Inside Golf Issue 86

InsideGolf

www.insidegolf.com.au Issue 86 September 2012

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Hey Hootie: the world didn’t end after all!

Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

Last month, Augusta National Golf Club ended 80 years of their archaic “boys club” image, following the announcement that they had invited former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore to become the first female members since the club was founded in 1932.

“This is a joyous occasion,” said Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters Tournament. “These accomplished women share our passion for the game of golf and both are well known and respected by our membership. This is a significant and positive time in our Club’s history and, on behalf of our membership, I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome them and all of our new members into the Augusta National family,” he added.

The announcement came as a surprise to many, as the club—which is one of the most exclusive in the world—had long been seen as entrenched in the “old fashioned” practices of days past. They didn’t admit their first black male member until 1990, and have long been a vocal opponent of admitting women. In 2002, Martha Burk, head of the National Council of Women’s Organizations, staged a protest near the front entrance of the club, calling for a change to the policy. Former Augusta

chairman Hootie Johnson – not wanting to bow to public pressure—famously ignited a debate when he claimed that Augusta was “being bullied”, and that the club would not ask a woman to join “at the point of a bayonet.”

But the war appears to finally be over.

And with last month’s announcement came congratulations and plaudits from across the world.

“I think the decision by the Augusta National membership is important to golf,” said Tiger Woods. “The Club continues to demonstrate its commitment to impacting the game in positive ways. I would like to congratulate both new members, especially my friend Condi Rice.”

Jack Nicklaus, a six-time Masters champion and Augusta member, extended his welcome to the two women.

“Everyone at Augusta National shares a similar passion for the game of golf, and I know they will be great additions to the club,” Nicklaus said.

Rice, a 12-handicapper who is a member at several clubs, was forthcoming in her praise of Augusta National.

“I have long admired the important role Augusta National has played in the traditions and history of golf,” said Rice.

“I also have an immense respect for the Masters tournament and its commitment to grow the game of golf, particularly with youth, here in the United States and throughout the world,” she added.

While many say that this announcement was far too long in the making, it does mark a significant turning point for both the club

and perhaps the golf industry itself. Many wonder if the all-male Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews will finally break their 250+ year “moratorium”, and invite their first female member? Some say it is only a matter of time.

This highlights the fact that the women’s demographic is sorely underappreciated and under-recognised in world golf. Recent research in the US showed that women represent the fastest- growing demographic in the sport, with 41 per cent of all new players being female. In Australia, roughly 21 per cent of club members are female.

This represents an enormous market that clubs, manufacturers and other businesses are slowly beginning to recognise (and target).

And let’s not forget about juniors, who are also neglected by many clubs. I still receive plenty of emails and phone calls about juniors not being welcomed into clubs, and how a fair number of clubs out there are making it more difficult for juniors to get on the course – whether through limiting tee-time availability, or not offering affordable membership rates, or any number of other practices.

I applaud Augusta National for their decision (albeit a very late one). It’s time for more clubs, businesses, organisations (and people!) out there to understand that golf is no longer a game just for the “middle-aged white man”; it is a sport that is enjoyed across the globe by people of all ages, races, sizes, gender and abilities.

See you on the fairways (ladies and juniors too!) •

Inside Golf ‘bucking the trend’ of Australia’s subscription golf magazines A recent media release by Roy M o rg a n R e s e a rc h s h ows t h a t Australia’s Newsstand/Subscription golf magazines are seeing significant drops in readership. The research, which compared year-on-year readership numbers, indicates that Australian subscription-based golf publications saw a drop of over 20 per cent in readership between March 2011 and March 2012.

Roy Morgan Research - Readership Results for the year ending March 2012.

Magazine

Readership Mar 2011 Mar 2012 % Change

Australian Golf Digest Golf Australia Golf Magazine

104,000

81,000

-22.1

87,000 49,000

69,000 38,000

-20.7 -22.4

Contrary to this trend, Inside Golf, which is monitored by Circulations Audit Board (CAB), saw a 4.5 per cent increase in circulation over the same period. The increase was in response to requests from clubs across Australia, who are regularly asking for more copies to keep up with growing demand by golfers.

Magazine

Circulation (CAB Audited) Oct 2010 - Oct 2011 Gain/Loss Mar 2011 Mar 2012 +1811 Inside Golf 40,605 42,416 (+4.5 %)

In addition, Inside Golf was recently named Australia’s Most Read Monthly Golf Magazine for the third straight year. Sports Marketing Surveys’

2011 and 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.

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.

We would like to thank you – our loyal readers – for continuing to help support our magazine, and making it the golf publication of choice in Australia.

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news

Bonville, Getting kids into golf Eastern grab major awards Apart from their great golf offerings, a pair of Aussie courses recently nabbed awards for their high-quality culinary offerings.

Bonville Golf Resort was first off the ranks, earning two highly sought-after ‘plates’ at this year’s Northern Region/New England Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence.

With an “Honourable Mention” in the Event Caterer category, coupled with their seventh “Caterer of the Year” award, Bonville’s tally of top awards now stands at 40 over the past 11 years. Bonville moves onto the National Titles to be held on October 29th, where they hope to add to their two National awards won in recent years.

General Manager Brad Daymond said “This is a tremendous acknowledgement of our staff for their excellence in Food & Beverage presentation and service. To win one of the Major Awards on offer is simply superb. It’s the best recognition for all the hard work and dedication that our food & beverage team apply to each and every function and restaurant experience year round”.

Further south, Melbourne’s The Eastern Golf Club grabbed a notable win of their own.

For the third consecutive year, Eastern made the finals for the Clubs Victoria Chefs Table Competition and for the second consecutive year won Best Menu Design & Description.

The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) won the competition for the second consecutive year with RACV Healesville Club receiving second place. The competition was fierce with the top four teams within 10 points of each other.

The awards mark a continuation of good form for Eastern, which in 2011 won Victorian Club of the Year, as well as Employee of the Year and Best Branding and Marketing.

“The Eastern Golf Club is very lucky to be mixing it with the biggest clubs in Victoria – a wonderful achievement from Glenn Townsend and the Eastern Team,” said Ben Telley, General Manager of The Eastern. •

Green Acres supports beyondblue

Teaching pro Doug Gardner (second left from front row) poses with some of the young newcomers to the game.

THE Greg Norman Golf Foundation (GNGF) is working hard to introduce more schoolchildren to the game.

Last month, children from Duaringa, Gogango and Westwood primary schools had the chance to improve their skills when GNGF golf coach Doug Gardner put them through their paces at Duaringa golf course.

Gardner, who has been involved in the program for six years, said more than 60 youngsters turned

Club fighting back THE mining resources boom is helping one Queensland golf club get back on its feet.

Out at Moranbah, 1110 kilometres from Brisbane and 200kms west of Mackay, the local golf club plans to get back its 18 holes after years of drought forced it to reduce the golf course to 10 holes.

Club president Noel Busk said a shortage of water meant the club had no option but to abandon eight holes.

“In 1989, we had to cut back the course to 10 holes because we had no water,” he said.

up to play in a four-person ambrose event over three holes.

Parents, teachers and teacher aids all made themselves available to assist Gardner and fellow PGA professional Wayne Pickering.

Most of the students had not previously played golf, but that didn’t stop them having a go.

Some of the students were surprisingly good and thrilled the coaches with their newfound shot-making skills. • “The holes that weren’t used became overgrown, but we have started to regenerate the holes to try and get back to 18.

“The council is helping clean up the holes by mowing and removing dead trees that have fallen over the old fairways.”

Busk said the plan was to reintroduce one hole each year.

“If we can get water we can even have a grass nursery and that will help get the holes back without too much drama,” he said.

It might take eight years, but Moranbah locals are a determined lot and the extra revenue from the mining boom will help them achieve their goal. •

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The ladies of Green Acres Golf Club recently held their annual Charity Day, which this year supported beyondblue.

Green Acres has more lady members than many golf clubs in Melbourne, and 140 of them turned out to support the cause. Many took on the blue theme and dressed accordingly, hitting specially-sourced blue golf balls while participating in a number of team and novelty events throughout the day.

Following the golf, the ladies dug deep, purchasing donated local produce and entering raffles for prizes generously donated by members, local traders and club suppliers.

This most successful day raised the sum of $8,000 to assist in helping beyondblue raise awareness of anxiety and depression in the community.

The cheque was presented to the Hon Jeff Kennett, Chairman of beyondblue by the Lady President Di Chapman and Captain Julie Pilling. “beyondblue is indebted for the support of the women golfers at Green Acres Golf Club how through the Ladies Charity Day they raised and donated a magnificent $8,000 to beyondblue,” Mr Kennett said. “The monies will be well spent in our drive to assist people with depressive illness, including postnatal depression among new mothers.”

Green Acres Golf Club has a tradition of supporting many charities and donates around $30,000 each year. •

news

It’s Medway or the highway Melbourne’s Medway Golf Club appears to be the latest victim of urban sprawl, as a large part of the course is set to be lost to a controversial infrastructure project, reports The Age. The picturesque golf course, which was established in 1935, is located near the banks of the Maribyrnong River in Maidstone, about eight kilometres north-west of the CBD. Due to population surges in surrounding areas, council has proposed to create a major thoroughfare and bridge to ease traffic congestion on busy Ballarat Road. Land surrounding the new road could make way for a mixed-use village similar to riverside-based projects proposed in Alphington, Footscray and Kew. Members of the neighbouring City of Moonee Valley council are opposing the bridge, arguing that it will bring increased traffic to its suburbs, including Essendon and Keilor East.

Medway manager Philip Carlton told Capital Gain the proposed road would have a dramatic impact on the club. He would not comment about whether Medway, which is a strong performer financially and has had increasing membership for decades, could merge, move or be reconfigured, presumably as a nine-hole course around a new road.

The Age also reported that the owners of the Mildura Golf Course, located on the NSW border, have had the course rezoned from public park and recreation zone to comprehensive development zone, making way for the construction of medium density housing and tourist accommodation. Near the town centre, the course will make way for a 100-lot housing estate and new golf resort. •

Kulacz king of Capricorn Rick Kulacz has added his name to an illustrious group of winner’s of the $100,000 Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate Tropical Auto Group Golf Classic. With a final round 2-under-par 70, Kulacz finished the tournament at 13 under par and three shots clear of Steven Jeffress.

Heading into the final round with a one shot lead, Kulacz started the day steady with pars on the opening six holes though after a chip in on the seventh, he would turn in 2-under-par holding a one shot lead over playing partner Michael Wright with Jeffress a further shot back. Unfortunately for Wright, four dropped shots over the opening five holes on the back nine all but ended his chances of victory, leaving Kulacz and Jeffress to battle it out over the final few holes. Kulacz —a twotime Asian Tour winner—would hold his nerve over the closing holes to secure one of his biggest victories in Australia.

After having his gall bladder removed just 10 weeks ago, Kulacz had to draw on his previous victories on the Asian Tour to get the job done on Sunday.

“I had forgotten just how hard it was to win.

It was really tight through nine holes and all I could really do is take it one shot at a time.

It’s a bit of a cliché but when you have some of the best players in the country coming at you that is all you can focus on”.

“It was my first time to Capricorn Resort and to be honest I wasn’t too sure what to expect but I can now see why this event is known as one of, if not the best Pro-Am in Australia”.

Kulacz can think himself lucky to even gain a start this week, relying on an invite just to play.

“Playing in Asia for most of the year, I rarely get a chance to come and play Pro Ams, especially in QLD and therefore I am extremely grateful for being given an opportunity many others would have been screaming for”.

For Steven Jeffress it was another sign of him getting back to familiar territory near the top of a leaderboard. The Gold Coast-based New South Welshman had a tough 2011 which saw him all but lose his Australasian Tour card, though with a top 10 at Rockhampton and a runner-up finish this week, Jeffress has set his sights high for the rest of 2012.

“I would really like to win the QLD Sunshine Tour Order of Merit. I have a bit of work to do after a slow start to the year but I am looking forward to the challenge of winning a title that we all strive for”. •

Stars to exit Queensland NEXT year, Queensland will lose two of its hottest young golfers when Viraat Badhwar and L auren Mas on move t he Unite d States of America to take up college golf scholarships.

Both year-12 students have received offers from a number of universities and are currently weighing up their options.

Badhwar, who won the Callaway World Junior Championship a couple of years ago, plays off +3 at Indooroopilly Golf Club.

When he’s not playing golf or on the practice range he can be found with his head buried in books.

The 17-year-old is a straight-A student at Kelvin Grove State College and plans to study engineering and business in the US. Mason, 17, plays off +3 at Horton Park Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast and is looking forward to next year’s challenge.

“I am going to compete in college golf in America, but at this stage I am not sure which college I will attend,” she said.

Last year she captured the Queensland Amateur Championship and the Katherine Hull Classic.

Mason said she was hopeful of catching up with Hull before embarking on her own US adventure.

“Katherine is someone I look up to and someone I am still trying to strive to be like,” she said.

“She (Katherine) went off to college and I will try to achieve the same things she has.

“I would like to meet her again because I would ask her what I should concentrate on and if going to college is the right way to go about it.” •

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news

Coca Cola Challenge Crawford and Fox declared joint winners Old golfers never continues at the City of Mackay Open die, they just play

In its inaugural year, the Coca Cola Challenge sees 20 holes chosen from tournaments played on the QLD Sunshine Tour with the professional with the lowest score to par winning the unique event. Using a similar format to that used on the US Tour, the Coca Cola Challenge is designed to give back to those players supporting Australia’s richest pro-am circuit with a lucrative prize up for grabs.

The professionals are required to play a minimum of 15 events involved with the challenge, with the winning professional provided $2,000 to go towards the entry fee for an International Tour School, with a further $1,000 offered to assist with travel expenses.

After nine holes, the leaderboard is incredibly bunched with former QLD Sunshine Tour Order of Merit winner Brad Andrews and rookie Sven Puymbroeck sharing the lead at 4-under-par.

Name Score Holes Played Brad Andrews -4 9 Sven Puyumbroeck -4 9 Sam Eaves -3 7 Steven Jeffress -3 5 Ben Bloomfield -2 6 Ed Stedman -2 7 Grant Scott -2 7 Henry Epstein -2 7 As part of the Coca Cola Challenge, professionals will also be provided an opportunity to win a further $4,000 in several ‘Nearest to the Pin’ competitions across the tour.

“Coca Cola have been great supporters of the game of golf and continue to prove that they are not merely about supplying beverages to the industry,” said PGA (QLD Division) Executive Officer Broc Greenhalgh. “The Coca Cola Challenge isn’t just about the touring professionals, it is also designed to support the venues who stock Coca Cola products and providing them with the best quality fields to entertain their members, guests and sponsors”.

The final hole in the 2012 Coca Cola Challenge will be played at the Wantima Pro-Am in early October and with so much at stake in preparing for the Australasian Tour’s Summer of Golf, every round, every hole, every shot will count. For more details on the Coca Cola Challenge go to www.pga.org.au •

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Adam Crawford and Daniel Fox have been declared joint winners of the 2012 M Group Tyre and Mechanical City of Mackay Open after heavy rained forced play to be abandoned in the final round.

After the first two rounds had to be postponed due to unseasonal rain, play finally got underway on the Saturday and with eightunder-par 63’s both Crawford and Fox would find themselves atop the leaderboard at the end of the day.

With more than 200mm of rain falling over the week and the rain persisting to cause havoc in the final round, play had to again be abandoned, which played into the hands of the Crawford and Fox who were later declared joint winners of the City of Mackay Open.

“I am really feeling for the Mackay Golf Club and the organising committee,” said Fox. “I know how much work goes into running an event like this. This has been a difficult event for everyone, but I congratulate everyone involved and I look forward to returning to this great club in 2013”.

“Unfortunately it has been difficult to see our premier event reduced to one round,” said Club Professional Jeffrey Reid. “Many of our club members and sponsors of the event had been

‘Masters Pennant’

Adam Crawford looking forward to seeing some of Australia’s best golfers and it is just so disappointing to only have been able to complete one round.

Although it is tough to take at the moment, we don’t have control of the weather and the club will work together to ensure the event is a successful one next year” •

TaylorMade adidas Golf partners with Emirates Australian Open

TaylorMade adidas Golf is the newest partner of Australia’s national golf championship, the Emirates Australian Open.

To be played at The Lakes Golf Club from 6–9 December 2012, TaylorMade will be the official golf ball at the Emirates Australian Open via a driving range sponsorship and provision of prizes for the Official Pro-Am and ‘Super Monday,’ where amateurs have the chance to play the championship course.

TaylorMade will also conduct a number of activities during the event week including product demonstrations, providing consumers with the opportunity to trial their clubs and putters, and (pre event) a consumer promotion providing the opportunity to play in the championship pro-am

with a PGA Tour Professional.

“The Emirates Australian Open will provide TaylorMade with a unique opportunity to engage directly with both consumers and professionals at Australia’s most prestigious championship,” said Jane Price, Marketing Manager from TaylorMadeadidas Golf Pacific.

“The Emirates Australian Open is the perfect opportunity for TaylorMade Golf to interact with Australian professional golf at the top level, and we look forward to working with them in 2012.”

An industry leader in performance technologies, TaylorMade’s staff players include Australians Jason Day, Mathew Goggin, Marcus Fraser, Greg Norman and John Senden. •

The Murray District Golf Association is pleased to announce that this year will see the commencement of a Pennant Competition specifically for senior male golfers.

It will be played in a 4 Ball Handicap Match Play format and teams will be represented from Thurgoona, Albury, Howlong, Corowa, Wodonga and Yarrawonga.

For players to be eligible they must be over 55 years of age at the beginning of the competition and each Club team will consist of 6 players.

The first match will be on September 14 at Howlong followed by September 21 at Corowa, September 28 at Yarrawonga, October 4 at Thurgoona, October 18 at Albury and culminating in a final on November 2 at a venue to be determined.

The Murray District Golf Association is excited about this new event as it will be very competitive and will enhance interest in the current Junior, Handicap and Scratch Pennant events and district golf generally. •

The life of Riley HE’S 11 years old, has only been playing golf for about nine months and now Riley Stone is a champion at Toowoomba Golf Club at Middle Ridge in Queensland.

The primary school student, who plays off a handicap of 31, recently won the club’s prestigious Braiswick Trophy when he defeated the club’s division 2 pennant team captain and two-marker Jason McWilliam 6/4 in the matchplay final.

The annual mixed matchplay event was initiated and sponsored by club president Nancy Young and her partner David Goss.

Young Riley said he only entered the event as “a bit of fun”.

Once he had won through to the final the nerves set in, but he was assured he had nothing to worry about even though his big-hitting opponent tried to keep the pressure on with booming drives.

But young Riley had dad Robert caddying for him and made sure he stuck to his game plan and played his natural game. •

news

Name changes for two of the Gold Coast’s top golf courses

A pair of Gold Coast golf courses have undergone name changes after being plucked from receivership by Queensland businessman, Professor Clive Palmer.

The Colonial will now be known as Palmer Colonial with Robina Woods switching to Palmer Gold Coast.

The two courses were placed into voluntary receivership in April 2011 and faced an uncertain future before Professor Palmer struck a deal to acquire the local landmarks in December last year.

Both courses are consistently ranked in Australia’s top public access courses. Tournaments such as the Greg Norman Junior Masters have been secured for the venues, as has a place in the PGA Pro Am which takes place at Palmer Coolum Resort on the Sunshine Coast.

Managing Director of the two courses, Mrs Angie Ison, said the name changes have sent a new wave of excitement through the staff at both venues.

“We are all excited and delighted that the names of the two courses are finally changing to be recognised as part of Mr Palmer’s growing tourism portfolio,” Mrs Ison said.

“Since Mr Palmer acquired the businesses they have stabilised and we have made significant progress in providing great deals and renewed confidence for our members.

“The two courses were always very much part of Mr Palmer’s tourism and leisure group and the name change officially brings us under the same umbrella as Palmer Coolum Resort on the Sunshine Coast.

“The future is very bright and we are excited about how our courses’ new names can benefit our members and golf on the Gold Coast,” she said. •

Platinum prize heats up The first year as a PGA Professional is always a daunting one. You are often trying to find your feet, understand the do’s and don’ts, but more importantly it can be the tough reality that in just one week you can do 20 hours of practice, play two competitive rounds and not earn a dime for your efforts.

The Platinum Partner Program Rookie of the Year Award has a specific aim to ensure that those first year professionals on the QLD Sunshine Tour have a light at the end of the tunnel to work towards. The Professional who is highest placed on the QLD Sunshine Tour Order of Merit in their ‘First Year’ as a Full PGA Member, as well as in their ‘First Year’ playing full time on the QLD Sunshine Tour will receive a trip to the 2012 Australasian PGA Tour Qualifying School including Flights, Accommodation and their Tournament Entry Fee. This initiative has certainly created a large amount of interest amongst the young professionals and after the Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate / Tropical Auto Group Golf Classic the leaderboard for the Platinum Partner Program Rookie of the Year Award looks like this: Luke Marino 180 points Sven Puymbroeck 153 points Sam Eaves 130 points Chris Wood 123 points Paul Hayden 101 points The Platinum Partner Program is a business partnership between Robbie Bennetts Enterprises and Voice Print & Data with each company bringing immense knowledge, skills and experience in their respective fields of financial services and technology Program.

With 25 events still to be played on the QLD Sunshine Tour this season, it is anyone’s game

Luke Marino

though current Rookie of the Year leader Luke Marino is not going to give it up lightly.

“I won’t be getting too far ahead of myself as there is still plenty of golf to be played, but it would certainly mean a lot to me knowing it could help set me up for a big year in 2013” said Marino.

Former Australasian Tour winner Steven Jeffress and ambassador for the Platinum Partner Program talked about these types of initiatives.

“I wish this type of program was in place in my Rookie year as it seems to have had a great impact on the way our young players are approaching every event. Given the financial challenges of playing the tour, in five or ten year’s time the winners of the Rookie of the Year will look back knowing that this prize could be the difference between making it or not.”

The 2012 Platinum Partner Program Rookie of the Year will wrap up on the 9th October with all eyes on the leaderboard heading to the final event at Howeston Golf Club.

For more information head to www.pga. org.au/orderofmerit •

Golf Victoria partners with CCAV to provide golf clubs with free services Golf Victoria announced last month a major sponsorship with the Community Clubs Association of Victoria (CCAV). The partnership will deliver important support services on a range of different areas that are critical to the successful running of a golf club.

CCAV through its partnership with GV will deliver free of charge CCAV membership to all Victorian clubs with three staff members or less.

For larger clubs employing more than three staff, CCAV will offer competitive annual membership rates to join a number of other bigger golf clubs in Victoria who are already benefitting from a CCAV membership.

The Community Clubs Association of Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the wellbeing and development of not-for-profit clubs.

Services provided to members include advice on compliance such as food safety/liquor licencing/ RSA, OH & S advice, dispute resolution service, and access to club management tools in the member’s only section of their website plus more.

“We’re very excited to have formed this unique partnership with CCAV who are already involved with a number of our clubs,” said Simon Brookhouse, CEO, Golf Victoria. “It’s not an easy job to run a golf club and often staff, committees and volunteers that run their respective clubs can feel quite isolated when it comes to matters such as compliance. CCAV have a very knowledgeable and willing team with a wealth of experience in the industry, particularly sporting clubs and I’d encourage clubs to take advantage of this opportunity.

Any club that hasn’t received a GV/CCAV booklet with application form can download the PDF version from www.golfvic.org.au or contact the GV office on (03) 8545 6200.

More information on CCAV can be found on www.ccav.com.au. •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

9

news

Scott best in all majors David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

FORGET about 2012 major winners Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Ernie Els and Webb Simpson.

Australian Adam Scott is the major man after finishing atop the leaderboard after the completion of this year’s four majors.

After 16 rounds, the Australian recorded a total of 1130 – six-under par – for the honour of low man in the majors.

He finished two shots clear of Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell with England’s Ian Poulter a further six shots back. Tiger Woods finished in fifth place.

None of this year’s major winners made the leaderboard. In fact, only 12 players were good enough to contest all four majors.

US Masters champion Bubba Watson missed the cut at the US Open while US Open champion Webb Simpson did not play the Open Championship and missed the cut at the US PGA Championship.

Open Championship winner Ernie Els did not receive an invite to play in the US Masters and US PGA champion Rory McIlroy missed the US Open cut.

Of course, the feat will mean nothing to Scott, who is still searching for his first major although it will give him bragging rights until next April.

He finished in a tie for eighth in the US

Adam Scott at the US Open Masters, T15 at the US Open, second at the Open Championship and T11 at the US PGA Championship.

For his effort, he banked $1,306,058 in all four majors–$232,000 (US Masters), $118,571 (US Open), $812,202 (Open Championship) and $143,285 (US PGA Championship).

McDowell was just $7892 behind Scott on the money list.

Going into the final major, American Matt Kuchar was in the mix, but he missed the cut.

He averaged just over $192,353 for the three majors he did play – the US Masters, US Open and Open Championship.

Lee Westwood, Hunter Mahan, Nick Watney and Rickie Fowler were also in the

running but missed the cut at the US PGA Championship. • THE MAJORS SCOREBOARD 2012 Total 1130 1132 1138 1139 1143 1144 1144 1148 1152 1156 1156 1162

Name Adam Scott Graeme McDowell Ian Poulter Padraig Harrington Tiger Woods Jim Furyk Jason Dufner Steve Stricker Fredrik Jacobson Francesco Molinari Keegan Bradley Zach Johnson

Four major scores 284-286-274-286 286-282-278-286 283-291-280-284 284-283-285-287 293-287-277-286 285-283-284-292 289-283-283-289 295-286-282-285 288-286-287-291 288-289-285-294 290-298-284-284 291-291-280-300

Money (US$) S1,306,058 $1,298,166 $815,535 $639,586 $726,075 $542,262 $445,321 $427,175 $270,354 $198,777 $499,491 $223,315

Kooralbyn for sale – again ONE of Queensland’s favourite golf resorts is back on the market.

The $25m sale of Kooralbyn Resort in the Gold Coast hinterland (west of Beaudesert) fell over when a Gold Coast consortium walked away from the deal.

The resort closed three years ago on the instructions of the liquidator with the loss of 70 local jobs.

Originally designed by world-renowned Scottish designer Desmond Muirhead, Kooralbyn’s first resident professional was the legendary Norman von Nida.

From that impressive beginning, the baton was passed to former Australian PGA champion Randall Vines, who still lives near the course.

It is a shame the resort remains closed because it was certainly a favourite with many of Australia’s leading players and the media.

For years, the resort hosted the Battle of the Media, which was an annual highlight for television, radio, newspapers and magazines media types.

The 100-room resort has a 36-room lodge, restaurants, conference facilities, bars, pools and championship golf course.

There is even an airstrip, polo fields, horse and international school.

Inside Golf believes the resort might be the perfect buy for someone like billionaire Clive Palmer.

There’s plenty of room for a casino, hotel, amusement park and anything else. •

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Dufner, Schwartzel confirm for Perth The 2011 Masters Tournament champion Charl Schwartzel and World Number Nine Jason Dufner are the first global stars to be announced for the Perth International, to be played at Lake Karrinyup Country Club in Perth from October 18-21.

Schwartzel, from South Africa, has already won seven times on The European Tour, the highlight of which was a stunning victory at Augusta National, where he became the first player in history to birdie the final four holes to win the coveted Green Jacket.

The 27-year-old will look to emulate the feats of his fellow countrymen Gary Player, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, who are all past champions at Lake Karrinyup.

“It has been a while since I was down in Australia for a Tour event, but I have always enjoyed the people and the culture there and the great sporting rivalry between our countries in cricket and rugby,” Schwartzel said. “I am looking forward to visiting Perth, and hopefully I can continue the South African success at Lake Karrinyup.”

Dufner was runner-up at the 2011 US PGA Championship and has enjoyed a stellar 2012 season with seven top-10 finishes, highlighted by wins at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and HP Byron Nelson Championship.

The 35-year-old American sits third on the US PGA TOUR money list and will make his debut in The Ryder Cup this month.

“I have a real affinity for Australia and have heard a lot of great things about Perth and Western Australia,” said Dufner.

“I am really looking forward to experiencing another part of Australia and hopefully I can continue my good play ‘down under’. I am excited to have the opportunity to play in Western Australia for the first time and hope the community will really support this new event.”

With prize money of US$2million The Perth

Charl Schwartzel International is the richest tournament in Australia. It is also the only event in Australia co-sanctioned with The European Tour and will be broadcasted globally—showcasing Perth and Western Australia to 350 million homes in 67 countries. The winner of the event will receive an exemption to the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions.

Australia’s Tourism Minister, Dr Kim Hames, said: “The Perth International marks Western Australia’s return to the international golf calendar, and it’s great to see players the calibre of Jason Dufner and Charl Schwartzel heading the field.”

Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia, said: “On behalf of the players on the PGA Tour of Australasia, we are absolutely thrilled to see the return of such a significant professional golf tournament to Perth. Congratulations must go to the Western Australian Government and IMG for their commitment to the game and, along with our co-sanctioning partners, The European Tour, we very much look forward to working together to deliver a fantastic event.”

For general information and updates visit: www.perthinternational.com, www.facebook. com/PerthInternationalGolf, or via Twitter: @PerthIntl. Tickets: www.perthinternational.com •

Scott, McDowell and Poulter to headline Australian Masters Adam Scott has confirmed that he will play in the 2012 Australian Masters to be played at Kingston Heath Golf Club from 15-18 November. He will be joined by defending champion Ian Poulter, and 2010 US Open Champion Graeme McDowell.

The Hon Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty welcomed the news and reiterated the Victorian Government’s support of major events.

“The Victorian Government is proud to support major events like the 2012 Australian Masters as they not only build on our State’s reputation as a major drawcard for the world’s best golfers but showcase Victoria to even more people around the globe,” he said. “We are looking forward to welcoming the defending champion Ian Poulter, Adam Scott and Graeme McDowell to Melbourne and I encourage all Victorians to get along to Kingston Heath Golf Club in November.”

Poulter became the second Englishman to win the gold jacket last year. This year, he will be looking to join Greg Norman as the only other player in history to successfully defend the Australian Masters title.

“I am delighted to return to Melbourne to defend my title. I thought Victoria Golf Club last year was an outstanding layout and I have heard a lot of great things about Kingston Heath. I am already looking forward to returning to the sandbelt,” Poulter said.

Adam Scott has enjoyed another terrific year on the international stage.

“I’m delighted to be returning to play the Melbourne sandbelt, and specifically the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath. It will be a great week and it’s fantastic to see top class International players like Poults and Graeme

Graeme McDowell in the field. I’m sure we will see massive crowds and a fantastic tournament,” he said.

This marks Graeme McDowell’s first appearance at the Australian Masters and his first in Australia in seven years.

“It has been a while since I last played in Australia and I have been desperate to get back down there ever since! It’s such a beautiful country with great golf courses, great people and lovely weather. I am really looking forward to getting back down to Melbourne and playing on the sandbelt again,” said Graeme.

For more information, follow the Masters on Twitter @aussiemasters or Facebook at www.facebook.com/australianmasters. Tickets: www.foxtix.com.au or 1300 111 FOX (369). •

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from the ceo

Warren Sevil

Stephen Pitt

CEO – ALPG

CEO – Golf Australia

After two thrilling weeks of Olympic action in London in August, it’s hard not to be excited about 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and golf ’s return to the Olympics.

Golf was last part of the Olympic Games in 1904 in St Louis when Canadian amateur George Lyon won gold and the game’s reinstatement in Rio will represent a real milestone for the sport and the chance for us to promote the great game that golf is to new sections of the Australian community via the Olympic platform.

I’m also pleased to see a number of both male and female players have put their support behind Olympic golf.

During the London Games a number of players took to social media channels to highlight how excited they would be to win an Olympic medal for their country and how much it would mean to them in the context of their career --which was great to see.

There will be plenty of interesting developments in the years to come, including watching the course develop. Course designer Gil Hanse has described the area where the course will be built as being similar to that of Melbourne’s famous sandbelt.

Hanse recently outlined his mindset for developing the course in Rio to the New York Times.

“An under-utilised aspect of golf architecture when dealing with players of this calibre is presenting them with interesting problems to solve in the recovery shot,” Hanse said.

“Royal Melbourne shows that. Augusta National shows that. Even when these guys get around the green and they miss a shot, that aspect of utilising slopes and speeds to recover, instead of just Point A to Point B — that, I think, is fascinating.” •

I recently attended my first US Women’s Open Championship which was played at the Black Wolf Run Golf Course in Kohler Wisconsin. Having attended the previous ten Women’s British Opens the major difference at this tournament was the fact that there were just two Australians in the field. Two! I usually plan my treks around the British Open venues to allow me to watch as many as seven or eight Aussies. The 2012 US Womens Open field saw just Karrie Webb and Katherine Hull flying the Aussie flag. A shame, but the reality of the current depth of Australian talent mixed with a rapidly increasing standard in the women’s game which is being spearheaded by the strengthening Asian contingent.

Brian Thorburn CEO – PGA of Australia

In yet another busy month for Australian golf, I recently returned from the annual PGA World Alliance meeting. Consisting of a 27 strong delegation, the meeting took place at the headquarters of the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland, with many topics including strategies to grow participation and the upcoming addition of golf in the Olympic Games, discussed. Among the PGAs represented at the meeting were those of Great Britain and Ireland, America, Canada, South Africa, Sweden, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and the PGAs of Europe.

