Inside Golf September 2013

Australia’s

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Read

Golf

M aga z i n e

InsideGolf www.insidegolf.com.au // Issue 98 September 2013

*ESCAPING

THE ROUGH How do top Tour players deal with slumps?

ON TOUR

Wayne Perske back in the saddle

TOP TIPS

What is the best putting stroke for YOU? Hank Haney’s 3 keys to good golf

&

GOLF TRAVEL We explore Toowoomba & the Darling Downs PLUS the Mornington Peninsula

PLUS Expanded Junior Golf section

Karrie

Webb

Is she Australia’s greatest sportsperson of all time?

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starter’s box

The private to public conversion...is it imminent?

Richard Fellner ed@insidegolf.com.au

Over the last few months, I’ve received a heap of emails from readers regarding my columns on Club Memberships, Social Golf and the like. While the emails have been almost overwhelmingly positive (Thanks!), there have been some which have stated that articles like “Is your club Anti-Social” are missing (or ignoring) important viewpoints.

By far, the most common argument I hear from club members is that social golfers (for example) should not be able to just come to a private club and make use of the clubhouse and facilities which were painstakingly paid for (and built) by the members.

It’s an understandable viewpoint.

Members have poured their blood, sweat and tears (and considerable money) into building their clubs and facilities. So they have a fair amount of pride of ownership, and can justifiably feel threatened when a non-member just waltzes in to enjoy the fruits of the members’ labour.

But what many of these members fail to realise is that today’s golfer sees golf MUCH differently than golfers of the past. And if you ignore that fact, things will only get more difficult.

In general, the modern golfer sees a course as a “facility” to be hired for the day. Like the neighbourhood tennis court, your local gymnasium, swimming pool or even a movie theatre. It doesn’t matter who built the facility, or when it was constructed or how much it cost. It only matters that it is there, open and in good condition. If your facility isn’t up to scratch (or open to non-members), they will find another one that is. Plain and simple.

To put it another way, consider the MCG. Originally built in the 1800’s for cricket (and ONLY for cricket), economics of the 1900’s soon dictated that it be opened up for other uses. Its long-term future is now dependent upon things like AFL , concerts and other “users” of the facility.

Were the original members of the Melbourne Cricket Club worried that their grand stadium was going to be opened up to things like footy? Sure, in so much that there was a concern that there would be damage to the turf, etc.

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

(in much the same way that a guest golfer at your club might make a divot, or fail to repair a pitch mark, etc).

Now, yes, golf is different than cricket.

And yes, there are golfers that are looking for camaraderie, social interaction and friendly members, etc. That shouldn’t be ignored, especially if it is your club’s point of difference. But understand that today’s “Social Network” has a different definition. It isn’t found in a Member’s Lounge, but rather online (via Facebook, Twitter, etc), so the majority of Generation Y (and Z, and all the others that your club should be working hard to attract), don’t usually need a golf club for anything more than a round of golf. If they want to play, they are likely to bring their own mates (Welcome to our golf club... BYOM.) If you need further proof of the trends in golfers’ preferences, then let’s look across the pond to the U.S., which is often used as a predictor of future trends here in Australia.

In 2008, the National Golf Foundation in the US published a report, “The future of private clubs in America”, which uncovered some trends that are eerily similar to what is currently happening here in Australia.

For instance, golf courses in the US are experiencing increasing levels of “Private to Public conversion”: “While the total number of clubs has remained relatively constant over the past several decades, there has been considerable conversion activity. And, while many clubs have faced severe challenges, it hasn’t resulted in closures so much as opening doors to public play. In fact, conversions outnumber closures by 10 to one,” the report says.

“Private-to-public conversions are usually prompted by a drop in memberships and associated revenues (initiation fees, dues, food and beverage, etc.) resulting in an inability to meet operating costs and debt service.”

Sound familiar?

Further points hit even closer to home.

“Other reasons for conversion to public include: an aging membership, underutilization, competition from other clubs or courses, assessments that drive members away or a poor local economy. In almost all cases, a club’s financial difficulty leads to a sale which marks the conversion to public.

“After converting from private to public, most clubs enjoy an increase in rounds and revenue. Club conversions have an impact on the local market, as some members

join other clubs and some play a variety of public courses. Some members decide to stay at the now semi-private club, typically with a reduced dues structure.”

Most importantly, the report recommends that clubs take a cold, hard look at themselves.

“Club presidents and their boards, especially those whose clubs are financially at risk, need to honestly assess their club’s business situation. This involves conducting an objective competitive analysis, analyzing current and latent demand, and preparing realistic financial forecasts.

“The development of a strategic plan is a must. Too many clubs operate without one. Member input into the planning process is critical and can bring everyone together for the cause. All options, including raising membership caps, converting to semi-private status, introducing new membership categories, and even bringing in third-party management, should be put on the table.”

The list goes on, and the similarities are very relevant to Australia. In essence, if your club is failing to plan, then your club is planning to fail.

For a bit of inspiration, perhaps we should all look at forward-thinking clubs like Portsea Golf Club (see this month’s Industry feature). A traditional private club, with a passionate member base, they were struggling just like many other clubs in the country. But instead of burying their heads in the sand, they took a proactive approach. They built a $20-million facility that will not only be good for members, but more importantly will embrace social golfers, tourists and other “users” of their new facility. And they are well-positioned for weddings, corporate events and other revenuegenerating activities that are becoming a must-have for many courses. Portsea have certainly set themselves up for success.

And that’s my point with all of these columns: To help ensure the future of the game that we all love by helping clubs to succeed long into the future.

See you on the fairways.

Contributors:

Advertising Sales: Lisa Coleman E: lisa@insidegolf.com.au | M:0406 031 344

Larry Canning, Mike Orloff, Denis Dale, Peter Croker, Brian Thorburn, Michael Green, Richard Nizielski, Henry Peters, Stephen Pitt, Glenn Whittle, Steven Jeffress, Tiffany Mika, Brent Dale, Mat Howe, Garrett Johnston, David Williams, Alan May

National Sales: Sam Arthur P: 1300 4653 00 | F: (07) 5535 4922 M: 0410 575 303 | E: sam@insidegolf.com.au QLD Sales: David Ross M: 0439 612 458 | E: dg.ross@live.com.au NSW/ACT Sales: Scott Barsby M: 0424 779 199 | E: scott@insidegolf.com.au VIC/TAS/SA Sales: Jon Perrett M: 0402 852 637 E: jon.perrett@bestingolfgroup.com

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www.linkshopeisland.com.au www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

5

news

McIlroy, Scotty to headline Australian Open Competition rounds

Stars flocking to the World Cup of Golf

maintain winter growth

Matt Kuchar, Matteo Manassero and Thongchai Jaidee are the first stars to announce their intention to represent their countries at the World Cup of Golf at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club on November 18-24.

Kuchar partnered with Gary Woodland to win the World Cup in 2011 in China.

He was also part of the winning 2011 US Presidents Cup team when it was held at Royal Melbourne Golf Club. Since the start of the 2010 season, Kuchar has 36 top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, more than any other PGA Tour player during those four PGA Tour seasons.

“Representing my country is a real honour. It was a great experience to win the World Cup in 2011 with Gary, and I am looking forward to ‘defending’ at Royal Melbourne,” Kuchar said.

Manassero will hope to bring the championship trophy back to Italy after the Molinari brothers won the event in 2009. Manassero is No. 28 on the Official World Golf Ranking and has four career European Tour victories.

“It’s not often that you get the chance to play for your country as well as yourself, so I really want to play well and help make it a great week for Italy,” Manassero said.

With 13 victories on the Asian Tour, Thongchai has shown he can compete at the highest level of the game.

“I always enjoy playing in the World Cup,” Thongchai said. “You want to do well when you are playing for your countr y, so I will give it my best shot.”

The 2013 World Cup of Golf is estimated to create between $25 million to $30 million in economic benefit to Victoria and will attract up to 9,000 interstate and international visitors.

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com.au •

Rory McIlroy will make his long-awaited return down under, joining Adam Scott to headline the Emirates Australian Open. (Photo: USGA) Two-time Major champion and world number 3 Rory McIlroy has confirmed his place in the field at the 2013 Emirates Australian Open at Royal Sydney Golf Club from 28 November – 1 December.

It will be the 24 year-old Northern Irishman’s first appearance at the Open since 2007.

“It’s been a few years since I last competed in an Australian Open. I competed in 2006 when I was still an amateur and then a year later after just turning pro,” McIlroy said.

“Both were in Sydney and I’ve always enjoyed myself in Sydney so I am very much looking forward to returning to Royal Sydney.”

McIlroy won the 2011 US Open at Congressional and 2012 US PGA Championship at Kiawah Island among six PGA Tour victories to date and joins World Number 4 and Masters champion Adam Scott in the field.

Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase, said “I’m delighted to confirm that World No.3 and 2012 PGA Champion, Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, will play exclusively in Sydney at the 2013 Emirates Australian Open.”

“Destination NSW has entered a strategic partnership with Golf Australia to stage the Open in Sydney until 2015. We are committed to

our long term vision of seeing the tournament become the premier event of its kind in the Asia Pacific region.”

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said he was thrilled to see McIlroy return to Sydney for the Emirates Australian Open.

“Rory has captured the attention of the sporting world in the last two years with his wins at the US Open and PGA Championship and we’re really looking forward to seeing him in action at Royal Sydney Golf Club,” Pitt said.

“The fans are in for a real treat watching Masters champion Adam Scott and Rory among those competing for the Stonehaven Cup and I’d encourage everyone to get in early when ticket sales open to make sure they’ve got a spot for what will be a huge week for Australian golf.”

PGA of Australia CEO Brian Thorburn said “The Emirates Australian Open continues to attract the world’s best players to Sydney and, on behalf of the PGA Tour of Australasia, we’re looking forward to welcoming Rory back to Australia.”

The Emirates Australian Open will be broadcast live on the Seven Network across all four days. www.emiratesaustralianopen.com.au •

Golf rounds data in winter continues to show positive signs in new figures released by the Australian Golf Industry Council.

Competition rounds for July 2013 were up 5.6% on July 2012, an increase of nearly 57,000 rounds played nationally.

The strongest state results were recorded in New South Wales and Victoria, up 7.6% and 8% respectively.

Slight declines occurred in South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

On a Year-to-Date basis, the national growth pattern is trending 5.5% up on the same 7 months last year.

Regional data shows both metropolitan and non-metropolitan competition rounds are tracking fairly evenly at the national level, with regional South Australia the only market trending in a different direction to its metropolitan market.

In the previous month, the Council’s data showed competition rounds had grown by 5.4% to more than 13.1 million for the full 20122013 financial year.

Golf Australia CEO and AGIC Chairman Stephen Pitt said winter competition data was trending in a positive direction.

“There is no doubt that winter is generally a quieter period for foot traffic through Australian golf clubs, particularly in the southern states, but it’s pleasing to see more rounds being played than the same time last winter, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria,” Pitt said.

“With the new financial year underway, facility managers can continue to measure their own performance against the market trends, helping to put their own facility results into perspective.”

The Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC) was established in late 2006 to provide a forum to help unite the industry on agreed industry wide initiatives.

Membership includes: Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association, Australian Ladies Professional Golf, Australian Sporting Goods Association, Golf Australia, Golf Management Australia, PGA of Australia and the Society of Australian Golf Course Architects. •

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

news

Tee it up for Women’s Senior Championship Entries are now open for the Australian Women’s Senior Championship to be played at Tanunda Pines Golf Club in the Barossa Valley from 21-25 October.

The Championship is open to women aged 55 years and over (as at 21 October), with a maximum handicap of 22.4.

It is played over 36-holes qualifying, followed by elimination match play. The leading 16 players will qualify for the major championship, with another eight players in four age divisions qualifying for match play flights.

The State Stroke Teams Event will again be played in conjunction with the qualifying rounds, with three players representing their state in the aggregate scratch competition. A Handicap Competition will also be held over the first two days.

Tanunda Pines Golf Club is a stunning 18 hole, par 74 golf course, measuring 5,339 metres for ladies.

Situated in South Australia’s beautiful Barossa Valley wine region, the course boats an abundance of native bird and animal life and one-hundred-year old gum tree-lined fairways that undulate across hilltops with views over Jacob’s Creek and St Hallett vineyards from several vantage points.

The Australian Women’s Senior Amateur Championship is in its 27th year, and seven time winner, Sylvia Donohoe from Narooma Golf Club on NSW’s south coast will again be a top contender along with defending Champion Jacqui Morgan (NSW).

Once again, any player who introduces a friend to the Championship for the first time will go into the draw to win a prize for one nights’ accommodation and dinner for two at the Novotel Barossa Valley and a round of golf at Tanunda Pines Golf Club. •

Matt Kuchar commits to Australian Masters

Matt Kuchar will return to Royal Melbourne for this year’s Talisker Masters (Photo: USGA) Six-time PGA Tour winner and world #6, Matt his fellow players who wore the “Leuk the Duck” Kuchar, will join defending champion and world logo on their headwear during tournaments. #4 Adam Scott to play the Talisker Masters at Vice President-Director of Golf, IMG Australia, David Rollo, said, “We are delighted to welcome The Royal Melbourne Golf Club from 14-17 two of the finest players in the world in Adam November.

Scott and Matt Kuchar to play this year’s Talisker “I have always enjoyed playing in Australia and especially on the Melbourne sandbelt,” Masters and equally we know Jarrod Lyle will receive a very warm welcome from his fellow said Kuchar. “The Royal Melbourne Golf Club players and golf fans in his return to competition. is one of the world’s great courses and was a “The support of our partners is truly valued, fantastic venue for The Presidents Cup 2011.

I am really looking forward to playing the Talisker especially that of the Victorian Government Masters and bringing my family to Melbourne and Talisker who we welcome back as our title in November,” he said. sponsor for a second year. We also look forward to further international player announcements Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh in the coming months.”

Delahunty welcomed the announcement, “The Victorian Government is proud to continue Leading premium drinks business, Diageo its support of the Australian Masters, which Australia, has confirmed an extension of its showcases the world’s top golfers such partnership with the tournament through its Talisker brand–a premium single malt Scotch as Matt Kuchar and Adam Scott as well as whisky hand-crafted by the sea on the Isle of Melbourne’s finest sandbelt golf courses to a global audience.”

Skye. This will see the event continue as the The tournament will also mark Jarrod Lyle’s Talisker Masters in 2013. comeback to competitive play following an The Seven Network will broadcast live 18-month battle with leukaemia. Jarrod’s story national coverage of the Talisker Masters on is truly inspirational and after his diagnosis last all four days from 12.30pm-5.30 pm. year he received overwhelming support from More: www.australianmasters.com.au •

Master of the Amateurs qualifying this month Is your A-game good enough to compete with the world’s best amateurs on one of the world’s best courses?

If so, then the Australian Master of the Amateurs championship could be just the ticket. Australia’s number 1 national ranked amateur golf tournament, the AMOTA is the only Category A Championship on the R&A event rankings, making it a must-play event for the world’s best amateur golfers.

Top names like Jason Day, Rickie Fowler and others have made their start with the MOTA, and you can too.

Golfers who are among the world top50 amateurs, or are among the top two players in their country get automatic qualification into the Championship, as do those who win a golf event that has exemption into the event.

If you don’t meet the criteria above, and you have a handicap 4 or better, then you can earn your way into the event via the Australian Qualifying round, which will be played at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club’s West Course on September 6th.

The qualifying round is a one-day tournament with the top three scores going into the Australian Master of the Amateurs Championship in January. The field will be capped at 54, so it’s “first in, best dressed”. Not only will you have the opportunity to walk into the Number one golf championship in Australia, you will also have a chance to win Srixon prizes on the day.

Visit: www.masteroftheamateurs.com.au or phone 03 9877 9155. •

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COFFS HARBOUR GOLF CLUB www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

7

news

Scott, Day top the majors David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

AUSTRALIANS Adam Scott and Jason Day are top of the pops following the completion of this year’s fourth major.

After 16 major rounds, the Queenslanders finished on a total of 1134 – two-over par – for the joint honour of lowest score in the majors.

Scott won the US Masters, tied for 45 at the US Open, was third at the Open Championship and T5th at the US PGA Championship. Day’s finishes were third, T2, T32 and T8th.

Scott and Day’s stroke average for the 16 rounds was 70.875.

US PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner and Swede Henrik Stenson were two shots further back (1136) with England’s Lee Westwood fifth (1142, 10-over par) after 288 gruelling holes.

Three of this year’s major winners – Scott (Masters), Phil Mickelson (Open) and Dufner (US PGA) made the leaderboard.

US Open champion Justin Rose of England missed the cut at the Open Championship and was eliminated although he did bank more than $US1,534,600.

When it came to the money list a breakdown of the players who made the cut in all four majors shows that Scott edged out Phil Mickelson by just $US29,736.

Scott banked $US2,201,736 in the majors while the American took home $US2,172,000.

Aussies Day and Scott shared joint honour of best overall scores in this year’s majors (Photos: USGA) Aussie John Senden missed the Open Mickelson was ahead after the third major, the Open Championship, which he won, but Championship cut, but managed a T35 (Masters), T15 (US Open) and a T70 (US PGA).

Scott’s tied fifth place finish at the US PGA His bank balance swelled by $US188,603. earned him $US304,000 while Mickelson was Marc Leishman had mixed results. He tied in a tie for 72nd worth just $US14,750.

Of course, Scott got off to a flyer picking fourth at the US Masters and tied for 12th at up $US1,440,000 when he became the first the US PGA, but missed the cut at the US Open and Open Championship. He won $US484,785 Australian to win the coveted Green Jacket at in prizemoney.

Augusta National.

Marcus Fraser did not play the US Masters, US PGA Championship winner Dufner rounded out the top-three with $US1,883,200 missed the US Open cut, tied for 54th at the in prizemoney.

Open Championship and tied 47th at the World number one Tiger Woods (T4, T32, US PGA. • T6 and T40) was down in sixth place (1146 – 14 over-par). He still took home $US676,622 THE MAJORS SCOREBOARD 2013 or $US2349 per hole played.

Total Name Four major scores Money (US$) World number three Rory McIlroy missed the 1134 Adam Scott 279-295-285-275 2,201,736 1134 Jason Day 281-283-293-277 1,485,604 cut at the Open Championship, finished in a tie 1136 Jason Dufner 289-285-292-270 1,883,200 for 25th at the Masters, T41 at the US Open and 1136 Henrik Stenson 288-291-284-273 1,579,685 1142 Lee Westwood 285-289-285-283 831,800 T8 at the US PGA. 1146 Tiger Woods 283-293-286-284 676,622 Graeme McDowell, Keegan Bradley, Ernie 1147 Matt Kucher 285-292-290-280 462,226 Els, Ian Poulter, Jim Furyk, Bubba Watson, 1151 Brandt Snedeker 284-290-288-289 571,716 1153 Phil Mickelson 297-283-281-292 2,172,000 Webb Simpson and Hunter Mahan weren’t 1154 Dustin Johnson 287-297-293-277 413,661 considered because of missed cuts in one or 1159 Sergio Garcia 285-295-291-288 348,878 1166 Martin Kaymer 291-299-293-283 139,132 more major tournaments.

FIND OUT WHY KINGSTON LINKS IN ROWVILLE IS KNOWN AS “THE PEOPLE’S COURSE”

Paradise Palms Golf Course placed into receivership One of Cairns’ largest property development empires was reeling last month after most of its assets including the Paradise Palms Golf Course were placed into receivership, reported the Cairns Post.

Banking giant ANZ reportedly ordered receivers to take over Paradise Palms Golf Course and management letting rights of The Lakes, Cairns One, The Greens and The Keys, while placing five Pelicans Childcare Centres in voluntary administration. The news came as a shock to troubled development company HS Vision Group.

HS Vision Group CEO Rose-Marie Dash said the company was in the midst of signing a refinance deal with the backing of a Chinese investor, which was close to settlement. But last month she received an email from the bank saying the proposal had been rejected.

The directors and their investor met with ANZ in Sydney, but ANZ spokesman Stephen Ries refused to comment.

All staff at the golf course, residential complexes and childcare centres in Cairns, Innisfail and Atherton have been retained while administrators McGrathNicol and Grant Thornton Australia take over.

“Existing staff at these locations will continue to service these (residential) operations and distribute collected rent to unit owners in the ordinary course,” McGrathNicol partner Jamie Harris said.

Administrators, who have taken control of the group’s six businesses, will investigate the financial affairs of the entity before reporting findings to creditors. •

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

K I NG S TON LINKS MELBOURNE

AUSTRALIA

STYLE GUIDE

news

Goss, Watt shine at US Amateur Championship West Australian golfers Oliver Goss and Brady Watt did their country proud last month, securing high finishes in the 2013 US Amateur Championship at The Country Club in Massachusetts.

For Goss, a week of solid play saw him reach the Championship Final, where he squared off against England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick in the 36-hole final. Goss, who earned All-America honours at the University of Tennessee as a freshman last season, was bidding to join Nick Flanagan and three-time champion Walter J. Travis as the third Australian to capture the US Amateur, while Fitzpatrick was hoping to become the first Englishman since 1911 to hoist the Havemeyer Trophy.

With his original caddy departing the event early, Goss turned to fellow Australian Brady Watt—whom Goss had narrowly beaten 2-up in the semi-final match the day prior—to carry the bag for the final.

It was a back-and-forth match between Goss and Fitzpatrick. Only six holes were halved in the morning round as Goss dominated with his driver, outdriving his opponent by 20 to 40 meters on each hole. Fitzpatrick, however, did his damage on the greens, sinking putt after putt from all distances. Fitzpatrick held a 1-shot lead into the turn as the players halved the final three holes of the morning round.

“Matt played really well. He holed a lot of putts this morning, and I was doing my best just to keep up with him because the putts he was holing were just unbelievable,” said Goss.

“It’s probably the best display of putting I’ve ever seen. He definitely did his job this morning.”

The final 18 played out much differently to the opener; while six birdies won holes for the players in the morning, neither player made a birdie in the afternoon. As Goss bogeyed five holes after the break, Fitzpatrick was faultless.

With a Goss bogey on the 33rd hole, Fitzpatrick took the championship 4&3.

Despite the disappointment of losing the Amateur Title, Goss was overjoyed with the results over the week. By reaching the US Amateur Championship final, Fitzpatrick and Goss have each earned an exemption into the

Australia’s Oliver Goss finished runner-up to England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick at the US Amateur Championship (Photo: USGA) 2014 US Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club – provided they remain amateurs – and a likely invitation to next year’s Masters Tournament.

“If someone told me at the start of the week I was going to have the opportunity to play the Masters and the US Open next year, I’d be speechless. I was there this year after a college tournament. We got Monday tickets to the practice round, and it was golf heaven. It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.

“I stood there, and I was like, how do they play under this kind of pressure and with the difficulty of the golf course. But I’m really excited to be able to play there next year.”

Since 2012, Goss has gone from strength to strength. After exiting in the quarter finals of the US Amateur in 2012, Goss went on to win the WA Amateur, the Australian Amateur and the WA Open, a professional tournament that

featured top tour players like Brett Rumford. In 2014 Goss will look to do even better.

“I’ve learned that I do have the ability to reach the finals and have the opportunity to win, which is great. I’m looking forward to next year’s championship and the next 12 months with the opportunities I’ve been given to play in a couple of majors. I used a lot of experience from last year with the shots I had. I knew what I had to do with the feelings I had. Last year helped a lot.”

Watt himself can leave the event with his head held high, as his semi-final finish represents a tremendous achievement, while he was also awarded co-medallist honours after finishing T1 during the opening two stroke rounds early in the week.

Previous winners of the US Amateur include Tiger Woods (3 times), Phil Mickelson, Arnold Palmer & Jack Nicklaus. •

World Cup travel packages announced With the excitement building for the World Cup of Golf at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club on November 18-24, tournament promoter IMG announced the launch of two- and four-night travel packages for fans interested in being a part of one of the most unique tournaments in all of golf.

The two-night package includes choice of Thursday/Friday or Saturday/Sunday admission to the tournament, return transfers to The Royal Melbourne Golf Club on days of attendance, as well as two nights’ accommodation at a selection of popular Melbourne hotels (extra nights available).

The four-night package includes admission to all four days of the event and four nights’ accommodation.

First played in 1953, the World Cup is one of the oldest and most prestigious global golf team events in the world inviting two man teams from 28 nations to play “For the Honour” of representing their country.

The World Cup has been played three previous times in Australia, each at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club. The event was last played in Australia in 1988 as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebrations when the US team of Ben Crenshaw and Mark McCumber defeated the Japanese team of Masashi (Jumbo) and Tateo Ozaki to win the tournament.

The event boasts an $8 million total purse, with an individual, stroke-play competition for $7 million, and a team component for $1 million. The field will include 60 players (no cut), with eligibility taken from the Official World Golf Ranking. OWGR points will be awarded for the individual portion of the competition. worldcup.pgatour.com/hospitality.aspx •

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www.redbacksport.com www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

9

news

Tee Up for Kids at Geoff Ogilvy Golf Challenge Kooindah Waters membership thriving One hundred and eighteen new members have joined Kooindah Waters Golf Club since April, bringing the total to nearly 400 and cementing the Club’s position as the best public access golf course on the Central Coast.

The 18-hole championship golf course is the focal point of Kooindah Waters Residential Golf and Spa Resort, where new homes, a Mercure Resort and endota day spa are positioned among the fairways.

“To reach 400 members will be a fantastic milestone particularly because membership has only been available since 2008. It will raise the profile of the Club as we participate in a greater number of competitions and inter-club District Golf Association events,” said David Lulham, Director of Golf.

“We’re looking forward to staging stronger competitions, developing our pennant teams and continuing to grow and develop our junior and women’s programs,” Mr Lulham said.

Kooindah Waters Golf Course opened in 2006, after several years of regeneration which transformed what had been previously been a wasteland used as an unofficial dumping ground.

“The course is now considered to be among the most scenic in New South Wales. It’s surrounded by native bushland, with wetlands teeming with bird life and a distinctive use of railways sleeper in tee and green formation,” Mr Lulham said.

The golf course was designed by golf course architect Ross Watson, with PGA Professional Craig Parry as Design Consultant. Parry continues to be an Ambassador for the Club and is regularly seen on the greens along with Mark Waugh, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Manly Sea Eagles’ Jamie Lyon.

Membership at the Troon Golf managed Kooindah Waters Golf Club starts from $899 per year. Social and corporate golfing groups are welcome. Packages are available from $49pp including golf carts and the services of a designated Golf Coordinator throughout the day.

Visit: www.kooindahwatersgolf.com.au or call 02 4351 0700. •

Royal Melbourne GC will play host to the inaugural Geoff Ogilvy Golf Challenge The countdown to the inaugural Geoff Ogilvy Golf Challenge is underway, with entries closing on 30 September.

Already more than 40 golf clubs throughout Victoria have registered to play in the event, which will be played at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on 16 December. The aim of the event is to make a difference to the lives of 6000 children living in out-of-home care in Victoria.

The Tee Up for Kids Foundation (TUFK) with the assistance of Golf Victoria launched the Geoff Ogilvy Golf Challenge – the first event of its type in Victoria–to raise funds and help with the education and other assistance needed by the disadvantaged children.

The Geoff Ogilvy Golf Challenge invites every golf club in Victoria to participate. The final will be played as a four-ball-best-ball stableford event over 18 holes. The cost to play is $350 per pair, includes lunch and all prizes.

The winners will receive an invitation to play in the 2014 Victorian Open Pro-Am and

Chase the Sun

also go into the draw for a trip for two to the 2014 British Open, as well as receiving a specially embroidered Titleist Tour golf bag and the Challenge Trophy.

Tee Up for Kids Foundation President, Ian McPherson, said the Geoff Ogilvy Challenge was supported by Foundation director and former British Open Senior Champion, Ian Stanley and the Foundation’s Patron, Stacey Keating, an Australian Amateur champion and winner of the 2012 French and Spanish Opens.

TUFK Ambassadors Glen Boss, three times Melbourne Cup winner; world-champion netballer Sharelle McMahon and Olympian and world champion cyclist Shane Perkins are also behind the event and hoping to take part as guests.

To register, visit www.golfvic.org.au under Championships & Events/ Geoff Ogilvy Golf Challenge, or simply call TUFK on (03) 9036 6370 to register. For further information: www.teeupforkids.com •

500,000 reasons to come to Brisbane The PGA of Australia is pleased to announce the inaugural ‘bmag Week of Golf‘, is coming to Brisbane this month with a prize of 500,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points to the professional who records the lowest aggregate score after combining five scores from a week of Brisbane-based pro ams on the Queensland Sunshine Tour.

The week of Brisbane pro-ams is already one of the richest in the country with more than $120,000 in prize money up for grabs.

With the addition of this unique prize, South East Queensland will be treated to some of the best fields ever seen in the region.

The bmag Week of Golf will involve the Followmont Transport Virginia Pro-Am (9 Sept), Victoria Park Pro-Am (10 Sept), Indooroopilly Pro-Am (11 Sept), Brisbane Invitational Pro-Am (12 Sept) and the Norris Motor Group Royal Queensland Cup (13 Sept).

500,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points will provide a Professional with almost 30 flights between Brisbane and Melbourne, or more than 10 flights between Sydney and Los Angeles.

Multiple PGA Tour of Australasia winner Michael Wright said that with such a significant prize up for grabs, one week could potentially be life changing.

“It is effectively like a cheque for $15,000 to $20,000. Most professionals will fly 20 to 30 times a year and the cost is often the difference between playing an overseas tournament or going to an International Tour School or not. This week of pro-ams could be the launching pad for someone’s career.”

Each amateur that competes in the bmag Week of Golf, or any event in the Choice Hotels PGA Pro-Am Series, has the opportunity to win a pro-am place in the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola to be played from November 7-10. •

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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news

Eaglehawk to merge with Bendigo GC

China’s Shanqin Bay makes history Eaglehawk Golf Club

Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

Bendigo Golf Club is pushing to become one of regional Victoria’s strongest clubs after winning the bidding war to merge with embattled Eaglehawk Golf Club. Eaglehawk’s members have voted at a 66 per cent majority to merge with Bendigo instead of Neangar Park Golf Club and Belvoir Park Golf Club.

“We’re very happy with (Bendigo’s) approach and their proposal,” Eaglehawk Executive Officer Jenny Chapman says. “It was an overwhelming majority that wanted to go there so that makes the work a lot easier. If we had have gone to second preferences it would have been 92 per cent.

The merger promises a golfing future for the Eaglehawk members, but there is a mixture of sadness and excitement amongst the club’s

members. “Members here are heartbroken because some of them have been here for 45 years and it’s hard for them to comprehend it closing,” Chapman says.

“On the other hand, it will be a new club, a new adventure and at least we’ve got somewhere to go. There’ll be an increase in cash flow that will make marketing easier, facilities can be prepared to accommodate more people and cater for different types of people as well.”

Bendigo has already extended a welcoming arm to Eaglehawk’s member by giving them full playing privileges at Bendigo for no cost while the merger is finalised.

“We’re very understanding of their position and we’ll do our absolute best to make sure that any transition is done in consultation with them while making sure that they’re made very welcome here,” Bendigo General Manager Steven Oliver says.

With both clubs still to undergo respective audits, Oliver says the merger may not be completed until early 2014. Eaglehawk wishes to

hold its annual tournament in November before making the full move across town to Bendigo. “All those things we’ll work together and we’ll be a big and stronger club all round,” Chapman says.

The two clubs are now in the process of forming a joint steering committee. “We’re very excited to have the possibility of another 120 members come across and use the facilities we’ve currently got,” Oliver says.

The merger is not just a significant milestone for Eaglehawk, as it searches for a way to continue its history at a new site, but also for the oncestruggling Bendigo. Oliver, who has been in the top job at Bendigo for three months, says the club’s financial position has come full circle since being in trouble several years ago.

“The Bendigo Golf Club, four or five years ago, as a lot of clubs were, was doing it tough and the board’s been really proactive and made some courageous decisions and the members have stuck with it and now the club’s travelling really well.” •

Shanqin Bay Golf Club, Hainan Island has been ranked number 78 on Golf Magazine’s 2013 Top 100 Courses in the World. This marks the first time in 96 years of golf in China that a course has received this prestigious honour.

“This is a remarkable achievement for China and Shanqin Bay,” said Joey Garon, golf director at Shanqin Bay Golf Club. “We only opened in December 2012 and to be considered with such great courses as Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, Augusta and Royal Melbourne, who have staged national championships and have decades of history, is a dream come true. We’ve set a new standard for golf in China, and I hope Shanqin Bay will be the first of many courses to be recognized in the future.”

The par-71 course located on 350 acres, routes along cliff tops and nearly three miles of white sandy beach and offers ocean views from all 18 holes. Sections of the original fort have been used to preserve history and few sites can boast such dramatic elevation change and magnificent views.

For more: www.shanqinbay.com •

ABOVE ALL ELSE, MEADOW SPRINGS GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB OFFERS “GOLF AS NATURE INTENDED” Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr, the course presents a highly regarded test for players of all levels, but is also renowned for its playability. Just thirty minutes south of Perth, near the coastal resort town of Mandurah, the Meadow Springs golf course promises a unique experience through open bushland.

The course winds its way through undulating terrain, the layout dictated by the natural features of the land.

Towering 200-year-old Tuart trees line generous fairways and subtly rolling greens that are equal to the best in Australia. Few holes run parallel and all are surrounded by bushland.

Golf as nature intended Course design by Robert Trent Jones Jnr

Other players on the course are often out of view, enhancing the sensation that you are alone in the wilderness. Finally, thanks to its excellent drainage, Meadow Springs is one of the best all-weather courses in the country.

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12

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

news

Night golf in the glow at Patterson River Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

Under the glow of more than one thousand lights, Patterson River Golf Club in Melbourne has embarked on its first open-to-the-public night golf competition.

Sixty golfers stepped out under the cover of darkness for the July 26 event, which was played across nine of Patterson River’s holes.

Club professional Alan Patterson says it was a unique assault on the golfing senses.

“We had white lights around the greens and flashing red lights for hazards, bunkers and water,” Patterson says.

“Six of the nine holes had water, so they were flashing really well and the flagsticks were lit up as well so you could see them from a mile away.

The event was run by Light It Up Golf, which hosts night golf events around Australia.

Patterson says he came across the concept on social media, noticing Light It Up Golf’s Facebook page, which has more than 2,000 likes.

Patterson River marked the night golf company’s first foray into Victoria and was followed by night golf at Sunshine Golf Club on July 27.

The true value of the glowing night golf lights can be fully appreciated in a pitch black setting.

“Around the clubhouse, because the lights were there it was quite hard (to see) but once we got away from the clubhouse, away from the really bright lights, it was fantastic,” Patterson says.

Players also had the option of using one of four different-coloured golf balls, which wasn’t just a blessing in terms of finding errant shots.

“Looking over on other holes and seeing the balls flying in the air, that’s really magnificent.”

Opening night golf up to the public has given players exposure to a shorter-form of the game that can fit more easily into anyone’s schedule.

“A lot of people are time poor and they don’t have four or five hours to go out on a Saturday and play. This may just be an alternative. It takes two and a half hours to have a meal and play nine holes. It’s all exposing the game and getting more players to play the game.”

Organisers were most pleased with the

strong response to night golf, despite being staged in the middle of winter.

Patterson says he’ll organise more night golf sessions during summer with even greater confidence of selling all available spots.

“I took a bit of a gamble doing one in the middle of winter. It would be awesome to do in summer. We could all meet on a Friday night and go in for a beer or a parma and then go out and play at about nine o’clock.”

Whilst unlikely, the club says it could one day hold a night club championship as an official club event.

“It is a possibility, I wouldn’t rule out anything the way technology happens in the world these days.” •

Golfers to bloom for Canberra springtime tournament There is arguably no better place to be than Canberra in the Spring, on a public holiday long weekend enjoying a golf tournament with a difference and the hospitality of the nation’s capital.

Floriade, Australia’s largest spring flower festival, attracts thousands of visitors each year and a great golf tournament for both men and women on the same golf course at the same time.

The Murrumbidgee Country Club’s annual Spring Classic gives golfers from over a very wide area the opportunity to visit Canberra with dual purposes in mind. Play golf in a major event on the picturesque Murrumbidgee Country Club layout; visit the Floriade flower exhibition and many other spring time attractions.

The golf events for men & women include a traditional two-day 36-hole tournament on Saturday October 5th and Sunday October 6th and winding up with a mixed four ball on Monday October 7th. There will be Scratch and Handicap prizes for all events over the three days.

The Saturday/Sunday events will also include a mixed teams event where the scores for each couple will be added together to determine the winners. Prizes for the teams event will include 4 golfing getaway packages sponsored by the Coachhouse Marina resort at Batemans Bay. Other major sponsor includes The Handyman’s Trading Post and FSW Shoe Warehouse.

More: www.murrumbidgeegolf.com.au, or manager@murrumbidgeegolf.com.au. •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

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industry

Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club tees off new era

Moore Park one of Australia’s ‘greenest’

Melbourne’s Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club is set to enter a new era as members have taken over the management of the Club with a new Board of Directors headed by one of Australia’s best known sports administrators, Ron Gauci, a Club member and resident at Sanctuary Lakes.

Officially opened by in February 2000, the Sanctuary Lakes Golf Course at Point Cook has risen quickly through the ranks to be recognised in the top one hundred golf courses in Australia.

The transition of the Club from the Foundation Board linked to the developer of Sanctuary Lakes, Links Living Limited, which assisted the new Club to establish itself with financial support, took place in June. The new Board took control of the Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club, ending two years of negotiation.

Mr. Gauci, the former CEO and Managing Director of the Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club said the new Directors of the Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club were extremely well qualified and committed to guide Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club into its next successful era as a modern members club with top facilities and a strong club and community spirit.

The three other Board members include Jayne Todd, CEO and Company Director of 3D Networks , Joseph M Matina, who is widely experienced in accounting and financial planning and is a board member of both the Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club and Sanctuary Lakes Resort Services, and Geoff Walsh, an experienced international audit and risk management specialist and Director of MGW Advisory–A firm offering Risk Management, Corporate Governance, Operational Risk and Internal Audit advisory services based in Melbourne.

One of Australia’s busiest public courses can now lay claim to being among the ‘greenest’ in the country.

Moore Park Golf, which sees over 55,000 rounds of golf played every year, and over one million golf balls hit off their driving range every month, has developed an Environmental Management System which has now been certified with ISO 14001 credentials – making it one of the most environmentally-friendly public golf courses in Australia.

“Moore Park Golf is a jewel in the crown of public golf courses in Sydney. Its combination of proximity to the Sydney CBD, and its location in one of the world’s best urban parks has long made it a drawcard for golfers in Sydney,”said Kim Ellis, Director and Chief Executive of Centennial Parklands.

“Having a dual-role of parklands managers and golf course managers gives us the relatively unique opportunity of extending a number of our environmental programs to the management of the course. Something we are very proud of, and we believe is industry-leading.”

Mal Durkin, Course Superintendent at Moore Park Golf for the last 20 years, has proudly overseen this operational change from traditional greenkeeping for presentation, to greenkeeping with an environmental sustainability focus.

“The golf course and Parklands provide a really important part of Sydney’s greenspace. We see so much activity and diversity (flora and fauna) across the golf course we want to make sure that it is protected and flourishes.”

“The EMS has been a great tool to help practically manage our responsibilities and guide our environmental improvements across the course. Certification has been a goal for us and it is great to get the recognition for my team and their efforts”. •

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Sanctuary Lakes Ron Gauci and Kevin Birtles Mr. Gauci said, “The restructure of the Club is already underway as SLGC seeks to engage its members and appropriate people outside the Club to assist with the operational management and the execution of its Strategic Business Plan through the formation of a number of committees.

“We have a number of major strengths already existing to build on, including one of the best golf courses in Australia, located in one of the fastest-growing areas of Australia with recently refurbished club facilities combined with a coaching /driving range learning centre.

“Over the years with the commitment of

members and our golfing professionals there has been a strong development of junior programs for both boys and girls which have also been supported by the Sanctuary Lakes Foundation.

“Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club also has a strong links to the local and wider community at a business and community level having raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities in the past twelve years.”

Mr. Gauci paid tribute to all members who had served on committees over the past twelve years and built the foundations for the Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club to move into the new era as a members-based Club. •

industry

Nicklaus GC to host Presidents Cup in 2015 The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, located in Incheon, Korea, has been selected as the host course for The Presidents Cup 2015 when the event makes its first trip to Asia.

Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, which is located 40 miles west of Seoul in the country’s largest economic development zone, celebrated its opening in September 2010 with the Champions Tour’s first official money/official victory event held in Asia. The course hosted the Songdo Championship in 2010 and 2011, and the 2012 Korea Women’s Open on the KLPGA Tour.

Mayor Song Young-Gil of Incheon City expressed his excitement and was delighted with his city being selected as the host city of The Presidents Cup 2015. “We are extremely pleased and honoured to be the first city in Asia to be selected as host of The Presidents Cup,” said Mayor Song. “Along with the upcoming 2014 Asian Games, Incheon City has certainly put itself on the global stage as a choice destination for major international events, and we look forward to welcoming participants, sponsors and dignitaries from around the world to our great city and country.”

Jack Nicklaus said, “We’re very honoured and proud that Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea has been selected for The Presidents Cup 2015. We have always felt strongly about JNGC Korea as a host venue because of its location in the Songdo International Business District, its proximity to the Incheon International Airport, the quality hotels nearby, and the club’s proximity to a large population area. The facility itself also makes for an ideal location to host The Presidents Cup. We’re very pleased that the PGA TOUR felt the same after evaluating its options throughout Korea.”

