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fromtheeditor

Gambling

is illegal at Bushwood, Sir... RichardFellner The proposed new laws that would place bet limits on poker machines are causing quite a stir – especially around the golf course. The proposal – which would require pre-commitment technology to be placed on poker machines in all clubs and hotels across Australia – is intended to reduce problem gambling. Greg Mills, CEO of GolfNSW, issued a statement on behalf of the 390 affiliated golf clubs in NSW condemning the move, stating that the setup costs for the new technology (noted as in excess of $77million), plus the reduction in annual revenue of around $46 million could be a death blow to many clubs that have come to depend on the pokies to keep their clubs afloat. “An outcome of this magnitude will simply drive many of our clubs out of business,” the letter explains. “This impost will have far wider repercussions than simply leaving golfers without courses. The $2.2 billion Australian golf industry of

which NSW comprises approximately 43% will be stressed to say the least and may never fully recover leaving potentially thousands of workers in the rough,” he adds. “Experts say that mandatory pre-commitment technology won’t stop problem gambling. It will merely drive them to other gambling options. Clubs are the backbone of many communities, particularly in the country and if gamblers are forced to look elsewhere, clubs will surely close and golf as a sport will no longer be available to the masses,” he said. The issue is certainly a hot topic of debate. Excessive gambling is a very serious problem – one that affects not only individuals, but families and even entire communities (I’ve seen the devastation firsthand.) The people who generally tend to spend excessive money on poker machines are usually the ones who can least afford to lose it. And the government (and taxpayers) are usually left to clean up the mess. So the government is probably justified in doing something to combat the gambling problems. But is it absolutely necessary to impose heavy-handed,

sweeping (and expensive) changes in order to try and affect the behaviour of a subset of gamblers? What will be next? Telling golf addicts on the first tee that they must restrict the number of holes they are going to play? Don’t get me wrong – I’m not trying to make light of the situation. This is a very serious issue that will have massive repercussions throughout our country. But I don’t think that the government is going about it the right way. Regardless, the deeper issue – I believe – centres around the dependence of golf clubs on poker machine revenue. While I understand that gaming revenue can make or break a club these days, the hard reality, in my opinion, is that pokies have no place in a golf club. Perhaps I’m a bit old fashioned, or maybe I am just a fervent golf purist, but a golf club shouldn’t be dependent on pokie revenue in order to succeed. There are heaps of better ways to increase revenue, while also improving your overall offering to your members/players (and providing a benefit to the community). Take The Eastern Golf Club in Melbourne, for example.

They have invested time, money and effort into their Food & Beverage operations, and are now serving fantastic food that would put many high-end restaurants to shame. Beyond that, other clubs are finding success by hosting events, weddings, corporate days, junior golf days and the highly lucrative social group market. All of these are morally positive options that benefit both the club and the community. After all, if golf clubs are indeed the “backbone of our communities”, then shouldn’t we make them more community-friendly? See you on the first tee!

YOUR SAY What are your thoughts on this topic? Do pokies belong in a golf club? Is the government justified in the proposals? Will heaps of clubs be forced to close as a result? Email us at ed@insidegolf.com.au and let us know!

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U S T R A L I A

’

O L F

E W S

 Letter of the month

E A D E R

sponsored by

www.insidegolf.com.au Editor: Richard Fellner P: 0407 000 440 richard@insidegolf.com.au Senior Writer: David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au Contributing Editors: Larry Canning, Mike Orloff, Rob Willis, Richard Nizielski, Jamie Glazier, Anthony Powter, Peter Croker, Scott Beaumont, Lee Harrington, Stephen Pitt, Brian Thorbun, Warren Sevil, Mick van Raay, Matthew Pitt, David Williams, Glen Whittle, Damien Magaton Design & Layout: Nick Thorn National Sales & Marketing Director: 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 Accounts: Sheridan Murphy M: 0404 075 823 | accounts@insidegolf.com.au Publisher: Outdoor Sports Publishing Pty Ltd

CARRY A LIZARD TO GET A BIRDIE

Though just an average golfer, I encourage brushed at my head. Down fell a lizard with a everyone to grasp all the opportunities that come substantial tail – it was nearly as stunned as I with playing this frustrating and addictive game! was as it had obviously jumped down onto my I recently returned from a 12-day trip to Phuket head sometime earlier from a tree or bush and in a group of 23 keen, fun golfers. I marvelled was enjoying its spot nestled in my hair. Still in a trance I then proceeded to make the putt in for at the incredible Club Houses at courses like a Birdie! Hence: carry a lizard to catch a birdie. Canyon Lakes and Red Mountain. The Courses Judy Rose are challenging with tropical lush forests, gullies, water everywhere and together with the onset Thanks Judy. We’ve heard stories about all sorts of summer heat and humidity, there was a lot to contend with. of creepy crawlies hitchhiking on a wandering Hitting off at one of the long Par 3’s with my golfer, but this one is a keeper. Enjoy the Smoothy buggy Rescue Club, I hit it long and straight. Sweet little Caddy saying “Good Good Madaam”. Off we went in the cart to the green and stood in the heat for our playing partners to putt out. Whilst standing there studying my putt, I felt a rustling and scratching in my Next, ato us via email at Have you got something to say? Then tell us!hair.Write long tail came down over my visor and down ed@insidegolf.com.au my orface. mail a letter to:upThe Editor, I shrieked, jumped and down and Inside Golf,

Letters of the month

PO Box 360 Nunawading, Vic 3131. Tell an interesting story or 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 something funny about golf and you could WIN a Editor, Inside Golf, PO BOX 437, Miami, QLD 4220 PO Box 360 Nunawading, Vic 3131. Tell an interesting story or Smoothy buggy valued at RRP$230! something funny about golf and you could WIN a Smoothy Cover photo © AnthonyCompact Powter

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Ball first, ground second

I’m 72 and have struggled for the past 10 years (when I first started trying to play golf) to hit the ball first, before hitting the ground. Most hackers I play with or observe have the same problem, i.e. not able to hit the ball first, huge divots behind the ball, etc. What’s available? Do you have any advice? John Thanks for the letter John. We’ve included an article this month by David Williams – a great instructor who has, coincidentally, helped us with the exact same problem. Enjoy the article!

Thanks for Veterans

I would like to put my thoughts and appreciation of the NSW Veteran Golf Association Executive and committee on record. Led by Mr Richard

By the numbers

My story relates to an unusual scoring pattern which would be extremely rare, I believe. A friend of mine, Dr Ken Davis, a member of Sanctuary Lakes and a Sports Psychologist, was visiting Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast in Qld and played in the Wed comp with me at my home club, Pelican Waters Golf Club. It was a stroke event, and after 8 holes, I noticed something unusual on his card – he had a different score for each of those 8 holes, namely, a 2,3,4,5,6,7,8, and a 9. Obviously, they were not in that order, and unfortunately

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Farrant, the committee must put in a tremendous amount of time and effort on behalf of all veteran golfers, both male and female, in putting the weeks of golf together so that all veteran golfers have the opportunity to play golf and meet new friends. On behalf of all veteran golfers I would like to say thank you to Richard and his full committee for giving us the pleasure of playing golf in this format. Remember: It’s not the golf you play but the people you meet.

Time

I wrote to you last year asking for changes to the “old” handicap system, and upon reading all details re the “new” system I was all in favour and advocated it my friends at the golf club. Now, six months down the track, I fear I have made a big mistake, for I feel that it puts the integrity of our game up for grabs. In a singles competition you need between 38 and 40 points to win a ball, you require between 45 and 48 points to win a single trophy, in a 2-ball aggregate you require between 80 and 84 points, and in a 4-ball between 52 and 54 points to win it. There has been much discussion re: new people being introduced to our game and need to bring in new blood, but has anyone considered the existing members? Where is the motivation to improve other than self-pride? The thrill of winning a comp has gone. Are there any changes in the pipeline that would bring some normality back so that we at least start with an even chance? Kevin Payne Beverly Park GC Sydney Hi Kevin. Yep – Golf Australia and the USGA are on the case, and are in the process of evaluating the system – with the aim of potentially tweaking it. Check out last month’s article on “Handicap Moves”. If it’s not still at your club, check out the article online.

Family Aces

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Handicapping

(or fortunately!) Ken was not able to add to the intriguing run by having a 10 on the 9th! Terry Ryan

Hot Dots

My Handicap is 35, I’m ten years old and my best round was 105 and 36 in a single stableford. Well, this is my funny story: One day, we had a family game of golf with Dad’s mate. We all teed off and Mum was the last to tee. Dad’s mate thought Mum was just a hacker because she hadn’t played well that day, so he went on in pursuit of his golf ball while Mum hit. He had his back turned, not watching Mum. Well, when she hit the shot it was a beauty, hitting it fair and square into his bottom. Even though he was in the wrong for going ahead of his team mates who were calling “fore”, he was furious. But the funniest part of the incident was that Mum used a Hot Dot golf ball. Or in other words he wound up with “Hot Bot from a Hot Dot”! Tim Ryan Alpine NSW

Re: Three aces in one day (Inside Golf, April), my Grandson was playing with his Dad, Uncle and Brother, I was playing with my husband and 2 neighbours. We both had a hole-in-one on the same course on the same day. Something for a 10-year-old and a Nana to remember! Kathryn Smith

Keep up with us online! Read the entire issue of Inside Golf online: www.insidegolf.com.au. Join our Facebook group at www.facebook.com/insidegolf, keep up to the minute with our Twitter feed (@InsideGolf) or if you prefer - drop us a line at ed@insidegolf.com.au

“DON’T JUST PLAY WHAT THE PROS PLAY.” PLAY A BALL THAT FITS YOUR GAME State

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News

Amateur champ leaves no stone unturned Golf Expo to offer a great day out A complete range of golfing options will on show at the Golf Expo 2011, to be held from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 May at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre. There will be thousands of golf products, information on tours and details of golf courses around Australia, all in one place over the three days. Golfers will be able to test new products, and exhibitors will provide advice on all aspects of the game. The expo will be open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm, with free entry upon registration at the event’s entry point. The Golf Expo will be co-located with the Baby Boomers & Retirees Lifestyle Expo, which is now in its sixth year.

The Baby Boomers event will have a comprehensive array of stands, providing additional interest to Golf Expo visitors. It will be a great day out for those over-45 who are interested in exploring additional lifestyle opportunities, showcasing travel, food, wine, finance, gardening, finance, etc. Also co-located with the Golf Expo will be the 2011 Franchise Fair, with business options for people looking for proven commercial models. The Golf Expo, the Baby Boomers Expo and the Franchise Fair will be co-located in Melbourne from November 18-20 this year and on the Gold Coast from March 30-April 1 in 2012. More information can be found at www.golfexpo.com.au or call 1300 781 980.

Six Aussies head for Japan

Matt Stieger Recently crowned Australian Amateur champion Matt Stieger certainly wasn’t resting on his laurels in the days and weeks following his victory at the Victoria Golf Club course in Melbourne. Stieger, who beat Kiwi Ben Campbell in the final of the national championship, was straight back to work, dissecting his game with NSW Institute of Sport coach Glenn Whittle. “He just wants to improve and get better,” Whittle said of Stieger’s appearance at The Ridge Golf Course and Driving Range in Sydney’s south, just a matter of days following his victory. “And my job is to take the result out of it and to try to see how I can help to make them better.” Whatever strategies Stieger came up with, they continued to bring success with the St Michaels member, capping off a triumphant few weeks with a win at the WA Amateur titles. Stieger beat Ray Chow in the final in WA after making a birdie on the 37th hole; the victory adding to his recent wins at the Australian Amateur and Tasmanian Open.

Now ranked No. 19 on the World Amateur rankings list, Stieger — who comes under the guidance of Whittle as an NSW IS player but is coached by NSW PGA Coach of the Year John Serhan — plans an assault on the international tournament scene with his upcoming schedule to include major events in the Europe and the US.

And a further Stieger ‘sighting’

In another testimony to Steiger’s drive to succeed, the youngster was spotted at a location more commonly reserved for football teams and preseason training. Stieger took to the Cronulla sand hills, a renowned destination which is used by a host of National Rugby League teams, the Sydney Swans and a collection of amateur teams and budding athletes for what was said to be an arduous fitness routine. From all reports Stieger came through the tough training session with flying colours, showing as much determination running the sand as he does on the course.

Despite the disasters affecting their nation in recent months, the Japanese Golf Tour got under way on April 14 with six Australians contesting the first event, the Token Homemate Cup in Nagoya. Tour regulars Steve Conran from NSW, Canberra residents Brendan Jones and Chris Campbell, Victorian Paul Sheehan, along with tour school qualifiers Brad Kennedy and Matthew Gyatt, were to be joined by young gun

Ryo Ishikawa in the first of 25 events scheduled for 2011. The second tournament on the schedule was cancelled due to the catastrophic events of March. However, at this stage other tournaments set down for this season were to go ahead. Ishikawa arrived back in his homeland fresh from a 20th place finish at the US Masters, while prolific JGT winner Jones will be looking to add to his nine previous tour victories during 2011.

Stepping up for Parkinson’s As the saying goes, the greatest journey begins with a single step. And on August 8 64-year old Victorian father of four, grandfather, and businessman Peter Curtin will set out to prove the point as he begins what will undoubtedly be the most challenging, but rewarding journey of his life – with just one small step. Not only will it be the first step of thousand— as he begins the 840km Pilgrimage along the renowned Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain—but along the way, Peter hopes to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those living with Parkinson’s and, most importantly, he hopes to raise $20,000 to support the work of Parkinson’s Victoria. He’s encouraging people to ‘get involved’ by

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May 2011

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PGA trainees have a new home

Tee off in Africa

CORAL Cove Golf Club near Bundaberg will host the Queensland PGA Trainee Championship for the next three years (2011-2013). The three-year commitment continues the tradition of the championship being played at premier locations with recent venues including Hyatt Coolum, RACV Royal Pines Resort and Peregian Springs. This year’s event is to be played from June 7-10. Queensland PGA executive officer Dominic O’Brien said Bundaberg Motor Group (BMG) had agreed to be the tournament’s naming rights sponsor. “The Bundaberg region has been a terrific supporter of professional golf over a long period of time and to have the support of one of the area’s most respected companies in BMG only adds to the region’s partnership with the PGA,” he said. “We are delighted that the Bundaberg

INSIDE Golf ’s David Newbery is inviting golfers to join him on a once in a lifetime golf safari to South Africa. The exciting 17-day trip includes a visit to stunning Cape Town, the Stellenbosch winery area, the Garden Route, Durban and Swaziland. There’ll be six games of golf at world-class golf courses as well as visits to three game parks, including the Kruger National Park. Departing September 7, it is priced at $9675 and includes return international and domestic air fares, transport, accommodation, breakfast, some dinners, all golf excursions and much more. For more information, contact Dick Cijffers at Journeys Worldwide on 1300 734 788 or email info@journeysworldwide.com.au

community has embraced the trainee story and we look forward to the future stars of our game displaying their talents at one of Queensland’s most picturesque venues.” The championship trophy, appropriately named The Carnegie Clark Cup, reads like a who’s who of golf with names like Mike Ferguson, Greg Norman, Brett Officer, David Podlich and Rod Pampling alongside current Australian contenders Brad Kennedy, Tim Wood and Brent McCullough. Prizemoney for this year’s championship is $30,000 and organisers are tipping it will be one of the most open championships in recent years. Jindalee’s Paul Hayden is the defending champion. Admittance for spectators is free with many opportunities to meet and watch some of Australia’s leading PGA trainees in action.

Aaron chips in after floods REDLAND Bay Golf Club general manager Aaron Muirhead doesn’t think he deserves recognition, but one of his board members does. Muirhead did not hesitate when approached to help Brisbane’s flood recovery effort after January’s devastation. At the time, Muirhead was responsible for putting together a team of golf club members to help with the clean up. “One of the board members has nominated me for the Premier’s relief hero’s award or something like that, but I don’t want to take credit for it because it was the club that did it,” he said. “I did organise a group of club members to go to Fairfield and Yeronga to help with the clean up.” Muirfield also arranged for Redland Bay Golf Club to be used as collection point for much needed personal items lost in the floods. “We arranged for a lot of personal items like shampoos and all that sort of stuff to be dropped at the club,” he said. “I reckon the club’s members brought in $25,000 worth of stock. “I then delivered it to all the regional golf clubs out as far as Gatton, Laidley, Ipswich, Sandy Gallop, McLeod, Wolston Park and others for their members who had been affected.

Fairways to Recovery

Mum’s the word for golf

Come along and play at St Andrews Beach Golf Course OR Amstel Park Golf Course on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 8 2011 and indulge in a 2 for 1 Deal: two players for the price of one. (Why not bring Mum along?) For more information: Amstel Golf Course: 03 5990 8200. St Andrews Beach: 03 5988 6000

Bonus for members

Warren “Wazza” Gray handing a cheque to the New Zealand High Commission representative, Mr. Grnat Bryden The Fairways to Recovery charity golf day, which raised funds to help victims of the Christchurch earthquake, proved to be a fantastic day in the ACT. Played under ideal conditions, the day included a fund-raising sausage sizzle and amazing golf. One of the highlights of the day was the pre-golf raffle, which featured a brand-new Callaway Razr driver, donated by Callaway Golf, that went to lucky bidder George Waterworth. At press time, the funds raised were over $600 (and growing). While the amount may seem minor, every little bit helps!

FOUR Brisbane golf clubs have joined forces to give their members an added bonus. Redland Bay, Nudgee, Bribie Island and Wynnum golf clubs will soon provide their members with a Bay Gold Card, which will entitle them to play golf at each golf course. Bay Gold Card holders will only have to pay their neighbouring club’s competition fee on the FORMER Golf Queensland employee Danielle nominated days. Stalley has been awarded the Rising Star Award at “It about trying to give members a bonus on the recent AFL SportsReady trainee graduation. Danielle was recognised with top honours for top of spending their $1000 on membership,” her work with Golf Queensland during 2010 Redland Bay GM Aaron Muirhead said. as a trainee of the AFL SportsReady program. “We want people to use it as much as they During her time at Golf Queensland, she can because it’s not like a gym membership “And we took a lot of stuff to evacuation centres learned the fundamental skills of sports where after three months you question if you at Ipswich and Gatton. “Then we put on a charity day here and raised administration while studying for her Certificate really want it. $60,000 and I helped Nudgee Golf Club general III in business administration. “We don’t want that and we certainly don’t When her traineeship finished, she was offered manager Max Mason organise a day there to want them pulling the pin. LOCATION TIME a role with the Brisbane Lions and started there “We want membersDAY to get as much DATE value for raise money for clubs to buy them a piece of sanctuary cove (member wednesday 22nd - 1.30pm earlier this year. money outonly) of the golf club as they can. ” July 9.30am equipment each.”

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news

Lisa’s ace ball goes bush

Golden golfing weekends at Kalgoorlie Golf Course

IF there’s one thing Lisa Shaw regrets it’s not keeping the golf ball she used to score her one and only hole-in-one. Shaw, the general manager at Bribie Island Golf Club on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, scored her one and only ace during a round at Beerwah Golf Club. “I got my hole-in-one on the 16th hole at Beerwah, but it wasn’t during a competition round,” she said. “I was playing with a friend one afternoon and didn’t even see it go in the hole. “Unfortunately, I hit the same ball on the next hole and hit it out of bounds and never saw it again.”

Touted as one of the “World’s Top Ten Desert Courses”, Kalgoorlie Golf Course is offering a great weekend adventure for as little as $650 per player ex. Perth. Sit back and relax on the 6-hour Prospector train journey to Kalgoorlie which leaves early Friday morning from East Perth Train Station. Check in to your accommodation at the All Seasons Kalgoorlie where your room rate includes breakfast each morning. Play 18 holes each day with cart at the Kalgoorlie Golf Course, then fly back to Perth with Qantas. For more details visit www.golftourismwa.com

Nexus South West Open Bunbury Golf Club has confirmed the 2011 Nexus South West Open will run from 4th to the 6th of June and has announced an increase in prizemoney to $35,000. The prestigious 54-hole tournament has been running at the club’s present Clifton Park site since 1948 and is one of the long-running Open events in the state. With a list of past champions including Terry Gale, Graham Marsh, Craig Parry, Nick O’Hern and Greg Chalmers it is no surprise the local community proudly supports the event that is a great proving ground for those forging their playing careers. The highly rated Bunbury course, that has also hosted the last two WA PGA championships, was voted by the players as the best tournament venue in WA for 2009. The club encourages all golf fans to attend the event with entry free for spectators.

Get your Masters fix in 2012 WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: (Left to right) Lyndall Hough, Shirley-Anne Pengly, Golf Ambassdor Professor John Yeo, Rodger Davies, Paul Gregory, Colin Walker and Janet Doyle. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care)

Seniors day a huge success MORE than 200 enthusiastic golfers travelled from near and far to take part in the third Seniors Week of Golf at Marrickville Golf Club last month. The event, for active over 60-year-olds, was part of Seniors Week New South Wales and was sponsored by the Department of Human Services – Ageing, Disability and Home Care. The main event was a two-day, 36-hole championship for men and women. Other events included a Come and Try golf

day for people who had never played golf before. There was even a fun day on the greens for school aged children –the next generation of golfers. Seniors Week golf ambassador Professor John Yeo was there to enjoy the festivities and present the championship’s prizes. Some players were so impressed by the event that they have put their name down already for next year.

For the first time since 1971, Augusta National Golf Club, host of The Masters, will be offering a limited number of day passes for the 2012 tournament. Applications for both practise round and day tickets can be made on the Masters web site at www.masters.com with a small number being awarded by ballot.

May 2011

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Moules and King win SA Amateur Championships

R&A and USGA revise Decision 33-7/4.5

Brad Moules and Sarah King have won the 2011 SA Men’s & Women’s Amateur Championships at Glenelg Golf Club. The men’s final proved to be a tense affair, with the match going all the way to the 36th hole with Brad Moules winning 1 up over Chris Austin. The final was always predicted to be a tight contest and little separated state representatives Moules and Austin following the morning’s first 18 holes, with Moules going to the break holding a one shot lead. The afternoon session looked like it was going to belong to Moules, who extended his lead to 5 holes through the afternoon’s front nine. There was plenty of drama to follow however, as Austin quietly went about winning four of the next five holes to shave the deficit to a single hole by the 32nd. From there the contest seesawed, with Moules winning the 33rd only to surrender his 2-hole advantage back to one after missing a short par putt on the 16th. With the 17th halved in 4s, both players adopted a conservative approach up the par five 18th, where Austin was unfortunate to put his chip shot through the green and allow Moules the luxury of having two putts for the halved hole and to take the match 1 up.

All you TV tattletales take note: The R&A and the USGA have announced a new interpretation of the rules where disqualifications have been caused by score card errors identified as the result of TV or video replay technology. This revision to Decision 337/4.5 addresses the situation where a player is not aware he has breached a Rule because of facts that he did not know and could not reasonably have discovered prior to returning his score card. Under this revised decision and at the discretion of the Committee, the player still receives the penalty associated with the breach of the underlying Rule, but is not disqualified. In revising the decision, The R&A and the USGA confirm that the disqualification penalty still applies for score card breaches that arise from ignorance of the Rules of Golf. As such, this decision reinforces that it is still the responsibility of the player to know the Rules, while recognizing that there

Brad Moules and Sarah King In the Women’s final, Sarah King got off to a flying start with a birdie at the first, and further asserted her dominance over Jenny Lee through the morning’s 18 holes in going to the break 6-up. While Lee played some competitive golf in the afternoon session, at one stage winning back two consecutive holes and being extremely unlucky to see a putt lip out on the next, the task was also going to be tough against

the experienced King who displayed a sure touch on and around the greens. She closed out the match with a solid par in the par-5 12th hole to take the contest 8 & 6. The final of the Women’s Bronze Cup also proved to be a competitive affair, with Jillian Gehling defeating her fellow Glenelg member Cheryl Franzi 5 & 4. For all scores, visit the golf SA website www.golfsa.com.au

VOTED ’s Queensland

NGoOlf.1 *

Course

may be some rare situations where it is reasonable that a player is unaware of the factual circumstances of a breach. “For some time we have been concerned that, in certain limited circumstances, disproportionate disqualification penalties have been required by the Rules,” said Peter Dawson, chief executive of The R&A. “This carefully considered decision reflects our desire to ensure that the Rules of Golf remain fair and relevant in the changing environment in which the game is played today.” “This is a logical and important step in our re-evaluation of the impact of high-definition video on the game,” said Mike Davis, executive director of the USGA. “We collectively believe that this revised decision addresses many videorelated issues never contemplated by the Rules of Golf.” The complete language of the revised decision is available on www.insidegolf.com.au

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news 11

US Masters stats

Presidents Cup updates South Africa Open schedule changed Ernie Els revealed last month that tour officials have agreed to move the dates of the South African Open in November one week back to avoid a clash with the Presidents Cup. “I think everyone is pretty relieved now,” Els said at the Masters. “You never want to have two big events clash.” South African players occupy five of the top spots in the Presidents Cup standings, and all of them finished among the top 10 last year in the South African Open.

Tickets on sale for Presidents Cup Tickets for The Presidents Cup 2011 are officially on sale, and interest is expected to be extremely high for the much anticipated team competition set to play at The Royal Melbourne from November 1520, 2011. In addition to daily and weekly general admission tickets, fans can now purchase weekly Captains’ Club (a first-class hospitality option that offers food and premium beverages for purchase, scoring terminals, big-screen televisions for a sportsbar environment at the event),

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Kids: Win a ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour at the Presidents Cup

was paired with KJ Choi, a man he enjoys playing alongside. The South African said Choi has similar character traits – cool, calm and collected.

Birdie blitz

Jason Day recorded the most birdies over the four rounds. The talented Queenslander had 23 in three rounds – almost six per round.

Adam Scott

Broomstick putters

Twenty students in years 4-8 have an opportunity to take part in a “behind the scenes” tour at The Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on Wednesday November 16, 2011. The tour will include the media centre, the Golf Course, Clubhouse, Pro Shop and practice fairways as well as a talk from the event organiser about how it all happens. School Sports Victoria is offering the tour prizes as part of their Presidents Cup 2011 Essay Challenge, which asks students to write on the topic “What captures your imagination about this event and why would you love to be involved?” Entry is open to School Sport Victoria member schools, and the essay is due by Tuesday, May 31. For more information, visit www.ssv.vic.edu.au

Adam Scott almost achieved two firsts at the US Masters – the first Aussie to win the green jacket and the first player in history to win a major championship using a broomstick putter. That’s right – no player has ever won a major using a long putter.

Final pairing

Did Argentinean Angel Cabrera intimidate Rory McIlroy in the final round at the US Masters? We’ll never know, but had McIlroy been paired with Jason Day things may have turned out differently for the Ulsterman. Instead, Day was paired with good friend Adam Scott resulting in a good day for the pair as they pushed and encouraged each other right to the finish line. And champion Charl Schwartzel

Big hitters

Spaniard Alvaro Quiros pipped Rory McIlroy for long-drive honours at the US Masters. Quiros averaged 303.38 yards while McIlroy averaged 303.12.

The champion’s stats

Charl Schwartzel was 44th in driving averages at 278.38. He was tied 31st in fairways hit with 37 from 56 or 67.86 per cent. Cabrera was best hitting 48 from 56 fairways or 85.71 per cent. Schwartzel was second with 107 putts – a 1.49 average and only threeputted twice. Englishman Luke Donald, who was constantly booed by the American fans, was best with 102 putts – five fewer than Schwartzel. And Schwartzel tied 18th in greens in regulation with 49 of 72 (68.06%).

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May 2011

12 Coverstory..........................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

ti m e

McIlroy’s

will come!

AnthonyPowter “Character building” were the words Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy used to described his Sunday final round of the Masters at Augusta. The 21-year-old had held the lead since Thursday’s opening round and stood, as he was entitled to do on Sunday, as the last man out on the course with destiny awaiting. What followed was a merciless implosion as his four stroke lead was withered away to a one shot buffer moving into final back nine at Augusta. McIlroy would card a closing 80 in one of the worst final rounds recorded for a 54 hole leader at the Masters and in the process dashing his chances of donning the coveted green jacket on his young shoulders. Immediately following the round in front of disappointed fans and millions of viewers McIlroy was coming to grips with what had unfolded and how quickly it had occurred. His voice and choice of words were measured as he spoke to journalists, he was mindful that he’d missed a

Major title yet knew other opportunities would be there for the taking in the future. It all starts with the back nine at Augusta on Sunday. That’s what they say about the real magic of the Masters, where all the history of challenges and failings occur as the world’s best battle the many intrusive elements associated with the course, their opponents but more specifically, their own minds. It’s the time when the hidden golf demons are either controlled or run rampant. Just how a player handles these pressures, particularly around what’s aptly referred to as “Amen Corner” becomes vital in an effort to see dreams come to fruition. In McIlroy’s case the sense of anticipation was huge as not many young golfers complete postto-post victories in the Masters, only players like Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. The 75th Masters was his to lose. Four ahead after three rounds of impeccable iron shots and with course management well beyond his years. Others were faulting, yet McIlroy was savouring the experience and was poised for greatness. McIlroy’s exterior during these rounds was

different, emanating from his youthful confidence and enthusiasm. He exhibited an exterior of being unflappable, comfortable and beautifully skilled. Then the business end of the Masters awaited and on the back nine on Sunday McIlroy’s four-shot lead had gone to a succession of misread putts, poor driving, bunkers and fluffed chips. How things had so quickly changed. It was enough to send even the most seasoned of sport watchers into a spiral. You’d hate to think what they were doing in the pubs back in Northern Ireland as the faithful watched their boy implode. The events of the triple bogey on the 10th effectively saw the green jacket that was ready to be placed on McIlroy’s shoulders put back in the locker. The rest is history. Despite all the failings with what unfolded with McIlroy over the Sunday back nine at Augusta, you shouldn’t let one bad day, a single

round, or even a few hours in the breech of any tournament alter your view regarding his talents and where he’s come from and what he’s achieved already at just a young age of 21. McIlroy’s career began in a humble terraced house in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland. McIlroy won the World Junior Championship at age nine and his parents, Rosemarry and Gerry, held down multiple jobs to finance their son to give him the best opportunity possible to develop his talents. McIlroy shot 63 at age 13 to win the President’s prize at Holywood and propelled himself to plus-1 handicap; won the West of Ireland Championship at 15, the Irish Close Amateur at 16 and successfully defended both titles the following year. He turned professional in September 2007 a few months after his 18th birthday.