A busy schedule – and temperatures around 110F– limited me to just 12 holes in the gallery that week. Fortunately, Webb and Hull were within a few groups of each other on both Friday and Saturday. Neither threatened the leaders but both made the cut on a tough course in oppressive conditions. On Friday afternoon I followed Webb for eight holes and witnessed five birdies which left me wondering firstly how she could have gotten herself to eight over par and, secondly, whether my presence had brought good luck! (She wouldn’t admit to that.)

What impressed me most about Karrie and the US Open week was her ongoing commitment to the Karrie Webb Series winners. The KW Series rewards the leading two elite Australian amateurs with an all expenses paid trip to the US Open and a full week experience under the wing of Australia’s greatest ever golfer.

The thing is, Karrie could choose any week in her annual LPGA schedule to host her Series winners, but she opts for the US Open – in her mind the biggest event on the women’s golf

schedule; the one she most wants to win. Surely then, hosting these two girls is a distraction?

Karrie says not, adding that she feels she gets more out of it than they do. This year Whitney Hillier and Bree Elliott earned the right to the “week of a lifetime.” They stayed in the same house as Karrie; they walked inside the ropes during practice rounds; they were introduced to many of the game’s elite; they were mentored

by Karrie; they witnessed first hand the hourly/ daily schedule of a World Golf Hall of Famer at a major and they practiced every day at a course nearby to the US Open.

I walked most holes with these two wideeyed girls who looked as though they were in dreamland, clearly excited, inspired and motivated to make it to the top of the women’s game. They were both shrouded in Australian flags and green and gold body paint. They watched their heroes’ every move and I watched as they watched and I felt nothing but admiration for what our number one is doing behind the scenes. Oh, and just quietly, she still has game. •

There was a strong feeling of purpose and vision amongst all those at the Alliance meeting, confirming that in coming years, a number of great opportunities will present for golf, with all the PGAs taking an active interest to ensure positive outcomes for the game at all levels.

PGAs and PGA Professionals will play a key role in delivering these opportunities, through our network that includes over 50,000 Professionals internationally.

Back at home, this month the PGA is preparing to host our biennial Srixon PGA Coaching Summit which will again be hosted at the RACV Royal Pines Resort. The Coaching Summit is our Association’s pinnacle professional development opportunity for PGA Professionals, and will bring together some of Australia’s, and indeed the world’s, top experts in areas relevant to coaching

and the business of golf. It is opportunities such as the Summit, that ensure our PGA Professionals are among some of the most highly knowledgeable and skilled the world over, and we look forward to staging another successful Summit with thanks to the ongoing generous support of Srixon Sports Australasia.

Finally, as we approach the PGA Tour of Australasia summer, I encourage golf fans to stay up to date with all the latest news and information and get involved in what will be another entertaining season. As recently announced, the Australian Masters recently confirmed that Graeme McDowell and Adam Scott will be a part of their 2012 line up at Kingston Heath Golf Club alongside defending champion Ian Poulter.

Keep an eye out for many more announcements at www.pga.org.au in the coming weeks and months. •

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

PALMER COLONIAL

PALMER GOLD COAST

industry news

Thomson Perrett busy around the world Renowned architect eyes Kingscote

The Shark opens Barefoot teaching facility Greg Norman took part last month in the grand opening ceremonies of the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy at Barefoot Resort’s expansive driving range located in Myrtle Beach (USA).

Norman, a winner of 91 professional tournaments worldwide, including the 1986 and ’93 British Opens, visited the area in August 2010 to announce the Barefoot academy location.

The 57-year-old Australian golf legend hoped to have the academy open last summer, but as is often the case, construction was delayed. The Shark attached his name to an academy at Long Bay Club in the spring of 2010 and the Greg Norman Champions Golf Academy has been operating at that location since.

“We’ve been here for two years with the Greg Norman Academy and it’s going well, and we’re so excited to move to Barefoot,” said academy owner Juan Manuel Fernandez, who moved to the Grand Strand from Mexico a couple years ago. “I believe it will be a huge opportunity for the kids around here and overseas. Hopefully we can move it forward and get it in the shape Greg wants it.”

The Barefoot academy is the first of several planned Norman academies, and will likely remain the headquarters of the teaching facilities, Fernandez said. •

Ross Perrett at Clearwater Bay with Shanshan Feng, the first player from China to win an LPGA major championship. Also pictured is CWB Superintendent Darry Kosta and Australian Head Professional of CWB, Grant Gibson.

Despite the fact that golf course development in Australia and around the world is experiencing a general slowdown, Thomson Perrett continue to be busy.

Managing Director Ross Perrett says “While golf development may never reach the heights of the 90s, the future for Thomson Perrett and golf course architects remains positive. Admittedly times are now tougher for golf course architects but we have a good book of active projects and a strong pipeline of future work so there is still plenty of work to do.”

To highlight this, Ross has recently returned from two weeks in Asia where he visited 7 projects in 4 countries. He visited two projects in Thailand, an 18-hole new course near Pattaya and a short course for a hotel developer. Ross then flew to Hong Kong where Thomson Perrett are working on some upgrades to the beautiful Clearwater Bay Golf Course. From Hong Kong he flew to Nanning, China to inspect the progress of the first nine of their Qinzhou golf course and

then on to Xian where their Xian International Golf Club is nearing completion. Next stop was Shanghai where the firm has a 36-hole course under construction at Wujiang and then on to Dalian China where another Thomson Perrett project is about to open. As if he hadn’t fit enough in to his trip, Ross stopped in Beijing to visit the site of a prospective project and then Singapore to visit a project where Thomson Perrett together with Karrie Webb have reached the final stages of design selection for a full rebuild of an existing course.

On the home front, Ross and his team are working on the design and master plan of the second course at St Andrews Beach, monitoring the construction of their new 18 holes at Mandalay and working with several clubs on course upgrades. In a market which is experiencing tough times, Thomson Perrett continue to be in demand. Making the final of the Rio2016 Olympic Golf Design competition has clearly helped raise the profile of the Thomson Perrett brand. •

Course designer Michael Wolveridge has taken a special interest in the Kingscote Golf Course in South Australia.

While he is now based at the Links at Port Douglas (Qld), a Bali-inspired resort he designed himself, the retired golf course architect is keen to make a second home on Kangaroo Island to escape the late-summer tropical heat and humidity of Far North Queensland. “It’s a special place. Just glorious in February,” Wolveridge said. “It has all the right geographical features – it’s flat, there’s a water source from the treatment works, the soil and drainage are good, the fresh air from the sea.

There’s potential.” •

Manly receives $13.5m revamp MEMBERS of Manly Golf Club can enjoy 18 holes of golf again after a multi-million dollar redevelopment of the course. The club, which celebrated its centenary in 2003, has been transformed in a $13.5 million revamp over two years. Works included a changed layout and the planting of about 960 trees, 28,000 ground cover plants and 22,000 scrub species. The club also installed a 4.8 megalitre storm pond to collect water from the Fairlight Hill, saving up to 65 megalitres a year of safe drinking water. The pond alone cost about $4.5 million, with the federal government contributing $2.3 million of that.

“Members’ feedback has been very positive,’’ general manager Ed Hynes said. The club gave golf course architects Thomson Perrett, headed by golf legend Peter Thomson, a blank canvas for a full course rebuild. The new course would offer “a greater challenge in a more aesthetically enjoyable landscape’’, Mr Hynes said. •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

15

preview

All eyes on Medinah Garrett Johnston ed@insidegolf.com.au

The Ryder Cup, golf ’s international rivalry between Europe and the United States, heads to Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Illinois, September 28th-30th.

The last time the Ryder Cup was contested in the US (Valhalla in 2008), an American team, with a record six rookies, surprisingly trounced a European side that included veterans in top form. Most notably, Padraig Harrington was coming into the event off back-to-back major championship wins at the ’08 Open Championship and USPGA. Among the rookies that have currently qualified for 2012’s US team under captain Davis Love III are two of America’s hottest players in Keegan Bradley and Jason Dufner.

Bradley, coming off a gritty victory at the World Golf Championships’ Bridgestone Invitational in August, has a strong affinity for this event.

“The Ryder Cup means everything. It’s going to be a real challenge that week to stay calm and not get too excited.”

For Bradley, his first memory of this event was the year he first came out to the matches at Brookline Country Club in Boston, Massachusetts in 1999.

“I went to the ‘99 Ryder Cup in Boston. The greatest sporting event I’ve ever been to,” he said.

His anticipation for that event as well as this year’s edition is second to none.

“I’ve never looked forward to something more in my life than the Ryder Cup,” he added.

The other American newcomer, Jason Dufner, has had quite a journey in qualifying for this US team. His rise toward the top in the US

rankings did not happen overnight. His solid play throughout the year includes two wins and seven top-ten finishes on the PGA Tour (as of press time.)

Dufner is ready to embrace the team-play format.

“It’s just kind of neat because we’re always out here doing this for ourselves as individuals,” Dufner said. “To be part of a team representing the United States, a group of guys kind of battling it out against another team, it will be a lot of fun.”

His first memories of watching the Ryder Cup on television is certainly one of inspiration. It was the 1993 matches at the Belfry in England.

“I remember watching those guys compete really early in the morning and then going and practicing after watching them.”

On the European side, the only true rookie may end up being Nicolas Colsearts (Note: at press time, the European Side has not yet been finalised).

At a longer course like Medinah Country Club, which will be 7,657 yards in total, Colsearts’ prodigious length would be a great asset for Team Europe. Especially when the Americans have bombers like Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson to place on the Ryder Cup chessboard.

Ryder Cup sophomore Peter Hanson, like much of the European team, has little familiarity with Medinah and is depending upon advice from his captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

“We’re going to get a lot of information both from Ollie and everybody involved,” Hanson said.

“I’m going to speak a lot to him (about the course).”

With his busy European Tour schedule, Hanson won’t get a chance to play Medinah until the week before the Ryder Cup. Olazabal has major championship experience at Medinah that he can share with his team, having competed in the 1990 US Open, 1999 and 2006

Ryder Cup rookies like Jason Dufner hope to bring solid form into Medinah Country Club.

USPGA Championships there.

Although Europeans such as Luke Donald and Sergio Garcia have high finishes from the USPGAs held there in the past, taken as a whole, Olazabal’s squad is lacking in Medinah experience.

But even the Americans have little competitive experience there.

Of the top 8 automatically qualified players on the US team, Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods are the only players who have played both USPGA Championships there.

The course has been redone in the last year so that may change some of the strategy involved.

However it is still a parkland, American golf layout. Which should overall favour the US team with the faster greens and doglegged, tree-lined fairways.

“I like the doglegs,” Ryder Cup veteran Jim Furyk said. “You’ve gotta manoeuvre the ball,

work the ball, and keep it in the fairways. I do like the golf course.”

For some Americans, it will be there first time playing in the Ryder Cup on home soil.

“I’ve never played in (a Ryder Cup) on American soil, so I’m excited about that,” said Zach Johnson.

In the showdown between the world’s best players, the Europeans have the man with most recent major championship accomplishment in Rory McIlroy, while the Americans have the major championship threat of his generation in Tiger Woods. Woods won two USPGAs held at Medinah in 1999 and 2006. For a man that used to win nearly every tournament that counted, he now faces a legitimate contender on the other side of the chessboard.

Captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal must have their chess pieces in place come September 28th. •

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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scorecard World Rankings

Following The PGA Championship

Top 20 Australians 1. Adam Scott (6 in world rankings) 2. Jason Day (25) 3. John Senden (36) 4. Geoff Ogilvy (42) 5. Aaron Baddeley (47) 6. Greg Chalmers (66) 7. Marc Leishman (72) 8. Marcus Fraser (82) 9. Brendan Jones (94) 10. Robert Allenby (109) 11. Brad Kennedy (134) 12. Kurt Barnes (170) 13. Richard Green (190) 14. Nick O’Hern (205) 15. Rod Pampling (236) 16. Cameron Percy (274) 17. Scott Hend (311) 18. Kieran Pratt (314) 19. Stuart Appleby (317) 20. Jarrod Lyle (320)

Top 5 World Rankings 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Rory McIlroy (averaged points 10.35) Luke Donald (9.59) Tiger Woods (8.71) Lee Westwood (7.35) Webb Simpson (6.23)

Top 20 Rolex World Rankings in Australia 1. Karrie Webb (21 in world) 2. Katherine Hull (55) 3. Lindsey Wright (88) 4. Nikki Campbell (114) 5. Karen Lunn (146) 6. Frances Bondad (161) 7. Stacey Keating (172) 8. Kristie Smith (181) 9. Tamie Durdin (187) 10. Sarah Jane Smith (190) 11. Nikki Garrett (194) 12. Sarah Kemp (208) 13. Bree Arthur (227) 14. Rachel Bailey (255) 15. Rebecca Artis (270) 16. Jessica Speechley (321) 17. Vicky Thomas (322) 18. Stephanie Na (323) 19. Julia Boland (373) 20. Ashley Ona (392)

Top 5 Rolex Rankings 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Yani Tseng (averaged points 14.60) Stacy Lewis (8.52) Shanshan Feng (8.42) Na Yeon Choi (8.38) Ai Miyazato (7.83)

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

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

CHAMPIONS TOUR Langer captures 3M Championship

McIlroy captures PGA Championship in record fashion Rory McIlroy captured the second major championship of his young career by a recordsetting eight-shot margin, taking the PGA Championship at Kiawah. The 23-year-old accentuated his win by converting a 25-foot birdie putt on the final hole that gave him a final round 66 and set a new standard for the event’s margin of victory mark that stood for 32 years.

McIlroy was the only player in the field to shoot three rounds in the 60’s en route to a 13-underpar 275 victory total, putting himself in position for the win by firing a third round 67 and closing out the weekend by playing bogey-free over the final 23 holes. It marks the second win of the year for McIlroy, who also captured the Honda Classic in March.

“It was a great round of golf,” said McIlroy following the win. “I’m speechless. It’s just been incredible. I had a good feeling about it at the start.

I never imagined to do this.”

McIlroy’s win marks the first major championship with the new Titleist 913 prototype driver and the first 913 win on the 2012 PGA TOUR. McIlroy led the field in Driving Distance with a 311.5 yard average off the tee, and was able to control his golf ball in the gusting winds on Kiawah.

IN BRIEF LPGA So Yeon Ryu overwhelmed the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic field with a seven-shot victory, earning her first win since capturing the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open. Ryu rode a string of six straight birdies on holes 9 through 14 to close with a 9-under 62 en route to a 20-under par 264 victory total, the second lowest in tournament history.

ONE ASIA Chris Wood of England fired four consecutive rounds in the 60’s to capture the OneAsia Thailand Open in Bangkok by two shots for his first career victory as a professional. The 24-year-old entered the final round with a one stroke lead, and closed with a 5-under par 67 en route to a 23-under par 265 victory total.

WEB.COM At the Web.com Tour’s Cox Classic, Ben Kohles posted a bogey-free final round 9-under-par 62 to become the first player in Tour history to earn a victory in each of his first two professional starts.

Kohles, the newest young gun on the Titleist Tour staff, was the first player to win in the U.S. with the new 913D3 driver a week earlier, the first time he put the prototype in play.

“I think I played the best round of my life today,”

Bernhard Langer overcame a six-stroke deficit by firing a final round 10-under-par 62 to win the 3M Championship for the second time in four years. Langer recorded a 17-under-par 198 total, two shots clear of runner-up David Peoples, who posted the best finish of his Champions Tour career.

Couples triumphs at Turnberry Photo courtesy of the PGA of America. All rights reserved.

“I have been testing the new 913 and I was hitting the ball longer,” McIlroy had said earlier at the Irish Open. “I’m getting less spin which is great in the wind and it carries 15 yards further in calm conditions.” •

What’s In Rory McIlroy’s Bag?

Titleist Pro V1x golf ball 913D3 driver (8.5) 906F2 fairway metal (13.0) 910F fairway metal (17.0) MB irons (3-9) Vokey Design SM4 pitching (46), sand (54) and lob (60) wedges Scotty Cameron GSS putter.

said Kohles following the victory in which he hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation. “That was a blast.

I’m pretty shocked myself. What are you supposed to do better than this? I don’t think that part has sunk in yet. It’s pretty life altering.”

CHALLENGE TOUR Fine Finnish victory for Broberg Kristoffer Broberg announced his arrival on the Challenge Tour stage with an emphatic victory in the Finnish Challenge. In just his second Challenge Tour appearance, the 26-year-old blew away the rest of the field at Kytäjä Golf, a three-under-par final round 68 giving him a 15-under-par total and a six shot win from Dutchman Wil Besseling.

Paisley’s maiden victory in England Chris Paisley claimed his maiden European Challenge Tour title as a one-under-par final round of 71 left the Englishman two shots clear of compatriot Francis McGuirk on 16-underpar in the English Challenge at Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa. “I’m overjoyed obviously,” said Paisley, who moved to sixth in the Challenge Tour Rankings.

“This has given me a great shot of getting my European Tour card now. I was in a pretty good position before this week but to get a win, it shoots me up there and who knows what I can do now.”

2012 Worldwide Ball Count

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

2012 Worldwide Wins

5,000

44

789

6

American Fred Couples birdied Turnberry’s closing two holes to seal a dream debut victory in The 2012 Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex, finishing two shots clear of compatriot Gary Hallberg following a dramatic final round. Couples, who had trailed overnight leader Bernhard Langer by one shot going into the final round, took advantage of the German’s slip on the back nine to capture the title with a closing round of three-under-par 67.

SCOREBOARDS PGA Championship Pos Ctry Player Rory McIlroy 1

Total R1 R2 R3 R4 Strk -13 67 75 67 66 275

2

David Lynn

-5

73 74 68 68 283

T3

Justin Rose

-4

69 79 70 66 284

T3

Keegan Bradley

-4

68 77 71 68 284

T3

Ian Poulter

-4

70 71 74 69 284

T3

Carl Pettersson

-4

66 74 72 72 284

Australia/NZ Scores Geoff Ogilvy T11

-2

68 78 70 70 286

T11

Adam Scott

-2

68 75 70 73 286

T27

Marc Leishman

1

74 72 71 72 289

T32

John Senden

2

73 74 72 71 290

T32

Greg Chalmers

2

70 76 72 72 290

T42

Aaron Baddeley

4

68 75 74 75 292

T66

Marcus Fraser

10

74 75 78 71 298

CUT

Robert Allenby

7

75 76

151

CUT

Jason Day

8

72 80

152

CUT

Brendan Jones

10

76 78

154

Reno-Tahoe Open (Modified Stableford scoring) Pos Ctry Player J.J. Henry 1

Tot 43

R1 10

R2 12

18

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

R4 7

2

Alexandre Rocha

42

8

16

9

9

3

Andres Romero

37

14

7

10

6

4

John Mallinger

34

11

11

10

2

T5

John Daly

33

10

9

9

5

T5

Justin Leonard

33

5

10

11

7

Australia/NZ Scores Stuart Appleby T16

26

8

1

10

7

T54

Rod Pampling

16

0

9

5

2

T54

Danny Lee

16

10

6

5

-5

T60

Nick O’Hern

15

7

8

-3

3

68

Nathan Green

8

-1

9

-6

6

CUT

Steven Bowditch

3

0

CUT

Gavin Coles

2

-2

CUT

Mathew Goggin

-1

-4

DQ

Matt Jones

1

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Don’t delay pro career, says Dani David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

PERTH-BASED professional Danielle Montgomery says talented young amateur golfers with ambitions of turning professional should not delay the switch to the play-for-pay ranks.

The 27-year-old, who turned professional at the end of 2007, said if she had her time over she would have become a professional much sooner.

“I think you should definitely turn pro as soon as you can because it opens up new experiences and you push yourself that little bit harder,” she said.

“Ultimately you want to be a professional so you may as well do it early.

“I played pretty much everything on the amateur scene for a long time and was getting a little complacent and wasn’t invigorated by it anymore.

“Making the transition from amateur to pro golf was fine, but the hardest thing was getting somewhere to play. I turned pro without having a card for one of the main tours.”

These days Montgomery plays the Ladies European Tour (LET) and recently received an unexpected invitation to play in the World Celebrity Pro-Am in China.

She will join a host of big-name professionals and celebrities at Mission Hills Golf Club from October 18-21.

“I got a start in the event because I played in the World Ladies Championship at Mission Hills in March,” Montgomery said.

“While I was there, I met the owner and got an

invite to play in the World Celebrity Pro-Am. I also won the best dressed award and that’s another reason I got invited.”

Fellow Australian Frances Bondad, Laura Davies, Yani Tseng, Melissa Reid and Lee-Anne Pace will join Montgomery in China.

This year’s list of celebrities include NBA star Yao Ming, who will be the event’s charity ambassador, Brazilian football superstar Ronaldo, former World No. 1 snooker player Stephen Hendry and past US Masters champion Ian Woosnam.

In previous years, players of the calibre of Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Matt Kuchar, Justin Rose and Graeme McDowell have entertained fans and this year another star-studded field will wow the galleries.

“We play with the celebrities on the first two days and on the last day the professionals play together,” Montgomery said.

“It’s a great opportunity because we are playing for $1 million and if I play well that could set me up for the rest of the year.”

Born in England, Montgomery’s best result on tour this year was a runner-up finish in the South African Women’s Open – a tournament she should have won.

“I could easily have won the tournament and left a lot of shots out there,” she said.

“Finishing second is good, but it made me realise that when you play a course that suits you then you need to play to your strengths and take advantage of that.”

It was her first visit to the Rainbow Nation and one she won’t forget in a hurry.

“We had a great time there and stayed on for

(MAIN): LINE UP: Danielle Montgomery focuses on lining up a putt. (INSET): SAND SAVE: Danielle Montgomery isn’t shy when it comes to showing off her model looks. four days to go on safari at Thula Thula Game Park, which is famous for its elephants.

“It’s was a different type of holiday and I wasn’t sure how I would handle it, but you just relax and go on game drives in the morning and evening and they really look after you well.

“I saw most of the animals except lions,” Montgomery said. “I am hoping to go back next year and see the lions.”

Montgomery comes from a golfing family.

Her sister Nicole is about to finish her professional traineeship and brother Michael is a former WA state representative.

Montgomery plans to switch to the LPGA of Japan Tour in 2013.

“I want to play on the Japan Tour and will have to go to qualifying school,” she said.

“I tried to get there three or four years ago and didn’t make it but this time I will have a better chance because I will be a lot less nervy and more experienced.

“Over there you play about 35 events and for $1m every week so that is my focus,” said Montgomery, who works out of the Pro Tour Golf College in WA. “My coach David Milne and Laurie Montague run the college and when I am home I go there to train from 7am to 3pm.

“We do a lot of short game, pitching, chipping and putting for eight hours a day.

“My short game is my strength and because I can drive it straight that brings everyone back to me when we play tight courses because they are hitting irons and hybrids off the tee.”

Montgomery says she has no regrets giving up studying chemical engineering at university in order to pursue a career in golf.

“My parents encouraged me to follow my dreams and give golf a shot,” she said.

“I love golf. I treat it more than just a job because it takes up much of your life. It takes over your life so you have got to love it.” •

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20

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

juniors

Manufacturers ‘PUMP’ up prize giveaways Only halfway through the year, already a number of very lucky junior golfers from across the country have claimed some great prizes from the PUMP Golf website prize giveaway.

The monthly prize promotion at www. pumpgolf.com features a different golf manufacturer each month, all of whom have put their support behind the PUMP Golf program.

With the TaylorMade, PING, and Young Gun feature months already passed, lucky juniors who entered won some fantastic prizes such as golf bags, golf balls, caps, putters and a range of other product to complement their golf equipment.

There are still a number of feature months to go, so don’t miss out on your opportunity to take home some great prizes from the likes of Srixon, Callaway, Titleist and FootJoy. All these manufacturers have continued to show their commitment to developing and promoting junior golf in Australia, so look out for some great prizes in the coming months.

To be in the draw, all you will need to do is visit the PUMP Golf website and click on the PUMP Golf prizes entry form where you will be asked to answer a simple question.

While you’re on the website, don’t forget to check to see what clubs in your area are hosting a nine-hole PUMP Golf Shootout this season.

Everyone who takes part receives a participation gift, while each junior who wins either the scratch or net event at their local event will receive a trophy, and go into the major prize draw to win a trip of a lifetime to the 2012 PUMP Golf Junior

A ‘Gold Rush’ for WA juniors

Festival, to be held at Twin Waters Golf Club in December.

Nine-hole PUMP Golf Shootout event dates are being confirmed daily, so visit the website to find a club running an event nearest to you.

Alternatively visit your local PGA Professional to see when they will be running a shootout at your club.

The PGA and Golf Australia are committed to working together to ensure all aspiring golfers get the opportunity and skills necessary to get out on the golf course and have fun! Further

work is also being done to develop the link between the MYGolf program and PUMP Golf Shootout events. Both programs complement each other, with MYGolf providing a sound skill foundation for juniors to move on to the golf course and compete in events such as the PUMP Golf Shootout.

For more information on PUMP Golf, visit www.pumpgolf.com or phone the PGA Events Division (03) 8320 1999. For further information on the MYGolf Program please visit www.mygolf.golfaustralia.org.au. •

The Goldfields Golf Club of Kalgoorlie-Boulder will this year present the inaugural Smarter than Smoking Goldfields Junior Desert Open, a 36hole WA state junior ranking round on the 4th and 5th of October.

The event gives junior golfers a chance to play on the Graham Marsh-designed Kalgoorlie Golf Course, which offers a high standard of playing surface in the unique setting of natural bushland and rich red desert sands. Each hole is a celebration of the town’s mining history with names such as Midas Touch, O’Connor’s Vision and The Super Pit. The club has had great support from GolfWA and well as sponsors both locally and state-wide, ensuring six divisions with 24 prizes. The Gross Champion Girl and Boy will receive a Kalgoorlie Gold Nugget valued at $500.00 each.

Running concurrently will be a 9-hole MyGolf competition both days to allow younger players and siblings to participate. This event has a total of 18 prizes over the two days of competition and there is a division for all skill levels.

Each entrant will receive an event backpack with a number of gifts inside. To complement the formal prizes there will also be 28 novelty prizes over the two days.

The club recently took 5 junior representatives to Perth for a week of open competition. The group was well received by all clubs, players and officials, instigating new relationships and promoting the Junior Open. •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

21

legends of the game

Legend Arnold not forgotten David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

IT’S been just over a decade since Queensland professional Arnold Victorsen departed for the fairway in the sky, yet his spirit lives on.

Victorsen was a club professional of some repute and left an indelible mark on golf.

Recently he was honoured posthumously with life membership of the PGA of Australia. That’s how much he was revered in the game.

According to sons John and Mark, dad Arnold dedicated his life to growing the game, particularly in Queensland.

Both boys followed in their father’s footsteps and became professional golfers. John is the head pro at Headland Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast and Mark is the teaching pro at Pacific Golf Club in Brisbane.

In fact, John’s sons are professional golfers as well.

An extraordinary man, Arnold was the longtime head professional at Townsville Golf Club in North Queensland.

In 1950, he did something that would be impossible to achieve today.

He was instrumental in bringing the four-time Open Championship winner Bobby Locke to Townsville for an exhibition match.

Let’s see a club professional bring current Open champion Ernie Els to Australia for an exhibition match.

Impossible, it just wouldn’t happen.

“Dad got Bobby Locke to Townsville and he, Roy Carter and Cec Brookes played an exhibition match with the reigning Open champion,” John said.

Arnold Victorsen (second from right), Bobby Locke (second from left) with Roy Carter and Cec Brookes at Townsville Golf Club.

“People had only read about Bobby Locke and here he was playing an exhibition match in Townsville.

“Bobby Locke was a wonderful fellow and he and dad met up again at the first ever Australian Seniors Championship at Manly Golf Club.

“Bobby was playing in the event and he and dad reminisced about the old days and Locke remembered the time he went to Townsville.

“Dad told us that it was great to see him again and Locke hadn’t forgotten what dad did. He thanked Locke for going to Townsville because it was the start of big things for golf in North Queensland.”

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FOOTNOTE: Arnold Victorsen was also a life member at Townsville Golf Club and received the Services to Golf Award in the late 1990s.

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South African Locke wasn’t the only star to be lured to Townsville by Arnold Victorsen.

Well-known trick shot artist Paul Hahn was lured to Townsville to demonstrate his extraordinary trick-shot skills.

“Dad got him to do a trick shot exhibition there,” John said.

“In fact, Paul Hahn landed his plane on the ninth fairways at Townsville Golf Club.

“The committee didn’t think Paul Hahn was going to turn up and asked dad where he was and dad said ‘he’ll be here in a minute’. The next thing the plane came down and landed on the fairway.

“The old fellow did some extraordinary things,” John said.

“He (dad) was a wonderful man. We have always thought dad was good and all the grandkids always idolised him.

“As far as the Victorsen mob goes, receiving life membership just sets off dad’s career as a professional golfer.

“We have always been proud of dad and the wonderful things he did.

“He started tournaments in North Queensland and Papua New Guinea and helped a lot of little committees out at Charters Towers, Bowen, Ayr, Ingham and all those places.

“A lot of people don’t know that, but it was a huge boost for golf in North Queensland.

“Dad would organise week-long golf schools and kids would come from Cairns, Mt Isa and as far down as Mackay and we’d live in big army tents.

“He would bring in a couple of coaches to help out.

“Out of that came former Women’s British Open winner Corinne Dibnah, myself and at one stage there were eight kids playing in the Queensland junior boys side and four came from that camp.

“Years later, I was invited to go back and coach at the live-in golf schools, which was one of the biggest thrills of my career.

“We had some wonderful memories. Dad went to the British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 1974 – the Open won by Gary Player after he putted left-handed from beside the clubhouse wall.

“Dad was good mates with Kel Nagle and they met up there and spent some time having a drink in the players’ area with Peter Thomson and others.

“Dad was such a gentleman, a lovely man and a good bloke.” •

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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cover story

‘Snake’ eyes a down under ‘double double’ Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

Aussie lefty Greg “Snake” Chalmers has confirmed that he will defend the unique “down-under double” he recorded last year in winning both the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship.

Chalmers made the announcement following the Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, stating that the two Australian tournaments were the first things he entered into his schedule every year.

“For most Australians, it’s on their list of events that they want to win,” Chalmers said. “Clearly it’s not a Major, but for an Australian it’s a big deal.

“It’s something you grew up with as a kid, watching the likes of Greg Norman, and it still has a mystique about it, an attraction, that most Australians love.”

Last year saw Chalmers beat a worldclass field that included the likes of Tiger Woods, Bubba Watson and Adam Scott to win the Emirates Australian Open by a shot, before going on to grab the Australian PGA Championship after a three-way play-off with Marcus Fraser and Robert Allenby.

“The PGA was the one that surprised me most because I came from so far back, but at the same time they both gave me a real thrill,” Chalmers said.

“For me, the PGA was something really special, because it’s our oldest championship and I hadn’t won it before.

As a professional golfer I have an affinity with the PGA and it was a wonderful thrill to win that.”

Following the rare double win, all eyes were then on the Australian Masters, where Chalmers aimed to claim the elusive Australian “Triple Crown”, which has only been accomplished by one other player: Robert Allenby in 2005. Despite his best efforts, Chalmers only managed to finish T12 in the event, which saw Englishman Ian Poulter take the famed Gold Jacket.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING? Should Chalmers successfully defend both events this summer, he would become the first golfer in history to claim an Aussie “Double Double” for the two events in consecutive years. A handful of players have come very close to winning

both events back-to-back, yet none have been able to string up a double defense.

According to our research, those who have captured 3 of the 4 wins are Peter Lonard (2003-2004), Greg Norman (1984-1985), Kel Nagle (1958-1959), Norman von Nida (1950-1951), Ossie Pickworth (1946-1947 & 1948) and Dan Soutar (1905-1906).

Chalmers is in decent form these days, so he may be able to pull it off. This year on the PGA Tour, he has five top25 finishes, and has made 17 of 22 cuts.

The stats don’t really show the true story, however, as he has been playing slightly better than his results would suggest. A disappointing final-round 76 at The Open Championship saw him drop from what could have been a top-10 finish into a T45, while a second-round 76 at The PGA Championship let slip another top-10 opportunity, eventually finishing in a T32.

So, can Chalmers make history in 2012?

All eyes will be on the Snake! •

VIDEO: Ogilvy disappointed with Olympic golf format Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy – one of our most intelligent and well-spoken golfers – has voiced his disappointment regarding the announced/proposed format of the golf competition which is set to mark the sport’s return at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Speaking with Inside Golf, Ogilvy shared his thoughts on the decision by the IOC to make the golf competition a standard 72-hole strokeplay format, mirroring the same format that is currently used by nearly all Tour golf tournaments.

“It [The Olympics] is a good opportunity to do something different,” Ogilvy says. “72-hole strokeplay is fine— it’s stood the test of time, and we play all our biggest events like that—but I think you see how much people embrace the Ryder Cup and The Presidents Cup. So if you could get some sort of team element involved at the same time — maybe running concurrently with the individual event, some sort of interesting Strokeplay/ Matchplay — where you play strokeplay but you also play each other for 18 holes?

You could have a total score at the end of the week and you could also have a knockout situation with a Team scenario.”

According to Ogilvy, the 72-hole format could also see most of the players lose

interest during the competition.