“ Th i s w i l l b e a t re m e n d o u s opportunity to showcase on a world stage the beauty of Korea and the country’s passion for the game of golf.”

Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea features a par-72, 7,413-yard Signature Golf Course, and offers world-class amenities, including a 60,000-squarefoot clubhouse. For The Presidents Cup 2015, the course has undergone some minor renovations and the holes rerouted to accommodate hospitality and the match-play format. www.presidentscup.com •

Mackay Golf Club celebrates 25 years After starting from humbling beginnings the Mackay Golf Club have celebrated 25 years of their prestigious ‘100 Club’, the backbone of the Qld Sunshine Tour’s M Group City of Mackay Open.

Back in 1988 a pro-am committee headed by current tournament director Neil Dougherty introduced a revenue stream for the tournament by asking 100 members to invest $100, giving them an opportunity to raise enough prizemoney to bring the professionals to town—in addition to 100 club members going into an annual draw to win $2000 as well as other monthly prize draws. Professional tournaments started in Mackay a long time before the 100 Club were introduced, with former club professional Bren Alman one of the founding fathers of the Qld Sunshine Tour alongside Charlie Earp and Paul King.

Before 1988 smaller pro-ams were staged in 1986 and 1987 with less than $5,000 in prizemoney. Though given the introduction of the 100 Club, 1998 saw $12,000 on offer for the professionals over the two days. The years went by and the prizemoney increased steadily to $20,000 in 1993 when Rod Pampling won with a two-round score of 136 and then to $25,000 in 2003 where Irishman Eddie Barr took out the event.

In 2004 the tournament really started to build momentum, moving to a threeround tournament for $30,000 where Steven Jeffress holed a bunker shot for eagle on the first playoff hole to win.

The following years saw the event hit its long-term vision of becoming a major four-round event, with 2007 moving to

Simon Furneaux at the City of Mackay Pro-am a prizemoney level of $50,000. In recent years, Australasian Tour winners Euan Walters, Leigh McKecknie and Adam Crawford have all won the tournament with the event reaching its pinnacle in 2013 boasting an amazing $70,000 in prizemoney.

PGA (Qld Division) Executive Officer Broc Greenhalgh talked about their achievement. “It is amazing to think that the event started from such humbling beginnings and Mackay has really shown what building a culture of professional golf can do for a club. The tournament now has an honour roll of champions that every major tournament would be envious of and has grown to a week-long event having a significant impact on the local economy and the golfing public.”

The 2013 champion has added a further chapter to the history of the event with winner Andrew Martin dedicating

his win to his father who passed away just months before the tournament. “To birdie the final two holes to close it out is a great feeling and I am sure my father was looking down on me when that final putt dropped,” said an emotional Martin.

“This win mean more than the prizemoney and an exemption, it has allowed me to get back to the position I mentally need to be”.

With humble beginnings brings much joy, and for tournament director and 2011 PGA Chairman’s Award Winner Neil Dougherty, pride is the word which sticks out the most.

“I encourage all clubs to build a culture of staging events like ours. Yes, it is a lot of hard work though the amount of people who get a direct benefit from the tournament from sponsors to professionals and not to mention club members, makes it all worthwhile.” •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

15

A view to a thrill at

Portsea Mercure Portsea General Manager Duncan Mars and Portsea Golf Club Operations Manager Wendy Dragoilo enjoying the view from the new clubhouse facility

With a brand-new, multi-million-dollar clubhouse and course renovation project officially opened last month, Portsea Golf Club has set the bar very high for other courses on the Mornington Peninsula; and it could very well be the benchmark by which all future clubhouse projects are measured, as Richard Fellner explains.

Like most golf clubs during the last decade, Portsea Golf Club was seeing its share of ups and downs amid the difficult economic times.

While the golf had always been excellent, the course was struggling to generate the additional revenue necessary to survive, let alone thrive into the future. Sensing that they needed a new facility to attract the growing corporate, wedding and social golf market, the club embarked on an ambitious clubhouse and course renovation project which would completely transform the club.

Ten years and roughly $20million later, it’s clear that they made the right choice.

The new facility, which was opened to great

fanfare last month, features an open, inviting clubhouse/restaurant/function centre that can seat up to 300 guests, a sunny patio area with sweeping views of almost the entire course, a comfortable and functional members area, modern pro shop, commercial-grade kitchen, meeting rooms and all the modern-day fittings to cater to groups both large and small.

In addition, a beautifully appointed 24room Mercure Portsea Golf Club & Resort was integrated into the facility, providing an ideal Stay & Play option for guests. Managed independently by Accor, under its Mercure brand, the facility will benefit from Accor’s global Marketing, Sales, Distribution and PR teams,

thus opening up the entire Portsea property to a worldwide audience of golfers.

Indeed, the “marriage” of golf and accommodation in this case seems well positioned to benefit everyone involved.

The project, which was funded solely by sales of land in the club’s bordering areas, entailed a long, detailed and challenging process, but it was critical to ensuring the long-term future of the club and their 900 members, according to Mercure Portsea’s General Manager Duncan Mars.

“The main goal of the project was to diversify the business,” Duncan says. “There’s a lot of golf courses in the area, and a lot coming up, so about 10 years ago the committee came together to figure out how to diversify and bring in other revenue streams, such as adding accommodation.”

“It’s about sustainability of the golf club moving forward,” adds Wendy Dragoilo, Golf Operations Manager of Portsea Golf Club. “It’s the way that most golf clubs are going to have to look at their business structure and come up

with income streams or whatever they have to do to keep going.”

A massive project like the one at Portsea can be very difficult to get off the ground, with a plethora of factors to address at every turn. And Portsea’s project was certainly no exception.

“Building a facility like this on land in Portsea was a major obstacle,” Duncan says. “A lot of factors had to be taken into account, like the environment and the community. The committee of management went through a lot of testing on the environmental side of it.

Especially as we back onto a national park. It’s been a major focus that the building—even though we’re on top of a hill—you can’t actually see it from any of the roads. That was to be sure we aren’t dramatically changing the landscape and views in Portsea.”

“We’ve also got a huge offset area to balance the vegetation that we had to remove,” Wendy adds. “So that’s been a very big part of the project for our ground staff.”

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

industry Of course, a project of this magnitude requires passionate support from the membership throughout the process. In Portsea’s case, it has been a positive and supportive progression, according to Wendy.

“At the very start we had a number of very positive members, but you’ve always got that small group of members that aren’t as open to change,” she says. “It’s a massive project and there’s a lot to take into consideration. But as the project has come to fruition, more and more members have realised that it’s a good way for the club to move. Since we’ve come up here to the new clubhouse we’ve got 100 percent of the membership behind the project, it’s fantastic. A phenomenal response.

“Importantly, despite the costs of this project, green fees and membership fees haven’t changed. The entire project was funded by land sales, so there were no levies to the members.

So they have a brand-new facility with no financial ramifications,” she adds.

“The Golf Club has been very clever in how they’ve done this,” Duncan explains. “They like to take their time, get all the information and facts right. They like to do the research to make sure they are doing the right thing for their clubs and members.”

Apart from the functional clubhouse facilities on the upper level of the building, the inclusion of the downstairs accommodation into the plan was also a major factor, as it was designed to support the club and generate additional golf business.

“For social groups it is going to be a more attractive proposition now,” Wendy says. “You can come down with your social group, and you’ve got somewhere to stay, the restaurant’s open every night...it’s a better offering.”

“For tourists, it’s another option of a place to stay,” says Duncan. “There’s not a lot of accommodation with this international standard and style on a golf course here. We

Left: One of the gorgeous hotel rooms at Mercure Portsea Golf Club & Resort. Right: Portsea member Eddie McGuire officially opened the new facility at a special launch last month. are also getting people who will stay here, then catch the ferry to Queenscliff and then continue down the Great Ocean Road – so I think we’re another link in that side of it. Plus, the accommodation and the upstairs facilities will be key to us targeting smaller boutiquestyle events, midweek conferencing and corporate golf...where players come in for a half day meeting, and play the 18 holes of golf. “ But Duncan is quick to point out that the accommodation, while important, will not get to a point where it detracts from their core business, namely the golf.

Now that the initial hard yards have been completed, what’s next for Portsea? According to Duncan, the goals of the entire 40-person team at Portsea are crystal clear.

“From our point of view, it’s to make sure

our operation is perfect. To make sure our customer service is there, that we are working as one team, and to make sure that the accommodation, conference and wedding business is a success.”

“Now it’s a matter of making it work,” Wendy adds. “Providing fantastic services, and building up our membership base.

We’ve already brought in about 90 new social members in the last couple of months, they can come in and use the restaurant and bar facilities, which is good for everyone.”

In addition, the team is keen to rejuvenate their Portsea Pro-am, one of the traditional “Must play” events on many golfers’ calendars.

And while the date of the annual event is being pushed back a bit this year, it is

assuredly for a good reason.

“The club is very interested in rejuvenating, or restructuring the Pro-am; coming up with a new idea and doing something bigger and better,” Wendy explains. “Perhaps doing something a bit different than what’s out there at the moment. I think the idea is to sit back and look at how we’ve been running it and come up with some new ideas, and new concepts.”

With an amazing faculty on offer, an energetic team and top-quality golf, we’re sure that Portsea is well on track for a long and fruitful future.

More info: www.portseagolfclub.com.au, (03) 5981 6100 or for accommodation bookings at Mercure Portsea Resort & Golf Club see www.accorhotels.com •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

17

industry FROM THE CEO

Brian Thorburn CEO – PGA of Australia

During August the PGA was lucky enough to secure an opportunity for our PGA Professionals to attend a forum with Hank Haney, one of the world’s greatest ever golf instructors who worked with Tiger Woods during his original reign as world no. 1. An invaluable opportunity for our home-grown coaches, Hank spoke in great detail about his experiences in the game providing advice and insight along the way.

Hank also gave praise to our Australian PGA Professionals saying he had tremendous

Stephen Pitt CEO – Golf Australia

We recently confirmed the news that Northern Ireland’s world number 3 Rory McIlroy will compete in the Emirates Australian Open for the first time since 2007.

It’s great news for the Open and we’re all looking forward to having Rory back on our shores.

Together with the excitement on the return of our US Masters champion Adam Scott, it bodes for a terrific week at Royal Sydney Golf Club at the end of November.

If you haven’t purchased a ticket, they are now available at www.ticketek.com or by phoning 132 849 and we look forward to seeing as many golf fans as possible in Sydney.

respect for PGA Members who are amongst the world’s best teachers. This is certainly a great compliment from one of the world’s best, and also yet another reason for all golfers to get in touch with their local Pro and learn from the experts. If you don’t already know your local Pro you can utilise our Find a PGA Professional search at www.pga.org.au to get in touch.

On the tournament front there is a lot of excitement building as we have recently confirmed a number of players for the upcoming PGA Tour of Australasia season.

With the likes of Adam Scott, Rory McIlroy, Matt Kuchar and Rickie Fowler already confirmed we’re expecting even more announcements in the coming months that will ensure yet another spectacular summer of golf.

O u r ow n f l a g s h i p Au s t r a l i a n P G A Championship presented by Coca-Cola is also a current key focus for our Association with a great ticket offer now available to members of RACV and affiliated motoring groups across Australia and New Zealand.

When booking online via Ticketek, Members of RACV, RACQ, NRMA, RAASA, RACWA, RACT, RANT and NZAA will receive a 50 per cent discount off the standard ticket gate price by using a unique promo code available through your motoring group. This fantastic offer is also available at the gate and has been made possible thanks to the PGA’s partnership with RACV. I hope to see you there at Royal Pines from November 7-10 to celebrate Adam Scott’s return to Australia. •

In industry news, the Australian Golf Industry Council recently confirmed that competition golf rounds played in Australia increased by 5.4% to more than 13.1 million in the 2012-2013 financial year.

With more favourable golf weather conditions across the east coast of Australia in the last 12 months, the eastern states collectively pushed the annual national result to above 5% for the year.

This was driven by New South Wales - the largest state (in terms of golfers) delivering the largest rounds growth in the east of 7.6% The Northern Territory recorded the strongest growth of any state or territory for the financial year, up 13.9% on the 20112012 financial year figures.

The majority of the growth for the year has been in metropolitan regions, up 5.9% for the year against 5% in the regional areas.

Among the largest increases in competition rounds by district was Illawarra in NSW at 9%

and Group D (largely social clubs) in Western Australia where competition rounds played increased by 19%.

To have more than 13.1 million competition rounds played on Australian golf courses is a great result and that’s in addition to the millions of social golf rounds played during that period.

There are a range of factors that contribute to energising golfers to play more regularly including improved weather conditions and inspiration from the success of Australian players overseas – both of which we’ve seen in recent times.

With the new financial year underway, facility managers can continue to measure their own performance against the market trends, helping to put their own facility results into perspective.

Information on the Australian Golf Industry Council data is available at www.golf.org.au or www.agic.org.au •

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Karen Lunn to lead ALPG Former Women’s British Open champion and chairman of the Ladies European Tour, Karen Lunn has been announced as the Executive Director of the Australian Ladies Professional Golf Association (ALPG).

“We are very excited to welcome Karen home and into the ALPG Executive Director position," said ALPG president, Shani Waugh. "Karen's experience in tournament golf over the course of her exceptional career, which included 10 wins on the LET and four here at home, will be a tremendous asset.

“Karen’s playing experience, combined with her knowledge gained through working diligently as part of the LET Board for the past 14 years places her in a wonderful position to lead the ALPG. “ “The characteristics Karen displayed as a player - determined, persistent, strong and skilful will hold her in good stead in her new role.”

Speaking from the United Kingdom, Lunn couldn’t hide her excitement.

“I am absolutely delighted. I can't wait to get started! I have been involved with ladies golf at a professional level for more than 28 years, having been a player, a mentor, a TV commentator, and also Chairman of the board of the LET for the past nine years.”

“My passion for the game and for the ALPG has never been stronger and I look forward to working closely with the ALPG Board in exploring new opportunities and initiatives for all our members, as well as working with our current stakeholders to continue to improve the exposure and growth of women’s professional golf in Australia.”

Karen will officially commence her role on 9th September 2013. •

tour

with Steven Jeffress

Reflections on a Major Steven Jeffress ed@insidegolf.com.au

I am now back in Australia after my trip to the Open Championship and although I would like to say that I had time to sit back and relax, the reality is that after arriving back on the Gold Coast late Tuesday afternoon, I was on a plane again early Wednesday morning, heading for the beautiful Capricorn coast, to play in the Pat O’Driscoll Real Estate / Tropical Auto Group Classic.

I did however have time to do my stats for the Open Championship. After shooting rounds of 76 and 79 which saw me miss the cut by five shots, the tournament gave me a heap of confidence. I was right in the fight on the second day, but hit two-and-a-half bad shots—which turned into three double-bogeys during the middle part of my round.

I went for the green on the par-5 5th hole and drew it a little because of the rock-hard fairways. It kept running and just finished in the long grass, where I could hardly see my ball.

On the 8th hole I pushed my second shot—and despite nearly killing a marshal, no one could find my ball. So I had to head back to where I last played and hit another one. That was really disappointing as on TV I saw a number of guys in the same spot during the rest of the week and they were able to chip out onto the green.

The only other poor shot I hit for the week was on the par-3 13th, where I dumped it into the front bunker. It was buried so I had to play out sideways, leading to a 5.

It’s hard to believe that only two bad shots can come between you and the weekend at the Open, but as I learnt, it can and probably will again. These courses are so punishing. I did have a massive feather in my cap though, and that was not hitting it in the long grass once off the tee.

I played with KT Kim (played in the 2012 Presidents Cup) and Luke Guthrie (has made over $1 million on the US PGA Tour this year). For the two days I only missed four fairways, which was ranked 4th over the field, and I was ranked 18th in Greens in Regulation. A fair effort considering the quality of the field. But it was my short game that let me down a little, averaging 32% up-anddown (ranked 80th), and the putter averaged 33 putts per round. These stats are a little low, being that a good up-and-down percentage is around 55% and my normal putting stats are around 29 putts per round.

So in summary, I took a lot of positives out of the biggest tournament of my career, the most important one being that I can play just as good as the likes of McIlroy, Fowler and Manassero who also missed the cut. I just need to take my opportunities when they come.

One of the most satisfying parts of my week was the fact that my Mum came over to watch me play for just the third time in my career. The other two times were just nine holes in local pro-ams, but given that she is nearly 70, it was great for her to share the moment with me. She finished watching me at 9:30pm one night and then got home about midnight after catching the bus home. She tells me that she is already budgeting for coming back in 2014. How hard can it be to qualify twice in two years?

In reflecting on an amazing month, it is hard to see how the majors dictate a schedule and, for me certainly, I have revolved my entire year around playing just one event. With that being said, there is plenty on the horizon over the coming months. I am heading to Japanese Tour School in the 2nd week of this month, and am working hard on my game knowing the fairways are tight, and the rough is thick.

Prior to that, though, we have the Isuzu Queensland Open at Brookwater as well as the Jeep Pro Am at RACV Royal Pines Resort

which will see me play for more than $350,000 in just two weeks and being able to sleep in my own bed whilst doing so. There is a slight adjustment needed upon my return from the UK, back playing in Pro-Ams that don’t have merchandise trucks lining the course, “your choice” of practice ball at the range, an all-youcan-eat player’s lounge, and an $8 million prize purse! But the clubs in Australia do a great job, so if we can keep giving back, who knows, we may keep moving towards those things as a goal! •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

19

on tour

Spider, Shark or Thommo?

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

GOOD statistics, they say, is a powerful weapon capable of solving any argument.

Well, is it?

Will the stats or other factors solve this puzzle: Who is Australia’s greatest ever golfer – male or female?

The question arose after Karrie Webb captured the ShopRite PGA Classic on the US LPGA Tour last month.

It was the 38-year-old’s 39th victory on the LPGA Tour.

Those who measure greatness by the number of major wins will say Webb (7 wins) is Australia’s greatest golfer followed by the legendary Peter Thomson (5), Greg Norman and David Graham (2 each).

Graham Marsh won 70 professional tournaments including two majors on the Champions Tour.

Most aficionados seem to think it’s a threeperson race between “Spider” Webb, Thommo and the Shark.

There are many firmly in the Webb camp. They believe the honour should be judged on major victories alone.

However, there are strong arguments in favour of the Thomson and iconic and charismatic Norman.

All three are worthy contenders, but they are of different generations.

When Thomson won his fifth Open Championship in 1965, Norman was still in short pants, aged 10.

When the Shark, at 38, won his second Open Championship in 1993, Webb was 18 and contemplating turning professional, which she did a year later.

Let’s look at the facts and figures.

Thomson has 86 professional victories, many of those achieved by playing in a coat and tie and with “ancient” equipment.

Does Thomson earn extra points for using 1950s equipment and golf balls?

Many will argue players from different eras battled each other using the same equipment so it cancels out that argument.

In Thomson’s era, travel was slow and difficult compared to modern times when many stars travel by private jet.

Thomson didn’t have minders like psychologists, dieticians, fitness trainers, etc.

Thomson was up against formidable opponents like Bobby Locke, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Sam Snead.

Norman, according to the record books, has 91 professional victories playing against some of the greats including Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Tom Watson and towards the end Tiger Woods.

Webb, with 59 worldwide wins, too, battled the best players like Annika Sorenstam, Laura Davies, Yani Tseng, Lorena Ochoa and the current crop of Korean champions.

Still, as someone with more majors than any other Australian, Webb can genuinely claim, “I’m the greatest Australian golfer ever”, but she distances herself from the men versus women argument.

Webb won’t comment, but former Australian Ladies Professional Golf CEO Warren Sevill will and shares Webb’s thoughts.

“The men’s and women’s game shouldn’t be thrown in the same basket when it comes to this topic,” he said. “It’s the same sport, different game.

“The schedules, strength of field and style of play (power) vary between the men’s and women’s game as is the debate when the same question is posed in other sports such as tennis.

“The depth, quality of player and nature of the game due to technology, changes in different eras.

“It comes down to the definition of ‘great or greatest’ and how ‘greatness’ is measured or interpreted.

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“If we are talking about skill, mental strength, swing and technique then Karrie is as good as anyone we have ever seen.

“She has produced the shots and scores under pressure as well as, if not better, than any of our great players.”

Sevil believes the subject of the “greatest” should be compared on records only.

“I believe Karrie Webb is our most successful golfer,” he said. “Her seven major victories stand as the greatest record of all Australian golfers. “Norman has more wins worldwide, just two majors, but he has played more events per year than Karrie has during her career.

“On the other hand, Karrie played more than Peter Thomson so the argument is a complex one.

“If the measure is majors, then obviously Karrie’s seven victories cement her as our greatest ever when compared to the records of Norman, Thomson and Graham.

“I believe she can win a couple more and I doubt that any Australian will ever match her major record.”

Speaking of Graham, his two majors and 38 professional wins is astonishing considering the natural left-hander had to learn to play right-handed.

Ben Hogan, who watched Graham win the US Open at Merion, said he had never seen anyone hit the golf ball better than the Australian for accuracy and consistency.

According to Norman’s former coach Charlie Earp, Graham must be a contender.

“Graham won the US Open and the US PGA, did well in British Open (tied 3rd) and won the Australian Open,” he said.

Then there’s the other Norman … Norman von Nida, Australia’s golfing pioneer. Is he the greatest?

He led the charge into Europe and America and encouraged a nation of young champions to leave our shores and conquer the golfing world.

Earp, who has had an association with most of the top players, said von Nida paved the way for players like Thomson, Kel Nagle, the two Bruces — Crampton and Devlin, Eric Cremin and others.

Despite not winning a major, the Von’s record is impressive.

He finished inside the top-10 at the Open Championship on four occasions while his best result at the US Masters was a tie for 27th and a tie for 59th at the US Open.

Like Thomson, the Von never played in the US PGA Championship.

The Von finished his career with 43 professional wins – 30 of those on the

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

“closer than you think”

on tour Australasian Tour. He won three Australian Opens and four Australian PGA Championships.

“Let’s not forget Peter Senior,” Earp added.

He’s been a good player for a long, long time.

“And Bruce Crampton was a great player and sometimes played in every tournament in the year without a break. They don’t do that anymore.”

But back to the big three - Webb, Thomson and Norman.

Aside from his five Claret Jugs, Thomson won just once on the US PGA Tour – the Texas International Open in a playoff against Cary Middlecoff and Gene Littler.

He did win 11 times on the Senior US PGA Tour and if you count his US PGA Seniors’ Championship victory in 1985 he has six majors under his belt.

Since turning 50 in 2005, Norman has played a limited number of Champions Tour events, choosing rather to concentrate on his golf design business and other business interests.

That brings us to the business of second best in majors. Does it count for anything?

Norman leads this race with eight runner-up finishes compared to Webb’s five and Thomson’s three. (See tables below for other stats).

And what about major playoff losses?

When it comes to major playoff losses, Norman might just be the unluckiest golfer on the planet.

In 1987, he lost the US Masters to Larry Mize, who chipped in from an acute angle to win, lost an 18-hole playoff against Fuzzy Zoeller in the 1984 US Open, the 1989 Open Championship to Mark Calcavecchia and the 1993 US PGA to Paul Azinger.

Norman fans will argue he is Australia’s greatest golfing export – a man who spent 331 weeks as world number one.

When the Shark exploded on to the scene in the early 1980s, he popularised the game in Australia like no other.

If he was in the field, the turnstiles never stopped turning. He was one person people didn’t mind paying to watch play ... and practice.

Norman was a charismatic magnet in the 1980s and 1990s. Everyone wanted to play golf and clubs thrived and put up MEMBERSHIP FULL signs.

Golf magazine editors would put the Shark on the cover at every opportunity because they knew magazine sales would rise dramatically.

“When Greg arrived on the tee in America, Australia, Canada or Europe the crowds waited for him to see him play,” Earp said.

“Look what happened at the Palm Meadows Cup when he disqualified himself … everyone walked out.

“I was at a tournament in Sydney with Greg

Greg Norman is considered by many to be Australia’s greatest ever golfer, but how does his record stack up to Karrie Webb’s.

and a couple of guys walked up and said, ‘we want to congratulate you pair. You have done this country proud and nobody has done more for this country than you’.

“That was in reference to what Greg has done for our sport. He has done it in America, Canada, Europe and everywhere else.

“You have to consider all things when judging who is Australia’s greatest.

“If you go on majors alone, then Karrie is the greatest.”

If you go on each player’s ability and strength and add to it their overall contribution to the game, it’s another story.

Webb’s coach Ian Triggs agrees.

“I believe Karrie is our greatest ever golfer, because she won all the women’s majors and won many tournaments on all continents,” he said. “Greg (Norman) won two majors and Peter Thompson won five. Peter never really competed in the US so I don’t believe they have quite equalled or beaten Karrie.

“Eve n t hou g h Gre g has won many tournaments, many were on Australia’s tour and he wasn’t competing against the world’s leading players on all occasions. Most of Karrie’s wins have been against the leading players most times.

“Karrie secured the Grand Slam and was the youngest person admitted to the Hall of Fame.”

I ask Peter Thomson who he believes is Australia’s best ever golfer.

“It’s complicated to come up with an answer,” he said.

“It’s difficult for me to make a judgement because I am involved, but I thought Karrie Webb was the best of the three.

“She is a very skilful player and is still playing well.”

Norman, Webb and Thomson have made major contributions off the golf course.

The Shark started the Greg Norman Golf Foundation for juniors, put his name to the Greg Norman Holden International and has been there as support to most young professionals.

Webb, too, has inspired a young generation of young women starting their professional journey as did Thomson in the 1960s and ’70s.

As players, Norman’s raw power at the height of his game was something to behold.

“Thommo also used to get it out there and so does Karrie on the women’s tour, but I have never seen anybody hit a golf ball as well as Greg,” Earp said.

“When it comes to accuracy, Karrie is straight and Thommo could work the golf ball beautifully.

“Of course, Ossie Pickworth, who won four Australian Opens, was the best three-wood player I ever saw.

Four Australian greats - Bobby Locke, Peter Thomson, Ossie Pickworth and Norman von Nida.

(Photo courtesy of Golf Australia)

“Greg, Kar r ie and Thommo all had good short games, but when it came to putting Greg was hot and cold.

“Like Adam Scott, he missed them when he needed them most.

At their peak, Karrie and Thommo were very good putters, but Kel Nagle, the Centenary Open champion, was a hell of a putter.”

For the record, Nagle recorded 80 professional wins in his illustrious career.

Bruce Crampton won 42 professional tournaments – 14 of those were on the US PGA Tour and 20 on the Championship Tour. Bruce Devlin won eight times on the PGA Tour, once on the Champions Tour and 16 times on the Australasian Tour. •

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Karrie Webb: World Hall of Fame; LET rookie of year 1995; LPGA rookie of year 1996; LPGA money winner 1996-1999-2000; LPGA player of the year 1999- 2000; LPGA Vare Trophy 19971999-2000; LPGA Achievement Award 2000.

Greg Norman: World Hall of Fame; PGA Tour of Australia OOM winner 1978-’80-’83-’84’86-’88; European Tour OOM 1982; PGA Tour money winner 1986-’90-’95; PGA player of the year 1995; Vardon Trophy 1989-’90-’94; Byron Nelson Award 1998-’90-’93-’94 ’95; Old Tom Morris Award 2008 and Charlie Bartlett Award 2008.

Peter Thomson: World Hall of Fame member; Champions Tour OOM winner 1985 and Arnold Palmer Award (Champions Tour). Thommo would have finished atop the money list in Europe numerous times.

WINS AROUND THE WORLD Player

Wins

US

Aust

Europe

Japan

Seniors

Others

G. Norman

91

20

31

14

2

0

24

P. Thomson

86

6

34

26

1

11

8

K.Webb

59

39

12

1

3

N/A

4

D. Graham

39

8

8

2

1

5

15

K. Nagle

80

2

61

0

0

5

12

G. Marsh

70

1

15

4

25

6

19

B. Crampton

42

14

4

0

0

20

4

B. Devlin

28

8

16

0

0

1

3

P. Senior

31

0

22

4

3

1

1

J. Ferrier

30

18

10

0

0

0

2

J. Stephenson

26

16

2

1

2

3

2

F. Phillips

23

0

17

0

0

0

6

MAJOR FACTS Player

Majors Played

Cuts made

Wins

2nds

3rds

Top 5s

Top 10s

Top 25s

G. Norman

91

71

2

8

4

20

30

48

P.Thomson

43

35

5

3

1

12

20

30

K.Webb

70

64

7

5

3

15

33

48

D. Graham

77

56

2

0

1

5

16

28

K. Nagle

41

29

1

2

0

7

9

18

Greatest Australian female golfer and sportsperson There is little doubt Karrie Ann Webb is Australia’s greatest female golfer.

Jan Stephenson, who has 26 professional wins including three majors, held that title prior to Webb’s domination.

Then there is the debate about who is Australia’s greatest female sportsperson ever.

“Karrie is our greatest,” Sevil said emphatically. “Our Olympic champions have always been highlighted as the greatest because of the domestic and international media focus on the Olympics.

“With due respect, what Karrie has achieved outshines any of our other female sporting greats.

“She has mastered a game, which demands a broad skill set to be able to execute such a wide range of shots. Compared to running or swimming 100-400m, golf is the most difficult game of all.

“Karrie competes against ‘Olympic’ fields of more than 100 potential winners each time she tees it up … 25 weeks of the year.

“She has achieved world number one status and has been winning world-class events for 20 years.

“At the time (2005), she was the youngest ever to qualify for the World Golf Hall of Fame and is the only Australian female on that honour roll.

“I think it is a shame she has been denied the general media attention she deserves and, as a result, the general public are unaware of the enormity of her achievements.

“Thus, the perception of ‘who is our greatest’ is somewhat awareness based.”

Sevil may well be right, but fans of tennis, badminton, swimming and athletics may beg to differ.

Tennis player Margaret Court won 62 Grand Slams – 24 singles titles, 19 doubles and 19 mixed doubles titles.

Heather McKay (squash) dominated the game in the 1960s and 1970s winning 16 consecutive British Open titles. She won the world squash title twice, the US and Canadian squash titles and the Australian amateur 14 years in a row.

Swimmers Dawn Fraser and Shane Gould can’t be overlooked.

Gould set world records in five freestyle distances – 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m – and won a string of gold medals at the Olympics. She held eight Australian titles, broke 21 records and retired at age 16.

Fraser became the only swimmer (male or female) to win the 100m, freestyle at three successive Olympics – 1956, 1960 and 1964.

She won eight Olympic medals and six Commonwealth Games gold medals.

Well, dear readers, those are the facts and some of the statistics.

Who do you think is Australia’s greatest golfer – male or female? And is Karrie Webb Australia’s greatest female sportsperson?

If you have an opinion, email it in to us at ed@insidegolf.com.au, or post your comment on this story on our website. www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

21

on tour

Perske’s back and on a mission David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

PROFESSIONAL golfer Wayne Perske is the happiest he’s been for a long time and that could spell trouble for his counterparts as he goes about resurrecting his career.

The former Japan Golf Tour winner is back in the game as a full-time player after more than two years on the sidelines and is on a mission to regain his form and to mentor young players about the pitfalls they will undoubtedly encounter along the professional golf path.

Unfortunately, Japan was Perske’s demise after a run-in with the law, which subsequently led to a lifetime ban from the tour and a two-year suspension from the Australasian Tour.

A young sportsperson’s life can be laden with stress, and Perske wants to help potential young stars avoid and overcome those issues.

I caught up with the fit-looking 38-year-old at Pacific Golf Club in Brisbane, which is where he honed his craft before turning professional in 2000.

With a physique of a supremely trained athlete, it’s clear teetotaller Perske has spent more time in the gym than on the practice tee.

But that’s about to change.

“The last few months are the happiest I have been in a long time,”

he said.

Over coffee, I ask him how desperate he is to get back his old life – the one of a successful touring pro.

“I would love to have the feeling of winning again,” said Perske, who won the Japan’s Tour Token Homemate Cup in 2006 and the 2000 Eastern Australia Airlines Open on the former Von Nida Tour.

“I want to hold up trophies and ring my wife (Vanessa) to tell her I’ve won $400,000. That would be amazing.”

In the past couple of months, Perske has played a number of Queensland Sunshine Tour events with limited success due to lack of practice and working his swimming pool business.

Perske has again started working with coach Murray Lott (Brisbane Golf Club) – a man who helped deliver his best results.

“I have reunited with Murray to get the best out of my game,” he said.

“After Japan, it took me 18 months to want to play again and now the fire in my belly is burning hotter than ever,” he said.

Now, with the financial support from Cars and Finance Direct, Perske can concentrate on his game without the enormous financial pressures.

“I had a start in the Queensland Open and now my plan is to play on the OneAsia Tour and also mentor and teach young guys.

“I would have liked a shoulder to lean on in Japan. As a family man, I suffered from homesickness and found it hard to reach out and talk to people.

“In Japan, there are only a few Aussies on tour and while they are friends they are not really mates. They are competitors.

“We men bottle things up because we don’t want to admit weaknesses.

“Since my issues, I have seen other guys struggling mentally. In other

sports like NRL and AFL they have counsellors to help, but golfers are virtually on their own.”

Perske says Australian golf has lost a number of potential superstars simply because they haven’t had the guidance and mentoring.

“There are so many issues to deal with – financial, emotional, travel, homesickness, relationship and physical,”said Perske, who represented Australia alongside Aaron Baddeley, Brett Rumford and Scott Gardiner.

“I spoke to a bunch of elite kids from Golf Australia, which is where I sat 15 years ago.

“I asked, ‘who thinks they will be the world number one player’ and a few put their hand up.

“Then I asked, ‘who thinks they are going to play on the US PGA Tour’ and just about all of them put up their hand.

“The reality is of the nation’s 30 elite players, maybe one or two will hit a shot on the PGA Tour.

“And that’s because of financial, relationships, physical and other issues.

“If we can get a few more of these kids through that, it will be great for Australian golf.

“Who knows – the next Adam Scott could be sitting in that room and we could lose him.

“Parents, Golf Australia and the state bodies invest a lot of time and money in these players and it can be as simple

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as someone lending a hand, someone with experience to talk to.

“So I am putting myself out there now for younger blokes to give me a call. I will give them free, nonjudgemental advice.

“I have experience the highs and lows of professional golf and been to one of the worst places anyone can possibly go.

“Even though I don’t have a psychology degree, I can certainly be a shoulder to lean on.” •

Sending the wrong message ALCOHOL is a huge problem in Australian sport, according to Wayne Perske.

“I don’t think there is a drug problem, but I do think there is an alcohol problem on golf tours and sport across the board,” he said.

“For me, it’s disappointing to watch an NRL match and the coach thinks it’s okay to see players with a beer in their hand.

“I don’t think that sends a good message to kids.

“The biggest problem with golf is we tend to celebrate everything.

“I am all for celebrating wins, but I am not for drowning your sorrows over missed cuts.” •

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on tour

Major redemption for Dufner Two years after losing to Keegan Bradley in a playoff in the 93rd PGA Championship in Atlanta, Jason Dufner finally got his redemption, winning the 95th PGA Championship at Oak Hill by two shots over Jim Furyk.

Dufner entered the final round trailing Furyk by a shot, but played some of his best golf when it mattered the most. While many players (including Furyk) faltered over the weekend, Dufner made just two bogeys in his final 28 holes—those coming on his two final holes of the tournament.

With the win, Dufner captured his first Major Championship, and became the final player to qualify for the 2013 PGA Grand Slam of Golf to be played Oct. 14-16 at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda.

Adam Scott was best placed among the Aussie contingent, finishing T5, five shots back. While he played solid golf all weekend— including an amazing string of birdies in the opening round which saw him shoot a 5-under 65 to be tied for the lead on Day 1—Scotty was never able to slam the door on the field.

Yet that didn’t diminish his enthusiasm for his stellar play all season.

“At some point this year, I think I led every major at some point during the week,” Scott said.

“Obviously I’m peaking at the right

E S T IM AT IO N S of American Keegan Bradley skyrocketed after the US PGA Championship.

The 2011 US PGA champion was on his way to the airport when he made a U-turn and even ran a red light so he could get back to Oak Hill to see Jason Dufner win the Wanamaker Trophy.

Bradley was greenside and gave Dufner, who he beat in a playoff for the title in 2011, a huge bear hug.

The pair has formed a special

bond over the past two years.

“We just kind of bro-hugged, which I don’t know how that goes over,” Dufner said. “He just said, ‘I’m proud of you.’ And I just said, ‘Thanks a lot, it means a lot for you to be here.’ You always carry those scars [losing a major playoff ] with you. He always jabbed at me a little bit about having one of these [trophy] in his house, and thanks for giving it to him and all that stuff. Now I’ve got one, too.” •

Fans want major TV coverage Jason Dufner played near-flawless golf to capture the Wanamaker trophy (Photo: PGA of America) times. It’s hard to stay there for four days and have the lead the whole time, but I feel like I’m improving.

So it’s something to build on for next year’s season.”

A resurgent Jason Day shot an impressive final-round 67 to finish T8; indicating that he may have regained his top form. Other Aussies to make the cut included Marc Leishman, Matt Jones, Marcus Fraser and John Senden.

“I think the future looks really promising,” Scott added. “Jason [Day]’s really got the game to where he’s going to be a threat for as long as he wants now. [Marc Leishman] has got to be feeling good, too.

And we’ve got a whole host of guys with the experience. It’s just a matter of form. We have got the

guys with the talent. That never goes away; it’s just their form. When that comes back, we’re going to be really strong. It wouldn’t surprise me, you know, seeing Jason or myself or Leish do well to get right back in the mix, too.” •

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Tot -10 -8 -7 -6 -5 -5

R1 68 65 68 68 67 65

R2 63 68 66 70 71 68

R3 71 68 69 66 72 72

R4 68 71 70 70 65 70

Strk 270 272 273 274 275 275

-3 -2 4 5 11 7 8

67 70 72 67 72 70 74

71 70 71 69 70 77 74

72 70 73 75 73

67 68 68 74 76

277 278 284 285 291 147 148

DID you enjoy the television coverage of the US PGA Championship from Oak Hill?

How good was Jason Dufner coming down the stretch? Cool as a cucumber even under enormous pressure.

What...you didn’t see it?

It was on Fox Sports – all four days.

Unfortunately, golf fans who don’t subscribe to Fox Sports have to rely on free-to-air television networks to show about 20 seconds on the news.

Only the US Masters was on free-to-air (Ten Network) this year, which prompted golf fanatic Terry Ward to fire off a letter to Inside Golf.

“All golf clubs around Australia should generate and sign individual golf club petitions requesting the

Federal Government Minister of Broadband and Communications to alter the existing Government Legislation to include the British Open, US Open, US PGA and LPGA as mandatory inclusions on freeto-air television,” he suggested.

“I am sure there would be overwhelming support.”

Back in the good old days when Greg Norman ruled the golfing world, we used to get all the majors on free-to-air.

Now we have to pay to watch.

Every Australian golf fan would love to see Adam Scott, Jason Day, Marc Leishman, John Senden and others competing in the majors on free-to-air TV. Golfers are taxpayers who contribute to the publicly-funded television stations so let’s see them compete to put on the golf. •

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on tour

Escaping the rough As golfers, we all have our share of ups and downs with our game.

So how do top Tour players deal with slumps when there is so much on the line?

Garrett Johnston ed@insidegolf.com.au

As fans of the game we often look to the headlines and leaderboards during the big tournaments to see what will happen next in golf. Who will win this Sunday? Will Tiger get closer to Jack Nicklaus’ 18 majors? Will Jason Day capture his first major championship? How many more majors will Phil Mickelson win before all is said and done?

Often lost in the shuffle is that even on the

“

world’s most lucrative tour, many PGA Tour pros struggle with consistency and have to play their way out of slumps and overcome the mental obstacles of the game that challenge us all. And more often than not, a serious slump can put pressure on them to keep their Tour cards.

For us amateurs we all know what goes through our minds when we just can’t hit a fairway or sink a simple putt. We know what negative thoughts come to the forefront. But what do PGA Tour professionals think about when they’re going through a funk? Do they get more aggressive

You want to be intense and be physical with the game but once you’ve signed your card you have to absolutely throw everything away that might be baggage that happened during that day.

“

Photo: USGA/Steve Gibbons

with their game to get out of it or do they play conservatively and just try to keep the ball in play?

Does their approach change going into each round or their next shot? They are, after all, the best of the best but could they struggle with self-doubt and even self-pity?

The bottom line is that it is impossible to always play well. Even an accomplished player like Phil Mickelson will often miss cuts the week before a win. It’s simply not feasible to be on one’s game at all times.

“I’ve been a pro for 20 years now and you’re not going to have every part of your career and your season go rosy all the time,” Australian Greg Chalmers says. “You have to accept that there’s going to be an ebb and flow and hopefully when it starts to upswing you can take advantage of it.”

Although he has yet to win on the US Tour, Chalmers did harness his upswing of form during his 2011 campaign when he won both the Australian Open and the Australian PGA in dramatic fashion and against high quality fields.

Brendan Steele is a young American in his third year on Tour. Although he won relatively quickly during his rookie season at the 2011 Valero Texas Open he also agrees that dry spells and slumps are inevitable during any year in golf.

“The season is so long you’re going to have your ups and downs,” Steele says. “You just hope your downs aren’t that long and aren’t that down.”

Steele went through a major slump in 2013 missing six straight cuts during key events such as the Players Championship and US Open before

finally righting the ship with a tie for thirteenth at the Travelers Championship.

So while in the midst of these slumps, does it affect the way players view their next round?

