BEACHBugle Thirteenth Beach Golf and Lifestyle
Edition 01 | May 2015
LAND WITH POTENTIAL The 13th Beach Story
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- A Hunter Anzac - VIC Open 2015 - Calling all Juniors - Major Events - Thirteenth Beach Cleans Up - Seeing Green at Thirteenth Beach
CONTENTS Chairman’s Report
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page 4
2015 British Open Dinner
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Club Captain’s Report
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US Open Invitational
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General Manager’s Report
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Mashies, Bashies, Smashies & Splashies
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A Hunter Anzac
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Eurasian Coots
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Land with Potential at Barwon Heads
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British Open Dinner
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2015 VIC Open Postscript
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Major Events
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Calling All Juniors
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New Members
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Thirteenth Beach Cleans Up
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Jack Intent on Revenge
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Queenstown Golf Tour
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Music to a Tee
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Seeing Green at Thirteenth Beach
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Tips from the Pros
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BEACH BUGLE | MAY 2015
BEACH COURSE 16th Hole
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT It is a pleasure to report in the first edition of The Beach Bugle, and a great opportunity as Chairman to give members and shareholders an update on the performance and planning for the Company. We continue to be trading profitably with a focus on improving revenue streams in all areas of the business. It is incumbent on the Board to ensure that funds established for future capital investment in equipment and facilities continue to grow. Additional revenue from increased membership and green fees will assist in this growth. To that end the Board is currently planning for 2015-2016 as well as reviewing the 2014-2018 Strategic Plan. The winter period will see some enhancements to the facilities at Thirteenth Beach highlighted by a major refurbishment of the clubhouse interior including carpet, dining chairs and occasional furniture, tables, lighting, painting and artwork. We are also investigating improvements to the kitchen to enable us to cater for a wider range of functions in the clubhouse. On the course, we will enhance our toilet facilities plus continue a program to improve our bunkers with an emphasis on entry and exit points. This investment ensures that our facilities remain consistent with our branding as a first class golfing facility. Many new shareholders and members may not be aware of the unique organisational structure at Thirteenth Beach. Thirteenth Beach Golf Links Ltd (‘the Company’) is an unlisted public company of 2200 shares which has quite different, and more stringent, reporting obligations through ASIC than a traditional golf club. Consequently, decisions made and reporting by the Board are all subject to various legislation placing an emphasis on sound corporate governance.
The primary role of the Company is to perform its fiduciary duty to all shareholders in ensuring a strategically well managed, financially sound and sustainable organisation. Under the current structure at Thirteenth Beach, the Company has a Licence and Relationship agreement with Thirteenth Beach Golf Club Inc. (‘the Club’) - the diagram shown right illustrates the relationship. Whilst it is not common for a golfing facility to have two legal entities, the separation between the “strategic” and “operational” aspects of the Company and Club ensure that each organisation can focus on their core areas for the betterment of all shareholders and members. We were delighted earlier in the year to learn of the extension of the Oates Victorian Open naming rights agreement to include the 2018 tournament. The first two years of the Oates partnership has been extremely successful and we appreciate their shared vision in the event. As a consequence, the Board is currently working with the tournament organisers on infrastructure requirements for the next 3 years of the tournament, which will establish a legacy benefit to the shareholders and members of Thirteenth Beach. I thank all shareholders and members for their continued support of Thirteenth Beach. Ian Wheatley Chairman
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LICENCE AND RELATIONSHIP AGREEMENT Thirteenth Beach Golf Links Limited
Thirteenth Beach Golf Club Inc.
Shareholders
Members
Directors
Committee
• Owns all the golf assets • Manages and maintains golf courses, facilities and equipment
Responsible for policy recommendations on membership matters including:
• Dress code
• Conducts all financial transactions
• Social events
• Overviews all club decisions
• Golf calender
• Acts as the club’s agent in most
• Conduct and discipline of members
financial matters
• Pennant • Membership of golf associations • Golf course presentation
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CAPTAIN’S REPORT It is very satisfying to tell friends and colleagues that I belong to Thirteenth Beach Golf Club. Having recently travelled to the USA and played some of that country’s top courses, we can rest assured that our courses stack up comfortably against the world’s best facilities. Alongside that is our active membership that keenly contests all of our club events be it a nine hole twilight or the club championships. I recently read that the National Average Handicap for Men is 19.5 and for Women is 31.0. As of 1st May, checking our own member statistics, our average handicaps come in at 11.6 for Men and 23.5 for Women, significantly under the national average on two very tough golf courses. This highlights that our members are passionate about their golf and are very competitive to improve their games. The club invested heavily in the new short game practice area last year and perhaps this is paying dividends when we start to analyse our member handicaps.