“A lot of the sports that do well in the Olympics, fields get smaller and smaller each day. And you get a Gold Medal match, or a Bronze Medal Playoff match.

I think that’s more interesting than 75 guys playing on the last round, and 68 of them are out of it, which would be odd.

Normally we have something to play for – 15th is better than 20th, 10th is better than 15th—but when there’s only 3 medals being handed out there’s going to be a lot of guys losing interest if they are out of the tournament.”

Always one to share an intelligent viewpoint during an interview, we also asked Ogilvy about playing in Australia, and our country’s upcoming summer of golf.

“Most of our lives are pretty entrenched here in the US, so all year we look

forward to getting back and playing a few tournaments in Australia and catching up with friends and all the players off in Europe and Japan and Asia. So it’s something we all look forward to.”

Despite the excitement of playing down under, however, Ogilvy does have some slight concerns about the current status of golf in Australia, noting that we have a few obstacles to overcome, especially with our summer of golf.

“There’s a lot of things going against us, a lot of other big events in Australia at that time taking away sponsorship money – the horseracing, and the cricket, Moto GP and the Tennis isn’t that far after—so there are a lot of sports chasing the same sponsorship dollar. We also have Europe and the PGA tours squeezing us with the dates – there’s a lot of great events coming later and later in the year. We don’t have any open weeks now, so we have to choose the events to go against. World economics is conspiring against Australian Golf a bit. But there is a place for us. But if more Australian golfers can come back and play and the public can embrace it, all the positive stuff can happen.”

See the entire interview on our App for iPads, or on our website or via YouTube: http://youtu.be/5EJ3Q87-rpU •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

23

troppo tour

Tales from the Troppo:

The Legend of Shoeless Shane Tait Wally Wright ed@insidegolf.com.au

The Macquarie Dictionary defines legend as, ‘an unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times’. True to that definition, the following story is ‘unverifiable’ because those involved in the story were professional golfers playing on Queensland’s ‘Troppo Tour’, which means they were most likely under the influence of alcohol when it happened.

The incident that is now ‘legend’ took place sometime in the early 1990’s (1993 is a popular choice), in the mining town of Mt Isa in Queensland’s north-west. The Mt Isa Open was a cornerstone of the ‘Troppo Tour’ in those days, and the unique course provided touring professionals with a stern test of golf. The small greens at Mt Isa, coupled with the traditionally dry conditions, meant players with length off the tee were always in the mix. In previous years, controlled big-hitters like Peter McWhinney and Terry Price had emerged victorious. Those who missed the fairway had to deal with hitting their second shot from the sand and rocks that made up the rough, which saw the majority of players employ the use of a ‘rock club’ when contesting the four-round event; the longestrunning provincial tournament in Queensland.

Apart from the course and the 72-hole format, the Mt Isa Open was also distinctive because it provided golfers with the most convenient accommodation of the whole Queensland PGA Sunshine Tour. The old clubhouse-turned-buggy shed at Mt Isa Golf Club, which is situated no more than 20 metres from the 1st tee-block, was transformed into a dorm room when the ‘Troppo Tour’ came to town. Those players who hadn’t arranged for their own accommodation or didn’t want to be billeted, stayed in the buggy shed which contained anywhere between 20 to 30 fold-out beds, a fridge, a TV and an assortment of adult films.

This particular year, nobody could match Virginia Golf Club’s Shane Tait for the first three

Shane Tait rounds. Shane’s power game was world-class and his confidence to take the most direct route from tee to green, by booming drives over the towering gum trees that lined the fairways of Mt Isa Golf Club, paid off handsomely.

After shooting three or four under par in the third round, Tait held a comfortable lead over the rest of the field. As Shane enjoyed a few beers with his playing partners after the round, he was quietly confident about his chances of adding his name and picture to the ‘Wall of Champions’ that stretched across the length of the clubhouse bar.

Shane was staying in the buggy shed, so he had no desire to call it a night when several of his fellow pros, who were staying off-course, began exiting the clubhouse. After all, it was a Saturday night. When a few players, who were well out of contention, floated the idea of exploring the limited nightlife that Mt Isa had to offer, Shane expressed a keen interest.

Dress codes are quite loose in Mt Isa, therefore Tait decided that his golfing apparel would be more than suitable, so Shane journeyed into town, with his glove still tucked into his back pocket. As the night wore on, those who had continued revelling slowly began filtering back into the cramped buggy shed. Shane was the last man through the door, which prompted the customary ribbing from his competitors.

The next morning came, and several players, who less than 24 hours ago thought they were no chance of winning, suddenly had a renewed sense of hope. Group by group they teed off on the par-5 1st, from which vantage point, you could see Shane Tait sleeping like a log. As the final few groups practised their chipping and putting on the practice green, one of the Mt Isa members was overheard saying: “Gee, that Shane Tait has played well this week. I can’t see anyone beating him.”

To which one of the pros responded: “He’ll have to wake up first. He tied one on last night.”

When the second-last group teed off on their final round, Shane finally emerged from the buggy shed looking slightly worse for wear. He didn’t even have time to change clothes (luckily he was still wearing the same shirt and pants from the previous day), as he rushed to the pro shop to grab his clubs and register. As his playing partner took a few practise swings and addressed the ball, Tait was still trying to compose himself; more importantly, he was trying to remember where he had left his golf spikes.

With no time to quickly dash into the buggy shed to find his spikes, Shane turned his focus to the job at hand and pulled out his driver. Some of the older Mt Isa members must have thought Tait was adopting the rudimentary method of the great Sam Snead, who would occasionally practise and play barefoot to work on his balance and rhythm. After his drive split the fairway, Tait darted into the buggy shed, located his shoes and set-off down the 1st.

A few hours later, as Tait strode up the 18th, he still held a commanding lead, much to the amazement of his fellow pros. By this stage, everyone knew about the barefoot tee shot on the 1st, and the legend was born. At any other tournament, Tait would have failed to register in time. Only at the Mt Isa Open could a player literally roll out of bed and onto the 1st tee.

Those who recount ‘The Legend of Shoeless Shane Tait’ to their golfing buddies, usually finish the story by saying: “One of the spectators actually took a photo of ‘Taity’ teeing off on the 1st and framed it. It now hangs in the clubhouse at Mt Isa.” Whilst many professionals from the ‘Troppo Tour’, including Mt Isa pro, Rob Murphy, admit to having seen the photograph, its current whereabouts is unknown, which only adds to the legend. Like any great yarn, ‘The Legend of Shoeless Shane Tait’ is constantly evolving, with each storyteller invariably adding their own individual touch. I suspect that 20 years from now, I’ll be enjoying a post-round beverage at Virginia Golf Club and overhear someone telling ‘The Legend of Shoeless Shane Tait and his round of 59’. •

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Amputee Graham a hit at St Andrews GOLD Coast amputee golfer Graham Cox has returned from the 75th World Open One Armed Championships even more inspired after hitting what he described as “the drive of his life” on the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland.

Cox, who is a part-time course marshal at the Palmer Gold Coast golf course (formerly known as Robina Woods), was one of five Australians in the field of 72 who came from all over the globe to compete in the tournament.

The 68-year-old didn’t start well on St Andrews’ New Course due to more than an inch of rain falling in the lead-up to the event.

However, as the weather improved so did Cox’s game and on day two he was back in the swing, finishing 48th out of 72 in the qualifying rounds.

“The first day it was just belting down with rain and I have to say that it was the most miserable day that I have ever played golf in my entire life,” Cox said. “We were absolutely saturated but I wasn’t going to let the rain beat me.”

“About eight players didn’t even finish their round, but I was determined to make it to the end and put a card in, even though I knew my score was going to be as horrible as the weather.”

Cox found his mojo on day 3 – the start of the stableford competition on the famous Old Course.

He hit his opening tee shot at the 370-yard hole Dirty Harry-accurate and went on to par the sucker.

“When I hit the ball I knew it was a ripper and I really enjoyed the moment. I walked away with my chest out and just threw my club in the bag like one of the pros,” he laughed.

“It was such a thrill to play on the Old

Golf Australia’s National Amateur Championships will now be smoke-free for competitors during their stipulated round. The game of golf supports a healthy lifestyle, and with National Championships showcasing and promoting the game, it was considered important to ensure policies at the highest level of the game for amateur golfers enforced this healthy lifestyle message.

Golf Australia’s Manager of Championships, Therese Ritter said, “More and more outdoor environments in Australia are becoming smokefree for the health benefit of non-smokers.

“The Golf Australia Championships Committee believed this right should also be extended to competitors at National Championships during their rounds, and therefore introduced the policy across all Golf Australia National Championships.” •

Graham Cox … back from St Andrews.

“It was such a thrill to play on the Old Course and that certainly rates as one of the highlights for me…”

Course and that certainly rates as one of the highlights for me. I’ll always be able to say I parred the first hole on the Old Course at St Andrews and I’m happy with that.”

Despite having to play off a handicap of 28 (it is normally 33), Cox’s game continued to improve and on the final day he amassed an impressive 45 points on the Strathtyrum Course to finish second.

“I hit ball so well on the last day. In fact, I haven’t hit the ball that well since I lost my arm,” he said.

“I had a great time over there and I’ve come back a better player.”

Brian Doherty, the general manager of Cox’s home course, Palmer Gold Coast, said Cox was an inspiration to everyone.

“He’s a terrific guy, a true gentleman, and we are all delighted that he went so well at St Andrews,” Doherty said.

Cox, who lost his right arm in a hovercraft accident 18 years ago, is preparing for the Australian Amputee Golf Open at Coolangatta Tweed Heads early next year. •

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Murray District junior girls shine at Commonwealth A group of young and talented female golfers from the Murray District recently had the trip of a lifetime when they visited the Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne.

Escorted by well known local professional, Penny Graeber, they were overwhelmed by the hospitality shown by Commonwealth and are still raving about the quality of the course.

They played a Stableford Competition and whilst it became too dark to complete 18 holes they still managed to squeeze in 14. The winner of the competition was Rachel Gallagher, with Stephanie Coghill finishing as runner up.

Staff at Commonwealth were very helpful and generous with their time also providing some gifts from the Pro Shop for the girls. •

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people

Cut the grass, Barr the cost Brian Eagle

ed@insidegolf.com.au

MOST 83-year-old golfers wake up in the morning not too early and contemplate the day ahead.

After breakfast, will his dear wife suggest a few chores in the garden together as she pulls out the dead flower heads and he mows the lawn?

Not so for Brisbane agronomist David Barr if he is at home and not playing a few holes of golf.

Even during breakfast he will contemplate saving money for all golf clubs and courses across Australia and fixing any problems they may have with little things like grass and greens.

And as the ideas spring from his agile mind and his absolute love of the game he writes them down – hundreds of them, in order, of course.

Then the job really arrives: figuring out how he can put all those “agronny” ideas in a format which will make them required reading for club managers and their committees and the hundreds of head greenkeepers.

Attending Wagga schools from 1937 and being dux of the junior and senior schools, Barr probably learned to spell words like conservation, agriculture, research and scholarship, which would eventually dominate his later life.

A bachelor of science (agriculture, naturally) from Sydney University saw him with his head in tomes on soil science, agrostology, agronomy and ecology.

With all that on board in 1953, he ventured out into the real world as a research officer on sand drift control, farm planning and investigations officer (soil).

David Barr As they say in that fabulous old joke, “there’s worse to come”.

In 1970, he became the principal dune conservationist and senior beach erosion officer, Beach Protection Authority.

That introduced him to the Noosa Spit, research centre South Stradbroke Island and study tours to the USA, Holland, Israel England producing 43 papers.

As if that weren’t enough he then went on to be consultant to a Beach Protection Authority

handling Gold Coast beach reclamation and Twin Waters dune reclamation.

As the proprietor of InfoTurf in the late ’80s, Barr was advisor to golf and bowling clubs, including one with the reputed “world’s best greens”.

He has held executive positions in Greenkeepers’ Associations Turfgrass Societies, went around the Americas and Wales to research conferences and managed to do good stuff at Nudgee, Kempsey and Gunnedah golf clubs.

He also managed to accumulate a string of awards in doing so, and was involved with dune management issues from Victoria to the Northern Territory.

So would you consider a golfer with that background to be physically and mentally distressed at the age of 83?

Talk to him (or listen) for 10 or so minutes and you will know he is anything but.

He is willing to talk to anyone about ways he knows can improve their golf courses and reduce costs considerably.

He understands people who run golf clubs and courses are unlikely to buy any book he produces because they figure if they are still “packing ’em in” they must be doing something right.

Still, you don’t get to present papers with the backing of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations if you don’t know your business.

You’re also likely to score a free cup of coffee as I did (private joke, sorry).

Do yourself and your members a favour and talk to the very likeable David Barr on (07) 3355 4876 or via email at dba41298@ bigpond.net.au •

Community Coaching Clinics a big hit Golf Queensland’s Participation and Development Officer, Lee Harrington, is doing her best to get around smaller regional areas in Queensland to spread the word about golf.

Recently, Harrington spent three days travelling to areas such as Nanango, Murgon and Gayndah – small towns with a big passion for golf.

Harrington started out her journey running a Ladies Golf Clinic in Nanango, about two and a half hours inland from the Sunshine Coast.

There were 19 ladies in attendance for the twohour clinic, learning new golf skills to improve their games. A number of ladies also came from surrounding clubs to attend the clinic.

Next, Harrington travelled north to the small town of Murgon, where she facilitated an Active After Schools Community Coaching Clinic.

Teachers from local schools attended the clinic, along with Year 11 and 12 students. These students will soon be delivering golf tuition programs under the Active After Schools program, for an initiative with the Australian Sports Commission, called ‘The Prime Ministers Challenge’.

To finish off her trip, Harrington delivered a Community Coaching Course in Gayndah, with several participants from the local golf clubs and local schools gaining their Community Coaching Accreditation. This accreditation will help participants to deliver better programs within the MYGolf program for juniors in the area.

“Golf is continuing to be a popular sport in regional Queensland”, says Harrington. “I often travel to rural areas and small towns to deliver clinics and community coaching courses. All the people are extremely friendly and are always really keen to improve their games or continue to develop golf in their areas”. •

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27

people

Club champion for the 30th time Margaret Rickwood ed@insidegolf.com.au

At the ripe young age of 77, Grafton golfing legend Jean Dahl recently won her club’s Women’s Championship for the 30th time, setting a record that will be almost impossible to break. To do it she had to defeat her niece, Janette Blair, in a three-hole play-off, making it a bittersweet win.

Jean Dahl spent her young days hitting a tennis ball against a timber wall with a tennis racquet, going on in her adult life to play A Grade Tennis, a sport she thoroughly enjoyed.

She took up golf at the age of 33 when her children were starting school, having decided to join her husband in his chosen sport. In her first year she reduced her handicap from 36 to 18, and the following year, 1967, won her first Championship.

Jean went on to win further Club Championships in 1968-69, 1971-74, 1976-1985, 1988, 1992,1996 and 1998, 2005-2010 and 2012. She also won the Grafton Ladies Foursomes Championship 16 times, partnered by June Hackett 11 times, Renee Amos four times, and Janette Blair once, and the Mixed Foursomes Championship 16 times, mostly partnered

by Graham Dewberry.

Jean won the 36-hole nett event at Grafton’s May Tournament in 1967, the year after taking up golf, and has won the Ampol Cup for the 36-hole gross event 13 times over the following years.

She set a course record at Grafton with 73 shots in 1974 that stood for 26 years until it was broken in 2000. Jean has had 2 holes-in-one, one on the 6th Hole in 1970, and one on the tough 12th Hole in 1988. Her lowest handicap of 5 was achieved in 1979 and still remains one of Grafton’s lowest markers.

Jean has also enjoyed considerable success in District tournaments, winning the Northern

Jean Dahl (photo courtesy of The Daily Examiner, Grafton) Rivers Open Championship twice, the Closed Championship twice and the Northern Rivers Foursomes Championship five times, the latest this year with her daughter Sue Reguson.

She has won the Northern Rivers Champion of Champions three times, the Scratch event at Forster-Tuncurry Oyster Bowl Tournament, and the Murray River Belt Tournament at Yarrawonga, Tocumwal, Cobram and Corowa.

In 1993 Jean captained Grafton’s winning Silver Pennant Team, and was a member of the team that won the District Division 1 pennant in 2001.

Her success has been well-recognised in the Grafton area, where she has won the “Daily Examiner Sports Star of the Year” Award eight times.

Throughout her successes Jean has remained true to herself. Her demeanour on and off the course has been her greatest asset. She has the ability to enjoy her golf, is quick witted, and often can ply you with a yarn or two. To play with Jean is always to learn and she is a pleasure to play with, her famous “Dunkem” biscuits inspiring all to better golf. She loves competition and is always a worthy winner and gracious loser, but that hasn’t happened much during her life.

May you achieve many more victories Jean. •

Golf ‘bucket list’ more achievable Many peoples’ bucket lists are riddled with exciting places to see during their life, and one golf travel and tour company has added new tours to tick every box.

In August 2013, Ireland and Scotland are joining a long list of locations on Go Golfing’s world map of international holiday packages.

Go Golfing managing director Peter McCarthy says the 16-day Castles and Kilts Tour will take players to some of the world’s most iconic courses.

“The tour features five British Open Courses all keen golfers must play at least once in their lives and the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo – itself a bucket list favourite,” Mr McCarthy says.

“Non-golfers on the tour won’t only be ticking off the Edinburgh Tattoo, but also visiting the Royal Britannia among many other activities.

“The tour will include deluxe accommodation at the historic Adare Manor in Ireland and Sherbrooke Castle in Glasgow along with a guided Edinburgh city tour.”

Other popular tours on the Go Golfing calendar include China, South Africa, Canada and New Zealand.

“In China, our travellers can play golf at the iconic Mission Hills Hainan, Meishi International May Flower and Moon Bay Golf Courses,” Mr McCarthy says.

“They can also catch sight of must-see places including the Terra Cotta Warriors, Great Wall, Summer Palace and Tiananmen Square.

“Golfers on South Africa’s tour get to tee off at the country’s finest golf courses including the No.1 ranked Gary Player, Lost City, and the world renowned Pezula. Golfers also get to experience the renowned Legends Course – the longest Par 3 in the world! The 19th hole includes a helicopter ride 430m up to the top of the green.”

For more, visit www.gogolfing.net.au •

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Bioflow® Sport uses patented Central go to www.bioflow.com.au Follow in the footsteps of some of the Reverse Polarity®, a strong, multiNetball Swimming Tennis Weight Training Bioflow never claim that their products are intended to prevent, cure, alleviate, treat or diagnose illness. worlds biggest names in golf and give directional force of magnetism which If you are concerned about a health issue, you should consult a doctor or medical professional.

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“I cannot speak highly enough of the Bioflow wristband. It has been a great help during a period where I have had a few injury concerns”.

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Available at selected On Course stores

legends tour

Legends Tour Report: Kym Olsen Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

Last month, I mentioned the varied and diverse nature of the guys playing the Australasian Legends Tour. Not only do we have golfing legends and stars from other sporting arenas but characters from many different backgrounds. Victorian Kym Olsen epitomises the term “diverse,” but the real story with Kym is the absolute belting he is handing out to some of the best senior golfers on the EZ GO PGA Legends Tour.

So far this year Kym has won the Good Guys Mt. Osmond Pro-Am, The Surfers Paradise Golf Club Pro-Am, The Mercedes-Benz Gold Coast Pro-Am, tied first in the Magnitude Mt Warren Park Legends Pro-Am, won the R & O Communications City Golf Club, tied first in the Dalby Legends Pro-Am and tied first in the Qld Gas Company Pro-Am at Chinchilla Golf Club.

These victories along with a bunch top-3 finishes have put Olsen on top of the EZ GO Australian Legends Tour Order of Merit ahead of luminaries such as Mike Harwood, Mike Zilko, Rodger Davis, Garry Merrick and Peter Fowler.

The scary thing for me is that unlike some other players who have spent years preparing to join the Legends Tour, Olsen only decided to get really serious about playing golf for cash a few weeks before his 50th birthday. After winning the prestigious Bellarine Peninsula Open — an Amateur tournament which draws the young players from national and state teams—then cleaning up at the Qld, Vic and Australian MidAmateur Masters Championships, at the age of 48 Kym lost interest in the amateur game and went back to his job of construction and development.

Kym Olsen “Maybe I had set the bar too high, I’m not sure. But literally, I just wasn’t really enjoying the game, so I went back to work in construction in Melbourne,” he says.

Kym has been involved in Development and construction for over twenty years in some of the most exotic places on Earth. Including a country I had never heard of called Turks and Caicos Islands.

“When the Melbourne project had finished for me in Easter of last year, I was surfing the web and noticed some Seniors Tours in Asia.

My wife Gwyn talked me into entering into the Asian Seniors Tour School. ‘You need to get this out of your system’ she said. So I did.

I got my card, finished fourth in my first event and then won the Indonesian Senior Open.

“That gave me the confidence that I might

be able to compete with some of these great players on this Tour. I had some mates telling me I should have a crack but until then, I wasn’t sure. You’ll always question your own abilities until you have proven to yourself that you can compete.

“I know I still have a lot to learn and whenever I’m lucky enough to play alongside the likes of Rodger Davis, Mike Harwood, Peter Fowler and Dave Merriman I try and learn from them, particularly when it comes to the short game. Even if these guys haven’t brought their A-game they still manage to keep themselves in contention with their ability to get the job done. They have been really generous with their advice.”

“One of the things I learnt from being in business was the importance of seeking the best advice, so you can make the right decisions when it’s important.

What does the future hold for Kym Olsen?

“There’s a number of options,” he says. “I have won two tournaments in Asia so I can play there but everybody is telling me about Europe (European Seniors Tour). Japan has a Seniors Tour and they play for some pretty big money, but it’s very selective— only 6 foreign players are able to compete. There is a natural link to the Asian Tour, though. To be honest, it’s all happened a bit quickly for me. I figure I’ll just concentrate on Australia this year and take it from there.”

I love this last quote from Kym when I asked him how he deals with the pressure of now playing for money: “There’s more stress when you’re managing a multimillion dollar company. In golf it’s not your money.” •

Rockhampton Golf Club “It’s great to play

a traditional course that rewards a bit of imagination as well as good shot making.”

Terry Price (ex RGC member/trainee)

Rockhampton Golf Club The Rockhampton Golf Club course is one of Central Queensland’s premier golfing experiences. The 18 hole, par 72 course, designed by Al Howard, is located by the picturesque Murray Lagoon and Botanic Gardens of Rockhampton, and previously listed in Australia’s top 100 golf courses.

With all year fairway watering, the course is well maintained and always in pristine condition.

The Club is open to the public, has full catering, bar and pro shop, cart hire facilities and practise facilities including a fairway, chipping area and practice putting green.

30

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Pro Shop

Stocking all the top brands PGA professional, Ian Collins & his staff can advise you on all aspects of your golfing needs!

Phone: 07 4922 4098

Rockhampton Golf Club

Ann St Extended, ROCKHAMPTON, QLD.

Phone: 07 4927 3311

Email: admin@rockygolfclub.org.au

www.rockgolfclub.org.au

TUNE YOUR TRAJECTORY TO THE Nth DEGREE. It’s a fact — the more optimized your trajectory, the longer your drives. Exactly why the new Anser ® driver lets you fine-tune trajectory with both loft adjustability and one of four high performance shaft options. Unlike bulkier adjustable hosels, the Anser’s sleek, lightweight hosel design doesn’t sacrifice performance. And a low-spin, high launch head means even longer, straighter drives. To experience Trajectory Tuning™, visit a PING® Fitting Specialist or ping.com.

Adjust +/- ½ degree to optimize your tee shots.

Low-spin head available in 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 12°.

Contact American Golf Supplies (02 9524 8233) or ping@americangolf.com.au for PING Fitting Account Information

©2012 PING P.O. Box 82000 Phoenix, AZ 85071

Choose from four high performance shafts.

gear

Cypress Point 4.5 kg Golf Bag

Eagles & Birdies Olympic Pro Golf Bag

The flagship of the Eagles & Birdies range, this bag has been engineered with cuttingedge features and is the benchmark in club organization and pocket function. Includes a club organizer top divider, ergonomically-designed pockets with ‘stadium’ positioning and separate driver compartment and a putter / ball retriever sleeve. Premium high performance water repellent fabric . Available in five colour options. www.underpar.com.au Phone: (02) 9417 4055

Designed for the golfer seeking the optimum in carry bag technology. Weight is only 3.45 kg, and includes an Ergonomic Quick-Fit double strap system, integrated stand mechanism with triangular non-slip feet, 14-way full-length vertical and horizontal club dividers, integrated putter sleeve, sand dispenser, three right-side pockets with ‘stadium’ construction, insulated cooler pocket with drainage holes, fully visible GPS compartment, Velcro leg-lock strap, separate scorecard and pencil compartments, towel clip and tee holders.

Available in Black/White RRP $250.00 www.underpar.com.au Phone: (02) 9417 4055.

NEW: Zero-In Golf Scorecard Pen The new design of the Zero-In Scorecard pen allows the scorecard to fold flat when pen is attached. A smart and economical pen that belongs in any golf bag.

Contact: In2it Sports. Ph: 02 9971 2770 E: sales@in2itsports.com.au

Grip Master Blackberry Leather Wrap The Grip Master Blackberry Leather Wrap is used by US Tour Players Retief Goosen, Padraig Harrington, Jarrod Lyle and Rory Sabbitini. Ask for the product at any golf shop and they can order it in for you!

Contact: www.thegripmaster.com 0402 852 637

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 32

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Sun Mountain Hybrid Golf Bag

Sun Mountain Micro Cart

A unique multi-functional golf bag suitable to carry, ride on a push buggy or strap onto a cart.

Features a leg-lock system and a uniform bag base which secures the bag when on a cart or buggy, a cart strap tunnel which allows full pocket access and four lift-assist handles including one built-in to the lower pocket. The E-Z Fit dual strap system and patented roller bottom leg mechanism are ergonomic features assisting you when you carry. The Hybrid has seven pockets including two velour-lined valuables pockets and one sized for a rangefinder. Exceptionally lightweight at 3.5 kg. Available in Black, Black/ White/Red, Gunmetal/Red. RRP $279.95 www.underpar.com.au Phone: (02) 9417 4055.

This super lightweight cart weighs only 5.90 kg and folds down to a mere 66 x 40 x 31 cm.

It unfolds and folds in two quick easy motions using the E-Z Latch handle height adjustment mechanism. The four wheels provide better stability on side hills. Ergonomic features include strapless bag brackets and a Micro-Paq accessory storage bag located in a convenient position.

There is an extendable front axle to accommodate bigger golf bags. A smart console has a padded valuables tray, ball, tee holders and a magnetic scorecard holder. A strategically positioned hand brake can be engaged without lifting your hand from the handlebar. Available in Black, Red & Blue.

RRP $229.95 www.underpar.com.au Phone: (02) 9417 4055.

TaylorMade Golf ATV Wedge Making its PGA Tour debut in January and already in the bags of numerous Tour professionals, the TaylorMade Golf ATV (All-Terrain Versatility) wedge is now available at retail in Australia.

Every curve, angle and edge of the ATV Wedge serves a purpose in elevating the club’s versatility. Relief at the toe, heel and trailing edge reduces resistance and significantly changes how the sole reacts with turf and sand, depending on how the club is positioned at address and how much the face is opened.

Other highlights of the ATV wedge include a new groove design, as well as micro-textured flat areas between the grooves of the ATV wedge clubface.

RH Lofts: (50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58, 60°) ( 64° custom order); LH Lofts (52°, 56°, 60°) (54°, 58° custom order) with a non-glare, white IP finish. www.taylormadegolf.com RRP: $130

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.

Cost: $599 p/p twin share, $699 single Bookings through Dormie House phone: (02) 4868 1800

*Group sizes are limited to 8 people

gear

Condor Golf Laser Rangefinder

Shark Qwik-Fold Compact Golf Buggy This buggy uses a patented push button technology to fold or unfold in one second with one press. The elastic bag straps with adjustable quick lock system also make it quicker and easier to attach or detach your bag. The four wheeled sturdy construction is easy to move around the course with its fully adjustable handle, while the low profile wide tyre wheels are also fitted with precision bearings for a smooth ride. It features a push on, push off foot brake system, umbrella holder, drink holder and card holder with a built in storage compartment.

Available in black, silver and white.

RRP: $219.95 www.sharkgolf.com.au

Deadly accurate to within a metre, the unit has a magnification of 7x, and a range from 5m up to a massive 1.5km (for purposes other than golf). The Point and Press function is simple to use: just sight the object in the viewer and push the button to see the distance. Set to Pinfinder mode and the distance of the nearest object (i.e. the flagstick) will automatically be displayed. The unit also has Scan mode, which displays the distance to each object as you move the viewer from one object to the other. Comes with hard carry case. Uses 2 x AAA batteries.

RRP: September special: just $199.00 including freight.

Contact Condor Golf at sales@condorgolf.com.au or call on (03) 9769 1477

Bushnell Z6 Instantaneously acquire flags up to 450 yards away with the extreme speed and incredible range of the Tour Z6. Vivid Display Technology™ ensures accurate target acquisition by shutting out background hazards and isolating your target, and dramatically improves the display for rapid, positive target identification in all lighting conditions. Includes PinSeeker Technology to zero-in on the flag (up to 1/2 yard accuracy), total range of 5 yards-1,300 yards, 6x Magnification, Waterproof (IPX7) and RainGuard HD lens coating.

3-Volt Battery and Premium Carry Case are also included. 2 Year Warranty.

Distributed by Champion Sports: (08) 8239 1122 Email: sales@championsports.com.au for your Nearest Stockist

The Swing Machine X Factor The Swing Machine X Factor builds muscle memory and helps to correct your swing. Current US PGA players such as Davis Love III use this equipment at home or at the golf course, and you can too.

This machine is the ultimate dual-direction golf specific stretching device which allows for a more flexible, relaxed backswing, allowing you to gain 20, 40, 60 metres from the tee. Adjustable resistance to strengthen the swing-related muscles for increased power.

For more information, contact: 03 8698 8014

Bushnell Golf Neo+ Golf GPS Rangefinder Watch The lightweight watch is simple to operate and comfortable to wear, giving golfers accurate front/back/centre and shot distance measurements on 25,000 preloaded courses with no membership fees. The long-life battery allows golfers to play three rounds or over 14 hours without needing a recharge (when the product is functioning solely in watch mode, the battery can last over 12 months). The neo+ Golf GPS Watch is capable of instantly recognizing courses and has an auto hole advance feature which automatically changes from one hole to the next. The watch also includes an odometer, timer and alarm. Waterproof to 30m.

RRP: $229 www.bushnellgolf.com Distributed by Champion Sports: (08) 8239 1122 Email: sales@championsports.com.au for your Nearest Stockist

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

33

gear

Shark Attack Ux4 Ball

Srixon Soft Feel Designed for players with a slower head swing speed, this soft-feeling distance ball is designed to launch high with low spin to create exceptional distance and control. The low compression design of this golf ball delivers a high Moment Of Inertia which lead to greater accuracy on offcentre shots. The large core and high MOI design allows for greater distance off the tee, increased consistency and tighter dispersion.

Available in Pure White and Tour Yellow.

RRP: $29.99 per dozen www.srixon.com

NEW: Callaway 2012 Spring/Summer Apparel range

The 2012 Spring/Summer apparel range represents the evolution of Callaway’s partnership with Perry Ellis, with technology-infused fabrics and contemporary styles. Combining forwardlooking designs with performance features such as moisture wicking, strategic breathability, UPF 30+ sun protection and Ultra-fine Micro Denier Fabrication to ensure comfort, the range is designed so that golfers can concentrate on their game while looking their best. www.callaway.com/au

Sporte Leisure 2012/13 Range

I’m Caddie

Sporte Leisure have combined the latest style trends with performance properties to make the Summer 2012/13 range for men and women a must-have for the summer months. Designed in Australia for Australian conditions there is a strong technical emphasis of moisture wicking, UV protection and Anti-Microbial properties in both tops and bottoms.

More than 50 brand-new styles are available in leading golf apparel stores.

RRP: polos from $39.95, shorts from $49.95.

For stockists contact Sporte Leisure: 02 96935777 www.sporte-leisure.com.au

The latest in “Talking” GPS units, I’m Caddie is a small, light and sophisticated unit that simply clips to your cap or belt. Simply push the button and a friendly voice speaks out the distance to the centre of the green. It also has shot distance measurement and auto-hole recognition, so it always knows exactly where you are on the course.

The long-lasting battery gives you up to 36 holes on a charge, while the unit supports up to 50,000 golf courses globally (with course database updated bi-monthly). The unit speaks nine different languages (English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, French, Korean, Italian, Dutch and German) and even comes with a magnetic ball mark. The Tour model also features a spoken “course guide” to each hole of selected courses, and a variety of changeable colour covers.

Corporate packages available to get a personalised company logo on the unit, and voice intro to your course/company.

