Issue 81 Inside Golf April 2012

InsideGolf www.insidegolf.com.au

Issue 81 April 2012

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starters box

Thinking outside the (tee) box Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au P: 0407 000 440

In February, you may recall that we suggested that there may be too many golf courses in Australia, and that the industry was ripe for consolidation.

Well, last month, we learned of multiple courses across the country that are currently affected by this phenomenon. Corowa Golf Club (NSW) is in dire need of a financial injection; Richmond Golf Club (NSW) reportedly went into voluntary administration; Burleigh Palms Golf Course (Qld) announced it was considering selling; Halls Creek Golf Club (WA) is struggling to stay viable, and Amstel Golf Club (Vic) announced that they would likely begin management of Settlers Run. As stated, mergers, acquisitions and closings are elements of any business. So this is all part and parcel of a cycle that will doubtless continue for a while.

At the heart of the matter, some believe, is the inability (or lack of desire) of some clubs to embrace a new way of thinking as they try to attract new members (or retain existing ones).

So let’s look at a few things your club can do to generate more interest by prospective members: 1: Embrace technology. Simple fact: the vast majority of prospective members (and many of your current members) are on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, online golf forums and the like.

These sites are free, easy and all provide a two-way

communication avenue between you and members/ prospects. If you don’t use these sites, you are way behind your competitors. Adopt apps like SmartCart to get your Food & Beverage up to par.

Update your website with daily comp results. Look into online tee-time bookings and packages from sites like iseekgolf or GolfNut (but not Scoopon), to fill your slow days. Remember: Technology is your ally. Clubs like Eastern Golf Club in Melbourne do all of these things extremely well. Your club should too.

2: Embrace Social Clubs and Open Days: believe it or not, these guys (and ladies) are not always the disruptive hooligans that you may think. They are bona fide golfers with money to spend, respect for the course and a real possibility of joining in the future. And they represent an enormous segment of our golfing public. So when they play at your course, welcome them with a smile – show them

the friendly side of your club. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

3: Embrace Juniors and Families. This is a biggie.

Embracing juniors is a lot different than simply letting juniors join. Get them involved. Give them significant discounts to play/join. Host junior days, or Father/ Mother and Son/Daughter junior tournaments. Have, say, a 6-hole tournament with tees half-way down the fairways. Get a Caddy program started at your club –if a junior can pull a buggy for 9 holes, it will teach them a lot about the game, not to mention the life lessons that go with it. Growing the game helps everyone.

4: Embrace alternate membership models, pricings and reciprocal arrangements. Unless you are a top-echelon course, the high-priced entry fees and long waiting lists to play only one course are the most common gripes/obstacles for many golfers.

Many people claim it is outdated. Explore things

like twilight memberships, seasonal memberships or anything else to lower the cost of entry. Just make sure it’s financially feasible for the club and doesn’t upset current members. And get a solid list of reciprocal courses in your stable. Melbourne’s Yarra River and Sandbelt courses have great reciprocal deals to let members play in the other member courses in their area. Give golfers more than one course to play, and they’ll stay happy.

5: Embrace the media. Have you ever noticed that some clubs get regular media attention in magazines & newspapers? This is not by accident – they work at it. Sending a weekly/monthly email to an editor/ writer – with specials, news, photos, events and the like – will do wonders for getting your club into the spotlight. It doesn’t have to be a proper press release.

Just a friendly email with useful information is often enough. And don’t forget to also advertise your club once in a while. Ever wonder why so many clubs place regular ads in Inside Golf month after month?

It’s because they are getting good ROI. (And no, my publisher did NOT ask me to write that – it’s just a simple truth. Ask any advertiser in our magazine.)

These are just a few things that your club can do.

By thinking outside of the (tee) box, you can help ensure the long-term health of your club.

See you on the fairways,

Richard Fellner Group Editor •

www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

5

news

Gil Hanse snatches Olympic Golf Course design bid US-based Hanse Golf Course Design won the bid to design the golf course in Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic Games in 2016, beating out architecture heavyweights including Gary Player Design, Greg Norman Golf Course Design, Nicklaus Design, Robert Trent Jones II, Thomson Perrett and others.

For the average golfer, Gil Hanse is a virtual unknown. But for those in the know, the 48-year-old is famous for hands-on creation and restoration of some of the finest golf facilities in the world.

“I’m a big fan of Gil Hanse,” said Phil Mickelson.

“I think he’s one of the best architects in the business.

He understands how to make a golf course playable for the average player but challenging for the good player. I give the Olympic Committee a lot of credit, because it would have been easier to go with a big name. And instead, they went with the best. I thought that was pretty cool.”

Fellow designer Jack Nicklaus — whom many considered to be the overwhelming favourite to win the design bid — offered his congratulations to Hanse.

“I am sure he will do a fine golf course. The Olympics, and the legacy that golf course will have the opportunity to create, will be in good hands. I wish Gil well, and I wish everyone involved in the

Kelly Slater reveals interest in joining Champions Tour ELEVEN-TIME world surfing champion Kelly Slater has revealed an interest in joining the Champions Golf Tour in the United States when he finally hangs up the surfboard. Slater, a five-handicapper, joined The Golf Show host Brett Ogle for nine holes while recently on the Gold Coast.

Slater told Ogle about his experiences at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Alfred Dunhill Links, where last year he partnered eventual winner, Englishman Simon Dyson.

But it was Slater’s form across the nine holes – where he started par, birdie, birdie, and had six one-putt greens - that prompted Ogle to ask the surfing icon about the possibility of playing professional golf. “I’ve thought about it,” Slater, 40, said of joining the Champions Tour once he turns 50. “It’s a different level, they’re much better than I am. “You have to take so much time to tune in all those little tiny things and you’ve got to be comfortable in the competitive arena. “I’ve played a couple of individual tournaments and I just choked.” •

A

An artist’s impression of the proposed design for the Olympic Golf Course development of this very important golf course the best,” Nicklaus said.

In 2009, Hanse was elected “Architect of the Year”

by Golf Magazine, and in the same year his Castle Stuart golf course in Scotland was considered to be “the Best New International Course.”

Hanse’s Olympic proposal was cited for its design characteristics, including accentuation of the natural dune formations and retention of the natural contours of the land.

The golf course will be built at Reserva de Marapendi in Barra da Tijuca, the district that will contain the largest number of Rio 2016™ Olympic Games venues. It will be located approximately five kilometres from the Athletes’ Village. After the 2016 Olympic Games, the course will be used as a public facility with the chief purpose of promoting golf in Brazil and the globe, representing one of the most important Olympic Games legacies for sport development in the country. •

Ray’s long career to end THE accolades and awards keep coming for long-serving Strathfield Golf Club professional Ray Wilson.

Wilson, who will retire after a 50-year professional career at his beloved Sydney club, was honoured in the Australia Day honours list when awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Earlier the 66-year-old received an achievement award for services to golf from the PGA of Australia.

It’s an award he says he will treasure.

Wilson has dedicated his life to helping people and even served on the Strathfield City Council for eight years because he wanted to make the community a better place.

He rose to deputy mayor and was acting mayor for six months during Australia’s bicentennial year in 1988.

In 2010, Wilson was honoured when named Strathfield Citizen of the Year.

He also served with both Apex and Rotary and both organisations honoured him for his outstanding work.

In Rotary, he was recognised with two Paul Harris Fellowships and a Service Above Self Award.

This year he helped raise $65,000 for the Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation.

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Wilson will retire next month and head for the beach.

“I am going to retire at the end of May,” Wilson said. I have a house on the beach at Forster so my wife (Anne) and I will go up there and fish, surf and play golf.

“I enjoy going to the beach and body surfing.

“Now I am starting to think what it’s going to be like to be home on a Sunday morning to have breakfast with my wife and read the paper.” •

Winner: Bolle Prize Pack The ‘What if...’ scenario (from March issue): “Following my opponent’s shot to the green, it would immediately become crystal clear that we had now both been involved in unacceptable behaviour. The actions being in breach of the rules, contrary to the spirit of the game.

I would apologise to my opponent and advise that I would be disqualifying myself from the competition, and suggest that my opponent should do likewise. I do not believe either of us worthy of being Club Champion, and would suggest to the Committee that the next in line should play off for the Championship.

I would also seriously consider joining another club, trade in my old cheap sunglasses, which obviously prevented me from seeing my opponent’s ball markings.”

Congratulations: Bill Smallhorn!

Editor: Richard Fellner P: 0407 000 440 richard@insidegolf.com.au Senior Writer: David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au Contributing Editors: Larry Canning, Mike Orloff, Peter Croker, Lee Harrington, Stephen Pitt, Brian Thorburn, David Williams, Glen Whittle, Jamie Glazier, Tony Wells, Michael Green, Kurt Stegbauer, Richard Nizielski, Garrett Johnston, Andrew McKenzie, Anne Rollo, Matthew Pitt Design & Layout: Nick Thorn, Stacey Fortescue National Sales & Marketing: Sam Arthur P: 1300 4653 00 | F: (07) 5535 4922 M: 0410 575 303 | E: sam@insidegolf.com.au QLD Sales: David Ross M: 0439 612 458 | E: dg.ross@live.com.au NSW/ACT Sales: Scott Barsby M: 0424 779 199 | E: scott@insidegolf.com.au VIC/TAS/SA Sales: Jon Perrett M:0402 852 637 E: jon.perrett@bestingolfgroup.com Advertising Sales: Lisa Coleman E: lisa@insidegolf.com.au M:0406 031 344 Accounts: Sheridan Murphy M: 0404 075 823 | accounts@insidegolf.com.au Publisher: Outdoor Sports Publishing Pty Ltd ACN 113 836 301 ABN 30 043 104 919 PO BOX 437, Miami, QLD 4220 Cover Photos courtesy USGA/Hunter Martin/ Michael Cohen/Steve Gibbons

It’s official: 41,630 Inside Golf Magazines distributed each month for the period: April 11–September 11

Distributed to golf clubs, social golf clubs, driving ranges and retailers Australia wide every month

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news

Golfers flee – no bull THE women golfers at City Golf Club in Toowoomba (Queensland) are a hardy lot and there isn’t much that will stop them from playing the game they love.

But they were stopped in their tracks recently when a stray bull ventured on to the golf course.

That was the signal for them to pack away the clubs and scurry for the safety of the clubhouse.

Apparently, some of them did a Usain Bolt impression.

According to reports, the bull escaped from the saleyards and terrorised the ladies and staff until police arrived.

Attempts to capture the bull without incident proved difficult.

Unfortunately, police had to shoot the animal, however, it’s unclear whether the bull was fatally shot or tranquilised.

No one was injured. •

iseekgolf.com launches Facebook App iseekgolf.com announced the launch of their new Facebook App, the iseekgolf.com Golf Course Challenge .

The iseekgolf.com Challenge App will allow you to select the Top 100 Public Access Golf Courses in Australia that you have played and rank your choices for bronze, silver or gold. You can then share your rank with your friends via Twitter and Facebook to see if they can beat your score.

How many of the Top 100 Public Access Australian Golf Courses have you played? Test your friends today! https://apps.facebook.com/iseekgolf •

Byron Bay GC recognised Gary and Cameron Glenday

Father and Son pairing win NSW Family Bowl Defending champion Ian Baker-Finch BYRON Bay Golf Club in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales picked up an important gong at the PGA awards night at Royal Sydney Golf Club recently.

The golf club won the 2011 NSW/ACT PGA Legends Pro-Am of the Year Award for hosting the Schweppes Australian Legends Tour Championship every December.

Former Open Championship winner Ian Baker-Finch won last year’s event. It was IBF’s first tournament win since the 1993 Australian PGA Championship.

NSW/ACT PGA executive officer David Barker said the award was testament to the professionalism, dedication and results Byron Bay Golf Club had achieved in promoting golf within NSW and the ACT. Byron Bay Golf Club general manager Peter Swaby said the win was a great achievement for a country-based golf club.

“There were more than 30 tournaments played in the NSW/ACT region last year and the award is a tribute to the hard work put in by all staff and board members at the club as well as the many dedicated volunteers who help out each year.”

This year’s tournament is scheduled for December 15-18 and word is Baker-Finch will defend his title.

“As well as Ian Baker-Finch returning, we are in talks with the likes of Craig Parry and Peter Senior,” Swaby said.

“There will be hole-in-one prizes each day, corporate areas and entrance to the public will be free.

“Not only is this a great event for the members and guests of Byron Bay Golf Club, but will also help tourism within the region with over 150 golfers and their families coming to and staying within Byron Bay.” •

The home course advantage played a huge part as father and son pairing Gary and Cameron Glenday took out the overall prize with 45 points at the NSW Family Bowl at Cabramatta Golf Club.

Alan Lee from Shellharbour Golf Club paired with his daughter Keona Lee from Hurstville Golf Club and had a fantastic score of 42 to win the mixed division, only one point in front of runners-up John Carnell from Oatlands and Janelle Cornwall from Rosnay with 41ocb.

David and Robert Anderson from Port Kembla Golf Club finished with a 43 to take out the Men’s prize, three points in front of Bradley Holmes from Pennant Hills Golf Club and Jake O’Donnell from Chatswood Golf Club with 40 points.

In the Ladies Division, Barbara Frost from Nelson Bay Golf Club and Robyn Lunn from Morisett finished with 39 points.

Father and daughter pairing Michael and Lauren Carter from The Grange Golf Club won the overall scratch with great one over par score of 35 points. www.golfnsw.org •

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news

Sun Mountain launching on Australian shores Starting this month, golf bags, buggies and outerwear from industry pioneers Sun Mountain will be available in authorised Australia golf retailers and pro shops.

For the past 30 years, Sun Mountain has been revolutionising the golf industry with advanced technologies and designs that have set the benchmark for golf bag, golf buggy and performance outerwear.

The company has been responsible for a number of industry firsts, including the first lightweight golf bag with backpacking technology; the first modern stand bag with integrated legs; the first three-wheel push cart and the first lightweight travel bag with spring-loaded integrated leg sets.

According to Brett Clarebrough, from Under Par Pty Ltd, Sun Mountain has been a forerunner in the evolution of golf equipment for nearly three decades, and still continues to bring innovative ideas to the market today.

“Sun Mountain has revolutionised the golf bag and buggy categories, continually setting and re-setting the industry benchmark for quality, functionality and design.

“With a reputation for producing industry-firsts and improving existing models, Sun Mountain is always striving to make golf bags and buggies better for golfers,” said Mr Clarebrough.

Sun Mountain has redefined golfspecific performance outerwear with a range that includes RAINwear, WINDwear, THERMALwear and outerwear accessories.

Sun Mountain products will be available in Australia through authorised Sun Mountain dealers. www.underpar.com.au. •

One shot = One Jeep

Left to Right: Chris Gentle, Clyde Campbell (from Jeep) and Peter Shaw 48-year-old West Australian amateur John Stewart hit the shot of a lifetime last month, and has a car (and video) to prove it!

Stewart, a 13 handicapper, holed out on the 142m par-three 7th hole at RACV Royal Pines Resort during the Jeep Australian 4 Ball Pro Am Championship, winning a brand- new $65,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the process. Stewart executed the perfect 7-iron which landed on the green and trickled into the hole.

Stewart was understandably elated.

“What an unbelievable time for me to win this event. My current car is falling apart and it’s been a constant battle just to keep it on the road. I really want to thank Jeep for their support as this will

certainly help me with my career for many years to come” Shaw said during his acceptance speech Luckily for Stewart, January’s changes in the Rules of Golf means that he will not have to relinquish his amateur status to claim the prize.

John’s shot was caught on film. Visit our website to see the video of all the action.

The event was won by New South Wales professional Peter Shaw and amateur partner Chris Gentle who won on the first extra playoff hole over Paul Williamson and Tony Clark. In the professional’s individual section, defending champion Nick Cullen finished equal first with Matthew Griffin, two shots ahead of New Zealanders Michael Hendry and Ryan Fox. •

Qld Indigenous Championship HERVEY Bay’s Robin Harrison has won the 2012 Queensland Indigenous Championship at the Murgon Golf Club.

Harrison carded a final round 75 (+5) to join his first two round scores of 72-70 to finish on 217 for the championship.

It was a nervous finish for the start-to-finish winner as he bogeyed the final three holes, but he managed to hang on and edge out Blackwater’s

Craig Dodd.

Dodd’s brother Rickie finished in third place.

In the nett category, Nambour’s Joseph Green (67-67-62–196) won by eight shots from Allen Wharton of Rowes Bay. In the senior category (55-60 yrs), Brian Harrison (Nudgee College) was successful and in the junior nett division Munduberra’s Baily Kimber was victorious. •

Haney hits with “The Big Miss” The Big Miss, Hank Haney’s new (and controversial) book on coaching Tiger Woods, will hit the shelves soon, and with it should come a plethora of water cooler and 19th hole discussions.

Recent reports (and excerpts) suggest that Haney claims that Woods wanted to join the Navy SEALs during the prime of his golf career, while another Haney report claims that in 2007 Woods “tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in an exercise with the SEALs, not while running at home.”

The book, (Published by Crown Archetype, a division of Random House Inc., 272 pages, US$26) reportedly goes on to uncover more controversial tidbits about Tiger’s relationship with Haney, his workout regimen, his chase of Jack Nicklaus’ record and more. •

WIN!

Inside Golf will be giving away five free copies of “The Big Miss” to selected Inside Golf readers. Simply visit our website for more info on how to enter.

Corowa faces closure The Corowa Golf Club (NSW) is reported to have debts totalling $418,000, and is in dire need of community and business support to stay open.

“We are looking for some help monetary-wise and probably other ways we could do it through sponsorship but the fact is if you don’t go there to let them know that we have something in place, that we are not going to keep returning to them as well,” said president Graeme Withers.

Corowa Golf Club features a 27-hole championshiprated course that is home to PGA Professional Marcus Fraser, and employs 47 people. It is a popular destination for golfers from both Victoria and NSW, as it is known for its beautiful scenery and charming layout. •

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news

Golf Queensland’s operations manager attends R&A rules school Golf Queensland’s Manager of Golf Operations, Luke Bates has recently returned from participating in the R&A Tournament Administrators and Referees School at St Andrews in Scotland.

The event was held in February, and was attended by 77 rules officials and administrators from over 40 countries. Bates was one of two National Referees to attend from Australia with the second being Sue Fabian (NSW).

The purpose of the R&A School is to give guidance and advice on officiating. It is hoped that delegates leave the school having learned something that will aid them in their futures as rules officials.

Already possessing working knowledge of the rules of golf, delegates spent four days with the R&A instructors, learning how to improve their refereeing techniques.

A heavy emphasis was placed on interactive demonstrations, along with seminars, role-play activities and an examination, which gave delegates practical experiences about the rules of golf and the role of a Rules Official at tournaments.

Bates received a score of 86/100 (a merit) in the level 3 Rules of Golf Examination, which was held on the third day of the school. This examination was split into two parts, one of which the attendees had to rely on their knowledge of the rules with no reference to books or materials being allowed.

A significant amount of revision was needed in preparation.

Mr Bates returned from the school with a wealth of new knowledge and experience.

“I look forward to using this valuable experience through the rules of golf programs implemented

by Golf Queensland”.

Luke Bates in the R&A Clubhouse Attending the school also gave Bates the opportunity to network with people from all around the world within the golfing industry.

“The trip gave me a fantastic insight into how the R&A organisation works and being able to meet and have discussions with staff on Rules of Golf was a unique experience”.

Golf Queensland is continually looking for ways to up-skill staff in order to maintain a high level of knowledge within all areas of golf. This ensures that well educated advice is given to all enquiries.

Bates and recently appointed Golf Operations Officer Matt Field welcome any questions on the rules of golf to be directed to the office via phone or the Golf Queensland website.

Golf Queensland provides numerous opportunities for Club Members to attend Rules Accreditation Seminars throughout the year. Details for upcoming seminars can be found on the Golf Queensland website. •

Get involved in community coaching!

Golf coaching can be an extremely rewarding experience for both the player trying to improve their skills, and the coach assisting in the development of a golfer. Coaches are an integral part of golf, as they often provide the first experience for beginners and are vital in developing golfers of all standards.

The Community Coaching Course is designed for the beginner/intermediate coach and represents a pathway into the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme. The target group includes school teachers, golf club personnel, volunteers, parents and students interested in developing golf within their community.

The course expands on the basic skills of golf.

It also covers the role of the coach, physical and mental preparation, safety, and organisation.

Participants are required to undertake a practical assessment during the coaching course to achieve their accreditation.

To attain full accreditation participants need to be or have one of the following: Be a registered teacher, be a current Level 1, 2, or 3 Coach in any Sport, have completed the Online Beginning Coaching General Principles Course and be at least 16 years of age.

Gin Gin and surrounds are one community who are keen to develop the game of golf in their area. Golfers from here recently enjoyed a day of learning to introduce new and existing participants to the game of golf.

Golf Queensland’s Participant Development Officer, Lee Harrington, conducted the Community Coaching Course, which also introduced the group to the MYGolf Program.

One participant was legendary boxing trainer John Bolt who has switched his passion from the

ring to teaching the juniors at Gin Gin. Each morning John gives up his Saturday morning to foster the juniors from the surrounding schools.

All participants displayed the great work they have achieved with the Active After Schools program and the Community Coaching Course reinforced their teaching skills under the MYGolf program.

Visit www.golfqueensland.org.au to find out how you can get involved with Community Coaching. •

Course Dates for 2012:

Golf Qld State Training Facility at Brookwater Sunday 3 June Sunday 22 July Sunday 16 September Regional Community Coaching Courses (TBC) Sunday 24 June in Cairns and Townsville Sunday 1 July in Rockhampton

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industry news

Inside Golf goes inside the Qld Sunshine Tour

Ex

C 20 Lus 13 ivE

It is set to be a big year for Pro Am Golf in Queensland, with the announcement that Inside Golf will become the Official Publication of the Queensland Sunshine Tour.

The partnership will benefit all golfers across the state. The Queensland Sunshine Tour reaches all corners of the golfing public throughout Queensland, from Cairns to Emerald and even as far south as Yamba in Northern NSW. Inside Golf, meanwhile, is Australia’s most read golf publication, reaching golfers not only across the entire state, but also on a nationwide scale.

As it has done for several years, each issue of Inside Golf will contain content about the Queensland Sunshine Tour events in 2012, including exclusive behind-the-scenes, real-life stories about life on tour.

“The Inside Golf team is extremely proud to support the Queensland Sunshine Tour and this is a wonderful opportunity to work closely with golfers, PGA professionals, club managers and tournaments,” says Sam Arthur, Publisher of Inside Golf.

“We feel privileged to be able to give back to the Tour that has helped launch the careers of players like Greg Norman, Peter Senior, Ian Baker-Finch, John Senden, Rod Pampling, Wayne Grady and many others. Who knows, the next Great White Shark may already be honing his skills on the Queensland Sunshine Tour.”

With the Queensland Sunshine Tour set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2013, Queensland PGA Executive O f f i c e r Bro c Gre e n ha l g h e x pre ss e d how it is an exciting time for golf in the Sunshine State.

“Whilst the Qld Sunshine Tour sees approx 10,000 amateurs play each and every year, this new partnership will enhance our ability to have more amateurs playing Pro Ams across Queensland, which we hope can have a snowball effect for clubs, sponsors and, of course, the professionals.”

This new partnership will see every amateur who plays in a Qld Sunshine Tour Event receiving a copy of Inside Golf. Exclusive promotions to Inside Golf readers as well as pre-tournament previews and player profiles, will ensure that host venues, sponsors and PGA professionals will all receive benefits from the relationship.

With the assistance of tournament organisers and their sponsors, the 2012 Qld Sunshine Tour is looking to set a new record for the most prizemoney offered to professionals in its 49-year history. Inside Golf will help the Qld PGA to ensure that the stakeholders who make setting this record possible, will be promoted and thanked in the most appropriate way possible. •

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Yamaha on the move

YAMAHA Golf Cars (Brisbane) has a new home.

The company’s general manager Darren Richard said the company, Brisbane’s sole dealership, had moved into new premises at Morningside.

“People now have a place they can come and see our brand-new golf carts on the showroom floor,” said Richard, the former Indooroopilly Golf Club director of golf.

“We will have five brand-new carts in stock at all times.

“We sell new and second-hand golf carts and provide servicing to golf clubs and individual golf cart owners.

“Some people have golf carts at home and can’t get them serviced so they can bring the cart here to be serviced or take it to their local golf club and we can meet them there and service the cart.”

Richard said the company had added a manufacturing arm to its business.

“Yamaha contract us to cut a cart in half, extend it by adding extra seats.

“We can manufacturer 4, 6 and 8-seaters and can also put ute-type trays on carts if golf clubs wish.

“Owner Paul Stratford has three prototypes at the moment and we do the manufacturing on site.

“He also does YSV (Yamaha Speciality Vehicles).

We have just extended a cart by adding headlights, rain covers and a radio for a B&B at Maleny.

“Virtually anything people want, we can manufacture into a cart.”

Yamaha Golf Cars (Brisbane) is located at Unit 4, 185 Beverly Street, Morningside (off Lytton Road). For more information, call 1300 921 160 or visit the website www.yamahagolfcarts.com.au •

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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industry news

Qld golf forum enlightening David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

THE Queensland Golf Forum wrapped up with a clear message from Golf Queensland’s CEO Lindsay Ellis: “make things happen.”

More than 100 industry leaders attended the forum at Victoria Park Golf Complex in Brisbane.

Clubs Queensland workplace relations manager Eric Porter had managers sitting up and taking notice when he warned they faced significant fines if the Fair Work Ombudsman found they were in breach of certain workplace guidelines.

“As the manager of Golf Queensland, I was thinking I don’t want to go home one night and say ‘honey, I have been caught by the Fair Work Ombudsman and I’ve got a $6000 fine,” Ellis said.

Clubs can expect fines in excess of $20,000 for wrongdoings.

Some of the issues Porter touched on included wage cases, termination changes and redundancy, public holidays and work value cases.

“The workplace ombudsman is out there and clubs are being caught for different things,” Ellis said. “Clubs have templates and check lists so make sure your club complies.

“Prevention is better than cure and Clubs Queensland is an organisation that can help you.”

Club Insurance Queensland head Brian

Lindsay Ellis Kunde spoke at length about insurance, business plans and risk management.

Grant Garrison, a 28-year US PGA professional and Gold Coast resident, enlightened delegates with his talk on growing the game.

The Growing the Game specialist is currently assisting Golf Queensland to develop a strategy to attract more kids to the game.

Volunteering Queensland’s Vanessa Codling spoke about the volunteering opportunities available to clubs.

Ellis said volunteers played an important role in most golf clubs.

“Golf wouldn’t function without volunteers, but now what we are facing is we need more expertise.

“With Volunteering Queensland, there is a definite way to find that expertise and bring it into the club and help it be successful.”

Mike Orloff, a marketing and operations specialist and owner of Golf Industry Central, provided delegates with some interesting initiatives and ideas on membership retention.

“Mike’s message was clear, we need to focus on the people inside the club,” Ellis said.

“In the 1990s people just turned up and everyone wanted to play golf. The number of people playing golf increased as the population increased until around 2000 and now that’s not happening.”

Fina l ly, Gr a ham Mathers, a G olf Queensland director, introduced Club ScoreCard – a club diagnostic tool which, in a nutshell, Club ScoreCard enables clubs to identify how healthy its club is in the areas of governance, management, membership retention, marketing and promotion, strategy and planning, junior development, course management, member services and administration.

Summing up, Ellis said it was up to golf industr y leaders to make things happen.

“What I suggest is if you have three things you’d like to take away from the forum, you make them happen within two months,” he told delegates.

“The fact that you are here today means this is important and you want to do something for your club.” •

David Blyth with his caddie Gary McInnes

Blyth wins Vic Blind Golf Open

Victoria’s David Blyth (B1) won the 2012 Blind Golf Victoria (BGV ) Open Championship last month, with 80 stableford points over the two rounds. It has taken David twenty-three years to win his home-State open.

Sixteen players took part in the 36-hole tournament at Rosebud Country Club with entrants coming from NSW, QLD, SA and VIC. The format of the championship, now in its 23rd year, was changed this year from stroke to a stableford event.

Blind golf has categories B1, B2 and B3 depending on the player’s vision capabilities. B1 players are totally blind.

To learn more: www.blindgolf.com.au or visit www.internationalblindgolf.com •

RESULTS

Champion: David Blyth Les Brien Trophy (Runner-Up): Jeff Ellis B1 winner: Glenn Niciejewski B2 winner: Gary Sargent B3 winner: Rick Krolik

www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

80pts 79pts 51pts 69pts 75pts

11

industry news

Newton warns golf industry David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

THE golf industry in Australia has always punched above its weight, but it needs to raise the bar even further if it wants to avoid a knockout, warns Jack Newton.

Newton was in Queensland last month to address more than 100 industry leaders at the Queensland Golf Forum at Victoria Park Golf Complex in Brisbane.

Forthright as ever, he told the attendees that golf needed to relax dress standards, reduce the age of committees, get more kids playing the game and make the game fun.

“I don’t think the game has moved quickly enough for our kids,” he said.

“I go by the adage that if you keep doing what you have always done, you will always get the same result.

“That’s where golf has been heading for the last 40-50 years in this country.

“I am passionate about junior golf and surely anyone in their right mind has to recognise the young people of today are the future of the game tomorrow.

“We need to seriously look at some of the traditions of the game, but every time I raise the issue of dress (standards) the question always comes back ‘well, what about the traditions of the game?’

“In my opinion, the traditions of the game are the rules of golf, the etiquette and the consideration for other people are what we should be worried about – not what we wear.

“A century ago golfers were wearing coats and ties.

“Today the long sock issue is slowly disappearing, but if you go to a golf club with short socks and it’s got a logo they won’t let you play. You have to buy a pair of their socks.

“When you drive up to most golf clubs, there’s a great big sign with all the things you can’t do.

“There isn’t a sign saying welcome, come and have a good time and have some fun.

“And as soon as you get in the club there’s an old

Jack Newton catches up with Josh Madden (PGA International Golf Institute’s marketing and student recruitment manager) at the Queensland Golf Forum bloke there, usually poorly dressed, telling you to [for golf club membership] so we still have people wanting to join golf clubs”. pull your socks up or tuck your shirt in and that your attire is unacceptable.

Newton believes the changes he is proposing “Surely these days as membership is waning in should start with golf club boards and committees. most golf clubs you just can’t afford to turn someone “I have suggested the structure of a board off by what they are wearing. should feature different age groups so that you get a perspective right across the board,” Newton said.

“I think most golf clubs have to raise the fun meter.”

“My recommendation was that there should be Newton, who is passionate about junior golf and board members in their 20s, 30s, 40s and whoever started the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation 25 else wants to be on the board. years ago, is particularly concerned about the boy “At least with the young age groups you are going to girl ratio in the sport. to get a perspective of where they see things are at “When I started my foundation the boy/girl rather than how older blokes see it.” ration was four boys to one girl – and now it’s 7 to One forum attendee, an older club board member, 1,” he said. “Something is wrong and it needs fixing. disagreed with Newton’s suggestion.

“You get situations where clubs want to charge a 14-year-old kid who plays off a one handicap $1000 “I don’t believe we should have people in their to be a member of a golf club. That’s ridiculous.”

20s on a board.

Golf Queensland CEO Lindsay Ellis said Newton “I am capable of thinking like a 20-year-old was invited to the Queensland Golf Forum because because I have experienced being that age.” he “generates ideas and opinions and gets us thinking Newton says senior members of golf clubs have about things,” he said. far too much power.

“What’s happening right along the east coast is the “Sure, golf clubs need to change and there is seniors are controlling the committees and some of change all around us.” these old buggers bring their own sandwiches and Ellis said there was a one per cent decline in homemade brew and have it in the car,” he said. membership annually.

“They want everything for nothing and the young “What we have to remember is golf is still the people who spend the money are getting no say. number one club sport in Australia,” he said.

“If you get someone (young) on the board they “We have done some research on membership last one year and the old blokes drive them off.” • dynamics. There is about a 16 per cent demand

Callaway Golf hires industry veteran as CEO Callaway Golf has hired golf industry veteran Chip Brewer, the former head of Adams Golf, as its new chief executive.

The California based company named Brewer as a permanent replacement for George Fellows, a former Revlon executive who became Callaway’s chief executive in 2005 and resigned last June after lacklustre financial and sales performance by Callaway.

“Chip has extensive knowledge of all facets of the golf business, particularly in the sales and marketing area, and has a real passion for the game of golf,” said Ronald Beard, chairman of Callaway’s board. “Chip also has great relationships with customers and others in the golf industry, and he has done a great job turning around and leading Adams Golf.” •

The movers and shakers

Congratulations from Inside Golf to the following recent management appointments: Tony Mills – Ulverstone Golf Club (Tas); Brad Clarke – Blackheath Golf Club (NSW); Jason Seeag – Pennant Hills Golf Club (NSW); Noel Robertson – Roseville Golf Club (NSW); Michelle Vernon – Pambula Merimbula Golf Club (NSW); Roger Morris – Magenta Shores Country Club (NSW); Gary Cosier – Indooroopilly Golf Club (Qld); David Rootham – Kiama Golf Club (NSW); Caleb Rose – Port Macquarie Golf Club (NSW); Kerry Bond – Port Fairy Golf Club (Vic); Sean Constable – Berwick Montuna Golf Club (NSW); Ian Skinner – Chatswood Golf Club (NSW); Trevor Brown – Warrnambool Golf Club (Vic) •

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

industry news

QUEENSLAND GOLF INDUSTRY AWARDS

Jaimee Dougan, Cameron Smith and Ashley Ona show off their awards at the Qld Golf Industry Awards

Qld golf industry shines David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

A RECORD 351 people attended the Queensland Golf Industry Awards Dinner held at the Sebel and Citigate in Brisbane last month.