Coverstory 13

From the Walker Cup in 2007, to his first European Tour victory at age 18 in Dubai, to success at Quail Hollow on the PGA Tour last year, McIlroy had quickly acquired international recognition to be linked with the next wave of youn gun professionals on Tour with Rickie Fowler, Ryo Ishikawa and Australia’s own Jason Day. The most impressive transformation within the past 12 months for McIlroy is the level of maturity as a player that he displayed on his way into contention at the Masters. We’ve also seen in that time impressive efforts at other Majors, not least the record-equalling first round 63 in last year’s Open at St Andrews. The following day he’d lose his composure in powerful winds, shooting himself out of contention with an 80 to dash any chances of collecting the claret jug. Similar contrasts could be made to McIlroy’s Sunday at Augusta, yet that would be unfair and fail to recognise what he’s achieved both on and off the course as a professional. McIlroy has dismissed any bad memories and associated baggage that comes with last year’s British Open and he’s adopted the same stance following the Masters by labelling the events as ‘character building’. “Looking back on it you learn from it,” he said recently about last year’s Open Championship. “It was a very valuable lesson in my development as a golfer.” McIlroy’s demeanour was again no different when handling the media on the Sunday at Augusta in response to the obvious questions as to what went wrong. “You know, I’m very disappointed at the minute, and I’m sure I will be for the next few days, but I’ll get over it,” were his immediate words after walking off the 18th green on Sunday.

greater ones seize the opportunities that they have created. McIlroy is certainly a talented athlete and with that comes maturity through experience. His ability to follow-up Thursday’s spectacular 65, the lowest score by an Irishman at Augusta, with a solid 69 on the Friday offered clear evidence of McIlroy’s new maturity. “I think it’s a Sunday at a Major, what it can do,” was the way he described his final round. McIlroy himself was quick to highlight the positives with what had unfolded at Augusta in circumstances where most would have been dwelling on the past. You also need to keep in perspective that the youngest winner of the Masters is Tiger Woods, who was 21 years, 104 days old when he won in 1997. Just shy of his 22nd birthday and already with plenty of major championship experience with a 3rd place finish in last year’s British Open at St Andrews, McIlroy looked to the future. “This is my first experience at it, and hopefully the next time I’m in this position I’ll be able to handle it a little better. I didn’t handle it particularly well today obviously, but it was a character building day, put it that way. I’ll come out stronger for it.” You don’t lead the Masters for three days unless you have ability and control with your game. McIlroy’s game is a contrast similar to fire and ice. He’s got that perfect blend of fiery passion, ability, aggression and he’s learning to cool that down with a splash of maturity which comes from being in the thick of it and taking the good with the bad. This might not have been McIlroy’s time, but there is little doubt it will come. McIlroy’s maturity and resolve was always going to be tested like never before. Major titles are never won easily, especially at Augusta.

This is my first experience at it, and hopefully the next time I’m in this position I’ll be able to handle it a little better.

“I’ve got to take the positives, and the positives were I led this golf tournament for 63 holes. You know, I’ll have plenty more chances. Hopefully it’ll build a little bit of character in me, as well.” A valuable lesson McIlroy has learnt in the span of time he’s been a professional is to curb his youthful aggression and play with more tactical practicality on the golf course when he’s in the breech for a title. This he managed to perform during three rounds at Augusta. Experience comes with age, then again experience also brings knowledge irrespective of your age. With McIlroy you sense that he’ll know how to apply himself next time when confronted with the same challenges like he confronted around Amen Corner on Master’s Sunday. McIlroy went into Amen Corner without

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a prayer and left without a chance. It wasn’t Norman-esque of the 1996 Masters, but was not far from it. In four holes he lost six shots to the field and any chance of donning the green jacket. Others in the past have taken advantage of previous encounters with Amen Corner knowing what lies ahead, like in 1958 when Arnold Palmer outlasted Ken Venturi with heroic escapes at Amen Corner. Amen Corner also played host to Masters moments such as Byron Nelson’s birdieeagle at 12 and 13 in 1937, and Sam Snead’s water save at 12 in 1949 that sparked him to victory. Many modern day equivalents with the likes of Nick Faldo, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson made moves during these critical holes at Augusta to close their Masters titles out. Great athletes create opportunities and even

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14 Feature.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

Hats off to the South Africans RobWillis Another US Masters, another year of heartbreak for the Aussies with Adam Scott and Jason Day gallant in defeat, the pair of Queenslanders pushing all the way to the finishing line before coming up agonisingly short. In the end, the South African Charl Schwartzel was too good, birdying the last four holes to become his nation’s third recipient of the coveted green jacket. While disappointed the Australian Masters ‘duck’ wasn’t broken, you couldn’t be anything but impressed with the performance of Schwartzel, a 27-year-old who looked calm and in control when others crumbled around him. He joined Trevor Immelman and the granddaddy of South African golf Gary Player as a Masters champ, with his win coming less than a year after fellow countryman Louis Oosthuizen blitzed the field to win the Open Championship at St Andrews. Throw Els, Goosen, Sabbatini and Clark into the mix, and the South Africans deserve to be rated at least the equal, if not superior to the Australians when it comes to winning big championships on the world golfing stage. I’ve never met Schwartzel, but watching him handle the pressure of the back nine at Augusta, and the way he accepted victory without any histrionics or self indulgent celebrations, reminded me of a bunch of South Africans against who I competed against back in my days on the Asian Tour.

Charl Schwartzel is one of the many South Africans who show skill, guts and determination when it matters. (Photo: USGA/Hunter Martin) They were no frills players, very intense on the golf course, yet great characters off it, often with home-made swings that somehow managed to hold up under the gun. Some kicked on from those early days on the Asian Tour, others obviously didn’t reach the summit like a Schwartzel, Oosthuizen or Immelman have done recently, but all I would consider to be true competitors in the South African spirit, displaying the same traits of determination and will to win as their more recongisable colleagues. Nico Van Rensberg was one I’ll always remember. Built more like a rugby second-rower than a golfer, Nico was a school buddy of Ernie Els. I didn’t hate Nico but I hated playing with him, mainly for the fact that he hit the ball miles

and with his dry sense of humour and the hint of arrogance hiding somewhere inside all those from his country, had no problem telling me how long he was – and how short I was. He won often in Asia and I was more than a little surprised he didn’t kick on and join his mate Ernie on a major tour. Craig Kamps was another I won’t forget; a very serious guy on the course he put every ounce of his ability into his game and wound up being an outstanding performer. Kamps had spent some time in the military before turning professional and as a result was extremely fit, while possessing that ‘army’ mentality and high level of discipline. He had an ugly swing though, however it was one he was able to make work. I probably liked him more on a Sunday than I did during a tournament week, when the game face came off and he let himself go just a little.

The best bloke of them all was a fellow named Hendrik Buhrmann. He was a Dutch-South African and despite having all the similar traits of competitiveness and intensity on the course, he was also a gentleman to be partnered with. And there were more. They were all great to compete against and great to be around, probably most significantly for the fact that they possessed a number of similarities to the Aussies. They had a fierce patriotism and oneeyed support of their national sporting teams, while we also shared a love of a beer and laugh on a Sunday afternoon after the tournament had been run and won. I remember watching the 1995 Rugby World Cup in the company of about six or seven South Africans. Just like us Aussies, they became engulfed in the game, which was played late at night due to the time difference. They rode every moment, before crying with joy and then celebrating the success long into the wee hours. Because of the passion they had that night and the unbridled pride they showed in their national team, I remember that game more vividly than I do any of the two Wallaby wins in the same event. So, as devastating as it was to see Schwartzel relegate the two Queenslanders into second place, you couldn’t help but have a sense of appreciation for another tough South African, one who showed skill, guts and determination when it mattered. And one, who like many of his fellow countrymen, probably enjoyed a beer or three to celebrate his success with a whole group of his mates by his side.

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Industrynews 15

US ideas fest a winner Another Shark, please DavidNewbery AARON Muirhead is one Australian golf club manager benefitting from attending a recent Club Managers’ Association of America conference. Muirhead, the general manager at Redland Bay Golf club in Brisbane, was impressed with what he heard, and reported his findings to a meeting of Golf Management Australia (Queensland Division) members at Ballina in NSW. “The way they do it over there is absolutely brilliant,” he said. “The information they give you is second to none – not so much on how to run your club but what you can do to improve your club. “It was fantastic and something that I will remember for the rest of my life.” He said American golf clubs had been hard hit by the global financial crisis and, not surprisingly, one of the major topics for discussion was club memberships. “Pretty much the entire conference was about how to bring new members to your club; how to cost save and how keep your staff,” he said. “Those were the three key elements of the conference. “They have an ageing membership and the retention is dropping to the point where a lot of the clubs that had a $50,000 joining fee three years now have no joining fee,” he said. “They have dropped the joining fee and are trying to come up with ways to get members in the door and how they keep them. “They are even looking at daily memberships, weekly and monthly memberships, things they have never had to do in the past. “Until now, it’s been ‘pay $25,000 membership and play golf and do whatever you want to do’. “But now they are trying to break it down and bring in different categories for the members as well, which is obviously something that we have here to try and get people in the door. “It is early days, but I understand it has worked fairly well. Loyalty, he says, is one way to keep members – and staff for that matter. “It’s about making members feel they are wanted at the club.”

Aaron Muirhead He said Redland Bay, recently named Queensland club of the year, had already implemented initiatives to make its members feel wanted. Time poor members are being targeted by the golf club. “I want them to get as much value for money out of their membership as possible,” Muirhead said. “If that means putting on member-related shows, then that’s what I’ll do.” “This month, the golf club is putting on a Neil Diamond tribute show, which is free to members. “I am trying to give them those little add-ons.” And the club has started a kids’ club in an effort to stem ageing membership. “The kids club is not directed at golf – it’s directed at activities in and around the clubhouse. “Hopefully the offshoot is we get kids to join and then later they start to play golf. “The theory is if juniors are introduced to golf at a young age, they leave it once they hit their teenage years, but then they come back. “If they are not introduced to it at an early age they don’t necessarily come to the sport. “That’s what I am trying to do; get them involved in a club atmosphere and hopefully we can then start to do some clinics with them and hopefully we get membership.”

AUSTRALIAN golf desperately needs another Greg Norman. That’s the opinion of many of the game’s powerbrokers including Shane Bennett, who manages the delightful Sawtell Golf Club on the mid-north coast of NSW. “Golf needs a hero,” he said. “When Greg Norman came through 20 or 25 years ago every kid wanted to be like him and that led to your Adam Scotts and your Geoff Ogilvys coming into the game. “Now we haven’t really got anyone like that and the kids are attracted to soccer, rugby league, AFL and cricket.” And that, he says, has meant there are less youngsters joining the ranks. “It’s a worrying time for the future of golf in the next four or five years,” he said. “Declining membership is the biggest problem facing our club in the economic downturn and I believe that’s across the board. “The membership is age heavy at the top end.” Still, the game’s powerbrokers are attempting to arrest the trend. Golf Australia recently launched MYGolf into schools in the hope of connecting schools and golf clubs and the PGA’s PumpGolf junior program has been going for a number of years. While most metropolitan golf clubs are reporting a slight decline in membership, membership attrition at regional clubs is more serious. Bennett said his club had fabulous hardcore support from golfers. But most of the members are now on the wrong side of 60 and there are fewer youngsters joining the ranks. “This is a serious issue,” Bennett said. “If we have 600 members, more than 200 will be over 65. “When 100 drop off in the next few years they are not being replaced at the bottom of the age scale. “We have 150 players on a Saturday and only about 10 are under 40. “For the future of the golf club, we have to find other income streams to make money. “We have a beautiful golf course here, but the kids are just not coming into the sport. “If you look at the records of this club over the last 10 years, the Saturday fields have gone from

220 down to 140,” Bennett said. “With the economic downturn (younger) people just can’t afford it anymore – simple as that. “We have revised our membership payment options where members can pay $750 and no green fees, or $500 and a $5 green fee or $250 and a $10 green fee. “Because our green fees are due in December/ January, we are trying to make it less onerous at Christmas. “If you walked up and down the main street and asked people why they are not members of the golf club they will say they don’t get $500 value out of it. “They like an occasional game so we are trying to broaden our array of packages for people so they can all find one that suits them. “If membership was $50 and you paid $25 every time you played you’d have a lot bigger membership. “Putting the Saturday comp fees up from $15 to $20 is only one extra schooner, but if you say to golfers give me $500 at Christmas time it’s a big deal.” Bennett, who arrived at Sawtell from Gatton about four years ago, said the club was working hard to attract younger people to the game. “We have got to get the younger people playing golf,” he said. “I come from Gatton where we’d have 50-60 kids on a Saturday morning, but here if we can rake in 15 we are doing well “Sawtell’s population is 20,000 to 25,000 and we should be getting at least 80 juniors.” So, is there another Shark on the horizon? If there is, he had better surface soon, but don’t hold your breath.

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May 2011

16 industrynews...............................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au www.golfindustrycentral.com.au

Mike Orloff morloff@golfindustrycentral.com.au

BannLynch team to lead instruction in Florida

Steve Bann with Hee Young Park Florida’s Saddlebrook Resort has announced that it has reached an agreement with renowned golf coaches Steve Bann and Dale Lynch. Two of the most celebrated instructors on the PGA TOUR, Bann and Lynch lead the Golf Academy’s comprehensive player development programs effective January 1, 2011. They train students enrolled in Saddlebrook Preparatory School’s junior golf program, resort guests, experienced players, and TOUR professionals. Since 1990, the BannLynch golf team has been dedicated to player development, especially junior golfers. Selected by the Australian government to develop the golf training program

for the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) in Melbourne, which is centered on “Olympic-style” principles, the much respected Bann-Lynch team has been responsible for producing more champions than any other program internationally over the past twenty years. In fact, three of the program’s once junior players and present-day PGA TOUR players coached by Bann and Lynch are well known champions, namely 2006 U.S. Open Champion, Geoff Ogilvy; two-time Australian Open Champion, Aaron Baddeley; and nine-time PGA TOUR winner, Stuart Appleby. “I am excited about the opportunity

to have Steve Bann and Dale Lynch lead Saddlebrook Golf Academy instruction,” Saddlebrook Resort Chairman and CEO Tom Dempsey said. “With their passion to instruct and coach golfers of all skill levels, and their track record of success, the addition of Steve and Dale will further complement our ability to attract the world’s best athletes to Saddlebrook.” “We are thrilled about getting back to our roots and coaching junior golfers,” five-time Victorian PGA Golf Coach of the Year Dale Lynch said. “We will continue to provide instruction to golfers of all skill levels, but working closely in training juniors is something Steve and I have missed.”

The Dunes appoints general manager The Dunes Port Hughes on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula has formally appointed Barry West as General Manager of its new Copperclub golf course. A member of the Professional Golfers’ Association and specialist at Troon Golf, Mr West joins The Dunes Port Hughes from the Lion Lake Country Club in China. Mr West is also an accredited golf coach and has instructed professionals on the US PGA Tour, including 2005 Jacob’s Creek Open winner Steven Bowditch. The Dunes Port Hughes Chief Executive Officer Andrew Martin said Mr West’s appointment is timely ahead of the opening of the first nine holes of the Greg Norman-designed course. “Barry has a wealth of worldwide experience in both golf club management and instruction, so we’re delighted to welcome him to oversee the inception of our fantastic new golf club,” said Mr Martin. “Under his management we’ll be looking to drive membership numbers and implement a range of golf programs to help establish Copperclub as one of South Australia’s finest courses.” Copperclub has already secured 120 members who were given the

Gold Coast course seeking new owner R E C E I V E R S w i l l pl a c e t h e controversial Gold Coast golf course site in the Tee Trees estate on the market, but finding a buyer for it could prove difficult, reports Gold Coast Bulletin. The move to sell the 61ha parcel in Tee Trees Boulevard follows the appointment of receivers last week to a company linked to the estate’s developer Graeme Ingles. Receiver David Whyte, of BDO Business Recovery and Insolvency, said the development-approved land would be listed for sale within the next two to three weeks in an effort to recover an undisclosed amount for Coast-based financier Shakespeare Haney Securities. Property industry sources said it would be a difficult site to offload

because it had no developable residential land attached and, if a buyer could be found, developers were finding it hard to source finance for projects — a problem faced by Mr Ingles. It is the latest twist in an ongoing saga for those people who bought into the “residential golf community” and are yet to see its $20 million centrepiece course developed. The 18-hole course has been promised since people started buying blocks in the $300 million estate as far back as 2001. In 2008, Mr Ingles came under fire from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over claims made about the course in a 2003 letter to potential buyers.

Piranha Golf sign as NSW/ACT Order of Merit sponsor Piranha Golf have entered into an agreement with the NSW/ACT Division of PGA Australia as naming right sponsor to the State based ProAm Circuit. This will see Piranha Golf linked with the NSW/ACT Pro-Am Circuit for the 2011 season providing a prize money bonus to the Order of Merit winner as well as promotions to amateur players. “The PGA is delighted to have Piranha Golf on board as a sponsor of the NSW/ACT Pro-Am Circuit and we look forward to working with them to help deliver career opportunities to our touring members,” said Melville Proud, Executive Officer of the NSW/ ACT Division of the PGA of Australia.

“We are very proud to be an Australian owned company and to now be supporting our Australian Professionals,” said Piranha Golf Chairman Antonio Gelonesi. “We have quality products and this is a way for us to promote our brand within Australia” The NSW/ACT Pro-Am circuit encapsulated over 50 events in both NSW and ACT along with three South Pacific National Events; the Samoa Open, Tahiti International Golf Championship and the Vanuatu Open. The total circuit prize money exceeds one million dollars annually. For further information visit www.pga.org.au or the Piranha Golf website www.piranhagolf.com

Course finishes final renovation works

Barry West first opportunity to play the linksstyle course this Easter. Copperclub will then officially open to the public in June. Located 170km north of Adelaide overlooking the Spencer Gulf, The Dunes Port Hughes is SA’s premier residential and resort development, which over the next decade will see construction of approximately 2,000 homes and world-class leisure facilities including Copperclub.

Please congratulate the following General Managers appointments: GM, Midlands Golf Club (Vic): Mark Dalmau GM, Mangrove Mountain Golf Club (NSW): Paul Alexander Please send all new management postings to be included in a future issue to: ed@insidegolf.com.au

Chalambar Golf Club members gathered to celebrate the completion of the course’s three-year renovation program. The third stage, consisting of the front six fairways, was recently completed under the guidance of course supervisor, Gary Smith. President Frank Vernon said the renovation program hit a few hurdles along the way. “The first year we were in a

drought and had about 90 days without rain, last year the conditions were very good and this year, we’ve had about 90 days of rain,” he said. “Then we had the locusts, which arrived around Christmas time.” Mr Vernon said he had feared the project, which is located in Ararat, 200km from Melbourne, would not be completed on schedule, however it came right in the end.

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au.......................................................................................

industrynews

Golf Australia StephenPitt

Chief Executive Officer What a fantastic eight days we had at the Srixon Australian Amateur Championships. There was some excellent golf played over the challenging layouts. Congratulations to Cameron Smith, Matt Stieger, Lydia Ko and Ashlee Dewhurst on their victories in the Stroke Play and the Amateur finals. The championship will undergo some changes in 2012 including moving from its traditional March-April timeslot to January. January is a better time in the international golf calendar for elite

NIPPON SHAFT amateurs from around the world to come to Australia and we are better placed to offer an attractive amateur tournament schedule at the start of the year. Past winners of the championship have come from all over the world and we are committed to giving the best players in the world the chance to compete. In other championship news, Carnarvon and Newcastle Golf Clubs hosted our National Boys and Girls Amateur Championships in April. Both these championships boast wonderful honour rolls with the former boys’ champions including Adam Scott, Jason Day, Robert Allenby and Stuart Appleby. Following our successful March

handicapping seminars with the USGA’s Kevin O’Connor, we will be asking clubs to complete an online survey which will be available this month. This survey will allow us to gather more feedback on the current handicapping environment and every affiliated club will be invited to respond. I encourage all readers to regularly check the News and Communication section of our website which can be found under the Handicapping and Course Rating menu. Every handicapping update and communication is posted at this location and is the best place to go to keep up with the latest announcements.

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PGA of Australia BrianThorburn Chief Executive Officer

With only a month under my belt as the new CEO of the PGA, I want to start by saying how great it has been to meet so many within the golf community who all have a passion for the industry. To date, I’ve been able to meet with the Divisional Committees in Qld, NSW & Victoria, as well as many Members across Australia, and am looking forward to meeting many more in the months ahead. Heading into what will no doubt be the biggest ever year for Australian professional golf, I am confident that this will be an incredible year for all within the industry, a year that will put golf firmly on the map.

One of the highlights of the last month was definitely Andre Stolz’s win in the OneAsia Indonesia PGA Championship. The PGA is a founding partner of OneAsia, an initiative we support to grow playing opportunities for our Tour members. OneAsia has grown significantly in terms of events, prize money and stature since it was launched two years ago and Andre’s win serves as vindication for our involvement. With the summer of tournament golf now well and truly over, the PGA is focusing considerable energy on some new initiatives aimed at growing the game. This includes introducing nongolfers to the sport as well as growing the game at a grass roots level. Our Pump Golf program is again underway with over 480 participating

clubs listed on the Pump Golf website. A highlight of the program will again be the Pump Golf Shootouts, which commenced in April and will run at clubs until mid October. The Shootouts have been a huge success by providing junior golfers of all abilities with the opportunity to play in a national event, potentially winning a trip of a lifetime to the Pump Golf Junior Festival held at Twin Waters the week of the Australian PGA Championship. On a broader note, we are continuing to work with Golf Australia to develop a clear pathway for junior golf and provide PGA Members and golf clubs alike with a series of linked programs and events to assist in the development of juniors at their club. I look forward to sharing more information about this with you soon.

for a title this year. Sarah Kemp will share her time between the LPGA and LET where her conditional status will allow her to compete in a total of around fifteen events this year. She came close in Morocco a few weeks ago so a sneaky win will not surprise from the talented and determined Kemp. On the LPGA, well Karrie has already started on fire and who knows how many she might win but we will also be looking for more wins from Katherine Hull, improved performances from Lindsey Wright, and perhaps a surprise result from Sarah-Jane Smith. A gritty and flashy player, Smith can shoot low

numbers and if she can eliminate that one average round per event, she can certainly figure in the finish at any event on the LPGA stage. Nikki Campbell and Tamie Durdin are our sole representatives in Japan in 2011. With the first few events being deferred due to the natural disasters, it is expected players will still be competing in around 30 tournaments on the current “biggest” Tour in women’s golf. Both Campbell and Durdin are consistent performers, and winners, in Japan and are sure to feature week in and week out this year. All in all a strong ALPG representation across the Tours and we look forward to a successful year for all players.

ALPG WarrenSevil

Chief Executive Officer Twenty Australians will fly the Australian flag on their respective international Tours in 2011, with some having already commenced and some ready to start in coming weeks. We can’t boast quantity but there is no doubt we have quality representation that could see us boast winners on all major Tours in 2011. Already we have seen Karrie Webb clinch two LPGA titles this year. On the Ladies European Tour, Kristie Smith captured the Pegasus New Zealand Women’s Open Championship back in February and I am predicting there may be one or two more LET wins for Kristie by the end of the year. Karen Lunn, who won in 2010, during her 24th year on Tour, is playing the best golf of her career and could certainly do it again this year. We have a couple of young guns in Rebecca Flood and 2010 Australian amateur champion Stacey Keating who have the confidence and game to threaten week in and week out. Look for one or both of them to challenge

Email us with your address details for your free copy of the Nippon Shaft Catalogue

The names and Tour numbers in 2011 are as follows: LPGA Karrie Webb Katherine Hull Lindsey Wright Sarah Jane Smith Sarah Kemp (limited) Alison Whitaker (limited) Michelle Ellis (limited)

LET LPGA of Japan Bree Arthur Nikki Campbell Rachel Bailey Tamie Durdin Frances Bondad Kate Combes Rebecca Flood Stacey Keating Karen Lunn Kristie Smith

LPGA Futures Alison Whitaker Leanne Bowditch Stephanie Na

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May 2011

18 News..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

Indigenous champions HATTONVALE’S Barry Kelly and Kiberly Crawley (Horton Park) have taken out their respective categories at the 2011 Indigenous Championship at Murgon Golf Club. Kelly returned scores of 69-74-74 (220) to edge out the 2010 champion Brett Angeles (Nudgee) and Scott Ridgeway by two strokes. Angeles shot mixed rounds of 70-78-74. Crawley finished 20 strokes clear of the field

after round of 77-80-84 (241) with Kiri Sullivan (Middlemount) next best. Middlemount’s Rebecca Kimber took out the women’s nett category. The men’s nett winner went to Laurence Bond (Murgon), who returned nett scores of 55-66-70 (-19). Noel Bird (Wondai) took out the senior division and William Glenbar (Murgon) won the Masters division.

Lauren Mason lines up a putt on the final hole

Local knowledge helps Lauren Broom cleans up LOCAL knowledge was the key to Lauren Mason’s victory in the 54-hole Next Property Group Sunshine Coast Ladies Open Amateur Championship played at Headland Golf Club. The Headland and Horton Park member carded rounds of 77-71-76 for a 224 total to finish one stroke clear of Corinne Swan of Burleigh Golf Club. The Brisbane Golf Club’s Jessica Park finished third. On the final day Mason, who plays off two, squandered a five-shot lead at the turn, but held her nerve to edge out Swan. It was good to see Trudi Petrie (nee Jeffrey) return to competitive golf in Queensland.

Trudi had an impressive junior amateur career representing Queensland and Australia before joining the professional ranks and playing on both the Australian and Japanese circuits. She later joined the Army and won the Australian Defence Forces Championship in 2007. Her return to competitive golf comes after the birth of a son and the petite lady showed she hasn’t lost her competitive streak. She played in the final group on Sunday and took out the Mid Champion title. Gennai Goodwin of Mossma won the junior championship and Josie Ryan took out the senior championship.

Sam Broom kicks off his 2011 campaign in style CENTRAL Queensland’s 2010 men’s open champion Sam Broom opened his 2011 junior golf championship account with successive victories. The three marker easily won Wowan Junior Open with an even-par 70 and backed it up with a two-under-par 70 to win the Baralaba Junior Open. The Baralaba win was impressive given the course was still boggy from being under water for five weeks. At Wowan, the girls’ champion was Yeppoon’s Kiera King while Baralaba girls’ open champion

was Hannah Edmistone of Calliope. Rapidly improving teenager Caine Hendy (Yeppoon) rated highly in B grade boys’ titles. He finished gross runner-up at Wowan and gross winner at Baralaba. Another notable performance came from Elle Barnett (Boyne Island Tannum Sands), who won the C grade gross in both events. The CQ Junior Golf Championship continues on May 21 with the Mt Morgan Junior Open, followed by the Gracemere Junior Open. Both events are also CQ Junior Golfer of the Year point score events.