“It’s good to get a fresh start but it can be hard if it’s been going bad for a while,” Steele says. “As soon as something bad happens you kind of fall into the ‘oh no not again’ and that’s where you have to battle with it because it’s a new week and you have a new chance so you have to try to dig it out of that. But it’s easier said than done.”

Chalmers believes that keeping a positive approach to the next round in this context is one of the game’s greatest challenges.

“The hardest part is staying positive when all evidence is to the contrary,” Chalmers says.

Chalmers looks for simple things to find confidence in, like playing well in the week’s pro-am.

Tour Players understandably differ on whether they should be more aggressive or conservative when trying to play their way out of a bad stretch.

In the mind of 20-time PGA Tour winner Davis Love III, the conservative approach leads to more overall opportunities.

“I think the worse you’re playing the less chances that you can really take,” Love says. “You’ve just got to go back to hitting the middle of the fairway and the middle of the green and be patient. Sometimes that’s the hardest thing to do is to back off.”

During Love’s prime, the 49-year-old American was one of the longest hitters ranking 1st in driving distance on Tour in 1994, so backing off and taking less club off the tee must not have been an easy decision for him.

“If you feel like you have to make birdies, the way to make birdies is to give yourself a lot of birdie putts instead of a lot of putts for par,” Love says.

For others like Australian Nick O’Hern, there is no change in approaching shots during a funk.

“I approach every shot the same,” O’Hern says.

“I just think of my routine, go through that, and

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on tour if I execute that I’m going to hit a good shot. If you hit a poor shot it’s because you’ve somehow slipped up on your routine, that’s what I’ve found.”

Other players like Steele favour the aggressive approach and tempering that with having a positive attitude.

“I think you get too cautious a lot of the time,” Steele says. “You get out there trying to not make mistakes as opposed to just playing and thinking ‘I’m going to make mistakes today but a lot of things are going to go my way’.”

When bounces don’t go a player’s way it can be very frustrating for them as well. But even if you’re Rich Beem and you’ve beaten Tiger in his prime during a major, the 2002 USPGA at Hazeltine, you still have to deal with a negative thinking in a dry stretch.

“When you’re playing bad you’re just not seeing the good things happen,” Beem says. “You’re focusing on the bad things happening. When something that you perceive as bad happens, you go ‘here we go again’.”

Aussie Aaron Baddeley empathizes with that feeling as well. But he also adds that there’s ultimately not much difference in getting out of a slump versus staying caught in it.

“It’s a fine line,” Baddeley says. “You lip out a putt, you don’t get it up and down and miss the cut by a shot as opposed to making it and then you have a good weekend and all the sudden you’re over your funk.”

Baddeley struggled through a funk in 2013 on the PGA Tour that led to ten straight missed cuts, the worst slump of his eleven-year US Tour career.

The fine line he speaks of is certainly evidenced by his missing the sixth of those ten cuts exactly on the number at the US Open at Merion.

“The easy thing to do is to start sulking,” Baddeley said of bad form. “But you’ve got to be patient, keep working towards something, finding the positives in everything.”

Once a round is completed it is very easy for players to wonder ‘what if ’, but Stuart Appleby

warns that you have to leave those sentiments and take a fresh start from one round to the next.

“You want to be intense and be physical with the game but once you’ve signed your card you have to absolutely throw everything away that might be baggage that happened during that day,” Appleby says. “Because, instinctually, as humans we tend to focus on the bad stuff.”

Sometimes these slumps are so pronounced and emotionally draining to players that they need some kind of escape or fresh start.

Players have their own unique ways of attaining a new perspective.

“If you can just take a step back and go home for a week or go something and not touch your golf clubs that’s probably as beneficial as anything just to clear your mind,” Beem says.

Steele chooses to give himself a pep talk in order to find a new start.

“Every round is a new round every shot is a new shot,” Steele says. “Just tell yourself that ‘my game is good it’s going to turn around’.”

Appleby—who had to use his one-time exemption for being in the top-50 in all-time money in order to play in 2013 after failing to qualify for his card—believes deep down that a year can simply turn around in one good week.

“It’s really about knowing that every single week you can go out and it’s another week,” said the nine-time US Tour winner. “It’s a new week.

There’s always that one week which can turn it around. Those stories are so true.”

Appleby’s fortunes turned around with a tremendous week in 2010 at the Greenbrier Classic with an out-of-this-world 59 which led to his first win in over four years. Appleby had gone into the event having missed 13 cuts in the 23 events preceding.

Appleby is also quick to point out the importance of looking at struggles in context.

Knowing that there is a bigger picture involved and that a player doesn’t need to stress out too much.

“If there was any advice I could give a young

“

The easy thing to do is to start sulking.

But you’ve got to be patient, keep working towards something, finding the positives in everything.

Photo: USGA/Darren Carroll

“

player it is to be competitive as much as you can but just know that you’ve got 20 years of this in the career at a world-class level,” Appleby says.

“There’s no point busting your nut right now thinking it’s do or die on every shot.”

Robert Allenby subscribes to the philosophy of not worrying during such bad spells.

“Just don’t worry and stay as calm as can be,” Allenby says. “You can’t force something that’s just not there so it’s just important to just stay focused on whatever you want to be and what you’d like to achieve.”

Instead of looking toward the future and goals, Nick O’Hern deals with the stress of playing badly by looking more to the present moment.

In other words, giving his undeterred best effort to the current shot.

“Every time you have negative thoughts you’re thinking about the future or the past,”

O’Hern says. “You think about what’s going to happen or what I just did. If you’re in the moment, nothing’s negative about the moment.

It is what it is. There’s no good, no bad, it’s just what is.”

Davis Love III takes a refreshingly positive perspective toward struggling on Tour. Perhaps that’s why he owns 20 victories in his career. He was never in a serious slump for too long.

“You always remember that the golf ball doesn’t know how you’ve been playing,” Love says. “If you just go out and play well you can turn it around real quick. It’s a strange game. It comes and goes that’s why overall you’ve just got to be very very even-keeled and patient and take the good with the bad.”

Overcoming the bad is rarely featured during golf tournament television coverage but it’s inevitable for many of these top players. •

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on tour

On top of the world in Switzerland Henry Peters

ed@insidegolf.com.au @hsspeters

Watches, chocolate, cheese and Roger Federer are what most Australians associate with Switzerland. But it’s also home to one of the most fascinating tour stops in world golf – this month’s 2.2 million Euro Omega European Masters in the Swiss Alps.

Of all the golf tournaments I’ve seen first-hand in Australia, the United States and Europe, few have fascinated me like the European Masters did last year when I caddied for young Victorian pro Kieran Pratt.

Staged close to 1,500 metres above sea level in the town of Crans-Sur-Sierre, the European Masters is unquestionably a favourite between European and Asian Tour players. Caddying for Pratt, I bore witness to the snow-capped mountains that form the backdrop to many holes – the most spectacular setting for a course I’ve seen.

It is no wonder Adam Scott calls Crans-SurSierre his European home – offering his empty house up to Victorian pro Marcus Fraser for the week. Even Greg Norman made the Omega European Masters a part of his sporadic playing schedule – albeit because of sponsorship obligations with the title sponsor.

The town itself is like something out of a fairytale. Comprised of a handful of streets, Crans-Sur-Sierre is a haven for high-end shopping and the perfect getaway for those who can afford it. Both first-time visitors to the area, Pratt and I were struck by how unique the experience was.

Kieran Pratt practises his putting while fellow Victorians Marcus Fraser and Marcus Both watch on during a practice round last year.

So quaint is the town that eating out at restaurants during tournament week was like a who’s who of European Tour golf. Every night a familiar face would be seated one or two tables across – Colin Montgomerie, Alexander Noren, Richard Sterne and Thomas Aiken just to name a few.

After a morning round, competitors are faced with the dilemma of deciding whether to finetune their games on the practice tee or savour some of the rare attractions on offer, such as taking a gondola across a few mountain peaks

to visit the Pleine Morte Glacier.

There’s even a ski lift running diagonally through Crans-Sur-Sierre’s course, which is completely snowed under in winter. But during the European Masters, the small town becomes immersed in the event in a way that a major city never could. The streets are lined with banners of past winners from Australia’s Graham Marsh to the late Severiano Ballesteros – a three-time champion in Crans-Sur-Sierre.

But Ballesteros’ impact on the event continues today. The Spaniard redesigned the course in

1999, which has notoriously small greens with run offs at every turn – a ploy that would have played to the advantage of Ballesteros’ short game wizardry.

Ballesteros’ enigmatic persona is partly responsible for the mix of great contemporary characters on the European Tour. Chief among those is fellow Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez.

The 2010 tournament winner and poster player for pony tails worldwide fired three closing rounds of 65, 66 and 66 – all the while puffing on his trademark cigar. Germany’s Marcel Siem sports his own spin-off of Jimenez’s hair-do but prefers a cigarette while strolling the tournament grounds.

With the energy that these characters bring to the game, they’re certainly entitled to the multitude of rewards on offer in the Swiss Alps.

Players receive 2,000 Euros just for teeing it up in the Monday pro-am but more impressive are the hole-in-one prizes.

A brand-new BMW worth more than AUD$160,000 and Omega watches tempt players to fire at flags. Swede Mathias Gronberg can count himself unlucky for acing the parthree third hole on the final day, for no prize was on offer.

While the PGA Tour of Australasia can go toeto-toe with Europe in terms of on-course prizes, it will never offer such an alpine landscape for a championship golf event. That is unless a course like Mount Beauty on the doorstep of Falls Creek ski resort in the Victorian Alps starts gaining altitude some time soon. For the moment we are free to dream.

The 2013 running of the Omega European Masters begins on September 5th. www.omegaeuropeanmasters.com •

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Cherie did ‘entertain’ the thought In brief: Cherie Alison

David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

WHEN Cherie Alison (nee Byrnes) is asked what possessed her quit her club professional’s job on beautiful Hamilton Island in Queensland’s Whitsundays, she provides an easy answer.

“It was a good lifestyle, but living on an island has a certain lifespan,” says Cherie, who is the golf operations manager and club professional at Port Kembla Golf Club.

“I was at Hamilton Island Golf Club just under two years and left to be close to my family and to give Mark (husband) the chance to get back in the golf industry.

“Mark is currently doing his traineeship at The Ridge Golf Club.”

It’s been two years since Nelson Bay’s favourite daughter and Mark dragged themselves off the tropical island and headed for the cooler climes of Port Kembla, 90 kilometres south of Sydney.

Life is good for the Alisons especially after Mark, a Kiwi, earned considerable brownie points by declaring his allegiance to the New South Wales rugby league team.

“We went to the State of Origin for his birthday and I was interested to see who he was going to support,” Cherie said. He ended up supporting New South Wales, which is nice.”

Yes, but whose corner is he in when the Wallabies play the All Blacks?

“It’s quite good when rugby on,” Cherie added.

“We’ll be sitting there watching the game and I really don’t mind if Australia or New Zealand wins because one of us will be happy.”

Cherie, 37, turned professional at the age of 24 and played the Ladies European Tour (LET) for eight consecutive years when a shoulder injury cut short her career.

Her best finish on the LET was a third place in the 2005 Algarve Ladies Open in Portugal.

If she could turn back the clock, she would have joined the play-for-pay ranks at a much younger age.

“I was 24 when I turned pro and feel I could have gone when I was younger,” she said.

Cherie Alison has returned to the mainland to further her golf career [INSET: Cherie during her days on tour.]

“But back in those days no one talked about turning pro and playing overseas.”

Cherie believes many of the elite amateur players followed her lead after she turned pro.

“A lot of the other girls watched what I did and all of a sudden they were turning pro.”

I ask Cherie if she has any other regrets.

“If I had my time over again I would spend more time working on my short game,” she said. “I hit a lot of fairways and greens, but I wasn’t getting up and down enough.”

While playing golf for a living has its advantages, Cherie believes it hindered her risk-taking abilities.

“Because of golf I now have a fear of playing different sports, which I never used to have when I was younger,” she explained.

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“When I was playing on the tour, I didn’t want to do anything in case I was injured. I would go into my shell when it came to doing adventurous things and I still feel like that today, but I am trying to overcome it.

“I went snow skiing in New Zealand recently and was conscious of falling over and getting hurt.

“Now I am making myself do things to see if I can do it.”

Growing up, Cherie was a talented dancer and had dreams of becoming an entertainer.

“I used to dance a lot when I was younger,” she said. “I should have learnt to sing better because I was reasonably good at dancing.

“If I had had a better (singing) voice I would have liked to have gone down the entertainment path.” •

When I was a child I wanted to be … an entertainer.

You wouldn’t know it, but I am very good at … tenpin bowling.

You may not know it, but I am no good at … tennis.

What I see when I look in the mirror … someone who has experienced and achieved a lot.

My favourite piece of clothing is … hoodie – because it’s colder down here.

I drive a … Ford Mondeo.

People describe me as … reliable, honest and friendly.

My favourite golf course is … Turnberry.

My worst habit is … talking through my husband’s favourite TV shows.

What I fear most is … failure.

What really makes me laugh is … our new puppy Bruce.

My five-year plan is … is to get higher in golf club management - GM. My greatest wish is … for people with an illness to find a cure quickly.

If there’s one thing I know it’s … I have been brought up well.

My guiltiest pleasure is … chocolate and wine.

At home I cook … a mixture of Australian, Italian and Asian meals.

One topic I avoid talking about is … I will talk about anything.

I wish I had … made more putts on tour.

I wish I hadn’t … needed shoulder surgery in 2007 as this led to me finishing my playing career earlier than I thought I would.

My motto in life is … don’t leave anything until tomorrow.

The hardest thing I’ve ever done was … packing my bags to head to Tour School in 2000 by myself, including having no caddie on my bag.

My life in five words … family, friends and working hard.

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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tour results

Web.com Tour PGA Tour

Mylan Classic

Pos Ctry Player 1 Ben Martin Kelly Kraft 2 Australia/NZ Results T31 James Nitties Adam Crawford T41 Danny Lee T46 Gavin Coles T46 Ashley Hall T59 Peter Lonard T62 Bronson La’Cassie Tim Wilkinson -

Tot R1 R2 R3 R4 Strk -17 66 67 67 67 267 -12 71 68 69 64 272 E +2 +3 +3 +7 +8 CUT CUT

69 69 72 71 70 69 73 76

73 71 69 70 72 73 72 74

73 74 75 76 74 75 -

69 72 71 70 75 75 -

284 286 287 287 291 292 145 150

Price Cutter Charity Championship Pos Ctry Player Andrew Svoboda 1 Fernando 2 Mechereffe Matt Davidson T3

Tot R1 R2 R3 R4 Strk -22 64 72 66 64 266

T3

-18 67 69 66 68 270

Daniel Chopra

-19 66 69 67 67 269 -18 70 66 70 64 270

5 Alex Prugh Australia/NZ Results Gavin Coles T14

-17 69 63 68 71 271

T14

James Nitties

-13 66 71 68 70 275

T19

Steven Alker

-12 67 70 69 70 276

T28

Aron Price

-11 71 67 71 68 277

T30

Nick O’Hern

-10 70 69 67 72 278

T47

Peter Lonard

-9

69 66 72 72 279

T61

Cameron Smith -6

70 67 75 70 282

-13 71 67 68 69 275

-

Mathew Goggin CUT 70 71 -

-

141

-

Steve Allan

CUT 69 73 -

-

142

-

Adam Crawford CUT 76 68 -

-

144

-

-

144

-

146

-

Nick Flanagan CUT 71 73 Bryden CUT 73 73 Macpherson Bronson La’Cassie CUT 74 72 -

-

146

-

Ashley Hall

-

147

-

CUT 69 78 -

Tiger dominates at WGC Tiger Woods cruised to his eighth victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational with a level par 70 in the last round, winning the event by a commanding seven shots over Henrik Stenson and defending champion Keegan Bradley.

Spaniard Miguel Angel Jiménez took a share of fourth spot with a final round of 69, alongside Zach Johnson and eventual PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner.

Pos Ctry Player 1 Tiger Woods Keegan Bradley T2 Henrik Stenson T2 Zach Johnson T4 Miguel Angel Jimenez T4 Jason Dufner T4 Australia/NZ Results T14 Adam Scott Jason Day T53 Brett Rumford T63 Daniel Popovic 73

Tot -15 -8 -8 -6 -6 -6

R1 66 66 65 69 71 67

R2 61 68 70 70 69 69

R3 68 71 67 68 65 67

R4 70 67 70 67 69 71

Strk 265 272 272 274 274 274

-2 8 12 34

73 74 76 79

68 72 74 77

66 72 72 76

71 70 70 82

278 288 292 314

RBC Canadian Open Pos Ctry Player 1 Brandt Snedeker William McGirt T2 Dustin Johnson T2 Jason Bohn T2 Matt Kuchar T2 Australia/NZ Results T9 Aaron Baddeley Stuart Appleby T31 Greg Chalmers T40 Cameron Percy T44 Alistair Presnell T49 Robert Allenby T61 Scott Gardiner T61 Geoff Ogilvy CUT John Senden CUT Rod Pampling CUT Nathan Green CUT

Tot -16 -13 -13 -13 -13

R1 70 71 75 70 66

R2 69 69 67 68 74

R3 63 67 63 66 64

R4 70 68 70 71 71

Strk 272 275 275 275 275

-11 -6 -5 -4 -3 -1 -1 2 2 4 7

68 69 73 71 72 72 66 72 73 75 78

68 73 68 70 67 69 74 74 73 73 73

73 69 67 73 68 74 75

68 71 75 70 78 72 72

277 282 283 284 285 287 287 146 146 148 151

Amateurs

Woodland sky-high at Reno-Tahoe Open Gary Woodland holed a 58-foot chip from the rough for one of his four birdies and got up-and-down to save par five times to win the Reno-Tahoe Open for his second PGA TOUR victory. Woodland finished with 44 points in the Modified Stableford format that awards eight points for double eagle, five for eagle, two for birdie, zero for par, minus-one for bogey and minus-three for double bogey or worse.

Jonathan Byrd and Andres Romero tied for second with 35 points, and Brendan Steele had 33 at Montreux Golf Club, (near the birthplace of Inside Golf editor Richard Fellner, by the way!)

2013 Reno-Tahoe Open (Modified Stableford Scoring) Player Gary Woodland Jonathan Byrd Andres Romero Brendan Steele David Mathis Dicky Pride Australia/NZ Results Stuart Appleby Rod Pampling Greg Chalmers Nathan Green Aaron Baddeley Cameron Percy Robert Allenby Nick O’Hern Steven Bowditch Scott Gardiner Steve Allan Marcus Fraser Alistair Presnell

Pos 1 T2 T2 4 T5 T5

R1 +14 +2 +8 +5 +10 +5

R2 +7 +4 +14 +8 +7 +6

R3 +16 +11 +5 +17 +12 +13

R4 +7 +18 +8 +3 +3 +8

Tot +44 +35 +35 +33 +32 +32

T16 T26 T39 T39 CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT

+12 +2 +13 +7 +2 -3 -2 +5 -3 -4 -4 -3 -5

+7 +17 +5 +4 +3 +8 +5 -2 +5 +5 +3 +1 -2

+2 -3 0 +4

+5 +7 +2 +5

+26 +23 +20 +20 +5 +5 +3 +3 +2 +1 -1 -2 -7

Emma Talley

Talley wins U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship Emma Talley, 19, of Princeton, Ky., survived a tough match with Yueer Cindy Feng, 17, of Orlando, Fla., and captured a 2-and-1 victory at the 2013 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship at the Country Club of Charleston.

Talley and Feng will both receive exemptions into the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club, provided they both remain amateurs. Talley also earned custody of the Robert Cox Trophy for the next year.

The best of the Australians was Su Hyun Oh who lost her quarterfinal match against Talley on the 19th hole.

Match - Final 1 Feng, Y Match - Semifinal 1 Chen, D 2 Lee, A Match - Quarterfinal 1 Diaz-Yi, L 2 Feng, Y 3 Sepmoree, K 4 Talley, E

Talley, E Feng, Y Talley, E Chen, D Park, A Lee, A Oh, S

Status 2&1 Status 3&2 1 up Status 4&3 6&4 4&3 19 holes

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The Federal Amateur Open is held annually at Federal Golf Club in the second week of November.

The event is a four round World Amateur Golf Ranking Tournament. Rounds 1 & 2 are played on the Friday and Saturday with a cut (60 players plus ties) before Rounds 3 & 4 are played on Sunday. Prizes are awarded for 1st – 5th, the Federal Medal (best four round score by an overseas player) and the Junior Medal (best four round score by a junior player under 18 years). Past players have included Marc Leishman, Nick Flanagan and Jason Day from Australia and international players Matthew Baldwin and Victor Dubuisson.

For further information, please contact Scott Elias, General Manager, on (02) 6281 1888.

32

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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tour results

Women

Seniors

Wiebe claims dramatic play-off victory

RICOH Women’s British Open American Stacy Lewis closed with a pair of birdies on The Old Course at St Andrews and earned her second major championship at the Ricoh Women’s British Open. Playing in the sixth-last group out, the World No.2 fired a final round of 72, finishing at 280, eight-under-par.

Inbee Park’s bid for the fourth leg of an historical Grand Slam came to an end when she closed with rounds of 74 and 78 for a six over par total of 294.

The Smyth Salver, awarded to the leading amateur at the Ricoh Women’s British Open, was shared between New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and England’s Georgia Hall after both players finished the Championship on six over par 294.

Katherine Hull-Kirk was the leading Australian when she finished in 22nd position, a triple bogey at the 14th hole proving costly to her chances of a possible top ten.

Pos Ctry Player 1 Stacy Lewis Na Yeon Choi T2 Hee Young Park T2 Suzann Pettersen T4 Morgan Pressel T4 Australia/NZ Results T22 Katherine Hull-Kirk Lydia Ko T42 Lindsey Wright T59 Sarah Kemp T68 Bree Arthur CUT Karrie Webb CUT Nikki Campbell CUT Stacey Keating CUT Sarah Jane Smith CUT Whitney Hillier CUT

Berenberg Masters

Tot -8 -6 -6 -5 -5

R1 67 67 70 70 66

R2 72 67 69 67 70

R3 69 75 70 72 71

R4 72 73 73 74 76

Strk 280 282 282 283 283

3 6 11 20 6 6 7 7 7 8

69 69 70 73 75 74 75 74 75 75

73 76 74 71 75 76 76 77 76 77

75 75 79 78

74 74 76 86

291 294 299 308 150 150 151 151 151 152

American Mark Wiebe claimed a dramatic victory in The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex following the resumption of a play-off with Germany’s Bernhard Langer on the Monday morning.

The pair had to return to Royal Birkdale to battle it out at 8am after darkness suspended play at 9.41pm on Sunday following the completion of two extra holes, and it was Wiebe who eventually struck the decisive blow after they played the 18th hole three more times, representing the longest play-off in the history of The Senior Open Championship.

Australian Peter Senior finished T3 with David Frost and 2010 US Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin, who equalled the low-round of the week with a five under par 65 to continue his incredible Senior Open record having finished second in 2010, tied third in 2011 and tied third last year. Peter Fowler, the 2011 Senior Tour Order of Merit winner, was a further two shots back on four under par.

Senior Open Championship Pos Player 1 Mark Wiebe (p.o.)

2 Bernhard Langer T3 Corey Pavin T3 Peter Senior T3 David Frost Australia/NZ Results 6 Peter Fowler T11 Steve Elkington MC Terry Price

To par -9 -9 -6 -6 -6 -4 E +13

LEADERBOARD Ctry Pos Name 1 TINNING, Steen 2 LANGER, Bernhard 3 JOB, Nick 4 MARTIN, Miguel Angel T5 LANE, Barry T5 TURNER, Greg Australia/NZ Results T26 FOWLER, Peter T34 PRICE, Terry T38 BANISTER, Graham T38 ELLIOTT, Tim T67 RATCLIFFE, Noel

WORLD RANKINGS To Par -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -5

Total 207 208 209 210 211 211

+2 +4 +5 +5 +16

218 220 221 221 232

R2 65 69 69 68 69 66

Tot 199 200 200 202 202 202

3M Championship Pos Ctry PLAYER 1 Tom Pernice Jr T2 Jeff Sluman Corey Pavin T2 T4 Jay Haas Bart Bryant T4 T4 Rod Spittle Australia/NZ Results T11 Peter Senior Steve Elkington T54

To par -17 -16 -16 -14 -14 -14 -12 -2

R1 66 69 65 69 66 68

R3 68 62 66 65 67 68

66 72 66 204 68 70 76 214

European Tour

M2M Russian Open Pos Ctry Player 1 Michael Hoey Alexandre Kaleka T2 Matthew Nixon T2 4 Joachim B Hansen Australia/NZ Results T24 Michael Campbell T24 Terry Pilkadaris T30 Scott Hend Daniel Gaunt T44

Tot -16 -12 -12 -11

R1 70 70 69 72

R2 67 67 70 70

R3 65 71 68 67

R4 70 68 69 68

Strk 272 276 276 277

-3 -3 -2 +2

70 71 70 70

73 71 69 72

72 70 74 73

70 73 73 75

285 285 286 290

Following the PGA Championship Top 20 Australians 1 Adam Scott (4 in world rankings) 2 Jason Day (20) 3 Marc Leishman (63) 4 Brett Rumford (87) 5 Marcus Fraser (88) 6 Geoff Ogilvy (89) 7 John Senden (91) 8 Brendan Jones (106) 9 Matt Jones (127) 10 Greg Chalmers (145) 11 Aaron Baddeley (161) 12 Scott Hend (220) 13 Brad Kennedy (221) 14 Peter Senior (244) 15 Wade Ormsby (266) 16 Cameron Percy (280) 17 Richard Green (281) 18 Stuart Appleby (287) 19 Scott Strange (304) 20 Jake Higginbottom (320) Top 5 World Rankings 1 Tiger Woods (averaged points 14.07) 2 Phil Mickelson (8.51) 3 Rory McIlroy (8.44) 4 Adam Scott (7.85) 5 Justin Rose (7.56) Top 20 Rolex World Rankings in Australia 1 Karrie Webb (6 in world) 2 Stacey Keating (86) 3 Lindsey Wright (94) 4 Katherine Hull-Kirk (98) 5 Sarah Jane Smith (156) 6 Nikki Campbell (174) 7 Bree Arthur (198) 8 Kristie Smith (218) 9 Sarah Kemp (221) 10 Rebecca Artis (246) 11 Whitney Hillier (261) 12 Karen Lunn (262) 13 Su-Hyun Oh (265) 14 Nikki Garrett (275) 15 Jessica Speechley (279) 16 Frances Bondad (310) 17 Tamie Durdin (330) 18 Julia Boland (339) 19 Minjee Lee (a) (350) 20 Stephanie Na (351) Top 5 Rolex Rankings 1 Inbee Park (averaged points 12.77) 2 Stacy Lewis (9.61) 3 Suzann Pettersen (8.15) 4 Na Yeon Choi (7.81) 5 So Yeon Ryu (7.07)

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coaching

Hank Haney shares top tips One of the world’s foremost authorities on golf coaching shared his secrets to good golf during a forum in Melbourne last month. Inside Golf was there to get an insider’s perspective on how one of the world’s best coaches drives success from students.

Richard Fellner ed@insidegolf.com.au

Hank Haney’s name is synonymous with coaching success. Known primarily as the former coach to world number one Tiger Woods during Tiger’s heyday, Haney has given an estimated 50,000 golf lessons in his career, and has also built and managed numerous golf facilities and player academies across the globe.

So when it was announced that Haney was going to share coaching tips and philosophies at a special forum at Southern Golf Club last month, Australian PGA Professionals came from far and wide to hear him speak, and pick his brain about getting the most from their students.

In Melbourne as par t of a tour promoting the newlylaunched Crocs Golf shoes,

36

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Haney shared the stage with Andy Maher in an open and insightful Q&A about his coaching philosophy and experience at the top echelon of the game.

Right off the bat, it was clear that Haney takes a pragmatic, simple and statistics-based approach to his coaching. This became evident when he stated that he believes that Distance, not Accuracy, is one of the most important aspects to the modern game.

“People always say you have to hit it straight, and hit fairways. Hitting fairways is a little overrated in my opinion,” he says.

“Distance allows you to reduce the Par of the course, and all the dominant players do that. If you look at Bubba Watson, for example, he’s playing a par-68 [vs 72] because there are no par-5’s for him. That’s one way to score.

“Distance gives you accuracy with every club except one [the driver], because you don’t have to hit as much club. Wedges go straighter than 8-irons, 8-irons go straighter than 6-irons, and 6-irons go straighter than 4-irons.”

Haney believes that there is too much emphasis on driving accuracy as a statistic, and that a simple adjustment could help reveal the better drivers on Tour.

“The PGA Tour does the ‘Total Driving’ statistic as 50 per cent distance and 50 per cent accuracy.

I’d put it at 60/40, distance to accuracy. And when I do those statistics, the number one driver on Tour last year was Adam Scott, and number two was Dustin Johnson.”

So, according to Haney, if you really want to play with the Big Boys, you need to hit it long.

“I think distance is the most important thing when determining a player’s potential.

If you can hit the ball 225 yards you will play nice golf but you’ll never be a scratch player. If you can hit it 250 you can be a 2 or 3 handicap but you’ll never play the Tour. 275 and you can play the Tour and win an occasional tournament but you’ll never dominate.”

Even if you don’t have aspirations of playing on Tour—and just want to play better during your weekly comp— Haney shared a few key philosophies to better golf.

And the top of that list: get your mind right.

“I think as a coach you need to spend all of your time coaching the brain.

Even when I’m working on a player’s technical part, I’m still working on things like ‘how to think’, and trying to give them confidence and teach them how to think their way through certain situations. People ask me if golf is 90 per cent mental.

I think that’s correct if the other 10 per cent of your game is 100 per cent correct,” he said.

After the mind is sorted, Haney believes there are some critical things that every golfer can do, no matter what their skill level.

“There are three things that you have

to do to play better golf. I don’t care if you are the best player in the world or an absolute beginner.

“Number one: You have to eliminate penalty shots. Even the best players in the world. This year at The Masters, Tiger had four penalty shots, and lost the tournament by two shots. Last year at The Masters, Phil Mickelson had four penalty shots, and missed the playoff by one shot. Penalty shots are a killer at any level of the game. So getting rid of your ‘Big, Bad Miss’— and your penalty shots—is critical.

“The next thing is to eliminate what I call the ‘Two Chips’. Two chips, two pitches, two sand shots. Whenever you get in close proximity to the green, you have to get the ball on the green in one shot. You don’t have to get it close, you don’t have to get it up and in. But you’ve got to get the ball on the green in one shot. For most amateurs, that means putt whenever you can.

Putt it from way off the green. But just get the ball on the green.

“The final thing is to eliminate three-putts.

You don’t have to ‘make’ putts. Amateurs are [too] worried about making putts. Pros only make about seven per cent of putts outside of 20 feet. But they only three-putt one percent of the time. Amateurs make about two percent of the [long] putts, but three-putt over 20 per cent of the time. And they think they are going to make up for the difference by ‘making’ more putts. It doesn’t happen. I just try to convince my students to hit the ball the right speed so they don’t three-putt.

“An amazing thing at the highest level: Steve Williams [when caddying for Tiger Woods] would keep statistics for every tournament. His statistics said that if Tiger didn’t three-putt, he would win 85 percent of the time. 85 percent! Jack Nicklaus only won 12 per cent over his career. So when Tiger would tell me ‘I need to make more putts’, I would tell him ‘You don’t have to make more putts. If you don’t three-putt, they can’t beat you.’”

In addition, Haney explained that there are nine shot types that golfers should aim to master in order to be better on the course.

“There’s nine specific shots you need to be able to hit: Straight Ball (low, medium and high), Ball right-to-left, curving to the target but not past the target (low, medium and high), and Ball going left-to-right, curving to the target but not past the target (low, medium and high). When you can play those nine shots you have a statistical advantage over any player. You can play off any different lies, different wind conditions, and you can play to different pin placements.”

Of course, Haney reminds us all that golf is, after all, a hard game. And getting harder all the time.

“The game has changed. The clubs...and the ball going so far. But at the same time, the green speeds have gotten a lot faster, the fairways have gotten narrower, the rough has gotten deeper, the golf course has gotten longer. All those things make the game harder. Much harder.

Especially the green speeds. You see that when your home club speeds up the greens for the club championship and suddenly no one can play them. They can’t come close to shooting

Hank Haney on…

…Tiger Woods’ current game “Statistically Tiger’s game is not as good as it was. Tiger has said ‘I’ve been right there’ in contention. The reality is he hasn’t been right there. Leading after the first round, that’s nice but it’s not being in contention.

Nor is losing by three when you were down by six after nine holes. I define being in serious contention as tied for the lead, or on the lead, sometime on Sunday. When you use that as your definition, for all players that have won more than two majors, they win one out of every three times they are in serious contention. Tiger has not been [in contention] since the 2008 US Open.” …Tiger’s putting: “Tiger’s a great putter, but I don’t think he prepares as much in the majors as he should.

People say he’s a great greens reader – but he’s actually a great ‘rememberer’ of greens.

He’s got an incredible memory. But if he hasn’t played that course [it’s a different story]. He goes to Majors, and he’s in the routine of playing 9-holes today, 9-holes tomorrow. So how much do you really know the greens?” …Winning “Winning majors isn’t easy. There’s only four of them every year. 90 per cent of players that win on the PGA Tour finish Top10 that week in putting. When you analyse that statistic, last year Brandt Snedeker was number one on the PGA Tour in putting.

But he only finished top-10 in six out of 24 events. So you have to parlay a great putting tournament with a great ballstriking tournament. You have to get both of them at once.”

their handicap.”

In addition, these changes all lead to further problems for the courses and the industry.

“The problem with the ball going longer is that everyone has to lengthen their course.

There’s a cost to that, the land costs a lot of money. The maintenance on an extra 400 yards means something. You have an extra 400 yards of course to water, maintain and fertilise. It’s longer to walk. These are all big problems with the game of golf, the cost and time. And the USGA and the R&A let it get out of control, to the detriment of the game.”

By the end of the session, Haney had delivered heaps of in-depth, practical information to the attending Australian PGA Professionals, of whom Haney has admitted to harbouring a high level of respect.

“The Australian PGA is the PGA that I have the utmost regard for. You guys are tremendous teachers,” he said.

High praise from one of the world’s best coaches.

So if you REALLY want to get better at the game, then it would certainly pay to make a beeline to your nearest PGA Professional. After all, if the world’s most successful golf coach holds our teaching pros in such high regard, then perhaps a visit or two can help you finally eliminate your ‘Big Miss’, or eradicate that dreaded three-putt.

To find a PGA Professional near you: www.findapgapro.com.au. For more on Crocs Golf: www.crocsaustralia.com.au •

instruction

What is the correct putting stroke for me?

Glenn Whittle glenn@whittlegolf.com (02) 9541 4960

One of the common questions golfers ask me during a putting lesson is which method of putting stroke do I teach people? My initial thought is: whichever one I think is going to help the player putt consistently well. I don’t teach one single method to putt.

I don’t actually say this to the players, however, as I know what they really wonder is, do I agree with the theory that the putter face opens and

closes during the stroke or do I think it should swing straight back and straight through.

Like with any golf shot, to hit the ball straight, the club face should be square to the path it is swinging on. So this throws a spanner in the works, because in actual fact, BOTH explanations of the putting stroke are incorrect. So how can we ensure that YOU are swinging the putter on the correct path and the putter face is behaving?

The photos this month show you a close up of Ellen’s (a client) putterhead. It demonstrates that it is swinging on the correct path, this is evident because her putterhead is not touching any of the six bumpers (three

on the outside and three on the inside) on The Putting Coach, and the fact that her golf ball has started in the centre of the tunnel on The Putting Coach means that her putter face was square as it struck the ball. If her putterface was closed at impact the ball would have started left and hit the left hand side of the tunnel and if it was open it would have started right and hit the right hand side of the tunnel The thing I like for Ellen is, she is learning the correct swing path and

putter face position at impact without me using a lot of words. Also, I really like that she is learning to do it for herself as opposed to being forced to do it correctly. I believe this will have a much longer-lasting impact on her.

I must mention that I needed to make a number of set-up changes before I thought Ellen was ready to work on her putting stroke. Without these changes I don’t think she would be able make this new stroke quite so easily. •

The 2008 NSW PGA Teacher of the Year, Glenn Whittle is an AAA PGA Member and is also an official iseekgolf.com teaching Panelist. Visit (www.sydneyputtingstudio.com) or www.whittlegolf.com

Eastern GC doubles up at Chefs Table awards The culinary and service awards just keep rolling in for The Eastern Golf Club, as they added two more highly-revered gongs to their already impressive trophy cabinet.

At the 2013 Clubs Vic Chefs Table Awards at the end of July, the Eastern staff took home the top prize for the “Good Food” category, which recognises outstanding overall Good Food Menu encompassing an Entrée, Main & Dessert meal. They followed that up with the “Best Presentation & Service” award for outstanding attention to detail within the setting of the event, presentation of the table, individual settings and service by front of house staff.

The Eastern chefs were judged on the execution of their menu, including preparation of the dishes, taste, presentation and keeping within the given budget with wines matched to each course. Their menu was then created for a head judge in the kitchen plus a minimum of 10 guests in The Eastern Golf Club clubhouse.

“For this year ’s Chefs Table competition, we created a menu utilising classic flavours which we hoped would reflect upon our club’s traditions and history. The menu also has a modern feel, which touches on our club’s direction of maintaining tradition whilst moving forward and evolving with the times, an important component for our club as we relocate in the coming years to Yering, Yarra Valley”, wrote Glenn Townsend, Head Chef. •

GIVE YOUR GOLF DAY GUESTS A UNIQUE CORPORATE GIFT These companies have: • Long term exposure of your brand • Your clients can use it indoors or outdoors, will keep it forever and will appreciate putting well Comes with six small hole bumpers for indoor and outdoor use

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37

instruction

Drive it straighter and longer David Williams david@willowgolf.com.au 0422 276 142

Everything we do should be about being able to deliver the club correctly to the ball on our way from the top of the backswing through to finish.

Miss-hits are the main reason for a lack of potential distance that your technique might produce. I see so many golfers tee up the ball high, but then place the club on the ground with the sweetspot directly below the ball.

I used to tee the ball up like this and my misshits would always strike the face towards the heel or nearer to the hosel. Gear effect would usually mean a heel impact on the face would produce fade or slice spin.

I now tee the ball up so that when the club is on the ground behind the ball, the ball is positioned on the toe of the club. This improved my ball striking with my driver immediately.

Here is the reason why…

When you strike the ball through impact, each golfer will have a set radius of their swing. The radius of the swing is the length of your target side arm and club from shoulder to clubhead.

If you place the club on the ground at address and then lift the club up a couple of inches off the ground, if you maintain your radius the club will not only move up but also away from the body. This is due to the fact that we play golf on an incline plane.

Since we must ensure that we make solid contact with the ball through impact it then

Addressing the ball so the toe is behind the ball will improve contact at impact. seems logical that we allow for any differences from where we address the ball to where we need to strike the ball.

So in the photo, we can see that SET UP should be with the toe of the club behind the ball (Blue Line) and IMPACT should happen with the sweetspot making contact with the ball (Red Line) So now with teeing the ball up on the toe of the club, the golfer won’t need to make any compensations by: shortening their radius (bending of the target side elbow or wrist) or by moving their centre of gravity either back or up to create room.

If the golfer sees the ball as slightly further away at address it will help promote extension through impact and allow the golfer to maintain their radius. The result of this will be a more centered impact with less loss of potential distance and straighter shots.

David Williams is an AAA Rated PGA Professional at Cardinia Beaconhills Golf Links.

He is also a Master Instructor of Medicus Golf Institute. www.willowgolf.com.au Setting up to allow for impact to happen correctly will lead to better ball striking.

Upcoming Events DUNTRYLEAGUE ORANGE

CITY OF ORANGE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP - 5-7 OCT 2013

Enjoy a long weekend of golf in NSW’s premier food and wine district and play on each of Orange’s magnificent golf courses. Duntryleague Golf Club, Orange Ex-Services Country Club and Wentworth Golf Club.

Played over three days and three courses and with $6,000 worth of prizes to be won, this is a championship event not to miss. www.golforange.com.au

Nelson Bay Golf Club PO BOX 33 Nelson Bay NSW 2315 (02) 4981 1132

ANNUAL VETERANS’ TOURNAMENT - 8-10 OCT 2013

This longstanding and popular Tournament includes three days of golf and a Presentation dinner on the Wednesday night. Numbers are limited to 216 players.

Accommodation on site in our famous 14 room mansion.

Further information is available from our Tournament DirectorIBeryl PearceI0428622300Ibeejaber@gmail.com

www.nelsonbaygolf.com

★ Rated Top 50 Courses in Australia for Under $50 ★ Host of the 2013 NSW Men’s and Ladies Mid Amateur Membership Available

• Country membership $375 • Mid Week Membership $375 • Conditions Apply

Full golfing membership $700.

Social play available 7 days per week.

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

LADIES’ OPEN TOURNAMENT - 28 OCT to 1 NOV 2013

The Ladies’ Open Tournament is a much anticipated Tournament on the Duntryleague calendar. The Tournament will include golfing events each day and some great social events as well. Accommodation on site in our famous 14 room mansion.

Further information is available from our Ladies CaptainIPat BradfordI0263618002Ijohnpatbradford@y7mail.com.

HAHN GOLF OPEN AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP - 9-10 NOV 2013

(Golf NSW Vardon Event & Senior Event in conjunction) These two days of golf are not to be missed. Saturday and Sunday Championship with individual daily events in conjunction. Test yourself against some of the best players in Australia. Accommodation on site in our famous 14 room mansion.

