

henever Australia lines up against New Zealand in a sporting context, everyone knows it is going to be a battle until the end.

the traditional Pro Am events preceding majors.” Wallis said.

“We are thrilled to have the support of some inspiring Pros who are passionate about junior golf. It is a lot of fun and the kids keep the Pros on their toes”

The fact that the contenders are aged between 5 years old and 14 and are playing in a junior golf tournament is no exception.

The Aussies are determined to avenge last years’ loss and win back the U.S. Kids Golf Trans Tasman Cup.

Day two is the muchanticipated Trans-Tasman Cup. Scoring is a combination of stroke and match play with a point given to the team that wins each age category. In 2016, the result hung in the balance until the very last group posted their scores and the Kiwis won 6.5 to Australia’s 5.5.

Positions on the Australian Team have been tightly contested and players have qualified from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne making it a true national event.

On the 5th and 6th May, twenty-four of Australia’s best junior golfers aged between 5 and 14, will take on New Zealand in a format similar to the worldfamous Ryder Cup. The top 2 place getters in each age category, from the recent U.S. Kids Golf’s Summer Tour have been invited to make up the Australian team to take on the highly competitive Kiwis.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for all the kids involved to feel what it is like to represent their country” says Kevin Wallis, U.S. Kids Golf Australia’s Managing Director. “They get to wear the green and gold, walk into the opening procession under the Australian flag and stand in front of hundreds of friends,

family and spectators and sing the national anthem. It is a real goosebump moment for all involved and something they will never forget.”

“Played over two days at Barnwell Park Golf Club, the first day will see the kids play in a Pro Kids event which is based on

U.S. Kids Golf New Zealand has finalised their team from the Auckland and Wellington Tours and are bringing a contingent of over 100 players, coaches, caddies and spectators.

For more information on U.S. Kids Golf Australia www.uskidsgolf.com. www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

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juniors

www.insidegolf.com.au/juniors

Junior membership in safe hands at Northbridge

G

“I can’t say enough about Michael . . . he puts in a great effort and focuses on improving the junior game, as well as teaching the kids the rules and etiquette, as well as making friends on the golf course not only with other juniors but adult members too.”

OLF is known as a game for all ages and abilities . . . however over the past few years we have witnessed a decline in membership numbers across all age groups.

Masters was being played at the time. He just sat and watched for an hour, asking questions but mainly watching the professionals play,” Nick recalled.

Jack Newton Junior Golf has found that one of the major issues facing potential junior members was the restrictions that were imposed on them.

The next day Harry asked if he could have a go so Nick took him out to watch him play nine holes.

It is a regular occurrence for them to have parents with young children that want to join them up to junior programs or clubs only to find they are often turned away because their child is ‘too young.’

It wasn’t long into the round that Harry asked to have a go.

“The club we were playing at had kindly given us a junior putter just in case Harry wanted a go while watching me.

When he came to the club 18 years ago there were 85 junior members and the junior membership fee was $480.

“Harry put the ball down on the fairway and just whacked it.

The club has no age restrictions and once the children are members they have full adult seven-day playing rights.

These children then turn to other sports that are willing to accommodate them and the golf industry struggles to attract them back once they reach an ‘appropriate’ age.

At JNJG they are working to eliminate those restrictions and make clubs aware of the benefits of allowing these youngsters to be involved in these clubs.

Age is not a factor in entering any JNJG events.

Entry is instead based on the ability of the child to physically get around a nine or 18hole round.

In January seven-year-old Harry Deitz played in the Harvey Norman Week of Golf.

This is one of the major events of the Tour calendar and Harry’s first-ever JNJG tournament.

It was a 72-hole event that saw Harry play a full round at four different Sydney courses.

He was one of two seven-year-olds that took part in the event and although not in contention for any major prizes he did not stop smiling the whole time!

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May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Harry and Nick Deitz When the JNJG officials spoke to Harry’s dad Nick about the week and how Harry found it they were thrilled: “Harry had a ball . . .he hadn’t played at any of the courses so was extra excited, and the fact he got to play 18 holes, four days in a row, meant he was in heaven,” said Nick.

“He was obviously tired at the end but you wouldn’t know it.

“He was keen for the next day as soon as each round finished, to the point he wanted to stay and practice each day even though I was trying to get him home.”

After seeing his enthusiasm over the week JNJG was keen to know more about how Harry got started in the game and what the process was like for his parents.

Nick shared with us how it all began with a golf game on an ipad.

“He then asked me what golf actually was and how it worked so I put the TV on as the

“He had been watching the swing action and had replicated it straight away, so he ended up playing the rest of the nine holes using a putter from the tee!

“Since then he hasn’t stopped playing,” said Nick.

Being only seven and playing in his first JNJG event, the foundation was curious to know what the club membership process was like for Harry and his parents. “When he started playing I rang a few local clubs, however Northbridge was the only one that seemed really keen to bring on juniors and also had the set-up to cater for them,” said Nick.

“Michael Pollack is the junior manager and gives up a huge amount of his time to focus on juniors, especially those just starting out.

“He runs a weekly (and now often twice weekly) junior clinics, as well as ambrose competitions and fun clinics during the school holidays.

We checked with Northbridge Golf Club general manager, Marko Delatovic to find out more about junior membership.

He promptly sought board approval to reduce this to $120 with the aim of attracting more juniors to join.

Junior membership grew substantially up to about 320 junior members.

This was great however other members were worried that this influx of juniors would mean spots were limited in the Saturday competition.

Marko reassured them this wouldn’t be the case as a majority of the children also participated in other sports as well as golf and usually on a Saturday morning. And he was right.

There is so much value that junior members bring to golf clubs. They are the future generations of members.

They are the ones who will get their children and grandchildren into the game.

Northbridge Golf Club is leading the way and juniors like Harry are falling more and more in love with the game of golf because of this accepting approach. •

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clubs

Big 5-0 for Rowes Bay GC FOR Townsville’s Rowes Bay Golf Club, 2017 is the year of festivities as the popular club celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The festivities teed off in February and included a Greg Norman visit and will continue through to November 4 when the “celebration of the first game of golf” takes place.

The club’s general manager Gary Toplis said Rowes Bay Golf Club had come a long way in the past 50 years.

“We have gone from being an ordinary track to a premier golf club with 840 members,” he said.

“More than 55,000 rounds of golf are played here each year.

“We used to be the poor cousins of Townsville after the Willows and Townsville golf clubs, but it’s all swung around now and we are the premier golf club in North Queensland and the biggest outside of Brisbane.”

Greg Norman’s mother Toini, who was Rowes Bay’s inaugural women’s club champion in 1969, will attend the festivities after accepting an invitation to play in the 39th Rowes Bay Women’s Open on June 10.

Mrs Norman might be in her mid-80s, but she continues to amaze on the golf course and recently scored her umpteenth hole-in-one at Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast.

The Shark’s former coach Charlie Earp joined the celebration when he attended the Townsville Junior Classic last month, which included the Rowes Bay Junior Open.

“It is an exciting year for us and we can’t believe so much has happened already,” said Rowes Bay Golf Club’s promotions, marketing and sponsorship coordinator Sue Duncan.

“And to have Greg Norman pop in and then for the club to win two awards at the Queensland Golf Industry Awards night was pretty awesome.”

For the record, Rowes Bay’s Matt McCarthy was named Golf Queensland’s Volunteer of the

Lee to inspire Australian MyGolfers

Year and the club shared the Queensland Golf Industry Junior Program of the Year Award with Brisbane’s Pacific Golf Club.

The latter award goes to the golf club or facility deemed to have delivered the highest quality introductory/grass roots development program to children and adolescents.

“Winning that award was a big win for us,” Toplis said.

“That award doesn’t come out of southeast Queensland very often so it’s a feather in our cap and recognition for our long-serving professional David Lord.

“He has worked hard to develop the game here and it’s great that he’s received this recognition.

“We have 60 juniors turn up on Saturdays.

“For the beginners, we have the par-3 course that allows the juniors to graduate through the different levels.

“It’s a good stepping-stone for them to graduate to the 18-hole championship course.”

Meanwhile, the club’s celebrations continue with the mixed foursomes on May 20, women’s open on June 10, men’s and women’s foursomes on July 15, celebratory dinner on July 21, women’s closed championship (August 5 and 12) men’s open (August 19-20), men’s closed (September 2, 9-10),52nd celebration of Foundation Day 19652017 (September 23) and the celebration of the first game of golf on November 4.

Then it is the lowering of the celebration flag, which will be placed in a time capsule with other memorabilia to be buried before being opened on the club’s 100th anniversary.

The fun continues on November 5 when the mixed 4BBB stableford event takes place with the women hitting off the men’s tees and the men off the women’s tees.

Then it’s back to “normal golf” on Rowes Bay Golf Club’s fantastic layout.

NORTH TURRAMURRA GOLF COURSE • 18 hole championship course overlooking beautiful Ku-ring-gai National Park • Open to the public 7 days a week • Men’s competition days Wednesdays and Saturdays • Women’s competition days Thursdays and Saturdays • Golf tuition and junior coaching from experienced pro • Parking, pro shop and kiosk • Part of new $29 million sports precinct

Australia’s top-ranked female golfer, Minjee Lee, has joined Jason Day as a joint ambassador of MyGolf, the national junior participation program designed to boost the growth of junior golf around the nation.

Lee, 20, herself a recent graduate of the Golf Australia high performance pathway, is thrilled to be involved with MyGolf.

“It is a great privilege to support MyGolf as an introductory pathway to golf,” she said.

“Golf is such a great sport to be involved with for both girls and boys, not only from a playing perspective, but also from a social viewpoint.

“And MyGolf is a brilliant way to introduce the next generation of Australians to golf.”

Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt said Lee’s involvement was a fantastic show of support for MyGolf.

“Minjee has been involved with Golf Australia’s high performance programs for some time and has quickly developed into Australia’s top female professional golfer.

Her willingness to give back to the game is testament to the person she is – and it’s brilliant to see her so passionate about getting young children, particularly young girls, into golf,” Pitt said.

PGA of Australia Chief Executive Gavin Kirkman was equally delighted.

“Minjee is one of Australia’s leading tour professionals and, along with our top-ranked men’s player, Jason Day, we are thrilled that we have the nation’s two leading professional golfers supporting our most important development initiative, MyGolf,”Kirkman said.

MyGolf has 6500 enrolled participants across 576 registered centres nationwide this year.

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May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

club developments

The Oasis – secure luxury in Noosa’s premier golf community

F

or golfers, it’s as close as you can get to heaven this side of the Pearly Gates.

Imagine sitting on your veranda sipping a sav blanc, looking out across a spectacular golf course, your home secure within a gated community, your own golf cart in the garage, and your booking confirmed for tomorrow’s members’ competition.

This is reality for a privileged group of people lucky enough to buy into the final – and arguably the best – residential precinct at Noosa Springs, a few minutes’ drive from iconic Noosa Heads.

The Oasis is attracting keen interest from buyers looking to live in secluded luxury amidst the Sunshine Coast’s finest golf course.

Over the past two decades about 270 prestige home sites have been sold in this unique, stylish community.

Only 16 remain – and they are big, roomy allotments, among the best yet offered.

Already 10 houses, unique in their quality, luxury and size, have been built in The Oasis precinct.

Overlooking the golf course’s spectacular 11th and 17th holes, they are situated within a secluded, gated community, assuring security as well as style.

The remaining 14 lots, each at least 800sqm in size, are now on the market, ranging in price from $645,000.

They offer astute buyers the chance to live within one of the most desirable golf and spa resorts in Australia. It’s as if you are on a never-ending holiday.

The homes already completed comprise a mix of a single story and double story.

They have at least four bedrooms and four bathrooms, generous indoor and outdoor living areas, lap pools, and outstanding views over the golf course and the tropical woodland.

They provide a benchmark of luxury on a grand scale.

To reach The Oasis, you drive down a treelined driveway, and past a delightful park.

The park is for the sole use of residents and adds another dimension to the charm and character of this exclusive neighbourhood.

Although part of the Noosa Springs community, The Oasis has its own body corporate, dedicated to the management and maintenance of its parkland and streetscapes.

Noosa Springs’ championship 72-hole golf course, designed by golf architect Graham Papworth, is a beautiful layout, its fairways meandering by lakes, ponds and tropical forest, and providing an enjoyable challenge to all golfers.

Then there’s the resort itself – only a few minutes away by golf cart - where residents will find the clubhouse, bar, award-winning restaurant, spa and fitness centres, tennis courts and heated swimming pool.

its famous beaches, shopping, restaurants and bars, and within walking distance of Noosa National Park.

Renowned for its food and wine, Noosa offers a selection of restaurant options from the casual array of cafes to fine dining experiences. For those who prefer to dine in, Noosa boasts two of Australia’s best farmers’ markets showcasing an abundance of fresh, local produce.

Residents have preferred access to membership of Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort, allowing them access to these worldclass facilities around the clock.

If you are interested in securing a lifestyle that most people can only dream about, arrange an inspection with Bron Collins, in the real estate sanctuary beside the waterfall outside the clubhouse.

Noosa Springs is ideally located only a few minutes’ drive from iconic Noosa Heads, with

Reach her at (07) 5440 3341, mobile 0407 492 824, email bronwync@noosasprings.com.au.

New luxury development to transform Royal Pines landmark

T

he creator of Palazzo Versace and Q1, Sunland Group, has commenced a major transformation of the Royal Pines Marina on the Gold Coast to deliver an $82 million waterfront residential, retail and leisure destination on the doorstep of one of Australia’s finest golfing destinations.

Construction has already commenced on the redevelopment of the former 1980s landmark, which will feature twin low-rise apartment buildings overlooking the marina, new retail and dining amenity, expansive landscaped gardens, a swim school, design school and Sunland’s Gold Coast offices.

Sunland is also investigating the potential for a future marina development.

Sunland Group Managing Director, Sahba Abedian, said Marina Concourse will feature 110 luxurious apartments and penthouses, the majority with north facing views over the waterfront.

“Our vision for Marina Concourse is to create a vibrant, connected waterfront community which offers unique lifestyle amenities to residents of Royal Pines and surrounding areas,” he said.

“The majority of apartments are north-east facing overlooking water and feature a mix of two-bedroom, two-bedroom plus study, three-bedroom and three-bedroom plus

media residences, including the penthouse apartments on level six.”

“At the marina level, a collection of dining, retail and recreation spaces will be created for the enjoyment of residents and the community, with direct access to the waterfront.”

Marina Concourse is only a short walk to Metricon Stadium and several major Commonwealth Games precincts, and is anticipated to be completed in early 2018 before the Games commence. It is also

superbly positioned only 15 minutes from the Gold Coast’s spectacular surf beaches and leisure precincts.

Northern Gold Coast; and The Terraces, located 10 minutes south of Noosa in Peregian Springs.

The 27 -hole golf course at the neighbouring RACV Royal Pines allows for three unique 18-hole combination golf courses, including a recently re-designed championship course which hosts the Australian PGA Championship.

The Group’s total portfolio comprises more than 5,800 residential housing, land and multistorey products along Australia’s east coast with an estimated end value of $3.8 billion.