RRP: $169.90 (GST, P&H inclusive) www.iamcaddie.com.au, Phone 0406 869 853 (10am – 5pm, M-F)

CONDOR SS Series Three SiNgle SeaTeR

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• From Grasshopper UK www.grass-hoopper.co.uk • Full Leaf Spring suspension • Curtis Controller • 36v/1200w power • Extremely quiet quality grease filled differential (from Taiwan – not China) • Headlight, Brake lights, Indicator lights – Suitable for a roofed mobility cart as well as a golf cart

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The new Shark Black Attack Ux4 ball is made using a four-piece construction and is the softest Shark ever. The cover is made from cast urethane that produces more “grab” on the iron clubface, for that extra needed spin. The dual mantle features an HPF 2000 inner mantle along with a Multi-Blend lonomer outer mantle to promote a high initial velocity with optimised launch angle for longer distance from the tee. The core utilises the Progressive ND High-Energy Technology to maximise the C.O.R. RRP: $49.95 per dozen www.sharkgolf.com.au

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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Advertorial

There are plenty of reasons to smile at Sunshine Golf Club and for General Manager Danny Zernich and his dedicated team, hard work is delivering the rewards. (l-r) CCA State Manager Travis Thompson, Sunshine Golf Club Treasurer Elvis Brekalo and General Manager Danny Zernich.

Looking bright at Sunshine Golf Club Coca-Cola partnership drives great results There’s plenty to be smiling about at Sunshine Golf Club but for General Manager Danny Zernich, it’s all a matter of hard work and delivering the results.

people coming into the clubhouse to dine, socialise, book weddings and celebrations, conferences and any other event that our facilities are able to cater for.”

When referring to golf club management, Zernich describes himself as “not one of the normal group” – referring to his lengthy career in the hotel and pub industry before moving into the golf industry.

Coming from a hospitality background, Zernich understands the importance of delivering a great first experience. Under his guidance, the club’s growing reputation saw the dining areas very heavily booked for the duration of the festive season.

Under his stewardship, Sunshine Golf Club has forged its way back into a strong position in its local market through maximizing and expanding on services and benefits that the club has to offer.

“We certainly want people on the golf course, playing golf and enjoying what we have here,” Zernich said. “But we also want

best options, prices and service to build on that,” Zernich said.

“Often people get comfortable with what they know, regardless of whether they’re necessarily getting the best value for their dollar – that’s something I have noticed a bit since coming into golf from the hospitality industry.”

He’s also quick to point out that his philosophy is not about changing for the sake of change.

I want the best for the club and as a client I’ll work closely with our account manager to ensure we get the level of service and products I expect.”

The change has proved a positive one for Zernich and his team at Sunshine with even better numbers in his beverage category.

“I’m very pleased with how things are going so far. Working with a brand like Coca-Cola gives us a variety of interesting opportunities to grow our business and continue to work to make Sunshine Golf Club an even bigger focal point in the local community and recognised in wider Melbourne.”

It’s this ethos of turning what could be a good experience into a great experience that saw Zernich move the beverage side of his business to Coca-Cola.

“It’s important to keep people honest, if I can put it like that,” Zernich said. “I have the same approach with the club’s relationship with Coca-Cola:

“The club had previously had a long-term beverage partner but when you’re running a business, my view is you always want the

If you or your club is interested in discussing how Coca-Cola can help grow your business, visit www.golfaustralia.org.au/partners or contact your Coca-Cola Amatil State Manager for more information.

In 2010 Golf Australia and Coca-Cola Amatil commenced a major partnership.

CCA is now a key supporter of Australian golf, delivering benefits to golf clubs, amateur events and major professional championships across Australia.

As the official non-alcoholic beverage supplier to Golf Australia, CCA are committed to • providing affiliated golf clubs with a more competitive pricing structure • supporting this through their strength in distribution • providing a diverse club offering on products and servicing to meet the client’s requests.

To find out how Coca-Cola Amatil can work with your club contact: State VIC/TAS NSW QLD SA/NT WA

For more information contact: Golf Australia +61 3 9626 5028 Visit: www.golfaustralia.org.au/partners

State Manager Travis Thompson Andrew Louden David McNamee Luke Sampson Andrew McLennan

Number 0419 571 889 0407 285 127 0417 918 093 0428 492 012 0419 928 427

Email Travis.thompson@ccamatil.com Andrew.louden@ccamatil.com David.mcnamee@ccamatil.com Luke.sampson@ccamatil.com Andrew.mclennan@ccamatil.com

instruction

Recovery shots

Fixing low pull hooks Damien Magaton (03) 9650 9766

Brent Dale

brent@brentdalegolf.com.au

This month I will help you out with your recovery shots out of the trees.

I often see club golfers trying to pull off miracle shots when all they have to do is play the higher percentage shot. This will cut out the chance of having a those dreaded extra shots on their scorecard that aren’t needed.

Picture 1 is of me trying to be a hero and play a shot through about 50 trees in order to advance the shot down the fairway further.

This is a very silly shot in my opinion as I have more chance of hitting a tree and ending up in a far worse position than I am currently in.

Picture 2 is the smarter option. Take your medicine and chip out through a wide gap which will enable you to hit your next shot from the fairway. While it might be a difficult pill to swallow, the safety chip is a much higher percentage shot, and will more than likely save you a stroke (or more) and help you avoid a “blowout hole”.

If you need to add some shape to the shot (fade or draw) to help advance it a little bit more down the fairway follow these steps:

Fade

Play the ball towards the middle/back of your stance and have the clubface slightly open and similar to the punch shot in my July

Picture 1: Attempting a miracle shot will often result in more strife

Picture 2: Don’t be a hero! Instead, take your medicine and play a safety shot.

article. You need to feel like you are keeping your hands forward and hitting a punch shot.

The hands coming in forward of the clubhead that will be left slightly open will help produce that low ball flight out from under the trees and will add a little bit of a slight fade to the shot.

swing with the slightly closed clubface— which will help the ball come out a little lower and produce a hook spin on the ball which will help it turn the way you want.

Adding the fade or the draw into your recovery shots will definitely help you get the ball a little bit further down the fairway when we are playing the safer option.

Don’t try and get too cute or daring when hitting the shot and you will definitely see your scores start to improve. •

Draw

Play the ball a little more in the middle/ forward in the stance and have your clubface slightly closed this time, making a normal

Brent Dale is the head professional at Liverpool Golf Club and available for lessons 7 days a week.www.brentdalegolf.com.au. brent@brentdalegolf.com.au. 0402 038 227

I often get asked by students, “What causes my low pull hook and how do I correct the problem?”

The cause of the low pull hook is the face of the club is closed with a steep angle of attack into the ball. This means the club is coming too much across your body forcing the ball to start low and left of the intended target.

The reason for this happening can be a fault in the setup where the shoulders are too level and parallel to the ground instead of getting your body into a position called the “Reverse K” position.

Because our right hand is lower than the left when we grip the golf club, our right shoulder should be closer to the ground than the left shoulder. Our spine should have a slight tilt away from the target at address.

A great way to get into the correct “Reverse K” position is to get in front of a mirror with a club in front of your spine, tilt slightly away from the target with your upper body, and your right shoulder will drop below your left. You are now set to round out your golf swing and allow the club to come from the inside. This will get the ball up into the air and started to the right.

We don’t want to change the clubface only the path of the swing. The path will change with better posture and shoulder setup.

We want the ball starting to the right with a slight draw back to the target. • 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

NEW Technology Centre NOW OPEN

Memberships available at Everglades Country Club

Monthly Sunday Competition Golf Packages from $30

SPORTING FEES (incl. GST) • Sporting Member Golf* $485 • Country Member Golf* $300 • Intermediate Member Golf* (18 to 23 years incl.) $250 • Social Member Golf* $250 • Junior Golfer (12 to 17 years incl.) $70 • Cadet Golfer (under 12 years) $35 • Junior Golfer/Bowler $95 *Members entitled to full Bowls Membership for an additional fee of $50

Everglades Country Club Dunban Road, Woy Woy, NSW 2256 P: (02) 4341 1866 Pro Shop: (02) 4341 3399 38

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

www.everglades.net.au Find us on facebook!

instruction

The Hybrid: A modern-day chipping tool How to practise before you play

Voice Operated Golf GPS

Anne Rollo

anne@fixmygolfswing.com.au

Lee Harrington (07) 5596 3373 www.thegolfschool.com.au

How many shots would you save if you could chip and pitch the ball better? Most golfers do not spend nearly enough time on what equates to a large percentage of their poor shots.

If you have more options from around the green you are better armed to get up and down more often.

Have you ever thought of using the Hybrid club for your next bump and run shot? If not, you should. Make it one of your short game choices the next time you play.

The Hybrid club now sits in most players’ bags and can present a perfect choice to use next time you have a variety of shots. Most hybrids are between 18 and 27 degrees in loft and are more upright in lie than a wood.

With its wide sole it should alleviate any fears of hitting fat and thin shots and therefore presents a perfect club to use to run the ball.

WHEN TO USE IT

ALONG THE EDGE: Have you ever had your ball caught between the edge of the rough and mown fairway, around the green? (as shown in photo) It is hard to use either a putter or a wedge, so use your Hybrid.

FROM THE FRINGES: Ever wanted to use your putter but know you really

are too far out? The Hybrid, being longer and heavier, will give you the extra power to get that ball up to the hole without pulling out the putter.

FROM AFAR: You have a long way back to the pin and need a big bump and run shot, but afraid that big backswing with 7-iron will be hit fat. Grab that Hybrid out (as shown in photo).

HOW TO USE IT

Place the ball in the middle of your stance, take a weak grip with your left hand, showing nil knuckles. Keep your weight forward on your front foot and use your body rotation to propel the club into a backswing and then hips come through to forward swing.

Do not swing too stiff and limit your body motion like you might with a putter.

KEY THOUGHTS

Do not use your wrists, especially in the forward swing for all short game shots like a bump and run.

Any steepness in path through early wrist break will cause the club to bounce instead of sweeping through.

It is important for the contact to be shallow enough through rotating your shoulders back and hips through to keep the path sweeping through the ball.

Next time you go out and practice your short game give it a go. Enjoy the journey of golf through better imagination. •

Lee Harrington is a ALPG and PGA Member and is also the Development officer at Golf Queensland. Lee and husband Peter, also a leading PGA coach, have moved their business ‘The Golf School’ to Palm Meadows Driving Range. At this new facility they now offer world leading technology for teaching, fitting and training. Swingmodel, Foresight and Somax.

Did you know: The professionals allow about an hour (or more) before their competitive rounds of golf to warm up, relax and get into the zone.

Now, I am not suggesting you need to do that, but I am also not suggesting you should screech into the car park five minutes before your tee time and hop on one foot to the tee while you try and put your shoe on the other.

Here is a good way to compromise between what the pros do and what you can do before your game to maximise your success.

Allow about half an hour before your tee time to arrive at the club. Try and feel calm and confident and start visualising— in the car on the way to the course—how well your round is going to be.

1. Assuming you don’t have a driving range at your course, start in the nets with your 7-iron and warm up and have a few relaxed shots, with a practice swing in between. Move up through your fairway woods and finish with a few tee shots, but not too many with the driver. Allow ten minutes for this.

2. Go to the chipping/pitching area and hit a few chip and runs with an 8 or 7-iron and then a few pitches with your wedge, taking your time and watching the ball until it stops (This is important for feedback). Allow 10 minutes for this.

3. Finish with a ten-minute putting session, but make the most of this time — rather than chatting with your friends, really concentrate on the speed of the greens and the length of stroke you need to take the ball the different distances. Change the length of putt you are aiming for and really watch the ball until it stops to learn as much as you can from each putt. Finish with some short ones that are short enough that you will get them all in because psychologically it’s great to see the ball going into the hole over and over again just before you play.

Then, float ‘Zen like’ to the tee ready for a calm, controlled and successful round of golf. • 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

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

39

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instruction: putting

The Rory McIlroy putting stroke 1

The “Thumbs Down through Impact” technique allows the putterhead to stay close to the ground and remain still.

Peter Croker

0415 292 549 www.crokergolfsystem.com

Gary Warburton, Head Teaching Professional at Nudgee Golf Club, demonstrates and defines the fundamentals of the putting stroke and how to remove any wrist breakdown through impact using the “Croker Golf System.”

Taking the stance

Look at the photos of the Address Routine closely. The Address Routine is a key function that: 1. Sets the club face and body aligned to the path of the putt.

2. Builds consistent and correct posture and balance in the stance to the ball.

3. Allows the mind to become “quiet” over the putt.

2

3

4

The address routine allows you to get properly aligned, and build consistency.

It’s important to develop this routine through practice so that it becomes second nature when you are attempting any putt.

Building a solid “no breakdown” impact zone To build this action through the “Impact Zone” , and be consistent with both distance and directional control, it is important that the body remain stable and in balance; and for both the backswing and forward stroke to have the putter head remain close to the ground.

To do this, the left hand “pushes” back against the slight resistance of the right hand in the backswing and the right hand wrist area “pushes” forward and down and out against the slight resistance of the left hand from the start of the forward swing.

In the forward motion as the right hand “pushes” down and out, both wrists “uncock– thumbs down” through the ball.

Hide the Red Dot. Putt Like a Major Champion.

“Thumbs Down” through “Impact” is the key as the right arm extends and drives the club shaft towards in-line with the left forearm. The putter head moves close to the ground and it is ideal for the putter head to remain still at the end of the follow through.

Rory McIlroy is a standout example of maintaining a “THUMBS DOWN” followthrough.

The “Putting Drill” with the Yardstick helps build a correct putting stroke and removes the over thinking that can lead to steering and inconsistent putting.

Building solid putting mechanics is just the beginning of the process to become a super putter.

Distance Control, Reading Greens, The Mental Game and How to develop it, are all required for a golfer to truly become a great putter.

The Croker Golf System addresses all areas and the “Key to Golf Program” has it.

Contact Peter Croker on crokergolfsystem@ gmail.com for more information. •

VIDEO LESSON:

Gary Warburton and Peter Croker deliver a putting lesson online. Watch it on our Inside Golf App for iPads, or via the following link: http://youtu.be/yht3BgM41x8

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

ACADEMY OF GOLF

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SeeMore offers a simple system for you to improve your putting. Line up the 2 white lines. Hide the Red Dot behind the 2-tone shaft. That gets your head and hands in perfect position and squares you to the target. It sets you up for a perfect stroke. Same way every time. You’ll make more putts. Invest in the most important part of your game. Scoring.

You’ll love your SeeMore Putter. Forever. Made in the USA. Custom built to your desire.

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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instruction

The four stages of learning a new skill Tiffany Mika

tiffany@theladygolfteacher.com.au

I find it amazing that people who have been playing golf for a period of time get frustrated when they don’t improve despite not spending any time practising their skills. They feel if they get out on the course and play competition, or play on the course socially that that is enough practice for them.

How do you think professional athletes have become as good as they are? Not by talent alone.

Talent will only take you so far. It is by applying themselves, learning the skills and practicing their skills.

This is where the “Ten Thousand Hours” becomes important. Dr Daniel Levitin is the researcher behind the amount of practice it takes you to become proficient at your skills. In Dr Levitin’s own words: “…ten thousand hours of practice is required to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert – in anything. In study after study, of composers, basketball players, fiction writers, ice skaters, concert pianists, chess players, etc, this number comes up again and again. Ten thousand hours is equivalent to roughly three hours per day, or twenty hours per week, of practice over ten years…. It takes the brain this long to assimilate all that it needs to know to achieve true mastery.”

So when someone comes to me and says “I can’t play golf”, or “I can’t do this particular skill”, the first question I ask is how much time they’ve spent on

42

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

To master the game, the great players spend thousands of hours practising a variety of specific skills. this skill? I know golfers who spend a lot of time practicing but are not necessarily practicing the right skill. So the first step is to learn the skill correctly, so that you can work on improving that skill.

Research has shown that it takes 21 days to form a habit. Dr. Andrew Weil says, “anything you do with repetition and emotion will become your reality. If you’re not satisfied with your current experience, examine your habits”.

If you are struggling with a particular skill, you need to fix that skill so that you can progress. It’s not “I can’t play golf ” or “I can’t hit a bunker shot” or anything like that. Your results from your shots are saying to you this method is not working. It

is up to you to change it by seeking professional advice. Golf is a very technical sport but it can be easier than you think. You are probably just making it hard.

SO, DON’T GIVE UP, TAKE ACTION!

There are four stages when it comes to learning a new skill: The first stage is Unconscious Incompetence (i.e. you don’t know that you don’t know). This stage is where you don’t have any golf skills yet.

You are truly a beginner and don’t know what to do or how to do it.

The second stage is Conscious Incompetence (you know that you don’t know). At this stage you find that there are golf skills you need to learn. You go through an uncomfortable period learning these new skills. You will be making regular mistakes; you will feel frustrated and confused. You recognise that this is an important part of the learning curve. Some golfers won’t get further along in this stage because they feel that they have an inability to learn. If you just keep working on the golf skills and learn from your mistakes you will break through to the next stage. It may take time but just keep working on it.

The third stage is Conscious Competence (you know that you know). At this level you acquire the new skills and knowledge. You put your learning into practice and you are gaining confidence in these golfing skills. You are aware of your new skills and work on refining them. However you can do this only if you are completely focused on those skills. You may still need to follow a series of steps to perform the skills efficiently but you are demonstrating to yourself that you can perform the skills.

This leads to the fourth stage Unconscious Competence (you don’t know that you know – it just seems easy). This is where all the conscious practice has led to you being able to perform the skill without conscious effort and with automatic ease. This is the point where you have so much practice under your belt that it has become “second nature“.

So… where are you at with your golf? • Tiffany Mika is the Golf Teaching Professional at Bayview Golf Club in Mona Vale. Contact her at tiffany@theladygolfteacher.com.au or www.theladygolfteacher.com.au

fitness

Golf Pilates: Stand tall, breathe deep and have a great day Twenty-two years ago, when Mike Wright visited his in-laws in New Jersey, he was incredibly uncomfortable. His discomfort, however, was not the kind that millions of married men experience every year— the kind that is usually eased with a few stiff drinks over dinner. His pain was real, and excruciatingly so.

Earlier that day, Mike had been enjoying a round of golf at the majestic Crystal Springs Golf Course.

As he stood on the tee of the intimidating par-3 ninth hole (an island green in the mould of the famous 17th at TPC Sawgrass), debating with his playing partners whether to hit an easy 4-iron or a hard 5-iron, Mike was the archetypal male golfer; middle-class, working 60 hours a week in the corporate world, and overweight as a result of too many long lunches and not enough physical activity. He watched with a wry smile as each of his playing partners found the water short of the green. As they rummaged through their bags, in search of expendable second-hand balls, Mike calmly placed his 5-iron back in his bag and pulled out his 4-iron, thinking to himself ‘easy 4-iron it is’.

A few minutes later, as Mike tapped in his birdie putt (he’d stiffed it to two feet!), he should have been feeling ten-foot tall and bulletproof. Instead, he was in crippling pain, barely able to pick his ball out of the hole. Mike thought the pain in his back would gradually subside, so he continued playing for a few more holes until it became blaringly obvious that he was only doing himself further damage with every swing of the club. That night, as he lay prostrate in bed, grimacing with every breath, a change of career was the last thing on his mind.

A few days later, after numerous scans and X-rays, Mike was told that he had a herniated disc in his back. His doctors wanted to operate but Mike wasn’t having a bar of it. Mike found some relief from a good chiropractor and a massage therapist but he was still unable to play golf, which was torture for someone with his level of passion for the game. After twelve

months of good and bad days (mostly bad), Mike started going to Pilates classes twice a week for two months. Within 8 weeks he was playing golf again, pain-free! The Pilates experience sold him, and Mike decided to make a career change; he wanted to work in the health and wellness field. He became a Personal Trainer, then a Medical exercise specialist (postrehabilitation) and massage therapist while studying and practicing Pilates.

Over a six-year period, he went from 109kg to 79kg, better yet, his golf game improved out of sight.

Sensing that there was a niche for golf-specific Pilates, Mike began developing exercises and stretches that helped strengthen the parts of body that came under most stress during the performance of a golf swing.

Ten years ago, he teamed up with Dr.Greg Rose,

co-founder of the Titleist Performance Institute, and became a Master Golf Fitness Instructor. Mike founded Mike Wright’s Golf Pilates in 1998 and since then has certified over 1500 Pilates and Golf Pilates instructors, but he will not rest until all golfers warmup before play and exercise specifically for their games.

Mike has a mantra that he says to himself and his clients every day: ‘Stand Tall, Breathe Deep and Have A Great Day!’ To the uninformed this mantra may appear to be your run-of-the-mill, feel-good catch phrase that is ubiquitous in the fitness industry, however with closer analysis one discovers that Mike’s mantra is full of substance.

“We are either growing taller and decompressing the spinal column or we are compressing the spine

and growing shorter; many people lose height as they age,” says Mike.

“You have to “grow your spine” through intention. Our clients typically gain an extra halfinch to one inch in overall height during the first year of performing Golf Pilates. It makes a big difference in posture, the essential foundation of the swing.

“People also lose about 10% of their breathing capacity for every 10 years of age. Studies have shown that this can be halted or reversed by the practice of breathing deeply. Most people hold their breath in the golf swing and that tightens muscles.

Tight muscles are slow muscles and slow down swing speeds, thus reducing distance and power.

Breathing is the first act of life and the last, so it is imperative that people breathe deeply and often.”

“These two factors contribute to ‘having a great day’ – golfing or not,” says Mike.

Golf Pilates is not yet widely-practiced in Australia but with more and more players starting to understand the physicality of the game, it won’t be long before golfers of all ages and skill levels begin embracing this proven method of exercise.

Recently, at her annual Women’s Australian Open press conference, Karrie Webb attributed her new and improved figure to the magic of Pilates.

“I am not a fan of working out, and Pilates keeps me interested,” she said.

“It has really helped me. It helps me with a couple of weaknesses in my body.”

Although Webb didn’t specify whether or not she is practicing Golf Pilates, the fact of the matter is, whatever she is doing is working!

So, a word of advice to all you golf tragics out there who can’t wait to tee it up every weekend. Before your next visit to the in-laws, go to a Pilates class, better yet, a Golf Pilates class, because, particularly in your case, there is only one thing worse than a weekend with the in-laws: a weekend without golf. •

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To find your nearest authorised Sun Mountain dealer visit: www.underpar.com.au or call (02) 9417 4055 www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

43

fitness

Unraveling the knots Richard Nizielski richardniz@gmail.com 0438 027 768

Massage is a commonplace recovery method employed by athletes. Pretty much every athlete has regular massage sessions to aid with recovery and keep the body in tune.

There are a wide variety of styles of massage ranging from those which are quite relaxing in nature, to methods which are deep and somewhat painful at the time.

While I recommend receiving a massage from a trained masseur as the best and most effective method, it is possible to do some of the work yourself.

Trigger point massage works on the knots in the muscles by applying direct pressure on the area, helping release the tightness and freeing up the muscles.

Long recognised as an effective way of working on sore muscles on your own, trigger point massage doesn’t require an hour of your time or special equipment. In fact, I am sure if you are reading this publication, you already have the equipment you need.

Here’s how you can help your tired and sore muscles recover.

First, locate the sore or knotted areas in your muscle. Take a golf ball, place it on the area

and apply pressure. The most effective way to apply pressure is either lay on the golf ball or lean against a wall with the golf ball between you and the wall.

Try and relax into the pressure point and allow the muscle to release. When you first do this it may be quite uncomfortable as tight, sore muscles can be very sensitive to this type of therapy. So start with light pressure and as the area becomes desensitised, gradually increase the pressure.

Vary the pressure by adjusting how much weight you apply to the area. When you are accustomed to this, try moving around in small circular motions, rolling out the knotted areas and promoting blood flow back to the area.

This method is great for working on those hard-to-get to spots such as around the scapula and upper back regions.

Likewise, this method is extremely effective for the knots which occur in the glutes —an area that can often feel as though stretching just doesn’t do enough.

Keeping the muscles supple and free of knots will help both freedom of movement and power development throughout the golf swing.

As I mentioned, I am sure you all have the equipment on hand for this type of massage therapy explained here. I do, however, recommend seeing a trained masseur when you can, as it is the best and most effective method for getting into the deeper regions of the muscles. In the meantime though, dig out a golf ball and give this a go. •

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

A.C.T. CENTENARY MASTERS GOLF TOURNAMENT

APRIL 2013

The A.C.T. Centenary Masters Golf Tournament is open to all male and female golfers over the age of 35 who have an official golf handicap.

The 72 hole event will be single stableford format with handicap divisions determined by entries with a minimum of two mens and one womens division.

Daily prizes in each division to 4th place, nearest the pins for men and women each day and a ball competition each day. Overall prizes for each division to 3rd place.

ITINERARY

ACCOMMODATION

Monday 8th April - Gold Creek Country Club

23 rooms available at Yowani Country Club for approx $130 per night – first in basis.

Tuesday 9th April - Gungahlin Lakes

COST

Welcome Barbeque Lunch and pick up gift packs.

Golf after Lunch.

Golf with food voucher supplied.

Wednesday 10th April

Rest day for sight seeing or for those keen golfers tee times available at various clubs in the Wednesday competition at the clubs guest green fee rate.

Four rounds of golf, meals, gift pack and presentation Lunch $380 per player including GST if booking on-line through MiTournament.

Thursday 11th April - Yowani Country Club Golf with food voucher supplied.

Early bird special if booked on MiTournament before January 1st $350 including GST.

Friday 12th April - Federal Golf Course

Paper or emailed entry $390 or $360 early bird before January 1st.

8am shotgun start followed by a presentation Lunch.

Presentation Lunch only for non golfers $55 including GST.

ACT Masters Golf Tournament is proudly sponsored by the ACT Government Community Centenary Initiatives fund Entry to the tournament will be available on line by mid September through MiTournament.

actgolf.com.au

Information about events in Canberra for 2013 can be found on the 44

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

canberra100.com.au website

AVAILABLE FROM LEADING GOLF OUTLETS & REBEL SPORT

03 9265 9550 wsports.com.au

The search is on for

AUSTRALIA’S

best amateur golf pair With over 50 events across Australia, the winning pair from every event will win a trip to play in the final at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast. Open to all male and female Australian Auto Club members, enter online now!

Hole in one prize A Suzuki Kizashi up for grabs*

Only $30 per player. Register your pair now at

www.acgc.com.au

(Every player receives 6 free Callaway golf balls)

Major Partners

Revised

Auto Clubs

*Conditions apply

Supporting Partners

Original

Media Partners

event

New national tournament to determine Australia’s best amateur golf pair Golfers across the country will be teaming up in the coming months to contest a brandnew national amateur golf tournament that seeks to find Australia’s best Amateur golf pair.

The Auto Club Golf Championship is a new and unique two-person golf event that will be contested at various clubs across the country. Members of Australia’s state and territory Auto Clubs (RACV, NRMA, RACQ, RAA, RAC, RACT and AANT), will be offered the exclusive opportunity to enter their team in one of 50 regional qualifying rounds that will be played between October 2012 and January 2013.

The winning pair from each regional event will receive, as their prize, a trip to the Gold Coast for three days to compete in the 36hole Auto Club Golf Championship final, to be held at the stunning RACV Royal Pines Resort over two days from February 28 to March 2nd, 2013. All travel, accommodation and golf costs for the 50 winning pairs will be covered, and finalists will also be treated to a Welcome Function and Presentation Dinner.

If you and your partner find yourself atop the podium at the Final at Royal Pines, you will then earn the right to battle it out with the world’s best at the 2013 World Amateur Inter-Teams Golf Championship in Malaysia.

The cost to enter is a mere $30 per player ($60 per pair), plus any applicable green fees for players not a member of the club hosting the regional event. All selected Golf Clubs

have set special green fees for the event and these fees are listed on the Auto Club Golf Championship website where Auto Club members can select from a nationwide list.

In addition, every entrant at the qualifying events will have the opportunity to win a bounty of prizes, including a chance to win a Suzuki Kizashi for a “Hole in One”.

Tournament Director John Harriss said this event will be the largest pair’s golf event staged in the Southern Hemisphere and is supported by major partners Thrifty, Suzuki, RACV Resorts and Club Assist, as well as Inside Golf as Major Media Partner.

“New Zealand Auto Club (AANZ) is also planning to participate and is looking to send as many as 10 pairs to do battle with the Aussies for the No.1 Australasian Amateur Golf Pair ‘bragging’ rights,” Harriss says.

Entry to the Auto Club Golf Championship is open to men and women 18 years and older with a current Golf Link handicap. At least one member of the two-person team must be an Auto Club member in their state or territory. When registering on line at www. acgc.com.au the first listed name of the pair will be deemed as the team captain and must be current Auto Club member.

The Championship will be played as a twoball, best-ball Stableford tournament, ensuring a fun and challenging event that will bring out the best Aussie golfers. The exchange of score cards will ensure the integrity of the

Southern Golf Club will host the first of a series of nationwide events for the new Auto Club Golf Championship.

competition, a point that, Harriss believes, will be embraced by the keen Amateur golfing community in Australia.

According to Kane Streat, head professional at Melbourne’s Southern Golf Club (host of the first qualifying event on October 9th), this is the best value amateur tournament in Australia with a one-off registration fee of $30.00 per person. Each pair at the regional events will receive 1 dozen Callaway balls and beverages supplied by Schweppes. The winning pair on the day proceed straight to the Championship final with no additional costs to be incurred.

“Already there is huge excitement building amongst the many clubs and professionals who will be hosting the qualifying events around the country, and you can expect to see many well-known faces lining up to be crowned Australia’s best amateur golf pair,” he says.

Inside Golf will be bringing news and updates of this exciting tournament each month, as well as through our website and Facebook pages. Good luck to all the entrants!

For further details and information, register at www.acgc.com.au, or ring Champion Events on (08) 8239 0666 •

UPCOMING EVENTS Club

Date

SA Victor Harbor GC

18th November

Mt Barker GC

16th December

WA Albany

7th December

Royal Freemantle

14th December

TAS Kingston Beach

26th October

Ulverstone

28th October

NT Darwin GC

11th November

QLD Paradise Palms

14th November

Rowes Bay GC

17th November

NSW / ACT Eden Golf Club

9th December

VIC Southern

9th October

Long Island

2nd November

Ballarat

2nd December

13th Beach

6th December

Note: Dates and locations subject to change.

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

47

fitness

Physical training for juniors Nick Randall ed@insidegolf.com.au

In this series of 5 articles I will be describing how vastly differing ages and abilities of golfer can benefit from the widely varying methods of physical training. I will start with kids and work right through to senior players taking in teens, elite amateurs and professionals, casual adult golfers in the process. I will use my experience working with all of these very different types of golfer to recommend the best approach for each demographic. So no matter who you are and what you play off you will be able to seek out the approach most suitable to you and your golf game.

This month, we start with kids/juniors FMS stands for Functional Movement Skills.

It is essentially a posh name for what you and I would recognize as basic game play, i.e. Running, throwing, catching, kicking and striking. Basically, all the elements which used to make up a typical lunch time play session and after school activities.

With less time in the school curriculum being devoted to sport and an increasing amount of play done with just two thumbs and controller, kids’ FMS are not getting the workout we as trainers and golf coaches would like to see.

You might ask what running, throwing, catching, kicking and striking have to do with golf – and rightly so. At first sight, golf only involves one of these movements. However, one of the major benefits of solid FMS is body awareness and control. This is something that is championed by golf coaches and physiotherapists working at state level and higher. They just love to see a talented teenager with a multi sports background who has good control and awareness of their body. It means they are able to detect the subtle changes

in movement that a coach is trying to teach or activate a certain muscle that the physio or trainer wants to strengthen.

As a result they are better able to make the necessary adaptation and improve a lot quicker than someone with poor awareness and control. It has become so highly thought of that a “functional screening” using the Ramsay McMaster method has become a key part in the initial and on-going assessments of state standard golfers across the country.

If you or your child does not have such lofty aspirations for their golf then the general benefits of good FMS are widely believed to indicate a higher participation rate in sport and are directly correlated with lower BMI and waist measurements. Additional to that and perhaps most importantly, certainly from the kid’s perspective, learning Functional Movement

Skills is great fun! In the sessions we run at the Academy it is often difficult to get the t-ball bat out of their hands so they can go and play golf!

If you are interested in getting your child involved in improving their Functional Movement Skills while they play golf then do some homework on the junior golf programs in the area and find out if they run FMS training. If not then asking your local council about facilities that offer multi sport activities is also an option.

Next time I will talk about teens and how they can benefit from better postural awareness and being introduced to the gym. • Nick Randall is the Head of Strength and Conditioning for Golf Queensland. He is a qualified strength and conditioning coach and massage therapist based out of Twin Waters Golf Academy on the Sunshine Coast.

Micropower Solutions appoints new CEO Leading golf management systems provider Micropower Solutions has announced the appointment of Mr. Craig Kinross to the position of Chief Executive Officer. This transition has been made possible through the efforts of Bill Owens who was asked by the board to fulfil the CEO role following his consultancy advice on the state of the company in April 2010. Board Chairman Mr. Down emphasized that Bill’s brief was to restructure the company, set its course to ensure it returned to profitability and to find a successor; this he has done.

“We thank Bill for his professionalism and leadership in transforming the company from a cottage industry to one worthy of taking its place in the capital markets. He leaves us to pursue further business interests and on behalf of the board and the entire Micropower family we wish him well in his future endeavours”, said Mr Down.

Craig has worked in the software industry for over 12 years holding various senior leadership roles; he has been the Chief Operating Officer for Micropower for the past 2 years and has been intimately involved in all aspects of the company’s restructure and management.