Please contact the Golf Shop on 02 6362 4072 for further enquiries.

STEVE CONRAN JUNIOR TOURNAMENT - 24 NOV 2013

A chance for up and coming juniors to experience one of Australia’s best regional courses. The Tournament is a must in every junior’s golfing calendar. Parents can relax and enjoy the hospitality and beauty of Duntryleague or take the opportunity to enjoy all that Orange has to offer. Accommodation on site in our famous 14 room mansion.

Golf Cars International 20 Kingston Drive, Helensvale, Gold Coast 4211 Phone: (07) 5529 9499 Email: sales@gcint.com.au www.golfcarsinternational.com.au

instruction

Cure the dreaded reverse pivot

Photo 2

Photo 1

Alan May

ed@insidegolf.com.au

The most common fault I see on the practice tee is the reverse pivot. This is where the left side, shoulder and knee drop down on the takeaway (as seen in photo 1). The outcome of this is a reverse position at impact, with the right side dropping on the downswing. This results in either a fat shot or a weak right shot that lacks distance, (as seen in photo 2).

If this sounds familiar to you, then try this

Photo 3

Photo 4

simple cure.

Firstly, slightly widen your stance to shoulder width. Then—while focussing on keeping your hips level—turn your left shoulder past the ball until it is over your left knee, (as seen in photo 3).

This will load your weight onto your right side, and therefore make the turn back to your left side on the downswing much easier, (see photo 4). I recommend using a theraband around the knees—keeping the tension on the band will also will also help give you the correct feeling of turning behind the ball.

Now your weight is moving in the same

direction as your arms on both the backswing and the downswing.

RESULT: Draw-shaped shots with more power and no sore backs or necks.

Alan May is an AAA rated PGA member and instructor at Thornleigh Golf Centre, www.thornleighgolfcentre.com.au. Alan has played the PGA tour over numerous years, and has developed coaching techniques for golfers suffering from back, neck and shoulder problems.

Platinum Partner Program Rookie of the Year

Lincoln Tighe is a name that many may not have heard of but the rising star of our game is certainly making an impression on the Queensland Sunshine Tour. Currently holding a strong lead in the Platinum Partner Program Rookie of the Year Award, Tighe has quickly gained the reputation of being one of the longest hitters on tour.

Tighe finished 56th at the PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School earlier this year though after winning the Coca Cola Morobe Open and narrowly missing winning the PNG double the week later, his confidence is certainly growing.

“I have learnt a lot being out on tour so far this year. We have played some great golf courses and I have met some wonderful people though the experience of mixing it with some of Australia’s best has been invaluable to my development”.

Tighe won’t have it all his own way though with New Zealand Professional Matthew Perry charging up the leaderboard after a top 20 finish in the City of Mackay Pro am as well as a third place in the City of Rockhampton Pro Am, now finding himself just 18 points behind Tighe.

The final event will be played at the Sanctuary Cove Pro Am on the 8th September with the player with the highest points winning an all expenses paid trip to PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School in December.

Current Leaderboard Pos 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th

Professional Lincoln Tighe Matthew Perry Dimitrios Papadatos Jonathon Holder Craig Hamilton

State Points NSW 124 NZ 106 NSW 87 QLD 75 NZ 42

For more head to www.pga.org.au •

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

* These are the Open Holden Scramble Event dates currently listed for September & October. For further event dates please check the Holden Scramble website

Singleton Golf Club 01-Sep-13 Dungog Golf Club 01-Sep-13 The Springs Golf & Country Club 04-Sep-13 Kiama Golf Club 06-Sep-13 Charlestown Golf Club 07-Sep-13 Merewether Golf Club 08-Sep-13 Twin Creeks G&CC 08-Sep-13 Worrigee Links Golf Club 08-Sep-13 Belmont Golf Club 08-Sep-13 Newcastle Golf Club 09-Sep-13 Cowra Golf Club 14-Sep-13 Northbridge Golf Club 14-Sep-13 Eden Gardens Country Club 15-Sep-13 Gunnedah Golf Club 15-Sep-13 Moss Vale Golf Club 15-Sep-13 Yamba G&CC 15-Sep-13 Cypress Lakes G&CC 15-Sep-13 Morisset Golf Club 18-Sep-13 Glen Innes Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Griffith Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Port Macquarie Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Maitland Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Harden Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Parramatta Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Dunedoo Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Georges River Golf Club 25-Sep-13 Coolamatong Country Club 28-Sep-13 Georges River Golf Club 28-Sep-13

NSW Kew Country Club 29-Sep-13 NSW Forster-Tuncurry Golf Club 29-Sep-13 NSW Highlands Golf Club 29-Sep-13 NSW Royal Military College GC 29-Sep-13 QLD Ballina Golf Club 01-Sep-13 QLD Bribie Island Golf Club 01-Sep-13 QLD Dalby Golf Club 01-Sep-13 QLD Laidley Golf Club 01-Sep-13 QLD Palmer Gold Coast 01-Sep-13 QLD Gold Coast Country Club 06-Sep-13 QLD Emerald Golf Club 07-Sep-13 QLD Bowen Golf Club 08-Sep-13 QLD Casino Golf Club 08-Sep-13 QLD Charleville Golf Club 08-Sep-13 QLD Coral Cove International GR 08-Sep-13 QLD Mackay Golf Club 12-Sep-13 QLD Palmer Coolum Resort 13-Sep-13 QLD Emu Park Golf Club 15-Sep-13 QLD Mareeba Golf Club 15-Sep-13 QLD Mystic Sands G&CC 15-Sep-13 QLD Yeppoon Golf Club 20-Sep-13 QLD Biloela Golf Club 21-Sep-13 QLD Roma Golf Club 22-Sep-13 22-Sep-13 QLD Capricorn Resort QLD Townsville Golf Club 22-Sep-13 QLD Wolston Park Golf Club 22-Sep-13 QLD Wynnum Golf Club 22-Sep-13 QLD Monto Golf Club 22-Sep-13

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 VIC VIC

Brookwater Golf Club 26-Sep-13 Riverlakes Golf Course 28-Sep-13 Atherton Golf Club 29-Sep-13 Oxley Golf Club 29-Sep-13 Karana Downs CC 06-Oct-13 Brighton Public Golf Course 06-Sep-13 Spring Valley Golf Club 06-Sep-13 Anglesea Golf Club 08-Sep-13 Rich River Golf Club 08-Sep-13 Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club 08-Sep-13 Portsea Golf Club 09-Sep-13 Bacchus Marsh Golf Club 14-Sep-13 Warragul Golf Club 14-Sep-13 Riverside Golf & Tennis 15-Sep-13 Wangaratta Golf Club 15-Sep-13 Eynesbury Golf Club 19-Sep-13 Kilmore Golf Club 21-Sep-13 Yarra Valley Country Club 21-Sep-13 Aussie Golf Ranch 22-Sep-13 Leongatha Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Safety Beach Country Club 22-Sep-13 Warrnambool Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Howlong Country Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Pakenham & District GC 28-Sep-13 Goonawarra Golf Club 28-Sep-13 Neangar Golf Club 29-Sep-13 South Pines Golf Club 29-Sep-13 Wodonga Golf Club 29-Sep-13

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

QLD QLD QLD QLD VIC

VIC VIC VIC VIC SA

Warragul Golf Club 13-Sep-13 Horsham Golf Club 27-Sep-13 Rich River Golf Club 27-Sep-13 Wodonga Golf Club 27-Sep-13 Lucindale Golf Club 20-Sep-13

TAS Launceston Golf Club 08-Sep-13 TAS Claremont Golf Club 12-Sep-13 WA Secret Harbour Golf Links 16-Sep-13

Murray Downs G&CC 29-Sep-13 Devilbend Golf Club 04-Oct-13 Horsham Golf Club 06-Oct-13 Mt Barker Golf Club 01-Sep-13 Murray Bridge Golf Club 08-Sep-13 Ardrossan Golf Club 08-Sep-13 Flagstaff Hill Golf Club 08-Sep-13 Blackwood Golf Club 15-Sep-13 Mt Osmond Golf Club 15-Sep-13 Naracoorte Golf Club 15-Sep-13 The Vines of Reynella GC 15-Sep-13 McCracken Country Club 15-Sep-13 Highercombe G&CC 22-Sep-13 Ulverstone Golf Club 01-Sep-13 Port Sorell Golf Club 15-Sep-13 Riverside Golf Club 15-Sep-13 Mowbray Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Claremont Golf Club 06-Oct-13 Mountain View Sporting Club 01-Sep-13 Secret Harbour Golf Links 14-Sep-13 Collie Golf Club 15-Sep-13 Moora Lake View GC 18-Sep-13 Jerramungup Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Bunbury Golf Club 26-Sep-13 Sanctuary Golf Resort 29-Sep-13

WOMEN’S EVENTS NSW NSW NSW NSW QLD

South West Rocks Country Club 10-Sep-13 Gosford Golf Club 19-Sep-13 Yowani Country Club 20-Sep-13 Griffith Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Peregian Springs Golf Club 08-Sep-13

Keperra Country Golf Club 12-Sep-13 Mt Warren Park Golf Club 13-Sep-13 Bundaberg Golf Club 15-Sep-13 Wynnum Golf Club 22-Sep-13 Anglesea Golf Club 08-Sep-13

PGA Events Division on 03 8320 1999 holdenscramble.com

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instruction

Top tips to transfer that weight Brent Dale

brent@brentdalegolf.com.au

I promised you in last month’s issue that I would follow up with some drills to help you transfer that weight.

This month I am showing you two teaching aids that I use a lot in my coaching and I find that they both help people realise what they should be doing in the golf swing.

1. The impact bag This one can often scare people. It’s a big bag that is full of towels or old clothes and when hit with a golf club if helps you use your body correctly.

How? Well, it was once described to me as “your brain knows that your are heading for a collision and it sends in its strongest force.” In this case, the strongest force is your core/body.

As said before, we are always trying to eliminate over-using the arms on the start of the downswing. So using this teaching aid helps your body realise what has to work in order to hit more consistent shots.

Set up to the bag and take a swing at it like you normally would with a ball. You want to make a nice “thud” sound when hitting it. See photo for the correct way the body should look when hitting the bag. Take note of the hands at impact being in front of the club head.

2. Power Wedge(or a golf ball) I use an aid called the “SKLZ Power Wedge” (See photo) It simply slides under the right foot (for a

Working with an impact bag can help train your brain to make proper contact

A power wedge (or golf ball) placed under your back foot can help you focus on transferring your weight to your forward leg.

right-handed golfer) and looks like a door stop.

This helps by placing your weight more on the inside of your right foot at set up and then as you make a swing this helps you transfer your weight easily across to the left side.

You can also use a golf ball if you can’t find one of these power wedges.

But the reason I like the power wedge is because it actually makes a loud click sound once you have transferred your weight correctly and your right heel is off the ground. If you

don’t transfer your weight correctly you won’t hear a click.

Best of luck and thanks for reading. • Brent Dale is an AAA Member of the Australian PGA, and Head professional at Liverpool golf club. Full Swing, Short Game and On Course Lessons available. Brent is also TPI Certified. www.brentdalegolf.com.au. brent@brentdalegolf.com.au. 0402 038 227

Adelaide Zoo electrified with gift Adelaide Zoo is the proud recipient of a gift from Toro Australia as part of the annual Toro Company Giving Program, an international activity with a primary focus on supporting not-for-profit organisations that preserve the outdoor environment.

An Electric Toro Workman Utility Vehicle was donated, the first to be gifted to a zoo in Australia, due to the exemplary work and contribution that the horticultural department has accomplished over the past 130 years at Adelaide Zoo. Zoos South Australia General Manager of Operations, Jeff Lugg, said the donation from Toro will be a fantastic contribution towards maintaining the eight hectares of zoo grounds.

“With more than 1,800 animals to provide naturalistic habitats for and eight hectares of botanic gardens to tend the Toro electric vehicle will certainly offer the team the ease and efficiency to carry out countless tasks like general planting and the transport of goods and heavy equipment to different sites around the zoo,” Jeff said.

“This is the first utility vehicle for the team, so it will definitely become a very useful piece of equipment and we are extremely grateful to Toro for the generous donation.”

“We’re pleased to have a long standing relationship with Toro as they supply most of the irrigation needs for the zoo gardens.

In the past they’ve also been a sponsor of Adelaide Zoo providing the grounds with a computerised and automated irrigation system.”

More: www.adelaidezoo.com.au •

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instruction

Getting maximum results from golf videos Tiffany Mika

tiffany@theladygolfteacher.com.au

Golf instruction videos featuring techniques and tips coming from teaching professionals are very common these days. If you jump onto YouTube you will discover hundreds of videos with tips and techniques about just about everything to do with golf.

Now, because there is so much information out there, which one is right?

They are all great and useful but what you should consider is what is the most common error in your technique. You can apply this to each stroke. For example, take a look at your putting stroke. What is the most common error that you have with your putting stroke? It could be an inconsistent stroke or you pull your putts left. You then sought out a video that is going to cater for your error.

In order for you to benefit from improving your technical problem here are three tips to help you ensure that you reap the rewards from every golf instruction video that you ever get to watch.

videos only once to try and get a single magic formula that will revolutionize their game.

Golfers do not realize that the valuable nuggets in these videos are hidden in the many small things you need to do which add up to a great improvement in your game.

Here is what you need to do, watch the video several times and take notes. You need to make sure you understand the key points. It is unrealistic to watch the video just once, then expect to keep it in your head, hit the course and believe you have solved your problem.

I will stress again, you do need to take notes, watch the video several times, pick out the key points. Then hit the practice area to begin to improve that area of your technique.

1) Watch the golf video instruction several times Some people watch golf instruction

2) Get video shots of yourself playing It may not be very easy to tell what

is wrong with your golf swing, putting, chipping, pitching or bunker stroke or how to correct it without taking a very close look at your game.

It is impor tant to compare your positioning with what you are practicing and comparing it with what you see in the golf instructional video. The best way to do this is to get somebody else to take video shots of you when you are practicing what you are working on in your game.

When you watch these alongside the golf instruction videos, it will be very easy for you to tell where your problem areas are and what you need to do to correct them.

It is so easy to do these days. Most people now have high tech phones that have video capabilities, so it will be easy to record and then you can compare your technique.

You can also load the videos up on YouTube and Facebook now have

Antill Park

9

these capabilities, so you can see the video image clearer to compare.

You can even send the link to your golf instructor or an instructor you would like to work with for her/him to view your particular part of your technique to make sure you are practicing the correct method.

3) Do golf-specific exercises to condition your body Thirdly you will need your body and the relevant muscles to cooperate with your mind as you try to implement what you have seen on the golf instruction video. They will most likely be new movements.

It will take some time to practice and time to get used to the new movements.

One of the most effective ways of doing this is by getting involved in a golf-specific exercise program to tone and strengthen all the ‘golf muscles’ in your body.

This way, they’ll be nothing to stop you from reaping maximum benefits from every golf instruction video you watch. •

Tiffany Mika is the Golf Teaching Professional at Bayview Golf Club in Mona vale. Tiffany has a Free Online Putting Program where you can learn how to Putt in your home. tiffany@theladygolfteacher.com.au or www.theladygolfteacher.com.au

Entries open for Mid-Amateur Entries are now open for the Australian Mid Amateur Championships to be played on the Open Course at Moonah Links Golf Club from 13-15 November.

The Championships continue to prove popular for players aged 30 to 54 years, and will again be played over 54-holes stroke play.

The venue of the 2003 and 2005 Australian Opens, competitors have the opportunity to test their game on the fairways walked by Peter Lonard and Robert Allenby, the two Open Champions in those years.

Whilst some of the very best golfers contest for the National Title on the field, the Championship also features a Welcome Barbecue on the Tuesday evening, and Presentation Drinks and Canapés on Friday afternoon.

A maximum handicap limit of 4.4 for men and 18.4 for women applies, with the entry fee of $150 including three rounds of Championship golf, one practice round, Presentation Drinks and Canapes, range balls and pull buggies, and a Championship Gift and Tournament Program.

For more information visit: www.golf.org.au •

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Golf at Picton

Just minutes from the Hume along Picton Rd

*Conditions apply

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

43

instruction VIDEO LESSON

Practising to build accuracy and consistency, Part 2

Chipping – the Y factor

Peter Croker

0415 292 549 www.crokergolfsystem.com

This month, we’ll introduce you to the Laws 3 & 4 of the six “Laws of Accuracy” and to see how they help you build a competent and consistent ability to achieve your goals in golf.

LAW #3 – THE LAW OF TARGET The Law of Target states that by hitting a specific target we develop stimulus discrimination via contiguous (Connecting without a break) reinforcement.

The importance of hitting an actual target when practicing relates to our need for feedback. Feedback needs to be frequent and immediate, as it: 1. Builds a strong association between our motor action and hitting our target; 2. Provides us with the knowledge that we have performed our task correctly; 3. Reinforces the likelihood that we will perform the correct action in future by acting as a reward KEY POINT: Only repetitions that actually hit your target help to develop accuracy!

Therefore training needs to be much more specific to its target in order for you to meet the requirements of the Law of Target. Simply swing away and hitting one ball after the other may give you a beautiful swing, but will do little for your accuracy. Therefore, only repetitions which actually hit your target count as productive repetitions because they provide us with feedback as to whether we have performed the skill correctly. It is only these repetitions that actually improve our accuracy.

Darren Weatherall LAW #4 – THE LAW OF SHAPING (Graduate through successive approximations until final target is achieved) In building your skills as a golfer this “baby steps” approach needs to be applied to building both technique first through swing technique drills from putt to chip to pitch to full swing as well as hitting the ball’s target at progressively longer distances to progressively smaller targets.

Hence in the “Key to Golf” Program we have the Modules to learn in a sequence that allows such a progression.

KEY POINT: Shaping involves reaching your final target by mastering incremental stages or successive approximations, one step at a time.

Keeping in mind the Law of Shaping, it would make more sense to work on the short game first. Only after a player has mastered their short game will they have the foundation to slowly increase their skill to a longer game.

Otherwise, errors in accuracy that may seem small and insignificant in your short game are likely to be amplified when you attempt to hit

the ball farther.

KEY POINT: Shaping requires patience!

Summary Although all golfers are eager to develop their long game and hit long drives, the Laws of shaping suggest that you are better off mastering shorter distances first and gradually progress to hitting targets longer distances away. However, please keep in mind that mastery here is built on the first three Laws – technique as set out in keytogolf.com, sufficient repetition to develop procedural memory and hitting your target to help stimulus discrimination. There are no shortcuts to building a secure foundation in your skill, so it is important to exercise patience during your skill development. We can all achieve fantastic abilities to play and enjoy this game of a lifetime when we step on to this Path using the Laws of Accuracy.

Watch the videos: http://keytogolf.com/Howto-Train-in-Golf/, http://keytogolf.com/Howto-Train-in-Golf-Putting-Law-of-Shaping/ •

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 Golf Science Centre in Cheltenham, and the Mornington Peninsula, he delivers school instruction, individual lessons, and has an “Online Lesson Program.” www.crokergolfsystem.com/Academy/view-your-swing.html

ed@insidegolf.com.au

Through my teaching experience I have found that most golfers that chip poorly commonly have the same issue. Poor chippers are trying to lift the ball off the ground with overactive hands and forearms. Firstly understand the club has loft to allow you to hit down on the ball. No scooping allowed!

To execute a proper chip, set up with 70% of weight on the front foot, your arms and club in a Y position. In your backswing, the upper body turns, maintaining weight on the front foot. Just after impact, your wrist angle should maintain the same ‘Y’ shape with minimal movement from hands and wrists. Keep the upper body moving towards the target for a beautifully-struck chip heading towards the hole.

Try the ‘Y’ technique and should you have any problems, it can be easily explained and implemented in a private lesson. • Darren Weatherall is a former touring professional and head teaching professional at Queensland’s Parkwood international Golf Learning Centre. PiGLC specialise in private tuition,elite player development, junior and adult clinics and have just launched their latest monthly development programs making golf improvement very affordable. www.parkwoodgc.com.au

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fitness

Three functional exercises to improve your golf Richard Nizielski richard@golffitsolutions.com 0438 027 768

A few months ago I wrote an article on strength testing for golf.

If you followed the few tests I outlined, it may have given you a bit of an idea of where you can improve your strength fitness.

Strength training for golf is primarily functional in nature.

Rather than performing exercises just to increase muscle size, strength or looks, functional exercises will help to achieve benefits for your golf.

The following examples cover three areas of golfing exercises I feel every golfer can benefit from.

Single leg exercises Single leg exercises develop better stability, strength and power in the lower body.

Improving single leg function will increase the ability to transfer body weight from one leg to the other, with speed and under control, during the golf swing.

Lunge Squat: Place a bench behind you.

Place one foot on the bench and the other around a stride length away from the bench.

Engage your deep abdominals for stability and begin to bend the support leg, performing a squatting action.

Be sure to have the support leg knee and foot in line and the knee above the ankle when squatting.

Return to the start position and repeat Lateral Lunge: This exercise emphasizes the lateral loading and unloading of the legs similar to that in the golf swing.

• From a standing position, take a long lunging step to the side.

• Land with control, with the knee over the foot and in line with the foot.

Top: Lunge squat. Bottom: Lateral lunge

Top: Seat cable row. Bottom: Lying pull up

• From here, push back up to the standing position and repeat the motion to the other side.

and pull yourself up touching your chest to the bar.

If you are having difficulty touching the bar, then make it a little easier by settong the bar a little higher.

Upper body pulling exercises The faster a golf club is swung the more centrifugal force is created. As a golfer, you will be producing a counter action to prevent the swinging club from pulling you along with it.

Upper body pulling exercises help strengthen and activate the upper back muscles.

Seat cable row: • Be sure when you do this exercise to draw your shoulders down and back.

• Keep your torso tall and straight.

• Pull the bar to your lower abdominal area.

• Squeeze your shoulder blades together.

• Return to the start position and repeat.

Lying pull up: • Set the bar to around waist height.

• Position yourself under the bar gripping the bar slightly wider than shoulder width.

• Engage your core, keeping your body straight

Torso rotational exercises Improved functional torso strength will allow the transfer of power developed in the lower body, through the kinetic chain and into the golf club.

60º seated torso rotations: • Sit on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat.

• Place your arms out in front of you, lean your torso back to around 60 degrees and begin

Top: 60º seated torso rotation. Bottom: Seated cable rotations to rotate your shoulders/torso from one side to the other.

• Repeat for the required repetitions.

Seated cable rotations: • Set the weights bench near the cable pull machine, with the cable handle at around chest height.

• Sit astride the bench to stabilize the lower half of your body.

• Hold the handle with both hands and rotate your torso, keeping your body tall as you do so.

These exercises are only a few of many.

Whichever exercises you choose to do, always work on form and control before increasing the load.

Happy golfing •

Richard Nizielski is a Brisbane-based golf fitness expert and the Director of Golf Fit Solutions. A three-time Olympian and medallist in the sport of short track speed skating, richard is a qualified sports and personal trainer designing individual fitness and nutrition programs for both professional and amateur golfers here in Australia and overseas. www.golffitsolutions.com

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

45

mental game

What makes you satisfied with your golf?

Mat Howe

ed@insidegolf.com.au

Every week on television and when I play in local competitions I notice golfers of all different standards being a little confused about what it means to be satisfied with golf. Knowing when and where to be satisfied has a big impact on our game’s performance and at a social level makes a massive difference to the people you are playing with. We all know of the players that are so dissatisfied with their game that you just don’t want to get grouped with them. In this article you will find ways to explore the details of what being satisfied means and how it affects your game in a variety of ways.

First, let’s take a few seconds to understand satisfaction. It can be seen as the obtainment of a desire/need/want. For example, when we become hungry for food, we eat and then hopefully we become satisfied and content.

In terms of how this relates to golf it could be that you have a certain handicap level you want to reach or even a certain type of shot you want to play. When you do these things most of us then feel satisfied. What I want you to explore here is some scenarios with different people who have varying satisfaction levels and how this impacts their progress and playing style.

Scenario 1 – This is a golfer who roughly plays off a 16 handicap, plays once a week, does no practice except for turning up 15 minutes before hit off and has a bit of a putt and chip, maybe even a few loosening swings. In terms of consistency, this player by nature of their skill level will be fairly inconsistent overall as golfer.

Mentally it’s very important for this golfer to be constantly aware that golf is not going

to be their profession and that the main thing golf is offering them back for their investment of large amounts of time and money should be satisfaction and social fun. Often this is not the case in what I see. This golfer often compares themselves to when they played their best or to others who have a better game than them.

This golfer can be very unsatisfied for the whole day of golf constantly complaining how they are struggling with a certain part of their game. So the mental lesson here is that if you resemble this golfer you may want to spend a bit more time considering the few good shots you hit well and savor these moments. This will help you relax more, play better golf in general and be a much better playing partner for your group.

Scenario 2 – This golfer is someone playing off around an 8 handicap and who manages to get a couple of practice sessions in each week.

They may even find time to play in two comps per week. Skill-level-wise there is a lot more consistency but still moments of madness where they seem to play like a rookie! Satisfaction-wise this is a tricky area to be in, because we now enter the territory where too much satisfaction causes

your mind to become complacent and not really advance any further. If this golfer is happy to stay around the level they are at then they need to take the same approach as mentioned above. If this golfer wants to improve a level or two then at times they are going to need to accept that not being satisfied is ok! Think about it: dissatisfaction makes us do things to get satisfied again. If we are not hungry we don’t really go looking for food.

How this golfer manages being dissatisfied in their mind can make or break them. The mental lesson for this scenario is to understand that dissatisfaction has a role in improvement.

Scenario 3 – Let’s look at a really good golfer, someone who is a scratch marker or better and look at how satisfaction plays an important role for them. A lot of people at this level are attempting to make a living from the game or at least achieve something solid. Satisfaction for them needs to be in a different place. If they fool themselves into being satisfied with mediocre training and performances then they will not advance very far in such a competitive environment. This level of golfer who is using satisfaction the right way will often be berating

themselves on the golf course about this little thing or that little thing. It’s because whether they know it consciously or not they need to keep getting better than their last shot or round if they are to even keep up with the other competitors.

Sometimes casual club golfers just don’t get this mentality. They think the person is a perfectionist and sees them as someone who doesn’t really enjoy the experience. Obviously there is a point where this mindset becomes counterproductive and the person’s joy from the game gets strangled by too higher standards.

I hope you now have a better understanding of how satisfaction can help or hurt your game.

If you’re basing your satisfaction purely on whether you shoot a certain score or not then prepare the defense armory because golf is going to give you a beating for a long time to come. Find out what other areas of the game satisfy you and whether or not you are content to stay at the level you presently are. Part of my role as a coach is to challenge my clients to get more from themselves so for this month’s article I challenge you to play a round in competition totally satisfied from start to end. See what you find out about yourself! • If you are interested in making the mental side of golf a strength in your game you will find Mat has simple powerful coaching services and products which can help speed up your progress and make the game more enjoyable.

Mat Howe is a Golf Mind Coach with a degree in Sport Psychology and has mentally coached golfers from the international professional playing standard through to beginners. You can reach Mat on 0410 695 605 or email him at mhmgolf@yahoo.com

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business

Growing the game through the power of referral Here are 11 ways you could personally help grow the game:

Mike Orloff

mike@golfindustrycentral.com.au

How were you introduced to the game of golf?

I’ve been asking this same question over the past several months to the attendees of the various golf marketing presentations I’ve been conducting nationally. This would include golf managers, Boards and players.

The results have been pretty consistent in this informal poll – approximately 80% are saying a family member or friend introduced them to the game of golf.

Are we as an industry overlooking a great opportunity that is sitting right under our noses?

We have some great new initiatives and (finally) a “whole of sport” approach happening in our industry, which will become much more apparent as we head into the end of this year.

The nation and the world will be watching our shores with all the great events were holding in November this year.

We all would agree that the national organisations are the ones with the greatest potential to grow the population of golfers through their player development efforts.

But what about trying to reach the non-golfer with a personal “invitation” to try golf from a friend, colleague or family member as another strategy? This is something that each and every one of us can do now! As with most grassroots efforts, engaging the “Core” of golfers to invite or refer others into the game can be hugely impactful and efficient.

Many golfers feel they have no vested interest in growing the game (and are naturally most interested in their own games), but there are golf lovers who take pleasure in inviting folks into the game that has added so much to their lives. I can personally vouch for that occurring and I look forward to the days I can play with my son and daughter when they get a little bit older.

Some recent National Golf Foundation (US) research found that 41% of the estimated 14.4 Million Core golfers in the US know at least one non-golfer who is interested in playing golf. The average Core golfer knows three interested non-golfers. This equates to approximately 5.9 million Core Golfers who know 17.7 million interested non-golfers!

85% of these Core golfers said they would be happy to refer a non-golfer to some kind of structured golf program.

What is the estimated size of the “referral team” currently in Australia?

We’re not totally sure, but Golf Australia statistics show an approximate participation of 1 million golfers in Australia, with 80% of these playing more than 6 times a year. If we took 41% of this number it would equate to 328,000 Core golfers, which would know just under 1million non-golfers. Even if the figures were only a quarter correct, it’s still 250,000 non-golfers that we could introduce golf to!

In marketing we sometimes overlook the obvious. Have we all forgotten how we were introduced to the game? Was it an Uncle or Grandmother, maybe a friend, who took the time to share something they loved, hoping we would love it too. No golfer ever forgets who taught them the game, they recall everything about it; how old they were, where they were… But mostly we recall the encouragement and passion that our mentor had for the game. They are special memories that endure for a lifetime. Wouldn’t you like to be part of someone’s memory? A fond recollection of a gift you gave them, a gift they will cherish for a lifetime?

In a nutshell if each person that played the game of golf was to introduce just one new person to the game it would have a

tremendous effect on the number of new players entering our facilities.

Is it time for individual golfers to take an active role in promoting and ensuring the ongoing health of our sport?

We hate to be called elitist, but most of us do shy away from people who don’t play when they express an interest in trying.

When was the last time you invited a beginner to a round of golf or for a hit at the range? How many of you cringe when you get paired with someone who has a 25+ handicap or who has only played a couple of times? With worldwide golf participation rates shrinking or steady at best, it’s time for each and every one of us in the game to step up and make a difference.

Who best to be ambassadors for the game than all of us who work in this industry and play the game regularly? We love the game and we know our product better than anyone else?

Do we each as golfers have an obligation to encourage others to try the game? I think we do.

Should we each try to inspire one? Be an example and share with one… just one.

Please share with us how you were introduced to golf, and then go out and invite another to join us in this great game of life.

• Introduce just one new or infrequent golfer to the game. Invite them to the range, for nine holes, or even just to watch it on TV. Get them interested – it’s also a great way to bond with your son or daughter and can even be fun with your wife.

• Introduce ‘beginner tees’ to your course.

Create a simple tee box similar to a drop zone with tee markers: Par3 100mtr, Par4 150mtr and Par5 200mtr.

• Make the game fun for beginner golfers.

Don’t criticise them for not knowing the rules and don’t even worry about the rules. Let them tee up for every shot, throw the ball out of the bunker after two missed swings, and pick up the ball after so many shots. Just get them involved.

• Set aside off-peak playing times for beginners. E.g. Last hour of each day, backnine early in the morning.

• Recognition in club newsletter for members that introduce a new player. Conduct a ‘What’s their name?’ contest.

• Introduce a golfing club or program at your workplace. Go to the range for a hit every week.

• Promote a nine-hole golf competition, if you don’t already have one.

• Hold a themed “Jack and Jill” event for your members and partners. The beginner in the group only has to putt the ball once it reaches the green.

• Conduct a free introductory beginner golf clinic monthly. Charge for range balls if you need to cover costs.

• Hold a parent/child nine-hole event.

Make it a best ball format and make sure the kids receive some kind of prize.

• Have a putting competition with themed holes on the putting green on corporate golf days. Invite the non-playing employees of the corporation to participate. • Mike Orloff specialises in providing golf operations and marketing solutions for all levels of golf facilities and businesses with the major outcomes being in growing revenue and the bottom-line for your facility. www.golfindustrycentral.com.au

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gear

NEW GEAR

New Scotty Cameron Futura X Mallet Putter

The Scotty Cameron by Titleist Futura X putter is a high MOI, modern mallet design with advanced perimeter weighting that provides exceptional stability and forgiveness with solid feel.

The new Futura X, is the direct result of Cameron’s extensive work with Titleist Brand Ambassador Adam Scott, who used a prototype version of the putter in winning the 2013 Masters Tournament. Scott, who has been using Cameron putters for more than a decade, calls Futura X “the most stable putter I have ever played.”

Precision milled from high grade 6061 aluminium, the unique Futura X design combines a rear balance bar with deep heel-toe weights plus perimeter weighting under the

face. The resulting deep CG provides stability throughout the stroke, while the perimeter weighting adds forgiveness and solid feel. The result is unmatched stability and a great roll.

Futura X features four stainless heel-toe weights in total. The rear balance bar has two 20-gram weights. Two adjustable stainless steel sole weights (configured depending on the length) are in the front corners of the putter under the face.

Offered in standard lengths of 33, 34 and 35 inches, with Futura Mid and Long putters available through custom order only.

Available September 2nd.

RRP $469 www.titleist.com.au/golf-clubs/putters/ futura-x.aspx

Golf Panoramas

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This season’s Callaway line found inspiration in the natural beauty, advanced technology and industrial innovation of Scandinavia.

The assortment combines the sophisticated style and superior performance that makes Callaway a leader in golf authenticity.

Embracing simplicity and functionality, expect sharper lines, bolder colours and utilitarian design influences. Callaway apparel captures the brand’s commitment to unmatched performance, comfort and style, from a new contemporary angle.

The Erland Polo is a roadmap-striped polo with solid detailing and 1/2-ribbed sleeve.

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Callaway and Chevron on right sleeve. 100% polyester, antimicrobial wicking material with UV protection.

The Johan Polo is a Raglan polo with wicking material and colour-blocked graphics.

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Axign Biomechanical Golf Orthotics

Axign Biomechanical Golf Orthotics gives golfers a solid foundation for the entire body through stabilising the foot and ankle, which follows through to the knees, hips and back. The orthotics fit into most leading golf shoes, and consistently fix biomechanical defects such as pronation and supination, and allows your body to achieve balance. During mid-stance, they force the foot to regain arch structure, allow the correct alignment of the ankle and heel, and engage a more natural and powerful toe position to assist in hip rotation and shoulder swing toward the ball’s target.

Axign Biomechanical Golf Orthotics help

prevent common golf injuries such as lower back, arm, shoulder joints, knees, and resolve many foot ailments such as heel pain, plantar fasciitis and tendonitis. By accommodating foot abnormalities, stabilizing and supporting the feet, ankles, knees and hips, Axign Biomechanical Golf Orthotics improves strength (powerful swing, impact zone), increases club head velocity, boosts distance and accuracy and reduces fatigue.

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gear

Book: Bump & Run

TaylorMade SLDR

The new SLDR is TaylorMade’s best performing driver in their history, combining low and forward Centre of Gravity and easy adjustability for increased distance.

Similar to the impact the “Speed Pocket” had on the performance of the RocketBallz fairway and Rescue clubs, TaylorMade engineers believe SLDR’s low and forward CG placement will redefine driver distance.

Optimizing the CG location produces more efficient transfer of energy, and helps golfers produce a high launch, low spin ball flight for more distance.

In addition to the low-forward CG benefits, SLDR also incorporates a complete reinvention of TaylorMade’s movable weight technology, making it more effective and easier to use. SLDR features a blue, 20-gram weight that slides on a track located on the front of the sole. The 21-point sliding weight system slides from a fade to neutral to draw (left to right) promoting 30 yards of sideto-side trajectory change. Just loosen the weight and slide to your desired location.

Available in four lofts – 8°, 9.5°, 10.5° and 12°, SLDR is equipped with a Fujikura Speeder 57 graphite shaft and TaylorMade high-traction grip. The Tour Preferred version, SLDR TP, combines the same clubhead with the tour-calibre Fujikura Speeder Tour Spec 6.3 graphite shaft. A variety of custom shafts are also available.

RRP: $529 / $639 TP option. www.taylormadegolf.com.au

Sureshotgps SS9500x

Know the distance and leave nothing to chance with the new Sureshotgps SS9500x.

Use the colourful 3” transflective screen to view detailed preloaded aerial images so you can play with confidence by following your position on the course and see the challenges that lie ahead. The SS9500x allows you to play in any weather and see the screen clearly with the transflective, sunlight readable screen and water-resistant cover.

Get to know the distance quickly with accurate readings to all hazards and the front, centre and back of the greens. Zoom in and out for extra accuracy and create your own point-to-point measurements for the optimum distance information.

With a faster GPS processer than ever before, the unit includes full touch screen including a stylus for pin point precision and handy inbuilt scorecard.

The SS9500x lasts up to 36 holes between charges and will automatically recognise the hole and course when you step on to play anywhere in Australia. Receive free access to the Sureshotgps worldwide course database to take your golfing abroad.

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Mizuno MP-54 Irons

The MP-54 is a thick, powerful Grain Flow Forged iron crafted to awaken the shotmaker in players needing just a little forgiveness. A deep Milled Pocket Cavity (3-7 iron) delivers stability on off-centre strikes, while a heavily bevelled sole ensures cleaner turf interaction and the workability to take your ball striking to the next level.

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There is anticipation in the air for the ‘Bump & Run’ golf book, by Australian author Andrew Crockett. Andrew has spent the last two years interviewing the elders of Australian golf, including Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle, David Graham, Bill Dunk, Frank Phillips, Bruce Crampton, Jan Stephenson and over a dozen others. With recent confirmation that Adam Scott has penned the foreword and Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have kindly donated their time, we asked Crockett a few questions about the book.

We have seen a draft copy and the first thing that jumps to mind is how much time has gone into this book.

Some weeks I have worked 70 hours or more, not to mention the travelling and countless hours researching. I am glad people can pick up a draft copy and instantly recognise the amount of time that has gone into it. It is not like a generically published book that has a dozen images sewn into the centre pages, with words each side of it. There are over 200 images in this 246 page coffee table book and I have employed artists to help make it look timeless.

Tell us more about the watercolour art and illustrations There are four artists that have been employed.

The well-known artist Robert A Wade, at 83 years of age has been a member of Metropolitan for over 50 years; his watercolour work is in many of Australia’s premium golf clubhouses and also in St Andrews, Scotland. Harry Daily is more like an Andy Warhol sort of character, based in San Diego. He painted the front cover to my surfing books and has travelled the world with his art; still in his 30s he brings a youthfulness to the book.

Jamie Kasdaglis has turned out some dramatic watercolours and also has painted the front cover in a 1930s poster-art style. Sketch Holiday has created all the hand drawn fonts.

Why the elders and what are they saying?

Asking the elders what they think are the secrets to putting; for example, listening to Jack Nicklaus or Sir Bob Charles talk about that and reading it all in one place. That question on putting has all their answers right there on the page, a baker’s dozen of the finest golfers giving us clues that will help our own games. There are a dozen questions they all answer; putting is just one aspect we touched on. It helped my game talking to all these legends; I holed two bunker shots in 9 holes, after talking with Gary Player and shot 71 at The Legends course, after a putting tip from Frank Phillips. My handicap has

dropped from 6 to 3 and I haven’t even been playing!

With the elders, I wanted to go back in time to that era where the Australian Open was considered the fifth major. An era where Australia was a golf manufacturing powerhouse, via Slazengers, PGF/East Brothers and Spalding.

Researching the Australian Open and how successful it was as a tournament really provides some insight into how Australia can get back on the international radar and have a truly international event. That era, the 60s and 70s was just a fantastic period and not only for golf. I went a little further back in time to dig up folklore from the lives of Jim Ferrier, Harry Williams, Dan Soutar, Carnegie Clark and even Walter Travis. Norman Von Nida comes to life in the book too, which is quite remarkable considering he left us in 2007.

Book publishing has changed a lot in Australia, how have you managed to succeed?

With a lot of luck and good fortune. I am 100% independent from the giant publishers. I try to make books with an artistic sensibility and vintage charm. Commercialism churns out books that are ‘here today and gone tomorrow’ - and I want Bump & Run to be here in November and never gone. You won’t find the book in bookshops; the only way I can make it work financially is to have it available online, where I sell it direct to the readers. Patrons will hopefully see the book at the Australian Masters, World Cup, Australian Open and the Australian PGA - it should also be in the clubhouses and some pro shops; but if people really want to buy it I would suggest telling their wives/families now to bookmark the website and place an order when it goes live on the 1st of November. Peter Thomson saw the book last month and remarked ‘this is a $100 book’ - and it is $100 book in the good old days of publishing, but these days it is a $49.95 book and only available online.

More information www.bumpandrun.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

51

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Australia’s best amateur pairs coming to the fore NRMA Motoring & Services launched the first round of 16 qualifying events in NSW and the ACT for the 2013 Auto Club Golf Championship at Lynwood Golf Club on the 14th of August. The winning pair, Joel Allen and Bob Blows combined to an impressive 68pts to secure a place in the Championship Final at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast next March.

For the second year in a row, Thrifty Car Rental, owned by NRMA Motoring & Services is a major partner of the Auto Club Golf Championship.

As part of this year’s event, Thrifty is sponsoring the Thrifty Longest Drive competition, giving players the chance to win weekend car hire at each regional event (some restrictions apply).

Thrifty is the only 100 per cent Australian owned and operated car rental company and is the exclusive car rental partner of leading Auto Clubs in Australia and New Zealand.