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amateurs 19

Nathan Holman: making his move AnthonyPowter When Nathan Holman won the 2011 Riversdale Cup on the third play-off hole over Matt Stieger last month, little did he know how winning his first National Selection title was to open doors. Holman’s Riversdale Cup victory had been a tournament of contrasts. The 19 year-old opened with 10-under-par 62 to equal the course record set by Daniel Beckmann in 2009, only to rebound with a sobering second round of 75. Holman was then able to then hold it together to get into the playoff with Stieger after rounds of 72 & 71. He’d held off a gritty and determined Stieger in the process of collecting his maiden Australian victory at Riversdale. Stieger would go on to win the Australian Amateur Championship the next week, Holman himself making the second round of the match play segment at the event. During the week at Victoria Golf Club during the Australian Amateur, Holman was playing more on adrenalin than anything else from the Monday before at Riversdale. The passage of a single week had produced marked changes for him, both on and off the course. Holman was seen as a National Trial winner, an emerging player that had broken through and his confidence was on a high. “If anything that I gained from the win at Riversdale is that I now feel I can win events,” says Holman. “Before, you feel unsure about whether you can win. Once you get a win like Riversdale everything changes and you start believing that you can compete and challenge for the main events.” Holman started playing the game seriously at 12 around Woodlands Golf Club south of Melbourne. He still plays out of Woodlands and competes this season as the Club’s number 1 in the Victorian Division 1 Pennant series. “I’ve spent my whole life at Woodlands and developed my game playing there,” says Holman. “It’s great to have a support base that’s been there from the start and continues to help me moving forward. This will be a big year for

me. I plan to get my world ranking higher and hopefully win one of the remaining Australian events this season. I’ve been a club golfer all my life at Woodlands and that’s something you don’t forget with those that have and continue to help you from your Club.” With the Mandurah Eastern Amateur, South Australian Amateur Classic and the Keperra Bowl rounding out the 2011 Australian amateur season, Holman would like to see another National Trial title fall his way. He feels another is due, yet realises the challenges with securing a win are there. “That’s the plan,” he says. “Our events are very competitive and winning National Trial tournaments given the strength of the field is never easy. I feel my game is there and to win one would top off the Australian season perfectly. Then it’s to the US to play their main amateur events and test my game over there.” Holman has never played the tough US amateur circuit, although he’s played in Argentina

and Japan. The reality check for Holman is that the forthcoming US campaign only came about through his win at Riversdale. Had the victory not fallen his way, the US was not even on his radar for 2011. “Playing in the US had not even been a consideration until after I won at Riversdale,” says Holman. “Winning an event like Riversdale makes it easier to apply for and get accepted in the main US events. It was a real eye opener for me and when you consider the nature and history of the US events, having a main Australian title to your credit has made a huge difference for the invitational process.” Another factor behind Holman’s desire to test his game in the US stems from recent discussions with one of Australia’s top former amateurs, now professional Asian Tour player, Kieran Pratt. “Pratty said to me ‘it’s a must that you go there and see how your game stacks up against the best in the world’, and that made me even more keen

to give the US a go.” “I’m sure it will be different to what I’m used to playing in Australia. But to get the opportunity to even be able to enter into their events is awesome and it’s something to aim towards.” Holman’s current world ranking is just outside the world’s top-200. That’s sure to change as many of the world rankings applied to main Australian amateurs improve once they compete in the UK & US. With a win at Riversdale, a runner-up finish at the Boroondara Cup in Victoria and top-10 finishes at the Port Phillip Amateur, the Master of the Amateurs, the Dunes Medal and the Portsea Open Amateur, you tend to believe Holman’s world ranking will change once he plays the main US events and gets results. Results speak volumes in sport, as does consistency, and that’s something Holman has as he ventures into new territory with optimism and belief that he can make the transition in to the main world amateur stage.

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May 2011

20 events..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

Some fantastic tour pros of the Holden Scramble The Holden Scramble has been Australia’s most popular and successful team’s event for 20 years, and one of the feathers in the Scramble cap is undeniably the ‘money can’t buy’ experience on offer to Holden Scramble participants. The Holden Scramble offers a unique concept by teaming amateurs up with a PGA Professional at the Regional Final level. But it’s what’s on offer at the Championship Final that makes this event really special, with leading teams paired with some of Australia’s—and the world’s—leading Tour Professionals for the final round. Over the past 19 years the Holden Scramble has hosted 112 Tour Professionals including 25 USPGA Tour players, 12 European Tour players, 10 Nationwide Tour players, 9 Japanese Tour players and of course a plethora of OneAsia and the PGA Tour of Australasia’s best. The Holden Scramble has played host to some of Australia’s greatest ever players, including Stuart Appleby, Greg Norman, Karrie Webb, Ian Baker-Finch, John Senden, Nathan Green, Peter Lonard, Mathew Goggin, Peter Senior, Peter O’Malley, Rod Pampling and Wayne Grady, just to name a few. Not on ly do es t he Holden Scramble attract Australia’s best

USPGA Tour Winner Nathan Green teeing off at the 2006 Holden Scramble Championship Final Tour Professionals, it has also hosted some international Tour Pros such as Bubba Watson, Bryce Molder and Jamie Lovemark from the USPGA Tour and Jean Louis Guepy from the European Tour. To give further insight to the quality of Tour Pros that have teamed up with nearly 1,000 lucky Australian

amateurs, the Holden Scramble Tour Pros have collectively claimed 18 USPGA Tour titles and four majors including three British Opens and a USPGA Championship. There are countless stories from excited amateurs as they walk off the 18th green after a round with a Tour Professional. From being told

by Greg Norman that you have a ‘pure’ swing to seeing your teammate, Karrie Webb, sink a hole-in-one to secure victory, the Holden Scramble gives players an experience that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. These great stories from amateurs teaming up with some of the game’s

greats is another reason why the Holden Scramble is so unique and why it’s been Australia’s most popular and successful amateur teams event for 20 years. For more information on the Holden S cramble, including a full list of local events, visit www.holdenscramble.com

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May 2011

22 Events..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

Moore Park wins Sydney pennant final AnthonyPowter Moore Park added another Division 1 Sydney Metropolitan Major Pennant Flag to its collection with a 4.5 to 2.5 win over New South Wales Golf Club in the final of the series at Pennant Hills Golf Club. The win is the Club’s third from five years and confirms the Club’s status as one of the powerhouses of Sydney Pennant golf. “This is a tremendous effort from the team,” said Moore Park’s Team Manager, Adam Hayes. “It was a team which included a number of rookie players like Jamie Hook at number 7 and Clancy Bowe from Ireland who played number 5 during the season. Couple that with the fine efforts of Grant Thomas, who remains undefeated in the final series over the last four years and the efforts of our top order player, Lincoln Tighe, all the guys made their own unique contributions to the win throughout the season.” Moore Park’s first match came with their number 7, Jamie Hook, with a 3&2 win over Andrew Grzetic. NSW was then able to secure a match back with their Captain, Ben Connelly, playing number 6 defeating Adam Kempt 2&1. The morning matches remained close and by the turn the final was still

evening balanced. “It was a fine effort there today from the guys,” remarked Max Lindsay, NSW’s Team Manager. “Obviously the result was not what we were hoping for, yet beating the defending champions St Michael’s last week and to make this final shows that as a team we are heading in the right direction. We are now looking forward to next year!” Moore Park’s middle order again delivered the goods during a Sydney

Major Pennant final as Clancey Bowe, playing at number 5, outlasted a determined Graham Blizard to win their match on the 17th, sinking a tricky 8-footer for a 2&1 victory that effectively handed the Flag to Moore Park. Luke Henwood at number 4 for Moore Park won his match 5&4 over Matthew Burns, while the efforts of Moore Park’s number 2, Grant Thomas, with his 5&4 win over Michael Bell ended a impressive season for the Captain.

Thomas has had an impressive year winning the NSW Golf Association’s Champion of Champions at the recent NSW Amateur back in March, secured a 5th placed finish at the Avondale medal and secured a tied 7th in the NSW State Amateur medal. Thomas is in his fourth year at Moore Park and in those four years has recorded 30 pennant wins from 34 matches. He’s also yet to lose a match in a major pennant final series during those four years.

With consistency of this nature, as well as the number of state player scalps that he’s accounted this season to keep his unblemished finals statistic, you would think State representational honours would not be far off for Thomas, as he’s certainly shown his got the game to defeat the best in the state . Another impressive performance during these finals series also came from NSW’s Dean Van Kampen playing at number 3 with a 4&3 win over Jason Barby. Previously, Van Kampen accounted for the 2010 NSW Medalist, Michael Williams, 2&1, and this pennant season won seven of his eight matches for NSW. NSW’s number 1, Michael Lambert, remained undefeated in these series and in the process made a vital contribution towards NSW’s win over The Australian to set up the team’s final appearance with a 1-up victory over Ian Bradley during their Division encounter last month. With the final already determined by the Bowe / Blizard outcome, the Tighe / Lambert toporder match was declared all-square. The results speak for themselves, three wins from five years and rightly so Moore Park is proud of its achievements in what is turning out to be a winning streak and complete dominance of Division 1 Sydney Major Pennants.

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Abbott a big hit in Ballarat

Big-hitting Simon Abbott led the field at Ballarat for the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Australia last month. But for the 2010 Senior Tour Champion, this year’s Senior Division title isn’t the only thing in his sights. Last year, Abbott ventured into the Open field to test the waters on a number of occasions. But 2011 sees him leading both the Open and Senior division. Youngster Daniel Lee is hot on Abbott’s tail, fighting for the Number 1 spot in the Open division. Lee debuted in Long Drive at the 2010 round in Ballarat, surprising everyone with his 2nd place accomplishment. Lee is now chasing Abbott with only 1 point separating them both. The cooler air in Ballarat didn’t deter the big numbers, with the top six Open competitors all managing drives over 340 metres. And it wasn’t just the Opens that smashed it out of the park. Tour veteran Kerry Devenish crushed an effortless drive of 301 meters in the Legends division. This measurement is not only Kerry’s personal best but also Legends RWLCA Longest drive record. The Legends division was introduced in 2011, opening up the event to competitors 60 years and older. The Amateur division was dominated by locals, with Graham Hicks claiming his first win with a

Results Open Mens Final

Young gun Daniel Lee is battling hard to grab the Number 1 spot in Australia’s Long Drive championships fantastic measurement of 295m, 14.5m in front of 2nd place Mark Ferguson. Darcy Anstis returned to the field again to better his 2010 attempt, taking out the No. 3 spot. Congratulations also go to Steve Eldon who won the Super Senior division with a measurement of 272.6m. Ballarat also saw the steady flow of newcomers continue to the sport, showing that RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Australia is a sport for everyone. Shane Keys entered the field at the 2010 RWLCA Final Championship weekend and since then has subtly shown the pros that he too is one to watch out for.

If you find yourself amongst the longest hitters in your club, and wish to test yourself against Australia’s best, find your local venue on www.longdrive.com.au, and give it your best shot. You will be certain to meet some of the best characters in the game of golf. Spectators are encouraged to come to the event, watch and chant on these power hitters and be a part of the “Most Powerful Sport in Golf ”. For more information, visit: www.longdrive.com.au, phone: 0402 650 360, or email Jason: grubersgolf@gmail.com

Round 1 Name Simon Abbott Stephen Kennedy Jason Atins Daniel Lee Mark Bylsma Shane Keys Round 2 Simon Abbott Mark Bylsma Stephen Kennedy Daniel Lee Final Simon Abbott Stephen Kennedy

Pos 1 2 4 3 5 6 4 1 3 2

Dist Place 320 4 326.4 3 304.1 6 332.8 2 359 1 315.3 5 322 331 -

1 348.5 320.2

Upcoming longdrive events

May 21st - Dubbo Golf Club, NSW June 11th - Richmond Golf Club, NSW June 12th - Georges River Golf Club, NSW June 25th – Secret Harbour, WA July 24th - Neanger Park Golf Club, Vic August 13th - South West Rocks Golf Club, NSW CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK: Sept 16th, 17th and 18th - RE/MAX Championship Final - Palm Meadows Driving Range - QLD

Events 23

OPENS Pos Name 1 Simon Abbott 2 Stephen Kennedy 3 Mark Bylsma 3 Daniel Lee 5 Shane Keys 6 Jason Atkins 7 Ben Dyer 8 Brendan Moylan 9 Damien Powell 10 Leon Ratapu 11 Robert Cowdroy 12 Anthony Donovan 13 David Wallace 14 Domonic Azzopardi 15 Paul Medic

Dist Points 346.6 34

SUPER SENIORS Pos Name 1 Steve Eldon

Dist 272.6

LEGENDS Pos Name Dist 1 Kerry Devonish 301 AMATEURS Pos Name Dist 1 Graham Hicks 295 2 Mark Furguson 280.5 3 Darcy Anstis 275.4 4 Sam Heins 225 2011 Championship Top 10 Pos Name 1 Simon Abbott 2 Daniel Lee 3 Brendan Moylan 3 Ben Dyer 5 Shane Keys 6 Leon Ratapu 7 Damien Powell 8 Anthony Donovan 9 Stephen Kennedy 10 Mark Bylsma

ESCORTED TOUR PROGRAM 2011 / 2012 • 7 rounds rounds of golf golf including includin inc ludingg Kauri Kauri Cliff Cliffs, s Ca C Cape ap pe Kidnappers Kidnapp Kidna ppeers and Paraparaumu p • 16 guests travel in 2 luxury vehicles with 2 of New Zealand’s best driver/guides driver/gui • Total flexibility with extra golf, golf sightseeing and ac�vity op�ons

AU$370 0p (Twin Sh /p are)

SSTART TART D DATES: ATES: THURSDAY 3RD 3R NOVEMBER 2011, JANUARY 26TH 2012, MARCH 8TH 2012

QUEENSTOWN – 8 DAY DAYS A S (MAXIMUM 16 PAX) • 5 rounds rounds of golf golf including includin inc ludingg Millbrook and and Jacks Jackks Point Jac Poi oin nt • 16 guests travel in 2 luxury vehicles with 2 of New Zealand’s Z best driver/guides • Total ﬂexibility with extra golf, sightseeing and ac�vity op�ons

Pts 34 26 25 25 23 22 20 19 18 17 16 15 13 12 11

SENIORS Pos Name 1 Simon Abbott

NEW ZEALAND GOLF TOURS NORTH ISLAND TOUR – 11 DAY DAYS A S (M (MAXIMUM MAXIMUM 16 PAX)

Dist 369 361.4 345 355.1 340.8 354.9 337.1 336 325.8 320.3 317.2 311 300.8 264.2 0

AU$185 0p (Twin Sh /p are)

START DATES: SUNDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2011, SUNDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2012 (FURTHER DATES FOR NOVEMBER, JANUARY & FEBRUARY TO BE ANNOUNCED PLEASE ENQUIRE)

TOUR BOTH ISLANDS FOR AU$5600 (includes domes�c ﬂight) Call 00 64 9 5364560 (Auckland, NZ) or email info@playgolf.co.nz info@playgolf. f co.nz Please visit www.playgolf.co.nz www.playgolf. f co.nz for our extensive list of New Zealand Ze ealand golf holidays.

Pts 60 59 44 44 42 39 33 31 26 25

May 2011

24 Events..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

Coulton wins 2011 Victorian Blind Open Championship

Kevin Yuan with Denis Spillane, Golf NSW Official

Rising young talent wins NSW Par-3 Medal Young gun Kevin Yuan from Bankstown Golf Club claimed the NSW Par 3 Medal with an impressive score of 53 (-1), finishing three strokes ahead of Liverpool’s Aaron Deeth. Yuan managed four birdies around the lengthy Par 3 Sefton Golf Club, with birdies on the 8th, 12th, 14th and 18th holes. In the women’s division it was Pennant Hills’

Rei Nakatani who produced the best score with a solid score of 62. Sefton Golf Course, who have now held the event twice in 3 years, yet again proved a great venue for this event with the course in great condition and near-perfect weather conditions further added to the overall success and enjoyment had by participants on the day.

2011 Prize Winners: PRIZE Par 3 Medal: Overall Winner Scratch (M/F) Winner Scratch (Female) Overall Runner Up Scratch (M/F) Winner Nett (Male) Winner Nett (Female) Winner Senior Scratch (Over 55 M/F) Winner Senior Scratch (Female) Winner Junior Scratch (Under 19 M/F) Winner Junior Scratch (Female) Runner Up Nett (Male) Runner Up Nett (Female) Winner Senior Nett (Over 55 M/F) Winner Junior Nett (Under 19 M/F)

NAME Kevin Yuan Rei Nakotani Aaron Deeth Raj Asawa Elaine Dawson Greg Corben Liz Cox Owen Woodley Celina Yuan Elias Koukos Carol Van Milder Douglas Tester Martin Rajca

CLUB SCORE Bankstown 53 Pennant Hills 62 Liverpool 56 Bankstown 45 Rosnay 36 Twin Creeks 57 Liverpool 67c/b Cabramatta 60c/b Bankstown 65 Beverley Park 57 Rosnay 44 Avondale 49c/b Fox Hills 53

Rosebud Country Club was the proud host of the Blind Golf Victoria (BGV) 22nd Open Championship in March. Nineteen players took part, with entrants coming from NSW, QLD, SA, WA and VIC. Blind golf has categories B1, B2 and B3 depending on the player’s vision capabilities. B1 players are totally blind. New South Wales player —and reigning Blind British Open Champion — Graham Coulton (B2), with Sue Carpenter as caddie, won the 2011 Championship with a nett score of 142. In opening the trophy presentation ceremony, BGV President Doug Sloan thanked the Rosebud Country Club for hosting the event with special thanks to the many members who volunteered their time as equipment manager, starter, marshalls, rules official, and scorers. He also thanked the players and caddies for supporting this major event. Doug also thanked Mr Michael Martin from Martin Assessing Services for donating all the trophies for the event. These remarks were wholeheartedly endorsed by Rosebud Country Club President Neil Heathcote who also acknowledged the Club’s support of this event for the past twenty-one years and thanked club staff and members for their wonderful assistance in running the twoday event. Doug Sloan then announced that Jeff Ellis had been awarded Life Membership of Blind Golf Victoria and Neil Heathcote presented Jeff with

Blind golfers battled it out at the beautiful Rosebud Country Club his Life Membership medal. To learn more about blind golf, go to the Blind Golf Australia website www.blindgolf.com.au or see www.internationalblindgolf.org Results: 22nd Victorian Open Champion Winner Score Graham Coulton 142 Les Brien Trophy (Best Gross) Jeff Ellis 203 B1 Classification David Blyth (Nett) 170 Glen Niciejewski (Gross) 305 B2 Classification Brian Gear (Nett) 158 Gary Sargent (Gross) 224 B3 Classification Rick Krolik (Nett) 153 Stephen Mitchell (Gross) 218 Blind Golf Victoria Rcc Trophy Women Joan Wheatley Men Tony Culprin John Maher Perpetual Trophy (For Caddies) David Meers 19 Points

Magenta Shores Golf & Country Club, Magenta, NSW

Bringing World Class Standards to Australian Golf Course Maintenance Turnpoint is the leading provider of Golf Course Construction and Maintenance Services in Australia and the Pacific region. We maintain a number of top golf courses under a world-renowned contract management model that delivers tailored golf course maintenance programs to the highest industry standards. Our courses include: • Sea Temple Golf Club, Port Douglas Qld • Kennedy Bay Golf Club, Perth WA • Magenta Shores Golf Club, Central Coast NSW • Mollymook Golf Club, South Coast NSW • St Andrews Beach Golf Club, St Andrews • Black Bull Golf Course, Silverwoods Resort, Beach Vic Yarrawonga Vic

• Kooindah Waters Resort, Central Coast NSW • The Ridge Golf Club, Sydney • Denarau Golf & Racquet Club, Denarau Island, Fiji (commencing March 2011)

Talk to us about how we can manage the transition of your Course Maintenance to a cost-effective, low-risk, professional contract management program that will have your golf course maintained to Turnpoint’s world class standards. To find out more, please contact Turnpoint on (03) 5977 1200 or visit our website:

www.turnpoint.com.au

a a a a a a

a a a

May 2011

26 Events..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

Morgan wins Women’s NSW Senior Championship A field of 60 of the state’s best women senior amateur golfers were in Sydney to contest the 2011 Women’s NSW Senior Championship at Cromer Golf Club last month. The Championship was played over 36-hole qualifying rounds, with the eight best scratch scores qualifying for the Senior Championship Match play. For players that did not qualify, there was also match play broken down by age category. The Championship Final saw Sylvia Donohoe (Narooma Golf Club) and Jacqui Morgan (Monash Golf Club) battle for the title. Both players had played tough matches in the Round of 8 and Semi Finals; Donohoe defeating Brenda Chalmers (Elanora Country Club) 3/1 and Maggie Hayes (Bonnie Doon Golf Club) 1up, while Morgan had wins over Gae Larcombe (Manly Golf Club) 4/2, and Dierdre Brander (Newcastle Golf Club) 1up. It was an even start to the Championship Final, with Donohue going 1up after the 6th hole. The score remained the same after 9 as Morgan continued to fight. The lead then crept to 2up after 12, with each player battling through 15. In a fantastic turn-around, Morgan won the 16th and 17th holes to square it up going into the 18th. It came down to the final putt, with Donohoe needing to hole from 3 feet to force it to the next hole. The putt rolled out, and thus handed Morgan her first Women’s NSW Senior Championship title. It was no mean feat to defeat Donohoe, who has won the Championship an astonishing six times previously. Morgan was, understandably, thrilled with the win.

Donohue captures NSW Senior Order of Merit

“Sylvia is a fantastic player”, Morgan said, “... so to get the victory is just fantastic. It was a great match.” The Championship Final — plus Finals in each of the four age categories – saw plenty of action as well. In the 70 years and over division, Joyce Williamson (Concord Golf Club) defeated Gloria Hickey (Coffs Harbour Golf Club) 6/4. It went down to the wire in the 65-69 years division. Shirley Walsh (Belconnen Magpies Golf Club, ACT) was 3 up after 12 holes, however Sandra Gillies (Long Reef Golf Club) fought back to be square after 15. The pair continued to tussle, however an incredible chip in on the 17th

for Gillies, secured her the match 2/1. Lynne Townsend (Wollongong Golf Club) started off well against Chris Taylor (Royal Canberra Golf Club) in the 60-64 years division, leading from the very first hole, and eventually winning the match 2/1. It was a tight battle in the 56-59 years division, but it was Johanna Carrigan (The Australian Golf Club) who came away the eventual winner, defeating Dianne Hoschke (Bayview Golf Club) 3/1. In the 36-hole stroke play event, it was Syliva Donohoe who took the spoils, proving to be far too consistent for her fellow competitors, shooting scratch scores of 78 and 81 (159).

Sylvia Donohue took top honours in the 2010/11 NSW Women’s Senior Order of Merit after some superb golf throughout the year. Donohue finished with an astonishing 1237 Senior OOM points from only 5 events, sealing victory at the NSW Senior Championship ahead of Jacqui Morgan (Monash Country Club) and Liz Smyth (Royal Canberra). Jacqui Morgan also had a great year with wins at the Barrenjoey Week of Golf, the Avondale Bowl and Elanora Salver as some of a few highlights from a long list of achievements. Rounding out the top 5 were Diana Johnson (Nelson Bay) and Nicky Moon (Federal GC). The Senior OOM competition runs over a 12-month period with events at numerous golf courses across NSW and some interstate venues. The competition is for female amateur golfers over 55 who have a handicap of 25 or less and are members of an affiliated golf club. For more information: www.golfnsw.org

‘Like’ a game of golf with an AFL player? ReAdy2GoLF is now on . Visit our page and click Like to go into the draw for a round at Moonah Links with Collingwood Premiership Player ChRis dAwes. Visit r2golf.com or facebook.com/ready2golf. * To

enter, go to www.r2golf.com or www.facebook.com/ready2golf and click ‘like’ before 31 May, 2011. The competition winner will be drawn from people who ‘like’ Ready2Golf as at 31 May, 2011 at 11am on Wednesday 1 June, 2011. The winner will receive a free round of golf for two with carts at Moonah Links with Chris Dawes at a time to be organised between the winner and Chris. If the winner is from a state other than Victoria, they will receive a $130 Ready2Golf voucher and the first Victorian drawn will win the round with Chris.

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au...........................................................................

May

What: Mornington Peninsula 54-hole Tournament When: May 3-5 Where: Rosebud Park, The Dunes and Sorrento Golf Club THE Mornington Peninsula will be on show to golfers across the country in May as the region prepares to host its second annual Mornington Peninsula 54-hole Tournament. Golfers will play an individual Stableford event on each day of the 3-day tournament. Courses include Rosebud Park, The Dunes and Sorrento Golf Club. Entry to the Mornington Peninsula 54hole Tournament is $235 per person, and includes golf, three lunches, trophies, the welcome party and a bag of goodies that will showcase the region’s attractions. www.golfmorningtonpeninsula.com.au What: 2011 Corporate Cup When: Friday 13 May Where: Settlers Run The Corporate Cup is a great opportunity to socialize and network with other companies as well as experience the magnificent Greg Norman designed championship course and facilities. Costing of $420 per team of four including golf, shared cart, light lunch, post golf BBQ and prizes. Please contact the Membership & Corporate Sales Manager, Chris Pym on 03 9785 6072 or email membership@settlersrungcc.com.au for an Entry Form What: Men’s NSW Mid-Amateur Championship When: May 19-20 Where: Cypress Lakes Golf Club The 2011 Men’s NSW Mid-Amateur Championship is being held at Cypress Lakes Golf Club on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 May, 2011. The Championship is open to male amateurs who are between 30-55 years, with a handicap of 9.4 and under. It is stroke play over two rounds of 18 holes. 2010 Champion, Pymble’s Guy Wall, will again be back to defend his title. He will be joined by a host of recognized midamateur golfers, including Ian Bradley (The Australian Golf Club) , Michael Gerstenberg (Goulburn Golf Club) and John McMiles (Liverpool Golf Club). $90 via hard copy, or $80 online. To enter, or for more information, log onto www.golfnsw.org What: South Pacific Ladies Open Classic, Masters/Seniors Open When: May 23-25 Where: Surfers Paradise Golf Club THE 39th South Pacific Ladies Open Classic and Masters/Seniors Open will be held at Surfers Paradise Golf Club on the Gold Coast from May 23-25. A mixed foursomes’ event will be played on Sunday, May 22. Former top Australian professional and 1991-’92 South Pacific Ladies Open Classic winner Rachel Hetherington and her husband Greg Ritchie are almost certain to play in the mixed foursomes. The 54-hole open classic is open to players aged up to 44 and on a handicap

upcomingevents

The 2011 Australian School Teachers’ Golf Championships Palm Meadows Golf Course, Gold Coast Sun 25 Sept – RACQ CareFlight Rescue Charity Day Mon 26 Sept – Day 1 of Teachers’ Championship Tue 27 Sept – Day 2 of Teachers’ Championship Wed 28 Sept – Community Coaching Golf Accreditation Course No handicap necessary. Friends and family who are not teachers are welcome to play. Playing Categories and prizes include: • Men’s and Ladies’ A-Grade Stroke Event • Men’s and Ladies’ B and C Grade Stableford Event • Non-Handicap Points Event Package Sunday Charity Day Golf Only ( 25th September) Supporting RACQ CareFlight Rescue. Includes 18 holes at Palm Meadows, golf cart and lunch The Ultimate Teachers Championship Package (25-27 September) Play Charity Day and 36 Hole championship with cart each day, players pack and prizes Australian School Teachers Championship Package (26-27 September) 36 Hole championship with cart each day, players pack and prizes Championship Shirt Golf Professional Development (Wednesday following championship) More information available at www.thegolfschool.com.au (Professional development can be tax deductable)

Cost $79 $275 $199 $25 $150

Register your interest to: admin@thegolfschool.com.au. For all enquiries regarding the 2011Australian Teachers’ Golf Championship, please contact: Sean Hughes, Tallebudgera Beach School. 0400 117 210, thehueys1@bigpond.com between 0-22, the masters (aged 45-54; handicap 0-27) and seniors (aged 55+; handicap 0-24). The 54-hole seniors’ event is a nationally-ranked tournament. There are prizes galore in all categories including daily gross and nett prizes as well as long drive and nearest the pin prizes. There will be prizes for 54-hole gross and nett winners and runners up as well as 36-hole prizes for gross and nett winners and runners up. Entrants are restricted to winning one major trophy and one daily prize. For more information, telephone Surfers Paradise Golf Club on (07) 5572 6088 or log on to the website www.surfersparadisegolfclub.com.au

June What: Business Girls Cup When: June 10 Where: Wagga City Golf Club Wagga City Golf Club has a 100+ year history and in 2011 its Business Girls Competition will be celebrating 50 years of their major event, “The Business Girls Cup”. Former Business Girls Players, Cup Winners, Runners-up and Scratch winners are invited to participate in this grand occasion. The official celebrations will start on Friday, 10 June with a Cocktail Party. All are welcome to play golf on Saturday and Sunday – either 9 or 18 holes. A presentation dinner on Sunday night 12 June 2011 will conclude the celebrations. All those interested in joining the Business Girls to celebrate this special occasion, should contact Colleen Watkins on 02 69 312470, or by email on maiah3@bigpond.com.au What: Banksia 2011 Victorian Men’s Par 3 Amateur Championship When: June 11 &12 Where: Kyabram Parkland Golf Club (Incorporating - A & B Grade Scratch, A & B Grade Handicap & Handicap teams (of 3) Championships) 54 Holes of stroke play. Handicap limit of 18. Field maximum of 90 Entry Forms available from: Victorian

Golf Association, your home club or Kyabram Parkland Golf Club ENTRIES CLOSE: 5pm Friday 3 June Fo r m o re i n f o r m at i o n v i s i t www.kyabramparkland.com.au, Tel: 03 5852 3146, or contact the club by email: clubhouse@kyabramparkland.com.au

August What: Australian Social Golf Club Championships When: August 21-24 Where: Gold Coast The ASGCC is one of the most exciting and enjoyable events for Australian amateur golfers, attracting golfers from around the country who enjoy their golf and the experience of playing in a professional tournament atmosphere. In 2011, the tournament will start and finish at the foundation course, Palm Meadows, with the middle rounds played at the superb Lakelands Golf Club and Robina Woods. There will also be an increase in the prize pool in 2011 to over $12,000 of prizes, trophies and giveaways with Drummond Golf joining as a sponsor and partner. Entry forms available in Drummond Stores around Australia. For more information and a PDF version of the entry forms, go to the Social Golf Australia website at www.socialgolfcc.com.au or contact SGA directly on (03) 5433 3213.

