Issue 85 Inside Golf by Inside Golf

InsideGolf WIN!

www.insidegolf.com.au Issue 85 August 2012

GOLF AND TRAVEL FEATURE:

On-Pin GPS Watch Giveaway (see page 70)

Father’s Day Gift Guide

Newcastle, Port Stephens and Hunter Valley

JOHN SENDEN We review Sabah’s Sutera Harbour Resort

Going back to the future

Steps to the perfect lob shot

PREVIEW The PGA Championship

Unplugged

FLATSTICK FIXES How putterfitting is changing the game Joondalup Resort

$99 Winter Golf Blitz

“Unquestionably one of the world’s finest golfing experiences” Robert Trent Jones Jr.

18 holes golf with shared motorised cart

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A major (TV) disappointment Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

During The Open Championship (and the US Open before it), our inbox, website and Facebook pages were flooded with angry comments about the fact that these Majors were not shown on Free-to-Air television. While a small percentage of Australia’s population tuned into FOXTEL’s brilliant broadcast from Royal Lytham & St Annes, FTA sports fans who turned to TEN or ONE were treated to reruns of Hogan’s Heroes, Home Shopping, Get Smart or Guerilla Gardening. At least SBS had the Tour de France (even though the proverbial ‘wheels had fallen off’ for Cadel Evans by then). Many were forced to turn to the internet to catch the various low-definition live streams – far from an ideal experience. Legions of you have written in on the subject, condemning the TV networks, Golf Australia—or anyone else you could think of—for what appeared to be gross negligence in letting golf fall victim to “death by a thousand paper cuts.” “Why doesn’t the Australian Golf Industry see the way this is hurting the promotion of our industry?” writes B Tennent (like so many other Inside Golf readers) “When Bubba won at Augusta, all the club members were vocal in what they saw of this amazing finish. As for the other majors, the lack of FTA coverage represents wasted opportunities to promote our golf industry.” But a bit of research by Inside Golf discovered that, unfortunately, the FTA networks’ hands were tied on the matter. “The (British) Open Championship has a broadcast deal in place with Fox Sports in Australia that has a couple of years left to run, I believe,” says Stephen Pitt, CEO of Golf Australia. “It does not breach the antisiphoning legislation. Our preference is that important golf events are as accessible as possible for potential viewers, and I understand that people get disappointed if they can’t watch these events. On the positive side, however, the R&A have invested money into the development of golf in Australia and they are able to this because the Open Championship provides them with significant revenue.” And therein lies the key to the whole thing: Revenue.

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www.insidegolf.com.au Publisher: Outdoor Sports Publishing Pty Ltd ACN 113 836 301 ABN 30 043 104 919 PO BOX 437, Miami, QLD 4220 Editor: Richard Fellner P: 0407 000 440 richard@insidegolf.com.au Senior Writer: David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au Design & Layout: Nick Thorn, Stacey Fortescue

Let’s face it, televised golf in Australia is not perceived as a moneygenerating behemoth. It pales in comparison to the enticing advertising and product-placement opportunities in shows like, say, MasterChef, or even train-wreckTV like “The Shire” or “Being Lara Bingle.” Sad, but true. FTA TV Networks (and their advertisers) don’t seem to see/understand (or really care about) the value in televised golf, and they continually argue that there simply is no money out there. The reality, however, is that the money IS there (Billions of dollars, in fact. Just ask the AFL), but it is being spent on shows with higher ratings and a higher perceived demand by viewers. Advertisers want eyeballs, not golf balls. Plain and simple. So what can we do to beef up demand by the TV-viewing public, and improve the appeal of golf to potential advertisers? This is where you, the golfing public, can unite as a group. As you are a passionate and well-written lot (the proof is in my inbox), I suggest you all write in to the TV networks to voice your desire for more golf on TV. While you’re at it, why not write to your state (or federal) Minister for Sport/Recreation and let your voice be heard. Ask for more money to be put into junior golf —a great way to tackle obesity and teach our kids important life lessons, etc. Ask for government support in developing our elite amateurs, or promoting Australia as a golf tourism destination (and build on the great momentum we got during The Presidents Cup). Say anything you want about golf. The more we get people talking about golf, the better. Next, share (with us here at Inside Golf) your ideas on how to make televised golf more exciting. Many believe (my wife included) that golf is boring to watch. So what can we do to liven it up a bit? I’m not suggesting we go down the road of crazy celebrity crossovers or hybrid shows (i.e. Being Lara Bingle in a Bunker with Baddeley) or a wild madefor-TV “Jump the Shark Moment” where, say, a waterskiing Greg Norman jumps a real shark at The Lakes (then again, that Contributors: Larry Canning, Mike Orloff, Denis Dale, David Cox, Peter Croker, Stephen Pitt, Brian Thorburn, Brent German, Glen Whittle, Brent Dale, Tony Wells, Michael Green, Richard Nizielski, Anne Rollo, Damien Magaton National Sales: Sam Arthur P: 1300 4653 00 | F: (07) 5535 4922 M: 0410 575 303 | E: sam@insidegolf.com.au QLD Sales: David Ross

PLAYING OPTIONS

YOU TOO CAN NOW CALL LINKS HOPE ISLAND HOME.

WOULD be cool), but there are surely some ideas roaming around out there that could give TV golf a real boost. Drop us a line (ed@insidegolf.com.au) and tell us what you love about golf, and what your ideal golf TV experience would be. Perhaps it involves things like “Viewers Choice” (the ability to follow a specific player/group/hole), or see more on-screen technology like Shot Tracker and Aimpoint “Predictive Putt” technology. Maybe you want better commentary (i.e. more David Feherty and less Eddie McGuire), or more unique events (like the Surf Coast Knockout format, Longdrive Golf, etc). Or what about things like players/caddies with wireless microphones, etc.? Send it all in! Until next month...

Richard Fellner Editor

Get the Inside Golf iPad App Inside Golf is now available for your iPhone and iPad. Featuring the entire print version of our magazine in a portable, iPad/iPhone-ready format, The Inside Golf Digital Version is also enhanced with special videos, links updated news and interactive features. At only 99 cents per issue, it is one of the most affordable golf magazines in the Apple Newsstand. A full 12-month subscription is only $4.99 — which is cheaper than a single issue of other golf magazines out there. That’s great value for Australia’s most read monthly golf publication. Check it out on the Apple App Store or in iTunes: http://bit.ly/HSdId8

Links Hope Island is pleased to introduce new playing options ensuring that whatever your standard and golfing needs, there is an option for you; Central to both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Links Hope Island continues to set the standard offering one of Australia’s finest resort courses with excellent practice facilities and a world class clubhouse. With a diverse choice of inclusions our Playing Options provide a new means of access so you too can now call Links Hope Island home.

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Cover photo: Courtesy of Acushnet/Titleist It’s official: 42,416 Inside Golf Magazines distributed each month for the period: October 2011 – March 2012

M: 0439 612 458 | E: dg.ross@live.com.au NSW/ACT Sales: Scott Barsby M: 0424 779 199 | E: scott@insidegolf.com.au

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news

Legends set for showdown YOU have got to hand it to a couple of former Open Championship runners-up, who continue to thrill golf fans wherever they play. They no longer hit the golf ball prodigious distances, but Mike Harwood and Rodger Davis are sage senior golfers who still know how to get the job done. This month, Harwood, the Open runner-up to Ian Baker-Finch in ‘91, and Davis, the ‘97 runner-up behind Nick Faldo, will showcase their considerable skills when they play in the Queensland Seniors PGA Championship at Redland Bay Golf Club on August 23-24. A number of other high-profile players including defending champion David Merriman, Ossie Moore, Mike Ferguson, John Clifford, Garry Merrick, Krishna Singh (VJ Singh’s brother), Peter McWhinney and others will join them on Redland Bay’s pristine fairways. Redland Bay general manager Aaron Muirhead said he was looking forward to the looming showdown. “The scores over the past few years are indicative of these great players, who continue to play the EZ-GO PGA Legends Tour,” he said. “Golf is a game we can’t liken to other sports. For example, Wally Lewis couldn’t run out for the Broncos this weekend and compete anywhere near the level needed. “And Dawn Fraser couldn’t swim nearly as fast as what she once did, but the PGA legends still have it in them to shoot the same scores they did in their prime, and that’s the difference.” The tournament is a popular event on the golfing calendar highlighted by the number of nominations received from all over Australia and New Zealand. “They all want to try and win the coveted trophy,” Muirhead said. There is an opportunity for budding amateur golfers to play alongside some of the legends of the game on Thursday, August 23. The cost is $40 for visitors, which includes a golfer’s platter on completion of the round. “These legends of the game enjoy playing for spectators, so please come down and see them in action,” Muirhead said. •

New Mercure Portsea Resort on track to open in May 2013

Eddie McGuire helps break ground on the Portsea redevelopment The Accor hotel group is set to open its first international hotel, under its Mercure brand, in Victoria’s exclusive coastal resort town of Portsea, 1½ hours south of Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula. Set to open in May 2013, the new multi-million dollar Mercure Portsea Resort & Golf Course is being developed by Portsea Golf Club as part of a fully integrated development incorporating a new golf club, accommodation and function complex. The resort will add a new state-of-the-art 24 room hotel and function complex that will be able to cater for upmarket tourists as well as corporate

events, meetings and weddings. “We are pleased to partner with Portsea Golf Club and create a new Mercure hotel that will not only cater to the growing demand for premium accommodation by leisure clients, but also provide fresh opportunities to build the meetings and events market in the region,” said Accor Regional General Manager for VIC/SA/ TAS, Adrian Williams. Boasting panoramic views of Port Phillip Bay, the new 4 star Mercure will be developed alongside a new clubhouse, members lounge and an improved golf course design. •

Trophy to honour Bernie Bell The Murray District Golf Association (MDGA) announced last month that their Scratch Pennant Competition will in future be called the “Bernie Bell Trophy” to honour in perpetuity one of the district’s premier golfers. Bernie Bell was one of the main driving forces in the formation of the Murray District and one of his golf passions was match play golf, a true test of a golfer’s mettle.

It is also appropriate that in the 25th year of the MDGA that Bernie’s huge contribution to golf be formally recognised and his family are reportedly delighted with the move. The President, Kelvin Gilder, also took the opportunity to remind local golfers that the Pennant season will commence on 14th October and given the high standard of golf in the district, it should be a very interesting season. •

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August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Everglades Golf Technology Centre opening soon The Everglades Golf Technology Centre is set for launch early this month. This new technology brings a superior enhancement on how Everglades’ professionals conduct lessons and coaching to golfers of all levels. The system is set up with a launch monitor and three cameras linked to a touch screen computer. When participants take a shot, the system will provide the carry distance, spin rate, club face angle at impact, angle of attack, ball spin axis, club head speed and ball speed. This will allow Everglades’ teaching professionals to analyse a player’s golf swing, and tailor and customise training to each individual and improve their golfing abilities. The new centre will be located inside Everglades’ recently renovated pro-shop, which now offers the best stock, facilities, coaching and technology. The unit is built in a hitting bay that is fully customised and designed to suit the golfer’s needs. The hitting bay features state-of-the-art lighting and TV monitors as well as the latest fitting software to complement custom-fitting equipment from all major manufacturers. “The Everglades Golf Technology Centre will ensure that we are a step ahead of the rest, and will make us a leader in the region’s golfing facilities,” says Greg Hornby, Everglades general manager. “We pride ourselves on offering our members and guests the best services and facilities, and the new golf technology centre, is just another example of how we do that.” “The new technology centre will provide Everglades members and guests the ultimate service and facility in all golf coaching, lessons, fittings, technology and stock, and will ensure that coaching and lessons can continue within the pro-shop and are not affected by any impending weather conditions.” For more information visit the Everglades website: www.everglades.net.au •

news

Tiger adds value to pinot noir Owners of a Central Otago vineyard are charging their glasses after learning a bottle of their wine has been sold for one of the highest prices paid for a bottle of New Zealand wine. A bottle of Mt Rosa’s 2008 pinot noir, signed by Tiger Woods, sold for just over $NZ10,000 at a charity auction in China to raise money for the Christchurch earthquake reconstruction. The Mt Rosa wine containing the equivalent of about four litres of wine was donated by New Zealand company JD Brothers and Mt Rosa Wines Ltd. David Wu and Jeff Crawley, of JD Brothers, approached Woods at the Chinese Golf Open last year and asked him to contribute by putting his signature on the wine bottle. Mt Rosa co-owner Jeremy Railton said he was honoured Woods agreed to sign the bottle and the Mt Rosa staff were “thrilled” one of their wines had attracted such a high price. “But even more than that, we’re stoked that the money is going to such an amazing cause. A golf enthusiast bought it.” •

Mt Coolum GC Women’s Championships Jean Brkic took top honours at the Mt Coolum GC Club Championship with a total 353 gross over the 4 round competition. Lyn Smith had a terrific score amidst wet and miserable conditions in the final round, but couldn’t quite catch Jean’s total, finishing Runner-Up with a total score of 371. In B Grade, Sam Brown held onto her Round 3 lead edging Elly Cooper by 5 strokes, finishing with a total score of 397. Likewise, Lyn McWaide held steady to claim C Grade Champion on a score of 446, just one shot ahead of runner-up Pauline Rohweder on 447. The Club Championships was the pinnacle Club event of the year for the Women of Mt Coolum Golf Club. •

Timms, O’Keefe capture Sand Green Championships Golf Qld implementing new online event Anthony Timms (City Golf Club) won the 2012 registration system Queensland Men’s Sand Green Championship after scorching the Alpha Golf Course.Timms fired a final round of 8 under par 62 to join his first round score of 61 (-9) to hold off the challenge of overnight leader Matthew Miller (-15 ). The B Grade Championship was fought out by two Mackay members, with Nathan Howard shooting fine rounds of 71 and 72 to prevail over Rick Efstathis (73,73). There was a playoff in the C Grade Championship after Ron Maher (Maryborough), Darren McDonell (Alpha) and Chris Whitton (Rowes Bay) were all tied on a 36 hole total of 160. Whitton took home the prize when his par-5 on the first playoff hole was good enough to beat McDonell’s and Maher’s bogeys. In the Qld Women’s Sand Green Championship Brooke O’Keeffe (Springsure) maintained her good form to win by six shots at Longreach Golf Club. O’Keeffe shot an opening round course record 68, followed by an even-par 72 (140) to take the title by six shots from Rowes Bay’s Fiona Bell who had rounds of 74, 72 (146). Shae Holmes (Mackay) finished in third place after firing a sixover-par total of 148 (76, 72). Overnight joint leader Lynne MacNamara captured the Bronze I division title after rounds of 84, 82 (166). Lenore Johnstone (Ilfracombe) used her local knowledge to finish in outright

Age no barrier

HOW many times have you broken your age? Kiwi veteran Sir Bob Charles has broken his age countless times and did it again recently – this time in a major event. Playing in the PGA Senior Open on the European Senior Tour, the 76-year-old former Open Championship winner fired a 66 off the stick in the first round to beat his age by an incredible 10 strokes.

Anthony Timms second place with rounds of 88 and 85 (173). Christine Simpson (Emu Park) was able to make the most of her outstanding first round score and take the Bronze II division title, after rounds of 82, 94 (176). Paula Connolly (Roma) finished in outright second place after firing consistent rounds of 97, 95 (192). Upcoming September events: Queensland Men’s Mid-Amateur (9-11 September at RACV Royal Pines Resort); Katherine Hull Classic (23-25 September at Horton Park Golf Club) and Gary Player Classic (25-28 September at Pacific Golf Club). • He was playing alongside nine-time major winner Gary Player, who shot a 72 to beat his age by four strokes. Charles, who won the 1963 Op en Championship, remains the oldest player to make the cut at a European Tour event after finishing 23rd in the 2007 New Zealand Open. He shot a second round 68 to beat his age that day by three strokes. •

Golf Queensland has recently implemented a new online event registration system. The new system– MiTournament – allows for easier registration into Golf Queensland events. The Queensland Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship and Queensland Men’s Country Week are the first events to use the new system, with other events to follow suit in due course. MiTournament is a central tournament registration site used by national and state golf associations for the purpose of golfers to register and pay for events online, view current field lists and draws/results of events. “The MiTournament system is extremely easy to use and we know that players are already enjoying the many benefits of the new system” says Luke Bates, Golf Operations Manager at Golf Queensland. “Since we have started using MiTournament, we have had excellent feedback as to the ease of use and the automated field lists.” “The system is currently being used by Golf Australia and many of the other State Associations, so if players have previously registered with the MiTournament website, they will not need to register again.” To register for an event, all players will be required to go to the event page on www.golfqueensland. org.au as normal. They will then be directed to the registration or login area on MiTournament. •

Tee off on Tuesdays at The Vines WESTERN Australia’s The Vines Resort & Country Club has announced a special rate for golfers looking to squeeze in a quick 18 mid week. For a limited time, golfers can play 18 holes of championship golf on Tuesdays and pay only $29 (Green fees only. Subject to availability). For more information: www.golfcoursebookings.com •

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news

Ryder Cup watch

WHAT’S going on? Jose Maria Olzazbal, captain of the European Team at this year’s Ryder Cup, wants four vice-captains. That’s right, four. The Spaniard, who represented Europe seven times as a player and was one of two vicecaptains at the last two Ryder Cups, says he needs more support for the September event. US Team captain David Love III got Olazabal thinking when he said additional vice-captains could be beneficial. According to Captain Olazabal he will have too much on his plate dealing with the media, going to the press centre, choosing the pairings etc. Former US Masters champion Ian Woosnam has put up his hand for one of the positions. The Welshman was the victorious skipper in 2006 and assisted Sam Torrence to Ryder Cup victory in 2002. The eight-time Ryder Cup player said he would jump at the chance to help Olazabal and the team. Woosie likened the players to 12 stallions, who have their own minds and wills. He said the challenge was to encourage and get them to play well together. The Ryder Cup will be played at Medinah Country Club, Illinois from September 25-30. The Europeans are the defending champions. •

GSM Golf Club launches $95 Membership and Handicap Golf Services Management, operators of numerous golf venues across Melbourne, have launched a new handicap package providing official golf handicaps for $95 per year. The GSM Golf Club handicap package will be welcome news for golfers previously affiliated with the Golf Access handicap system that has recently been discontinued. GSM Golf Club members receive exclusive pricing on green fees and motorised carts at St Andrews Beach Golf Course, Morack Golf Course and Amstel Golf Club’s Ranfurlie and Amstel Park Course. More info at www.gsmgolf.com.au. •

Top young golfer joins the Robina Woods team

ONE of Australia’s brightest young female golfers, 17-year-old Anna Stanton, has taken another step forward in her promising golf career after securing a full-time position at the Robina Woods Golf Course on the Gold Coast. The Kilcoy-born youngster, who plays off a remarkable handicap of two, has begun work in the course’s pro shop while continuing to develop her on-course skills. She’s only been playing the sport for eight years, but Anna already has an impressive list of achievements under her belt, including joint second place in last year’s Queensland Junior Championships and a consistently high final position in the Greg Norman Junior Masters. Coinciding with her appointment at Robina Woods was the news that she was drafted into the Queensland Women’s Development Squad after being identified as one of the state’s top six young female golfers. Stanton’s bright and bubbly personality masks a steely drive and determination to reach the top and the signs are good for the girl who was raised on a remote Queensland cattle property. Stanton will also compete for the fifth and final time (17 years and under category) in December’s Greg Norman Junior Masters tournament, which will be held across three venues for the first time – Robina Woods, The Colonial and Palmer Coolum

A recent survey by Sports Marketing Surveys (SMS) has WIN! revealed that Inside Golf has retained its spot as the most regularly 5 read golf magazine in Australia, beating the $99 popular newsstand and subscription magazines for the third straight year. SMS’ February/March 2012 Golf Consumer Survey asked 2000 random golfers at courses across Australia to name the magazine they most regularly read or subscribed to. Inside Golf was the top answer, beating all of the other golf publications, hands down. These results represent a back-to-back win for Inside Golf, which had earned top honours in the SMS August/September 2011 survey. In addition, an independent 2010 survey by Golf Research Australia, the consumer-facing research arm of Jeff Blunden Advisory Services, also named the magazine as the most regularly read in Australia. “Once again, we’re thrilled to be named Australia’s Most Read Golf Magazine,” said Sam Arthur, Publisher of Outdoor Sports Publishing (OSP), the publisher of Inside Golf. “The survey results over the last three years reflect our passion and dedication to bring the best golf magazine to Australian golfers,” he added. While the print magazine is kicking goals across the country, the online initiatives by OSP are also turning heads. Inside Golf now has the largest Facebook following of any Australian golf magazine, as well as the first fully-integrated iPad/iPhone Digital Magazine app, representing enormous reach and brand recognition for advertisers and partners. Inside Golf is also Australia’s highest-circulating audited national golf publication, with a total average circulation of 42,416 copies per month (CAB Audited from October 2011 to March 2012). “Being CAB Audited is extremely important,” explains Arthur. “We are the ONLY golf magazine in Australia to choose to be CAB audited each and every period because it gives our advertisers 100 per cent certainty that our circulation numbers are correct and transparent.” •

InsideGolf

www.insidegolf.com.au Issue 85 August 2012

GOLF AND TRAVEL FEATURE:

On-Pin GPS Watch Giveaway (see page 70)

Father’s Day Gift Guide

Newcastle, Port Stephens and Hunter Valley

JOHN SENDEN

We review Sabah’s Sutera Harbour Resort

Going back to the future

Steps to the perfect lob shot

PREVIEW

The PGA Championship

Unplugged

FLATSTICK FIXES How putterfitting is changing the game Joondalup Resort

18 holes golf with shared motorised cart

Sleeve of Srixon QSTAR Golf Balls

Winter Golf Blitz

“Unquestionably one of the world’s finest golfing experiences” Robert Trent Jones Jr.

Free Bucket of Balls

Golf Bookings 9400 8811 Country Club Bvd, Connolly, WA

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Anna Stanton Resort. She has made the cut in all but one of her five years in the championship and plans to go out with a bang this time at what will be her new home course. “I’m aiming for a top ten finish at least,” declared the down-to-earth youngster. “I think I can do it and if keep playing the way I have been then there’s no reason why I can’t continue to improve. I love the concept of playing the tournament at three courses and can’t wait for it to start. It will test everyone and we’ll see who can adapt to playing on a different course each day. •

Tea Tree Gully claims three in a row Tea Tree Gully has won its third successive Simpson Cup after narrowly defeating Kooyonga 4 matches to 3 in an absorbing Pennant final played at Royal Adelaide Golf Club. Inspired by stalwart Brett Crosby, who was playing his 124th and final Simpson Cup match, Tea Tree Gully proved too strong across the board, in a series of tight contests. For Tea Tree Gully, Rudi DuPlooy, Paul Wyllie, Greg Blewett and Chris Austin all won their respective matches, while Ryan White, Brett Crosby and Zak Fuller all went down by a solitary hole. At number three, Greg Blewett used all his big game experience to defeat Daniel Speirs 2&1 positioning Tea Tree Gully one match from victory. Tea Tree Gully Captain, Chris Austin had victory in sight, as he approached the stunning

Inside Golf named Australia’s Most Read Golf Magazine for third straight year

3rd hole (17th due to starting on the 5th), 2 up over Charles Shaw. Playing safe down the right, opposed to Shaw who landed long and left, Austin played a low pitch shot attempting to run the ball from just off the fairway to front of green. Slightly miscuing his attempt, the door was left ajar for Shaw who then played a delicate lob wedge over the steep and narrow embankment, which glided past the hole slightly further than he anticipated. With Austin chipping to about 6 feet, Shaw had a birdie putt for the hole, but missed his attempt, tapping in for par. With Austin fully aware that sinking his putt would claim the Simpson Cup, he stood and delivered the knockout blow to halve the hole and win the match 2&1, securing the Simpson Cup for Tea Tree Gully with 4 matches. Tea Tree Gully now has four senior Pennant Title’s 2010–2012 and 1988. •

mens & ladies

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August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

news

Nisbet wins Players Amateur in South Carolina Golf Australia National Squad member Daniel Nisbet became the first Australian since Aron Price in 2004 to win the coveted Players Amateur title at Berkeley Hall Golf Club near Hilton Head, South Carolina. The 21 year-old Caboolture Golf Club member claimed the title with rounds of 69-66-70 after the final round was cut short because of storms on the Sunday. In winning, Nisbet earned a place in next year’s RBC Heritage event on the PGA Tour at Harbour Town Golf Links at Hilton Head, where he can compete as an amateur or as a professional. Nisbet joins an honour roll including compatriot Price, reigning FedEx Cup champion Bill Haas, Rickie Fowler and Camilo Villegas. On a day of inclement weather, play was suspended because of thunderstorms about 12:45 pm, with the leaders having played 10 holes. When the storm had not eased more than 90 minutes later, Nisbet was declared the champion and the results reverted to the 54hole scores. •

African-style justice

GOLF officials in the southern African country of Zambia take their golf seriously. Competitors who register to play in a competition and don’t turn up can expect a suspension and a fine. Recently 14 players, including the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) commissionergeneral Criticles Mwansa, were banned from all golfing activities for two months for failing to turn up for the Ndola Open. For their trouble, they also copped a K50,000 (Kwacha) fine, which is about $A10. •

Ross is in the mood

16th Annual Ace of Clubs Tournament Tough conditions were par for the course at the 16th Annual Ace of Clubs Tournament played on the Far South Coast of NSW. Entries came from 339 players representing 77 Clubs across four states and territories. The event was played on four of the Sapphire Coast’s best golf courses – Bega Country Club, Eden Gardens Country Club, Pambula Merimbula Golf Club, and Tura Beach Country Club. The tournament features daily individual events at each of the courses, with scores from all these events tallied for the overall total to find the King and Queen of Clubs. This year’s Queen of Clubs is Pambula Merimbula’s Jan Sheppard who has played in every Ace of Clubs since its inception. Playing off a handicap of 27, Jan scored an overall total of 119, and an individual win at Eden on the Thursday. Closely following Jan were Julie Reid from Queanbeyan, and Anne O’Grady from Belmont. Chris Evers from Beverly Park was announced King of Clubs with a score of 145. Playing off a handicap of 10, Chris won daily events at Bega and

Pambula Merimbula. Runner up was John D’Este from Belmont. Third place went to a count back, with Rob Van Deyk from Tura Beach, edging out Goulburn’s Adam Zagar. Held annually, the next Ace of Clubs Tournament is scheduled for 16-21 June 2013. Pambula Merimbula Golf Club also stages a 9 day Tournament in October each year – the Sapphire Coast Week of Golf, culminating in the Men’s Open. Featuring a variety of male, female & mixed events, tournament play is all held at the Pambula Merimbula course. Entries are now being accepted for the 2012 Week of Golf. •

Keep up with us online! Catch the latest golf news online: www.insidegolf.com.au. Join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/insidegolf, keep up to the minute with our Twitter feed (@InsideGolf ) or if you prefer–drop us a line at ed@insidegolf.com.au

COOLANGATTA Tweed Heads Golf Club teaching professional Ross Moodie is getting some phenomenal results with his students. He is especially proud of Rebecca Kay, a 13-year-old who recently won the women’s club championship. “I have coached Rebecca since my arrival here in early 2010,” he said. “Her handicap was then 36 and now she is down to a one handicap. “She is a lovely young girl and I have very high hopes for her golf future.” Moodie once coached Jody Fleming, who recently fired a final round of 65 to win the Texas Open in the US. “I coached Jody for eight years and after a lot of hard work she deservedly broke through for a great win.” Moodie is not shy in blowing his own trumpet and recently told Inside Golf he was getting good results with many club golfers. “Golfers usually measure their progress and improvement by handicap reductions, winning competitions or maybe by winning a 20 cent side bet from a friend,” he said. “But from my perspective I have several personal CKPI (Coaching Key Performance Indicators) and the most critical indicator is my students’ results.” In a two-month period, Moodie helped 26 students win prizes in all club competitions. •

Vale Mary Elva Anne von Nida Inside Golf is saddened by the news of the passing of Mary Elva Anne Von Nida, the widow of Australian golfing legend Norman Von Nida. Elva passed away on July 4, with funeral services held at Somerville Chapel in Nerang, Qld. Inside Golf extends our condolences to the Von Nida family and friends. •

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

industry news

FROM THE CEOs Brian Thorburn CEO – PGA of Australia

In another big month for our professionals around the world, I’m very pleased to congratulate our first PGA TOUR champion for 2012, Marc Leishman. The breakthrough win on the world’s biggest stage was very welcome news to many who have crossed paths with the Warrnambool export throughout his career. Marc is certainly one of the most popular players on our Tour. Marc’s success again highlights the importance of the PGA Tour of Australasia as a stepping stone to international success. While it was now four years ago, Marc’s

Stephen Pitt CEO – Golf Australia

We’re in the thick of Major season and I recently returned from a productive week at the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes, where all of golf ’s major bodies were in attendance. It’s an excellent opportunity to participate in discussions about the key issues in golf with the other governing bodies and federations. Our time in England also marked the beginning of a number of player negotiations for this year’s Emirates Australian Open at The Lakes.

last victory came at the Victorian PGA Championship in 2008, and since this time he has threatened in many of our marquee championships, including last year’s Australian PGA Championship. Marc is certainly a big talent for the future and I again congratulate him on such a wonderful achievement. But Marc wasn’t the only Australian victor in the last month, with Brad Kennedy also securing his first international victory at the Mizuno Open. Also a PGA Tour of Australasia champion, less than six months ago Brad claimed the 2011 BMW New Zealand Open title, while he also prevailed in the 2010 Western Australia Open. Brad is one of a number of our professionals who spend the majority of their time playing in Japan on a tour that has certainly proved rewarding for Australians in recent years. And, while it doesn’t perhaps command as much

media attention here as the US or European Tours, victories such as Brad’s are certainly no less noteworthy. Congratulations again to Brad – I’m sure this is the first of many more successes. On the same note, it would be remiss of me not to praise the performance of Marcus Fraser, who the same weekend finished second on the European Tour. Marcus is similarly another huge talent for this country, and it’s great to see him perform so well. Both Marcus and Marc are coached by PGA Professional Denis McDade, who I also congratulate for his part. At both a Professional and Amateur level, the depth of our Australian talent pool was certainly evident over the last month, and this can only be positive for the entire industry. While there are certainly challenges for us all at the moment, such results will only strengthen our ability to grow the game at all levels. •

We always have strong support for our National Open and look forward to bringing you more news on players who will be here over the summer in the weeks and months to come. Planning is also well underway for the 2013 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at Royal Canberra Golf Club. We’re looking forward to taking the Women’s Open to the ACT for the first time in its history and have already had some promising early discussions with some of the biggest names on the LPGA Tour about coming to Canberra. It’s also clear to us how much the city is looking forward to hosting the National Open as part of the city’s centenary celebrations with everyone from golf fans to prospective sponsors showing a keen interest in the global level LPGA Tour coming to Royal Canberra.