Australian Motoring Services Members receive exclusive benefits and savings with Thrifty every day, such as Member discounts and reduced damage liability.

With a bounty of prizes for players plus the incredible US Masters Promotion, the 2013 series is filling fast with both golfers and golf clubs securing their place in the tournament. All New South Wales pairs receive a dozen complimentary Taylor Made burner golf balls when they register.

NRMA Members will also receive a sensational shoe bag supplied by NRMA BusinessWise, which provides roadside assistance and motoring support to over 21,000 fleet running businesses in NSW and the ACT. There are 70 events with 140 places available for the Championship Final in March 2014. ACGC are encouraging amateur golfers to make their state proud by representing their State Auto Club.

Go to the website www.acgc.com.au and find an ACGC event that suits.

UPCOMING ACGC EVENTS

With a combined 68 pts at the Lynwood qualifying event, Joel Allen and Bob Blows have secured a place in the ACGC Championship Final.

Win a trip to see Scotty defend his Masters title Simply by registering your pair in the 2013 Auto Club Golf Championship you could find yourself in Augusta watching Adam Scott defend his title at the 2014US Masters. Every pair who records their details when registering will go in the draw for a trip for two people to the 2014 Masters valued at $15,000. Play more than one ACGC event and increase your odds to see Adam defend his green jacket.

To find an event date in your region and register your pair visit: www.acgc.com.au

Ladies tee up for victory in the ACGC The Auto Club Golf Championship Committee are thrilled by the high number

of women registering to play in this year’s event. Assistant Tournament Director, PGA Professional Hayley Hunt said, “it is fantastic to see so many women registering, not to mention taking out some of the Thrifty Longest Drive prizes.”

“The 2013 series has already had several husband and wife teams secure themselves a trip to the Gold Coast for the Championship Final.

To date we haven’t had ladies pair qualify for the final, but we are hoping that more women will pair up and enter. If you know anyone who might be interested make sure you spread the word.”

The tournament is open to amateur golfers 16 years and older.

For more information including event dates in your region and to register your pair visit: www.acgc.com.au www.facebook.com/autoclubgolfchampionship •

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53

legends

Yip – Langer is one of the greats David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

BERNHARD Langer might have been afflicted with the yips in his 20s, but it didn’t stop him from becoming one of the game’s true legends.

The 55-year-old, who turned pro in 1972 aged 15, has 89 professional tournament wins on six continents.

The two-time US Masters champion and winner of the Senior Open Championship and Senior US Open played in 10 Ryder Cup teams and has career earnings close to $12m.

Langer’s putting woes can be traced back to 1980 when, out of desperation, he picked up an Acushnet Bull’s Eye ladies’ putter for £5, had the grip thickened and started to find success.

While putting remained a weak link in his game, his length and accuracy off the tee and his excellent ball-striking skills kept him in the winner’s circle.

Earlier in his career, his putting was so bad he occasionally hit the ball twice. It wasn’t uncommon to see him knock a two-foot putt four-foot past the hole.

In matchplay tournaments, including the Ryder Cup, few, if any, opponents conceded him a short putt.

Langer was confident and smooth with his long putts, but when his ball was close to the hole, nerves took over.

“It’s as if some other being had taken me over,” he once said.

Still, Langer is one of the game’s legends, according to Rodger Davis.

“Bernhard Langer is one of the toughest competitors in the game – especially in playoffs,” Davis said.

The chairman of the Australian PGA Legends Tour should know. Twice Langer edged out Davis in playoffs.

“Bernhard beat me in two playoffs – one in the German Open and one in the German Masters,” Davis recalled “The 1986 German Open playoff went five holes,” Davis said. “I birdied four of the five holes and he birdied five.”

Then, in 1991, Langer again broke Davis’ heart.

“When he beat me in the 1991 German Masters playoff it was a week after he missed a five-foot putt in the Ryder Cup and Europe lost,” Davis said.

Langer and American Hale Irwin finished all square when Langer missed a short putt. Had the putt dropped, Langer would have won 1-up, the teams would have tied (14-14) and Europe would have retained the Cup. “In the German Masters, Bernhard holed a 35-foot putt on the last hole to tie me and then he holed a 25-footer on the first hole to beat me in the playoff.

“I said, ‘Bernhard, why didn’t you swap it?

You can have the Ryder Cup and I’ll have the German Masters’.

“Not only is Bernhard Langer one hell of a player, he is a great bloke,” Davis added. “You don’t get much better than Bernhard. He is just a lovely man.”

Davis can draw some comfort knowing he isn’t the only player to lose a playoff to the master.

Seve Ballesteros, Ken Brown, Bill Longmuir, Jeff Sluman, Craig Stadler, John Cook, Jay Haas, Bobby Wadkins, Barry Lane, Gordon Brown and Lanny Wadkins make up a long list of players Langer put to the sword in playoffs.

Mind you, Langer hasn’t won every playoff he’s been involved in.

In the Senior Open Championship last month, he lost a playoff to American Mark Weibe and South African David Frost beat him in a playoff at the AT&T Championship last year.

In 1982, Langer should have won the Sun Alliance PGA Championship in England by several strokes, but lost to Tony Jacklin in a playoff.

Langer missed several birdie chances and found himself in a playoff after four-putting the 16th (70th hole).

Born in Anhansen West Germany in 1957, Langer developed fever cramps several times as a child and nearly died as a result.

Introduced to golf as an eight-year-old caddie, Langer was soon hooked on the game and it wasn’t long until he was winning junior events.

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Despite a bounty of putting problems throughout his career, Bernhard Langer still managed to regularly visit the winner’s circle (Photo: USGA /John Mummert). INSET: Langer holds a joey during the 1985 Queensland Open at Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club.

He developed back problems when he was 19 following an 18-month stint in the German Air Force. Marching with a 30-pound pack and rifle led to two stress fractures and bulging discs.

He won his first German National Open (a different event to the German Open) as an amateur and went on to win another 12.

Langer, the best player to emerge from Germany, switched to the long putter in the mid-1990s.

The quietly-spoken German is not too pleased with the USGA’s ruling that hinged-to-the-body putters will be illegal in 2016.

“After 40 years or more of declaring it a legal club, then to call it illegal, it didn’t seem to make a lot of sense,” Langer said.

“If it’s that easy with a long putter, why isn’t everyone using it?”

Like Davis, Australian Steve Elkington speaks highly of Langer and his achievements in the game.

“He is a great competitor,” he said. “I admire how he plays, because you can put a guy like (Seve) Ballesteros next to him and he has pretty much the same record.”

Langer is still capable of matching it with the players on the regular tour and proved it by finishing in a tie for 25th at this year’s US Masters.

“I chose to compete on the Champions Tour and I love it out here,” he said.

“I love the game, I love to compete, and I’m having fun doing it.”

The World Golf Hall of Famer won the European OOM in 1981-’84, was European Tour player of the year in 1985-’93, Champions Tour money winner in 2008-’09-’10-’12.

The 1985 Australian Masters champion won 42 European Tour titles and already has 18 wins on the Champions Tour.

Langer and his American wife Vikki Carol have four children and have homes in Langer’s birthplace of Anhansen, Germany and in Florida. •

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juniors

Peregian Springs Juniors represent Qld at School Golf Championships

Peregian Springs Golf Club junior members Cassie Porter (10 years old) and Christian Butterworth (11 years old) were rewarded for their outstanding form of recent months, both having been selected to play in the Queensland Primary Schools Team for 2013.

After achieving selection in the Sunshine Coast Primary Schools Regional Team in the first quarter of 2013, Cassie and Christian continued to work hard and thus impressed the selectors with their outstanding performances.

In early July, Cassie and Christian competed in the Queensland School Sport State Golf Championships held at Wynnum. Along with fellow team members Arnott Bailey and Richard Colenel, Cassie and Christian made Sunshine Coast golfers proud by winning the team event.

Cassie recorded her best ever score with a nett 65 in the girls event, giving her runner-up honours.

Christian was also runner-up in the boys event, with a best nett score of 66.

Both Cassie and Christian are being well supported by their home club, Peregian Springs.

The club has recognised their talent and has awarded them both golf sponsorships for 20132014.

These two exceptional junior golfers battled alongside fellow competitors in the Australian School Sports Championship, which was hosted

by Victoria on the Bellarine Peninsula from 25th – 31st August. And while the event had not yet been played at press time, the results can be viewed on our website, www.insidegolf.com.au.

For more information about the Peregian Springs Junior Golf Tuition, please contact Melissa West on T: 0404 062 905 E: melissa.west@psgc. com.au or visit www.peregiansprings.com.au for more information. •

Golf a big hit in Miles Golf Queensland’s Participation Development Officer, Lee Harrington, recently embarked on a four-day golf promotion in the small Queensland town of Miles, 336km north-east of Brisbane.

Dalby PGA Member, Heath Garvey, was also involved in the trip, working with Lee to grow the game in the town.

The pair spent two days at Miles Primary School and Miles High School, teaching golf skills and playing fun golf games with over 250 students.

Following the school visits, Lee and Heath conducted a Community Coaching Course with seven local community members, keen to give back to the community and introduce new and existing participants to the game of golf.

On the Sunday, Miles Golf Club held a Family Fun Golf Day, involving 40-50 children and their

families going through skills sessions with Lee and Heath. 15 juniors then got on the course and put their new skills into practice.

“It has been a fantastic four days in Miles,” said Lee. “We have met lots of local school children, parents and people looking to get involved with golf.”

“It’s great getting out to the smaller towns to promote the game. The people are very friendly and extremely enthusiastic to further promote the game in the future.”

“Golf is a wonderful game for people of all ages and abilities to get involved with. Being able to visit a town like Miles and teach over 250 kids some basic golf skills will hopefully give them a taste of the sport and they’ll continue to put their skills into practice.” •

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juniors

Laura helps drive kids into golf THEY have only been on their feet for a couple of years, but that’s not stopping kids as young as three front up to Redcliffe Golf Club’s subjunior golf clinics.

The club’s junior coordinator Laura McCahon and golf professional Freddy Hay put 65 juniors and a number of Special Olympics young adults through their paces every Saturday between 12 noon and 1pm.

When they teed off in February this year there were 31 juniors signed up, but that number has more than doubled.

Laura, 22, a former Redcliffe junior member, told Inside Golf she was getting as much joy out of the popular program as the children.

“I was an eight-year-old sub-junior at Redcliffe over 10 years ago so it’s good to come back and give something back to the club that gave me everything,” she said.

“I played junior pennant for the club, but my parents moved away when I was 12. Now I have moved back and it’s been the best thing ever.

“I love helping grow junior golf. We have a couple of kids as young as three and teach them the basics – stance, grip and posture.

“When some of them start swinging the club, you can tell they are naturals, which is pretty good.

“We also work with the Special Olympics and have about seven young adults attending the clinics.

“That has been the best part and they join in with the kids, which is a good learning curve for everyone. They all get along so well and are so supportive of each other,” said Laura, who also works part-time in the office alongside secretary manager Kerry Newsome.

Once the students learn the basics they start playing three holes. As they develop more skills, they progress to eight, 11 and 18 holes.

Redcliffe junior coordinator Laura McCahon poses with her young charges.

What’s pleasing is 25 per cent of the students are girls.

“We have some great talent, but my main focus is making sure the kids have fun and enjoy being out there,” Laura said.

“They really do enjoy their golf and come to the clinics because they love it – not because their parents insist they learn golf.

“Some of the more developed kids are now starting to take private lessons to speed up their progress.”

Those who attend the clinics pay $5 and a further $5 if they want to play in the competition.

Laura and professional Freddy Hay easily manage the large number of attendees thanks to the generous voluntary support of members.

“It’s encouraging to see so many enthusiastic kids attend the clinics,” Laura said. If they keep turning up in big numbers, we may have to have two sessions – one from 11 to 12 and from 12 to 1pm.”

Laura said the success of the sub-junior program is due to the support of the club’s secretary manager Kerry Newsome and the committee.

“They have put a lot of faith in me and have helped myself and Freddy a lot,” she said.

“Our members have also played a huge part by being so accommodating and supporting of our juniors – not only with money and trophy donations but with the understanding that kids are the future of golf.”

For more information, call the golf club on (07) 3284 5485. •

Junior star shines for Toowoomba

TOOWOOMBA Golf Club at Middle Ridge on the magnificent Darling Downs has a potential star in the making.

Punching well above his weight, 14-year-old Lawry Flynn finished tied third at the Queensland Men’s Country Week Championship at Indooroopilly Golf Club in Brisbane.

Flynn carded rounds of 75-72 for a 147 total – four shots behind winner Surfers Paradise’s Boyd Johnson (71-72).

Brookwater’s Jason Mcdonald (73-73) – 146 was runner-up.

“That’s not bad for a junior,” said his proud club manager Steve Owen.

“Lawry has also completed the pennant season for our Division 1 team with an impressive win-loss record,” he said.

“This kid is going to be a star of the future if he keeps going – there is no doubt about it.

“Lawry was the youngest competitor in the field and was the best of our members who played in the 151-strong field.

“Our other top-20 finisher in the 36hole stroke event was Jason McWilliam (76-81–147) finished 17th.” •

Keep up with us online!

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

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

57

juniors

MDGA moves to inspire junior and women golfers

AASC, Sport Development Officers work together in the Western Region What does golf have in common with cricket, tennis, lawn bowls and AFL? They are all linked by a relationship with the Active Afterschool Communities (AASC) program and they all met in Dubbo at the end of June to discuss exciting new opportunities that are being developed in the local region.

The AASC program is looking to facilitate opportunities for a number of sports including golf to encourage kids to consider joining a club or participating in activities that are available in the western region, and let’s face it, in some of our remote areas the only opportunity that might exist could be a small golf club, a couple of community tennis courts or a lawn bowls club.

By exploring opportunities and pushing boundaries we are seeing a return to some of these sports by kids who are relishing the opportunity of participating in activities that can be found in their own communities.

AASC Golf in terms three and four have been requested at more than 18 schools throughout the Central West and Western area from Trunkey to Tibooburra. Where possible, JNJG Territory Manager, Sharon Nott will be involved with a full day MyGolf school visit including a session at the local golf club.

Building on existing relationships with sport, the AASC program is helping sport identify opportunities through local schools and Out of School Hours Care Centres through a regular quar terly meeting opportunity. Discussions include future directions in sport, and joint initiative opportunities.

To get involved in the program contact: Jack Newton Junior Golf at www.jnjg.com.au •

58

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Teacher training on the Far South Coast ELEVEN teachers from all different schools on the Far South Coast completed the MyGolf teacher training at the Moruya Golf Club in June to help them in providing a golf program in their schools.

The teachers learnt the basic skills of grip stance and swing. They had a go at a range of different shots from chipping; pitching and full swing and gave putting a go. They finished up testing their course design skills. They are all looking forward to getting back to their schools and getting their students into the swing of things.

The Department of Education and Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) have formed a partnership to offer teachers and students a great opportunity to experience the sport of golf, the sport that lasts a lifetime.

JNJG has focused on and developed a training program using the MyGolf Schools Program to successfully introduce golf into schools. This initiative involves teachers undertaking a training day with a JNJG Territory Manager and being

given appropriate resources to add a golf program to their regular curriculum. Schools are able to purchase all necessary program equipment at a reduced rate through JNJG to implement the program.

Introductory golf programs delivered at Primary and Secondary school level are driven through JNJG partnerships with the Primary Schools Sports Association, the Combined High Schools Sports Association, Schools Sport Australia, the Premier Sporting Challenge and the Active After-school Communities programs.

These programs are designed to expose young children to the benefits and opportunities of the game of golf. All programs are designed to encourage children and parents to develop their golf through club cadet and junior programs.

If you or your local school on the Far South Coast are interested in participating please do not hesitate to contact Samantha Whittle at sam@jnjg.com.au or 0424 711 876. •

In a proactive move to help arrest the decline in golf participation, and encourage people of all ages to get involved in the great game of golf, The Murray District Golf Association (MDGA) has initiated some exciting measures.

This year MDGA has further developed the Pennant Competition that now comprises Scratch, Handicap, Junior, Masters and Business Womens—all of which will attract considerable interest as the year progresses.

Importantly, the MDGA clearly recognises that the future of the game of golf largely rests with getting more young people involved. To that end, they are instigating a Junior Golf Development Program to be rolled out to every Golf Club in the District.

The program was initially developed at Howlong Golf Club led by their current President Ken Walton, and has been running for a few years. It has proven highly successful with large groups of children, some as young as six, regularly turning up to learn the game and just as importantly having a lot of fun.

The MDGA is delighted that Howlong Golf Club has graciously allowed them to take over this very successful program that will go a long way to reviving interest in golf throughout the District.

Additionally, the MDGA is excited to announce that Ken Walton has come on board as the Junior Promotions Officer with the responsibility of driving this program and over the coming months he will be meeting with District Club Golf Committees to introduce the program.

With some hard work and the co-operation of District Clubs the MDGA is looking forward to the challenge of revitalising interest in golf for all age groups. •

juniors

Golf bug ‘bites’ Gold Coast Juniors

NSW Kindergarten kids to ‘Tri-Golf’

THE Mark Gibson Golf Academy at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast has all the elements expected of a successful junior program.

Every Saturday morning children as young as five swing into action to learn how to putt, chip, pitch and drive a golf ball as well as learn rules and etiquette tips.

When the academy launched six years ago, it attracted a handful of children.

Today more than 70 enthusiastic kids attend the academy’s junior clinic run by professional coach Loic Truet.

The French national also has students flying in from New Caledonia for intensive coaching.

Another academy professional Craig Chandler has started a coaching program at St Kevin’s school, the first time on the Gold Coast that golf has been taught on school grounds.

Academy principal Mark Gibson said the surge in youngsters participation was a great sign for the future of the game in Australia.

“The game had been going through a trying time with clubs suffering because of the financial effects of the GFC on their members,” said Gibson, the Australian PGA chairman.

“Many older people, their incomes curbed by tumbling interest rates, have had to curtail their golf or stop playing altogether.

“It’s therefore immensely satisfying to see a socalled young crop coming through.

“Watching these youngsters progress is amazing.

“The depth of talent, and the ability to swing a club, is quite an eye-opener.

“Unlike older golfers, the kids have no preconceptions about how a club should be held or swung.

“They’re a joy to teach because they are high on enthusiasm and keen to learn. I’m sure there’ll

St Josephs Catholic School Kindergarten classes will participate in an interactive golf development program in term 3 this year.

The 60 students will enjoy various activities that assist in their development of balance, speed, agility, coordination, focus, imagination and basic math’s skills.

Each session will commence with a small circuit of functional movement skills that include a balance beam, agility ladders, balance balls and soft-ball hitting.

The students will engage in target activities, games, course design and many more interactive sessions that will provide the perfect stepping stone for each student as they grow into the game via the ongoing school program in place at St Josephs.

Over the past two years St Josephs has provided a six-week golf program to all students in Years 3 – 6, with visits to Maitland, Paterson and Beresfield Golf Clubs. The commitment to the golf program is led by Catherine Wallace who attended a Jack Newton Junior Golf Teacher Training Day a few years ago. Catherine has continued to encourage fellow staff members that have also undertaken the golf program as part of their weekly PE sessions.

Tri-Golf equipment is the only adapted golf resource developed specifically for use in schools and is the safest equipment available.

Each Tri-Golf pack includes chippers with oversized clubheads, putters, a variety of oversized foam balls and other items needed to run the games and activities. The clubs have been specially designed so that they are safe to use in the school environment and make it easy for the very young children to achieve success.

For more info visit: www.jnjg.com.au •

RACV Royal Pines Resort be some new Adam Scotts and Jason Days on the scene in a few years.”

The academy must be doing something right because the Saturday golf programs have mushroomed – mostly through word of mouth.

Open to children aged five to 14, the programs are intended to provide a pathway to club golf.

Gibson said the children learn in a fun, nonthreatening environment.

“There is no pressure to perform,” he said.

“We want the children to learn that golf, while challenging, can also be a lot of fun and an enjoyable social outing.”

Gibson said Royal Pines Resort’s owner RACV supported efforts to encourage young golfers.

“RACV is quite happy for some of our older students, those 14 and over, to step out on the

LOOKING FOR A GOLF CLUB TO JOIN?

Royal Pines course and put into practice what they are learning,” he added.

“The generosity of the Gold Coast golfing community has helped make visits by young golf students from New Caledonia and elsewhere possible.

“They are quick to come forward and offer accommodation on a home/stay basis.

“We had a girl from Russia come to the Gold Coast as a 13-year-old for a golf program and she’s been back every year for the last five years.” • FOOTNOTE: RACV Royal Pines Resort will host the Australian PGA Championship from November 7-10. The tournament will feature some of the world’s best players including 2013 US Masters champion Adam Scott.

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juniors

Desert Open to be a ‘Gold Rush’ for juniors Juniors in WA will be shooting for gold again this year, as the Goldfields Golf Club of KalgoorlieBoulder hosts the second annual Smarter than Smoking - Goldfields Junior Desert Open on the 9th and 10th of October. The GJDO is a WA state junior ranking event over 36 holes of stroke.

The club continues to receive great support from GolfWA, whom have confirmed the attendance of the State Junior Teams and Development Squad players, to ensure a high quality field for what is shaping as one of Regional WA’s largest junior golf tournaments.

The Junior Open gives junior golfers a chance to play on the Graham Marsh-designed Kalgoorlie Golf Course, which offers a high standard of playing surface, set in the unique setting of natural bush land and rich red desert sands. Played the week after the Goldfields WA PGA Championship, the course is expected to be presented in great condition with challenging rough.

With most inaugural sponsors returning this year, the tournament continues to enjoy great support both locally and state-wide which enables a prize pool of six divisions with 24 prizes. The Gross Champion Girl and Boy will each receive a Kalgoorlie Gold Nugget valued at $500.00. In addition, this year will also offer a smaller nugget to each divisional gross winner A 9-hole MyGolf competition of the weekend will be run in conjunction with the GJDO each day 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 containing a number of gifts. The club is intent on encouraging players to come and play with every participant taking something home. To complement the formal prizes, there will be 28 novelty prizes over the two days.

Lee, Naveed tops in WA The Dummond Golf 54-Hole Classic wrapped up last month, with Minwoo Lee of Royal Fremantle winning his second Junior Rankings event over the school holidays, while Mt Lawley’s Hira Naveed won the Girls’ event.

The 54-Hole Classic took place in Bunbury, Collie and Capel Golf Clubs, with junior golfers throughout the state vying for State, National and World Rankings points in this R&A World Rankings event. Lee and Naveed now join former champions including current US PGA Tour professionals Greg Chalmers and Michael Sim and current European Tour Players Brett Rumford and Kristie Smith.

Much like at the Srixon Junior in Gosnells a week before, Lee overcame favourite Curtis Luck in the final round, trailing by a shot to start the day but winning by three, shooting even par rounds on the final two days. 15 year old Hira Naveed dominated the Girls’ event, winning by 9 shots over fellow Mt Lawley teammate, 12year old Alice Chang. • Boys Leaderboard Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Player Minwoo Lee Curtis Luck Benjamin Sheehan Fritz Arnold Sherman Chua Bradley Dawson Cameron Jones Lewis Clay Connor Faulds Tom Donkin

Club Royal Fremantle Cottesloe GC Mandurah CC Royal Fremantle Cottesloe GC Bunbury GC Royal Fremantle Mandurah CC Royal Fremantle Mandurah CC

R1 74 73 74 78 79 78 79 76 82 79

R2 72 72 75 76 79 75 80 82 85 80

R3 72 76 79 78 80 85 83 87 79 89

Total 218 221 228 232 238 238 242 245 246 248

R3 83 85 83

Total 241 252 254

Girls Leaderboard

Juniors in Western Australia will tee it up at Kalgoorlie Golf Course in the second annual Smarter than Smoking - Goldfields Junior Desert Open In July the club took 6 junior representatives to play a week of open competition in Perth and to promote the Smarter than Smoking – Goldfields Junior Desert Open. The buzz around the tournaments the group attended was very positive, with many players and parents indicating their intention to make the trip to Kalgoorlie in October.

The Goldfields Golf Club is looking forward to a successful event again in 2013 and for years to come. For further information contact Mark Baroni, Junior Golf Coordinator on markbaroni@westnet.com.au or visit and “Like” the tournaments facebook page www.facebook. com\GoldfieldsJuniorDesertOpen •

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214

clubs

All roads lead to Howeston David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au

IT should be apparent to everyone by now that the Howeston pro-am is one of the most popular proams on the Queensland Sunshine Tour’s circuit.

If you don’t believe me, just ask the professionals and amateurs, who line up every year to support the tournament.

It’s where many players kick-started their careers and earned their first cheque.

“Over the years we have hosted almost all the Australian professionals, except for Greg Norman,” Howeston’s Lynn Weston said.

“Ian Baker-Finch played in the inaugural proam in 1980. Peter Senior, Wayne Grady, Ossie Moore, Rod Pampling, John Senden, Peter McWhinney have all played here.

“All these players were just starting their professional careers and now they are big stars and we are getting the next wave of talent.”

Okay, the $11,000 Howeston pro-am is not one of the biggest prizemoney events on the calendar, but that doesn’t worry pros like Terry Price, Peter McWhinney, Mike Ferguson, Ossie Moore and some of the other colourful characters on the circuit.

They love the camaraderie, the friendship, the laid-back atmosphere, the golf course and the stories that have passed down over more than three decades.

As each year passes, the stories get better, which just adds to the colour.

In the early days, course owners Bill and Lynn Weston would entertain the players at the end of the day’s play and sometimes late into the night.

They would gather around the piano for a rollicking good time.

Bill and Lynn Weston.

Cheque split three ways

The picturesque Howeston golf course at Birkdale.

When the players were too tired to drive home, they would “crash” in the family home. In the morning, Bill and Lynn would find players fast asleep on couches and even under the pool table.

Ah yes, the stories are legendary.

Well, on Tuesday, October 1 (marked it in your diary) it’s on again. More than 50 pros and 150 amateurs will converge on Howeston at Birkdale in Brisbane’s east to play the pro-am.

This year the Weston family will host the 34th consecutive pro-am – second only to Dysart Golf Club (35).

One of the highlights of the popular Howeston pro-am long drive competition held straight after the final putt drops.

Last year, 51-year-old Gary Burmester, the club pro from Mt Warren Park Golf Club, outgunned 13 younger big-hitters.

Burmester smacked his ball 327m to finish well ahead of Peter Shaw (318m) and Gavin Beck (317m).

All going well, Burmester will be at Howeston to defend his long drive crown and have a crack at winning the major share of the spoils.

Carved out of an old strawberry farm owned

by Lynn’s parents Jack (a former Wallaby, who played against the All Blacks and the Springboks) and Kath Howard, Howeston has left a sweet taste in the mouths of many pros who have mastered its subtleties.

Others have left the course looking as if they have just sucked on a lemon after taking the course, especially the “Bermuda Triangle”, for granted.

The “triangle” is the 363m fifth, 145m sixth and 580m seventh holes on the Howard nine.

(Howeston is a 27-hole course with three distinct nines that have their own identity – the Howard, Weston and Westward nines).

Still, all the players agree Howeston is one big family-friendly environment where players and officials can enjoy the family barbecue and have a few drinks at the end of the day’s play.

Howeston usually runs a raffle after the proam with some sensational prizes, thanks to the generosity of local sponsors.

Golf at Howeston is also great value with green fees only $16 on weekdays and $20 on weekends.

For more information, call (07) 3207 2452. •

NOT long after opening Howeston Golf Course, owners Bill and Lynn Weston decided to promote the course by putting on an exhibition match.

There was only one problem – the Westons only had $128 in the bank.

Still, they went ahead.

“We cleaned out the bank account that day,” Bill said.

Former Wynnum club professional Paul King talked professionals Randall Vines, Peter Barry and Vaughan Somers into playing for the prizemoney. Wynnum’s amateur club champion Peter Stone joined the trio on the tee.

Vines, Barry and Somers finished equal first to share the spoils and then they did something extraordinarily altruistic … something Bill and Lynn will never forget.

They tore up the cheque.

Paul King ripped the cheque in three pieces and gave Barry, Somers and Vines a third each.

Bill reckons Vines kept his third of the cheque in his wallet for more than 30 years.

That’s how much those wonderful players thought of Bill and Lynn, who this year received the Queensland PGA Chairman’s Award for services to the game. •

in

cl

Fr e ud A e A es ll W d Lo e mis ng lco si Dr me on ive C om p

Major Sponsor

HOWESTON GOLF COURSE Presents its 34th annual $11,000 one-day pro-am | Tuesday, 1st October 2013 W. Weston, L. Weston and families wish to thank the sponsors who have made this event possible BMD Group major sponsor Yellow Cabs Wellington Point Hotel Chris Raggett Constructions Larry McFarlane Cabinet Makers Betabord National Australia Bank

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64

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

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clubs

Eastern Golf Club on the rise Richard Fellner ed@insidegolf.com.au

With origins dating back to 1896, The Eastern Golf Club in Melbourne has a rich and treasured history. From their early days in Mont Albert (with a railway station as their original clubhouse) through their transitional periods that saw their history intertwine with both the Box Hill and Huntingdale Golf Clubs, the club has grown (and changed) significantly throughout the years.

Today, The Eastern Golf Club is one of the area’s more successful, thriving golf clubs. With a challenging 18-hole course, a passionate and steadily-growing membership base and an energetic management team and staff, the club continues to go from strength to strength.

Like many clubs, the members are the heart and soul of Eastern, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more welcoming, friendly bunch anywhere. This attitude can be followed all the way up the chain to the staff and management, who are not only savvy in the ways of properly managing a traditional club, but are also extremely adept at modern-day membership attraction and retention tools like Social Media, member Long Drive contests, Junior Golf & Cooking clinics and the like.

The club has also won numerous awards, including the very prestigious Clubs Victoria 2012 Metropolitan Club of the Year award, which celebrates excellence in member and guest services at clubs across Victoria. In addition, The Eastern is revered for their top-quality food & beverage offerings, having nabbed a slew of “Good Food” awards, including the top spot in the 2013 Chef ’s Table “Good Food” category.

“I’m very proud to be part of the team and one that is so passionate and driven to try new things

and never stop trying to improve what we do,” says Ben Telley, GM of Eastern.

“We do a lot of little things that many people might say ‘why bother?’ (like kids cooking classes!), but the sum of all these combined— and when there is often a deep passion of the respective staff driving the initiatives—then it is very powerful both for the staff as a team supporting one another and, most importantly, for the members, guests and families that benefit.

“Our promise is simple; we will invest as much time with you as possible, both now and for the future, to ensure you enjoy your time at the Club, that we understand your personal preferences and every visit is a memorable experience,” he adds.

Of course, at the end of the day it’s all about the golf, isn’t it? And Eastern holds its own in that regard. The course itself is set in a quiet woodland setting, home to countless species of animals and

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

birds, including playful Kookaburras and gorgeous Eastern Rosellas. The tree-lined fairways, peaceful water features/dams and gentle sounds of nature can easily lull you into a false sense of security, but beware: the course has teeth. A mouthful, in fact.

Though it’s not long by modern standards, the par-71, 5711m course will thoroughly challenge every part of your game, especially your course management skills. A solid tee shot is required on most holes, lest you find yourself in the thick of the trees, or deep in one of the golf ball-grabbing dams. Approaches are equally challenging due to the various changes in elevation and multiple sidehill lies you will encounter. Miss the green, and you will need to bring your best short game, as the bump-and-runs and short chips will require a deft touch to give you any hope of getting up and down safely.

Once you are finally ready to putt, you’ll see

the real defence of the course: the small, very fast, well-protected greens. If you find yourself above the hole, prepare to mark a three-putt on your card, as the gentle breaks and slick surfaces make even the shortest putt a real knee-knocker.

You’ll also need to master a few different playing styles, depending on the season. In the summer, for example, the very firm greens and fairways can often require a links-style, bump-and-run approach. In the winter, however, you’ll need to adjust your game to allow for far less run off the tee (a two-club difference in some cases), softer greens, and extremely tricky pitches around the greens. And in Spring/Autumn you’ll need to master a hybrid of these styles.

Following some very wet winters, the course is currently in fantastic condition, and it will only get better over the next couple of months as we see the sun begin its annual return to Melbourne.

The club is currently offering a pair of enticing membership deals (see the ad on page 3). With your membership, you’ll also be joining during a very exciting time for the club, as the amazing new Greg Norman-designed facility at Yering is currently under construction, which has members buzzing with anticipation. The planned 27-hole facility (plus 9-hole par-3 course) will have all the hallmarks of a great Norman golf course, as well as all the features of a modern, exciting and thriving club.

For more info, www.easterngolfclub.com.au, or 03 9840 1881. • (Disclosure: I should note that I am a proud member of Eastern, and the points I make above are the very reasons why I joined the club. Every single one of them. So if it sounds like I am a bit biased...well, I am. But you can grant me a bit of wiggle room, right?)

sunshine tour

‘The King’ joins the Order of Merit lead Henry Epstein or ‘The King’ is he is often known on tour has joined New Zealander Jim Cusdin at the top of the leaderboard in the QLD Sunshine Tour Order of Merit. With less than 30 rounds to be played Epstein and Cusdin are almost 20 points ahead of a pack of players including Pieter Zwart, Tony Carolan and Matt Ballard after the Woodford Pro-Am. Henry Epstein is well known for his magic and trick shot shows which has seen him become one of the premier golf entertainers in the country, though he is looking forward to being known for reasons other than what he does off the course.

“I really enjoy what I do as an entertainer, though I am now looking to make more of a name for myself for what I do between the 1st tee and the 18th green”.

When asked about the difference between 2013 and previous years, Henry has certainly shown far more dedication to his game over recent months.

“I have been worked exceptionally hard with my coach Tom Berndt working on peaking for the big moments as well as being consistent during the rest of the year. Winning the Order of Merit shows that you would have done just that and given the quality of players coming to Queensland this year, it would be a rewarding victory if I can make it happen.”

following the Woodford Pro Am Pos Name

It will be an uphill battle for Epstein, though, with a big decision to be made in late September and early October with two events on the PGA Tour of Australasia due to be staged at the same time as the final events in QLD. “Essentially I need to put the foot down over the next month to

hopefully have a bigger lead going into early October, though with more than $14,000 to the winner of the Order of Merit, my schedule will be heavily dependent upon the on the way the Order of Merit looks heading into both the South Pacific Open Championship and the WA PGA Championship”.

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The final event on the 2012-13 QLD Sunshine Tour Order of Merit will be played at the home of the PGA (Queensland Division) at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club on 8th October and despite staging many big tournaments in the past, 2013 will mark the first event QLD Sunshine Tour Event staged at the exclusive venue. •

State Pts Rounds

=1 Henry Epstein QLD 206

49

=1 Jim Cusdin

NZL 206

45

3

Pieter Zwart

NZL 187

37

4

Tony Carolan QLD 167

44

5

Matthew Ballard

QLD 155

35

6

Jared Pender

NZL 152

30

7

Marcus Cain

QLD 149

32

QLD 144

34

=8 Samuel Brazel NSW 144

24

10 Kurt Carlson

QLD 139

35

11 Brett Rankin

QLD 137

31

12 Heath Reed

QLD 131

25

13 Troy Ropiha

NZL 129

30

=8 Gavin Flint

OPE 7 dayN s

68

Qld Sunshine Tour Order of Merit

14

Paul Donahoo

QLD 127

23

=15

Christopher Wood

QLD 126

35

=15

Steven Jeffress

QLD 126

25

17

Sven Puymbroeck

NZL 125

31

18 Lincoln Tighe NSW 124

22

19 Samuel Eaves QLD 122

29

20

Benjamin Bloomfield

QLD 121

28

golf travel

Postcards from

City Golf Club … home of the Queensland PGA Championship.

Toowoomba and the Darling Downs

If you look up the definition of “variety is the spice of life”, you’ll find it is a reference to the city of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs region, writes DAVID NEWBERY

F

RIENDS of mine have lived in London, Cape Town, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, but in the end decided to call Toowoomba home.

They love the clean air, the wide-open spaces, the fun-filled activities, historic architecture, the local wineries, the quality golf courses and the friendly, colourful characters.

“Toowoomba is a great, stress-free city,” Jim tells me each time I visit. “There is so much to see and do and everything is within a short drive.”

And he’s right. At every turn, you discover something new – something you haven’t seen before.

Located 120kms from Brisbane (a scenic 90-minute drive), there is much to explore in this popular, tourist-friendly inland city as I discovered when Roberto, from Stonestreet’s Coaches, took the team from Inside Golf on a two-hour guided tour of historic Toowoomba.

Roberto knows everything there is to know about the university and cathedral city.

His sense of humour and ability to reel off dates and stories (including ghost stories) of historical significance proved to be an education … and thoroughly entertaining.

He tells us there are more than 140 public parks and gardens in Toowoomba.

No wonder it’s called the Garden City.

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, held over 10 days during September, attracts tens of thousands of visitors.

Other activities throughout the iconic 10-day extravaganza include the flower, food and wine festival, live concert performances by some of the best acts in the country, original artworks and the thrill of Sideshow Alley around Frog’s Hollow cater for all ages and tastes.

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

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

69

golf travel

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers parade.

Toowoomba Christmas Wonderland, Boxing Day Races, New Year’s Eve Fireworks and the Granite Belt Blues.

With reasonable planning, a four- or five-day trip to Toowoomba needn’t break the bank.

There is a wide variety of budget, mid-range and high-end accommodation to suit all budgets.

And when it comes to food, there is plenty to choose from including quality, mid-range and budget cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Of course, golf has deep roots all over the Darling Downs and truly historic ones at Toowoomba’s top two courses – Toowoomba Golf Club at Middle Ridge and City Golf Club, home of the Queensland PGA Championship.

That long history expresses itself in many ways in Toowoomba and in the many little towns around the Darling Downs.

You’ll find quirky layouts, eccentric hazards at golf courses like Borneo Barracks, Clifton, Pittsworth, Crows Nest and others where your

fees are placed in the “honesty box” at the entrance to the clubhouse.

Best of all are the local golfers themselves.

In our travels, we meet storytellers and unpretentious people like Ian Jones, the former Clifton mayor and golf club committeeman.

Jonesy (Ian Jones) caddied for Peter O’Malley at the Queensland PGA at City Golf Club and then invited the former European Tour star to test his skills at Clifton.

“Peter (O’Malley) eagled the first hole and I thought ‘here we go, he’s going to tear up the course’, but he didn’t and finished a couple over,” Jones said.

“This is a challenging, clever course designed by well-known course architect Ross Watson. I still have all his hand-written notes.”

Only last month, 12 Brisbane golfers spent a week in Toowoomba but made sure they visited as many country courses as possible including Clifton Golf Club where they played 36 holes.

Over at Pittsworth Golf Club, we meet former butcher turned superintendent Dennis Proud, who is busy readying the nine-hole course for the weekend.

He proudly shows off the course and tells us it’s his second coming at the club.

“I used to work as a butcher, but gave that up to work as the club’s greenkeeper,” he said.

“Then I left for a few years, missed the work so here I am.”

It’s the same story at Crows Nest as friendly locals meet and greet you on arrival.

On our return trip from Clifton, we stop in at the famous Rudd’s Pub at Nobby.

Publican Sam Little and his wife and “minister for finance” Robyn tell us the pub was built in 1893.

Originally called the Davenporter Hotel, it had its name changed in the 1980s in recognition of the author Steele Rudd. It’s also the home of Dad and Dave.

Just after we arrive, a couple from West Australia stop in for lunch and to cast an eye over the memorabilia that fills every wall and shelf. There even an ancient set of golf clubs and an old racing bike hanging from the ceiling.

“We are from Perth,” they tell perfect host Sam. “Friends in WA told us we had to visit the pub and we are glad we did.”

Back in Toowoomba we meet Greg Smith, the proprietor of the Big 4 Toowoomba Garden City Holiday Park.

He’s a big bloke, someone said, so you can’t miss him. Big he was, with a lumbering gait.

Unmistakable. A friendly character with a few yarns to tell, Smith is fiercely proud of his holiday park and so he should be.

The park’s cabins are perfect for golfing groups.

The site has two heated swimming pools, a large jumping pillow in the children’s play area, barbeque area, camp kitchen and all the other facilities to make your stay pleasant and stress free.

“We are big enough to provide a complete range of accommodation options and small enough to give every visitor a high degree of personal attention,” Smith says. “We’re the ‘Park with Pride’ in beautiful Toowoomba.”

Some of the best day trips include Crows Nest via Highfields, Cabarlah and Hampton or go south to Warwick, Allora, Killarney and Queen Mary Falls.

If you have a bit more time, head further south to the Granite Belt to check out Queensland’s most-awarded wine region.

The warm sun, brilliant splashes of colour, the silvery-green grass, the clean air are all invigorating.

The golf can be whatever you make it, the costs shockingly low and where surprises meet you at every turn.

So there you are – no more excuses to bypass Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.

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!

City Golf Motel ‘Where City Style Meets Country Hospitality’ ~ Personalised ‘Play & Stay’ and Corporate Packages,

PAY for a Play & Stay Package and RECEIVE 1 x FREE NIGHT to equal or lesser value!

OFFER redeemable upon presentation of this voucher! Valid until 31/03/2014. Subject to availability. (Code 1620 1.8)

www.citygolf.com.au • 254 South Street Toowoomba (07) 4636 9000

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Toowoomba & Darling Downs WHERE THE gRaSS iS alWayS gREENER! Scan the QR Code below to see all the golfing antics in Toowoomba

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 locally-harvested fresh produce to tease the tastebuds, unearth boutique providers, unique cellar doors and experience the character of the regions trueblue 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 Regional Council’s Sports Tourism Project is supported by the Queensland Government to get more Queenslanders active through sport & recreation.