ONGOING What: Magenta Challenge When: Every Sunday Where: Magenta Shores Magenta Shores, New South Wales’ Number 1 resort course hosts the highly popular Magenta Challenge every Sunday. If you have a registered handicap and would like to test your skills at their wonderful Ross Watson-designed golf course, please call the pro shop on 02 4352 8145 to make a booking. Times are available from 7am each Sunday. Format is individual Stableford, and the cost is only $99, which includes cart. www.magentagolf.com.au

May 2011

28 results.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au EUROPEAN TOUR

David Horsey became the first player to win on the European Tour playing the new Titleist Pro V1x golf ball, making a hole-in-one early in his round and then sinking a 3-foot birdie putt on the second hole of a playoff to capture the Trophée Hassan II in Morocco. Horsey survived the threeman playoff that also included Pro V1 loyalist Rhys Davies. All three players finished at 13-under 274. Paul Lawrie achieved his first European Tour win since 2002, winning the Open de Andalucía by one stroke over Johan Edfors. Lawrie, a former Open champion, shot a level par 70 for a 12-under total of 268.

CHAMPIONS TOUR Tom Lehman fired a final round 3-under 69 to win the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic for his second Champions Tour title of 2011 and fourth of his career. Lehman’s 16-under 200 total was good enough for a four-shot victory. His second-round 8-under 64, which featured seven back-nine birdies, set the course record at Fallen Oak.

LPGA TOUR Stacy Lewis, 26, a former star golfer at the University of Arkansas who won the LPGA’s Q-School in 2008, claimed her first LPGA victory at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, and celebrated by taking the traditional plunge into Poppie’s Pond. Lewis finished the four rounds at 13-under 275, three shots ahead

of three-time major champion Yani Tseng, her main challenger over the final two days. Her final round included four birdies, just one bogey and a clutch 20-foot par putt from the fringe on No. 17 that will register as one of the event’s lasting images.

PGA TOUR Martin Laird rallied from a three-shot deficit with four holes to play, closing with two birdies and two pars to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational by one shot over Steve Marino. The win is the second for Laird on the PGA TOUR, following his win at the 2009 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

In one of the most thrilling Masters tournaments for quite some time, Australians Jason Day, Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy all battled to try and claim our first Masters title. Alas, they fell agonizingly short to a surging Charl Schwartzel who birdied the last four holes to take the Green Jacket. Ogilvy was a cumulative 12 under for the back nine over the course of the week but struggled to be two over for the week on the first nine holes, including a four putt double bogey on the second hole on Friday. Day had a remarkable week and while he didn’t win the tournament he did finish first in one important statistical category: most birdies in the field. Day made a startling 23 birdies over the

four days, six more than Schwartzel. Ogilvy was Australia’s second best performer in the category with 20 birdies while Adam Scott matched Schwartzel with 17. Scott was also the only player in the field to eagle the 13th hole twice - on Friday and Saturday. 1 T2 T2 T4 T4 T4

Charl Schwartzel Jason Day Adam Scott Tiger Woods Geoff Ogilvy Luke Donald

PGA TOUR PRESIDENTS CUP TRACKER

Brett Wetterich (fired a final round 2-under 69 to win the Chitimacha Louisiana Open for the second time in his Nationwide Tour career. Wetterich, who also won this event in 2003, finished at 13-under 271, one stroke clear of the field.

UNITED STATES

ASIAN TOUR Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand won the season-opening SAIL Open in New Delhi, India, converting a 3-foot birdie putt on the final hole to capture his first career Asian Tour title. The 21-year-old Aphibarnrat fired a final round 4-under 68 to finish at 16-under 272, edging overnight leader Siddikur by one shot.

were expected to come until his injury. “I had to completely remodel my swing. The second half of last year I started to play really well and this week I played great but the putter was misbehaving,” added the Australian, who turned professional in 1992. His putting came good at the correct time, though, when he rammed in a 35-foot birdie putt on 17 and holed an eight footer for birdie on the last. Leading final round scores: (Par 72) 274 - Andre Stolz (AUS) 67 70 69 68 275 - Rory Hie (INA) 68 68 67 72 276 - Gareth Paddison (NZL) 72 67 69 68, Park Eun-Shin (KOR) 69 71 66 70 277 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71 70 66 70 278 - Paul Sheehan (AUS) 69 69 70 70, Matthew Millar (AUS) 63 70 71 74 279 - Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 71 69 71 68, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 72 69 68 70 280 - Wu Ashun (CHN) 69 67 74 70 281 - Leigh Mckechnie (AUS) 69 70 74 68, Heath Reed (AUS) 69 68 75 69, Hong Soon-Sang (KOR) 68 69 74 70, Ryu Hyun-Woo (KOR) 71 71 69 70, Michael Hendry (NZL) 70 70 70 71, Ted Oh (KOR) 72 69 69 71

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Player Matt Kuchar Phil Mickelson Steve Stricker Dustin Johnson Nick Watney Jim Furyk Hunter Mahan Bubba Watson Mark Wilson Bill Haas

-14 -12 -12 -10 -10 -10

Other Australians Baddeley T47 (+5). MC: Allenby, Appleby

NATIONWIDE TOUR

Stolz wins Indonesia PGA Championship Australian Andre Stolz, who came out of retirement just two years ago, recorded an emotional triumph in the US$1 million Indonesia PGA Championship. The 40-year-old fired a final round four-under-par 68 for a winning total of 14-under-par 274. Overnight leader Rory Hie from Indonesia carded a 72 to finish alone in second place one shot behind Stolz at Imperial Klub Golf. New Zealander Gareth Paddison and Park Eunshin from Korea finished one stroke further back in the season-opening event on OneAsia. Stolz’ win follows a torrid time in recent years, battling a wrist problem that forced him into retirement for nearly three years. He gradually started to play again and rejoined the Tour in Australia in 2008. In 2009 he won the Victorian PGA Championship but his win in Jakarta, worth a cool US$180,000, emphatically announced his return to the top flight. “A couple of years ago I thought I would never play again and now I am standing here with a trophy for a US$1million event. It will take some time to sink in,” said Stolz, whose wife Cathy was caddying for him. Stolz won the 2004 Michelin Championship in Las Vegas on the US PGA Tour and more victories

US MASTERS

INTERNATIONAL Points 10,126,022 9,609,039 8,403,644 8,072,509 7,654,582 7,496,617 6,899,800 6,875,539 5,950,050 5,655,425

Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Player Charl Schwartzel Ernie Els Adam Scott Retief Goosen Jason Day Louis Oosthuizen Geoff Ogilvy Tim Clark Robert Allenby YE Yang

Avg Pts 5.16 4.61 4.34 4.02 3.86 3.60 3.59 3.54 3.43 3.11

World Rankings as at Tuesday, 12 April 2011 Top 20 Australians Top 20 Rolex World Rankings in Australia 1. Adam Scott (17 in world rankings) 2. Jason Day (24) 3. Geoff Ogilvy (29) 4. Robert Allenby (32) 5. Aaron Baddeley (58) 6. Stuart Appleby (73) 7. Brendan Jones (74) 8. Richard Green (75) 9. Marc Leishman (85) 10. John Senden (97) 11. Michael Sim (129) 12. Brett Rumford (135) 13. Greg Chalmers (147) 14. Matthew Jones (151) 15. Daniel Gaunt (172) 16. Marcus Fraser (177) 17. Nick O’Hern (203) 18. Andrew Dodt (210) 19. Steve Elkington (215) 20. Alistair Presnell (216)

1. Karrie Webb (8 in world) 2. Katherine Hull (23) 3. Nikki Campbell (37) 4. Lindsey Wright (79) 5. Kristie Smith (83) 6. Tamie Durdin (93) 7. Sarah Jane Smith (110) 8. Sarah Kemp (147) 9. Frances Bondad (181) 10. Karen Lunn (185) 11. Nikki Garrett (205) 12. Ashley Ona (224) 13. Stephanie Na (235) 14. Rebecca Flood (280) 15. Rachel Hetherington (301) 16. Anna Rawson (306) 17. Rachel Bailey (308) 18. Alison Whitaker (351) 19. Wendy Doolan (364) 20. Stacey Keating (380)

Top 5 World Rankings

Top 5 Rolex Rankings

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Martin Kaymer (averaged points 7.80) Lee Westwood (7.53) Luke Donald (6.97) Phil Mickelson (6.73) Tiger Woods (6.07)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Yani Tseng (12.19) Ji-Yai Shin (9.88) Cristie Kerr (9.22) Na Yeon Choi (9.12) Suzann Pettersen (9.01)

Stats and recaps courtesy of the PGA of Australia, the ALPG and Titleist. TITLEIST TOUR BLOG: http://titleistblog.com/ FOLLOW TITLEIST ON TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/titleist JOIN TITLEIST ON FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/titleistanz

L SPECIA E! FEATUR

Great Aussie

Golf Getaways

The top destinations Where to stay Checklists, Tips and Tricks Your complete guide to a great social trip, annual â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mates Weekendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or quiet getaway! Lakelands Golf Club - Queensland

18 Holes 18 Spectacular Views! Golf and accommodation packages available Contact us 1300 653 997 or outside Australia +61 434 004 029 View further details and photos on

www.whitsundayholidays.com.au

Hamilton Island Golf Holidays

Great Golf Getaways - Victoria

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Great Aussie

Golf Getaways Richard Fellner and the Inside Golf team

From the Gold Coast to the West Coast, from the Hunter Valley to the Mornington Peninsula (and everywhere in between), Australian golfers are spoiled for choice when it comes to destinations for a great golf weekend.

VICTORIA

Whether you’re planning a quiet getaway for two, or a massive annual golf weekend for the entire gang, Australia has myriad possibilities for a successful and enjoyable adventure. This month, we look at the top destinations across this fantastic golfing landscape of ours, evaluate some amazing Aussie courses, and even offer some tips and tricks for planning, organising and running a successful event. Heck – we’ll even offer a few secrets for organising some “side action” while you play, getting a “leave pass” from

VICTORIA

First, I should disclose that I am an unabashedly passionate Victorian golfer. I love this state almost as much as I love golf itself. But who could blame me? I mean, look at the amazing courses and facilities we have down here in “The sporting capital of the world.” From the worldfamous Melbourne Sandbelt, to the links of the Mornington Peninsula, to the challenge and

your better half, and some other tidbits to make it all more fun! So let’s jump right in and look at a few of the great courses on offer! (Note: while we cannot possibly feature all the amazing courses across Australia, we have chosen to feature a selection of courses in specific regions/ destinations. Of course, you could very easily log on to our website, www.insidegolf.com.au, to read full reviews of many more courses available. Just saying!)

beauty of Country Victoria, golfers are treated to a variety of amazing golf that is, in my opinion, unmatched anywhere in Australia (and perhaps the world). So a golf trip to Victoria should be at the top of anyone’s list for a great golfing getaway (but then again, I am a bit biased.) Some of my best golfing weekends have been on the amazing Mornington Peninsula. With great courses like The Dunes, St Andrews Beach,

The 4th hole at The Open Course - Moonah Links

Moonah Links, RACV Cape Schanck Resort, Eagle Ridge, Flinders, Portsea and Rosebud Country Club (to name but a few), you simply cannot go wrong . 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. But I digress. We’re here to talk about the golf!

Moonah Links

Arguably one of the premier Golf Resorts in Victoria, Moonah Links Resort offers two worldclass championship golf courses — each boasting superior course conditions which assure year round playability. The Open Course is a true test of golf. Designed to host the Australian Open, the

course is long, challenging and full of riskreward situations. It is a visually stunning course that offers some of the most amazing scenery around, and some of the best-conditioned greens in the area. The Legends Course offers the perfect complement to the Open Course. While equally stunning in both design, scenery and conditioning, the Legends Course gives golfers of all levels a setting that is fun and challenging. It is one of our group’s favourite locations, and we find ourselves returning there on a regular basis. Complementing the course facilities are a driving range and practice facilities designed to Australian Institute of Sport specifications and one of the foremost elite training facilities in world golf – The Moonah Links Golf Academy – home to Golf Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport elite player development programs.

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Hamilton Island Golf Club

When we told Peter Thomson, five-time British Open winner, that we’d like a rather special course here on Hamilton Island, he smiled and said “I’ll design you a course that’s as dramatic and breathtaking as the outlook it enjoys”. And he succeeded. From the challenging fairways to a clubhouse with 5-star cuisine, the golf here is already legendary. But that’s just the tee off. Next come the local beaches and waterways, offering some of the world’s best sailing, diving, fishing and kayaking. And then there’s the huge range of hotels including the award-winning qualia resort as well as a choice of fine dining restaurants – along with some exclusive real estate that’s really worth owning. With just a short 2 or 3 hour direct flight from most mainland Australian cities, arriving here is easy. Call us now on 137 333 or visit hamiltonisland.com.au

G O L F • S A I L • D I V E • E X P L O R E • R E L A X • L I V E

32 With the largest fleet of motorized golf carts in Victoria, a comprehensive pro shop, 89 luxuriously appointed guest rooms, restaurant, spike bar, extensive banquet and conference facilities, day spa and ancillary recreational facilities such as a swimming pool and tennis courts, Moonah Links Resort constitutes one of the finest, most comprehensive Golf Resorts in the country. Since opening in late 2003 Moonah Links Resort has achieved global recognition and acclaim having hosted five major internationally telecast tournaments:- the 2003 and 2005 Australian Open Golf Championships and the 2008, 2009 and 20010 Moonah Classic. The Moonah Links Open Course has been Voted No. 1 Best Conditioned Golf Course in Australia, while the Legends Course has been voted No. 2 Best Conditioned Golf Course in Australia (via the Golf Course Guide) Enquiries: 03 5988 2000 moonah@moonahlinks.com.au www.peppers.com.au/moonah 55 Peter Thomson Drive Fingal, Victoria 3939

Great Golf Getaways - Victoria

VICTORIA

Peninsula

The fabulous Peninsula Country Golf Club in the southern suburbs of Melbourne is a wellknown name to most golfers. With a long history of being one of the area’s most respected and revered private courses, Peninsula is on many players’ “must play” lists. Founded back in the 1920’s when Frankston was an outpost of Melbourne, the Club has always had accommodation as part of the Club’s facilities — first as a means to accommodate Members who travelled by train (then horse &

Peninsula Country Golf Club

buggy) from Melbourne to get to their Club. It is now there to welcome and provide rooms for golfers from around the world. Following the last ten years of renovations, the Club is once again restored to its rightful place as one of the best golfing facilities in Australia. On a recent visit, Inside Golf got to play the Michael Clayton Golf Design redesign, and we can see why both courses have shot back up the Australian ratings. Always in great condition we also found the setting, 150 hectares of secluded and private bushland, to be perfect for a golfing getaway yet now only 45 minutes from the Melbourne CBD. While we were tempted by the beautiful food and extensive wine list, we had to get out to the

courses. After all, golf on two beautiful courses is what a stay at Peninsula is really about! For those who are not familiar with the facility, Peninsula has two nationally recognised courses — each ranked in Australia’s Top 30. The Clayton redesign is such that every hole provides a worthy test for champions and enthusiasts. Both the North and South courses have superb fairways, bent grass greens, natural vegetation and strategic bunkering in true sandbelt tradition. Despite the traditional private Club status, a unique aspect of Peninsula is the 41 rooms that come with a range of different Play and Stay packages. We were given a tour of the Clubhouse during our visit and met golfing groups from NSW, Qld and South Australia. Many of those

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

groups have been coming to the Club for over ten years for their annual golfing trips. Clearly Peninsula is not a hidden secret to those “in the know”. It’s fair to say we enjoyed our visit and were impressed by what we saw. It had been a few years since our last visit and the development at the Club in recent times was outstanding. It is now a complete golfing facility with the great courses as mentioned but also a superb shortgame practice area, full practice fairway and 1200m2 putting green. Add in new tennis courts, lawn bowls, croquet, and a BBQ area with bay views and we know where we’ll be heading for our next vacation. Enquiries: 03 9789 2222 functions@peninsulagolf.com.au www.peninsulagolf.com.au Skye Road Frankston Victoria

Settlers Run

Lying adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne and centrally located just 40 minutes from the Melbourne CBD and the picturesque coastline of the Mornington Peninsula, Settlers Run offers a perfect blend of lifestyle and location. The state-of-the-art clubhouse, first-class dining facilities and attentive staff will ensure all guests are entertained in style. This master planned residential community has been designed to maintain the area’s natural ambience, with two thirds dedicated to green open spaces. The centre piece of the development is the Greg Norman – designed championship golf course and 10-million-dollar Golf & Country Club. Greg Norman design has taken the best elements of Melbourne’s renowned sandbelt

Play, Relax & Unwind... With your Auto Club Membership.

RACV Royal Pines Resort offers fantastic golf and accommodation discounts to Auto Club members of RACV, RACQ, NRMA and other Australian and International Auto Club members. Play a round of golf with shared electric golf cart from only $59*. Non-members $72. Stay and unwind in 5-star accommodation from $150*. Non-members $190. Receive a FREE sleeve of Top Flite golf balls with every green-fee!*

RACV Royal Pines Resort Ross Street, Benowa, Gold Coast, Qld For bookings call 07 5597 8700 or book online at www.racv.com.au/royalpines *Special twilight golf rate after 1pm. Accommodation in Mountain View Room. Membership No. must be quoted at time of booking. Card must be presented on arrival. Golf Ball offer available until 31 May, 2011. While stocks last.

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Great Golf Getaways - Victoria

Settlers Run courses and incorporated them into a dramatic, natural golf setting. The design takes advantage of the undulating landscape and natural wetlands to create a layout that fits seamlessly with the surrounding environment. The bunkering is a key feature of the design, with Norman taking inspiration from Alister MacKenzie’s work at famed Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath. The fairways have been designed to provide generous landing areas to accommodate golfers of all levels. Couch grasses have been used on the tees and fairways, with the greens using a hybrid bent grass to provide a putting surface that will be among the finest in Australia. Numerous vantage points around the course provide spectacular views back to the Melbourne skyline as well as the distant Dandenong Ranges, reinforcing Settlers Run’s key attributes of providing a totally “natural” golfing experience so close to the city. Settlers Run uses the agronomic expertise of Troon Golf to ensure members and their guests play a course presented at tournament standard seven days a week. The venue offers members and guests a range of world-class facilities including a state-of-the-art clubhouse with a gym, tennis courts, swimming pool, golf shop, bar/bistro and Vue restaurant. Enquiries: 03 9785 6072 membership@settlersrungcc.com.au www.settlersrun.com.au 1 Settlers Run Botanic Ridge VIC 3977, off Pearcedale Road

Novotel Forest Resort Creswick While many golfers might be unfamiliar with the name, The Novotel Forest Resort Creswick Golf Course is a triumphant collaboration between the Resort’s developer and internationallyrenowned golf course architect Tony Cashmore. The shared vision has resulted in a course of forest framed greens, fairways set in cathedral-like passages,

Novotel Forest Resort Creswick sweeping slopes and cooling creek systems. The international-class course is of championship length from the back tees, running 6019 meters with each nine having two par-5 holes and two par-3 holes. The course design has allowed for the natural flow of land to determine the course routing wherever possible using all available ground elements–ridges, swales, spurs and trees to create golf course holes with individuality, visual beauty and strategic flexibility. Spanning 150 acres of superb golfing terrain, the Par-72 course suits both the novice and professional golfer, with a variety of teeboxes offering varying levels of difficulty. The facility includes a driving range and practice areas, lounge, electric golf carts, golf clubs and buggies for hire. Personal golf lessons are also available for those in need of last-minute tweaks to the swing (or a full-scale overhaul!) Novotel Forest Resort Creswick is committed to the health and well being of all who play, stay and enjoy the Hotel’s recreational activities, including its

challenging golf course and beautiful bush land surrounds. As part of this commitment, Novotel Forest Resort Creswick has constructed a privately owned water treatment plant. It is the first of its type in the country and makes the property Australia’s premiere droughtproof resort. In addition, the Golf Course Management Team have implemented an environmentally conscious maintenance regime involving the use of state-of-theart natural and organic products. This has been carefully designed to significantly reduce the need for toxic chemicals and pesticides. This all means that you are enjoying Australia’s most beautiful flora and fauna in an environment of pristine health and balance. All as nature intended it to be. Enquiries 03 5345 9600 reservations@forestresort.com.au www.novotel.forestresort.com.au 1500 Midland Highway Creswick, Vic 3363

Great Golf Getaways - NSW

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Hole 8 and a few of the facilities available at Rich River Golf Resort

Murray River region

The Murray River region is one of the quintessential locations for an annual golf weekend. Around 4 hours from Melbourne, and around 6+ from Sydney, it offers a central location for ‘interstate mates’ to meet up for a weekend of golfing fun. There are a host of top quality clubs among the 41 courses in the area, including Yarrawonga & Border, Cobram Barooga, Tocumwal, Corowa, Rich River and many more. The new ThomsonPerrett-designed Black Bull Golf Course in Yarrawonga is also setting up to be a real cracker,

with 9 holes now open for play. All in all, the area is a country golfing paradise, with many of the courses kept in fantastic condition, while the abundant wildlife adds to the allure of the region. The proximity to the Murray River also offers opportunities for fishing, boating and other watersports – turning a golf weekend into a real sporting adventure.

for players of all levels. With fully self-contained accommodation on site, it is also a great location for a “Weekend Away” with the gang, as Inside Golf contributor Mick Van Raay recently discovered: Clubs…check. Stubby holder…check. Slab… check. Novelty playing cards…check. Sub nuclear loud golf apparel…check. Friday off work… check. Three straight days of golf and fun with 20 good mates awaits. Locked and loaded, let’s roll! I love these Murray River golf weekends away, it’s always a beautiful country Victoria drive full of anticipation and yarns, with a mate riding

New South Wales Rich River Golf Resort

Nestled alongside the beautiful Murray River at Echuca Moama, Rich River Golf Club Resort offers a pleasant and challenging golf experience

shotgun, but I have to admit I never look forward the 3+ hour drive home after 54 holes of golf and shenanigans. So it was to my pleasant surprise that we rolled into the car park of RRGC after less than 3 hours drive from Melbourne. The golfing at Murray River courses is always excellent, and Rich River is certainly no exception. A pair of well established, solid quality, long country courses awaits the hungry golf tragic upon their arrival. I love these more forgiving open style country courses; the tree lined Rich River fairways are a challenge if your aim is not true off the tee but I guess a slicer like me has a

Lunch is on the club

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

$59 Midweek incl cart $69 Weekends & Public Hols incl cart 430 Wine Country Drive Lovedale NSW 2321 T: 02 4991 4777 | F: 02 4991 4888 | E: info@hvgcc.com.au www.huntervalleygolf.net.au *Valid until 30/05/11. Voucher must be presented at the Pro Shop prior to tee off. Any voucher presented after play will not be honoured.

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Great Golf Getaways - NSW

handicap for a reason and a recovery shot is often on the cards if you do find yourself in trouble. I particularly liked the greens, many of them large and some with a double tier, they rolled true and provided a familiar feel on each hole. 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 dams, which are currently full of water and as picturesque as ever! Rich River is perfect for these kinds of weekend or group events. The accommodation is comfortable and tranquil, the facilities are extensive with good hearty meals at the wellequipped bar and restaurant and you’ll never need to get into your car at this fully selfcontained golfing facility. Family friendly, there’s a nice pool area as well as full lawn bowls and tennis clubs. I averaged about 3 under my handicap over all 3 days and — as a relatively high handicapper of 24 — never really felt that the course was bringing me to my knees, like some links courses can at times. I’d highly recommend a group golfing weekend at Rich River. Enquiries 03 5481 3333, 1800 035 634 24 Lane Moama, NSW 2731 rrgc@richriver.com.au www.richriver.com.au

Cobram Barooga Golf Course

New South Wales

Cobram Barooga

Barooga, a small town situated on the Murray River, has long been one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations … and for good reason. The town is the ideal getaway and the perfect place to base yourself when visiting the area.

One of the attractions for golfers is the Cobram Barooga Golf Club, which offers two challenging championship golf courses. The Old Course is not long by modern standards, but the clever design and narrow fairways provide a good test. The West Course is slightly longer than the Old Course and has wider fairways and larger greens. In July, the club will host the annual Cobram Barooga Golf Challenge. This year’s popular two-day stableford handicap event is open to all comers and will be played on July 16-17. There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs. For information on the Golf Challenge the contact number is: (03) 5873 4575. Bookings close on June 17. Apart from two great courses, the clubhouse is open for meals, light snacks and is fully licensed. After a round golfers can enjoy the famous Murray River where you can fish, ski or just

relax near the water. Of course, keen golfers can also play neighbouring Tocumwal and Yarrawonga and Border golf courses. Accommodation choices at Barooga are plentiful. There are seven motels in Barooga – all within easy walking distance of the golf club, Sports Club, hotels and restaurants. And if you are too tired to walk you can always take the courtesy bus. The area has plenty of other attractions including wineries, art and craft galleries, museums, farms, parks and gardens, markets and retail facilities. Enquiries (03) 5873-4304 admin@sporties.com.au http://www.cbgc.com.au/ For accommodation information go to www.cobrambaroogaholidays.com

KALGOORLIE Golf Course

NOW OPEN!

Come and play the new Kalgoorlie Golf Course! Designed by World Renowned Golf Designer Graham Marsh, the long anticipated Kalgoorlie Golf Course is open to the public. Tipped to be one of the top ten desert golf courses in the world, experience outstanding golf in the outback.

Telephone: (08) 9026 2626

Email: golf@kalgoorliegolfcourse.com

www.kalgoorliegolfcourse.com

Great Golf Getaways - NSW

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

New South Wales

Whether you choose the Hunter Valley, Newcastle or Port Stephens you will have hit on a region rich in golfing treasures. Each region can boast numerous top-quality golf courses and venues. Over the next few pages we feature a selection of the finest in these areas. From the championship layouts of Pacific Dunes, Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club and others, these popular golfing destinations have it all. For golfers who are easily distracted there are magnificent beaches and wineries and mountains further inland. There’s plenty to see and do so take your time to explore and make sure you acquaint yourself with the locals, who are always friendly and go out of their way to make your golfing holiday worthwhile. T h e r e’s p l e n t y o f c o m f o r t a b l e accommodation and the entire region really is a one-stop golfing playground. So, what are you waiting for; isn’t it time to get acquainted, or re-acquainted, with some terrific layouts in New South Wales?

Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club

Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club “It’s an ideal, all-round, user-friendly golf course,” says golf director Troy Martin. “This place doesn’t tear your heart out. “It’s not overly demanding, but it has enough good holes to challenge the better golfer. And you won’t lose 30 balls and walk off hating the place.” Overall it’s a straightforward, challenging course devoid of any tricks and crazy architectural whims. One of the features is the redesigned 18th hole, which has been lengthened from an overly demanding par-4 to a risk-and-reward 454m par-5. It’s a dog-leg right to left, but golfers have to rifle their tee shot from a tree-lined chute and

avoid water on the right and out of bounds down the left. Find the fairway and it’s an easy lay-up to the valley in front of the green. From there it’s a wedge to the green. The 167m fourth hole is a beauty. A water carry from tee to green means an accurate midor long-iron must be played. There is a bail out to the right for golfers afraid of water. “We are accessible, not overly-priced and would love social groups to come along and have a hit,” Martin said. Enquiries (02) 4991-4777 www.huntervalleygolf.net.au/

New South Wales

Just 90 minutes north of Sydney, The Hunter Valley Golf and Country Club is suited to golfers of all levels, and features a variety of challenging holes. One of the great advantages of playing Hunter Valley is that you won’t have your golfing ego bruised. Like a fine glass of red wine, a game here will be good for you.

The Vintage

Located at Pokolbin, 10km north of Cessnock in the heart of Hunter Valley wine country, the Greg Norman-designed The Vintage golf course is bordered by vineyards and is beautifully integrated with spectacular valley landscape. Norman has weaved his magic at The Vintage, which provides professionals and amateurs with a challenging and enjoyable experience. The 18-hole golf course, which stretches to 6310m off the back tees, winds gently around undisturbed wetlands, water carry lakes and towering eucalypts.

Echuca - Moama

MU Wake up in green surroundings and fresh country air and forget all about city life. Set on the edge of the Murray River, you can relax and unwind in this stunning golf resort haven with a deliciously cooked breakfast and an added bonus gift of either: • $20 Motel Moolah spending voucher; or • 1 round of golf; or • golf cart.

$130

per night

Conditions apply. Available midweek or weekends from 01 June to 30 September 2011. Price based on two people.

03 5481 3300 www.richriver.com.au

Book yourate r o p r o c n o i t c fun w! no

Sanctuary Cove

THE PALMS IS NOW OPEN! Design by renowned architect Ross Watson

The Legend of Gold Coast Golf returns May 1, better than ever. Corporate Functions and Conference catering available.

Corporate Golf Enquiries: Brett Lenertz – Corporate Golf Manager 07 5699 9056 sanctuarycovegolfclub.com.au

• The Palms Golf Course at Sanctuary Cove is another masterpiece from renowned Golf Course architect Ross Watson. • With gently undulating fairways dissecting critically placed bunkers, it offers a wonderful challenge for all golfers. • With a par of 70, it has a mixture of long and shorter holes, with some par 3 holes that are sure to attract critical acclaim. • Visually it has that links style appeal, and the more golfers play it they will appreciate its strategic qualities. • A Great Golfing Experience.