Craig is also qualified as a chartered accountant having started his career in the business advisory group of KPMG. On Craig’s appointment Mr. Down said, “I am delighted that we can promote an internal candidate to this position with such experience, capability and passion for the company. This will ensure a seamless transition and ensures a continuity of focus on our broader strategies. •

Bankstown Golf Club

BGC Membership Special

NO JOINING FEE (Limited time only) Sunday/Public Holiday only memberships now available for less than $25 per week.

Competition fees only $6, Compare this to what you are paying now!

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

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

travel feature

Mornington Peninsula

Australia’s golfing playground Moonah Links Richard Fellner & the Inside Golf Team Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is one of Australia’s most popular golfing destinations.

Featuring some of the country’s highest-rated courses—like Moonah Links and St Andrews Beach—along with jaw-dropping scenery, golfers are spoiled for choice. Plus, with all the great

extracurricular activities in the area – from the Peninsula Hot Springs to the Red Hill Markets to the wide variety of beaches – you could find something of interest for any non-golfing partners/ friends/kids that may make the trek.

Indeed, you simply cannot go wrong when booking a trip to The Mornington Peninsula. It’s no wonder why the region is a regular destination for golf travelers, families, couples’ escapes, corporate outings and the good ol’ Annual Golf Weekend.

Here are a few highlighted courses and activities

Stay & Play at the Rosebud Country Club

that belong on your next itinerary to “Australia’s Golfing Playground”:

Moonah Links

Arguably one of the premier Golf Resorts in Victoria, Moonah Links Resort offers two worldclass championship golf courses each boasting superior course conditions which assure yearround playability.

The Open Course is a true test of golf. Designed to host the Australian Open, the course is long,

challenging and full of risk-reward situations. It is a visually stunning course that offers some of the most amazing scenery around, and some of the best-conditioned greens in the area.

The Legends Course offers the perfect complement to the Open Course. While equally stunning in both design, scenery and conditioning, the Legends Course gives golfers of all levels a setting that is fun and challenging.

Complementing the course facilities are a driving range and practice facilities designed to

Best value for money golf on the Mornington Peninsula

Spring Special • 2 x 18 hole golf courses • 4 – star (AAA Tourism) onsite accommodation • Restaurant & Bistro open 7 days • Central Mornington Peninsula location • TAB kiosk in sports bar • 15 local courses within a 5 – 15 minute drive • On-site BBQ facilities

$145 (pp twin share)

includes golf; accommodation and meal voucher

207 Boneo Road Rosebud VIC 3939 Bookings: 1300 363 349 frontdesk@fairwaysresort.com.au www.fairwaysresort.com.au www.rosebudcountryclub.com.au

fter 3pm Arvo Golf A fee & $10 Green rts Ca Half Price ip for Membersh week e p r under $20

www.devilbendgolf.com.au • (03) 5978 8470 www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

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Moonah Links Australian Institute of Sport specifications and one of the foremost elite training facilities in world golf – The Moonah Links Golf Academy – home to Golf Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport elite player development programs.

With the largest fleet of motorized golf carts in Victoria, a comprehensive pro shop, 89 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, restaurant, spike bar, extensive banquet and conference facilities, day spa and ancillary recreational facilities such as a swimming pool and tennis courts, Moonah Links Resort constitutes one of the finest, most comprehensive Golf Resorts in the country.

Since opening in late 2003 Moonah Links Resort has achieved global recognition and acclaim having hosted five major internationally telecast tournaments: the 2003 and 2005 Australian Open Golf Championships and the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Moonah Classic. The Moonah Links Open Course has been Voted No. 1 Best Conditioned Golf Course in Australia, while the Legends Course has been voted

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

No. 2 Best Conditioned Golf Course in Australia (via the Golf Course Guide) FACT FILE Moonah Links Resort 55 Peter Thomson Drive Fingal, Victoria 3939 03 5988 2000 moonah@moonahlinks.com.au www.peppers.com.au/moonah

RACV Cape Schanck Resort

Located on the southern-most tip of the stunning Mornington Peninsula, RACV Cape Schanck Resort is just a leisurely 75-minute drive from the Melbourne CBD. The Resort’s magnificent 18-hole, par 70 championship golf course is consistently rated among Australia’s best 100 courses, and offers incredible golfing value. Designed by renowned course architect, Robert Trent-Jones Jr, the course has huge greens with large open bunkers, tree-lined

RACV Cape Schanck Resort fairways and spectacular ocean views on eleven holes.

The superbly maintained course is fantastic for both experienced and new golfers.

RACV Cape Schanck Resort is a very popular venue to hold Corporate Golf Days, Annual Golfing Weekends or the casual golf getaway, as it is playable for golfers of all levels. The course is equipped with a full range of practice facilities, ideal for a pre-game golf clinic, or for warming up your back swing.

There are 60 golf carts available with the ability to carry up to 120 players around the fully signposted course. You’ll find friendly golf shop staff on hand and ready to escort players to the tee for a shotgun start, and process competitions ready for presentation. You’ll also find the golf shop extremely well stocked with all your golfing needs and prizes for purchase.

RACV Cape Schanck Resort’s Presentation Rooms provide the ideal setting for hosting presentation luncheons and dinners while enjoying restaurant quality dining. With each room hosting a full

range of audio/visual facilities, whether you’re entertaining a small group, or hold a large corporate function, they can tailor a combination to meet your requirements.

And should you wish to spread your event over two or more days there are fifty ocean rooms and twelve 2 and 3 bedroom villas to house both you and your guests in style and comfort.

FACT FILE RACV Cape Schanck Resort Trent Jones Drive (via Boneo Road) Cape Schanck, Victoria, 3939 racv.com.au/resorts 03 5950 8000 capeschanck@racv.com.au

Devilbend Golf Club

Established in 1973 and located in the ‘Heart of the Peninsula’, Devilbend Golf Course provides a great day’s golf on a course that has magnificent couch fairways, and fast smooth greens. It is a challenging

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Devilbend Golf Club 18-hole layout at almost 6000m, set amidst a flora and fauna reserve, which features beautiful waterways and an abundance of birdlife.

Over the past five years a huge capital works program has been implemented with five new greens, and major drainage works on many of the fairways-resulting in vast improvements to the course. Each hole provides magnificent views of undulating countryside and provides a variety of challenges for all golfers. Facilities include a driving range, practice nets and a large practice putting area.

The clubhouse is renowned for its friendly atmosphere. The bar and bistro operate on competition days, while meals are generous and well priced. The golf shop is equipped for all your needs and lessons can be arranged with the professional staff.

Bookings are required and moderate dress standards apply.

FACT FILE Debvilbend Golf Course

Loders Rd Moorooduc VIC 3933 03 5978 8470 manager@devilbendgolf.com.au www.devilbendgolf.com.au

St Andrews Beach Golf Course

Located in ‘The Cups’ region of the Mornington Peninsula and metres from the thundering surf of Gunnamatta Beach, St Andrews Beach Golf Course originally opened as an exclusive members course and debuted as the 9th best course in Australia in 2006 and has maintained its illustrious position as one of Australia’s premier venues since reopening as a public access venue in 2009.

It is built on a stunning piece of land that lends itself perfectly to the tradition of the famous links courses of Britain and Ireland and can be compared with the very best courses in Melbourne’s famous sandbelt region.

Internationally renowned golf course architect,

St Andrews Beach Golf Course Tom Doak (also of Barnbougle Dunes and Cape Kidnappers fame) is the designer of this classic 18hole links-style course and his aim was to create one of the best golf courses in the world.

As was the case with his other Australian masterpiece - Barnbougle Dunes - Doak’s design philosophies and the nature of the land itself provide a unique golfing experience with generous fairways and truly spectacular greens. Doak proudly boasts, “Of all the projects we have built so far, the Gunnamatta Course at St. Andrews Beach required the least artificial work: other than softening greens contours and digging bunkers, only three holes required any earthmoving at all.”

Whilst most links style courses conjure up thoughts of strong winds, the natural valleys and trees that make up the landscape of St Andrews Beach offer protection from the elements on many holes, and combined with the soil type of the area you have a great course that can be enjoyed by all players alike 12 months of the year.

The functional clubhouse enables players to enjoy a cold drink and snack on the patio deck, and visiting groups can also utilise the BBQ facility before or after the round. Enhancing the appeal to the golfing public, St Andrews Beach offers unbeatable green fee rates including Senior, Group and Afternoon specials.

St Andrews Beach conducts competition rounds every weekend, and is now offering innovative pay to play membership packages providing official handicaps and special green fee rates as part of the Gunnamatta Golf Club for just $295 per year. Attractive green fee rates and membership information is available at www.standrewsbeachgolf. com.au.

FACT FILE St Andrews Beach 209 Sandy Rd St Andrews Beach, Vic 3941 03 5988 6000 bookings@standrewsbeachgolf.com.au www.standrewsbeachgolf.com.au

MONDAYS @ MOONAH

Packages

MID-WEEK GOLF OVERNIGHTER

WEEKEND GOLF OVERNIGHTER

• One night accommodation in a Deluxe King Suite • A round of golf plus cart hire at participating golf courses • Fully cooked breakfast at the Rye Hotel

• One night accommodation in a Deluxe King Suite • A round of golf plus cart hire at participating golf courses • Fully cooked breakfast at the Rye Hotel

$189.50 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE

$229.50 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE

26th April to 31st October. Terms and conditions apply.

26th April to 31st October. Terms and conditions apply.

Packages can be adjusted to suit accordingly. Please contact our friendly team on (03) 5985 7222 to make a booking or if you have any enquiries.

14 Nelson St, Rye, VIC 3941 • Ph: (03) 5985 7222 Email: enquiries@onefournelson.com.au

www.onefournelson.com.au

$50.00 GREEN FEE

INCLUSIVE OF SHARED MOTORISED CART HIRE

Valid for play on Mondays only until Monday 29 October 2012.

Valid for play on either the Open or Legends courses To book your tee time call the Moonah Links Pro Shop on 03 5988 2047 and quote Monday @ Moonah Offer

Peter Thomson Drive, Fingal 3939 T: 03 5988 2047 www.moonahlinks.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

*Terms and conditions apply

MID-WEEK & WEEKEND Golf

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PLACES TO STAY

Rosebud Country Club Rosebud Country Club

Rosebud Country Club is the golfing jewel on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.

The club offers 36 holes of championship golf, bowls, four-star accommodation and a superb clubhouse with bistro meals, the View Restaurant and the recently installed TAB. Rosebud Country Club holds an impressive golfing pedigree having staged two Australian PGA championships and numerous state professional events. Not surprisingly, it has become a “must play” course for visitors to the Mornington Peninsula.

Rosebud Country Club’s two 18-hole courses offer a contrasting experience. The North course, which has hosted two national championships, is framed by large pine trees while the South boasts wide fairways and large greens.

Rosebud Country Club has one of the largest memberships of any club outside of metropolitan Melbourne. And the improved freeway and

shorter driving time has made it more attractive for Melbourne golfers to make Rosebud Country Club their home course.

The golf shop has a wide range of golfing equipment and apparel, while Teaching professional Matt Bolton operates the Bolton Performance Golf which caters for group and individual lessons.

The clubhouse at Rosebud Country Club is arguably one of the finest in the region. Large windows provide a superb view of the course and there’s a choice of bistro meals throughout the day and the popular View Restaurant which is open for dinner and lunch seven days a week.

FACT FILE Rosebud Country Club 207 Boneo Road Rosebud Victoria 3939 Clubhouse: (03) 5950 0800 Golf Shop: (03) 5950 0888 www.rosebudcountryclub.com.au

Best Western One Four Nelson at Rye Beach Best Western One Four Nelson at Rye Beach

One Four Nelson is a multi award-winning, four-star luxury motel located on Rye Beach at the southern end of the Mornington Peninsula.

A blend of city chic with resort comfort.

Located only 50 metres from the Rye foreshore.

30 stylish suites are perfect for a relaxing and indulgent getaway. Pamper yourself in surroundings which feature contemporary furnishings, king or queen size beds, modern lounges, inviting spa bathrooms and kitchenettes.

All suites have access to a patio or balcony and overlook the outdoor pool and spa. The modern building is designed so that guests can escape from the outside world and relax.

Dine in the Perfect Foreshore Bistro at The Rye Hotel, where you can enjoy a relaxing drink on the

terrace overlooking Port Philip Bay, or by the fire in those colder months.

Best Western One Four Nelson is situated in the heart of the golfing region of the Mornington Peninsula – the ideal golf retreat! It is the perfect place to stay for your next golf trip, as it is only a short drive to some of Australia’s best courses including Moonah Links, Dunes, Cape Schanck, Portsea and many others.

Best Western One Four Nelson is the place at Rye Beach where you can escape for affordable indulgence. A place to come back to every time!

FACT FILE Best Western One Four Nelson 14 Nelson Street, Rye Victoria 3941 T: 03 5985 7222 www.onefournelson.com.au enquiries@onefournelson.com.au

FREE CARTS MIDWEEK w w w. g s m g o l f . c o m . a u

Hurry, offer ends September 30!

Official Handicaps from $95 per year!

• Official Handicap with Golf Link Access • Green Fee & Cart Hire Benefits at multiple courses • Player Liability Insurance & other great benefits Join now and pay no more subscription fees until October 2013

Pro Shop: (03) 5988 6000

www.standrewsbeachgolf.com.au

Applies to 18 Hole Midweek Green Fees including Group, Afternoon and Seniors. Valid 1/5/12 – 30/9/12. Conditions Apply

Senior Rates Available l Group Booking Discounts l Open to the Public 7 Days 52

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

travel feature Fairways Resort

O verlooking o n e o f t h e Mornington Peninsula’s most popular golf courses, Rosebud Country Club, the 4-star Fairways Resort enjoys an enviable location, with a secluded bushland setting that’s only a few minutes from the vibrant seaside village of Rosebud. In-house guests are entitled to favourable green fee rates on Rosebud’s two courses. With onsite golf, restaurant, bar and bistro, Fairways Resort is an ideal place for a Mornington Peninsula golfing escape.

Fairways Resort is just minutes’ drive from many of the region’s other top visitor attractions. Including 15 local golf courses within a 5 – 15 minute drive; the Peninsula Hot Springs with its indulgent mineral baths is just down the road as is Point Nepean National Park with its magnificent walks and ocean views.

With 40 generously-sized guest rooms, all with king size beds, private

Sumptuous accommodation at Fairways Resort courtyards, LCD television and inverter climate control systems, Fairways Resort is also perfect for groups— there are several larger 2-bedroom and twin suites, while superior rooms include the Executive Suite and Spa Suite.

FACT FILE 207 Boneo Road Rosebud 3939 1300 363 349 www.fairwaysresort.com.au frontdesk@fairwayresort.com.au

Getting to your next game of golf is

‘Up in the Air’

The newest addition to Heli-Serv’s fleet is a game changer for golfers. The powerful Multi Engine Aerospatiale AS355 “Twin Squirrel” Helicopter is just at home on the golf course as it is in the air. This “work horse” of a helicopter has the unique ability to travel long distances over water, along with a spacious & comfortable furnished leather interior. The Twin Engine Helicopter has an abundance of storage for golf clubs and the ability to carry up to five passengers, which makes it the perfect fit for the avid golf group.

This impressive aircraft has also proven to be a useful tool in the Golf construction industry. Twin-engine

capability was a major consideration for the planning team of Tasmania’s newest Golf Course at Cape Wickham, King Island. The flight takes 45 minutes across Bass Strait from main land Victoria and has allowed the team of architects and construction specialists to maximize time on site and has assisted the design process with aerial survey works.

The Twin Squirrel has a diverse role at Heli-Serv, ranging from fire-fighting and forestry government contracts to carrying race goers to Spring Carnival during Melbourne Cup week and also general charter/corporate work.

“We had a look at our requirements for something we could use for over

water, had lifting capacity, storage space and a corporate interior – this ticked all the boxes,” says pilot Kyhala Miller.

For the ultimate golfing experience grab your clubs, get a few friends, colleagues or clients together and be the envy of other golfers when you arrive in style.

For bookings phone 1300 724 927 or email flights@twinengineheli.com. au to make a booking. * To win a trip on the “Ultimate Golf Day” In a Twin Engine Heli go to www.twinengineheli.com.au/ competition

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

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Toowoomba is blooming

magic

With 196 years of history, and friendly locals, Toowoomba is a destination golf fanatics and non-golfers alike should explore, writes DAVID NEWBERY City Golf Club, Toowoomba WHEN champion golfer Craig “Popeye” Parry first travelled to the city of Toowoomba in 2011, he was instantly impressed.

“I was pleasantly surprised with Toowoomba,” said Parry, who was there to contest the Queensland PGA Championship at City Golf Club. “It was like going to the Blue Mountains in New South Wales.

“It was amazing. I think it’s fantastic to play golf in places we don’t normally play and showcase

our game to the locals.”

Parry has travelled the world plying his trade on some of the best courses available, yet he still had genuine praise for the Garden City and its courses.

Located 120km from Brisbane (a scenic 90minute drive), Toowoomba, 700 metres above sea level, has two championship golf courses – Toowoomba Golf Club (Middle Ridge) and City Golf Club.

But there is much more to this popular, touristfriendly inland city.

The university and cathedral city hosts the Australian Carnival of Flowers each September, the Easterfest and many other festivals and activities.

In summer, every Sunday it’s Summer Tunes in various parks as well as the Have a Go Festival at the Cobb & Co Museum.

In the lead-up to Christmas, there’s the

Toowoomba BMW and Westpac Middle Ridge

ProAmClassic

Toowoomba Christmas Wonderland, Boxing Day Races, New Year’s Eve Fireworks and the Granite Belt Blues.

There are more than 140 public parks and gardens in Toowoomba.

So, is it worth travelling to Toowoomba just to play golf? Most definitely.

We met two friendly golfers from Townsville, who had planned to stay for a couple of weeks, but stayed for five. That’s how much they loved

over $3000 in amateur prizes to be won!

Friday 28 sEptEmBEr 2012. amatEurs CompEtition Format - sinGlE staBlEFord.

• Over $25,000 in prizes • Morning and afternoon shotgun start - 7.00am and 12.15pm • Live entertainment • Gala presentation dinner and party • See Qld PGA Champion Andrew Tschudin and 70 PGA professionals battle it out nomination forms available from toowoombagolfclub.com.au. Close tues 25 sept 2012.

www.toowoombagolfclub.com.au 54

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Toowoomba BMW

Entry only $35 includes Gourmet Burger lunch

TOOWOOMBA & DARLING DOWNS ...

where the grass is always greener!

Offering two championship courses in the heart of the city and over 10 charming country-style courses only a short drive from the CBD, Toowoomba & Darling Downs offers a refreshing slice of life for your next golfing getaway!

Toowoomba & Darling Downs is a region of unparalleled beauty, offering the release from big city pressures to enjoy country pleasures. Take the time to indulge your senses with locallyharvested fresh produce to tease the tastebuds, unearth boutique providers, unique cellar doors and experience the character of the regions true-blue country pubs.

From the moment you arrive you will be overwhelmed by the region’s beauty, history and diversity, where there truly is lots to love in Toowoomba & Darling Downs!

Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre 86 James St (Warrego Hwy) Toowoomba QLD 4350 Freecall 1800 33 11 55 infocentre@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au Hampton Visitor Information Centre 8623 New England Highway Hampton QLD 4352 Freecall 1800 009 066 hamptoninfo@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au

For more information visit www.toowoombaholidays.com.au

“ Toowoomba is Amazing ”

– Craig Parry (Australia n Professional Golfer)

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Toowoomba Golf Club at Middle Ridge the golf courses and all things touristy.

In a city ornamented with two challenging golf courses and loads of well-known cultural experiences, it was easy to map an itinerary. (See suggested itineraries at the end of this story).

Of course, we zeroed-in on Toowoomba Golf Club at Middle Ridge and City Golf Club, but there are many other “hidden gems” scattered throughout the Darling Downs – all within an easy 40-60 minutes’ drive.

But we wanted badly to get a taste of the riches of Toowoomba’s two layouts and made our first stop at Toowoomba Golf Club at Middle Ridge.

It’s Queensland’s second oldest golf club where in years past Greg Norman, Gary Player, Norman von Nida, Bobby Locke, Bruce Crampton, “Babe” Didrichson and Gene Sarazen left their spike marks.

“There are few golf clubs in Queensland that can boast 116 years of history and at the same time claim that the great Gene Sarazen had played the course in the 1930s,” general manager Steve Owen said.

“Australia’s former world No.1, Greg Norman, also has played Toowoomba Golf Club on many occasions during his early career.”

And what did Norman think of the course? “The course was a testing and formidable challenge for

Are you up

Carnival of Flowers golfers of all levels,” Norman said.

Over the years, the 5953m, par-72 18-hole layout has hosted numerous major championships and international golfing visitors.

Rolling tree-lined kikuyu fairways and superbly manicured Penncross Bent greens provide the ultimate in course presentation and the wellappointed clubhouse features a deck overlooking the magnificent course and offers a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

After a round, golfers can watch the sun set over the 18th green while enjoying a cold beverage.

Six holes into the round, friendly locals Mick Frappell and Robert McDougall join us to pass on their local knowledge, which help keep the double bogeys off the card.

The club’s professional, Paul Habgood, is a former PGA teaching professional of the year. Paul and his friendly staff stock an extensive range of clubs and equipment and offers club fitting, repairs and lessons.

The clubhouse hosts “Ridges” – a 150-seat restaurant facility – is open seven days a week and offers table service luncheons and five evenings (Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm) for dinner each week.

Green fees for 18 holes are $30 (Monday to Friday) and $35 on weekends while cart hire is $40.

for the Challenge?

Membership enquires are always welcomed at the Toowoomba Golf Club. For more information, visit www.toowoombagolfclub.com.au or telephone (07) 4635-1219.

Like most golf junkies, we then head to City Golf Club, which is located just five minutes from the city centre.

Boasting an impressive championship 18-hole course, City Golf Club has magnificent clubhouse facilities incorporating bars, restaurant, Café 19, lounge, gaming room, function rooms, pro shop, administration area and locker rooms.

Weary golfers and visitors can rest in absolute clubhouse comfort and watch from behind ceiling-to-floor windows as golfers negotiate the challenging 406m (index 1) par-4 18th.

Fairway bunkers come into play off the tee and if the wind is in your face, your approach to the green is anything from a five-iron to a three-wood.

It’s a great finishing hole and one where many championships have been won and lost.

Still, that’s a long way from the first hole, which starts in a serene and welcoming way, with a short, but narrow 314m par-4 (304m for women).

“It’s quite tight because you hit through a narrow chute,” said club professional Chris Britnell.

“You see many members on a Saturday hitting

their second from the greenside bunker on nine.

“That’s probably a general theme for most of the course.

“The course is not long but it’s tight, particularly the front nine, while the back nine is a bit wider.”

After the relatively flat opening nine you drive skyward to the back nine where there are holes with big elevation changes.

The Bent grass greens, redesigned by Ross Watson, are just as unsettling, according to Britnell.

The quirky swales don’t adhere to the expected patterns and the subtle breaks are not always obvious.

Although most of the greens can be negotiated without too much fuss, the third, 10th and 12th need close attention.

“The greens can get a little on the quick side,” Britnell said. “They do roll very well, but are quite undulating and almost take on a Royal Melbournetype feel in terms of the undulations.”

When they get quicker, placement is critical because if you are behind the pin you can putt off the green.

“It’s better to leave yourself short of the green and chipping up the hill than being on the green putting back down the hill.”

Home of the Queensland PGA Championships

www.citygolf.com.au 254 South Street, Toowoomba • ph (07) 4636 9000

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

travel WHAT TO DO

Green Highfields Chocolate & Café and other arts

Cuckoo Clock Centre; go to Picnic Point; the Japanese

Golf at City GC and Toowoomba GC at Middle Ridge;

and crafts shops.

Gardens and the Jondaryan Woolsheds.

see a show at the Empire Theatre; have a meal at a

WHAT TO SEE

WHERE TO STAY

true-blue country pub; see the Carnival of Flowers;

Cobb & Co Museum, which has an outstanding

Stay-and-play – City Golf Club Motel (07) 4636-9999

sample gourmet food and wine culture; the Village

collection of horse-drawn vehicles; tour of Black Forest

or email info@citygolfmotel.com.au

JOURNEYS TOOWOOMBA-WIDE HERE are a few suggested itinerary options for three-four- and five-day visits.

Picnic Point Club president of 18 years, Eddie Britnell, said staying in the job was “easy because I get a lot of support”.

“We are a progressive club with good members,” he said. “The club has a friendly atmosphere and we have always said we were going to make the club the biggest, best and friendliest.

“Well, I think we are the friendliest around and always welcome visitors.”

Social players are welcome with the best days to play Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but if you are keen to play in the comp and have an official handicap then Wednesdays and Sundays are open.

Midweek social green fees are $20 for nine holes and $28 for 18 while on weekends it’s $22 and $30 respectively. For more information, call the pro shop on (07) 4635-4800 or go to the website www.citygolf.com.au Don’t despair if you are a non-golfing partner as there is plenty to entertain in the clubhouse.

The golf club even has a 4.5-star City Golf Club Motel, which overlooks the golf course and is the perfect venue to stay-and-play.

Golf aside, there are tours of Toowoomba’s beautiful parks and gardens as well as many other landmarks to keep tourists and golf widows entertained.

JOURNEY 1 – THREE DAYS

JOURNEY 2 – FOUR DAYS

JOURNEY 3 – FIVE DAYS

Day 1

Day 1

Day 1

Arrive in the morning at Toowoomba (via road or

Mirror day 1 above.

Mirror day 1 above.

Skytrans for Sydney market – arrive afternoon if using

Day 2

Day 2

Skytrans then drop Picnic Point); morning Devonshire

Room service breakfast; 18 holes golf at Toowoomba

Room service breakfast; golf at Toowoomba Golf

tea at Picnic Point while enjoying the panoramic views;

Golf Club, Middle Ridge; lunch after round at the club’s

Club at Middle Ridge; lunch at the club’s Ridges Bar

check in at City Golf Club Motel then take courtesy

Ridges Bar & Bistro; afternoon wine tasting at Preston

& Bistro; afternoon exploring Toowoomba’s parks and

bus to City Golf Club; lunch at award-winning City

Peak; dinner at City Golf Club taking advantage of City

gardens – Queen’s Park/Japanese Gardens/State Rose

Golf Club; play 18 holes; dinner at Encores Restaurant

Golf Club Motel courtesy bus.

Gardens; dinner at Picnic Point (Friday & Saturday

followed by a show at the historic Empire Theatre.

Day 2 Room service breakfast; day exploring Toowoomba highlights or experience one of the many country-style

Day 3 Explore Toowoomba and the Darling Downs (choose to head south or west)

night only); return City Golf Club Motel.

Day 3 Western Downs option – can also be Southern Downs

• South – Preston Peak Winery, Bull & Barley Inn or

and Granite Belt (winery tours etc); check out of City

Rudd’s Pub; Darling Downs Zoo; golf options include

Golf Club Motel; travel to Bunya Mountains stopping

• Stonestreet’s Coaches ‘two-hour tour of

Clifton, Pittsworth and Millmerran golf clubs (need to

at Jondaryan Woolshed for lunch; accommodation

Toowoomba’ – tour departs Toowoomba Bus

allocate full day if playing Millmerran Golf Club – a

Bunya Mountains Accommodation Centre; dinner

Exchange 10am;

one-hour drive from Toowoomba).

at Cider Gum Café and Restaurant (Wed-Sun only).

golf courses in the region.

• Lunch at Toowoomba’s iconic Spotted Cow Hotel;

• West – Oakey Museum of Australian Army Flying,

• Cobb & Co Museum or explore Toowoomba’s

Jondaryan Woolshed (lunch); golf options include

antique stores and boutique shopping.

Return to City Golf Club Motel; dinner at Veraison Restaurant, Toowoomba’s only ‘Hatted’ restaurant.

Day 3

Oakey and Cecil Plains golf clubs.

Day 4 Breakfast hamper in chalet; morning exploring Dalby and region – Jimbour House Gardens tour/Bell/Bunya

Day 4

Mountains scenery; lunch at Dalby; golf at Dalby Golf

18 holes at Borneo Barracks Golf Club, Cabarlah

Club; return to Bunya Mountains Accommodation

and/or exploring region to north of Toowoomba.

Centre.

Room service breakfast followed by check out; 18

• Village Green (Highfields), Black Forest Hill

holes at Toowoomba Golf Club at Middle Ridge; lunch

Cuckoo Clock Centre, lunch at Farmers Arms Tavern

Depart Bunya’s for Toowoomba stopping at

at the club’s Ridges Bar & Bistro; depart (either via road

or Meringandan Hotel or damper and billy tea at

Oakey Army Aviation Museum; additional activities

or Skytrans service to Sydney – using Skytrans service

Highfields Pioneer Village.

in Toowoomba during afternoon – shopping or

likely to require additional night’s accommodation).

Day 5

Depart (either via road or Skytrans service to Sydney

just relaxing; accommodation at Vacy Hall Historic

– using Skytrans service likely to require additional

Guesthouse, Toowoomba; morning departure (by road

night’s accommodation).

or Skytrans service to Sydney).

City Golf Club Toowoomba’s Multi Award Winning Venue. Home of the QLD PGA Championships – come and play the layout, On site Pro Shop, Courtesy coach transfers, Free WiFi throughout venue, Function centre, Kids Club, Keno Lounge, TAB, 200 machine gaming room, Selections restaurant, Wok in the city, Noodle bar, Café 19, Free live entertainment and much more!

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

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travel

Going full ‘Tilt’ on a Capricorn Golf Getaway The speedy Tilt train

The 12th hole at Rockhampton Golf Club

David Ross

dg.ross@live.com.au

The last time I went on a train was the red rattler from North Sydney to the City, so it was a pleasant surprise when I arrived at Roma Street Station in Brisbane last month to see a brilliant, gleaming silver vehicle parked at the platform.

What a great way to start the Queensland Rails Bulls Masters four-day Capricorn Golf Getaway to Rockhampton and the Capricorn golfing Mecca of Yeppoon, hosted by Queensland cricket legend Jimmy Maher.

We are greeted by the friendly Queensland Rail staff. The Tilt train is Australia’s most innovative train. Engineered for high speed it offers passengers a smooth and comfortable ride thanks to the tilt technology.

We are shown to our business class seats and receive a complimentary newspaper and juice. On your journey you can watch movies on the overhead monitors, or even work on your laptop as each seat has a 240 volt power point.

We settle in to our seats, and I realise how lucky am I sitting next to Jimmy Maher. He played 121 One Day games for Queensland and 26 One Day

Internationals. Our conversation flows about cricket and his other passion, golf.

We travel north through the townships including Nambour, Gympie and Maryborough, enjoying the scenery, the food and beverages and a perfect ride on the speedy Tilt train, which has a top speed of 160kph.

Before we know it, we arrive at Rockhampton station. How time flies!

We are met and transferred to the Mercure Capricorn Resort at Yeppoon. Set on 20km of secluded coral reef coastline, the resort offers something for everyone. The resort’s facilities included two international golf courses, stylish dining concepts, 25 free activities, water sports, horse riding wetland tours, rainforest canoe tours and much more.

During check in, we notice that the big screen TV is showing the first round of the 2012 Open Championship being played at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Course. What better training for tomorrow’s assault on the might of the championship course at Mercure Capricorn Resort.

After a fantastic buffet breakfast the following morning, we headed to the course. Mercure Capricorn Resort has two world-class golf facilities, both exquisitely crafted and challenging, catering to

both low and and high handicappers. For the social golfer there is the classic Thomson-Wolveridge Resort course which is exacting but forgiving with wide fairways that cut through beautiful native bushland. Our group played the second layout, the Championship course, which was created in 1992 by internationally renowned designer Karl Litten.

It tests the skills of players of all levels, presenting a real challenge with tight fairways that cut through beautiful native bushland.

The 3rd day is the rest day and we are taken on a Capricorn Coast Highlights by Capricorn Day Trippers which included Roslyn Bay, Farnborough Beach, Emu Park Singing Ship, The Pine Beach Hotel and more. At the end of our tour we were dropped at Edge Apartments in Rockhampton for our last night on the Capricorn Coast.

Our second game in the 4-day tour is at Rockhampton Golf Club, designed by well-known Australian golf course designer Al Howard. He has accounted for all variables with this course, even taking into account the prevailing southeasterly wind. The course is visitor friendly from the yellow tees, while off the blues the course’s length, water hazards and wellplaced bunkers set it up as a player’s course.

The sixteenth is the course’s signature hole, and

perhaps the most testing on the course. The par5--well over 500 metres and into the wind with a double dogleg around a large water hazard--is truly a magnificent hole.

Alas, all good things must come to an end, so having enjoyed two of the best golf courses on the Capricorn Coast – as well as four days of pure bliss -- we head to the airport for our flight back home.

But while our adventure has come to a close, yours is just getting ready! The Queensland Rail Bulls Masters Golf Holidays has a pair of upcoming tours to choose from, include a 10- day coastal Golf n Rail Adventure—departing Brisbane on 17th November (hosted by Greg Ritchie), as well as a 4-day Capricorn Golf Getaway departing Brisbane on 22nd February 2013 (host TBA).

To book, call 1300 139 812 or visit Queensland Rail Travel Centres. • TRAVEL NOTES: Rockhampton Golf Club www.rockygolfclub.org.au ph 07 4927 3311 Mercure Capricorn Resort www.capricornresort.com.au ph 07 4925 2525

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travel

Tournament golf hotting up in Hobart

The Lost Farm Tourism Tasmania in partnership with golf travel specialists Go Golfing are gearing up for record golf visitors to the Apple Isle this summer. When the mainland is sweltering, Tasmania’s mild summer weather and long sunny days are perfect for golf and touring.