Sunland’s other developments include the exquisite Shea Residences in St Lucia, Brisbane; The Heights Residences on the

The Marina Concourse sales suite is located onsite at Ross Street, Benowa and is open daily from 10am to 4pm.

For more information, phone 1300 400 905 or visit www.sunlandgroup.com.au • www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

45

clubs

CLUB OF THE MONTH >

Patterson River Golf Club A

short 30 minutes south of Melbourne, in the bayside town of Bonbeach, sits the lovely and picturesque Patterson River Golf Club.

Having benefitted greatly from a superb upgrade and renovation in the last decade, Patterson River Golf Club is built around a 15-hectare lake system, and features superb couch fairways, undulating bent greens and an extensive array of water hazards and bunkers, providing a test of skill for all range of golfers.

And while it may not immediately spring to mind when you mention courses of the Melbourne Sandbelt, Patterson River is indeed a Sandbelt course, with all the quality and playability of the courses in that famed region.

In addition, the sand base makes it a great allweather course – with good drainage in wet weather (and an ample water supply to keep it lush in the summer).

Patterson River Golf Club has worked tirelessly to position itself as one of Victoria’s most welcoming and friendly clubs. This is not only reflected in the super-friendly staff throughout the club, but also via the large range of membership options on offer. A close viewing of the various memberships reveals that there is truly something for everyone (see MEMBERSHIP, below). In addition, the club is financially in good shape, with no debt, and a hefty $2.5 million in the bank following a recent land sale. So, happily, the club is here to stay!

Inside Golf had not played the course in a number of years, so it was with a combination of excitement and curiosity that we took to its fairways last month.

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May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For the uninitiated, a course guide is key at Patterson River Golf Club, as every hole on the course requires careful thought before you tee off. It’s a layout that demands good course management, and thus proper club selection on every tee.

As we found quite early in the round, positioning is critical on this course, as there are various driveable lakes, bunkers and other hazards in play. So the “Grip it and rip it” mentality can cause serious strife if you’re not careful. In fact, an iron or hybrid will do you just fine on most holes around the course.

Especially on holes like the extremely tight 376m par-4 5th. Flanked by water on both sides, the landing area for your drive is only about 15 paces across!

That said, if you can hit your driver straight, and long, then you can take advantage of many risk/reward opportunities on offer at Patterson River.

Another one of the big challenges/defenses on the course is the club-grabbing rough.

Thick and heavy (but not too deep to conceal your ball), it will definitely punish any wayward shots.

Probably the biggest challenge of the course is safely navigating the quick greens.

In fantastic condition when we played, the greens at Patterson River are quite sneaky in their breaks. Though they roll very true, speed is the killer here – if you hit it even a fraction too hard, you’ll be faced with a knee-knocker return. So tread lightly with the flatstick!

There is a good variety of holes and lengths throughout the course. Many of the par4s are short while there are also a few that require two solid hits to reach the green. The par-3s are solid (and fun), while the par-5s offer some interesting options for the longer hitters. In general, you could find yourself using most of the clubs in your bag; a sign of a well-designed course.

Following your round, the clubhouse at Patterson River offers a modern alfresco design where golfers can eat and drink, inside or out. Good meals at reasonable prices are available seven days a week, with evening dining three days a week.

It is also, as we found, a great place for functions. As we finished our round, a

clubs

wedding was taking place beside the 9th green. Meanwhile, the club was setting up for a large Easter charity event to take place the following day. Indeed, Patterson River is a hub of activity!

The facility also offers good practice facilities (practice chipping green, bunkers and putting green in front of the clubhouse).

Carts are available for hire, but as the course is relatively flat, it is an easy walk for the 18 holes. The club features competitions 7 days a week, with easy access to book tee times.

Overall, I was pleased (and pleasantly surprised) with the quality and playability of Patterson River. The staff were extremely friendly, the clubhouse and facilities were of good quality, and the overall vibe from other players/members was warm and welcoming.

It offers tremendous value-for-money, and is an ideal location for members, social groups or just a casual round. Be sure to check it out!

MEMBERSHIP Patterson River Golf Club is currently accepting membership in all categories with no membership joining fee. There are a variety of membership deals on offer, including Afternoon membership

(Play after 12pm sun-Fri for $26/week), Limited Lifestyle membership (24 rounds of golf for one year), Partner membership (for couples), The supa7 membership (7-day membership for $770), NXTGEN (for 23-29 year olds) and a 3039 membership (for 30-39 year olds).

GREEN FEES ADULTS

The club is currently offering the following Special Green Fee deals: 8 rounds for $340 – Play any day Sun – Fri tee-off after 12.3pm and Saturday after 3.30pm. •

FACT FILE

JUNIORS

Mon – Fri

Weekends & Public Holidays

Mon – Fri

Weekends & Public Holidays

Visitor 18 Holes

$60.00

a.m. $70.00, p.m. $60.00* *Saturday fees after 12.30pm at Manager’s discretion

$30.00

$30.00

Member Introduced

$40.00

a.m. $40.00 p.m. $40.00

$20.00

$20.00

Visitor 9 Holes off peak $40.00

$40.00

$20.00

$20.00

Visitor 9 Holes Member Introduced

$25.00

$10.00

$10.00

$25.00

A number of Golf Carts are available for Hire. Cost is $40 per round. Bulk rate 20 rounds for $450.

Patterson River Golf Club Address: The Fairway, Bonbeach Vic 3196 Phone: (03) 9772 1855 Web: www.pattersonriver.com.au Email: admin@pattersonriver.com.au Golf Enquiries & Bookings Phone: (03) 9772 1972 Function Enquiries & Bookings Phone: (03) 9772 1855 Email: functions@pattersonriver.com.au

PATTERSON RIVER GOLF CLUB Looking for something different to traditional membership deals?

As a progressive club PAtterson rIVer offers memberships to suit your lifestyle Afternoon Memberships - to suit tradies NXTGen Memberships - to suit young golfers Supa7 Memberships - for the time poor 3039 Memberships - for the under 40’s Lifestyle Memberships - for the occasional golfer Partner Membership - for golfing couples Check out the website or contact our office for further details G R E AT C O U R S E

G R E AT F R I E N D S

G R E AT C L U B

PATTERSON RIVER GOLF CLUB The Fairway, Bonbeach, VIC 3196 | Tel: (03) 9772 1855 Email: admin@pattersonriver.com.au www.pattersonriver.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

47

senior amateurs SENIOR Amateur WRAP With Denis Dale

Four National events produce four different winners Leading Scores 211 Kym Olsen The National 70-71-70 218 Mark Limon The National 73-73-72 221 Simon Bracegirdle The National 71-74-76 223 Mark Abeyaratne 76-73-74 225 Greg Rhodes Coomealla 70-76-79 228 John Wheeler The National 77-75-76 230 Michael Barltrop Royal Auckland 78-76-76 231 Gordon Claney Kingston Heath 73-79-39

ed@insidegolf.com.au

New South Wales Senior Championship It might not have been the prettiest golf ever witnessed, but Duntryleague’s Robert Payne has done enough to take out the NSW Senior Amateur Championship at Bathurst Golf Club.

The 58-year old grabbed the title by three shots from his final-round playing partner, New Zealand’s Michael Barltrop. In a tie for third place was defending champion, Mona Vale’s Stefan Albinski and Queenslander Martin Minogue.

Payne, who was happy to be leading the event after 36 holes, let the pressure get to him early, which allowed his opponents a sniff of victory.

“My front nine was terrible. It was very tough out there, I don’t know why I was so nervous, “They were two and three behind, and I found myself playing them and not the golf course, “Golf is a funny game and I’ve played it long enough to know not to get into this situation,” Payne said. As one mistake led to another for the tournament leader, challengers started to appear.

Playing in the group ahead of Payne, the Queenslander Minogue got himself into contention with a tidy front nine of oneover-par 37. His chances disappeared on the closing holes with a string of bogies.

After an uncharacteristic bogey on the 10th

by Payne after failing to extricate himself from a greenside bunker, the lead had evaporated. His playing partner, Barltrop, was still in with a chance of snatching the win.

Payne, realising he had a battle on his hands to grab the trophy, made a gutsy birdie on 14th hole to re establish his lead, before closing out the championship with a string of safe pars.

Robert Payne, winner of the 2017 NSW Senior Championship.

Royal Perth Senior Classic Local favourite Paul Chappell was too good for a classy field and has won the 2017 Royal Perth Senior Classic by five shots.

After an opening round of 74 that saw Chappell trail round one leader Mark Gatty by four and Trevor Hughes by one, Chappell produced the goods in the final second round and shot 72.

Chappell’s 36-hole total of 146 saw him a comfortable winner over Hughes and Gatty.

South Australian visitor John Davey finished alone in fourth place ahead of Robert Gibson, Michael Dunsmore and John Banting who tied for fifth.

Leading Scores 146 Paul CHAPPELL, Hartfield 74-72 151 Trevor HUGHES, Hartfield 73-78, Mark GATTY, Royal Perth 70-81 152 John DAVEY, Tea Tree Gully 77-75 153 Robert GIBSON, Joondalup 79-74, John BANTING, Royal Perth 79-74, Michael DUNSMORE, Hartfield 75-78 154 Dennis WARBURTON, Melville Glades 75-79 155 Robin DYBECK, Mt Lawley 79-76 156 W arren HOWARD, Wanneroo 76-80, Timothy DEAKIN, McLeod 75-81

Despite carding a disappointing final round 5-over par 76, Payne was happy to take the title.

The win is Payne’s third major state title and will sit alongside his 2000 Country Championship triumph and the 2001 NSW Amateur Championship Crown. This one, however, feels pretty special to the Central West Local.

“This win is good not only for Duntryleague, but the Central West District,” Michael Barltrop continued his good form in Australian senior events and finished second.

In equal third place was Stefan Albinski (75, 76, 72) and Martin Minogue (72 , 74, 77) while fifth place went to Ken Brewer ( 74, 72, 78).

Leading Scores 219 PAYNE Robert 73 70 76 222 BARLTROP Michael 70 75 77 223 ALBINSKI Stefan 75 76 72, MINOGUE Martin 72 74 77 224 BREWER Kenneth 74 72 78 225 OLSEN Kym 77 75 73 227 DUNSTONE Simon 74 76 77 228 GLEESON David 78 74 76, HANNAH Peter 78 74 76, CRANFIELD Geoff 77 76 75 229 WOOD Noel 77 75 77, DAVEY John 77 74 78, BOCKMAN Ross 74 80 75 48

May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Nett honours was awarded to NSW visitor Rex Suckling who finished strong today with a nett 71 for a total of 1-over-par.

Following a strong start on day 1, the Belmont member found the Old course a challenge but rallied home in the final round to finish a mere shot ahead of runner-up Ian Donaldson of Yering Meadows. Claiming third place on a count-back a further shot back was fellow New South Welshman Paul Dickinson of Wyong.

Across on the Moonah course in the Consolation field, the best scratch score was carded by Steven Davies with a 77 off the stick. In the nett section it was Henk Van de Ven of Howlong who enjoyed his first win in 8 years with a solid nett 70.

West Australian Senior Championship Leading Scores 221 John Banting Royal Perth 74-74-73 231 Trevor Hughes Hartfield 78-75-78, John Davey Tea Tree Gully 76-77-78 232 Michael Dunsmore Hartfield 77-79-76 233 Paul Chappell Hartfield 78-82-73 235 Barry Squires Mandurah 77-82-76 237 J ohn Wanless Mandurah 76-82,79, Duncan Hamilton 76-82-79 239 M ick Street Patterson River 79-85-75, Dennis Warburton Melville Glades 81-81-77 240 Richard Ferreira Cottesloe 81-79-80 241 Colin Hallam Redcliffe 78-82-81 242 Mark Gatty Royal Perth 80-86-76

Shot of the day went to another ace on the par-3 hole 13th by Metropolitan’s Frank Newton, backing up the hole-in-one on the same hole from Rob Coxon of Green Acres in round 1.

The championship is one of three National Senior ranking events in Victoria, consistently attracting a high calibre field of the top local, interstate and international senior male players since its inception in 2010.

John Banting, a wire-to-wire winner of the 2017 West Australian Senior Championship.

Golf Australia vs Australian Defence Forces

Every year a 12-member Golf Australia team does battle against a team chosen from the Australian Defence Forces.

This year the venue was once again the marvellous golfing complex at The National on the Mornington Peninsula.

“I hit a nice drive and a good approach shot in on the 18th. That took a lot of pressure off me. If it had been a one-shot lead it would have been a different story,” Payne smiled.

“To card 76 at the end was a little disappointing, but the victory is very, very sweet,”

Kym Olsen, record-breaking winner of the 2017 National Senior Masters.

Paul Chappell, winner of the 2017 Royal Perth Senior Classic.

The National Senior Masters The final round of the 2017 edition of The National Senior Masters Championship has concluded on yet another spectacular golfing day at Cape Schanck.

More ideal conditions could not have been planned for the duration of the championship, with brilliant sunshine lighting up the undulating links across all 3 days.

Kym Olsen has secured himself the coveted Green Jacket on the Ocean Course following a dominating display of artistry out on the links.

Using his home ground knowledge, Olsen carded 3 sub-par rounds for a recordbreaking 54-hole total of 5-under-par which included 15 birdies in total for the championship.

The current Australian Senior Amateur champion rolled in a seven-shot victory over fellow National member Mark Limon at 2 over par. Rounding out the top 3 positions and trio of local winners at 5 over par was 2016 runner-up Simon Bracegirdle.

The first day saw the morning 4 ball matches begin on the magnificently presented National Ocean Course in a stiff northerly breeze. Golf Australia players performed well with the morning play finishing at ADF 3 1/2 matches to GA 2 1/2.

The 10 men and 2 women that represented Golf Australia in the match against the Defence Forces.

During the round the stiff breeze turned into a howling gale with players struggling to maintain balance. Wins for GA were recorded by Adrian Barr and Mark Abeyaratne 3 and 1, by Mike Peeck and John Kelly 1 up, while Jacqui Morgan and Tim Deakin squaring their match. Simon Bracegirdle and Tom Harold, Alan Bullas and Mark Gatty, and Helen Pascoe and Whippy Wellington lost hotly contested matches.

Simon Bracegirdle (1 up) v Andrew Ezergailis Mike Peeck v Tony Greenwood (3/2) Alan Bullas v Josh Evers (3/2) Tim Deakin v Kurt Lampe (1 up) Mark Gatty (square) v Dennis Villanueve John Kelly (1 up) v Tim Wright Helen Pascoe (4/3) v Ray Vacey Jacqui Morgan v Danny Sgalipoa (3/2) Adrian Barr v Jo Passmore (1up) Bill Wellington (square) v Kim Johansen.

After a short lunch break the afternoon foursomes players hit off in ever worsening weather conditions. Unfortunately heavy winds, driving rain, and then lightning and thunder soon descended on the field with the siren sounding to end play. With another threatening weather system moving in, play was abandoned for the day.

All matches were tight and played in a friendly but competitive manner. The final results was ADF 14.5 matches defeated the GA team 9.5.

The weather for the final day was breezy but clear and pleasant; a great day for golf.

The Golf Australia team was “out muscled” by the stronger Defence Force team.