Great Golf Getaways - NSW

Nelson Bay’s 18th green

The spectacular 8th hole at The Vintage Rated as being among the top two per cent of courses in Australia, The Vintage is a sheer pleasure to play – challenging but fair to all levels of players. The Vintage has a fully-serviced driving range, which is open seven days a week. The practice putting green is located near the golf shop and the practice chipping holes are located near the driving range. And if you forget to pack your clubs, don’t worry because The Vintage has some of the game’s leading brand clubs for hire. Golf lessons are also available. Anyone who plays The Vintage once will want to play it again so we suggest you

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

take advantage of the stay-and-play packages. Another reason to stay is the facility borders Beggars Bridge and Bimbadgen Vineyards – two of the Hunter Valley’s finest wineries. Enquiries: www.thevintage.com.au The Vintage Golf Shop: (02) 4998 2208. Stay-and-play packages: (02) 4998 2222.

hotel epitomises the best of hospitality and is centrally located making it the perfect place for a carefree break. The hotel offers deluxe hotel and villa-style accommodation. The villas are only steps away from the dining options and activities and are ideal for families, featuring two bedrooms and bathrooms and a huge living area with a kitchen allowing guests to prepare their own meals. There are also three TVs with a range of children’s and mainstream movies on demand. The hotel has the only full-time, purposebuilt supervised space for children of any

New South Wales Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley

Less than two hours drive north of Sydney and surrounded by picturesque vineyards and its own golf course, this award-winning

accommodation in the region. While the kids make the most of the indoor and outdoor play equipment, evening cinema and supervised activities, parents can sneak away to take advantage of the hotel’s leisure facilities including a heated pool, 18-hole golf course, and tennis courts or to reward their palate in a choice of restaurants and bars. An absolute must is a visit to the hotel’s Tea Tree Spa, providing a fresh experience guaranteed to engage all your senses and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. Indulge in a Peaches and Cream Body Wrap, followed by a Vichy Shower Experience assured to relax and revitalise you.

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Great Golf Getaways - NSW

A comprehensive list of beauty and massage options is available to soothe and revive the soul, as well as private spa baths and twin treatment rooms for pure indulgence with a loved one. All this with a championship golf course right on the door step. Enquiries (02) 4991 0900 or 138 388 www.crowneplaza.com.au/huntervalley

The Landmark Nelson Bay

Right in the heart of Port Stephens, The Landmark Nelson Bay has stunning selfcontained apartments offering an unrivalled view of the blue waters of Nelson Bay and surrounds. With studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, there really is something to suit everybody. Take a short stroll down the road and there is a world of entertainment right on your doorstep from award-winning dining facilities to crystal clear waterways, and boutique shopping. Facilities include spacious lobby with a recreational area featuring pool table, games room and steam room. Outside is the sun deck and lagoon-style heated pool with outdoor spa. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all about location at The Landmark Nelson Bay and as well as being right in the heart of Nelson Bay the Resort is also well located to a number of championship golf courses. The 27-hole Nelson Bay Golf Course is located right next door while just 10 minutes drive away is the stunning Horizons Golf Course. The highly-regarded Pacific Dunes Golf Course is also located an easy 20 minute drive from the Resort with a James Wilcher-designed layout that combines two distinct nine-hole

The pool at Mantra Aqua Resort loops to create a spectacular 18-hole course. The Landmark Nelson Bay have golfing packages to suit your every need (see advert in this feature) or you can ask the friendly staff to tailor-make something to suit. And best of all, they also do group rates so if your social club is looking for a weekend away make sure to ask when you book. Enquiries 1800 200 755 www.landmarknelsonbay.com

Nelson Bay, Mantra Aqua Resort invites you to experience golfing at its best. Stay in one of their 2- or 3-bedroom, fully self contained apartments, and enjoy golf right at your back door. Mantra Aqua Resort offers a selection of spacious, open plan apartments, all with private balconies/courtyards, air conditioning, cable TV, Kitchen and Laundry facilities. Stay at Mantra Aqua Resort and challenge yourself to 18 holes of golf at Nelson Bay Golf Course, then relax beside their 25m solar heated lagoon pool, or unwind in the heated spa. You can even BBQ with your mates or take

New South Wales Mantra Aqua Resort

Centrally located right in the heart of

Lakelands Golf Club, your ideal corporate golf venue with green fees from as little as $42pp Contact the club today on 07 55798700

www.lakelandsgolfclub.com.au

a leisurely stroll to the Marina to enjoy dining on the water front. They even have a special golf package available. For only $140per person (quad share) or $125 per person (six share) you get two nightsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; accommodation and one round of golf per person (Additional rounds of golf & cart hire are available for additional fees/charges. Package subject to availability. Excludes School & Public Holidays.) Large and small groups are welcome. Enquiries 02 4916 4777 www.mantra.com.au

Great Golf Getaways - NSW

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

(Left) Calderwood Valley (Right) Club Catalina

NSW SOUTH COAST

The Princes Highway stretching from Wollongong to the Sapphire Coast is arguably one of the best golf trails in the country. Dotted between Wollongong and the New South Wales / Victorian border are a diverse array of golf courses. From seaside links to stunning parkland designs, this part of Australia is becoming increasingly popular with golfers from Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. Finding a course along this stretch isn’t difficult. You’ll rarely have to drive far to come across a gem of a layout. When you find some time off the course, be sure to take in the region’s many attractions. Great beaches and wineries make it an ideal destination for families and groups of golf mates.

“Our biggest advantage here is that we have 27 holes which means we can cope with the large numbers of people who want to play the course,” club professional Nigel Wilson said. “Even on Saturdays we have tee times available for social and group play.” Wilson said there had been a lot of hard work done to make the club a destination in its own right. Catalina Country Club is also moving to become one of the state’s top event driven destinations. The club already plays host to the PGA Futures tournament, the national trainee title as well as the Jack Newton Junior Golf Foundation state age championship. “We’ve got the perfect facility to host these events and the feedback we’ve had has been fantastic. “The experience we get from hosting these events also makes us better at catering to large and small groups who visit here.” Aside from golf, Bateman’s Bay is home to countless off course activities with stunning scenery and some of the best fishing in Australia.

There are “play and stay” packages at Catalina Country Club to suit all budgets. Enquiries (02) 4472 4022 www.catalinacountryclub.com.au

Calderwood Valley

New South Wales

Club Catalina

Catalina Country Club is one golf course you just can’t ignore. The 27-hole club is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most progressive. That’s because it offers everything a five-star resort can but at a price which is affordable for everyone.

It’s little surprise that Calderwood Valley is so popular with social golfers. The course was built and designed for social groups and players. With no need to work around competition days the course is theirs seven days a week. Nestled in a picturesque valley 20 minutes south of Wollongong, the Ken McKay designed course offers a relaxed round. Each of the 18 holes has its unique features, combining clear creeks, native plant species, and stunning scenery. The breathtaking surrounds feature the rugged Illawarra escarpment as a backdrop. The course is always immaculately presented with well contoured fairways and true greens. There are 18 beautiful holes, but the 6th is our favourite. It’s not the toughest hole but definitely

the most picturesque. And best of all, you don’t need to travel far when you’ve completed the game. The accommodation is right there–just a short stroll from the 18th green. Calderwood Valley welcomes social group bookings. The weekday discount for groups of 12 or more players brings the green fees down to $16 each. Every group of 24 or more players receive a free shirt when mentioning the Inside Golf advertisement. They also have weekday discounts for senior card holders at $14 each. Being a locally owned and operated business, Calderwood Valley take pride in their course and the service they provide. They love to have visiting golfers and they’ll treat you like the valued patrons you are. Be sure to book ahead and speak with the friendly staff who are sure to make your next visit memorable. Enquiries (02) 4256 3055 www.calderwoodgolf.com.au

Noosa’s only championship golf course ~ 3mins from Hastings Street ~

Accommodation in a luxury two bedroom apartment Full buffet breakfast daily pp Daily Unlimited Golf pp (includes motorised cart) OR Daily Spa Passport pp (2hrs) Complimentary access to 25m heated pool and Fitness Centre Complimentary shuttle bus to Hastings Street available twice daily

$199* Twin Share ~ per person per day $159* Quad Share ~ per person per day Links Drive, Noosa Heads, Qld ~ Phone (07) 5440 3333 resort@noosasprings.com.au ~ www.noosasprings.com.au *Terms & conditions apply. 2 night minimum. Block out days may apply. Excludes peak periods. New bookings only. Valid until 21 Dec 2011

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Great Golf Getaways - Qld

Gold Coast/Qld

There is no doubting the Gold Coast is Australia’s most famous tourist destination, with more than four million visitors annually. Boasting 70km of spectacular coastline and beaches and sprawling over a 5000 square kilometre area, the Gold Coast seemingly lacks nothing for the international or domestic tourist. The Goldie, as it is affectionately known, is the place to go if you want to get away from it all – play golf at some of the best courses the country has to offer and maybe engage in some of the other niceties of life. There are many other distractions like great beaches, great shopping, sightseeing, boat cruises, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, theme parks, fine restaurants, casino, discos and jazz bars … and more. There are many factors that may make a sojourn to the Gold Coast nigh impossible if it isn’t planned properly. To begin with, the Gold Coast continues to grow at a rapid rate and has become a popular destination for golf tourists. So before getting to the important matter of organising your golf itinerary it is wise to deal with some of the many other arrangements – like accommodation. Because the courses stretch from Coolangatta on the NSW-Queensland border north to Sanctuary Cove and Hope Island, it’s sometimes a good idea to find a central location. A number of the resorts do offer accommodation packages including Royal Pines Resort, Radisson Resort and others. Once you have established your accommodation base you’ll need to do some advance planning to ensure you can get onto the best courses. Gaining access to Member courses on weekends can be difficult but most will accommodate you mid-week. The resort

41 shopping facilities. Or, revitalise and rejuvenate with a wealth of beauty and hair treatments delivered by highly-trained therapists and stylists at One Spa. With 5-star accommodation, award-winning restaurants and a championship golf course that draws the masters, you’ll wish your stay at RACV Royal Pines Resort would go on and on. Enquiries 07 5597 8700 Ross Street, Benowa, QLD 4217 royalpines_enquiries@racv.com.au www.royalpinesresort.com.au

Above Par Golf Tours

RACV Royal Pines courses differ and you will find it easier to step out on to the sun-drenched fairways that flow like green rivers. Here are a few of the many options to choose from.

RACV Royal Pines

Smart, contemporary and set on a worldclass golf course, RACV Royal Pines Resort offers everything needed for your next golf getaway on Queensland’s most famous stretch of coastline. Set a short distance from the white sandy beaches of the Gold Coast, and at the heart of the region’s sand belt, it’s midway between the sparkling coastline and the lush beauty of the hinterland rainforests. The jewel of the resort’s recreational facilities is the 27-hole composite golf course and stateof-the-art driving range, which offers the best in world-class golfing for both the amateur and serious golfer. With undulating terrain, magnificent greens and tight fairways that

demand respect, this is the golf encounter you’ve been waiting for. The course is regularly voted as one of the best 60 public courses in Australia and is the proud home of the ANZ RACV Ladies Masters golf tournament. Complete your golfing escape with 5-star accommodation with spacious rooms and excellent views of either the coastline or hinterland and the golf course. RACV Royal Pines Resort boasts a total of five restaurants, a cafe and two bars, offering a wide variety of cuisines. Guests can enjoy contemporary dining, alfresco poolside meals, pasta, wood fired pizza, cafe style snacks with coffee and cakes, a spectacular seafood buffet, and authentic Japanese such as teppanyaki, sushi, sashimi or á la carte. The entire group or family will find something fun and exciting to enjoy while staying at Royal Pines Resort. Discover the magnificent beaches of Surfers Paradise, the buzz of Broadbeach and within striking distance of all of the Gold Coast’s attractions, theme parks, coastline, dining and

Queensland

Golf tours and holidays with Above Par golf tours are truly an ‘Above Par experience.’ As one of Australia’s leading golf tour operators, Above Par will take the stress out of organising your next holiday. Privileged access to the finest public and private golf courses on Australia’s Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast ensure that they can satisfy the most discerning of golfers, and with 300+ days of sunshine each year the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast offer the best year round golfing destinations in Australia. Hope Island, The Glades, Lakelands, Brookwater, Hyatt Coolum, Noosa Springs, Twin Waters and Club Pelican Golf Clubs all feature in the top 60 public access courses in Australia, and are available to you along with many other highly rated golf courses. Above Par Golf Tours’ buying power at the courses and accommodation venues allow them to pass on significant discounts to all golfers, ensuring you save money as well as having an unforgettable golf experience.

Great Golf Getaways - QLD

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Stunning vistas at Lakelands Golf Club The Above Par Golf Tours team has many years experience in organising golf, accommodation and transport requirements for thousands of happy golfers. They offer fast, efficient and great value solutions for your next golfing holiday. www.abovepargolf.com.au enquiries@abovepargolf.com.au 1300 798 552 or +61 7 5522 9055

designed to an international standard, and the talented staff ensure it is maintained that way. The layout can be adjusted on any given day to accommodate the specific needs of your group. As many corporate and social group golfers play golf only on a limited basis, Lakelands event coordinators will assist you in identifying the best set up for the course to allow every participant maximum enjoyment. Lakelands employs a team of professionals skilled and experienced in assessing and identifying the specific requirements of a wide range of groups. They will work with you to ensure that both you and your guests have an enjoyable

day. Their experienced team will happily help make your event a success by assisting with things like player registration, handling entry fees, printing team draws and cart cards, organising novelty hole competitions, conducting player briefings, scoring/presentations and more. Lakelands enjoys the reputation of Queensland’s finest conditioned public golf course having been voted as such several times since its opening in 1996. The course is available to groups of 100 or more on Mondays or Fridays with availability to smaller groups from Monday through Sunday. In addition, Lakelands offers an extensive practice facility with 5 target greens and undercover

Queensland

Lakelands Golf Club

Lakelands Golf Club is well established amongst Australia’s leading courses. The 18hole, par 72 Jack Nicklaus Signature course was

hitting bays for inclement weather, electric golf carts (four seat carts available on request), public locker rooms and facilities, on-course drink carts and more. In short, they offer everything you need for a successful group outing. Enquiries 07 5579 8700 proshop@lakelandsgolfclub.com.au www.lakelandsgolfclub.com.au

Radisson Resort Gold Coast

Radisson Resort Gold Coast is the home of golf on the Gold Coast. This tranquil resort is surrounded by two golf courses and hectares

Get on board with

Go Golfing

and see the world!

Go Golfing, Australia’s biggest organiser of events and tours for amateur golfers, are currently recruiting motivated clubs and individuals to share in the rewards of promoting a club or group tour. With big numbers travelling, Go Golfing is able to negotiate group discounts for accommodation, golf, transfers,

tours and attractions. Go Golfing also provides assistance every step of the way for organisers, including a detailed itinerary for each club, personalised with their logo, preferred inclusions and pricing, a professional slideshow for presentation, flight bookings through Go Golfing’s fully licensed travel agency and a 24-hour

information line for tour enquiries. There is no stress, organisers just have to spread the word amongst members. At Go Golfing, we have a passion for making dreams come true so grab a scrap of paper or fire up your email and tell us about the amazing places and events you would like to experience!

Gold Coast

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5 nights / 4 rounds From $629pp Book now for winter bonuses!

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3 nights / 2 rounds From $359pp

For more info Freecall 1300 55 28 55 or +61 7 5562 5307 Email info@gogolfing.net.au

www.gogolfing.net.au Go Golfing Travel PTY LTD Lic No 2TA5414. Go Golfing Travel PTY LTD is a member of the Travel Compensation Fund

Great Golf Getaways - Qld

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

of landscaped grounds. Palm Meadows and Lakelands Golf courses are a few metres from the resort, while the Palm Meadows driving range is a short stroll from the resort entrance, and coaching can be arranged. Guests can play up to five challenging championship partner golf courses including The Colonial, Lakelands, Palm Meadows, Robina Woods and The Glades. Radisson guests are offered discounted green fees on all courses and shuttle bus transfers are available. Stay in a contemporary resort room at the Radisson Resort Gold Coast and enjoy all the resort facilities including two swimming pools, a day and night tennis centre, a day spa and fitness centre. Dine at the award-winning Chelos at Radisson Restaurant and Bar or relax with a drink in Rex Lounge. Radisson Resort Gold coast is 10 minutes’ drive from Broadbeach, entertainment and shopping precincts, the casino, two major sports stadiums and golden beaches. The shuttle bus travels regularly to these destinations and the Gold Coast’s famous theme parks. The resort offers a range of golfing packages for individual holiday makers and couples, social golfers and corporate groups. Enquiries 1800 333 333 (Australia toll-free) 07 5555 7700 Palm Meadows Drive, Carrara Qld 4211 www.radisson.com/goldcoastau

   Sunset golf at Noosa Springs Resort

centre, heated pool, tennis courts, conference centre and amazing views throughout, the facility is now one of Australia’s premier 18hole championship resort courses. Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort is the ideal location for a coastal golfing getaway with friends. It’s ideally positioned in Noosa’s natural beauty yet only three minutes from the activity of Hastings Street and stunning beaches From the moment you drive in, there is an air of absolute class about the facilities. Once you arrive at the front gate and drive through a lengthy canopy of trees your stress levels immediately drop. The landscaping on the drive into and surrounding the clubhouse has been so well introduced and thought out that it is hard to believe that it has only been there ten years or so. The clubhouse is one of the finest in Australia,

Pavilions available at Radisson Resort Gold Coast

overlooking the 1st and 10th tees and the 9th and 18th greens. Even if you’ve had a bad day on the golf course the magnificent balcony overlooking the course is one of the more relaxing and enjoyable experiences you will ever come across. The golf course is built on undulating topography and provides a variety of challenges for differing standards of play in pleasant surroundings. Each nine comprises the traditional mix of two par-5s, five par-4s and two par-3s with the alignment of the fairways taking into account the prevailing breezes and the sun. There are plenty of strategically placed bunkers off the tee that force you to think about club selection while the water hazards (there are many) add to the challenge. Once on the fairway, club selection becomes easy as the sprinkler heads and distance markers give accurate measurements to the green.

    Noosa Springs

Queensland

Noosa Springs Resort has undergone an amazing transformation from what was originally market gardens and animal grazing land. With a stunning clubhouse, world-class spa, award-winning restaurant, state-of-the-art fitness

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The 329m par-4 fifth hole is a real beauty. The hole is a slight dog-leg to the right with a lake all the way down the right-hand side while Lake Weyba flanks the left side of the fairway and extends beyond the green. It requires an aggressive tee shot and a challenging second shot. In addition, the par-3s are a delight and not overly long. Noosa Springs has all the modern facilities including a floodlit driving range, chipping and putting green and a well-stocked pro shop. And as we said, the clubhouse facilities are magnificent and the ideal place to relax after a round. Enquiries Links Drive Noosa Heads, QLD 4567 07 5440 3333 www.noosasprings.com.au

            

Stay and Play at Novotel Forest Resort Creswick FROM NOVOTEL FOREST RESORT CRESWICK  

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Novotel Forest Resort Creswick would like to extend to all Inside Golf Readers the   following special offer to play on their Tony Cashmore designed resort course.   One night in an executive king room including one round of 18 holes. Also includes    complementary shared use of one motorised cart.  

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    

   simply call (03) 5345 9600 and quote ‘Inside

$119* 

   Golf special offer’ to make your booking per *Rates are twin share. Offer expires 31/12/11  

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person

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Mention this ad when booking to receive your FREE FULL BUFFET   BREAKFAST    

  



 

Great Golf Getaways - WA

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Western Australia

From Seaside links to Country layouts; from Alpine resorts to City tracks, Western Australia offers a wide variety of the country’s best golf. While it may seem a world away, Western Australia is amazingly close. If you take a morning flight from Sydney or Melbourne, you’ll land in Perth around noon – which gives you plenty of time to squeeze in 18 holes (or more) on the same day. In fact, during Inside Golf ’s recent whirlwind adventure in Perth, we tackled 9 courses in 6 days. You can do the same! The golf in WA is top notch – featuring some of Australia’s highest-rated golf courses like Joondalup, The Cut, Kennedy Bay and Lake Karrinyup – to name but a few – while other truly fantastic courses dot the landscape, including Araluen, Sanctuary Golf Resort, Secret Harbour and The Vines. Here are a couple of our favourites:

Joondalup

You’ve likely heard of Joondalup, as it regularly features near the top of many of the regular golf course rankings. In truth, this is one spectacular facility, and is less than 30 minutes’ drive from Perth. With three 9-hole layouts – The Dune, The Quarry and The Lake – Joondalup offers something for golfers of all levels. The Quarry 9 is the most spectacular of the layouts, as it wends its way around steep limestone quarries and deep, menacing valleys. It is certainly the star of the facility – and a definite must-play layout. It’s hard to name just one standout hole at Joondalup–as there are many breathtaking (and jaw-dropping) choices. But you simply can’t go past the Quarry’s 3rd and 4th holes.

The magnificent 3rd hole at Joondalup Though only 136m from the back tees, the Quarry 3rd is one of the more intimidating holes in Australia, as hitting the green requires a forced carry over a “valley of death” in the front and right. If you do miss the green right, there is a steep path down to the bunker below (though this is not a recommended approach option!) After navigating this tricky par-3, you then must tackle the challenging par-5 4th, a double dog-leg uphill monster which wends its way around a large limestone cliff that protects an elevated green. A par on this hole almost feels like an eagle. From tee to green, Joondalup is one of our favourite courses in WA. The perfectly manicured fairways, the soft and true greens, the tremendous staff and the breathtaking

scenery all combined for a 5-star experience. Be sure to make your way to the Kangaroo Arms pub for some post-round drinks, followed by, followed by a relaxing stay at the amazing on-site resort, which is another spectacular feature of this remarkable facility. The resort features 70 beautiful rooms and suites, six function rooms, an outdoor lagoon style pool and heated spa, tennis courts, mini gymnasium, massage and beauty treatments, a cafe, restaurant, and cocktail lounge. In short – it is a perfect location for a golf getaway for groups of any sizes. Play here. Soon. Enquiries Country Club Boulevard, Connolly, Western Australia, 6027 (08) 9400 8888 www.joondalupresort.com.au

Kalgoorlie

While better known for its gold mining, red earth and blue skies, the Western Australia town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is soon to be known for its amazing greens, following the launch of the new Kalgoorlie Golf Course. Inside Golf made the trek out west to play this amazing facility, and we were blown away by the quality of the course, the amazing scenery and the hospitality throughout. If you expect Kalgoorlie to be full of roughand-tumble pubs, gruff goldminers and a dry and dusty landscape, well, you couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, Kalgoorlie is a fairly bustling regional centre with a population of 30,000 and all the modern conveniences of any Australian country town.

Western Australia

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Great Golf Getaways - WA

And now, they can boast to having one of the finest golf courses in Australia. The brand-new Kalgoorlie Golf Course is an absolute gem, and may very well be one of the most “Australian” courses you will ever play. Designed by Graham Marsh, and owned by the city of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, this 18hole par-72 championship track features an extremely playable layout, set in one of the most magnificent settings in the country. With six different tee boxes, Kalgoorlie is playable for any–and I mean ANY–skill level. Played from the black tees, the course measures a staggering 6768m, making it one of the longest courses (if not THE longest) in Australia. The “public” tees are a more manageable 5933m, while other tees are available for members, ladies and even juniors. Most of the holes are quite straight and wide, meaning that you’ll be relatively safe to hit driver throughout the day. But that doesn’t mean the holes are easy; on the contrary, they are anything but. A few of the doglegs – notably the par-4 12th – will require careful club selection and course management if you want any hope of par. The same can be said for holes like the par5 9th, which features a massive (yet narrow), three-tiered green that slopes from front to back (i.e. AWAY from you), and is guarded by a deep pot bunker on the front-right. If the pin is cut on the first/front tier, prepare for an automatic 3-putt. The par-3s at Kalgoorlie are glorious, especially the 218m 8th. With a slightly raised green, strategic bunkers and plenty of danger on each side, it’s the type of hole that can destroy a scorecard. Especially if the wind is in your face. Same with the 202m 17th, which features its own selection of nightmarish bunkers.

The 8th hole at Kalgoorlie

a step beyond the usual golf club grub. It’s also great for functions and events. With a course of this calibre on offer, Kalgoorlie is a fantastic destination for a quick golfing holiday or Social Golf Weekend, as it offers world-class golf, comfortable accommodation, and a unique nightlife scene. (Hint: try one of the thick and juicy Pepper-crusted eye fillets at the Balcony Restaurant above the Palace Hotel. We’re talking Fred Flintstone-sized portions here). After dinner, grab a few beers and mingle with the locals at one of the historic pubs, or kick back in your room at one of the 25 local hotels and dream about the next day’s round at Kalgoorlie GC. (Note – check out the stay and play packages are available via Rydges Kalgoorlie: www.Rydges.com/Kalgoorlie) All in all, Kalgoorlie Golf Course is an amazing track with a setting that is second to none. We are confident that this course will one day find itself listed among Australia’s top rated courses. And don’t be surprised if you see large tournaments hosted here in the future. Yes, it’s that good. Play it before the word gets out. Enquiries 93 Aslett Drive Kalgoorlie WA 6430 08 9026 2626 Email: golf@kalgoorliegolfcourse.com Website: www.kalgoorliegolfcourse.com

Western Australia The par-5s are equally strong. All four of them are solid three-shotters, including the monstrous 15th. Nicknamed the “Golden Mile”, this 569m beauty features a blind second shot, a valley of death along the right, bunkers at every turn and a very treacherous green. Of course, the main feature of Kalgoorlie GC is the red earth surrounding the course. It not only “frames” the course in a stunning visual display, but it also provides a notorious hazard for wayward shots. Playing off the red earth is akin to a soft clay, and requires plenty of practice to master. The same can be said for the various orange-coloured “waste bunkers” throughout the course: pretty, but deadly.

The sparse surrounds beyond the rough means you’ll likely find your wayward shots. But it’s a hollow victory, as the numerous prickly desert shrubs and bushes provide their own layer of peril; it is nigh impossible to play out of many of them. Also, much of the course is slightly “raised” off the ground – so if your ball rolls just off the fairway onto the red earth, you can find yourself wedged against a raised grass “lip”, which requires a tricky wedge shot to get back onto the fairway. Post-round drinks and food are a delight, courtesy of The Waterhole restaurant in the clubhouse. The food here is high-quality, and

Golf Tourism Western Australia (GTWA) offers a very cool Golf Map of the area (it was invaluable on our trip), and provides a detailed review of golf courses and accommodation options for the visiting golfer. Get your copy from the Tourism Western Australia website: www.golftourismwa.com or e-mail info@golftourismwa.com

Stay & Play in the Bay! 2 x Nights Accommodation in a 2 or 3 Bedroom Apartment 1 x Round of Golf each at Nelson Bay Golf Club $140 per person Quad Share $125 per person Six Share (02) 4916 4777 www.aquaresort.com.au enquiries@aquaresort.com.au

Package subject to availability. Rates are for unserviced accommodation only. Excludes all school holidays, public holidays & long weekends. Golf cart hire not included.

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Great Golf Getaways

46 Island Golf

Nothing quite compares to an Island Getaway. The feeling of being “detached” from the mainland can often add excitement, intrigue and adventure to a trip. For others, being on an island nourishes the soul and brings a feeling of well-being. And when you add a bit of worldclass golf to the equation, the sky is the limit! There are plenty of great options for an Island Golf Holiday in Australia. Here are a couple of our favourites.

Hamilton Island

The mere mention of Hamilton Island is enough to get most tongues wagging. The tropical surrounds, the laid-back island atmosphere and the overall friendliness of the locals are all world renowned. And now, you can add “World-class golf ” to the list. The brand-new Hamilton Island Golf Course – situated on the nearby Dent Island – offers a truly unique golfing experience. Designed by the skilled magicians at Thomson Perrett, the course wends its way around (and over, and through) a lush, tropical paradise that has a distinct “Hawaiian Golf ” feel. It’s hardly a location that you’d expect to find a course – the rocky and hilly landscape seem more suited to mountaineering than golf. But Thomson Perrett did a remarkable job in making the course seem natural and inviting. You have a choice of three alternative tees, which offer differing degrees of difficulty to all players. In fact, they are cleverly designed to make it feel like there are three completely different golf courses on the one site. The long “Hoop Pine Course” could easily host any major championship in the world. If you don’t feel like

Island Golf Hamilton Island - Island golf does not get any better

challenging yourself to that degree, then you can play the “Pandanus Course” or the shorter “Grass Tree course”, which is perfect for the casual golfer. Certainly part of the challenge when tackling the Hamilton Island Golf Course are the magnificent ocean views throughout. The tropical blue water contrasting against the green grass is mesmerising, and you can be forgiven for forgetting how to hit a golf ball. And with many elevated tees, you can’t HELP but want to let the big dog eat. But be warned: club selection is critical here. You don’t need to hit your driver off the tee on every par-4 and par-5. In fact, you may find yourself hitting irons or hybrids off most tees. The four par-3s are a real treat. Especially the 175m fourth, which is a challenge played across a valley to a large angled green. It’s the longest par-3 on the golf course, but it can be played from the Pandanus (161m) or the Grass Tree (110m) for a bit of relief. Similarly, the par-3

14th hole has its own valley of death, but this can be avoided by playing from the shorter tees, which are cleverly positioned at a near 90-degree angle from the Hoop Pine tees, thus creating a completely different hole. The longer holes are also special. The par-5 sixth hole is a solid three-shotter, requiring finesse and solid lay-up skills. So too is the par-4 ninth, which is guarded by the resident lake (which also houses the aquatic driving range). You’ll need nerves of steel to make that approach shot to the heavily protected green. What really gives the golf course a unique feel is that there are virtually no parallel holes, which gives the impression your group is the only one on the course. Such is the seclusion of this hilly, island adventure that you might almost forget you are playing golf in a world heritage marine park. The clubhouse is something special as well, with its entire eastern side open to the

magnificent views and cooling breezes. It isn’t hard to kick back with a cold beer while feasting on a sumptuous meal, and reflecting on the day’s golf adventure. With 6 different styles of accommodation on the island — from the opulent luxury of Qualia or the boutique Beach Club, to the more familyfriendly hotels and self-catering apartments — there’s a little something for everyone. Enquiries: (07) 4948 9760 golf@hamiltonisland.com.au www.hamiltonislandgolfclub.com.au

Barnbougle Dunes & Lost Farm

It’s hard to go past Barnbougle Dunes and the Lost Farm when planning an island golf holiday. With two spectacular golf courses, on-course accommodation and amazing food on offer, it is an ideal destination for golf lovers.