We are in the process of adding new “short courses” which will be officially rated enabling our members to play from a variety of tees. This will be of particular interest to our junior members and senior members who can find some of our longer tees challenging... especially in windy conditions. Overall, it is vitally important that we remain a friendly, respected and passionate golf club and I implore any members who have feedback to improve our great club to speak to any members of our Committee. Justin O’Brien Club Captain
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GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT Welcome to the first edition of the Beach Bugle. This magazine style online newsletter will add to our suite of communications tools to shareholders and members. We know there are plenty of good stories in our members that we’d like to share and which could be told best through an online magazine. To that end we have Thirteenth Beach member Bernie Clancy, a former executive journalist with the old Melbourne Sun News Pictorial and current playwright and author as our Consulting Editor. I would encourage any members with stories to tell to email Bernie on clancybc@bigpond.com. The first half of 2015 has been an exciting period for Thirteenth Beach with the Hundred Hole Hike, Oates Vic Open, Club Championships and many more club events to keep everyone engaged. In addition to the on course action, we have recently concluded our second major Member Survey with nearly 500 members participating which shows a high level of engagement by the membership. The results are currently being analysed and will be communicated to the members over the next month. I thank you for taking the time to give us your feedback- it is a critical element in our improvement as an organisation. There will be some exciting developments in the second half of the year with our clubhouse refurbishment transforming the look and feel of our different clubhouse
spaces plus the introduction of the Thirteenth Beach Trail Run- a 5km and 10km running course over the tracks and fairways of the Beach and Creek Courses on an early evening in November! Get your running shoes dusted off and ensure you and your family get involved in what should be a unique event. A quick update on our solar panels that were erected on the roof of our cart shedsince February this year, the panels have generated nearly 7 megawatts of energy, enough to light the Eiffel Tower for a period of 33 hours! We also have panels on the roof of the grounds maintenance area which are providing valuable energy for our machinery shed. I hope you enjoy the first edition of The Beach Bugle! Anthony Masters General Manager
BEACH COURSE 5th Hole - Sunrise
A HUNTER ANZAC The one hundredth anniversary of the ANZAC’s invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey has been commemorated Australia wide with crowds supporting our fallen in record numbers. And justifiably so. Young Australians have been drawn towards the commemoration of these men and women who have demonstrated a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice, but some have little understanding of just what they are commemorating. Enter our very own Lieutenant Colonel (Rtd), Alan Hunter.
Students at South Geelong Primary School were privileged to have Alan speak at their school ANZAC ceremony where he read the Ode to the Fallen, presented awards to students and then spoke to the grade five and six students and teachers about the history of ANZAC. With maps of the Gallipoli area, students were able to really appreciate the magnitude of the journey the young Australians had to make to just get to Turkey. And they now understand the geography that confronted the ANZACs, and moreover, have a true understanding of the numbers who died and why they were there. It will come as no surprise that Alan presented in suit and tie with his military medals proudly on his chest from his days in Vietnam and his twenty years as a member of the Australian Army. Students and staff found Alan’s presentation engaging and highly interactive. But the last word belonged to a student, “Mr Hunter has given me a true understanding of why we commemorate ANZAC Day and I’ll never forget what he said and why we owe so much to these courageous young men and women.” Fittingly, a grade one student presented Alan with some homemade ANZAC biscuits. Olive Pobjoy, a cheerful and cheeky young lass is the granddaughter of another club member, Daryl Pobjoy and a chip off the “old Block”.
I reckon Alan was tickled pink by the gesture. On behalf of the South Geelong Primary School, I would like to thank Alan for making the one hundredth commemoration of ANZAC Day such a special one. Andrew Dowling (husband of South Geelong Primary School principal, Leanne Dowling).
“Mr Hunter has given me a true understanding of why we commemorate ANZAC Day and I’ll never forget what he said and why we owe so much to these courageous young men and women.” Bernie Clancy, a Vietnam veteran and Vice President of the Geelong Sub-branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, also spoke to Year 9 students at St. Joseph’s and Clonard colleges over
Alan Hunter speaking with children at South Geelong Primary School.
the Anzac period as well as U/14 players at Joeys footy club. From the latter Bernie tells this delightful story. I passed my medals around to the boys for the “touchy-feely” experience and asked what they thought they were for. They got it pretty right with the answer “for service”. I then added, as an afterthought, “but really all a Digger wants is a word of thanks.” I then moved on to other points of my address. Following my presentation, a little fella, about 12 I reckon, hopped up from his seat in the front row, approached me, thrust out his little hand and shyly said just one word: “thanks”. I was really chuffed by that. But then I was totally floored when about a dozen more of his mates also came up to me, also shook my hand, and said, “thanks”. And no, there were no parents pushing from behind. It was very hard to see through the tears as I walked back to my car. Lest We Forget.
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LAND WITH POTENTIAL
AT BARWON HEADS Most members know that our wonderful golf courses were once scrub-covered sand dunes, an asparagus farm and a grazing property for fattening Hereford cattle. So how did the transformation come about? Consulting editor Bernie Clancy spoke with Philip McNaughton. This is the first extract of a fascinating journey.
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1.
It all began in 1972 when the Australian Jam Company AJC ltd placed an ad in The Age for “land with potential” through the Geelong office of Dennys Lascelles Limited — three adjoining titles of 405 acres, 163 acres and 52 acres at Barwon Heads. AJC had grown asparagus on the property for many years going back into the 1920s with a help of a 20-km concrete pipe irrigation system, the pipes having been made with on-site sand. In 1935 AJC graded the land and planted Monterey Pines, or cypress trees, many of which still exist, to protect plants from the wind. The pump, currently near the fifth tee, was used to draw excellent quality water from the nearby lagoon and the high water table. Unfortunately the soil was so sandy the flood irrigation water soaked straight through (no spray irrigation in those days) and was only partially successful. Over time, the water turned more saline and thus proved no longer suitable for cropping. Following the asparagus failure, the company leased the property to the neighbouring Ling family who raised fat lambs and grew some vegetable crops. According to the parish plan a 20-acre parcel of land in the vicinity of the 6th and 7th holes on the Beach course had been owned at some stage by a Sarah Graham
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but research has failed to confirm any knowledge of her. During World War II, the Army established coastal defence encampments in the dunes, in the process moving aside a considerable amount of sand from what is now the waste ground on the 13th fairway. This was later used by course architect Tony Cashmore to form the 16th hole. The larger two of the three parcels offered for sale were purchased, the other being bought by the late Dr Doug Hocking, who was in charge of pathology at the Geelong Hospital. A keen horseman, Dr Hocking set up his land to train jumpers, often using the fences. It was quicker, he said, to jump a fence than open a gate. This property was only recently sold by the Hocking family. The first dwelling put on the property, in 1976, was a house moved from elsewhere and sited on the current golf club car park. It was later to become the site office for the construction of Thirteenth Beach Golf Links. Another parcel of 110 acres on the corner of Lings Rd and Barwon Heads Rd, now part of the Creek Course, was added in 1976. The land purchased from Fyansford Quarries, which had mined bedding and brick laying sand from it.