There is no doubt that this match is growing in stature and importance. Therese Magdulski from Golf Australia attended the official dinner and both she and Air Marshall Leo Davis expressed a desire to see this annual match grow into the future.

Tom Harold v Derrin Morgan (5/4) Mark Abeyaratne v Daryl Whitehead (2/1)

Congratulations to the ADF team on their win and congratulations also to the members of the GA team who all played so very well and represented us so proudly.

senior amateurs

18 holes with Gordon Claney Denis Dale

ed@insidegolf.com.au

V

ictorian Gordon Claney is one of the best senior amateurs in Australia. He recently reclaimed the number one spot in the Australian Senior Rankings from fellow Victorian Greg Rhodes. A mainstay of Australian Senior teams for several years, Claney has been the winner of both the Australian Senior Strokeplay and the Australian Senior Matchplay Championships.

Below Claney answers 18 questions on golf for Inside Golf.

Tell us about Gordon Claney before age 55. Work, golf, other sports etc.

I was born in Kyabram and was brought up on an irrigation farm at Merrigum. I learnt to play on Merrigum’s sand green course.

All of the family played golf. My sister is 15-time club champion at Kingston Heath. I attended school locally before completing a Science Degree (majoring in Chemistry) and teacher qualification at Monash University in Melbourne during which time I joined Kingston Heath.

I taught in suburban and country secondary schools, completing my teaching career in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne as an Assistant Principal. I completed IT qualifications in the mid 80s and spent subsequent years teaching and consulting in IT and managing IT systems in schools.

Like most country people, I played many sports while growing up, but I was only any good at cricket and golf. After bouts of extreme fear while facing very fast bowlers, I decided that golf was my game.

I am married with three children. My son is a low handicapper at Avondale. My daughters hate golf passionately. My wife has started to play golf after retiring from work.

Best golfer you have played with?

Peter Thomson Best golfer you have seen?

Seve Ballesteros Your best moment in senior golf?

Australian Senior Amateur, Mandurah, 2014 What are your golfing aims for 2017 and beyond?

2017. Try to maintain my Australian Senior ranking to be selected in the Sanctuary Cove event and the Asia Pacific Senior Amateur at Royal Adelaide. Improve my chipping.

Beyond... I will play some senior events next year, but my priority is to join the “grey nomads” travelling up north and down the west coast of Australia through the winter months. After that, I will be kicking 65 years old, which means attempting to beat my age.

I had better find some short courses with very flat greens!

Your dream fourball?

Seve, Peter Thomson, Jason Day Do you have one key swing thought?

Hit the back of the ball with a square clubface.

Favourite course and the hardest course in Australia?

Kingston Heath because at the end of a round every club in the bag has been used, it is fair, severely punishes poor play and is playable in all weather.

Of the members courses that I have played, I rank the Ocean Course at the National GC as the hardest, although I have not played The Australian from anywhere near the back. It looks hard.

The length young players hit the ball - your thoughts?

It is a combination of the equipment (club, balls), course conditions (when did you last get a bad lie?), athleticism and technique.

The length of courses is making the game too slow and too hard to walk.

The length that players hit the ball is devaluing the design strengths of some of the classic courses. The only way of reducing length is to change equipment specifications to force reduced carry.

One of the immediate things that I would like to see done is to change ball construction so that balls hook and cut more much like an old B51 did. Eliminating selfcorrection in direction would make it harder to hit straight so players would have to ease off the power to gain accuracy.

Best golfing tip you have been given.

It is the next shot that is important.

How often do you practice? Do you follow a set routine?

I practise a couple of times a week and play at least two rounds a week. I have no set routine. I decide when I enter the car park.

I hit about 50 full shots in a session. Over my life, I have spent relatively too much time on the long game, which is fun to practise, at the expenses of the short game and putting, which I find boring to practise.

What is your favourite club?

7-iron. What can’t you do with a 7-iron?

Your thoughts on the new Rules of Golf.

The new rules will help speed up play and reduce confusion. I had hoped that OOB would be a stroke, not stroke and distance, penalty and that a putter would have to be the shortest club in a set, but I am quibbling.

Best course you have played overseas?

Royal County Down, Ireland. Natural construction, stunning views and seriously challenging. Some think there are too many blind holes.

Your opinion on course setup for seniors.

I am generally happy with how most courses are setup.

I thought the set up by Trevor Herden at Kooyonga last year for the Australian Senior was excellent. It was a brilliant course in fantastic condition allowing good scoring from good play.

I do have issues with the speed of greens presented for all levels of competition. In my view, greens should be firm so that an approach shot has to be hit properly to stop within 4m. On firm greens, speeds of above 12 feet are excessive and make the game too slow.

People will tell you that certain greens in certain areas are historically fast and that modern green speeds are nothing special. Have a look at a match between Peter Thomson and Gary Player at Royal Melbourne pre-1966 on YouTube and look at how hard they have to hit their putts to get to the hole.

The RM greens were firm and they were about 9 feet on the stimp. Many courses have their greens too fast. Cut back to speeds of 9 feet, reduce maintenance costs by not having

to cut and roll as often, improve speed of play and use the many more pin positions that will become available.

How many holes in one?

Three and I value them all.

You seem to be getting better with age. Any secrets?

I am not getting better with age. It has just taken me a lifetime to marry my technique and mental approach into a vaguely workable method. I have learnt that there are some things that you cannot do, so don’t try them during a round.

Have you been to the Masters or the British Open?

I went to the Open at St Andrews in 2015. I stayed in a house in the middle of the town and had a season’s pass to the Open.

I wandered down to the course each morning, went home for lunch and went back in the afternoon. The Open was extended into a 5th day due to horrendously bad weather. You needed thermal gear to survive the driving rain and cold wind.

St Andrews is not a good course for viewing as the course is out and back. You would have to walk many kilometres to follow a group. I sat in stands and spent plenty of time on the range where there were always top players hitting balls.

It was a great experience, especially seeing players around town. One night I was in an Indian restaurant with Brandt Snedeker and other players at adjacent tables. The next night, Dustin Johnson was standing outside my front door. He accepted my recommendation and guidance to the same Indian restaurant, but he decided to eat in a burger place that we passed on the way. I forgot to ask for an autograph. www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

49

new gear

www.insidegolf.com.au/gear

>NEWGEAR Bushnell PRO X2

All of Bushnell Golf’s industry-leading laser rangefinder innovations are packed into the new Pro X2. Tour-trusted SlopeSwitch Technology engages Bushnell Golf’s patented Slope Technology to give the golfer compensated distance based the hole’s incline/decline - and turns off for a USGA-conforming device when needed.

There’s PinSeeker with JOLT Technology to eliminate any doubt that you have locked onto the flag. Accurate to a 1/2 yard.

Ranges 5-1,300 Yds; 450+ Yds to a Flag.

Fully-waterproof metal housing.

WE TRIED IT!>

Callaway Sure Out Wedge

Now, Haney has collaborated with Callaway—a company equally known for helping golfers achieve their best—to create a new wedge, the Sure Out, which greatly simplifies the short game, and helps golfers to achieve greatness from the sand, rough or anywhere around the greens.

We took out the Sure Out wedges last month for a few rounds, and put them through their paces.

Despite being relatively unknown, Forte Golf, an Aussie golf ball company, have already created quite a stir in the industry. Their products are aimed to provide the most satisfying sensation on feel via various target orientated ball selection.

Apex6 is the ultimate tour performance ball. Designed without compromise, it offers optimal combination of ball speed, launch condition, spin rate and soft feel.

Tour Performance S is an ultra-soft 3-piece ball, manufactured with industryleading materials and a unique cast urethane formulation, it is soft yet extremely controllable.

SS3 Speed is a 3-piece construction ball, coupled with ultra aerodynamically efficient 312 dimple design; SS3 will dramatically reduce side spin that translates to straighter and longer flight.

SS2 Soft is designed to provide maximum feel through its low compression ratio. Engineered with higher trajectory yet lower-spinning tee shots that will not sacrifice any distance.

RRP: Apex6: Starting from $66.99 Tour –Performance S: Starting from $40.99 SS3 Speed: Starting from $24.99 SS2 Soft: Starting from $18.99 Phone: 07-5511-4592 www.fortegolf.com.au support@fortegolf.com.au

inc. GST

Renowned golf instructor Hank Haney is no stranger to helping players improve their game. One of the world’s most recognised and celebrated instructors, Haney has a reputation for helping golfers of all levels— from Tour players like Tiger Woods to everyday “weekend warriors”—to bring out their very best on the course.

The first thing a golfer will notice about the new Sure Out wedge is the sole. Featuring enhanced camber and high bounce, it is designed to help glide the club through sand and thick grass without the need to open the face. In essence, it helps get the ball to pop up quickly and easily, with minimal stance/ swing adjustment needed by the golfer.

Forte golf

RRP $189.99

Similarly, the Sure Out is equally efficient through heavy grass and rough. The high degree of bounce helps eliminate fat shots, thus giving you more confidence with distance control. We were even able to play a few “Phil Mickelsonstyle” lob shots with the 64-degree Sure Out— the kind of shots that go sky-high, and land “like a butterfly with sore feet”.

Overall, we absolutely loved the Sure Out wedges. If your short game needs a bit of help (especially from the sand or rough) then we highly recommend you give these a test.

Callaway’s Sure Out Wedges are equipped with a choice of two premium shafts, a highly responsive KBS 90 steel or a lightweight 65g graphite option from UST, and are available in two lofts: 58° and 64°. www.CallawayGolf.com.au

This is no more apparent than in the bunker.

For most bunker shots with a regular sand wedge, players are encouraged to open up the face of the club, aim left of the target, adjust your swing line, etc. But with the Sure Out, you can take your normal “square” stance and swing. Just set up and swing the way you normally do, and let the club do the work.

This greatly simplifies your bunker shots, and allows you to relax and focus more on the shot itself (not your setup).

Our trials overwhelmingly supported this.

From thick/heavy sand, to the light/fluffy stuff, the Sure Out helped pop the ball up and out of the bunker, while landing softly and quickly. True to its name, this wedge made bunker shots far easier and less stressful.

And it definitely shaved a few strokes off the scorecard, as a couple of our shots settled to within tap-in distance!

Gailes Golf Club Brisbane, Australia

with a shared motorised cart Your chance to play Gailes Golf Club, an Australian Open Golf Course: 18 holes for two in a shared motorised cart.

Normally $124 Terms & Conditions: • Each coupon is for 2 people, for an 18-hole social round of golf with shared motorised cart at Gailes Golf Club. • Not for play in club competitions. • Bookings essential & subject to availability. Ph: (07) 3271 2333 (please mention the coupon when you book) • Booking times: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Fridays, after 12.30pm subject to availability. • Coupon must be presented to Proshop on the day you arrive to play • Dress Code Applies: Neat golf attire. • Valid from 1/4/17-30/6/17 • 24 hours’ notice for cancellations.

Contact GAILES GOLF CLUB on (07) 3271 1045 or email: office@gailesgolf.com.au Gailes Golf Club Inc. 299 Wilruna Street, Wacol, QLD 4076 50

May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

instruction

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Bunkers: the easy way out Allan May

www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au

I

magine having that good round going; the putts have dropped, the driver has finally behaved itself, and the irons have been finding the putting surface regularly... except for the last iron shot on the last hole.

That shot has landed in a greenside bunker and, unfortunately, on the short side, near the flag with little green to work with. Most of all, you hate playing bunker shots as they nearly always come out too hot and race across the other side of the green.

Let me show you how to play that softlanding bunker shot with a few simple changes to your routine.

Firstly, you need to take your grip and turn the club in your hand so that the clubface is open (fig1). This means that when you look down at your left-hand grip, your thumb is to the left of the centre line of your grip.

Now, looking at the clubface, you can see that in relation to your left hand the clubface is laying open and pointing to the right.

The opening of your clubface exposes the rounded sole and bounce of the club and therefore the sole will glide through the sand and not dig into it as if the leading edge of the clubhead was to make contact with the sand first.

Secondly, you need to take a much wider than normal stance, with more weight on your left leg than the right leg. Don’t be worried about taking a little more knee flex than

normal as this will help keep your balance.

Your feet should be in a parallel line left of your intended target and let the left foot turn a little to the left. The ball should be on a line with your left heel and your hands need to be BEHIND the ball, this means that your club shaft will be slanted away from your target and pointing more towards your navel (fig 2).

Once you have your correct setup, you’re ready to play the stroke. I found that most golfers have trouble playing bunker shots of all types because they don’t spend enough time getting into a correct setup position to execute the desired shot.

Now, the playing of the shot is the easier part. You need to remember a very basic rule: the weight stays forward on your left leg (for

a right-handed golfer) throughout the swing; there is no weight starting on the left leg and going back to the right leg through impact, this is a recipe for disaster and usually occurs because you are trying to pick the ball up. So rule number one: STAY ON THAT LEFT LEG! Take the club away by using your arms and hands; you need to hinge your wrists early, making sure that there is minimal chest turn at this point.

Aim to strike the sand approximately 2-3 cm behind the ball and let the right hand slide under the left. This keeps the clubface open and helps the sole of the club slide under the ball. You do not want that clubface to rotate over through impact. Remember, we are adding loft to the club through impact so it

may take a little practise to be able to judge your distance control as you may find that you need more clubhead speed than you thought for such a delicate shot. If you are having trouble catching the sand too far behind the ball, you can try turning your chest to the left through impact which helps deliver a more shallow angle of attack and less chance of digging to deep into the sand (fig3).

A little bit of practise will develop the feel for this shot and give you the confidence you need to commit to the shot on the course.

Allan May is a PGA Certified Advanced Level Coach at Thornleigh Golf Centre. www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au

Lining up the chip shot 1

Grant Kenny

www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au

I

f it’s good enough to put a line on your ball to practice your putting stroke, then it’s good enough to put a line on your ball to practice your short chip shots too.

Here’s why.

Marking your ball with a solid straight line helps you square the club face to the ball.

2

Look at picture 1. Simply square the line on your ball to the line on your putter head.

Correct alignment will allow for the ball to roll “end over end” resulting in a more consistent stroke.

Picture 2 illustrates incorrect alignment.

If you strike the ball with an open or closed putter face, the ball will skid across the green, making it harder to judge the pace of greens through a round.

Picture 3 shows the same technique but this time with a wedge.

3

Making contact with a square clubface means the grooves on the club face will work their magic, helping the ball to spin high up through the air, check and stop.

If you line your club head like that in picture 4 you will most likely thin the ball over that green. And instead of a putt you may well find yourself facing a bunker shot next.

Also just a point here about chipping: A lot of amateurs tend to flick their hands in an effort to try and get the ball in the air. But

4

by practicing this drill you will soon get the feel of the ball running up the club face and spinning through the air. Let the club do its work, but always remember square it up to the ball first to get that perfect chip.

Grant Kenny is a qualified Australian PGA member with many years experience as both a tour professional and a teaching pro. Contact him at Thornleigh Golf Centre. www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

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instruction

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The lie detector for your swing With Terry Price www.terrypricegolfschools.com.au

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ast month I spoke about the massive advancements in equipment over the last 20 years and in this issue I would like to share my experience of state-of-theart radar technology, which is used by most of the world’s Tour players.