ARE YOU GAME?

Come and test your golf in the Cobram Barooga Golf Challenge 16th and 17th July 2011

OVER $2500 IN PRIZES TO BE WON • • • • •

All golfers welcome 2-day Stableford handicap event Special 2-day non-handicap event Nearest the pin competitions Daily winner and runner up prizes

• Dinner on Saturday night with live entertainment • Cobram Barooga Golf Challenge polo shirt • $120 per golfer ($40 for dinner and entertainment only)

This will be the friendliest golf weekend you have ever experienced. The catch… to be eligible to test yourself in this fabulous golfing challenge you must stay at one of the following seven great accommodation destinations in Barooga. Bookings need to close on June 17th so don’t be late.

Cobram Barooga is back on track to be No. 1 along the Murray Since the amalgamation with the Barooga Sports Club the Cobram Barooga Golf Club’s two championship courses continue along a dramatic improvement phase. The couch fairways have progressed significantly over the past couple of years and the greens continue their upward rise to golfing heaven.

All you need to do is ring or email and book direct with the accommodation provider….

The village of Barooga a great place to stay and play. A little over 2 hours from Melbourne and just over 6 hours from Sydney Cobram Barooga Golf Club is situated in the village of Barooga on the mighty Murray River on the Victorian NSW border next to Cobram. Not only do golfers have the choice of our great two courses, only 12 minutes away

Tocumwal Golf Club has 36 holes and 20 minutes in the opposite direction Yarrawonga has 45 holes. Barooga is obviously an ideal place to stay and base yourself for your next golfing holiday. Barooga is the place that has more sunny days than Queensland, has all

Barooga River Gums Motor Inn (03) 5873 4575 (Rod or Jan) Sportsmans Motor Inn (03) 5873 4444 (Paul or Wendy) Bullanginya Lodge (03) 5873 4636 (Bill or Libby)

the watersports, all the fishing, 2 great Clubs and a real country pub, fantastic bowling greens, a gym with an indoor pool,spa and sauna and seven great accommodation venues that offer great deals all year round, find all of this in one place… Barooga the place to stay and play.

Comfort Inn Cobram Barooga GC (03) 5873 4357 (Alan) El Sierra Motel (03) 5873 4477 (Michael or Lorraine) Barooga Golf View Motel (03)5873 4555 (Phil or Julie)

Cobram Barooga Golf Resort (03) 5873 4523 (Chris or Bec)

Or visit www.cobrambaroogaholidays.com

Great Golf Getaways

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

47 Phillip Island

Probably one of the most underrated golf courses in Country Victoria, Phillip Island Golf Course is one of regional Victoria’s most challenging and enjoyable courses. Host to the Phillip Island Linfox Pro-Am – which featured amateurs playing alongside professionals from the Mens, Womens and Legends tours in one event – the course offers something for every level of golfer. Despite being a country course, it is no snack. Though the fairways are generally wide and generous, there is plenty of thick foliage to grab wayward balls. The pair of U-shaped doubledogleg par-5s also add to the challenge, giving golfers many blind shots throughout the day. The course is also presented in excellent condition. The greens are soft, true and very consistent, while the fairways are generally lush and playable. And the friendly and helpful staff make every visitor feel like they are special. Accommodation on Phillip Island is also great for a getaway. During a recent trip, we stayed at the All Seasons Phillip Island Resort, which is a 4-star Accor hotel that features 211 villas among lush bushlike surroundings. With familyfriendly facilities including outdoor swimming and toddler’s pool, gym, spa, sauna, Kidz Zone games room, playground, tennis, BBQs and kilometres of walking tracks, it is a great location for the family to while away the time while you or your group are out on the course. And don’t forget about the many activities that are available on Phillip Island. From the Penguin Parade to the Grand Prix to the Amaze’N Things kids park, there is something for everyone. Enquiries 03 5952 1121 www.phillipislandgolfclub.com.au

Island Golf

Barnbougle Dunes

Phillip Island

Barnbougle Dunes is a true golfer’s golf course. Rated Australia’s #1 public golf course, the World #7 public access course and #35 in the world overall, it’s for the traditionalists who adore rugged, raw, “knock-down-bumpand-run-the-way-the-game-was-meant-tobe-played” golf. It’s a humbling, awe-inspiring course that demands accuracy, exceptional course management skills, and a smidgen of good-old-fashioned risk-taking “guts”. Golf “purists” will revel in Barnbougle’s simple, non-commercial splendour, and the absence of the modern-era “just make it long” mentality. Golf “tragics” will become mesmerised with the sheer “work-of-art” beauty of each hole, and the Zen-like feel of the course itself. The impeccably-manicured fairways and greens are among the most beautiful and challenging in Australia. To say that designers

Tom Doak and Mike Clayton followed the natural lay of the land is an understatement. It’s as if they simply unrolled a grass carpet across the undulating landscape. Players will love the challenge of snaking a putt through the enigmatic left-right-left-downhill breaks on the slick 13th green. Or “threading the needle” on the monstrous 8th to carefully place a drive on a narrow strip of elevated fairway — flirting precariously with the ball-devouring rough on the left, and the valley of death on the right. Indeed, this is golf at its finest! The elements play a pivotal role at Barnbougle. On a calm day, golfers will have many opportunities for creative, glorious, “tell-yourfriends-about-it” shotmaking. On a windy day, however, you’ll use all 14 clubs in your bag (maybe all on the same hole!). But Doak and Clayton have masterfully (and mercifully) arranged the holes so that the wind is generally

CLUBCATALINA COUNTRY CLUB

either in your face, or at your back. So even in the heaviest of gales the course is very playable for the smart golfer. Add to this the course’s nearly unlimited combinations of clever tee-boxes and creative pin placements, and you end up with a course that is deliciously unpredictable, and highly addictive. The only drawback for many social groups is the lack of golf carts. But if you’re used to walking a course (especially a hilly one) then the inconvenience is minor. With the addition of the new 20-hole Lost Farm course adjacent to Barnbougle Dunes – and the new Lodge and Health Spa – the Barnbougle facility now gives golf groups of all shapes and sizes an interesting and exciting holiday option. Enquiries 03 6356 0094 www.barnbougledunes.com.au 03 6356 1124 www.lostfarm.com.au

BALLINA Golf & Sports Club

BALLINA Golf

& Sports Club

Only uth r so 1 houf the o t Coas d l o G

Coachhouse Marina Resort

4.5 star fully self contained villas Located opposite ClubCatalina Country Club

2 Night package incl:

• 2 nights accommodation • 2 x continental breakfast • 1 x 3 course evening meal at Café Catalina • 2 days golf (18 holes) at ClubCatalina • Cart included • All members entitlements. • Stubby holder

Unlimited Golf

after 3pm daily $20pp includes a drink in the Clubhouse after the game

Sunday Golf

18 holes for $33pp

includes a drink in the Clubhouse after the game

(conditions apply)

Package Price $410pp twin share

Home of the PGA National Futures Championship For information about problem gambling and help options, call Gambling Help 24/7 on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghangover.nsw.gov.au

154 Beach Road, Batemans Bay Ph: 4472 4022 clubcatalina.com.au

Quality 18 Hole (Par 72) Championship Golf Course Two PGA Golf Professionals on-site

Superb Chinese Restaurant

Social Clubs Welcome $42 per Player*

Full Clubhouse Facilities (incl TAB)

Ph: 6686 2766 or admin@ballinagolfclub.com.au shared cart or www.ballinagolfclub.com.au *Includes minimum 12 players

Great Golf Getaways

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

What to pack for a golf weekend RichardFellner For some of us, “packing” for a golf trip away is a simple affair: 1) the bag, 2) shoes, and 3) a handful of clothes. Anything else can either be bought, borrowed, or (in some cases) stolen. But for the rest of us, preparing for a golf weekend is a more involved affair, requiring a full arsenal of equipment, attire and assorted personal items. Either way, there’s nothing worse than arriving at the course and realising that you’ve forgotten something. But never fear – we’ve done the hard work for you! Just clip out this handy checklist and ensure you’re fully prepared for your next social golf weekend!

Golf Gear Basics

{{ Clubs & bag {{ Golf shoes {{ Spare golf shoes {{ Pull-buggy {{ Golf towels {{ Tees and balls {{ Markers, divot tool {{ Golf gloves {{ Extra spikes + wrench {{ Course research/yardages {{ Rain gear & umbrella {{ Hat & sunnies {{ Sunscreen {{ Insect repellant

{{ Ear plugs {{ Extra blanket {{ Shoe polish

Because Accidents happen

Food & Drink

{{ Beer/Alcohol {{ Ice & Mixers {{ Water, juice {{ Sports drinks {{ Deli meat & cheese {{ Bikkies/snacks {{ Bananas/fruit {{ Vegemite/spreads {{ Granola/Energy Bars {{ Coffee/Tea {{ Sugar/Sweetener {{ Milk (UHT)

{{ Jumper, Scarf {{ Thick Socks {{ Water-proofing spray {{ Hand warmers

For the Organiser

{{ Prizes & Trophies {{ NTP and LD markers {{ Scoring sheets {{ Paper, pens, texters {{ Player handicaps {{ Course fees {{ Side bet envelopes {{ R&A Rules Book {{ Player handouts {{ Players’ mobile no’s {{ Course/lodge contact no’s {{ Push pins, stapler {{ Scissors {{ Laptop & battery {{ Traditional group stuff {{ Elastics {{ Money box

{{ Small broom {{ Spare $ for poker {{ Spare $ for TAB {{ Spare car keys {{ Spare shoelaces {{ Fix-a-flat {{ Jumper cables {{ Safety pins {{ Sewing kit {{ Small tool kit {{ Spare eyeglasses {{ Eyeglass repair kit {{ Handwipes/towelettes {{ Duct tape {{ Wire, Rope, twine {{ Super glue {{ Bungee cords

{{ Personal medications {{ Asthma inhalers, etc {{ Sleeping aids {{ Cold/Flu medication {{ Nail clippers/file {{ Throat lozenges {{ Talcum powder {{ Soap & Shampoo {{ Moleskin/blister cream {{ Anti-chafing cream

First Aid Kit

{{ Band-aids {{ Sterile gauze {{ Athletic tape {{ Ace bandage {{ Heat/cold packs {{ Anti-inflammatories {{ Burn/sunburn cream {{ Antiseptic wipes {{ Hydrogen peroxide {{ Petroleum jelly {{ Anti-itch ointment {{ Allergy medication {{ Snake/spider/bee kit {{ Ipecac {{ Antacids {{ Eyedrops {{ Whistle {{ Tweezers {{ Small mirror

PLANNING

Kitchen Gear

{{ Can/bottle opener {{ Corkscrew {{ Lighter {{ Esky {{ Pocket knife {{ Thermos/bottles {{ Toothpicks {{ Paper towels {{ Ziplock bags {{ Rubbish bags

Clothing

{{ T-shirts & undies {{ Cotton socks + spares {{ Water-resistant socks {{ Golf shirts & trousers {{ Lucky shirt/hat {{ Poker/Pub clothes {{ Sleeping attire {{ Belt (reversible) {{ Vest or jacket {{ Swimmers & shorts {{ Lightweight shoes {{ Laundry bag {{ Shower shoes

Cold Weather Gear {{ Long underwear {{ Long-sleeve shirts {{ Mittens/Gloves {{ Knit cap/beanie

Miscellaneous

{{ ID and Wallet {{ Reservation info {{ Directions & maps {{ Cards/Poker chips {{ Torch {{ Bath Towels {{ “Extracurricular” items {{ Home pillow {{ Portable heater

Moss Vale Golf Club is a golfer’s paradise

Electronics

{{ Alkaline Batteries {{ Book light {{ Portable radio {{ Alarm clock {{ Walkie talkies {{ Camera (and SD card) {{ Mobile phone {{ iPod, headphones {{ Chargers & cases {{ DVDs/CDs {{ A/V cables {{ Travel adapters

Toiletries

{{ Deodorant {{ Toothpaste/brush {{ Hairbrush {{ Shaving razor, cream {{ Chapstick {{ Dental floss {{ Vitamins, Berocca

{{ Extra suitcase to carry all this stuff! {{ Other Items _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ Got a suggestion for something we missed? Email us your idea – we’d love to hear it! * Some items may not be suitable for airline carry-on, or international travel. Check with the airline first.

2 Day Golf School at Moss Vale Golf Club

4 course dinner, breakfast, Accommodation, 18 holes*

Receive expert tuition from club professional Robert Kennedy in all facets of the game, while staying on course at the beautiful Dormie House. Package Includes: • 3 Nights accommodation • Morning tea & Lunch on • 3 Buffet Breakfasts Monday & Tuesday • 3 Dinners • Professional Tuition

*Offer based on 2 persons per room in a standard room. Minimum 2 night stay, mid-week only. Valid 1st June 2011 - 30th September 2011

Dates: 29th, 30th, 31st May; 4th, 5th, 6th Sept; 11th, 12th, 13th Dec

Winter Package $215 per night for 2 people includes daily:

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

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

*Group sizes are limited to 8 people

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Great Golf Getaways

10 things to remember when planning your golf weekend MatthewPitt

Bushranger Golf & Social Golf Australia The planning you put into your golf trip can make all the difference to how much fun your golfers have. It is important to look at all the elements you can control and plan accordingly to give your trip the best chance of success. The important factors to consider are who, where, what, when, how and why and then go from there. 1. Your Golfers–this may seem obvious, but it is critical to consider what type of golfers you are catering for, what they want from the trip and then make your plans accordingly. Every golfer has their own idea of what is fun. Golf purists will want to walk 36 holes a day on classical links courses, while mates on a leisure weekend may prefer 18 holes on a deluxe resort course in a cart with plenty of refreshments handy. 2. The Venue–Pick the right venue to suit your golfers’ needs. Consider the location, quality and style of the golf courses, location of accommodation, the size of the cart fleet, the quality of service and what other dining and entertainment options are near the courses. How far your golfers have to travel to reach the venue and at what cost can be a key element in the value proposition. 3. The Timing–You need to avoid Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Easter can be tricky and some public and school holiday times can be an issue. There are also local weather patterns–many Victorians enjoy a winter

Proper planning prior to your getaway can have a major impact on the success of your event

other factors to consider are quality, price, availability, layout and proximity to other facilities and services. One of the best venues we have used is a lodge the sleeps 20 with common dining, sitting and living rooms. The community areas made for a very social environment between rounds and a great golf event. 6. Course Condition–Nothing is more disappointing than being excited about playing a course and arriving to find the greens have just been cored and sanded. In your planning, inquire with courses about their maintenance schedules and course works to check if this will impact on your trip. 7. The Competition–Are you even having one? Some trips are simply for the love of golf and there is no competition. Some mates enjoy a lot of side-betting on every round and some groups have an organised competition for the event. Consider your golfers when planning a competition–what do they want, what can they do, do they have handicaps and what will deliver the most fun for the most people? Your options include singles, pairs, teams of four, stroke, par, stableford, ambrose or a mixture of different formats. 8. Prizes & Trophies–If you do have an event, you may require prizes and trophies. Don’t forget to include these in your budget. You will also need a name for your event– preferably with some relevant history among your golfers and a good back-story. Perhaps the most important thing is a great Perpetual Trophy–this can add an extra

dimension of excitement and prestige to your event if there is a glittering prize of intrinsic value. The event becomes a quest and this adds anticipation, excitement and glory to any golfing adventure. 9. The Numbers–How many people are going on your trip? Whether it is 8 or 28 or more has a major bearing on all the other plans. What accommodation is available for a group of your size? How long will your field take to play? Do you use one-tee, two-tee or shotgun starts? How many are you catering for? What are the group discount rates at the golf courses? The more players there are, the more complex a competition will be to run. When planning your event, start with how many golfers you plan to take. 10. The Deposit–This cuts both ways: most courses will want a deposit to sure up your commitment and you should thus require a deposit from your golfers. Some golfers say ‘yes’ to everything but they are not committed until they have to reach for their purse. Every event we have ever run, someone has pulled out. To help with your planning, ask your golfers for a deposit. This will weed out who is half-baked and help you finance the deposit your venues will require.

PLANNING trip to the Gold Coast and Tasmania is calm in April, May & June but then gets plenty of rain in the Spring. Do a little research on the local weather before your plan the dates for your trip. 4. The Budget–how much time and money do your golfers have to spend? A CEO who is time poor and cashed up may want a private jet for one round with three pals on an exclusive course, while folks with more time and less coin may prefer two weeks touring country courses with a big group staying in budget accommodation. Consider also what you include in the ticket price - golf, carts, accommodation, travel, catering, prizes, gifts, drinks, transfers, etc. The inclusions you opt for have a big impact on the total ticket price and the perceived value. 5. The Accommodation–Most golfers prefer to be on the course, or very close by. The

Bushranger Golf and Social Golf Australia run events around Australia. For more information, visit www.bushrangergolf.com.au or www.socialgolfaustralia.com.au.

Experience one of Australia’s best 27 hole championship golf courses.

Joondalup Resort A short 25 minute drive from the Perth CBD, set amongst tranquil bush surrounds, and only minutes to the golden sunsets of the Sunset Coast. Winter Stay & Play Package Winter is the new ‘spring’ in sunny WA. Enjoy an overnight stay for two, including full buffet breakfast, complimentary bucket of range balls to warm up with followed by 18 holes of golf with motorised cart for only $349 per couple.

“Unquestionably one of the world’s finest golfing experiences”

Sunday–Thursday subject to availability. Valid until August 31st, 2011. Mention this advert when booking.

Robert Trent Jones Jr.

Phone: (08) 9400 8888 Country Club Boulevard, Connolly, Western Australia

www.joondalupresort.com.au

Great Golf Getaways

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

Side bets and wagers RichardFellner Wagering on the golf course is probably as old as the game itself, and while there’s no definitive history of when the first golfer asked his partner “So, MacDougal…you wanna make this a wee bit more…interesting?”, stories abound of the first golfers competing for animal pelts, “skins” or whatever they could afford to wager. So we thought it would be fun to examine the various games and side bets that golfers play. I encourage you to experiment with different variations of these games to find a structure that works for you and your group. (Note – please keep in mind that Inside Golf does not condone or encourage gambling on the course. That said, these games can all be played for money, points, beers or just bragging rights.) To make things easy, let’s imagine four golfers: Angus (hdcp: 2), Ben (hdcp: 10), Charlie (hdcp: 15), and Dan (hdcp: 30). “Nett scores” refer to the player’s score after handicap strokes are subtracted

Nassau (or 2-2-2)

The most common side-betting game. Essentially it contains three bets: low score on the front nine holes, low score on the back nine holes and low score over the full 18. It can be played individually or as a team, and is suited to most types of scoring, whether you’re playing ambrose, stroke/match, alternate shot or best ball. Stakes can be anything you want, though a $2 Nassau is the most common: earning $2 for winning the front nine, $2 for the back, and $2

for the round. If you or your team win all 3 bets, you collect $6 each. A common feature to this bet is the “press”. A team or player who is trailing at any point (generally two holes down), may elect to “press the bet”, essentially starting a new bet that runs in conjunction with the original bet. For example: 17th tee, Ben is two holes down to Angus (so the best Ben can hope for is a tie). Ben can elect to “press” the first bet, and if Angus accepts, a new $2 bet starts in conjunction with the first bet, covering the 17th and 18th holes only. If, say, Ben beats Angus on both of the final two holes – then he ties the original bet, but wins the pressed bet. With pressing, and re-pressing, this can add up, so be careful!

Skins

You’ve probably seen this one on TV – where the networks entice top pros to “battle it out” at some tropical course for hundreds of thousands of dollars. But here in the real world, it’s a much more modest game. To play: Prior to play, either establish the value of each “Skin”, or simply have each player put a set amount into the “pot”. The player who wins a hole outright (lowest nett score) earns one “Skin”. If two players tie for the lowest score, then the Skin carries over to the next hole, and the outright winner of the next hole would claim two Skins, and so on. At the end of the round, players count the number of Skins they’ve won, and then collect the established Skin value from each player in the foursome (or, alternately, collect a percentage of the pot, etc).

Example: First hole nett scores: Angus: 4, Ben: 5, Charlie: 5, Dan: 8. Angus wins one Skin. Hole 2 nett scores: Angus: 4, Ben: 4, Charlie: 5, Dan: 7. No Skin awarded, carry-over (thus Hole #3 is worth two Skins to the outright winner, and so on). In most cases, you’ll see Skins carry over for many holes – I’ve played in a foursome where we had carryover for almost the full round, with the 18th hole valued at 16 Skins! My mate holed out from the bunker for a nett eagle to steal the lot, but we made him pay heavily for the beer at the 19th!

Rabbit

Rabbit is a fun and simple game that I’ve played for years. To play: Set the value for the Rabbit (there are only two available to be won in the round). Similar to Skins, it is based on a player winning a hole outright. Once you win a hole, you are then “Holding The Rabbit” until someone steals

it from you. The goal is to be holding the Rabbit on either the 9th or the 18th hole. Example: Hole #1 nett scores: Angus: 4, Ben: 5, Charlie: 6, Dan: 11. Angus captures the Rabbit with the best outright nett score. Hole 2 nett scores: Angus: 4, Ben: 4, Charlie: 5, Dan: 8. Angus retains the Rabbit (i.e. no outright winner). Hole 3 nett scores: Angus: 5, Ben: 4, Charlie: 4, Dan: 6. (Angus loses the rabbit–it is “set free”). Hole 4: Angus: 3, Ben: 3, Charlie: 4, Dan: 2 (Dan immediately captures the rabbit!). After 9 holes, let’s say Dan has held on to the Rabbit: he wins the front 9, (“holes” the Rabbit) and wins the pot for the front 9. A new Rabbit is available for the back 9.

The Wolf (or Ship, Captain & Crew)

I’ve won (and lost) more money on this game than I care to remember. A great game, full of twists and excitement.

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To play: Wolf is a “points” system game designed for 4 players, and is a combination of team and individual play. Players rotate as “Wolf ” on each hole, and the Wolf alone decides whether that hole is to be played as 2-vs-2, or 1-vs-3. Thus, every hole can have different partners. The player teeing off first is the Wolf. He then watches as each of the other players hit their tee shots. The Wolf has the option to pick one of them as his partner on the hole – but he must choose the player immediately after that player has hit (i.e. if Angus is the Wolf, and wants Ben as his partner for that hole, he must announce it immediately after Ben’s drive — before Charlie tees off, and so on.). If the Wolf decides that none of the other 3 shots were to his liking, he may play the hole alone, against the other three. To win a hole, the Wolf’s Team must have a lower better ball score than the opposing (or “Hunting”) team. If so, then both the Wolf and his partner score 1 point each (If they lose, then the Hunters get 1 point each). Ties may be carried over, or erased. A Wolf playing alone receives double the points if he wins, or loses double points to each of the other three players if he loses. Here’s where the fun begins: After hitting his tee shot, and before anyone else tees off, the Wolf can announce “Lone Wolf ” in which he will automatically play solo vs three Hunters. In Lone Wolf, the winnings are worth triple (but so are losses). For those truly adventurous (or foolhardy), the Lone Wolf may declare his intentions to go it alone before his own tee shot. In this case, all bets are quadrupled. The payout: Whomever has the most points after 18 holes wins (either “winner take all”, or $1 per point, or whatever). Note: The player in last place after the 16th hole is usually given the courtesy of being the Wolf on the 17th and 18th holes.

Bingo Bango Bongo

This game can be played by any number of players, and is based on points. The beauty of this game is that it puts hackers on an equal footing with scratch players – without handicaps being needed. To Play: There are three points available on each hole. The first player to get his ball on the green gets a point (Bingo). Once all balls are on the green, the player whose ball is closest to the pin gets a point (Bango). And the player who is first to hole out gets a point (Bongo). Example: Our foursome tees off on a par-4, and everyone outdrives Dan. Being furthest from the hole, Dan is “away”, and is first to play his approach shot — thus having first crack at getting on the green. Let’s say he’s successful, and thus wins the Bingo point. Angus and Ben both hit their approach shots safely onto the green, but Charlie leaves it just short, on the fringe. Being off the green, Charlie is “away” and thus plays his third shot; a nice chip to within a few inches of the cup. Now that all 4 balls are on the green, the closest to the pin (Charlie) gets the Bango point. Finally, Ben is “away” and putts next – draining a 30-footer for birdie. He is the first to hole out, and earns the Bongo point. The payout: At the end of 18, the player with the most points wins. Note that this game requires strict etiquette to be enforced. The player who is away (or off the green) must always play first (“out-of-order” tapins are a no-no!). Tee-off honours must also be followed (best score on the previous hole tees off first, and so on), especially on par-3s. For more games and variations, visit our website.

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The Leave Pass

hard. Knowing that she wants another child more than anything, I came dangerously close to saying “yes” to her wish. Thank God she came to her senses (she saw how much the golf weekend meant to me) and granted the leave pass before I had to go that far.” Submitted by “Lee”

Of course, no great Boys Weekend would be possible without wrangling a leave pass from the better half. Here are a selection of stories, compromises and “little white lies” that have been submitted to us at Inside Golf. The names have been changed to protect the truly guilty. RichardFellner The “Slight distortion of the truth” strategy: The Pitch: “Tee off is around 8am, Honey, so with 4 hrs for the round I should be home early enough that we can still spend most of the day shopping together.” The Reality: Tee off is 8:57am. 5 hour round due to typical slow play. One hour for the 19th hole & presentations. Home in time for dinner and the footy replay. The excuse: “Sorry, Honey, but the traffic...!” Submitted by “Sergio”

The old “Say nothing and it will be ok” ploy: “S ome years back while in California, four of us drove several hours to play golf in the Sacramento area. This was supposedly a “one day”

golf outing. Upon arriving at the course, a terrible rainstorm forced the course to close. What were we to do? As we were only minutes from a large airport, we decided to fly to Las Vegas, as we heard that it was sunny there. On the third day, I finally had to call my soon to be ex-wife to tell her not to worry, that I was still alive, but didn’t have enough money for a plane trip home. Exactly 6 days later, I returned home to find my suitcases packed and sitting by the front door. The good news was that everything that happened in Vegas stayed there.” Submitted by “Ernie”

The “I’m SURE we discussed this” gambit “Last year I inadvertently agreed to attending a 4-day golf trip with the boys. Little did I realise at the time that it clashed with my 10-year wedding anniversary (ouch). Not knowing how

May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au

The all-time classics:

to broach the subject with the wife, I left it as late as possible and then tried the old “I’m sure we discussed this and you agreed it was OK, it was booked 8 months ago” etc. but there was more chance of me shooting 59 than getting this past her. Being possibly the most accommodating female on the entire planet she begrudgingly agreed (seeing as I’d already forked out the cash) but said that I’d have to make it up to her in a big way. Luckily one of the boys on the trip was the publican at our local who also happened to know the local florist quite well, so I organised through him to get a bottle of French champers and a huge bunch of flowers delivered to her by horse & carriage drawn by 6 white stallions (OK, via

the pub delivery boy but what’s the difference?) - and do you think that got me out of the sh#t??? NO CHANCE. I was punished for the next week and the credit card copped a pounding as she elected for some “retail therapy”. Suffice to say I will be checking my calendar more carefully next time!” Submitted by “Phil”

The “Yes, I would almost go that far for a round” manoeuvre “I once double booked a golf weekend on the same night as a night out with the wife and friends to see a show (which I had booked myself). The wife was digging her heels in

1. I’ll have the kids next weekend... 2. I really need to catch up with the boys to see how they are handling fatherhood... 3. I’ll make it up to you babe in more ways than one...if you know what I mean... 4. This is a serious golf event, babe, with very little drinking going on...I’ll behave for sure.... 5. You won’t believe it but a client of mine is going on the trip so we can talk heaps of business...my boss wants me to go 6. You need to spend some one-onone time with the kids, babe, it’s’ an important time of their lives... 7. I’m going for a prostate check, it could take a while, I’ll probably need a second opinion…

Your Say What was the best excuse, biggest compromise or craziest little white lie you’ve ever used to get a game of golf? What was the result? Email us at ed@insidegolf.com.au and share your story!