Emceed by Fred Lang, Queensland golf ’s night of nights was extremely well supported and opened with a reminder and a film clip of last year’s devastating floods.

The worthy tribute recognised the efforts of countless staff and volunteers, who worked tirelessly to get their golf courses back in play after the floods.

For 26 trainee professionals, it was the final step for the graduating class of 2011 as they officially became full members of the PGA of Australia.

Queensland trainee captain and trainee of the

year, Paul Hayden, spoke on behalf of the trainees.

“I thank all the PGA professionals who have provided us with the opportunity to fulfil our dream,” he said. “And to our families and friends, we couldn’t have achieved this without your encouragement.”

Queensland PGA Club Professional of the Year Shayn Barnham (Virginia GC) paid tribute to his fellow nominees.

“To be accepting this award when you know any of those nominated are worthy of winning is quite an honour,” he said.

Teaching pro David Nable (Lakelands Golf Club) received the Queensland PGA Teaching Professional of the Year Award.

The prestigious Queensland PGA Tournament of the Year went to the popular Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate/ Tropical Auto Group Golf Classic.

The $100,000 tournament is always in with a chance

Qld PGA Regional Tournament of the Year: Blackwater Mineworkers Club Pro Am Qld PGA Metropolitan Tournament of the Year: Bartons/BMD Wynnum Pro Am Qld PGA Resort Tournament of the Year: Australian 4 Ball Pro-Am Championship Golf Print QLD PGA Tournament of the Year: Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate / Tropical Auto Group Golf Classic Qld PGA Club Professional of the Year: Shayn Barnham (Virginia Golf Club) Qld PGA Teaching Professional of the Year: David Nable (Lakelands Golf Club) Platinum Partner Program QLD PGA Rookie of the Year: Kevin Lee Qld Sunshine Tour Order of Merit Winner: Luke Paroz Qld PGA Chairman’s Award: Neil Dougherty Qld PGA Trainee Order of Merit Winner: Sam Eaves Qld PGA Trainee of the Year: Paul Hayden PGA IGI Excellence in Golf Education Award: James Tucker Superintendents Industry Recognition Award: Pat Pauli – Horton Park Golf Club and collected its third award in its 19-year history.

Neil Dougherty was recognised for his longstanding commitment to the game through his contribution to the Mackay Pro-Am and was presented with the 2011 Queensland PGA Chairman’s Award.

“Just to be involved with our great game is reward in itself but to be recognised in front of so many people who are just as passionate about the game of golf as I am, is quite incredible,” he said.

Unsurprisingly, Redland Bay Golf Club’s general

Toro Superintendents Golf Course Turf Apprentice of the Year: Nicholas Reeve,Murwillumbah Golf Club Simplot Partners Assistant Superintendent Recognition Award: Ray Lawrence – Brisbane Golf Club; Matthew Duff – Bonville Golf Club; James Gordon – Sanctuary Cove Country Club Chesterfield / John Deere Superintendents Achievement Award: Ben Tilley – Headland Golf Club GMAQ Manager of the Year: Aaron Muirhead (Redland Bay) GMAQ Golf Club of the Year: City Golf Club Club Super Volunteer of the Year: Ruth Hungerford (Clifton) Golf Qld Junior Male Amateur Golfer of the Year: Kade McBride Golf Queensland Junior Female Amateur Golfer of the Year: Jaimee Dougan Golf Qld Male Amateur Golfer of the Year: Cameron Smith Golf Qld Female Amateur Golfer of the Year: Ashley Ona Golf Supplier of the Year: Toro Australia manager Aaron Muirhead received the GMAQ Manager of the Year Award for his dedication to the club, its members and for his community work.

Cameron Smith and Ashley Ona picked up the male and female amateur of the year awards.

Other notable winners include the PGA IGI Excellence in Education Award winner James Tucker; Golf Supplier of the Year winners Toro Australia and City Golf Club, hosts of the successful Qld PGA Championship, received the GMAQ Queensland Golf Club of the Year Award. •

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industry news

From the CEOs Brian Thorburn CEO – PGA of Australia

If you love your golf, chances are you’ve either played in or heard about the Holden Scramble. Why do I mention it? Because this year the PGA is celebrating the 21st year of what has fast become Australia’s most popular amateur teams event.

From humble beginnings back in 1992, the PGA has seen the Holden Scramble grow to become Holden’s longest-running sports sponsorship outside of motorsport. Now that’s an achievement. Over the years more than 800,000 Australians have taken part and this year we expect that number to again grow significantly.

If you haven’t had a chance to play in the Holden Scramble in the last few years, I urge you to get out there and give it a go. There have been a number of format changes in the last few years but at the

Stephen Pitt CEO – Golf Australia

After such a strong summer of golf in Australia, now is the time that social golfers may be considering renewing a lapsed club membership or becoming a club member for the first time. In many respects, there’s never been a better time to consider club membership.

With competition for attention in the market increasing, there are now arguably a greater variety of membership options available than ever before and golf clubs are more creative and innovative in both the categories of membership available and the benefits and costs associated.

With this in mind, Golf Australia will soon launch Golf Club Connect – a website marketplace where clubs can advertise their membership offerings to the wider Australian community and use this marketing tool to help boost membership numbers.

Our feedback suggests — and in common sense — the easier and user friendly we make it to find

end of the day it’s still a great way to enjoy a round with friends. With local Holden Scrambles now underway you can find events in your area by visiting www.holdenscramble.com This month, three teams from last year’s Holden Scramble Championship Final will make their way to China as part of the very first International Challenge.

This event will be played at CTS Tycoon Golf Club in Shenzhen and we wish the teams representing Robina Woods, Laidley and the Women’s team from Cromer Golf Club the very best of luck for what I’m sure will be an amazing trip.

Also, it would be remiss of me not to congratulate Trevor Isaacs from Cheltenham in Victoria who was the lucky man to win a brand new Holden as part of last year’s Scramble. Trevor played in the 2011 Holden Scramble at Kingswood Golf Club and at the culmination of the 20th Anniversary season was drawn as the winner of a Series II Holden Cruze.

To everyone who plans on participating in the 2012 Holden Scramble, I wish you good golfing and hope to see you at the Championship Final in November. • out about Australian golf club memberships, what the benefits are and how much it could cost, the more chance the industry has of gaining members across the country.

The digital arena is the place to make this happen and activity in the market reflects that. A range of sectors have had to quickly adapt to cater for the increasing number of transactions that are now made online.

When you see Golf Club Connect formally announced, I encourage you and your club to make the most of the opportunity and get in contact with Golf Australia to find out how to be a part of it. It may even be the case that players weren’t aware you had openings in your membership!

Golf Australia has a responsibility to golf clubs to help develop and initiate new methods for maintaining economic strength in their business.

From a national perspective, one portal that holds all of the offerings in one place and is easily accessible makes the most sense.

Stay tuned to www.golfaustralia.org.au for more information.

For those clubs on social media, follow us on Twitter @Golf_Australia or find us on Facebook. •

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TrackMan partners Welcome mat out PGA in education for Golden Bear THE PGA of Australia announced a new education and technology partnership with TrackMan, the leading international brand for swing and ball flight analysis.

The three-year agreement will position TrackMan as the PGA’s Education and Technology partner for both the PGA Academy—the PGA’s education and training arm—and the Learning Centre— a state-ofthe-art coaching facility based at the PGA’s National Office at the Sandhurst Club. The TrackMan Pro system will be integrated throughout various aspects of the PGA’s training programs while TrackMan University learning content will be incorporated into the PGA’s Trainee syllabus.

Craig Sharp, the PGA’s Executive Officer for Training and Education, says the partnership is a significant boost to the Association’s education offerings.

“We are extremely pleased with the opportunity to work with TrackMan, who are undoubtedly the market leader for swing and ball flight analysis,” said Sharp.

“Put simply, the TrackMan system will enhance the PGA’s capacity to assess scoring ability, create training programs and benchmark performance and improvement which will further complement our already robust learning platform.”

Speaking about the new partnership, US PGA Member and TrackMan Sales and Business Development Vice-President Matt Frelich said, “We are pleased with the opportunity to work with the PGA of Australia and are very excited to officially begin our relationship.” •

The $150 million Golden Bear golf and recreational complex moved a step closer to becoming a reality after last month’s Cessnock City Council meeting.

This follows a motion by Cr. Graham Smith to amend a planning proposal that clears the way for the project to go ahead.

Approval would allow parts of the “Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Resort” to become available for subdivision of lots and the development of recreational facilities, tourist and visitor accommodation and houses provided at an equal 50/50 provision (temporary and permanent residency), hotel, function centre, retail premises and associated uses.

Cr. Smith believes the proposal is a positive tourism-based use of the land on the edge of the vineyards district that is not suitable for viticultural uses, and that the proposal will broaden the tourism appeal to a national and international market.

The motion went on to say the proposal’s colocation next to the existing Vintage Golf Club development has strategic merit creating a golfing tourist destination with significant flow on benefits to the Vineyard District tourism market and the Cessnock area.

“It promotes Cessnock to the world. The location is most certainly on the gateway to vineyards. On the other side of road you already have the Greg Norman-designed Vintage development. We have the opportunity to have a high-quality gateway to the city,” said Cr. Smith. •

Bendigo golf gets $55k boost

THE Victorian state government has committed $30,000 for a study into golf ’s future in Bendigo.

Northern Victoria MP Damian Drum announced the funds from his government’s community facility funding program.

The City of Greater Bendigo and Golf Victoria will also each contribute $12,500 to the study.

“The grant follows a meeting late last year of the region’s golfing organisations,” Mr Drum said.

“The development of a strategy will be an independent process and it would be premature

to speculate on what it might recommend, but I would hope for a clear road map of the future for golf in our region. It is my view that the issues and the challenges are very complex. Careful planning is absolutely essential.”

The strategy will examine the sustainability and viability of Greater Bendigo’s golf clubs, while identifying opportunities to increase participation.

The study will also explore the potential for the region to become a premier golf tourism destination. •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

15

events

Ladies Day Golf Series at Noosa Springs It’s Ladies Day at Noosa Springs … so polish those clubs for Tuesday, April 17.

It’s the first of three exciting golf days to mix with friends, meet new ones, dine in style, improve your golf and win great prizes.

The 2012 Ladies Day then continues August 7 and December 4.

Now in its eighth year, the popular event attracts a friendly, competitive field from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and beyond.

The Individual Stableford competition is followed by a gourmet, champagne lunch, presentations and a dazzling fashion parade showing off the latest in ladies golfing apparel.

Ladies will also get a discount on day of play at Noosa Springs’ golf shop. It’s an active day with a fun finish and fabulous prizes from major sponsor, L’Oreal.

Cost includes lunch: $99 per player, per day (non members).

Or, why not make it a mini golfing getaway by opting for the special Ladies Day package?

Experience everything the award-winning resort has to offer: luxury accommodation, championship golf, a new Eminence firm skin facial at the day spa, fine dining, state-of-theart fitness centre, heated lap pool, tennis and nature walks.

The Ladies Day package includes one-day entry to the Ladies Day competition, two nights’ accommodation in a luxury twobedroom, self-contained apartment and full

16

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

buffet breakfast daily. $175 per person, per night – twin share, or $130 per person, per night – quad share.

For more info, visit www.noosasprings.com.au or ring: (07) 5440 3333. •

New era of golf in PNG

Papua New Guinea will take Pro-Am golf to a whole new level in 2012 after it was announced last month that the two tournaments will have a combined prize purse of $230,000.

Professionals will first head to the Lae Golf Club for the $100,000 Coca-Cola Morobe Open to be played from April 26–29, before heading to Port Moresby Golf Club for the $130,000 South Pacific Export Papua New Guinea Open.

It is a great achievement for a nation the size of Papua New Guinea to be able to host two premier golf tournaments. What is more astonishing is that both tournaments have more than doubled in prizemoney over the past six years.

Tournament Director for the Papua New Guinea Open, Gary Haora is not only excited about this year’s tournament but also the future of the game in the country. “It is not only

about hosting a distinguished golf tournament in Papua New Guinea, it is also about laying the foundations for a sustainable long term golf industry, one that will blossom providing opportunities and hope for many young PNG men and women who long for a place in this fabulous game in PNG” Heath Reed will be looking to make it three Morobe Open victories in a row, but is aware that this year’s event is sure to attract some of Australia’s finest players. “I have really enjoyed coming up to PNG over the past few years and I guess it helps with having a couple of wins.

The people you meet at both tournaments are great, and is a huge factor in me returning each year. It would be amazing to win again but I am certainly not getting ahead of myself.”

Tournament details for the Coca-Cola Morobe Open and the South Pacific Export Papua New Guinea Open are available on www.pga.org.au •

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seniors

2012 Senior OOM begins in SA In great news for the senior golfers of South Australia the first SA Senior Order of Merit event was played at the Blackwood Golf Club on Tuesday February 28th. This initial SA Senior Order of Merit event was very successful and attracted a field of 80 players.

With continued support from SA seniors the future looks bright for the latest state to organise an Order of Merit competition for senior golfers.

The golfer with the honour of winning the inaugural senior event was Blackwood member Lindsay Elliott with a very good round of 76. Joint second place with scores of 78 went to John Anderson from Flagstaff Hill GC and John Gilleade from the home club.

South Australian senior golfers interested in playing in more Order of Merit events should check the Golf SA Website. www.golfsa.com.au

South Australian Senior Order of Merit 1 2 2 4 5

Player Lindsay Elliott John Anderson John Gilleade Chris Claxton Tony Mazzone *

Club Events Points Blackwood 1 100 Flagstaff Hill 1 87.5 Blackwood 1 87.5 Blackwood 1 75 Grange 1 72.5

Doug Bachli Trophy underway in Victoria The race is on again for the Doug Bachli Senior Order of Merit Trophy for Victoria’s leading senior golfer. The defending champion is Cobram-Barooga senior Ross Percy who will be looking to make it three titles in a row. This year there are 24 tournaments across the state with a player’s best 8 results counting. Thirteen of these events will be played over 36 holes or longer.

The most recent event on the Doug Bachli circuit was one of the most popular – the 36 hole Cranbourne Senior Amateur. As always the course was presented in magnificent condition and the organisation was exceptional with the event attracting a field of well over 100 players.

In an exciting event that came down to the last putt on the last hole, the winner was Colac golfer Greg Welsh who after opening with an even par 72 followed up with a 76 and a winning total of 148. Welsh finished a stroke ahead of Michael Jackson (75-74) with Guy Krall and Alan Bullas another stroke away tied for third place on 150.

The 54-hole net winner was Graham Bone from the Commonwealth Golf Club.

After five events the 2012 Order of Merit leader with consistent high placings in all events is the ageless Michael Jackson from the Yarra Yarra club. Jackson is a previous Doug Bachli winner and in a very close competition he currently leads from Royal Melbourne’s Alan Evans with Greg Welsh in third place.

As well as the scratch competition there is

also a very keenly contested year-long handicap competition. The early leader is Kingswood golfer Peter Bence who has a narrow margin over Graham Bone (Commonwealth) and Greg Welsh.

Further information on the Doug Bachli Order of Merit is available on the Golf Victoria website www.golfvic.org.au

Victorian Senior Order of Merit 1 2 3 4 5

Player Michael Jackson Alan Evans Greg Welsh Ross Percy John Wheeler

Club Events Best 8 Yarra Yarra 5 735 Royal Melbourne 5 650 Colac 4 645 Cobram Barooga 4 612 The National 5 611

2012 Australian team – Roy Vandersluis (NSW), Graham Bowen (WA), Peter King (QLD), Chris Coats (QLD), Geoff Davey (Mgr), Denis Dale (NSW), Vince Clark (NSW), Greg Corben (NSW), Richard Greville (NSW), John Beaumont (SA), Bill Banks (ACT), Stefan Albinski (NSW), Alan Bullas (VIC)

Keen battle in the NSW Senior OOM After 8 events in the 2012 NSW Senior Order of Merit competition it is already evident that this year there will be a real battle for the gold medal awarded at the end of the year. This year almost 40 events make up the competition with players counting their best 12 results. New events include Coolangatta and Ocean Shores Golf Clubs on the far north coast of the state.

After the major event of the year – the 2012 NSW Senior Championship— the Order of Merit leader is Mona Vale golfer Greg Stanford who has already recorded two wins (NSW Senior Foursomes and The Australian GC Seniors). In second place is newcomer Graham Blizard from the NSW Golf Club. Blizard has recorded four Top 3 finishes including a win at St Michael’s. Long Reef ’s Ross Bockman is currently in third place with his year highlighted by a round of 69 when the winner at Wollongong.

The Over 65 Years competition is always a keenly contested event with the numbers growing noticeably every year. The early leader is Vince Clark from The Lakes Golf Club. He leads from fellow Australian representative, Bill Banks (ACT) and Order of Merit regular, Penrith senior Clark Gibbons.

The 2012 NSW Senior’s Championship was won by the defending champion, Peter King from Queensland with consistent rounds of 74-72-77 for a total of 223. Played at Lynwood Golf Club in western Sydney, King won after a playoff with Coolangatta Tweed senior Rod Dale (73-74-76=223). The Lynwood course was beautifully presented and fully tested the field of close to 200 senior golfers.

Tied for third in the Championship, and just one stroke from joining the playoff, were Australia’s leading senior Stefan Albinski (7173-80-224) and NSW senior Graham Blizard (78-74-72=224).

In 2011 King had won the NSW Senior Championship at the Bermagui Golf Club when

NZ seniors defeat Australian seniors The New Zealand Senior Team has recorded a comfortable victory over the Australian Senior Team in the annual Trans-Tasman competition.

This year the event was played at Christchurch Golf Club and the Kiwis used their skill and local knowledge to defeat the Aussies 15 ½ matches to 8 ½ matches and reclaim the Sanctuary Cove Trophy.

The 2012 Australian team consisted of twelve seniors from across Australia, and all travelled to New Zealand keen to repeat their victory in 2011 when the competition was played at the Sanctuary Cove Golf Club in Queensland. The international competition uses the traditional Ryder Cup format and the New Zealand team started well, recording a 4 ½ to 1 ½ victory in the opening Fourball matches. Australia had lost 3 games at the 17th and squared another at the final hole.

The afternoon Foursomes matches saw another win for the home team – 4 points to 2 giving the New Zealand team a commanding 5 point lead with just the 12 individual games remaining.

In all of these contests the competition was very close with 10 of the 12 games going to he defeated Rod Dale’s brother Denis, also in a playoff. King recently won the 2011 Asia Pacific Senior Amateur Championship at Royal Perth Golf Club when he defeated Australia’s Roy Vandersluis, again in a playoff. After three playoff wins in a row Peter is certainly the “Playoff King”!

Full details on all the 2012 Senior Order of Merit competitions are available on the Golf NSW website www.golfnsw.org.

2011 NSW Senior Order of Merit 1 2 3 4 5

Player Greg Stanford Graham Blizard Ross Bockman Denis Dale Steve Gibson

Club Events Best 12 Mona Vale 8 1045 NSWGC 5 950 Long Reef 6 852 Twin Creeks 6 838 St Michael’s 7 737

the 17th or 18th hole. Again Australia could not win enough of the tight matches and overall it was a well-deserved win for the New Zealand team.

Australian captain Denis Dale did regain some prestige for his team in defeating New Zealand senior star Rodney Barltrop 2&1 in their individual match. This match held special interest with both players being the only seniors who had played in all six of the Trans-Tasman matches held to date.

A champion golfer, Barltrop had added to his marvellous career when he won the New Zealand Seniors championship for a record fifth time in the preceding week. Australia’s Graham Bowen also performed well in this tournament finishing in second place after a great final round of one under par 71.

This was the sixth playing of the Trans-Tasman event and the result now stands equally balanced at 3 wins for each country. The next match will be in 2013 when Australia will host the event.

More information and full results of all the matches is available on the AUSOOM website– www.ausoom.com.

Coming Events

April 2 Mt Osmond Seniors – SA April 2 Flinders Seniors – VIC April 3 Portsea Seniors – VIC April 8 Royal Sydney Seniors – NSW April 9 Bonnie Doon Seniors – NSW April 15 Bowral Jubilee Seniors – NSW April 17-19 The National Senior Masters – The National GC–Aust Ranking event April 25-28 Northern Territory Seniors – Alice Springs GC – Aust Ranking event April 30 Flagstaff Hill Seniors – SA May 2 Avondale Seniors – NSW May 7-10 Cobram-Barooga Seniors–VIC

Stories written and compiled by Denis Dale

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events

Events calendar Where: Queensland When: 11-19 April Info: www.golfaustralia.org.au

DATES AND LOCATIONS Australian Girls’ Amateur: 11–13 April; Carbrook GC Australian Boys’ Amateur: 11–13 April; Bribie Island GC

TORO North Queensland Cup

Where: Paradise Palms When: 28-29th April Info: www.paradisepalms.com.au

Experience championship golf at North Queensland’s Premier Golf course, Paradise Palms, which is consistently ranked in Australia’s top 100. The North QLD Cup is a 36 hole 2-person amateur team event over 2 days, playing best ball and foursomes format, with one of Australia’s largest

Mornington Peninsula 54-Hole Golf Tournament

Where: Various When: 1-3 May Info: www.golfmorningtonpeninsula.com.au

Australian Junior Championships

The Australian Boys’ and Girls’ Amateur championships and the Australian Boys & Girls Interstate Teams Matches tee off this month in Queensland, with Australia’s top junior players aiming for glory. Defending champions Anthony Murdaca (SA) and Cathleen Santoso (NSW) will battle against juniors from across the country, all aiming to notch their names on the trophies that include illustrious names of past winners like Jason Day, Adam Scott, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby and Peter O’Malley.

Past girls’ winners include Sarah Oh, Sarah Kemp, Sarah Jane-Smith, Tamie Durdin and Wendy Doolan, so the quality of play at this event is sure to be high.

MAY

South Australia’s Anthony Murdaca

The third annual Mornington Peninsula 54-hole golf tournament showcases all that the Mornington Peninsula has to offer and reinforces the region as “Australia’s Number One Golf Destination”. The first two days will be held at the Portsea Golf Club, a links course adjoining Pt. Nepean National Park and the RACV Cape Schanck Resort. Cape Schanck is a traditional course, designed by American Robert Trent Jones Jnr. providing spectacular views over Bass Strait and adjoining The National Golf Club, where 2 of their 3 courses will be used for the final day. The National’s 3 courses are currently ranked 8, 14 and 46 in Australia and will provide a spectacular conclusion to this wonderful event.

Entry price of $315 includes Welcome Party, Lunch each day including the Presentation Lunch at The National Golf Club, 3 Days golf, daily & overall prizes, show bag with Tournament souvenir along with various offerings of the Mornington Peninsula.

Australian Girls’ Teams Matches: 15–17 April; Carbrook GC Australian Boys’ Teams Matches: 16–19 April; Pacific Harbour GC

Inaugural Stillbirth Foundation Golf Day

APRIL amateur prizes on offer: a trip for two to the US Open valued at $10,000 (terms and conditions apply).

Entry is $295 per person, and includes: Event shirt and cap, On-course refreshments, TORO BBQ Lunch, XXXX GOLD Happy Hours. Daily scratch & handicap prizes to be won.

Open to male competitors with an official golf handicap (max 27).

For more details contact Des Shearer, Director of Golf on (07) 4059 9901 / Mob: 0418 791 086, or dshearer@paradisepalms.com.au

Where: Pennant Hills Golf Club When: Tuesday 8th May, 11.30am Info: www.stillbirthfoundation.org.au/golfday2012 A golf experience to raise funds for the Stillbirth Foundation Australia! Enjoy 18 holes of golf with fun on-course activities and fabulous prizes to be won, followed by a BBQ buffet dinner. Format is Shotgun start, 4-ball Ambrose. COST: $200 per person, including BBQ dinner. Non-playing guests may attend the dinner at $45.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. For information please contact Aaron David for further info: aaron.david@bigpond.com

Group rates from $85 including cart hire

KOREA

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

CHINA TAIWAN

Hills Daebul Korea Junior Open 26 - 28 June 2012 Acro Golf Club, Youngam Korea Official broadcast by SBS Golf Channel Hills China Junior Open 3 - 5 July 2012 Dalian Jinshi Golf Club, Dalian China Hills Taiwan Junior Open 10 - 12 July 2012 Tong Hwa Golf Club, Taipei Taiwan

Further Information: Tom Berndt e: tom.berndt@hills.qld.edu.au | p: +61 7 5546 0667

www.hills.edu.au

events

Men’s NSW Mid-Amateur Championship

Women’s NSW Mid-Amateur Championship

Where: Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club When: Sunday 6, Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 May Info: www.golfnsw.org

Where: Castle Hill Country Club When: 14-15 May Info: www.golfnsw.org The Women’s NSW Mid-Amateur Championship is played in conjunction with the first and second round of the 72hole Stroke Play Championship. The Championship is open to female amateur golfers, aged from 30 to 54 years on the first day of play.

The Men’s NSW Mid-Amateur Championship is open to male amateurs who are between 30-54 years of age, with a handicap of 9.4 and under. It is stroke play over three rounds of 18-holes.

The draw for the first two days of play is random, with a seeded draw for the final round.

This year a gourmet BBQ buffet dinner will be held on the Sunday evening, open to all entrants and their guests. Cost for this is just $45.

Quay West Resort at Magenta Shores have offered a special rate to participants and their families from Sunday 6 May Thursday 10 May .

Entries are $140 per player online, or $130 per player all other forms of entry. Entries close Friday 20 April, 5.00pm

Women’s NSW 72-hole Stroke Play Championship

Women’s NSW Club Champion of Champions Where: Castle Hill Country Club When: 14-15 May Info: www.golfnsw.org

Bonville Ladies Team Challenge

The Women’s NSW Club Champion of Champions is open to female amateur golfers who are the Women’s Club Champion of a Golf Club affiliated with Golf NSW. Club Champions is played in conjunction with the first and second round of the 72-hole Stroke Play Championship.

Women’s NSW Amateur Championship

Where: Castle Hill Country Club When: 14-15 and 17-18 May Info: www.golfnsw.org The Championship is open to female amateur golfers whose handicap does not exceed 14.4 strokes at the time of entry. The Championship will be stroke play over four rounds of 18 holes (72-holes).

South Pacific Ladies Open Golf Classic

Where: Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club When: 20-22 May Info: www.golfnsw.org The Women’s NSW Amateur Championship will consist of four rounds of match play (Round of 16, Quarter Finals, Semi Final, Final), each match being 18-holes, except the final which is 36-holes.

The top 16 competitors from the 72-hole stroke play Championship are eligible to compete in the Women’s NSW Amateur Championship Match Play.

NSWLGU Salver

Where: Surfers Paradise Golf Club When: 27th to 30th May Info: www.surfersparadisegolfclub.com.au The South Pacific Ladies Open Classic is one of the longestrunning ladies amateur golf tournaments in Australia, held at the beautiful Surfers Paradise Golf Course on the Gold Coast.

This year is the 40th Anniversary of the event and promises to be the best ever! This prestigious event opens with a mixed foursomes event on Sunday 27th May, followed by a 54hole Nationally Ranked event (stroke) held over 3 days and includes the following 3 categories: Classic Open (Handicap 0-22); Masters-Mid-Amateur (30-54 Yrs. Handicap 0-33) and Senior Division (55 Years + Handicap 0-33).

The South Pacific Ladies Open Classic attracts players from clubs all over Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu, PNG and the Cooks Islands. Former winner of the event and 8-time LPGA winner, Rachel Hetherington will be making special guest appearances and presentations.

Prizes in all categories including daily gross and net prizes, longest drives and nearest the pin. ‘Diamonds on Broadbeach’ will be awarding jewellery for a Hole in One (54 Hole Event only).

The NSWLGU Salver is played in conjunction with the Women’s NSW Amateur Championship Match Play.

The NSWLGU Salver is for players who finish with the next best eight scratch scores from the 72-hole stroke play Championship, whose handicap is between 6-14. Those eight players qualify for the NSWLGU Salver match play.

Women’s Margery McWilliam Bowl

Where: Glenmore Heritage GC When: 17-18 May Info: www.golfnsw.org

The Women’s Margery McWilliam Bowl is open to female amateur golfers with a handicap Limit 14.5 to 28.4. It is essentially the Division 2 section of the State Championship.

The Margery McWilliam Bowl is played over two stages – qualifying and match play. The Qualifying Rounds are two rounds of 18-holes. The top eight qualify to compete in the Match Play component, which is played on 20-22 May at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club, in conjunction with the NSW Amateur and NSWLGU Salver Match Play.

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JUNE Where: Bonville Golf Resort When: 16th & 17th June Info: www.bonvillegolf.com.au/upcoming-events/

The 4th Annual Ladies Team Challenge will again be played at this award winning resort on the Coffs Coast of NSW. This 2 person teams event is open to all Ladies with a current AGU handicap and entry includes 2 rounds of 18 holes golf (including twin share electric cart hire), twin share accommodation on Saturday night, evening cocktail party on Saturday night, breakfast in The Flooded Gums Restaurant on Sunday and a Bonville logo’d shirt per player as a tournament gift plus great prizes to be won over the weekend.

Queensland Sunshine Tour Date APRIL Thur-Sun

Tournament 26th-29th Morobe Open

$100,000

MAY Thur-Sun Wed-Thurs Sat-Sun Wed-Thurs Sat-Sun Wed-Thurs

3rd-6th 16th-17th 19th-20th 23rd-24th 26th-27th 30th-31st

Papua New Guinea Open Blackwater Emerald Middlemount Dysart Moranbah

$135,000 $25,000 TBC $17,500 $17,500 $17,500

JUNE Sat-Sun Tues Thurs Sat Fri-Sat Mon Thurs-Fri

2nd-3rd 5th 7th 9th 22nd-23rd 25th 28th-29th

Glenden Calliope Boyne Island Burrum Sea Temple Atherton Paradise Palms

TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC

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1st 2nd 3rd-4th 5th 11th 12th-15th 17th 19th-22nd 24th 28th-31st

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21

events

NORTHERN WEEKEND TOURNAMENT

Where: Pacific Dunes Golf Club When: Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 June Info: www.golfnsw.org

This two day event is open to male or female amateur golfers who hold a current Australian, or overseas equivalent handicap. The format for the first day of play is 18-holes Fourball Stableford - Nett. On the second day of play the format is 18-holes Best Ball Teams Event v Par - players may compete with any other player in the tournament, no handicap restrictions apply. Players may enter individually or in Teams of 2, 3 or 4. This event is a great opportunity for golfers of all levels to get away for the weekend for some relaxing and enjoyable golf at the challenging Pacific Dunes Golf Course. Entries close Friday 8 June at 5.00pm.

For further information contact Nicole Bessant at Golf NSW on 9505 9105 or email nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org

BROOKWATER CHAMPIONSHIP BLACK MARKER CHALLENGE Where: Brookwater Golf & Country Club When: June, October Info: (07) 3814 5500 Both Men and Ladies will play off their respective Championship Markers with challenging pin positions on every hole. A range of prizes will be on offer, including the latest in high-performance golf products from world-leading brand Titleist.

The Brookwater Championship Marker Challenge has two more qualifying events –Wednesday 27 June, and Wednesday 31 October. The entry fee is $90 per person, and is open to golfers with an official Golf Australia handicap.

Schweppes Social Golf Club Challenge Where: Links Hope Island When: July 15 Info: golfmail@linkshopeisland.com.au Limited to 15 teams, Social Clubs can enter a team of 8 players in the Single Stableford in conjunction with a Team Stableford event. Teams are drawn with the Team Score being the top 5 stableford scores from each team.

There are individual and team prizes courtesy of Schweppes and TaylorMade with the winning team receiving a 50% discount on their next outing to Links Hope Island.

The day includes 18 holes of championship golf, shared electric carts (with GPS), BBQ lunch.

To register call (07) 5530-9000, or for more information contact Mark Holland (07) 55309087 or via e-mail mark. holland@linkshopeisland.com.au

The Links Hope Island Ladies Rosebowl Where: Links Hope island When: 16th July, 17th September, 3rd December, 5th December Info: e-mail golfmail@linkshopeisland.com.au Lady golfers from Brisbane and Gold Coast are invited to the Links Hope Island Ladies Rosebowl events.

General Manager Mark Holland states “This year the Ladies Rosebowl will be bigger and better than ever before. Ladies will play single stableford in conjunction with a team aggregate stableford.”

JULY

Bonville Pairs Invitational

Where: Bonville Golf Resort When: 26th – 29th July Info: www.bonvillegolf.com.au/upcoming-events

AUGUST Australian Social Golf Club Championships

AUSTRALIAN

The Bonville Pairs Invitational is open to both Male and Female players with new entrants welcome and will this year be the 12th annual. Each day of golf is a different format and sees each ‘team’ playing with different players to ensure the event is a social one and different each day. The event entry fee includes: 4 nights twin share accommodation (Sunday through Wednesday), 4 rounds of 18 holes golf including twin share electric cart, Full hot breakfast daily, Welcoming BBQ Dinner Thursday evening, Presentation Dinner on Sunday.

What ’s your colour code? demo the new Ping G10 range in your area, and get a perfect custom fit with your size and your colour.