Southern boundary of land adjoins ocean frontage reserve. Land suitable grazing and intense cultivation. Improvements, weatherboard home and outbuildings. 2.
Two more parcels of 72 and 89 acres were added on the western boundary, some of this is currently holes 4 and 5 on the Creek course and the remainder is the current Stage B development. A house was built on this land. The consolidated property of 839 acres was named Tomara. In 1986, a Melbourne real estate agent asked if he could show the property to a group of investors interested in golf course development. They were accompanied by golf course architect, Tony Cashmore.
another direction, slap-bang into a barbed wire fence! After being “rescued” they immediately fled Tomara and were never seen again.
1. Land prior to construction of the Beach course. 2. The original land advert from 1972.
But Cashmore stayed, blown away by the property’s potential as a golf course development. His enthusiasm infected Philip and Ian. It was their first meeting, and a very fateful one it turned out to be. NEXT EDITION: The long and arduous planning process begins.
They drove around the farm, stopping for a closer look around about where the 18th fairway on the Beach is built, the party dismounting from the farm Land Cruiser into a paddock of millet on which a herd of about 60 cows and their calves were happily grazing. The cows, however, didn’t appreciate the human invasion of their paddock, perceived a threat to their calves and made a noisy, lumbering beeline towards the visitors. Believing they were about to be trampled to death, they slithered in terror beneath the Land Cruiser, with one heading in
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POSTSCRIPT Story: Bernie Clancy Photos: Rodney Brown
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Now that the dust has settled and the adrenaline levels are back to normal, our resident scribe Bernie Clancy reports from the fairways. Without doubt, the third Oates Victorian Open at Thirteenth Beach was the biggest and the best –Graham Daw’s Sausage Sizzle Meter told us so. He, Georgie and their team cooked around 2300 of the things – 800 on the Sunday alone! All reports indicated that crowds on Thursday and Friday were good, perhaps up a little on last year, but Saturday was fairly quiet, following a pattern from previous years where district golfers “go home” to hit around a ball of their own. But Sunday was huge with all traders reporting brisk business.
1. The girls putt on the 12th Hole - Beach. No crowd worries with snakes here! 2. Ross Cook, Drew Cartledge and Jan Buccholz on the 18th scoreboard. 3. Michelle Earles and Jono Powell flat out on the coffees.
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I know Michelle Earles’ coffee stand, Cafe Alfresco, had a very busy day Sunday and was beginning to pack up when she was suddenly swamped as the last groups came through. It was great to see our former Golf Ops chief Ben Jarvis back at Thirteenth. He’s enjoying his new job at Metro doing corporate business. Very challenging, he says, but rewarding. Of course, Metro hosted the Masters in 2014.
The very urbane John Taylor, our tournament liaison man with Golf Victoria, agreed with the PGA’s initiative to put the 15th (our first) tee of the Beach course on the Members’ Lawn. “The idea was to get the crowd up close and personal to the action and that worked really well I thought. Of course, Richard Green’s pro-am hole-in-one, from a publicity viewpoint, also helped! You can’t buy that sort of publicity.” He declared the crowds bigger because of the nature of the event – quality golf from quality male and female players on quality golf courses. Many of us had to eat humble pie regarding the positioning of that tee after Richard Green’s incredible shot. I wonder though what Tony Cashmore would have thought! And talking of publicity, I thought the media was far more interested in the event this year than in previous years. With the exception of The Age on Saturday giving us not one word, the Addy and the Herald-
The idea was to get the crowd up close and personal to the action and that worked really well. 1.
Sun coverage was excellent. The Age caught up on Monday with a couple of good stories. Other local media was excellent with Bay FM doing a live broadcast. Captain Justin O’Brien, who performed caddy duties (as indeed did Chairman Ian Wheatley and wife Faye), described the event as “unbelievable”. What an atmosphere, Ian said. Comment I heard from the crowd while walking around: “why do we go up the Murray for our trips. We ought to be coming down here.” And we say amen to that! And another through Tony Manderson who made the comment to one of the women players he was hosting that, putting things in perspective, the tournament was not a very big one. “But it feels like a big one,” she protested.
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Winner Richard Green thought so too but then he would, wouldn’t he! But I’m sure he was absolutely genuine when he described our courses as “great” and “up there with the best of them”. He paid particular tribute to our groundstaff for the great condition of the courses. And fiancée Marianne referred to “two great golf course in great shape.” Welcome to the club guys, you’re most welcome!
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It was great being up so close to the pros. They are so calculated, so measured in their game routines, their mental toughness.