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Ladies golf – Posture-Perfect

An easy exercise for learning the correct body movement

LeeHarrington As a golf professional involved in introducing a lot of beginner ladies to the game, I often get asked how a female’s golf swing differs from a male’s. The main differences are built around our body shape differences plus also the different body movement patterns developed through the different sports we play in our younger years. Boys tend to play cricket, rugby and soccer. Girls tend to play netball, hockey and tennis. Women tend to carry more weight in the hip area, and a bend from the hips can feel unnatural. The set-up position comes more naturally to men as they create a similar position to, say, fielding

in cricket, rotating in rugby or setting up as a soccer goal keeper. When you create correct posture from set-up this allows a proper rotational motion in your swing, leading to better balance, weight shift and body turn. Most players I see place the club on their shoulders and rotate back and forth standing totally upright. Grab a golf club and place it on your shoulders. Make sure you start this movement from a squat position mimicking the golf swing (as shown in photos) – not from a tall, straight position. Keep your spine in a straight position with your head up. This initial squat and turn can be practiced to feel the proper bend from the hips, not waist, for the golf swing. On following through, also copy your swing motion and rotate, finishing with all weight on your

front foot (as shown in the final photo). Don’t stay flat-footed on the follow through. This replicates your exact body motion required for a golf swing and can be practiced at home when you cannot get to a range to hit balls. This correct squat and rotation can generate more power and consistency through better balance. This movement can assist both men and women. To pinpoint your exact swing faults it is always advisable to consult your local PGA professional.

The Adidas Palm Meadows Ladies Amateur Ladies Cup Hosted by Women’s Golf Network is launching its first event for 2011 on Monday 9th May. To find out more or to register visit www.wgn.org.au

Lee Harrington is a PGA Member and is also the Development Officer at Golf Queensland. Her passion for teaching and an eye for detail is recognised in her reputation as a leading female teacher in Australia. Lee’s experience in teaching provide a basis for programs delivered The Golf School, a Queensland-based teaching facility. Lee teaches at both the Gold Coast Carrara and Oxley facility weekly. www.thegolfschool.com.au. Email: admin@thegolfschool.com.au, or phone (07) 5596 3373.

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May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au.......................................................................................................................................................

oncourseinstruction 57

Do you take a divot? DavidWilliams It seems logical to many golfers that, since the ball is sitting on the ground and needs to go in the air, that they need to scoop or lift the ball to get it to go up. The plain truth, however, is that this is exactly what is preventing them from success. Good players hit DOWN on the ball–NOT up—when playing a shot off the ground. There should be no attempt to scoop or lift the ball into the air. Good players turn their 5-iron into a 3- or 4-iron by leaning the shaft forwards and striking down on the ball, which leads to a penetrating ball flight and increased distance. The average player, however, effectively turns their 5-iron into a 6- or 7-iron, which leads to a high ball flight and loss of distance. Good players always take a divot past the ball when playing a shot from the fairway; this is a sign they are hitting down on the ball. Average players rarely take divots and if they do it will usually be behind or under the ball.

Why do we need to hit down?

The ball MUST have backspin for it to aerodynamically fly through the air effectively. A backward-spinning ball has lift, and it is this lift that keeps the ball in the air for as long as possible. Hitting up on the ball is the cause for almost all topped shots.

How do we impart backspin on the golf ball? We impart backspin on the ball by applying a downward force to it. To do this we need to hit DOWN on the back of the ball. To effectively hit down on the back of the ball, the good player ensures their hands are in front of the ball at impact and the club shaft is leaning towards the target. This is a trait of ALL good players. Here is a practice drill to ensure this happens:

SET UP

• Place a rolled up golf towel approximately 8” – 10” behind the ball. • Play the ball back in the stance • Weight forwards • Hands forwards

SWING

Ensure you miss the towel by having a steep angle of attack on the golf ball. NOTE: if you move your weight back OR release

the club head too early, you will hit the towel. Practicing this drill regularly, starting with very small shots and gradually building to ¾ swings will help improve consistency in ball striking, trajectory, compression and distance. David Williams is a AAA Rated PGA Professional at Cardinia Beaconhills Golf Links. He is also a Master Instructor at Medicus Golf Institute. Contact him on: 0422 276 142, or at www.willowgolf.com.au

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58 Instruction..........................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au Exclusively part of the Inside Golf Instruction team

Putting Series: Correctly reading a green GlennWhittle Statistics show that nearly 50% of your shots from your last game were putts, yet a large number of club golfers still spend most of their small amount of practice time on trying to hit their driver straight or hit that sweet 5-iron. In reality, the driver is only approximately 20% of your game and 5-iron even less again. In this continuing series for Inside Golf, I’ll focus on helping you master your putting. We’ll start with improving your level of ability to read greens. Studies have shown that 90% of amateur golfers under-read putts — in other words do not allow enough break. Reading the green will give you the visual information you need to get the ball started in the right direction to compensate for whatever break there is. It is a skill that is learned from experience; the more time you spend putting on a variety of greens, and the more attention you pay, the better you will get. Putting is always a combination of speed and line. The slower the ball is travelling, the more it will break off its initial starting line. The faster the ball is travelling, the less it will break. It’s a good idea when practicing to read a putt then try and hit the ball on the same line but at three or four different speeds, this will show you that the ball travelling faster will break later than the ball travelling slower. Judging the speed and line of your putts can be obvious or very subtle from putt to putt. But with a little time and experience and lots of trial and error anybody can develop the ability to read greens. It’s an art, but nothing that focusing your attention won’t get you. What factors can affect the amount of break a putt has? • Slope • Speed of the green (grass length) • Moisture on the grass • Wind • Grain

(Note on grain: In hot climates such as North Queensland, Course Superintendants can only grow a broader leaf grass such as 328. This grainier grass also affects the break of the putt — but I will leave this for another article.)

GET DOWN LOW

Why do all PGA Tour players on television squat down to read the putts? It’s simple: the closer your eyes are to the level of the plane you’re trying to see, the better your perspective.

STAND FAR ENOUGH BACK

Ensure you give yourself enough room to be able to see the small subtle undulations of the greens. A good place to start, at least on shorter putts, is to get back as far away from the ball as the ball is from the hole.

WATCH OTHER PEOPLES’ PUTTS Get any information you can from approaching putts — yours or those of the other players in your group — especially if they’re on a similar line to the putt you will hit next. It’s especially good to see how the ball behaves as it slows down and gets closer to the hole.

GET A SECOND LOOK

If you’ve a had a good a good look from behind the ball, and you either cannot get a read or if you are unsure, then have a look from the opposite direction, looking from the hole towards the ball.

IMAGINE POURING WATER

If you were to pour water on the green between your ball and the hole, which way would the water run? Towards you or away from you? To the left or to the right?

USE YOUR TIME WISELY

To ensure quick play, start to read your putt while your playing partners are reading theirs or even while they are putting (if you are not in the peripheral vision that is – we do not want to put them off).

To teach students about break, I use a combination of a “green reader” ramp and a string line. This shows just how much a ball can break without being affected by skidding or spinning from a clubface Glenn Whittle is an AAA PGA Member and Head Coach of the NSW Institute of Sport, Golf Program. He was also the 2008 NSW PGA Teacher of the year. To book a putting session personally with Glenn, call him direct on 0439 165 750 or visit www.sydneyputtingstudio.com

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May 2011 www.insidegolf.com.au..............................................................................................................................................................

instructionalseries 59

Source of Stability part 2: One Swing Centre PeterCroker

Everyone knows that you have to keep your head steady as you are hitting a golf ball. This is fundamental to all great golfers. No statement about golf was truer or more basic. Stability also means remaining centred during the downswing and through the impact zone and then finishing centred and balanced over your front foot at the finish. In this next lesson we will discuss how to create this stability from change of backswing to start of downswing - through impact - to a full and complete finish in the swing. In order to have stability in your swing, the centre that you are swinging around must be stable. The centre of the radius of your throughswing is your left shoulder. If your left shoulder is pulling away from your head this causes some real problems; you could end up breaking your neck trying to keep your head still. Golfers often end up with two opposing swing centres: 1. Left Shoulder 2. Head Now if the left shoulder starts going into motion independently of your head, you can end up with a golf swing that is extremely unstable. Afinal answer to all of this is that the action of your hands pushing the clubhead through the ball must force your left shoulder: A) Up toward your head B) Back toward your head When A) and B) are occurring you are swinging around one swing centre and real stability in the swing is a piece of cake.

One swing centre exercise

Make some practice swings, and as you approach impact, pull down and forward with your left shoulder while trying to keep your head stationary. Pretty impossible. Notice how the pulling left shoulder is what pulls on your head. It is important though, that you understand what this feels like so that you can recognise it in your swing. Can you spot for yourself the two different swing centres? Now, throw the clubhead through impact.

Shoulder turning

Shoulders rocking

Two opposing swing centres The force of this action should force your left shoulder Up toward your head and Back toward your head. Notice how when the hitting action is against and forcing your left shoulder back, out, and up, your head simply stays where it is without reacting. Can you feel yourself working with one swing centre? Your swing will be no more stable than your head has stability in the golf swing.

Left Shoulder - Its Central Role

Look at a high handicapper and look at a low handicapper. The real difference, and the source of all the trouble, is the left shoulder. When you hit a ball, the left shoulder is the centre of the radius in the troughswing. If that centre is stable, you have power. If that centre is moving away from the ball you will not have power. Also, pulling in on the shoulder drastically shortens the effective swing radius, making the clubhead go much slower. Keeping the left shoulder out extends the swing radius, greatly increasing clubhead speed at impact. Left shoulder pull is the source of the syndrome of swinging faster and having less power and less control. This is the source of essentially every bad part of a golf swing. Notice that your shoulders can make two motions. They can rock and they can turn. Your shoulders are free to rock as you hit that ball,

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but the force of hitting that ball is causing your left shoulder to stay momentarily turned back from the target. Anything that would cause your left shoulder to turn past parallel to the target line before you have hit the ball, will be the source of failure for that swing. Your left shoulder is free to rock upwards when hitting the ball. (Alternately rock and then turn your shoulders so you can see the difference.) The choice: 1. The left shoulder being forced back from the target by the action of your hands pushing against and out from your left shoulder (centre of the radius) when hitting that ball. 2. The left shoulder is turning toward the target as it pulls on your hands and clubhead, dissipating any power or alignments. 1 & 2 above are the two different worlds of golf In 1) your skill will be allowed to come to the surface. In 2) you will be forever chasing the

clubhead and real satisfaction from playing the game to your natural ability, will always elude you. Fortunately it is very easy to rectify. And because it is the basic mechanical problem for many golfers, when you do rectify it, you will then be able to bring your skill to bear. When you push the clubhead out away from the centre of the radius, the centre of the radius (left shoulder) must be stable. Many golfers are spinning out of their shots (left shoulder pulling) and so find it impossible to generate any real power or accuracy. Your left shoulder begins the throughswing turned away from the target. All you have to do is leave it there as you throw the clubhead down out and through the golf ball. When executed correctly, the force of hitting that ball causes your left shoulder to be delayed in any turn forward, even through impact. This is a key mechanical part of any golf swing and helps create a solid impact and more accurate and consistent shots.

Peter Croker has been a PGA member since 1971 and has given lessons with his Croker Golf System to professionals including Vijay Singh, Arnold Palmer, Rocco Mediate, Fred Funk, Olin Browne, and Bob Charles. Based at The Dunes Golf Links, he delivers schools, individual lessons, and has an “Online Lesson Program”- www.crokergolfsystem.com Take an Internet Lesson directly from Peter: www.crokergolfsystem.com/Academy/view-your-swing.html You can also contact Peter on 0415 292 549

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May 2011

60 insideyourmind.........................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

Right here, right now JamieGlazier For the amateur or casual golfer, finding the necessary time to put into improving your game is always a challenge. Now that Daylight Saving is over, this challenge is made even more difficult. If you are fortunate enough to find some spare time, the decision is usually ‘what aspect of your game do you need to focus on that will help you get the greatest rewards?’ The good news is, you have the ability to improve your golf game, 24hrs a day; 7 days a week and it will help you achieve tremendous results RIGHT NOW! The secret to your golfing success is being able to train your mind to stay in the present; to be totally absorbed with what is happening RIGHT NOW. It sounds extremely simple, and in theory is it amazingly simple, but unfortunately for most people this is a challenge they cannot seem to master. The world we live in unconsciously forces us to have our mind jumping forward into the future, then in a split second, focusing on something that happened in the past. For example, if I asked you — while eating your breakfast this morning or kissing your loved ones goodbye for the

day — were you completely present to the experience? Were you enjoying your decision of what to eat for breakfast, or were you simply throwing something down because that’s what is best for you? When you kissed your loved ones goodbye, was your mind focused on the day ahead, or in the present during one of the most important parts of the day? What does eating your breakfast or kissing a loved one have to do with golf? EVERYTHING! The game of golf is all about being completely focused on the moment. Not the past or the future, but the experience you have in front of you RIGHT NOW. This skill can be practiced all day every day; the challenging part is that mind control is one of the most under developed skills in all humans. An easy way to begin developing mind control, ensuring your mind is completely focused on the shot you have in front of you RIGHT NOW, is creating a trigger statement before you hit every shot. A trigger statement is a cue to help remind you to focus on the shot RIGHT NOW, to block out everything in the past, the future and just to be completely immersed with the shot you want to hit. A trigger statement such as “This Shot” can help direct your mind to the shot you have in front of you, focusing only on what you want to do.

If you can train your mind to stay in the present, you will begin to eliminate powerful negative emotions such as fear and doubt, as they are emotions that are triggered when the mind is focused on future results. Training the mind to be completely focused on the moment helps the mind achieve clarity and a level of functioning that is completely immersed with one of the most important aspects of achieving success in anything we do, that aspect is simply DOING. Being able to control your mind to focus completely on what you are doing, right now, will help you begin to perform – in both golf and life — at a level that you only seem to experience on the odd occasion, and have no conscious understanding of how you got there or how to get back there. In your next round of golf, let go of what happened in the past and the possibilities of this round, and try and control your mind to be completely immersed with every single shot you have. THIS SHOT, RIGHT NOW. You will give yourself the best possible chance to fall into that place, at times we can only dream of: THE ZONE! Jamie Glazier is a qualified peak performance and mental conditioning coach specializing in the fields of sport and poker. His client list includes Joe Hachem, Adam Bland, Steve Jones, Michael Curtain, Steve Dartnall, Clint Rice, Stacey Keating and others. He is also the founder of Dare2Dream, which is dedicated to helping others achieve their dreams. Visit: www.dare2dream.com.au

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pgaigi

The PGA IGI’s Ben Murphy, Mark Hawley, Jo Mansfield and Michael Levick recently received their community coaching certificates. (Inset) PGA IGI students go through the course with Golf Queensland

For the good of the game DavidNewbery

THE rollout of Golf Australia’s MYGolf national junior program is gaining momentum as more community golf coaches complete their coaching qualifications. Recently 12 PGA International Golf Institute (PGA IGI) students received their Level 1 Community Golf Coach Certificates from the Australian Sports Commission – a further step towards developing their golf coaching skills, which allows them to teach beginner golfers. The PGA IGI’s programs development manager Michael Levick said the PGA IGI students would assist fully-qualified PGA professionals involved with the program. “They will also assist Golf Queensland’s golf development officers Lee Harrington, Andrea Davis and Adrian Hewat to deliver golf development programs into local schools,” he said. “Our objective, with the support of Golf Queensland, is that we will actually accredit 12 of our students each semester to assist in delivering national junior programs such as MYGolf, PumpGolf and club-based junior development programs. “So effectively in another 12 months there’ll be 24 qualified students, who can be called up by PGA professionals, Golf Queensland or Junior Golf Foundations to assist with their beginner golf programs. “So it’s a win-win for everyone involved. “In the past most new players to the game were taught the basics by their parents, grandparents or friends at the

local driving range, nine-hole course, in the suburban backyard or the local park. “How far and how quickly, the new player’s progress is largely determined by their own personal goals, skill levels and the quality of the coaches and coaching programs and player support structures.” Harrington said the PGA IGI students were critical to golf ’s grass roots development. “PGA IGI students are now being asked to fit in with their already busy schedules to assist us in delivering golf into local schools,” she said. “It is exciting for the golf industry to gain this stronger link between schools and golf clubs to increase membership of juniors. “The students are an integral part of our commitment to school programs and this relationship will only grow in time. “They are also gaining valuable experience in this coaching area, which is also assisting us with the rollout of the MyGolf program.” Levick said the PGA IGI students would also work closely with Robina State High School’s golf excellence program. The highly successful program is run by the school’s golf coordinator Shane Stevenson. Stevenson said getting juniors involved in golf at a young age was a step in the right direction. He’s proved that at Robina State High School, who have had excellent results over many years. “It jumped in its profile when Amy Yang won the ANZ Ladies Masters,” he said. “She had been with the program for two years and was still at school. “We have had Amy through the

program and also Heiji Kang, who is also on the US LPGA Tour. “We have a number of boys who are now playing the Korean Tour and some of the students have represented Queensland, including Courtney Massey and Cecilia Na. “Last year we took a group of nine boys to Tasmania for the Australian Junior and this year five boys have qualified for the Aussie Junior,” Stevenson said. “We have worked informally with PGA IGI for last 18 months. “What I have noticed is the PGA IGI students connect well with the younger students. They speak the same language. “It’s a good initiative the PGA IGI students are also getting experience working with other students from our program in a mentoring roll under the guidance of our PGA coach David Nable and myself. “It will also give our students the opportunity to talk to the PGA IGI students about how they find their studies and what they would like to do within the golf industry.” FOOTNOTE: PGA IGI students graduate with Australia’s only Diploma of Golf Management from PGA IGI and a Bachelor of Business degree majoring in Sports Management from Griffith University. For more information, telephone (07) 5657 6116 or go to the website www.pgaigi.com The community coaching course is open to community members interested in getting involved in local schools and grass roots development. The next course is at Brookwater Golf Club on Sunday, May 9. Visit www.golfqueensland.org.au for more information.

May 2011

62 Fitness................................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

Increase stability and strength through the deadlift RichardNizielski The deadlift is often considered an exercise only reserved for powerlifters and old-school hardcore gym users. With the popularity of machine weights in gyms the benefits of using the deadlift for enhancing strength and stability is often neglected. When performed correctly the deadlift is a natural and safe movement, in fact if you have ever been taught to lift a box from the floor in the same manner as many OH&S courses do, then you have acquired most of the principles of a deadlift. Just like picking a heavy box off the floor, deadlifts require the entire postural chain of the body – legs, glute, abdomen, as well as the middle and lower back to successfully lift the barbell and its weight off the floor. The power to lift the weight comes from the legs and glute, while the muscles of the trunk are activated to stabilise and maintain a strong, neutral spine angle. Completing the postural chain is the muscles around the shoulder blades that hold the scapula in their neutral position resisting the weight of the barbell, which is pulling the shoulders forward and round. It could be said that of all the free-weight gym exercises, no other comes close to achieving the postural benefits that the deadlift provides.

These include: • Development of leg and glute strength for a strong base which, may increase distance to your shots • Develop trunk stability needed in the maintenance of posture and spine angle at address and throughout the golf swing • Increased muscle strength around the shoulder blades which provide upper body posture both at address and throughout your swing • When performed correctly, the overall activation and strengthening benefits of the deadlift exercise to the postural and prime mover muscles can help decrease and prevent low back weakness and associated pain

Performing the Deadlift

• Address the bar with feet about shoulder width apart, and with your feet directly below the bar. • Bend from the hips and knees and grip the bar with an overhand grip just slightly wider than your thighs. The bar will be close to your shins, your shoulders should be held back and arms straight. Checking your alignment and posture in the mirror will help. • Before attempting to lift the bar, it is important to ensure the spine is set in a neutral posture. At this point, be sure to engage the lower abdominal muscles adding stability and strength to the trunk.

• Take a breath in and initiate the lift through your legs. Once the bar reaches your knees, drive your hips forward, exhaling throughout and finishing the lift in a standing position. You should not have an excessive arch in your lower back. • Return the weight to the floor with control, ready to repeat the exercise again. At all times, keep your abdominal muscles engaged, stabilising your trunk. Shoulder blades always down and back at neutral, engaging the muscles in-between your shoulder blades.

When performed correctly the deadlift is an exercise which can benefit the strength and stability of the entire body. Like any activity or exercise, the deadlift can be considered “dangerous” or “bad for your back” when performed incorrectly. If you are unsure of the technique for the deadlift, seek expert instruction from the Strength & Conditioning Coach in your gymnasium. When performed with sound technique, the deadlift can provide many benefits, which can be incorporated into your golf swing.

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. Richard Nizielski from Golf Fit Solutions can be reached on 0438 027 768 or richardniz@gmail.com and richard@golffitsolutions.com

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Coaching Quick Tips Consistent chipping and pitching can really improve your scores. Try this simple method for improved results. Set up with both elbows touching your sides, stand a little closer to the ball, and position the ball in the middle of your stance. On the backswing turn your left shoulder, left hand and left hip away together. Then on the downswing turn right shoulder, right hand and right hip into the ball together. Chipping and pitching shots should have little or NO WRIST ACTION! Backswing and follow through should be equal. Now you should be hitting the ball crisply and distance control will be much more consistent. And with a little practice you will be more confident when chipping and pitching. Good Golfing. Go and see your local

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May 2011

64 insidebiomechanics.....................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

Golf and baseball ScottBeaumont Last month we spoke about ground forces and how the body moves and creates power. Next, we are going to compare golf to baseball and the similarities in how the body creates the power generation process (kinetic link). Believe it or not, golf and baseball swings are biomechanically comparable. Hitters in baseball and golfers use similar muscles and coordination patterns to develop swing power. These similarities provide insight into efficient power generation for the golf swing. I will illustrate the mechanical correlation between the two motions by describing the baseball movement mechanics and relating them to the corresponding golf movement mechanics.

Ballistic Power Movement

Baseball hitters effectively use muscular preload to develop optimal power, which results from their ability to stretch and contract muscles. Golf: A Smooth transition from backswing (stretch) to downswing power generation (contraction) will allow muscles to create and use potential energy. A forced, erratic or excessively fast tempo inhibits muscular stretch. An excessively slow tempo, especially with a pause between the backswing and the downswing allows potential energy to be dissipated.

Big Muscle Power Generation

Baseball hitters allow the big muscles of the lower body to drive power generation. Weight

transfer and force applied by the feet and legs create hip segment speed. Golf: the lower body power generation process is a result of weight transferred within a stable foundation and the feet and legs’ muscular power. If the lower body moves laterally (or slides), energy and power is lost. If hips “spin” to clear, power production is lost.

Spine Angle

Baseball Hitters maintain a “spine angle” or upper body orientation that allows for muscular symmetry around the axis of the spine or rotation during the power generation process. When upper body muscles are symmetric they work very efficiently in creating rotational speed. Golf: The most important thing to remember about “spine angle” during the golf swing is that your orientation should allow symmetric muscular contraction. If you begin to “tilt” your spine either to the left or right, some muscles will be compressed and others lengthened. In either case, not only is power production sacrificed, but increased stress on the back and upper body may result in back injuries.

Arms Drive Into Impact

Baseball Hitters use big muscles to accelerate smaller body segments. This allows them to create incredible rotational speed and power. This action culminates with the arms as they are driven into impact with the ball. Golf: Baseball hitters don’t consciously try to place the bat on ball, nor should golfers. The culmination of power generation during the golf

swing should drive the arms into impact. The bigger muscles accelerate the smaller muscles (upper body arm relationship in muscular loading). Proper arm segment acceleration will

create club linear speed and angular speed (club release), placing the club head square on the ball at impact given proper setup and swing plane.

Scott Beaumont is from ZenoLink. ZenoLink is a diagnostic tool that used 3D motion analysis for coaches to be able to measure their athlete’s biomechanical breakdowns in their golf swing. ZenoLink allows coaches to test students on the golf course, on the fairway or even indoors with no wires or sensors required. By measuring hip speed, arm speed, shoulder speed, club release speed and club linear speed, ZenoLink creates separate analyses of kinetic linking, stability, muscular loading and club dynamics; helping a coach or instructor identify functional movement discrepancies that rob the player of power, and to design a personalized Progressive Skills Training program that addresses problem areas. For more information — or to ask Scott a question about biomechanics — email Scott at scott@zenolink.com

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Pump Golf Shootouts are set for a great year in 2011! Once again, golf clubs all around the country will have the opportunity to run one of the country’s most popular junior events – a Pump Golf Shootout. Last year saw almost 160 golf clubs throughout Australia host a Shootout event, with well over 2,000 junior golfers taking to the fairways to compete at their local event. The Pump Golf Shootout events are designed to give junior golfers of all ability levels the opportunity to compete in a fun event via a 9-hole competition held at the local club level. Scratch and Net winners from each local Shootout then go into the draw to win the “trip of a lifetime” to the Pump Golf Junior Festival. The staging period for events this year began on 8 April and will run right through until 10 October, 2011. This covers two school holiday periods and allows flexibility of dates to fit in with various club junior programs and skills challenge periods run through My Golf (Golf Australia program). Winners of both the Scratch and Net competition from each local shootout event are entered into a major prize draw where 80 lucky juniors will win a spot at the Pump Golf Junior Festival of Golf. The draw is conducted at the conclusion of the staging period in October. The Festival is held in conjunction with the Australian PGA Championship on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and is a golfing trip of a lifetime. The trip includes: • 2 days of competition golf at Twin Waters Golf Club, with great prizes on offer

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Juniorgolf 65

Quick Tips – Putting

All the best golfers in the world are great putters. The US Tour average of putts per 18 holes in 2010 was 28.1 putts per round. Too many golfers do their majority of practice on the driving range hitting drivers and irons and not enough time is spent on the short game. What every good putter has in common is setup and consistent rolling of the golf ball. Setup is just as important in putting as it is in every other part of the golf game. We should have a grip which keeps our shoulders and arms on line to hit good putts. Most putter grips are not rounded and have a flat spot on top of the grip. This is to have both thumbs pointed down the shaft of the club to keep our grip neutral and putter face square at impact. Secondly when setting up our feet, alignment should be parallel to the target line of where you want to hit the golf ball. With the correct grip and alignment, our feet, hips and shoulders will be aligned to hit the ball to our intended target. Thirdly we want to get our eyes over the ball to see the target line of where we want the golf ball to go and to help roll the ball where we want it to go. A great drill to get our eyes over the golf ball is to setup to hit a putt. Then with another ball in your hand bring it up to your eyes and drop it. The ball should drop on top of the ball about to be hit. Damien Magaton is a PGA Professional and a Partner at Green Walkers Junior Golf Academy, which offers Victoria’s golfing youth a safe, exciting and challenging environment to focus on their game. Visit www.greenwalkers.com.au for more information.

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May 2011

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Lisa reigns with distinction DavidNewbery Lisa Shaw is a self-described hard worker. Just as well because her fiscal discipline was needed just after landing the job as general manager at Bribie Island Golf Club eight months ago. “Unfortunately, when I arrived there was no outgoing manager so I came in blind,” she said. “It’s also been a difficult time with the weather and we have had some staff and committee changes. “But I thrive on hard work and I love my job. “The committee and members have been very supportive and I feel that we have turned the corner.” Shaw took the helm after a 10-year stint at nearby Beerwah Golf Club where she served as office manager for four years and secretary manager for six years. The 39-year-old American-born, Canada-educated Shaw came to Australia nearly 13 years ago and just after graduating with a political science and economics degree from Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada. She told Inside Golf her first foray into the golf industry happened almost by accident.

Lisa Shaw is justifiably proud of her club’s reputation and is determined to maintain the club’s standards and improve the golfer’s experience “I moved to Brisbane and worked for the Accor Hotel Group in the finance department for two years before moving to the Sunshine Coast. “When I moved to Australia my partner at the time was a dual citizen and he wanted to study here,” she explained. “His father was a member of the Beerwah Golf Club and he told me the club was looking for somebody to work in the office. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do so I applied and got the job as office manager, which grew into secretary

manager as the club got bigger. “Beerwah is a wonderful club with wonderful members. “The club really grew and became more of a professional business. “I had achieved what I had set out to do so it was time to move on and take on a new challenge. “I knew Bribie Island had a good reputation and when I was offered the job I thought it would be a new challenge.” Shaw believes she has found her niche in the golf industry. “The thing I enjoy most is the

interaction with members and getting their feedback,” she said. “There’s nothing better than getting feedback from members in terms of not only the job you are doing but the direction the club is going in. “I like to be hands-on and out amongst the membership. “Unfortunately, I have not been able to devote enough time as I would have liked since arriving at Bribie Island because there have been so many issues to deal with.” A heavy work load has also meant that Shaw has not had the chance to dust off the golf clubs for a round of golf. “I haven’t picked up a golf club for about nine months,” said the 14 marker. “Anyway, when things settle down I will get out there and play. “I have had a lot of offers from members and I can’t wait to take them up on that. “Bribie is a beautiful golf course – it’s interesting, challenging and at the same time it’s a fair golf course. “That’s why it’s so popular with members and visitors alike.” I ask if there are certain dislikes that come with the general manager’s job. “Anyone in the golf industry, especially in a member-based club,

will tell you politics within a golf club can be somewhat disruptive and unhelpful,” she said. “You have to be aware of these things and communicate to your members to deflate that kind of activity.” And do women have to worker hard to receive recognition in the industry? “Perhaps a little,” she said. “It’s not directly felt, but sometimes you know part of the membership is not used to seeing a woman in that role. “I do think there is a great onus on you to prove yourself initially.” Away from the rigors of work, Shaw enjoys jogging, walks on the beach and travelling. Last year she travelled to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve where she came face-to-face with the wildlife. “It was an amazing experience,” Shaw said. “At one point we were in a jeep when the guide told us to look up. “Well, there was a lion lying on a tree branch just above us. “The young male, about two years old, was just staring down at us. “His eyes were penetrating and we were so close we could have touched him. “My heart was racing and, as scared as I was, I just couldn’t take my eyes off of him.”