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Where: Gold Coast When: August 19-22 AUSTRALIAN Info: www.socialgolfcc.com.au SOCIAL GOLF CLUB

SOCIAL GOLF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Australian Social Golf Club Championships is one of the most exciting and enjoyable events for Australian amateur golfers, attracting golfers from around the country who enjoy LOCATION DAY their golf and the experience of playing in a professional sanctuary cove (member only) wednesday tournament atmosphere. horton park

saturday

LOCATION

“It is a great day with the ladies teeing off at 8.30 am and finishing up with lunch, fashion show, presentations and fabulous prizes. The day includes 18 holes of championship golf, shared electric carts (with GPS), tea / coffee and biscuits on arrival. All players receive a welcome bag at registration” Mark said For bookings call (07) 5530 9000 or for more information contact Mark Holland (07) 5530 9087 or via e-mail mark.holland@linkshopeisland.com.au

Port Stephens Classic

Where: Various Courses When: August 12 to 17 Info: golfclub@nelsonbaygolf.com.au A golf tournament aimed at exposing visitors to the delights of playing top courses in beautiful Port Stephens is now taking registrations for its 16th year.

The Port Stephens Classic will offer golfers the chance to play the bushland 27-hole course at Nelson Bay, the championship Pacific Dunes course at Medowie and the prestigious Newcastle layout at nearby Fern Bay. Play is over four days with a registration-cocktail party on Sunday August 12 and a rest day on the Wednesday, giving players and their partners the chance to enjoy the other tourist attractions, shops and restaurants of Port Stephens. The week finishes with a presentation dinner on Friday, August 17.

The format for the classic is four rounds of stableford golf with prizes upwards of $5000 offered to daily winners and the overall winners in grades.

Limited field of just 200 players.

For more details on this excellent and friendly golf holiday break contact Nelson Bay Golf Club on 02 4981 1132 or email golfclub@nelsonbaygolf.com.au

The 2012 tournament features some great new elements to make it even more fun and super value. The Radisson Resort Gold Coast is offering entrants discount accommodation, entrants will again receive discount golf vouchers worth over $300 and one lucky golfer will win a free golf trip to Thailand worth of $2500 for the 2013 SGA International.

In 2012, the tournament will be played at Palm Meadows, Lakelands Golf Club and Robina Woods. There will also be an increase in the prize pool to over $15,000 of prizes, trophies and giveaways with Drummond Golf a continuing sponsor and partner.

Entry forms available in Drummond Stores around Australia.

For more information and a PDF version of the entry forms, go DATE TIME to the Social Golf Australia site at www.socialgolfcc.com.au or 22nd July 9.30am 1.30pm contact SGA directly on- (03) 5433 3213.

8th auGust DAY

9:00am - 1:00pm DATE

TIME

sanctuary cove (member only)

wednesday

22nd July

9.30am - 1.30pm

horton park

saturday

8th auGust

9:00am - 1:00pm

GET FIT TODAY Turn to page 81 for a complete list of fitting days this month

For more information please contact American Golf Supplies on 02 9524 8233or ping@americangolf.com.au or visit www.pinggolf.com

For more information please contact American Golf Supplies on 02 9524 8233or ping@americangolf.com.au or visit www.pinggolf.com 22

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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scorecard

IN BRIEF

HONDA CLASSIC

Rory Roars

22-year-old golf superstar Rory McIlroy fulfilled a lifelong dream, taking over the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings, following a spectacular win at the Honda Classic. (Note: he later relinquished the spot to Luke Donald, following the Transitions Classic.)

McIlroy’s final round of 69 (15 pars, two birdies and a bogey) saw him finish 12 under for the event, narrowly edging a lurking Tiger Woods, who finished T2 with Tom Gillis at 10-under.

The win was McIlroy’s sixth as a professional and third on the PGA TOUR. McIlroy was the second youngest player – and the first Northern Irishman — to achieve the World No. 1 spot.

“My short game all week has been very good, and it’s what you need on a tough golf course like this,” McIlroy said. “I was able to do that, especially on 15 and 17. My short game felt good all week, and it definitely saved me today.”

McIlroy’s statistics backed up his statement, as he led the field in the Scrambling category, converting 83.3 percent (21 of 25) of his upand-down opportunities. While he credited his short game prowess for his victory, McIlroy also finished among the top 10 in five other key tee-through-green statistical categories. Off the tee, he was 8th in Driving Distance (297.6 yards), tied for 10th in Greens in Regulation (66.7%), was 8th in Sand Saves (77.8%), tied for 6th in Putts Per Round (27.3), and finished 5th in Strokes Gained-Putting (1.566).

PGA TOUR

Transitions Championship Pos Player 1 (PO) Luke Donald T2 Robert Garrigus T2 Sang-Moon Bae T2 Jim Furyk T5 Scott Piercy T5 Jeff Overton T5 Ernie Els T5 Ken Duke AU/NZ Scores T16 Geoff Ogilvy T20 Jason Day T29 Greg Chalmers T38 John Senden T46 Robert Allenby T66 Marc Leishman CUT Stuart Appleby CUT Matt Jones CUT Rod Pampling CUT Nick O’Hern

Puerto Rico Open Pos Player 1 George McNeill 2 Ryo Ishikawa T3 Henrik Stenson T3 Boo Weekley T5 Scott Brown T5 Matt Jones AU/NZ Scores T25 Rod Pampling T42 Nathan Green T48 Gavin Coles T48 Danny Lee 67 Peter Lonard CUT Matthew Goggin CUT Steven Bowditch

Total -13 -13 -13 -13 -12 -12 -12 -12

R1 67 67 69 66 69 68 70 68

R2 68 72 66 70 68 69 67 67

R3 70 68 68 66 73 69 68 69

R4 Strokes 66 271 64 271 68 271 69 271 62 272 66 272 67 272 68 272

-8 -7 -6 -5 -3 +1 +2 +2 +2 +3

72 69 70 66 69 71 70 70 71 70

68 72 70 70 72 70 74 74 73 75

70 67 68 70 69 71 -

66 69 70 73 71 73 -

Total -16 -14 -13 -13 -12 -12

R1 66 70 70 70 69 66

R2 70 67 69 68 72 67

R3 67 69 65 71 65 72

R4 Strokes 69 272 68 274 71 275 66 275 70 276 71 276

-5 -3 -2 -2 +1 -

71 71 69 70 72 69 78

74 71 71 70 70 78 74

69 72 72 71 71 -

69 71 74 75 76 -

276 277 278 279 281 285 -

283 285 286 286 289 -

EUROPEAN TOUR

World Golf Championships Cadillac Championship

WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship Hunter Mahan topped Rory McIlroy to capture his second World Golf Championship title at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. Mahan topped McIlroy in the championship match 2 & 1 after defeating Mark Wilson (2 & 1) in the semifinal. Mahan never trailed in the championship match en route to the fourth victory of his career. Mahan advanced to No. 9 in the world with the victory, the first time in his career he has been in the top 10.

Mark Wilson edged Lee Westwood 1-up in the 3rd place match.

WHAT’S IN RORY’S TITLEIST BAG: DRIVER: Titleist 910D2 (8.5) FAIRWAYS: Titleist 906F2 (13, 18) IRONS: Titleist MB (3-9) WEDGES: Vokey Design SM4 pitching (46.08), sand (54.08), and lob (60.04) PUTTER: Scotty Cameron GSS Newport prototype with deep milled face.

BALL: Titleist Pro V1x The Honda Classic Leaderboard Pos Player 1 Rory McIlroy T2 Tiger Woods T2 Tom Gillis 4 Lee Westwood AU/NZ Scores T12 Greg Chalmers T21 Stuart Appleby T36 Robert Allenby T67 Nick O’Hern 72 Rod Pampling CUT Marc Leishman

Total -12 -10 -10 -8

R1 66 71 68 70

R2 67 68 64 69

R3 66 69 69 70

R4 Strokes 69 268 62 270 69 270 63 272

-4 -1 +2 +8 +10 +4

68 69 72 69 69 70

69 71 68 71 71 74

68 71 73 71 71 -

71 68 69 77 79 -

NATIONWIDE TOUR: Edward Loar broke a five-way tie with a birdie on Sunday’s 16th hole and parred in to win the Panama Claro Championship. It marked the first career Nationwide Tour title for Loar, who posted a 4-under par 276 victory total. He finished one shot clear of four players, including Australian Cameron Percy and Ryan Armour.

SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR: Keith Horne captured the Telkom PGA Championship by three shots following a final round 3-under par 69 and 19-under, 269 victory total. The win was the fifth of Horne’s Sunshine Tour career. Alex Haindl and Darren Fichardt were among three players who tied for 2nd place.

276 279 282 288 290 -

Mayakoba Golf Classic

Pos Player Total R1 R2 R3 R4 Strokes 1 John Huh -13 67 70 71 63 271 2 Robert Allenby -13 69 67 70 65 271 T3 Matt Every -11 67 71 69 66 273 T3 Colt Knost -11 69 71 67 66 273 T5 Alejandro Canizares -10 67 72 69 66 274 T5 Dicky Pride -10 68 72 68 66 274 T5 Chris Stroud -10 69 66 68 71 274 T5 Daniel Summerhays -10 69 65 67 73 274 AU/NZ Scores T37 Nathan Green -2 73 69 68 72 282 T37 Jarrod Lyle -2 73 69 71 69 282 T63 Gavin Coles +4 71 71 76 70 288 CUT Peter Lonard - 74 73 - CUT Steven Bowditch - 74 75 - CUT Matt Jones - 74 75 - CUT Greg Norman - 79 73 - CUT Mark Hensby - 76 77 - WD Danny Lee - 73 - - -

WOMEN

HSBC Women’s Champions Pos Player 1 Angela Stanford T2 Na Yeon Choi T2 Shanshan Feng T2 Jenny Shin 5 Yani Tseng AU/NZ Scores T25 Karrie Webb 46 Katherine Hull

Total -10 -10 -10 -10 -9 -1 +7

R1 66 68 69 69 71

R2 70 71 71 67 72

R3 71 71 69 71 67

R4 Strokes 71 278 68 278 69 278 71 278 69 279

72 72 73 70 74 72 77 72

287 295

2012 Worldwide Ball Count

Pos Player

Total R1 R2 R3 R4 Strokes

1

Justin Rose

-16 69 64 69 70

272

2

Bubba Watson

-15 70 62 67 74

273

3

Rory McIlroy

-14 73 69 65 67

274

T4 Peter Hanson

-13 70 65 69 71

275

T4 Charl Schwartzel

-13 68 69 70 68

275

AU/NZ Scores T6 John Senden

-12 76 67 68 65

276

12

-10 69 74 68 67

278

Aaron Baddeley

T13 Adam Scott

-9

66 68 74 71

279

T20 Greg Chalmers

-7

71 70 68 72

281

T20 Jason Day

-7

73 67 70 71

281

T24 Marcus Fraser

-6

76 68 69 69

282

T55 Geoff Ogilvy

+1

73 73 70 73

289

Open de Andalucia Costa del Sol Pos

Player

Total

R1 R2 R3 R4 Strokes

1

Julien Quesne

-17

68 72 67 64

271

2

Matteo Manassero

-15

64 73 68 68

273

3

Eduardo De La Riva

-14

67 69 68 70

274

4

David Lynn

-13

70 68 68 69

275

T5

Raphael Jacquelin

-12

70 68 69 69

276

T5

Hennie Otto

-12

67 71 68 70

276

AU/NZ Scores T20 Marcus Fraser

-7

69 70 72 70

281

T26 Andrew Dodt

-6

70 74 70 68

282

CUT Brett Rumford

+1

71 74

-

-

145

CUT Michael Campbell

+3

75 72

-

-

147

CUT Matthew Zions

+4

75 73

-

-

148

World Rankings as of March 20 Top 20 Australians 1. Adam Scott (9 in world rankings) 2. Jason Day (10) 3. John Senden (28) 4. Aaron Baddeley (39) 5. Geoff Ogilvy (49) 6. Greg Chalmers (60) 7. Robert Allenby (64) 8. Marcus Fraser (94) 9. Brendan Jones (107) 10. Richard Green (125) 11. Brad Kennedy (140) 12. Kurt Barnes (141) 13. Nick O’Hern (150) 14. Marc Leishman (173) 15. Stuart Appleby (207) 16. Matthew Jones (235) 17. Jarrod Lyle (237) 18. Brett Rumford (241) 19. Andre Stolz (245) 20. Rod Pampling (249)

Top 20 Rolex World Rankings in Australia 1. Karrie Webb (18 in world) 2. Katherine Hull (63) 3. Nikki Campbell (75) 4. Lindsey Wright (104) 5. Tamie Durdin (138) 6. Kristie Smith (139) 7. Karen Lunn (160) 8. Frances Bondad (166) 9. Sarah Kemp (173) 10. Stacey Keating (175) 11. Nikki Garrett (184) 12. Sarah Jane Smith (213) 13. Stephanie Na (265) 14. Rebecca Flood (290) 15. Vicky Thomas (294) 16. Jessica Speechley (300) 17. Rachel Bailey (305) 18. Ashley Ona (331) 19. Julia Boland (387) 20. Wendy Doolan (448)

Top 5 World Rankings 1. Luke Donald (averaged points 10.03) 2. Rory McIlroy (9.85) 3. Lee Westwood (8.16) 4. Martin Kaymer (5.87) 5. Steve Stricker (5.81)

Top 5 Rolex Rankings 1. Yani Tseng (averaged points 17.27) 2. Na Yeon Choi (9.11) 3. Suzann Pettersen (8.11) 4. Cristie Kerr (7.90) 5. Sun Ju Ahn (6.79)

Stats and recaps courtesy of the PGA of Australia, the ALPG and Titleist.

Follow Titleist on Twitter: twitter.com/titleist and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/titleistanz

2012 Worldwide Wins

3,384

30

538

5

WORLDWIDE EXCELLENCE.

Luke Donald - Pro V1x Transitions Championship - Winner

©2012 Acushnet Company. Based upon results through 20/3/2012 on the U.S. PGA, U.S. LPGA, Champions, Nationwide, South African, Asian, Korean, OneAsia, Australasian, Japan, Canadian PGA and PGA European Tours. Titleist Customer Service: 1800 660 535

24

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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women in golf

Ko excited about HSBC prize New Zealand’s Lydia Ko took out the Bing Lee / Samsung Women’s NSW Open in style in January and in doing so secured a $1,000 voucher in an HSBC Day to Day account by finishing as the leading amateur.

Ko, 14 years old, became the youngest winner of a women’s professional golf tournament on one of the five major women’s golf tours when she posted rounds of 69, 64, and 69 to finish at 15-under-par, winning by four shots over Wales’ Becky Morgan.

As an amateur she could not receive the $18,750 in first prize, but could accept the $1,000 voucher on offer for the leading amateur as it was within the rules of amateur golf.

HSBC Bank Australia came on board to provide a voucher to the top amateur at the tournament. The HSBC Day to Day account will be administered by Golf NSW. The $1,000 will directly contribute to the reimbursement of Ko’s expenses.

This support will assist in covering

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Steven Tipple with Lydia Ko competition travel and accommodation expenses which will allow her to continue to fulfil their dream of becoming a professional player. Ko is expected to play in 30 professional and amateur events around the world in 2012.

Ko was very excited to receive the funding, “I really want to thank HSBC for providing the voucher, it costs a lot of money to travel and play in amateur and professional

Karrie Webb joins Bridgestone

Karrie Webb Seven-time LPGA Major Champion Karrie Webb has joined the Bridgestone Golf Tour Team. Webb, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2005, joins fellow Bridgestone Golf LPGA stars Paula Creamer, Sophie Gustafson and Ai Miyazato to play Bridgestone Golf ’s new TOUR B330-RX golf ball and wear Bridgestone’s Tour Glove.

“I am delighted to have joined the Bridgestone Golf tour team, as I have been hearing great things about the B330RX on Tour since Paula’s debut with it,” said Webb.

“After going through a full ball fitting, I realized what an advantage the softer compression provides me off the tee without sacrificing any performance

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In her illustrious career, Webb has amassed 38 LPGA victories, 7 major championships and 10 international victories, as well. She is one of only six women to have achieved the LPGA’s Career Grand Slam (winning all four professional majors), being the youngest to do so. In addition to the ball and glove, the deal with Bridgestone will also see Webb using a Bridgestone Golf umbrella in all professional events. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Visit www.bridgestonegolf.com to see Bridgestone Golf ’s entire 2012 Tour Team and to view the complete lineup of new products. •

events, so this will really really help me.”

Steven Tipple, Head of Sales, Cards and Retail Alliances, for HSBC Bank Australia Limited said at the conclusion of the tournament, “On behalf of HSBC Australia, I would like to congratulate Lydia as the leading Amateur. Amongst a very strong field of over 40 Amateurs from across Australia, New Zealand & Japan, Lydia has shown she is a player to watch.” •

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Bree on media watch

UP-AND-COMING Queensland professional Bree Arthur is learning from the best.

During a recent interview with Inside Golf, Arthur revealed former world number one Karrie Webb had given her some good advice.

“Karrie and I know each other and she has helped me out with some (media) advice and is there if I need help,” Arthur said.

“When I was in the national (amateur) squad we went to a media conference and she said ‘if you don’t want the media to know something, don’t say it’.”

Arthur said Webb told her to be honest with the media, but to play her cards close to her chest.

Arthur said she had great admiration for former champion Annika Sorenstam.

“Annika was such a great ambassador for the sport,” she said.

“I think she was the Tiger Woods of women’s golf because she was always into fitness and always taking the game to the next level.

“Everyone was trying to do what she was doing.”

Meanwhile, Arthur has a favourite saying: “Early to bed early to rise; work like hell and advertise.”

“I need to practise a lot otherwise I get a bit rusty,” said Arthur. “I am very much a feel player so if I lose my feel I am lost.”

I ask Bree what she is doing to advertise herself on and off the golf course.

“You have got to do a little selfpromotion and get yourself out there,” she says.

“You have got to be happy and people will like you so that in a way is advertising yourself, I suppose.” • www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

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women in golf

Golf’s no Bree-ze, says Arthur David Newbery

david@insidegolf.com.au

QUEENSLAND-BASED professional Bree Arthur likes being in control, but she’s definitely not a control freak.

It’s one of the reasons why she gave up playing team sports.

“When I was younger I played many different team sports,” she revealed.

“I was always keen on sports like netball, but I switched to golf because it allows me to be in control. I enjoy that the most.”

Still, Bree does concede that golf is one of the most difficult sports to conquer.

“Winning a golf tournament is not easy,” she said. “You have to be consistent and occasionally you have to put in a really good round or a couple of good rounds.

“Golf is a tough sport – it’s definitely not all glamour.

“One of the things that make it tough is all the travelling because that takes a lot out of you and we only get one day a week off.”

This year the 23-year-old will play full-time on the Ladies European Tour (LET).

“Last year I had conditional status and played 15 events,” she said. “I finished inside the top80 on the Order of Merit and that got me a full

28

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

playing card.”

This year Bree has made the most of her opportunities by finishing in the top-20 at the RACV Australian Ladies Masters and the New Zealand Women’s Open.

She was particularly consistent in the Ladies Masters, carding rounds of 70-66-71-71 for a 278 total – 10-under par.

“My goals this year are to finish in the top50 on the money list and play in the Women’s British Open,” Bree said.

“To play in the British Open I will have to be in the top-20 by the time the entries close or I will have to pre-qualify. Either way, that’s what I want.”

This year’s Women’s British Open will be played at Royal Liverpool Golf Club from September 13-16.

Since turning pro at the end of 2009, Bree has made steady progress in the play-for-pay ranks “Each year I have gradually got better,” she said. “This year I have already doubled what I earned at the same time last year so obviously things are going in the right direction.

“In my first year (2010) I was a bit nervous about things because I was playing for myself and trying to earn a living.

“At first I was a little intimidated, but now I feel as though I belong on the tour.

“Now it’s a lot easier and I will just use my ability and everything else will fall into place.

“We (players) are all good at what we do and it’s just a matter of who is the best each week.”

OPEN AMBITION: Bree Arthur will call Europe home in 2012 Like many of today’s up-and-coming players, Bree was an outstanding amateur.

Her amateur achie vements include representing Queensland for five years (2005’09) and Australia in 2009.

She won the SA Stroke Play Championship, finished runner-up in the Irish Stroke Play Championship and was Queensland female golfer of the year in 2004, ’05, ’08 and ’09.

Her strength, she says, lies in her ballstriking ability.

“I am able to hit off a lot of different lies and I can shape the ball different ways,” said Bree, who was born in Melbourne and moved to Brisbane when she was 14.

“I like to play trick shots through trees, under trees and over trees.

“I see the shot and generally pull a lot of these shots off.”

While unperturbed with challenging shots from the trees, Bree admits to being a little timorous when it comes to three-foot putts.

“I hate missing three-footers,” she said. “I think you should get them, but for some reason it really gets to me if I miss one.”

And that’s why Bree, with the help of coach Ian Triggs, is working on improving her mental toughness.

“I could be tougher,” she said. “It’s something I can work on because the mental side of the game is most important.

“Triggsy is a great swing coach, but he is also good with the mental stuff. It’s just a matter of trying to keep it simple.”

Away from the rigors of professional golf, Bree enjoys going to the movies and music.

She lists her favourite movies as Into the Wild and Pearl Harbor.

“Movies take my mind off the reality of it (golf),” she said. “I have started to learn the guitar, but I haven’t been home much so I haven’t been able to practise much.” •

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opinion

Tiger’s quest for glory Andrew McKenzie ed@insidegolf.com.au

There has been no shortage of attention on Tiger Woods over the past twenty-four months, most of it for all the wrong reasons. What seems to have been overlooked during the recent tornado of destruction that has been Tiger’s life, is his quest to become the greatest golfer in history.

At one point Tiger surpassing Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors seemed inevitable rather than questionable. But now, the reality is a very different one.

You can break down a player’s career any way you like, but when it’s all said and done there’s only one number that counts: major titles.

It could be argued that Tiger has had it tougher as the fields today are stronger than ever before; that almost anyone in the field can win. The lure of lucrative paydays and media attention has made golf a sought after profession and created huge depth of talent to the fields. Recent years have seen many major winners who are a long way from a household name.

On the contrary, it could be said that Nicklaus played in an era of great champions. There weren’t many occasions where he didn’t have to beat Palmer, Player or Trevino coming down

the stretch. The reality, however is that history is harsh and only interested in one number.

When young golf enthusiasts in thirty years’ time debate who was the best to play the game, they won’t take the time to crunch all the numbers or examine all the tournament wins and runnersup. Nor will they read a detailed section about how Greg Norman was world number one and dominated the game for a nearly a decade. No. Instead they will see: “Greg Norman, two.”

As it stands today Tiger is 36 years old and has 14 majors. He needs five more to surpass Jack.

What once seemed a forgone conclusion now seems a world away. Let’s not underestimate just how deep is the hole into which Tiger plunged and how monumental the task of hauling himself out will be.

In the past two years Tiger has won only one tournament. His last major victory came back in 2008 and his world ranking dropped as low as 58. He sacked his caddie of 13 years and changed coaches. He had ongoing injuries and was humiliated, vilified and scorned in global media frenzy for his in indiscretions. He shattered his family and his life. The extent of the psychological damage is of course the hardest to measure but I think it’s fair to say he hit rock bottom. Whilst the only way back may be up, it’s a long way to the top.

“But he only needs five majors”.

It certainly seems like a throwaway line, particularly when you have the greatest player of a generation who has 14 already. But Tiger needs to recover from his form slump, then go out and accomplish what some of the game’s greats did in their whole career.

Arnold Palmer won seven majors, Nick Faldo and Lee Trevino six each and the late Seve Ballesteros five. Not only that, but Tiger won’t be trying to do it against the same players he has battered and beaten during the past decade, the same players who collapsed in the face of endless Sunday Tiger assaults. Instead Tiger faces a new generation of young guns; The Rory McIlroys and Jason Days of the world who hold no fear, who play to win and bear no ill memories of the once invincible Tiger Woods.

So will we see the second coming of the Tiger?

I think that most golf fans and so-called “experts” generally believe we will.

So in trying to draw a conclusion as to whether Tiger will go down as the greatest player ever: Will he win another major? Yes. There is no doubt in my mind that he will. He is simply too good a player and has proven that he can find a way to win, even when not at his best.

Will he be world number one again? Yes. At some point I am sure he will be. He is still the most talented guy out there and has the work ethic required.

Will he dominate like he once did? No. When Tiger was number one he had over twice the ranking points of his nearest competitor. I don’t think his game will ever return to those unfathomable heights, and the quality of the young guys coming through will make it hard for him to open a huge gap like that again.

Will he surpass Jack and win 19 majors? I don’t know. He is precariously placed from this position, on a knife-edge that could go either way. Obviously he is capable of doing it, but whether he can execute when it counts from here on in, is anyone’s guess. It’s a legitimate 50-50 situation. But to avoid a fence-sitting cop-out answer, I will say no, I don’t think he will. • Andrew Mckenzie is a tour professional that plays in Australia and Asia. His victories include The Samsung Benest Open and The Korean PGA.

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• Social golfers most welcome • Stay and play packages are available Ring Nick at the Pro-shop on 02 6554 6167 for your booking.

• Enjoy a drink at the club after the game overlooking the picturesque Pacific Ocean.

Forster Tuncurry Golf Club Tuncurry Golf Course Strand Street, Forster Northern Parkway, Tuncurry

www.forstertuncurrygolf.com.au

It does not get any better. www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

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legends tour

Kiwis dominate Aussies on home turf Legends Tour Report Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

With the exception of yours truly, the Legends Tour Players are pretty famous for getting up out of bed early and arriving to the course with plenty of time to prepare. That’s mainly because they have no real reason to stay in bed after they have woken up. Last month the boys had to set their alarms two hours later as they arrived in the Land of the Long White Cloud for the New Zealand swing of the Australasian Legends Tour.

New Zealanders dominated the South Island starting with Peter Hayes and Peter Smith shooting 71’s on the windswept Pegasus Pro-Am in Christchurch. At the Terrace Downs Seniors Proam Garth Domigan continued the Kiwi winning theme with a 2-under 70. Former farmer and jet boat operator Jim Lapsley thought he would keep those annoying Kiwis on the top of the leaderboard and he took control with 3-under 69 in the Mower Shop Ashburton Senior Pro-am then followed it up with a brilliant 7-under 65 in the Comfort Hotels Timaru Senior Pro-Am. Just when you thought I had raved on about the Kiwis too much….. What about New Zealand Legend, Sir Bob Charles? The 1963 British Open Champion shot 73 at both Pegasus and Terrace Downs. Sir Bob is 76 years young!

By this point it was pretty obvious the Aussie contingent was struggling to come to grips with the

difference in latitude and when the tour moved to the North Island we suddenly got our mojo back.

Rodger Davis and Dave Merriman tied for the top spot at the PAK’nSAVE North Shore Senior ProAm played in Auckland with 72 and Mike Harwood and Mike Ferguson both shot fantastic 5-under-par 67 at Omanu Golf Course. Harwood continued his form when he shot rounds of 71 69 and 71 around the beautiful but terrifying Lakes Resort, Pauanui in the Rebel Sport Lakes Resort Senior Pro-Am. He finished one ahead of Rodger Davis.

The Wairakei + Sanctuary Resort Course in Taupo is one of the best golf courses in New Zealand... just ask Peter Fowler who fired 5-under-par 211 for three rounds and took the cash and the title of New Zealand PGA Senior Champion. Chook finished 2 ahead of former winner Jim Lapsley.

One of the highlights of every season on the Legends Tour is the annual battle between Australia and New Zealand in the Nagle- Charles Challenge. In its previous three years of competition the Kiwis have won twice and Australia once so a strong Aussie line up were very keen to square up the ledger. Australia was off to a hot start when Mike Harwood and Hugh Dolan beat dual NZ and Aussie citizen Peter Fowler and Martin Webber 3/2 and Dave Merriman and Mike Zilko defeated Stuart Reese and Peter Smith…. 2-zip Australia! … Sadly for the former convicts, the next three matches went the way of the Sheep Farmers with Peter Hayes and Craig Owen beating Mike Ferguson and Paul Dalgleish 4/3, John Griffin and Richard Ellis taking down Rodger Davis and Mark Tickle 1 up and Garth Domigan and Mark Sandi getting over the top of David Hill and Alan Cooper 2/1. The final

match had big hitting Aussie Garry Merrick and the consistent Peter Criss hold up against Simon Owen and Wayne Davies 2/1, so it was off to a play-off. I suppose you have to look after the country you now live in and for the safety of his family and friends Peter Fowler holed a 20-foot birdie putt to see New Zealand retain the Nagel – Charles Challenge Trophy for another painful 12 months.

Speaking of pain, Peter Senior must be feeling the need to finally win on the US Champions Tour. Whilst the diminutive Queenslander has done everything humanly possible to claim his maiden win in the States, he keeps finding new ways to run second.

Although Corey Pavin weighs about as much as my putter cover, he was our man’s most recent obstacle when he defeated Senior in a play-off last month. It’s just a matter of time Pete. •

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

juniors

Herbert, Wright nab Central Victorian Junior Masters The inaugural Central Victorian Junior Masters was played at the beautiful Neangar Park golf course over 36 holes in February. The tournament also incorporated the Bendigo District Junior Championships.

Two local members, Lucas Herbert and Eric Barclay fought it out to the finish, with both players finishing on 3-under par after the 36 holes of regulation play. Herbert had rallied on the final nine holes, shooting 3-under, to catch Barclay who led for most of the day. Playing together in the final group, Barclay had a 6-metre putt on the final green to win the title, but saw it just slip by, leading to a sudden-death playoff.

On the first hole of the playoff, Herbert hit his approach to the 18th green inside of 2 metres, whilst Barclay missed the green pin high to the right.

He chipped well to half a metre and watched on as Herbert calmly holed his putt for a birdie….and the title.

The Girls title went to Rebecca Wright from Rich River GC, who fired rounds of 80 and 81 for 3-stroke win over Georgia Macklan from Jubilee.

Rebecca Wright and Lucas Herbert Trailing by just a shot after the first round, Macklan was unable to make any impression on Wright over the final round.

The age Division saw some great golf played, particularly in the boys Under 14 section. Charlie Pilon from Wagga Country Club played steady golf over the two days, returning two rounds of 74 for a 148 total, to edge out Cooper Gill

from Hamilton GC by just two shots.

One of the youngest players in the field, Karl Vilips, returned a fantastic round of 76 on day 2. Karl is the reigning US Kids world junior champ in the U10s.

The tournament was administered

by Stuart Appleby Junior Golf and the Bendigo District Golf Association. All scores, information and updates can be found at www.stuartappleby.com.au •

Results: Central Queensland Inter-School Golf Challenge

Oxley Golf Club is helping juniors to learn the game

Oxley’s Junior Kids Expo Kiera King and Matthew Lacey Yeppoon’s St. Brendan’s Matthew Lacey returned the best gross score of the day when he shot a 2 over the card 74 at the Rockhampton golf club to win the Secondary best gross in round one of the 2012 Central Queensland Inter-School golf challenge. Yeppoon’s St. Ursula’s Kiera King won the girls event with an 84 to win by 2 shots from Hannah Edminstone (Tannum Sands State High), and Tory Edmistone (Marist Brothers, Emerald) who finished on 86. Tyson Smith (Gladstone Toolooa Sate High ) won the 18-hole Secondary school nett on 66. St. Brendans’ Matthew Lacey, Caine Hendy and Tanner Ward won the Secondary teams gross event with Lachlan Cartwright, Joel Spencer and Tyson Smith of Toolooa State High winning the teams nett.

Gladstone St. Johns Ryan Smith won the 18-hole Primary boys gross on 91,

with Brady Ingram of Yeppoon’s Sacred Heart winning the 18-hole nett event.

Tannum Sands state school team of Heath Atkinson and Tristan Lord won the 18hole primary school nett event.

Ryan Stitt of Calliope State school won the primary 9-hole boys gross on 49, with Yeppoon’s Sacred Heart Taryn Maher winning the girls event on 56. Steven Muller Calliope State School returned the best nett of 27 in the boys event with Yeppoon’s Sacred Heart Taylor Ingram for the girls on 31.

Calliope State School Ryan Kettle and Steven Muller won the 9-hole teams gross event, with Yeppoon’s Sacred Heart Taylor Ingram, Douglas Hendrie and Mitchell Hutchinson winning the teams nett.

The second and final round of the challenge will be held at the Yeppoon Golf Club in October. •

Oxley Golf Club has been working in hand with the Australian Sports Commission to deliver a government initiative to get children involved in sport through their Active After School Communities Program.

Oxley Golf Club have been sending one of their teaching professionals to various schools in the local community providing coaching free of charge to students introducing them to the wonderful game of golf.

The Club has also embarked on a Junior Training Program held at the club at a nominal fee, so that the young guns of tomorrow may get off to a solid foundation in the pursuit of their newly chosen sport.

Golf is a great avenue for children of all ages to get a feeling of belonging to a club and also allowing the kids to achieve self belief and confidence as they learn the game and their handicap starts to improve. • www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

33

people

Moseley ready to go again David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

THIRTEEN years ago, when players like Faldo, Woosnam, Montgomerie, Langer, Clarke, Westwood, Jimenez, Els et al were dominating the European Tour, a 26-year-old Australian

stepped out of the shadows as a player to watch.

The year was 1999 and Jarrod Moseley joined the winner’s circle when he came from five strokes back to win the rich Heineken Classic at The Vines Resort.

The West Australian edged out Ernie Els, Bernhard Langer and Peter Lonard by one shot and for the next six or seven years he was one of the stars on the European Tour.

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In 2002, arguably his best year, Moseley had six top-10 finishes, which included a tie for seventh in the Volvo PGA Championship. In the final round, he fired a course record equalling 63 and capped off the year when he was joint winner of the Australian PGA Championship with Peter Lonard.