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It was interesting to note that in the speeches, special “thank yous” to the hundreds of volunteers came from major sponsor David Birch (Oates CEO and a Thirteenth member), mayor Darren Lyons and Premier Daniel Andrews, who also referred to a “unique event at a fantastic venue.” I suspect they all had a great time themselves! Lyons put a figure on the crowds at over 20,000 and judging by the overflowing car parks on Sunday that might be a minimum figure. Seemed a heck of a lot more people around the course on Sunday than last year and the crowds then were estimated at that figure. Multiple club champ Troy Tainton qualified for the Open for the first time but missed the cut, spending too much energy practising before the event, he said. By the Friday, when he had an unflattering score, he was probably golfed out, something he’s not used to. “But it was a terrific learning experience and I just loved being part of it,” he said. “It was great being up so close to the pros. They are so calculated, so measured in their game routines, their mental toughness. But the 5 ½ hour rounds were a bit much.” Many members commented on how the pros were able to stop the ball so quickly on our hard greens. Troy revealed the answer: “they were very soft, running at
10 on the stimpmeter, a lot different to what we normally play. The PGA wanted 20 under to win it and they almost got it.
4. Major sponsor David Birch grabs a snag from Bill Smurthwaite and Susie Austin.
“I hit many approach shots that I thought would be close but which stopped surprisingly short. That’s not a criticism though, I think that as far as the tournament went, the PGA got it right.”
5. Frankie MacGowan and Susie Austin on snag duty.
Love to know what happened to our snakes! There were reports of a few but not as many as might have been expected with spectators walking quite freely and often through long grass to get a better look at the action. Going where no member would dare to go!
6. Man on a mission...Graeme Dew, master of the sausage sizzle. 7. VIC Open 2015 winners Marriane Skarpnord and Richard Green.
Spectators loved getting up close and personal with the players on the fairways and the players said they enjoyed it too. But in the closing holes of both the women’s and men’s events things got a bit crowded on the 18th fairway. Su Oh hit a ball into the rough on the edge of Murtnaghurt and while she went back to hit a second ball, the crowds following the last two groups seemed to merge somewhat. Despite the best efforts of volunteers, Brown’s cows seemed to take over the fairway with people wandering down the middle as if on a stroll in the countryside. A couple of kelpies would have helped – or perhaps an Oates yardbroom!
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Calling all Juniors And any members with children or grandchildren who are thinking of joining our junior membership. The golf club committee is keen to get to know our junior members and their parents to find out what we can do to make their experience of golf, and their membership, more fulfilling.
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The club is soon to open a set of new short course tees which will assist our juniors in developing their skills. Our courses can be a bit daunting for a junior to step on to and play from the existing tees, so the introduction of the new short course tees is to give younger players a chance to play within their capabilities. The short courses will be rated to enable official handicap to be set. For those juniors who wish to progress further, we would like to use this opportunity to assist them in taking their golf as far as they can, including junior pennant, junior district events and beyond. Who knows, the next Jordan Speith might be a junior member of our club!
Andrew Kors is secretary of the club committee and following a stint in Singapore, is a relatively new face around the place for some members. His particular interest is juniors.
Here’s his story: I have played golf since I was 14 years old, and previously been a member of Midlands GC Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh GC and Thaxted Park GC in Adelaide. I joined Thirteenth in 2008 after relocating the family from Melbourne to the Geelong region after I retired from a career in the funeral Industry. Such was my confidence in the Thirteenth product I bought a share without having ever played either course. Now my family is in the final stages of building our new home on the golf course which we hope to move into in June/ July this year. Our family spent 2009-2014 living in Singapore and since we have returned we have immersed ourselves in life here. I am proud to say that I am a member of Thirteenth as I firmly believe that our club is a leading golf facility. I highlight this because while living in Singapore I was blessed with the opportunity to play a lot of golf, and to travel throughout Asia
and the UK to play. Thirteenth is right up there with the best courses that I have played. It’s not just the courses that make us so good, the residential precinct, the clubhouse facilities and staff are second to none, and the members are a nice bunch of people. This year was my first chance to witness our club host the Vic Open and what a tremendous week it was. I had the pleasure of being a caddie for the week and would have to say that it was one of the best times I’ve had in golf.
I joined the Golf Club Committee in January this year as I wanted to be more than just a member. I wanted to be a part of this club and to give something back. As my youngest son now shares my love of the game, I am looking forward to becoming involved in our junior program so that we can help our juniors develop their enjoyment of the game. My golfing highlights are having had 3 trips to Scotland to play. My golfing lowlight is that despite trying hard for 30 years I still haven’t had a hole in one!
I am proud to say that I am a member of Thirteenth as I firmly believe that our club is a leading golf facility. Club committee secretary Andrew Kors (left) is proud to be a part of Thirteenth Beach.
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THIRTEENTH BEACH CLEANS UP For the third year in a row Thirteenth Beach Golf Links hosted the combined men’s and women’s Oates Victorian Open in February. Course superintendent Steve Hewitt looks back on the tournament and the challenges to get a 36-hole public access facility up for one of the PGA Tour of Australasia’s burgeoning tournaments. This article was originally published in the Australian Turfgrass Management Journal, March-April 2015.
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Our dedicated crew who prepared the courses for the 2015 VIC Open.
Turning what is a busy 36-hole public access course into a tournamentcalibre venue that hosts one of Australia’s most unique tournaments has its own set of challenges.