In other news, the new Golf Club Connect program is now up and running and has had a successful start with more and more clubs placing offers on the site. We’re pleased to hear that these offers are beginning to feed into purchased memberships as well, representing an excellent opportunity for golf clubs to attract more members without a cost for using the service. Also on participation, the Crown Lager Social Golf Club will shortly hit a membership milestone – a great result as the program continues to grow. If you or a golfing friend don’t have a handicap and are keen to measure your improvement, the joining fee of $49.95 represents great value to get a self-maintained handicap calculated by GOLF Link’s system and the chance to play on some of Australia’s best courses as well as other benefits. •

Hide the Red Dot. Putt Like a Major Champion.

Lee wins U.S. Girls’ Junior Final Golf Australia Nat iona l S qu ad member Minjee Lee (WA) became the first Australian to win the U.S Girls’ Junior Championship at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City, near San Francisco. The 16 year-old Minjee Lee (USGA/Steve Royal Fremantle Gibbons) Golf Club member and World Number 8 amateur defeated Southern California’s Alison Lee 1up after a remarkable comeback in the 36-hole Match Play final to win her first USGA event on debut. “It is big,” Lee said. The Perth teen was 3-down through 30 holes when she rallied to win holes 31-34 to go 1-up. It was enough to hold on for victory. “I just pulled myself together and I was like just go for it. You’ve got an opening. Just take your chances and then go from there,” Lee said. It marks an excellent return to form following time out with an ankle injury earlier in the year. “Well, I think I could like just refuel, because I haven’t had a break in ages, so I had the best break. Then I just came out even stronger, and I could do things that I never could have done in my swing technically.” Lee follows in the footsteps of World Golf Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez and rising star Lexi Thompson in winning the US Girls’ Junior title. In the semi-final matches, Lee defeated defending champion and World Number 2 Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand), 2&1, while Alison Lee, 17, eliminated World No. 1 New Zealander and Australian Amateur champion Lydia Ko, also by a 2&1 margin to advance to the finals. •

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industry news

South Australia’s great white golf plan PORT Lincoln’s reputation as home to the great white shark will be a major attraction in a new $300-million-plus development planned for the city. An 18-hole golf course will feature the outline of a shark, which is aimed at luring tourists. The Lukin Corporation, owned by Olympic gold medallist Dean Lukin snr, unveiled its masterplan to the Port Lincoln City Council recently. The 20-year project includes at least 500 homes, a commercial precinct, wharf, hotel and shopping centre at Proper Bay, on the southern edge of the Port Lincoln marina. Mr Lukin said the plan anticipated Port Lincoln taking off in coming years with the expansion of the tuna industry, rapid growth of the mining sector and BP’s oil exploration in the Great Australian Bight. “We want to make Port Lincoln the regional capital of South Australia, and if we can achieve this no other regional city would be able to compete with us,” Mr Lukin said. Mr Lukin said a need to relocate the large Port Lincoln fishing fleet from the central wharf was the initial driver of the development. But it is the shark design at the golf course which he hopes will help put Port Lincoln even more on the international tourism map. “It will be the biggest tourist attraction and because it has never been done in the world, it should help draw a lot of international visitors to Port Lincoln,” Mr Lukin said. The proposal for an 18-hole golf course to replace its existing course has the broad support of the Port Lincoln Golf Club. •

Dunes Port Hughes placed in receivership THE Greg Norman-designed Dunes Port Hughes golf course development on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula has been placed in receivership with more than $13 million in debts. Ferrier Hodgson partners David Kidman and Martin Lewis has been appointed as the receivers to manage the project and sell the remaining allotments and development properties. The development by Irish businessman Peter Butterly, was tipped to be South Australia’s premier resort and residential development when the Scottish links-inspired Copperclub golf course officially opened in June last year. More than 2,000 homes and associated leisure facilities had been planned for the project, developed around the golf course.

The Copperclub Golf Course About 185 residential allotments have already been developed with 100 blocks sold and 60 homes built or under construction. •

Glades Golf Course on the market

Owner Edwin Yu is set to cut ties with The Glades Golf Course on the Gold Coast. Mr Yu, who paid $17 million for the course in 2003, has placed the facility on the market and property insiders have tipped that it could realise offers in the region of $20 million. They say high-net worth mainland Chinese and hotel groups are expected to battle for ownership of the Greg Norman-designed, blue-chip course. The move to sell comes as Mr Yu cuts back on his Australian assets to concentrate on a range of ventures he is spearheading in China’s booming

markets. Marketing agents expected the course to attract significant interest from mainland China. The offering includes The Glades 18-hole golf course, ranked among the top 50 resort-style courses in Australia, practice facilities with golf driving range, a recreation centre including gymnasium, a pair of tennis courts and two beach-volleyball courts. Also included in the package are a swimming pool and the Glades Club House and pro shop, the licensed Boardwalk Restaurant, and function and conference rooms. •

Businessman offers to buy golf club The Waikerie Hotel Motel board has accepted in principle an offer to buy the Waikerie Golf Club in South Australia. The hotel currently owns the golf club and has been reviewing how to rescue it from $70,000 in lost revenue. However, the hotel’s chairman, Graeme Thompson, says a local businessman came forward and offered to buy the club’s leasehold.

Mr Thompson says it is a private sale, which is still being finalised. He says the hotel’s first option was for the members to take over the club but it had to proceed with the offer once the members announced they could not finance the club. Mr Thompson says the sale of the lease is still in its early days. The local council says it hopes the golf club will continue to operate. •

Rotto golf course aims to be above par Bigger greens, elevated tees and one hole that begins in the middle of a salt lake will be the key features of a redesigned Rottnest Island golf course in West Australia. Former Australian Open winner Bob Shearer and experienced designer Ben Davey have completed their plans for the 60-year-old course, which will be irrigated using recycled waste water. The upgraded nine-hole course is the centrepiece of the State Government’s strategy to increase visitors to the island during the quieter winter months. The $300,000 irrigation project will mean the greens will be grassed instead of covered in white sand. Mr Davey said they had kept to the basic layout of the historic course to avoid removing established trees, but the greens were considerably bigger and several tees had been pushed back and elevated to the top of surrounding dunes. And while the course would not have formal bunkers, large areas of sand would be created on most holes. A timber bridge would be build out to a small island on Garden Lake, where the tee for the second hole will be located. Mr Davey said that, while the course was only nine holes, many of the greens would be big enough to accommodate two flags - for golfers playing 18 holes. A tender will soon be called for the construction of the redesigned course which Tourism Minister Kim Hames hopes will be completed by the start of winter next year. •

Mike Orloff

morloff@golfindustrycentral.com.au

UPCOMING ANNUAL EVENTS

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A chance for up and coming juniors to experience one of Australia’s best regional courses. The Tournament is a must in every junior’s golfing calendar. Parents can relax and enjoy the hospitality and beauty of Duntryleague or take the opportunity to enjoy all that Orange has to offer. CITY OF ORANGE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 29 September - 1 October 2012

LADIES’ OPEN TOURNAMENT 22-26 October 2012

Played over three days and three courses - Duntryleague Golf Club, Orange Ex-Services Country Club and Wentworth Golf Club. With $6,000 worth of prizes to be won.

Includes golfing events each day and some great social events as well.

ANNUAL VETERANS’ TOURNAMENT 1-4 October 2012

HAHN GOLF OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP 9-11 November 2012

Includes three days of golf and a Presentation dinner on the Wednesday night. Numbers are limited to 216 players.

(Golf NSW Vardon Event & Senior Event in conjunction) A shotgun Par 3 shootout on Friday is the perfect introduction to the Championship on Saturday and Sunday.

CEREBRAL PALSY CHARITY GOLF DAY 21 October 2012

MERCEDES BENZ DUNTRYLEAGUE CLASSIC 19-22 January 2013

18 Hole Individual Stableford event with NTP for Men and Ladies. What a great way to lead into the Ladies’ Open Tournament. Lunch will be available in our Brasserie.

This years event will run for three days of golf only, starting on the Saturday night with a registration and cocktail party. Open to all male and female golfers with an official handicap.

For further details and entry forms for all the above events, please visit

www.duntryleague.com.au Phone: (02) 6362 3466 www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

events

Kalgoorlie, Royal Perth and Heritage join Tour Three new courses have been added to the PGA Tour of Australia’s event calendar this summer, ensuring a thrilling Summer of Golf in 2012-13. First off the blocks is The WA Goldfields PGA Championship, which will be played at Kalgoorlie Golf Course from 11-14 October, with a prize pool of $110,000. Kalgoorlie Golf Course is a premiere Graham Marsh-designed layout, and is famous for having two of its holes included as part of the Nullabor Links, the world’s longest golf course. It is also one of Inside Golf ’s favourite courses, so it will surely provide a fantastic setting for the event. Two weeks later, following the recently announced Perth International, the John Hughes Geely Nexus Risk Services WA Open Championship will tee off at Royal Perth Golf Club from the 25-28 October, also offering a prize pool of $110,000. With a history dating back to 1895, Royal Perth Golf Club is the oldest golf club in metropolitan Western Australia and last hosted the WA Open Championship in 1998 when it was won by Tim Elliot. “Western Australia has consistently played an important role on the PGA Tour of Australasia, with the state home to many Australian golf champions and some of our best courses,” said Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA. “We look forward to yet another chapter of this history, this time at Kalgoorlie and Royal Perth.” Rounding out the list of new events is the new Heritage Classic, which will tee off at the Heritage Golf and Country Club from 2427th January, 2013. Boasting prizemoney of $130,000, professionals will get the opportunity to play the first “signature” Jack Nicklaus design in Australia; The St John Course. The 6670m course is characterised

Lexus Golf Link Cup Goes Live

The beautiful Kalgoorlie Golf Course will host one of three PGA events this summer. by wide yet contoured fairways which will challenge the professionals and place an increased importance on shot placement. The winner will also earn a place in the fields for the Australian Masters, Emirates Australian Open, Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola and the BMW New Zealand Open. The staging of the Heritage Classic is an important step forward for the golf club, which changed owners just over 12 months ago. “We are very excited to be partnering with the PGA Tour of Australasia to host the Heritage Classic,” said Mr Sun from the Heritage Golf and Country Club. “We feel that combining a premiere golf tournament with Australia Day celebrations will give the event special significance.” “In keeping with the multicultural theme of Australia Day, we are hoping to invite a selection of top golfers from China to join the field. There is much interest already from Chinese media and this will ensure that this event will get international exposure.” •

Golf Writers beat Golf Vic Following the recent announcement of the new Heritage Classic, The Australian Golf Writers Association battled the team from Golf Victoria in a winner-take-all pairs matchplay mêlée to determine which team was infinitely superior on the links. Playing on the spectacular St John Course, the Golf Writers proved that the putter is even mightier than the pen, pipping the Golf Vic team by a solid 3 matches to 2, including an out-of-their-heads performance by the Golf Writers team pairing of Richard Fellner (Inside Golf) and George Begg (AGWA) who were nigh unbeatable on the near flawless Heritage greens. Bragging rights aside (history is written by the victors, after all!), the event showcased the true beauty, playability and challenge of the Heritage course, which will come to the fore during January’s PGA event. •

A new “virtual” national amateur golf competition is set to revolutionise club golf. Open to any Australian golfer with a recognised club handicap, the Lexus Golf Link Cup is a free, three-month “virtual” golf tournament that uses participants’ regular competition scores to win great prizes. The world-first competition runs until October 9, 2012 and culminate in a national final at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on November 5. The best six individual rounds from each player over the course of the three-month competition period will be tallied against golfers across Australia. All participants who register and play the minimum six rounds will also be entered into the draw to win an all-new Lexus GS 250 Luxury sedan. The eight best players as determined by their ranking across grade and gender – two each from A, B and C grades and two women golfers – will advance to the national final. Those who make the November 5 final will also be guests of Lexus at its VIP Lexus Lounge in the Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup on November 6. More information: www.golflink.com.au, or www.lexusgolflinkcup.com.au. •

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events

Scrambling to the US Open, thanks to Delta Air Lines Who would have thought, when teeing up in your local Holden Scramble, that a year later you would be boarding a Delta Air Lines flight to San Francisco and the US Open? For Nowra Holden Scramble participant Adam Watson, that is exactly what happened. After playing in his local event and qualifying through to the Regional Final at Gungahlin Lakes, Adam had thought his Scramble adventure had finished for the year, content with making it through to the Regional Final. Little did he know that just for playing in his local event and entering a promotional competition he would embark of the trip of a lifetime! As part of the 20th Anniversary promotions in 2011, the Holden Scramble’s newest partner, Delta Air Lines, teamed up with the PGA and Holden to provide one lucky Scramble participant with a trip to San Francisco, including return airfares for two, accommodation, transfers and season passes to the US Open. Adam’s was the lucky name drawn out and, though he did not see an Aussie take victory at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, the adventure certainly made his Holden Scramble experience memorable. “We had the most unbelievable time, from the moment we touched down in San Fran, we were treated like royalty. And then there was the golf–it was wonderful to be at such an amazing event and follow some of the Aussies, and also the international golfers around such a fantastic course. The whole experience was just great,” said Adam upon his return. “We are extremely grateful to Delta Air Lines, the PGA and of course Holden for providing us with such a memorable opportunity”. Originally Adam thought his teammates at Nowra had set him up for a “gotcha call” and he couldn’t believe his luck when he was notified that he had

Marino stepping up in Rookie year

Holden Scramble participant Adam Watson won the trip. Having never been to America before, Adam took the opportunity to extend his trip and make the most of the holiday with his wife, Sandy, venturing to Las Vegas and Los Angeles with the US Open and San Francisco the ultimate highlight. The partnership between Delta Air Lines and the Holden Scramble commenced in 2011 and has continued into the 21st season of the event, with Delta once again offering up flights to the USA to be won by lucky participants, PGA Professionals and Holden Dealer sponsors. “Delta Air Lines was delighted to fly the winners of the Holden Scramble Anniversary competition to the US Open. We hope more golfers and fans of golf choose Delta on their next trip to the

USA” said Jane Wilshaw, Business Development Manager for Delta Air Lines. “Our daily non-stop service will provide unparalleled connections from Los Angeles to more than 300 key destinations in the US, as well as Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Europe. Now you have the chance to make the most of playing in the Holden Scramble with another promotion this year thanks to Delta Air Lines offering two Return Airfares to selected destinations in the USA all for being part of the Holden Scramble – head to the Holden Scramble Website (www.holdenscramble.com.au) to find out more. •

Current Queensland Sunshine Tour Order of Merit leader Luke Marino is certainly turning heads with his golf game throughout Queensland. After turning professional at the end of 2011 at Australasian Qualifying School after an accomplished amateur career, Marino finds himself with a healthy lead in the Order of Merit standings heading into the second half of the season. Marino currently leads the Queensland Sunshine Tour Order of Merit on 141 points, 14 points ahead of Brad Andrews, Tony Carolan and another rookie of the Sunshine Tour, Sven Puymbroeck— all tied for second on 127 points. Although yet to taste victory in the professional ranks, Marino is well aware that if he remains consistent with his game, the wins will come. “I am extremely happy with where my game is at and I am looking forward to the challenges that come with this great game that I play professionally. To be leading the Order of Merit is a great feeling especially considering some of the great names that are currently sitting behind me. With so many tournaments to play I am not getting too far ahead of myself, but as long as I keep doing the right things on and off the golf course everything else will look after itself ”. The Order of Merit race will heat up over the coming month as the professionals make their way down the east coast of Queensland. With more than 30 Pro-Ams still to be played, it is still anyone’s to be won, but Marino will be looking to remain consistent over the next few months as he looks to become a winner of the Order of Merit title in his Rookie year. •

Upcoming Holden Scramble Events MIXED EVENTS NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW

Forster-Tuncurry Golf Club Goulburn Golf Club Merewether Golf Club Temora Golf Club Tenterfield Golf Club Warringah Golf Club The Links Shell Cove Woolgoolga RSL Golf Club Tura Beach Country Club Grafton District Club Leeton Golf Club Port Macquarie Golf Club Kooindah Waters Golf Club Balgowlah Golf Club Cootamundra Country Club Sth West Rocks Country Club Queanbeyan Golf Club Wauchope Golf Club Belmont Golf Club Mt Broughton Golf & Country Pacific Dunes Golf Club Shortland Waters Golf Club

05-Aug-12 05-Aug-12 05-Aug-12 05-Aug-12 05-Aug-12 06-Aug-12 07-Aug-12 11-Aug-12 11-Aug-12 11-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 13-Aug-12 18-Aug-12 18-Aug-12 18-Aug-12 19-Aug-12 19-Aug-12 19-Aug-12 19-Aug-12 20-Aug-12 23-Aug-12

NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD

Tamworth Golf Club Charlestown Golf Club Mangrove Mountain Golf Club Kareela Golf Club The Links Shell Cove Broken Hill Golf Club Hawks Nest Golf Club Moree Golf Club Bonville Golf Club Coonamble Golf Club Canterbury Golf Club Blackheath Golf Club Virginia Golf Club Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Emerald Golf Club Quilpie Golf Club Bargara Golf Club Oxley Golf Club Sandy Gallop Golf Club Sea Temple Golf & Country Club Warwick Golf Club Gove Country Golf Club

24-Aug-12 25-Aug-12 25-Aug-12 25-Aug-12 25-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 26 Aug-12 29-Aug-12 31-Aug-12 03-Aug-12 05-Aug-12 11-Aug-12 11-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 18-Aug-12

QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC

Nanango Golf Club Redland Bay Golf Club The Willows Golf Resort Palm Meadows Golf Course Proserpine Golf Club Dalby Golf Club Hervey Bay Golf & Country Wynnum Golf Club Robina Woods Golf Club Eagle Ridge Golf Club Corowa Golf Club Sunshine Golf Club Cobram-Barooga GC Rossdale Golf Club Melton Valley Golf Club Yarrambat Park GC Lonsdale Golf Club Yarrawonga & Border GC Maryborough Golf Club Bendigo Golf Club Clifton Springs GC Wodonga Golf Club

18-Aug-12 19-Aug-12 19-Aug-12 25- Aug12 25-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 03-Aug-12 05-Aug-12 11-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 18-Aug-12 18-Aug-12 19-Aug-12 19-Aug-12 19-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 26-Aug-12

VIC VIC SA SA SA SA SA TAS WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA

VIC VIC WA

Drouin Golf Club Wodonga Country Club Lakelands Country Club

13-Aug-12 24-Aug-12 06-Aug-12

WA SA

Patterson River Country Woodlands Golf Club Murray Bridge GC Fleurieu Golf Club North Haven Golf Club Blue Lake Golf Club Mt Lofty Golf Club Devonport Golf Club Busselton Golf Club Narrogin Golf Club Broome Golf Club Donnybrook Country Club Gosnells Golf Club York Golf Club The Cut Golf Club Secret Harbour Golf Club Kwinana Golf Club

26-Aug-12 31-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 24-Aug-12 25-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 05-Aug-12 10-Aug-12 11-Aug-12 11-Aug-12 12-Aug-12 15-Aug-12 25-Aug-12 25-Aug-12 26-Aug-12

* These are the Open Holden Scramble Event dates currently listed for August. For futher event dates please check the Holden Scramble website

WOMEN’S EVENTS NSW NSW NSW NSW

Warringah Golf Club Barnwell Park Golf Club Cootamundra Country Club Muswellbrook Golf Club

06-Aug-12 22-Aug-12 26-Aug-12 29-Aug-12

NSW QLD QLD QLD

Federal Golf Club Virginia Golf Club Pioneer Valley Golf Club Mullumbimby Golf Club

30-Aug-12 03-Aug-12 19-Aug-12 30-Aug-12

PGA Events Division on 03 8320 1999 holdenscramble.com

August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Mosman Park Golf Club Thaxted Park Golf Club

31-Aug-12 16-Aug-12

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Dennis claims ‘Holy Grail’ of West Australian golf Michael Dennis of Royal Perth Golf Club has once again claimed the honours of the Paxton Averages title and hoisted the famous Roy Paxton trophy for a second consecutive year. The current State Team Captain at 40 years of age has proven he’s still got what takes to compete with the young guns by posting the lowest average scores in all state and national events, and club open events which have been awarded Paxton Average status from August through to June. “I’m very proud to win a second Paxton in a row,” Dennis said. “There is great history to this trophy and there have been some of the all-time greats of WA golf and Australian golf get their names on this, the holy grail of WA Golf.” “I really hope that winning this a second time inspires the young guns coming through to practice hard and take their games to a new level which will help us go a long way to achieving my goal of winning an interstate series.” “I must thank my family, wife Pauline and kids Emily and Brooke. They make a lot of sacrifices for me to continue playing state golf.” “A very special thank you to state coach Craig Bishop. Since Craig has taken over as State Coach he has helped me improve my game significantly.” “I must also thank Golf WA for their help this year and more importantly for their help over the last 10 or 11 years while representing WA.” “Lastly I would like to thank my home club, Royal Perth. I’m proud to be able to represent Royal Perth as a state player and at the same time hold the position as Course Superintendent. It is great to be involved in the golf industry and for any young golfers

Chilly but cheerful at Northern Weekend Tournament Pacific Dunes Golf Club was again the host for the 2012 Northern Weekend Tournament, held in June. The tournament attracted players from 15 different clubs as far afield as Nowra, the Southern Highlands, Sydney and the Hunter Valley. The picturesque Pacific Dunes course and its friendly and helpful staff made the Northern Weekend Tournament an enjoyable two days of golf. Day One of the tournament dawned with a projected maximum of 15 degrees as the players competing in the 6th Northern Weekend Tournament r ugged up to face the Pacif ic Dunes course. Despite the testing conditions the pair of David Strange (Elanora) and Anne Strange (Wakehurst) blitzed the field with 47 points followed by the Bayview pair of Veronica and Bernhard Kotarski with a fine 45 points in the 4BBB Stableford event. Sunday was equally chilly with a very sharp wind as the players competed in the Par Team event. The winners were Carolyn Patman, Sally Kirkright, Dympna Duffy all from Kogarah and Margaret Booth from Macquarie Links with a score of +10. On +8 and winning on a three-way countback were Lyle and Neville Kite and Julie and Fred Thom from Highlands Golf Club. A full list of results, prize winners and images can be found at www.golfnsw.org. •

“There is great history to this trophy and there have been some of the all-time greats of WA golf and Australian golf get their names on this, the holy grail of WA Golf.” out there who want a career in golf you don’t have to be an international touring star to be a leader in the golf industry. There are so many different career paths you can take to stay involved in the great game of golf.”

Previous recipients of the Roy Paxton Trophy include such luminaries as Terry Gale (6 times), Roger Mackay (5 times), Stephen Leaney (3 times), Michael Sim (Twice), Craig Parry (Twice), Greg Chalmers, Brett Rumford, and Rick Kulacz. •

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junior news

Boys NSW Amateur Championship Are you under 18 and enjoy your golf? Then come and participate in this year’s 2012 Boys NSW Amateur Championship, being held at Glenmore Heritage Golf Club on Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th September – three days of great golfing and meeting other young golfers from around NSW. This event is not just for the elite golfer–there are handicap limits and prizes for each age category: Section A (16-17 years): Handicap limit of 8.4 Section B (14-15 years): Handicap limit of 12.4 Section C (13 years and under): Handicap limit of 16.4 “This tournament is about providing young golfers from around the state an opportunity to participate in a State Championship event. Participants range from state representatives, to those who are continuing to learn the game. It’s always a great couple of days, played with enthusiasm and sportsmanship from all participants” stated Christy Collier, Events Manager at Golf NSW. The Juniors will be put through their paces, with the Championship being be played over 72 holes of stroke play over three days (Day 1 – 18 holes, Day 2 – 18 holes, Day 3 – 36 holes). At the conclusion of Day 2, the field will be reduced, with a maximum of 60 players, plus ties. A seeded draw will be completed for Round 3.

Prizes will be awarded for: • NSW Junior Championship (scratch) – 1st place • NSW Junior Championship (scratch) – 2nd place • Sectional Prizes – 1st two placegetters (scratch) in each section (A (16-17yrs), B (14-15yrs) and C (13 yrs and under)) • Nett Winner (Round 1) • Nett Winner (Round 2) • Nett Winner (Round 3) Entries are now open online at www.golfnsw.org. Online entry is just $70, while all other forms of entry are $80. Entries close Friday 7 September 2012. For all enquiries please contact Christy Collier on christy.collier@golfnsw.org. •

Wide Bay captures Qld Inter-District Junior Jug Golf Tournament

Competitors of the Qld Inter-District Junior Jug Golf Tournament The Wide Bay junior jug team of Mikaleigh Pickles, Anna Stanton and Kate Law has won the 2012 Junior Jug at the Yeppoon Golf club, finishing on 16 points – two points ahead of the Far North Queensland team. The Wide Bay team led all the way, finishing with six points after day one, 12 points after day two and

Junior aces a Par-4 It’s not often you hear a roar go up from somewhere on the course at a junior golf event. However, it happened recently at a Stuart Appleby Junior Golf event when David Micheluzzi (Cranbourne GC) struck one of the greatest shots in junior golf. Playing at the Jubilee Golf Course in Wangaratta, David’s tee shot on the 293m uphill par-4 16th sent the watching groups into delight as it found the cup for an unlikely hole in one. Yes, on a Par-4! The event was won by Julienne Soo from Woodlands with an even par round of 72, from runner up Zach Murray from Commonwealth GC. •

14 points after day three. Their two points on the final day was good enough for them to win the cup. Gold Coast finished third on 13 ½ points, followed by North Queensland (12), Downs South West (11) Brisbane District (9) and Central Queensland (8 ½). Wide Bay will host the 2013 event at the Bargara golf club. •

Aussie juniors to the fore AUSTRALIANS have performed well at the Callaway World Junior Championships at Torrey Pines in California. Karl Vilips (Victoria) won the 9-10 boys age group division by three strokes with a 54-hole total of 4-under par, while national squad member Minjee Lee (WA) finished in a tie for seventh in the same division. Julienne Soo (Victoria) finished in a tie for 11th following a final round 68. In the girls’ 15-17 age division, national squad member Su Hyun Oh finished runner-up after rounds of 74-70-72-71. Victorian Ryan Ruffels finished in a tie for eighth in the 13-14 boys age group division

following a final round six-under par 65. According to Ashley Marshall, manager of Stuart Appleby Junior Golf, Australia’s juniors are proving themselves on the world stage. “Karl has continued to return scores that belie his age in many SAJG tournaments,” Marshall said. “Su continues to perform at the highest level and has established herself now as one of the premier female amateurs in the world. It has been a pleasure to see her game and her personality develop over her years of junior golf. And both Julienne and Ryan have shown that they are outstanding talents, capable on any course of shooting low scores.” •

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seniors VICTORIA Duivenvoorden keeps lead in the Victoria OOM

NATIONAL SENIORS Albinski stays on top

NSW Senior Stefan Albinski maintains his comfortable lead at the top of the 2012 Australian Senior Rankings table. Albinski has been the number one senior in Australian golf for more than two years and looks likely to hold the title again when the 2012 medals are awarded at the end of this year. While Albinski has been dominant and holds a big lead the battle for the silver and bronze medals has developed into a very close one. Currently Queenslander Peter King holds second place but close behind are a trio of New South Wales seniors – Denis Dale, Greg Corben and Roy Vandersluis. 2012 saw the introduction of a handicap competition held in conjunction with the major Senior Ranking competition. At the half way point NSW senior Graham Blizard holds the lead over Stefan Albinski. Both these players have been the dominant players in open events this year and it is no surprise to see them on top of the handicap table as well. Among the chasers are David Edwards (NSW), Alan Buckley (Victoria) and Paul Harvey-Walker (NSW). There are still quite a few major events remaining on the 2012 National calendar with the highlight being the 2012 Australian Senior Amateur Championship to be played at Yarra Yarra Golf Club in September. Albinski is the defending champion but early entries indicate a strong field and already include the 2010 runner up Kemp Richardson from the USA. Richardson is a very talented and experienced golfer and will be returning to Australia in another attempt to claim our national title. Following the Australian Seniors there are two important senior events in South Australia. Tony Mazzone will again host a 36hole senior tournament at The Grange Golf Club. This event always attracts a strong field of golfers from across Australia. As well as valuable senior ranking points the first prize also includes a bottle of vintage Grange wine. The following week the South Australian Senior Amateur will be played at Barmera Golf Club (near Renmark). Barmera is a par-72 cut into natural Riverland terrain and is very well regarded by South Australian golfers.