To understand what ‘radar technology’ is, just watch any TV coverage of major tournaments where the flight path of the ball is tracked by coloured lines on your screen, providing clear images of the shape of the shot, trajectory and ball speed.

I have been using the TrackMan product periodically for some years and more so in the past 5 years. The instant results it provides direct to my smartphone improved my understanding of the swing related to ball flight and accuracy, ultimately giving me more confidence in my own game.

The mapping of swing DNA is now possible by recording absolutely EVERY part of your body and club movements providing key data parameters: ball speed, attack angle,

club path, face angle etc. For the golfer there is no hiding from the truth of these results…I call it the Lie Detector for your swing.

Many of our students at my golf schools at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast tell me “I want to hit straight shots” so on the first morning we may start with the Driver and record stats on the TrackMan. We then assess the info to make some subtle changes which may lead to hitting a high draw…the shot isn’t straight but invariable hits the target and with more distance.

Throughout the day the device continues to provide clear results and ultimately huge accountable progress throughout the threeor five-day school with TrackMan validating swing patterns on every club in the bag.

The game has been good to me over the years and I am now passionate about improving golfers’ skills via TrackMan, accelerating the learning process beyond conventional means, which, a decade ago, we never thought possible.

Evidence thus far from my students has found we can demonstrate improvement rates by 20-30% in a short space of time.

The equipment works for players of all levels and ages. Just a few weeks ago I was coaching a 10 year-old and the following day an 82 year-old. It puts a smile on my face to

Traditional Golf Package

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see beginners through to older golfers who thought they would never improve.

I’m so excited by the enhancements seen in my students with this technology giving a clear pathway to game development making practice efficient and enjoyable.

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Terry Price has been a PGA Tour player since 1986 playing in Australasia, Europe and USA. In 2012 he joined the European Seniors Tour and currently plays domestically in the Legends tournaments as well as hosting golf schools at Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club on the Gold Coast. www.terrypricegolfschools.com.au Tel: (07) 3535 0610 Email: info@terrypricegolfschools.com.au

IT’S FREE!

From: Twin Share - $340 per person Quad Share - $305 per person

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fitness

www.insidegolf.com.au/golftips/

The Reverse Fly for better mobility Focus on using the muscles between your shoulder blades and squeezing the shoulder blades together.

Richard Nizielski

Hold for a moment and with control, return to the start position.

www.golffitsolutions.com

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The exercise describe here is simple and requires very little equipment. Basically, any exercise where the shoulder blades are retracted, the rhomboid muscles will be involved. Other exercises, which place a focus on the upper-mid back muscles, are the seated row, wide grip row and lying pull-up.

ontinuing with the theme of shoulder mobility and stability series.

The Rhomboid muscles are between the shoulder blades in the upper-mid back region

These muscles form from the spine and attach to the medial border of the scapula bone.

Whichever exercise you choose to strengthen the upper-mid back muscles, always place an emphasis on good form of movement first, before adding resistance.

The Rhomboid retracts (moves the shoulder blade backwards) and rotates (moves the bottom tip of the shoulder blade towards the spine).

Often the rhomboid muscles become weakened and lengthened (phasic), particularly when the shoulders are placed in a forward position for long periods. This commonly occurs when good posture is compromised, such as sitting at a desk with the shoulders and back in a rounded position. For the golf swing, having excessively rounded shoulders can affect the ability to rotate the upper body and have a connected torso to arm swing pattern.

Even if posture is corrected at the address position, as swing speed is increased the centrifugal force placed upon the club head,

Happy golfing • particularly for the Driver, will pull the arms forward when the upper back muscles are weak.

The Reverse Fly exercise is a simple and ideal exercise for strengthening the Rhomboid muscles.

Lastly, having tightness on one side of the body (the chest) and weakness in the muscles of the other side of the body increases the risk of poor function and injury to the shoulder joint.

Standing in a golf posture, with the feet hip to shoulder-width apart. Keeping the torso long from the tailbone to the crown of the head, flex forward at the hips and engage the deep abdominals.

Stretching and myofacial release is ideal for muscles, which are tight and short (tonic), however for muscles, which are weak and lengthened, activation and strengthening is required.

Hold the stretch band with both hands shoulder-width apart. Extend the arms 90-degrees from the torso. Keeping the shoulders down and back extend your arms out to the side.

Start Your Swing Right Nick Randall nickr@gravityfit.com

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ast month we talked about using GravityFit tools and techniques to help find your best golf posture. This month we’ll cover how you train the next most important part of your action, the takeaway.

All of the quality golf coaches I spend time with stress the importance of starting your swing with the right movement. The takeaway is something that seems easy but is actually surprisingly difficult to repeat on a consistent basis without practicing the correct movement pattern.

The start of your swing is a bit like hitting a putt towards the hole; if you start it off on the right line, the chances of it going in are greatly increased. If you start your backswing in the right way then better positions will be achieved throughout your swing, leading to a much simpler downswing and more consistent strike. If you start off on the wrong track, it can be a big game of manipulation of various body parts to try and get the club back to the ball.

Making a positive change in the search for better ball striking can be like banging your head against a brick wall. No matter how much you try and change your downswing, if the takeaway wasn’t right then everything else will seem like a struggle.

GravityFit has the perfect solution for you using the TPro. It has been widely used 54

May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Hinge forward into a golf posture

across many different high-performance platforms to teach and train great golf movement patterns, and is now starting to filter down to the recreational golfer. What coaches are teaching using the TPro is a backswing that starts with more arm-body connection, essentially moving the arms and body together in the takeaway (see photo). All too often people move their arms independently of their body, creating

Slowly turn chest into backswing and maintain pressure on the spikes and paddles. a mismatch and getting off track early. From this connected takeaway, the rest of the backswing can happen in a fluid and easy fashion.

Here’s how it works; the TPro provides essential kinaesthetic (touch) feedback to help guide you into great golf posture. The green tubing provides a stimulus that strengthens the key muscles around your shoulder blades and upper back, this is important to develop

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

the stability and feel for the arm-body connection. From this great golf posture, with control in those key upper back muscles all you have to do is turn your chest and the arms will follow into the right position. Just like that, you have not only established great golf posture, but also practiced your first repetition on the path to training a connected takeaway movement.

Here’s a simple 5-step process you can follow once you have put on your TPro: 1 – Push handles out in front of your body, keeping slight bend in elbow 2 – Stretch tall, feel green spikes in your middle/upper back and shoulder blades on the paddles 3 – Hinge forward into golf posture 4 – Slowly turn chest into backswing, keep arms out in front of body, and maintain pressure on the spikes and paddles.

5 – Perform 10 reps, rest for 30 secs and repeat.

In summary, the TPro can help you train the start of your backswing by establishing great golf posture, strengthening key muscles and teaching the all important arm-body connection movement pattern.

More information: www.gravityfit.com/golf Nick is a Strength and Conditioning Coach, Presenter, Rehab Expert and Massage Therapist contracted by PGA Tour Players and Golf Australia to provide his services in the United States and across the globe. He is also the GravityFit Golf Guy! 1300 142 146 nickr@gravityfit. com. www.gravityfit.com/golf

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

golf queensland

2017 QAS squad unveiled

SEQ pennants abandoned

The 2017 Queensland Academy of Sport Squad. Absent: Charlie Dann, Jed Morgan, & Louis Dobbelaar

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olf Queensland has announced the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Golf Squad for 2017, with two new faces joining seven existing squad members.

Karis Davidson and Jed Morgan will join Charlie Dann, Becky Kay, Dee Dee Russell, Gennai Goodwin, Lawry Flynn, Louis Dobbelaar, and Shae Wools-Cobb to make up this year’s squad.

Golf Queensland High Performance Program Manager Tony Meyer said he was excited to be working with Queensland’s young golfing talent.

THERE is little doubt southeast Queensland golf clubs were some of the state’s worst affected when floodwaters virtually “drowned” their courses.

“Some of these clubs are weeks from being ready and we couldn’t delay it because there are club championships and other events later in year.

Days after the significant rain event, the South East Queensland District Golf Association called a special meeting of its 12-member clubs to discuss strategies to assist the worst affected clubs including Carbrook, Hills International, Mt Warren Park, Windaroo, Logan City and Riverlakes.

“The golfing calendar is tight and clubs couldn’t host home and away games.”

One issue discussed was pennant golf.

The unanimous decision was to abandon the competition for the year.

“As a district, all we can do is try to appeal to the membership of clubs to volunteer their help and to get back playing golf even if the conditions are not ideal,” he said.

“We were two thirds of the way through the pennant season and we had to make a decision to continue or not and we decided to abandon pennant out of respect to the severely damage clubs,” said Tom Berndt, director of golf at Hills International Golf Academy, Hills College.

The Queensland Academy of Sport Golf Program is conducted with the assistance of the Queensland Government and forms the pinnacle of the Golf Queensland High Performance Program.

The 2017 QAS Squad is supported by Titleist and will train at The Brisbane Golf Club.

On course training will further be enhanced this year with players having access to the new state-of-the-art short game facility at The Brisbane Golf Club.

Those at the meeting also discussed ways of aiding golf clubs decimated by the floods. “It’s been awful.”

Berndt is urging club members to support their respective clubs wherever possible.

“We, with the support of the PGA (Qld), are seeking prizes from industry suppliers for these clubs to conduct events to help raise money for things like pins, flags and tee markers that may not be insured.”

Choppers rescue students MORE than 20 students had to be airlifted out of southeast Queensland’s Hills College at Jimboomba when they became cut off from the outside during the big wet started by Cyclone Debbie.

“The selected squad members have demonstrated commitment to continuing development in all aspects of their game, including technical, physical and mental.

The program which commenced in July 2001, is designed to assist Queensland’s most talented amateur players in reaching their full potential within the amateur golf ranks.

“Squad members have been achieving exceptional results on the golf course this year. Charlie Dann and Shae Wools-Cobb are currently ranked one and three respectively in the National Men’s Rankings, and Becky Kay and Karis Davidson both recently received The Karrie Webb Scholarship.”

QAS scholarship holders have access to world-class coaching and support services including sport science, strength and conditioning, medical, career and education in addition to financial support for competition and training costs, depending on the level of their scholarship.

“Our students were landlocked inside Hills College for about four days because of flooding,” said Tom Berndt, director of golf at Hills International Golf Academy, Hills College.

“The QAS program gives the athlete the best possible opportunities and world-class resources to fully develop their potential.”

The Queensland Academy of Sport Program collectively forms part of the Golf Australia High Performance Program Pathway.

“We had 100 student boarders, 80 of which are golfers, and another 20

“There were about 120 people inside the campus.

Japanese golfers who were here on a training camp.

“They were due to go home on the Friday when floods arrived and they were landlocked and we couldn’t get them out.

“We also had 20 Japanese soccer players there and they ended up hiring a helicopter to get them out so they could catch their flights.

“One of our female golfers was due to fly to America so she also hired a chopper to get out because her flight was due to leave.”

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 Friday 12 May Thursday 18 May Friday 26 May Monday 5 June Monday 26 June Thursday 13 July

WHERE Carbrook PresCare QSOOM Pacific PresCare QSOOM Pelican Waters PresCare QSOOM Pacific Harbour PresCare QSOOM Coolangatta & Tweed Heads PresCare QSOOM Sanctuary Cove PresCare QSOOM

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ENTRIES CLOSE Tuesday 9 May 2017 Monday 15 May 2017 Monday 22 May 2017 Thursday 1 June 2017 Thursday 22 June 2017 Monday 10 July 2017

golf new south wales

The Australian triumph in NSW Major Pennant

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he Australian Golf Club have been crowned the 2017 Golf NSW Division One Metropolitan Major Pennant Champions after defeating St. Michael’s 4 1/2 matches to 2 1/2 in a titanic battle between the two clubs at Terrey Hills Golf and Country Club.

Avondale delight in Division One

In a contest that saw State teammates going head-to-head and no less than four matches require extra holes, it was a stunning eagle on the 19th hole by Blake Windred in the failing light of dusk that ensured the Kensington club’s first Division One Pennant since 2007.

Andrew Hunter, Team Manager for The Australian, was ecstatic with the result.

“It was an amazing contest from everybody. It was exceptional quality golf. Some of the shots were mind-boggling.” clean-up, the club was able to get back on its feet and in business once more.

“For both teams to stay in there was a great effort.”

DIVISION 2 The Lakes have celebrated their elevation to Division One Metropolitan Major Pennant next year with a nail-biting 4 1/2 to 2 1/2 win over Cabramatta in the Division Two Major Pennant final.

It was the wise head on the Veteran Anthony O’Rourke that sealed the win for the Pagewood side with a 20th hole result to the cheers of his teammates.

The other winners for The Lakes were Joshua Armstrong and Tristan Berrett, who both won 6&4, and Evan Kargas, who won 4&2. Darren Wathen, The Lakes Manager, was delighted with the result.

“I thought it was going to be close,” Wathen said. ”After nine, I figured we had it but the conditions changed, and the wind came up.

Coming down the 17th I was worried.”

“Tony O’Rourke, though, he’s a veteran. He stays calm, and he brought it in on the 20th.”

Dunheved Golf Club has prevailed over Penrith in the Local Derby of the Golf NSW Division Three Metropolitan Major Pennant.

In June last year, the St Mary’s club was flooded under about two metres of water. After a lot of effort from members with the

DIVISION 4 Palm Beach Golf Club have won their Club’s maiden Metropolitan Major Pennant in a thriller against Asquith Golf Club.

The result of the match came down to a nail-biting 23rd hole win by the Peninsula Club’s youngest player, 15-year-old Jackson Upton.

Team Manager and proud dad Mark Upton was ecstatic with the win.

“It’s our club’s first pennant. It’s unbelievable; we’re rapt.”

Strathfield Golf Club have taken out the Division Five Golf NSW Metropolitan Major Pennant, five matches to two against a courageous Randwick team.

DIVISION 3

“It’s an incredibly good result. We’re back in Division Two. That’s important,” Team Manager Ken Mudge said.

“It’s a tremendous feeling. Last year we were out of action for nearly a month. This win will bring everyone’s spirits up, and hopefully, kick on into the Masters Pennant,” Mudge said.

DIVISION 5

The result for The Lakes was the fruition of a plan that was set in motion after the proud club was demoted from Division One three years ago.

Craig Williams and Dean Neill led the way with solid wins of 4&3 and 3&2 respectively for Dunheved. Chris McMillan won 2&1, while playing in the number one position. Cain Fitzsimmons sealed the result with a one-up win over Penrith’s Dale Hughes.

Victory in the Pennant Final underlines the club spirit according to Mudge.

Strathfield’s number one player, Craig Delaney led the way with a 6/5 win. He was joined in the winner’s circle by Paul Chialra, Jason Fanning and Sean Twomey.

Steve Ring, Strathfield’s Team Manager, was ecstatic with the result, the inner-west club’s first flag in over 50 years. “Team Spirit, it comes out in these guys. Everyone bought into it. I haven’t got the words to describe it.”

Congratulations to the latest St Hallett Wines Hole-in-One Achievers: Mi Sook Chae, Gregory Dawson, Lexi Grice, Jenny Park, and Janine Ziethsch.

Avondale has been crowned the Golf NSW Women’s Division One Major Pennant Champions for 2017.