Thirteenth Beach Golf Links on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula has held the men’s and women’s Oates Victorian Open now for three years. The tournament is unique to any other tournament around the world in that both the men and women play at the same venue, with the men’s groups alternating with women. Both round one and round two are played on the Creek course and the Beach course with the final two rounds played on the Beach course. The tournament has certainly gained momentum over the past couple of years and this was clearly evident when shortly before this year’s tournament naming rights sponsor Oates extended its support through until the 2018 tournament. Of the three Opens we have prepared for, this year’s would have to rate as the most difficult. Not for the reason of having a dry summer – they have all been dry and we have sufficient water. Not for the reason that the golfing programme for the week is demanding – they all have been. The biggest reason why this year’s event was more challenging was for the simple fact that the tournament was scheduled three weeks earlier. This may not sound
like a big issue, but when a busy January golf programme runs straight into the Australia Day long weekend. Big Hole Golf for the first time 10 days from tournament week, a ‘100 Hole Hike’ event, music concerts and the usual demands of looking after 36 holes with 15 staff, it certainly compounds the normalities of preparing for an Open tournament. BUSY TIMES
THE PUNISHING SCHEDULE Sunday:
Victorian Junior Open
Monday:
Practice day
Tuesday:
36 hole, 7.45am shotgun Pro-Am
Wednesday: 36 hole, 7.45am shotgun Pro-Am Thursday:
Two courses, two tee start 7am
Friday:
Two courses, two tee start 7am
Saturday:
Beach course two tee start with members comp on Creek course 7am
Thirteenth Beach Golf Links is a Sunday: Final round Beach course, 36-hole golfing precinct located Creek course open for members, at the popular summer holiday guests and public. location Barwon Heads. With the two courses, we cater getting on the golf course to do work other for both a growing membership than preparing for play in the mornings is and also public golfers paying green fees. difficult. As usual there is a major focus in The two courses rotate each day, one being November and December to prepare for a member-only course and the other a members and public course. This gives both the Christmas holiday rush and it seemed like we had only just got our head above members and guests an opportunity to play water come those final few weeks before both courses. Christmas. As other superintendents in a holiday It was noticeable that construction work to destination know, the golf courses are alter two holes on the Creek course and to busy during the peak holiday period and
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build a new practice chipping facility which started in July had consumed excessive labour resources and put us behind in many areas. By mid-October we had already started to compromise our normal work scheduling to cater for the lack of time before the end of year. Creek course green surrounds and Beach course fairways are normally cored every second year. We made the decision to leave the bulk of the fairway areas for after the tournament and core only approaches on the Beach course and green surrounds on the Creek course. Turning what is a busy 36-hole public access course into a tournament-calibre venue that hosts one of Australia’s most unique tournaments has its own set of challenges. The Victorian Open sees both men and women play at the same venue, with the men’s groups alternating with the women.
2. The 9th green prior to the 2015 VIC Open. 3. The crowd gathers around the 18th green. 4. Spectators were able to relax and enjoy the action.
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With such a hectic schedule leading up to and during the tournament, I am lucky to have a small yet dedicated crew who can quickly shift from normal maintenance practices to the rigours of tournament preparation. In addition, I had planned to have staff work additional overtime in December with an emphasis on bunker preparation in the hope
we could maintain the improvements right through to the tournament. The additional hours were spent preparing adequately for the holiday period and not at all for the early February tournament. Early January saw the majority of holiday golfers head back to work. The crew were geared up for additional overtime in order again make a start on preparing for the tournament with an emphasis on bunker playability and presentation. As it turned out, on Saturday 3 January, probably our biggest green fee and member day for the year, we experienced a 42oC day with a massive cool change that resulted in strong winds which ripped out small trees and tore limbs off mature trees. The severity of the wind forced the nearby Torquay Bunning’s store to close for six months to repair the building after what was described as a mini tornado wreaked havoc in that area causing considerable damage to the roof. This turned out to be a costly day as the golf courses were deserted. This was also the start of a constant southerly/south-easterly wind which seemed to last for four weeks and did not stop blowing day and night. We did not have a dew for four weeks and irrigation uniformity was obviously poor during this time. As a
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Both the Beach and Creek courses boast Penn G2 bentgrass greens. 2.
result of the wind damage considerable staff resources were required for a week to clean up the tree damage, yet again more resources lost from bunker maintenance. As the tournament drew closer, so too did the need to altering what would normally have been a successful plan. Decisions were made daily to either cancel some tasks that did not have a direct influence on the primary playing surfaces or to condense tasks to make performing jobs at a higher
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Bunkers are a focus at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links – we have 266 to maintain. Besides the required trimming, weed control growth retardant needed to provide the right appearance, there is also the shifting of the sand. The wind does this for us with deep pockets of sand relocated in different areas of a bunker besides the base. There were days when sand was shifted to where it should be by staff only to find after the constant south easterly
TOURNAMENT TIME Come tournament week the playing surfaces presented well with the greens stimping at 10’. After the first year where greens stimped at 10’, I had the confidence in the second year to have them running a little quicker, in fact we were unable to slow them down without putting excess water on which would have made then unnaturally soft or not cutting the greens which would have been disappointing.