And in 2003, Moseley was involved in a fourway playoff with Robert Allenby (winner),

Craig Parry and Adam Scott for the Australian Masters.

But at the end of 2004 things started to go awry and he found himself on the wrong end of one of the closest finishes in the battle to keep automatic playing rights Going into his final event of the season, the Open de Madrid, he was in 114th place on the Order of Merit, but he missed the cut and had to watch agonisingly as Richard Sterne, Wade Ormsby and Robert Karlsson all passed him.

The trio moved Moseley out of the crucial top 116 into 117th place. Amazingly, Karlsson, who finished second from last, pipped him to 116th place by less than $20.

To his credit, Moseley rebounded from the disappointment and regained his card through Qualifying School.

Unfortunately, a year or two later he abandoned the tour and returned home.

“When the twins (Ajay and Angus) came along in 2006 it was a bit of a shell-shock to my wife Danielle and I. Besides, I wanted to spend more time at home because we already had two children (Jemma and Taya),” Moseley told Inside Golf.

“I didn’t have a card then and it was hard going away. I wasn’t doing any good and it was putting pressure on everything so I hung the boots up for a while and waited to get them into school.”

The 39-year-old has regained his mojo and is banking on winning back his European Tour card later this year.

“I am ready to have another crack,” Moseley enthused.

“I don’t have a card, but I am hoping to get a few starts on the OneAsia Tour to see how I go with the aim of getting back to the European Tour.

people

“I will get through to the second stage of Q-School because I have won on the tour.”

Moseley has engaged former WA state coach Ross Metherell in an effort to make a return to competitive golf.

“I have been seeing my old state coach Ross and he has really got me feeling the club head again and I feel as though I am getting the club in some decent positions again,” Moseley said.

“I am working hard and practising every day now trying to give myself the best chance possible.”

The mental side of the game, he says, is going to be the biggest challenge.

“My game is there – it’s just a matter of doing it under pressure and pressure is purely a mental thing.

“I’d like to do a bit of work on the mental side of the game because you need your brain in good shape as well as your golf game.”

Moseley said he holds no fears for the plethora of young guns like Rory McIlroy who are taking the golfing world by storm.

“At the end of the day, the scores aren’t getting any lower,” he said.

“Sure, the leaderboard is definitely a lot more bunched, but the scoring isn’t any better – it’s just there are more people on five-under-par than there used to be.

“It’s still you against the golf course and if you shoot 68 every day you are going to be at the pointy end of the leaderboard.”

Moseley also spoke about his years as one of the leading players on the European Tour.

His biggest influence

“Peter O’Malley is someone I have always looked up to,” Moseley said. “He was a huge influence when I first got to Europe and he made the transition so much easier.

“When I first got my card in Europe he put me up in the UK. He called me out of the blue and asked me if I wanted to have a practice round with him and he showed me the ropes.

“He let me have the keys to his house for a couple of weeks until I could find somewhere to stay. POM is a fabulous guy, down to earth and he helped me big time.

“He didn’t have to help me out, but he did and I am grateful.”

Jack and Seve

“Playing with Jack Nicklaus at his course Muirfield Village was amazing.

Quite surreal.

“Jack kissed about 20 or 30 babies on the way around. And he was applauded onto every tee, every green and up the fairways.

“It was an amazing day and to the fans I certainly didn’t exist.

“It was a real eye-opener on how they treat their heroes in America – quite phenomenal.

“I played with Seve (Ballesteros) in the Spanish Open and the charisma around him and the way the fans idolised him was amazing.

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Jarrod Moseley has dusted off the cobwebs and is getting back into the swing “It didn’t matter if they were English, Irish, Scottish or German – they all just loved Seve and it was awesome to play with him.”

The best players

D ur ing his t ime in Europ e, Moseley played with some of the greats including Lee Westwood, Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer, Darren Clarke and others.

“As a ball-striker, Darren Clarke was pretty special,” he said. “Westwood was great, but Monty (Colin Montgomerie) was brilliant because of his distance control.

“It didn’t matter what iron he had in his hand he always seemed to hit it pin high. He was a fabulous worker of the golf ball and he just gets it around so well despite not looking that great.”

His strengths

Moseley said his distance control was one of his strengths.

“I am also a very good putter. Putting can be streaky at times and the streaks can last a fair while.

“Being a good putter is a good trait to have and you just hope you pick the right day to have a streak.

“I am work i ng h ard on my putting from inside 10 feet and making sure I get my percentages up and making as many of those as I can. If my distance control stays

consistent, I am giving myself a lot of chances.”

Goals and inspiration

“I’d like to have another five or six years playing on the European Tour and then plan for the Seniors Tour.

“Peter Senior has given me the inspiration to do that. He was giving me inspiration before he was 50.

He’s an extremely good player and has been for a long time and to emulate that would be hard to do but it’s doable.”

The putter

Moseley agrees with Tiger Woods that broomstick and belly putters should be banned.

“I absolutely agree with Tiger because I don’t think a club should be attached to a person’s body,” Moseley said.

“It looks like it helps and looks artificial. I am sure if you came u p w i t h a c o nt r ap t i o n t h at’s attached to the driver they (golf ’s governing bodies) would knock it on the head.

“Anyway, I have never been interested in using a long putter. I have never been that bad a putter to have to go that way.

“I have changed putters, but I have never bothered to go to a long putter.” • www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

35

Check out www.cooperativegolf.com.au to locate a fitting specialist near you.

celebrity swinger

Rugby League’s Greg Bird David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

RUGBY league is Greg Bird’s game, but the Gold Coast Titans star is also a passionate golfer.

During the off-season the Australian and NSW representative spends up to four days a week honing his skills at Gainsborough Greens Golf Club.

“During the footy season I try and play at least once a week,” he said.

Bird’s passion for golf has even seen him set up a Titans social group where laughs (and lumps) are par for the course.

One of six children, the gifted second row and five eighth, who answers to the nickname Birdy or Birdman, grew up in Newcastle.

“Newcastle is a great place for kids growing up who love their league,” he said. “The whole town goes nuts for it.”

Bird grew up supporting the Canberra Raiders and played for the Maitland Pumpkin Pickers at junior level.

The 28-year-old, who made his senior NRL debut in 2002, spent seven years playing for the Cronulla Sharks.

“I have played nearly my whole career with the Sharks and I also did a stint for Catalans Dragons (France).

“Hopefully I can reward the Titans and win a premiership here.”

Of course, the former State of Origin star believes NSW will account for Queensland this year.

“We’ll do it by scoring more points,” Bird said.

The retirement of Darren Lockyer, he says, will give NSW the edge they need.

So, with the State of Origin battle lines drawn, Bird took time out to answer a range of questions posed by Inside Golf.

What’s your handicap?

My Golf Australia handicap is 12.

Tell us about the Titans social golf club?

We have a group of about 20 players and staff. I have given everyone handicaps, which sometimes are drastically altered depending on how they play.

It’s all a bit of fun.

Best golf course you have played?

The Lakes in Sydney.

What’s your lowest score?

I once had three-over-par.

What’s the strength of your golf game?

My game is all over the place. One day I can drive, the next day I can’t, but my chipping is consistent.

Queensland’s Sand Green Championship

Qld Men’s Sand Green Championships

What’s been your greatest sporting moment?

Representing NSW and Australia.

What’s been your worst sporting moment?

You try to forget the bad ones.

What’s the best thing about playing for the Titans?

The weather and the players are a good bunch of blokes.

The team you most like to beat?

The Tigers.

What has been your career highlight?

My man of the match performances in State of Origin.

Lowlights?

Any injuries.

Growing up, did you have a favourite player?

Laurie Daley. He was awesome in attack and his defence made him one of the greatest ever to play the game.

Favourite Titans moment?

Kicking the winning field goal in extra-time against the Raiders in 2011.

Who is your favourite sportsperson and why?

Shane Warne. I reckon he can come out of retirement and still be the best spin bowler in the world.

If you could swap places with a golfer for a day, who would it be?

Rory McIlroy. He is mixing it with the best of them and he’s nowhere near the peak of his career.

Name your dream fourball playing partners?

Shane Warne, Michael Jordan and Mat Rogers.

When league players get together for a game of golf is there a lot of friendly banter between the players?

There’s a fair bit of sledging. The guys who don’t play as often as the others sometimes struggle to keep score.

What have been some of the funny and unusual incidents on the golf course?

I saw Lance Thompson get hit in the head one day and that dropped him, which was quite funny. Scott Prince hit his ball (out of bounds) into a swimming pool and we told him he had to go and get it.

If you didn’t play league, what would you be?

A rock star. I love to frequent all the karaoke hot spots on the Gold Coast.

What’s your most annoying habit?

Biting my nails and not listening.

What’s your motto?

It doesn’t matter where you are, it’s who you are with that counts. •

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cover story

US s er mast iew prev

Badds & The Boys: Aiming high at Augusta

Photo by Eric Kurth

Garrett Johnston ed@insidegolf.com.au

Aaron Baddeley approaches this year’s US Masters a bit differently than he did last year.

In 2011, Baddeley came into the season’s first major off the merits of his victory at the Northern Trust at Riviera that February. The win gave Baddeley little time to reshuffle his schedule and, in less than two months, prepare for the daunting false fronts and tricky green complexes that Augusta National presents.

This year serves as the Hyde to last year’s Jekyll as Baddeley has been in this year’s Masters field for seven months, since last September, due to his qualifying for last year’s exclusive Tour Championship in Atlanta. Over the past few months, Baddeley has been able to give more adequate preparation for the types of shotmaking that Augusta National requires.

“My initial thoughts are that I am excited because I will be able to prepare the way I want to,” Baddeley said in February at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. “Because I know that I will be at Augusta (this year). I feel my game is in really good shape.”

Baddeley has played in the Masters 6 previous times with his best finish a tie for 17th in 2009. He finished in a tie for 47th in 2011

and now prepares for another go at arguably America’s finest golf course.

“I’m really able to prepare the way I want to (this year),” said Baddeley. “I’m able to practise the shots you need around Augusta.”

“Last year I was working on my game a little bit but now I feel that my game is right there.

It’s just a matter of being able to practise and prepare.”

Practise and prepare indeed — for some of the most difficult greens that golfers face all season. Greens that during last year’s Masters threw then world number 1 Martin Kaymer completely off his form.

Kaymer had prepared and even changed aspects of his swing to fit Augusta’s demanding approaches into the greens. However the world’s best player at that moment could not hold his own at Augusta and fell victim to the cut line on Masters Friday after rounds of 78 and 72.

For Baddeley, putting well on Augusta’s undulating greens will be paramount.

“The main thing is to try and make putts,” Baddeley said. “I think it’s easy to be too careful around there. It’s having the mindset of trying to make putts as opposed to getting it close”.

Last year’s third round leader Rory McIlroy struggled with an 80 in his final round which was punctuated by a four-putt double-bogey on the 12th green.

Charl Schwartzel, on the other hand, made four straight birdie putts to win the Masters by two — proof that command of the putter is key to winning at Augusta National.

Baddeley, however, is a player whose greatest asset has been putting throughout his PGA Tour career. In the last few years, his putting stats have been trending northward as well. He led the PGA Tour in putts per round his first full year on the circuit in 2003. And from 2004-12 his putting form has kept him in the top 25 in Total Putting (a stat which incorporates putts of all distances). He has improved in that category every year since 2009 to presently 5th on Tour in Total Putting.

The 2011 Masters provided much excitement for Australian fans as Adam Scott, who led most of the back nine, finished strong at 12-under.

Jason Day’s must-make birdie heroics on 17 and 18 also proved great drama for the finish as he tied Scott at 12 under and the clubhouse lead before Schwartzel finished at 14 under.

Geoff Ogilvy had five straight birdies on the final day as well.

But for all the great play of Australians over the years, even Baddeley finds it strange that an Aussie has yet to claim the coveted green jacket.

“It’s surprising that an Aussie hasn’t won there yet. I think all of us Aussies want to be the first one. We want to be the first (player) to win Augusta (being) from Australia.”

At the AT&T Invitational at Pebble Beach this past February, Australian great Ian Baker-Finch spoke on the expectations that Australian fans have toward their countrymen in excelling on the world’s stage.

“The good ones (players) are getting on but we’re all kind of waiting for Jason Day to come through,” Baker-Finch said.

He also spoke to the struggles that Australian golfers are running into when it comes to winning golf ’s major championships.

“With the younger Australian guys right now were actually having a bit of a lull,” Baker-Finch said. “No one apart from Adam (Scott), Jason (Day), and Geoff (Ogilvy), has been able to standup in the majors yet.”

Baddeley’s best shot at a major came in the 2007 US Open at Oakmont. He was the 3rd round leader by two strokes at 2 over par and then struggled mightily to the finish with an 80 in the final round and finished tied for 13th, even still his best finish in a major championship.

Sound familiar? Rory McIlroy shot an 80 last year at Augusta on Masters Sunday after also sleeping on the lead. The next major where he was in the hunt, which happened to be the very next one he played, he triumphed emphatically at Congressional at the 2011 US Open.

Perhaps Baddeley’s experience, having been in the thick of a major as he was at Oakmont, will prove helpful to his efforts at Augusta. That is provided he gets to the back nine on Sunday, as McIlroy did, with a chance at victory.

One may also remember that Baddeley had to deal with being paired with Tiger Woods in that final grouping that fateful Sunday in 2007.

Not only was Baddeley trying to win his first major and follow up fellow Aussie Geoff Ogilvy’s US Open win the year before at Winged Foot, but he was also trying to overcome one of his generation’s greatest challenges: beating Woods on Sunday in a major.

However winning major championships in general is something that Baddeley believes he is capable of accomplishing. And it is this belief in his abilities that gives him confidence moving forward.

“I know that (with) my ability, if I play well enough, I can win a major tournament,” Baddeley said. “Growing up as a kid, it’s what you pictured winning. Dreams coming true. And it’s living the dream that you had as a kid. That’d be pretty awesome.”

“Badds has got a lot of heart,” Day told the media during last year’s President’s Cup. “He came back strong and played great (after a stinging loss in his first round match at Royal Melbourne), and it just shows how much heart he’s got.”

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masUS pre ters view

Baddeley’s win at last year’s Northern Trust Open, his first since 2007, and subsequent consistency to stay in world’s top 75 since is also a testament to his heart.

But heart is often the result of inspiration.

Among Baddeley’s chief sources of inspiration are his family, his faith in God, and his childhood hero Greg Norman.

When asked what developments in his life give him inspiration and encouragement, Baddeley points to the birth of his second daughter Jolee in 2010 as encouragement for each day he’s out on Tour.

In 2010, Baddeley did not have his wife Richelle and first daughter Jewell out on tour as much because Richelle was preparing to have Jolee. But now, Jewell (three and a half), Jolee (almost two), and Richelle are consistently out on the American Tour supporting their father and husband.

“Having those two (daughters) and my wife on the road is very special.”

Baddeley is also a deeply committed Christian.

He lives out that faith by being actively involved in the weekly Bible study on the PGA Tour called the Tour Fellowship. It is a time when players, their wives, and friends can gather and encourage each other through reading the Bible and personal testimonies of what God is doing in their lives.

Baddeley is so passionate about the Tour Fellowship that he and Richelle actually hosted the weekly event at their house in Scottsdale, Arizona during February’s Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Baddeley told the press at the PGA Tour’s Greenbrier Classic in 2010 that God is his central passion in life.

“He’s my passion,” Baddeley said. “So (I want to) live a life that’s pleasing to him. That’s my goal.”

Staff picks for Augusta

“I think it’s easy to be too careful around there (Augusta). It’s having the mindset of trying to make putts as opposed to getting it close”.

- Aaron Baddeley

The Inside Golf team has been busily poring over the history, stats, form guides, weather predictions, astrological profiles, tea leaves, biorhythms and – when all else fails – turning to the ol’“close the eyes and guess” method to give you our picks for the US Masters at Augusta.

Here we go!

Photo by kendennisphoto.com Greg Norman has also been a major source of inspiration for Baddeley over the years.

“Sharkie back in the day,” said Baddeley. “He was the guy that inspired me.”

The Shark came so close in 1996 to being Australia’s first Masters Champion. Now that golden opportunity lies before Baddeley and the other Aussies that are about to assemble at Augusta National.

Can Jason Day and Geoff Ogilvy recapture their

cover story

last minute heroics and mount significant back nine charges on Masters Sunday? Can Adam Scott play with the same tenacity and consistency down the stretch? Or can Baddeley utilize his putting strengths and realise his childhood dream?

“The opportunity of going there (to Augusta) and having a chance to win this year is pretty exciting.”

If he can deliver what Norman, Baker-Finch, and other notable Australians could not before him it will be exciting indeed. •

Sam Arthur, Publisher Win: Rory McIlroy Dark Horse: Steve Stricker Top Aussie: Aaron Baddeley

Jon Perrett, Vic/Tas/SA Sales Win: Charl Schwartzel Dark Horse: Keegan Bradley Top Aussie: Adam Scott

Richard Fellner, Group Editor Win: Phil Mickelson Dark Horse: Webb Simpson Top Aussie: John Senden

Scott Barsby, NSW/ACT Sales Win: Rory McIlroy Dark Horse: Rickie Fowler Top Aussie: Adam Scott

David Newbery, Senior Writer Win: Phil Mickelson Dark Horse: Ryan Palmer Top Aussie: Geoff Ogilvy

Lisa Coleman, National Sales Win: Jason Day Dark Horse: Geoff Ogilvy Top Aussie: Adam Scott

Larry Canning, Columnist Win: Tiger Woods Dark Horse: Craig Stadler Top Aussie: John Senden

David Ross, QLD Sales Win: Luke Donald Dark Horse: Bubba Watson Top Aussie: Jason Day

Michael Green, Columnist Win: Luke Donald Dark Horse: KJ Choi Top Aussie: Adam Scott

Nick Thorn, Designer Win: Tiger Woods Dark Horse: KJ Choi Top Aussie: Jason Day

Mike Orloff, Industry News Win: Hunter Mahan Dark Horse: Tiger Woods Top Aussie: John Senden

Sizzles Fellner, Dog Win: Ross Fisher Dark Horse: Fred Couples Top Aussie: Jason Day

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39

US s er mast iew prev

cover story

Rory’s the one to beat, but …

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

Against the Australians is the tradition of the Masters.

Mostly the title goes to players who have served their apprenticeship and know the subtitles of the course. Try telling Greg Norman that.

He knew every blade of grass at Augusta and still fell agonisingly short. The Shark finished second or third six times.

Still, Jack Newton, who finished runner-up to Seve Ballesteros in 1980, believes an Australian can win the tournament.

“An Australian should win the Masters because the golf course suits Aussies,” Newton said recently.

“If they can put the ball under the hole and putt well then they have a good chance.

“Geoff Ogilvy should play well there and Jason Day and Adam Scott performed great last year.”

At press time, Aussies John Senden, Aaron Baddeley and amateur Bryden Macpherson, who qualified after winning the British Amateur, will join Ogilvy, Day and Scott at Augusta.

Europe may have five players in the top-10 in the world, but it’s been a long time between drinks for them. Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal was the last European to win in 1999.

It will be particularly interesting to see how McIlroy, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Justin Rose face the burden of great expectations.

For the record, Westwood finished in a tie for second in 2010 and Donald tied for fourth last year.

So, if Europe’s best five can’t get the job done perhaps Spaniards Sergio Garcia or big-hitting Alvaro Quiros, Graeme McDowell, Padraig Harrington, Ian Poulter or Paul Casey can provide Europe with some joy.

Woods and Mickelson will have plenty of back up from the cavalry in Dustin Johnson, Hunter Mahan, Nick Watney, Bill Haas, Steve Stricker, Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk, Bo van Pelt, Rickie Fowler and others.

US MASTERS FORM GUIDE Player Rory McIlroy Tiger Woods Phil Mickelson Lee Westwood Luke Donald Adam Scott Jason Day Charl Schwartzel Hunter Mahan Keegan Bradley Sergio Garcia Dustin Johnson Nick Watney Martin Kaymer Webb Simpson Steve Stricker Aaron Baddeley K.J. Choi Justin Rose

Odds 5.50 7 9 15 21 26 29 30 31 34 34 34 34 41 41 41 51 51 51

2011 T15 T4 T27 T11 T4 T2 T2 1 MC DNP T35 T38 46 MC DNP T11 T47 T8 T11

2010 MC T4 1 T2 MC T18 DNP T30 T8 DNP T45 T38 7 MC DNP T30 DNP T4 DNP

KN OO E-B PR

?

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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2008 DNP 2 T5 T11 MC T25 DNP DNP MC DNP MC DNP T11 MC DNP MC MC 41 T36

2007 DNP T2 T24 T30 T10 T27 DNP DNP DNP DNP MC DNP DNP DNP DNP MC T52 T27 T5

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SOUTH Africa may have the defending champion and provided two of the last four winners (Charl Schwartzel and Trevor Immelman), but the men most likely for the 76th US Masters would have to be a Northern Irishman and an American – Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods.

McIlroy because since last year’s PGA Championship, the 22-year-old has won two tournaments, finished second four times, third twice and only once finished outside the top-five when he was 11th at the Dubai World Championship while suffering from Dengue Fever.

But he will have to face up to Augusta specialists Woods — always a favourite or co-favourite with the bookies — and Phil Mickelson.

Tiger’s record at Augusta National is astonishing.

He has four Green Jackets (1997-’01-’02-’05) and has not finished outside the top-six in the past five years.

As for Mickelson, well, he’s always a chance. In the past 17 years, he has finished in the top-10 on 13 occasions.

Those who delve into the history of the tournament would say defending champion Schwartzel has two chances – little and none.

Perhaps a little unkind, but only three players have successfully defended the title – Tiger Woods (2001-’02), Nick Faldo (1989-’90) and Jack Nicklaus (1965-’66).

No Australian has won the US Masters and every year the same question arises: can an Aussie win this year?

Of course, seasoned campaigner Korean KJ Choi will fancy himself after finishing top-10 in the past two years at Augusta.

Punters looking for some juicy odds might consider putting their hard-earned on a rookie, but history advises against it.

Only three rookies have left Augusta with a Green Jacket – the inaugural winner Horton Smith (1934), Gene Sarazen (1935) and Fuzzy Zoeller (1979).

This year 15 players will make their debut, including US PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley, Kyle Stanley and Webb Simpson.

But most punters would sooner be on Rory McIlroy.

Picking a winner won’t be as easy as it was in previous decades. In the past 15 years Tiger and Phil have won seven times, but it was even easier between 1958 and 1966 when the big three – Nicklaus, Palmer and Player – won eight from nine.

This year looks like a three-horse race, but my short-list is Mickelson, Mahan, Johnson, Ogilvy, Westwood, Stricker and Watney. My rank outside is Bo van Pelt. •

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corporate golf in nsw

Business Links 2 - Your guide to

in New South Wales Corporate Golf events are still one of the best ways to reward loyal clients, engage with potential clients, or simply have a fun day out with employees and colleagues. As golf is one of Australia’s highest participant sports, it’s a good bet that the majority of your business contacts will include some golf lovers. And spending 4-5 uninterrupted hours on the course with a client can translate to a better business relationship in the future.

Choosing the right venue / course is paramount to success. By carefully matching the course to the skill level and preferences of your players – and taking care of all the little details and finer points along the way – you can ensure a successful event for everyone.

While most courses in New South Wales have some sort of package or offering for corporate events, here are a few featured venues:

Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club is the perfect venue to mix business with pleasure.

Located in the beautiful surrounds of the Nepean Valley, Twin Creeks is a unique and breathtaking venue that specialises in corporate golf days and events.

Conveniently located near major motorways (the M4, M5 & M7), Twin Creeks is less than an hour’s drive from the CBD and provides ample parking for guests.

Boasting state-of-the-art clubhouse amenities and a world-class par-72 championship golf course set amongst 800 acres of bushland, Twin Creeks can accommodate an intimate group of 16 or a larger field of 144 golfers.

Hole 14 - Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club

Corporate golf days at Twin Creeks are assigned a personal group coordinator who organises all aspects of your day including bag drop, pre-event registration, a players’ briefing, on-course competition and banner services, collection of score cards, scoring, post golf presentation set up and all food and beverage requirements.

Twin Creeks also offers extensive practice facilities including a 270-metre driving range featuring five target greens at varying distances, a chipping green and practice bunker and one of the largest putting greens you will ever see, all of which are complimentary to corporate golf groups.

For golfers’ convenience and comfort, a fully-stocked on-course beverage cart is readily available to ensure an enjoyable day’s play.

Twin Creeks’ beautifully appointed clubhouse and function rooms, combined with the experience of an award-winning chef, provide a wonderful atmosphere to extend the day’s corporate hospitality catering up to 220 guests.

Twin Creeks is dedicated to not only making your corporate golf day a complete success but also a memorable one for both you and your guests.

Fact File Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club Address: 2-8 Twin Creeks Drive Luddenham Phone: 02 9670 8873 E-mail: tracy@twincreeks.com.au Web: www.twincreeks.com.au

M LY AN

MANLY GOLF CLUB

SYDNEY’S NEWEST PREMIER CORPORATE GOLF VENUE

Twin Creeks, Sydney’s best kept golfing secret Corporate Golf

Packages

from

• Be one of the first to entertain your clients with a professionally-hosted Golf Day at the new Peter Thomson designed 18 Hole Championship Golf Course.

• Treat your clients or colleagues to world class dining with a range of superb catering options.

• Comprehensive event management by our team of highly professional staff.

• A variety of function rooms for groups from 20-200.

We pride ourselves on going above and beyond to ensure your event is perfect

$95 per person

Includes • 18 Holes of Golf • Shared use of Electric Golf Cart • Personal Golf Day Co-ordinator • Practice Facilities including Range Balls • Personalised Cart Signage • Post Golf Scoring • Organisation of On Course Activities • On Course Banner Service and much more!

Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club 2-8 Twin Creeks Drive, Luddenham For Corporate Golf enquiries & bookings: Phone: (02) 9670 8873 Email: tracy@twincreeks.com.au

www.twincreeks.com.au

www.manlygolf.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

43

corporate golf in nsw Pacific Dunes

Pacific Dunes has established a reputation for providing a unique golfing experience on their 18-hole championship golf course. Its natural sandy base and rolling topography, combined with temperate and year-round golfing weather, create the perfect setting for a course to suit all golfers to a tee.

Pacific Dunes features two distinct nine-hole loops with the opening nine holes setting the scene as it winds through a native woodland backdrop, perfectly complementing the stunning wetland back nine.

Managed by Troon Golf, the worldwide leaders in Golf Course Management, and designed by renowned course architect James Wilcher, the layout uses the strategic placement of bunkers and water hazards to create a golf course that is extremely playable to the average golfer, whilst still challenging to low handicappers.

The design also goes against the trend of most modern golf courses which says that all par-4s need to be long to challenge a golfer.

Pacific Dunes has a number of short par-4s, with two playing less than 300 metres from the back tees. These holes provide a good test of a player’s ability and are extremely enjoyable to play.

The course was constructed on land that had been used to mine sand 10 years previously.

The regeneration of this land has not only provided a number of environmental benefits to the area, it also formed the optimum base for a golf course–sand.

Visitors to Pacific Dunes will experience some of the finest putting surfaces in Australia.

The combination of the sand base together with the use of a technologically advanced

Pacific Dunes © Gary Lisbon 2006 bent grass, combine to produce greens that not only look fantastic, but produce the truest of surfaces.

Located in the picturesque Port Stephens region on New South Wales’ lower north coast, Pacific Dunes Golf Club is the centrepiece of the $180 million Pacific Dunes golf and residential community.

Only 20 minutes to Nelson Bay, 25 minutes to the city centre of Newcastle, and less than 2 hours’ drive to Sydney, this magnificent premier golf and residential community will be sure to make a lasting impression.

For a more relaxed atmosphere, try The Dunes Restaurant, which boasts sweeping views across the water, golf course and the surrounding bushland, making it the perfect location to meet with family, friends and colleagues, providing a casual al fresco dining and garden terrace area.

Pacific Dunes caters for many events including premium Corporate and Charity golf days where your guests will be impressed by the services and quality that Pacific Dunes offers.

What better way to become involved at Pacific Dunes then to join as a Golf Member,

where you will receive unlimited golf, 7 days a week, preferred times and rates, honour club events all whilst paying NO green fee. Members can also enjoy the privilege to utilizing up to $4000 worth of Troon vouchers for Troon Managed courses worldwide.

Fact File

Pacific Dunes Address: Championship Drive, Medowie, NSW. 2318 Phone: (02) 4916 0500 Web: www.pacificdunesgolf.com.au

For A Corporate Golf Day Sure To Leave a Lasting Impression With Your Guests

•

A course that provides a challenge to all levels of Golfer.

•

A delightful and peaceful park like environment.

•

An excellent club professional for all your golfing needs.

•

18 hole Group One golf course.

•

Numerous golf and hospitality packages available.

•

The club can manage your event using your own dedicated web page.

•

Well appointed function room with magnificent views over the course.

•

Very accessible location, in the heart of the Sydney Metropolitan area.

44

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Barclay Road North Rocks, NSW 2151 Phone: 98711388 www.muirfieldgolf.com.au admin@muirfieldgolf.com.au

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corporate golf in nsw

Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club Nestled in the heart of Hunter Valley Wine Country, the award-winning Cypress Lakes Resort is just a short two-hour drive north of Sydney. The Resort facilities coupled with this renowned 18-hole Championship Golf Course makes it the number one choice in Corporate Golf venues in the region.

Providing the perfect backdrop for your next event, Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club is set in the foothills of the Brokenback Mountains. It flaunts dramatic greens, breathtaking views and offers outstanding on-course facilities such as a driving range, practice putting green and a 60-strong cart

fleet. Designed by renowned American Course Architect, Steve Smyers, Cypress Lakes has its roots in the strategic, risk reward principles that make golf such a great game for players of all abilities.

The front 9 holes is semi-open links style and the back-9 is tree-lined with sloping fairways, offering players two course styles in one.

A dedicated member of the events team is on hand to assist with all the details in the lead up to your event, so you can stay focused on the bigger picture. Backed by a fully-stocked Pro Shop and Team, Cypress Lakes have the experience and ability to cater for groups of different sizes and with specific requirements, to ensure your event leaves a lasting impression.

Over 15 years’ experience looking after Corporate golf events, the flexibility of tailoring personalised competitions, ability to openly display corporate signage, layout of the course, helpful staff, carts included in fees and working to varying budgets with ease, is what keeps the clients coming back year after year.

Whilst at Cypress Lakes, guests have the opportunity to enjoy the full spectrum of Resort facilities on offer including Bodega Restaurant and Bar, the Golden Door Spa at Elysia, three swimming pools, tennis court, gymnasium and a choice of 1,2,3 or 4 bedroom Villas, each with their own private balcony. Choosing the right venue coupled with the right course is paramount

to success. You can ensure a successful event for everyone by hosting your next corporate golf day at Cypress Lakes Resort.

Stay tuned with Cypress Lakes Resort by connecting with them on Facebook or visit their website to keep up to date with all the exciting news and updates.

Fact File

Cypress Lakes Resort Address: 15 Thompsons Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320 Phone: 1800 465 318 Email: golfadmin@cypressresort.com.au Web: www.cypresslakes.com.au

Enjoy your next Corporate day at Riverside Oaks!

Take advantage of the Riverside Oaks Golf Resort’s Corporate Day Special!

You will receive a Bacon & Egg Roll and Tea & Coffee on arrival,18 holes Golf including shared carts and a BBQ lunch.

All for Just $99 per person *Conditions apply

Escape to Riverside Oaks Golf Resort - 02 4560 3200

46

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

corporate golf in nsw

Manly Golf Club

The new Manly Golf Club course layout is undoubtedly the most exciting project in Sydney at the present time, with Peter Thomson due to complete his total rebuild of all 18 holes in June this year. The new landscape has created huge interest with the introduction of extensive waterways, estuaries, dynamic green complexes, strategic bunkering and a completely new course routing. The proof is in the pudding: current members are ecstatic with the new design and membership is flourishing.

Founded in 1903, Manly Golf Club is one of Sydney’s original foundation clubs and is

steeped in tradition. Their manicured fairways have hosted many of golf ’s immortals in the sixties, seventies and eighties. In 1971, in the NSW Open, Jack Nicklaus laid claim to the course record with a brilliant round of 62 that still stands to this day, while in 1978 Greg Norman fired a fine 64.

At Manly Golf Club, Thursdays are reserved for Corporate Golf Events and their team of highly experienced staff will manage all logistics of the day–taking the pressure off you and allowing you to enjoy a carefree day with your guests. They have a range of packages to suit your event size and budget as well as many additional options to tailor your

event. Products range from a Gold, Silver and Bronze ‘Nine and Dine’, half-day module to a full field morning or lunch time shotgun start with Lunch or Dinner to follow. Looking to add a little more fun and innovation to your event? You may like to consider positioning themed catering holes around the course, incorporate short and long game clinics prior to golf, or have their PGA Professionals provide on course instruction to your guests throughout the day.

The Clubhouse has also been extensively refurbished during the past few years, lovingly restored to retain its heritage features, while thoroughly updating its facilities. Designed

FREE CART HIRE GROUP SPECIAL Book in a group of 12 to receive this special offer available ONLY during April and May. For just $59 midweek or $74 weekends and public holidays, your group receives: • 18 holes on our championship golf course • FREE Motorised Cart • FREE logo bottled water for each player • FREE Stubby Holder for each player as a souvenir

by highly prominent architect Eric Apperly during the early 1920’s, it is regarded as one of Sydney’s finest Georgian Mediterranean buildings. With a magnificent outdoor terrace, superb food and exceptional service, Manly Golf Club is truly one of the finest corporate venues in NSW.