For more information contact: Toowoomba VisiTor informaTion CenTre

86 James St (Warrego Hwy), Toowoomba Q 4350 freecall 1800 33 11 55 infocentre@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au/events

HampTon VisiTor informaTion CenTre

8623 New England Highway, Hampton Q 4352 freecall 1800 009 066 hamptoninfo@toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au www.toowoombaholidays.info

“ Toowoomba is Amazing ”

– Craig Parry (Australian Professional Golfer)

golf travel

A golfing group enjoy a day out at the picturesque Toowoomba Golf Club at Middle Ridge.

THE GOLF

At 117 years of age, Toowoomba Golf Club at Middle Ridge is Queensland’s second-oldest golf club.

Play there and you’ll walk in the spike marks of Greg Norman, Gary Player, Norman von Nida, Bobby Locke, Bruce Crampton, “Babe” Didrikson and Gene Sarazen.

Over the years, the 5953m, par-72 18hole 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.

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.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The one shot you need: A straight drive.

Speed of greens: Consistent all year round – medium.

Toughest hole: The 414m uphill first hole.

Best chance for a birdie: 10th hole – a short par5 (436m) with little resistance.

Walking? Why walk when you can hire a cart for $40.

Practice facilities: Yes. Ammunition quota: No more than usual.

Most distinctive course feature: Beautifully treelined golf course.

What it costs to play: $35 for 18 holes and $25 for nine holes.

A la carte golf: More than 20 players, $30. More

Playing a round in Toowoomba?

WHY NOT STAY AT

BIG4 TOOWOOMBA GARDEN CITY HOLIDAY PARK Our park is close to both of the City Golf courses and offers Courtesy Buses to the City Golf Club

Special deals for park guests include an internet Wi-Fi Voucher, City Golf Club membership, 2 for 1 drinks, along with free or discounted tickets to live shows.

Bring the family and enjoy • Heated pools with an outdoor spa • Jumping pillow • Children’s play area • Our beautiful finches • Free bbqs Various accommodation is available, including a Romantic Spa Villa for 2 ranging up to a 3 bedroom cabin for 10, along with everything in between!

07-4635 1747 info@big4toowoombagchp.com.au

www.big4toowoombagchp.com.au 72

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

The City Golf Club clubhouse from the air. than 40, $25.

Best time of visit: Anytime, but bookings are essential.

Best course nearby: City Golf Club.

Worthwhile souvenirs: Memories, yardage book and logoed clothing.

The clubhouse offers: Top-class facilities and fine dining. 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.

Membership: Enquires are always welcome.

Don’t miss: Your third putt.

Don’t leave home without your: Money and camera.

For more information, visit the club’s website www.toowoombagolfclub.com.au or telephone (07) 4635 1219.

City Golf Club 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.

The course is not long but it’s tight, particularly the front nine which is relatively flat while the back nine opens up to elevation changes.

The Bent grass greens, redesigned by Ross Watson, can be just as unsettling because 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

golf travel

The famous Empire Theatre. negotiated without too much fuss, the third, 10th and 12th need close attention.

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.

Located next to the City Golf Club, the motel features an outdoor pool, a hot tub and a poolside barbecue area. Free Wi-Fi and a private balcony or patio is standard in all rooms. Free parking is available on

Toowoomba Golf Club’s clubhouse at dusk. site. Guests can use the free shuttle bus to the golf club.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The one shot you need: A draw shot.

Speed of greens: moderate-fast.

Toughest hole: Hole 9: Moderate length (388m) dogleg left par-4 with tight landing zone and well bunkered green. Out of bounds up the left side and heavily tree-lined on the right.

Best chance for a birdie: Hole 10: Short par-5 (439m) with large landing zone and easy layup area.

Walking? Hilly on the back nine so most visitors

prefer the use of a cart.

Practice facilities: Putting green, chipping green, practise nets, small practise fairway – 150m.

Ammunition quota: Summer – 4 (long rough) and winter 2.

Most distinctive course feature: Undulating bent grass greens.

What it costs: 18 holes $30 and nine holes $22.

Group discounts apply.

A la carte golf – group rates: Depending on number of groups and day of week – apply within.

Best time of visit: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday.

Best course nearby: Toowoomba Golf Club.

Worthwhile souvenirs: Logoed ball markers and towels.

The clubhouse offers: 7-day a week dining (lunch and dinner), Sunday breakfast, Friday and Saturday live entertainment, gaming room, function centre, 4½-star motel.

Membership: Enquires are always welcome.

Don’t miss: Playing the challenging golf course.

Don’t leave home without your: Golfing wits.

For more information, call the pro shop on (07) 4635 4800 or go to the website www.citygolf.com.au •

WHAT TO DO

WHERE TO STAY

mussels www.spottedcow.com.au

coffee (www.gpobarandcafe.com.au); Pump Drive

Golf at City GC and Toowoomba GC at Middle Ridge; see

Stay-and-play – City Golf Club Motel (07) 4636 9999 or

The Farmers Arms Hotel at Cabarlah

Thru Coffee (Pump@123 www.facebook.com/pages/

a show at the Empire Theatre; have a meal at a true-blue

email info@citygolfmotel.com.au

www.yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/the_farmers_

Pump123/130728977015802); and there’s also Findo’s on

country pub; see the Carnival of Flowers; sample gourmet

Big 4 Toowoomba Garden City Holiday Park – Toll free

arms_hotel

Margaret St, Metro on Railway St, and Firefly on Ruthven St.

food and wine culture; the Village Green Highfields

1800 333 667 or www.big4toowoombagchp.com.au

Bull and Barley Inn – a wonderful country establishment.

FUN THINGS FOR KIDS

Chocolate Cottage and other arts and crafts shops,

Vacy Hall, Toowoomba – Toowoomba’s only heritage-listed

www.bullandbarleyinn.com.au

Cobb + Co Museum is home to the National Carriage

Toowoomba’s Potters Gallery, Cuckoo Clock Shop and

hotel. www.vacyhall.com.au

BEST DINING – HIGH-END

Collection. www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au

Danish Flower Art.

B & B Wanulla (B&B) www.bandbwanulla.com.au

Veraison – awarded a hat in 2013 Qld Good Food Guide

Darling Downs Zoo www.darlingdownszoo.com.au

WHAT TO SEE

EcoRidge Hideaway www.ecoridgehideaway.com.au

(07) 4638 5909 www.veraison.com.au

Cowboy Up Trail Riding www.cowboyup.com.au

Cobb & Co Museum, which has an outstanding collection

Homewood Cottages www.homewoodcottages.com.au

Gips Restaurant offers casual yet sophisticated dining both

BEST WALKS

of horse-drawn vehicles; tour of Black Forest Cuckoo Clock

Applegum Inn www.appleguminn.com.au

in the garden courtyard (heated when required) and in the

Toowoomba’s gardens www.toowoombac.qld.gov.au

Centre; go to Picnic Point; the Japanese Gardens and the

Crows Nest Motel www.crowsnestmotel.com.au

interior of the restaurant. www.gipsrestaurant.com.au

Russell Street Self-Guided Walk, Toowoomba

Jondaryan Woolsheds.

WINE AND DINE

BEST COFFEE STOP

www.queenslandholidays.com.au

THINGS TO DO

Phat Burgers www.phatburgers.com.au

Toowoomba has a burgeoning bean scene - Ground

Crows Nest National Park – discover spectacular creek

Take a tour of Toowoomba city with Stonestreet’s Coaches,

Rudd’s Pub (Nobby) www.ruddspub.com.au

Up Espresso Bar (Searles Walk off Ruthven Street) is in

scenery, granite outcrops, a scenic waterfall and eucalypt

who cater for small and larger groups.

Fitzy’s on Church at Fibber Magees – Authentic Irish-

a Melbourne-style laneway complete with graffiti art;

forest remnants on the edge of the Great Dividing Range.

It’s a fun and entertaining way for groups (two or

themed and located in the heart of Toowoomba’s CBD,

Bounce Coffee People (488 Ruthven Street) is a pop-up

Ravensbourne National Park – home to rainforest

more) to discover the historic side of Toowoomba with

Fibbers bar has become a favourite watering hole of

coffee shop that partners with a local disability service to

hardwoods and other timbers before they were felled in

a local entertainer and guide. Stonestreet’s Coaches

the local community and visitors to the garden city.

support people re-entering the workforce; GPO Bar &

the mid-1800s, was once a pit stop for Aborigines heading

(07) 4687 5555.

www.fibbers.com.au

Cafe – housed in the old General Post Office building –

to the Bunyas for their celebratory festival.

www.stonestreetscoaches.com.au

The Spotted Cow – most famous for its beef and Belgian

it’s the only coffee shop in Toowoomba that uses Campo’s

www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/ravensbourne

Inside Golf Digital Now available on iPads and iPhones!

Get Australia’s most regularly read monthly golf publication directly on your iPad or iPhone.

Packed with our award-winning content, Inside Golf Digital includes bonus videos, photo galleries, links, interactive elements and more! All in an easy-to-read digital format, delivered directly to your device.

Available in iTunes, the App Store or via the Apple Newsstand.

Only $0.99 per issue. Or get a full 12-month subscription for only $5.49 Never miss another issue. Check out Inside Golf Digital today!

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InsideGolf www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

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golf travel

The Mornington Peninsula:

Australia’s golfing playground Stunning views at RACV Cape Schanck are equalled only by the course’s truly spectacular golf offerings

Richard Fellner and the Inside Golf team ed@insidegolf.com.au

Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is one of Australia’s most popular golfing destinations.

Featuring some of the country’s highest-rated courses 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.

Even better, the new Peninsula Link bypass on Eastlink has trimmed the travel time considerably, with door-to-door travel time down to just over an hour from Melbourne.

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 travellers, families, couple s escapes, corporate outings and the good ol’ Annual Golf Weekend (not to mention a fortnightly visit by the Inside Golf team.)

So let’s explore some of our very favourite courses in “Australia’s Golfing Playground.” (And if you want to read about more courses in the area, just check out our website.)

A leisurely 75-minute drive from the Melbourne CBD, RACV Cape Schanck 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 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.

The facility is a customary stop on the Inside Golf calendar, as we play tournaments and the

MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE - $295 PER YEAR Golf & Cart just $34.50 midweek for Gunnamatta Members until September 30, 2013!

Join the Gunnamatta Golf Club at St Andrews Beach and receive: Half Price 18 Hole Green Fees

Discounted Cart Hire

Competition Access

Priority Customer Benefits

3 Discount Guest Passes & much more

REGISTER ONLINE TO RECEIVE FREE CARTS MIDWEEK UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2013!

PRO SHOP: (03) 5988 6000 74

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

WWW.STANDREWSBEACHGOLF.COM.AU

golf travel occasional “Boys Weekend” event there on a regular basis. We recently had the pleasure of playing the Auto Club Golf Championships launch event at the facility. As usual, we found the course to be in top condition, and a true pleasure to play for all levels of golfers.

The course has also recently embarked on an upgrading of the cart paths, resulting in beautiful and functional paths that add more to what is already a great course. There is also a new fleet of 60 RACV-Yellow buggies standing at the ready to take you on your way 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.

More information: www.racv.com.au/resorts, 03 5950 8000, capeschanck@racv.com.au.

Located in‘The Cups’region of the Mornington Peninsula, and metres from the thundering surf of Gunnamatta Beach, St Andrews Beach Golf Course is firmly entrenched as one of Australia’s best golf courses. Golfers continue to return with glowing praise, and it is a must-play course for every visitor to the Mornington Peninsula.

Inside Golf played a round at St Andrews

St Andrews Beach Golf Course is firmly entrenched as one of the best golf courses in Australia

Beach recently, and—as is always the case there—found the course to be in top condition, and a real pleasure to play.

Built on a stunning piece of land, St Andrews Beach Golf Course can be compared with the very best courses in Melbourne’s famous sandbelt region, as well as the famous links courses of Britain and Ireland.

Internationally renowned golf course architect Tom Doak (also of Barnbougle Dunes and Cape Kidnappers fame) is the designer of

this classic 18-hole links-style course and his aim was to create one of the best golf courses in the world. And judging by the praise received by golfers, guests and course ranking panels, it appears he succeeded.

Doak’s design philosophies and the nature of the land 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 quick-draining, sandy soil of the area you have a great course that can be enjoyed yearround by players of all abilities. The course is

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

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golf travel

The Par-4 fourth hole (The Coffin) at Flinders Golf Club. Play safe to avoid a big score (© Gary Lisbon Photography) a true challenge for experienced golfers yet it is also still extremely playable and fun for social golfers.

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 access 7 days a week and innovative memberships via Gunnamatta Club. Group discounts, Afternoon and Senior Golf rates available.

St Andrews Beach conducts competition rounds every weekend, and is now offering innovative pay to play membership packages via their Gunnamatta Golf Club. For just $295 per year, club members get official handicaps, player liability insurance, special green fee rates, discounted motorised cart hire, guest passes and other benefits.

In addition, modern two-bedroom apartments

are now for sale on site – an ideal prospect for golf enthusiasts, holiday makers and investors.

They are right on the doorstep of the golf course and minutes away from Gunnamatta surf beach.

More: www.standrewsbeachgolf.com.au, 03 5988 6000, bookings@standrewsbeachgolf. com.au.

Just a short drive to the east side of the Peninsula is the lovely and picturesque Flinders Golf Club, an 18-hole seaside beauty built along an amazing stretch of land overlooking Bass Strait.

While I’ve played heaps of golf on the Peninsula, Flinders has always held a special place in my heart. Though it may seem a bit detached from the other well-known Mornington courses, in reality it’s only 15 minutes away from the Cape Schanck area, so it is well within reach for a social group weekend or casual round.

And boy, is it fun.

But don’t just take my word for it. The great Golf Architect Dr Alister Mackenzie was so impressed with the course during a visit in 1926 that he was quoted as saying that Flinders was “equalled by only one other natural course, which is in California.”

Flinders is arguably one of the more underrated courses on the Peninsula. While it isn’t long by any stretch, it still has plenty of bite.

A handful of the par-4’s are easily drivable, yet if you are even slightly off-line you can forget about par, as you’ll be contending with deep bunkers, tall trees and any number of ballgrabbing shrubs or hazards.

Despite the length, Flinders proves to be a championship test for all levels, especially when the wind is up. The fairways are well shaped to test driving accuracy and the greens have slopes and speed enough to test your putting skills.

The par-4 fourth, the club’s signature hole, is

a short but spectacular hole named The Coffin.

Originally a par-3, it was redesigned into a par-4

by Mackenzie, who moved the green back and behind the “Purgatory Ravine”, thus transforming it into one of the most memorable holes on the Mornington Peninsula.

From the tee, it’s best to lay up short of Purgatory if you want any hope of par. Playing in the Flinders Pro-Am earlier this year, I made the mistake of guiding my ball directly into Purgatory... and I can assure you that it is aptly named.

If you haven’t played Flinders in a while, you’ll really love the par-4 11th, which has a relatively newish green. The huge Cyprus Trees that backed this green have been removed and the view now opens up to the ocean and across to both French and Phillip Islands.

In truth, all the holes on the course are special. Each with its own unique character and challenge.

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

Professionally planned and tailored golf escapes for your enjoyment Packages available • 6 nights accommodation • 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 • Rosebud House also available to hire

Sunshine Coast & Gold Coast • Hunter Valley • Port Stephens • Mornington Peninsular • Tasmania • Cairns/Port Douglas • The Entrance BRAND NEW! WA Golf, Barnbougle & Lost Farm

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

Quality accommodation, confirmed tee times, your choice of resort or local courses

Ph: (07) 3200 6557 M: 0418 713 620 F: (07) 3200 5731 sharon@uchoosegolf.com.au www.uchoosegolf.com.au

golf travel

An enjoyable round awaits those at Safety Beach Country Club, revered for always being in impeccable condition

The “new” first hole at Portsea Golf Club is a significant improvement to the flow of the course.

But the real test at Flinders is on and around the splendid greens – which are always in fantastic condition. Ultra slick, deceptive, undulating and creatively contoured, these greens roll extremely true, yet the breaks and pace can be almost impossible to read correctly. Thus, your approach shots have added importance at Flinders. Whenever possible, aim for the low side of the greens to ensure you have an uphill putt.

Overall, Flinders is a fantastic, fun and challenging course. And the members and staff are all top-notch, friendly and welcoming.

Perfect for social groups or a casual day of golf, Flinders is a great venue that doesn’t disappoint.

More: www.flindersgolfclub.com.au, (03) 5989 0312.

Consistently ranked in the top 50 golf courses Australia wide, Portsea Golf Club has recently completed an amazing $20 million clubhouse,

hotel and course upgrade that will certainly see it rise in both rankings and popularity among golfers.

The new clubhouse is an open, spacious and welcoming facility, and it appears to match form and function in beautiful harmony. With sweeping views of nearly the entire course, it is a great place to have a frosty beverage after a round, or enjoy a fine meal from their commercialgrade kitchen. The integrated meeting rooms and divider doors allow it to be configured for corporate events or weddings, while the integrated 24-room Mercure Portsea Golf Club & Resort downstairs makes the facility an ideal Stay & Play location for corporate events, social groups and golfing holidays.

The course, which was re-routed and improved

by Tony Cashmore and Mike Clayton, now features more strategic bunkering, undulating Santa Ana couch fairways and slick greens. It also has, as we found out during a recent round there,

a more free-flowing, natural feel.

The first hole (the former 6th) is a gentle uphill par-4 that really sets the stage for the day, and eases you into your round. It is a much more enjoyable opener than the original first hole, which was a tricky downhill-uphill-sidehill challenger. Changing this knee-knocker to its new position as the 9th adds an enticing level of complexity to the member comps and tournaments (not to mention those all important front-9 side-bets, etc).

Finishing the round is also more enjoyable with the new configuration, as holes 16-18 (formerly 3-5) provide a mixture of risk-reward that allows you to play conservatively or aggressively, depending on your situation. The 18th is an especially enjoyable closing hole, as the gentle dogleg gives way to a small and slick green which is well-guarded by bunkers and swales. It can make (or wreck) your scorecard.

Overall, the course is an enjoyable yet

challenging journey through a links-style layout.

Hit the ball straight and you will find success on many holes, with your short irons giving you plenty of options for pinseeking throughout the day. But your wayward shots will find all sorts of trouble—from thick rough to large bunkers to dense forests, so be wary if your A-game has gone MIA. Most impressive, however, are the Portsea greens. They are among the smoothest (and fastest) greens around. In impeccable condition during our visit, they were receptive, true-rolling and a pleasure to putt on (or, more accurately, three-putt on, as I found out early on.)

Portsea has earned a fine reputation over the years, especially with golf professionals. The club’s annual Pro-Am is considered a Must-Play event by many, and it has played host to names like Robert Allenby, Geoff Ogilvy and a ‘who’s who’ of the entertainment world.

Although a private club, Portsea welcomes

Play & Stay at The Peninsula Country Golf Club “Definitely the best 36-hole complex in Australia that’s readily accessible to the public. It’s a wonderful facility with enticing, beautiful, championship quality, sandbelt style-golf.”

Ian Baker Finch (Golf Vacations 2012) Play & Stay package includes: • 2 x nights’ accommodation in a Standard Room – twin share • 2 x rounds of Golf • 1 x 2 course a la carte dinner • 1 x BBQ dinner • Full buffet breakfast each morning

$285 per person (please quote “Inside Golf” to claim this offer) Terms & Conditions: Offer valid for Stays before 29th September, 2013

For enquiries and bookings, please contact the functions coordinator on (03) 9788 2148 or email functions@peninsulagolf.com.au More information on Play & Stay packages all year round are available from The Peninsula Country Golf Club website - www.peninsulagolf.com.au

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

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golf travel

PLACES TO STAY

non-member golfers to enjoy their fabulous facility on allocated golf days or via a Stay and Play arrangement via the Mercure Portsea Golf Club & Resort.

For more: www.portseagolfclub.com.au, (03) 5981 6100 or for accommodation bookings at Mercure Portsea Resort & Golf Club see www.accorhotels.com.

Safety Beach Country Club was one of the first integrated residential/sporting estates in Victoria. Opened in 1989, it originally comprised a 9-hole golf course set amongst 300+ date and cocos palm trees and was then known as Mt Martha Valley Country Club. In 2000 the course was re-developed as an 18-hole course and the name changed to Safety Beach Country Club.

The Country Club now boasts an 18-hole par-67 golf course, 5 tennis courts, swimming pool and a lovely clubhouse with café, coffee shop, bar and patio overlooking the 18th green.

The course and its 26 lakes pose a challenge for any golfer, but is manageable and fun for casual players and seniors, particularly as it is not hilly, which sets it apart from many other courses on the Peninsula.

With some 400 houses around the perimeter of the golf course, a real community atmosphere is a major selling point of the Country Club Estate.

The Safety Beach Pro-Am is an annual fixture on the calendar, with 72 Professionals and 120 amateurs tackling the easy-walking course. Each year the golf course is praised for the quality of its greens and the smooth running of the event, which is due to the hard work of the staff and army of volunteers.

Even with 70+ of Victoria’s top professionals, this short but challenging course manages to hold its own and is rarely conquered. 4- or 5-under is normally the winning mark, although a course record 61 was recorded by John Horvath in 2009.

Peninsula Country Golf Club’s two 18-hole courses offer a test for all levels of golfers.

Safety Beach is open to the public 7 days a week. So if you’re a golfer, a tennis player or just someone who enjoys a coffee in friendly surroundings, check out Safety Beach Country Club.

More: www.safetybeachcountryclub.com.au, 03 5981 0100.

Just 40 kilometres by freeway from Melbourne, The Peninsula Country Golf Club is at the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula, and is also just a short drive away from several other first class sandbelt courses.

The Peninsula Country Golf Club is a highly revered, high-profile facility that features two outstanding 18-hole courses on the 144 hectares of grounds. Like the other firstclass courses in the sandbelt, every hole at Peninsula is a test for champions and enthusiasts.

The South Course is a championship sandbelt course of 6,321 metres, well bunkered and carefully planned to demand

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portsea sorrento blairgowrie rye

(03) 5984 4578 www.beachhouserentals.net.au bookings@beachhouserentals.net.au

“A holiday is what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking.” Anonymous

all the skills of the game. The more undulating North Course of 6124 metres is different in nature with special challenges of its own.

The Clubhouse offers the ambience of a great country club, conservatively furnished in a manner more comfortable than opulent.

The bedrooms, all with private facilities, offer cosiness and a relaxed atmosphere.

But for those keen to get on with the business of playing golf, the amenities are exceptional. The Peninsula Country Golf Club remains one of Australia’s leading professionals for private tuition and group clinics. The Professional Shop is well provided with equipment, including motorised buggies ready to carry players around the magnificent golf courses. In addition, there is a practice putting green, a very large practice fairway, and a separate bunkered practice green.

Grass and all-weather courts allow tennis throughout the year.

More information: www.peninsulagolf.com.au, 03 9789 2222.

Despite its close proximity to Melbourne, many golfers choose to stay in some of the well-appointed lodging options throughout the area. And with so much to see and do in the area, it’s easy to understand why.

Whether you choose to make your Home Base in Portsea, Sorrento, Blairgowrie, Rye, Fingal, St Andrews beach or any number of the other areas dotting the Peninsula, you’re sure to find something to suit your budget and requirements.

Of course, many of the clubs have on-course lodging available, like the new Mercure Portsea Golf Club & Resort, RACV Cape Schanck and the like. Staying on or near the course is always a great option if you plan on enjoying those early morning tee times, or if you prefer to just relax after a round, surrounded by the serenity of golfing surrounds.

Another option, the Rosebud Motel (rosebudmotel@bigpond.com, 03 5985 2041) is located directly opposite the beautiful Port Philip Bay. Giving you quick and easy access to the nearby golf courses, you also can pop down to the bay to enjoy a bit of fishing, jet skiing (launching ramp directly opposite) or Peninsula Hot Springs (8 minute drive). Or you may just choose to stay and relax their and make use of our adjoining the 24 Seat Dining Room which is equipped with plasma TV and billiard table.

The facility has everything you need for a relaxing stay, including Solar Heated Salt Water Pool, well appointed BBQ area and 24-Seat Dining Room which is equipped with plasma TV and billiard table. All rooms are equipped with Wireless / WI-FI, FOXTEL including sport and movie channels, 32”LED Digital TV, Bar Fridge, Kitchenette (basic facilities), Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning, In-room Heater, Full Ensuite and more.

The Rosebud Motel specialises in golf packages, either small or large groups, with

10 Country Club Drive Safety Beach VIC 3936 Phone: (03) 5981 0100 Email: info@safetybeachcountryclub.com.au

Challenging (26 lakes) but not hilly Manageable & fun for seniors & casuals Affordable fees & refreshments

Midweek special

$35 each to share a cart for 18 holes

Monday special

$20 for 18 holes, $14 for 9 holes

www.safetybeachcountryclub.com.au 78

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

golf travel

THINGS TO SEE AND DO Peninsula Hot Springs

There is no better place to relax after a round of golf.

Bordering Moonah Links, the Peninsula Hot Springs has fast become one of the region’s most iconic tourist attractions.

Every year thousands of people enjoy the unique hot springs pools and day spa.

Like the historic and famous spa centres of Europe, Asia, the Americas and New Zealand, the natural hot springs on the Mornington Peninsula brings the blissful and healthy pleasure of ‘taking the waters’ to the people. www.peninsulahotsprings.com

Rosebud Motel an itinerary tailored to suit every individual golfers needs. Golf packages start from $99 per person per night for 6 Nights Accommodation and 5 Games of golf (including breakfast), twin and double basis.

Peninsula, Beach House Rentals prides themselves on providing quality, value and integrity to all their clients. They are currently offering a winter special, which gives you three nights for the price of two in their fabulous properties.

If you’ve got a larger group, or simply want to take the family or a few mates, then why not consider renting a beach or holiday home?

There are many advantages to this type of accommodation, as it usually includes a full kitchen, multiple bedrooms, family room and other benefits.

So if you’re looking for a two or threebedroom (or larger) unit, in most areas of the Peninsula, then Beach House Rentals (www.beachhouserentals.net.au, 03 5984 4578) could be just the ticket.

The leading Holiday rental team on the

Last, but not least, if you need a full-service golf holiday specialist to take care of everything for you, then look no further than U Choose Golf Holiday.

Owner-operators Sharon and Gary provide golfers with a professional and well-organised golf trip – every detail carefully taken care of and nothing to do but turn up and have a great time.

They take pride in offering good value and personalised service.

Sharon, who looks after your holiday from start to finish, will tailor a package, provide choices of accommodation, courses and optional extras all

designed to suit your requirements and budgets.

“It’s definite value for money with no hidden surprises,” she said.

U Choose Golf Holiday has been growing strong each year experiencing 80 per cent of loyal repeat customers, which speaks volumes about their quality service and attention to detail.

U Choose Golf Holiday offers golfers the chance to experience the best that the Mornington Peninsula has to offer, as well as other golf destinations across Australia, like NSW, Gold Coast, West Australia, and the Murray River destinations.

If you can’t decide where to play, U Choose Golf Holiday will happily put together some options Call Sharon on 0418 713 620, email sharon@ uchoosegolf.com.au or check the website www.uchoosegolf.com.au

Red Hill Estate

There are plenty of wonderful wineries to visit on the Mornington Peninsula. But if you’re pressed for time, be sure to make Red Hill Estate the first choice.

Red Hill Estate is a boutique Australian multi-award winning wine producer located in the stunning surrounds of Red Hill – an internationally recognized cool climate region.

Red Hill Estate’s mild maritime climate is perfect for growing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio and a variety of other grapes for still and sparkling table wines of the highest quality.

Wine can be purchased from the cellar door and Max’s Restaurant is arguably one of the peninsula’s finest places to dine.

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WHAT YOU EXPEC TED:

WHAT YOU DID NOT:

stay n’ play.

The new multi–million dollar Mercure Portsea Golf Club & Resort is offering packages from only $249* per room per night.

BOOK NOW FOR OUR BEST PRICE GUARANTEE AT

mercure.com

“Flinders is one of those unique coastal courses…….not quite links…..neither is it woodland or marsh, that perches high on the cliff top, making it a distant cousin of Pebble Beach and a relative of Murfield. ... The Flinders golf course is friendly yet full of surprises and intrigue. Bring all your clubs because you are going to need them and a good understanding of what Golf is all about.”

Peter Thomson OBE 

   mercure portsea Golf club & resort 46 London Bride Road, Portsea VIC 3944 Reservations 03 5981 6100 or stay@portseagolf.com.au *Subject to availability and valid to 30 December 2013.

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

79

travel

Golf on the Murray: Rich River Golf Club Resort

Nestled alongside the beautiful Murray River at Echuca Moama, Rich River Golf Club Resort offers a pleasant and challenging golf experience for players of all levels, and provides the perfect escape to suit a day trip, weekend or extended holiday.

Rich River Golf Club Resort boasts an abundance of sporting facilities including a 36hole championship golf course, three bowling greens, three croquet courts, nine tennis courts and their new 17-bay driving range.

The golfing at Murray River courses is always excellent, and Rich River Golf Club Resort is certainly no exception. A pair of well-established, solid quality, long country courses awaits the hungry golf tragic upon their arrival.

Long fairways with some nice open tees beckon you to open up the shoulders and leave nothing in the bag. However, trouble off the tee can often be found in the form of a large fairway bunker or in one of the many picturesque dams. The treelined fairways provide a scenic and serene setting for your round, yet also offer plenty of challenge

for your wayward tee shots. If your aim is not true off the tee, a recovery shot from the trees is often on the cards.

The greens at Rich River Golf Club Resort are always in great condition, and are a pleasure to play on. With a variety of sizes and shapes (and some with a double tier) they roll true and provide a familiar feel on each hole.

With fully self-contained accommodation on site, it is also a great location for a “Weekend Away” with the gang, or a quiet golfing escape.

The team at Rich River Golf Club Resort can tailor any specific sporting package to suit your needs.

The accommodation at Rich River Golf Club Resort is robust, and the facilities are extensive.

Their 63-room motel complex is adjacent to the Clubhouse and is surrounded by their awardwinning 36-hole golf course. Set amongst the manicured tranquil gardens which houses two outdoor pools, spa, BBQ area and a massage and beauty therapist onsite, once on site, you’ll never need to get into your car at this fully selfcontained golfing facility.

Rich River Golf Club Resort provide a wide range of Clubhouse facilities including dining, coffee shop, sports bar, spike bar, James Maiden Bistro, takeaway liquor, TAB & Keno, private function rooms, free live entertainment, weekly raffles and promotions to keep you entertained during your visit.

Rich River Golf Club Resort also offers dining options to suit all tastes and budgets with specials available every night of the week. Executive Chef, Stephane Stanasic and his talented team provide a wide selection of taste sensations expertly prepared onsite for your enjoyment.

So the next time you consider a golfing escape to the Murray River region, give Rich River Golf Club Resort a go. You won’t be disappointed. •

Enquiries 03 5481 3333, 1800 035 634 24 Lane Moama, NSW 2731 rrgc@richriver.com.au www.richriver.com.au

Wilson takes second NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship title NSW State Team Captain Olivia Wilson (NSW GC) has secured her second NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship title. Wilson teamed up with brother-in-law and home town friend Kayne Carmichael (Catalina CC) in this year’s event, while her title in 2011 was played with friend Callan O’Reilly (Pennant Hills GC).

Wilson and Carmichael shot out to a blistering start, with eagles at the first and third holes. A front nine of 33 was matched with a back nine of 43 for a total 76. The pair won the Championship by just a stroke from runner-up local team Jeanette and Andrew Arkins (Shelly Beach GC).

Third place was taken out by another local team of Tina Hando and Ty Purnell (Shelly Beach) with a score of 79.

The NSW Mixed Foursomes Club Champion of Champions event was run in conjunction with the main event. This year’s winners were from Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club, Lia Lavelle and Matthew Horton with a score of 82. Runnersup were Di and Stephen Thomlinson (Gosford Golf Club) on 84. The Thomlinsons also took out the nett prize, with a score of 74.5.

Best dressed on the day went to Rebecca and Jack Goldsmith from Shelly Beach Golf Club, who wore loudmouth pants and bright pink tops.

The 2013 NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship was played at Shelly Beach Golf Club, Sunday 4 August. There were 134 competitors in this year’s event, ranging from Australian and State representatives, to husband and wife pairs.

The Championship was open to men with a handicap limit of 18, and women with a handicap limit of 36. It was foursomes stroke play over 18 holes, with females playing from the first tee.

Full results, prize winners, images are available at www.golfnsw.org •

FINALISTS

WIN

A GOLF WEEKEND

Including accommodation, dining & golf

SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

STAY & PLAY GOLF PACKAGES

$110 per person per night (based on triple share rate) 12 MAGNIFICENT COURSES

ALBURY · YARRAWONGA-MULWALA · COBRAM-BAROOGA TOCUMWAL · ECHUCA-MOAMA · BARHAM · SWAN HILL

www.golfonthemurray.com.au 80

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

travel

Japan

- a golf and cultural odyssey

Japan is many things simultaneously. This technological superpower with jam-packed, nonstop mega-cities give way to mountain vistas, rural serenity, ancient temples and generations of fascinating history, culture and tradition.

Rightfully famous for technology and fashion, the land of the rising sun’s rich cultural significance is on display through its food, hospitality, geisha, sumo, karate, onsen and the list goes on.

The Japanese are a warm and welcoming people whose unique culture can be enlightening in its complexity and contradictions. It can take many years to get a good grasp of the Japanese language and psyche. Hospitality, consideration for others and respectfulness is intrinsic to being Japanese.

Possibly more than any nationality in the world, the Japanese love to eat out, and the cornucopia of culinary options, even in the smallest towns, is dizzying. There’s something for every taste and budget, from the oftexcellent, humble workman’s canteens, to famous specialist restaurants that will satisfy even the most particular gourmets. There are scores of different styles of cooking, and specialist restaurants to match.

Spring is an idyllic season to visit Japan and Hanami. The Japanese cherry blossom (sakura) festival is an added bonus. Hanami, which literally means flower viewing, has been celebrated for many centuries and holds a very prominent position in Japanese culture. The

Japanese celebrate that time of the year with hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties under the blooming trees.

From an uneducated perspective, Sumo wrestling may just seem like two overweight, barely-dressed guys wrestling. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Sumo is closely tied to the Shinto religion and a professional Sumo wrestler in Japan is considered a “demi-god” by the Japanese public.

Arthur Golden’s 1998 novel Memoirs of a Geisha revived interest in an aspect of Japan that is so intrinsic to the Western stereotype and yet so far removed from the reality of daily life here.

Geisha do still exist and ply their trade, of course.

But the role they play in modern society is minor

and, except for the attention they get from camerawielding tourists, largely unseen. But like their male counterpart the samurai, the geisha and her world continue to fascinate people around the world as part of their image of a mysterious and timeless Japan.

Tsukiji Market is a large wholesale market for fish, fruits and vegetables in central Tokyo. It is the most famous of the wholesale markets that handle the distribution of fish, meat, produce and flowers in metropolitan Tokyo. The sight of the many kinds of fresh fish and other seafood and the busy atmosphere of scooters, trucks, sellers and buyers hurrying around, make Tsukiji Market a major tourist attraction.

Getting naked and wet with a bunch of total strangers is perhaps the most quintessentially Japanese thing to do. There are thousands of onsen (natural thermal hot springs) scattered the length of Japan, perhaps a bequest from the gods made as a sort of natural compensation for all of the earthquakes. No earthquakes equals no onsens, and the Japanese are in general fairly happy with the trade-off.

Japanese golf courses are groomed to perfection and playing a number of the country’s finest courses, coupled with expert caddies, make for a memorable golfing experience. Course layouts are usually set among heavy pines, while generous fairways with strategic hazards promote risk and reward play. On course, the expression “Fah” is the Japanese equivalent to Fore!

There is much to savour about Japanese culture and Go Golfing Travel’s tour delivers exceptional quality, unique encounters, first class golf and a real sense of history through its cuisine and art.

Highlights include a private lesson and lunch with sumo wrestlers, a Kabuki performance, private dinner with Geisha, cherry blossoms in full bloom, day trip to Miyajima Island, and golf at exclusive members only Rokko Kokusai Golf Club.

For more info visit www.gogolfing.net.au or call 07 5536 3280. •

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

81

seniors

NATIONAL SENIORS

Alan Bullas: Queensland Senior Amateur Champion

Australian team ready for NZ

Golf Australia has announced the twelve-man team to play the New Zealand Seniors team in the annual match for the Sanctuary Cove Trophy.

The team members are Stefan Albinski (NSW), Ross Bockman (NSW), Alan Bullas (Vic), Vince Clark

(NSW), Denis Dale (NSW), Stephen Gibson (NSW), Richard Greville (NSW), Peter King (Qld), David Limbach (NSW), Ian McPherson (WA), Robert Payne (NSW) and Roy Vandersluis (NSW). The nonplaying captain is Queenslander Chris Coats and the vice-captain is NSW senior Tony Kennings.

2013 Australian Senior Rankings

2013 Aust Senior Rankings HANDICAP

Player

State

Events

Ave.

Player

State

1

Stefan Albinski

NSW

7

113.26

1

Denis Dale

NSW

7

102.69

3

Roy Vandersluis

NSW

7

96.79

4

Peter King

QLD

6

5

David Limbach

NSW

7

Events

Best 5

1

Graeme Altmann

1

Noel Mills

VIC

5

67.66

TAS

5

65.90

3

Roy Vandersluis

NSW

4

55.07

93.24

4

Steve Gibson

NSW

4

53.82

90.34

5

Stefan Albinski

NSW

4

53.50

This event follows the same format as the Ryder and Presidents Cups. The competition rotates between each country and in 2013 will be played in Australia at the Sanctuary Cove Golf Club (The Pines course) from 9-11 September. After six years of competition the scores are locked together with three wins for each national side.

Victorian Alan Bullas recorded his initial senior ranking event title with a play-off victory in the 2013 Queensland Senior Amateur Championship at Oxley Golf Club. After rounds of 77-73-80 for a total of 230 Bullas was tied with Queenslander and Oxley club member Brad Oliver (73-80-77).

The playoff began on the par-3 9th hole and after their tee shots Bullas was badly bunkered with Oliver sitting safely on the green. Bullas then played a remarkable bunker shot to recover for a par and the hole was halved. Back to the same tee but this time Bullas almost holed out and his tap-in birdie gave him the title over Oliver’s par.

The 2013 Queensland championship was a very keenly contested one with a trio of players finishing just one shot out of the playoff - defending champion Peter King (Windaroo), New Zealand visitor Neal Pitches (Royal Wellington) and the 36hole leader Richard Greville (Avondale) .

The Gold Coast Seniors was the most recent national ranking event. It was played over 54 holes at Royal Pines (36) and Lakelands (18) golf clubs. In an exciting final day victory went to Queenslander Trevor Box with rounds of 77-73-74= 224.

Standing on the final tee at Lakelands and playing together, Box and Brian Sams (NSW) were locked together in the lead just a single stroke ahead of the overnight leader Denis Dale (NSW).

After a wonderful par from Box on the difficult closing hole he stood back to watch Dale and Sams attempt two metre putts to force a playoff.

When both narrowly missed ,Box had his title from Dale (74-72-79) and Sams (NSW 78-74-73) who finished in joint second place.

The National Senior Ranking table is well underway with only five events left for the 2013

season. Stefan Albinski on 113 points maintains his lead over Denis Dale (102) and Roy Vandersluis (96). www.ausoom.com

NSW

Tight finish expected in Senior Order of Merit

The six-time winner of the NSW Senior Order of Merit competition Denis Dale is closing in on the current leader Ross Bockman from the Long Reef club. Dale (Twin Creeks) has recorded three wins from his last three starts and his total of 1840 points from his best 14 rounds has him only 85 points behind Bockman.

Steve Gibson (St Michael’s), Greg Stanford (Mona Vale) and Vince Clark (The Lakes) are locked in a very close battle for third place with just 24 points separating the three players. With 13 events still remaining on the NSW calendar the race for the end-of-year medals will certainly be a keen one.

The 2013 Ocean Shores Seniors was won by the amazing 72 year-old Wyong senior jack Parker.

Making light of his status as one of the older players in the field Parker recorded a great round of one over par 73 to defeat Forster-Tuncurry member Tony Kennings by a single stroke.

The inaugural Coffs Coast Senior Classic was played over 36 holes at Coffs Harbour and Bonville Golf Clubs. The winner was Denis Dale (Twin Creeks 74-76) who defeated Victorian visitor Barry Tippert (74-80). Both courses provided demanding

2013 NSW Senior Order of Merit Player

Club

Events

Best 8

1

Ross Bockman

Long Reef

19

1925

1

Denis Dale

Twin Creeks

18

1840

3

Steve Gibson

St Michael’s

20

1562

4

Greg Stanford

Mona Vale

17

1554

5

Vince Clark

The Lakes

18

1538

Tuncurr y Course rate Australi d in a’s Top 100 Pu blic Acc Course ess s

Where else can you get the choice of 2 beautiful courses?

Nowhere 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 the Club on 02 6554 6799 for your booking.

• All weather courses that test the abilities of all levels of golfers • Enjoy a drink at the club after the game overlooking the picturesque Pacific Ocean.

Forster Course Tuncurry Golf Course Strand Street, Forster Northern Parkway, Tuncurry (02) 6554 6167 (02) 6554 7622

www.forstertuncurrygolf.com.au

The home of Sarah Kemp 82

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

$100

*

*Conditions Apply. This offer valid Sunday to Thursday Only (Friday & Saturday $107.50).