In a high-quality affair, the upper North Shore side got the better of the highly credentialed Concord outfit three matches to two in a result that was decided by the last match on the 18th hole.

Avondale Team Manager Sharon Thompson was thrilled for her charges.

“Their attitude is unbelievable. The camaraderie is second to none,” beamed Thompson. “They are a special bunch of girls.”

St. Michael’s Women’s Major Pennant side delivered on their promise, dominating the Division Two Women’s Major Metropolitan Pennant final against Ryde-Parramatta.

Pamela Tsiamis led the way for the Maroubra squad with a dominant 9&7 win to keep her undefeated records for the season intact. Casey Cook won 7&6 and NSW Womens’ State team representative Stephanie Kyriacou won 5&4.

“I am very proud of them. We’ve been together since the first Women’s (Major) Pennant in 2014,” Team Manager Pat Pitsawong beamed. “And next year we are back in Division One.” Pitsawong praised the entire team and singled out Pamela Tsiamis for her incredible effort in remaining undefeated this year.

Do you have what it takes to compete in the

2017 NSW OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP? For your chance to earn a spot in the premier golfing event in NSW, play in one of the Regional Qualifying Events for amateurs

For more information and entry details, just go to www.golf.org/events, OR scan the QR code to go straight to the relevant page

NEXT EVENTS: Sunday, May 14th - Forbes Golf Club Saturday, May 20th - Camden Golf Club

www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

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GOLFERS ABREAST OF RESEARCH FUNDS

Morgan supreme at Women’s Senior

Golfers gather at Pacific Harbour Golf and Country Club to support breast cancer research.

For more than 20 years, golf clubs and their members have supported women and men affected by breast cancer by holding “Tee Off for Breast Cancer Trials” events.

So far, these events have raised $1.9 million for breast cancer research saving the lives of thousands of people diagnosed with breast cancer.

Tee Off for Breast Cancer Trials is a fundraising initiative of the Breast Cancer Institute of Australia (BCIA).

The trials support a unique type of research called clinical trials. Clinical trials identify new and effective breast cancer treatments and prevention strategies.

Every day, 48 Australians are diagnosed with breast cancer and eight lose their life to the disease.

Dr Janet McPhail from Tanunda Pines Golf Club in South Australia said it was unfortunate many members at the club had been touched by breast cancer.

“We’ve now hosted seven Tee Off days and we look forward to it every year,” she said.

“Knowing we’re supporting one another, and our families and friends, makes it a very special day.”

BCIA’s community fundraising officer Kirsten Lyndon said Tee Off events were a great way for men and women to come together and support the cause.

To register your 2017 Tee Off event, visit www.bcia.org.au/teeoff or call 1800-423444 for more information.

Havafeed day helps those in need Burleigh Heads golf club hosted the ‘Havafeed’ Charity day on Friday 24th March and raised over $4300 for Gold Coast families who are in desperate need. Organised by Inside Golf’s publisher Sam Arthur and his wife Sheridan, with the support of several local businesses, this was a fantastic 9-hole event, which brought the community together.

Havafeed.org have been operating for 22 years out of the Gold Coast by a dedicated husband and wife (Robyn and Lindsay Burch). The charity was established to transform and make a difference to the lives of those who are disadvantaged in the Gold Coast community. They provide relief for people in poverty, suffering, distress, misfortune and helplessness. They focus on the marginalised in the community with food relief and well as meals.

Competitors donated $100 each towards the charity to play for some fantastic prizes, donated by several brands. At the conclusion of the presentation was a live auction of some donated golfing goodies, including an Adam Scott-signed 2013 US masters flag which raised nearly $500 for charity.

If you want to try and organise a charity day at your local club, to raise funds for a worthy local charity, please get in touch with your local businesses and charities.

It always feels good to give back. www.havafeed.org

BYRON BAY KNEES UP GOLFERS have been enjoying their golf at Byron Bay Golf Club, just up the road from the most easterly point of the Australian mainland, for around six decades.

A single stableford event will coincide with the normal stableford event in on every month (the first teed off in March) with the final event in November.

Now it’s their chance to tell everybody about it.

The cup event will be on a day nominated for each group and held in the last two weeks of the month.

Formed in 1957, the club is celebrating its 60year existence and would like to invite all past, present members and visitors to take part.

Golfers hit off for the first time on April 20, 1958.

The winning scores from each group will be an aggregate of the best five of the nine monthly stableford scores.

Well, to celebrate the milestone the club is holding a progressive golf competition throughout the year.

Other events planned to celebrate their anniversary include a mixed stableford comp with a shotgun start in August, which will include a social Sunday barbeque.

The 60th Anniversary Cup will include all golfing groups – men, women, veterans and Sunday golfers.

In October, Byron Bay Golf Club will hold an evening social occasion to celebrate the 60th year of the club.

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May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Monash Country Club’s Jacqui Morgan has collected a record fourth straight NSW Women’s Senior Amateur Championship after a thrilling final against her National Representative team mate, Kim Burke, at Mudgee Golf Club.

The final was the third time in six months that Morgan, the defending Champion and reigning Australian Senior Women’s Amateur Champ, and Burke, the recently crowned New Zealand Senior Women’s Amateur Champion, have faced-off in a match-play contest.

Despite the players struggling a little with the pace of the greens due to the heavy overnight rain, it was Burke who coped better, jumping out an early three-hole lead after five and looking in complete control until Morgan made a move with a birdie on the 6th.

“I chipped in, that got me going,” Morgan said.

The Monash Country Club legend won another couple of holes in quick succession, and suddenly, the pair were back to all-square walking to the 10th tee.

Burke appeared to regain control of the match by winning a couple of holes early on the back nine and be on her way to victory. Morgan wasn’t finished, and after the wins on the 14th and 16th the match was once again anyone’s for the taking.

The pair couldn’t be separated after 18 holes, and after six sudden-death holes, Morgan finally retained her Crown with a par on the 24th.

PRISCILLA CHARITY GOLF DAY SUCCESS The 11th annual Tomaree Breast Cancer Support Group “IN The Pink” Fun Golf Day was held at Nelson Bay Golf Club on Tuesday 21st March.

Players enjoyed lunch at the nearby Bowling Club after the game. There were raffles, a charity auction and prize giving. A great day was had by all and many ladies walked away with some wonderful prizes.

The theme of the day was ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’. The course was awash with pink and many teams dressed for the occasion. The Men’s Shed at Salamander Bay provided the shoe which adorned the six-seater golf cart nicknamed “Priscilla” for the day. Several men from Nelson Bay Golf Club dressed in very colourful outfits in the spirit of the day and helped serve Champagne and cupcakes at the Party Hole and collected coins for the Hotshots to hit balls over the lake.

The success of the day is a compliment to all the local businesses and individuals who gave their support to the Group.

‘JC’ wins Blind Golf Vic Open

Brian “JC” Gear from Victoria, with his caddie Garrett Sloan, played an outstanding second round to win the 2017 Blind Golf Victoria Open Championship played at Rosebud Country Club in March.

Brian who is a B2 player on a handicap of 36 played a solid first round scoring 38 stableford points to trail overnight leader Gary Sargent from NSW by 9 points. Gary, who is a B2 player on a 35 handicap, with his wife Eileen as caddie played one of the most outstanding rounds of golf in the blind golf world scoring 47 points on Day 1. Brian scored 43 points in the second round to take the title from runner-up Jeff Ellis (VIC) on 73 points overall. Jeff is a B3 player on a handicap of 28 with his wife Maureen as his caddie.

Winner of the B1 title was David Blyth (VIC handicap 54) with a score of 66 points with Gary McInnes as his caddie. The B2 title went to Graham Coulton (NSW – handicap 40) helped by caddie Sue Carpenter with a score of 70 points, while Rod Mills (NSW – handicap 31) with his caddies Sandra Saunders and Cliff Richards took out the B3 title with 59 points.

Two totally blind golfers in David Blyth and Doug Sloan took out the straightest drive on Day 1 and Day 2 respectively, proving you don’t have to see it to hit it straight.

Marilyn Mills and Jenny Abela from NSW, and Kay Hancock from VIC also played in the event but no ladies award was presented because of the small number of participants in that section.

Mr Doug Sloan, President of Blind Golf Victoria thanked the Rosebud Country Club for allowing the staging of the event for the 26th year.

Sponsorship opportunities are available to anyone wishing to offer charitable support to the blind golf community. Blind golf is open to people of all ages and is a perfect avenue for those club golfers who are experiencing some sight loss to stay involved in our great game.

Blind golf has 3 sight categories; B1, B2 and B3 which relate to how much sight a player has.

B1 players are totally blind.

More: contact Gary McInnes on 0417 055 731 or visit www.blindgolf.com.au or www.internationalblindgolf.com.

Victorian Men’s and Ladies Par 3 Championships The Victorian Men’s and Ladies Par 3 Championships are held at Kyabram Parkland Golf Club in northern Victoria.

The scheduled State titles are held June 11th & 12th Sat/Sun - Men 54 Holes (36 and 18 holes) and Ladies June 8th, 9th Wed/Thur (36 holes over the 2 days). 90 men and 144 ladies from all over the State contest the event with the Kyabram Club being the Major Sponsor and host to tournament dinners for both events.

Entries can be processed online through www.golfvic.org.au Entries close May 19th.

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GOLFING PARADISE IN CAIRNS From June 16-18 Paradise Palms will host its annual Pro-Am, the Cairns Classic.

The three-day $50,000 Pro Am golf event kicks off on Friday June 16th with a Celebrity Pro-Am to be followed by two days of Professional and Amateur Golf tournaments.

Professionals will be playing for $50,000, split into two $25,000 events. One event for the Legends Tour and the other event for the Sunshine Tour players. This gives amateurs the best of both worlds, with them competing side by side in groups of four with one Sunshine Tour Player and one Legends Tour player in each group. The event is open to both male and female amateurs with Golf Australia handicaps.

The $465 entry fee includes play on the Saturday and Sunday, a players’ gift pack, lunch on each day, post golf finger food and drinks vouchers and the Sunday Gala dinner for one person. Amateur prizes are in excess of $8,000 will both daily and overall prizes on offer.

There will also be two Hole in One prizes on offer on the Saturday and Sunday for the Amateur golfers sponsored by Club Car and Pacific Toyota.

Accommodation is also available on site with prices starting at $975 in a resort room for three nights with breakfast with breakfast and entry for one player. One and two bedroom apartments are also available on site from $1240 through to $1560 for three nights with breakfast and one entry fee.

Entry forms are available on line at www.cairnsclassic.com.au or at www.paradisepalms.com.au with payment due at the time of entry.

For accommodation package bookings please contact their events coordinator at events@paradisepalms.com.au or call 07 4059 9999.

COMING SENIOR AMATEUR EVENTS May 4 Hills International Seniors (QLD) May 5 Box Hill Seniors (VIC) May 8-11 Cobram-Barooga Seniors (VIC) May 8 Cabramatta Seniors (NSW) May 8 Flagstaff Hill Seniors (SA) May 9 Penrith Seniors (NSW) May 11-12 Duntry League Seniors (NSW) May 12 Carbrook Seniors (QLD) May 15-16 * NSW Senior Classic – The Australian & The Lakes Pacific Seniors (QLD) May 18 May 23 Mona Vale Seniors (NSW) May 25-28 * NT Seniors Championship May 25-26 Hepburn Springs Seniors (VIC) May 26 Pelican Waters (QLD) May 30 Eastlakes Seniors (NSW) May 5 Pacific Harbour Seniors (QLD) May 8 Manly Seniors (NSW) May 18 Heathcote Seniors (VIC) May 19 Pymble Seniors (NSW) May 19-20 Shepparton Seniors (VIC) May 19-22 * Australian Senior Matchplay –

Coolangatta Tweed May 22-24 Tocumwal Seniors (VIC) May 26 Coolangatta Tweed Heads Seniors (QLD) * Part of the Australian Senior Ranking System

Chatswood to celebrate rare ‘Ace’ feat The Chatswood Golf Club will this month be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of an extraordinary feat achieved by one of their long-term members.

83-year-old Life Member Sue Prell achieved a World-record-feat of scoring consecutive holes-in-one at Chatswood on 29th May, 1977. Her aces on the 122m 13th and 167m 14th Holes earned her the world title of the first (and currently only) woman with that achievement.

This month, Thursday, 25th May, the club

will celebrate with a special Charity Golf Day. Over 100 players are expected to participate in the 8am (shotgun start) event followed by luncheon. The club is also offering a special prize for an “ace” on either the 13th or 14th holes: CGC Members will win one year’s competition fees, while any visitor will walk away with a Bronze Membership (12mths).

The day will also be used as a Charity Day with all money raised going to the Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital.

calendar MAY WHEN: Friday 12th May 2017, 8:00 am Shotgun Start WHERE: Beverley Park Golf Club Here is your chance to be part of the 16th St George Charity Golf Day. Golf Sponsorship: $1000, includes course and table advertising, 4 player entries 2 motorised carts, breakfast, refreshments, lunch and entertainment. Luncheon Sponsorship: $500 includes table advertising, lunch and entertainment for six persons. Team of 4: $800, 4 player entries 2 motorised carts, breakfast, refreshments, lunch and entertainment. Individual Receipts will be issued for $100 as a tax deductible donation.

Further enquiries can be made to: Garry Morris on 0458583220. garry@stgeorgefund.com.au

Charity Golf Classic for palliative care WHEN: May 28- June 1 WHERE: Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort Peninsula Home Hospice Charity Golf Classic includes three days of golf (4BBB Medley/Mixed Stableford, 4 person Ambrose Stroke), four nights accommodation in either suite or cabin (with a 5th night for free if desired), barbecue on arrival, wine tasting at Buller Wines, breakfasts, full use of resort facilities and culminates with a Silver Service Dinner with Trophy Presentation and Gala Auction.

The cost is $690 per golfer for suite accommodation and $590 per golfer for cabin. Event limited to the first 100 registered players. Non-golfing partners welcome. Sponsored by Callaway Golf and BMW Shepparton.

All money raised directly supports those who are living with a life threatening illness and choosing to receive palliative care in their home. All donations over $2.00 are tax deductible. www.peninsulahospice.com.au/news or email kim@peninsulahospice.com.au, or phone Pat Randall on 0417 314 622.

GOLF NSW MAY CALENDAR OF EVENTS Golf NSW Events Date

Event

Venue

Women's Autumn Meeting Women's Srixon NSW Mid Amateur Championship Men's Srixon NSW Mid Amateur Championship

ACT - Various Tocumwal Tocumwal

Men’s Vardon Events Date 06-May 06-May 07-May 14-May 20-May 27-May

Event Bonnie Doon Open Amateur Woolooware Cup Autumn Record Forbes Open Camden Cup St. Michael’s Cup

Venue Bonnie Doon GC Woolooware GC Newcastle GC Forbes GC Camden GC St. Michael's GC

Women’s Jean Derrin Date 1-3 May 4-May 8-9 May 11-May 16-May 22-May 25-May 29-May

Event Bathurst Open Wyong Classic Mollymook Open Treloar Cup Bonnie Doon Bowl and Salver Pymble Cup Rose Bay Cup The Lakes Cup

Handiskins the ultimate game of skins for club golfers. Handiskins is a five-qualifying-round 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.