Fact File Manly Golf Club Address: 38-40 Balgowlah Road, Manly 2095 Phone: 02 9948 0256 Email: administrator@manlygolf.com.au Web: www.manlygolf.com.au

BOOK NOW 02 4351 0700

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Offer available for groups of 12 - 20 players playing from 1st April through to 31st May 2012. Price is per person and not available with any other special or promotion. New bookings only. Tee times subject to availability

www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

47

corporate golf in nsw

Muirfield Golf Club

Muirfield is a Group One, 18-hole golf course set in a tranquil, park-like environment. The layout provides a true test for players of all standards.

The strength of the course lies in the magnificent eucalypts that line its fairways, and the designers’ clever use of doglegs and bunkers to protect some of the best greens in Sydney. The course refuses to be overpowered, and thinking is required if you wish to score well at Muirfield.

Excellent practice facilities complement the course and both male and female

professionals are available to work with members or visitors wishing to improve their golf.

A full range of hire equipment is available and tee times for visitors are made available at out-of-competition times.

Muirfield boasts former club champions such as Jack Newton jnr and Jack Newton snr, while the club patrons Tommy Moore and Marea Parsons (nee Hickey) are icons of Australian golf.

Muirfield is the ideal location to host your corporate or trade golfing experience. Talk to them about the day you wish to have and

they will make it happen. Take one of their standard packages or they can tailor to suit your needs.

The course itself provides a challenge for all levels of golfer in a delightful and park-like environment. There is a full range of hire equipment including electric carts.

Take the hassle out of arrangements by using their internet service to send out invitations and instructions for the day and to receive acceptances. They will set up your own page on their intranet service to manage the organisation of the event.

Muirfield packages cater for groups from 20 to 200 plus golfers with supporting bar, bistro and restaurant services. The function room and restaurant facilities all have magnificent views over the lake and golf course.

Fact File Muirfield Golf Club Address: Barclay Road, North Rocks, NSW 2151 Phone: 02 98711388 Email: admin@muirfieldgolf.com.au Web: www.muirfieldgolf.com.au

New BGC ‘Social Golfer Passport’ Play golf at Bankstown 7 days for less than $20 per week* Fantastic and affordable package for social golfers

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Bankstown Golf Club

Phone (02) 9773 0628 | Enquiries: gm@bankstowngolf.com.au | www.bankstowngolf.com.au 48

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

corporate golf in nsw

Moore Park Golf

Most of Sydney’s corporate executives can stand at the windows of their plush offices and look out over to the beautiful venue of Moore Park Golf. That’s how close it is to the centre of Sydney’s CBD. This gem of a course is the preferred course for over 80 corporate golf days each year. Clients report that they choose Moore Park Golf for its proximity, the course, facilities and the expertise of staff that guarantee a professionally-staged event.

One example of the Moore Park Golf offering is that the 18-hole layout can be set up to challenge or be kind to corporate groups, depending on

their experience and skills. Definitely a bonus for those golfing groups with mixed skill levels.

The other great corporate feature of Moore Park Golf is the multi-level driving range, which provides the ideal warm-up opportunity. This driving range is also the home to the Moore Park School of Golf, which boasts seven full-time PGA teaching professionals.

Moore Park Golf also provides a customised service where corporate groups can build individual or group lessons into their day as a curtain raiser to going on course.

As any corporate golf customer knows, the golf is only part of a successful corporate golf

day. The hospitality completes the event. The Moore Park Golf function rooms, with views of the course or the stunning city skyline, provide relaxing backdrops for some of the best breakfast, lunch, dinner or cocktail menus you will find at any premium golf venues in Sydney.

To ensure corporate clients and their guests are well catered for, Moore Park Golf have recently added a roving on-course drink and food cart!

Corporate Day packages start from $99.00 per head which includes golf, carts and catering.

Tailored packages can be negotiated on request.

Moore Park Golf is ideally situated for the Sydney corporate market, and equipped for

non-golf corporate functions such as seminars, meetings, product launches, board meetings, team building sessions or cocktail parties.

Fact File

Moore Park Golf Address: Entrance off Cleveland Street, Moore Park Phone: 02 9663 1064 Email: info@mpgolf.com.au Web: www.mooreparkgolf.com.au For Corporate Sales: Graham Griffiths Mob: 0414 966 350 Email: ggriffiths@mpgolf.com.au

Corporate Membership Now Available

Benefits Include: ✓Four memberships (two nominees & two wild cards)

✓Preferred Troon rates worldwide ✓Unlimited golf with no green fees

✓Fully catered golf day for 35 guests ✓$1000 credit to your entertaining account

Enquire today with the Membership Manager: P 02 4916 0500 johnh@pacificdunesgolf.com.au

✓Preferred rates for the use of Pacific Dunes functions & conference facilities

Open to the public 7 days Championship Drive, Medowie www.pacificdunesgolf.com.au

Top 100 Ranking 2012 #60, Golf Digest, Top 100 Ranking 2012 #72, Golf Australia

www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

49

corporate golf in nsw

Riverside Oaks

Corporate businesses have long recognised the value and business development opportunities a well-organised corporate golf event can attract.

Riverside Oaks offer a complete corporate event package of which thousands have enjoyed over the years, catering from 16 up to 144 players on course with a full fleet of motorised carts.

Each company has unique features and requirements on their day and Riverside Oaks have established a great record in producing successful, memorable and enjoyable golf events. The Par-72 Championship Resort

Course provides a beautiful panorama of natural surrounds within an ideal course layout to excite and challenge sponsors and their guests. Suitable for all golfers— whether a seasoned club player or social golfer— Riverside Oaks exceeds the competition for its unique setting in Cattai NSW, adjacent to the Hawkesbury River.

This superb facility offers a Grand Style Clubhouse view on arrival as you enter via the tree-lined driveway. With undercover parking onsite, you proceed upstairs to bag drop and Pro shop, where friendly professional staff assist your transfer ready for registration. Each guest’s name

is clearly identified on the players’ board, ready for play. Activity on course can be tailored to suit the needs of each company along with signage options, while their friendly coordinators will assist you.

All guests are treated in a professional and friendly manner right from arrival, through to pro shop, restaurant and luxury accommodation.

The early start will have you wanting for a little breakfast and a cup of coffee before a player briefing. You are then led out to the start of your golf event.

Following golf, the after-match function— either lunch or dinner—and presentations take

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

place upstairs in the all-glass-fronted dining lounge, a spectacular sight overlooking the entire course and lakes. The perfect conclusion to a wonderful day for guests, sponsors and business partners.

Fact File

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corporate golf in nsw Kooindah Waters Golf Club

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Kooindah Waters can provide your group with a relaxed and sophisticated environment with a dedicated team member to create the perfect destination for your corporate event including: 18-hole championship golf course and practice facilities, Motorised carts, organisation of on course activities, full registration set up with clothed tables, locker and shower facilities with complimentary towels, welcome announcements and rules explanation, Banner erection and collection, collating of golf day scores with a full winners list provided to the organiser, microphone and lectern upon request for pre- and post-golf speeches and complimentary post-golf presentation and prize set up with clothed tables and decorations.

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Fact File:

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www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

51

architecture

Designing a course of Olympic proportions Seven-time LPGA Major champion Karrie Webb chats with Inside Golf about her experiences during the design competition for the 2016 Olympic Golf course in Rio, and discusses the nuances of planning a golf course suitable for both men and women.

Inside Golf: You recently partnered Ross Perrett and Peter Thomson in the design competition for the golf course which will host the Rio Olympic Golf Tournament. Your team made the final 8 which is a fantastic effort – congratulations. Was this your first experience with golf design?

Karrie Webb: I have had another couple of opportunities that have reached varying stages but have never been involved with a design job that has reached completion.

IG: What involvement did you have in the process? What was involved in the submission?

KW: I met with the team and we just spent a day brainstorming, with Peter and Ross picking my brain about what I like and don’t like to see on courses.

IG: How was the Thomson Perrett team to work with?

KW: They were great! They made me feel very welcome and a part of the team straight away.

Obviously Peter is a legend and to work on anything with him is an absolute honour. Ross is a great down-to-earth bloke who could inspire anyone to believe in his vision. I think Peter and Ross complement each other very well.

IG: What did you learn from the Thomson Perrett team?

KW: In any of our meetings or phone calls there was always a lot of information coming in! What I hope to learn—if I am to get into course design more—is to have a little of the imagination and creativity that Ross and Peter have. We would be looking at a certain hole on paper but I could see in their eyes that they could visualise the hole in their mind. That’s something that I haven’t yet grasped.

IG: Can you give some examples of how the design of a course can differ for men and women?

KW: Well I think it’s more of the length that you hit it rather than being a man or a woman.

The back tees of any course nowadays are usually designed for a professional or elite male player.

Any of the tees in front of those are generally just placed for good visuals and for easy maintenance.

They generally aren’t placed to bring in the same challenges that are faced by the player playing from the back tees. It’s a tricky task to design a course from more than one set of tees and more than one level of player, as we found in the Olympic bid, but it can be done.

IG: Are the courses you play around the world set up well for ladies, or do you feel they have been designed for men?

KW: I think what we sometimes find is that on any certain hole, a green might be designed to

receive a mid-iron shot, yet from the back tees we would be hitting woods in. And from the next tee up there’s not much of a landing area for where our drives would go and we are now hitting wedges in. It’s not always like that but it is a weekly challenge for our officials to set up a course for us.

IG: Are you keen to be involved in golf course design going forward?

KW: Yes I would love to have that opportunity.

I have always been interested in what the designer was thinking when I’m playing the course.

IG: If you become a designer, what will be your style and what philosophies will you incorporate in to your designs?

KW: I think as I am only just really getting into it, my philosophies and such are still developing.

I do know that I would design courses that are very challenging for the elite player but are also playable for the everyday golfer who just wants to go out and enjoy a day out. Some of the newer course I have played lately, I wonder how the average member even enjoys playing it as the course is so difficult.

IG: Do you plan on playing in the Rio Olympics?

KW: That is the ultimate goal but like any Olympic athlete there is no guarantee to making the team. If I am good enough in 2016 I would LOVE to be there! •

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

instruction

Body Turn, Pt 2: The Shoulder Turn MyGolf Junior Program – Blast It Lee Harrington (07) 5596 3373 www.thegolfschool.com.au

From left: Starting position; Top of backswing; End of downswing and Finishing position

Peter Croker

0415 292 549 www.crokergolfsystem.com

Last month, we looked at the role of the “body” throughout the swing, specifically the Body Turn.

This month, we will examine part 2 of the swing: The Shoulder Turn.

As a reminder from Part 1: The body pivot is the central core, which works as the motor of the golf swing. The hands are the key and the steering wheel in the golf swing. The arms act as the connecting rods and add a certain amount of leverage to the swing. In the end it is truly the hands that cause the body to turn and, in turn, the club head to swing. However, the body turn needs to be understood and drilled in, so that the body will respond efficiently to the commands of the hands.

The shoulder turn is the effect of both the hands and the hips. You could take the shoulder turn into 2 actions, one for the backswing and one for the down and through swing.

In the backswing, the shoulders turn around the base of the neck as centre. The shoulders turn as level as possible. The left shoulder stays high, the right shoulder stays as low as it can. From the

start of the swing, the hip turn is transporting the shoulders back. It is the swinging club that helps complete the shoulder turn of the backswing. The swinging club hinges the wrists and swings the arms back and up.

The shoulder action of the ‘down and through’ swing has the right shoulder driving directly down at and through the golf ball, in support of the hand and arm throw. The shoulders power on through with the right shoulder continuing its turn up and through to a fully rotated finish position. At this point the right shoulder will be closer to the target than the left, and the right shoulder will be higher than the left. Your chest will be facing well to the left of the target as the swing comes on through the finish.

The complete shoulder turn helps fully turn the hips and transfer the weight completely to the left side your body has been moved up to a fully balanced position. Your spine angle has moved from the address position to now be fully vertical and you have arrived at a comfortable and complete finish position.

Note–Once you have drilled the hip and shoulder rotating actions individually, it is important to move to the next phase that the hands pushing cause the hips and shoulders to turn going back. The hands firing the club head down cause the hips and shoulders to turn fully through the shot. •

Peter Croker has been a PGA member since 1971 and has given lessons with his Croker Golf System to professionals including Vijay Singh, Arnold Palmer, Rocco Mediate, Fred Funk, Olin Browne, and Bob Charles. Based at The Dunes Golf Links, he delivers schools, individual lessons, and has an “Online Lesson Program.” www.crokergolfsystem.com/Academy/view-your-swing.html

Most adults I teach really struggle with the bunker shot. They fear their ability to get a consistent shot out of this sand hazard.

Juniors love getting in the bunker and practicing. They love the concept of hitting the sand. Good technique will allow both juniors and adults to create a consistent result every time.

Preparation:

As you enter the bunker, you need to gauge the depth of sand in the bunker. Wriggle your feet about to see how deep the sand is. If there is only a thin layer of sand before firm soil, select a pitching, gap wedge or lob wedge as these wedges are sharper and won’t bounce off the subsoil.

If the sand depth touches your lace height on your shoes, select your sand wedge which has ‘bounce’ to slide through the deeper sand.

Technique:

Lay your clubface slightly open above the sand and take a weak left hand position – seeing no knuckles on the left hand for a right-handed player. Then position your ball in line with the inside of your left heel, body open to target and weight sitting on your left side.

As you swing back your thought is to hinge your wrists straight away on takeaway so the shaft position at hip height points vertical as shown in the picture. Keep weight on your left side as you create this position. The backswing is dominated by your upper body, primarily your arms lifting and shoulders turning. Notice that while there is minimal lower body action (hips and knees are very quiet) during the backswing, the downswing exhibits an active lower body that turns through

to face the target well before the club gets back to the ball. What allows you to take the right amount of sand and hit the shot correctly is to maintain your wrist hinge that you created from your backswing as your body turns through to face the target. Finish with a full swing finish to enable your hip turn and club speed to impact descending into the sand and you will get the ball out every time. Your finish will end up completely through and high above your shoulder line.

Practice:

The key to good consistent striking is to practice these angles by hitting sand out of the bunker without a ball and focusing on consistency of entry position into the sand every time. This way you can gauge your entry and exit into marks in the sand. Also you need to check the sand you are hitting is exiting the bunker. If this is happening you are well on the way to playing good consistent bunker shots.

Video lesson:

For more on getting out of bunkers, check out my bunker video http://vimeo.com/34770209 and the MyGolf Blast it Video: http://youtube/ e4zwH7IrpJE •

Lee Harrington is a ALPG and PGA Member and is also the Development officer at Golf Queensland.

Lee and husband Peter, also a leading PGA coach, have moved their business ‘The Golf School’ to Palm Meadows Driving Range. At this new facility they now offer world leading technology for teaching, fitting and training. Swingmodel, Foresight and Somax.

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54

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Phone 07 5530 9000 or email events@linkshopeisland.com.au

instruction

Chipping drills David Williams david@willowgolf.com.au 0422 276 142

Ensuring your weight is forwards and keeping a steady head when chipping will assist with making a consistent downward strike on the golf ball. Most golfers who are struggling with their chipping fail in these two areas. The following simple drill will help to improve your chipping.

Front Foot Drill Practise chipping the ball while you are balanced on your front foot.

This will ensure your head and weight are forward and remain there during the shot. If you lose your balance it means your weight may be shifting backwards when you are striking the ball.

Once you have improved your chipping technique it is then important to learn to control the distance that you land the ball.

There are 3 things that influence distance: Length of swing: different length swing arcs at the same tempo will produce different length shots.

Speed of swing: different speed swings with the same length swing will produce different length shots.

Centeredness of contact: miss-hits won’t travel the same distance as properly struck shots.

Landing Zone Drill Place a towel a couple of metres away and practise landing the ball on the towel on the full. Try and feel the length and speed of the swing required to land the ball at the correct distance. If the ball doesn’t land on the towel then identifying if it was the length, speed or contact will help you learn to control your distance better. • David Williams is an AAA Rated PGA Professional at Cardinia Beaconhills Golf Links. He is also a Master Instructor of Medicus Golf Institute. www.willowgolf.com.au

Skip the chipper Anne Rollo

anne@fixmygolfswing.com.au 0404 235 563

I’m not a fan of chipper clubs. If you don’t know what they are, they are that little club that looks like a really lofted putter.

It is designed to make chipping around the green easier but it requires a very non orthodox wristy action--rather like a little flick with the wrist, which is unlike any technique you will need elsewhere in golf and has the potential to create habits that may be hard to get out of for the other parts of your short game. (A wristy action is fatal around the green) For this reason the chipper makes me very nervous. And you don’t need it anyway. You will NEVER see a chipper in a golf professional’s bag.

If you need to chip and run the ball, i.e. ball close to the edge of the green and the pin towards the back of the green, use an 8-iron. Set up with your weight on your front foot and grip down and then just brush the grass under the ball with a predominantly shoulder type swing. In other words not too much wrist.

Bonus tip Choose ONLY one club to chip and run with it. My suggestion would be the 8-iron.

This way you get to know exactly how much run you will get with the 8-iron and it keeps it simple.

Allow about 1/3 to carry the ball and about 2/3 to roll the ball when chip and running with the 8-iron. This is a rough guide depending upon the speed of the greens and whether it is uphill or downhill. • Anne Rollo is an ALPG Golf Professional and European Tour Tournament winner and record holder. She teaches at Muirfield Golf Club in Sydney’s Northwest and is the author of ‘Passport to great golf’ — a way of taking little golf tips like this onto the course with you. She also will be hosting an upcoming ‘live in’ golf school at the Vintage. Visit www.fixmygolfswing.com.au/?p=627.

www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

55

instruction long game

Stop slicing Kurt Stegbauer kurt@theridgegolf.com.au (02) 9541 4960

Thank you to all of you who took the time to fill out the survey in last month’s issue of Inside Golf. The results were as I predicted, and have certainly reinforced why golfers are continuing to slice the ball.

For those of you who missed the last issue, I am doing a series on why golfers slice and why we need a radical shift in the way we think about swinging at the ball for us to stop slicing. Once again over 80% of golfers slice or fade the ball. With all the technology and great coaching available surely we should be able to improve this statistic. Yet, sadly golfers aren’t improving.

The results from the survey were as follows.

Are you simply trying to hit the ball straight most of the time?

83% Yes, 17% No Do you think the club should be on an Arc, or straight; 95% on an Arc 5% straight Looking at the following position of this golfer (see photo), where do you think the ball will go?

65% to the Right, 35% Straight

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Should the path of the club swing more vertically or flat?

60% Vertical, 40% Flat Do you know how to hit a ball with a draw?

75 % don’t know, 25% do know Do you think the best players in the world always hit the ball straight or shaped (i.e. draws, fades, hooks, slices)?

100% answered that they shape the ball.

The results above clearly show a number of alarming patterns, which are: • Golfers know that the best players in the world shape the ball-- as is the case with the last question. By that I mean draws, fades etc. However the first question tells us that 83% are trying to hit the ball straight, these two responses go directly against each other.

Kurt Suggests: Golfers need to follow the best players’ lead and learn how to draw, fade, hook and slice the ball at will.

• The 3rd question down had a picture of Trainee Professional Mark Allison prior to impact.

65% thought that Mark would hit the ball to the right, where in fact the ball flew with a slight draw and landed in line with where he was aiming.

Kurt Suggests: clicking on the YouTube link below to get a better understanding of what the club does coming into the hitting zone.

• 75% don’t know how to hit the ball with a draw.

Kurt Suggests: you learn how to draw and hook the ball.

In making a start, we need to understand that there won’t be one drill that will fix this problem,

[Mark Allison] Looking at this photo, which way do you think the shot will go?

Hitting a tennis topspin shot will give you the understanding of how a golf club club swings around into the ball on an arc.

there will be a number of drills that will give you the experiences that you need to improve.

DRILL Number 1 for slicing.

Grab your tennis racquet or squash racquet and practice hitting a top spin shot, this will give you the understanding that the club/racquet swings around into the ball on an arc, you will also

notice that the racquet is only on the white line at the start and at impact. Also take the time to check out my YouTube video to see it in motion: http://youtu.be/xN2P5x7dTIs •

Check out this continuing series next month!

Kurt Stegbauer is the 2009 NSW PGA Coach of the Year, and is the Head Professional and Director of Coaching at The Ridge Golf Course and Driving Range. www.theridgegolf.com.au

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www.strathfieldgolf.com.au 56

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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instruction practice

Wedge your way to lower scores Tony Wells

tony@aga.edu..au 0401 261 207

This month, I want to talk to you about what I believe to be the key skill to help you lower your golf scores, and to give you a simple improvement strategy.

If lower scores is your objective for this year, then I suggest you devote some quality time to improving your wedge game from inside 100 metres. Did you know that the world’s best golfers hit on average about 67 percent of greens (approx. 12 out of the 18 holes) with their approach shots? The thing that sets them apart from the rest is that they wedge it close most of the time, which allows them to keep the momentum going during their round by scrambling par.

At the AGA all of our students understand the importance of this and we encourage them to hit approximately 5,000 pitch shots in a calendar year. I know this sounds like a lot, however, it works out to be around the 100 ball mark per week. Now most of our recreational golfers do not have that sort of time to dedicate to their total practice, let alone to what many consider to be a minor part of golf. But, if you were to start dedicating around 50 percent of your total practice time to improving your wedges over the coming months, I know you will score lower, and

score lower more consistently!

Following is a very effective way to practice distance and direction control with your wedges; • Find out your optimal distance with each of your wedges. To do this all we need is 10 balls and a practice area where you can ideally collect the balls to use again. You will need to observe where the balls land to accurately calculate your carry distances with your wedges. At the AGA Training Facility we have our students pitch into the greenside bunker. This allows us to accurately record the carry distance.

• Now let’s start with your most lofted wedge. The key to consistent wedge play from inside 100 metres of the green is to learn to make shorter arm swings.

Swing your hands up to a point that is level with your right shoulder similar to the photo (left shoulder for our left- handed golfers out there). Now swing back through to a similar position on the target side, where your hands finish opposite your left shoulder (right shoulder for lefties). This will be your pitching swing, and is the swing you will use for all of your different lofted wedges. Your arm speed should be around 60-70 percent .

• Hit 10 balls with each of your wedges using the pitching swing described above. Note the carry distances and work out an average carry distance for

Using a belly putter as a normal putter Glenn Whittle

glenn@whittlegolf.com (02) 9541 4960

each of your wedges. You now have a simple guideline to start improving your wedge game. For example, if you currently carry four wedges, you will now have four go-to distances from inside 100 metres.

• Your aim should be for solid contact first. Make sure the shaft is leaning towards the target at impact.

Hands in front of the club head at impact. Make sure you get that forward pressure on the ball.

• Finally, check the lofts on your wedges. I use four wedges, and I know what lofts they have. I currently use 46, 52, 56 and 60 degree loft on my wedges. What lofts are yours? Have your local PGA professional assess them for you.

If you will take the time to practice this wedge skills drill, I know you will lower your average score. •

Recently I stumbled across a putting concept that is well worth considering if you are looking for a fresh approach to your putting, but you’re not to keen on belly or long putters Basically this all came about by putting with a belly putter during lessons, although having always used normal putters I was using the belly as a normal putter, in other words with the grip end not touching my body at all.

One thing I noticed immediately is that the extra length and weight up the grip end stabilizes the putting stroke. It is quite a unique feeling. So to take this one step further I added a grip weight (made by Precision Putters) to make the grip end heavier to balance the swing weight of the putter. There are two weights I look at when putter fitting: Head weight and Swing weight, which is the comparative weight between the head end and grip end of the putter.

Obviously, to ensure the grip end does not get caught in your shirt, the putter needs to be shorter than a normal traditional belly would be.

I have played several times over the past few weeks and have been impressed with how my new putter performs--especially on putts under 10 feet. All you need to do is practice with it before you take it out on the course as the weight being slightly heavier can take a bit of getting used to, but well worth it. •

Tony Wells is an AA rated Australian PGA Professional and Director of Instruction at Australasian Golf Academy located at the Parkwood International Golf Club on the Gold Coast. Tony works with students at every level from new golfers to tournament professionals.

The 2008 NSWPGA Teacher of the Year, Glenn Whittle is an AAA PGA Member and is also an official iseekgolf.com Teaching Panelist. Visit www. sydneyputtingstudio.com or www.whittlegolf.com.

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www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

57

fitness

Mobility – it’s all in the hips!

Richard Nizielski richardniz@gmail.com 0438 027 768

I must admit I haven’t been doing much in the way of training lately. Like most of my clients, the work was piling up and I found myself neglecting to get any regular exercise in. Deadlines and urgent tasks were getting in the way.

While I was spending increasingly longer hours sitting at my computer I noticed my mobility or range of movement was increasingly getting less and less and my posture was suffering. The worst areas I found to be stiffening up were my hips.

They began to feel like they were fusing or seizing up, which then referred pain into my lower back.

Hip mobility is important for freedom in the stride and hip / leg rotation.

In golf, both internal and external rotation of the leg from the hips is required to complete a full rotation and transfer power from the rear to the front leg and from the lower body up through to the golf club.

Stiffness throughout this area can lead to not being able to separate the upper and lower body in both the back swing and the follow through, making it increasing harder to keep the club on path and generate power though the downswing.

Two easy tests to see if you are lacking mobility in the hips are:

Glute test

A) Hip and glute

A) Lie on the floor face down, bend your knees 90 degrees so your feet are in the air and let your feet drop out side ways (like a hand fan opening out). If the angle between your lower leg and the floor is greater than 45 degrees, then you have a lack of internal leg rotation B) Take a seat at the front edge of a chair or bench and cross one foot up on to the knee of the other leg. Sit tall and lean slightly forward. If your lower leg is at an angle greater than 45 degrees (lower leg and floor) you have a lack of external rotation. (See Glute Test photo) To help with hip mobility, try the following series of stretches. Like any exercise or stretch start gently and work into it slowly. Be sure you have

B) Internal rotators

warmed up with some light exercise or activity before attempting the stretch.

Stretch the area:

Find a bench or tabletop to place the leg on in the position shown.

Lean forward from the hips, keeping the torso long and tall. Changing the direction of the upper body will alter the area targeted in the stretch.

A) Stretches the hip and glutes B) Stretches the internal rotators of the hip

C) External rotators C) Stretches the external rotators of the hip Hold each of the stretches for between 20-45 seconds.

Switch legs and repeat the stretch for the opposite side.

If needed, repeat the stretch for each side again.

Increased hip mobility can improve both lower back health and general lower body mobility.

Stretching does not need to take long and when done daily it can be an effective way of maintaining mobility or regaining lost mobility.

Happy Golfing! •

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

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

masUS pre ters view

inside your mind

Bryden’s final preparations This month, we continue our exclusive coverage of Aussie amateur Bryden Macpherson’s journey to Augusta, as reported by Bryden’s mental coach, Jamie Glazier Last month, I wrote about Bryden’s experience at the Aussie Amateur and how productive the week was with him being able to spend some good quality time with both myself and his swing coach, Denis McDade.

That week was so productive from a development point of view that within a week of Bryden being back in the US, he decided to quit his college scholarship at the University of Georgia to spend the following 6 weeks back here in Australia developing his game in preparation for the Masters. Bryden’s decision was made pretty swiftly which, at first, didn’t sit well with me, but within 5 minutes of talking about the decision with him, I realized he had made the right decision in a very mature way.

Two years ago, when Bryden committed to going to UGA, I really felt like this was going to be a great experience that would develop him as a person in so many ways, which would only reflect in a positive way on the golf course. In developing athletes, at times we can lose sight of developing the person to be able to handle the REAL WORLD and this was an area that I felt was

crucial to focus on as I know the impact a career as a professional athlete can have on a person.

Bryden knew there were consequences to his decision, as leaving what had been his home for the past two years wasn’t going to be easy. Having laid a foundation of friendships and support crew-not to mention finding a girlfriend-- were all things that Bryden had to process, but one of the most impressive aspects of the decision was that he was able to detach emotion from the decisionmaking process.

That allowed Bryden to really see with clarity what was going to be best for him and his game in the near future, and he felt that was to be back home with myself and Denis. One thing Bryden was concerned about was that he wouldn’t have any tournaments to compete in back here in preparation for the Masters, so we started to look at what events he might be able to compete in.

With the help of Brad James at Golf Australia, Bryden got a start in the Qld PGA, which was fantastic as he would be competing against a quality professional field which is exactly what we were after.

Bryden had spent approximately 7-10 days in Melbourne with Denis and I before flying up to Qld to compete, and was excited by the progression he felt in his game and especially in his swing. After the tournament had been shortened to three days, Bryden made the cut comfortably and finished at -3 for the three rounds. Over the past seven years working with Bryden, we have built a very strong foundation of belief and mental performance, with the only really component of his game that can affect this belief is his ball striking. In Qld, Bryden felt more and more confident every day with his ball striking and it showed in his demeanor and play at the Qld PGA. I was lucky enough to get some inside information about Bryden’s performance up in Qld as he was paired with another one of my

clients in Steve Jones. Jonesy told me he was really impressed with how Bryden played in the 3rd round but more importantly, how Bryden looked in that environment. That gives me a lot of confidence that, come US Masters time, Bryden will be ready to compete and enjoy the experience and challenge of bringing his A game, to the biggest tournament of the year.

A recent outing at Peninsula Country Club with Golf Australia’s Brad James and Matt Cutler also showed Bryden and his team are on track by shooting an impressive -8 and making it look easy!

We now have 2 weeks before we fly out and Bryden is continuing to fine-tune both his swing and mental game processes and just between you and me, Team B-Mac is pretty excited to see what Bryden can do on the biggest stage in world golf!

Until next time… •

Jamie Glazier is a qualified peak performance and mental conditioning coach specializing in the fields of sport and poker. His client list includes Joe Hachem, Adam Bland, Steve Jones, Michael Curtain, Steve Dartnall, Clint Rice, Stacey Keating and others. He is also the founder of Dare2Dream, which is dedicated to helping others achieve their dreams.

Visit: www.dare2dream.com.au

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www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

59

technology

A good way to read greens David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

IT’S been said there are two kinds of golfers – those who can putt and those who can’t.

In the professional ranks, the best putters win multiple majors and those who struggle with the flat stick, well, don’t.

For amateurs, putting is an area of the game where they can compete with the pros.

Unfortunately, club golfers don’t dedicate enough time to the skill and end up guessing on the greens.

Recently I discovered there is more, much more, to reading greens than meets the eye.

I ventured out to Victoria Park Golf Complex in Brisbane to try to learn more about the art of reading greens by calling on two of golf ’s top putting theorists, Mark Sweeney and Jamie Donaldson.

Sweeney, the American creator of the awardwinning green-reading system called AimPoint, and Donaldson, a European senior instructor, recently spent time in Australia highlighting the benefits of the green-reading system.

Anyone who has watched the Golf Channel will be familiar with Sweeney’s innovations: the superimposed digital lines that predict how putts are going to break and where the player needs to

aim to make the putts.

His method of reading greens is so simple and effective that many touring pros including Padraig Harrington, Scott McCarron, YE Yang, Stacey Lewis, Suzann Pettersen and others have successfully adopted his ideas.

Sweeney developed the technology almost by accident.

“I was watching TV and didn’t understand why it (putting) was such a difficult concept,” said Sweeney, who has a background in finance and technology.

“I asked my pro and he said the more you do it the better you get at it, which I thought was an inadequate answer.

“So I thought this will be a fun problem to solve.

“I didn’t think it could be rocket science so I started putting the pieces together and got it working pretty quickly – better than expected.”

Sweeney, who plays off eight, developed the software after watching thousands of simulated putts on real greens.

“What you realise is golf greens are different, but the putts are very similar,” he said.

“They are rolling across the same grade, the same distance and they break very similarly.

“Once you understand that there is a pattern there, it’s predictable what the golf ball does.

“I thought it would be fairly accurate and it

Instructor Chris Gibson was really, really accurate. If you understand some basic concepts, it’s very simple.”

Sweeney, Donaldson and Victoria Park teaching pro Chris Gibson spent a couple of hours on the practise putting green teaching a class of keen pros and amateurs the art of green-reading.

They asked students to read a five-metre putt.

Some said it would break a cup to the left, others said two cups.

They came to that conclusion by visually studying the topography.

Sweeney then pointed out identifying slope was 90 per cent feel.

“Unfortunately, most people use 100 per cent visual to identify slope and it’s the wrong tool for the job,” he said.

“Your eyes are not good at slope, especially subtle slopes.

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

technology

“So you pick up overriding slopes, bigger slopes on the edges of the greens which might have nothing to do with where the ball is rolling and that’s why people get it wrong so often.

“We train you to use your sense of balance, your sense of feel to identify slope because that’s a welldeveloped sense.

“The reason we can walk around and not fall over is because our body is so accurate to adjusting to slope.

“So we take advantage of that to read greens.”

Sweeney said gravity and friction dictate how a golf ball rolls on a green.

“The direction the ball rolls is dictated by gravity (slope) and friction (pace of greens and the force of the stroke),” he said.

“But you first have to identify the Zero Line. It’s a curved line with a series of connecting points from which putts should be aimed straight at the hole.

“Closer to the hole, the ball will roll straight but further from the hole they are all multiple breaking putts. It tends to run between a high point and a low point.

“It can curve, it can look like an S but once you know how to predict it it’s pretty useful.