Forget the myth that it’s always raining, Hobart is in fact the second driest capital city. With the Hobart Summer Festival, Taste of Tasmania wine and food extravaganza and Sydney to Hobart yacht race celebrations in full swing, there sure is plenty to see and do.

Go Golfing have been taking golfers to Tasmania for 13 years and have an extensive range of golf holiday packages to suit all budgets. They can also get you onto the top

private courses such as Royal Hobart and Tasmania golf clubs as well as preferred rates for both courses at Barnbougle Dunes in the north of the state.

For club golfers looking to add in some competition, Go Golfing has two events in Tasmania this January. Upwards of 400 club golfers from around Australia plus international visitors will arrive in Hobart for the 13th annual Wrest Point International Masters from 6-11 January.

This 72-hole event is played at Royal Hobart and Tasmania golf clubs. Competition is in 15 age and handicap divisions (A,B,C) for golfers aged 35 and over with over $35,000 in trophies and lucky draw prizes to be won.

In the evenings there are quality social events including welcome and presentation dinners, winemaker dinner and trivia night.

Immediately following the Wrest Point International Masters, the Barnbougle Lost Farm Golf Challenge takes centre stage from 1218 January. Played as a team of 2, there are best ball, ambrose and aggregate events. Play both Barnbougle Dunes and Lost Farm courses twice.

The tournament package includes 6 nights’ accommodation, breakfasts, lunches, welcome and presentation dinners, wine tastings and a decadent lunch at Pipers Brook Vineyard.

For more information about Go Golfing’s Tasmanian events and holiday packages visit www.gogolfing.net.au or call 1300 552 855 •

PGA World Alliance plans way forward The PGA World Alliance is dedicated to the betterment of the profession, the game and the business of golf worldwide. Golf in the Olympics and how to promote PGA members were among subjects discussed at a recent PGA World Alliance gathering. The PGA of Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) hosted the meeting at PGA national headquarters at The Belfry on the eve of the recent Open Championship.

Among the PGAs represented were those of America, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and the PGAs of Europe who between them cover an area where the economic impact of golf is worth in excess of $120billion and where millions of people are employed at 35,000 plus golf facilities. Other issues discussed by 27 representatives included initiatives to grow the game of golf, the social, environmental and economic impacts of golf around the globe and ideas of best practice in junior golf.

GB&I PGA chief executive Sandy Jones said: “The PGA World Alliance meeting gave a wonderful opportunity for ten of the leading PGAs in the world to discuss the challenges that the game of golf faces in all parts of the world.

“There was a strong feeling of unified purpose and vision amongst all those present and there was no doubt at the conclusion of the meeting that all PGAs wherever they are in the world will continue to play a leading role in the industry of golf.”

The three-day event was hosted by the PGA and follows on from previous events hosted in America and Australia. This is the second time the PGA has hosted the PGA World Alliance Conference, the previous occasion being in 2006. •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

59

Shangri-La Escape to paradise

The beautiful Shangri-La’s Rasa Ris Resort on Pantai Dalit Beach

Sabah’s finest five-star resort, Orang-utan Sanctuary and world-class golf course is a onestop passport to pleasure, writes Sam Arthur JUST a short drive north of Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), Sabah’s capital, is one of the best resorts I have visited.

Shangri-La’s Rasa Ris Resort on Pantai Dalit Beach is sensational – seriously.

Surrounded by beach and a tranquil nature reserve, the resort is stunningly spectacular and the view from your comfortable accommodation opens your eyes to another world.

And what makes it even more appealing is the hospitality staff have perfected the art of being friendly, relaxed and efficient and nothing is too much trouble. Yes, here it’s service with a smile.

The resort caters for all-comers including honeymoon couples, weddings and other functions, family holidays and even business conferences.

Set on 400 acres of tropical forest, it even

allows for your own secluded private beach.

There is plenty of space for guests, which is a huge factor when holidaying at this luxurious resort. Because the resort faces west, each day resort guests flock to the beachside Sampan Bar for cocktails and to watch the sun set. Magic!

After the sun disappears over the horizon, guests have the choice of several restaurants or they can take a seat outside and enjoy the experience of Tepi Laut Makan Street.

The mini-street is set up with food stalls, which offers several delicious Asian flavours and cuisines.

Open for lunch and dinner seven days, it’s a brilliant way to sample the many tasty Sabah and Malaysian dishes.

We visited the new Ocean Wing, which has brand-new executive rooms from $US500 per night that include a Jacuzzi on your private balcony. The automatic blinds give that extra privacy and even allows guests to watch television if they can take their eyes of the scenery for a minute.

These days, hotels and resorts try to attract guests with that point of difference and Sharngri-La’s Rasa Ris Resort is no different.

Still, there is nothing better than kickstarting a holiday with a spa treatment. The feeling of complete numbness hits you after an hour session in the spa at Dalit Bay. The spa choices are varied, however, a standard traditional massage is enough to

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

travel sabah – series 2

Clockwise from above: The par-3 169m 11th is a real treat; Riding on the beach is pure magic; The Orang-utan Education Centre is one of the resort’s biggest drawcards; Cool off in the Shangri-La pool! release the stress and get you in the mood for whatever takes your fancy.

One of the resort’s biggest drawcards is the Orang-utan Education Centre.

Established in 1996, the Rasa Ria Nature Reserve is protected ecological space and was set up to help facilitate rehabilitation programs for endangered species of fauna as well as those endemic in Sabah.

It’s a fantastic centre that provides a home until they reach an appropriate stage when they are ready to be reintroduced into natural habitats.

It’s a truly amazing and touching experience watching these lovable animals grow and learn each day.

Even the kids get to help the rangers look after the baby orang-utans.

Each day between 10am and 2pm, you can watch handlers teach the infants how to climb and, more importantly, hang on to tree branches.

That helps them build strength before being allowed to join the more mature orang-utans.

It’s a close up and personal involvement everyone should experience.

Other activities available at the resort include horse riding, all-terrain safaris and even deep-sea fishing.

“But what about the golf?” I hear you ask.

Well, the resort’s Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club is a magnificent championship golf

course where water virtually comes into play on every hole.

That means finding the fairway off the tee is crucial if you want to score well. But the fairways are generous and you really have to spray it wide to find trouble.

It’s a terrific layout and once you walk off the 18th green you’ll want to return to the first tee to have another go.

In many ways, the course, which stretches to just under 6400m, demands respect.

One of the highlights was arriving at the par-3 11th hole. It’s a real gem as the tee is surrounded by the South China Sea. For me, hitting a mid-iron over water to a largish green was an enjoyable challenge.

Sabah’s weather is perfect all-year round although when it rains it pours and is mostly it’s only the occasional storm, which doesn’t really interrupt your golf and relaxation time.

For more information about Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club, Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia go to the website www.dalitbaygolf.com.my To contact the resort’s director of golf Aaron Johnston email aaron.johnston@shangrila.com • The writer was a guest of Brunei Airlines, who fly daily from Melbourne.

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

61

The new Trump International Links Scotland The fourth looking back from the multi-tiered green with the burn extending along the entire length of the hole

Tony Hirst

ed@insidegolf.com.au

I have recently just returned from the United Kingdom where I was fortunate to be able to attend the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Hawtree Golf Architects. This was notable on two fronts, namely that this is the first time any Golf Architecture Company has achieved a centenary milestone, and secondly that the venue for the festivities was the new, much anticipated, Trump International Scotland, just north of Aberdeen.

Martin Hawtree is the third generation of his family involved in golf architecture. His grandfather Frederick George Hawtree founded the business back in 1912; originally as a

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

greenkeeper whose expertise developed into golf course construction. He partnered with other notable designers of that Golden Era in golf architecture, James Braid and J. H. Taylor.

Together, from a golf architecture perspective, they were known as the ‘great triumvirate.’ This father-son knowledge base passed on to Frederick William Hawtree, who joined the company in 1938 with a focus more on course design rather than construction. Ultimately his son, Martin, commenced in 1972 and took over the reins in 1985.

The company had, and continue to have, a very impressive list of clients around the world.

Noted courses they have built include Croham Hurst, Addington Court and Royal Waterloo.

They have also have made significant alterations

at Royal Birkdale, Lahinch, Royal Dublin and Dooks. Yarra Yarra and Kooyonga are Australian courses the company has made changes to in recent years.

The Hawtree dynasty has completed work on more than 150 courses worldwide and many of these golf clubs were represented at the celebrations, which included two days of competition on the Hawtree-designed Trump International Scotland before its public opening.

The Trump International Golf Links is possibly the most anticipated and yet controversial opening of a golf course anywhere in the world in the last decade. The controversy has centred on the location and proposed scale of the project in what has been deemed environmentally sensitive mobile dune land. The antagonism was further

inflamed by Donald Trump’s assertive nature (and financial backing) to gain approval for the significant 500 hectare development against the wishes of many locals.

Mr Trump has proudly touted his Scottish heritage (his mother was born in Scotland), but this has done little to appease opponents of his vision for the best golf course in the world.

To be fair, there are many others, possibly less impacted, who would agree with Mr Trump that the golf course and development will have positive flow-on effects in Aberdeenshire.

These include direct employment at the course and surrounds, extensive construction of infrastructure and ultimately increased golf tourism to the course and many other gems in area such as Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay.

travel

The third green with Blairton Burn flowing into the North Sea

View from the elevated eighteenth tee. Eighteen bunkers, wetlands, 600+ metres and wind make for an incredibly tough finish.

As would be expected, most elements of the course are on a grand scale, with the two loops of nine holes basically following the line of primary and secondary dunes for over three and a half kilometres.

When you first view the unspoiled and dramatic seaside landscape upon which Trump International Scotland is located you are immediately drawn to the towering dunes that are bisected by typical link-style fairways that appear to meld seamlessly into their surrounds. While the fairways appear narrow, they are, according to Hawtree, some the widest links fairways around. It is the scale of the dunes that creates the impression. This is fortunate as the marram grass rough—yet to be trampled by golfers searching for balls—is currently quite penal.

Bunkering is comprised of strategicallyplaced rivetted pots. The bunkering is not excessive— apart from hole 18, which features 18 bunkers located along its entire 600+ metres. The green complexes are large, but beautifully proportioned and already a super true combination of fescue and bent. Hawtree has resisted the temptation of excessive slopes to create unnecessary havoc. With typical links slopes and swales surrounding greens and undulating fairways, all parts of the golfer’s repertoire are challenged, from longer approach shots to the more difficult up and downs. Add to that the aesthetics of sea views from all holes (though not completely dominating the course), a Scottish burn or two and the inevitable element of wind from

Tony Hirst and Donald Trump

the North Sea location and you have all the ingredients for a truly spectacular and memorable course in a sublime location.

From a design perspective, there are few if any weak holes. The standout holes include 14 which has an extraordinarily challenging tee shot from one of the highest dunes on the course, a set of delightful par-threes including 13 over a valley, the third fully revealing the North Sea to the very challenging sixth, with the left guarded by an enormous dune, and the right an incredibly steep ‘no go’ zone down to the burn. Ten is interesting with a split fairway, with shots to the green having to navigate between two huge dune complexes.

The real test of a golf course is not how it looks, but how it plays. To help ensure

playability for a wide range of golfing abilities, there are more than 100 tees to play from.

From the Championship tee the course measures over 6750 metres, and I would strongly recommend that golfers play from tees commensurate with their level of ability.

There is no doubt that the new Trump International has lived up to all the hyped associated with its construction and opening.

Like any great seaside links, it complements the natural terrain, and has been sympathetic to the sensitive coastal environment on what it sits. It would be more than fair to state that it is certainly a world class championship links course that is both challenging and aesthetically pleasing for golfers of all levels. •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

63

clubs

Golf club to research kangaroos David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

HOP it, Skippy. That’s the message Nelson Bay Golf Club is sending kangaroos and wallabies that have taken up residence on the golf course.

Located at Port Stephens in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Nelson Bay Golf Club has almost become a tourist attraction thanks to the large mobs of kangaroos and wallabies on the course.

Tourist normally flock to the area to view the dolphins and whales but now the golf club, known as the bush course by the sea, is attracting inquisitive visitors eager to catch a glimpse of kangaroos and wallabies in a friendly and picturesque environment.

Over the years, the golf course has become a haven for the kangaroos and wallabies, which means it is not just golfers playing on golf course and milling around under the trees.

In fact, so concerned is the club that they have called in the experts in the hope of controlling the population of eastern grey kangaroos and red-necked wallabies.

Just how many kangaroos and wallabies are on the golf course is hard to determine.

Still, that’s just one of the questions the golf club hopes a research team from the University of Sydney will be able to answer.

Headed by leading kangaroo expert Dr Catherine Herbert, the research project will involve kangaroo sedating followed by tagging, health checks, measuring and DNA analysis.

Most importantly, the project also involves the implanting of fertility control drugs.

A veterinarian and a veterinarian assistant will assist Dr Herbert.

SPOT THE GOLFER: Mobs of kangaroos and wallabies virtually outnumber golfers at Nelson Bay Golf Club.

Nelson Bay Golf Club president Iain Woodhill said the research project was about controlling the number of kangaroos and wallabies on the golf course.

“We want to manage a sustainable population of kangaroos in a scientific and humane way,” he said.

“The National Parks have given their full endorsement to the project and we are hopeful the council can also join us and agree to our request for dollar-for-dollar funding for the amount of $12,000.”

It seems a reasonable request given that the kangaroos attract many overseas tourists to the area and help the tourist-based economy of Port Stephens.

“Controlling the population might also assist locals by reducing road accidents involving kangaroos within the area,” Woodhill said.

Local resort, Cote D’Azur, has agreed to assist the program by providing subsidised accommodation for the researchers during their visits to Nelson Bay over the next 12 months.

“The feeling within the club is that the kangaroos belong, if that’s the right word, to all Australians,” Woodhill said.

“They are a national icon and are on our Coat of Arms. The research project is definitely something the whole community can support.”

Nelson Bay Golf Club’s general manager Jason Russell said expert advice was sought following the recent kangaroo population explosion.

“Five years ago the numbers were manageable, but because of the unlimited food supply the kangaroo population virtually triples every two years,” he said.

GALLERY: Golfers at Nelson Bay have a readymade gallery of kangaroos and wallabies.

“If it continues, in 10 years’ time the golf course would be completely overrun and you wouldn’t see the place.”

Still, the question everyone wants answered is exactly how many kangaroos are roaming the golf course.

“Kangaroos are harder to count than you think,” said Phil Murray, one of the ‘roo crew’ members of the golf club who have volunteered to lend a hand to the project.

“It’s a bit like counting sheep. I fall asleep and when I wake up, I have to start all over again.”

Let’s hope the university researchers have more success than sleepy Phil. • FOOTNOTE: Anyone interested in finding out more information can visit Nelson Bay Golf Club’s website at www.nelsonbaygolf.com/ kangaroos.html

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clubs

In mining towns it’s $$$ first, golf second David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

WHILE hotels, motels and real estate are benefitting from the mining resources boom, local golf clubs are receiving mixed results.

In Western Australia’s Pilbara region, Port Hedland and Karratha golf clubs have experienced a modest spike in their bottom lines, but in Queensland Mt Isa and Moranbah golf clubs are reaping the rewards while Emerald Golf Club is not.

Karratha Golf Club president John Magerl was forthright when he said, “people come here to make money – not to play golf ”.

“The biggest issue we have is the lack of permanent residents,” he said.

“We are getting more social players, but trying to get them to become members is a struggle.

“Everyone is working six and seven days a week and getting them to play golf means they have to take days off.

“We run competitions during the week for the shift workers, but it’s still a struggle.”

Magerl said the fly-in, fly-out workforce meant there was a continuous rotation of people through the town.

“The people that were here five years ago are no longer here.”

Still, it’s not all doom and gloom for the club, which is situated north of Perth.

“We are trying to improve the club and have plans to put in a pro shop and buy golf carts,” he said.

“The club has been cruising along for the last 10 years, but we are trying to make the club bigger and better and get more social players and families involved.

“Unfortunately a lot are young people who don’t want to join the golf club,” he said. “There is a lack of people who want to join in the community and it’s hard to get people to join the committee.”

The club has 800 social members and attracts between 80 and 90 on Saturdays. Membership fees are less than $400 per annum.

“We are also trying to run corporate days to get more people playing golf,” Magerl said. “This is one of the nicest places to come down to have a beer, look over the ocean and watch the sun go down.”

Back in Queensland, Mt Isa Golf Club manager Annette McBride tells a very different story.

“Over the last six months the growth has been phenomenal,” she said.

“We certainly are getting a lot of interest from the mining sector – not only is membership up but social play is up as well.

CHIP AND PUTT: A golfer chips his golf ball during a charity day at Moranbah Golf Club. (Inset) Mt Isa golf course “Our membership is up 50 per cent and our turnover is increasing.

“When I arrived here six months ago there were about 265 and now we have 420 members.

“Regardless of what business you are in it comes down to being able to provide and deliver a service.”

McBride said the club had upgraded the clubhouse facilities and golf course.

“We have a lot to offer and that’s always a good thing when you are way out west like we are. We are always trying to value-add for our members.”

The golf club’s healthy tournament schedule means golfers can player competitions most days.

“Our weekly tournaments are popular and well supported and we had a record number of entrants for the City of Mt Isa Open,” McBride said.

“The golf course is in good condition and that surprises a lot of people.

“They see to a lot of red dirt before they get to us and then it’s nice to have a bit of green grass,” she added.

“We are working very hard and listening to members and to the public.”

Meanwhile, Central Queensland’s Emerald Golf Club hasn’t been as fortunate.

Club president Stewy Euston said the mining boom has had little effect on the golf club.

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“I think the numbers are probably up, but money over bar is much the same as it’s always been,” he said.

“There’s an increase in numbers playing golf because the town’s population is growing.”

Still, the golf club has more than 300 members and is financially secure.

The club’s membership fees are a reasonable $450 per annum and it costs $25 to play 18 holes.

It has an air-conditioned clubhouse and a pro shop with all the latest gear.

“Where else can you find a club where you don’t need to book a tee time,” Euston said.

“We are doing okay. We are probably the only club around with no debt.”

Port Hedland Golf Club, 1700 kilometres from Perth, is making the most of the mining boom.

According to club president Jeff Brockman, the club is financially sound.

“We are definitely benefitting from the mining boom and are moving along pretty well,” he said.

“I have been the president for nearly three years and in the last two-and-a-half years things have really started to improve.

“We had a very successful pro-am in June and we are getting more people playing golf, but you have got to remember the miners work 13-day

fortnights so it’s once a fortnight we see them on a Sunday.

“The miners live in camps around the town and when they get sick of living there they look for some recreation every second Sunday.

“We are finding we are getting an incredible amount of people from the mining industry come out here on a Sunday to relax and get away from their camp atmosphere.

“And they are spending money and that means our profits are definitely up.”

It’s a similar story at Moranbah Golf Club, 200 kilometres west of Mackay in North Queensland.

Club president Noel Busk said the mining boom had meant an improved bottom line.

“We have a lot of people in camps that come and play golf on weekends,” he said.

“We have a restaurant and that means food and beverage profits are up considerably.

“We also have loads of golfers come in from other mining areas once a month and the money they spend here is money we wouldn’t normally get.

“We had a pro-am for the first time in eight years recently and it was a huge success.

“Five years ago, we had 250 members but that has grown to over 360 and we also have a large contingent of juniors.” •

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clubs

Golf and more on offer in Wollongong

Wollongong offers golfers and visitors a variety of exciting options.

Blessed with 70 kilometres of spectacular coastline and a stunning escarpment, Wollongong is located just one hour south of Sydney via the scenic Grand Pacific Drive, which includes the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge.

Not only does Wollongong and the South Coast boast a beautiful natural environment, there are many cultural and recreational activities to indulge in, including visiting the largest Buddhist Temple in the southern hemisphere, numerous unspoilt beaches, art galleries and the diverse range of restaurants and cafes the area has to offer. For the more adventurous, there is skydiving over the beach, hang gliding/paragliding, Harley and Ferrari

joy rides and Jamberoo Action Park (the largest water park in NSW). Of course, there are also many golf courses to enjoy, ranging from a links layout on the beach to courses on the foothills of the Illawarra Escarpment.

Wollongong City Tourist Parks is currently offering a mid-week special starting from $240 per person, giving you the choice to play one or more of nine courses in the region all within 40 minutes of any of their three tourist parks: Bulli Beach, Corrimal Beach and Windang Beach.

Bulli Beach Tourist Park is approximately 10km north of Wollongong CBD. Located on the beachfront it is the ideal place to

enjoy unspoilt beaches, tidal rockpools and Wollongong’s coastal cycleway.

Corrimal Beach is set between the escarpment and the ocean and located right on the beachfront approximately 5km north of the CBD. This park is perfectly positioned to take advantage of everything the city has to offer.

Windang Beach is approximately 15km south of the city and sits between Lake Illawarra and the Pacific Ocean, and offers access to the very best fishing, surfing, windsurfing, boating and sailing.

For more information on this fabulous area, visit www.wollongongtouristparks.com.au •

A masterstroke for Master Builders Being able to mix business and pleasure is one of the great joys of golf. It has also been one of the main driving forces behind the formation of the Master Builders and Exchange Golf Club, a social golf club for the Master Builders Association of NSW. The club was formed in 1932 with the intention of offering members of the Master Builders Association a social club where builders and associated trades and organisations could socialise and get together and enjoy a social golf experience. The club is run by a small group of committee members, with membership numbers ranging from around 60 to 80 members.

The club host 10 monthly golf games at some of the best golf courses Sydney has to offer each year, and the club welcomes many guests and visitors at each game.

Joining is free and membership for the year is only $160 inclusive of GST. The golf games are advertised on the Master Builders of NSW website (http://www.mbansw.asn.au, click “About”).

Once a year in October the club invites member golfers to represent the club at the National Master Builder Tournament. Next year the 55th National Master Builders Tournament will be held in Sydney with three games of golf being played at St. Michael’s Golf Club, Liverpool Golf Club and Macquarie Links Golf Club.

The club is a not for profit organisation and are reliant on sponsors assisting with the event.

They welcome enquiries from any interested organisations that have not previously sponsored a part of this event or those that wish to participate and make this an exciting avenue for exposing their companies to all attendees at this major event.

More: Reynold Sciuriaga 0412 265 938 or email: reynold24@optusnet.com.au •

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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opinion

No ‘silver lining’: when your best isn’t good enough Richard Fellner richard@insidegolf.com.au

What is it with the media these days?

Following Adam Scott’s unfortunate performance at The Open Championship, words like “Choke” and “Collapse” rushed to the fore throughout the media, with overdramatic journalists dredging up stories about Greg Norman’s 1996 Masters, or Jean van de Velde’s 1999 Open Championship, or the other “greatest chokes in history” yarns.

Soon after, Australia’s Olympic team suffered a similar fate, walking away from London with a bounty of silver medals along with an equal number of “Disappointing” headlines about their performance.

“Disappointing”. Seriously?

Let’s put something into perspective: There are an estimated 7 Billion people on this planet (with a capital B). Out of those 7,000,000,000 individuals, only a small number have the talent, opportunity, means and drive to succeed at the elite level of sport. Of that small percentage, only tiny fraction could qualify for their sport’s “pinnacle events”, and an even smaller fraction of that could go on to the semi-finals and/or finals. At that level, the difference between first and second (or even first and fiftieth) is often minimal.

In many countries across the world, seeing an athlete on the podium is cause for celebration or a ticker-tape parade. But here in Oz, things are a bit different. For the Olympics, the media came down exceptionally hard on our athletes, criticising things like their desire, their training, the Australian Olympic Committee, sports funding and anything else they could think of.

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

As a sports-loving nation, we have become accustomed to winning. Whether it’s Olympic swimming, World Cricket, PGA TOUR Golf or any number of other world-class sports, we love to win. And when we don’t win, the media has become accustomed to labelling the teams/athletes as disappointments or flat-out failures. It’s a shame.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I know that athletes in all sports strive to be the very best, and for some, second place is like “kissing your sister”. But when did coming in

second warrant being labelled a “failure” by the media?

Coming in second is part of any competition.

Jack Nicklaus, for example, is celebrated for his record 18 major victories, yet few people know that he also owns the record for runnerup finishes in majors (19).

History remembers the winners, while the media generally ignores the runners-up. While Rory McIlroy charged to victory at The PGA Championship, can anyone really remember who came in second? (David Lynn, by the

way, who nearly stepped on an alligator during the event, and has a heartwarming backstory to his own career). And while Adam Scott “collapsed” at the Open, the REAL story (which was largely ignored) was the fact that a beleaguered Ernie Els overcame a six-stroke deficit and battled his way to the top after most of the world’s media had previously written him off as “past his prime”. Heck, Ernie wasn’t even invited to The Masters this year, despite being one of history’s best golfers!

Certainly, Adam’s slip on the final four holes was worthy of a story. But unlike many of my media colleagues, I don’t label it as a choke.

Let’s face it, the course was difficult. I mean REALLY difficult. Among the leaders on the final day, players like Tiger Woods, Graeme McDowell and Brandt Snedeker all shot over par. Sure, Adam DID bogey the last four holes, but remember that out of 83 players in the final round, there were a total of only eight birdies on holes 15 and on 17 (four on each).

And a lot of “Bogeys/Others”. In my opinion Adam only really made one mistake during that four-hole span: hitting 3-wood off the tee on 18 instead of the iron which he had used for the three previous days. And for that, I reckon a lot of the blame should be on the shoulders of caddie Steve Williams.

Like our Olympic athletes, Adam didn’t choke. Collectively, they just got beaten. And we—as comedian Arj Barker once said— need to “get a deck of cards, and deal with it.”

So the next time one of our athletes walks away from an event having secured “Second Place”, let’s not be disappointed that they weren’t as good as the one person who beat them, rather let’s celebrate the fact that they beat the other 6,999,999,998 people on the planet. •

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events

Watt the new king of sand

Tony and Louise Briers

Briers in a purple patch The Murray District Golf Association held its annual Mixed Foursomes Championship at Thurgoona Country Club Resort last month.

The course was presented in great condition given the time of the year and Thurgoona are to be congratulated for their cooperation and support of this popular event.

Last year’s winners, Tony & Louise Briers, again took home the trophy with a terrific score of 75. Runners-up were Geo Zugajev and Sam Churchin with another great score of 80.

In the handicap section, the winners were Greg O’Brien and Belinda Tucker with a score of 67 ½ nett.

Runners-up were Dave & Jenny Larkin with a score of 69 nett.

Despite the game’s format, organisers assured that no marriages or relationships were harmed. •

Royal Perth’s Brady Watt has captured his maiden state open title by claiming victory in the Newman and Brooks Men’s State Sand Greens Championship at Boyup Brook Golf Club.

Watt held his nerve in the stormy conditions to follow up his opening round two under par 70 with a brilliant one-under-par 71 to finish three under par for the Championship.

State Team Captain, Michael Dennis (Royal Perth) fell just short of claiming his sixth sand greens crown finishing in outright second place.

Dennis opened with a course record 67 on the Saturday to lead by three shots going into Sunday’s final round. Dennis, however, failed to handle the trying conditions, finishing with a five-over-par 77, three shots behind Watt overall.

Tied a further four shots back in third place was Manjimup’s Adam Davey and Goomalling’s Stephan Lord, who claimed the Closed Sand Green’s Division title for the highest finishing sand green-based player.

Watt’s final round was by far the outstanding round of the final day as steady rain and strong winds lashed the tight Boyup Brook layout.

“The conditions were very challenging. If (Michael Dennis) has five over it’s bloody tough isn’t it,” Watt said.

Jeep Pro-Am Tour not holding back

Brady Watt The significance of claiming his first State Championship title was not lost on the four-time state representative, guaranteeing he will return to defend his title in 2013 at Wongan Hills.

Watt will now turn his focus to the three remaining national ranking events of the year starting with the Mandurah Amateur Open this month. •

Bala-Daniels takes CQ Ladies Open Yeppoon golfer Peggy Bala-Daniels has taken out the 2012 Central Queensland Ladies Open Championship via a 36-hole total score of 172 at the Yeppoon Golf Club. Peggy won the event by just 4 shots from the Yeppoon Golf Club’s ladies captain Nadine Battilana on 176. Division two of the championships went to Hazel Coombes on 205, edging out Beverly Galton on 207.

The 36-hole nett results went to Betty Dann on 145, with Nola Leonard taking runner-up on 149. Fay Yesberg took Division Two honours on 144, beating Di Bennet on 146.

The Central Queensland Ladies Foursome Championships went to Nola Leonard and Ros Hennig with a 90 gross score with Bou Du PreChalmers and Hazel Jones wining the nett. •

The Jeep Pro-Am Tour events have fast become some of the most sought after titles in Pro-Am golf. In its inaugural year, the tour sees a total of $500,000 in prizemoney up for grabs over five events, and has been a welcome addition to the PGA’s national ProAm schedule.

The first event at Moonah Links saw Mahal Pearce claim victory in challenging conditions over British Open Qualifier Ashley Hall and 2011 Hi-Lite Pro-Am winner Andrew Kelly.

The Jeep Tour then moved to Kooindah Waters. It was Terry Pilkadaris that ran away with victory, winning by six shots from Western Australia’s Daniel Fox and Canberrabased professional Matt Millar.

The final stop on the Jeep Pro-Am Tour is the last of the qualifying events at The Vines Resort in Western Australia, Nov 8-11, where the top 60 players will be determined as to who will progress to the Final at RACV Royal Pines from 29th November to 2nd December.

In addition to $100,000 in prizemoney being on offer, the leading two professionals at The Final will receive an all expenses paid trip to a recognised International Tour School in 2013 which shall include the associated entry fee, accommodation, return economy flights for all required stages and other related travel costs.

With so much on the line and a career changing result only around the corner, the stakes have never been so high in Pro-Am golf and 2012 is certainly not a time to hold back.

For all information on the Jeep Pro Am Tour, head to www.pga.org.au/proam •

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

events

Manly win consecutive Women’s Pewter Plate

O’Connell wins Women’s Senior Amateur Wendy O’Connell (Northlakes) has taken out the Queensland Women’s Senior Amateur Championship at Horton Park Golf Club.

O’Connell qualified in the second position for the match play but was elevated to the leading position after Vicki Laws (Surfers Paradise) withdrew due to Club Championship commitments. O’Connell remained undefeated to take out this year’s event in stunning form.

After some early misfortune, Western Australian player Glenys Ferguson (Wanneroo) fought hard to get O’Connell back to all square heading down the last hole. Ferguson found the right hand rough off the tee while O’Connell hooked her tee shot in the left trees. O’Connell then played a fantastic recovery shot hitting the green to apply the pressure.

Ferguson’s approach was left short, leaving her a fifty-foot chip to the pin— which she then chipped onto the green eight feet from the flag.

O’Connell’s nerves nearly got the better of her after putting her first about seven feet to the right of the hole. Ferguson then missed her putt allowing O’Connell to put her second putt in for the win.

Jane Franklin (Kingaroy) was victorious in division 1 of the 55-64yrs matchplay final, while Robyn Boreham (Headland) took out the division 2. Anne Alletson Brown (Boonah) proved too strong winning 7&6 in division 1 of the over 65 age group, with division 2 being taken out by Wantima member Joy Cann. •

Once again, the ladies from Manly Golf Club took out the Golf NSW Women’s Pewter Plate title with a massive score of 75 points, eclipsing the field by eight points. Alison Gray (36) had 36 points and Janet Meagher (31) had 39 points.

Janet also took out the individual prize for the day.

Second place went to the ladies from Cromer Golf Club, with Linda Hayes (34) scoring 38 points while Marion Fennessy (37) had 29 points for a combined score of 67 points. They secured the runner-up spot on a countback over Pymble Golf Club.

Janet Hartley (35) from Penrith Golf Club won second place for the individual prize with 38 points on a countback from Linda Hayes (34) from Cromer Golf Club.

A field of 36 clubs from both the Metropolitan and Country areas hit off on a chilly winter’s morning with a little rain on the back nine. The Richmond Golf Club course was presented in good condition and is always test for all golfers.

The Pewter Plate is an 18-hole aggregate stableford competition for club teams of two

Pewter Plate winners Janet Meagher and Alison Gray

competitors on handicaps from 33 to 40. The event is played on one course, which is determined by the results of the previous year’s competition.

Each club entering the competition nominates the two players to be their representatives and The Pewter Plate is awarded to the team with the best aggregate stableford of the two scores.

For further details please contact Nicole Bessant on 9505 9105 or nicole.bessant@golfnsw.org •

Player, Hull Classics on again IN Queensland, hundreds of junior golfers are honing their skills in preparation for two important events in the September school holidays.

The Gary Player Classic (September 25-28) and the Katherine Hull Classic (September 2325) are two of the most prestigious events on the golfing calendar.

As the names suggest, the Gary Player Classic is for boys and will be played at Pacific Golf Club in Brisbane while the Katherine Hull Classic for girls will be at Horton Park Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast.

First played in the 1970s, the Gary Player Classic has attracted some of the biggest names in the game including Greg Norman,

Venue for the 2014 Women’s NSW Senior Championships and the 2016 Men’s Senior Championships

Ian Baker-Finch, Peter Senior, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Steve Bowditch, Cameron Smith and many others.