Per person twin share - executive room. Note: A full buffet breakfast can be organised for group bookings of 20 or more.

seniors

QUEENSLAND Pick a Box...any Box

In the men’s section of the 2013 Queensland Senior Order of Merit, Queenslander Trevor Box has struck a purple patch of form and is now the clear favourite to claim the inaugural Order of Merit title.

Box began his incredible run with victory in the 54 Gold Coast Senior Open and followed that impressive victory with wins in the next four Order of Merit events. He is obviously enjoying following the “senior tour” as it heads north up the Queensland coast.

Ocean Shores winners: Jack Parker and Tony Kennings tests of golf and attracted a good field with the organisers now looking forward to making this a regular event on the NSW Senior Order of Merit calendar.

Recent Results

Ocean Shores Seniors Winner: Jack Parker (Wyong) 73* R/Up: Tony Kennings (Tuncurry) 74 Over 65: Denis Dale (Twin Creeks) 75 Coffs Coast Seniors at Coffs Harbour & Bonville Winner: Denis Dale (Twin Creeks) 74-76 R/Up: Barry Tippert (Thirteenth Beach) 74-80 Over 65: Col Kenning (Kiama) 83-81 Cabramatta Seniors Winner: Denis Dale (Twin Creeks) 74* R/Up: Steve Gibson (St Michael’s) 74 Over 60: Greg Stanford (Mona Vale) 75 Seaside Classic at Port Macquarie Winner: Denis Dale (Twin Creeks) 74-74 R/Up: Greg McKay (Cabramatta) 74-76 Handicap: Ken Lamb (NSWGC) 71-65 net www.golfnsw.org

Played in conjunction with the men’s events the Women’s Senior Order of Merit is heading towards a close finish with Josie Ryan, Wendy O’Connell and Rosie Glasson all in a position to claim the title.

The Srixon Senior Order of Merit competition continues with events from Maryborough to Cairns and beyond before returning back to the south east corner and the Toowoomba region in October and November.

Recent Results

Gailes Seniors Men Scratch: Norm Way (Gailes) 80* Runner Up: Ian Read (Indooroopilly) 80 Women: Roberta Henry (Nudgee) 93 Maryborough Seniors Men Scratch: Trevor Box (Windaroo) 74 Men 65+: Dave Morrison (Coolangatta) Women: Josie Ryan (Headland) Hervey Bay Seniors Men Scratch: Trevor Box (Windaroo) Men 65+: Dave Morrison (Coolangatta) Women: Rosie Glasson (Twin Waters) Bargara Seniors Men Scratch: Trevor Box (Windaroo) 77-70 Men 65+: Dave Morrison (Coolangatta) Women: Lyn Morrison (Coolangatta) Coral Cove Seniors Men Scratch: Trevor Box (Windaroo) 74-81 Men 65+: Peter Hutchinson (Bundaberg) Women: Kristine Tomalin (Bribie Island) www.golfqueensland.org.au .

2013 QLD Senior Order of Merit MEN

Trevor Box – leading the Queensland Senior Order of Merit

Player

Club

Events

Best 8

1

Trevor Box

Windaroo Lakes

14

1590

1

Ian Read

Indooroopilly

9

1360

3

Brian Kesby

Headland

18

1345

4

Neil King

Nudgee

15

5

Dave Morrison

Coolangatta

13

UPCOMING SENIOR AMATEUR EVENTS Sept 3-5 *Australian Senior Amateur at Royal Queensland GC Sept 9-11 Coomealla Seniors (VIC) Sept 13 Ayr Seniors (QLD) Sept 16 Townsville Seniors (QLD) Sept 16 Kooyonga Seniors (SA) Sept 17 Willows Seniors (QLD) Sept 19-20 *Grange Senior Open (SA) –

new East Course Sept 23-25 *South Australian Senior

Amateur at Gawler GC (SA) Sept 26 Mareeba Seniors (QLD) Sept 27 Mosman Seniors (QLD) Sept 30-Oct 1 Northern GC Seniors (VIC) Oct 4 Liverpool Seniors (NSW) Oct 4 Gordonvale Seniors (QLD) Oct 10-11 Hidden Valley Seniors (VIC) Oct 10 Windsor Seniors (NSW) Oct 20-21 Warwick Seniors (QLD) Oct 21 Belmont Seniors (NSW) Oct 21-23 *Victorian Senior Amateur at Rosebud GC (VIC) Oct 22 Charlestown Seniors (NSW) Oct 23 Waratah Seniors (NSW) Oct 23-24 Toowoomba Seniors (QLD) Oct 25 Toowoomba City Seniors (QLD) Oct 28-30 *Australian Senior Match Play at

Thirteenth Beach GC *Part of the Australian Senior Ranking System

2013 QLD Senior Order of Merit WOMEN Player

Club

Events

Best 8

1

Josie Ryan

Headland

10

1385

1

Wendy O’Connell

North Lakes

7

1370

3

Rosie Glasson

Twin Waters

9

1250

1160

4

Roberta Henry

Nudgee

11

1080

1155

5

Annie Llewellyn

Twin Waters

12

925

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

83

calendar 8th Annual Australian Father & Son Open Golf Championship Where: Country Club Tasmania When: 29th November – 1st December Info: www.australianfatherandsongolf.com Is there a better way for a father and son to learn about life and each other than by playing a round of golf together?

The Championship is a 2 ball aggregate stableford which will be played over 36 holes. The best father and son team score over the two days will be crowned the

September

Women’s Country Meeting

When: 2, 3, and 5 September 2013.

Where: Glenmore Heritage Valley, Penrith & Lynwood Golf Clubs Info: Karen Wagg on 02 9505 9105 or karen.wagg@golfnsw.org.

The Women’s Country Meeting was developed exclusively for country women to participate at Sydney metropolitan golf courses. It is open to female amateurs who hold a current Australian or overseas equivalent handicap and are a member of a Golf NSW Country Golf Club. It is held over three days, the first two being stroke, the third foursomes.

Monday 2 September: 1st Round (18-holes stroke), Glenmore Heritage Valley Golf Club Tuesday 3 September: 2nd Round (18-holes stroke), Penrith Golf Club Thursday 5 September: Foursomes (18-holes), Lynwood Country Club Entries are now open – 50 per person per day via hard copy, or $40 online. $110 per person for three days via hard copy or $100 online. To enter log onto www.golfnsw.org. Entries close Friday 16 August 2013.

Mornington Peninsula Matchplay Tournament When: September 23 to 26 Where: Rosebud Country Club Info: www.rosebudcountryclub.com.au/comingevents The second annual Mornington Peninsula Matchplay Tournament is open to all male golfers aged 55 and over, the tournament provides all participants a chance to enjoy competitive golf while exploring the Mornington Peninsula’s many attractions.

The event is played over the club’s two courses and all players tee up on each day in a round robin format.

There is a rest day on the Wednesday and all players are welcome to enter the club’s midweek competition.

In recognition of each player’s efforts, every player will also be awarded a prize at the presentation.

The entry fee is sensational value with golf, opening breakfast and presentation lunch included.

25th Parramatta City Heartland Group Junior Golf Pro Am When: Tuesday 24th September 2013, 7am – 2pm Where: Woodville Golf Course, Guildford Info: www.pga.org.au/event-display/11176 Cost: Free Now in its 25th year, the Junior Golf Pro Am is celebrating a long history of success in uniting young golfers with professionals from the field. The event is a major event on the Sydney metropolitan golf calendar and is the only Junior Golf Pro Am event organised in NSW/ACT. The event will offer 60 young local golfers the opportunity to play alongside 50 golfing professionals over 18 picturesque holes. The age range for young players is 10-17 years old.

To submit an application to participate in the event please contact Jason Kaye Smith at Woodville Golf Course on (02) 9632 3582.

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GOLF NSW – SEPTEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS ultimate winners of the Australian Father and Son Open Championship for 2013. Each winning player will receive a replica of the perpetual trophy. 2nd and 3rd place runners up will receive trophies.

The full entrance fee is $585pp, includes 3 night’s accommodation with breakfast and all other inclusions (such as golf, gala dinner, cocktail party etc.) Entry fee without accommodation is $195pp and does not include the Gala dinner. Cost to attend the Gala dinner is an additional $75pp.

For more information: contact Eric Roberts (03) 6394 4158, eric.roberts7@bigpond.com.

Parkinson’s NSW Charity Golf Day

When: 20th September Where: Woollahra Golf Club (9 holes), Royal Sydney Centenary Course (9 holes) Info: (02) 9327 5404.

Parkinson’s NSW is a not-for-profit community-funded organization helping with the day-to-day of living with Parkinson’s for the sufferers and their carers. They perform a wonderful role, relying mainly on volunteers and donations. Join them for an 18-hole, 4-person Stableford event to help raise much-needed funds. Cost for the event is $120pp, which includes golf, lunch, beverage and prizes. Entries close on 12th Sept. More information: Sam Howe,: gm@woollahragolfclub.com.

October Queensland Amputee Golf Association Charity Golf Day When: Friday 11th October 2013 Where: Emerald Lakes Golf Club, Gold Coast.

The Queensland Amputee Golf Association is holding its annual Golf Charity Day at Emerald Lakes Golf Club followed by a Presentation dinner and Charity Auction.

Organisers are seeking Charitable Donations/Prizes for the Charity Auction. All money raised helps further the expansion of amputee golfing clinics and tournaments throughout Queensland.

For more information: Scott Smith, Vice-President, QAGA, scott@qaga.org.au, 0407 972 008, www.qaga.org.au

City of Orange Golf Championship When: 5-7 October 2013 Where: Duntryleague Golf Club Info: www.duntryleague.com.au

Enjoy a long weekend of golf in NSW’s premier food and wine district and play on each of Orange’s magnificent golf courses.

Duntryleague Golf Club, Orange Ex-Services Country Club and Wentworth Golf Club.

Played over three days and three courses and with $6,000 worth of prizes to be won, this is a championship event not to miss. Further information is available from Golf Orange Website www.golforange.com.au

Annual Veterans’ Tournament When: 8-10 October 2013 Where: Duntryleague Golf Club Info: www.duntryleague.com.au

This longstanding and popular Tournament includes three days of golf and a Presentation dinner on the Wednesday night. Numbers are limited to 216 players. Accommodation on site in their famous 14 room mansion. Further information is available from Tournament Director Beryl Pearce, 0428 622 300, beejaber@gmail.com.

South Pacific Ladies Open Classic Where: Surfers Paradise Golf Club When: 14 to 16 October

Golf NSW Events Event

Venue Date(s) Glenmore Heritage, Penrith Women’s Country Meeting 2, 3, 5 Sept & Lynwood GCs KENO NSW Mixed Fourball Bonville Golf Resort 10-13 Sept Championship State Final Women’s Bronze Medallion Wakehurst & Cabramatta GCs 16 Sept Ryde-Parramatta & The Women’s Coronation Medal 17 Sept Lakes GCs Men’s Vardon Events Lynwood & Bungool Cups Shelly Beach Open Amateur Stonecutters Ridge Cup Killara Cup

Lynwood CC Shelly Beach GC Stonecutters Ridge GC Killara GC

Women’s Jean Derrin / Senior Order of Merit Events Blue Water Classic Shelly Beach GC Bermagui Ladies Open Bermagui CC Cammeray Bowl Cammeray GC Nelson Bay Ladies Golf Nelson Bay GC Classic Pennant Hills Cup Pennant Hills GC Mona Vale Silver Salver Mona Vale GC Men’s Senior Order of Merit Events Camden Seniors Camden GC

7 Sept 8 Sept 21 Sept 22 Sept 9 Sept 14-15 Sept 15 Sept 16 Sept 23 Sept 30 Sept 23 Sept

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

QLD Sunshine Tour Schedule Date(s) September Tues 3rd Mon 9th Tues 10th Wed 11th Thur 12th Fri 13th Sun 15th Mon 16th Thur 19th Sat-Sun 21st-22nd Tues 24th Wed 25th Fri 27th Mon 30th October Tues 1st Wed 2nd Fri-Sat 4th-5th Tues 8th

Golf Club

Prize

McLeod Virginia Victoria Park Indooroopilly Brisbane Royal Queensland Lismore Casino Murwillumbah Yamba Ballina Riverlakes Middleridge Boomerang Farm

$10,000 $10,000 $15,000 $10,000 $10,000 $55,000 $12,000 $10,000 $15,000 $17,500 $10,000 $10,000 $25,000 $10,000

Howeston Wantima Hi Lite Sanctuary Cove

$11,000 $10,000 $50,000 $10,000

Info: www.surfersparadisegolfclub.com.au Note date change above. Hosted by Surfers Paradise Golf Club for the past 40 years, the event includes a Sunday (14 Oct) mixed foursomes to give the entrants a chance to play the course and for the sponsors to meet the players and organisers.

Monday to Wednesday will see the 54-hole competition played with three divisions. In Division 1 the young amateurs will vie for prizes and national ranking. Division 2 will welcome the ladies up to 54 years. The seniors, over 55 will vie for the Division 3 prizes and prestige. The competition will, in 2013, be played off the “Red Tees” which is a change from the previously required “Blue Tee” start. The event has National & state ranking for ladies and attracts the top level of amateur lady golfers.

2013 Women’s Mountain Meeting

When: Monday 14 to Thursday 17 October Where: Katoomba, Blackheath, Leura and Wentworth Falls Golf Clubs Info: www.golfnsw.org The 2013 Women’s Mountain Meeting is one of the longest running and most popular tournaments on the Golf NSW women’s calendar.

The format begins on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 with 36-hole stroke play for Divisions one and two with 36-hole stableford for Division 3. On Wednesday 16 the Foursomes are held in two divisions and on the final day, Thursday 17, a four person Teams V Par Event completes the tournament. Players can nominate to play in all four days of play or play in individual days of their choice. Golf NSW is happy to assist competitors to find a partner for the foursomes or complete a team of four for the Teams event.

Entries are One Day - $45 one day ($35 online). $80 two days ($70 online), $115 three days ($105 online) or $120 four days ($110 online).

calendar Entries close: Friday 27 September 2013 at 5.00pm. For further information regarding this event please contact Christy Collier on christy.collier@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105.

2013 Men’s NSW Sand Greens Championship When: Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October Where: Barraba Golf Club Info: www.golfnsw.org The 2013 Men’s NSW Sand Greens Championship, incorporating the 2013 NSW Junior Boy’s Sand Greens Championship and the 2013 NSW Sand Greens Teams Event, 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 4 October at 5.00pm For further information regarding this event please contact Christy Collier on christy.collier@golfnsw.org or (02) 9505 9105.

2013 Women’s NSW Sand Greens Championship When: Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October Where: Hay Golf Club Info: www.golfnsw.org The 2013 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). Prizes are awarded for: DIVISION 1 - NSWLGU Sand Greens Championship Salver – 36-hole scratch DIVISION 2 - NSWLGU Bronze Salver – 36-hole scratch DIVISION 3 - Bronze Bowl – 36-hole scratch (if player numbers allow) TEAMS EVENTS - RLGA Jug – 36-hole nett teams Over the field - SWLGA Bowl – 36-hole scratch teams 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 4 October at 5.00pm.

For further information regarding this event please contact Judy Ferguson, Secretary RLGA on 02 6926 2698 or secretary@riverinalga.com.au

Mitsubishi World Masters Golf Championship Where: Gold Coast When: 20-26 October 2013 Info: info@gogolfing.net.au Now in its 18th year, golfers from all over Australia and overseas are drawn to Queensland’s Gold Coast for a great value week of golf, fun and entertainment. So long as you are over 35 and have an official golf handicap, you can tee it up at the Masters. There are 18 tournament divisions based on age and handicap. Playing with golfers your own age and standard and compete for more than $120,000 in prizes and lucky draws. The Mitsubishi Masters will see you play at the Gold Coast’s world class resort courses including Arundel Hills Country Club, Glades, Lakelands and RACV Royal Pines. Much more than a golf tournament, there are lively social and entertainment events every night including a welcome dinner, 19th Hole rooftop poolside setting at the 5 star Sofitel Hotel in the heart of Broadbeach, a decadent St Hallett winemaker dinner, themed parties, casino show and a day at the races make for a fun filled week. Celebrations culminate with a glamorous presentation dinner at Jupiters.

More information at w w w.gogolfing.net.au or (07) 5536 8681.

Ladies’ Open Tournament

When: 28 October to 1 November 2013 Where: Duntryleague Golf Club Info: www.duntryleague.com.au The Ladies’ Open Tournament is a much anticipated Tournament on the Duntryleague calendar. The Tournament

Brisbane & District Ladies Golf Association Open Days / B&DLGA Events Date Event Information September Monday 2nd B&DLGA Country Day Mon – Thurs 9 – 12 Meg Nunn Salver District Teams Event Friday 13 Ladies Holden Scramble Wednesday 18 Open Day Thursday 19 Intercommittee Day Wednesday 25 Pink Ribbon Day October Tuesday 15 Invitation Day Tuesday 22 Carbrook Cup Thursday 24 Cha Cha Cha Team of 4 Event Thursday 24 Open 2 Person Ambrose Thursday 24 SPECIAL EVENT - BDLGA 30 Anniversary Dinner!

November Friday 15 Delegate Meeting Tuesday 26 Open Mixed 4BBB Stableford

Location Laidley GC Mackay GC Mt Warren Park GC Oxley GC Wantima GC Laidley GC Redland Bay GC Carbrook GC Wynnum GC Gailes GC Hillstone, St Lucia Oxley GC Gailes GC

For more event info and entry forms visit: www.bdlga.com.au

will include golfing events each day and some great social events as well.

Accommodation on site in their famous 14 room mansion.

Further information is available from our Ladies Captain Pat Bradford: (02) 6361 8002, johnpatbradford@y7mail.com.

November Federal Amateur Open

When: 8th – 10th November Where: Federal Golf Club, Canberra Info: www.fgc.com.au The event is a four round World Amateur Golf Ranking Tournament. Rounds 1 & 2 are played on the Friday and Saturday with a cut (60 players plus ties) before Rounds 3 & 4 are played on Sunday. Prizes are awarded for 1st – 5th, the Federal Medal (best four round score by an overseas player) and the Junior Medal (best four round score by a junior player under 18 years).

For further information, please contact Scott Elias, General Manager, on (02) 6281 1888.

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

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calendar Handiskins

When: Various Where: Various Info: www.handiskins.com.au Handiskins the ultimate game of skins for club golfers.

Handiskins is a five-qualifying-round stableford competition.

A player’s best three rounds count towards their final score.

Players don’t have to play all five qualifying rounds if their scores are good enough.

The top four players with the best scores at the end of the qualifying rounds go into the ‘skins’ format final and have the opportunity to play for $1,200 in club or pro shop vouchers.

UPCOMING HANDISKINS EVENTS: Howlong Golf Club Final 21st September 2013 Griffith Golf Club 4th Qualifying Round 8th September 2013 5th Qualifying Round 29th September 2013 Final 20th October 2013 Moss Vale Golf Club 2nd Qualifying Round 7th September 2013 3rd Qualifying Round 14th September 2013 4th Qualifying Round 21st September 2013

Hahn Golf Open Amateur Championship When: 9-10 November 2013 Where: Duntryleague Golf Club Info: www.duntryleague.com.au

(Golf NSW Vardon Event & Senior Event in conjunction) These two days of golf are not to be missed. Saturday and Sunday Championship with individual daily events in conjunction. Test yourself against some of the best players in Australia.

Accommodation on site in their famous 14 room mansion.

Please contact the Golf Shop on (02) 6362 4072 for further enquiries.

Mercedes-Benz Sunshine Coast Ladies Open Championship & Classic When: 15, 16 & 17 November (Open Championship), 16 & 17 November (Classic) Where: Headland Golf Club, Qld Info: www.headlandgolfclub.com.au Now in its 35th year, this prestigious Ladies championship is a Golf Australia and Golf Queensland ranked event for the Open Championship (handicap limit 9) conducted over three days on the beautiful Headland course on the slopes of Buderim, overlooking the sunshine coast. The fun weekend Classic (handicap limit 36) includes many great events and trophies including divisional, Junior, Mid & Senior Championships.

Plus team and club events and a Friday night shootout on the signature 18th hole. A great weekend away for ladies on the

5th Qualifying Round 28th September 2013 Final 6th October 2013 Charlestown Golf Club Final 12th October 2013 Duntryleague Golf Club 1st Qualifying Round 1st September 2013 2nd Qualifying Round 8th September 2013 3rd Qualifying Round 15th September 2013 4th Qualifying Round 22nd September 2013 5th Qualifying Round 29th September 2013 Final 3rd November 2013 Branxton Golf Club 1st Qualifying Round 14th September 2013 2nd Qualifying Round 21st September 2013 3rd Qualifying Round 28th September 2013 4th Qualifying Round 9th November 2013 5th Qualifying Round 16th November 2013 Final 14th December 2013 The Links Shell Cove 1st Qualifying Round 19th October 2013 2nd Qualifying Round 26th October 2013 3rd Qualifying Round 9th November 2013 4th Qualifying Round 16th November 2013 5th Qualifying Round 23rd November 2013 Final 30th November 2013

beautiful Sunshine Coast with recommended accommodation at Alexandria Apartments on the beach at Alexandra Headland.

More information at www.mitournament.com

Steve Conran Junior Tournament When: 24 November 2013 Where: Duntryleague Golf Club Info: www.duntryleague.com.au

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

will be the persons with the highest aggregate scores.

Registration is $299 which includes three rounds of championship golf, admission to the opening night cocktail party, presentation afternoon and a commemorative gift from Calvin Klein.

More information: www.noosasprings.com.au or (07) 5440 3333.

4th Annual ‘Team Chriso’ Cystic Fibrosis Charity Golf Day When: 29th 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 20102012 Charity Golf Days raised a total just under $55,000, which helped purchase much needed equipment for families battling CF. Organisers expect a massive turnout for this year’s event. Cost is $75 per person, and includes 18 holes of golf and Lunch. For more information, email teamchriso@yahoo.com or phone Rachel 0413 428 341 or Michael 0412 304 190

2014 Mercedes Benz Duntryleague Classic When: 19-21 January 2014 Where: Duntryleague Golf Club Info: www.duntryleague.com.au

This year’s event will run for three days of golf only, starting on the Saturday night with a registration and cocktail party.Packages are available for the full event and an early bird special is also available.

Book early to avoid disappointment as this event fills quickly. Open to all male and female golfers with an official handicap.

NSW Veterans Strokeplay Championships

Noosa Springs B & C Grade Championships

Where: Richmond, Penrith and Stonecutters Ridge When: 14-15 and 16 April 2014.

Info: Chris Evans, Secretary, WSRVGA on 0413 912 888

Now in its eighth successful year, the competition was designed by Noosa Springs to give golfers with higher handicaps a championship event to play.

The three-day competition will be played over 54 holes of Stableford play.

It’s open to all male amateur golfers with a handicap between 11-36 and all female amateur golfers with a handicap between 18-45.

The entire field will contest all three rounds –18 holes each day –and the men’s and women’s winners for each B&C category

After 8 years at Bankstown and Liverpool, the 54-hole Championships are moving to Western Sydney in an attempt to include more country participants.

Richmond Golf Club is undergoing significant course renovations in preparation for the 2013 Australian Seniors PGA and the Veterans will be the big winners in 2014.

Penrith Golf Club has hosted many State Championships and is in excellent shape. Both Richmond and Penrith are great walking courses for the senior golfer.

The final 18 holes of the Veterans Championships will be played at Stonecutters Ridge Golf Links, a brand-new Greg Norman resort course proving incredibly popular with all golfers.

When: 29th November – 1st December Where: Noosa Springs Info: golf@noosasprings.com.au

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

Queensland PGA Sunshine Tour Proud Sponsors 86

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

calendar Barnbougle Golf Challenge

2013 Men’s NSW Country Championship

Where: Barnbougle Dunes & Lost Farm When: 18 - 24 January 2014 Info: info@gogolfing.net.au

Play Australia’s top two public access courses this January at the Barnbougle Golf Challenge. Back by popular demand, the Barnbougle Golf Challenge will see you playing in teams of two in a combination of best ball, ambrose and aggregate events. Staying at the stylishly appointed Lodge at Lost Farm, nestled within the coastal dunes, this really is one golfing destination that cannot go unplayed. Everyone is in with a chance to go home with sensational prizes. All you need is a handicap, and then let the fun take care of itself.

More information at www.gogolfing.net.au or (07) 5536 8681

Wrest Point International Masters Golf Championship Where: Hobart When: 12 - 17 January 2014 Info: info@gogolfing.net.au Join more than 400 golfers from all over Australia as well as international visitors in Hobart this January for the 14th annual Wrest Point International Masters Golf Championship. So long as you are over 35 and have an official golf handicap, you can tee it up at the Masters.

One of the tournament’s great traditions is that the 15 age and handicap divisions guarantee you play with golfers your own age and standard. Royal Hobart and Tasmania golf clubs are the state’s premier private courses and host the four days of tournament golf. Nightly social events including welcome reception, 19th Hole overlooking the Hobart harbour and a glamorous presentation dinner are all included in this fantastic week of golf and social events.

More information at www.gogolfing.net.au or (07) 5536 8681.

The NSW and ACT’s most talented country golfers will travel to Muswellbrook Golf Club to contest the 2013 Men’s NSW Country Championship on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November 2013. 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 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.

The Championship is one of the most prestigious events conducted by Golf NSW, first played in 1941. Current professionals who have won the event include Nathan Green, Lucas Parsons and Brendan Jones.

An added incentive for the winner of the Championship is automatic entry into the 2013 Men’s NSW Open.

Entry is $100 and includes a two-course meal at Muswellbrook Golf Club on the Saturday evening. Entries close: Friday 18 October at 5.00pm. Full event details are available at www.golfnsw.org.

For more info, please contact Christy Collier on 9505 9105 or christy.collier@golfnsw.org. •

RACV ticket offer for Australian PGA Championship To celebrate the PGA’s partnership with RACV for the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola, the PGA is offering an exclusive discount offer and pre-sale promotion to all members of RACV and affiliated motoring clubs across Australia and New Zealand.

To be played from 7-10 November at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, members of RACV, RACQ, NRMA, RAASA, RACWA, RACT, RANT and NZAA will receive a 50 per cent discount off the standard ticket gate price when booking online via this unique Ticketek URL: http://bit.ly/14r7NFX and entering the promo code which has been distributed by Auto Clubs to their members.

Additionally, auto club members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets online with an exclusive offer.

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Those who take advantage of the offer before 30 September, will also go into the draw to win a ‘money-can’t-buy’ prize that includes an exclusive opportunity to walk inside the ropes with a leading player and lunch in a corporate marquee for two during the first round (Thursday) of the championship, as well as set of Cleveland golf clubs.

Three Bushnell Range Finders and five pairs of Bollé sunglasses will also be up for grabs in a second chance draw.

The 2013 Australian PGA Championship presented by CocaCola will be co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia.

For more info visit www.pgachampionship.com.au or to view the full PGA Tour of Australasia schedule go to www.pga.org.au/australasia. •

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www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

87

your voice

Letter of the Month Timeless game, changing with the times I recently read your editorial (Is your club AntiSocial, July) and again it was obvious that you are one of the few senior commentators who truly understand the changing nature of the “golfer”.

Golf itself is not changing radically—the history and culture of the game has withstood the test of time. What has changed is the model of the golfing community.

A few years ago I returned to Australia after many years abroad where I have been a member of a number of golf clubs. I had intended to join a club here in Queensland but in the interim joined a social club (affiliated to Golf Qld) who played a wide variety of great courses under competition conditions and utilised AGU handicaps. Since then I have realised that the average “golfer” (average in terms of love of the game, commitment to the rules and camaraderie—not just the handicap) has changed.

After a number of discussions with players from traditional clubs, non-course clubs, traditional social golf clubs, Golf Qld and Golf Australia, it was obvious that there is a disconnect between Golf Industry Administration, golfers and clubs. As you pointed out in your article, golfers want to enjoy the game on a variety of challenging and well maintained courses under competition conditions.

To quote a few (as a small example) recent discussions with committee members at a couple of leading local courses: “clubs like yours are a cheap way to get a handicap”, or “you don’t play real golf or follow the rules” or “you should be forced to join a ‘real’ club”. I don’t represent non-course clubs, but would like to present some basic facts based on the

Tiger in the woods Tiger Woods has a major problem. He can’t handle the pressure when the weekend comes around in the “Big Four”. The facts point to him... dare I use this word...choking!

Harsh, I hear you say. Okay, let’s look at his record.

Since winning the US Open in 2008, Woods has gone winless in 18 majors.

He missed the cut at the 2009 British Open and the 2011 US PGA Championship, and did not play the US and the British Opens in 2011, due to knee surgery.

In those 16 majors where Woods made the cut, he has on 12 occasions shot his worst score of the championship on the weekend.

His average weekend “major” score is 71.7 and in those 32 weekend rounds he has shot in the 60’s only six times.

Augusta is the only course where he averages under 70 (69.6) on Sunday. At the US Open the Sunday average is 72.7, at the British Open 73, and 72.5 on final day at the US PGA Championship.

And still the bookies regularly put him up as favourite.

John Paul Young’s hit record of the 70’s comes to mind, Tiger: “Yesterday’s Hero”.

Owen Dally, via email 88

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

two “social” clubs I play with.

Both clubs are relatively small with memberships of around 40 each with regular playing groups of 24-30. One has been running for over 15 years and the other more than 60 years. All players must have AGU handicaps and the recognised procedures are followed to obtain these. The clubs have experienced committee members who conduct the competitions and maintain handicaps through Golf Link. One club plays weekly and the other fortnightly, one mid week and one Sundays. Both play a variety of singleday and rolling competitions, both welcome visitors. Approximately 50% of the players are also members of traditional clubs; many players migrate to traditional clubs over time; many are members of other social clubs. The average spend per golfer per year on green fees, GA fees, carts etc (excluding bar and pro shop purchases and subscriptions at other clubs) is around $1800 per year. You can see that these players are not looking for cheap options but rather quality, competitive and collegiate golf.

Your article points out that players are “migrating” from traditional clubs - much as they might wish to, this is incorrect as it is not possible under iGolf Queensland and Golf Access rules where a player cannot join these programs if they have previously held a handicap in a traditional club in the past two years.

An example: a recent member of one of club had moved from rural Queensland to Brisbane and retired – still a very keen 12 handicap golfer but wants to experience the wide variety of courses we play at. This person cannot relinquish their country club membership and join our club as Golf Queensland would suspend their AGU handicap through suspending their GolfLink number.

Tee times for everyone Every time you pick up a golf publication there are articles written about “golf clubs doing it tough”. A little research reveals that a huge percentage of clubs have a membersonly comp on Saturdays (my club included).

As this day is supposed to be the busiest day of the week, can anyone explain why in most clubs there are up to 20 spare tee times?

On the other hand there are also clubs out there that do not have enough tee times for members who want to play and many miss out, unless they sit at the club for hours on the off chance that someone doesn’t show up.

Tee time bookings are available online to members generally two weeks in advance, which is plenty of time to organise your partners.

How about this idea; 48 hrs prior to a Saturday (midnight Wed) all clubs make available their tee time sheets for any Golflink member to book a vacant tee time in the comp.

Charge a standard $20.00 comp/green fee to a visiting Golflink member but NO visitors fee.

Who knows, maybe all Saturday fields will be full. And just think how many players

Golf must grow or it will be seen as irrelevant to many potential players. The industry as a whole must understand the nature of its clients (golfers, not just clubs) and fully appreciate the model that exists around the nexus of facility providers, players, shareholders and regulators.

There needs to be a better forum for non-course golf clubs to have a say in the sport. Your article on the recent initiative of the Qld Cricketers Club highlights the growth and interest in this sector of the sport.

Keep up the great work at Inside Golf.

(Name withheld by submitter’s request) (Editor’s note: Thanks for the letter. One note on the two-year waiting period: Yes, Golf Australia initiated a waiting period before you could get a handicap through Golf Access.

But players in some social groups can still join the group and play golf – albeit with just an unofficial Social/group handicap, and without being in the competition. It’s happening quite a lot. Also: Now that GA has abandoned management of Golf Access, the handicap waiting period requirement can be side-stepped. In Victoria, for example, if you move from a private club to a club affiliated with the VGL, there is no waiting period. I’d expect to see similar moves in other states in the future.)

YOUR VOICE Have you got something to say? Then tell us! Write to us

via email at ed@insidegolf.com.au or mail a letter to: The Editor, Inside Golf, PO Box 360 Nunawading, Vic 3131. Tell an interesting story or something funny about golf and you could WIN a prize like this month’s GolfBuddy Voice GPS unit!

would play on other courses, not to mention how handicaps would probably change on a weekly basis.

Whist on the subject of handicaps and especially playing 4BBB comps. The club I play at also score a single event in conjunction with the Four-ball.

The Four-ball results stay in-house but the single results go to Golflink, thus your 18 hole single score is handicapped. How often do you play better than your handicap but your score is not recorded because your partner ‘shoots the lights out’? Good for some people, but not for me. Iprefer to be assessed on every round I play.

C Almond, via email

One day only RE: club memberships. I have just relinquished my club membership as I felt it was too expensive for one round of golf per week. I work 5 days a week and can only play on a Saturday. I must pay full membership. Others paying midweek membership can play 5 days a week. Why is there not a category for people who can only play in one comp per week? With computers it would be easy to track the number of games a member plays. Oh, how I miss the comp.

Mark Watson

Social golfers? Bad houseguests I have read with amazement your Anti-Social Golf Editorial in your fine magazine; you could not have done a better job of contributing to the demise of Golf Clubs if you had really tried.

Your comments regarding the need for some golfers to join these Social Groups because of the lower costs and greater variety of courses available to them has some merit. However, let me ask you where do these Social Groups congregate after their rounds of golf? In the Sprig Bars and cafes of the recognised Golf Clubhouses that have been financed by the Club Golfers and maintained for the enjoyment of all by very willing volunteers from those Clubs.

We regularly see cheapskate golfers visiting our clubs, spending little in our bars, leaving their mess in the club-rooms (members have the courtesy of returning their empties to the bar), demanding cheap meals, cheap green fees, failing to respect the courses because they have no sense of ownership of the facilities provided. It seem that during their once-a-month outing on the course, they have no respect for others that use the course: often they fail to repair divots or rake bunkers and also seem to have no sense of the speed of play–after all they are just “Social” golfers having a nice day out.

One also wonders whether these Social Golf members even carry a copy of the Rules of Golf– from personal observation it appears very few understand or observe them anyway and then we hear how well they have scored. Some of their handicaps must be a joke.

You have clearly focused your editorial on the Social Clubs’ enjoying the courses they play but you have missed the point that without the Club Members’significant contribution to these courses and the Club Rooms and facilities offered to visiting groups, the Social Groups would be left wanting.

It is the joining fees and membership fees and the Club sponsors that financially underpin the Clubs.

Perhaps these Social Clubs may care to contribute to the Club overheads by paying a nominal fee for the use of Member’ Facilities and the cleaning, power, water and staff costs each time they use them. These are very much taken for granted by the Social Clubs and it’s time they recognised their overall place in the whole golfing experience provided for them.

I’m sure most Golf Clubs welcome the Social Clubs but they must consider their position that they are merely guests in the Club Rooms and cannot expect the same benefits as fully paid members.

Brian Oats, via email (Thanks for the letter, Brian, and we appreciate your viewpoints. But to be fair, not all social golfers act the way you describe. In fact, it’s probably a small percentage of “bad eggs” who ruin the reputation of the group as a whole.

I have seen just as many Club Members fail to repair divots, rake bunkers, etc. And I get dozens of “slow play” letters every month from club members complaining about their weekly members-only comps taking far too long. So it would seem that it’s not just social golfers to blame here. I personally have played with many social groups who behave and act with thorough respect for the course. Many of these are populated with current and ex-Club members.

Perhaps we as an industry haven’t done enough to educate beginners, or to punish the offenders?

As for the facilities’ cost: you’re right. Please see my Page 5 column this month on this very topic.)

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the 19th hole

Explaining golf to the non-golfer This one is unexplainable to anyone who doesn’t play the game. Only a golfer knows the feeling. Unless you’ve ever stood over a tee shot with out-of-bounds down the right, a chip shot over a bunker or a three-foot putt for the winning beers, you’re simply not going to understand.

Watching professional golfers effortlessly play the same game you’ve spent years grappling with is both humbling and inspiring. I‘d be surprised if anyone enjoys watching golf on TV if they have never spent any time with a golf club in their hands.

Michael Green

ed@insidegolf.com.au

@AussieGolfer

It may come as a surprise to you but there are plenty of people who don’t understand golf.

They get the concept of the game; hit the ball, walk to ball, repeat until the ball goes into the hole, repeat 18 times.

But aside from this obviously naive view of what we all know to be the greatest game on earth, there are several aspects about golf we take for granted that the non-golfer confuses (or more likely, refuses) to understand.

Handicaps

While not quite in the same realm as explaining the off-side rule to non-soccer fans, the concept of a handicap can be a difficult task to explain. The idea that two golfers of differing skill level can compete against each other is one of the finest aspects of our game but it brings some confusion for your average punter.

If there is any take-home message from this month’s frivolous column it’s that if you do manage to explain handicaps to a non-golfer, consider it a win and go no further—for the world of stableford and match play index will almost bring the glaze down over the eyes of anyone listening.

Tee times

I usually know better than to tell a non-golfer what time I’m teeing off, but occasionally I forget who I’m talking to and the conversation usually goes like this: “What time are you playing golf on Friday?” foremost-ad.pdf

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“Did you win?”

Non-golfers may never understand the appeal of golf-specific traditions like plus-fours, handicaps or watching golf on TV. “We’re teeing off at 9:13.” ”9:30?”

“No, 9:13.”

“9:13?!”

“Yep.” “Ha! Really? That’s precise.”

“Yes. Yes it is”

Golf fashion

To be fair, most golfers don’t understand the quirks of golf fashion so the idea of explaining it to the non-golfer is like Lord Monckton trying to explain climate change.

While we recognise that plus-fours and tamo-shanters are an integral part of the history of golf and white belts and muscle shorts are part of the present, it’s hard to see why anyone would be seen wearing them in a game that prides itself on being a sport.

Plus-fours would make even George Clooney

look ridiculous and they certainly aren’t the most practical piece of clothing I’ve seen. It only comforts the indecisive golfer who can’t decide whether to wear shorts or pants.

Come to think of it for a game that was invented under the gloomy skies of Scotland, perhaps that’s their very purpose.

Editor’s note: As a proud plus-four-sporting golfer, I will state for the record that they are stylish (albeit on OTHER people, as you can tell from the photo), functional (for distracting your opponent) and very lucrative (for winning “best dressed” on the annual Boys Weekend). So it is certainly worth the odd stares we get AFTER golf, when filling up at the petrol station or grabbing a few groceries at Coles.

Watching on TV

“How could anyone watch golf on TV? It’s so boring!” says the non-golfer.

I’m proud to say I outlawed this question in our house. As I return home after a competition round it has been replaced with the vague but more knowing “How’d you hit ‘em?”.

The idea that you must ‘win’ every time you play golf must be reserved for only a few golfers on the planet.

Any golfer will tell you that even after losing 7&6, it does not necessarily mean you’ve played poorly.

Indeed I know many golfers who refuse to believe they’ve played poorly after carding 26 points and racked up 40 putts for the day.

Us golfers are a strange mob. It’s no wonder the game is so often misunderstood. • 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

chips and shanks

Ace puts Nudgee in focus NUDGEE Golf Club general manager Aaron Muirhead and director (finance) David Fox proudly showed off the club’s golf course to the media recently.

Okay not all media – only Inside Golf, Australia’s Golf News Leader.

Publisher Sam Arthur and journalist David Newbery took up the challenge to cast an expert eye over the North Course, which was looking a picture after some decent rain.

The quartet played in the mid-week competition and zipped around the course in just under four hours.

Ah yes, a fast game is a good game.

The only hold-up was on the 18th tee when commotion coming from the adjacent 11th tee disturbed the group’s powers of concentration.

The super-competitive group was preparing

to tee off when a woman’s shriek cut the air like a hot knife through butter.

The lady in question, Margie O’Ryan, was on the men’s tee when she screamed, threw her arms in the air and jumped for joy after watching her playing partner Scott Pocock hit a hole-in-one on the 170-metre par-3 hole using his trusty seven-iron.

Scott was out celebrating his 32nd birthday with his mother-in-law.

Initially, he was far less animated but once he realised he had scored his first ever ace he livened up with a few fist pumps.

Nudgee Golf Club, which has two 18-hole golf courses, lies close to Brisbane Airport.

The club welcomes visitors so why not book in for a game. You never know what excitement awaits you.

Laura ‘disappointed’ IN sport, all good things eventually come to an end.

Briton Laura Davis was “disappointed’ after missing out on a captain’s pick for the Solheim Cup (Europe v America).

The 49-year-old’s reign as the only woman to take part in every Solheim Cup ever played ended last month when she was overlooked for the showdown at Colorado Golf Club in Denver.

European captain Liselotte Neumann used her captain’s picks to bring in 17-year-old Charley Hull and Guilia Sergas.

“Oh well, no pick from the captain,” Davies wrote on Twitter. “Didn’t really deserve one.

Mind you, still a bit disappointed.”

Davies made her Solheim Cup debut in 1990.

She was a rock for the European side, appearing 12 times in total.

In her last appearance, at Ireland’s Killeen Castle in 2011, she became the highest points’ scorer in the competition’s history.

Her accumulated total of 25 passed Annika Sorenstam’s old record of 24.