Stefan Albinski October sees the 2012 Victorian Senior Amateur Championship return to the very popular Rosebud Golf Club where Stefan Albinski is the defending champion. The Victorian Seniors also always attracts a large field and the Rosebud course is a great test for senior golfers. October is also the month for the Australian Senior Matchplay Championship which will move from Thirteenth Beach in Victoria to Twin Creeks Golf Club in NSW. Thirty two of Australia’s leading seniors will do battle for this national title as will eight more in the Over 65 years section. West Australian Alex Cleave was the inaugural winner of this new age category in 2011 and will be keen to make it two titles in a row. More information: www.ausoom.com •

Australian Senior Rankings Pos 1 2 3 4 5

Player Stefan Albinski Peter King Denis Dale Greg Corben Roy Vandersluis

State Events Avg NSW 7 156.7 QLD 8 99.00 NSW 7 96.14 NSW 7 95.75 NSW 7 90.80

Australian Senior Rankings NET Pos 1 2 3 4 5

Player Graham Blizard Stefan Albinski David Edwards Alan Buckley Paul H Walker

State Events Best 5 NSW 4 87.13 NSW 3 54.20 NSW 5 49.50 VIC 2 47.80 NSW 4 47.67

Ignatius Duivenvoorden from Yarram Golf Club has continued his good form in handicap events and leads on 1047 points in the handicap section of the Victorian Senior Order of Merit competition. Duivenvoorden has been consistent all year and has established a good lead over Commonwealth’s Graham Bone (919 points) and Narooma’s Wayne Aigner (835). In the open section for the Doug Bachli Trophy, recent events have not really changed the order at the top of the table. Yarra Yarra senior Michael Jackson maintains his lead over the defending champion Ross Percy (Cobram Barooga) with Colac’s Greg Welsh in third place. August is the much anticipated “Sandbelt Week” with senior tournaments scheduled for Royal Melbourne, Yarra Yarra, Kingston Heath and Victoria golf clubs. Following these events there are sure to be changes to both the handicap and open tables. Further information: www.golfvic.org.au.

Victorian Senior OOM Pos 1 2 3 4 5

Player Michael Jackson Ross Percy Greg Welsh John Wheeler Alan Bullas

Club Events Best 8 Yarra Yarra 11 1338 Cobram Barooga 9 1189 Colac 9 1060 The National 10 1039 Commonwealth 8 1019

Victorian Senior OOM HANDICAP Pos 1 2 3 4 5

Player Ignatius Duivenvoorden Graham Bone Wayne Aigner Alan Buckley Greg Welsh

Club Events Best 8 Yarram 11 1090 Commonwealth 8 919 Narooma 12 835 Commonwealth 8 805 Colac 9 680

NSW Gibbons leads in Over 65 Senior Order of Merit Penrith senior Clark Gibbons has established a good lead in the Over 65 section of the NSW Senior Order of Merit competition. Gibbons has played seventeen events and with the best twelve counting has gathered a total of 851 points. Gibbons leads from Vince Clark (The Lakes ) on 757 and Wollongong’s Alan Fensom with 726. Gibbons’ strong performances saw him selected in the NSW team to take on other states in the annual “Walking Stick” Trophy. This year the Walking Stick

was held in conjunction with the 2012 Queensland Senior Amateur Championship. In the open section of the NSW Senior Order of Merit for all senior golfers, the competition is the closest in the six-year history of the event. Currently Twin Creeks senior Denis Dale leads on a total of 1609 points with Greg Stanford (Mona Vale) just behind on 1600 points and Ross Bockman (Long Reef) third with 1590 points. There are quite a few other golfers close enough to claim the title by the end of the year. Greg Stanford is certainly the form senior golfer in the 2012 Order of Merit competition. His last three starts have seen a win at Cabramatta, a second place in the Oatlands Seniors and then another win at Pymble. With a total of four victories this season Stanford also leads the way with the most individual wins. There are still 16 events remaining in the 2012 NSW Senior Order of Merit Competition. Full details: www.golfnsw.org.

NSW Senior OOM Pos 1 2 3 4 5

Player Denis Dale Greg Stanford Ross Bockman Steve Gibson Graham Blizard

Club Twin Creeks Mona Vale Long Reef St Michael’s Twin Creeks

Events Best 12 15 1609 13 1600 14 1590 15 1485 8 1310

NSW Senior OOM OVER 65s Pos 1 2 3 4 5

Player Clark Gibbons Vince Clark Alan Fensom Tom Yates Bill Banks

Club Events Best 12 Penrith 17 851 The Lakes 8 757 Wollongong 16 726 Bexley 9 622 Royal Canberra 4 566

COMING SENIOR EVENTS: Aug 4-5

Aug 10 Aug 13 Aug 14 Aug 15 Aug 19-20 Sept 3-6 Sept 10 Sept 10-12 Sept 13-14 Sept 17-19 Sept 24

Seaside Classic – Port Macquarie NSW Royal Melbourne Seniors VIC Yarra Yarra Seniors VIC Kingston Heath Seniors VIC Victoria GC Seniors VIC Mollymook Seniors NSW Australian Senior Amateur – Yarra Yarra Kooindah Waters NSW Coomealla Senior Open VIC The Grange Seniors SA South Australian Seniors – Barmera GC Camden Seniors NSW

Recaps by Denis Dale

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events 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

Noosa Springs Ladies Series

Where: Noosa Springs When: 7 August Info: www.noosasprings.com.au

Now in its eighth year, this popular event attracts a friendly, competitive field from the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, 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. Play two of the three days in the series and you will automatically enter the grand draw for your chance to win one of four $250 golf shop vouchers. Cost includes lunch: $99 per player, per day (non members). Make it a mini golfing getaway by opting for the special Ladies Day package: Experience everything the awardwinning resort has to offer: luxury accommodation, championship golf, a new Eminence firm skin facial at the day spa, fine dining, state-of-the-art fitness centre, heated lap pool, tennis and nature walks.

August NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship

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The Women’s Weekend Tournament is an annual event held in the picturesque Hunter Valley. The event has been running since 2008 and has become increasingly popular with entries filling well before the closing date. The Women’s Weekend Tournament is open to female amateurs who hold a current Australian or overseas equivalent handicap. It is played over two days, with shotgun starts both days. The format is 18-holes single stableford on the first day, and 18-holes Best Ball

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Over 100 golfers will tee it up to battle heart disease next month. The North Shore Heart Research Foundation (NSHRF) is a small but effective charity (soon to go national) that has funded significant cardiac research, producing outcomes with a beneficial impact on treatment practises locally as well as worldwide. The Foundation has been funding life -saving heart research at Royal North Shore Hospital for the past 25 years; contributing over $20 million to the fight against heart disease. Contact shellee.duncan@heartresearch.com.au or on (02) 9436 0056.

Women’s Weekend Tournament

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Port Stephens Classic

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events Teams Event V Par on the second day. Competitors always enjoy the course with its challenging layout there is always a good story to be told at the 19th after playing a game at the Vintage. Entry Forms are available at www.golfnsw.org or contact Nicole Bessant, Events Coordinator nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105.

Veterans Carnival Golf Championship

Where: Various Courses When: 16th to 28th August Info: Ray Kahl 07 4936 2776, raykahl@iinet.net.au

The Central Queensland District Veteran Golfers Association cordially invites all Veteran Men and Women Golfers to join the fun at the 2012 Tropic of Capricorn Veteran Golfers Carnival. Each player must be a financial member of a Veterans Golf Club, a registered Golf Club and have a current AGU or WGA handicap. The 2012 Carnival Championships for Men and Women golfers will be decided on a points system based on both participation and success. Points will be allocated on results in all divisions to golfers who participate in these Open Events. Carnival winners must have completed in at least 5 of the days, one of which must be the C.Q. Open Championships. Winners must also be available for the presentation following golf on that day. Carnival Nomination forms and costings are available at www.cqdistvetsgolf.wetpaint.com Playing preferences will be provided to those golfers who compete in multiple events. All nomination forms and pay-ups must be in by 4pm on the 9th August.

Events and dates:

EMU PARK OPEN Thursday 16th August: Division 3 for Men & Women Friday 17th August: Div. 1 & 2 for Men & Women ROCKHAMPTON OPEN Monday 20th August CAPRICORNIA COUNTRY CLUB OPEN Tuesday 21st August YEPPOON OPEN Thursday 23rd August, Friday 24th August CAPRICORN RESORT OPEN Monday 27th August 9am shotgun start. Electric carts provided. Resort course: Men. Championship course: Women. C.Q. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS @ CAPRICORN RESORT Tuesday 28th August Electric carts provided. Championship course: Men. Resort course: Women.

September Women’s Country Meeting

Where: Various Clubs When: 3-6 September Info: www.golfnsw.org

The 2012 Women’s Country Meeting will be held over three days in September, Monday 3 at Concord Golf Club, Tuesday 4 at Bankstown Golf Club and Thursday 6 at Carnarvon Golf Club. This event is run by Golf NSW, and was developed exclusively for Country Women to participate and experience some of the more challenging Sydney Metropolitan golf courses. It is held at different venues each year to highlight and provide participation to as many Sydney Courses as possible. The format for the first two days of play at Concord and Bankstown are Divisions One and Two, 36-hole stroke, while Division 3 play a 36-hole Stableford event. The third and final day at Carnarvon is a Foursomes event which will be held in two divisions. Divisions for the event are determined after the close of entries. The Women’s Country Meeting is open to all female amateur golfers who hold a current handicap and are a member of a Golf NSW Country District Golf Club. Entry Forms are now available on the Golf NSW website or contact Nicole Bessant, Events Coordinator on nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105 for more information.

Women’s Coronation Medal

Queensland Sunshine Tour Date AUGUST Fri-Sat Wed Fri Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Sun Mon Thurs-Sun

3rd-4th 8th 10th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 19th 27th 30th-2nd

Tournament

Prize

Maryborough Riverlakes Noosa Par 3 Caloundra Mt Coolum Woodford Beerwah Horton Park Peregian Springs Pine Rivers Jeep Series - QLD Event

$17,500 $10,000 $15,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $12,000 $17,500 $10,000 $100,000

Golf NSW – August Calendar of Events Event Golf NSW Events NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship Women’s Golf Foundation Day Women’s Weekend Tournament

Where: Ryde-Parramatta and Concord Golf Clubs. When: 18 September Info: www.golfnsw.org The format for the competition is an 18-hole stroke handicap competition for teams of four players on handicaps from plus to 22. Each club entering the competition nominates the players to represent it and the courses on which each pair will compete. The Coronation Medal is awarded to the team with the best aggregate of four nett scores. Entry Forms are now available on the Golf NSW website or contact Nicole Bessant, Events Coordinator on nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105 for more information.

Mornington Peninsula Matchplay Tournament Where: Rosebud Country Club When: Sept 24-28 Info: www.rosebudcountryclub.com.au

Men’s Vardon Events Seaside Classic Morisset Open Amateur Pennant Hills Cup Twin Towns Amateur Cumberland Cup Mollymook Amateur Kooindah Waters Cup

Venue

Date(s)

Ryde-Parramatta GC

5 Aug

Avondale GC The Vintage GC

8 Aug 25-26 Aug

Port Macquarie GC Morissett GC Pennant Hills GC Cool/Tweed GC Cumberland GC Mollymook GC Kooindah Waters GC

4-5 Aug 11 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 25-26 Aug 26 Aug

Women’s Jean Derrin / Senior Order of Merit Events Monash Silver and Bronze Monash GC Salver Day Pambula Merimbula Open Pambula/Merimbula GC

7-8 Aug

Men’s Senior Order of Merit Events Seaside Senior Classic Port Macquarie GC

4-5 Aug

Pennant and Inter-Club Competitions Warren and Gibson Trophies R1 Warren and Gibson Trophies R2 Warren and Gibson Trophies R3 Warren and Gibson Trophies R4

5 Aug 12 Aug 19 Aug 26 Aug

Various Various Various Various

6 Aug

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

Open to male golfers over the age of 55, the event ensures all players compete on each of the four days. Competition on the first three days is played in the afternoon. Players are welcome to bring their partners. A separate women’s event will be played over three days. Entry ($160 for men and $120 for women) includes opening breakfast/brunch, closing lunch on the final day, free range balls all week and free buggy hire. There are also discounted rates for golf carts and prizes for every male golfer that enters. All players are welcome to tee up in the club’s midweek competition on the Wednesday rest day without paying a green fee. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Rosebud Country Club website or email rcc.marketing@rosebudcountryclub.com.au for further information.

Horizons Golf Charity Day for Breast Cancer Research Where: Horizons Golf Resort Port Stephens When: September 7 Info: enquiries@horizonsgolf.com.au This is a corporate golf charity day to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Proceeds from the day will be kindly donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (www.nbcf. org.au), the leading national not-for-profit organisation that is dedicated to supporting and promoting high quality research into the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer. For more information contact: Renee de Arman Brendon Stevens on 02 4982 0502, cafe@horizonsgolf.com.au or enquiries@horizonsgolf.com.au

A U S T R A L I A’ S M O S T R E A D G O L F M A G A Z I N E

Queensland PGA Sunshine Tour Proud Sponsors www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

events

October

Perth International

Where: Lake Karrinyup Country Club When: 18 to 21 October Info: www.perthinternational.com The new Perth International will capture the attention of golf fans internationally when it brings some of the world’s best players to Perth to compete for Australian golf’s richest prize purse. The Perth International is the only event on this year’s Australian tour to be sanctioned by the European Tour, creating the opportunity to attract big-name European players, with US$2 million prize money at stake. Tickets start at AU$44 and will be available online from mid July. Children aged 13 and under will enjoy free entry when accompanied by a paying adult.

Brookwater Championship Black Marker Challenge Where: Brookwater Golf & Country Club When: October 31 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 worldleading brand Titleist. The Brookwater Championship Marker Challenge has two more qualifying events –Wednesday 31 October. The entry fee is $90 per person, and is open to golfers with an official Golf Australia handicap.

NATADOLA BAY FIJI CLASSIC

Where: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa When: 24th–28th October Info: www.golfconcierge.com.au The inaugural Natadola Bay Fiji Classic is played on Fiji’s best golf course, Natadola Bay, with players staying in luxury at the

award-winning InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa. Players compete in a single stableford competition over 54 holes in carts at one of the South Pacific’s true hot spots. In two short years, Natadola Bay Golf Course has gained a worldwide reputation as one of the best golf courses in the South Pacific and has hosted a variety of events including the Fiji Open Championship and the Nomura Cup. The event offers over $10,000 worth of prizes, including daily and overall winners for men and ladies as well as lucky draw prizes. For more information on how to join this event and enjoy world class golf, luxury accommodation, social activities, fine food and build lifelong friendships, call Golf Concierge on 07 3857 1030 or visit www.golfconcierge.com.au.

November Australian Father and Son Open Golf Championship Where: Country Club Tasmania When: November 30 to December 2 Info: www.australianfatherandsongolf.com Share a memorable moment with your father or son in the upcoming 7th Annual Australian Father and Son Golf Championship. Last year, 50 teams of fathers and sons and even grandfathers and grandsons ventured to Tasmania for the two-ball aggregate stableford event. This year, organisers expect even more golfers to participate. There are two packages available for this year event: The first package is $585 per person and covers three nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, Villa Italiana gala dinner, welcome drinks and nibbles, trophy presentation, two days golf, logoed shirt, cap, bag tag and trophies. Alternatively, golfers can opt for the $195 per person package, which includes welcome drinks and nibbles, trophy presentation, two days golf, logoed shirt, cap, bag tag and trophies. For those wishing to attend the gala dinner, add $80 per person. For more information telephone (03) 6394 4158 or 0407 124 373, email eric.roberts7@bigpond.com or download the entry form from www.australianfatherandsongolf.com

Daddo Charity Golf Day

Where: Moonah Links Golf Course When: 23 November Info: www.independenceaustralia.com Daddo Charity Golf Day is one of Independence Australia’s largest fundraising events. The not-for-profit organisation supports people with a disability or other physical need to regain, retain and extend their independence. The Daddo family became involved with the charity after being personally touched by disability. Jamie Daddo was involved in a road accident, resulting in serious injury that now has him confined to a wheelchair. With the support of the Daddo family, the charity golf day is one not to be missed. Set at one of Victoria’s finest golf courses, Moonah Links, the day is comprised of a highly enjoyable round of golf, with prizes for the Longest drive and nearest the pin, the famous silent auction, winning teams, numerous activities around both courses and a delicious brunch and dinner spread. Prices: Single player registration $250. Team registration (4 players) $1,000 For more information or to purchase a team please visit www.independenceaustralia.com

Lifeline Northern Beaches Charity Golf Day Where: Long Reef Golf Club When: 13th November Info: www.lifelinenb.org.au Lifeline provides access to crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services and also provides national services and campaigns that promote emotional wellbeing, encourage help seeking, and address suicide prevention and awareness. Lifeline invite local businesses and community members to support this key fundraising opportunity by participating in an enjoyable day at Long Reef Golf Club. The 4-ball Ambrose event begins at 12.30 pm (Shotgun start, registration at 11am), and includes a light lunch, dinner and beverages. Individual packages start at $165. Teams: $650. Silver and Bronze sponsorship packages still available. For more information: Jayne Persico: 0421 527 574 or fundraising@lifelinenb.org.au

Tired of strangers grabbing your balls? Want to avoid awkward situations with your playing partners? Like hitting each others ball by mistake? Just visit our website at www.thatsmyball.com.au suits you to a tee. There’s heaps of designs to choose from, or you can design your own. Prices start at $14.95 plus postage. So why not check out our great range of golf ball stamps and accessories online today? Or if you prefer you can phone us on 1300 445 054. And keep your balls to yourself on the fairway.

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scorecard Thelen doubles up World Rankings as of July 17 Top 20 Australians 1. Adam Scott (13 in world rankings) 2. Jason Day (21) 3. John Senden (35) 4. Aaron Baddeley (50) 5. Geoff Ogilvy (55) 6. Greg Chalmers (63) 7. Marcus Fraser (78) 8. Marc Leishman (80) 9. Robert Allenby (100) 10. Brendan Jones (106) 11. Brad Kennedy (128) 12. Kurt Barnes (162) 13. Richard Green (176) 14. Nick O’Hern (182) 15. Rod Pampling (229) 16. Cameron Percy (289) 17. Scott Hend (291) 18. Kieran Pratt (292) 19. Jarrod Lyle (311) 20. Steven Conran (306)

Top 5 World Rankings 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Luke Donald (averaged points 9.55) Rory McIlroy (8.53) Lee Westwood (7.97) Tiger Woods (7.65) Webb Simpson (6.54)

Top 20 Rolex World Rankings in Australia 1. Karrie Webb (25 in world) 2. Katherine Hull (50) 3. Lindsey Wright (94) 4. Nikki Campbell (98) 5. Karen Lunn (143) 6. Frances Bondad (165) 7. Kristie Smith (169) 8. Stacey Keating (172) 9. Tamie Durdin (182) 10. Sarah Jane Smith (190) 11. Sarah Kemp (196) 12. Nikki Garrett (206) 13. Bree Arthur (236) 14. Rachel Bailey (247) 15. Rebecca Artis (273) 16. Stephanie Na (312) 17. Jessica Speechley (313) 18. Vicky Thomas (315) 19. Ashley Ona (380) 20. Julia Boland (409)

Top 5 Rolex Rankings 21. Yani Tseng (averaged points 15.86) 22. Na Yeon Choi (9.04) 23. Stacy Lewis (8.22) 24. Ai Miyazato (8.06) 25. Shanshan Feng (8.00) 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

Tim Thelen secured his maiden Senior Tour victory in thrilling fashion with a final round that included an albatross and a rampaging finish to hold off the challenges of some of the senior game’s biggest names at the Berenberg Bank Masters. With Peter Fowler, Barry Lane, Mark Mouland and Bernhard Langer piling on the back nine pressure, Thelen produced three birdies in his closing four holes to card a four under par 68 and slam the door closed on his first victory to secure the €60,000 first prize at the Golfclub Wörthsee in Munich. Seven days later, Thelen was again the victor, this time at the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open, resisting former Ryder Cup Captains Ian Woosnam and Mark James at the Golf Club Bad Ragaz to take home the €42,000 first prize. “I could get used to this feeling,” said Thelen after signing for a final round of three under par 67 that gave him an 12 under total and secured a two-shot win over James, with Woosnam a further shot back in third.

leaderboards LPGA U.S. Women’s Open Pos Ctry Player 1 Na Yeon Choi 2

Adam Scott

-6

64 67 68 75 274

Tiger Woods

-3

67 67 70 73 277

Brandt Snedeker

-3

66 64 73 74 277

72 68 73 67 280

Australia/NZ Scores T9 Geoff Ogilvy T19

Steve Alker

69 69 72 71 281

T34

John Senden

70 71 75 68 284

T45

Greg Chalmers

71 68 71 76 286

T69

Aaron Baddeley

10 71 71 74 74 290

T72

Brendan Jones

11 69 74 72 76 291

CUT

Nick Cullen

73 71 -

- 144

CUT

Marcus Fraser

71 73 -

- 144

CUT

Marc Leishman

69 75 -

- 144

CUT

Aaron Townsend

70 74 -

- 144

CUT

Ashley Hall

71 75 -

- 146

CUT

Robert Allenby

75 72 -

- 147

CUT

Brad Kennedy

75 73 -

- 148

Troy Matteson

Scott Piercy 3 Australia/NZ Scores John Senden 4

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Roger Chapman completed a historic double with his victory at the U.S. Senior Open in Michigan. Chapman, also a winner of the Senior PGA Championship in May, is only the fourth player to win both events in the same year. He etched his name into the history books Sunday with a final-round 4-under 66 at Indianwood Golf & Country Club that included what he called the best shot of his career. Leading by one shot on the tee at the 195-yard par-3 17th, Chapman sent his Pro V1 golf ball to tap-in range. “I hit my career shot,” he said. Chapman finished the event at 10-under 270, two clear of Bernhard Langer, Fred Funk, Tom Lehman and Corey Pavin.

WEB.COM TOUR

Doug LaBelle II rallied to win his second Web.com Tour title at the Utah Championship, rolling his Pro V1x in for par from 5 feet on the 18th hole to win by one shot. LaBelle, who trailed by five shots at the beginning of the day, closed with a 3-under 68 for a 15-under 269 total, one shot clear of four players.

PGA TOUR Potter pips Kelly in playoff Ted Potter Jr. converted a 4-foot birdie putt on the third hole of a sudden death playoff to top Troy Kelly at the Greenbrier Classic. He overcame a four-stroke deficit with four holes to play, finishing with his second straight 6-under 64 to match Kelly at 16-under 264. Potter made long putts for a birdie at No. 15 and an eagle at No. 17, and his 5-footer for birdie at No. 18 tied Kelly.

2012 Worldwide Ball Count

ARE YOU ON - TEAM TITLEIST ANZ? Bubba Watson Pro V1x

Katherine Hull

CHAMPIONS TOUR

Total R1 R2 R3 R4 Strk -7 67 70 68 68 273

T57

Pos Ctry Player Zach Johnson 1

Els captures the Claret Jug

Pos Ctry Player 1 Ernie Els

Karrie Webb

73 72 69 71 285

71 70 74 74 289

74 72 79 75 300

75 72 81 74 302

75 73 81 76 305

John Deere Classic

IN BRIEF

SOUTH African Ernie Els fired a final-round two-under 68 to capture his second Claret Jug and fourth Major championship, following a final round collapse by Adam Scott. With a four-shot cushion and four holes to play, it was Scott’s tournament to lose. But a few critical mistakes – including a costly missed green on the 17th – saw him bogey the last four holes and hand the championship to Els via a five-over-par 75. ‘’I know I’ve let a really great chance slip through my fingers today,’’ said Scott. ‘’But somehow I’ll look back and take the positives from it. I don’t think I’ve ever played this well in a major championship, so that’s a good thing for me moving forward. All the stuff I’m doing is going in the right direction. Today is one of those days, and that’s why they call it golf.’’ Scott wasn’t the only golfer to stumble on the final day, as most of Sunday’s top-10 leaders went backwards, including Tiger Woods, Brandt Snedeker and Graeme McDowell.

T50

-3

PGA TOUR

EUROPEAN TOUR

The Open Championship

Amy Yang

3 Sandra Gal Australia/NZ Scores T39 Lydia Ko

Total R1 R2 R3 R4 Strk -7 71 72 65 73 281

2012 Worldwide Wins

5,000

789

Total R1 R2 R3 R4 Strk -20 68 65 66 65 264 -20

61 68 66 69 264

-18

65 69 67 65 266

-17

69 64 67 67 267

T25

Stuart Appleby

-11

66 69 67 71 273

T30

Danny Lee

-10

70 68 70 66 274

Nathan Green

67 69 72 76 284

CUT

Steven Bowditch

-1

74 67 -

- 141

CUT

Nick O’Hern

68 74 -

- 142

CUT

Matt Jones

68 75 -

- 143

CUT

Rod Pampling

72 71 -

- 143

CUT

Mathew Goggin

73 71 -

- 144

CUT

Gavin Coles

74 72 -

- 146

EURO TOUR

Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Pos Ctry Player 1 Jeev Milkha Singh

Total R1 R2 R3 R4 Strk -17 66 70 68 67 271

Francesco Molinari

-17

62 70 67 72 271

Alexander Noren

-16

66 66 70 70 272

Marc Warren T3 Australia/NZ Scores Richard Green T24

-16

68 69 64 71 272

-11

68 69 67 73 277

T47

Marcus Fraser

-7

69 71 69 72 281

CUT

Aaron Baddeley

-3

69 72 -

- 141

CUT

Brett Rumford

-2

72 70 -

- 142

CUT

Matthew Zions

-1

74 69 -

- 143

CUT

Andrew Dodt

72 75 -

- 147

Alstom Open de France Pos Ctry Player Marcel Siem 1

Total R1 R2 R3 R4 Strk -8 68 68 73 67 276

Francesco Molinari

-7

71 68 74 64 277

Raphael Jacquelin

-6

68 71 70 69 278

David Lynn

-5

67 72 72 68 279

Ian Poulter

-5

72 69 69 69 279

-5

70 70 67 72 279

David Howell T4 Australia/NZ Scores Mic hael Campbell T11

-2

71 74 70 67 282

CUT

Marcus Fraser

70 76 -

- 146

CUT

Brett Rumford

73 76 -

- 149

CUT

Robert Allenby

71 79 -

- 150

CUT

Matthew Zions

72 79 -

- 151

Andrew Dodt

71 -

Richard Green

74 -

The Irish Open Pos Ctry Player Jamie Donaldson 1

Total R1 R2 R3 R4 Strk -18 68 67 69 66 270

Rafael Cabrera-Bello

-14

71 67 70 66 274

Fabrizio Zanotti

-14

69 71 68 66 274

T2 Anthony Wall Australia/NZ Scores Matthew Zions T18

-14

67 71 67 69 274

-9

66 71 73 69 279

CUT

Brett Rumford

-1

72 71 -

- 143

CUT

Andrew Dodt

75 70 -

- 145

CUT

Richard Green

73 74 -

- 147

CUT

Michael Campbell

73 79 -

- 152

CUT

Eamonn Brady

80 76 -

- 156

UNWAVERING TRUST. MAJOR SUCCESS.