Each year more than 200 players flock to Pacific Golf Club to contest the 72-hole stroke play event, which has three age divisions – 15 years and under, 16-17 years and 18-20 years.

Meanwhile, the 54-hole Katherine Hull Classic is open to girls under the age of 18. Golf Queensland has introduced a separate 18-20 years division, however, the major winner will come from the under-18 girls’ section.

Entries for the Gary Player Classic close on September 12 and for the Katherine Hull Classic on September 14.

For more info visit www.golfqueensland.org.au •

Rich pro-am for Toowoomba SEVENTY professionals and 150 amateurs will contest the Middle Ridge Pro-Am Classic at Toowoomba Golf Club on Friday, September 28.

The club’s general manager Steve Owen said more than $30,000 was up for grabs in the event, which is jointly sponsored by Toowoomba BMW and the Westpac Bank.

“The winning professional will not only win a major share of the $27,500 prize money on offer, but will also win 12 months’ exemption to all PGA events Australia-wide making the event one of the most prestigious one-day events on the Queensland pro-am calendar,” he said.

The picturesque Toowoomba Golf Club at Middle Ridge is set on the edge of the Great Dividing Range, 700 metres above sea level, in the Garden City of Toowoomba. It’s an easy 90-minute drive from Brisbane and two hours from the Gold Coast.

Middle Ridge is a golfer’s dream and not only is it the second oldest golf club in Queensland, but it is also one of Queensland and Australia’s premier inland golf courses.

This year’s event will be played as a two-field shotgun start – the first at 7am. The amateur field will contest a single stableford across three divisions – handicaps 0-12, 13-24 and 25-36 (men) and 45 (women).

There will be prizes for the winner, runnerup and second runner-up in each of the three divisions, four nearest to the pin prizes and a men’s and women’s long drive.

‘If last year’s event is anything to go by, this year’s event will deliver a great day’s golf followed by a ‘party atmosphere’ including a live band to entertain well into the evening,” Owen said.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the club’s website, www.toowoombagolfclub.com.au or telephone (07) 4635-1219. •

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73

seniors: events VICTORIA Jackson maintains lead in Victorian Order of Merit

NATIONAL King reigns supreme

The Australian Senior Ranking competition includes events in all states and territories and July saw two championships held in Queensland.

Bribie Island Golf Club was the venue for the 2012 Queensland Senior Amateur C hampionship and t he w inner was Queenslander Peter King with excellent rounds of 76-75-73=224. King now holds a very unique double, having won the NSW Senior Amateur Championship earlier in the year.

King started the final round sharing the lead with the visiting New Zealand golfing legend Rodney Barltrop but a magnificent closing round of 73 saw him take the title by three strokes from Barltrop (78-73-76=227). Third place went to the current number one senior in Australia, Stefan Albinski (78-76-74=228).

Both King and Albinski look certain to be in the senior team to represent Australia in the Asia-Pacific Senior Championship in Hong Kong later this year.

Queensland’s Barry Miles was the winner of the handicap section with net rounds of 71-73-77=221. Tied for second place and just a single stroke away were Queenslander Dave Morrison and New Zealand visitor Jan Borren. The six-man Queensland team were the winners of the annual “Walking Stick” Trophy leading all the way to defeat the NSW team by 4 strokes.

The following week the senior golfing action turned to the Gold Coast and the playing of the inaugural Gold Coast Senior Championship over 36 holes at Coolangatta Tweed and Lakelands Golf Clubs. Indooroopilly Golf Club senior Wayne Bridgman had the honour of being the first winner of this championship. Bridgman followed his opening 76 at Coolangatta with an outstanding par round of 72 at Lakelands for a 36-hole total of 4 over par 148.

Second place went to the experienced NSW senior Denis Dale who had consistent rounds of 75-76=151 while Rod Dale from Coolangatta Tweed (78-74=152) shared third place with another Australian ranking event regular, Col Hallam from Redcliffe (7577=152).

Peter King In a very well received innovation the Gold Coast Championship introduced a State of Origin competition between teams from Queensland and NSW. Each state nominated 17-man teams with the best 13 net scores to count on each day.

As could be expected this State of Origin produced a nail-biting finish. After opening up a 16-stroke lead at Coolangatta on day one the Queensland Maroons were feeling confident of a clean sweep. However, not be outdone, the NSW Blues bounced back to easily take the honours at Lakelands. A winning day each meant that total strokes over the two days would decide the title. It was the Queenslanders on 1,965 strokes who were the narrowest of winners with NSW just two strokes away on 1,967.

More information on upcoming national ranking events and full ranking tables available on the AUSOOM website–www.ausoom.com

2012 Australian Senior Rankings Pos Player 1 Stefan Albinski

State Events

Avg

NSW

8

151.7

2 Peter King

QLD

8

109.7

3 Denis Dale

NSW

8

94.38

4 Bill Banks

ACT

6

86.60

5 Roy Vandersluis

NSW

7

81.59

Yarra Yarra senior Michael Jackson is in a great position to claim his second Doug Bachli Trophy for Victoria’s leading senior amateur. The player that accrues the highest total of points for stroke performances in designated senior events throughout the year wins the Doug Bachli Trophy.

The Doug Bachli Trophy is awarded in memory of the late Doug Bachli, who in 1954, famously came from behind at Muirfield to upstage American Walker Cup player Bill Campbell, to become the first Australian to win the British Amateur Championship.

Jackson won the competition in 2009 and currently has a comfortable lead over the defending champion Ross Percy (Cobram-Barooga). Percy is a four-time winner of the title and is very likely to perform at his best in the important season ending events. The always consistent Colac senior, Greg Welsh holds down third place with John Wheeler (The National) and Alan Bullas (Commonwealth) still good chances of finishing in the medals.

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

2012 Victorian Senior OOM Pos 1 2 3 4 5

Player Michael Jackson Ross Percy Greg Welsh John Wheeler Alan Bullas

Club Yarra Yarra Cobram Barooga Colac The National Commonwealth

Events 11 9 9 10 8

Best 8 1338 1189 1060 1039 1019

NSW Dale takes narrow lead in NSW Senior Order of Merit Denis Dale, the defending 2011 champion, and a multiple winner of the title, has moved into a narrow lead in a very close 2012 NSW Senior Order of Merit competition. Following some consistent high finishes Dale has edged ahead of Mona Vale senior Greg Stanford who has won twice recently and is currently the in-form NSW senior golfer. Long Reef senior Ross Bockman is just a few points away in third place with St Michael’s Steve Gibson and Twin Creek’s Graham Blizard also in strong positions to challenge for the medals.

The Over 65’s Order of Merit competition is also very close with the current leader being Clark Gibbons from the Penrith Golf Club. Gibbons has been close to the lead all year and will be keen to perform well

in the season ending events and thereby claim his first Over 65 title. Vince Clark from The Lakes has climbed the ladder to take over second place while Wollongong’s Alan Fensom is another to play well in recent events and is now in third place.

A new event for 2012 was the Ocean Shores Seniors played in July on this very challenging course on the far north coast of NSW. The inaugural winner was Ballina senior Monte Fairhall with a great round of even par 72. Second place with a round of 73 went to Steve Gibson from St Michael’s with South Australian visitor Paul Corrick (Grange GC) amongst a group in a tie for third place on 74.

The 36 hole Seaside Classic played at the Port Macquarie Golf Club always attracts a large field of senior golfers and 2012 was no exception. In magnificent weather and on a very well presented course with hard and fast greens the winner of the 2012 Seaside Classic Seniors Championship was Queensland visitor Brad Oliver from the Oxley Golf Club. Oliver’s rounds of 75-75 gave him victory by a single stroke from Michael Browning (Waratah GC) and Graham Blizard (Twin Creeks).

There are still 13 events remaining in the 2012 NSW Senior Order of Merit Competition. Full details on all these events and the full Order of Merit tables are available on the Golf NSW website www.golfnsw.org.

2012 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 17 13 14 17 9

Best 12 1670 1600 1590 1530 1435

COMING SENIOR EVENTS:

Sept 3-6 Australian Senior Amateur – Yarra Yarra Sept 10 Kooindah Waters NSW Sept 10-12 Coomealla Senior Open VIC Sept 13-14 The Grange Seniors SA Sept 17-19 South Australian Senior Championship – Barmera GC Sept 24 Camden Seniors NSW Oct 5 Liverpool NSW Oct 8 Twin Creeks NSW Oct 11 Windsor NSW Oct 22-24 Victorian Senior Championship - Rosebud GC Oct 22 Merewether NSW Oct 23 Toronto NSW Oct 24 Waratah NSW Oct 29-31 Australian Senior Matchplay - Twin Creeks GC Oct 29-30 Northern Senior - Gisborne & Northern GCs Victoria

Recaps by Denis Dale

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74

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

events: national

Communities Scrambling together In its 21st year, the Holden Scramble continues to increase in popularity and it’s no surprise that more and more clubs are adopting the Scramble around the country. With its universal appeal to players of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, the Holden Scramble has that special factor of bringing the community together to combine as a team and work together in a fun and challenging environment.

It is more often than not a common practice to participate in an activity because of the friendly faces you meet, and the great experiences you have. The Holden Scramble is no exception: with over 440 events to take place around the country, 2012 is set to be one of the Holden Scramble’s most successful years.

As Dom Leo, Holden Sales Manager for Thompson Motor Group who sponsors Numurkah and Shepparton Golf Clubs in Victoria mentioned “My own personal favourite aspect of the Holden Scramble is the friendships I’ve made with all participants, the events we sponsor have been fantastic, and we love having a great social day out on course!” The scramble is not just a competition but also the chance to make new friends and all on the comfort of the golf course.

Not only does the Scramble bring players together as a team, it creates an opportunity for Local Golf Clubs and Holden Dealers to create their own Scramble Neighbourhood, working together to create a fantastic day on and off the golf course. The team from Bunbury Holden in Western Australia certainly vouches for this, sponsoring eight events in the local area.

“We have the same 4-6 teams who play in all of our eight events and we all get on a bus together and go from event to event. We just love the way it brings people together. The same people play every year and you get to know all of the players. It really is great for relationship building,” says Gavin Billington of Bunbury Holden.

While the ultimate goal of the 9,000 teams that come together to participate in the Holden Scramble

Timberlake to serve as Ryder Cup ambassador

is to make it all the way to the Championship Final on the magnificent Sunshine Coast, there are plenty of other reasons to take to the course.

It is not every day —and definitely not in every sport—where you can be part of a team with your mum, dad and even one of your grandparents but the Holden Scramble is one of the unique events across the world in which you can form such a team and be extremely competitive at that. This year has been no exception, with a number of different relative combinations already winning their way through to the Regional Final stage, but it is a story from Capricorn Country Club in Queensland that shows the true essence of what the Holden Scramble is all about. Playing with his grandfather Brian and his friends Daniel & Michael, Jack Hock from Gracemere Golf Club hit an ace on the par 3, 133m 15th Hole at Capricorn with his proud grandfather watching over his back.

Not many people could say they played with their grandson, and watched him shoot a hole in one, but

Brian has had that lucky opportunity and cannot wipe the smile off his face.

It seems like its smiles all ‘round on the Scramble front, especially over at Coolah Golf Club in New South Wales, who are extremely thankful for the support of their local community and the commitment of one local member, Randolf Rindfleish who does everything possible to making sure the Coolah Events are a success, this year donating enough prizes for every team to take something home from the Women’s event. A love for the Scramble many others can relate to, it is the friendships made along the road that has participants coming back for more.

And now with the world of Social Media, the scramble is even more accessible to your local community with participants connecting through the Scramble Facebook page to organize teams and Professionals promoting their events through the page. If you would like to be more involved with the Scramble Facebook page contact the PGA National Events team to find out more. •

Entertainer Justin Timberlake will serve as the first-ever team ambassador for the United States during the Ryder Cup this month. In this role, he will appear at the Ryder Cup Gala on Sept.

26 at the Akoo Theatre in Rosemont, Ill., as well as the opening ceremonies on Sept. 27 at host venue Medinah Country Club.

Timberlake, an avid golfer, has hosted the Shriners Hospital for Children Open in Las Vegas since 2008.

“The Ryder Cup is truly a global event, and Justin is a household name internationally,” PGA of America president Allen Wronowski said in a statement. “As someone who is passionate about golf, he’s the perfect fit to be a team ambassador.”

Said Timberlake: “There is no greater stage for the sport than the Ryder Cup, and I’m proud to be an ambassador for the U.S. Ryder Cup team and take part in such a time-honored event. It’s going to be a special week for golf fans around the world.” •

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 NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW

Brewarrina Golf Club 01-Sept-12 Narrandera Golf Club 02-Sept-12 Denman Golf Club 02-Sept-12 Kiama Golf Club 07-Sept-12 Oatlands Golf Club 07-Sept-12 Northbridge Golf Club 08-Sept-12 Cowra Golf Club 08-Sept-12 Worrigee Links Golf Club 09-Sept-12 Dungog Golf Club 09-Sept-12 Gunnedah Golf Club 09-Sept-12 Camden Haven Golf Club 09-Sept-12 New Brighton Golf Club 14-Sept-12 Eden Gardens Country Club 16-Sept-12 Singleton Golf Club 16-Sept-12 Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club16-Sept-12 New Brighton Club 16-Sept-12 Kempsey Golf Club 16-Sept-12 Gold Creek Country Club 19-Sept-12 Georges River Golf Club 19-Sept-12 Beverley Park Golf Club 20-Sept-12 Barnwell Park Golf Course 21-Sept-12 Camden Golf Club 22-Sept-12 Georges River Golf Club 22-Sept-12 Glen Innes Golf Club 23-Sept-12 Scone Golf Club 23-Sept-12 Royal Military College Golf Club 23-Sept-12 Griffith Golf Club 23-Sept-12 Branxton Golf Club 23-Sept-12

* These are the Open Holden Scramble Event dates currently listed for September. For futher event dates please check the Holden Scramble website NSW Morisset Golf Club 26-Sept-12 NSW Eastlake Golf Club 26-Sept-12 NSW Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club 27-Sept-12 NSW Sugar Valley Golf Club 29-Sept-12 NSW Forster-Tuncurry Golf Club 30-Sept-12 NSW Moss Vale Golf Club 30-Sept-12 NSW Leonay Golf Club 30-Sept-12 NSW Waratah Golf Club 30-Sept-12 QLD Lismore Golf Club 01-Sept-12 QLD Coral Cove International Golf Resort 02-Sept-12 QLD Bowen Golf Club 02-Sept-12 QLD Charleville Golf Club 08-Sept-12 QLD Half Moon Bay Golf Club 08-Sept-12 QLD Royal Pines Resort 08-Sept-12 QLD Calliope Country Club 08-Sept-12 QLD Wolston Park Golf Club 09-Sept-12 QLD Casino Golf Club 09-Sept-12 09-Sept-12 QLD Townsville Golf Club QLD Mackay Golf Club 13-Sept-12 QLD North Lakes Golf Club 15-Sept-12 QLD Black Springs Golf Course 15-Sept-12 QLD Cooroy Golf Club 15-Sept-12 QLD Emu Park Golf Club 16-Sept-12 QLD Mareeba Golf Club 16-Sept-12 QLD Paradise Palms Country Club 19-Sept-12 QLD Gold Coast Country Club 22-Sept-12 QLD Capricorn Country Club 23-Sept-12 QLD Mt Coolum Golf Club 23-Sept-12

QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC VIC SA

Brookwater Golf Club Yeppoon Golf Club Logan City Golf Course

27-Sept-12 28-Sept-12 29-Sept-12 Mystic Sands Golf & Country Club 29-Sept-12 El Arish Golf Club 29-Sept-12 Windaroo Lakes Golf Course 29-Sept-12 Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club 02-Sept-12 Bacchus Marsh Golf Club 08-Sept-12 Rich River Golf Club 09-Sept-12 Brighton Public Golf Course 14-Sept-12 Warragul Country Club 15-Sept-12 Wangaratta Golf Club 16-Sept-12 Leongatha Golf Club 16-Sept-12 Eynesbury Golf Club 16-Sept-12 Portsea Golf Club 21-Sept-12 Kilmore Golf Club 22-Sept-12 Yarra Valley Country Club 22-Sept-12 Traralgon Golf Club 23-Sept-12 Safety Beach Country Club 23-Sept-12 Aussie Golf Range 23-Sept-12 Howlong Country Club 23-Sept-12 Horsham Golf Club 23-Sept-12 Moonah Links Resort 28-Sept-12 Pakenham Golf Club 29-Sept-12 Goonawarra Golf Club 29-Sept-12 Murray Downs Golf & Country Club 30-Sept-12 South Pines Golf Club 30-Sept-12 Flagstaff Hill Golf Club 07-Sept-12

SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA SA TAS TAS TAS TAS WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA WA

Tea Tree Gully Golf Club 07-Sept-12 Barmera Golf Club 08-Sept-12 Clare Golf Club 09-Sept-12 Blackwood Golf Club 09-Sept-12 Mt Osmond Golf Club 16-Sept-12 McCracken Country Club 23-Sept-12 Mt Barker Golf Club 23-Sept-12 Links Lady Bay Golf Club 28-Sept-12 Highercombe Golf Club 30-Sept-12 The Vines of Reynella GC 30-Sept-12 Kingston Beach Golf Club 02-Sept-12 Mowbray Golf Club 02-Sept-12 Port Sorell/Thirlstane Golf Club 16-Sept-12 Riverside Golf Club 16-Sept-12 Alice Springs Golf Club 02-Sept-12 Mountain View Sporting Club 02-Sept-12 Pinjarra Golf Club 02-Sept-12 Spalding Park Golf Club 02-Sept-12 Goomalling Golf Club 06-Sept-12 Capel Golf Club 08-Sept-12 Varley Country Club 15-Sept-12 Jerramungup Golf Club 16-Sept-12 Collie Golf Club 16-Sept-12 Sanctuary Golf Resort 30-Sept-12 Royal Fremantle Golf Club 30-Sept-12

QLD QLD VIC VIC VIC

SA SA TAS TAS WA

Riverside Golf Club 06-Sept-12 Lucindale Golf Club 21-Sept-12 Launceston Golf Club 09-Sept-12 Claremont Golf Club 20-Sept-12 Broome Golf Club 02-Sept-12

WA WA WA WA

Gosnells Golf Club 07-Sept-12 Lakelands Country Club 10-Sept-12 Wanneroo Golf Club 11-Sept-12 Royal Fremantle Golf Club 28-Sept-12

WOMEN’S EVENTS NSW NSW NSW NSW QLD

South West Rocks Country Club 11-Sept-12 Gosford Golf Club 20-Sept-12 Kempsey Golf Club 23-Sept-12 Griffith Golf Club 24-Sept-12 Keperra Country Club 13-Sept-12

Royal Pines Resort Maryborough Golf Club Sandhurst Club Warragul Country Club Rich River Golf Club

PGA Events Division on 03 8320 1999 holdenscramble.com

30-Sept-12 30-Sept-12 04-Sept-12 14-Sept-12 30-Sept-12

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

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events

September

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

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.

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 notfor-profit organisation that is dedicated to supporting

Pelican Waters Golf Classic

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.

Women’s Coronation Medal

When: 9th, 10th & 11th September Where: Sunshine Coast Info: dwalsh@golfconcierge.com.au; 07 3857 1030

Where: Ryde-Parramatta and Concord Golf Clubs.

When: 18 September Info: www.golfnsw.org

The Inaugural Pelican Waters Golf Classic offers golfers a unique experience on the Sunshine Coast.

Join golfers from all over Australia for a few days of golf and fun. The competition is a Single Stableford Mixed Event over three days. Entry is open to all male and female golfers with an official golf handicap. All golfers play a 54-hole single stableford event, and can win prizes worth upwards of $5000. Cost is $299 for 3 days and includes 18 holes golf, shared cart, prizes, cocktail party on final day, gift bag, range balls and overall/daily/event prizes. Optional extras include: activities, food, beverage and accommodation. Entries close 1st September 2012.

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

When: Sept-Nov Where: Various courses Info: Kelvin Gilder: 0418 578 419

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

Antill Park

Murray District Masters Pennant

The Murray District Golf Association is pleased to announce that this year will see the commencement of a Pennant Competition specifically for senior male golfers.

It will be played in a 4 Ball Handicap Match Play format and teams will be represented from Thurgoona, Albury, Howlong, Corowa, Wodonga and Yarrawonga.

For players to be eligible they must be over 55 years of age at the beginning of the competition and each Club team will consist of 6 players.

The first match will be on September 14 at Howlong followed by September 21 at Corowa, September 28 at Yarrawonga, October 4 at Thurgoona, October 18 at Albury and culminating in a final on November 2 at a venue to be determined.

COUNTRY GOLF CLUB

10

ip bersh *

em ths M

5

$54 from

Mon

Corporate, Social and Competition golf available Social Clubs welcome seven days Green Fees $29 for 18 holes - $20 for 9 holes (incl drinks voucher)

Equipment sale & hire - electric carts available

Golf lessons on site with PGA Members Full Bar and Recreation facilities on site Children friendly atmosphere in historic homestead location

Golf at Picton

Just minutes from the Hume along Picton Rd

*Conditions apply

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

events

Golf NSW – September Calendar of Events

NSW Sand Greens Championship

When: 20th and 21st October Where: Walcha Golf Club Info: www.golfnsw.org

Event Golf NSW Events

The 2012 Men’s NSW Sand Greens Championship, incorporating the 2012 NSW Junior Boy’s Sand Greens is open to male amateur golfers with a handicap of 27.4 or under, and will be played over two rounds of 18-holes. The Championship includes the popular team’s event whereby teams of three compete, with the two best nett scores each day counting towards the team total.

Online entry is just $70, while all other forms of entry are $80. Entries close: Friday 5 October at 5.00pm. More info: christy.collier@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105.

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. on Arrival, On-course Lunch and canapés at the Prize ceremony.

Women’s NSW Sand Greens Championship When: 20th and 21st October Where: Cobar Bowling & Golf Club Info: www.golfnsw.org The 2012 Women’s NSW Sand Greens Championship is open to female amateur golfers with a handicap, and will be played over 36-holes stroke play in two or three divisions (depending on entries). The Women’s RLGA Jug (handicap teams event) and Women’s SLWGA Bowl (scratch teams event) are played concurrently with the Championship.

Entries are $40 per player. Scratch and nett teams are $5 per team. Entries close: Friday 5 October at 5.00pm. More information: robyn.newey@bigpond.com.

Venue

Women’s Country Meeting Keno NSW Mixed Fourball Championship - State Final Women’s Coronation Medal Women’s Bronze Medallion Boy’s NSW Amateur Championship

Concord GC, Bankstown GC, Carnarvon GC Ryde-Parramatta GC & Concord GC Ryde-Parramatta GC & Concord GC Carnarvon GC & Pymble GC Glenmore Heritage GC

Men’s Vardon Events W.E. Alexander Open Lynwood & Bungool Cups Fox Hills Cup Ashlar Cup Mudgee Cup City of Sydney Amateur

Australian Rotary Health: Golf for a Purpose When: 10th October Where: Kooindah Waters Golf & Spa Resort Info: terrydavies@australianrotaryhealth.org.au; (02) 8837 1900, 0412 229 994 Australian Rotary Health is Australia’s largest nongovernment funding body of mental illness research.

The genesis of Australian Rotary Health in 1981 was the mystery of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The Late Ian Scott, from the Rotary Club of Mornington, established Australian Rotary Health to support research into SIDS. As Australian Rotary Health grew so did the vision of medical research possibilities. Supported by Rotarians Australian wide, Australian Rotary Health was soon in a position to sponsor health research in areas that did not readily attract funding.

The event is a team Ambrose Event (team of 4 players).

Every player shares a cart. The event includes Breakfast

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.

Waratah GC Lynwood GC Fox Hills GC Ashlar GC Mudgee GC Moore Park GC

Date(s) 3,4,6 Sept 18 Sept 18 Sept 21 Sept 25-27 Sept 1-2 Sept 8 Sept 15 Sept 22 Sept 29-30 Sept 29 Sept 1 Oct

Women’s Jean Derrin / Senior Order of Merit Events Ladies South Coast Wollongong GC Championships Cammeray Bowl Cammeray GC Blue Water Classic Shelly Beach GC The Elanora Salver Elanora GC City of Sydney Amateur Moore Park GC

10-13 Sept 16 Sept 16 Sept 24 Sept 29 Sept

Men’s Senior Order of Merit Events Kooindah Waters Seniors Kooindah Waters GC Camden Seniors Camden GC

10 Sept 24 Sept

Pennant and Inter-Club Competitions Warren and Gibson Trophies R5 Warren and Gibson Trophies R6 Warren and Gibson Trophies Elimination Finals

Various Various

9 Sept 16 Sept

Various

23 Sept

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

Condor Financial Partners/ Portsea Senior Pro-Am When: Sunday 7th October Where: Portsea GC Info: www.pga.org.au/australia This event is part of the Patterson Legends Tour which is now in its second year. There are 10 different events played at different courses, mainly on the Peninsula.

Organisers are expecting 50 of the best legends to play in each event. They will split into 25 as playing in an A.M and P.M format.

This allows an opportunity for members to fill the amateur spots in these fields. Some of the names that will be playing are Dean Jones, Lucien Tinkler, Michael Harwood, Simon Owen, Wayne Grady, Rodger Davis, Michael Clayton and others.

Corporate packages are available in the P.M field. This is a perfect opportunity to bring 3 guests to play the afternoon field followed by dinner at the Final Presentations for the Patterson’s Legends Tour. In addition, anyone can also enter in any of the events that make up the Legends Tour; details are available on the PGA website.

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 | September 2012

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events NATADOLA BAY FIJI CLASSIC

Australian Father and Son Open Golf Championship

Where: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa When: 24th–28th October Info: www.golfconcierge.com.au

Australian Masters

When: 15-18 November Where: Kingston Heath Golf Club Info: www.australianmasters.com.au International and Australian golfers will take on the beautiful Kingston Heath sandbelt course in November to claim the famed gold jacket. Defending Champion Ian Poulter will battle for glory, as will Adam Scott and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell. For more information, follow the Masters on Twitter @aussiemasters or Facebook at www.facebook.com/ australianmasters. Tickets: Fox tickets: 1300 111 369 or www.foxtix.com.au

Tee off for Breast Cancer – Ladies Charity Golf Day When: 8th October Where: Kooindah Waters Golf Club Info: www.kooindahwatersgolf.com.au; (02) 4351 0700.

Kooindah Waters Golf Club is holding their annual Tee off for Breast Cancer Ladies Charity Golf Day. The cost to play is just $65 which includes tea and coffee on arrival, golf clinic with Dennise Hutton 18 holes and cart, many on course activities, and prizes and canapés after the event. A donation to the BCIA is also included in the entry fee.

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 Men’s NSW Country Championship

When: 3rd and 4th November Where: Muswellbrook Golf Club Info: www.golfnsw.org

The Championship will be played over 36-holes stroke play, with shotgun starts on both days. The Championship also incorporates the Inter-District Teams Challenge between teams from District Golf Associations throughout NSW. The field is always strong, and features representatives from the NSW Senior, Colts and Junior State Teams, along with talented youngsters and experienced players from the country areas of NSW. The quality of golf across the two days is always of exceptionally high standard.

An added incentive for the winner of the Championship is automatic entry into the 2012 Men’s NSW Open. Online entry is just $70, while all other forms of entry are $80. Entries close: Friday 19 October at 5.00pm.

More info: christy.collier@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105.

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

Australian Rotary Health: Golf For Research When: 23rd November Where: Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club Info: terrydavies@australianrotaryhealth.org.au; (02) 8837 1900, 0412 229 994 Play golf with a purpose and make a difference to health in Australia by supporting much-needed research. Carefully organized and controlled research enables researchers to test and compare different theories and approaches, explore different methods and learn from other people’s experience.

The Golf for Research event is an Ambrose Event (team of 4 players), and every player shares a cart. Included: Coffee on Arrival, On-course Vegetarian/Meat Rolls Buffet Lunch. All money

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

Nelson Bay

$310 per person $265 per person

res@landmarknelsonbay.com.au groups@landmarknelsonbay.com.au www.landmarknelsonbay.com.au 78

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

events raised goes to Australian Rotary Health, Supporting healthier minds, bodies and communities through research, awareness and education.

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

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

3rd Annual ‘Team Chriso’ Cystic Fibrosis Charity Golf Day When: 30th November Where: Leonay Golf Club Info: www.facebook.com/teamchriso Help raise money for Cystic Fibrosis, an inherited genetic disorder in which excessive mucus clogs the lungs and pancreas, causing respiratory and digestive problems. Children with CF develop bacteria that take over their lungs, and makes them work much harder to breathe. The 2010 and 2011 Charity Golf Days raised a total of $36,500, which helped purchase much needed equipment for families battling CF. Organisers expect a massive turnout for this year’s event. Cost is $60 per person, and includes 18 holes of golf and Lunch. For more information, send an email using “Charity Golf Day” as the Subject to: rachelchriso@ymail.com, or phone Rachel at 0413 428 341 or Michael at 0412 304 190.

2013 ACT Centenary Masters Golf Tournament When: 8th-12th April, 2013 Where: Various courses Info: www.actgolf.com.au, www.canberra100.com.au The ACT Centenary Masters Golf Tournament is open to all male and female golfers over the age of 35 who have an official golf handicap. The 72-hole event will be single stableford format with handicap divisions determined by entries with a minimum of two Mens and one Womens division.

Daily prizes in each division to 4th place, nearest the pins for men and women each day and a ball competition each day. Overall prizes for each division to 3rd place.

The event will be played at four of Canberra’s better courses, and

Queensland Sunshine Tour Date SEPTEMBER Wed 5th Fri 7th Sun 9th Mon 10th Thur 13th Fri 14th Sun 16th Mon 17th Wed 19th Thur 20th Fri-Sat 21st-22nd Mon 24th Thur 27th Fri 28th

Tournament

Prize

Ashgrove Oxley McLeod Virginia Brisbane Royal Queensland Lismore Casino Ballina Murwillumbah Yamba Indooroopilly Ipswich Middleridge

$10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $15,000 $30,000 $50,000 $18,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $17,500 $10,000 $10,000 $25,000

OCTOBER Wed 3rd Fri-Sat 5th - 6th Tues 9th

Wantima Hi Lite Howeston

$10,000 $50,000 $11,000

DECEMBER Mon Tues Wed Thurs

Barton’s/BMD Invitation Pro-Am Twin Waters Glades Peter Senior Charity Pro-Am

$25,000 $12,000 $10,000 $20,000

17th 18th 19th 20th

as the weather in Canberra in April is usually very good, the event will surely be a hit. There will be plenty of things for non golf playing partners to do as well.

Cost is $380 per player if booking on-line through MiTournament, and includes four rounds of golf, meals, gift pack and presentation lunch. Early bird special of $350 if booked on MiTournament before January 1st. Paper or emailed entry $390 ($360 early bird before January 1st.) Presentation Lunch only for non golfers: $55.

Accommodation: 23 rooms available at Yowani Country Club for approx $130 per night – first in basis.

Schedule: Monday 8th April - Gold Creek Country Club Tuesday 9th April - Gungahlin Lakes Wednesday 10th April (rest day for sightseeing) Thursday 11th April - Yowani Country Club Friday 12th April - Federal Golf Course

Bag a Bargain

Where else can you get the choice of 2 beautiful courses?

No where else but the Forster Tuncurry golf courses on the majestic mid north coast – less than 3 hours drive from Hornsby.

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

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

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

Bring 20+ players to Pacific Dunes and receive a FREE PREMIUM GOLF BAG. It’s that easy!

Your day includes: ✓ 18 holes of championship golf

RECEIVE A FREE PREMIUM GOLF BAG

$70pp Monday to Thursday

✓ Shared motorised cart hire ✓ Complimentary bucket of range balls

Open to the public 7 days

✓ On course activities

Championship Drive, Medowie

✓ Personalised cart sign

Book Now: 02 4916 0500

✓ Dedicated group golf coordinator

functions@pacificdunesgolf.com.au

✓ 1 x new Titleist stand bag for the group

www.pacificdunesgolf.com.au

www.forstertuncurrygolf.com.au

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

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the 19th hole

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Michael Green ed@insidegolf.com.au

It was a little disconcerting when I was told I could no longer play contact sports. An operation to the head pretty much rules out any future headclashing activities, but it wasn’t like I was playing contact sports anyway. The days of playing AFL were long behind me and I’d ruled out playing on the wing for the Wallabies about 10 years ago.

Unlike AFL, rugby, rugby league and cricket for example, you can be playing golf into your twilight years given a reasonable bill of health, which may give some of us the false impression that our best golf is still ahead of us. With plenty of fairway time on our side, it is only a matter of time before we break the elusive 80 mark, nail that hole-in-one and take out the club medal round. Right?

The problem is, there must come a point in every golfer’s life when one starts to wonder if this is as good as it gets. Is that magnificent 84 that won last month’s Wednesday competition the best score you’ll ever record? Or in my case, is the 76 I’ve now shot on three occasions going to be the number etched on my golfing grave?

I’ve always assumed that my best score is only a temporary one. At some point when the kids are older and when I am afforded the luxury of a couple of games of golf a week, (with the odd bucket of balls thrown in) my personal best will be smashed.