St George Charity Golf Day

01-04 May 14-15 May 14-16 May

Handiskins

www.handiskins.com.au

Venue Bathurst GC Wyong GC Mollymook GC Tamworth GC Bonnie Doon GC Pymble GC The Royal Sydney GC The Lakes GC

UPCOMING HANDISKINS EVENTS: Massey Park Golf Club Ian Parade, Concord NSW 2137 Final 6th May 2017 Shelly Beach Golf Club Shelly Beach Road, Shelly Beach NSW 2261 4th Qualifying Round 7th May 2017 5th Qualifying Round 14th May 2017 Final 21st May 2017 Cessnock Golf Club 26 Birkdale Blvd, Cessnock NSW 2325 3rd Qualifying Round 13th May 2017 4th Qualifying Round 27th May 2017 5th Qualifying Round 24th June 2017 Final 8th July 2017 Wakehurst Golf Club Upper Clontarf Street, Seaforth NSW 2092 2nd Qualifying Round 6th May 2017 3rd Qualifying Round 27th May 2017 4th Qualifying Round 3rd June 2017 5th Qualifying Round 10th June 2017 Final 24th June 2017 Gailes Golf Club 299 Wilruna Street, Wacol QLD 4076 1st Qualifying Round 20th May 2017 2nd Qualifying Round 27th May 2017 3rd Qualifying Round 8th July 2017 4th Qualifying Round 15th July 2017 5th Qualifying Round 22nd July 2017 Final 29th July 2017 Parkes Golf Club London Road, Parkes NSW 2870 1st Qualifying Round 20th May 2017 2nd Qualifying Round 10th June 2017 3rd Qualifying Round 24th June 2017 4th Qualifying Round 8th July 2017 5th Qualifying Round 22nd July 2017 Final 20th August 2017 Cowra Golf Club Mees Road, Cowra NSW 2794 1st Qualifying Round 20th May 2017 2nd Qualifying Round 17th June 2017 3rd Qualifying Round 8th July 2017 4th Qualifying Round 22nd July 2017 5th Qualifying Round 16th Sept 2017 Final 24th September 2017 Nudgee Golf Club 1207 Nudgee Road, Nudgee QLD 4014 1st Qualifying Round 21st May 2017 2nd Qualifying Round 4th June 2017 3rd Qualifying Round 11th June 2017 4th Qualifying Round 18th June 2017 5th Qualifying Round 25th June 2017 Final 2nd July 2017

For information on any of the above events, or for a full list of fixtures go to: www.golfnsw.org www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

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people

www.insidegolf.com.au/people

King of clubs scoops top gong “My wife Tracey is going through breast cancer at the moment so we now donate a percentage to the breast cancer research unit at UQ (University of Queensland).

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

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YNNUM Golf Club head professional Matthew King proved a popular choice when named Queensland Club Professional of the Year at the recent Queensland Golf Industry Awards.

“We are helping two charities at the moment and it’s something the three of us are proud of.”

Speaking of proud, King’s father Paul said he and wife Loretta were immensely proud of their son’s achievements.

King, a quietly spoken and measured club professional, told Inside Golf receiving the award was a “huge honour”.

“We were so pleased for Matthew,” Paul said. “When he took over from me, he improved the shop immensely and his charity work with Brad Nairn and Kyle Woodbine is amazing.

“I probably realised it more and more after the congratulatory phone, text and email messages I have been receiving,” the 49-yearold said.

King was destined to a career in golf from an early age.

KING REIGNS: Queensland Club Professional of the year Matthew King poses with his proud parents Paul and Loretta King.

His father Paul was the Wynnum club professional for more than 40 years (1961-2002) and King remembers honing his skills in the pro shop and on the golf course from an early age.

“A big thing here at Wynnum, and it’s something I learnt from dad, is that anyone who comes to golf do so in their downtime.

King was playing off single figures before his 10th birthday and was fortunate to learn his craft from the best club professionals in the business –dad Paul and close family friend Charlie Earp.

“Both dad and Charlie have had a huge influence on my career,” he said.

King, who took the head professional’s reins from his dad Paul at the end of 2002, has working tirelessly to ensure the club’s members and guests enjoy their golfing experience.

“I definitely enjoy the interaction with the members, the friendships you create and the daily camaraderie,” he said.

“So, I tell my staff that we don’t have the right to upset anyone who comes here in their leisure time.

“The members don’t want to listen to some whinging trainee or club pro so it’s all about giving people the best experience possible.”

King said that if there was a downside to his work it’s the time he missed spending with family, including his 20-year-old daughter, on weekends.

“When it’s everyone else’s leisure time that is when I’m busiest,” said King, who puts in a 50 to 60-hour working week.

Teaching is another passion. He has a number of talented amateurs and touring professional Chris Wood on his books.

“I’m teaching a few Taiwanese students and a couple of them have had wins,” King said.

“I definitely enjoy the teaching side of the business.

“I teach young Chris Wood, who is a very good up-and-coming professional on the Australian Tour.

“I also continue to introduce and teach at schools and give lessons to the members.”

Then there is King’s charity work.

In the past six years, he, along with Brad Nairn and former professional Kyle Woodbine, has raise much-needed funds for juvenile diabetes and breast cancer.

To date the figure stands at more than $215,000.

“We started raising money when Brad’s son was diagnosed as a type-2 diabetic,” King said.

“Matthew is a very good businessman and a good golfer who could have gone further if he wanted to, but he did what I did and opted for a family instead.”

A talented golfer, King junior represented Queensland and Australia at amateur level and spent nine years as a touring professional in Australasia and America.

Now he has his sights set on playing on the Australian Legends Tour.

“I turn 50 in November so I will be looking to play a few events on the Legends Tour later in the year,” said King, who has racked up “11 or 12” holes-in-one.

“I am still playing well so it’s just a matter of getting out there and playing more often.

“I certainly won’t be giving up this job, but I do want to play a few Legends Tour events.” •

It started with golf, fishing and horses “He said, ‘you’re on your own and Loretta and I will pick our own trifecta’.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

“Well, my 33/1 shot won and I picked up $6000. That was a lot of money in those days.”

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UEENSLAND Club Professional of the Year Matthew King reckons he was destined for a career in the golf industry.

It was happy days as Paul splashed out taking the family on a holiday to Fiji.

“We had a nice trip out of that,” Paul said.

When he was still in short pants, Matthew honed his skills out the back of the pro shop and on the course at Wynnum Golf Club where his father Paul King was the club professional for more than 40 years.

Paul, who retired on his 65th birthday in 2002, continues to play golf regularly at his beloved Wynnum.

More golf education followed on camping and fishing adventures.

Paul and close family friend Charlie Earp used to take their sons camping and fishing at Jumpinpin, which lies between North and South Stradbroke islands.

Oftentimes, the topic of conversation was golf and Matthew was all ears keen to learn from two of the best club professionals in the business.

“We used to go camping down at Jumpinpin and nearly get eaten alive by sandflies and mosquitoes,” Paul laughed.

“Matthew and Charlie’s boys loved it.

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He loves getting out there, but he says his golf isn’t as good as it once was.

STORYTELLERS: Paul King (left) and Charlie Earp helped shape Matthew King’s career.

“Charlie and I would kick back and have a few quiet drinks and the boys would go out and there and have a great time.”

“I invested $6, won $6000 and made the front page of the Courier-Mail.

“It happened when my wife Loretta and I went to the track with a doctor friend.

The King of trifectas: It was around that time that Paul, a keen punter, won arguably Queensland’s first ever trifecta at the thoroughbred races.

“We were playing $6 trifectas and I said, ‘I’ll pick this long-shot to go in the trifecta’. It was 33/1.

“I won the very first trifecta at Doomben Racecourse,” Paul told Inside Golf.

“The doc said, ‘I’m not going with yours, it’s got no chance’.

“I played yesterday and I played like a man who has no knowledge of the game whatsoever,” he said.

“I had no idea where the ball or the hole was. It was one of those days when the brain didn’t go to work.” • FOOTNOTE: Charlie Earp and Paul King were the founding fathers of the Queensland Sunshine (Troppo) Tour, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013.

people

www.insidegolf.com.au/people

At 80, Helen is still a champion Michael Court

Led by Daniel Gale, the five-strong Australian team at the 11th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final represented their country in style.

michael@insidegolf.com.au

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Gale leads Aussies in Vietnam Gale was among only a handful of players who had the distinction of bettering par on all three days at the Faldo Design Laguna Lang Co course, in Hue, Vietnam.

O say that Helen Stuart is a champion, is probably understating the obvious.

This Gosford golfer recently celebrated her 80th birthday.

Thanks to rounds of 70, 68 and a closing 69, Gale topped the standings in the Boys’ Under-21 category and finished third overall, just two strokes behind the champion, Thailand’s Napat Paramacharoenroj.

Yet she has defied illness and major spinal surgery to continue her great love for the game.

Displaying a cool head under pressure, Gale was in the thick of the action all the way down to the wire in The R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking event that boasted a strong international field of 85 players from 20 countries.

And it has resulted in numerous wins at the Central Coast (NSW) club as she has continually proven that golf, and laughter are the best medicine you can administer to just about anyone.

Helen had surgery on her spine in 2014 and returned to golf 18 months later to confirm that her golf game was still has healthy as ever as she took out the 2015 C Grade Club Championship.

Not satisfied with that, Helen continued her reign as a club champion when she ‘backed’ it up to win the 2016 C Grade Championship as well.

Of course, she added a few veterans’ events and several other wins as well, including the Champion of Champions which was played just a week after her 80th birthday.

“I have two plates and eight screws in my back as there was a tumour that was pushing against my spine and doctors told me I could have finished up a quadriplegic had I not done something about it.

“But I do love my golf – even though I took it up very late in life.

“I had no idea this was going to happen – that last year was simply incredible,” Helen told Inside Golf.

“I had a win in third division and I guess things have prettymuch snowballed from there.”

“I’m now in B Grade and things are a lot harder than they were because I don’t hit the ball all that far . . . although I do putt pretty well.”

Helen also gave Gosford professional Scott Cubis some of the credit for her success.

Helen explained how she began chipping and putting about 12 months after the surgery, such is her love for the game.

“I used to hit my woods almost all the way to the green because I just couldn’t hit any iron shots and was a bit frightened to try,” she said.

“I was still a bit apprehensive about how my back would hold up,” she said.

“Scott got me hitting my irons a lot better and I’m not frightened to hit them at all now, it’s great.” •

Major champion and tournament host Sir Nick Faldo said: “Congratulations to Daniel on an excellent performance. He pushed the leaders all the way and made a great run at the title. On and off the course, Daniel and his fellow-Australians have made an outstanding contribution to the 11th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final.”

Of the other Australians in the starting lineup, Harrison Crowe tied for 11th overall on 214, followed by Kieran Vogels and Bella Kil (both 228) and Christina Kang (247).

Supported by The R&A and endorsed by the Asian Tour and the Asia Pacific Golf Confederation, the 2016-17 Faldo Series Asia campaign has stretched over 11 months.

As well as two events in China, India and Thailand, championships were staged in Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

WOMEN IN GOLF Governance Forum

TUESDAY 11 TH JULY 8:00 AM Join us at our 2nd Women In Golf Governance Forum. Q&A and Panel Discussions followed by light lunch & 9 hole golf comp.

Bookings open to Golfing Administrators, Committee Members, Directors, Presidents & Captains

Dr Dee Anderson

Sarina Bratton AM

Karen Lunn

Deputy Vice Chancellor Students & Registrar of Macquarie University

Chairman Asia Pacific PONANT Yacht Cruises & Expeditions

CEO Australian Ladies Professional Golf

L I M I T E D S PA C E S AVA I L A B L E , R S V P T O D AY. C A L L 02 9 6 3 4 249 9 O R E M A I L a d m i n @ c h c c . c o m . a u www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

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19th hole

PRESIDENT MORAN THE MUDRUNNER YAMBA Golf Club golfers could hardly believe their luck … or their eyes.

The luck was that two days after the big wet drenched the golf course virtually sending it under water, play went ahead on Saturday, April 1 when more than 100 hardy players braved the conditions.

The rubbing of the eyes happened with the posting of the golf scores at competition’s end.

‘Scoring won’t be easy’ they said, but no-one told club president Tony Moran, who blitzed the C grade competition with a massive 51 stableford points (nett 57).

Some are still shaking their heads.

Anyway, it was a mighty effort considering there was hardly any run on the fairways.

www.insidegolf.com.au/19thhole

Harvey back as a winner FORMER Pacific Golf Club general manager Cameron Harvey was doing a few high fives and fist pumps recently.

Eight months after leaving the Brisbane club, Harvey returned to his old stomping ground and walked away with his head held high when he and playing partner Frank Ryan took out the club’s 36-hole foursomes championship.

Both off a five handicap, Harvey and Ryan combined beautifully on a wet and windy day to win the chocolates.

“We combined very well and posted a 77 gross – five-over,” Harvey told Inside Golf.

“That wasn’t too bad in the wet and considering we didn’t sink any putts from over two metres.”

Well done, Tony – you showed ’em who’s boss.

In the first round, Harvey took the driving holes and Ryan the iron shots, but the pair reversed roles in the second round and carded an 81 for a 158 total.

Meanwhile, Terry Lawes won the A grade with 40 points and in A Reserve Ken Hall took the honours with 38 points.

Then the clubhouse leaders sat back and watched as the rest of the field battled the difficult playing conditions.

Dave Carothers returned 42 points to win B grade.

“I think a few more scud showers helped our cause,” Harvey quipped.

The quick nine quiz

“We managed to stay one shot ahead of two old heads, Mark Heenan and Mike Warren, who had a 159 total.

“I think the secret to our success was to go out and enjoy ourselves and just let the old memories of your past golf rise to the top for one more hoorah.

“Frank and I decided to just go out and have fun as every other year we have fallen early in our attempts by trying too hard.

“This year was about enjoying the great company and having a game back at Pacific. We kept the same mindset all the way around.

“The low-key presentation was made louder by rowdy supporters happy to have me back and winning a honourboard event with my old mate Frank.

“I have never won the men’s foursomes, but I have my name on the mixed foursomes a couple of times – once in the 80s and again in the 90s.”

Vale Richard Springer HELENSVALE Golf Club on the Gold Coast is mourning the death of former secretary manager Richard Springer.

He passed away on April 10, the final day of the Masters.

Richard spent 18 years (1977-1995) as the club’s secretary manager during a time when ledgers and manual paperwork were the order of the day.

When the office became computerised, Richard resigned and took on the bar manager’s role.

Harvey teed off his golf career at Pacific winning the junior championship and the 1985 B grade championship.

Over the years, he was an honorary member of the golf club and worked tirelessly in every area including bar, canteen, gaming room, cleaning and volunteering on the golf course.

“It’s been a long time between drinks, though,” he said.

Richard also played a huge part in the club’s concerts to help raise funds for the club.

FOOTNOTE: Harvey started his golfing career Pacific working behind the bar and as a member of the ground staff. Later, he worked in the office with former GM Don Gregory. Harvey then moved to The Brisbane GC as assistant manager before going on to manage Gosford, Asquith and Pennant Hills golf clubs. He returned to Pacific as GM at the start of 2012.