“When you actually experience it on a golf green it’s kind of mind blowing because you go to a point and say ‘aim this straight’ and you look at the putt and you say there’s no way it’s straight.

“Most people would aim six feet left or six feet right and you hit it and it ends up dead straight. It’s double break but it’ll end up dead straight.

“It is a neat concept. It’s something we use as a better green-reader, it’s something you definitely have to be aware of to better understand how this works.”

Sweeney said the AimPoint method of reading greens was “deadly inside of 20 feet”.

“It can be applied to a 50 to 100 foot putt just as easily.

Jamie Donaldson (left) and Mark Sweeney “I have players on the tours who say every single week they make 50 footers by putting a good read on it and hitting a good putt and they go in.

“To determine the break on a 15-foot uphill putt you use visual clues and consult the soles of your feet.

He demonstrates by walking along an arc 15 feet from the hole until he finds where downhill stops and uphill starts.

“That’s the Zero Line,” he says. “So, if your ball is to the right of the line, the ball will break to the left and if it’s on the left it will break right.

Gravity says it must.”

Donaldson said the AimPoint green-reading system is a game breaker.

“It’s incredible what it does for average amateur golfers who think they have a poor putting stroke,” he said.

“If they don’t know where to aim, their stroke doesn’t matter.

“If they chose the wrong point to aim at, that’s incorrect for that break, then they have to use a stroke that’s incorrect anyway to alter the path of the ball.

“So a lot of people’s putting suffers from misaiming to start with.

“Once people know where to aim they can continue to practise from that point until the ball goes in and then they are practising a good stroke.”

According to Sweeney, the AimPoint greenreading system “works on everything”.

“If it’s a double break you just split the putt into two pieces,” he explained.

“It’s going to break a certain amount left and a certain amount right and we show you how to get those two pieces. You can work that out in 20

seconds and still end up with a single AimPoint on the hole.

“There’s no putt that it doesn’t work on.”

At the end of each AimPoint workshop, students receive a pocket-sized flip chart to help them.

Donaldson said the chart represents greens as a clock face with a hole in the centre.

“The straight uphill 20-foot putt starts at 6 o’clock and the straight downhill putt from the same distance starts at 12 o’clock,” he explained.

“On a green that is nine on the stimpmeter and has an overall slope of two per cent, about average, a 15-foot putt from the 2 or 10 o’clock spot in relation to the Zero Line should be aimed 14 inches outside the edge of the cup.”

Sweeney added: “We give you what you need to get the read right and as you progress we start teaching you some of the more interesting patterns of the green.”

Sweeney said the concept had taken off in the US and Europe.

“In the UK and Europe it’s just spread like wildfire – much faster than the US even,” he said.

“Our goal for Australia is the same as it was in Europe and the US and that’s to get as many golfers as possible learning and using the system.”

Sweeney said there were a number of AimPoint certified instructors in Australia.

“We have four or five (instructors) at the moment, but our process is to have a very limited set of instructors that we focus a lot of time and effort to get them trained to be good representatives of the brand.”

Chris Gibson (Victoria Park), Steven Giuliano (Melbourne) and Grant Field (Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast) run regular two-and-a-half hour workshops. For more information, telephone Gibson on 0438 520 635. •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

61

travel

Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club

Sunny golf in the

tropics

Golf travellers are finally discovering all of Tropical North Queensland – thanks, in part, to world-class golf courses and inexpensive air travel, writes DAVID NEWBERY ONCE upon a time, golfers on holiday in Queensland rarely ventured further north than the Sunshine Coast.

Brisbane, the Gold and Sunshine coasts offered the largest concentration of lush golf courses, as well as all the civilised comforts of ultra-modern accommodation.

Destinations like Port Douglas, just north of Cairns, were to most golfers out of reach and left to the adventurous backpackers willing to “rough it”.

It took time to reach Tropical North Queensland, the accommodation choices were limited and the food was hardly gourmet.

But all that has changed.

Queensland’s tropical north has been “discovered” and a good share of the credit belongs to golf. Getting there is no problem.

Fast and efficient airlines now link TNQ with regular flights from most destinations that enable golfers to play the excellent well-established courses plus some of the newer challenges all during a short vacation.

And it can be achieved without breaking the bank.

If you didn’t already know, winter is the perfect time to visit the tropics because the average daily temperature hovers around a perfect 26° and seldom dips below 17°.

Little wonder the region is a haven for lovers of the outdoors and southern golfers keen to escape rainy, cold and gloomy days.

The leisure and recreation opportunities in this part of the world are endless.

Sea Temple Golf Club There is so much to do besides playing golf.

The Great Barrier Reef and world heritage-listed rainforests are a major attraction for domestic and international tourists to the region.

The inviting tropical islands stand out like rare jewels surrounded by the warm turquoise waters.

Scuba diving, snorkelling or viewing the coral and fish through glass-bottom boats add to the memories.

A highlight for many is a cruise down the Daintree River and then there’s the serenity of the Mossman Gorge, the Atherton Tablelands or a ride on the popular Skyrail cable car to the alluring mountain top.

Of course, sun worshippers can soak up the sun on palm-fringed sandy beaches at Port Douglas (Four Mile Beach), Palm Cove or Yorkeys Knob.

But for the golfers, the golf courses of the tropical north afford enough excuse for a visit.

It’s hard to believe Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club, designed by Graham Marsh and Ross Watson, opened in 1990.

Who can forget seeing Greg Norman, Curtis Strange, Bernhard Langer and Isao Aoki tee off during the grand opening.

The course has stood the test of time and remains a favourite with amateurs and professionals alike.

At Port Douglas, Sea Temple Golf Club is a mustplay course.

Then there are plenty of good quality member golf clubs at Cairns, Mossman, Atherton, Mareeba, Cooktown and elsewhere.

Not everyone gets an opportunity to hover over Sea Temple Resort and Spa in a helicopter but if you did, you would command the pilot to land on the practice fairway so you could play a round.

We, the Inside Golf team, did just that and it turned out to be an excellent choice of venue.

The views from above are breathtaking and certainly whet your appetite for a game but once on the ground you quickly sense the course is something special – a real gem.

Golf operations manager David Roche, a highly respected and experience professional, was there to greet us and give us a few pointers before we teed off.

The golf course is fantastic,” Roche said. “The best thing about the golf course is it’s playable for any standard of golfer.

“The player just taking up the game can go out there and enjoy himself because it’s fairly forgiving as far as the fairways and greens go.

“But it’s also a challenge for the good player because you put him on the blue tees and position the pins in some treacherous spots and he’ll find it just as challenging as the guy who has just started playing.

“It’s an enjoyable golf course for golfers of all standards.”

Sea Temple’s championship link-style golf course was designed by Thomson Wolveridge and Perrett, but it has Michael Wolveridge’s stamp is all over it.

The man who has built more than 200 courses has a soft spot for Sea Temple and Port Douglas. 

THE BEST DRIVE AROUND The Cairns Golf Club is the oldest golf course in Cairns (established in 1923) and is the most conveniently located golf course to the city - only a few minutes from the centre of Cairns.

• 18 hole championship course • Over 60 motorised golf carts for hire • Concrete cart paths on all holes • Fully licensed & airconditioned clubhouse • Driving range - day & night • Fully stocked Pro-Shop & equipment hire

• Social and corporate days welcome • On course drinks & snacks • BBQ lunch or buffet meals available • Open air verandah & deck overlooking the golf course • Ample off street car parking

www.cairnsgolfclub.com.au Contact Cairns Golf Club: (07) 40 541 208 (Phone) (07) 40 544 709 (Fax) Email: info@cairnsgolfclub.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

63

travel

“It’s a lovely old links golf course,” he said proudly.

“One thing you can say with some accuracy is it’s not a boring golf course.

“It plays differently every day because of our trade winds.

“It’s also because of the way I have bunkered it in the old style so you have choices.

“I made the bunkers so if you go in them it costs you at least half a shot because you can’t get the ball out very far.

“It’s a good golf course – a little gem sitting up here.”

Roche said the restaurant was open seven-daysa-week for lunch and does breakfast on weekends.

“Everything we do is fantastic – it’s reasonably priced as are the beverages.”

The golf club and the resort and spa (accommodation) work closely together and offer a number of attractive play-and-stay packages.

There’s a choice of 194 beautifully detailed studio rooms, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments, 3-bedroom villas with exclusive plunge pool and terrace, 2-bedroom luxury penthouses with rooftop spa and BBQ area.

The magnificent Lagoon swimming pool was voted one of the world’s best.

And like most resorts, there’s a gym and spas and sauna to unwind in.

Mii Spa offers a range of performance facials, body and water therapies, massage, hand and foot therapies and therapeutic treatments.

Still, you can really spoil your partner with Intimate Mii Moments – a ‘together time’ for indulging and relaxing with your favourite person. Here, your journey begins in the couples’ suite with a ‘Blue Lagoon’ exfoliating sea bath, followed by a full body massage including head, face, feet and hands.

Afterwards enjoy a refreshing drink and spa cuisine platter.

The Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club, 22 kilometres from Cairns Airport, is one of the best golf courses in Queensland.

Nestled against the foothills of the heavily forested McAllister Range, with views of the Coral Sea, Paradise Palms is a tough, but fair, challenge. With multiple tees, golfers can choose the degree of difficulty.

The club’s director of golf Des Shearer said improvements to the golf course over the past 12 months had seen the championship layout jump 10 places in the ratings.

“The golf operations team set a goal of returning to the top-50 courses in Australia,” he said.

Cairns Golf Club “We jumped up 10 spots in the recently released Golf Digest top-100 and that shows we are on our way.

“It’s a reflection of the hard work not only by our course superintendant and his team, but also the financial commitment from the directors.”

Shearer said Paradise Palms had upgraded to a full Toro machinery fleet and had a new irrigation system fitted to allow it to present the course to championship standard seven-days-a-week.

And golfers now travel the course in style thanks to the new Club Car golf cart fleet.

“Golfers tell me Paradise Palms has never been more enjoyable,” Shearer said.

“We have begun construction on a 19th hole to not only allow us to complete the bunker replacement program by the end of 2012, but to also complete the changeover of putting surface to TifEagle while not impacting on golfers experience.”

Paradise Palms has now added an additional three major amateur golf tournaments and looks set to host a PGA event in June 2012.

One of the delights about Paradise Palms is it doesn’t matter if there are 10 or 200 players on the course, golfers feel as if they have the golf course to themselves.

“You can’t see any other fairways from the one you are playing,” Shearer said.

The magnificent Queenslander-style clubhouse, which offers sweeping views of the golf course, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the club’s hospitality.

You can choose between the cool air-conditioned

contemporary surroundings indoors for a serene dining atmosphere or opt for an al fresco ambience on the terrace.

After treating yourself to the resort-style layout of Sea Temple and Paradise Palms, head to Cairns Golf Club.

Established in 1923, it is the oldest in the area and one of the friendliest.

There you can meet some of the club’s most colourful characters, many of whom have more than 50 years’ membership.

They’ll be more than happy to show you around the comfortable clubhouse and give you a few tips on how to conquer the course.

We turned up on a Wednesday and the clubhouse was buzzing with members.

General manager Gerry Casey said there was a field of 160 and another 220 booked in for Saturday.

That gives an indication how popular the club is.

But there are changes afoot.

A land resumption has meant the pro shop, part of the first hole and buggy shed will be relocated.

The good news for members and visitors is there will be minimal changes after the board met with course designer Richard Chamberlain, who presented a plan to upgrade aspects of the course.

The concept plan has given members and staff an overview of the proposed improvements.

“The board does not have intentions of making wholesale changes to the layout of the golf course,” Gerry said.

“The purpose of the plan is to focus on areas such

as bunkers, drainage, mounds and gardens,” he said.

A round of golf will cost just $35 and one of the club’s 66 motorised carts costs $36 for 18 holes.

One of the layout’s best challenges is the 158m par-3 11th. Golfers are faced with a carry over a large lake to a green which is framed by pandanus palms.

The golf club, which has a fully-stocked pro shop, is located just minutes from the city centre.

Mossman Golf Club, 20 minutes north of Port Douglas, typifies the real taste of north Queensland.

Club manager Jock O’Kane said the 18-hole golf course was ideal for serious golfers (A graders and pros) as well as the weekend hacker.

The golf course has enough challenges to keep allcomers interested.

Set amid thick natural rainforest with a spectacular mountain backdrop, the 18-hole course stretches to 5902m.

The golf course is lush and home to a diverse range of wildlife.

Mossman Golf Club is popular with tourists, including the grey nomads, who take advantage of the club’s temporary membership.

“Holiday makers turn up in droves and end up staying for months at a time,” O’Kane said.

The golf club offers affordable golf for visitors and locals in a friendly, tropical environment.

Club facilities include licensed bar, pool table, light meals, driving range and chipping and putting area as well as cart, club and buggy hire.

Kangaroos are a feature attraction at the wellestablished Mareeba Golf Club in the Central Highlands.

Getting there from Port Douglas is a pleasant drive through the Mowbray National Park.

The club’s manager Jeni Duck said golfers often turn up when other courses are wet underfoot.

While there are hundreds of kangaroos on the course, there are very few bunkers.

The club’s course superintendent Chris Neville, who is doing an outstanding job, said there were only two-and-a-half bunkers on the course.

Recently the first hole was redesigned and the course’s fairways have been narrowed to 40m wide.

A dam splits the 3rd and 4th fairways, however, it’s easy to avoid although manager Jeni’s golf ball landed in the water for the first time since taking up the game and she got quite excited by the “misadventure”.

Super Chris has mooted putting in a dam on the 16th hole but fears he may have some opposition from the locals. 

Cooktown Golf Links @ Walker Bay Cooktown Golf Links is a public 9-hole course with dual tees situated just 5km south of Cooktown on Quarantine Bay Road. Constructed on a natural sand belt the course is built in the tropical bush that borders Walker Bay & the Annan River. Located beside Monkhouse Point with the imposing Mount Cook as a constant backdrop the natural beauty of the surrounds make this links-type course a must for all golfers & holidaymakers alike.

• Course fully licensed • Open all year • Hire clubs, buggies and motorised carts • Visitors always welcome • Juniors (under 18 years) at discounted rate • No need to book tee times

Cooktown Golf Club Quarantine Bay Road, Cooktown • p: 07 4069 5800 • e: cooktowngolfclub@bigpond.com 64

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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travel

It would make a great feature and allow the club to draw on the precious commodity to water the greens and fairways.

Leaving Mareeba, lovers of coffee should, no must, seek out the Coffee Works.

Located in the heart of Australia’s premier coffee growing region, Coffee Works is the original Roastery and Chocolaterie of the tropics.

Coffee Works offers gourmet tasting of coffee, tea, chocolate and liqueur.

There’s even a gift shop and they have a collection of the best and most significant artefacts in the world.

On the way out you can purchase coffee beans grown locally like the Australian Gold, Black Mountain, High Pearls or Queensland Blue or you may prefer the flavours from Brazil, Africa, PNG, India and more. They have it all. Check out their website www.coffeeworks.com.au The drive to Atherton Golf Club is extremely picturesque.

In 2004, Atherton was voted Queensland’s tidiest town and it seems as if the local community has tried to maintain the standards.

The picturesque course is a serious challenge and the opening holes require pinpoint accuracy off the tee because of the contours of the fairways.

Holes 3 (170m), 4 (422m par 4) and 5 (358m) are tough and indexed 5, 2 and 3 respectively.

Get through there unscathed and you’re in for a good day.

There are only two par-5s and four par-3s, which means the layout is a par-70.

The toughest hole for the club’s 170 members is the 414m par-4 14th.

Atherton has a comfortable clubhouse, bar and bistro area.

Established in 1984, Cooktown Golf Links at Walker Bay is the most northern golf course on the east coast of Australia.

FACT FILE

Where to stay Sea Temple Resort and Spa Old Port Road, Port Douglas 4877 Telephone (07) 4087 2222 Pro shop (07) 4087 2204 www.seatempleportdouglas.com.au Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club Paradise Drive, Kewarra Beach 4579 Telephone (07) 4059 9999 Pro shop (07) 4059 9903 www.paradisepalms.com.au Paradise Links Resort 780 Nautilus Street, Port Douglas 4877 Telephone (07) 4099 1511 www.paradiselinks.com.au Golf clubs Sea Temple Golf Club Pro shop (07) 4087 2204 18 holes, par 71, 6135m (ladies 5249m)

Cookstown Golf Links And it’s arguably Australia’s most relaxed golf club and that’s why the club’s 100 members love it.

They don’t have to turn up in their Sunday best to get a game and after golf they know they can get a cold drink served by the club’s friendly manager Kelly Barnett.

Hey, where else can you play golf and afterwards be joined by the manager and superintendent over a few coldies in the undercover outdoor area beside the barbeque.

Course superintendent Phil Witheridge has been in the town for 30 years and is a font of knowledge when it comes to the region.

Constructed on a natural sand-belt, the tropical nine-hole (18 tees) bush course borders Walker Bay and the Annan River.

Located beside Monkhouse Point, Mount Cook is a constant backdrop and the natural beauty of the surrounds make the links-style course a must for adventurers and holidaymakers alike.

Like most courses, you are not always going to get a perfect lie, but that’s the beauty of the challenge.

There are no tricks to the well-manicured greens so you can only blame yourself if you don’t walk away with a few birdies.

The club is open seven-days-a-week and clubs, buggies and golf carts are available for hire.

“Visitors are always welcome and there’s no need to book,” Kelly said.

I guess that’s why the locals enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of this friendly club.

Oh, and in case you are wondering, there are no crocodiles lurking on the course, but you do get a free drop from echidna holes.

In the mid-1990s, Half Moon Bay Golf Club at Yorkeys Knob on Cairns’ northern beaches was given a facelift by designer Graham Papworth.

The 18-hole golf course features two different characteristics – the front nine is links-style with great views over the Coral Sea while the back nine moves through sections of native bushland and rainforest.

There are a number of tight fairways so accurate tee shots are required. •

Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club Pro shop (07) 4059 9903 18 holes, par 72, Blue 6394m, Yellow 5717m, Red 5149m Cairns Golf Club Clubhouse (07) 4054 1208 Pro shop (07) 4054 1494 18 holes, 6159m, par 72 (ladies 5582m, par 73) www.cairnsgolfclub.com.au Mossman Golf Club Clubhouse (07) 4098 1570 Pro shop (07) 4098 2089 18 holes, 5902m, par 72 (ladies 5331m) email mossmangolf@bigpond.com Mareeba Golf Club Hampe Street, Mareeba Clubhouse (07) 4092 1528 18 holes, par 72, 5977m (ladies 5144m) Atherton Golf Club Jessop Road, Atherton 4883 Clubhouse (07) 4091 1283 18 holes, par 70, 5458m (ladies par 72, 5223m) Cooktown Golf Links at Walker Bay Quarantine Bay Road, Cooktown 4895 Clubhouse (07) 4069 5800 White course par 65, 4297m (ladies par 68, 4324m) Red course par 64, 4194m (ladies par 68, 4228m) Golf tours Port Douglas Golf Tours Specialists in golf packages Nautilus Street, Port Douglas 4877 John Carney 0438 581 269 www.portdouglasgolftours.com.au

The ultimate Golfing experience THREE COURSE SPECIAL

Only $290

Mossman, Mirage & Sea Temple Includes Carts, Fees & Transfers (Price based on 2 person share. +$30 single person supplement)

TWO COURSE SPECIAL

Only $195

Mossman & Sea Temple Includes Carts, Fees & Transfers (Price based on 2 person share. +$20 single person supplement)

MOSSMAN

Only $49

Includes Fees & Transfers

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Contact John Carney - “JC” on 0438 581 269 or by email at info@portdouglasgolftours.com.au

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> Return rainforest and Coral Coast helicopter scenic flight transfers > Direct landing access to 3 unique courses > Nine holes of Golf at each course > Complimentary motorised golf carts > Complimentary club hire if required > Gourmet meals and refreshments > Après drinks at the iconic Lions Den Hotel near Cooktown Township > Departing Cairns or Port Douglas

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travel

Heli-in-one challenge David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

OKAY adventurous golfers, here’s another experience to add to you bucket list.

Golfers looking for the ultimate experience should charter a helicopter in Tropical North Queensland and play three rounds of golf on three decidedly different courses.

Skysafari Australia is giving golfers the opportunity to play three iconic golf courses set against picture perfect tropical backdrops with world heritage wonders flanking you on both sides.

Skysafari’s heli-in-one challenge will fly golfers from Port Douglas or Cairns airfields and will visit Paradise Palms Resort, Sea Temple Golf Club and Cooktown Golf Links at Walker Bay. It’s a 10-hour round trip and includes nine holes at each golf course, morning and afternoon tea, gourmet lunch and other refreshments.

Skysafari’s chief pilot Brad King moves golfers to and from each golf course in the state-ofthe-art five-seater R66 Robinson Helicopter.

“They are the safest in the world and at this time there are only three in Australia,” King said.

“The aircraft has a Rolls Royce turbine engine so we can travel at speeds in excess of 250km/h, has leather seats, air-conditioning and great visual windows so we travel in complete comfort.”

Paradise Palms director of golf Des Shearer took up the challenge and said it was “an awesome experience”.

“What better way to experience three different styles of championship golf in one day,” he said.

“You fly over waterfalls, the Great Barrier Reef, rainforests and over Grassy Hill, the place where kangaroos were first sighted by Europeans with the arrival of Captain Cook and the Endeavour back in 1770.

“Skysafari’s pilot Brad King is an expert on the area and its history.

“Did I mention the championship courses?”

Shearer asked. “I will be talking about this for a very long time.”

After the round at Cooktown, King flies his guests to the Lion’s Den Hotel where golfers can reminisce about the day over a

MOSSMAN GOLF CLUB Tropical Far North Queensland

Skysafari takes off from Sea Temple’s practice area few refreshments.

Skysafari even carries four brand-new sets of Titleist golf clubs just in case golfers haven’t brought their own.

The fly-like-an-eagle, play-like-a-star 10hour adventure costs $1440 per person.

Still, if you don’t want to do the golf tour you can always opt for Skysafari’s scenic day tours.

“Our day tours take people to sand and coral cays where they can have a swim and a snorkel and enjoy gourmet food,” King said. “People can opt to visit waterfalls and part of the Daintree rainforest and outback escarpment and Aboriginal rock

art locations.

“We take people barramundi fishing on the Daintree River or up the Endeavour River.

“We theme them based on what people want. We have fantastic fishing trips that go up the Lockhart River. During the three-day adventure, we hook up with a boat and take guests barramundi fishing on some of the best waters in the country for barra fishing.

“This business is built to take on the best of the best.”

Skysafari has a fleet of four helicopters.

For more information, phone (07) 4099 3666 or go to the website www.skysafari.com.au •

The only course in Australia to experience a ten ranking increase in Golf Digests Top 100 Courses It’s time to experience this stunning course again, or for the rst time...

Visitors Welcome!

• Green Fees $35 for 18 holes • Caters for alcohol with esky and ice • The course surrounds the Raintree forest and Sugar Cane fields a truly tropical golfing experience • Just 20km North of Port Douglas and 4km North of Mossman

ProShop: 07 4098 2089 email: mossmangolf@gmail.com web: www.mossmangolfclub.com.au

For great Stay n Play packages and more information on our tournaments please contact us P| 07 4059 9932 E| sales@paradisepalms.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

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travel

Stunning golf in Thailand

With David Newbery 1. Who was the leading American at the 2011 US Masters – Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson or Dustin Johnson?

2. Who is the US Masters defending champion?

3. Only one Scotsman has won the US Masters – can you name him?

4. The US Masters is the only major to elude Tom Watson – true or false?

5. How many rookies have won the US Masters?

6. Who holds the record for being the oldest player to win the US Masters – Sam Snead, Art Wall Jr or Jack Nicklaus?

7. Who has made the most appearances at the US Masters – Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player or Arnold Palmer?

8. Greg Norman (1996) is one of two players who share the course record of 63 at Augusta National. Who is the other player?

Black Mountain resort in Hua Hin clubhouses are with the pick of them being Black Mountain in Hua Hin where you can purchase a large bottle of Heineken after your round for around $3 and a tasty local Thai dish for under $5. Current rates between the $Aud and the Thai baht makes it such an affordable destination on any budget.

The local caddies are very knowledgeable with many clients commenting on how they will survive back in Australia on their home courses without their trusted caddie.

Main season to travel to Thailand for Australians is May through to September to escape the

AUSTRALIAN

SOCIAL GOLF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Southern winter and cash in on low season rates.

Weather is still warm and if the rain decides to come through it’s only likely to interrupt your round by 20 – 30 minutes. Thai airlines can offer some great specials and coupled with Gimme Golf ’s packages pricing can be as low as under $2,000 if choosing Pattaya for an eight-day five round golf holiday with return airfares.

Gimme Golf is a licensed travel agent that specialises in golf holidays to all parts of Asia and for more information and specials go to www.gimmegolf.com.au •

9. Can you name the Australian amateur who will make his debut at this month’s US Masters?

ANSWERS: (1). Tiger Woods tied 4th; (2). Charl Schwartzel; (3). Sandy Lyle in 1988; (4). False, he won in 1977 and ’81; (5). Three – Horton Smith (1934), Gene Sarazen (1935) and Fuzzy Zoeller (1979); (6). Jack Nicklaus, 46 years and 82 days; (7). Gary Player with 52 appearances; (8) Nick Price shot a 63 in 1986; (9). Bryden Macpherson.

Thailand is widely regarded as one of Asia’s premier golf destinations.

And surprisingly, it’s actually a lot cheaper than you’d think.

Gimme Golf is offering two free nights’ accommodation at the five star Chatrium Riverside in Bangkok with all Thailand golf holidays taken prior to September 30th 2012. The offer can be taken prior to or directly after the golf tour and in some cases split so groups can have a day to relax either side of their holiday.

Steve Worner, Gimme Golf’s managing director, points to Hua Hin as the best place in Thailand with four stunning resort courses and another good four courses located within 30 minutes of your accommodation. All courses are well manicured with true soft greens with an assortment of tee off areas to suit all levels of golfers. Also included in the package is daily breakfast, all transfers, carts and caddies.

Hua Hin also has excellent nightlife with an array of fine seafood restaurants and lively bars.

However the town is far quieter than Bangkok with many couples choosing Hua Hin over Pattaya and Phuket which also have quality golf courses.

Other areas to contemplate for a side trip for 3 – 4 days of culture and golf is the northern cooler towns of Chang Mai and Chang Rai only one hour North of Bangkok with return flights around $150 AUD. These two areas are far smaller and offer five star golfing facilities.

All accommodation offered is minimum 4 stars with five star chosen in Hua Hin. Steve also comments on how modern and clean all the

The quick nine quiz

August 19–22

$15,000 of Prizes including

A FREE Golf Trip to Thailand For entry details or more event information go to:

www.socialgolfaustralia.com.au or contact Social Golf Australia on P 03 5433 3213 E info@socialgolfcc.com.au

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Skins golf comes to the Gold Coast Having watched the PGA Tour professionals play for big bucks at iconic events such as the Canadian Telus Skins or the LG Skins, club golfers now have the opportunity to experience this unique golf competition concept at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, home of the Australian Ladies Masters.

It is widely accepted but not proven that fur traders from other countries would stop at seaport towns and sell furs to the furriers.

When they came to St Andrews, instead of going straight into port they would anchor offshore, row in, and play the eleven holes over The Old Course from the sea to the town. To make it interesting, they would meet the furrier at the shore, play in together, and gamble along the way. Since they were both dealing in furs, they would play for those on the basis of who won the hole. They played for ‘skins’.

The ‘skins game’ has gone from seaport furriers to weekend amateurs to public links hustlers to touring professionals, and that is where it is today. It started in 1983 on Thanksgiving Weekend and it has been played every year since.

The LG Skins Game is traditionally one of the most widely viewed golf events since its inception in 1983. The Don Ohlmeyer/Gary Frank creation began in 1983 with then golf ’s greatest players–Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tom Watson–all competing to make the Skins Game an instant golfing television success. The innovations continued when LPGA super star Annika Sorenstam

RACV Royal Pines was invited to the 2003 Skins Game, winning $100,000 on the first day.

Now Go Golfing and RACV Royal Pines Resort combine to bring the Ultimate Skins Tournament for amateurs to the Gold Coast from 17th to 21st June, 2012. RACV Royal Pines Resort is a 27-hole layout featuring the Australian Ladies Masters championship course. You will play 3 rounds of 27 holes, with a stop for lunch after the first 18 each day. Playing as a team of 2, your combined stableford scores are totalled for each hole over the 3 rounds. The team with the highest stableford total on each hole wins the allocated

prizes. If there is a tie, the prizes jackpot to the next hole with all teams back in the hunt.

With each hole worth a minimum $200, there’s plenty to play for over the 27 holes.

The innovative and entertaining Skins presentation is played out on the big screen during the final night dinner as well as a nightly update of team standings.

Don’t Hibernate this Winter – visit

www.gogolfing.net.au for more information or enquiries to the Ultimate Skins and Radisson 4-Ball contact Mark Hawley on mark@gogolfing.net.au or (07) 5562 5307 during office hours. •

The Links Privilege Card

Become a Social Member of Links Hope Island Links Hope Island recently announced the launch of the Links Privilege Card a program designed to attract beginners, non-golfing families and social golfers to enjoy the course and facilities of Links Hope Island.

The Links Privilege Card is valid for 12 months from date of purchase, and provides the holder with over $450.00 worth of upfront and ongoing benefits for only $199.00. These benefits include: • one 18 hole game of golf • two twilight games of golf • ten large buckets of range balls • one 30 minute private golf lesson with one of their highly qualified PGA instructors • ongoing discounts on the golf course access outside of member competition times • discounts on Food & Beverage and Golf Shop purchases Gold Coast golfers are encouraged to join the program, it is a great way to experience golf, the club, the restaurant and the atmosphere of Links Hope Island.

For more information contact Mark Holland (07) 5530 9087 or via e-mail mark.holland@linkshopeisland.com.au

WIN! One of three Links Privilege Cards, valued at $199ea. Visit www.insidegolf.com.au and click on the competitions link to enter.

Congratulations to last months winners: Peter Frauenfelder, James Warwick and Mohammed Meer

A REVOLUTION IN GOLF MAT PERFORMANCE™ Experience It Yourself In Your Own Backyard

TrueStrike® golf mats are the latest advancement in golf mat performance. They are revolutionising golfers playing experience at driving ranges and golf courses by replacing unrealistic, hard synthetic grass golf mats with a realistic representation of a fairway.

TrueStrike golf mats have a gel-filled divot simulating subsurface which accurately recreates the effects of playing off a natural fairway by allowing the club head to play through the playing surface as it would on turf.

Portable Mat

Static Mat

Single Mat

David Golf & Engineering - Australian Distributor of TrueStrike

1300 790 890 www.davidgolf.com.au dge@davidgolf.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

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new gear

Exotics CB Cavity Backed Forged Iron

The Exotics CB Xtreme forged irons are designed for the most discerning player to deliver the pure, unadulterated feel and workability of a blade with the forgiveness of a cavity back iron. The blade’s heel and toe perimeter-weighted cavity lowers the centre of gravity and creates a large sweet spot for a soft, crisp feel from more points on the face.

The Exotics CB Xtreme forged iron features Tour Edge’s lifetime warranty and 30-day play guarantee. www.touredge.com

Exotics CU Irons

The new Exotics CU Iron is a perfect blend of classic feel and enhanced forgiveness. It was designed for players who desire a clean “blade-like-look” from a perimeter-weighted club. The CU’s thin topline, medium-sized blade width, reduced progressive offset and tour-beveled sole inspire confidence to work the ball in any direction and land it close to the pin. At the core of the CU iron’s technology is its deep undercut cavity, which moves weight away from the face and into the sole for a higher moment of inertia, a higher launch angle, and enhanced forgiveness. The Exotics CU iron features Tour Edge’s lifetime warranty and 30-day play guarantee. www.touredge.com

Bridgestone B330 Series

Bridgestone Golf announces its newest TOUR B330, TOUR B330-S and B330-RX models. The popular 4-piece B330-RX and B330-RXs TOUR balls feature Bridgestone’s proprietary Dual Dimple Technology, larger cores and softer covers than the previous B330 models. The results are longer distance and better spin performance for players with swing speeds greater than 105 mph. Alternately, the popular 3-piece B330-RX balls now feature a newly patented mantle layer, redesigned covers and proprietary Dual Dimple Technology for longer distance, better accuracy and optimized greenside performance. www.bridgestonegolf.com

Srixon Z-Star Series

The Srixon Z-STAR SL ball is designed specifically for golfers that don’t possess the tourlevel swing but demand the precision of a tour-level golf ball. The SL offers superior playability by balancing each aspect of STAR Performance technology (Spin, Technology, Acceleration and Responsiveness) to react to slower swing speeds. The result is a tour calibre ball with a high launch angle and exceptional greenside spin for golfers with slower swing speeds.

Available in both Pure White and Tour Yellow.

RRP $69.95/doz www.srixon.com

FootJoy Contour Casual

FootJoy announces the introduction of a new footwear category – Contour Casual -designed for casual wear on and off the golf course.

Contour Casual is an extension of FootJoy’s very successful Contour Series(TM) franchise.

The versatile Contour Casual footwear utilises super-soft, premium leathers, lightweight underfoot comfort, waterproof protection, industry-leading size options and world-renowned fit.

This shoe is the ideal option for the golfer who enjoys the convenience of wearing the same shoes from the clubhouse to the practice tee but still demands the premium materials, comfort and style FootJoy has delivered for over 100 years.

Available in four colour options.