AS IT TURNED OUT, ON SATURDAY 3rd JANUARY, PROBABLY OUR BIGGEST GREEN FEE AND MEMBER DAY FOR THE YEAR, WE EXPERIENCED A 42OC DAY WITH A MASSIVE COOL CHANGE THAT RESULTED IN STRONG WINDS WHICH RIPPED OUT SMALL TREES AND TORE LIMBS OFF MATURE TREES. efficiency rate which resulted in added pressure on staff and a focus on quantity not quality of work. Many jobs were condensed into one. Some bunkers were not touched for up three weeks in an effort to concentrate on moving sand in priority bunkers. We sacrificed course presentation for both members and public in the lead up to the tournament. I was mindful of visitors paying to play when the courses were not presented as they normally would but could not justify the need to rake all bunkers when several could have been improved in that time.
blowing day and night and the sand had begun to migrate back to where it came from after a day or two. Brooms were used to present the bunker faces for the first time on Tuesday morning for the first of the two Pro-Ams. The brooms do a great job of disguising our rocky limestone faces and no doubt make myself and the staff feel good about our work when we can hide the imperfections. As late as Monday afternoon staff were still focusing on shifting sand in bunkers to make them playable and presentable.
I had no hesitation with restricting green speed to 10’ this year. I was mindful of the continuous afternoon winds coming off the ocean that we had experienced over the preceding weeks which had the potential to ruin the tournament if the greens were harder and faster. In the end Richard Green won the men’s with a score of 16-under while his fiancé Marianne Skarpnord won the women’s with 13-under. Both Golf Victoria and the PGA want to see birdies and scores from 12-18 under winning the tournament. In order to achieve this the PGA staff set pin positions
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The Beach Course fairways are a line fescue couch mix whereas the Creek Course fairways are Santa Ana couch grass.
that are suitable to both men and women. Ball flight, stopping ability and length of iron shots into greens are different for both men and women and this has to be considered Interestingly, the courses were set up easier on the first round with forward tees used to cater for the strong winds. Holes and markers are not changed on the Friday as only half the field had played one course and as such with the calmer conditions on the Friday the scoring was easier compared to the Thursday. I was grateful to all staff in the lead up to and during the tournament. Our machinery maintenance was first class. When we needed to spray a product our sprayers worked well; when we need to mow, the mowers cut perfectly. When the staff were asked to shift from normal maintenance practices to tournament preparation mode they did. As a team we had no operational glitches that put us under pressure and for this they should feel proud of what they achieved.
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We were certainly underdone in areas, mostly the peripherals of the courses, but everything from tee to green was good. Take a closer look at the bunkers, wastelands, paths and they could have been much better. It will be a decision for the company if they want to inject additional resources into the tournament preparation if we have an early February tournament again. The Beach course fairways are a line fescue couch mix whereas the Creek Course fairways are Santa Ana couchgrass. As an aside, it was interesting to read in the January-February edition of Australian Turfgrass Management the reviews of the Australian PGA Championship (RACV Royal Pines), the Emirates Australian Open (The Australian) and BetEasy Masters (Metropolitan). I could relate a little, only a little, to what Lincoln Coombes went through with the reconstruction of nine holes during the year with the construction we performed in 2014.
I could only read and be envious of the preparation times and resources available to Australian and Metropolitan golf clubs to be able to achieve the superb level of presentation they did. We were never going to match that expectation which is understandable but we delivered two golf courses in good condition for the Vic Open. We received nothing but compliments from the PGA, the golfers, our members and the numerous visitors that I have spoken to since about the condition of the courses. Some members thought it was the best courses had ever been! I was personally pleased with the presentation of both courses but at the same time disappointed that we did not have enough time and resources to finish off the smaller jobs that perhaps the superintendent notices but not the golfers and spectators. This poses an interesting scenario that perhaps golf course superintendents put undue pressure on ourselves on a daily basis to provide the best playing surfaces
possible. Most golfers don’t see the bad couch encroachment we have on our greens. Most would not be able to tell the difference between Poa and bentgrass or whether a fairway had been cut today or yesterday.
Spectators enjoying the natural amphitheatre at the 2015 VIC Open.
All these scenarios are inflicted by ourselves to achieve what we know we can do with what’s available to us. I am like most superintendents in that I want to achieve the best result possible and go that bit extra for a better finish, but at what stage does this become cost-prohibitive? The management of Thirteenth Beach Golf Links were happy with the outcome of the 2015 Oates Vic Open, but I know, as a team, we could have done it much better. Mind you, if you could have seen the courses three weeks prior to the tournament we really did achieve a lot in a short space of time.
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1.
QUEENSTOWN GOLF TOUR 2015 It wasn’t just the top class golf courses that made a great trip for a tour group hosted by our pros Scott Smith and Garry Attrill to Queenstown, NZ, in March/April. They enjoyed a winery tour with the winemaker Rudi, undertook a thrill ride in a ‘Shotover Jet Boat’ and generally were spoilt with all that Queenstown had to offer. The golf courses played were Queenstown Golf Club, Millbrook Resort, The Hills and Jack’s Point. The two golfing highlights were the experience of playing at the exclusively private course of jewellery magnate Michael Hill and the spectacular location and scenery of Jack’s Point. Members of the group were Graeme Moodie, Brett Amezdroz, Peter Amezdroz, Leigh Indian, Trevor Crockford, Stephen and Cate Monohan, Norm and Michelle
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Pidgeon, Peter Earles, Barry Stokes, Tim Noonan, Nathan Warner, Marnie Haig-Muir and Leslie Fox. The golf winner was 13th Beach club member Tim Noonan. The best three rounds of four count toward the final score and after a slow start on day one, Tim put together three very good scores in the 30s playing stableford to show the group a clean pair of heels.