87

70

99

A recent campaign on Twitter asked golfers to change their avatar with an image of their best golf score. It was nice to see a whole load of numbers pop up that obviously ranged from the high 60’s to the low 90’s, but the thought that my number 76 would be my permanent ‘best score’ avatar left me a little disillusioned.

We can all take heart from New Zealand’s greatest golfer of all time, Sir Bob Charles. He recently beat his age by 10 shots. The 76-yearold, former Open Championship winner shot an opening round 66 at a recent European Senior Tour event and said after the round; “I have had some great days in my career, and this is one of them. I felt young again.”

We all felt invigorated by the 59-year-old Tom Watson at the 2009 Open Championship. At the age of 59 Watson defied all expectations, and if not for an unlucky chip and a missed putt on the 72nd hole of the event, he would have been the oldest golfer to ever win a major.

Clearly, we’re not all Tom Watsons but there are plenty of golfers of his age that make up a

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94 76 very large proportion of the golfing community.

Some of the happiest, most easy-going golfers I’ve ever met on course have been the more senior members of the golf club. The majority are well aware that their best is behind them yet these guys turn out to play every week, hitting the ball shorter and straighter with each passing month. These guys aren’t there to beat their best, of course, but to simply play the game.

Like them, and likely most of you, I play golf for nothing other than the joy of it. But winning a comp, watching the handicap descend and shooting good scores are all icing on the golfing cake. Part of me still loves the game because I assume that one day in the future I’ll be better than I am now and I’ll eventually crack the 76 mark. I’d go so far to say that I’ll still believe I can do it when I’m the ripe old age of 76. • 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

1. What format is used in the Ryder Cup played between Europe and America?

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4. What club will host the 2012 Ryder Cup? 5. In what year did the first Ryder Cup take place – 1927, 1937 or 1947?

6. American team captain Jack Nicklaus led his team to defeat at his signature US course, Muirfield Village, in 1987 – true or false?

7. How did the Ryder Cup get its name?

8. The first Ryder Cup contest was between the Americans and Great Britain and Ireland – true or false?

9. During the 1991 Ryder Cup, who said: “I can tell you we’re not trying to cheat.” Was it Seve Ballesteros, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Paul Azinger or Jim Furyk?

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Paul Azinger said that to Seve Ballesteros who replied: “Oh no. Breaking the rules and cheating are two different things.”

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

the 19th hole

A ‘winning’ swing vs a ‘pretty’ swing Andrew McKenzie ed@insidegolf.com.au

Ask someone who has the best swing in golf and you’ll likely get an answer that comes from a long list of clones. Players whose swings look like they came from a golfing textbook—like Schwartzel, Scott and Donald— will probably be among them. But if you ask someone who has their ‘favourite’ golf swing, there’s a good chance you’ll get a different answer. You may get names like Couples, Garcia, (Bubba) Watson or even Furyk.

If you were standing on the driving range at a current tour event, you might think you were watching the same player wearing different shirts. The modern golfer is a well-tuned machine with a golf swing to match. The number of charismatic individual swings on tour these days is decreasing rapidly and from a spectator’s point of view I think that’s a shame.

Gone are the days of the unique, self-taught flamboyant stylists. Players that grew up learning the game for themselves. Theses guys had to conjure up their own way to get the job done. Their style was often a reflection of the environment they grew up in, the influences around them and their personality. I would have loved to watch a three ball of, say, Palmer, Nicklaus and Trevino, simply for the contrasting styles.

The modern-day golfer is usually moulded from a very young age. In Australia, for example, if you are showing early promise, there are numerous institutes of sport and other programs

to nurture your talent. With swing analysis and cutting-edge technology you will likely leave the program as another textbook graduate clone.

I certainly don’t begrudge players for going down this path, in fact I strongly advise it. For all of us mere mortals reading this, imagine if you woke up tomorrow morning suddenly blessed with all the talent in the world. My advice to you would be to get straight on the phone, find yourself a high-profile coach and get down to the range with your video camera. In the modern era, it is your best chance for success.

My old coach Alex Mercer used to say to me, “Do you want to look good or do you want to win tournaments?” he was referring to over-analysing things or being nit-picky. It is definitely possible to get in your own way and hinder your progress by trying too hard to have perfect technique. I’ve played with a bunch of guys out there who have near-perfect swings. Some have never won a tournament and some of them never will. Remember, the goal isn’t to have the perfect swing: it’s to shoot the lowest score.

One of Mercer’s principals was “no two players will have the same swing”. Whilst it is important for all players to have good fundamentals (grip, stance posture, etc,) the rest of the swing should be your own. Each player has his or her own little idiosyncrasies, style and build.

Alex should know; his star pupil, after all, was the man many consider to have the best swing in golf: Steve Elkington. Butch Harmon was once asked whom he thought had the best swing in golf. His answer was ‘Tiger’s is the soundest swing out there, Elk’s is the prettiest”.

In 1998, Tour players voted Elkington’s swing as the best swing of their generation.

Winning players like Craig Parry don’t have textbook swings, so why should you?

The thing I like most about Elkington’s swing is that whilst it is so good technically, it is still natural. It doesn’t look like he is forcing the club to go anywhere. It is a simple, compact and elegant move and it is little wonder that it was the envy of his peers.

The key to playing well is to develop a swing that is trustworthy and reliable, a natural swing that you can repeat easily and that won’t desert you under pressure.

Johnny Miller once came under fire when he said that Craig Parry’s swing “reminded him of a 15-handicapper in a Pro-am”, and that “if Ben Hogan saw it, he would puke”. What is most amusing about the comment is that it was during the same tournament that Parry went on to win in a playoff, holing out with a 6-iron from 160 metres on the first extra hole.

We certainly don’t need Miller’s ‘expert’ analysis to point out that Parry’s swing isn’t

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the most graceful on tour. But if it were you holding the trophy and banking the winner’s cheque, would you really care what Johnny Miller thought of your swing?

The key to Parry’s success over the years is his ability to replicate the same swing. He can repeat it time and time again, producing the same ball flight. What good is a nice swing if you cannot control your shape or trajectory?

Perhaps it is enjoyable for your playing partners to admire your graceful and elegant action on the tee, but don’t expect them to volunteer to trudge off into the trees and help you look for your ball.

So who has my ‘favourite’ swing? Right now, I love watching McIlroy. I think he falls somewhere in the middle—a great technique for sure, but he also possesses an awesome dynamic and athletic move through the ball. His youthful exuberance and aggression accompanied by a slight air of vulnerability makes him exciting to watch.

It’s nice to have good technique, and it will improve your chances of success, but don’t be obsessive. There’s no need to put yourself through any unwarranted stress for the sake of looking good. Don’t critique every position and every minute detail of your swing.

If you want to critique something then make it your ball flight. Once you are able to repeatedly produce the trajectory and shape you want, then I implore you to stick with it and not to tamper. I am sure it will result in happier and less stressful times on the course. “Remember that golf is a game, not a science.” • Andrew Mckenzie is a tour professional whose victories include The Samsung Benest Open and The Korean PGA.

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mailbox

Letter of the Month

Daughter and mother a winning combination Bob Sailor

ed@insidegolf.com.au

Support Scotty In what could be called a true “gene pool” of ability, the first and only “Daughter & Mother” winning combination registered at Surfers Paradise Golf Club, was recently accomplished when Amy Harding won the 2012 Associates Club Championship, and her mother Velma won the “Low Net” award. Both ladies competed in the A grade competition.

As the overall A Grade Champion, Amy’s 312 total score over the four-round tournament was considered to be excellent considering the unfavourable conditions of rain and wind during the four days of competition.

Like all mothers tend to do, Amy’s mother was supportive of her daughter’s play, but still did her best to keep up with her daughter’s scoring. Mother Velma’s reward was winning the A Grade Low Net with a score of 302 while playing off of a 10 handicap.

Adam Scott is a champion golfer and a champion person. Yes, he got nervous trying to win his first major at this year’s British Open, but near-success doesn’t mean failure.

He came second. Like he did at the Masters with Jason Day. Coming second in a major translates to coming second in the world.

It’s a pretty impressive achievement that very few people attain. Instead of praising his sixty-eight holes of glorious golf, the media honed-in on his knee-knocking last four holes. Adam Scott is such a dignified human being who should have been shown more respect. Many of his fellow players

Amy, who plays off of a 2 handicap, has little time to practice due to her studies at University which occupies most of her time. Working part time in the hospitality industry, while taking a full load of university courses does not give a player much time to work on golfing skills, but Amy seems to accomplish all three with excellent results.

When asked about the success of his daughter and wife in the tournament, Ross Harding simply replied “those golfing genes must have come from my wife’s side of the family.” •

Charging (for) your buggies

Links laughs: “I don’t think my wife would like it” A golfer accidentally overturned his cart.

Elizabeth, a lady professional who lived in a villa on the golf course heard the noise and yelled over to him.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“I seem to be,” he replied.

“Well, why don’t you come to my villa, rest a while and I’ll help you get the cart up later.”

“That’s mighty nice of you,” he answered, “but I don’t think my wife would like it.”

“Aw come on,” she insisted.

She was extremely pretty and very persuasive.

“Well, okay,” he finally agreed. Then added, “but my wife isn’t going to like it.”

After a strong drink, a neck massage and some personalised putting lessons, he thanked his host and headed toward the door. “I feel a lot better now, but I know my wife is going to be upset.”

“Don’t be foolish!” Elizabeth said with a smile, “she won’t know anything. By the way, where is she?”

“Under the cart,” he said

There is a major problem brewing within the golf industry. Clubs are charging players to use their own buggies, whether electric or motorised carts etc.

A member from the Pinerivers Golf Club took his case to the Anti Discrimination tribunal and won, they appealed and he won again.

The ruling given was that the clubs cannot discriminate against a player that requires an aid or implement to participate in the playing of sport (must hold a medical certificate) Several clubs have been informed of this ruling but they still charge $10.00 for that player to bring and use their own buggy. If the player holds a medical certificate and is charged, then that player can inform the A.D. that they were charged and legal action can be taken against the club.

Also the clubs may not be aware that when you charge the player who uses their buggy, that the club is now held responsible insurance-wise

were quick to say that Scotty would soon be back holding a trophy aloft. He is certainly a deserving champion and a MAJOR player on the world circuit. Let’s support his talent and not criticise him so unrelentingly. He has done a lot for golf in this country and always encourages young players. Scott also has performed extensive charity work.

He’s a good bloke!

Kevin Nathaniel, Riverview NSW

for any damage caused to property or persons, as the charge now forms a contract with the club whilst that member is using the implement on their course.

Golf Qld is aware of this ruling but again they walk away from sending information out to clubs.

This all relates to boards and committees who are not aware or not prepared to listen, when given information about these matters.

They are more concerned about making money, they should listen on occasions or finish up in court.

P.S. The gentleman who won the case is Mr Trevour Hawkins from Pinerivers Golf Club. Not only did he win but the club had to provide a parking bay near the clubhouse with a handicap sign painted on the ground.

Anthony Foran, President, Woodford Veterans.

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September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

mailbox Missed it by that much Yet another Aussie almost at a major. It’s times like this that you thank free-to-air TV stations for sparing those of us who chose not to subscribe to Foxtel the pain of getting up at some ungodly hour of the night only to witness our current major aspirant stumble. My sympathies are with all of Adam’s other fans and especially all of those who had to sit through the agony of watching his certain victory slip away, right down to the last crucial putt to force a playoff.

You have to acknowledge the tenacity of that old warhorse Ernie Els, though. To overcome an initial 6-stroke deficit and steal the limelight when very few were even able to get close to “Old Man Par” shows the value of experience on a difficult golf course on a major’s final day.

After all those years of seeing similar results with Greg Norman as leader after 54 holes I should be inured to disappointment, but optimism doesn’t die easily. I’ve come away from this one totally convinced that Adam Scott will win a major in the near future. I just hope that it is the Masters, as it is one Major that will be broadcast on free-to-air.

Bob M

I’m sure there are many more of us out there who are cashed up and would rather spend it playing on amazing courses than spend it on Foxtel and useless coverage of events like the recent London Olympics.

Golf is an ageless sport that doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

The Roc, via email

Not happy I am another disappointed golf fan who searched in vain for FTA coverage of the US Open and The Open golf championships. Your article (Starter’s Box, August) was enlightening and clarified why these events were not on FTA. I don’t have any brilliant ideas but I did find the late night highlights package of one hour covering Day 4 of the Open was better than nothing at all. While it didn’t give a shot-byshot coverage of Adam Scott over the last four holes, it did show enough to understand the couple of mistakes he made that cost him the Championship. At least it wasn’t a meltdown of Greg Norman proportions at The Masters in 1996.

Stan Conner, via email

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Watching and waiting

What these TV executives/cronies/advertisers don’t realise is that while many don’t think golf is an entertaining sport to watch, it is enjoyed (and played) by many: the “who’s who”, the wealthy, the middle class and even the lower class. The golfing industry props up many towns and cities in revenue and yet we get nothing in return via free to air commitment.

I am 48 and would much rather watch a golfing event than the pathetic reality shows which are designed to earn the networks money through social media responses like texting, Twitter and Facebook commentary, or to manufacture winners on such shows as X Factor or Dancing with the Stars.

Regarding your report on the current state of the handicapping/Slope (see it on www. insidegolf.com.au): Golf Australia expect the “new” system to be fully operating in “the latter part of 2013”!!?? I find that truly amazing, and at what cost??

Given that over 90% of club golfers rarely play outside of their home club, in 60 years of golf I have yet to see a better system than club-byclub in-house handicapping, applying voluntary effort with plain common sense.

I will watch and wait (and wait some more) with interest, and be prepared to stand corrected.

Doug Perry, Mt Martha

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New competition needed The relatively poor performance of the International Team in the President’s Cup can be attributed to two factors. Firstly, lack of competition. The US Team has both the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup, so every year they have a team matchplay event. What does the International Team do when the Ryder Cup is played—besides watching it on TV like everyone else?

Secondly, there are the cultural barriers inherent in the make-up of the International Team. Do you think that the US or the European teams need interpreters as much as the International Team?

The easy solution is to split the International Team into two: Northern hemisphere/Asia and Southern hemisphere/Rest of the World. The teams would play against each other in a three year cycle.

ADVANTAGES: 1. Two events each and every year, with proceeds going to charities; 2. Current history of the Ryder and Presidents Cup maintained; 3. Recognition of the future boom of golf in Asian/China/South America; 4.

An Ashes series could be incorporated or be an add-on event when the Internationals play the Europeans; and 5. A home and away series means that the top players from the US and European tours continue to play around the globe.

DISADVANTAGES: 1. Too much team matchplay being played; 2. Reduction of tournament golf; and 3. The possibility of a proper World Tour.

Seems that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages.

Stephen Chow, via email

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83

last word

Chokes, chops and chiko rolls Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

Dare I say the term “Choke?” No! Adam Scott handled his four-hole demise at the British Open with such class, grace and optimism, I don’t want to even whisper the expression. In fact, I hate the term with a passion. Partly because I have so much respect for Adam Scott (and, for that matter, Ernie Els who spoke so highly about his good friend Adam and the ...mishap) but also since I have taken the gas more times than Jacques Cousteau did during his entire National Geographic career.

If I was anywhere on the leaderboard after a few rounds, my group would consist of the usual–rules official, scorer, a gallery (if I had drawn someone important) and a St John Ambulance bloke carrying an oxygen cylinder. And let me tell you, I wouldn’t be the only person in the group gasping. After a couple of holes, the spectators unfortunate enough to be downwind or standing behind me when I bent over to tee my ball up would be in desperate need of some fresh air, if you get my drift. You know how commentators refer to a player dropping one on the 10th, 12th etc? By the time I had teed off the first I would have dropped at least five!

I’m not the only player to suffer from “sphincter twitching syndrome”. Before I go any further, can anyone explain to me how this

particular part of your anatomy can be aware of what’s going on in your brain? Does it have a brain of its own? It must be like when the captain of a submarine shouts orders down that pipe to the poor blokes in the bowls of the vessel. You know, stuff like, “All ahead full” or “secure rear bilges”, which I guess would be followed by something like “Now rig for silent running”. Then suddenly there’s a bloody mutiny and the angry dudes that have been tucked away in the engine room and haven’t seen the sun for god knows how long take

over and it’s “Blow all ballasts!”

I had a mate who suffered an internal mutiny once on the first hole of a national tournament.

For the sake of his reputation (and my personal safety) I’ll simply refer to him as Poo Poo Pants.

As luck would have it, Poo Poo Pants was in the first group of a well-known tournament when on the first hole experienced that feeling we all dread. That’s the one when you have to shuffle along like a Geisha Girl at great speed to the nearest bush. With a bit of MacGyver-like resourcefulness, Poo Poo managed to fashion

something resembling underwear out of his complimentary tournament towel. The only problem was, the whole exercise was witnessed by a small family that had come to watch the golf. The last thing Poo saw was the mother covering her little boy’s eyes while scurrying off in the opposite direction.

In fact, let’s banish anything resembling the expression “Choke.” Even words like “Chuck”, which reminds me too much of my pre-round, post-breakfast routine. It shouldn’t be difficult to eradicate the word “Chuck” (after all, the Sri Lankan Cricket team had no problems at all).

“Chop” is another that can go. It sums up how I played under pressure and also an exotic morsel of meat from a sheep I still can’t afford because of my lack of nerve. “Chump”... gone as well. Reminds me too much of “Chop”.

“Chiko”—one of the few types of food I could afford due to the size of my prize money cheques – out it goes too.

(Editor’s note: Larry, what about “Chunk”?

After watching you hit the ball recently, I would think this word would be at the top of your mind!)

On a serious note, Adam Scott is a very nice young bloke. Despite living on a planet which has absolutely no relevance to the same one I reside on, he is one of the most polite and courteous high-profile sportsman I’ve ever met.

When we in the media centre clamber around him for a quote, he doesn’t suddenly hide behind a manager or 6-foot-6 security bloke who is dying to rearrange your facial features.

The one word resembling choke I want to keep in the McLarry Golf Dictionary is “Champ”. And when you look up this word, there will be a photo of Adam Scott. •

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View Demo Days on our website: www.insidegolf.com.au/demo-days-australia/ Ping Ph: (02) 9524 8233 or visit www.ping.com Location

Day

New South Wales Bonnie Doon Golf Club* Wednesday St Michaels Golf Club* Thursday Moss Vale Golf Club* Friday Toukley Golf club* Saturday Drummond Golf Warrawong* Monday Charlestown Golf Club* Tuesday Shortland Waters Golf Club* Wednesday Avondale Golf club* Thursday Thornliegh Golf Centre Thursday Morrisett Golf Club* Friday Queensland Victoria Park Golf Complex* Tuesday Brisbane Golf Club * Wednesday Royal Queensland * Thursday Pelican Waters Tuesday Caloundra * Tuesday Parkwood Thursday Virginia Friday Sanctuary Cove ** Saturday Palm Meadows Friday Pacific Golf Club * Saturday Victoria Warragul Country Club* Saturday Kooringal Golf Club* Tuesday Yering Meadows* Wednesday Melbourne Golf Academy Wednesday Portarlington Golf Club* Thursday Lonsdale Golf Club* Friday Barwon Heads Golf Club* Saturday Barham Golf Club Saturday Medway Golf Club* Monday Commonwealth Golf Club* Tuesday Long Island Country Club* Thursday Yarra Bend Golf Driving Range Thursday Kew Golf Club* Friday Curlewis Golf Club* Saturday HOG Ringwood* Tuesday Metropolitan Golf Club* Wednesday Sandringham Golf Range Wednesday Barwon Valley Golf Club* Thursday Sorrento Golf Club* Friday Ranfurlie Golf Club* Saturday Wodonga Golf Club* Tuesday Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club* Wednesday Rich River Golf Club* Thursday South Australia Tea Tree Gully Golf Club Thursday Barossa Valley Golf Club Saturday

Callaway RAZr FIT power hours Date September 19 September 20 September 21 September 21 September 24 September 25 September 26 September 27 September 27 September 28

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

September 04 September 05 September 06 September 11 September 11 September 13 September 14 September 22 September 28 September 29

5:30 - 7:30pm 9am - 1pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 12pm 2 - 5pm 2 - 5pm 2 - 5pm 9am - 12:30pm 1 - 5pm 9am - 1pm

September 01 September 04 September 05 September 05 September 06 September 07 September 08 September 08 September 10 September 11 September 13 September 13 September 14 September 15 September 18 September 19 September 19 September 20 September 21 September 22 September 25 September 26 September 27

10am -2pm 1pm - 1700 10am - pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2:30pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 5 - 8pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 1pm - 5pm 10am - 2pm 5 - 7pm 3 - 6pm 12 - 4pm 10am - 2pm 5 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 3pm

September 20 September 22

10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm

Location

Day

www.callawaygolf.com

Date

Time

New South Wales Thornleigh Golf Centre* ‡

Monday

September 03

5 - 7:30pm

Charlestown Golf Club* ‡ Tuesday

September 04

1 - 4pm

Toukley Golf Club* ‡

Wednesday

September 05

10am - 2pm

Sydney Olympic Park Driving Range †

Wednesday

September 05

4:30 - 7:30pm

Muree Golf Club* ‡ Thursday

September 06

12 - 3pm

Cumberland Golf Club* ‡

Friday

September 09

1 - 5pm

Beverley Park Golf Club* ‡

Wednesday

September 12

9am - 1pm

Powergolf Alexandria* ‡ Thursday

September 13

4 - 8pm

Wollongong Golf Club* ‡

Friday

September 14

10am - 2pm

Queanbeyan Golf Club* ‡

Monday

September 17

1 - 5pm

Long Reef Golf Club* ‡ Queensland

Wednesday

September 19

8:30am - 1pm

Victoria Park Golf Complex† Tuesday

September 04

5 - 7pm

Parkwood International Golf Course† Thursday

September 13

4 - 7pm

Palm Meadows Golf Range†

Friday

September 28

2 - 5pm

Grafton Golf Club* ‡

Wednesday

September 26

1 - 5pm

Bonville Golf Resort* ‡ Thursday

September 27

1 - 5pm

Coffs Harbour Golf Club* ‡ Victoria

September 28

9:30am - 1:30pm

Riverside Golf and Tennis Ascot Vale * ‡ Thursday

September 06

3 - 7pm

Melbourne Golf Academy †

Wednesday

September 09

4 - 7pm

Albert Park†

Wednesday

September 12

4 - 7pm

Morack Public Golf Course* ‡ Thursday

September 13

3 - 6pm

Riversdale Golf Club* ‡

Friday

September 14

10am - 1pm

The Heritage Golf & Country Club * ‡

Saturday

September 15

10am - 2pm

Wodonga Country Club * ‡ Tuesday

September 18

11am - 3pm

Sandringham Driving Range† Tuesday

September 19

4 - 7pm

Tocumwal Golf Club* ‡ Tuesday

September 19

9:30am - 1:30pm

Flinders Golf Club* ‡ Thursday

September 20

10am - 2pm

Sorrento Golf Club* ‡

Friday

September 21

12 - 4pm

Melton Driving Range* ‡

Wednesday

September 26

3 - 7pm

Yarra Bend† Thursday

September 27

4 - 7pm

Golf City Ballarat* ‡ Thursday

September 27

3 - 7pm

Horsham Golf Club* ‡

September 28

10am-3pm

Friday

Friday

* 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

The Home of the Cool Brands

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

479

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 | September 2012

85

golf directory

Golfing Caddy™

Benalla Golf Club

pp $185 From share n twi week mid

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

Three Day / Two Night Golf Package • • • •

Includes: Unlimited golf, two nights accommodation, breakfast each morning, 2 x evening meals (vouchers up to the value of $20) Fully Irigated Greens & Fairways Full Bar & Bistro Facilities Abundant Wildlife including Kangaroos Courtesy Bus Available

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

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

BA NK STOWN GOL F CLUB

Play anytime - No waiting

MEMBERSHIPS NOW OPEN

Howeston Golf Course Enquiries welcome

$

16 Weekdays

20 Weekends & Public Holidays *

$

100A Creek Road, Birkdale, Qld | Phone (07) 3207-2452

Bellbird Hotel Traditional Hunter Hospitality

New Sunday/Public holiday memberships only $1220, great value. Only $23.50 per week, competition fees only $6, pay by the month plans available.

*prices include GST

Established 1972 • Full length 27-hole course • Excellent greens • Professional tuition available • Clubs for hire • Open seven days - BYO • Electric golf carts available

Phone (02) 9773 0628 Enquiries: info@bankstowngolf.com.au

Our ‘Rain Check’ Guarantee*.

Gol Pack f Spec age ialists

If you can’t play because of rain, www.tocumwalgolf.com.au we give you P. 03 5874 9111 replacement rounds FREE! 36 Hole Championship Course with great greens, *Applies to ‘TGC friendly staff and a easy 3hr drive from Melbourne. Golf Packages’ Only.

Take the Drive!

ASQUITH GOLF CLUB Situated just North of Hornsby on the beautiful North Shore of Sydney

Golf packages starting from $99pp

NO JOINING FEE SAVE $500 Plus, if you take up this offer, you will receive a

Golf • Accommodation • Continental breakfast Group bookings of 10 or more welcome, packages start from $140pp

Visit us at www.bellbirdhotel.com.au or call us on (02) 4990 1094

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

$50 Asquith Pro Shop voucher.

Asquith Golf Club Limited Lord Street MT COLAH NSW 2079 Phone: 9477 1266, email: office@asquithgolfclub.com.au Website: www.asquithgolfclub.com.au

*offer available for a limited time

Cobram-Barooga Golf View Motel Special play & Stay packageS on courSe • 2 Nights’ Accommodation • 2 Rounds of unlimited Golf (subject to availability) • Continental Breakfast each morning (cooked upgrade $8pp per day) • Meal Vouchers for the Sports Club

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

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

$175pp Quad Share

We specialise in Group Bookings Let us organise your next Golfing Getaway With the people who know

Biondi Crescent, Beerwah

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

Ph: (07) 5494 0630 Golf Shop (07) 5494 6611 86

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 GOLF 00

$200pp

tWin 179 Golf Course Road SH are Barooga, NSW Australia, 3644 FreeCall 1800 557 192 or Fax +61 5873 4556 www.baroogagolfview.com.au | julie@baroogagolfview.com.au

golf directory

‘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

LADIES MEMBERSHIP OPEN

Yamba Golf & Country Club features an 18 hole championship golf course, located right in the heart of Yamba.

No Nomination Fee (Save $440)

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

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

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

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

THREE COURSE SPECIAL

Only $290

Mossman, Mirage & Sea Temple Includes Carts, Fees & Transfers

*

TWO COURSE SPECIAL

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

bersh em

MOSSMAN

$220

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

Clubs and other packages available on request.

*Conditions apply

www.casinogolfclub.com.au

IN

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

AY

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

A ROU

PA

ND

ila ble

E

A

va

Only $49

Includes Fees & Transfers

I

S

fro m

ips

M

*

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

Only $195

Mossman & Sea Temple Includes Carts, Fees & Transfers

PL

Play & Stay for $120

(Price based on 2 person share. +$30 single person supplement)

RAD

w w w. p o r t d o u g l a s g o l f t o u r s . c o m . a u

For advertising call 1300 GOLF 00

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2012

87

golf directory

OUTLASTS ANY OTHER GLOVE

Play Australia’s Finest Sandbelt Courses • 6 nights accommodation From • Green fees on 5 golf courses (Cape Schanck, Devil Bend, Eagle Ridge Golf Course, Flinders Golf Club, Moonah Links, Mornington Golf Club, Portsea Golf Club, Rosebud Country Club, Sorrento Golf Club, The Dunes Golf Links, The National Golf Club, St Andrews, Mornington Peninsula) • Cooked or Continental breakfast included • Foxtel in all units per person per night* • Rosebud House also available to hire

99

$

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

ROSEBUD MOTEL

1869 Point Nepean Rd Rosebud West VIC, 3941

$2495

(CSIRO tested and proven)

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

+P&H

• 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

each

$3495 +P&H pair

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

›› Hole Out

Spectacular

Sapphire Coast Merimbula

SAPPHIRE COAST GOLF SCHOOL

Mike McGuire & Yumi Yoshida

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

1-7 Oceanview Ave, Merimbula NSW P: M: E: W:

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

• 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

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

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

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.

Let us organise your Gold Coast golf tours Hassle Free

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.

WWW.TEED-UP.COM 88

September 2012 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 GOLF 00

TOURS TO SUIT EVERY NE

Let us organise your golf packages including airport & course transfers.

Individual/ groups & nonplaying partners catered for.

1300 26 20 55 | www.golfaccom.com.au info@golfaccom.com.au

to visit Yarra Bend’s new golf range

1

Buy $100 range ball card & receive a bonus $50 FREE. Buy $200 range ball card & receive a bonus $100 FREE. *Valid first 50 customers

2

cu s

to me

this September

rs

3 great reasons

M at tentio rec he p n th Lageive a ro-sh is ad ho er* w free op to Le r ith cro oun w y d o our 1 n fg 8 oLf lid *Va

$99 Beginner Clinics.

5 x 1 hour classes, maximum 8 people/class Day & evening, midweek & weekend classes available

3

BannLynch Golf – Australia’s best coaches

to

50

ALL GoLF CLuB mEmBERs... show your membership card and receive:

20% Bonus on your range

ball card purchase

*Limited to $200 in any single transaction

Fine-tune your game • Yarra Bend – home to BannLynch Golf, Australia’s leading golf coaches to stars including Geoff ogilvy, Aaron Baddeley, KJ Choi, stuart Appleby, marc Leishman and many more...

• World leading ‘in-lesson’ technology & professional club-fitting • Private & group lessons, on-course instruction

“Come and enjoy Yarra Bend Golf ... a place for all the family” James Tomkins 6 time Olympian, golf enthusiast, & Yarra Bend Golf patron

the Beau

Vernon appeal Golf Day 2012

Play with some of Australia’s best know sporting identities and celebrities. Join Yarra Bend & BannLynch Golf in our efforts to raise significant much needed funds.

WEDnEsDAY 19 sEpTEmBER 2012

Yarra Bend Golf Course. www.yarrabendgolf.com In late June, 23 year old Beau Vernon suffered a severe quadriplegia injury playing for Leongatha Football Club. 100% of proceeds from the Golf Day will go to the “Beau Vernon Fund”.

EnTER ToDAY

ACCOUNTS AVAILABLE TO GOLF CLUBS

GOLF FACTORY PENRITH 269 High St, Penrith (near Officeworks)

Srixon Distance Balls

Cleveland CG-16 Irons

Distance ball with great feel

7 Irons 4 - PW

$156

Individually boxed balls

TaylorMade Penta TP5 Balls

Callaway Tour Umbrella

5 piece urethane cover

$33

Srixon Z-Star X Balls

$50

Callaway Tour I Z and S Balls

$49

$29 $149

$79

TaylorMade XD balls

doz

TaylorMade RBZ + R11 Sale Best Prices Including or excluding TaylorMade Promotions (02) 4722 8640 Ends 30th September 2012 Callaway 2 year Waterproof shoe

Distance ball with great feel

$168

Black or white

$129

$69

US Sizes: 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 11, 11.5, 12

Cleveland Cart Plus 14 Way Bag

Each (+ Postage)

BRIDGESTONE WEDGES 52º Gap 56º & 54º Sand 60º Lob Right Hand only

$119

$69

Callaway Tour Caps

Zip grooves

Cleveland HB3 Iron/Hybrid $29

$14

Each (+ Postage)

HALF PRICE! Ladies graphite 5,6,7,8,9 and PW Right hand only

$29

Tour Quality Balls

$299 Includes 6 covers

doz

Cleveland FL Fairway 7 Metalwood 22º loft Men’s & Ladies Other variations available

$189

$89

Includes cover

ALL WEATHER GLOVES Tour Special by SRIXON

5 FOR

Mens or Ladies, Left or Right White or Black Ladies - S, M, L Mens - S, M, ML, L, XL

$45

INC. POSTAGE ANYWHERE IN AUST

Eagles & Birdies 14 way bag SAVE $50

West Coast Design

$179

$179

144 individually boxed balls

Includes cover

$99

Legs pop out Rainhood 2.8kg Dual Strap Black or Red

Black, White or Navy Adjustable 100% Cotton

Precept Laddie X Balls

$40 Urethane cover 3 Piece Tour Quality ball

Srixon Carry Bag

per dozen

$30 for 24 individually boxed balls

$69

doz

Cleveland CG-16 Wedges

Cooler Pocket Putter holder Full length dividers Black/blue, black/red, black

Mens or Ladies Soft Feel or AD333 144 Balls for $216

Stiff or regular

68” Large Fibreglass shaft Dual canopy Automatic pop-up

$49

Great for golf ball competitions Bulk qty 144 balls ($14 a doz) Individually boxed

$18

CLEARANCE

$369

Half Price

(02) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 7 Days

Srixon Ball Sale

144 balls ($13/dozen) Individually boxed

Great value Lob, Sand, Gap & Pitching wedges Right & Left hand

Narellan Supa Centre, Narellan Rd

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

(02) 4722 8640 - Mail Order - 7 Days

Great for ball competitions Bulk Qty

GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN

14 Full length dividers Cooler Pocket Putter Holder Black/Blue and straight Black

$155 Medalist 3.75kg

SRIXON Z-STAR Fairway Metalwood Removable head 5 wood Graphite regular or stiff Adjustable head Includes wrench & cover

$299

$89