RRP $149 www.footjoy.com.au

Sun Mountain Ladies Alpine Vest

adidas Golf POWERBAND 4.0

The POWERBAND franchise has always been about eliminating power leaks and for its ability to help golfers of all levels better transfer their power from back-swing back to the ball at impact. The key is an energy-harnessing foundation called a POWERBAND CHASSIS, which provides extraordinary lateral stability from the ground up to allow for faster, more aggressive golf swings and a stretch resistant synthetic overlay for added stability and durability . The POWERBAND 4.0 allows athletes to gain greater control, agility and leverage at the ground level encouraging speed and stability throughout the golf swing. ClimaProof® two-year waterproof warranty.

RRP $169 www.adidasgolf.com

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

This feather light vest weighs 300 grams and still achieves very high performance index ratings. It’s 100 percent windproof and also has a greater than fifty percent waterproof rating with its DuPont Teflon fabric protection. A completely unimpeded range of motion coupled with eighty percent breathability allows you to swing freely. The slim-cut soft quilted microfiber fabric has a very supple feel with zippered hand warmer pockets. It also has five locking zipper pulls to keep the water completely away from the zipper.

Available in White/Red and Black/Niagara.

Sizing S-XL. RRP$189 www.underpar.com.au. (02) 9417 4055

new gear

Motocaddy NEW S1 PRO

Motocaddy announces the launch of the brand new Motocaddy S1 PRO trolley containing all the great features of the award-winning S1 Digital, but with some excellent added extras.

In addition to an upgraded easy-to-use interface, the NEW S1 PRO features a 3-step adjustable distance control (up to 45 metres) and a patented USB charging port, perfect for keeping your GPS unit charged and ready to go. The easy-fold mechanism, universal battery tray and adjustable bag supports make it highly versatile, while the eye-catching handle and quick release wheels make this an excellent step up from the entry level S1 Digital.

Available in black, titanium and alpine finishes.

Prices starting at $899 www.motocaddy.com.au

Motocaddy NEW S3 PRO

Building on the success of the multi-award winning S3 Digital, the NEW S3 PRO trolley features a brand-new ergonomic handle, sporty wheels and sleek battery tray - designed to hold any of our battery options.

The S3 PRO retains all the features which made the S3 Digital so popular including three distance measurements (drive, round and life), adjustable distance control (up to 60 metres), CartLock security pin code, easy fold mechanism and patented USB charging port perfect for keeping your GPS unit charged and ready for action. The S3 PRO can also boast new ‘round’ and ‘lost ball’ timers as well as an easy to use interface and full colour screen.

Available in black, titanium and alpine finishes.

Prices starting at $999 www.motocaddy.com.au

Sun Mountain H2NO Golf Bag

In pursuit of carry / stand bag excellence, Sun Mountain pioneered the H2NO golf bag which is 100 percent waterproof.

Lightweight at only 2.6 kgs with 2000 mm waterproof coating. All seven waterproof pockets have global renowned YKK zippers and taped seams.

The Patent – pending 9.5 inch 4-way top has three integrated handles and fulllength dividers. The Patented E-Z Fit Dual Strap System is easy to adjust for a balanced easy carry. The contoured straps provide quick and easy access, making carrying more comfortable and enjoyable.

The friendly bottom works well on carts or buggies if you choose not to carry.

Specially designed foot pads prevent the bag from sliding on smooth slippery surfaces.

Available in Black, Royal/White, Black/White/Red. RRP $339.95 www.underpar.com.au. (02) 9417 4055.

We tested it: Callaway Hex Balls Last month, we reported on the glowing feedback from everyday golfers who tried out the brand-new Callaway Hex golf balls.

This month, we share our findings after giving the Hex Black Tour and Hex Chrome golf balls a workout.

The company says: Callaway’s HEX Black Tour ($54.99): This five-piece golf ball strikes the perfect balance of Tour performance for both the distance-seeker and the control freak. HEX Black Tour promotes low spin off the tee for more distance in your long game and high spin on approach shots for total control and aggressive stopping power into the green.

Callaway HEX Chrome Golf Ball ($39.99): This 3-piece urethane ball is highly durable and features super soft feel that’s ideal for players with moderate swing speeds.

HEX Chrome is also engineered for high performance from tee-to-green. You can take advantage of high spin around the greens and penetrating distance to play with ultimate confidence on every shot.

Our Testing says: Both balls had great feel off the tee, and were extremely durable (despite hitting a few trees). The Black ball had a solid, penetrating ball flight, and did not waver in the air. Mis-hit shots did not seem to travel offline as much as with other balls, indicating less sidespin. The Chrome ball’s lower compression had more side-spin with our faster swing speed, but was superb at lower speeds.

Around the greens, both balls had excellent control and spin on approaches. The difference in spin was negligible between the two. For putting, The Tour ball had a satisfying “click” off the putterface (nice!), while the Chrome’s softer construction still gave great feedback on both long and short putts.

I only lost one ball on the day (which says a lot). Importantly, the one I lost (Black) actually flew further than planned, indicating that the ball has some unexpected extra distance behind it.

Bottom-line: Two very good golf balls that are worth a try during your next round. •

Sun Mountain Cascade Clubglider The Clubglider from Sun Mountain is the next evolution in golf travel bags offering extendable legs and wheels to support 100% of the weight, while eliminating the repeated bending and lifting required with traditional travel bags. Walking around is effortless thanks to the maneuverability of the bag’s pivoting wheels. Clubglider is simple, fast and easy to use with retractable legs and wheels that lock securely for travel.

Clubglider includes heavy-duty two-way zippers, thick foam padding extending down the travel bag to protect club heads and shafts, internal storage pockets, internal cinch straps, ballistic material, vinyl-reinforced wear areas, and a lift assist handle.

Available in three different models.

RRP$269.95 - $339.95 www.underpar.com.au. (02) 9417 4055.

Men’s Torrent LT Jacket Sun Mountain Torrent LT jacket offers guaranteed waterproof protection using an advanced, new fourway stretch woven fabric that shields against wind and rain while remaining breathable and stretching to allow a complete range of motion during the swing. Expansion panels on and under the shoulder allows for an extra range of movement.

Feather light, weighing 500 grams, with a laminate internal liner. Its cinch system adjusts the fullness of the jacket by pulling the cinch-cord accessed through the lower side pockets. Two-year waterproof warranty.

Available in Black/Shadow RRP$289 www.underpar.com.au. (02) 9417 4055.

www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

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clubs

Green Acres is the place to be

WIN! A two-night Gold Coast holiday

The new clubhouse for Green Acres GC will make it a premier location for golf activities, weddings, and other functions Mention Green Acres Golf Club and the usual response is “Where’s that?”

Just 10km from Melbourne, in the leafy suburb of Kew, Green Acres Golf Club is one of the most convenient, premier golf clubs in the region. This idyllic site, which borders the Yarra River, is a unique and tranquil location with natural billabongs, abundant bird life and a peaceful escape from suburbia.

It presents a challenging 18-hole layout for golfers of all levels and features tight, tree-lined fairways, challenging dog legs and natural water hazards.

And with Legend couch fairways and Bent greens, the course presents itself in immaculate condition all year round.

Construction of a multimillion dollar clubhouse is underway and due for completion in August.

This will ensure not just a superb golf course but the provision of facilities like no other for members and guests.

Renowned architect Crosier Scott’s vision for the new clubhouse at Green Acres centered on the traditional tiled, hipped roof identifiable with the

membership and surrounding neighborhood whilst integrating contemporary elements, detailing and finishes.

The significant roof forms sweep down to form the building’s perimeter, enabling a welcoming structure.

The effective separation of golf and non-golf function will be maintained internally throughout the plan whilst providing maximum flexibility for the users.

The clubhouses location captures the prime outlook and orientation over the golf course and down to the Yarra.

The structure embraces environmental, sustainable design, including natural ventilation and lighting, use of sustainable and renewable materials, gas boosted solar hot water and rainwater harvesting for all toilets.

This structure will provide facilities that will not only be top-class for golf-associated events but weddings, special events, conferences, training and other functions.

To find out more about this ‘Hidden Gem on the Yarra’, or to enquire about membership, visit www.greenacresgolf.com.au or call (03) 9859 1294. •

Inside Golf and the Radisson Resort Gold Coast are offering readers the chance to win a two night holiday at one of Queensland’s premier resorts. Simply visit our website, www. insidegolf.com.au, and follow the prompts to enter the “Gold Coast Holiday” giveaway.

Up for grabs is a two-night stay in a Radisson Resort Gold Coast Ultima Suite family room (for two adults and two children), including breakfast and a complimentary family pass to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Only metres away from Palm Meadows Golf Course – and a short stroll to the Driving Range — the Radisson Resort Gold Coast is convenient to world-class championship golf courses including Lakelands, The Colonial, Robina Woods and The Glades. Radisson guests are offered discounted green fees on all courses and shuttle bus transfers are available.

Stay at Radisson Resort Gold Coast and enjoy all the facilities including two swimming pools, day and night tennis courts, a day spa and fitness centre, complimentary internet and free car parking. Dine at the award-winning Chelos at Radisson Restaurant and Bar or relax with a drink in Rex Lounge.

Radisson Resort Gold Coast is a 10-minute drive from Broadbeach, exciting entertainment and shopping precincts, the casino, two major sports stadiums and golden beaches.

Shuttle bus transfers to these destinations and the Gold Coast’s famous theme parks are available daily.

The resort offers a range of golfing and leisure packages for families and couples, social golfers and corporate groups. For more information and bookings visit www.radisson.com/goldcoastau or phone (07) 5555 7700. • wh

HUNTER VALLEY GOLF GETAWAYS

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Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club

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A FULL CO BREAK OKED F INCLU AST D ALL W ED IN EEK PACKA END GES

GREAT TRADITIONAL COUNTRY STYLE

• Singles to Large Group Accommodation • Fantastic Location for Wineries/Golf Courses • Local Access to The Vintage Golf Courses: Cypress Lakes, Hunter Valley, Stonebridge & Kurri Golf Club

Wollongong’s superb public golfing facility

• Each of the 18 holes has its unique features, combining clear creeks, and stunning scenery. The breathtaking surrounds feature the rugged Illawarra escarpment as a backdrop.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT THURS - SAT NIGHTS

• Groups can take advantage of our large covered gazebo, and picnic area.

GOLF & ACCOMMODATION PACKAGES FROM JUST $53pp

• The course is open for social golf every day of the year.

• The Award Winning Kurrajong Restaurant • Great Pub-Style Atmosphere • TAB • KENO

Including • 18 Holes of Golf • Accommodation

PH: (02) 4990 1002 234 Wollombi Road, Cessnock, NSW 2325

www.thecessnockhotel.com 72

Calderwood Valley

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

• Locally owned and operated 532 Calderwood Road, Albion Park NSW 2527 | ph: (02) 4256 3055

calderwoodgolf.com.au

clubs

Wanneroo a winner

Bega Country Club celebrates 90th Anniversary Western Australia’s Wanneroo Golf Club is a freehold establishment which has been developing over the past 42 years into a modern golfing facility, with a course which is presented in exceptional condition. At just over 6200 metres in length (Par 72) for males and 5400 metres (Par 73) for females, the course is certainly not short. With some of the par fours exceeding 400 metres off the championship tees and tricky tiered greens such as the 2nd, 10th, 12th, 15th and 17th holes, playing golf at Wanneroo is challenging but fun.

Facilities at Wanneroo include the club lounge and bar together with an alfresco area, locker availability for members, buggy storage, a kitchen that provides excellent food prepared by a qualified chef and a well stocked proshop with a resident professional who is well known and liked around the Club.

Through enormous support from within the Club, in late 2011, the membership approved a new Constitution which is pivotal for the future of Wanneroo. A key feature of the Constitution has seen a refreshing and pro-active approach to the various membership categories. Greater flexibility means that there are 3, 5, 6 and 7-day memberships available as well as country and fly in fly out categories for those who qualify.

Men, women and children are welcome at the Club. The great breadth and strength in

Wanneroo’s membership includes the strong ladies, juniors and veterans divisions as well as the great Sunday mixed competition, and even an all-week competition for those who can’t partake in the regular ones.

Wanneroo has also designed a Pathways to Golf option which caters for beginners, those who can already play and would like to take up a trial membership and those who already play on public courses and would like to join a club.

The Club considers it extremely important that new members are made to feel welcome.

As part of this process a buddy system is in place whereby a new member is paired with an existing member. This system is designed to ensure new members quickly become familiar with how Wanneroo operates and the systems in use to facilitate playing golf on the course.

It also includes introductions between new and existing members.

Wanneroo is managed by a professional, enthusiastic and progressive group of people intent on ensuring the members are presented with the best facilities and playing conditions possible, as well as ensuring that the Club is sustained well into the future. It is testament to the efforts of the Course Superintendent, Jon Carter and his staff, that Jon has been recognised as Course Superintendant of the Year in WA. This is no mean feat, especially

as nominations came from various courses throughout the State.

Best of all is the fact that currently the nomination fee to join the club has been reduced from $1000 to $100, a saving of $900. Pro rata subscriptions also apply for the balance of the Club’s 2012 financial year which ends on 31 August.

Wanneroo also welcomes visitors and green fee players on Mondays as well as afternoons on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Corporate days can be held at the Club with a great example being the highly successful 2011 Australian Taxi Golf Championships.

For more info contact the General Manager Mr Peter Brown or the office staff on (08) 9405 3677 or via email wgclub@iinet.net.au. •

Bega Country Club on the south coast of NSW is about to celebrate its 90th Anniversary.

Founded in 1922 the club began as a 9-hole sand green course with membership set at £1/1/- for men and 10/6 for ladies. At a general meeting in April, 1924 it was moved that the “committee be authorised to have a clubhouse erected at a cost not exceeding £80.”

The original clubhouse, built on the site of the current 11th tee, was opened on Saturday 18th April, 1925.

In 1957 Bega opened its new 18-hole grass green course and was, at that time, the only 18-hole course on the coast south of Nowra.

Today it offers the best value golf on the South Coast of NSW with green fees set at $20 for 18 holes and just $12 for nine holes.

The Club will run a special 90th Anniversary Week of golf from 23rd to 28th April. Events during the week include 4BBB and Individual events and entry fee is just $15 per event.

A full copy of the program and entry form is available at www.begacountryclub.com.au or by contacting the club on (02) 6492 1570.

The course is located on Tarraganda L ane, B ega just 2km east of the Bega CBD. •

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clubs

Pacific Golf Club celebrates in style Like a good wine, Pacific Golf Club in Brisbane just keeps improving with age, writes David Newbery PACIFIC Golf Club turns 75 this month and the popular club plans to celebrate the milestone in style.

There will be eight straight days of golf starting with an Active Life Members Anniversary Day on Saturday, April 14 and finishing, perhaps fittingly, with the Bill Kennedy Memorial Day and gala evening on Saturday, April 21.

The late Bill Kennedy was a Pacific Golf Club stalwart.

Affectionately known as “Mr Golf ”, Kennedy was also the Queensland Golf Union’s (now Golf Queensland) longserving executive director in the 1970-’80s.

What he didn’t know about golf in Queensland wasn’t worth knowing.

In fact, Bill, who received an Order of Australia Medal for services to golf in 1985, was Pacific’s guiding light during a 14-year reign as club president.

He joined the club in 1958 and was instrumental in the sale of the old course, now occupied by Garden City Shopping Complex, and the new course on Pine Mountain Road at Carindale.

Rumour has it he even paid the deposit for the land out of his own pocket.

Today Pacific Golf Club remains a progressive and thriving club thanks to the foresight of men like Kennedy and the

club’s original founder Leo McIntyre, who put the club on the map in 1937.

In the early days, McIntyre did everything including the mowing, greenkeeping, business operations, bartending, secretarial duties and most of the golf organising.

It wasn’t uncommon to see Mac and his draught horse Darkie “mowing” the fairways, pulling out trees, pulling over fences and hauling debris away.

Those who followed the McIntyres and Kennedys have continued the good work and today the international standard course is as picturesque as it is challenging.

In the late ’80s, the club laid down the gauntlet to other clubs across the nation with the message: “Match us for design and beauty”.

Recently the club’s captain Bobby Locke repeated the message.

The optimistic challenge stems from the continued restructuring and beautification of the 18-hole course.

In the 1980s, course architect Ross Watson was overseer of the works and club members like Allan Marsh and Tom Hogan built stonework walls and bridges to give the course that Augusta-look.

In fact, the 11th hole is eerily similar to Augusta’s 13th – enough to make the

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LET’S CELEBRATE: Pacific Golf Club’s 75th anniversary celebration organisers Bobby Locke, Joanne Atkin, Gary Sue See and club professional Paul Hazlett nerve ends tingle.

Pacific has always had an enthusiastic membership, always willing to help in the hard labour department.

Locke reckons Pacific, which is located just 15 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD, is the envy of many Brisbane golf clubs.

“Recently the Brisbane DGA held a meeting here on a Monday evening and the delegates from other clubs couldn’t believe their eyes,” Locke said.

“The place was buzzing, the restaurant was virtually full and members and visitors enjoyed the fine food and beverages.

“I told them it was like that every night – and it is.

“The restaurant is open for lunch and

dinner seven-days-a-week and we open for breakfast on Sundays and the place is packed.”

Little wonder the club’s membership is close to capacity.

“We have 1500 playing members in all categories and around 4000 social members,” Locke said.

Pacific’s golf manager and former state representative Jo-Anne Atkin says the club stands out as a true test of golf because of the course’s undulations.

“If you can play Pacific, you can play anywhere,” she said. “You learn to play all the shots because you get uphill, downhill and side hills lies and you get to use every club in the bag.”

Locke challenges other clubs to show

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

him a better set of par-5s than Pacific’s quartet – the 1st, 9th, 11th and 18th.

“Our par-5s are risk and reward and extremely challenging,” he said.

Club professional Paul Hazlett said in any week more than 1200 rounds are played over Pacific’s lush golf course.

And the club boasts the best junior golf program in the country.

Led by teaching professional Mark Victorsen, Pacific is flush with juniors aged six to 18, who hone their skills on the club’s par-3 course.

Pacific also hosts the Gary Player Junior Classic, considered one of the best junior tournaments in Australia.

It’s been played there for the past 36 years and has been won by some handy players including Greg Norman, Ian Baker-Finch, Peter Senior, Adam Scott, Jason Day and others.

The club’s members certainly have a lot to be proud of and they might just be right when they say “Pacific is Brisbane’s best-kept secret”. • FOOTNOTE: Former Women’s British Open champion Corinne Dibnah will return to her old stomping ground during the 75th anniversary celebrations to share a round with Jo-Anne Atkin. For more information, call Pacific Golf Club on (07) 3343 0888.

for the Challenge?

clubs

Top coach for Sanctuary Cove RENOWNED golf coach Kevin Healey has relocated his Pure Balance Golf Academy to Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club on the Gold Coast.

For the past 18 months, Healey operated his academy out of Robina Woods, but an opportunity to move to Sanctuary Cove proved timely.

Prior to Robina Woods, Healey coached at Hope Island Resort for three-and-a-half years and before that worked in tandem with Gary Edwin at The Glades for more than six years.

Healey coaches a number of touring professionals including Ryan Haller, Steve Jones, Matthew Guyatt, Gavin Flint, Paul Donahoo, Rick Batibasaga, Ewan Porter and others.

But his love for the game and coaching means amateurs of all ages can benefit from his expertise.

“Teaching amateurs from kids to people in their 80s is something I really enjoy doing,” he said.

“I not only teach them golf, but a bit of psychology which I have been doing a lot of for seven years and it has helped my players get good results.”

The four key components, says Healey, are technical, tactical, physical and mental.

“It’s about reinforcing and practising those elements so you can get more fun and enjoyment from your game.

“For example, you might be the best at practising technically on the driving range, but if you can’t take your skills to the golf course, then you are not practising a major missing link.”

Healey said one of the problems amateurs make is they have too many fragmented thoughts while standing over the golf ball.

“They usually stand over the ball frozen for about

Caloundra members rack up the years

STILL GOING STRONG: Caloundra Golf Club’s octogenarians and nonagenarians at the clubs recognition day

Kevin Healey 30 seconds before they try to swing the club back instead of putting feelings into motion and trying to condense it into a feeling of motion,” he explained.

“In most golf swings the problems originate in the first three feet of the golf swing.

“Whether it’s an issue with your posture or your set-up or what happens in that first three feet of the swing everything else is a balancing out exercise from there.

“Most of the lessons I give people, regardless of what level they are, is to understand where they start and what they do in the first three feet and how it relates to impact.”

So there you have it.

Kevin Healey is available for lesson at Sanctuary Cove and can be contacted on 0433 167 142 or go to the website www.purebalancegolfacademy.com.au •

WE are not sure what the secret is, but up at Caloundra Golf Club on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast the senior golfers are like the Energizer bunnies – they just keep going and going.

The club has a large group of octogenarian and nonagenarian members and recently the club invited those over the age of 80 and 90 (three were over 90) to play in a Senior Members’ Recognition Day. All up, 28 men and 10 women with a combined 1820 years’ membership attended the golf day.

For the record, the men have a combined age of 2391 years and an average of 85.4 years while the 10 women have an average age of 83.

“We were thrilled with the turnout,” said club spokesperson Katherine Beasley. “We have some amazingly fit and healthy golf loving senior members.

“We recognise our juniors, amateurs and professionals, but tend to forget the members that can offer an amazing history of how the game has changed over the decades.”

One of those fit and healthy members was Aub Woodbridge, who is 92 years young. He joined the club in 1938 and has 74 years’ membership.

But that’s nothing, 91-year-old George Dawson joined the club in 1932 – 80 years ago.

When Aub started caddying there weren’t any golf tees – they used sand piles.

And if anyone lost a golf ball everyone would drop their clubs and help look for it because it may have been the only golf ball they had.

Of the women, Margaret Strachen, 89, has racked up 51 years’ continuous membership, but young Pat Greenwood, 80, has 52 years’ membership. She joined the club in 1960.

The men who took part were: Gavin Argo, Randal Berry, Ernest Brackley, Bill Dalzell, George Dawson, Gordon Ebenston, Nick Gedig, Reg Hansell, Neal Hobbs, Les Graham, Chas Jones, Len Lambert, Geoff Longbottom, Col Marshal, Don Morse, Robert Mullins, Bill Pitt, Gordon Rickards, Reg Robinson, David Ross, Ken Smith, George Stewart, Jack Taylor, Jack Thornhill, Mike Wass, Aub Woodbridge, Ron Woodbridge and Ron Zahnleiter.

The women: Elva Barnes, Margaret Bourke, Edna Farmer, Gwenda Hendren, Pat Greenwood, May Lindell, Jean Liddy, Lorraine Reaves, Margaret Strachen and Gwen Teske. •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

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the 19th hole

From Heathcote to Kingston Heath

an American golfer’s Down Under odyssey Matthew Pitt ed@insidegolf.com.au

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and think to yourself, “Gosh, darn it, I’m just not playing enough golf at the moment. I think I’d better go to another continent and play as many courses as I possibly can in eight weeks.”

I never have, but recently I met an interesting man who did think this and then made it happen. Twice.

Richard Schiffers is an unpretentious golfer. He plays an uncomplicated game off a 10 handicap taking each shot and each hole as it comes. He hails from near Sacramento, California and is a member at Sierra View Country Club. He is enjoying his retirement playing three rounds a week and he has made a few trips to Scotland and been fortunate to sneak in rounds at 60 Scottish courses.

His approach to golf is simple: respect the game without taking yourself too seriously, have fun on the golf course, enjoy the atmosphere and the company, play quickly and respect the other players sharing the course. He says “I play golf for the people, scenery, and wildlife–the golf is merely a conduit for the travel and an added bonus”.

In 2011 he took a campervan holiday in New Zealand. He had been told it was a beautiful country so planned a trip and took his clubs to sample some of the local courses. Golf was not his priority, but, in his own words, he got carried away. He played 45 rounds of golf in 50 days including 29 of their top 30 courses and regards it now as the trip of a lifetime.

That kiwi adventure was the inspiration to try and do the same thing in Australia. He planned to play as many of Australia’s top 50 courses as possible in 50 days. I learned of Richard’s plans before he set sail. I am a national Golf Access handicap provider and he telephoned me in January to inquire about activating an Australian handicap. Since Richard was arriving not far from me, he suggested a visit to collect his GOLF Link card.

My home course is Heathcote, with superb greens, towering box gums and a mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos that live on the course and take little notice of the golfers. It seemed an appropriate place

American traveller Richard Schiffers with a mob of roos at Heathcote Golf Club for Richard to start his Australian golfing odyssey and the day after he arrived in the country we met at Heathcote Golf Club for a game. His trip started perfectly with three regulation pars and he hasn’t looked back since.

In the three weeks since we met, he has played eight of Melbourne’s sandbelt courses, 10 on the Mornington Peninsula, four on the Bellarine Peninsula and he has been to Tasmania to play Barnbougle Dunes. His next stop is Adelaide before heading to Sydney and then further up the East Coast as far as Cairns. Richard says most courses have been very accommodating and he has already made many friends with people he has played with.

“I played with the “Bickerson Brothers” from Victoria and Kingston Heath–Sam, Barry, and Peter.

They are real characters, were very friendly, funny and a joy to play golf with. Gregg Chapple, the GM at Kingston Heath, is a prince of a man who went out of his way to make me feel welcome. And the guys I met at Barnbougle were great. They have invited me to Adelaide to play Kooyonga and Royal Adelaide and insist on taking me to a game of Aussie Rules!”

As for our golf courses, Richard has been delighted by the quality and quantity of great golf courses he has played so far.

“I like to play a variety of courses and I enjoy the atmosphere of parkland courses with trees lining lush fairways. My first game at Heathcote was like that

although I have never experienced playing through a mob of kangaroos! I play parkland courses most of the time in the US, so I really enjoyed the challenge of the links-style courses on the Mornington Peninsula.”

“I did not plan to play this much golf in Victoria, but I have been very surprised at how many great courses there are within 100 kilometres of Melbourne, in particular the Melbourne Sandbelt – that was remarkable. I played eight of the premier courses there and loved it. As for my favourites courses so far, in no particular order, I would say Kingston Heath, Woodlands, The National (Old) and Barnbougle Dunes, although the weather was a bit rough!”

“Something I didn’t expect was how many of the courses remind me of golf in Scotland–deep, difficult bunkers and greens that are very challenging to hold.

In many cases you need to land the ball short of the greens and run on. Although it was extremely windy for my first two weeks here, I have certainly found that the courses here play much tougher than the ones in the USA.” So if you see Richard in his campervan pulling into the carpark of your club, take pity on him having to tackle our tough Aussie golf courses and invite him to join you for a game. He is having a great time and is very enjoyable company on the golf course. He has some terrific golf stories from all over the world and, whether he is at Heathcote or Kingston Heath, he is always happy to be on a golf course and share a game. •

The family that plays together...

The Father and Son Social Club recently celebrated a milestone, playing their 300th game at Chirnside Golf Club in Melbourne.

60 past and present players competed for the Father & Son Trophy.

The concept originated in 1984 after a golf game between friends Bert Brauns and Mark Coules. Bert and Mark (both aged 23 at that time) knew that their Fathers were golfers, but had not met one another. A ‘Father & Son’ Golf Game was arranged at Beacon Hills Golf Course. In February 1985, the invitation was extended to a few mates and their fathers to play, and the first official Father & Son Game was played.

From its beginnings at Beacon Hills Golf Club, the group spread out and played many courses around Melbourne, with “Weekends Away” at the Murray River following thereafter.

Bert Brauns has been the pivot to the success and longevity of the Father & Son Social Golf Club. Bert has played 280 out of the 300 games—only missing games due to knee injuries and operations—but still managed to go to the Golf Club and start the players off and deal with the paperwork and finances.

The Club has seen many Father & Son relationships improve and flourish as a result of playing Social Golf. Each month the bond became stronger between father and son, and as the competitiveness grew with the Social Club, so did the standard of golf.

The 5-Iron Competition was soon born during the days of Daylight Saving. One club, six beers and nine holes of golf. Many players had a better golf handicap with one club than with a full set!

More recently the Club has experienced the start of its Third Generation of players, with the exciting combination of grandfather, father and son all playing golf on one day.

Here’s to a successful 2012 and beyond! •

www.jonesandberkley.com

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April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

the 19th hole

On Quackers and Rabbits Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

You know when you suddenly find yourself looking at something on the Internet and you have no idea what you were originally trying to find? The other day I was Googling the medical term “xenophobia” and I suddenly found myself looking at half naked photos of Xena the Warrior Princess. For reasons Bill Gates would not be able to explain, I then wound up on Zoysia – (creeping, wiry grass, often used in warm, dry regions). While I was trying to remember what I had originally tried to find, I figured I’d check out more golf terms in case there were some new ones I hadn’t heard.

Barkie - hitting a tree and still making par…. This term sounds more like the tone of voice used by my old golf coach. If you hit two trees is that called a double barkie? Wonder what you call it when your ball comes right back and hits you right on the forehead… “A farkie? “ Afraid of the dark - a putt that narrowly misses the hole, particularly when narrow misses occur consecutively and/or repeatedly…. According to this description, my ball is that terrified you should probably hear it letting out a blood curdling scream as soon as I remove it from the box.

Ferrule - a decorative “cap” where the shaft inserts into the club head to make the transition from the head to the shaft smoother, more tapered or finished

(some clubs have ferrules, others are designed without them)… My club had a bunch of ferrules so I joined another one.

Flare - (also “block, push”) a shot that is typically high and a push (to the right for a right-handed player)…. Or an instrument used to alert rescuers that you have found your ball and would like to find your way back home.

Garden spot - the ideal location for placing a tee shot, usually thought of in terms of an ideal angle and lie from which to approach the green…. Sounds like a part of the yard every man should be able to find so he can have a fulfilling relationship with his garden.

Gator grip - (also “Claw grip, Psycho grip”) an unusual method of gripping the putter, popularized

by PGA Tour player Chris Dimarco, where the fingers of the bottom hand are on top of the grip rather than on the bottom…. I know for a fact this grip was actually popularised much earlier

by Norman Bates.

Hairpiece - another phrase for hitting the ball fat, or hitting the ground first - if one were able to freeze time at the right instant the divot might be laying over the top of the ball, reminiscent of a hairpiece…. I saw this happen to someone once and it nearly cost me my life. I was involved in a Fox Sports golf day a few years ago when Danny Green came up to the tee where I was stationed for the day. Right after I had given him one of Larry’s famous pearls of instructional wisdom he proceeded to hit the ground about 4 inches behind the ball. The divot flipped over the ball which was still sitting on his tee. When he asked me were the hell his ball went, I bent over, peeled the divot back and said- “what number were you using Danny?”

Oscar Brown - another phrase for out of bounds…. To expand on this this, an Oscar – Brown - Delta - Foxtrot means you have not only hit your ball over the fence but it’s smashed someone’s windscreen and you need an immediate evacuation by helicopter.

Quacker - (also “duck hook, snap hook, snapper”) a shot that curves abruptly and severely right to left (right-handed player)….usually hit by a really ordinary doctor.

Rabbit - a touring professional that is not a

regular member of the tour and who, therefore, must play in a qualifying round to “win a spot” in order to enter a tour event…. If you are a regular tour member who still needs to qualify, you are a “Hungry Rabbit” If you have come across any terms you would like to share with us please email us here at Inside Golf and share them with us… oh and if you could explain “xenophobia”, that would be great. • Larry Canning can be heard on The Back Nine radio show on 2GB.

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the 19th hole

A minor battle for major golf Michael Green ed@insidegolf.com.au

out from Club Duvet, it’s watching golf too.

For many Australian golf fans it is somewhat of a ritual to make your way to the couch on the final day of a major golf tournament, grab the remote control and flick to golf, all without ever opening your eyes.

I have lost count of the number of times I have woken early to watch the golf, only to see a TV screen full of azaleas in early April. I have learned to live with the small amount of golf you actually get to see when watching the US Masters and until last year, I’d assumed an Aussie would never get close to winning a green jacket again anyway.

However, the path to the couch now has a few obstacles in the way.

Toy trains, cars and building blocks pose an everpresent physical threat to a darkened stumble to the lounge room. The tranquil ‘major’ mornings used to consist of coffee, azaleas and perfunctory remarks from Jim Nantz. Now we have wooden puzzles and Wiggles DVDs to contend with.

This may be hard to believe, but the two-yearold in our household is yet to fully appreciate the nuances and subtleties of golf. Just switching channels to catch up on the latest footy scores brings with it cries of derision normally associated with people listening to Celine Dion. I’d hate

to think what watching a few holes of golf may produce.

The thought of potentially missing an Australian win a major fills me with dread though. And as the majors approach for 2012, a showdown looms.

Assuming the alpha male role and taking full ownership of the remote control will no doubt lead to something resembling our very own ‘Occupy’ protests, albeit with far less civility but a much clearer set of demands.

A second TV looms as the most likely option unless I can convince Junior that golf is more interesting than trying to wake up Jeff. If all else fails, I might be able to convince him that flowers are cool. He should then have no problems enjoying a few hours of coverage from Augusta National. He’ll barely notice the bits of golf in between. • Michael Green is an avid golf fanatic, and the author/ blogger of the Aussie Golfer blog (www.aussiegolfer. net) one of Australia’s most popular golf blogging sites.

Follow him on Twitter (twitter.com/AussieGolfer) or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AussieGolfer

Rory McIlroy spent a short two weeks ranked as the world’s best golfer. But it wasn’t the shortest reign in the history of the rankings.