Over the past five years Garry and Scott have hosted popular tours to golf resorts in China at Mission Hills in Shenzhen and Dongguan, Mission Hills on the island of Haikou and Sanya in the province of Hainan. Scott and Garry intend to repeat the Queenstown tour In April, 2016. For details contact Scott or Garry at the Golf Academy on 5254 2622.
2.
1. Spectacular views from the 5th hole at Jacks Point. 2. Members from the 2015 NZ Tour group. 3. Sculptures along The Hills’ 6th fairway.
3.
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SEEING GREEN AT THIRTEENTH BEACH Thirteenth Beach Golf Links has projected electricity bill savings of around $13,000 in the first year following the installation of a huge 60kW solar panel system which covers the cart garage and maintenance shed.
Over the system’s 25-year life, that saving is projected to be about $475,000. Those figures are the expectations of system installer City to Surf Solar+ which was selected by the club after considerable research. This “Green Carts” initiative is to combat the considerable amount of electricity needed to re-power carts. City to Surf Solar+ director, Christian Pritchett
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(also a Thirteenth Beach Shareholder) believes the club will see the benefits immediately with the system “offsetting electricity bills by approximately 190kWh/day.” Thirteenth Beach Golf Links General Manager, Mr Anthony Masters said Thirteenth Beach placed great importance on the environment and sustainable practice.
“We wanted to reduce our overall power footprint and one way to do this was to install solar power to recharge our large number of golf carts, among other things. The club also hopes to inspire others to take action and do their part for the environment.’’
SNAP SHOTS
Richard Green on his way to winning his first Vic Open in 2015
2014 VIC Open winner Matthew Griffith teeing off.
U.S. OPEN INVITATIONAL - FRIDAY 19TH JUNE 11:30am light lunch | 12:15pm shotgun start (Beach Course)
Bookings online from the 20th May Course set-up in U.S. Open style and played on the Vic Open layout. Lightning quick greens and pins tucked away. One of the most popular events on the Thirteenth Beach Calender. Get in quick to avoid missing out!
MASHIES BASHIES
SMASHIES & SPLASHIES
Have a funny story and want to dob in a mate? Email Bernie at: clancybc@bigpond.com
Michael and Graeme’s Wager The Betting Book, which resides permanently over the mantelpiece above the clubhouse fireplace, began with a wager between Graeme Daws and Michael Anderson that Michael’s handicap of 20 would match or be better than Graeme’s 11 inside 12 months, the loser to buy a bottle of Grange, to be consumed at a dinner at Mandersons.
Bill’s Hole-In-One...s Bill Smurthwaite is the club’s leading holein-one scorer with four. His first was on Creek 6 in a fund raising event on February 4, 2006 which featured a tent and sausage sizzle on the 6th tee.
It’s the most fun I’ve ever had with my clothes on. – Lee Trevino
Tony Manderson, being the witness, offered to host the occasion simply to share the Grange. Michael duly lost the bet and being a banker, began seeking Grange at a substantial discount. The late John Sherlock found him a bottle — from a friend who had one that had gone off. Michael, with all due ceremony, presented the prize to Graeme at the arranged dinner attended by Tony and Rae, John and his wife Maureen, Graeme and Georgie, Michael and Karen.
The prize for a hole-in-one was $1000, underwritten by an American insurance company — but it cost $20 to enter. Bill thought that was a bit steep so intended to only buy a sausage. However after being handed a sausage and no change from his tendered $20 note, he realised he was in the hole-in-one comp whether he liked it or not. He hit a fairly skinny 9 iron on to the green and a couple of hops later it fell into the hole. Getting the money from the insurance company proved a much harder task. It involved a number of accusatory phone calls from the US requesting information
Tony, ever the bon vivant, corked it with great fanfare and pomp, performed the taste test with gusto and highly recommended the drop to Graeme, before pouring him a generous glass. With eager anticipation, Graeme put the glass to his lips, drank greedily, and immediately spat expansively. “This is sh**! he exclaimed loudly, to the great mirth of all, before tipping it down the sink. Being a man of honor, Michael then produced the genuine article, somewhat mollifying a chastened Graeme.
on what club and what ball he’d used and whether or not he had had a mulligan — pretty much implying that it was all a set-up. He had to follow up with a Statutory Declaration and collect witness signatures. Finally the $1000 came through. Bill’s next two holes-in-one were a breeze compared to the first. His second was on the same hole, just a few weeks later, on March 8. His third, again on Creek 6, was on November 27, 2008 and the fourth on Beach 7 on November 11, 2010.
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EURASIAN COOTS
* Available from Robin at the print cost of $46.93
ROBIN IRWIN, an enthusiastic golfer, birder and photographer - frustrated many times by all three, but also the source of a lot of fun, writes about our bird life. Terry Crockett and I have been recording the birds on and around the 13th Beach Golf Links for several years and have identified over 80 species – as detailed in our book, The birds of Thirteenth Beach Golf Links*. Some permanent residents, some seasonal migrants and others passing over or feeding at Lake Murtnaghurt. Over that time, a number of people have asked us for identification of birds they have seen on the course and certainly, bird observation can be a welcome distraction on a bad golf day.
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A bird of interest at the moment can be seen around the 5th green of the Beach course. There has been a group of Eurasian Coots feeding there for several months, but in recent weeks a bird has been noticed with a damaged leg. It is still managing to feed by sitting and pecking into the grass and is able to fly and return to the water. It is smaller than the other coots but they seem to protect it and are known to stay in family groups and can be aggressive. As the name suggests these birds are found throughout Europe and Asia. The have a dumpy slate-grey body with
white bill and forehead shield and red eye. Instead of webbed feet they have flattened, lobed toes enabling them to move quickly in the water. They dive for food, but will also graze on the surface of the water and on the land and nest either on rafts in shallow water or the reeds around, producing 5-7 eggs. So the habitat near the creek is ideal for them. The injured bird is being watched and it’s considered best to leave it with its own family group rather than trying to catch it.