Off a handicap of 20-something, Richard played golf every Saturday with his mates.

THERE are 19 stableford points up for grabs on the front nine.

How many can you get?

As one of the longest-serving members of the club, Richard, who was born in the West Indies and emigrated to Australian in 1969, became the Helensvale Golf Club historian.

“If you had a question about the club, Richard was the go-to person,” said Helensvale Golf Club past president Karen Fechner.

“Richard had a favourite saying, ‘when the waves become too high, it is time to sit on the beach’.

“He will be missed by all who knew him.”

His children Sandra, Denise and Phillip and their partners and grandchildren survive him.

with David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

1. Sergio Garcia, 37, claimed his first major after how many attempts – 37, 47, 63 or 73? (3 pts) 2. How many Australians made the 2017 Masters cut? (2 pts)

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Chatswood’s easy par-5 WHILE the wet weather took its toll on Sydney golfers, members at Chatswood didn’t complain.

And their scoring only improved as a result.

The par-5 eighth is one of the signature holes on the course and has the Lane Cove River running all the way up the right-hand side of the fairway.

3. Can you solve the following anagram – Read a visual? Clue: She won the Australian Ladies Masters three times.

(2 pts)

It normally measures 472m for the men and 452m for the women but due to some of the flooding and the recent heavy rains, the hole was reduced to a par three during one of Chatswood’s mid-week competitions last month.

4. A and B are playing C and D in a foursomes match. A plays from outside the teeing ground and Side A-B is required by C and D to replay the stroke. Should A or B replay it? (2 pts) 5. Who aced the 16th hole during the final round of the Masters? Was it Matt Kuchar, Paul Casey or Thomas Pieters?

(2 pts) 6. In what Australian state or territory will you find Greens Beach Golf Club? (3 pts) 7. Who is the chairman of the PGA of Australia – Peter Senior, Peter Lonard, Peter O’Malley or Peter Fowler? (2 pts) 8. True or false. Last year’s Masters champion Danny Willett missed the cut this year. (1 pt) 9. Who hit a ball off a beer can and then skolled the beer? Was it John Daly, Andrew “Beef” Johnson, Sergio Garcia or Bob Hawke? (2 pts) ANSWERS: (1). 73; (2). Four – Day, Scott, Leishman and Curtis Luck; (3). Laura Davies; (4). Player A must replay the stroke as the original stroke does not count; (5). Matt Kuchar; (6). Tasmania; (7). Peter O’Malley; (8) True; (9). John Daly.

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May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

W GREAT IN PRIZES Our F ac $10,0 ebook fan 0 s inclu 0 of prize won ove ding r s in 2 d 0 irons , eve rivers, wo 16, rang nt ticket ods, efind s, las golf h ers, shoe er s, ol and m idays ore!

Kevin Brake from Woombye, Qld, was all smiles as the worthy winner of December’s Inside Golf / PING competition. Inside Golf has regular “online only” competitions via our email newsletter (subscribe at www.insidegolf.com.au) and on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/insidegolf), so be sure to check them out!

Normally the second or third shots are quite daunting as a steep hill runs up the left of a narrow fairway.

Now it’s normally a good three-shotter and often regarded as a great birdie chance for the accurate hitters.

But the hole had to be reduced to a par-3 when Sydney’s ‘Big Wet’ took hold.

Rather than change the card of the course, though, for this particular mid-week competition, the powers that be decided to keep it as a par five.

Maybe they were reconsidering that decision after a couple of players had ‘twos’ for a return of seven stableford points on the hole.

Err, that’s an albatross if you want to count it as a par-5.

There were no complaints, though, not even from those who had a double-bogey for a ‘five a three’ at the ‘new-look’ eighth.

19th hole

www.insidegolf.com.au/19thhole

Blyth awarded Honorary IGBA Life Membership

award to a gentleman who set the foundation stones for the greater good of blind golf.

David has been a tireless worker for Blind Golf worldwide for almost 30 years. He was a founding member of Blind Golf Victoria in 1988 and was elected as President in 1991 - a position he held until 2000. He was the inaugural President of Blind Golf Australia when it was formed in 1991 - a position he held until 2011. David was chair of the interim committee set up in 1997 to formulate the constitution for IBGA which commenced in 1998. He is still a regular and very keen

participant in blind golf events and like good wine is getting better with age as evidenced by his selection in Australia’s team for the recent IBGA World Championships.

In receiving the award David made special mention of three ladies who contributed significantly to the staging of the IBGA World Championships held at the Rosebud Country Club in 2004; those being Kay Hancock, her sister Caroline Allen and Caroline’s daughter Joanne. David was Secretary – Treasurer of the IBGA at the time and he along with Kay were key organisers of those World Championships.

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David Blyth with Joanne, Kay and Caroline.

David Blyth AO from Brighton East in Victoria was recently awarded Honorary Life Membership of the International Blind Golf Association (IBGA).

An award ceremony was held at the Rosebud Country Club in March following the Blind Golf Victoria Open Championship.

David joins Mr Hiromi Fujimoto (dec.) from Japan, and Mr Howard Lange from Western Australia as Honorary Life Members of the IBGA. He was a co-founder of not only Blind Golf Australia but also the International Blind Golf Association in 1998. This is a most fitting

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Volunteer in paradise The 2017 Fiji International at Natadola Bay is one of the most picturesque venues on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and you can now be a part of it.

Volunteer applications are now being accepted for the tournament to be held on the new dates of 17-20 August, allowing greater flexibility for golfing stars competing internationally to fit the Fiji International in to their busy schedules.

What better setting than Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course, where 14 of the 18 holes have spectacular views of the Coral Coast, to rub shoulders with some of the best players in the world?

The Fiji International can provide a role for many, regardless of your golfing experience, whether it is inside the ropes scoring for a Tour professional to assisting at the driving range.

With only a four to six-hour shift to complete on each day of play, there is plenty of time to relax in the beautiful surroundings Fiji has to offer, the tournaments Official Hotel; the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa, also provides everything you’ll need to unwind after a day on course.

The luxury resort, last year voted one of the top-10 luxury hotels in Fiji at the TripAdvisor

Travellers’ Choice awards, is right next door to Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course.

The resort provides services that go beyond the world-renowned Fijian warmth and hospitality to give guests authentic, enriching experiences and insights into the Fijian culture and way of life.

Depending on your budget and location preference there are a number of different accommodation options with all Fiji International volunteer packages including seven nights’ accommodation and breakfast daily.

All volunteers at the Fiji International receive an official tournament uniform, lunch daily, a gift to express the tournaments gratitude.

But the highlight is playing Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course like a Pro on Super Monday.

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The past three years the Fiji International has attracted volunteers from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji with the fun experience forging international friendships for life.

ACROSS

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1 In a line without bends or curves, possibly like the ideal drive (8)

1 Serious and dignified (6)

If a working holiday combined with some golf sounds like your paradise then contact Norm Emerson, Volunteer Manager on nlemerson@ozemail.com.au or visit www.fijiinternational.com/event-info/ volunteers .

5 Every time (6)

2 & 12 - across Host of The Presidents Cup in 1998 and 2011 (5,9)

9 Deliberately play a shot short to have an easier next shot (3,2)

3 Player who can manufacture shots to get out of trouble (10)

10 Multiple Major winner and golf commentator (4,5)

4 Winner of the 2017 NZ Open, Michael ______ (6)

12 See 2-down

6 Upward inclination given to the ball in a stroke (4)

13 Hit hard and abruptly (4) 15 Building block (4) 16 US winner of the 2017 Puerto Rico Open (1,1,6) 19 Grow in size or number (8) 20 Continuous dull pain (4) 23 & 30 - across Winner of the 2017 Arnold Palmer Invitational (4,8)

7 Leeway (9) 8 Nationality of Colin Montgomerie and Paul Lawrie (8) 11 Salad possibly available in a clubhouse’s dining room (6) 14 Left-handed New Zealander who won many titles on the Champions Tour (3,7) 15 Hesitant, lacking confidence (9)

24 Another 2-down golf club just south of Perth (9)

17 Head-to-head between strong and weak players (8)

27 Tourist (9)

18 Beneficial (6)

28 Reveal (3,2)

21 Winner of the 2017 Queensland PGA, Daniel ______ (6)

29 Winner of the 2017 Shell Houston Open, Russell ______ (6) 30 See 23-across Answers: page 68

22 Long flag (6) 25 Tribal symbol (5) 26 First name of Spanish golfing great, Ballesteros (4) www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

63

19th hole

www.insidegolf.com.au/19thhole

Masters observations Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

F

or some reason, I couldn’t help but notice the spectators...(sorry, “Patrons”) at Augusta this year. I don’t know how many of them attend the Masters each April but every single one was dressed magnificently. Well, compared to the regular Aussie golf fan who is much more comfortable in jeans with holes in them, singlets and shorts which miraculously fall down to the thigh and suddenly stop there.

Ever noticed how little money is spent on pants, T-shirts and thongs these days but the jocks always seem to be Calvin bloody Klein?

Despite this, I thought it was a little extreme when Lefty Mickelson had his caddy “Bones” walk some 80 metres up the green and attend the flag for him. After Mickelson played his shot, the poor bloke had to run back over the bridge, replace Phil’s divot then pick up the bag and catch up to his boss again. He probably had to read his putt as well.

Maybe I should have made Wrighty do the same back in that Australian Open. He probably would have agreed to do it but I suspect that flag would have been inserted back into a different hole before we left the green.

And the caddies - they all look like they should be working in the pits at Monaco or walking out of a laboratory holding a clip board. I remember when I played in an Australian Open when the caddies all had to wear red overalls. Mine was my old mate, The Mighty Wrighty, who had bought all new gear in an attempt to be the best dressed caddy in the Championship. He was devastated when officials ushered him into the caddy change room and insisted he throw on the appropriate garb. It got worse when it hosed down with rain just before we hit off and the red dye did its best to permanently change the colour of Wrighty’s white Lacoste shirt.

I always expect the fairways at Augusta to be perfectly green and the azaleas blooming, but this year I was fascinated with the whiteness of the bunkers. The ground staff clearly remove all the sand each night, ran it through a tub full of White King and whacked it back into the traps before first hit off.

MASTERS MOMENTS David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

THE MASTERS MONEYMEN SPANIARD Sergio Garcia swapped the monkey for a Masters green jacket and went to the bank carrying a cheque for $2,693,736 – the biggest in the tournament’s history.

Runner-up Justin Rose pocketed $1,583,841 and Charl Schwartzel grabbed $997,233 for finishing third.

Adam Scott finished in a tie for ninth and took home $506,616, Jason Day tied 22nd and collected $140,785 and Marc Leishman tied 43 and received a cheque for $51,328.

Aussie amateur Curtis Luck would have won $43,995 had he been in the professional ranks after he tied for 46th.

The purse for the 81 st Masters was $14,665,200 ($US11m).

WOULD YOU BREAK 100 AT AUGUSTA? EVERY amateur golfer watching the 81st Masters would love to take on the Augusta National challenge.

But what would a mid-handicapper shoot off the championship tees?

64

May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Is there a bigger injustice in any sport than hitting a perfect golf shot which smacks into the very thing you’re aiming at and deflects clean off the green? Rory did it on the 18 th on Friday just when he was forging his way back into contention. It cost him two shots and he never really threatened after that. The commentators thought otherwise but I’m sure Sergio tapped the pin with his second shot on the 15th. With the speed and angle of that green he was lucky to stay out of the water, which in the past is exactly what would have happened to the game’s unluckiest player.

Lastly I saw the golfing god “Srixomus” finally bestow one of the best players in the game a well-deserved Major Championship. It’s hard to believe it was 18 years ago when a fresh-face Spaniard burst onto the Major Golf Scene and nearly stole the US PGA Championship from another talented player named Tiger.

I also couldn’t believe Jason Day’s new look.

Apparently he and a bunch of other Nike Tour staff including Michelle Wie, Rory, the old fella himself, Woodsy, filmed some new ads, and Jace shaved off his beard. The big guy looked that much younger it was unbelievable. I was

waiting to turn on the TV and see his trusty caddy, Col Swatton leading Jason down the fairway on one of those kiddie leashes.

Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell reckons a player who shoots 85 around their home track (a 13 marker) wouldn’t break 100 from the back tees at Augusta National.

JACK’S REVENGE OVER GARY

The tees used during the Masters measure more than 7400 yards (6766 metres).

Then you have to account for inclement weather.

In another tweet, McDowell asked, “Why don’t they present the jacket out on the 18th in front of the fans?”

It is a fair question, but it’s tradition to present the coat in Butler’s Cabin.

WILLETT’S MASTERS MENU IN case you were wondering, 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett served traditional Yorkshire fare at the Masters Champions Dinner.

I don’t think I’ve seen that many flagsticks getting belted during one tournament either.

IT seems six-time Masters champion Jack Nicklaus, 77, got his revenge over three-time winner Gary Player, 81, at the ceremonial opening tee shot.

A year earlier, Player edged Nicklaus and reminded him about it in the lead-up to this year’s Masters.

Jack was determined to outdrive the South African and headed for the range where he was hooking his drives.

Enter Rory McIlroy.

The Northern Irishman adjusted Jack’s driver and the Golden Bear started hitting gentle fades.

It was enough to give him the edge over his old adversary by a couple of yards.

MUM COULD HAVE DONE BETTER

The Englishman’s menu included mini cottage pies, prime rib, roast potatoes and vegetables, and Yorkshire pudding and gravy.

SCOTSMAN Russell Knox (76-76) missed the Masters cut by two shots and blamed poor chipping in tough conditions.

For dessert, he went for apple crumble with vanilla custard followed by tea and coffee.

He then said his mum could have chipped better.

In past years, there has been some interesting menu choices.

Knox, in his second appearance at the Masters, also missed the cut last year.

Tiger served cheeseburgers and fries, South African Charl Schwartzel offered Boerewors (sausage) with monkey gland sauce while Scot Sandy Lyle went for haggis.

One would have thought Knox would have been at home in the cold and windy conditions.

For the record, he recorded a double bogey, 10 bogeys and just four birdies over 36 holes.

I don’t think anyone else will wear that Green Jacket with more pride than Sergio especially given it was done on what would have been Seve Ballesteros’s 60th birthday. And I don’t think his major victories will stop there either.

He’s still only 37 years old and from memory, the closest Serg has come to any kind of serious injury was when he avoided a mauling from the Shark after he broke it off with his daughter.

‘MEATING’ THE MARKET UP in Central Queensland, Yeppoon Golf Club in Cairns has taken the bit between its teeth.

Club president Mick Cranny told Inside Golf a Mega Meat Market Raffle every Friday night was helping fund a number of improvements to benefit the members and guests.

“We have between 30 and 70 people turn up for that every Friday and with the proceeds we have been able to turf some areas of the course, put in Foxtel and we are replacing the car park fence.

“There is a whole range of little things we are doing and will continue to do,” he said. “We are looking at improvements all the time.”

The club is signing up an average of six new members a month and has started a new membership category.

The casual limited membership allows members to play Thursday, Friday and Sunday competitions or socially on those days.