Since the inception of the world golf rankings in 1986, 16 golfers have assumed the title of world’s number one golfer. Rory McIlroy was the newest golfer to hold the position but only held the title for two weeks before Luke Donald took over with a win at the Transitions Championship.

But the two-week reign by McIlroy was not the shortest in the (relatively short) history of the world golf rankings. Tom Lehman held the number one position for one week in 1997, just before the record breaking reign of Tiger Woods.

Here is the full list of golfers who have held the number one golf ranking: Weeks 623* 331 97 61 50 44 41 32 22 16 15 9 8 3 2 1

Player Tiger Woods Greg Norman Nick Faldo Seve Ballesteros Ian Woosnam Nick Price Luke Donald Vijay Singh Lee Westwood Fred Couples David Duval Ernie Els Martin Kaymer Bernhard Langer Rory McIlroy Tom Lehman

Country Majors United States 14 Australia 2 England 6 Spain 5 Wales 1 Zimbabwe 3 England 0 Fiji 3 England 0 United States 1 United States 1 South Africa 3 Germany 1 Germany 2 Northern Ireland 1 United States 1

*Woods holds the longest consecutive streak as No. 1 at 281 weeks.

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There are few things I’ll willingly get out of bed for.

I will gladly forfeit breakfast, work or a morning at the beach for a few more hours of sleep and I have surrendered to the fact that I’m not out-growing this student-type of circadian rhythm any time soon. One thing I am happy to forego sleep for, however, is golf.

The mere thought of golf seems to trigger a burst of serotonin not normally activated in my brain before lunch time. In contrast to any normal day at work, the idea of fumbling around in low light suddenly seems strangely appealing if the end goal is a game of golf.

The simple nature of golf fashion probably helps soften the blow too. Trying to make sure your tie matches your suit or your work shoes match your belt can be an arduous process in the morning. But as long as you have a collared shirt, and you aren’t wearing denim, pretty much anything goes on the golf course.

Only the cruellest playing partner would point out those chequered pants clash with your striped shirt.

On the contrary, it is quite reasonable to assume you will receive some compliments about a combination you wouldn’t be seen dead wearing in the office.

But it’s not just playing the game that draws me

McIlroy’s shortlived reign at #1

Who will win the 2012 US Masters?

Will it be an Aussie?

?

Fully framed with glass, this 35 inch x 37 inch piece features an image of Augusta National’s famous Amen Corner signed by noted golf photographer Steve Heit.

Surrounding his image are photos of each of the past 20 Masters Champions – including the 2012 Champion that is yet to be decided. The piece will be delivered once the 2012 Champion is decided.

78

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Whoever it is, will be joining the other 19 immediate past Masters Champions and the most famous photographed hole in the world on this sensational Limited Edition 2012 US Masters Champions piece. And for just $395 including postage anywhere in Australia, you have the opportunity to secure yours ahead of time.

To pre-book your piece: Email sales@bestingolfmemorabilia.com.au Call Jon Perrett: 0402 852 637 or Sam Arthur: 0410 575 303

the 19th hole

Letter of the month A bit rough If we are honest, we have to admit that the reason we enjoy playing golf is because of the opportunities the game presents for making us miserable or angry or frustrated.

We need misery in our golf. Uneven greens, bunkers, bad lies, impenetrable trees, cruel bounces, OOB and hazards — conditions which the original rules of golf called watery death are necessary for the full enjoyment of the game.

However, there is one source of misery which contributes absolutely nothing to the joy of golf.

Rough.

Do not tell me it helps identify the fairway.

Get out the gang mowers and chop it down, burn it, spray it with poison or get a herd of goats to chew it down to fairway level and have some consistency.

The purpose of rough is to punish wayward shots. But in the vast majority of cases, rough is quite unnecessary. Well-sited trees are a better form of punishment than rough because it permits the golfer to make amends for his mistake by hitting over, under or around the tree.

Apart from its inconsistency, rough could harbour snakes, cause apoplexy in the group behind as you search frantically for your

Handicapped out of it

It’s becoming more and more obvious to us mere mortals that the new handicap system is still not working. Even with the new tweaks it’s still virtually impossible for those with a low handicap to compete against the higher handicappers.

Recently in a competition, the winner came in with a score of 46 stableford points off a handicap of 30. Clearly he had a day out but this sort of thing is happening nearly every week.

This is pretty common these days. An A-grader would have to be capable of shooting under par to even have a chance. I asked the guy that shot the 46 how much he had lost from his handicap.

The answer was 1 shot.

A game for the ages

In the school holidays I took my sports fanatic nephew to watch a variety of games. We saw racquet throwing at the tennis, sledging at the cricket and punch-ups at the football. The only sport that boasted good behaviour was golf.

Players complimented each other after hitting a great shot. They walked fairways together, having a chat in-between play. The sheer etiquette of who hits the ball first and who putts first, are all performed in true competitive spirit. Good sportsmanship is embedded into the fundamentals of the game. An increasing number of schools

ball, drench the cuffs of your trousers and generally mucks up the game of golf.

It also causes slow play.

If we were to substitute trees for rough and keep the ground under those trees free of rough, the game would be quicker, cheaper and more enjoyable (after all, trees are a rich source of misery.)

The basic terms of golf consist of hitting the ball, finding it and then hitting it again, a process easily undertaken in well maintained woodland. Rough, however, turns golf into a game of hitting a ball, losing it, trudging back to hit another, upsetting everyone on the course and limiting the number of rounds which can be played in a day.

Happy Bowers Redcliffe Golf Club

Your letters TEN gets ZERO

The TEN network scores a big fat ZERO when it comes to live coverage of major golf events and they should never be granted television rights again to any golf tournament ...... unless it guarantees to show all four rounds, live.

Can you imagine Channel Seven “bailing out” of the Melbourne Cup telecast on the home turn?

Not even Bruce McAvaney could talk his way out of that one.

That is what TEN did with the World Golf Championship in Florida last month. After showing the first three rounds, and with the scene set for an enthralling last round shoot-out, TEN unbelievably chose not to cover the final day.

We were subjected to a demolition derby double dose – not only on Channel ONE, but in case your reception was poor, they also had it on ELEVEN. I thought the point of the extra channels was to avoid

Golf and obesity

I read with interest your article title“Golf perfect to tackle obesity”. I am a diabetes educator and an avid golfer who plays 2 comps per week and who often plays 9 holes in the evening on other days, weather and light permitting. People sometimes ask me why I practise so much. I say I do it for exercise.

Exercise and food choices/amounts are very important to preventing and managing diabetes.

I often say to patients, you need to find a type of physical activity that you like and enjoy and then you will continue to do it regularly.

Golf has an attraction for many people because of the social aspect of the game (I enjoy the group I

situations such as this.

Not to worry, I thought, at least we will be able to look forward to a replay of the last round on the Tuesday morning, according to the guides. So we all set the alarms (again), make a pot of tea (again), ignore the whinging wife (again) and settle down to see just how Justin Rose won the thing. I was too outraged to hang around and see what they put to air this time as soon as I realised golf was again a no-go.

And this isn’t the first time golf fanatics have been treated with contempt by TEN. The Ryder Cup in Wales was postponed to the Monday and TEN again “bailed out” of the coverage.

Better ask the US Masters Committee to reduce to 54 holes this year, just in case.

Owen Dally Wentworth Falls

regularly play with and would not miss this). Having a range of social contacts on a regular occasion has been found to also improve a person’s mental health, and mental health issues are prevalent with people with obesity and, in fact, right through our society.

So, I agree with the slogan “Golf - it makes you walk”. However, we need to do something about the prevalence of carts. There are so many overweight young men playing golf who use a cart. Carts should be discouraged unless a person has a medical reason for using one.

Irwin Cozens Via email

Lady pros inspirational The ‘old’ system would have pulled him 4 shots as the course rating was 2 under the par score. If that was the case it would take him another 30 – 40 rounds to get back to 30 given he’d have only gone out .1 every round he came in over the rating.

A bit unfair, to say the least.

I would propose a fairer system of indexing. Pull him the 4 shots @ the .5, but give him back, say .4, for every round. For somebody pulled .4 give them back .2 and those pulled .2 and .1 give them back .1. That way it wouldn’t take as long to get back to a ‘fairer’ handicap.

Makes sense to me. Anyone else agree?

Geoff Todd

are incorporating golf into their programs. This is a positive move as golf is a game to be played right through one’s life. My nephew now wants to grow up and be a pro golfer. So I took him to the driving range. No racquet throwing, no sledging, no punch-ups (but there was a bit of swearing.) Hey, let’s be honest, we are all guilty of that in our quest to whack the little dimpled ball.

But unlike other sports, there was no swearing at each other!

Kevin Niel Riverview NSW

May I say how much I enjoyed watching the two televised Ladies Australian majors. Such a contrast to watching the Mens majors: friendly, smiling competitors who show the spirit of golf for what it is, and the skills that we amateur male punters could learn so much from. Forget the aggression and hostility that seems to be so much

Tiger’s time?

It’s good to hear that Tiger Woods is slowly climbing his way back to the top after his recent competitions at the Australian Open, Presidents Cup and in Abu Dhabi where, unfortunately, Woods couldn’t close it out on the final day. In my books Tiger Woods will be the greatest modern player of all time despite his drop in form and his scandal a few years ago, but let’s put all that behind and focus on the future. The Abu Dhabi championship was a

Ban the bans To all the critics of long putters and those that want to have them banned.

Why ban just the long putter? What about the 460cc metal heads on drivers and the graphite shaft?

Also, let’s not forget the thick grips that can be fitted to all clubs if required. All of these changes have been made so that we golfers can go out on the course and play the great sport that golf is.

a part of Mens pro golf these days- not one Daly antic anywhere and not one Tiger type spitting the dummy - just professional golf by professional golfers. Forget the bling (although it was very easy on the eyes!) watch the golf and listen to the commentary by the ladies such as Jane Crafter.

Ted Pearce, Via email

positive sign for Tiger Woods who showed his old form in the first three rounds, putting together a string of rounds below par to finish the day even on 72 but couldn’t continue his good form. Let’s hope Tiger can find some of that old form which gave him his success and make his resurgence back to the top of men’s golf.

Andrew Tran Via email Let’s put the banning thoughts away and go out there and participate in the game we enjoy so much.

Bob Gates St. Michael’s G.C.

Have you got something to say? Then tell us! Write to us via email at ed@insidegolf.com.au or mail a letter to: The Editor, Inside Golf, PO Box 360 Nunawading, Vic 3131. Tell an interesting story or something funny about golf and you could WIN a Smoothy Compact buggy valued at $230!

www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

79

the 19th hole

Proof: Golfers keep fit and live longer As a member of the Belair Park Golf Club, Errol Polden plays two rounds of competition golf every week. This is not unusual for club golfers, but Errol is 93 years old. He is not only the Club’s oldest member but also one of its most successful.

Recently, Errol has won his Grade Championship, the Club’s Handicap Trophy and the 2011 “medal of medallists”. In this same period he had a best round of 86 “off the stick”, seven strokes under his age. All while pulling his golf buggy as he walks the five kilometre course. No golf cart or motorised buggy for Errol!

Errol began playing golf at Riverton in the State’s mid-north. The golf course had been in a state of disuse for many years and he joined a group of enthusiasts in the process

of restoring the course. A year or so later, Errol, along with a few other keen golfers then transferred to Saddleworth Golf Club where the competition was stronger.

Upon transferring to Adelaide, Errol found that his family responsibilities kept him away from the golf course. However, since 1984, with his children grown up, he has been a loyal member of the Belair Park Golf Club.

When asked why he plays at Belair, Errol comments on the pleasant drive up from his home on the plains, the abundant birdlife, the glorious sunrises, the clean air of the hills and the congenial company of his fellow Belair Park golfers.

When asked about how he acquired such consistency in his golf, Errol (a right-handed player) replied that, as a youngster, he used

Channel TEN Golf presenter Luke Elvy was pictured head to toe in Ready2Golf clothing with Donald Trump at the WGC Cadillac at Doral .

This pic goes to show that all the money in the world can’t buy you style as Luke is clearly the better dressed man in this photo. Well Done Elvis - you may not have his bank account but you certainly have better dress sense.

Inside Golf and TaylorMade are giving away a TaylorMade Ghost Manta putter to one lucky reader.

Three lefts make a right

What odds would you get on this trifecta? In the Jan/Feb 2012 Club Championships at Kingston Beach Golf Club in southern Tasmania, the winners in all three grades were left-handers. Pictured are the winners (L-R), Peter Cooper (C Grade), Mick Casey (B Grade) and Andy Hind (A Grade). How they can win while hitting from the wrong side of the ball continues to baffle us.

The First Rules of Golf The first known Rules of Golf date from 1744 and were formulated for the Annual Challenge for the Edinburgh Silver Club. These thirteen rules which form the oldest code read as follows:

Articles & Laws in Playing at Golf 1. You must Tee your Ball, within a Club’s length of the Hole.

2. Your Tee must be upon the Ground.

3. You are not to change the Ball which you Strike off the Tee. 4. You are not to remove, Stones, Bones or any Break Club for the sake of playing your Ball, Except upon the fair Green/& that only/within a Club’s length of your Ball.

5. If your Ball comes among Watter, or any Wattery Filth, you are at liberty to take out your Ball & bringing it behind the hazard and Teeing 80

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Errol Polden

Elvis trumps Trump

WIN! A TaylorMade Ghost Manta Putter The Ghost Manta features a new flat matte white finish which eliminates the distractions of glare and “hot spots” caused by reflected sunlight. Key to the alignment performance of the Ghost Manta is its wide-bodied frame, which features two black rails on the top of the putter head that frame the golf ball and contrast with the white top to help improve alignment and visibility. The Ghost Manta features two 50gram tungsten weights on the heel and toe of the sole, which are designed to stabilize the putter and increase MOI. There is also a third user-adjustable weight in the back-center of the sole. Like its Ghost Spider predecessor, the Ghost Manta is equipped with TaylorMade’s patented PURE ROLL insert, which promotes forward spin to help reduce skidding to encourage a smooth, accurate roll and precise speed control.

To enter, visit www.insidegolf.com.au/competitions and fill out the entry form. Good luck!

his father’s (left-handed) sticks to hit balls in the cow paddock. “If you weren’t accurate” said Errol, “you had great difficulty finding the balls in the long grass!” His three “holesin-one” are testimony to his accuracy on the golf course.

Errol has also played football, tennis, table tennis, badminton and bowls.

Having contemplated retiring from this great sport, Errol has had second thoughts and hopes to continue on the course for as long as he enjoys it. He very much appreciates the support of his wife Hazel, who has encouraged his participation in his various sporting pursuits, including golf. He does however comment that Hazel queries why he has to always “tee off” at first light!

it, you may play it with any Club and allow your ambersant and a Stroke for so getting out your Ball.

6. If your Balls be found anywhere touching one another, You are to lift the first Ball, till you play the last.

7. At Holling, you are to play your Ball honestly for the Hole, and, not to play upon your Adversary’s Ball, not lying in your way to the Hole.

8. If you shou’d lose your Ball, by its being taken up, or any other way, you are to go back to the Spot, where you struck last & drop another Ball, And allow your Adversary a Stroke for the misfortune.

9. No Man at Holling his Ball, is to be allowed, to mark his way to the Hole with his Club or, any thing else.

10. If a Ball be stopp’d by any person, Horse, Dog or any thing else, The Ball so stop’d must be play’d where it lyes.

YOUR SAY

Do you have any stories, photos or fun things to share?

Send them to us at www.insidegolf.com.au, or visit our Facebook Page: Facebook.com/insidegolf

11. If you draw your Club, in order to Strike & proceed so far in the Stroke, as to be bringing down your club; If then, your Club shall break, in any way, it is to be Accounted a Stroke.

12. He, whose Ball lyes farthest from the Hole is obliged to play first.

13. Neither Trench, Ditch, or Dyke, made for the preservation of the Links, nor the Scholar’s Holes or the Soldier’s Lines, Shall be accounted a Hazard; But the Ball is to be taken out/Teed/and play’d with any Iron Club.

The last rule appears to be a local rule, but the other twelve all pertain to the general principles of how the game was played at that time.

Six other societies, apart from the Honourable Company, issued their own Rules of Golf between 1754 and 1786. They varied in size and content from 6 rules for Crail in 1786 and 22 rules for Aberdeen in 1783.

Sourced from the British Golf Museum (Thanks to Barry Degenhardt)

WINNERS The winners of our TaylorMade Performance Lab Giveaway are: Craig Clark George Beattie Are Knutsen These lucky readers get a free session at the new TaylorMade Performance Lab (TPL) at the Melbourne Golf Academy (a $150 value). Congratulations from TaylorMade and Inside Golf.

demo dates

View Demo Days on our website: www.insidegolf.com.au/demo-days-australia/ Ping Ph: (02) 9524 8233 or visit www.ping.com Location New South Wales Oatlands Golf Club* Illawarra Golf Driving Range The Australian Golf Club* The Ridge Driving Range St Michaels Golf Club* Pennant Hills Golf Club* Royal Canberra Golf Club* Canberra Int Driving Range Royal Sydney Golf Club* Narrabeen Driving Range Highlands Golf Club* Cabramatta Golf Club Lynwood Golf Club* Bonnie Doon Golf Club* Elanora Country Club* New South Wales Golf Club* Bayview Golf Club Olympic Park Driving Range Cumberland Country Club* Pymble Golf Club* Randwick Golf Club* Queensland Victoria Park Golf Complex Noosa Tewantin Golf Club Caloundra Golf Club ** Parkwood Golf Club Indooroopilly Golf Club ** Gold Coast Burleigh Golf Club Royal Queensland Golf Club ** Pacific Golf Club Palm Meadows Driving Range Sanctuary Cove Golf Club ** Victoria Commonwealth Golf Club* Melbourne Golf Academy Woodlands Golf Club* Patterson River Country Club* Heidelberg Golf Club* Melton Golf Range* Riversdale Golf Club* Warragul Country Club* HOG Ringwood* Huntingdale Golf Club* Sandringham Golf Range Victoria Golf Club*

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

Ping Ph: (02) 9524 8233 or visit www.ping.com Date April 02 April 03 April 04 April 04 April 05 April 10 April 11 April 11 April 12 April 12 April 13 April 16 April 17 April 18 April 19 April 20 April 24 April 24 April 26 April 27 April 30

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

Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Friday Saturday

April 03 April 10 April 11 April 12 April 14 April 18 April 19 April 21 April 27 April 28

5:30 - 7:30pm 9am - 12pm 3 - 6pm 3 - 6pm 9:30am - 1:30pm 10am - 2pm 1 - 4pm 9am - 12pm 1 - 5pm 8:30am - 12:30pm

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

April 03 April 04 April 05 April 10 April 11 April 12 April 13 April 14 April 17 April 18 April 18 April 19

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

Location Yarra Bend Golf Driving Range Kew Golf Club* Kooringal Golf Club* Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club* Cobram Barooga Golf Club* Rich River Country Club* Ballarat Golf Club* Yarra Yarra Golf Club* South Australia McCraken Country Club Victor Harbour Golf Club Kooyonga Golf Club

Day

Date

Thursday Friday Saturday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

April 19 April 20 April 21 April 24 April 25 April 26 April 27 April 28

5 - 8pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 9:30am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 12 - 5pm 10am - 2pm

Saturday Saturday Saturday

April 21 April 21 April 28

10am - 1pm 4 - 5:30pm 10am - 1:30pm

Callaway RAZr FIT power hours Location

Time

Day

Date

www.callawaygolf.com

Time

New South Wales Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club†

Monday

April 02

7:30 - 11am

Terrey Hills Driving Range†

Wednesday

April 04

4 - 7pm

Narrabeen Driving Range†

Thursday

April 12

4 - 7pm

The Ridge Golf Driving Range†

Wednesday

April 18

5 - 7pm

Victoria Park Golf Complex* ‡

Tuesday

April 03

5 - 7pm

Horton Park Golf Club†

Wednesday

April 11

10am - 12pm

Parkwood Golf Club†

Thursday

April 12

4 - 7pm

Pelican Waters Golf Club†

Wednesday

April 25

10am - 12pm

Rossdale Golf Club* ‡

Tuesday

April 03

10am - 2pm

The National Golf Club* ‡

Wednesday

April 04

10am - 2pm

Melbourne Golf Academy* ‡

Wednesday

April 04

4 - 7pm

Victoria Golf Club†

Thursday

April 05

10am - 2pm

Kingston Heath Golf Club* ‡

Wednesday

April 11

10am - 2pm

Werribee Golf Club †

Thursday

April 12

8:30am - 12:30pm

Morack Golf Course Driving Range* ‡

Thursday

April 12

3pm - 6pm

Royal Melbourne Golf Club* ‡

Saturday

April 14

10am - 3pm

Sandringham Driving Range†

Wednesday

April 18

5pm - 7:30pm

Bacchus Marsh Golf Club†

Friday

April 20

10am - 2pm

13th Beach Golf Club†

Saturday

April 21

10am - 2pm

Kooyonga Golf Club†

Wednesday

April 04

10am - 1pm

Adelaide Shores Golf Club†

Friday

April 13

3pm - 5pm

Glenelg Golf Club†

Wednesday

April 18

10am - 1pm

Queensland

Victoria

South Australia

* Appointment Only. ** Members Only. † Callaway demo date. ‡ Callaway fitting day. Demo dates subject to change without notice. It is recommended that you contact venue before attending.

STILL THE ULTIMATE FOR

CORPORATE & SOCIAL GOLF

Links Hope Island Golf Club is perfectly situated, central to both Brisbane and the Gold Coast. We invite Corporate and Social Groups to experience our championship golf course and first class practice and clubhouse facilities.

Links Hope Island continues to set the standard when it comes to professionally organised corporate golf days and social golf group packages.

We personally invite you to enjoy your next corporate or social golf day at Links Hope Island.

Contact our events team today to arrange your exclusive tour of the course and clubhouse and to find out more about our range of packages.

Links Hope Island features: • Stunning 18 Hole Championship Golf Course • Driving Range with Full Practice Facilities • Fully Stocked Golf Pro Shop • GPS & Ice Box equipped Golf Carts • First Class Clubhouse Facilities • Links Café & Bar for snacks and meals • Excellent Corporate & Social Golf Packages

Contact Links Hope Island for bookings or further information Weddings I Conferences I Links Restaurant I Membership

www.linkshopeisland.com.au

Phone 07 5530 9000 or email events@linkshopeisland.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

81

golf directory

e fre oll ure t s ch ll u ro Ca r a b fo

RESORT MAGIC MERIMBULA

This is the most popular package on the Sapphire Coast, It gets booked out early – don’t miss out • 4 days golf playing at the beautiful Sapphire Coast courses of Pambula/Merimbula, Tathra Beach, Eden, Bega and Tura Beach. All courses are only 5 to 20 mins drive from the Resort • 6 nights accommodation in a 2 & 3 bedroom fully self contained apartment (linen supplied) • 6 FREE fully cooked poolside breakfasts, buffet style • Free use of resort facilities, indoor gas heated pool, sauna & spa, full size tennis court, BBQ area and outdoor pool • Large Groups welcome

Packages starting from:

$489* per person/2 share $399* per person/3 share $379* per person/4 share

Cnr Dunns Lane & Arthur Kaine Dr, Merimbula NSW

‘Play a round then play around’ • 18 hole golf course • Fully stocked ProShop • Tuition for all ages available • Motorised cart hire • In club dining at Fairways Bistro • Function room for weddings, special occasions or conferences • Live entertainment and activities throughout the week • Courtesy bus • Open 7 days a week Yamba Golf & Country Club features an 18 hole championship golf course, located right in the heart of Yamba.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Phone Toll Free: 1800 688 881 Email: aquariusresort@netspeed.com.au www.aquarius-resort.com.au

*Conditions apply

GOLF CART SLOWING DOWN? Need new batteries?

Don’t replace them… Restore them with the Battery Reviver.

30 DAY

SATISFACTION GUARANTEE OR YOUR MONEY BACK.

The Battery Reviver can bring old batteries back to life by sending a high frequency pulse through the batteries dissolving the sulphate build up and turning the sulphur crystals back into sulphuric acid.

The Battery Reviver is powered by your golf cart batteries and it can be left connected permanently to increase the life of your batteries by up to three times, or used occasionally to restore them.

River Street, Yamba NSW | Ph (02) 6646 2104 | Pro Shop (02) 6646 1656 | www.yambagolf.com.au

Vineyard Hill a golfer’s retreat in NSW’s Hunter Valley

For more information, pricing and to order visit our website www.batteryreviver.com.au or Phone 1300 852 433

STAY 3 NIGHTS - 4TH NIGHT FREE • STAY on 27 acres in the heart of wine/golf country – great views.

• RELAX in our 4 x 2br and 4 x 1 br self contained villas, large terraces, wi fi access. Licenced mini bars.

• PLAY at Cypress Lakes, The Vintage and Hunter Valley Golf Club – just a drive away and have the best rates for you.

• ENJOY our pool, spa, Pamper House, Golf pitching hole, Café and BBQ area.

• SAVE on our special deal – stay 3 nights and 4 th night free – tariff is $140 per double per night mid week and $190 per double per night weekends.

• FREE Winery Tour included. TROPHY for groups of 8 plus.

• BOOK NOW – Phone Helen on 02 4990 4166

www.vineyardhill.com.au | email: relax@vineyardhill.com.au

Play Australia’s Finest Sandbelt Courses • 6 nights accommodation From • Green fees on 5 golf courses (Cape Schanck, Devil Bend, Eagle Ridge Golf Course, Flinders Golf Club, Moonah Links, Mornington Golf Club, Portsea Golf Club, Rosebud Country Club, Sorrento Golf Club, The Dunes Golf Links, The National Golf Club, St Andrews, Mornington Peninsula) • Cooked or Continental breakfast included • Foxtel in all units per person per night* • Rosebud House also available to hire

99

$

*Extra fees apply for Moonah Links, Sorrento Golf Club and The National Golf Club

ROSEBUD MOTEL

1869 Point Nepean Rd Rosebud West VIC, 3941 82

April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 GOLF 00

For further enquires and bookings P: (03) 5985 2041 E: rosebudmotel@bigpond.com W: www.rosebudmotel.com.au

golf directory

Cobram-Barooga Golf View Motel Mid Week Special

*

Play & Stay for $120

M

*

Package includes: • 2 games of golf • Meal • 1 night accommodation with continental breakfast

Only $205pp Twin Share

fro m

$220 va

A

Enquire about our Specials for Groups of 12 or more or play some different courses

bersh em

ips

• 2 Nights’ Accommodation in spacious Spa Room • 2 Rounds of Golf @ Cobram Barooga (alternating courses) • Cooked Breakfast each morning • Meal Vouchers for the Clubs

ila ble *Conditions apply

Cobram-Barooga Golf View Motel Golf Course Road, Barooga, NSW, Australia, 3644 FreeCall 1800 557 192 or Fax +61 3 5873 4556 www.baroogagolfview.com.au | julie@baroogagolfview.com.au

Casino Golf Club - West St, Casino NSW 2470 P: (02) 6662 1259 | E: admin@casinogolfclub.com.au

www.casinogolfclub.com.au

The Friendly Club

Idlewilde Town & Country Motor Inn Stay & Play packages Play 18 holes at Pambula/ Merimbula & Eden Golf courses * 3 nights Dbl or twin

$425

Play 18 holes at Pambula/ Merimbula, Tura & Eden Golf courses * 5 nights Dbl or twin

36 Hole Complex • Social Play Available 7 Days

$615

Packages include: • Quality 3½ star accommodation Continental breakfast daily • Bottle of red or white wine on arrival • Seafood platter for 2 on one night

Blue Marker Challenge

ph: (02) 6495 6844 e: accommodation@idlewildemotorinn.com *Offer excludes 20th of Dec until the 20th of Jan and Easter weekend

Presented by the 19th Hole Club Members $15 Visitors $35 includes 3x Drink tickets • Last Thursday each month • Single Stroke event, open to all males with GA Handicap • Phone 3267 7744 to book • Timesheets released 2 weeks prior

www.idlewildemotorinn.com.au

• GREAT PRIZES! • Phone: 3267 7744 | Email: golf@nudgeegolf.com.au | www.nudgeegolf.com.au

BA NK STOWN GOL F CLUB THREE COURSE SPECIAL

MEMBERSHIPS NOW OPEN

Only $290

Mossman, Mirage & Sea Temple Includes Carts, Fees & Transfers

New Sunday/Public holiday memberships only $1220, great value. Only $23.50 per week, competition fees only $6, pay by the month plans available.

(Price based on 2 person share. +$30 single person supplement)

TWO COURSE SPECIAL

Only $195

Mossman & Sea Temple Includes Carts, Fees & Transfers

Phone (02) 9773 0628 Enquiries: info@bankstowngolf.com.au

(Price based on 2 person share. +$20 single person supplement)

MOSSMAN

PA

E

IN

Contact John Carney - “JC” on 0438 581 269 or by email at info@portdouglasgolftours.com.au

A ROU

I

S

AY

pp $185 From share n i tw week mid

Three Day / Two Night Golf Package

ND

PL

(Price based on 2 person share. +$20 single person supplement)

Clubs and other packages available on request.

Benalla Golf Club

Only $49

Includes Fees & Transfers

RAD

w w w. p o r t d o u g l a s g o l f t o u r s . c o m . a u For advertising call 1300 GOLF 00

• • • •

Includes: Unlimited golf, two nights accommodation, breakfast each morning, 2 x evening meals (vouchers up to the value of $20) Fully Irigated Greens & Fairways Full Bar & Bistro Facilities Abundant Wildlife including Kangaroos Courtesy Bus Available

www.benallagolfclub.com.au (03) 5762 1920 | benagolf @bigpond.net.au www.insidegolf.com.au | April 2012

83

golf directory

Port Stephens Getaways

Play anytime - No waiting Established 1972 • Full length 27-hole course • Excellent greens • Professional tuition available • Clubs for hire • Open seven days - BYO • Electric golf carts available

✓ Play any day & with any number of people!

16 Weekdays

20 Weekends & Public Holidays

$

*

100A Creek Road, Birkdale, Qld | Phone (07) 3207-2452

*prices include GST

Enquiries welcome $

per d

Golf & Accommodation…from only

Howeston Golf Course

Call us today on 02 8458 9000, email us at info@teed-up.com or visit our website to see all itineraries and pricing.

✓ Play Horizons, Nelson Bay, Newcastle, Muree, Tanilba, Cypress Lakes, Pacific Dunes, The Vintage, by boat to Hawks Nest & others.

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$7 From ay

16 Golf courses!

Port Stephens Golfing Holidays

✓ Golf and accommodation from a choice of motels, hotels, units & resorts.

2b Tuna Crescent, Fingal Bay NSW 2315 Phone/Fax: (02) 4984 9618 Mobile: 0428 820 477 Email: fosterpj@bigpond.net.au www.psgh.com.au

✓ Established in 1996

Let us organise your Gold Coast golf tours

Hassle Free TOURS TO SUIT EVERY NE

US OPEN AND PEBBLE BEACH JUNE 10th — 18th 2012

THE BRITISH OPEN JULY 9th — 23rd 2012

Experience Pebble Beach Golf Course before moving on to San Francisco where you will watch the world best golfers battle it out at the US Open at the Olympic Golf Club. Fully escorted by PGA Professional Michael Mosher.

We have produced a real “bucket list” golf tour. Play 9 games of golf including 7 of the British Open host courses. Start with St.Andrews Old and Castle courses followed by Carnoustie, Kingsbairn, Muirfield, Turnberry, Troon, Birkdale and Royal Liverpool. Finish the tour watching the British Open at Royal Lytham St. Annes.

WWW.TEED-UP.COM

Tocumwal – The

friendliest club on the river

• Our greens are as good as you will play • Our Raincheck Guarantee – if you can’t play on, anywhere! because of rain, we give you replacement • Great value golf packages available all year rounds FREE! round – more sunny days than the Gold Coast. • Only 3 hours easy drive from Melbourne Tocumwal Golf Club Barooga Rd, Tocumwal NSW (03) 5874 9111 www.tocumwalgolf.com.au

Bellbird Hotel Traditional Hunter Hospitality

Golf • Accommodation • Continental breakfast Group bookings of 10 or more welcome, packages start from $140pp

Visit us at www.bellbirdhotel.com.au or call us on (02) 4990 1094 April 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

1300 26 20 55 For more information go to

www.golfaccom.com.au

All Enquiries/Quotes Welcome

info@golfaccom.com.au

BEERWAH GOLF CLUB

Gol Pack f Spec age ialists

Golf packages starting from $99pp

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Let us organise your golf packages including airport & course transfers.

Individual/groups & non playing partners catered for.

At the base of the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains…

• 18 hole Golf Course • Visitors & Social Players Most Welcome • Timeless Tuesday - Unlimited* Golf for ONLY $25

• $22 Visitor Competition Fee (Wed, Sat & Sun Competitions) • Golf Equipment for Hire & Sale • Fully Licensed Clubhouse • Social Clubs & Corporate Days

Biondi Crescent, Beerwah

beergolf@netaccess.com.au www.beerwahgolfclub.com.au

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

For advertising call 1300 GOLF 00

OPEN TO PUBLIC

195 195 $

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ACEr XfTHRIVER THrIVEr ACER XF Its It’snot notaathree threewood wood Its It’snot notaaDriver Driver ItIt is is aa THriVEr THRIVER

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Gift Vouchures Available

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Mail orders accepted: clubtech@optusnet.com.au Visit ourFactory FactoryShowroom Showroom Visit our at at 74 Newlands Coburg North 30583058 74 NewlandsRoad, Road, Coburg North Phone Phone

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