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Open Championship winners Peter Thomson and Kel Nagle were drawn to a rich Brisbane event in 1966.

FLASHBACK to 1966: Three years after the launch of the Queensland Sunshine Tour in 1963, Wynnum Golf Club in Brisbane’s east staged the richest tournament in the Southern Hemisphere.

Paul King, the club’s professional at the time, told Inside Golf the one-day tournament offered a prize purse of $2000.

The Datsun 2000 International Golf Tournament attracted some of the biggest names in golf including Peter Thomson, David Graham, Kel Nagle, Randall Vines, Billy Dunk, Ted Ball, Guy Wolstenholme (England), Wally Godfrey (NZ) and others.

More than 90 professionals contested the tournament.

They even printed an eight-page program, which sold for 10 cents.

Unfortunately, most of the southern golfers struggled to come to terms with the couch greens, but not NSW’s Billy SeeHoe who won the tournament.

Wynnum Golf Club has been a longtime supporter of the Troppo Tour and each year attracts a number of big-name players like Peter Senior, Ian Baker-Finch, Rod Pampling and Steven Bowditch.

This year the Barton Bayside/BMD Group Wynnum Pro-Am put up $70,000 for its one-day event.

Jonesy’s free golf balls Ten players from both sides made their first appearance at the biennial event – six from Europe and four from the US. The four other European rookies were Carlota Ciganda, Caroline Masson, Beatrix Recari and Jodi Ewart Shadoff.

For the Americans, Jessica Korda, Lexi Thompson, Lizette Salas and Gerina Piller took in the spectacle for the first time.

Support network alive in bush IT’S no secret smaller country golf clubs rely heavily on volunteers, visitors from surrounding club golfers and the passing trade.

On Queensland’s Darling Downs, 22 clubs make up the vast district that stretches more than 400 kilometres from Bell in the north to Wallangarra in the south to Gatton in the East and Texas in the west.

Darling Downs Golf Association secretary Roger Johnson said while the association’s clubs supported each other it was encouraging to see golfers from the “big smoke” turn up for a game.

“It’s great when golfers from Brisbane, the Gold Coast and other parts of the country visit the region,” he told us over a beer at Toowoomba Golf Club at Middle Ridge.

“Recently we had 12 golfers from Brisbane visit Toowoomba. After playing golf at Toowoomba and City golf courses, they went out to Clifton Golf Club and played two rounds.

Rich one-day Wynnum event attracts stars

“They played a fourball ambrose in the morning and a two-ball ambrose in the afternoon. Some of them were handy golfers and some were not that good, but they enjoyed themselves and said they would be back.

“And they hired golf carts, which is great for the club.”

Roger, originally from Ballarat in Victoria, said some of the smaller clubs were “doing well”.

“Three years ago, Texas Golf Club held the Sand Green Championship,” he said. “They only had six members at the time, but they received great support and now the club has 23 members.

“Cecil Plains, a nine-hole course, attracted 100 players to its Open tournament.

“The golf clubs know if they travel and support other clubs in the district those clubs will reciprocate.

“The key is to travel and play golf around the district.”

INSIDE GOLF ran into former Clifton mayor Ian Jones at Clifton Golf Club on Queensland’s Darling Downs.

Committeeman Jonesy was overseeing work done on the course by a group of volunteers when the team from Inside Golf turned up.

He recently purchased the property adjoining the golf course and was quick to tell the team how he “found” 25 golf balls in long grass on his land just after moving in.

“They were all good golf balls – Titliests, Callaways, Nikes,” he said. “All the big hitters try and cut the corner and a lot of the time the balls finish out of bounds,” he said.

“When I bought the property some said, ‘Jonesy, you won’t have to buy another golf ball again’.”

He was only warming up and told us how good the Ross Watson-designed golf course was … particularly the greens.

“It’s a very clever design,” he added.

Jones said the golf club had started a 12-hole competition, which was proving popular with locals and visitors alike.

The club is also working closely with schools in an effort to attract more juniors into the game.

Aside from being Clifton’s former mayor, Jones worked in publishing in another life. He didn’t mind explaining (several times) to the assembled media the important role journalists play in the publishing game.

“Journos are there to write stuff on the back of advertising, aren’t they?” the journalist’s friend laughed. Fore!

Sarah the sand queen YEPPOON Golf Club junior Sarah Antcliff recently won the women’s Central Queensland Sand Green Open Championship at Mount Morgan.

Antcliff carded a 74 (38-36) for a sevenshot win over Sarah Lacey.

Lacey edged out Kerri Anderson and Jean Breakspere on a countback.

Anderson, from Emu Park, won the division 1 nett with score of 57.

In division 2, Yeppoon’s Keri Wilson was successful with a score of 86 while Elaine Jones (Capricorn Country Club) took out the nett with a 57.

chips and shanks

The eagles have landed RYDE-PARRAMATTA Golf Club members Gerry Bush and Lyle Von Bibra experienced a rare feat holing consecutive shots for eagles during a regular Wednesday competition.

Playing in the same group with another member, the pair teed off on the 337-metre par-4 16th and proceeded to hole each of their second shots for eagles from a long way out.

Gerry hit first and watched as his ball entered the cup. Not to be outdone, Lyle

knocked his approach in the hole for a double celebration.

For their efforts, Lyle picked up four points in the day’s stableford event and Gerry scored five points courtesy of a higher handicap.

Both players went on to win their respective grades thanks to the rare feat.

Gerry, who plays off 18, finished the round with 39 points and Lyle, a nine marker, signed for 40 points.

$80,000 ace at Middle Ridge IT’S all about the drive.

On Friday, September 27, one lucky amateur golfer might just drive away in a brand-new $80,000 BMW 328i F30 thanks to Toowoomba BMW and Westpac Bank – the naming-rights sponsors for the 24th annual Middle Ridge ProAm Classic at Toowoomba Golf Club.

The first amateur to ace the 151m, par-3 18th hole will win the luxury car.

Seventy professionals and 150 amateurs will compete for cash and prizes valued in excess of $110,000.

The winning professional will win a slice of the $27,500 prize pool plus a 12-month exemption to all PGA events Australia-wide – making the event one of the most prestigious one-day events on the Queensland pro-am calendar.

“The prize package is expected to attract some of the finest tour professionals in Queensland and throughout Australia,” the club’s general manager Steve Owen said.

Last year the Queensland PGA awarded the Toowoomba Golf Club with the status of “Tournament of the Year”.

The famed Toowoomba layout is known for its rolling tree-lined kikuyu fairways and superbly manicured Penncross Bent greens.

The club will present the course at its springtime best and showcase the well-appointed clubhouse which features a deck overlooking the featured 18th hole.

It’s the perfect place to watch as the amateurs shoot for the $80,000 BMW 3 Series reward.

“There are relatively few pro-ams that offer such a prestigious prize for an ace to the amateur field only,” Owen said.

This year’s amateur event is a single stableford with the first shot gun start starting at 7:00am.

A touring professional will join each group.

Sponsors will play with ranked professionals in the afternoon field, which tees off at 12:15pm.

The amateur field will contest the event across three divisions: Handicap ranges are 0–12, 13– 24 and 25–45.

More than $3000 in prizes will be split across first, runner-up and third place in each division.

There will be four nearest the pins and a long drive contest for men and women.

If last year’s event is anything to go by, this year’s event will deliver a great day of golf followed by a “party atmosphere” including a “live” band to entertain well into the evening.

For more information, call the club on (07) 4635-1219 or go to the website www.toowoombagolfclub.com.au

Heavy lifting – no

Gavin Lawrence

problem

KEPERRA Country Golf Club general manager Gavin Lawrence and golf operations chief John McDonald don’t mind doing the heavy lifting when it’s required.

Your Inside Golf diarist visited the club recently and bumped into the pair while they were moving furniture up stairs in readiness for the Brisbane ladies pennant showdown.

It was a big day for the popular club with a large number of women’s pennant teams enjoying the fine weather and excellent course conditions.

Overheard someone say, “the golf course is in fantastic condition”.

That’ll be music to the ears of Australia’s best male amateur golfers as they prepare for the 72-hole Keperra Bowl in October.

If you want to test your skills on a championship course, call the club on (07) 3355-7744.

Your chance to help beat cancer THE Queensland Cancer Appeal will be the beneficiary of the Errol Cananough Memorial Day to be played at Nanango Golf Club, 190 kilometres north-west of Brisbane.

To be played on September 14, the tournament is open to men (A, B and C grades) and women (divisions 1 and 2).

There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs as well as raffles for the double shotgun start at 8am and again at 12.30pm.

The best thing about the event is the nomination fee, which is just $12 … that’s right, $12. To find out more, ring Joy on (07) 4162-2957.

New SC&SBDGA president THE deck chairs have moved slightly at the Sunshine Coast and South Burnett District Golf Association.

Last month, Dallas Furner was appointed district president following the resignation of past president Jim Dalrymple, who gave up the role due to ill health.

Furner will be a busy man as he is also president of the Sunshine Coast Golf Zone and president of Tewantin Noosa Golf Club.

MEANWHILE, the Glasshouse Mountains

Golf Zone will host its Open, Senior and Junior Amateur Championship at Caboolture Golf Club on September 8.

The Open, sanctioned by Golf Queensland, is an Angus Buchanan and Bill Kennedy event.

Seniors are players over the age of 55 and juniors under the age of 18 on September 8.

There are plenty of prizes up for grabs. Entry is $15.

For information, call Caboolture pro shop on (07) 5495-1033.

Crossword 1

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ACROSS

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1. See 29-across 5. Get body ready to exercise (4,2) 9. Cricket fielding position (3-2) 10. Measurements needed by golfers for accurate shot-making (9) 12. Those in the gallery (10) 13. Bill of fare (4) 15. Respectable (6) 17. A situation from which further progress is not possible (7) 18. The number of strokes picked up on an eagled hole (3) 19. Enter a tournament (7) 20. High-ranking US golfer, ______ Snedeker (6) 23. Correspondence (4) 24. Great left-handed NZ golfer (3,7) 27. Veteran Aussie golfer, winner of the 2001 Australian PGA Seniors Championship, Noel _________ (9) 28. Type of accommodation used by many touring professionals (5) 29 & 1-across. Queenslander who tied for second at the 2013 Greenbrier Classic (6,8) 30. Designated time periods (8)

down

1. Puzzled (7) 2. Golf club with much loft (5) 3. Aussie golfer who won the 2001 Senior British Open (3,7) 4. Junior players (6) 6. 2013 US Masters winner, ____ Scott (4) 7. Winner of The Open Championship in 2013, Phil _________ (9) 8. Stance (7) 11. Spanish winner of the 2012 Wyndham Championship, ______ Garcia (6) 14. Shots made from fairway to green (10) 16. Working party that organises a tournament (9) 18. Start a round or hole (3,3) 19. Devices needed for televised golf tournaments (7) 21. Vigorous contests (7) 22. Strategy (6) 25. Release (3,2) 26. Anything that points to the solution of a mystery (4)

Answers: page 97 www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

93

last word

Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au

I would like to ponder, along with you, my readers, the subject that is Course Superintendents. We used to call the lads Green Keepers but in this day of political correctness, it’s now Course Superintendants. Just like a Club Pro is now The Senior Manager of Golf and Retail Operations and the Gardener is the Executive Officer of Horticulture, Bark Chips and Manure Management.

With the GFC (which until recently, I used to think stood for how expensive KFC had become), Management and Committees have had to make some pretty tough decisions to keep the game buoyant and sustainable. Gone are the days of bribing a board member into putting your grandson’s name down for membership so he can become a mid-week probationary member by the time he retires. The people in charge of golf clubs, on the whole, have made golf memberships and social play more accessible with all types of clever initiatives and I applaud their lateral thinking.

I reckon we all have accepted this new way of making sure our respective golf clubs—and for that matter, the game of golf in general— isn’t pricing itself out of the market and is offering an easy, enjoyable experience. Well, maybe except for our mates, the Greensk.... sorry, Course Superintendents.

For those of us who have dealt with the golfing public for any period of time it’s pretty obvious you need the customer to leave your

The game of golf is already hard enough, so why do Course Supers have to crank it up with ridiculously tough pin placements and extradifficult setups? course thinking he or she can one day master it if only they could just improve their slice. Sure, there are some tough holes out there but it’s a fair dinkum layout that rewards good shots. That way you can charge an appropriate amount of money for the experience. It’s called hospitality.

All the employers from the club have been trained to look after the member or his/her guest, so when July the 1st comes around, they might just front up with their subs again and even introduce a brand-new member to the club.

Everyone seems to get it except our old mate, the Course Super, who obviously has some kind of vendetta to settle with everyone who has attempted to play well on his course.

Has he been belted once too often by a stray

Titleist? In all my years as a professional, I’ve heard all kinds of complaints from golfers like, “It was so slow out there I had to play a provisional on 17 for fear my first ball could decompose” or “Old Clem Windbottom is such a burglar, it’s a wonder he doesn’t roll up to the first tee with a stocking pulled over his head”.

But I’m yet to hear someone come into the pro-shop and say “Larry we need to make this course harder because we all played too well today”.

I’m pretty sure we don’t need to do a global referendum to establish that the game isn’t very easy and the best way to keep the game forging ahead is not to find ways to make it harder. So why do our mates put flags on the side of cliff faces or 4 feet from the edge of a water hazard?

It’s as if the term “Monthly Medal” has some strange masochistic underlying interpretation by the Course Super around the world and a Pro-Am is a licence to make scores as high as physically possible so the sponsors look like buffoons and the pros appear to be beginners.

The sad thing is I’ve met some really super...

Supers who know more about grass than Keith Richards, and can turn an ordinary piece of dirt into a manicured area of fairway you could eat with a knife and fork. But when you suggest someone might want to play well on their golf course they suddenly grow hair on their cheek bones and turn into a mower-wielding werewolf.

Guys, if you’re reading this please understand there are those of us who have spent their lives trying to keep people playing golf by attempting to make the world’s hardest game almost playable. And if any of you want to talk to me about this issue, well, unfortunately my family and I have been placed in witness protection and won’t be available for another 5 years.

Sorry! •

Calderwood Valley Golf Course

Golfer’s Paradise

Social groups and all players welcome 7 days a week

golfers DeAls • $56 for 2 x 18 holes with a cart from Monday to Friday (12pm to 2pm) • School student rates available • Weekday senior rates available • 20% off green fees for each adult playing with a school student • Play free golf on your Birthday

sociAl groUP • Discounts for groups of 12 or more players on weekdays • All groups of 12 or more receive an 18 hole gift voucher • More Packages available for group 50 or more & 80 or more.

ContaCt us 532 Calderwood Rd, Albion Park 2527 Pro Shop: (02) 4256 3055 www.calderwoodgolf.com.au *Bookings required, conditions apply.

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September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

The quick nine quiz With David Newbery 1. Who won the Solheim Cup this year, and what was the final score?

2. What nationality is Tony Johnstone – one of International Team captain Nick Price’s assistants for next month’s Presidents Cup? 3. Who said: Achievements on a golf course are not what matters, decency and honesty are what matters – Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Fred Couples or Robert Allenby?

4. Who was the first British golfer to earn £1 million in a year – Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie or Old Tom Morris?

5. Can you identify the British golfer who … is a renowned long hitter, has a passion for fast cars and gambling, loves soccer, won a British Open and is an MBE? 6. Can you explain the role of a forecaddie?

7. Can you solve the following anagram – Kippers even jar? (He’s Swedish).

8. Who authored the book Golf My Way – Ben Crenshaw, Peter Thomson, Jack Nicklaus or Annika Sorenstam?

9. A player’s provisional ball, played from the tee, strikes and moves his original ball. What is the ruling?

ANSWERS: (1). Europe won 18/10 (2).

Zimbabwean; (3). Tiger Woods; (4). Ian Woosnam; (5). Laura Davies; (6). A ball spotter at blind holes; (7). Jesper Parnevik; (8). Jack Nicklaus; (9). There is no penalty.

The original ball must be replaced.

Why does it have to be ‘Super’ tough?

demo dates Ping Ph: (02) 9524 8233 or visit www.ping.com Location

Day

Callaway Date

Time

New South Wales Concord Golf Club*

Tuesday

September 03

1 - 5pm

Mona Vale Golf Club* Wednesday

September 04

8am - 12pm

The Ridge Driving Range ⁰ Wednesday

September 04

4 - 7pm

St Micheals Golf Club*

September 05

10am - 3pm

Wyong Golf Club* Friday

Thursday

September 06

1 - 4pm

Illawarra Golf Complex* Monday

September 09

10am - 2pm

Elanora Golf Club*

September 10

9am - 3pm

The Australian Golf Club* Wednesday

September 11

9am - 2pm

Avondale Golf Club*

September 12

8am - 1pm

The Lakes Golf Club* Friday

September 13

9am - 3pm

Narrabri Golf Club*

September 17

1 - 5pm

Moree Golf Club* Wednesday

September 18

12 - 5pm

Armidale Golf Club*

September 19

12 - 4pm

Tamworth Golf Club* Friday

September 20

9am - 3pm

Georges River Golf Club ⁰ Monday

September 23

2 - 5pm

Maitland Golf Club*

Tuesday

Thursday

Tuesday

Thursday

September 24

11am - 4pm

Belmont Golf Club* Wednesday

Tuesday

September 25

9am - 2pm

Killara Golf Club*

Thursday

September 26

8am - 1pm

Thornleigh Golf Centre*

Thursday

September 26

4 - 7pm

September 27

10am - 3pm

Terrey Hills Country Club* Friday Queensland Victoria Park Golf Complex ◊ *

Tuesday

September 03

5.30 - 7.30pm

Mackay Golf Club ⁰

Saturday

September 07

10am - 5pm

Mackay Golf Club ⁰

Sunday

September 07

10am - 1pm

Parkwood International ⁰

Thursday

September 12

4 - 7pm

Nudgee Golf Club ⁰ Friday

September 13

2 - 4pm

Toowoomba Golf Club ◊ *

Saturday

September 14

9am - 12.30pm

Sanctuary Cove ◊ *

Saturday

September 19

1 - 4pm

Virginia Golf Club ◊ * Friday

September 20

1 - 4pm

Palm Meadows Driving Range ⁰ Friday

September 27

1 - 5pm

September 03

10am -2pm

Spring Valley Golf Club* Wednesday

September 04

10am -2pm

Melbourne Golf Academy ⁰ Wednesday

September 04

4 - 7pm

The Sands Torquay* Friday

September 06

11am - 3pm

Clifton Springs Golf Club*

Saturday

September 07

9am - 3pm

Wodonga Golf Club*

Tuesday

Victoria Warragul Country Club*

Tuesday

September 10

11am - 4pm

Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Resort* Wednesday

September 11

10am - 2pm

Cobram Barooga Golf Club*

Thursday

September 12

10am - 2pm

Yarra Bend Driving Range ⁰

Thursday

September 12

4 - 7pm

Rich River Country Club* Friday

September 13

9am - 3pm

Murray Downs Golf Course*

Saturday

September 14

11am - 3pm

House of Golf Ringwood*

Tuesday

September 17

1 - 5pm

Sandringham Golf Range ⁰ Wednesday

September 18

5 - 7pm

Long Island Country Club*

September 19

10am - 2pm

Riversdale Golf Club* Friday

Thursday

September 20

9am - 3pm

Metropolitan Golf Club*

Saturday

September 21

10am - 2pm

Kew Golf Club* Monday

September 23

10am - 2pm

Kooringal Golf Club*

September 24

1 - 5pm

September 25

10am - 2pm

Tuesday

Barwon Heads Golf Club* Wednesday South Australia

Drummond Golf Driving Range ⁰ Wednesday September 04

4 - 7pm

Barham Golf Club ⁰

Saturday

September 07

10am - 1.30pm

Kooyonga Golf Club*

Saturday

September 28

10am - 1.30pm

Western Australia Fremantle Golf Course ⁰ Thursday September 05

1 - 5pm

Wembley Golf Club ⁰ Wednesday September 11 6 - 8pm

www.callawaygolf.com

Location

Day

Short Game / FT Optiforce Demo DAYS New South Wales Nelson Bay Golf Club ‡ Tuesday PowerGolf Artarmon ‡ Wednesday PowerGolf Castle Hill ‡ Thursday Monash Country Club ‡ Wednesday Golf Paradise Terrey Hills ‡ Wednesday Drummond Golf Dee Why ‡ Thursday Pymble Golf Club ‡ ** Friday Northbridge Golf Club † Sunday PowerGolf Alexandria ‡ Saturday Maitland Golf Club ‡ Tuesday Merewether Golf Club ‡ Thursday Royal Canberra Golf Club ‡ Wednesday Gold Creek Country Club (ACT) ‡ Thursday Canberra International Golf Centre (ACT) ‡ Thursday Bankstown Golf Club ‡ Wednesday Liverpool Golf Club ‡ Thursday Queensland Victoria Park Golf Complex † Tuesday Brisbane Golf Club † Wednesday Bundaberg Driving Range † Wednesday Gladstone Golf Club † Thursday Mackay Golf Club † Saturday Mackay Golf Club † Sunday Parkwood International † Thursday Nudgee Golf Club † Friday Toowoomba Middle Ridge Golf Club † Saturday Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club † Thursday Virginia Golf Club † Friday Palm Meadows Driving Range † Friday Victoria / Tasmania Metropolitan Golf Club † Wednesday MGA Driving Range † Wednesday Melbourne Golf Academy ‡ Wednesday Commonwealth Golf Club ‡ Thursday Long Island Country Club † Tuesday Kingston Heath Golf Club † Wednesday Riversdale Golf Club † Thursday Drouin golf Club † Wednesday Victoria Golf Club † Thursday Western Australia Secret Harbour Golf Links † Thursday South Australia Drummond Golf Driving Range ∏ Wednesday Short Game / FT Optiforce fitting & BRAND days Victoria / Tasmania Drummond Golf Launceston ∑ * Wednesday Launceston Golf Club ∑ * Thursday Royal Hobart Golf Club √ * Saturday Drummond Golf Cambridge ∑ * Monday Royal Hobart Golf Club ∑ * Tuesday Launceston Golf Club √ * Wednesday Ballarat Golf City ∑ * Thursday Horsham Golf Club ∑ * Friday Sandringham Driving Range ∑ * Saturday Northbridge GC √ * Sunday Rossdale Golf Club ∑ * Monday Flinders Golf Club ∑ * Friday Box Hill Golf Club ∑ * Sunday New South Wales Nelson Bay Golf Club ∑ * Tuesday Cowra Golf Club ∑ * Tuesday Bathurst Golf Centre ∑ * Wednesday Mudgee Golf Club ∑ * Thursday Central West Golf Centre ∑ * Saturday

Mizuno Location

Date

Time

September 03 September 04 September 06 September 04 September 04 September 06 September 06 September 08 September 07 September 10 September 12 September 18 September 19 September 19 September 25 September 26

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

September 03 September 04 September 04 September 06 September 07 September 08 September 12 September 13 September 14 September 19 September 20 September 27

5.30 - 7.30pm 10am - 1pm 4 - 7pm 1 - 4pm 8am - 4pm 8am - 3pm 4 - 7pm 1 - 4pm 9am - 1pm 10am - 2pm 1 - 4pm 1 - 4pm

September 04 September 04 September 04 September 06 September 10 September 11 September 12 September 18 September 26

10.30 - 12.30pm 4 - 7pm 4 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 12pm 11am - 12pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 12pm 10am - 12pm

September 19

3.30 - 5.30pm

September 04

3 - 6pm

September 04 September 06 September 07 September 09 September 10 September 11 September 12 September 13 September 14 September 15 September 16 September 20 September 22

12 - 4pm 9am - 4pm 9am - 1pm 2.30 - 5.30pm 9am - 5pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 8pm 9am - 2pm 4 - 7pm 8.30am - 1.30pm 1 - 5pm 10am - 2pm 9am - 5pm

September 03 September 07 September 18 September 19 September 21

10am - 3pm 11am - 3pm 12 - 5pm 3 - 6pm 11am - 3pm

mizuno.com.au

Day

Date

Time

New South Wales Pymble G.C* ** Tuesday September 03 10am - 2pm Royal Canberra G.C* ** Wednesday September 04 4 - 7pm Thornleigh G. C.* Thursday September 05 4 - 7pm Manly G.C* ** Wednesday September 18 8am - 12pm Fox Hills G.C* Thursday September 19 12 - 4pm Moore Park G.C* Tuesday September 24 4 - 7pm Killara G.C* ** Thursday September 26 8 - 11am Queensland Brisbane G. C.* ** Wednesday September 04 10am - 1pm Mackay G. C. Saturday September 07 9am - 4pm Victoria Park G. C.* Tuesday September 10 5.30 - 7.30pm Parkwood G. C.* Thursday September 12 4 - 6.30pm Tewantin G. C.* Tuesday September 17 9.30am - 1pm Tom Linskey Emerald Lakes Driving Range* Wednesday September 18 2 - 4.30pm Horton Park G. C.* Friday September 20 10am - 3pm Oxley G. C.* Friday September 20 10am - 2pm Warwick G. C. Wednesday September 25 10am - 1pm Palm Meadows G. C. Friday September 27 2 - 4.30pm South Australia Drummond Golf Driving Range Wednesday September 04 4 - 7pm North Adelaide G. C.* Wednesday September 18 2.30 - 6pm North Adelaide G. C. Wednesday September 25 2.30 - 6pm Victoria Morack G. C.* ** Tuessday September 17 3 - 7pm Eastern G. C. Wednesday September 18 10am - 2pm Sandringham Driving Range* ** Wednesday September 18 5 - 7.30pm Commonwealth G. C.* Thursday September 19 10am - 2pm Bulleen Driving Range G. C.* Thursday September 19 3 - 6pm The National G. C.* Saturday September 21 10am - 3pm Metropolitan G. C.* ** Wednesday September 25 10am - 2pm Sunshine G. C.* Thursday September 26 4 - 6.30pm Growling Frog G. C.* Saturday September 28 10.30am - 2.30pm

* Appointment Only. ** Members Only. °Ping Demo day. ◊ Ping Fitting. † Callaway Shortgame Demo day. ‡ Callaway Shortgame/ FT Optiforce Demo day. ∏ Callaway FT Optiforce Demo day. ∑ Callaway Fitting day. √ Callaway Fitting & Brand day. Demo dates subject to change without notice. It is recommended that you contact venue before attending.

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

95

golf directory 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

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

Yamba Golf & Country Club features an 18 hole championship golf course, located right in the heart of Yamba.

• 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 • Stay and Play Packages available

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

River Street, Yamba NSW | Ph (02) 6646 2104 | www.yambagolf.com.au

Phone (02) 9773 0628 Enquiries: info@bankstowngolf.com.au

Benalla Golf Club

pp $208 From share twin eek w mid

Three Day / Two Night Golf Package Includes: Unlimited golf, two nights accommodation, breakfast each morning, 2 x evening meals (vouchers up to the value of $20) • Fully Irrigated Greens & Fairways • Full Bar & Bistro Facilities • Abundant Wildlife including Kangaroos

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

Golf PackaGes

“On COurse at Duntryleague”

“Rowan Cottage” is your ideal golfing destination located next door to the famous Duntryleague Guest House, approximately 3 ½ hour’s drive from Sydney.

Rowan Cottages is located only minutes to town in a quiet street where all Orange has to offer is at your fingertips.

Let us tailor your “Stay & Play Package” on Orange’s 3 Golf Courses: • Duntryleague • Wentworth Golf Club • Orange Ex-Services Country Club

packages starting from

$177pp

includes 2 nights and 3 days of golf on all 3 courses

Contact John on 0417 651 084 or Maureen 0417 651 005 Phone: (02) 6362 9146 • Email: rowancottage@live.com.au

play & stay package from $99*

www.rowancottage.com.au

Inside Golf Digital Now available on iPads and iPhones!

Get Australia’s most regularly read monthly golf publication directly on your iPad or iPhone. Packed with our award-winning content, Inside Golf Digital includes bonus videos, photo galleries, links, interactive elements and more! All in an easy-to-read digital format, delivered directly to your device.

Available in iTunes, the App Store or via the Apple Newsstand.

AuStrAliA’S Most Read Golf MAGAzine AUSTRALIA’S MOST READ GOLF MAGAZINE

InsideGolf www.insidegolf.com.au // Issue 98 September 2013 www.insidegolf.com.au

Issue 94 May 2013 *ESCAPING THE ROUGH

The BIG Travel issue!

How do top Tour players TOP TIPS deal with slumps?

9 ways to improve your game on the golf course Distance or direction: which is more important in putting?

The 100m Par-3 game to breaking 90

Your complete guide to Australia’s greatest ON golf getaways

TOUR

Wayne Perske back in the saddle

AROUND THE LINKS

TOP TIPS

What is the best putting stroke for YOU? Hank Haney’s 3 keys to good golf

&

GOLF TRAVEL We explore Toowoomba & the Darling Downs PLUS the Mornington Peninsula

PLUS

Karrie

We chat with teenage sensation Su Hyun Oh, former Test cricketer Graeme Hick, and senior champion Michael Jackson

MASTER Webb SENSATION!

she Australia’s greatestDUCK TO ADAMIsSCOTT BREAKS THE MASTERS sportsperson all time?

WIN AUSTRALIA’S FIRST of GREEN JACKET

Expanded Junior Golf section

MORE THAN JUST A GOLF COURSE

EXPERIENCE JOONDALUP RESORT

GOLF COURSE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 7 DAYS

IT’S THE LIT TLE THINGS

TWILIGHTGOLF

$29

FOR 9 HOLES

OF GOLF WALKING

Only $0.99 per issue.

Or get a full 12-month subscription for only $5.49 Never miss another issue.

Check out Inside Golf Digital today!

http://bit.ly/HSdId8

AFTER 2PM

PLUS RECEIVE A FREE BUCKET OF 40 DRIVING RANGE BALLS.

*Offer must be mentioned at time of booking.

Walking only, bookings essential, terms and conditions apply.

COUNTRY CLUB BOULEVARD, CONNOLLY, WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6027 | T: 08 9400 8811 | E: proshop@joondalupresort.com.au

96

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 GOLF 00

www.joondalupresort.com.au

InsideGolf

golf directory

Stay and Play from $525 per person (quad share)*

Includes: • 5 nights accommodation in a 2 bedroom garden view apartment • Breakfast included • 3 rounds of golf (Noosa Springs, Tewantin/Noosa and Peregian Springs golf courses) *conditions apply

Motel Mulwala Golfing Mecca on the Murray 3.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation Pool, Austar with 25 channels, walk to pubs, clubs & restaurants We tailor golf packages to suit your needs, or try one of our standard packages conditions apply

$95pp twin share 1 nights accommodation, golf and Cooked Breakfast

$460pp twin share 5 nights accommodation, 4 days golf, 5 Cooked Breakfast & BBQ provisions for 1 night.

Group Bookings of 6 rooms or over, further discounts apply

Contact Nick or Soph to discuss your next golf trip Ph: (03) 5743 2555 Email: enquiry@paradisepalmsmulwala.com 121 Melbourne Street Mulwala NSW 2647

p: (07) 5449 7966 | e: holiday@munnabeach.com.au | www.munnabeach.com.au

www.paradisepalmsmulwala.com.au

LADIES MEMBERSHIP OPEN

No Nomination Fee (Save $440)

Ladies Competitions every Saturday from 9am till 11am and Tuesday from 8am till 9am.

Friday and Sunday Open Medley Competitions.

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 Email: golf@nudgeegolf.com.au www.nudgeegolf.com.au

Crossword Answers B E M U S E D C A M E R A S

O W D I T E A I D O N G S P E C T A A E C E N T O L O M P E T M Y A I L B T C A T C L I E U T E V E N

C H W A A D D I S T A E E M T O R S S G A I M P T W O P E B R E S O O B C H A F H C F F E H M E S E S S

R M I N C K M E L A S O A N R L E O T G I O

U P O E S T N U R S E D T U E S S E L E N S

Outlasts any Other glOve

$2495

(CSIRO tested and proven)

each

• 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

+P&H

$3495 +P&H pair

Gift Packs available

P: 0419 229 998 | www.kakadugolfglove.com

For advertising call 1300 GOLF 00

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

97

golf directory

Port Stephens Golfing Holidays Golf & Accommodation from only $70 per day 9 16 Golf courses including Horizons, Nelson Bay, Newcastle, Muree, Tanilba, Cypress Lakes, Pacific Dunes, The Vintage, by boat to Hawks Nest & others

THINK…

Gifts, Pri z

For ladies golf accessories

es or

YOUR TREAT

9 Play any day & with any number of people 9 Golf & accommodation from a choice of motels, hotels, units & resorts

www.facebook.com/golfpsgh

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

BUY online, mail, phone

www.

highteeladies.com.au

Ph: 0419 501229

›› Hole Out

Spectacular

Sapphire Coast Merimbula Mike McGuire & Yumi Yoshida

Great Golf Packages

LET US QUOTE YOUR OWN PACKAGE 4 NIGHTS ACCOM. 5 NIGHTS ACCOM. 3 Rounds of golf + Carts Breakfast each day

$455 P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

4 Rounds of golf + Carts Breakfast each day

FROM

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

FROM

1-7 Oceanview Ave, Merimbula NSW P: M: E: W:

•All golf courses within 20 minute drive •Heated year round pool •Free BBQ area •500m walk to restaurants •FSC Apartments & Munn Tower House •Sensational views of Village, Lake & Ocean

$525 P/P Twin Share Conditions apply

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

Clearwater Noosa

Golf Tour to Hua Hin, Thailand Departing 1st March 2014 for 8 days / 7 nights

InclusIons Airfares ex Australia / 7 nights with breakfast / 2 Group dinners / 4 rounds of golf with caddy and cart Airport & Golf course transfers / Welcome souvenir bag / Daily and overall prizes PrIcInG 4*Banyan Resort, 1 bedroom private villa Price per golfer, twin sharing $2750, *Other hotels by request

Contact Paul Gover 0419 264 800 p.gover@thailandgolftours.com.au Your choice of resort and club courses.

• Noosa Springs • Twin Waters • Club Pelican • Coolum Golf & Spa • Mt Coolum • Tewantin Noosa • Horton Park • Headland • Caloundra • Peregian Springs Some conditions apply

www.thailandgolftours.com.au

98

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 GOLF 00

golf directory

“you give up things when you buy a Kahma Golf Bag” • clanging clubs • damaged irons • worn graphite shafts • frustration finding the right iron Patented Softgrip Technology

*

Play & Stay for $120 Package includes: • 2 games of golf • Meal • 1 night accommodation with continental breakfast

bersh em fro m

ips

M

*

$220

A

va

ila ble

From the inventors of the Caddyrack

GET ORGANISED WITH

*Conditions apply

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

www.casinogolfclub.com.au

1300 738 557

www.kahmagolf.com Let us organise your Gold Coast golf tours Hassle Free

Blue Marker Challenge

TOURS TO SUIT EVERY NE

t Play to or better your handicap and win a dozen golf balls t Challenge Winner best nett score receives shirt, Plaque & Division winner t 6 NTP win 3 balls on each t Break 80 nett to win a ball

Played the last Friday of each month

Only $30 for visitors

Carts available for hire all bookings through the

Are you up to the challenge?

Pro Shop

(02) 6680 1008 Or visit

www.oceanshorescc.com.au Orana Rd, Ocean Shores NSW Ph (02) 6680 1008 Fx (02) 6680 1721 Only 30 minutes South of Coolangatta and 15 minutes North of Byron Bay

Aquarius R

E

S

O

R

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

MAGIC MERIMBULA This is the most popular package on the Sapphire Coast, it gets booked out early - don't miss out

T

• 4 days golf playing at the beautiful Sapphire Coast courses of Pambula/ Merimbula, Tathra Beach, Eden, Bega, and Tura Beach. All courses are only 5 to 20 mins drive from the Resort.

• 6 nights accommodation in a 2 & 3 bedroom fully self contained apartment (linen supplied).

• 6 FREE fully cooked poolside breakfasts, buffet style.

Packages starting from:

• Free use of resort facilities, indoor gas heated pool, sauna & spa, full size tennis court, BBQ area and outdoor pool.

• Large Groups Welcome

Phone Toll Free 1800 688 881 Ring toll free for free brochure

$489*pp / 2 Share $399*pp / 3 Share $379*pp / 4 Share *Conditions apply

aquariusresort@netspeed.com.au Crn Dunns Lane & Arthur Kaine Drv, MERIMBULA NSW www.aquarius-resort.com.au

For advertising call 1300 GOLF 00

www.insidegolf.com.au | September 2013

99

golf directory

Golf Cart Slowing Down?

BEERWAH GOLF CLUB

Need new batteries?

Don’t replace them… Restore them with the Battery Reviver.

The Battery Reviver can bring old batteries back to life by sending a high frequency pulse through the batteries dissolving the sulphate build up and turning the sulphur crystals back into sulphuric acid. The Battery Reviver is powered by your golf cart batteries and it can be left connected permanently to increase the life of your batteries by up to three times, or used occasionally to restore them.

30 DaY

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

SatISfaCtIoN GUaraNtEE or YoUr MoNEY BaCK.

At the base of the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains…

• • • •

Timeless Tuesday - Unlimited* Golf for ONLY $25 Golf Equipment for Hire & Sale Fully Licensed Clubhouse Social Clubs & Corporate Days

Visitors pay only $25 to play in our competitions (Wed, Sat & Sun)

More social playing times now on a Monday & Thursday

AffordAble MeMbership fees AvAilAble

Biondi Crescent, Beerwah admin@beerwahgolfclub.com.au www.beerwahgolfclub.com.au

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

HUNTER VALLEY GOLF GETAWAYS Golf & AccommodAtion pAckAGes from Just $65pp Including • 18 Holes of Golf • Accommodation • Sleeps up to 40 people

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

Live entertainment thurs - sat nights • The Award Winning Kurrajong Restaurant • Great Pub-Style Atmosphere • TAB • KENO

Ph: (02) 4990 1002 234 Wollombi Road, Cessnock, NSW 2325 cessnockhotel@outlook.com

A family run business for 18 years Best Service & Best Value Guaranteed

*WINTER SPECIAL* • 3 Games Golf • 3 x $20 Dinner Vouchers • 3 Cooked Breakfasts • 3 Nights Accomodation (twin share) • Total Cost per person $300 (Arriving Sunday, Monday or Tuesday)

Tel: 0061 35873 4477 Fax: 0061 35873 4511 Golf Course Rd, Barooga NSW Contact michael@murrayrivergolf.com.au or visit our website

www.murrayrivergolf.com.au 100

September 2013 | www.insidegolf.com.au

For advertising call 1300 GOLF 00

Quality

used Golf Cars

ACCOUNTS AVAILABLE TO GOLF CLUBS

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

GOLF FACTORY NARELLAN

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) 4647 8542 - Mail Order - 6 Days

SRIXON ALL WEATHER GLOVES Callaway HX Diablo Balls

Srixon Q Star Balls

Pure white or Tour Yellow $216 for 144 Individually boxed

$18

Mens Left or Right White or Black Mens - S, M, ML, L, XL Ladies - S, M, L

5 FOR

$45

Srixon Z-Star Balls

½ PRICE

dozen

14 Top Dividers Cooler Pocket Putter Holder Green, Yellow or Gold

$79

Easy to use irons

TaylorMade 5 piece Tour Balls $45

$33

$89

Eagles & Birdies Cypress Point bag 14 Full length dividers Magnetic pockets Cooler pocket Lots of colours

$199

Wilson Staff Irons Di9 Model 4 - Pitching wedge Uniflex only Right hand

$209

Forged & Soft feel Right and left Lob, Sand, Gap and Pitching wedges

TS+ Green box or TS Tour Gold box Individually boxed

$672

Mens or Ladies Soft Feel 144 Balls for $216

$35

$20

$419

dozen

Srixon Distance Balls

SAVE $50

$79

Distance ball with great feel Great for ball competitions Bulk Qty

$156

144 balls ($13/dozen) Individually boxed

TaylorMade RBZ Fairway

Individually boxed balls

$18

Heaps to choose from Very successful model Includes cover

per dozen

TopFlite Gamer V2 3 piece ball Long and soft 3 piece quality $168 for 144 Individually boxed

SAVE$60

Includes cover

OPTIMA Ball Sale

Cleveland 588 Forged Wedges

½ PRICE

Includes cover

$190

doz

Srixon Soft Feel Ball Sale

Cleveland Fairway Sale

SAVE $60

10.5º Regular 9.5º Stiff 12º Ladies

Z-Star, XV, X & SL Models White and Yellow (not all colours available)

8 irons 4-SW Matching Regular Flex Steel shafts Right and left hand

$109

FL Men’s & ladies 3, 5, 7 DST Launcher Men’s regular & stiff 3 + 5

$25

TaylorMade RBZ Irons

Cleveland Divided Golf Bag

SAVE$100

$165

Cleveland Hybrid Iron 588 Altitude ½ PRICE!

$14 Nike Leather Shoes $69

Regular or Seniors Graphite Shafts 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, pitching & sand wedges

$89 each

Doz

SAVE $400

7 irons

doz

TaylorMade RBZ Driver

Urethane cover 3 Piece Tour Quality ball

Individually boxed $180 for 144 balls

$15

$20

INC. POSTAGE ANYWHERE IN AUST

Doz

Callaway Warbird Plus Balls

Soft Feel with distance Individually boxed 144 balls - $240

Waterproof Mostly black/white Some straight black and white Easy wide fitting

US sizes: 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12 & 13

TaylorMade XD balls Great for golf ball competitions Bulk qty 144 balls ($14 a doz) Individually boxed

$168

Distance ball with great feel