Champion Connect 2012 withMasters Titleist product experts, tour pros and fellow brand loyalists. Be the first to receive new product info and announcements. Keep track of your scores and©2012 key Acushnet golf stats. (And more!) Company. Based upon results through 20/4/2012 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

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Class of 2011 jockey for positions record, has earned $260,601 and is in 158th place on the money list. He’ll need to get on his bike if he has ambitions of continuing playing with the big boys. At the time of writing, nine of the 25 graduates from last year’s Web.com Tour are inside the top-125 on the US PGA Tour while a couple have a chance of sneaking in before the season’s end. Here’s the full list of the 2011 Web.com graduates with their current earnings on the US PGA Tour taken after the John Deere Classic (July 16, 2012). •

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

AT the end of 2011, 16 Americans, two Aussies, two Swedes, a South African, Scotsman, Kiwi, Englishman and an Argentinean qualified to play on the US PGA Tour. The eclectic group graduated from the Nationwide Tour (now Web.com Tour) to the world-richest tour as the top-25 players on the secondary tour’s money list. It’s a tough school and it’s always a mad scramble to finish inside the top-25 as it gives the players a ticket to the US PGA Tour where $6m-plus purses are the norm compared to $500,000 to $600,000 purses on the Web. com Tour. As we get down to the business end of the season, Inside Golf went in search of last year’s secondary tour graduates to see how they were acquitting themselves in the big league. Well, we found a winner – Ted Potter Jr. Just last month the American captured the Greenbrier Classic and banked a cheque for close to $1.1m taking his earning for the year to $1,284,518. Potter Jr, who finished second on the Web. com Tour’s money list last year, jumped from 167th to 43rd on money list. Ah, what a difference a week makes. But it’s Matt Every who has set the pace on the money list with more than $1.3m in earnings already. While he has only made eight cuts from 16 starts he has managed five top-10s including a second and a third place. Then there is Ken Duke. He has made 16 cuts from 21 outings, had six top-10 results

2012 2011 played / pos cuts made Matt Every (US) 18th 16/8 Ken Duke (US) 7th 21/16 Ted Potter Jr (US) 2nd 17/8 Jonus Blixt (Swe) 5th 14/8 Martin Flores (US) 24th 22/13 John Mallinger (US) 14th 18/10 Troy Kelly (US) 11th 16/7 Roberto Castro (US) 23rd 17/13 Billy Hurley III (US) 25th 20/7 Gary Christian (Eng) 9th 19/11 Kyle Reifers (US) 16th 20/12 Mark Anderson (US) 22nd 17/9 Erik Compton (US) 13th 18/12 Scott Brown (US) 8th 16/4 JJ Killeen (US) 1st 25/11 Danny Lee (NZ) 6th 20/10 Jason Kokrak (US) 4th 19/6 Miguel Angel Carbello (Arg) 10th 17/9 Garth Mulroy (RSA) 21st 13/6 Gavin Coles (Aust) 17th 15/9 Steve Wheatcroft (US) 20th 14/5 Mathew Goggin (Aus) 3rd 15/5 Russell Knox (Scot) 12th 15/4 Daniel Chopra (Swe) 19th 13/2 Kyle Thompson (US) 15th 15/0 Player

It will be an uphill battle for Mat Goggin to retain his PGA TOUR card for next year (Photo courtesy PGA of Australia) and he, too, has made his bank manager happy more than $1.3m in earnings. The 43-year-old has been around the traps for a while and has career earnings of more than $6.5m. The trio will keep their cards for next year, but what of the other 22 graduates? First, let’s take a look at the Aussies. Mat Goggin, who last year was third on the money list, has played 15 events, made just five cuts and is languishing in 196th place with less

than $100,000 in prizemoney. He’s better than that, but unless he can turn his game around quickly, he will almost certainly be back on the Web.com Tour. Gavin Coles, too, has a battle on his hands to retain his card as he is in 184th position with just under $150,000 in prizemoney after making nine cuts from 14 starts. And what about JJ Killeen, the man who won twice last year and topped the money list? The Texan has a 25/11 played/cuts made

Pos

Earnings

38th 40th 43rd 71st 76th 84th 90th 111th 122nd 141st 142nd 152nd 148th 151st 158th 159th 160th 164th 171st 184th 193rd 196th 198th 211th -

$1,375,925 $1,347,930 $1,284,518 $873,798 $818,839 $766,490 $740,444 $581,968 $465,210 $351,922 $374,822 $299,662 $325,385 $302,849 $260,601 $257,252 $242,296 $224,041 $196,745 $149,780 $106,373 $97,935 $95,160 $57,200 $0

FOOTNOTE: In 2011, 89 players earned more than $1m on the US PGA Tour and the player who finished in 125th position, DJ Trahan, earned a tad over $668,000.

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troppo

Tales from the Troppo John Downs and the bus Wally Wright ed@insidegolf.com.au

In the winter of 1980, ten good men (and golfers) hired a bus and set off on a trailblazing tour throughout country Queensland that would revolutionise professional golf in the Sunshine State. The Queensland PGA Sunshine Tour began in 1972, but by the late 70’s, the tour had started to fizzle out for a variety of reasons. At the same point in time, John Downs, from Nudgee Golf Club in Brisbane’s north, was travelling around rural Queensland, giving lessons and selling golf clubs as an employee of Australia’s pioneering club manufacturer, Denis Brosnan. As he drove from town to town, John realised that all of these communities embraced their golf clubs with a passion that couldn’t be matched by those situated in Queensland’s more densely populated south-east corner. He saw potential for these rural golf clubs to host annual ProAm tournaments, so he started knocking on doors and compiling a possible schedule. His experience at the 1979 Emerald Pro-Am put to rest any doubts he may have had about expanding the Sunshine Tour. Only 16 professionals put their hand up to play Emerald’s nine hole course, which meant they would each have to play 36 holes in a day, 18 in the morning with four amateurs and 18 in the afternoon with another group of four. After the golf was finished, John and his fellow pros, along with what seemed like the entire township, stayed on at the club until the early hours of the morning. The day was a roaring success. This was the future. By the time the 1980 season rolled around, John had organised a jam-packed schedule that included nearly 50 Pro-Ams, spanning from Gayndah as far north as Cairns and west to Mt.Isa, and everything in between. As a way to minimise costs, John decided to hire a bus to transport the majority of his fellow professionals. Now, this bus was not the deluxe ‘penthouseon-wheels’ that you see players like Phil Mickelson driving around these days, it was your stock-standard hire bus; 10 seats for 10 bodies, with 10 sets of golf clubs strapped to the roof. Amongst the group of long-haired, moustachioed professionals that came along for the ride were two future major champions in Wayne Grady and Ian Baker-Finch and several others that would go on to have very successful playing careers in Australia and overseas. After a few weeks of touring through places like Biloela, Maryborough, Rockhampton and Yeppoon, certain members of the touring party began to take ownership of particular seats on the bus. Baker-Finch and Downs were either behind the wheel or riding shotgun. Behind them was Grady and

The ‘Troppo Tour’ lads on a

day trip to South Molle Isla nd

his sand-wedge, which he often used as a conductor’s wand to harmonize the voices of those singing along to the radio. Paul Foley was always at the rear, hurling empty beer cans at speed-limit signs. Despite the fact that they were living in each other’s pockets, every player was still extremely competitive when they teed it up. Downs organised an Order of Merit, with the winner receiving a return trip to the British Open, because in those days, Australian players were required to play in the qualifying rounds. They also played hard off the course, which is the main reason why the Troppo Tour became so popular. “The great thing about that group in 1980, was that they weren’t just good players, they were very social,” said Downs. “After every Pro-Am, all the players were the last to leave the clubhouse.” Jack Newton once said that the reason why Queensland has produced so many world-class golfers is because ‘they grow up playing crap courses’. Downs agrees that the difficult conditions forced the players to become more creative and skilful shot-makers. “We played a number of rough courses and you had to learn to hit all these different shots,” said Downs. John also says the invariable hangovers and long days on the road, bred a dogged mental toughness that is an absolute must for any aspiring professional golfer. “Because so many of us were playing with horrendous hangovers, you had to concentrate hard just to hit the ball, let alone post a number.” Tours of this nature don’t just create

long-lasting memories but they forge lifelong friendships. John vividly remembers the phone call he received from BakerFinch, the day after ‘IBF’ won The British Open in 1991. Downs recalls: “IBF rang me and said: ‘I’m coming home for two weeks. Get all the boys together.” “About 30 of us went to the Brekky Creek Hotel to celebrate with IBF. He placed the Claret Jug on the bar and gave $3000 to the bartender. It was a great night.” In 1986, John’s father, Jack, who had been the Club Professional at Nudgee Golf Club since 1946, retired, so John decided to end his Troppo Tour involvement as a player and take over from his father. He did however remain on as Tournament Director and President of the Queensland PGA until 1989. To give you an idea of how much the Tour grew under his leadership, total prizemoney in 1978 was approximately $50,000 and by 1985 the total purse was nudging $1 million, although John admits that by the midto-late 80’s there were too many players on the Tour, which made it hard for some players to break even. It is ironic that the man, who played such an integral role in the success of the ‘Troppo Tour’, has a strong dislike of the catchy name that has been synonymous with the Sunshine Tour ever since that Tour of 1980. “I always thought Sunshine Tour had a bit more class to it,” said Downs. As to where the ‘Troppo’ tag originated from, Downs says with a broad grin: “I’m not sure, I guess some blokes just went a bit Troppo!” • www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

amateur golf

Speaking up for amateur golf David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

LESTER Peterson, one of Australia’s best-ever amateur golfers, says leading amateur golfers need not switch to the play-for-pay ranks to benefit from the game. A prolific winner, Peterson captured national titles in Austria, New Zealand, Malaysia and Argentina and twice finished runner-up in the Australian Amateur Championship. The 51-year-old New South Welshman represented Australia more than 30 times and his state between 1984 and 2005. He has lost count of the number of tournaments he has won, but should he win another tournament before 2020 it would mean he has lifted the winner’s trophy in five different decades. In a wide-ranging interview with Inside Golf, Peterson said amateur golf had a lot to offer the elite players. “For the leading amateurs, there are a lot of benefits staying an amateur,” said Peterson, who plays off +1. “When I was playing top amateur golf some of the scholarship schemes were starting to come into vogue and you got quite a few trips around the place. “These days there are a lot more trips for amateurs. The amateurs who turn pro too soon — and a lot of them do — seem to fall in a hole quite quickly.

GREAT WALL: Lester Peterson visits China’s Great Wall. INSET: Gary Wolstenholme. “I don’t know why they turn pro. If you can’t beat the amateurs most of the time you are going to find it hard as a professional. “One or two might do okay, but as a general rule you are not going to do that well as a pro.” In his long and distinguished amateur career, Peterson has teed it up against some of the world’s best players including Greg Norman, Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Padraig Harrington et al. In fact, he defeated Harrington en route to winning the Argentinean Amateur Championship.

He said Norman was the best player he has shared a round with although Tiger was just starting his journey when they played together. Early in his amateur career, Peterson regularly locked horns with players of the calibre of Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Greg Chalmers, Geoff Ogilvy, Craig Parry, Peter O’Malley and Brett Ogle. They have all gone on to make millions of dollars from the game, but Peterson is not envious. “I like to play golf because I like to play golf and not because I have to play golf,” said Peterson,

who now works as a pilot with Qantas Link. “If I could turn back the clock 20 years would I do something different? Maybe, maybe not. “I can’t complain because I have been lucky enough to play with Tiger, Greg (Norman), Faldo, Woosnam and a lot of these players. “I have played everywhere from Scandinavia to Japan to Argentina, the US, the UK and other places and it hasn’t cost me an arm and a leg.” Peterson said he might have been tempted to try his luck as a professional if there weren’t any strings attached. “It would have been interesting if someone had said ‘you can go and play the US PGA Tour for a year and see how you go and at the end of it you are back as an amateur and no questions asked’.” Another former top amateur, Englishman Gary Wolstenholme, also highlighted the benefits of amateur golf. He, too, chose to stay in the amateur ranks and won 11 top amateur tournament including two (British) Amateur Championships and events in China, South Africa, Wales, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates. Between 1995 and 2005, he represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup and Eisenhower Cup. He told Phil Goodlad from the BBC (Scotland) playing golf was not just about money. “It’s what the game is able to do for you,” he said. “I was given this marvellous opportunity to compete – why would I want to turn professional?” Wolstenholme did eventually turn pro at 48 in 2008 and has won three European Senior Tour titles. Last year, he won the Australian Senior Open, an event Peterson played in.

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amateur golf “I was a little disappointed with the way I played,” Peterson said. “I had nine three putts for the week and finished nine shots behind the winner (Gary Wolstenholme) and in about 10th spot. “When you consider players like Wayne Grady, Ian Baker-Finch and those guys were playing it shows I have still got some idea how to play.” Still, Peterson is content with his decision to remain in the amateur ranks despite starting his working life as a garbo for the council. “When I first left school I worked as a garbo because it gave me time to play golf,” he said. “I was a garbo in the morning and played and practised in the afternoon. “When I decided pro golf wasn’t for me I went out and got my pilot’s licence, which I have had for 30 years.” Peterson said he would have liked to have played in the Open Championship, something he came close to doing in 1986. “I tried to qualify for the Open at Turnberry and got though as an alternate,” he explained. “I was able to play the practice rounds and share the practice range with Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and all the other great players. “At the time, I thought ‘I must be doing something right’. “Even though I didn’t get to play, just to be part of the atmosphere was pretty good. It was the years after that that I played my best golf. “But I did play in the British Amateur six or seven times and the US Amateur once.” Peterson also spoke to Inside Golf about a range of subjects.

Tiger Woods

“I played with Tiger when he won his first US Amateur Championship. “His swing back then wasn’t that great, but he knew his limitations, had a good short game and made the most of it.”

Pro-Am success in Tropical Queensland

HIGH FLYER: Captain Peterson (right) with Qantas Link crew.

Playing strength

“I was consistent. I was never a long hitter, but I very rarely missed the fairways and I had a good short game. “I also played pretty smart and knew my limitations. Keeping the ball in play and having a good short game were the things that helped me.”

On today’s amateurs

“If I could drive the ball as far as some of the young guys today I would never shoot over par, but it doesn’t seem to work that way. “The kids have the technology to help them and, like most sports, it shows 90 per cent is in the head rather than how you play.

A Third Line to Help Golfers Improve

“It’s how they transition, what they do with their talent and how they manage it that makes the difference.”

On amateur publicity

“You don’t get a lot of publicity for amateur golf these days. “When I first started playing at the Interstate Series and Australian Amateur there was something in the (metropolitan) newspapers each day. “These days it’s the smaller towns where it gets a mention. Publicity has got less and less over the years.”

Ideal foursome

“I would like to play with Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods (to see how his game has developed) and my brother Martin.” •

Making the Best Use of the FC200S

The shortest cut to improving at golf is knowing the correct swing and repeatedly checking it. The camera is equipped with a line function as standard, and amateur golfers can now easily check their line by filming their swing. A third line has been added to the new model (increasing the standard when checking) which enables the swing to be checked in detail with a single playback. Make the best possible use of the FC200S and aim at improving your level. Tour Pro Coach: Kenji Horio Strict Tutelage

FC200S

The FC200S has evolved even further A third line makes it possible to check swings in greater detail. Other specialized golfing points are introduced below.

Improvement Lessons

The Queensland Sunshine Tour returned to Tropical North Queensland last month to play three Pro-Ams with the professionals playing for $47,500 in prizemoney. Pro-Ams were played at two world-class resort courses in Sea Temple and Paradise Palms, before the professionals made the two-hour drive down the coast to Tully. Kurt Carlson found the Sea Temple layout to his liking on his way to victory after recording rounds of 69, 67 for a six-under-par total. Carlson finished one shot clear of Marcus Cain, while Luke Marino, Henry Epstein and Daniel Morrison all tied for third a further shot behind. Many professionals decided to take in the sights of Port Douglas before making their way down to Paradise Palms, a golf course that has previously hosted two Cairns Classics and is rated one of the most difficult courses in Queensland. Victorian Andrew Kelly enjoyed the warmth, shooting a course record eight-underpar 64 in the opening round. Kelly backed it up with a 67 to run away with the Paradise Palms Pro-Am by seven shots over Marcus Cain and Steven Jeffress. The Tully Golf Club was the final stop for the professionals and one that many held close to their heart. Tully had been through so much hardship over the past four years with cyclones and flooding and for the community to be able to host a professional tournament was an amazing achievement. Once again it took a course record to walk away with the win, with Mitchell Brown firing a seven-under-par 64. Tony Carolan and Kurt Carlson had to settle for a tied second finish, one shot back. The Queensland Sunshine Tour was once again a great success in Tropical North Queensland with many new clubs looking to be part of the tour in 2013. •

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1.1. Maintain a forwarda tiltforward when swinging Maintain tilt when swinging Align the third with the of thethe backbone Align theline third linelinewith line when of the backbone when addressing the ball. This will make it easier to check addressing the ball. This will make it easier to check the swing the swing plane and the forward tilt during the swing during the swing at the same time. If at plane the sameand time.the If theforward swing planetilt is kept the swing plane is kept sandwiched between the blue and redsandwiched lines and the between the blue and red forward is maintained over the green from the linestiltand the forward tilt islinemaintained over the green line from start swing to impactthrough and follow to through, theof the start ofthrough the swing impact and follow through, the the orbit and direction of the swing should be dramatically orbit and direction of the swing should be dramatically improved.

5. Master the correct method of shifting your 3. Ensure the correct address for3.theEnsure target the correct address for the target Strangely enough, very few golfers are able to enough, very few golfers are able to address the weight Strangely ball address the ball in the right direction for the target. Align the vertical (blue) lines with the inside of your in the right direction for the target. Failure to address thetoes ballon both feet, and align the horizontal (red) lines Failure to address the ball correctly makes it easier correctly to slice or hook the ball. Align the three lines so makes it easier to slice or hook the ball. Align the withthree the top of your head and the tips of your toes. so that of the that they overlap at a point betweenlines the position of they overlap at a point between the positionAlign the center of your chest (solar plexus) with the the ball and a point midway up the legs. willa point midway up the legs. This will make it very left-hand ballThis and easyblue line that stretched vertically from your make it very easy to check that you to are check addressing toes when topping the ball, and make sure that the that you are addressing the ball in the correct direction the ball in the correct direction for the target. center of your chest (solar plexus) is aligned with the for the target.

5. Master the correct method of shifting your weight

Check your during posture during the address 2.2. Check your posture the address The address when the toes, The idealideal address is when theistoes, the knees and thethe knees and the center center of theshoulder shoulder blades are aligned vertically invertically in relation to the of the blades are aligned relation to the ground. If your center of gravity is ground. If your center of gravity allowed is allowed to lean forward or to lean forward or backward during the address or your backward during the address or your posture is bad, you will posture is bad, you will not be able to align yourself into a not be able to align yourself into a straight line. Aligning your straight line. Aligning your toes, knees and shoulder toes,withknees and blades with blades the green line shoulder will enable you to maintain yourthe green line will enable balance during the swing.your This willbalance result in a during stable swing you to maintain the swing. This will result axis and allow you to repeat the same swing every time. in a stable swing axis and allow you to repeat the same swing every time.

Betheconscious of your left axis during the swing6. Maintain a triangle during approaches and when 4. Be conscious of your left axis4. during swing Align both lines from the tips of yourAlign toes onboth the leftlines from the tips of your toes on the left and putting right and right feet with the top of your head. alignthe the top of your head. Then align the third line atCreate feetThen with a a triangle by aligning the lines from the top of third line at a position that joins the tips of your left and the position that joins the tips of your left and right toes in ordergriptoalong the insides of both arms when addressing the right toes in order to create a triangle. The ideal shot is ball. If your arms return to the same position as the address create a triangle. The ideal shot is achieved by making sure that achieved by making sure that your body remains within after starting the swing (stroke) and the impact, then you are your body this triangle from the start of the swing through to remains within this triangle from the start of the doingswing fine. Your hands will need to move first slightly during impact and follow-through. Make a particular througheffort to toimpact and follow-through. Make a particular approaches, effort toand in this event it is desirable to make check that your head and knees do not move that too faryour head and knees do not move too far away check surefrom your body does not move outside the blue line. away from the red line at the point of impact. the red line at the point of impact.

6. Maintain a triangle during approaches and when putting

improved.

right-hand blue line at the finish. Being able to do this will ensure that you shift your weight correctly.

Align the vertical (blue) lines with the inside of your toes on both feet, and align the horizontal (red) lines with the top of your head and the tips of your toes. Align the center of your chest (solar plexus) with the left-hand blue line that stretched vertically from your toes when topping the ball, and make sure that the center of your chest (solar plexus) is aligned with the right-hand blue line at the finish. Being able to do this will ensure that you shift your weight correctly.

Create a triangle by aligning the lines from the top of the grip along the insides of both arms when addressing the ball. If your arms return to the same position as the address after starting the swing (stroke) and the impact, then you are doing fine. Your hands will need to move first slightly during approaches, and in this event it is desirable to make sure your body does not move outside the blue line.

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

legends tour

Deano and The Don Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

When those of us greying, hair-receding (yet ludicrously talented) Senior Tour players chose to change the name of our brand to “EZ GO Legends Tour”, we figured we had plenty of Legends of the Game to back this up. We knew we had Major Champions, National Champions and winners of tournaments all over the world plus an amazing array of Legends from all other walks of life. We actually have a former International racing car driver who won The Bathurst 1000, a past Australian Kickboxing Champion, household names in TV and Radio commentary (well, household names in MY household anyway), world-renowned golf course architects and even a 12-time world amputee golf champion and recipient of an Order of Australia Medal by the Queen. Throw in some of the greatest yarn tellers on the globe and you would reckon you’d have more than enough Legends to warrant the name. Well, just when I thought we were full to the brim, up bobs another name synonymous with the term Legend. Former Aussie Cricket great Dean Jones announced to the world he was redirecting his talents from the cricket pitch to the fairways and turning professional to play the EZ GO Australian Legends Tour. The 51-yearold has had a long-term love affair with golf and has played at an extremely high level as an amateur. Dean was spurred on by his thirdplace finish behind Legend Tour Stars David Good and Terry Price in the 2011 Victorian Senior Open and there were murmurings he was considering turning pro. It’s now official, and Dean will commence his play for cash golf career on the Queensland leg

August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

of the Tour this month. I caught up with Dean for a hard-hitting, cutting edge, Q&A (Larry style, that is). Question: We knew you were a keen golfer, but when did you decide to try your hand at the Professional Tour? Dean: “I’d been playing golf since I was young, but after winning some amateur stuff over the past four years, I have really become keen. Being a competitive bloke I felt there was a bit of a void and I love playing golf. The past couple of years I had a thought that I would love to take my competitive nature and turn it into golf.” Q: You have played in a few Legends Events as an amateur, what have you taken from that experience? Dean: “It’s been fantastic how generous the guys on the Legends Tour are. I can’t believe the difference between golf pros and cricketers where the Senior Tour Players seem to always want to help you. In cricket, not so much. Since turning pro, I’ve had that many guys from the tour contact me and welcome me onto the circuit, it’s been just brilliant.” Q: Where are you planning to play? Dean: “Definitely the Australasian Tour and some events in Asia. I still do a lot of commentary in India and if I go to England to cover the Ashes I will try and get some starts on the European Seniors Tour.” Q: Are there any technical similarities in golf and cricket at this level. Dean: “It’s actually totally different to cricket where you spend your whole career trying to keep the bat straight and stop yourself hitting across the line. In golf you must allow the club to release through the ball and go back around your body. Otherwise you could kill an unsuspecting spectator fielding in the covers.”

Aussie cricket legend Dean Jones aims to bring his competitive nature to the links. Rounding out the interview, I was relieved to hear my dwindling credibility as a golf writer had not been tarnished by Dean when I asked if the story involving Sir Don Bradman and him on a golf course was true (mainly because I’ve been telling people the yarn for years in the hope that it was.) Many years ago, Dean and The Don were playing a friendly match at Kooyonga in Adelaide. When they arrived at the 18th tee, Dean proceeded to draw an iron from his bag to play for safety. Sir Don was a little surprised with this and said, “When I was your age I used to take a driver and hit it over that tree on the corner towards the green”. Dean couldn’t refuse the challenge, removed the head cover and belted his tee shot as hard as he could. Sadly, his ball caught the top of the tree and finished right behind it. Sir Don responded with, “Of course, when I was your age that tree was only three feet high.” •

DID YOU KNOW?

• Dean Jones played 52 Test matches for Australia with an average of 46.55 and 164 One Day Internationals with an average of 44.61. • Jones lives in the Victorian country town of Romsey with wife Jane and daughters Phoebe and Gus. • In 2006 Jones was awarded an AM after his incredible 2003 charity walk from Sydney to Melbourne over 32 days that covered over 1200km and raised $1.2 million for the Bone Marrow Donor Institute. • Jones’ role as a cricket commentator has taken him to India on an incredible 101 occasions. • Dean was named in the Australian ODI Team of the Century

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on tour

Senden goes back to the future Senden and Simpson started the final round tied for eighth, however, Senden played the final nine holes in three-over par while Simpson was oneunder on the back nine. That was the difference between winning and losing. “I had my chances at the US Open,” Senden said. “But the Olympic course was tough and if you have a few bogeys and get behind there aren’t any real opportunities to make it up. “The golf course was fair because it gave everyone a chance – even the shorter hitters. You just had to hit it straight and keep it on the fairways.” Senden’s best finish in a major was a tie for fourth at the 2007 US PGA Championship. •

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

ONE of the world’s best golfers was in Brisbane recently and his visit almost went unnoticed. John Senden, the world number 35, took a mid-season break from his hectic US PGA Tour schedule to catch up with family and friends and to help foster junior golf. Not even an unusually cold and rainy day in the Queensland capital could prevent him from returned to Keperra Country Golf Club. The 2006 Australian Open champion and pride of Keperra ventured out to his old stomping ground for the Greg Norman Golf Foundation two-day Titleist Winter Classic where he proved popular with scores of junior golfers all eager to get a photograph taken with him and grab his autograph. “Keperra is where I started my golf,” Senden told the assembled and well-behaved juniors prior to the presentation of trophies and prizes. “I remember Dad bringing me here in 1982 … even before I was a member. “Keperra was a great place to learn to play golf. Back then, there were a couple hundred junior members and we had a great time because there was a lot going on at the club. “At that time the juniors were very strong and I am pleased to see so many junior golfers here today. “It’s good to have the Greg Norman Golf Foundation helping keep junior golf strong in Queensland. “I have been lucky enough to have had a few games with Greg Norman and he has helped me with my career,” Senden said. “It’s a good

GATHER ROUND: John Senden mixes it with Greg Norman Golf Foundation junior members. feeling to have that support. “I am also enjoying being back at Keperra and I urge all the junior golfers here to keep playing this great game.” Since his US PGA Tour break-through win at the John Deere Classic in 2006, Senden has continued to improve and can never be discounted – even in the majors. Sure, the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and others are the dominant personalities, but it’s players like Senden who prove that professional golf is the ultimate sporting meritocracy. I caught up with Senden to discuss his scheduling and plans for the remainder of the year and ask if he thinks he can win a major. Polite and engaging, he ponders the questions before giving his answer. “I don’t think about the possibilities,” he said. “I am just focussing on being the best golfer I can be.

“If you don’t think about winning majors or being number 35 in the world things will fall into place.” Clearly, Senden relishes the attention he has generated for himself, but he is definitely not getting ahead of himself. Last year the 41-year-old was desperately hoping Presidents Cup International Team captain Greg Norman would pick him to play against the Americans at Royal Melbourne. Unfortunately, he was overlooked but if the team were picked today Senden wouldn’t need a captain’s pick as he has risen to number six on the International Team. That’s something else he is not contemplating because it all hypothetical considering the next Presidents Cup is more than 12 months away. Still, Senden is getting closer in the majors. He had his chances at the US Open at the Olympic Club where he finished in a tie for 10th just four shots behind winner Webb Simpson.

QLD (07) 3807 8895 NSW/ACT (02) 9972 7705

August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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FOOTNOTE: John Senden did his Traineeship at Keperra Country Golf Club under the guidance of then Head Professional Ian Triggs, who remains Senden’s coach. Peter Senior is another who kickstarted his golf career at Keperra.

JOHN SENDEN PROFILE Age: 41 Turned pro: 1992 Height: 190.5cm (6’3”) Weight: 90kg (198lb) Lives: Dallas, Texas and Brisbane Family: Jackie and son Jacob, 8 Interests: Family, bike riding, fishing and boating Tournament wins: Australian Open (2006), Indonesian PGA Championship (1996), Interlaken Open, Alliance Open (1998 European Challenge Tour), 2006 John Deere Classic (US PGA Tour) Career prizemoney: $US14.7m.

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on tour

Brad’s keeping his feet on the ground David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

JAPAN Golf Tour winner Brad Kennedy isn’t getting too carried away with his recent win at the Mizuno Open. Despite receiving a cheque for around $275,000, the Gold Coast-based touring professional told Inside Golf he wouldn’t b e spl ash i ng out on any e x p e ns ive toys. “No, I haven’t bought myself anything special yet,” he said. “I bought myself a new car last year so I will put the money away and wait and see what the next year brings. This year will be a year of consolidation. Kennedy, 38, said he would fly his wife Narelle and two children to Japan in September. “They will come up for a few tournaments and then we will have a holiday up there,” he said. “They spent 10 weeks with me last year, but my daughter started school this year so it’s become more difficult.” Kennedy loves the lifestyle, culture and the golf courses in the Land of the Rising Sun and plans to play there for at least another five years. “It’s a great place to play and the guys are great,” said Kennedy, who won the Ne w Z e a l a n d O p e n l a s t y e a r. “ It’s a real easy tour to play because of the travel.

“Our golf bags go from tournament to tournament so travelling around with a backpack is so much easier. There’s no lugging golf bags and suitcases around. “The courses are hard and fast and the greens are fantastic and that suits my game.” One of his strengths is his ability to hit the ball straight off the tee. “One of the things about the courses in Japan is they are very tight so if you hit the fairways you are rewarded. “I have been a straight driver over the years and my short game is getting better and better, which means I can take the focus off my technique and just play with what I have got,” said Kennedy, who honed his skills on the Queensland Sunshine Circuit. “It (Troppo Tour) benefits you in terms of shooting good scores because to be successful you have to know how to shoot seven-, eight- or nine-under par in a day because most of the pro-ams are one-day events. “Obviously there aren’t enough fourrounders, but I think it helps to build the ability to shoot good scores. “The hard part is to get enough earnings to take you to the next level and start playing four-rounders, but there is something there for young guys to start with. OneAsia and the tier two events are giving guys the experience they need and help them get to the next level.” •

CONDOR SS Series Three SINGLE SEATER

Brad Kennedy says winning in Japan has allowed him to extend his playing career. (Photo: Bruce Young)

It’s a hard road PLAYING golf for a living on one of the world’s leading tours is a dream of every elite young golfer, but getting there can be costly. Brad Kennedy says anyone contemplating attending one of the tours’ qualifying schools had better have plenty of moolah in the bank. Kennedy highlighted the enormous costs associated with attending qualifying school and playing on a major tour. “It costs $20,000-plus to go to a Q-School

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plus you need to have money in the bank to be comfortable,” he said. “For the first half of the year you need another $50,000 on top of that. “If you have financial pressures it makes it hard especially when you get on the main tour and playing against guys that have been there a long time and they just want to win and you are thinking about trying to make cuts and work out where your next tournament is going to be. “It’s is hard to compete, but you have just got to get the belief that you belong there and that’s hard as well.” •

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August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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on tour

Marc Leishman unplugged in Sydney. I have also shot 60 at Warrnambool and a 61 in a tournament I won in Korea. IG: Who has been the biggest influence on your career? ML: My dad got me started in the game and all my family including my mum and sister and my wife. Early on, my mum and dad and my sister were really supportive of what I wanted to do and believed I could do it. They put a lot of time and money driving me to Melbourne every week. My wife Audrey has always been there for me. It’s always good to have a shoulder to lean on when you need it.