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Dave smashes world long-drive record DavidNewbery ONE telephone call was all it took to convince David Sawtell he was capable of breaking a world long-drive record. When Jason Gruber, tour director for Long Drive Events Australia, suggested Sawtell enter the RE/MAX World Long Drive (Australia) tournament he didn’t need a second invitation. The Gold Coast-based long-drive specialist packed his favourite Callaway driver and headed for Gold Creek Country Club in Canberra. The move paid off because he smashed the Guinness Book of Records for the longest onehanded drive from a wheelchair. Sawtell, 45, hit his drive 143.7m easily beating the old mark of 113.55m. “I beat it by an extra 30 metres,” said Sawtell, who was born with spina bifida and a paraplegic. “That measurement is only on flight through the air and where the ball first lands. “I also competed in the amateur section against able-bodied golfers and smashed the ball 176 metres. “But my best, which I did at another longdrive event, is 181 metres.” Sawtell discovered golf less than six years ago after dabbling with weightlifting and kayaking. His best friend Brad Thompson introduced him to the game and Jeff Holloway allows him to practice at Chinderah golf course and driving range at Tweed Heads. He also has a supportive family.

“My dad and all my family are very supportive of me and dad comes to competitions when he can,” Sawtell said. “I can do anything with golf. I can hit all the clubs in the bag and putting is quite easy, but my forte is the long-drive competitions. “I would love to play competition golf against disabled and able-bodied golfers, but I don’t have an electric golf cart because being on a disability pension I can’t afford it. “When it comes to golf clubs, I put together whatever I can with my mates. “My mate Brad (Thompson) has been a great help especially after I lost my mum to cancer 15 years ago. “He is always there for me and if it wasn’t for him I’d still be sitting around doing nothing. He is a legend as far as I am concerned. “He knew I was struggling getting golf clubs so he went around and found clubs for me. “After mum passed away I got into weightlifting, kayaking and golf. “I decided then that I wasn’t going to let anything beat me. “I have done some pretty good stuff with the kayaking and weightlifting, but golf is my life now. “I kayaked from South Bank in Brisbane to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, which took me 15 hours straight. “But nothing beats what I am doing with golf.” Now Sawtell wants to help other disabled people get into the sport. “I am a community golf coach and do a bit of work with Golf Queensland,” he said.

New world record holder David Sawtell celebrates with RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship winner Brendan Moylan (left) and tour director Jason Gruber. INSET: Sawtell’s world record drive “I go around teaching disabled people and I am trying to get to a point where I can do my own private teaching. “My goal is to get more disabled wheelchairbound people playing golf so we can get a little tour going. “I want to do the tour around Australia so that I can show people what disabled people can do and achieve. “I have a saying: being in a wheelchair is not a disability. It’s a way of life, so live. “That can go for all forms of disabilities. Being

disabled doesn’t mean you can’t get out and do weightlifting and golf or whatever you want to do as long as you set your mind to it. “If I can convince one person of that, disabled or able-bodied, then I have succeeded at something.” Personally, Sawtell would like to represent Australia at the World Long-Drive Championship in the United States. Unfortunately, without a sponsor that’s out of the question. “I’d love to go to America and be able to compete in the world titles,” he enthused.

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May 2011

68 People..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

It’s a hard road for a good cause DavidNewbery I’M NOT sure what’s on David Wren’s bucket list, but I reckon he’s already ticked more boxes than most people will achieve in two lifetimes. “I have to keep challenging myself,” said the adventurous Melbourne-based professional. “I try to find things to do so that I don’t get stuck in a rut. I have applied that philosophy all my life.” Some of his challenges include running marathons, climbing the world’s tallest mountains in the Himalayas, Scotland and New Zealand. And then there’s the pushbike rides across South America, Tibet, Napal and Vietnam. Last month, the 47-year-old embarked on his latest adventure – a 22,000-kilometre pushbike ride halfway around the world. While his other challenges have been for personal satisfaction, this journey is about the love for his mum who suffers from dementia. “I will be doing this to raise money for Spark of Life (Dementia Care Australia),” Wren said. “All of us have experienced the effects of illness to a loved one. “My mu m l ive d an a c t ive, challenging and fulfilling life until

I RIDE MY BIKE: David Wren poses for a photograph on a lonely stretch of road in Tibet she developed dementia. “She has spent the last 10 years of her life with no memory of loved ones sitting in a chair being spoon fed. “The reasons are therefore obvious why I chose to dedicate my ride to my mother Althea Wren and raise much needed funds for Dementia Care Australia.” Wren’s journey starts in Ireland, his ancestral home. “I’ll ride across Ireland, catch a ferry

to France and then start riding from France, through northern Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran, the ’stans in central Asia, across China and then on to Perth and across the Nullabor to Melbourne.” He’ll ride between 500 and 600kms a week, depending on the terrain. And accommodation will vary from three-star hotels to railway stations to camping beside the road. “The last tour I ended up sleeping in someone’s stables out the back of their

farm,” he said. His purpose-built bicycle has a strong, heavy frame with stainless steel components and cost $5500. “Equipment is by far the most important,” he said. “A bike straight off the rack would certainly not survive the rigors of 22,000kms fully loaded with about 35 kilograms of equipment.” Wren will spend up to 11 months in the saddle.

The physical challenge will be arduous, but the mental challenge will be far more demanding. He survived previous bike rides without incident, but concedes there are always dangers travelling on open roads in far away places. “You do worry about being hit by a bus or a car, but generally people in far out places give you a wide berth.” Wren, who quit his job as head pro at Werribee Park golf course, says he is looking forward to a visit from his wife Susan. “She is not interested in visiting me in Iran so she’ll probably come over to Italy or somewhere like that.” Wren is already planning his next challenge. “When I finish this trip I have pencilled in getting to one of the Poles – the Arctic or Antarctica is my next plan of attack.” FOOTNOTE: The purpose of Spark of Life is to enable people with dementia to live fulfilling lives despite their diagnosis and to provide the best possible care experience for families and staff. Donations can be made through the Dementia Foundation for Spark of Life. To donate to the foundation visit www.dementiacareaustralia.com

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King Henry DavidNewbery LONG before Tiger Woods’ television advert had him juggling a golf ball on the face of his wedge and smashing it into the distance with a baseball swing there was Henry Epstein. Epstein, the colourful Brisbanebased professional, started doing trick shots and magic tricks to supplement his income while playing the pro circuits. “I started in 2000 just after winning the Queensland amateur championship because I needed money to turn professional,” he said. “My sister made a movie of me juggling a golf ball on top of a 356foot high cliff in the Blue Mountains. “I was juggling the ball between my legs and making the ball disappear and reappear and I packaged it up and sent it to IMG and a few of the other big players in the industry. “I was devastated when I didn’t hear back because qualifying school was coming around and I didn’t have a lot of money. “Anyway, then the Tiger Woods ad came out on TV and I got a call from a company asking me to do a 15 minute show at Terrey Hills in Sydney. “It was going to cost me $5000 to

People 69

turns on the magic

go to tour school so I said to the guy I’d do it for $5000 and he agreed. “I hadn’t even thought of the other five grand I needed to go and play in my first few events. “I was good at doing magic tricks with cards and that’s how I started to mix the two together to come up with the show. “I am always working on developing new magic tricks and different ideas with golf shots to keep the show fresh and entertaining for the fans.” Epstein entered the Guinness Book of Records for the longest time spinning a golf ball on a putter face. He still holds the record of two minutes and 22 seconds. He also set the record for the longest time juggling a golf ball between two sand wedges – one in each hand. His record of 33 minutes and 33 seconds has since been broken by a Portuguese golfer who got to 59 minutes and 57 seconds. Epstein had an attempt at regaining the record, but fell just short. “I got to 56 minutes and 59 seconds and shanked it,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it – I was only three minutes away from beating him.” Born in Hong Kong, Epstein spent the first seven years of his life in his country of birth.

“My dad was a pro tennis player and represented Hong Kong in Davis Cup,” the 32-year-old said. “He ended up being an architect over there, but we moved to Cooma in the Snowy Mountains when I was seven. “I used to play tennis and was a downhill skier and went to the Junior Olympics when I was 15.” It was around that time that Epstein discovered golf. “The golf course wasn’t far away and I could ride my bike there and play golf with my dad because there weren’t too many things to do in Cooma.” Golf became Epstein’s preferred sport and he attended the Kooralbyn International School along with Adam Scott, Andrew Buckle and Steven Bowditch. He turned professional in 2004 and quickly found out how tough the playfor-pay ranks can be. He went to America and Europe to play the minor tours, but the money soon dried up. “I thought I had better start again and got my card in Australia,” he said. “In 2006-’07, I played the Korean and Australian tours and in 2008 I played Korea, Asia and Australia and in 2009 the Korean and OneAsia tours.”

Professional Henry Epstein always has a few tricks up his sleeve Epstein believes a win on the OneAsia Tour is not far away. “Last year was pretty exciting because personally I had a little bit of success. “I got on the leaderboard a few times just creeping around the events. “I led the SK Telecom and a few of the other events towards the end of the year trying to have a shot at the title. “It’s pretty exciting the way my game is heading and hopefully this year I can consolidate it a bit and actually put four rounds together and remain in that leaderboard. “This year I can see myself breaking through for a few big finishes in the million dollar tournaments. “That’s my goal. It’s just a matter of doing the little things right and getting the job done. “My plan is to get some good world ranking points and have a bit of an

explosion on OneAsia,” said Epstein, who not surprisingly possesses a good short game. “I also have good scrambling skills. “My nickname is King Henry on the tour and most guys will say I can get the ball in the hole when it counts. “I love a challenge and the competition so if someone wants to make a bet I usually take them up on it. “It can be anything from ping pong to Nintendo Wii,” said Epstein, who has had seven holes-in-one in his career. One thing is certain: if Henry Epstein can break through for his maiden win on the OneAsia Tour it will be magic. FOOTNOTE: Golf fans can follow all the action this year on YouTube, Twitter and Facebook through www.henryepstein.com

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May 2011

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Ever heard of ‘diegeling’ a putt? DavidNewbery YOU can rack you brains about golf lore, and find few examples of something named after a player. Of course, one notable exception is the Vardon over-lapping grip. The late, great Harry Vardon is credited, albeit controversially, with having invented the grip used today by most of the world’s golfers, though history says really this honour belonged to amateur Johnny Laidlay. Nevertheless, it’s called the Vardon grip. But who has heard of “diegeling” a putt? This term became popular in both the United States and the United Kingdom during the 1920s and 1930s. The term was caused by a wonderful player from America called Leo Diegel. It resulted from his desperate attempts to cure the putting yips when they began to wreck his career. His new technique was to spread his legs as far as possible, then point both elbows parallel with his chest. The stroke looked like a clock pendulum swinging, but had no wrist movement, only arms and shoulders. Initially, it worked, resulting in the coining of the new phrase “to diegel a putt”.

Leo Diegel was known for his highly unorthodox putting style. Photo courtesy of Canadian Golf Hall of Fame Diegel stooped so low with this technique that his chin nearly touched the top of his conventional putter. Golfers in the putting doldrums warmed in their thousands to the new method, hailing it as a way to conquer nerves on the greens. Ultimately, though, it let Diegel himself down and faded from the news.

Before adopting it, Leo Diegel, born in Detroit in 1899, produced some awesome golf. But he was in putting trouble by 1933 where he had a short putt on the final green to tie for the Open Championship that year. Unfortunately, he “yipped” it a foot wide. That led him to comment: “They

keep trying to give me a championship, but I won’t take it.” It was Diegel two years before who came in for one of Walter Hagen’s famous quips. Hagen was out on the town, as usual, when a worried friend reminded him that Diegel, leading him by two strokes with a day to go, was home in bed. “Yes,” replied Hagen, “but he won’t be sleeping.” Sure enough, Diegel blew it and finished third – seven shots behind ‘The Haig’. Diegel was a persistent individual and worked tirelessly in his attempt to win the US Open and Open Championship. He finished in the top-eight on 11 occasions, and was in the top-four in seven of them. He did win two majors, back-toback US PGA Championships in 1928 and 1929. Nerves or not (and he was one of the most hyper-tense players in history) he still won 31 tournaments in his career and was a Ryder Cup representative four times between 1927 and 1933. In 1925, his best year as a professional, Diegel won five events including his second of four Canadian Opens. Diegel was a brilliant and accurate

iron player and was almost unbeatable when it came to matchplay. He won the 1928 US PGA Championship 6/5 after ending Walter Hagen’s amazing streak of 22 straight matchplay wins by defeating him in the semi-finals. And he repeated the feat en route to winning in 1929. In four Ryder Cup appearances he only lost one match and in 1929 he defeated Abe Mitchell 9/8 while playing 28 holes in 10-under par. Gene Sarazen said Digel’s religion was golf. “In all my years of golf, I have never seen anyone whose devotion to the game could match Leo’s,” Sarazen wrote. “Between courses at the table, Leo used to get up and practice swings. “Every night he went to bed dreaming theory and every morning he awakened with some hot idea that was going to revolutionise the game.” A car accident ended his career in 1938 and he became a club professional and wrote an instructional book. He dedicated the book, The Nine Bad Shots of Golf, to his army of fans. Diegel died in 1951, immortalised by that great golfing scribe, Bernard Darwin, who wrote of him: “In a way the greatest golfing genius I have seen.”

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May 2011

72 clubs......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au

Redland Bay ticks the right boxes DavidNewbery FOR the third time in six years, Redland Bay Golf Club in Brisbane’s east has been named Queensland Club of the Year. Accolades like this don’t come around all that often unless a club is doing something right for its members and visitors. For Redland Bay’s 1100 members, additional social members and visitors, the golf club certainly ticks all the right boxes. “ We a r e m a k i n g c o n s t a nt improvements to the golf club,” the club’s general manager Aaron Muirhead said. “It’s been a focus, not only on the championship golf course, but on the clubhouse and facilities. “Last year we spent over $300,000 on capital improvements.” He says the club’s membership numbers remain steady. “Our membership is strong. There’s only been a slight drop over the last five years and our social membership is very strong. “On Wednesday and Thursday night we are doing in excess of 120 meals and on Friday and Saturday nights up to 100. “This year we already have 57 weddings and 36 corporate days booked.”

The club, he says, is an entertainment venue just as much as it is a golf club. And each year Redland Bay puts through more than 70,000 rounds of golf. First-time visitors and potential members will be pleasantly surprised at just how good the golf course is. “It’s a championship par-72 golf course that has hosted the Queensland PGA Seniors Championship for many years,” Muirhead said. “We don’t change the condition of the golf course just for that event,” Muirhead said.

“We keep the condition of the golf course the same throughout the entire year. “We don’t just make it good for a championship event and then drop off the standard for our members and guests. So it’s always in peak condition. “It’s a golf course the professionals enjoy and it’s not too hard for the average golfer.” Surprisingly, Redland Bay Golf Club has a number of membership vacancies in all categories. “Membership opportunities are available, but we are not far away from

AUSTRALIAN

SOCIAL GOLF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

the level we want to be and then the books will be closed again,” Muirhead said. So, what can new members look forward to? “It’s a relaxing and very welcoming club. “It’s a place where you can come and play a very picturesque and challenging golf course in an extremely nice part of the world.” Located just 40 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD, Redland Bay is the gateway to Moreton Bay and the bay islands. The cool sea breezes are a constant reminder and a magnificent lure for

golfers wanting to escape to one of the many islands after a day on the golf course. Of course, the golf club has its own lure – comfortable clubhouse, fine dining, a purpose-build function room and a huge deck with sweeping views of the golf course. The club’s well-stocked pro shop is manned by Len Beck and his team of experts. Beck has spent the past 30 years servicing the members and visitors. For further information, call the club on (07) 3206 7011.

August 21–24

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I have to say, a lot of blood, sweat and spellchecking goes into The Last Word column every month and the pressure to meet my deadline is always intense. When you know my editor, Richard “The Long Shanks” Fellner as well as I do, you recognize that when he says “Mate…I need your piece ASAP” he’s actually suggesting if he doesn’t receive it within the hour, he will claim a piece of my anatomy instead, which would be a shame as ‘Big Lazz’ has come to depend on the twins to keep him company over the past 50 years. Mind you…. I have missed my preceding 24 deadlines by a similar distance to my drive at Highlands Golf Club last Friday, which is currently sitting on top of the second carriage on the 12.45 to Central. All this adds up to the fact that even though the US Masters is over and Butler Cabin has again been full to the brim with last year’s winner, this year’s winner, last month’s monthly medal winner, Jim Nantz, Jim’s Nann, Hootie Johnson, Hootie and the Blowfish and a moose head hanging over the fireplace which looks uncannily like Arnold Palmer, I really should have had my column in and Long Shanks should have stopped threatening me. Please forgive me, Richard, but I just had this weird feeling that something strangely Aussie

with Larry Canning

was going to happen at Augusta this year and I could finally be healed from all the psychological damage Greg Norman did to me during the eighties and nineties…then write about it to help my fellow sufferers. Here is my account of that Masters Monday. 4 a.m.: My alarm clock goes off. Sandra sends it off the bedside table with a thud at 4.05 a.m. 4.06 a.m.: I make my first trip to the ensuite. 4.10 a.m.: my 50-year-old prostate has delayed my arrival to the kitchen where I eventually prepare the first cup of Riva Gold (can’t afford Moccona because Richard won’t pay me until he gets this column). I take my position on the lounge with my weight evenly distributed and posture as rounded as I can manage. 5.30 a.m.: It’s clear Tiger is going to be a factor with his 4 birdies and an eagle on the front nine. It’s also clear I’m going to run out of honey before I get to my last two crumpets. Something-or-other a.m.: I’ve lost track of the time but I want to give poor Rory a famous “Larry man-hug” as I watch him chip out from some bloke’s garage en route to a Masters-ending triple bogey. Moments later Adam Scott brushes in another birdie putt with the broom on the 11th and goes into the lead with Tiger. Half-an-hour-later a.m.: Jason Day has joined

the19thhole 73

A master cover

Well, it was another Aussie heartbreak at Augusta. But even though we didn’t come home with a Green Jacket, we did finish soundly, with Scott, Day and Ogilvy all in the top 5. Interestingly, if you take a quick peek at our Masters Preview cover from last month, you’ll note that Inside Golf had those exact 3 guys on the cover. Coincidence? (well, of course it was, but it’s still pretty cool.) Who knows: maybe being on the cover of Inside Golf will become a good omen for many golfers in the future!

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Scott and Tiger, and my son Heath has joined me in the lounge room. That was after I went into his room and slapped him on the face and screamed out something along the lines of “Tiger’s in the lead with Jason Day and Adam Scott and mine is white with one sugar!”. A little time later a.m.: Geoff Ogilvy has made 5 birdies in a row and shares the lead as well. “Three Aussies in the Masters lead! This can mean only one thing… an Aussie winner!” Heath tries to convince me. Now, I’ve always told my sons to think positively at all costs, whatever the odds. So I reply with “I’m positive I will see John Howard open the bowling for Australia before an Aussie wins the Masters.” About 8.am: Charl Schwartzel just won’t go away. Heath has. He just can’t stand my lounge room negativity and my TV ad for “The Links Shell Cove” which comes on our local regional station every 4 minutes or so. Mum, on the other hand reckons there’s a Logie in it for me. Its somewhere around the usual time on

Masters Monday when I start getting disappointed with an Aussie making a charge but coming up just short-- and Charl Bloody Schnitzel is not disappointing me. In fact the South African storms over the top of our boys and finally puts me out of my misery, winning by two. Don’t get me wrong and I’m proud of Geoff Ogilvy, young Jason Day and Adam Scott who finally looks like realising his massive talents by featuring in Majors. I’m a little sorry I now kept Richard waiting. (Probably not quite as sorry as he is). 9 a.m.: I promise to change my attitude and start thinking with a little more optimism. If John Howard works on his release he could be first change bowler for the upcoming tests in Bangladesh. And I might get my column in on time. Editor’s note: I’m positive I’ll see an Aussie winning the Masters before I see Larry deliver a column on time.

Odyssey’s most exclusive product ever goes on sale in Harrods One of the most luxurious golf products ever made, a one-off Odyssey 2-Ball putter complete with an 18-carat white gold head, 240 rubies and 378 diamonds, was officially unveiled recently at world-famous London department store, Harrods. Under tight security and displayed in its own glass presentation case, the stunning putter went on sale for £100,000, and one of the first people to take a close look at this unique product was Callaway & Odyssey Staff Professional, Nick Dougherty, who was attending the launch. Nick commented: “I regard my Odyssey putter as the most precious product in my golf bag, but this specially commissioned 2-Ball takes things to a completely new level! “I can recall when the first 2-Ball putter was introduced on Tour back in 2001 – and how it went on to take the professional and amateur

games by storm. I can think of no better way to celebrate its impact on so many golfers’ scores, including my own, than by creating a one-off like this.”

The quick nine quiz by David Newbery 1.

How many shots under par was US Masters winner Charl Schwartzel at the end of the gruelling 72 holes of this year’s event?

How many Australians made the cut at the 2011 US Masters?

How many times did former world number one Greg Norman finish runner-up at the US Masters?

Who won this year’s first major championship for women – the Kraft Nabisco?

How many shots did American Tom Weiskopf take on Augusta National’s 140m par-3 12th hole during one round of the 1980 US Masters – 11, 13 or 15?

Who introduced the golf term “caddie”?

In 1913 the Australian Open had to be switched from The Australian GC in Sydney to Royal Melbourne. Why?

Which top American golfer was once fined for making derogatory comments about the great Royal Melbourne layout in 1974?

Is a snake an outside agency or a loose impediment? Answers at the bottom of the page

ANSWERS: (1). 14-under par; (2). Four – Jason Day, Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy and Aaron Baddeley; (3). Three times; (4). Stacy Lewis; (5). 13; (6). Mary Queen of Scots; (7). There was a smallpox epidemic in Sydney and heavy rains had also flooded the course; (8). Lee Trevino; (9). A live snake is an outside agency and a dead snake is a loose impediment.

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74 golfdirectory

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GROOVE A TOUR STROKE! Fairways Resort – Stay & Play at Fairways Designed for4 tourStar pros, a Boomerang is a take anywhere line and distance on course Accommodation challenge. It’s also a benchmark for great putting and there prizes for beating

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76 demodates. .............................................................................................................................................................................................................www.insidegolf.com.au View Demo Days on our website: www.insidegolf.com.au/demo-days-australia/ Ping Ph: (02) 9524 8233 or visit www.ping.com Location

Ping Ph: (02) 9524 8233 or visit www.ping.com

Day

Date

Time

Georges River Golf Club

Monday

May 02

3 - 6pm

Concord Golf Club

Tuesday

May 03

1 - 5pm

The Ridge Driving Range

Wednesday

May 04

4 - 7pm

St Micheals Golf Club

Thursday

May 05

10am - 2pm

The Lakes Golf Club

Friday

May 06

10am - 3pm

Hudson Park Driving Range

Monday

May 09

4 - 7pm

Lynwood Golf Club

Tuesday

May 10

9am - 1pm

New South Wales Golf Club

Wednesday

May 11

9am - 1pm

Avondale Golf Club

Thursday

May 12

8am - 1pm

Narrabeen Driving Range

Thursday

May 12

4 - 7pm

Morisset Golf Club

Friday

May 13

11am - 3pm

Illawarra Golf Driving Range

Tuesday

May 17

10am - 2pm

Castle Hill Country Club

Wednesday

May 18

9am - 1pm

Oatlands Golf Club

Thursday

May 19

1 - 5pm

Gosford Race Course Driving Range

Friday

May 20

10am - 3pm

Mollymook Golf Club

Monday

May 23

11am - 3pm

Eden Gardens Golf Club

Tuesday

May 24

10am - 3pm

Tura Beach Country Club

Wednesday

May 25

9am - 1pm

Bega Golf Club

Wednesday

May 25

3 - 5pm

Narooma Golf Club

Thursday

May 26

8am - 12pm

Catalina Country Club

Friday

May 27

9am - 1pm

Olympic Park Driving Range

Tuesday

May 31

4 - 7pm

Victoria Park Driving Range

Tuesday

May 03

4:30pm - 12am

Virginia Golf Club

Friday

May 06

Hope Island

Saturday

Tewantin Noosa Golf Club

Tuesday

Burleigh GC

New South Wales

Location

Day

Date

Time

Sandringham Golf Range

Wednesday

May 18

5 - 7pm

Kew Golf Club*

Friday

May 20

10am - 2pm

HOG Ringwood*

Tuesday

May 24

12.30 - 5.30pm

Bulleen Golf Driving Range

Wednesday

May 25

3 - 6pm

Patterson River Country Club*

Friday

May 27

12 - 4pm

National Golf Club*

Saturday

May 28

10am - 2pm

Spring Valley Golf Club*

Tuesday

May 31

10am - 2pm

Grange Golf Club

Saturday

May 07

10am - 2pm

The Vines Of Reynella

Wednesday

May 11

1 - 5pm

Royal adelaide Golf Club

Saturday

May 14

10am - 2pm

Kooyonga Golf Club

Wednesday

May 18

10am - 1.30pm

Western Australia Hartfield Country Club Wanneroo Golf Club Wembley Golf Course* Maylands Penisnular Golf Course* Western Australia Golf Club*

Saturday Wednesday Saturday Wednesday Friday

May 07 May 11 May 14 May 18 May 20

10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 12 - 5pm 10am - 2pm

South Australia

Callaway RAZr power hours Location

Date

Time

1pm - 12am

New South Wales Morisset Golf Club Friday Gosford Racecourse (Drummond Golf) Friday

May 06 May 20

2 - 5pm 10am - 2pm

May 07

9am - 1pm

Young Golf Club

Thursday

May 26

9am - 1pm

May 10

10am - 4pm

Wednesday

May 11

10am - 2pm

Deception Bay Driving Range

Thursday

May 12

5:30 - 7:30pm

Coolangatta Tweed Heads GC

Friday

May 13

2:30 - 5:30pm

Parkwood Golf Club

Saturday

May 14

9am - 1pm

Gold Coast Country Club

Thursday

May 19

4:30 - 7:30pm

Royal Queensland**

Friday

May 20

1 - 5pm

Indooroopilly GC

Saturday

May 21

9am - 1pm

Queensland Victoria Park Golf Complex Woodford Golf Club Virginia Golf Club Peregian Springs Golf Club Horton Park Golf Club Tee 2 Green Driving Range Borneo Barracks Golf Centre Golf Coast Country Club

Tuesday Wednesday Friday Friday Wednesday Thursday Saturday Thursday

May 03 May 04 May 06 May 06 May 11 May 12 May 14 May 19

5.30 - 7.30pm 7.30 - 9.30am 1 - 5pm 8 - 10am 10am - 12pm 5.30 - 7.30pm 10am - 1pm 4.30 - 7pm

HOG @ Lakelands GC

Wednesday

May 25

9am - 1pm

Palm Meadows Golf Course

Friday

May 27

2 - 5pm

Palm Meadows Driving Range

Friday

May 27

1 - 5pm

Kooringal Golf Club*

Tuesday

May 03

1 - 5pm

Huntingdale Golf Club*

Wednesday

May 04

10am - 2pm

Heritage Golf & Country Club*

Saturday

May 07

10am - 2pm

Victoria Melbourne Golf Academy Albert Park Driving Range* Werribee Park Golf Club* Growling Frog Golf Course* Yarra Bend Driving Range*

Wednesday Thursday Saturday Saturday Thursday

May 04 May 12 May 14 May 21 May 26

4 - 7pm 2 - 7pm 10am - 2pm 10am - 2pm 4 - 7pm

Warragul Country Club*

Monday

May 09

10am - 2pm

The Nationals Golf Club

Saturday

May 28

9am - 1pm

Queensland

Victoria

Day

www.callawaygolf.com

Green Acres Golf Club*

Tuesday

May 10

1 - 5pm

South Australia

Metropolitan Golf Club*

Wednesday

May 11

10am - 2pm

Drummond Golf D West Beach

Wednesday

May 04

3 - 7pm

Eastwood Golf Club*

Friday

May 13

10am - 2pm

Ranfurlie Golf Club*

Saturday

May 14

10am - 2pm

Peninsula Country Golf Club*

Tuesday

May 17

10am - 2pm

Yarra Yarra Golf Club*

Wednesday

May 18

10am - 2pm

Western Australia Lakelands Country Club Sun City Golf Course Wembley Golf Complex Wembley Golf Complex

Wednesday Thursday Saturday Sunday

May 18 May 26 May 28 May 29

10am - 1pm 10am - 1pm 9am - 5pm 9am - 5pm

18 Holes 18 Spectacular Views !

Hamilton Island Golf Holidays

Golf and accommodation packages available Contact us 1300 653 997 or outside Australia +61 434 004 029 View further details and photos on

www.whitsundayholidays.com.au * Appointment Only. ** Members Only. â&#x20AC;Ą Callaway fitting day. Demo dates subject to change without notice. It is recommended that you contact venue before attending.

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