This month, the club will jointly host the Queensland Women’s Country Championship with Rockhampton Golf Club.

“After the recent rain, the golf course is looking an absolute picture and it’s as green as emerald,” Cranny said.

your voice

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This month’s winner!

This month’s Prize: 1 dozen Volvik S4 Tour balls, plus Volvik Tour cap

Broken rules

Further to your informative story in the April edition (Rewriting the Rule book, page 5) I cannot agree more. The R&A is in need of simplicity with some of the rules, and should apply some good old-fashioned common sense that persons of our era can understand. If we cannot understand them, how are the next generations going to interpret them? For example, America’s Lexi Thompson was recently penalised two shots for an unintended breach of a rule when replacing her ball on the green, not in the exact position, as it was originally marked. This was (very much) later increased to four shots due to her inadvertently signing an incorrect score card.

Hell’s Bells! What is this honourable game of trust, honesty and sportsmanship coming to? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought the whole point of another player/marker was to determine whether a breach has been made by their partner, and to let them know immediately. Either by courtesy suggestion, and/or request a PGA rules official at the very time it has occurred. Rightly so, professional golfers have the luxury of an official at their beck and call.

Besides our playing partners, we “mere club golfers” have the option of our respective Match Committee member at the end of the round to discuss the matter, get an answer, and amend the card accordingly before signing.

If any of Lexi Thompson’s playing partners—or anyone else at the tournament—noticed the breach of rules, shouldn’t it have been raised during play, on the day, or at least before signing the scorecard? Why is golf the only sport where a spectator can become a rules official via television, and have an impact on the outcome? Could you imagine the uproar if football and any other sport could go back over the result with a magnifying glass to determine a technical mishap by a referee or umpire, after the fulltime whistle? Where does scrutiny start and finish?

This great game was designed to somewhat rule itself, by having playing partners who can oversee your every move. Furthermore, most decent human beings participating in our beloved game will usually call a penalty upon themselves, whether they inadvertently broke a rule or not. It’s just another reason why we all play and love this somewhat ridiculous, frustrating but chivalrous game.

Donn Jefferis

Yes, we can!

Regarding the use of mobile phones and clubs keeping up with the times (Starters Box, March).

I recently played a round of golf at a course in South West Sydney that has recently gone through a major transformation and has gone from being an A-grade Course to now a nine-hole course with a multi-million dollar clubhouse that appears to be struggling to get players.

After completing 9 holes I went inside to have a drink and maybe lunch.

I was refused entry, as I lived within the radius of the club and was told I had to pay membership fees to go inside and have a drink (after playing a round there).This club appears to be struggling for players and after my little episode I walked away very disillusioned and vowed never to set foot there again.

I also have spoken to a few other golfers and almost all have said the club is in trouble.

Just another example of antiquated laws and clubs.

Brad

Repair the divot (madness) I read with interest your comments about “unrepaired divots in the fairway” (April). The current rule encourages players to NOT repair their divots, as opponents in the following groups could be “punished” (as you say) by landing in the offender’s unrepaired divot.

Not very sporting, of course, but there’s no incentive to do otherwise if by repairing my divot I will (a) slow the round and (b) give my opponents an advantage. The rules should encourage players to do the right thing, not the wrong thing - especially on fairways and greens.

Hazards might be another matter. My current thinking is that bunkers should not have rakes.

Most golf course designers seem to think that the bigger the bunker, the better. On the other hand, most golf clubs think that rakes are a discretionary expense they can do without

and seem to economise in this department wherever possible. The result (at my course, anyway) is two or three rakes when there should be six or eight. Accordingly, the act of raking the bunker after one’s shot (for the benefit of the golfers following) again slows the game down for no particular reason. As bunkers are supposed to be hazards (like the rough) why do we have to smooth them out so that they are nicer to play from than your divot-strewn fairways? Where is the logic in this?

I think we should speed up play by not repairing bunkers and - as you reminded us just play the ball as it lies.

Thanks for a great magazine. Please keep up your thought-provoking insights into the great game of golf.

Jeff Partridge

OOB rule is OOB

More divot madness

I read with interest your piece on revision of the Rules of Golf (Starter’s Box, April issue).

Why should golfers be penalised by their ball rolling into a fairway divot that may have been made by an earlier group? Whoever made that divot had the benefit of playing their shot from the virgin turf, whereas now I have to play the ball from what I consider a penalised position, making the shot so much more difficult. Quite often, after trying to get the ball out of the fairway divot it makes the divot even deeper so recovery time of the divot is prolonged.

The OOB/lost ball rule is a detriment to the enjoyment of golf for the average amateur/ hacker like me. If the opportunity was available to estimate the line the original ball went into the trees, drop a new ball (say one club length), take the fourth shot (i.e. take a 2-shot penalty), you still have a chance to earn a point. That would provide some pleasure to a frustrated lost ball golfer and add to the enjoyment of the game for amateurs. The rule for the professional golfer could be as it currently applies.

The game of golf should be fun, but there’s nothing more frustrating than losing a ball.

Such a rule change would provide some relief and speed up the game for all golfers.

Greg Allen

Some of the divots I have encountered are similar to a plugged ball on the fairway (yet relief is given for the plugged ball.)

Consider the plug mark on the green that we are allowed to repair before putting out. What really is the difference between these two conditions? Two different standards of basically the same rule.

Terry Porter

On your mark We all know that there are many golfers who cheat when marking their ball. They put their marker as far under the ball as possible and then put the ball a couple of inches in front when they place it back again. Why not change the rules to make players put their markers to the side of the ball? At least this would stop them having shorter putts.

Stuart Watkins

Social snitch Lexi Thompson’s four-stroke penalty is most unfortunate. Even if the R&A discontinue with trial by a TV viewer from 2019, some TV viewers may take immense satisfaction to report a rule violation through social media during or after a golf tournament leaving the player or winner of that particular tournament in a very embarrassing situation.

Peng Ee

TV or not TV...that is the question Re, Lexi Thompson. Was the person who emailed an official, or did they hold any golfing credentials? What authority has some viewer have to cause this debacle?

The TV footage appeared to show that the ball may have been placed slightly to the side of its original position. Was there any overhead shot? Or a shot from the right and left and behind to confirm this? There are multiple angles and shots in football and cricket when the TV footage is used for a ruling. One angle cannot give an accurate picture of what happened.

To the point of signing an incorrect scorecard: at the time of signing, all officials, markers and players, and those in authority were happy that the scorecard was correct. Do we now delay signing the score card for a week or so to allow all emails, tweets or SMS to arrive at the competition headquarters to prevent the card from being incorrectly signed?

I think if viewers want to phone in, email or SMS certain things they may or may not have seen, that is fine, but it should not have any effect on the competition in progress or one that has been run and won in the past.

This whole thing is beyond belief. This is crazy, unprofessional and puts the spirit of the game into disrepute.

Peta Dwyer

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68

Other packages available upOn request

For reservations or additional information call Christine or Mike on

47 Meredith Ave, Lemon Tree Passage, NSW 2319

Phone (02) 4982 3300

www.lemontreemotel.com.au

May 2017 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Email: lemontreepassagemotel@idl.net.au

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

For advertising call 1300 465 300

T I N D E R E L

A L W A Y S O L C C K F A L D O A T O T E S W A T S B A I A P O I N T S R B C H A C H E P H P E M A N T L E A R O N R L E T O N C E E O E I S H M A N

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

Read Inside Golf FREE on iPads

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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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BEERWAH GOLF CLUB

Mos t-R ead

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

More social playing times now on a Monday & Thursday

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

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

Clearwater Noosa INFO NIGHTS - SYD 6 JUN / MELB 7 JUN Call or email to register

3,990 4,390 8,290 5,790

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www.insidegolf.com.au | May 2017

69

golf directory

InsideGolf

Port Stephens Golfing Holidays Golf & Accommodation from only $70 per day

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ORANGE GOLF & STAY PACKAGE $255pp

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

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

IS YOUR GOLF CART SLOWING DOWN? OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO INCREASE THE LIFE OF YOUR BATTERIES?

Need new batteries?

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Play a round at Duntryleague and Wentworth Courses and stay 2 nights.

Includes a golf cart, green fees and twin share accommodation.

MELVIEW GREENS Serviced Apartments

GUARANTEE OR YOUR MONEY BACK

119 Ploughmans Lane (Opposite Wentworth Golf Course) Orange NSW PH (02) 6362 0955 or 1800 603 191 EMAIL welcome@melviewgreens.com.au

www.melviewgreens.com.au

SINGLE LENGTH IRONS

PW - 4 iron graphite shafts $549

Is this you?

• Wish all your irons were as easy to hit as your 7 iron?

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ONE LENGTH HYBRIDS now available from $100

- 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

Genuine All Inclusive:

• On Course accommodation all on ground level • Central to all Murray Courses • Self-serve, eat as much as you like buffet continental breakfast • Club Evening Dinner Vouchers • Group organisers free of charge (groups of 12 or more) • Golf each day at Cobram Barooga only • Non golfers deduct $30 per day • Single supplement now $40 extra per day • Upgrade to Spa Room or cooked breakfast only $7.50 per day!

• FREE Golf Prizes - min. group of 12 • WEEKENDS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS $10 extra per person per day • FREE Wifi

14950

pp/pn twin share 2 days 2 nights Mid Week

Normal price $225

Dates available from 12th June - 31st August 2017

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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.

70

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Patent # 7374839

PW - 4 iron stainless steel shafts $499

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Srixon Soft Feel

$28

Individually Boxed

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Srixon Z545 Driver Kurokage 60grm Regular Shaft 10.5º Loft Adjustable Includes Cover & Wrench

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Callaway Super Soft Balls $33

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

$189

XR-Pro 16° Stiff

$169

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Srixon Z H45 Hybrid (Right Hand) Regular Flex 16º - 2 19º - 3 22º - 4 Kurokage Shaft

$269

$149 Includes Cover

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13º Low Loft $299 3 Wood Regular Flex Kurakage Shaft Also availble 15º - 3 and 17º - 4 Includes Cover

$189

$33 DOZEN

Urethane Cover Tour Quality B330 RXs Superceded Model

TaylorMade RSi 1 3 Iron

$109

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OVERSIZE HEAD

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9.5° Titanium Driver 15° 3 Fairway 19° 3 Hybrid Graphite Stiff SET OF 3 Shafts

$299

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

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Great Big Bertha 2015 Driver 10.5º Loft Kurokage 50grm $559 Regular Shaft Includes Wrench & Cover

$349

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$139

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Callaway Graphite XR Irons Regular Flex Right Only 4 - SW (8) 2015 Model

$778

Left Hand 5 - PW (6)

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

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18º Loft Regular Flex Fubuki Shaft Fully Adjustable Includes Cover +Wrench Also Ladies 5

$269

$149

Callaway Irons

Apex Utility 4 Stiff $99 XR Pro 3 Stiff $89 XR Ladies Graphite 5 Gap 49° & Sand 54° $49 EA Mack Daddy 2 Lob or Sand $109 EA X-Hot N14 54° Sand $39 Mack Daddy 2 Left Hand Lob $89

Grips (not fitted) Tour Velvet Full Cord Golf Pride White Mens 10 grips for

$1050

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$50

Odyssey Jumbo Black Putter Grip EACH

Cleveland Fairway Wood Sale

18º - 2 Hybrid Right Hand 15º - 3 Fairway Right Hand 13.5º - Strong 3 Right Hand 9.5º - Left Hand EA Driver

Classic XL Right 5 18° Regular + Cover

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$42

Callaway Big Bertha Fairway 5 Wood

Callaway X-Hot Pro Model Project X-Stiff Graphite 6.0

$79

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New Loose (not boxed) Callaway Apex Callaway Chrome Pro Forged Irons Soft Superceded (2015) Mid Cavity Urethane Cover Normally Red Box

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$89 EA $89 $89 $89 EA $79 EA $79

Big Bertha Alpha 815 Hybrid 20º Fujukara Speeder Stiff Includes Cover

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Big Bertha Alpha 816 Fairway 16º Aldila Rogue Stiff Includes Cover & Wrench

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$899

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19º Number 3 $189 Graphite Stiff Shaft Includes Cover or 22º Number 4 Senior Flex Shaft

$249

$189

14 Full Length Dividers Oversize Putter Hole Cooler Pocket

$239

TaylorMade Hybrid Aeroburner

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 7 Days

Ping G30 Driver Sale

Hyper Lite 5

$259

White or Yellow Balls

TaylorMade Left Hand Set Woods / Hybrid Jetspeed Model INCLUDES

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TO GOLF & COUNTRY CLUBS

Callaway Carry Bag 2.5kg

$199

Bridgestone RXs

GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN

Srixon Z F45 Fairway

Srixon Deluxe Cart Bag 2016 14 Full Length Dividers Oversize Putter Holder Waterproof Bag Coverall Cooler Pocket

ACCOUNTS AVAILABLE

West Coast Design 54° Loft Zip Grooves Wedge Flex Only Right Hand

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Ball Specials Callaway Hex Diablo Superceded Sleeves

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TaylorMade AeroBurner 3 Piece Tough Cover

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Percept Laddie X Individually Boxed

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Titleist Pro VI (2015) or Pro VIX (2015) and (2017)

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TaylorMade Project (a) Superceded Urethane

Dunlop Loco Distance Sleeves of 3 x 5 = 15 Balls for $13 Top Flite D2 Feel Sleeves of 3 x 24 = 72 Balls for $72 Callaway Hex Chrome - Yellow Urethane Cover

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Srixon Lady Soft Feel Superceded Individually

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TaylorMade Tour Preferred or X (2016) Urethane

$44 DOZ

Optima TS3 Green Box 3 Piece Individually

$28 DOZ

Srixon Distance Individually Boxed

$180 FOR 144

Srixon Q-Star Individually Boxed

$312 FOR 144

TaylorMade Burner Soft Individually Boxed

$600 FOR 432

Pinnacle Gold Mens Individually Boxed

$156 FOR 144

Bridgestone E6 3 Piece Individually Boxed

$28 DOZ

Nike Power Soft Distance Sleeves

$27 DOZ

Z-Star Yellow Superceded (2015) Gold Box

$396 FOR 144

Callaway Super Soft Superceded Individually

$150 FOR 72

Callaway Irons XR (2015) Mens Right 4 Irons & Sand Wedges Regular Flex Steel or Graphite Shafts

$59 Each

Left Hand Steel Sand Wedge

Srixon Deluxe Cart Bag 2014 GREAT

14 Full Length Dividers QUALITY Full Length Rain Cover HUGE REDUCTION DUE TO SMALL SIZE PUTTER TUBE Red/Black/White or Black/White $229

$159

Cooler Pocket

Left Hand Only Specials

Ping G30 Fairway 5 18° Regular + Cover $149 Ping G30 Hybrid 3 19° Regular or Stiff + Cover $129 Cleveland MT Irons 5 - PW (6) Regular Flex $299 SET TaylorMade ATV 52° Gap Wedge or 56° Sand Wedge $59 EA Callaway Apex Irons Forged Heads (7) 6 - SW incl GW $549 SET

Cleveland RTX 2.0 Wedges 46°, 48°, 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°, 62° & 64° All Matching Tour Satin

$59 EA

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