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

YOU have got to hand it to Greg Norman and the boys who play on the US PGA Tour. The Shark was one of the first to call Victorian touring professional Marc Leishman after he won the Travelers Championship on the US PGA Tour recently. “Greg called me on Monday morning to congratulate me, which was really good of him. Ricky Ponting also called me and all the Australians on the tour called or sent me a text,” Leishman said. After the 28-year-old’s maiden US PGA Tour victory, he was more than happy to field a number of wide-ranging questions posed by Inside Golf. IG: What makes Marc Leishman tick? Marc Leishman: I’m very competitive and I love my family and my sport. I don’t like being beaten in anything. I am a dad and a husband before I am a golfer. If I am home for a week or two, I don’t play a whole lot of golf. I love having a bit of time off and doing other things, but when I’m on the golf courses I am right into it and trying to win. IG: What is your favourite pastime when you’re not playing? ML: Spending time with my wife Audrey and son Harvey and watching sport. I love watching any sport on television. I love my cricket, but I’ll watch all the other sports as well. IG: Now that you’ve won on the US Tour, what are your goals going forward? ML: I don’t like setting ridiculously high goals, but it would be great to get in the top-50 in the world and play in all the world championships

IG: You grew up in Warrnambool, what was that like? ML: It was an awesome place to grow up because it’s near the beach and they have a great golf course. It’s three hours from Melbourne, but it’s got everything there and the schools are good and the people are nice. IG: Did you have any heroes while growing up? ML: Yes, Greg Norman and Ernie Els. I looked up to Ernie Els because he was someone I wanted to be like. I have been lucky enough to meet and spend time with both Greg and Ernie.

and majors. I want to win more tournaments – not just one. I just want to keep doing what I am doing and not worrying about results – just trying to play good golf and the results will take care of themselves. IG: The Presidents Cup is a year away – have you thought about trying to make the International team? ML: Yes definitely. It is something I would like to do because I know the Muirfield Village course pretty well. It’s a long way down the track, but it’s a goal although I will probably have to win a few more times before then to get in. I’ll just concentrate

Moss Vale Golf Club is a golfer’s paradise Winter Package $215 per night for 2 people includes daily: 4 course dinner, breakfast, Accommodation, 18 holes* *Offer based on 2 persons per room in a standard room. Minimum 2 night stay, mid-week only. Valid 1st June 2012 - 30th September 2012

For bookings at these exclusive rates quote Inside Golf Ph: (02) 4868 1800 | www.dormiehouse.com.au 36

August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

on each tournament to do as well as I can and see what happens. IG: What are the strengths of your game? ML: I am a good iron player, have a good short game, but streaky with the putter. I am reasonably long off the tee, but I’m not the straightest that’s for sure. When the putter is working I can make a lot of birdies. IG: You shot 62 in the final round to win the Travelers, is that your lowest-ever score? ML: I shot 60 in the first round of the first event I won – the Toyota Southern Classic in Woolooware

IG: What’s the best piece of advice you have received? ML: Treat people as you would like to be treated. I don’t like people who think they are better than others. I treat people as I want to be treated. IG: If you weren’t a professional golfer, what would you be doing? ML: A builder, an architect or a greenkeeper. I love my grass. IG: When will Australian fans get to see you play at home? ML: I will play the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship later this year. I will also play in the World Golf Championship (Mission Hills) in China and the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic (Mines Resort) in Malaysia. •

2 Day Golf School at Moss Vale Golf Club Receive expert tuition from club professional Robert Kennedy in all facets of the game, while staying on course at the beautiful Dormie House. Package Includes: • 3 Nights accommodation • Morning tea & Lunch on • 3 Buffet Breakfasts Thursday & Friday • 3 Dinners • Professional Tuition Dates: 21st, 22nd, 23rd November 2012.

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Take a golfing group getaway!

Holidays by

Design

Dent Island, Hamilton Island

Queensland Rail Bulls Masters

Your host Allan Border

10 Day Coastal Golf ‘n’ Rail Adventure • Fantasea Cruises transfer from Airlie Beach to Dent Island, Hamilton Island

Test your game against the sporting legends Allan Border or Greg Ritchie from Queensland Rail Bulls Masters as they host you on this fantastic fly-train-drive-chip-putt package.

• 18 holes golf at the extraordinary picturesque Dent Island Golf Course • Twin Sleeper from Proserpine to Nambour onboard The Sunlander

Inclusions and highlights: • Fly Brisbane to Cairns or vice versa

• 3 nights in a Lagoon View Resort Room at Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast

• Hosted by sporting legends from the Queensland Rail Bulls Masters

• 18 holes golf at championship course designed by Peter Thomson and Mike Wolveridge at Novotel Twin Waters Resort

• 3 nights in a Resort Room at Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club, Cairns • 18 holes golf at Graham Marsh and Ross Watson designed course at Paradise Palms Resort and Country Club

• Economy Seat from Nambour to Brisbane onboard the Tilt Train

• Business Seat from Cairns to Proserpine onboard the Tilt Train

• All transfers and meals as indicated

• 1 night in a Garden View Room at Coral Sea Resort, Airlie Beach

Departs Brisbane: Saturday 17 November 2012

Adventure with Greg Ritchie

10 days from

2609

Your host Jimmy Maher

Your host Wayne Grady

4 Day Capricorn Golf Getaway Swing with the sporting legends Jimmy Maher or Wayne Grady from Queensland Rail Bulls Masters as they host this four day golfing getaway where the only driver you will need is the one you pull out of your golf bag on the first tee. On this long weekend package you can work on your handicap over 36 holes whilst enjoying the picturesque surroundings of the beautiful Capricorn Coast. Inclusions and highlights: • Hosted by sporting legends Jimmy Maher or Wayne Grady from the Queensland Rail Bulls Masters • Business Seat from Brisbane to Rockhampton onboard the Tilt Train

• One-way Economy flight from Rockhampton to Brisbane • 2 nights in a Resort Room at Mercure Capricorn Resort, Yeppoon • 18 holes golf at championship course, Mercure Capricorn Resort • Capricorn Coast Highlights Tour with Capricorn Day Trippers • 1 night in an Executive Room at Edge Apartment Hotel, Rockhampton • 18 holes golf at Al Howard designed course, Rockhampton Golf Club • All transfers and meals as indicated Getaway with Wayne Grady Departs Brisbane: Friday 7 September 2012 Friday 22 February 2013, call for more details

4 days from

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To book call 1300 139 812 or visit Queensland Rail Travel Centres *Minimum passengers required for tour to operate. Prices are per person and based on low season adult twin share. Peak periods and block outs may apply. Queensland Rail Bulls Masters names correct at time of print, subject to change. For full terms and conditions visit queenslandrailtravel.com.au Queensland Rail Limited ABN 71 132 181 080 Travel Agent Lic. No. QLD 327 4957 QR3744.25_275x350_0712

USPGA championship preview

Aussies urged to dig deep David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

GREG Norman started it when he said Australia’s strike-rate in the majors was “unacceptable” and now Geoff Ogilvy is singing from the same hymn sheet. Ogilvy, the last Australian to win a major at the 2006 US Open, believes it’s time for Australia’s world-class players to step up in the majors. Well, with the year’s final major upon us, let’s take a look at Australia’s record in the US PGA Championship. In the tournament’s 94-year history, four Australians have lifted the Wanamaker Trophy. If a fifth Australian is to win this year, he will do it 17 years after Steve Elkington did it and 65 years after the first Aussie winner Jim Ferrier. David Graham (1979) and Wayne Grady (1990) are sandwiched between Ferrier and Elkington as the only other Aussies to win it. Aside from the Americans, no other nation has won more US PGA Championships than Australia. This year, eight Australians – Ogilvy, Aaron Baddeley, Greg Chalmers, Jason Day, Marcus Fraser, Marc Leishman, Adam Scott and John Senden – will tee it up at the 94th US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course from August 9-12. So, what do we know about the Ocean Course, which is located along 16 kilometres of pristine beach just south of Charleston, South Carolina?

August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Holes like the par-5 16th (main) and par-3 8th (opposite) at the windy and exposed Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort will prove to be a real challenge for golfers this month. (Photos courtesy of Kiawah Island Golf Resort) Well, it hosted the 1991 Ryder Cup won 14½13½ by the Americans, but it’s the first time the US PGA Championship will be played there. In recent years, course architect Pete Dye has tinkered with the golf course to make it better. It’s not your typical resort-style course and those who fall into the trap of thinking it’s been designed to be playable to the average resort guest will quickly change their mind when they step on the first tee. The 156-strong field will find it extremely challenging with narrow fairways, fast greens

and a length measuring a torturous 7937 yards (7258 metres). And most likely there will be wind. Still, as the Scots say, “if there’s nae wind, it’s nae golf.” Yes, the Ocean Course hasn’t been given that moniker for nothing and the players can expect it to blow. Arguably, no other course outside the UK and Ireland is affected as much by the wind. The Ocean Course has more seaside holes than

any other course in the Northern Hemisphere – 10 along the Atlantic with the other eight running parallel to those. According to those who have played the Ocean Course, there can be up to an eight-club difference on holes depending on the direction and strength of the wind. During the practice rounds at the 1991 Ryder Cup, players were hitting seven- and eight-irons into the treacherous par-3 17th hole, but a few days later when the wind got up, they were

USPGA championship preview

Did you know?

hitting anything from three-irons to three-woods. Irrespective of the wind, each hole demands a high level of accuracy and finesse. According to the experts, the winner will likely be the player who shows the most ingenuity, imagination and adaption in shot-making. One of the nice things about the Ocean Course is it allows players to use every club in the bag. Oftentimes, resort-style golf courses offer little resistance, but on the Ocean Course players won’t be hitting driver and short irons into the par-4s or easily getting home for two on the par-5s. At Kiawah, it’s going to be the man with a good long-iron game that comes out on top. Leishman is a good iron player who possesses a good short game but, by his own admission, can spray it off the tee. If he can keep his golf ball on the fairway look out for him late on Sunday. This will be the 28-year-old’s sixth major and he’ll want to improve on his best result at the US PGA, which is a tie for 48th in 2010.

Senden, one of the best ball-strikers on the tour, is confident after finishing in the top-10 at the US Open. His best results in this championship have been a tie for fourth in 2007 and T19 last year. The experienced Adam Scott has had three US PGA Championship top-10s with a tie for third in 2006 his best result. Jason Day missed the cut last year, but tied for 10th in 2010. In 2005-’06-’07, Ogilvy came close, finishing T6, T9 and T6 respectively but since then he hasn’t troubled the scoreboard attendants and missed the cut in 2010 and 2011. Of course, all this means little and it would come as no surprise if one of our boys becomes the fifth Aussie to get his hands on the Wanamaker Trophy. They shouldn’t be under an additional pressure as all eyes will be on the bookies’ favourite Tiger Woods. He’s already won three times this year and the swagger is starting to return. Of course, trying to pick a winner is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I mean, seriously, how many picked last year’s winner Keegan Bradley. •

 VIDEO INTERVIEW:

Adam Scott In an exclusive video interview with Inside Golf (available online and on our iPad App), Adam Scott shared his thoughts on his chances at this month’s WGC Bridgestone and PGA Championship tournaments. The WGC Bridgestone in Akron, Ohio, (Aug 2-5) holds a special place in Adam’s heart, as he returns to defend the title he captured last year. “It was one of the biggest wins of my career. It’s got a great history, a great list of champions. I’ve got great memories going back there. I’d like to go there in some form, maybe with another win under my belt,” Adam says. The following week, Adam will make his way to Kiawah Island for the PGA Championship, the last remaining Major of the year. Adam believes that the windy conditions may suit his game. “It’s obviously very difficult, very exposed out on the ocean. I feel there could be some similarities to courses I grew up playing – both down the coast

Adam Scott talks shop with Inside Golf in Melbourne but also on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Hopefully there will be a comfort factor for me once I get there.” As for his chances of securing another Major in his future, the 31-year-old remains positive. “I’ve got a lot of Majors in front of me, and I’ve certainly improved since I changed my attitude to preparing for Majors, and I think I’ve got to continue with that process, because it’s getting results so far. As long as I keep doing the right things, and working hard, my time will come.” Watch the entire interview on our website, or the Inside Golf App for iPads: http://bit.ly/HSdId8 •

ENGLAND’S James Barnes was the inaugural winner of US PGA Championship in 1916 and he successfully defended his title three years later. That’s because the tournament wasn’t played in 1917 and 1918 due to World War I. The Championship was a matchplay tournament until 1957 when it converted to stroke play and won by Dow Finsterwald the following year. The greatest winning margin in matchplay era was Paul Runyan’s 8/7 victory over Sam Snead in 1938. Two players, Walter Hagan and Jack Nicklaus, have won the tournament five times. Hagen won his in the matchplay era in 1921-’24-’25-’26-’27 and Nicklaus in stroke play in 1963’71-’73-’75-’80. •

US PGA BY THE NUMBERS

1 over par was the winning score on

four occasions – 1960, 1968, 1972 and 1976. 3 times the tournament wasn’t played (1917-18) and 1943 due to World Wars I and II. 4 is the number of times Tiger Woods has won the US PGA Championship. 7 strokes is the biggest winning margin by Jack Nicklaus in 1980. 8 nations have won the US PGA Championship – the US, Australia, South Africa, England, Zimbabwe, Fiji, Germany, Ireland and South Korea. 13 times a playoff has decided the US PGA Championship. 18 under-par is the lowest 72-hole score in relation to par by Tiger Woods in 2000 and 2006 and Bob May in 2000. May lost to Woods in the playoff. 20 years old was the youngest US PGA Championship winner Gene Sarazen in 1922. 32 was the field size between 191621 when the tournament was played in the matchplay format. 48 years old was the US PGA Championship winner Julius Boros in 1968. 5 5 A m e r i c an s h av e w on t h e tournament since the inaugural event in 1916. 77 times has the US captured the US PGA Championship. 156 players will make it to the first tee this year. 265 is the lowest 72-hole score by David Toms (66-65-65-69) in 2001. 500 dollars and a diamond-studded gold medal was the winner’s share in the inaugural event in 1916. 1,445,000 dollars Keegan Bradley banked for winning last year’s championship. 8,000,000 dollars is the total prizemoney for the 2012 US PGA Championship.

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

gear

Great gifts for DON’T let it be said that Inside Golf doesn’t think of you when it comes to your dad on Father’s Day. Yep, that special day is just around the corner, so forget about the tacky tie, silly socks and soap-on-a-rope. Here are a few gift suggestions that the old man will really appreciate. A round of golf

Take dad for a game of golf at the best links or resort course, and make sure it’s one he hasn’t played before. Have it catered with your old man’s favourite tipple on the first tee and right throughout the course, including his favourite foods. Ring around and see what is available. Or, maybe arrange a weekend at Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm in Tasmania – it would certainly brighten dad up considerably. But make sure it’s in the summer months. Or, for something a little more low-key, a golf voucher can work wonders for the old man.

A golf lesson

You will probably have noticed that as dad’s gotten older, his swing has gotten shorter and uglier. Book him in for a lesson or three with the local club professional. Hopefully, that’ll help him regain some of his old glory and he’ll again start winning those side bets against his mates. At the very least he’ll be able to enjoy the game a little bit more.

New clubs

Every dad has his favourite clubs or particular club. Take him to his local pro (who knows his swing) and see if dad would like to try a new club or clubs. Any club pro worth his salt will ensure the club or clubs are properly fitted. With club-fit gear, the old boy will start enjoying the game again. Why not show dad some love with, say, a hybrid club, a lob wedge, or, better yet, a custom-fit TaylorMade R11S (www.taylormadegolf.com.au). Manufactured by TaylorMade (the #1 Driver on the PGA Tour), the new R11S is bigger, faster, longer and can be adjusted by Dad, to fit his swing.

Confidence under pressure

Good putting is the key to confidence on the course. And practice is the key to good putting. If dad loves to practice his putting at home, and could benefit from machine-like consistency, then look no further than the Boomerang Putting Pro ($29.99, www.boomgolf.com.au, 0435 717 022). In just 15 minutes a day, Dad can improve his putting significantly via Boomerang’s patented catch and release system. Inside Golf uses this unit at home, and we swear by it.

A Caddie

Most dads have dragged their own golf clubs around for years. Maybe dad would like someone else to pull the buggy for a while? Whether you do it yourself (a great bonding experience), or hire someone else to do it (like a budding young junior at the club) dad deserves to be treated like a king on the course.

A round with a pro

Every dad has a favourite player with whom he would like to play and chat to. Why not book a round of golf for him in a pro-am at one of the many golf clubs that host such events? Again, ring up your local and see what’s available.

A nice bottle of red

Look, it doesn’t have to be a bottle of 1992 Screaming Eagle worth $80,000, although the name has a nice ring to it. But a Penfolds 2008 Special Bin 620 Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz would do.

August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

A Golf DVD A place to put it all

Now dad can organise, protect and select his most important credit, ID and membership cards quickly and easily at the push of a button. The ACM® Wallet ($50, www.acmwallet.com.au) protects all types of cards from damage and demagnetization and the new all silver ACM also protects chip-enabled credit cards from RFID theft. Comes complete with 18 interchangeable button icons to suit any card combination and a removable money clip for cash and receipts.

Why not give the old man some tips from one of history’s best golfers? The Tom Watson Lessons of a Lifetime DVD set ($49.95, www. tomwatsondvd.com) provides 44 lessons of clear, comprehensive instruction by 8-time Major Champion Tom Watson. Rated “excellent” by 4 out of 5 golfers in a recent survey, the 2-disc set is the ultimate learning experience, covering all facets of the game-from the grip to full shots, to chipping, putting and the secret of his timeless swing, plus specialty shots including those required in strong wind conditions. The golf-loving dad will also appreciate the

Butch Harmon About Golf, presented by Titleist ($79.95, www.ButchHarmonDVD. com). The two-DVD set features 57 chapters containing more than 250 specific tips, totalling over four hours of instruction from the man voted America’s Best Teacher for the past 11 consecutive years. Dad will also enjoy watching actual footage of his favourite golf professionals who benefited from Harmon’s instruction, including Fred Couples, Ernie Els, Natalie Gulbis, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Greg Norman, Adam Scott, Nick Watney and Tiger Woods.

gear

Father’s Day Walk a mile in his shoes

Now, dad can jump straight out of the car onto the course for that quick nine holes at the end of the day with the new 2012 Crossover range from Niblick ($49.95-$79.95, Sporte Leisure, 02 9693 5777). The design of the NIBLICK CROSSOVER grass sport sole has excellent grip driving off the tee, but is perfect on hard or soft surfaces. A heavily padded tongue and double insole makes these shoes comfortable for all occasions.

Something up his sleeves A Caddyrack

If pop’s new sticks bounce around and become disorganised, The Caddyrack Pro (www. kahmagolf.com) could be just the ticket. Perfect for graphite-shafted irons (but suitable for all clubs), the heads of conventional irons gently lock in place via uniquely shaped partitions. The irons are restrained in every direction except removal. Kahma Golf has integrated this Softgrip Technology into specially designed range of Kahma Golf Bags to take full advantage of the technology.

If dad has a problem with those cold mornings on the golf course, when those extra layers restrict his club swing, then IceRays (www.icerays.com.au, 0429 690662) have the answer. Along with their very popular UV protective Cooling Arm Sleeves they now stock fleecy lined winter warming arm sleeves. They replace those long-sleeved shirts and allow dad to just wear his polo shirts and sleeveless vests – with no need to fumble around with bulky layers mid-round. They come in either black or white and in sizes S-XXL. They also help support the muscles reducing muscle vibration, which in turn reduces lactic acid build-up and tiredness.

A golf-specific camera

Help the old man improve his golf swing with the Casio EXILIM FC200 camera (1300 768 112) which features a 28mm wide-angle lens and 7x optical zoom. This is Casio’s third model in a line of cameras that allows golfers to check their swing using ultra-slow motion movies captured with Casio’s unique High-Speed Movie feature and guidelines displayed on the camera’s LCD screen. The EX-FC200 includes the ability to display three guidelines for checking dad’s swing in even more detail and special golf photo modes.

Protection from the rain

Designed to fit any golf bag, the accordion-style Sun Mountain Dry Hood ($79.95, www.underpar.com. au, (02) 9417 4055) completely covers the top of dad’s golf bag while giving him easy and quick access to his clubs. The best feature is that he simply pushes it back or down which eliminates any zipper function. The DRY HOOD folds down to become 60 cm x 11 cm and comes with a carry case.

With his clubs nice and dry, dad will also appreciate the Smoothy square 122 cm long-shafted umbrella ($110, www.underpar.com.au, (02) 9417 4055), which eliminates the need for the ‘extra hand’ golf buggy accessory. By widening the thickness and extending the length of the fiberglass shaft, it increases the height of the umbrella, making it easier for most adults to easily get in and out from. The Smoothy umbrella has a maximum sun protection rating of 50 + UPF. It has a 97cm square rib length and a 194 cm canopy. It is ultra light weight at 0.75 kgs and has a very sturdy fibreglass frame which will prevent the umbrella from inverting.

Better wrist strength and health

The NSD Power Gyroflo ($49.95-$69.95, www. gyroflo.com.au, 1300 077 292) is an excellent multipurpose exercise device, which can help dad build substantial power and strength in the wrists, forearms and shoulders. Moreover, by changing the position and speed in which he spins the NSD Power Gyroflo, he can have the capacity to rehabilitate lower forearms and wrist joints affected by carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury RSI, arthritis and previous breakages. Exercising hands and fingers with the NSD Power can help to improve the muscular and bone strength of your hands and fingers, improve fine motor skills used for such tasks as tying shoes, increasing grip strength, relieve stiffness, and help restore joint range of motion.

A sunny outlook

Even if dad can’t play like Greg Norman, he can still look as stylish at The Shark. The Greg Norman Performance Eyewear Collection (From $79.95, Sporte Leisure, 02 9693 5777) has an emphasis on sophisticated style with function, resulting in sun wear that will perform superbly during dad’s outdoor sport and transfer comfortably to his leisure activities, helping him looking great all the time. With full UVA and UVB protection, Oleophobic lens coatings that resist water and oils for ultimate clarity, and a variety of lens options available, the collection helps eliminate distortion, reduce eye fatigue and more. Snazzy!

NOTE: All prices quoted are based on Recommended Retail Price, and are subject to variations by website/country of origin.

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

gear

Great gifts for Father’s

Day

Give him the distance

Nothing says “I Love You Dad” more than gadgets and gizmos (Well, not in our house, anyway!). There are heaps of great GPS and Laser units on the market (see our website for a full rundown). But here are a few great options: The SureshotLaser Pin Loc 1000 (www. sureshotgps.com) uses an infrared laser to accurately capture distances to any target at the speed of light. The unit features world class software including First Priority Loc, which locks into the nearest object among multiple objects in the background. Pin Loc securely locks onto to the smallest of distances at any range, while the Display Loc function has been created so dad can view the distance after locking it in.

A golf book

There are plenty of golf books on the bookshelves. The Big Miss, Hank Haney’s book about Tiger Woods, is a fascinating behind-the-scenes read. Robert Price’s The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Golf ($21.95, www.johnreedbooks.com.au) is a comprehensive and upto-date golf-specific training guide. It contains descriptions and photographs of over 80 of the most effective weight training, flexibility, and abdominal exercises used by athletes worldwide. Another new book, Great Golf: Gamechanging tips from history’s top golfers ($19.95, www. johnreedbooks.com.au) features a variety of lessons drawn from the most famous, popular, and trailblazing golf books as well as classic and contemporary magazines. Going beyond the standard instructional manual, this is the only golfing reference that presents its information in the original words of the great champions, instructors, and authors while also covering every aspect of the game, integrating its history and the parallel development of its multibillion-dollar instruction industry. Great stuff!

Another option (as they say, it’s all in the wrist) is the GW1 Golf Watch (www.sureshotgps.com) which has the advantage of being with you anywhere on the course to improve your game. With powerful features standard on the GW1 like automatic hole & course recognition, individual shot measurement, odometer and scorecard, now dad can know the distance at the flick of a wrist anywhere anytime. Available in September.

If pop prefers a handheld GPS unit, check out the jam-packed Sonocaddie V350Plus or V500 ($299-$399, www.tech4golf.com. au, 0414 741 514) which comes preloaded with over 1395 Australian hand-mapped courses in 3D, showing course hazards, satellite imagery, targets and their relative position on the hole. It will give dad the precise distance information from any spot on the course. The digital scorecard automatically calculates the total score with a simple touch of a button, while the unit presents a summary of your round to analyse statistics and the score with a calculated rational and percentage. There are no fees or downloading required.

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August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

new products

GIVEAWAYS WIN: A Coolamon Sport Ladies Golf Polo

Designed by professional golfers, the Coolamon Sport Ladies Golf Polo creates a cool microclimate for the skin while offering the highest possible UPF 50+ sun protection. Available in sizes 10 to 22. www.sunprotection.com.au Inside Golf and SunProtection Australia are giving away two Coolamon Sport Ladies Golf Polos (Value $69.95 each). Simply “Like” our Facebook page, or visit our website. Good Luck!

WIN: Golf All Seasons 2012 book

Golf All Seasons 2012 offers details and discounts on 72 select golf courses in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. There’s a short write-up on each golf course along with discount vouchers entitling the reader to more than $7000 in savings. The validity of discounts has been extended to June 2013 (previously Nov 2012), offering great value for golfers across the country. www.golfallseasons.com Inside Golf is giving away five copies of Golf All Seasons 2012. Simply “Like” our Facebook page or visit our website. Good Luck!

Tifosi PODIUM The Cub Cadet Brumby The 4WD Cub Cadet Brumby, manufactured by MTD, features a 22 horsepower Yanmar diesel powered engine that provides low down torque to do the hard yards. The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) affords even and accurate control, and the Auto-Lok 4WD system allows for the Cub Cadet to engage all four wheels when the vehicle begins slipping. The Cub Cadet features a Roll Over Protection System which provides uncompromising safety. It also features an electric tilting cargo tray with a capacity of 454 kilograms. Other standard features include an acrylic windscreen, seat belts, poly hard roof, integrated horn as well as headlights, taillights and turn indicators. Available accessories for this vehicle include: an electric winch, heavy duty bed liner, hard doors, electric wipers and lights. The Cub Cadet is ideal for use in the farming, mining and construction industries as well as being perfectly suited for use on beaches. www.ezgo.com.au

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A revolutionary frameless eyewear system, The Podium allows an unobstructed line of vision for the wearer and features a one-piece, de-centred polycarbonate lens with an easily removable nosepiece and temples. The effortless lens-changing design eliminates stress on the eyewear components, avoiding damage to the lens, temples and nosepieces. Hydrophilic rubber nosepieces and temples prevent slipping, even in sweaty conditions. Available in two sizes, with a set of 3 interchangeable full-shield lenses (GT, EC, and AC Red). Additionally, the Metallic Red podium comes with a single Fototec shield lens, which automatically adjusts to changing light conditions. A selection of temple colours are available. All Tifosi lenses offer 100% protection from harmful UVA/UVB rays and a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. RRP: $109.95 - $139.95 www.peterwrightgolf.com

From internationally renowned golf writer Darius Oliver comes Australia’s Finest Golf Courses 2012, a revised and updated edition of one of the most spectacular Australian golf tours ever documented. From Australia’s oldest club, The Australian, to the world-renowned classics at Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath and Royal Adelaide and the modern masterpieces at The National, Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm, Australia’s Finest Golf Courses 2012 provides state-by state reviews of the most prestigious golf courses covering both design and history. Each is complemented with breathtaking photography and insights provided by leading designers such as Greg Norman, Peter Thomson, Ross Watson, Michael Clayton, Tony Cashmore and Michael Wolveridge. RRP: $35 (PAPERBACK) www.newholland.com.au Sun Mountain Men’s Torrent LT Jacket Sun Mountain Torrent LT jacket offers guaranteed waterproof protection using an advanced, new FJ Chillout Pullover four-way stretch woven fabric that shields against The NEW FJ Chillout Half Zip Pullover allows the wind and rain while remaining breathable and player to adapt to changing weather conditions while stretching to allow a complete range of motion offering maximum comfort and freedom of movement during the swing. The two-way full-length zipper, adjustable hem and cuffs during play. The high quality stretch design promotes and hand warmer pockets are prominent features. Feather light, weighing outstanding garment durability, a high degree of 500 grams, with a laminate internal liner which stretches and does not moisture wicking and UV sun protection. grab on your clothes. Two-year waterproof warranty. Available in two different colour options. Available in Black/Shadow RRP: $109 www.underpar.com.au (02) 9417 4055. www.footjoy.com.au 1800 660 535

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August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

instruction: clubfitting

A “putter fit” for a major competitor Anthony Summers recently did Australia proud by qualifying for the US Open in June. What most people don’t know is that Anthony visited Glenn Whittle of The Sydney Putting Studio in February of this year to undertake a putter fit and technical assessment. Anthony had only 27 putts each round and shot 11-under-par to win a regional qualifying round using his new Precision Putter. It is common knowledge these days that we should be using equipment that has been correctly fitted by a PGA Member, rather than just grabbing a set off the rack or purchasing a second-hand set online. Recent articles in Inside Golf have shown that clubfitting (and especially putterfitting) can have a tremendous effect on lowering your scores and improving your game. Believe it or not, illsuited clubs can be damaging your game more than you think. One thing that amazes Glenn— an AAA PGA Member who spends a lot of his time helping golfers of all skill levels improve their putting— is the number of golfers that are using putters that are hurting their putting. Whether it be an incorrect head design, length, lie angle, loft, head weight, grip, sight line/dot etc, once assessed (and either the putter is adjusted or they purchase one that is better suited to their game) the golfer can rest assured knowing that at least the putter is right for them. “A classic example that I often see is golfers who stand too tall at address, due to their putter being too long,” Glenn explains. “If they cut the putter down to a shorter length, the lie angle will then also need adjusting to ensure that the putter is sitting flat on the green. To increase the chances of hitting the sweet spot on the putter face, weight should also be added to the putter head. “This also happens a lot with the new belly and long putters: too many golfers are using them incorrectly and not getting the true benefit due to incorrect length, weight, and other factors,” he adds. This can have a huge influence on a player’s putting technique, which is the next step that Glenn focusses on at The Sydney Putting Studio, which is based at The Ridge Golf Course in

Swing Fix: Strike it with solid contact Damien Magaton (03) 9650 9766

Australia’s Anthony Summers using his Precision Putter during the US Open Sydney. Once a player can demonstrate that they are competent at reading greens, Glenn works on their routines and practice exercises. This is generally the sequence to help people improve their putting. The top-quality facilities at The Ridge allow Glenn to help golfers of all levels and abilities. The putting green is huge, and is of a tour standard condition, with lots of flat spots and slopes to practice upon. So what is involved with a putterfitting session? While many programs vary, the Sydney Putting Studio’s one-on-one sessions begin with a 10-ball test using the Putt Lab system. Glenn then assesses your current putting technique, tests the correct shaft length based on your posture, adjusts the lie angle if required, checks for the ideal loft on the putter for your stroke and determines the proper putter head weight. “Although I design putters for Precision Putters, who mill their own custom-made putters in Sydney, I don’t want people to think they have to purchase a

new putter when they visit,” Glenn explains. “Some people love their current putter and they just want to check a few things and they are on their way. Some are using a putter that actually suits them and their putting style while others want to start from scratch.” Inside Golf ’s Sam Arthur experienced one of Glenn’s putterfitting sessions earlier this year, and was suitably impressed with the improvements to his putting thanks to a properly fitted Precision Putter. Glenn’s clients are also singing his praises, including one recent member from Avondale Golf Club. “I rang Glenn when my putting was in total disarray,” he says. “Since my putter fit, I now average six putts less per round and my lower handicap reflects this. I have since taken my wife over to Glenn for a putter fit.” For more information on the Sydney Putting Studio, or on getting a putter fitting with Glenn Whittle, visit www.sydneyputtingstudio.com or www.whittlegolf.com. •

Want to strike the ball solid every time? Here is how to do it. Many of my students — especially new players to the game— struggle to make good contact with the ball; either topping or hitting shots too far behind the ball with too much grass. To hit the ball solidly every time, you need to get your swing bottoming out at the correct spot. I see many golfers get a lot of sliding and tilting with the body – simply too much body motion throughout the swing. Here’s a great drill for hitting the ball solidly and getting the club bottoming out at the correct spot every time: Stand on one foot, put your right foot back behind you (for right handers) and play the ball from inside the heel of the front foot. Then, hit shots balancing on the left toe. This forces your body to stay quiet and still through the shot and keep you centred over the ball with minimal body motion. This drill will help maintain your balance and will get you on your way to hitting solid and consistent golf shots. • Damien Magaton is an AA PGA Professional teaching at GolfTec in Melbourne. For more tips on your game visit him at www.golftec.com.au or phone 03 9650 9766

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www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

instruction: swing

The perfect swing David Williams david@willowgolf.com.au 0422 276 142

On practice fairways and golf ranges around the world, golfers are constantly seeking to learn the ‘perfect’ golf swing. Many coaches who coach the one swing pattern to every student believe they have discovered the ‘perfect’ golf swing. The reality is… the perfect golf swing is different for every golfer. So what constitutes the PERFECT swing? My definition of the perfect golf swing is: An action that is controllable and repeatable by the golfer and that allows them to produce the shot they require on a regular basis. No matter what the swing looks like, a successful swing has a number of common characteristics. This has been illustrated by the recent introduction of the Purestrike – 5 Simple Keys Learning System. The 5 Simple Keys to the Perfect Swing are: 1. Steady Head 2. Weight Forwards 3. Flat Left Wrist 4. Diagonal Sweet Spot Path 5. Club Face Control If we look at motion tracking images of a couple of golfers (see photo) we can see they both swing differently, BUT, both achieve the 5 keys. The following is a brief explanation of the 5 keys. The first three keys are based on good ball striking and the last two on controlling the ball flight. 1. Steady Head – Testing has shown that the average PGA Tour player moves his head 1 inch on the backswing and less on the downswing. As we rotate our shoulders in a circle during the golf swing, ball striking can be

more consistent if that circle stays relatively centered and the head is the indicator of what that circle is doing. Weight Forwards – Ensuring momentum is driving forwards though impact is common human movement across all sports. In golf it is essential to have the weight forwards at impact to generate a powerful and balanced swing through impact and into finish. Flat Left Wrist – Achieving a flat left wrist at impact is crucial for good compression and a solid impact on the golf ball. A ‘flip’ or bent left wrist at impact can lead to thin shots, high shots, lack of backspin and loss of distance. This key is influenced by how well the golfer achieves Key 1 and 2. If the weight is back for instance then the club head will have to move ahead to reach the ball which can be a cause of the bent left wrist. Diagonal Sweet Spot Path – We don’t swing the club straight back and straight through in a sense. We swing the club on a tilted arc around our body. Starting with the club behind the ball, it will move back, up and in on the backswing and then should travel down, out and through on the downswing which accounts for the diagonal reference. It doesn’t matter which plane you swing on as long as you deliver it to the ball properly. Club Face Control – Is simply the ability to control the clubface relative to the path the clubhead is being swung on to produce the desired direction and curvature of the ball. Understanding the club head path versus club face relationship and the ball flight laws and finally applying those principles to your swing will help all golfers achieve their desired ball flight.

Motion capture images of Jim Furyk (left) and Rickie Fowler (right) show two different swings, but both follow five simple keys. As we improve each key on the list (in order) we find the subsequent keys on the list become easier to achieve. For instance: Without having a steady head and weight forwards, achieving a flat left wrist at impact becomes very difficult. What sets this system of learning apart from most others is that it is not based on a swing pattern or ideology. It is applicable to any swing pattern or model and The 5 Simple Keys are not only definable but measureable using the latest in technology in 3D Doppler Radar–Flightscope, 3D Motion Analysis–AMM, and 3D force and pressure Measurement–Swing Catalyst. All of the research they did involved these technologies and more to research and define there system. A surprising number of golfers I talk to about their swings regularly make mention of how their takeaway is destroying their swing, or how they are in the incorrect position at the top to be able to hit the ball correctly. Golfers can be so obsessed with things they THINK are affecting

their golf that they approach each shot with a negative attitude. Understanding what is required and then setting about improving the things that will actually make a difference to your shots will give you greater consistency, ball control and will lead you to your ‘Perfect Swing’. If you would like to learn more about the Purestrike – The 5 Simple Keys, you can purchase their 5 DVD collection at www.golfshopcentral. com. Inside Golf readers can input the code ‘willow’ to receive a 10% discount. For more information on the 5 Simple keys: http:// thesandtrap.com/t/55426/introducing-fivesimple-keys • 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

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instruction VIDEO LESSON:

How to increase distance for Senior golfers

Picture 1: Gerald’s original follow through

Peter Croker

0415 292 549 www.crokergolfsystem.com

Gerald Howell is a 76 year-old senior golfer who plays golf several times a week and with his positive outlook on life and a “growth” (vs fixed) mindset he is looking to reduce his 18 handicap by increasing the distance that he can hit his drives and all full swing shots. In an earlier life he represented the RAF in England in table tennis on several World Tours. He stopped competing in table tennis some 16 years back and following a recovery from a bad back, Gerald is now looking to improve his power and consistency by improving his golf swing technique. Like many golfers who feel they lack the power that should be there, Gerald had a loss in extension and acceleration through “impact” and into “follow through.” (See Picture 1 – Follow Through)

Slow swing exercise

The exercise that we recommend when there is “chicken wing” and lack of acceleration through the ball is the “SLOW SWING EXERCISE.” As it suggests, the training speed is very slow to start with and the golfer focuses on the feeling of solid structure by pushing down and away out in front of the body with the hands pressed firmly together. Once you can feel and demonstrate this “Slow Swing Drill” at very slow speeds you can gradually increase the speed and notice the hinging of the wrists naturally occurring. Maintain structure and keep centered as you swing up to 80% effort 1. TAKEAWAY At the start the left hand pushes back against the right and the hips turn around 30 degrees before the “Low Loading” wrist hinge takes form. 2. BACKSWING AT THE TOP At the top of the backswing it is important in the slow swing drill to maintain a stable base plus full extension of the left arm as demonstrated in the picture. Note the maximum length of a structured backswing while maintaining a stable base and coiled upper body. After all it is a “Back – Swing” and not an “Up or Forward Swing.”

The Slow Swing Exercise takeaway (top left), Follow-through (Top right) and finish (bottom) 3. START DOWN A to B This is a key point in the building of a powerful strike on the ball. When done in slow motion the wrists “uncock” directly down and out towards the ball. The clubshaft moves into line with the left arm as the right elbow moves down to hit the side of the body. Done slowly the clubshaft moves fully into line by the time the hands reach the right foot. When speed is added at this “transition point” the “late hit angles” begin to form – the greater the speed of the down swing, the greater the late hit angle. 4. THUMBS DOWN THROUGH IMPACT By maintaining the “thumbs down” all the way through the “Impact Zone” the clubshaft remains in line with the left arm and both arms remain straight. Throughout the release action here where both thumbs point full down, the left wrist continues to rotate anti-clockwise. This action not only helps maintain the full extension of both arms, it also helps the hips and shoulders continue their rotation well into follow through. Maintaining the slow movement here is critical to building the structure of the release for when higher speeds occur in hitting the ball.

5. FOLLOW THROUGH Here the wrists remain fully “uncocked” as long as possible when doing the “Slow Swing Drill.” This action with the wrists builds full extension of both arms well into follow through and forces the hips and shoulders to continue their rotation to the limit. The right foot releases up onto the toe and right knee touches the left leg. The head moves up to help the body finish in a balanced position. 6. FINISH Here the hands continue their “push” up and over the left shoulder. The elbows bend and from there the arms rebound, the hands drop down close to the left side pocket, the grip on the club relaxes and the club is held in balance in the left hand. Doing this drill with full attention and intension to feel the “push” throughout the swing will build a coordinated swing action of hands, arms, and body. It is the increase in speed that builds the “lag” and “late hit” angles Join Gerald in doing this “basic drill” and you too, whether younger or older, will gain greater POWER, ACCURACY, and CONSISTENCY. VIDEO: Watch Gerald Howell learning the “Slow Swing Drill”: http://youtu.be/ FKC9e1rT6YQ •

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 www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

instruction: short game

The lob shot

Brent Dale

brent@brentdalegolf.com.au

This month I’ll focus on those shots around the green that require you to hit the ball a little higher and stop a little quicker. I often see a lot of people playing this shot incorrectly and trying to scoop the ball into the sky! Quite often resulting in a shot being hit thin or fat and running along the ground (Or into a lake or bunker.) This is how you should play it to help with consistency: Take a slightly open stance (picture 1) 1. Your ball position needs to be a little forward of centre, closer to your left foot (if you’re a right hander) this will help with getting more height into the shot. 2. Get your club face to lay open a little more than normal. Note: don’t grip the club and then open the face up without re-gripping it, as this won’t keep the face open. I want you to lay the clubface open and then grip it to ensure the face will stay open (picture 2) 3. The big piece to this puzzle is to allow your hips to gently rotate/turn towards the target on the follow-through (see picture 3). I often see people just swinging their arms and quite often catch the ball heavy, which makes them flub it along the ground. 4. Keep your knees flexed during the whole swing.

A lot of people straighten up to try and lift ball into sky, but it only makes matters worse. 5. Keep the clubface open throughout the shot. Most people try to get tricky with their hands and manipulate the outcome – when really all you have to do is let your body gently release and hold the clubface open and the ball will pop up nicely into the air. A little tip would be

IMPROVE YOUR GAME!

to keep the grooves of the club pointing to the sky after you have hit the shot. As I always stress, use this shot in practice first before you take it onto the course. This will be a

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very valuable shot to add to your game….. Once you have practiced it. Next month I will be teaching you how to hit low shots out of the trees. •

Brent Dale is a AA PGA teaching professional available for lessons at Milperra driving Range & New Brighton Golf Club. Full Swing, Short Game and On Course Lessons available. Brent is also TPI Certified. www.brentdalegolf.com.au. brent@brentdalegolf.com.au. 0402 038 227

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fitness

The single arm dumbbell chest press

Stop trying to score Anne Rollo

anne@fixmygolfswing.com.au

Richard Nizielski richardniz@gmail.com 0438 027 768

As a general rule, when I write training programs for the golf athletes I work with, I only include one or two (rarely) chest exercises. This is for a several reasons, however, the main reason is that the upper body muscles needed for the golf swing are predominantly in the rear of the shoulders and the upper back area. Many of the players I test and train have greater strength in the front of the body, the chest area, when compared to their upper back strength. Most ‘press’ style exercises such as the bench press and the dumbbell chest press exercise are performed lying on a bench using the chest and arm muscles while the rest of the body is relatively relaxed. This is great for the chest muscles, but mainly in an isolated and non-golf related fashion. If you have been a regular reader of the articles I write for Inside Golf, the you will be aware, where possible, I like to combine two or more areas of the body at the same time. One way to increase the relevance and effectiveness of chest exercise is to perform the exercise in a single-sided fashion. Firstly, choose a dumbbell which is lighter in weight than you would normally use. If you haven’t done a dumbbell chest press exercise before, then I advise caution, suggesting you begin with the regular two dumbbells chest press exercise. Once you have a suitable dumbbell, lie back on the bench. Keep the dumbbell close to your chest/body and move yourself across towards the edge of the bench, so only half of your body is supported on the bench.

Stabilise the body by engaging the deep abdominal muscles and activating the glute and thigh muscles of the supporting leg. Extend the arm holding the dumbbell, raising it directly above the shoulder and prepare for the movement. Using an even, smooth tempo (I recommend two seconds down, hold at the bottom for one second and return to the start position in two seconds), begin the movement. As you do this you will feel your body wanting to ‘fall’ off the bench, so it is important to maintain the activation of the leg and abdomen to prevent

this from happening. When the bottom of the movement is reached, the hand should be directly above the elbow. From here, return to the start position and repeat the exercise for the required repetitions. The single arm dumbbell chest press is a great way to bring into activation more areas of the body when working on the chest muscles. This exercise is an advanced training method, so begin with caution and use a light dumbbell, focusing on technique and muscle recruitment rather than trying to build a large chest. 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

Is your golf good during practise or social games but not so good in competitions or when it matters? You may be too focused on scoring. It may be hard to relax and treat a competitive round like a social round, but here are some tips to help you. 1. Forget the result. Get lost in the process. (Think about the shot, the swing, whatever swing thought works for you, even if it’s just keeping it smooth or visualising the shot in the air and forget the result.) You might like to do a slow count in your head when you swing to take your mind off the result and onto the process. Think ‘1’ on the backswing and ‘2’ on the follow through. 2. Stay in the moment, one shot at a time. (Consider each shot the only one you will play for the day. Stay in the moment and don’t think about the shot you just messed up or the next hole you hate, etc). Block out all the distractions and focus on this one shot. 3. Treat every swing the same. Develop a routine for all your shots. If you watch the pros, they all have a very precise routine that they follow on each and every shot. It slows you down, calms you down and gets you focused.... no one shot is more important than any other. • Anne Rollo is an ALPG Golf Professional and author of ‘Passport to great golf ’, a pocket tips guide to take on the course with you. Anne is running her popular Royal Pines Golf School this August, there are a few places left. Go to www.fixmygolfswing. com.au for details or email anne@fixmygolfswing. com.au or call 0404 235 563

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people

New GQ chair to energise state David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

NEW Golf Queensland (GQ) chair Peter Castrisos is a gregarious, energetic hands-on person. Castrisos, who has served on the board of GQ for the past five years and is a Golf Australia delegate, has been characterised as a progressive thinker who plans to build on the accomplishments of his predecessor, Tom Crothers. As chair of the GQ planning and development committee, Castrisos has been involved in the development of new membership strategies, junior golf development, implementation of the MYGolf program and the introduction of the Women’s Golf Network. “I am a strong advocate for growing the game and assisting clubs to increase their membership base,” Castrisos said. “It is imperative that consolidation of past developments and initiatives occur. “I will focus on helping golf clubs grow membership again because it’s not going well in a lot of areas. “We will continue to promote the MYGolf program. We believe we need to get more kids into golf because the more kids we get into golf, the more chance we have to grow the game.” A semi-retired pharmacist, Castrisos says when it comes to golf club memberships clubs need to “think outside the square”. “There are a lot of people playing golf, but they are not members of golf clubs. “What we have to do is meet the requirements of the people who don’t join golf clubs and encourage clubs to create membership categories to accommodate time-poor people.” Born at Tully in North Queensland of Greek

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TOP MAN: Peter Castrisos is aiming to grow the game in Queensland. migrant parents, Castrisos remains a country boy at heart. “I am a country boy and the pleasure I get out of the role is the opportunity to travel around the state attending as many AGMs as possible,” he said. “I get to meet with a lot of fantastic people and occasionally get to play golf on some interesting golf courses.” A non-drinker, Castrisos told Inside Golf he was high on life. “I don’t drink and people often say they would hate to think what I was like if I did drink,’ he joked. “I have always been full of energy and motivated to keep doing things because I don’t want to shrivel up. “Having worked in the health field for 44 years, I have seen people retire, slow down and then they are lost. I don’t want to be lost – I always want

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to be doing something,” said Castrisos, who has been involved in Rotary for 30 years. “I recently attended a pharmaceutical forum on mental health and a couple of the speakers talked about the ways of slipping into dementia. “Their advice was to have an active mind, get involved in things and stay physically well. The best way to do that is to keep doing things.” The Brisbane Golf Club member admitted he has had to cut back on the amount of time spent on the golf course. “I used to play golf three times a week, every week, but now if I’m lucky if I play once a week,” said the former club president. He described his current golf handicap as “terrible”. “One thing I have learnt about golf is if you don’t put in you don’t get anything out of it,” said the 15 marker. •

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Meet unsung identity Len Thomas David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

LEN Thomas is one of a long list of unsung Australian golfing identities. The 73-year-old might not be a household name, but the West Australian has left an indelible mark on the game. Over the next few issues, Inside Golf will focus its attention on some of the not-sofamous players of our great game. Len Thomas is a life member of the PGA of Australia – an organisation he joined in 1960. Early in his career, he had some success as a player winning three WA Opens and even made an Open Championship appearance at St Andrews. He developed a love for the game well before he was a teenager and soon joined the caddie ranks, as many youngsters did in the 1950s. In those days, Len wasn’t backward in coming forward and that confidence got the then 13-year-old a job caddying for the great Norman von Nida. “Norman came to Lake Karrinyup Golf Club, approached the caddies and asked ‘who is the best caddie here’. I said I was and he said, ‘well, I am the best player so we should go well together’,” Len recalled. “In 1960, I played him in the semi-final of the Australian PGA Championship and he beat me.” Len also rubbed shoulders with legendary South African Gary Player. “Gary came to Perth in 1956 to play in the WA Open,” Len said. He was 20 years old, I was 17 and I finished runner-up to him.”

SET SAIL: Len Thomas spends some quality time with wife Sally. He also had a brush with Jack Nicklaus and “And in 1966, I played the last round of finished one shot ahead of the American in the Australian Open with Arnold Palmer, the Wills Classic at The Australian Golf Club the year he won.” in 1962. In 1964, Len played the Open Championship “He was the reigning US Open champion and and finished 39th. He can remember the finished fifth and I was fourth,” Len said proudly. tournament as if it were yesterday. “It was definitely one of my career highlights, “Tony Lema won from Nicklaus,” he said. but the highlight for me was when I beat Peter “In the first round the weather was calm and Thomson in the Westend Classic in Adelaide. Lema shot 68 and in the afternoon the weather “It was the pinnacle of my career because he turned bad and Nicklaus shot 76. I played in was leading going into the last round and shot front of Nicklaus and had the same score. 69 and I shot 66 against a very strong field to “It was a good effort to make the cut after win by two shots. having played in the roughest weather.”

On tour, Len was known as The Spaniard – a moniker given to him by his lifelong friend Alan Murray. “We were playing in the Philippines Open in Manila in 1962 and I was called to the tee and introduced as ‘Mr El Thomas’,” said Len, who lives in the southwest corner of WA near the Margaret River wine region. “The name (The Spaniard) stuck and has been used ever since by my pro mates of that era.” Later in his career, Len helped introduce and establish golf in Fiji, Indonesia and China. “When I came into the game in the 1960s, I made a living playing the game before I got a real job,” he laughed. “The real job I became heavily involved in was public golf courses. “I became the controller and golf pro at Hammersley public course in Perth and then I went over to the number one public course, Wembley. “I was the boss at Wembley for nearly 10 years. I saw more opportunities at public courses. “At public golf courses I was always the boss because it suited my personality to be in charge, rather than being told what to do by a committee.” In 1995, Len went to China to help with the development of the game. “I have been teaching golf there for the last 17 years,” he said. “For nine of those years my golf pro son Martyn went with me.” In the 1960s, Len was on the WA PGA committee and over the years acted as mentor to the PGA trainee pros. These days, he is enjoying the life of a retiree and is currently on a 14-week tour of Europe with wife Sally. •

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Behind the stars: teaching today’s tour professionals Rob Willis

ed@insidegolf.com.au

From a distance, teaching or coaching an athlete in any pursuit at or near the top of their profession appears glamorous and exciting. The bright lights of the professional Tours are what most golfers dream of, so why should golf coaches be any different? Truth be known, however, it might just be a little more difficult and demanding than anyone could have imagined, with a whole new set of expectations and responsibilities coming into the equation. Teaching a touring pro brings added demands, pressures and responsibilities, with the coach holding in their hands the destiny of a golfer hoping to clear the next hurdle, make the next cut, successfully negotiate the next tour school or win the next tournament. Some, such as the likes of Butch Harmon and David Leadbetter made a name by following their professional clients in their tournament travels around the world. Of late, two Australian coaches in Steve Bann and Dale Lynch have become regulars on the US PGA Tour, while before them Gary Edwin was another to clock up thousands of frequent flyer points as he traversed the globe looking after his stable of tour pros. Then there are others, PGA Members who spend their days trying to fix a14-handicapper’s troublesome slice and their nights on the phone or computer communicating with a touring professional in some faraway place.

Steve Guiliano with student Stacy Keating Travel occasionally enters the equation for many, but more commonly it is a long-distance relationship; one which takes time, patience and a considerable dose of coaching ability to make it work. While none are immune to jumping on a plane and being in a foreign country when the call for help arrives, Sydney teaching pro Gary Barter, Victorian Steve Guiliano and Brisbane’s Jim Barden are three who juggle teaching a tournament pro with their day-to-day schedules. And all three carry out their roles to a very high standard. Now based in the US, Matt Jones and Aron Price sought out Barter’s advice as 15 year-olds and despite the difficulty of distance — which has presented itself over the last number of years— both still rely on him to guide their golf games.

Jones and Price have long-since graduated through the ranks to where they have played the US PGA Tour, Jones still has conditional status and Price is on the Nationwide Tour, with the frantic late night phone calls, the Skype meetings and requests for a mercy dash halfway across the world to fix a swing not behaving, all par for the course. It is that reliance, the accountability, which makes coaching a tour pro challenging but as Barter explains, at the same time rewarding. “I suppose the biggest difference is you’ve got a responsibility away from the range as you are a part of their career. It’s mainly about the communication away from the range. You give a lesson to a member and you hope he plays well on Saturday but you really don’t have the same contact with him as you do someone who is

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playing for a living,” Barter said. “But while there is a lot more responsibility it’s very satisfying because you’re at the pointy end of the business.” The responsibility about which he speaks means it often becomes impossible not to have a more personal attachment and to not take your work home with you at night. “For example last weekend Matt played poorly at the Travelers (on the US PGA Tour) and Aron had an ordinary day and spent some money on Sunday in the Nationwide event he played,” Barter said. “So you feel for them when it isn’t going so well but you do get some exciting times when they win or when they do play well.” While the majority of his time is spent at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney, Barter also answers frequent requests from the Americanbased pair to jump on board a US-bound flight. In his estimation he made six separate trips to America in 2012 alone. Another professional under his care is Nikki Campbell, who competes on the Japanese women’s tour with the difference being a travelling schedule which allows regular stopovers at Barter’s Sydney base. Modern technology can sometimes offer a workable solution, but Barter understands the reality that there is no substitute to being there in person, hence his willingness to travel when the call goes out. “Communications are good these days, you have the internet, you can even speak in real time over the internet, but it’s not the same. I don’t think you can really be a better player’s coach and just do it from home,” he reasoned. “You think you can, but the reality is you can’t do it as well as if you were with them.” Now at The Mines Resort in Malaysia, reportedly one of the most spectacular golfing

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people facilities in Asia and home of the CIMB Classic, Victorian Steve Guiliano remembers back eight years ago to a time when a young country lass named Stacy Keating arrived on his doorstep at Sanctuary Lakes in Melbourne. Originally coming to Melbourne to do a Sports Science University degree, the then-eight handicapper was hardly ready to take on the golfing world. Since that time, Keating’s golf has prospered and her partnership with Guiliano has continued to blossom since those humble beginnings. “Actually it took her about eight months to break 80 at Sanctuary Lakes,” Guiliano recalled. “Her grandparents taught her to play and she had never had any formal coaching. So I was her first coach—and her last coach I guess—and I’m still her coach now. “Stacy has been a very consistent performer. She started a bit late and was a late bloomer, but she went up fairly quickly. She has worked hard to get up to that standard. Every year for her so far has been better than the last,” he added. Like Barter, Guiliano prefers to shy away from the suggestion of increased pressure, but he does realise the increased demands that go with coaching the game’s elite. “I don’t know if pressure is the right word,” he answered. “But there is a lot more responsibility. In a nice way, it is all about them. They are always trying to get the most out of a coach and the most out of themselves.” Keating-Guiliano have followed a similar course to most coach-player relationships in as far as the contact was very regular in the formative years, almost day to day, to where with Keating travelling and playing the Europe Tour, their face-to-face contact has been lessened. So when they do spend time together on the lesson tee, there isn’t a minute to waste. “We’ll often work morning to night, with her physical work as well as the technical side with her swing. If we aren’t in the gym, we’ll be on the

Jim Barden range,” Guiliano said. “While I’m in Malaysia now Stacy will fly me back to Australia two or three times this year and she is also coming here after a tournament she has on in South Africa. “I’ll see her three to five times this year, anywhere from three days to seven days at a time. But hopefully by now you’ve done a lot of the grounding, then it becomes more of a maintenance thing,” he said. As for the travel aspect and how much time Guiliano will spend on the road, with his recent move to The Mines Resort changing the landscape somewhat, that is something player and coach were still working through.

“I made one trip to Europe last year, to the British Open which she got into, but we spoke earlier this year and have been testing and talking about what we are going to do,” he added. Queenslander Jim Barden is another PGA Member juggling his time between his daily obligations at his base at the Brisbane Learning Centre and his commitment to his band of tournament professionals. As Queensland Academy of Sport coach Barden imparted his knowledge on some of the best junior players in the Sunshine State, with one of those talented youngsters Andrew Dodt a winner on the European Tour in 2010. As Barden explains, Dodt

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continues to seek out his advice and assistance. “He is a very loyal type of guy so we’ve stayed together and just kept doing what we do,” Barden said. Like his coaching colleagues Barter and Guiliano, Barden understands the added responsibility but tries not be become overwhelmed by the task at hand. “I wouldn’t see it as pressure but you’ve really got to be precise about certain stuff. In saying that, Andrew knows what he wants and understands his technique, the technical side of things,” Barden said. “He is becoming more accepting that you don’t have to be perfect and he is getting his head in the right space. You’ve got to pay attention to what you do and try to do it right.” Another integral role carried out by many coaches of elite players is to make some recommendations as to a future direction and schedule. Barden is one to also become involved in that process. “His management, myself and Andrew—then this year he started working with Noel Blundell— we’ve all got a role with that. We had a meeting in December to map out a schedule for this year, at least a theoretical model, but things do change,” Barden said. “Noel has come on board and between him and Andrew they’ve made some changes (to his schedule) and as a result he’s probably been out there playing a bit more.” Barden is another advocate for getting out into the field with the long distance relationship somewhat harder to manage. “It’s tough to do it by remote control, relying on what he says, because that might not be what is actually happening,” Barden reasoned. Teaching touring pros to some may seem daunting (or glamorous to others), but for Gary Barter, Steve Guiliano and Jim Barden, all awarding-winning PGA Australia members in their own right, it’s what they know and it’s what they do. •

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Dentist Allison caps another win David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

ALLISON Chell was 10 years old when she won her first club championship. Fast forward 16 years and she’s still winning club titles. Last month, the 26-year-old captured the A grade club championship at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club on the Gold Coast. It was her fourth A grade title and her fifth overall. “I won the C grade club championship when I was 10,” she said. What made this year’s title special was she shared the podium with her mum Gail, who won the A grade (reserve) title. It was a happy moment for mother and daughter, but also quite emotional as Allison dedicated the win to her late grandfather Murray Sargent, a former club president. “When I first started playing golf as a nine-yearold he was the person who encouraged and coached me,” Allison said. “He would take me out and I would practise with him right up until I was 15 or 16. “I told him earlier this year I was planning on playing in the club championships and he was excited and said he would be there. Unfortunately, he passed away in February and not having him there was tough. “I was pretty much thinking about him over every shot during the tournament rounds and I feel he pulled me through. “It was nice having him in my thoughts,” said Allison, who defeated Lail Emmerson-Smail 11/10 in the 36-hole final. Allison had a promising amateur career representing Queensland and Australia before going on to the University of Nevada Las Vegas on a golf scholarship.

FAMILY AFFIAR: Allison Chell and her mum Gail show off the spoils of victory. golf for the last three years because of a back injury. Three years into the four-year scholarship, Allison “She has only started getting back into golf in last quit the program when she decided golf was no longer six months and she has done well. I knew she could a career option. do it and I am proud of her.” “I was planning to stay for four years and then turn Gail, who plays off 12, said she enjoyed her golf professional,” she said. without taking it too seriously. “It was a great experience in terms of trying to “I am more of a person who enjoys caddying for measure my level of golf against the rest of the world. a lot of people,” she said. Sanctuary Cove has been “It was a good learning curve, but obviously I good to us over the past 17 years. decided to change career paths three years down “Allison has grown up with a lot of the members the track. and first represented the club in pennants when she “To be honest, I stopped enjoying the competitive was 10,” Gail said. side of golf and the travelling. Once you stop enjoying “She played in division 3 with some of the older the game it becomes a vicious cycle.” Allison returned to Australia to study dentistry. ladies including Dorothy Johnson, who was about “It’s a completely different career path, but I enjoy 70 at the time. it and the challenges it brings,” she said. “They won the pennant that year. You look back “After coming back from the States, I took a year and think ‘where on earth can you play a game that off and then started playing socially with my parents a 70-year-old can play in the same team as a 10-yearand friends. I am now enjoying my golf again.” old’. The club has great camaraderie.” Allison, who plays off a four handicap, said she was For the record, Allison was the club’s junior thrilled to be joined in the winner’s circle by her mum. champion between 2000-’04 and has won the Ladies “Mum was fantastic because she hasn’t played much Foursome Championship six times. •

Teens with learning barriers on work placement scheme The Colonial and Robina Woods are strengthening their community ties by providing work-based traineeships for teenagers with learning barriers. The placement scheme is driven by Gold Coast Employment Support Service Inc (GCESS), a notfor-profit organisation that provides employment opportunities and ongoing support for people of all ages with learning difficulties. After a 13-week trial period the youngsters are offered a part-time traineeship where they will spend two days a week at the golf course and the remaining three at school. The two-year traineeships are centred in the course maintenance departments where the locally-based youngsters will learn the horticultural and green-keeping skills necessary to keep a pristine golf course in tip-top condition. The fully supervised but hands-on roles provide vital skills training as well as promoting personal development, according to GCESS Chief Executive Officer Melissa Williams. “There are myriad benefits to the youngsters as a result of these placements. Their skill development, their self-esteem and self-confidence – these are all areas where a tangible result can be seen,” Mrs Williams said. Managing Director of Robina Woods and The Colonial, Mrs Angie Ison, said the placement scheme encouraged inclusion and was a high priority for the two courses. “Youngsters with learning difficulties are entitled to the same aspirations and ambitions as everyone else and we will support this program wherever we can. It is as rewarding as it is productive and we encourage other businesses to contact GCESS to find out more about the placement scheme,” Mrs Ison said. To learn more about the services offered by GCESS visit www.gcess.org or call (07) 5591 9199. •

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Golf, food and wine with altitude Orange, located just 3.5 hours from Sydney and 3 hours northwest of Canberra in Central NSW, is a cultural city, blending historic buildings and streetscapes with cosmopolitan cafes, restaurants, theatres and galleries. Orange’s fine food and wine are now matched with great golfing, including Duntryleague Golf Clubs, Wentworth Golf Club and Orange Ex-Services’ Country Club. The 2012 City of Orange Golf Championships will be played over the October Long Weekend, Saturday 29 September to Monday 1st October 2012. Golf registrations for the event are now available through www.golforange.com.au and are limited to the first 200 nominations received. Prizes for this year’s event are in excess of $6,000. Entry is $80 per player and includes all three rounds of golf and complimentary nibbles and beverages at the presentation on the Monday. The event will see both the Men and Ladies Events consolidated again and played at the same venue each day. This new format has certainly enhanced the atmosphere with what is already a great event and has allowed participants to make new friends across all grades. The Men’s competition will be contested over three grades and the Ladies over two. A feature of the event will see the combined presentation for the Men and Ladies on the Monday afternoon at Orange Ex-Services’ Country Club, with drinks and nibbles for players and event sponsors. The 2011 City of Orange Golf Championship event was a huge success with over 160 players registering. Players from as far as Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, the Southern Highlands and the Hunter Valley took part, while many golf clubs were heavily represented, some of

those being Fox Hills, Cabramatta, Yowani, Kurri Kurri, Gungahlin Lakes, Cumberland and Jamberoo. Robert Payne from Duntryleague took out the Men’s Scratch Championship with Alison Seib of Orange Ex-Services’ Country Club taking out the Ladies. Both Robert and Alison have confirmed their attendance for this year’s

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event to defend their titles. With a new major sponsor, both Robert and Alison, as defending champions, will have the services for the entire October Long Weekend, of a brand new Land Rover, courtesy of Tony Leahey Land Rover. Spots are starting to fill quickly with registration forms, stay and play packages available through our website, www.golforange.com.au. •

Challenge yourself

Hiding in the Hawkesbury River region just north of Windsor is a course that will challenge and delight golfers of all levels. Lynwood Country Club, named after the historic Lynwood House which is situated at the highest point of the course, is spread over 230 acres in a rural setting in Pitt Town. The view from the colonial style clubhouse subdues the player into thinking there is only one visible tree and acres of room. It’s not until you tee off that you start to appreciate the true test this 18-hole, par72 Graham Papworth-designed links style golf course has to offer. The couch fairways for the most part are generous, but there are water hazards on 17 of the holes to ensure you hit accurately. On top of navigating the water hazards golfers must negotiate 53 bunkers, as the greens are well protected and once you reach them you have pure rolling bent grass to finish off this challenging golfing experience. If you aren’t up to playing 18 holes why not improve your game by trying out the 300m, two-tiered driving range or the large putting and chipping green and short game range. Once you have finished on the course the Terrace Grill will tantalise your taste buds with a selection of great food and service to match. So there is a championship course, with a great club house, beautiful food, superb views of the mountains and friendly staff to make sure your day is complete. Come out and see what the fuss is about. You might even want to join! •

Play and stay on Fiji's world class Natadola Bay. Escape the winter chill and enjoy world class golf, renowned Fijian hospitality and the luxury of the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa. Our Golf Concierge will tailor the perfect golf holiday in tropical paradise. natadola@golfconcierge.com.au www.natadolabay.com or + 61 7 3857 1030

2012 Natadola Bay Fiji Classic presented by Drummond Golf

23rd - 28th October only

$1,599.00* *conditions apply

Non-Golfer package and extra nights available

Enjoy world class golf, luxury accommodation at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa, great social activities and fine food. To book your spot, call our Golf Concierge on 07 3857 1030 or visit www.golfconcierge.com.au for more information.

Entry Includes:

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

golf travel ~

NSW Golfing Magic

The Vintage Golf Club WHETHER you choose the Hunter Valley, Newcastle or Port Stephens you will have hit on a region rich in golfing treasures. Each region can boast numerous top quality golf courses and venues and over the next few pages we feature a selection of the finest in these areas. From the championship layouts of Pacific Dunes, Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club and Horizons

to the friendly club atmosphere of Waratah and others, these popular golfing destinations have it all. For golfers who are easily distracted there are magnificent beaches and wineries and mountains further inland. There’s plenty to see and do so take your time to explore and make sure you acquaint yourself with

Hawks Nest Golf Club

the locals, who are always friendly and go out of their way to make your golfing holiday worthwhile. There’s plenty of comfortable accommodation and the entire region really is a one-stop golfing playground. So, what are you waiting for; isn’t it time to get acquainted, or re-acquainted, with some terrific layouts in New South Wales?

The Vintage

MORE than two million visitors can’t be wrong. That’s the number of people that pack their bags and head for the magnificent Hunter Valley each year. In recent years there’s been another good reason for tourists with a liking for golf to head for the region – the Greg Norman-designed The Vintage

Charlestown Golf Club

‘Home of the NSW/ACT Trainee Professional Championship’

Nestled in the hills between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Newcastle’s best kept golfing secret. Challenging, picturesque and friendly. Open to the public, Monday & Friday all day and after 3pm each afternoon. Social Groups Welcome. Book your charity or corporate day with us. BARKER AVENUE, HILLSBOROUGH (02) 4943 7944 WWW.CHARLESTOWNGOLFCLUB.COM.AU

Competitive membership rates - Visiting membership category for those residing outside a 75km radius.

(02) 4997 0145 Sanderling Ave, Hawks Nest, 2324

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Golf Course Living All the Best Options in One Place

www.golﬁnghomes.com.au Whether you are looking to buy or sell e: caddy@golﬁnghomes.com.au p: 0439 846 314

NSW Golfing Magic Nelson Bay

golf course. Located at Pokolbin, 10km north of Cessnock in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country, the championship golf course is bordered by vineyards and is beautifully integrated with spectacular valley landscape. Norman has weaved his magic at The Vintage, which provides a challenging and enjoyable experience. The 18-hole golf course, which stretches to 6310m off the back tees, winds gently around undisturbed wetlands, water carry lakes and towering eucalypts. Rated as being among the top two per cent of courses in Australia, The Vintage is a sheer pleasure to play –challenging but fair to all levels of players. The Vintage has a fully-serviced driving range, which is open seven days a week. The practice putting green is located near the golf shop and

the practice chipping holes are located near the driving range. And if you forget to pack your clubs, don’t worry because The Vintage has some of the game’s leading brand clubs for hire. Golf lessons are also available. Anyone who plays The Vintage once will want to play it again so we suggest you take advantage of the stay-and-play packages. Another reason to stay is the facility borders Bimbadgen Vineyards – one of the Hunter Valley’s finest wineries. The Vintage Vintage Drive, Rothbury NSW 2320, Australia Golf Shop: (02) 4998 2208. Play & Stay packages: (02) 4998 2222 or (02) 4998 2500 golf@thevintage.com.au www.thevintage.com.au

~ golf travel

Horizons Golf Resort

LOOKING to escape the day-to-day stress that has engulfed your life? Then head for Horizons Golf Resort situated in the heart of the beautiful holiday haven of Port Stephens a comfortable two-and-a-half hour drive from Sydney. Once rated in the top-10 courses in NSW and number one resort, Horizons has come through a transition period and things are looking brighter after a consortium of Horizons members entered into a license agreement with PKF, the administrator of the Le Meilleur Horizons Golf Resort business, to manage the course. While the Graham Marsh and Ross Watsondesigned layout did lose some of its shine for a short period, things are well-and-truly back on track and the course remains as challenging as

ever and the greens are a pleasure to putt on. The golf course is picture-perfect with its fairways and greens set against a backdrop of native trees, wildflowers and scenic waterways. Some of the golf course’s more memorable holes include the par-4 fifth, a difficult hole that doglegs to the right requiring an accurate tee shot. The eighth is unique as it has a large bunker splitting the fairways, the lower side providing the players with the best angle for their second, but watch out for water behind the green. The three finishing holes are worth waiting for with the par-4 16th arguably the most difficult as the tee shot must carry part of the wetlands. The short 17th is memorable as your tee shot must carry over the wetlands to a well-protected green and the par-5 18th is a good finishing hole. It’s protected by bunkers on both sides of the

Lunch is on the club

Present this ad to enjoy lunch on us at Grapevine Bar & Restaurant after 18 holes of golf Lunch between 11am - 3pm. Conditions apply*

$59 Midweek incl cart $69 Weekends & Public Hols incl cart 430 Wine Country Drive Lovedale NSW 2321 T: 02 4991 4777 | F: 02 4991 4888 | E: info@hvgcc.com.au www.huntervalleygolf.net.au *Valid until 31/08/12. Voucher must be presented at the Pro Shop prior to tee off. Any voucher presented after play will not be honoured.

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

golf travel ~

NSW Golfing Magic Newcastle Golf Club

Hawks Nest Golf Club

fairway while the huge three-tier green has water on the left. After a game, the comfortable clubhouse is the perfect place to relax. Horizons Golf Resort Horizons Drive, Salamander Bay, NSW Telephone (02) 4982-0474 www.horizons.com.au

Hawks Nest Golf Club

Hawks Nest is a championship rated 6058m 18-hole course with an ACR of 71. Built on sand, Hawks Nest is one of the finest wet weather courses in the Newcastle district. While currently the home of the NSW/ACT Trainee Professional 72-hole Championship, Hawks Nest welcomes golfers of all standards and is an easy walk. The club maintains a fleet of Yamaha Golf Carts for use by members and visitors. Just a short detour off the Pacific Highway, or accessible by ferry from Nelson Bay via Tea Gardens, getting there is easy. The Clubhouse is a large, modern, comfortable, air conditioned venue, and an ideal spot for members, guests, visitors and holidaymakers alike.

Close to the sand dunes of Stockton Beach, Newcastle Golf Club has ranked in the top-20 courses in the nation for more than 10 years. The late, great Norman von Nida even reckoned it was one of the best courses in the world while four-time Open Championship winner Bobby Locke considered some of the holes the finest he had ever played. And one of the game leading golf course architects, Tom Doak, was so impressed with the fifth (368m), sixth (367m) and seventh (148m) holes he even documented them in his book Confidential Guide to Golf Courses. Doak raved about the course and described it as a “hidden gem”. He rated the par-3 seventh hole as one of the best 18 holes in his “rest of the world” ratings outside the United States and the British Isles. Players have to thread their tee shot through a chute of tall trees and then avoid bunkers short right and long left. If you do miss the green, you’ll have your work cut out making par. Alex Mercer, Steve Elkington’s coach, too, is a big fan of the golf course.

Relax with a meal and or drink after a round of golf, or celebrate that special event, business function or trade day. The fully licensed clubhouse features a modern bar, TAB, café and brasserie, with relaxing areas to take in the superb views of the golf course and bushland. Open 7 days per week from 10am, with regular raffles on Wednesday and Friday evenings and a courtesy bus servicing the Hawks Nest / Tea Gardens locality. The clubhouse is ideally suited for birthdays, wedding receptions, business meetings and seminars. Their catering staff can design attractive menus to suit any type of function, large or small, with versatile clubhouse configurations available for numbers between 10 and 300 people. Hawks Nest Golf Club Sanderling Ave, Hawks Nest 2324 Phone: (02) 4997 0145 www.hawksnestgolfclub.com.au

Newcastle Golf Club

For as long as anyone can remember, leading golfers and golf course designers have been singing the praises of Newcastle Golf Club – and rightly so.

When he played there, he described it as one of the few great natural layouts left – anywhere. The perfectly presented championship golf course is carved out of sclerophyll forest on undulating sand dunes with each hole having its own individual character. The rolling couch fairways are bordered by majestic eucalyptus and angophoras towering out of white sandy soil creating a feeling of isolation when playing each hole. The club’s first greenkeeper Fred Popplewell, winner of the Australian Open in 1925 and 1928, built the first nine holes in 1915. Eric Apperly then designed 18 holes, keeping seven of Popplewell’s nine, with the full layout opened in 1937. The golf course certainly has stood the test of time and tends to play longer due to the elevated greens and well-grassed fairways. From the back tees, it’s tough but because it’s a world-class layout, with no two holes alike, players keep coming back for more. The clubhouse provides a great feeling of tradition surrounding Newcastle with historic prints and trophy cabinets displaying memorabilia of bygone eras.

BELMONT GOLF CLUB

Located in the isthmus between Lake Macquarie and the Pacific Ocean, Belmont Golf Club is an 18-Hole Par 72 Championship Links Course set amongst rolling green fairways and trees with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop.

Constructed on pure sand, Belmont is the best “all weather” course in the area

Home of the world-ranked Lake Macquarie Amateur Championship. The annual amateur tournament internationally recognised by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

PGA Professionals - Lessons, Clubs, Buggies & Carts, Practice Fairway, Putting greens and practice nets available. Contact Pro Shop for full details on 02 4945 2058

Monday and Friday Social Golf Special - 18 holes for two people in a cart $100 (bookings essential - Ph. 02 4945 2058) | Corporate Golf - Large or small, Packages tailored to suit your requirements | Weddings - Overlooking our picturesque links golf course, our Function Centre is the ideal location for your intimate wedding | Membership open all categories, no Joining Fees, special rates for Intermediate and Juniors |

801A Pacific Highway Marks Point NSW 2280 Ph (02) 4945 4348 www.belmontgolf.com.au 62

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NSW Golfing Magic Belmont Golf Club

Once you have played Newcastle, you’ll want to come back again and again. Newcastle Golf Club Vardon Rd, Fern Bay, NSW 2295 02 4928 1365 www.newcastlegolf.com.au

Belmont Golf Club

A former Belmont Golf Club president, Bernard S. Kemp, once described the club as a happy and welcoming golf club. He also said nature had provided the club with many assets including a great climate, an easy walking

~ golf travel

Waratah Golf Club

links course and an almost unlimited water supply for growth. Well, he was right on all accounts. This year the popular club, located on the southern fringe of Newcastle, celebrates its 60th anniversary and in that time has grown from swampy scrub to an internationally-recognised championship course. The Lake Macquarie International Championship has been attracting the cream of the amateur crop since 1958. Major winners like Mark O’Meara, Steve Elkington and Vijay Singh have graced the fairways. Other big names who have walked in their footsteps include Colin Montgomerie, Luke Donald, Paul Casey, Jack Newton, Rodger Davis, Peter O’Malley, Robert Allenby, Geoff Ogilvy, Stuart Appleby and others. One of the reasons the world’s best golfers (men and women) keep turning up to play Belmont is

because the course is well-regarded. Over the years, the club has continued to make improvements to the golf course and in the future will look to establish new holes on the northern end of the course along the beach. Belmont has four challenging par-3s including the 155m fifth which was re-designed by Jack Newton. With deep bunkers short right and long left, it requires good club selection to an elevated green. Because of its shape, the hole offers some challenging pin positions. The par-5 ninth is the longest hole (482m off the white tees) and requires a courageous tee shot because there’s water along the entire left side. The second shot doesn’t get any easier with hazards left and trees right and the green, which has a hump in the middle, is protected by two bunkers right.

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

golf travel ~

NSW Golfing Magic

Stonebridge Golf Course

The signature hole is the 401m par-4 15th. Running parallel with Pacific Ocean, it demands a near-perfect tee shot because there’s danger in the form of bush on the left and right. The fast green is protected by two bunkers left and requires care to study the subtle slopes. If watching the recent Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes whet your appetite for links golf, make a bee-line for Belmont Golf Club, which is located two hours north of Sydney between Lake Macquarie and the Pacific Ocean. Belmont Golf Club 801A Pacific Highway, Marks Point, NSW, 2280 (02) 4945 4348 www.belmontgolf.com.au

Waratah Golf Club

JO PA IN Y N LA O TE W, R

Located on the edge of Lake Macquarie just south of Newcastle, Waratah Golf Club is the oldest golf club in the region, having been established in 1901. It was also the first 18-hole

course outside the metropolitan area. Waratah Golf Club is home to the prestigious W E Alexander Open Championships, which is conducted in September each year. The championship is also the longest-running Vardon event in NSW. Waratah Golf Course provides a championship course to challenge golfers at all levels. An easy walking course bordering on the banks of Cockle creek makes for a park like setting in the midst of a growing regional area. Stay and play packages can be arranged with the Macquarie Inn located within 50 metres of the 18th green. Waratah Golf Club 456 Lake View Rd, Argenton, NSW, 2284 (02) 4958 1847 www.waratahgolfclub.com.au

Stonebridge Golf Club

Stonebridge Golf Club is the Hunter Valley’s newest 18-hole championship course. Designed by local golfing master, Jack Newton, this 18-hole Par-72,

Golf Membership

Joining Pacific Dunes has never been more convenient, with flexible payment options allowing you to enjoy a premium golf course. Membership privileges include: ✓ A quarterly payment option ✓ No joining fees ✓ Unlimited golf ✓ No green fees ✓ Preferred tee times ✓ Member discounts ✓ Exclusive guest rates ✓ Troon Advantage program with up to $4,000 of complimentary rounds at Troon Courses around Australia

PacificDunes

6,127m layout offers unique challenges to all golfing enthusiasts. In particular is the course’s signature 18th hole, a memorable par-3 playing over a tranquil lake, as well as the stone bridge directing golfers over the water and onto a picturesque green. Perfection to a tee. “I’m really proud of the whole course design. Every hole has a new tee, fairway shaping, bunkering and a new green” Jack Newton said. There’s a good balance of holes for the serious, as well as the casual golfer.” Stonebridge Clubhouse will offer members and guests a range of excellent facilities including a clubhouse with a fully stocked Golf Shop, a cafe and a bar overlooking the 18th green for you to enjoy a beverage after your round. Troon has been appointed to manage the operations of the club and is the world leader in upscale golf course management, managing courses in over 25 countries. Membership starts from $295 year. Stonebridge Golf Members will not only enjoy this fabulous location but will also enjoy all the club has to offer, from access to the Jack Newton course, privileged use

of the contemporary clubhouse, relaxing bar & cafe, discounts and booking benefits and access to Troon’s world wide Troon Advantage Program. The combination of a great course design set within a backdrop of the Hunter Valley wine region will make this an appealing destination for locals and travellers alike. The course will again be the home of the new Jack Newton Srixon Junior Classic. Stonebridge Golf Club Mount View Road, Cessnock, NSW 2325 P: 02 4990 1633 E: admin@stonebridgegolf.com.au www.stonebridgegolf.com.au Green Fees Introductory Rates Midweek (Mon – Fri): $35 Weekend (Sat - Sun): $40 Golf Cart Hire (per cart): $35

Pacific Dunes

Pacific Dunes has established a reputation for providing a unique golfing experience on

Nelson Bay Golf Club

Host of th NSW M e 2013 Ladies M en’s and id-A Champio mateur nships

27 Championship Holes ~ Rated in theTop 50 Courses in Australia for Under $50

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

P 02 4981 1132 E golfclub@nelsonbaygolf.com.au W www.nelsonbaygolf.com 64

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NSW Golfing Magic

~ golf travel

utilizing up to $4000 worth of Troon vouchers for Troon Managed courses worldwide. The club’s newly released corporate membership are a great way for businesses to connect with their clients, colleagues and partners by providing both networking and rewarding opportunities for your company. The staff are also happy to discuss how a package can be tailored for your specific requirements. The planned club house will see 2013 be an exciting year for Pacific Dunes with the construction of the architecturally-designed, state-of-the-art Club House, overlooking the 1st and 10th tees and fairways. The Club House will encompass a bistro area and bar, lounge areas throughout with adjoining terraces, change rooms facilities, fitted Pro Shop, function and board room facilities catering for all guests needs. Pacific Dunes Championship Drive, Medowie, NSW 2318 Phone: 02 4916 0500 www.pacificdunesgolf.com.au

Charlestown Golf Club

Charlestown Golf Club the 18-hole championship golf course, featuring two very distinct nine holes. Ideally located on a natural sandy base and rolling topography, the course showcases a native woodland backdrop in the opening nine holes and stunning wetland back nine. Managed by Troon Golf and designed by renowned course architect, James Wilcher the layout uses 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.

Visitors to Pacific Dunes will experience some of the finest playing surfaces in Australia amongst other facilities including The Dunes Restaurant, fully-stocked golf shop and Summer House function facility set as the centrepiece of the $180 million Pacific Dunes Golf and Residential community. This year Pacific Dunes has exceed its expectations by improving in its course ranking, 60th in Australian’s Golf Digest’s Top 100 Courses, with the residential development ranking 24th in the Top 100 Suburbs in Australia that return the

strongest growth. Located in the picturesque Port Stephens region on New South Wales’ lower north coast, Pacific Dunes Golf Club is only 20 minutes to Nelson Bay, 25 minutes to the city centre of Newcastle, and less than 2 hours’ drive to Sydney, making the decision to become a member easy. When you become a golf member at Pacific Dunes you will receive unlimited golf 7 days a week, preferred times and rates, honor club events all whilst paying NO green fee at a premium golf club. Members can also enjoy the privilege to

Nestled in the hills between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, this hidden gem is a golfer’s course. Only 15 minutes from beaches, 20 minutes to the Newcastle CBD, and ample accommodation within 5 minutes at Charlestown and Warners Bay, the course is set in bushland with undulating grass fairways, grass greens, sand bunkers, elevated tees and water carries on some of the holes. The course has tree-lined fairways and provides challenges for all standards of golfers. The 18-hole course is a Par 72 with an AGU rating of 72. Its peaceful surroundings and panoramic views are second to none, hosting a large variety of birdlife and animals. The dress code is neat casual and soft spikes are required. The picturesque setting is home to abundant bird life. Mens comps run Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays, while Ladies comps run on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays. Mixed

Play one of the

World’s Greatest Courses V i si to r s We l Co m e

IT’S PLAY TIME! The Hunter’s hottest new course is now open Newcastle Golf Club is the perfect location for a Corporate function, wedding reception or private party. With stunning views over this historic golf course we can seat & cater for up to 150 guests. Call our friendly events team & enquire today. me m B e r sH iP s C U r r e N t lY AVAil ABl e

NEWCASTLE GOLF CLUB

Club Membership Offer - Join Now

$35 for 18 Holes - All Welcome

Stonebridge is a sensational 18-hole par 72 course designed by local legend Jack Newton. Become a full member to February 2013 at the special pro rata price of just $350.

All welcome to play! Green fees only $35 weekdays ($40 weekends) for a limited time. And then stay and relax in our brand new club house. Social Groups welcome. Ask about special group packages.

Casual and relaxing atmosphere. Perfect to unwind after your round! The club bar offers a great range of beers, TAB/ Keno facilities and a variety of delicious light & main meal options. Alfresco area overlooking our magnificent course.

MID-WEEK COMPETITION EVERY TUESDAY - ALL WELCOME

Vardon Rd, Fern Bay, NSW 2295 Phone: (02) 4928 1365 Pro Shop: (02) 4928 1984

www.newcastlegolf.com.au

Stonebridge Café

Mount View Road Cessnock NSW 4990 1633 • stonebridgegolf.com.au 1663

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

golf travel ~

NSW Golfing Magic

Vets play on Thursdays. Social play is available every afternoon and all day Mondays and Fridays (bookings advised). Social and corporate groups are always welcome. Memberships available in various categories. Whether your special occasion is a wedding, engagement or birthday party, special functions, fund raising dinner or just a social event, the team at Charlestown can tailor to suit your individual needs. Visitors are most welcome. Charlestown Golf Club Barker Ave Hillsborough 2290 NSW Australia Phone: (02) 4943 7944 Pro Shop: (02) 4943 8748 Email: rjgolf@charlestowngolfclub.com.au Email: admin@charlestowngolfclub.com.au Website: www.charlestowngolfclub.com

Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club

One of the great advantages of playing Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club is you won’t have your golfing ego bruised. Like a fine glass of red wine, a game here will be good for you. “It’s an ideal, all-round, user-friendly golf course,” said operations manager Troy Martin. “This place doesn’t tear your heart out. “It’s not overly demanding, but it has enough good holes to challenge the better golfer. And you won’t lose 30 balls and walk off hating the place.” Overall it’s a straightforward, challenging course devoid of any tricks and crazy architectural whims. One of the features is the redesigned 18th hole, which has been lengthened from an overly demanding par-4 to a risk-and-reward 454m par-5. It’s a dog-leg right to left, but golfers have to rifle their tee shot from a tree-lined chute and avoid water on the right and out of bounds down the left. Find the fairway and it’s an easy lay-up to the valley in front of the green. From there it’s a wedge to the green.

The 167m fourth hole is a beauty. A water carry from tee to green means an accurate midor long-iron must be played. There is a bail out to the right for golfers afraid of water. Registered social clubs keen to spoil their members should take advantage of the club’s current promotion. With the cost at just $59, including green and cart fees, groups of 16 or more would be hard pressed to find a better deal anywhere. “We are accessible, not overly-priced and would love them to come along at that rate,” Martin said. The golf course surrounds the 4.5-star Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, which offers hotel rooms and villas, three fantastic restaurants and a very good 19th hole. It’s open to golfers seven days a week.

HUNTER VALLEY GOLF GETAWAYS

Hunter Valley Golf andCountry Club (02) 4991 4777 www.huntervalleygolfcc.com.au

Macquarie Inn at Club Macquarie

Situated on the northern tip of Lake Macquarie, and only 30mins from Newcastle CBD, is the four-star Macquarie Inn. It features 36 wellappointed rooms including 14 Spa Suites and two Disabled Rooms. All rooms have King size beds, LCD TVs, free Pay TV plus FREE internet access for guests. Macquarie Inn is located along the tranquil shores of Cockle Creek, where rooms overlook the picturesque views and provides a relaxed atmosphere for guests. Macquarie Inn is connected to Club Macquarie by a secured covered walkway, where motel

guests can have excellent meals in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Club Macquarie has a newly refurbished kids’ play area adjacent to the dining area, with iPads, Mac computers, Kids TV and books. Park the car, check into your four-star accommodation, take a short stroll to Club Macquarie and enjoy all that is on offer. Club Macquarie also has great facilities for functions, with three different types of modern and stylish function rooms plus first class catering at great value. The team at Club Macquarie is experienced and dedicated to providing personal attention for any type of event,from small and intimate gatherings to gala events….. Almost anything is possible at Club Macquarie. Macquarie Inn at Club Macquarie is conveniently located only five minutes from beautiful Lake

Waratah Golf Club Established in 1901

Enjoy the oldest Golf Course in the Newcastle Lake Macquarie area

Stonebridge Golf Club

Venue for the WE Alexander Open A FULL CO BREAK OKED F INCLU AST D ALL W ED IN EEK PACKA END GES

Waratah Golf Course provides a Championship course to challenge golfers at all levels. Stay and Play packages are available with the Macquarie Inn - situated within a lob wedge of the 18th green.

GREAT TRADITIONAL COUNTRY STYLE

• Singles to Large Group Accommodation • Fantastic Location for Wineries/Golf Courses • Local Access to Stonebridge GC, The Vintage, Cypress Lakes G&CC, Hunter Valley G&CC and Kurri Kurri GC

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT THURS - SAT NIGHTS • The Award Winning Kurrajong Restaurant • Great Pub-Style Atmosphere • TAB • KENO

GOLF & ACCOMMODATION PACKAGES FROM JUST $53pp Including • 18 Holes of Golf • Accommodation

PH: (02) 4990 1002 234 Wollombi Road, Cessnock, NSW 2325

www.thecessnockhotel.com 66

August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

• Licensed Club • Carts and Buggy Hire • Full Colour GPS Systems included with Cart Hire • Competitive Green Fees • Bistro open daily for lunch • Function Room for Weddings, Birthdays etc

See Resident Professional Scott Davis at our award winning Pro Shop for your golfing needs

456 Lake Road, Argenton NSW 2284 Phone (02) 4958 1847 www.waratahgolfclub.com.au

NSW Golfing Magic

~ golf travel

Jason Laws Golf Academy

Nelson Bay Macquarie and from two major shopping centres and cinemas, 45 minutes from the Hunter Valley Wine Country and within 30 minutes of seven golf courses. Macquarie Inn caters for all, with great value accommodation packages, including the “Play & Stay” golf package, Newcastle Jockey Club Raceday package, Wedding package and more. Macquarie Inn at Club Macquarie is the one stop shop for your accommodation needs. Macquarie Inn at Club Macquarie 458 Lake Rd, Argenton, NSW 2284 (02) 4958 8499 www.clubmacquarie.com.au/ accommodation

Nelson Bay Golf Club

Nelson Bay Golf Club is one of the Hunter Valley’s most popular courses. The 27-hole

championship course is set among native trees with an abundance of wildlife like kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and native birds. Originally an 18-hole course, the facility proved so popular with tourists and locals alike that a further 9 holes were added in the adjoining bushland in 1998, resulting in a spectacular facility that features some truly magnificent holes. One of the standout holes would surely be the 490-metre par-5 12th, a tight, bushlandbordered bender that makes its way up a long hill. Accuracy is key here, as the elevated green is hidden until your third shot, so pick your landing zones carefully. The clubhouse at Nelson Bay is relatively new, and boasts spectacular views and an al fresco dining area – perfect for a relaxing end to a fun day on the course. Nelson Bay Golf

Club are also able to host meetings, seminars & Business Breakfasts ranging in size from 10 to 100 participants. Their function team can also accommodate parties, weddings or gatherings of various sizes. Function guests are also able to use the facility’s open balconies, which feature fantastic views over the course including the chance to view kangaroos at certain times throughout the day. No matter what the occasion, Nelson Bay Golf Club can customise a package to suit, from Ultimate packages to the budget-conscious. And the friendly and professional staff will ensure that you and your guests have a memorable time during your stay. Nelson Bay Golf Club 02 4981 1132 www.nelsonbaygolf.com

One of the most sophisticated golf academies is now available to experience at Newcastle Golf Club. PGA Professional Jason Laws and his team have an amazing golf tuition facility that includes two levels with three bays, all-indoors hitting out to the driving range. The main bay provides analysis by V1 Golf (sends your video lesson to Facebook, home computer, iPhone or DVD), SAM PuttLab (allows you to understand your alignment, path and impact position of your putting action), BalanceLab (allows you to feel and understand how your weight and centre of gravity works in your swing) and ZenoLink (gives you an understanding of your swing’s biomechanics). The facility is also a PING fitting centre. From recreational golfer to Tour players, Jason Laws is recognised as one of the top instructors in the country. He is the 2002 NSW PGA Teacher of the year and has worked with tour players James Nitties, Brendan Smith and many top amateur players. For bookings in advance: P: (02) 4928 1664 E: jason@jasonlawsgolf.com W: www.jasonlawsgolf.com

THE LANDMARK NELSON BAY $200 per person $150 per person

Nelson Bay

$310 per person $265 per person

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‘Selamat Datang’ – welcome to one of Sabah’s best

Malaysia has become a much more appealing destination thanks to Brunei Airlines’ daily flights from Melbourne to Brunei, writes Sam Arthur AS an avid golfer, there is nothing quite like the thrill of travelling to an exciting, off-the-beatentrack golfing destination. It’s even more awakening if the destination is Sabah, Malaysia where the weather is a consistent 25°C in the morning and sneaking up to 34°C at lunch-time all year round. It really is the perfect winter escape and something you can warm to especially during Australia’s winter months. The other appealing fact is it only takes seven hours to fly to Brunei from Melbourne and

another short 45-minute flight to Kota Kinabalu (KK), Sabah. That allows you to hit the ground running because there’s so much to see and do. We stayed at Sutera Harbour Resort where Australian golf course designer Graham Marsh has carved out a 27-hole championship golf course on reclaimed land. Marsh has done an exceptional job shaping the golf course. Some of the holes beside the South China Sea are spectacular, and having the opportunity to play the course was definitely one

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of the highlights of the trip. The three sets of nine holes are contrasting in style and layout and aptly named Lake, Heritage and Garden courses. They are a great combination of nines and the pleasing aspect is you don’t have to be a gorilla to be successful. In fact, on a number of holes the smart play is to take an iron off the tee to avoid the strategically-placed bunkers. The putting surfaces are excellent, which is the standard all year round. The Garden nine is something special as you

play your way out to the ocean holes before finishing on tight, tree-lined fairways. The 24th hole, a par-4, is without a doubt the signature hole. It’s only short at 330 metres, but it’s a classic as the South China Sea occupies the left side of the hole. We loved this nine-hole stretch so much that we played it twice and on both occasions in the late afternoon just as the sun was setting. You won’t find a better sunset anywhere in the world. The resort is massive. Set over 380 acres with two five-star hotels, a 100-berth marina, more

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travel than 950 luxurious rooms, day spas, tennis courts, bars, pubs the whole shebang. Just a five-minute taxi ride away and you’re in the centre of KK city where you’ll find thriving markets, shopping, more hotels, and plenty of bars and night clubs and even the best one-hour massages $A20 can buy. Before we teed off, we ventured out to Manukan Island – just a 15-minute boat ride from Sutera Harbour. It’s an idyllic place to escape to for a day. They have a great buffet and bar and you can even stay in your own villa. There are 12 available on the island where snorkelling, fishing, paragliding are par for the course. The locals are extremely friendly and willing to help you every step of the way. Yes, this really is one golfing destination worth visiting as there are five world-class golf courses within a couple of hours of each other (more reviews next month). KK is quite unique and we felt at ease at all times because there are plenty of Aussies and expats around although the locals are wonderful and go out of their way to help you as you explore the city. The nightlife, like most of KK, is great and caters for people with varying tastes and interests-- and that’s a good thing. Most nights we started at the Cock & Bull, then we’d venture over to Shanagans at the Hyatt before making our last stop the White Room, which pumps out live music well into the wee hours. The locals certainly know how to party. For example, at each venue, you can purchase a bottle of bourbon or Vodka and they set you up at a table with glasses, a number of mixers and a bucket of ice. With apologies to teetotallers, but that’s how to enjoy a drink. Mixing your own drinks in a nightclub is a great experience although we did feel awkward as we felt we were breaking the rules. Sabah, Malaysia is a great destination and one I will be returning to in the not too distant future. •

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Golf Concierge is an exciting new golf travel business owned by PGA Professional and Avid Sports managing director James Cooper and managed by multi tournament winner Dale Walsh. “Avid Sports had been looking to make it easy to play some of the great courses we have in our portfolio like Natadola Bay and Sea Temple. Dale and I came up with Golf Concierge concept and went about setting it up,” Cooper said. Dale and James did their PGA Traineeships together 20 years ago, James at Coolangatta Tweed Heads and Dale at Palm Meadows. Since then they have traveled the world and have played golf courses that would make an enviable bucket list. Golf Concierge has put together a great portfolio of travel play and stay packages, corporate and group outings and is building an impressive calendar of events. Golf Concierge will head to Fiji for the inaugural Natadola Bay Fiji Classic presented by Drummond Golf. Played from the 25th to 28th October, golfers will enjoy world class golf at Natadola Bay Golf Course and stay in luxury at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa. Golf Concierge will also host the Coral Sea Cup at Sea Temple Golf Club in Port Douglas in November, with golfers travelling from all over Australia and as far north as PNG and Fiji to compete. In January, golfers will be able to join them for the trip of a lifetime to Scottsdale, Arizona to play a week of golf with two-time PGA Tour winner Gabriel Hjertstedt, visit the PING factory and attend the final rounds of the Phoenix Open, home of the famous party hole, the par-3 16th where Tiger Woods and Jarrod Lyle have set the crowd alight with holes in one. Golf Concierge’s new website offers discount Stay “N” Play Packages, Golf Schools, Group Tours, PGA Club Pro Getaways and Corporate Golf days. More information: www.golfconcierge.com.au, 07 3857 1030.

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the 19th hole

Letter of the Month Few golf clubs do enough to promote themselves (Thinking outside the Tee box, May Issue.) The promotion of things happening in golf clubs is fairly minimal. Clubs have websites that are not always kept up to date, so are of little use. They send results to their local newspaper but few other details of what’s on, when and where. Posters are left in the bar but if you aren’t a frequent person in the clubhouse then a lot of that news isn’t readily available. There are golf professionals who run pro shops that give ‘just enough’ service to members. If they have something that can make them money, then they go for it ... but unless you’re in the mix then most members are not kept informed.

Boards Overboard Clubs are, as you point out (Getting your club on “board”, June) just like any other business. If the business fails to understand its customers it will almost certainly fail. Unfortunately we often elect “boards” who think it is all about golf. The “board” should be thinking strategically and planning its promotion of the business, which is basically stabilising member numbers and attracting more visitors. We need to accept that memberships are falling and that “visitor” numbers are the future. Many players see no value in a membership when a variety of websites offer cut price deals at world class venues. People are time poor and need a variety of golf options, and if that means ‘Mickey Mouse Golf’ so be it. Most women work and ‘Ladies Day’ is a failing concept. Without more opportunities for young women to play golf we will also have fewer juniors, because they need transport. The movie “Crackerjack” should be compulsory

Clubs should flood the media with happenings, social events and golf events. The more publicity generated to the bigger audience, the better. When the club goes knocking on doors for sponsorship, it would help if those businesses know that there is indeed a golf club in their town or city. Clubs can’t expect patronage come to their club. They have to turn the wheel. B.H. (via email) viewing for anyone seeking a “board” position. The only one who had his finger on the pulse was the guy selling the parking spaces! Name withheld Being a board member while also being full-time employed is a lot to cope with. My regular job involves travel and does not leave enough time to do the club work justice, and I believe this is where most of the problems with “unqualified” board members begins. Unfortunately the most suitably qualified people—and especially the younger age group— are either too busy with work, or raising young families or both. In terms of declining membership of the 20 to 40 years age bracket, I feel the same applies. Young families and busy jobs take precedence over golf. Peter Campbell One of the problems is that “boards” become entrenched, which can breed complacency and

arrogance. You may put this down to apathy on the part of the members who do not turn up to vote, but what is the point of voting if decisions have been made by a “board” — which the members may not agree with— but the details of who voted for what is hidden behind a veil of secrecy. This leaves the members with the choice of voting the entire board off or re-electing the same board. If a vote is taken in Parliament I can refer to Hansard as to who voted for and against a policy. If I attend my local Council I can be present when the vote takes place and again I know who voted for and against. After decisions taken at my club I have asked who voted for and against those decisions but am always told it was a “board” decision. What option does that give me on election night? Board members should be prepared to live and die by their choices by releasing the voting details of management decisions. Only then will board elections be truly democratic. Name withheld We have nearly 9000 members who are eligible to vote for the Board. Of these, some 7000 members are social members who may vote for but not stand for the Board. Voting is only allowed by attending the AGM. Only about 150 Members attend the AGM so it is possible for as little as 75 Members to control a Club of over 9000 Members. A group of Members have on three occasions recently attempted to introduce postal voting but on each occasion the Board has let it be known that it did not support the motion. It is a nice “gerrymander” Name Withheld

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True colours I wholeheartedly agree with Bob Muir (June issue) re: flag colours’ position. The colouring should be set according to the different tee positions, front – yellow, middle – red, back – blue, simple! This should be standard across all clubs. This is a far easier task for Golf Australia to standardise to all clubs than the handicapping system that has been in the making for the last few years! Sue (via email)

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the 19th hole

The art of looking for a golf ball Michael Green ed@insidegolf.com.au

It is never fun to find yourself searching for your own golf ball, but it’s not that particularly enjoyable to be looking for someone else’s either. The routine begins earnestly enough with a casual rummage around in the hope the search will be over quickly. But if the search carries on for much longer than a few minutes, you find yourself doing your best impersonation of someone looking interested, all while taking sideways glances at your own golf ball perched neatly in the middle of the fairway. The search can be made much more difficult though, depending on whom this missing golf ball belongs to, with some golfers appearing to do their best to avoid finding the ball altogether. Johnny Lee sang about looking for love in all the wrong places, and I’ve met golfers who look for their golf ball the same way. These types only search for their ball in the most easily accessible parts of the golf course despite all evidence pointing towards the giant lantana bush being the most likely owner of a new Titliest. It’s reminiscent of the old joke about the guy who lost a $5 note one night on 10th avenue, but looks for it on 15th avenue because “the street lights are better over here.” When playing with these types of golfers, you’ll be in the middle of your next shot when you hear “I’ve found it!” emanate from the dense

shrubbery, soon followed by “Oh no it’s not”, as your ball disappears into the water hazard. Another type of golfer tends to overestimate just how far their ball went. This type of golfer typically looks a million dollars with a bag to match, and it is surprising to see he is not the golfer he is dressed to be. It is always a surprise to him too, routinely remarking how much further he thought he’d hit the golf ball as if he was surprised at not getting good run out of the second cut of rough. Once you realise that the ball is usually 50 yards back from

where he is searching, you will spend no time in finding it. Yes, you will find it, not him. On a few occasions, I’ve felt like I’ve spent most of the day directing a playing partner to their own ball rather than looking for mine. I’ve encountered some golfers who have been nothing short of completely clueless as to the whereabouts of their own golf ball, as if they were kidnapped from home, driven to the golf course and made to hit the ball blindfolded. While standing next to their missing golf ball, I recall seeing one golfer roam across vast

plains of rough and then the adjacent fairway like a paper bag caught in the wind. “What’s he doing all the way over there?” someone asked, for which I had no answer. Thankfully though, some of my playing partners have made the search for a golf ball strangely enjoyable. Like hearing your favourite Fleetwood Mac tune come on the radio as you’re doing the ironing. One golfer in particular manages his search like a space probe would map out the surface of a new planet. Huge sweeps of the area cut down the search time considerably, and he can usually zero-in on the fabled lost golf ball within minutes. Exactly the sort of bloke you want looking for your ball if (when) the time arises. There were a couple of older guys I played alongside as a junior golfer that evoked equal parts fear and admiration in me. They were on first name basis with everyone at the golf club (including the greenkeepers), they knew every square inch of the golf course and knew the exact location of every golf ball within their group at all times. These blokes would mark your card without asking your score, tell you to pull your socks up and then direct you within centimetres to your golf ball before you had time to pick up your tee. It was no surprise I didn’t spend much time looking for my golf ball when I played with these eagle-eyed senior members, and sure as hell never had to search for their ball either. • 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

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the 19th hole

Never up, never in

The quick nine quiz With David Newbery

ed@insidegolf.com.au

I’ve always hated clichés and have been known to brandish a lob wedge in the general direction of any golfing mate who even comes close to blurting one out. Just the other day I was having a hit with Brooksy, Hampo and Burner when Hampo, after hitting one of the fiercest “Hillary Swanks” in hosel history, came out with “They say a shank is the nearest thing to a perfect golf shot”… Yeah, about as close as I am to George Clooney. It was definitely a lot closer than his next shot was from the green. Our obvious displays of disappointment in Hampo’s lame remark was enough for him to drop the cliché thing and go back to his normal witty self for the remainder of the round. It prompted a combined suggestion by all of us to bury all bad golfing clichés once and for all in this month’s Inside Golf. I know if all of us take a united stance, we can gently and politely explain to our unfunny friends that humour comes from saying something funny and clichés generally are not. (I love the way the little squiggly thing above the “e” just magically appears every time I write cliché… there it is again!) Let’s start with “Does your husband play?” when you leave a putt short. To me, this is chauvinistic, sexist and downright insulting. I find the best way to deal with this bloke is to come back with something like, “No, but YOUR wife definitely loves to play… By the way, you’re out of Jack Daniels.”

What about when your ball is heading for the trees and a certain double bogey and some witless wonder says, “It should be OK, they say trees are 90% air”. My standard response to this, which usually sees me ducking behind my wood covers is “Yeah, well so is a screen door.” Another old chestnut, which I would like to crack on the forehead of the next golfer to come out with it is “That’s further than I go on my holidays!” I feel the urge to hand the culprit every last cent I have in my wallet then tell him to “take a @#$% holiday to Iraq”. What about when you set up to your drive and the ball falls off the tee? Your mate, who suddenly thinks he should be doing stand-up says “One!” Coincidentally this is the first number the boxing referee calls when someone has just been knocked to the canvass... which means when you smack the bloke in the shnozz with your hybrid, you may start at “Two!” This isn’t a corny cliché but while I’m having a whinge, I might as well throw it in the mix. I can’t stand it when someone talks to my beloved Callaway Hex Tour golf ball mid-flight. I feel violated. It’s my ball not theirs! I can swear, shout, plead, embrace or even make love to my ball if I like but it really disturbs me when someone else encroaches on our relationship.

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Particularly when I hear the words “Come Back!” If my ball is slicing like an F18 Hornet dodging a heatseeking missile, then nothing is going to make that sucker come back...outside of a telegraph pole, a passing semi-trailer or an unfortunate council worker holding a stop sign. Maybe I don’t want my ball to come back. Maybe we had an argument and want to spend some time away from each other. Perhaps we want to explore some new avenues or maybe I just need some ” Larry time”. My ball and I are the only ones to fully understand our relationship and no-one should ever interfere. Unless of course there is some obvious physical or emotional abuse from either party in which case the Pro-Shop should be contacted immediately. If you have any clichés you would like to have banished, some annoying golf habits your playing partners continue to throw at you or you just want to have a big whinge, then our editor here at Inside Golf, Richard Fellner, would love to hear from you. If you prefer the personal approach, I have Richard’s home phone number. All you have to do is ask…. don’t worry about disturbing him at home… He’s American! (Editor’s note: Larry, your wife loves my accent. By the way, you’re out of Jack Daniels.) •

ANSWERS: (1). Keegan Bradley; (2). Four – Jim Ferrier (1947), David Graham (1979), Wayne Grady (1990) and Steve Elkington (1995); (3). Wanamaker Trophy; (4). Five; (5). 20 years old; (6). 1958; (7). False – he only won it in matchplay; (8). Four – 1999, 2000, 2006 and 2007; (9). 18-under by Tiger Woods and Bob May in 2000.

Larry Canning

1. Who will defend the US PGA Championship to be played at Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s Ocean Course this month? 2. How many Australians have won the US PGA Championship? 3. What is the name of the trophy presented to the winner of the US PGA Championship? 4. How many times has Jack Nicklaus won the US PGA Championship? 5. Gene Sarazen is the youngest winner of the US PGA Championship. How old was he when he won the tournament in 1922? 6. In what year did the US PGA Championship go from being a matchplay tournament to a strokeplay tournament – 1948, 1958 or 1968? 7. Sam Snead won the US PGA Championship in both matchplay and stroke play – true or false? 8. How many times has Tiger Woods won the US PGA Championship? 9. What is the lowest 72-hole score in relation to par – 20-under-par, 18-under or 15-under?

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August 07 August 08 August 08 August 09 August 10 August 15 August 16 August 23 August 31

5 - 7pm 10am - 12pm 2 - 5pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 1pm 2:30 - 6pm 2 - 5pm 2 - 5pm 2 - 5pm

August 01 August 02 August 03 August 09 August 10 August 17 August 23 August 30 August 31

4am - 7pm 1pm - 6pm 12pm- 5pm 3pm - 6pm 12pm - 6pm 2pm - 7pm 3pm - 6pm 12pm - 5pm 1pm - 6pm

* 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.

Clearwater Noosa

Resort

Stay & Play Golf Packages

7 nights & 5 rounds of Golf Your choice of resort and club courses. • Noosa Springs • Twin Waters • Club Pelican • Coolum Golf & Spa • Mt Coolum • Tewantin Noosa • Horton Park • Headland • Caloundra

from

459

PP 4 share basis Package #1

Some conditions apply

We offer a one stop shop for your Golf Vacation. No matter what size group, small or large, or your duration of stay we will tailor make your program to suit. We will organize transfers, rental cars or vans and for larger groups buses. Just a short iron to some of Noosa’s favourite restaurants and Cafés.

Phone (07) 5449 9333 • Fax (07) 5449 0603 info@clearwaternoosa.com.au • www.clearwaternoosa.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

golf directory

Golfing Caddy™

SAPPHIRE COAST GOLF SCHOOL • Eden Gardens Country Club a superb 18 hole championship course available for competition & social play • Individual golf lessons • Seniors, women and kids golf clinics

Is a stylish and durable multi-compartment bag • Holds up to 1.5 litre bottle • Cooler sleeve included • Metal clip easily attaches to your golf bag • Pleasted deep front and back pockets • Elastic pouch roomy enough to hold all items • Removable Mircofiber towel to wipe off your golf ball and club head

• On-course golf tuition • Golf swing video analysis • Half and full day golf programs • Stay, play and improve golf holiday packages • Golf for school groups and school holiday programs

Phone (02) 6496 1054 Loraine: 0423 149 012 Lisa: 0417 485 635

www.bysavvy.com.au - Contact 0432 692 997

Port Stephens Getaways

per d

Golf & Accommodation…from only ✓ Play any day & with any number of people! ✓ Play Horizons, Nelson Bay, Newcastle, Muree, Tanilba, Cypress Lakes, Pacific Dunes, The Vintage, by boat to Hawks Nest & others.

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

THREE COURSE SPECIAL

$7 From ay

Only $290

Mossman, Mirage & Sea Temple Includes Carts, Fees & Transfers (Price based on 2 person share. +$30 single person supplement)

Only $195

Mossman & Sea Temple Includes Carts, Fees & Transfers

Spectacular

(Price based on 2 person share. +$20 single person supplement)

MOSSMAN

Only $49

Includes Fees & Transfers

1-7 Oceanview Ave, Merimbula NSW

Mike McGuire & Yumi Yoshida

P: M: E: W:

Contact John Carney - “JC” on 0438 581 269 or by email at info@portdouglasgolftours.com.au

A ROU

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

OUTLASTS ANY OTHER GLOVE (CSIRO tested and proven)

$24

+P&H

$34

+P&H pair

P: (07) 4128 8148 | www.kakadugolfglove.com 74

August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Pambula Merimbula GC • Eden Gardens GC • Bega Country Club • Tura Beach Country Club

Play & Stay for $120

Package includes: • 2 games of golf • Meal • 1 night accommodation with continental breakfast

bersh em fro m

ips

each

02 6495 2366 0437 801 270 info@pacificheights.com.au www.pacificheights.com.au

$220 va

• 100% Kangaroo Premium Leather • Grips like glue in the wet • It’s like wearing a second skin • Company logos available, ideal for golf days and client gifts • Available in left of right hand, sizes XXXS - XXXL • Black or white

Sapphire Coast Merimbula

Clubs and other packages available on request.

(Price based on 2 person share. +$20 single person supplement)

›› Hole Out

TWO COURSE SPECIAL

ila ble *Conditions apply

Casino Golf Club - West St, Casino NSW 2470 P: (02) 6662 1259 | E: admin@casinogolfclub.com.au

www.casinogolfclub.com.au

golf directory Call us today on 02 8458 9000, email us at info@teed-up.com or visit our website to see all itineraries and pricing.

GOLF CART SLOWING DOWN? Need new batteries? Don’t replace them… Restore them with the Battery Reviver.

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.

30 DAY

SATISFACTION GUARANTEE OR YOUR MONEY BACK.

HAWAII th 14 th- 20 October 2012 Enjoy four nights and four magical golf courses on the big island, then transfer to Honolulu for two nights and one round of golf at the popular Palmer Course at Turtle Bay resort. Fully Escorted by PGA Professional Michael Mosher.

2013 MASTERS th 5 -14th APRIL 2013 The Pinnacle of all golf tours. Witness the world’s best battle it out at Augusta for the famous Green Jacket. A tour to tick off your bucket list- nothing can compare! Escorted by PGA Professional Michael Mosher.

For more information, pricing and to order visit our website www.batteryreviver.com.au or Phone 1300 852 433

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

WWW.TEED-UP.COM

LADIES MEMBERSHIP OPEN

No Nomination Fee (Save $440)

Subscription year is 1st October till 30th September. 36 Hole Club including 3 practise putting greens, 100m pitching green with bunkers, 250m driving range and fully licensed 1 level air conditioned clubhouse Nudgee Golf Club Incorporated 1207 Nudgee Road NUDGEE QLD 4014 Phone: 07 3267 7744 E-mail: golf@nudgeegolf.com.au www.nudgeegolf.com.au

“Golfers Getaway” $199.50pp*

Includes: • 2 nights accommodation • Unlimited Golf • Continental breakfast daily • 2 course dinner on one night of your stay *Conditions apply

www.wisemans.com.au (02) 45 66 44 22 Old Northern Road, Wisemans Ferry NSW

• $22 Visitor Competition Fee (Wed, Sat & Sun Competitions) • Golf Equipment for Hire & Sale • Fully Licensed Clubhouse • Social Clubs & Corporate Days

Biondi Crescent, Beerwah

Ladies Competitions every Saturday from 9am till 11am and Tuesday from 8am till 9am. Friday and Sunday Open Medley Competitions.

2 nights from

• 18 hole Golf Course • Visitors & Social Players Most Welcome • Timeless Tuesday - Unlimited* Golf for ONLY $25

Just an hour from Sydney, our picturesque 18 hole (9 hole alternate tees) par 69 course borders the Hawkesbury River. It can be enjoyed by golfers of all standards, but its tree-lined fairway command focus for even the experienced golfer. Dinner in the Riverbend Restaurant will be another highlight of your visit.

beergolf@netaccess.com.au www.beerwahgolfclub.com.au

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

Let us organise your Gold Coast golf tours

Hassle Free TOURS TO SUIT EVERY NE Let us organise your golf packages including airport & course transfers. Individual/groups & non playing partners catered for.

1300 26 20 55 For more information go to

www.golfaccom.com.au

All Enquiries/Quotes Welcome

info@golfaccom.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | August 2012

golf directory BA NK STOWN GOL F CLUB

MEMBERSHIPS NOW OPEN New Sunday/Public holiday memberships only $1220, great value. Only $23.50 per week, competition fees only $6, pay by the month plans available. Phone (02) 9773 0628 Enquiries: info@bankstowngolf.com.au

Specialising in the best ‘Australia Wide ’ Play & Stay Golf Packages

Benalla Golf Club

pp $185 From share twin eek w mid

Three Day / Two Night Golf Package • • • •

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

Professionally planned and tailored golf escapes for your enjoyment PACKAGES AVAILABLE Sunshine Coast & Gold Coast • Hunter Valley • Port Stephens • Mornington Peninsular • Tasmania • Cairns/Port Douglas • The Entrance BRAND NEW! WA Golf, Barnbougle & Lost Farm

QUALITY ACCOMMODATION, CONFIRMED TEE TIMES, YOUR CHOICE OF RESORT OR LOCAL COURSES Every detail professionally arranged, leaving you nothing to do but arrive and have the time of your life! We will tailor your package to suit any holiday plans or budget Ph: (07) 3200 6557 M: 0418 713 620 F: (07) 3200 5731 sharon@uchoosegolf.com.au www.uchoosegolf.com.au

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

‘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! River Street, Yamba NSW | Ph (02) 6646 2104 | Pro Shop (02) 6646 1656 | www.yambagolf.com.au

Winter Mid Week Special

Play Australia’s Finest Sandbelt Courses Only $235pp Twin Share Expires 30th August, 2012

• 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

FREE Cart

Each Round Min 2 people Barooga only

*Extra fees apply for Moonah Links, Sorrento Golf Club and The National Golf Club

ROSEBUD MOTEL

1869 Point Nepean Rd Rosebud West VIC, 3941 76

August 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For further enquires and bookings P: (03) 5985 2041 E: rosebudmotel@bigpond.com W: www.rosebudmotel.com.au

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B A IL A AV