The British Open Dinner Saturday 18th July 7.00pm for 7.30pm • Two Course Dinner • Drawing of the Calcutta Tickets • Putting & Trivia Competitions • Official Open Championship Prizes • Watch the Open Championship live on the TV • Dressing in Scottish themed clothing encouraged as best male & female will win a prize.
Booking via online entry sheet Cost: $45 per member | $50 non member RSVP: Tuesday 14th July *dietary requests must be made at time of booking
MAJOR EVENTS 1st January - 30th April 2015 Summer Trophy: John Van Elden & Heather Kerr Foursomes Champions: Stuart Drayton, Wes King, Faye Wheatley & Kathy Bell Club Championships: Champions: Troy Tainton & Kerrin Biddle B Grade:
Danny O’Leary & Di Pullen
C Grade:
David Manderson & Shalra Mewett
Veterans:
Gary Merriman & Lois Marriott
Junior:
Jack Murdoch
Stuart Drayton & Wes King
Connewarre Matchplay: Raj Marfatia & Anne Gourley Monthly Medal: January:
John Van Elden & Helen Larkin
February:
Murray R Boyd & Jo Rayson
March:
Chris Chapman & Lesley Fox
April:
Gavan Divola & Michelle MacGregor
Faye Wheatley & Kathy Bell
Augusta Sunday on a Monday: Tim Noonan & Chris Carr Captain Cook Challenge: Manu Gilani & Jo Rayson Holes in One: (Beach Course) Trevor Crockford 16th Frank Fowler 12th Troy Tainton & Kerrin Biddle
Holes in One: (Creek Course) David Young 6th Peter Fields 12th Frank Fowler 6th Nigel Allan 3rd Faye Wheatley 3rd Graeme Robertson 6th Adam Royce 3rd
Chris Carr & Tim Noonan
BEACH COURSE Final Hole - Vic Open 2015
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NEW MEMBERS Thirteenth Beach welcomes new members since 1st January 2015 Mr Scott Anderson
Mr Adam Lymer
Juniors:
Mr Rodney Baer
Mr Neil MacGregor
Macklen Barker
Mr Michael Bjork-Billings
Mrs Michelle MacGregor
David Hardie
Mrs Colleen Bright
Mr Steven Malone
Angus O’Brien
Mr John Brown
Mr Phillip Mauger
Alex Payne
Mr James Brown
Mr Colin McCahon
Ethan Reeves
Mr Peter Chappell
Mr Warren Michell
Valentin Rodriguez
Mrs Victoria Cole
Mr Michael Moore
Mr William Davis
Mr Anthony Moore
Mr Bruce Derrick
Mrs Lindel Pike
Mr Anthony Devlin
Mr Christian Pritchett
Mr Robert Frew
Mr Warren Psaila
Mr Bruce Heinnen
MrJai Pumphrey
Mrs Tracey Holding
Mrs Fiona Scott
Mr Roscoe Holmes
Mr David Scott
Mr Luke Hutchinson
Dr Andrew Thomson
Mr Roy James
Mr Josh Wheeler
Ms Lynne Jenkins-Wilson
Mr James Wright
Mr Charlie Logan
CREEK COURSE 12th Hole
JACK INTENT ON REVENGE Teenage golfing sensation Jack Murdoch will use the experience of winning the Geelong District Golf Association Championships to push towards victory at the Border Cup in South Australia this weekend. Murdoch is on a high after winning the local tournament by seven shots last week. Now the 17-year-old, who stands 200cm tall, is in South Australia this weekend to represent Victoria in the junior event against South Australia at Bordertown Golf Club. Murdoch said he was looking forward to getting even after being beaten by the South Australians last time. “We played them last year at Horsham and lost, so now we want revenge,” he said. “I’ve never played the Bordertown golf course before but I’ve gone online and it looks like a nice country course.” Murdoch, 17, said he was pleased to beat golfers as much as three-times his age and with much more experience to win the coveted Geelong shield. The modest Year 12 Christian College student said it was a great competition. “All the best district players from
Geelong and lots of club champions were there,” he said. “It was a good bunch of people playing.” Murdoch said he started playing with his father when he was about 10. “But I did not get this from him. He plays off 14 and is left handed,” he said with a smile. “I just enjoyed getting outside and playing.” Murdoch is also participating in the Barwon Sports Academy’s golfing program. “Barwon Sports Academy have been really good through all their strength and conditioning training they offer,” he said. “They also teach you how to handle yourself and go about your business, stay calm under pressure and all the crucial stuff that’s not related to casino online the technical side of golf.” BSA golf program manager, Campbell Muller said Murdoch has achieved a great deal and is generous in sharing his skills.
This article was provided and originally published in the Geelong Advertiser, 11th March 2015.
“Jack is in his fourth year with BSA and although he’s doing his VCE, he’s offered to act as a mentor for the younger kids which shows his good character,” he said. “These 13 and 14-year-olds look up to him and his golfing ability. “He could be like another great Geelong golfer, Ben Eccles. “He spends an enormous amount of time working out of the gym to build up his core strength, he’s fined down and toned up.” But Murdoch said despite his success he’s in no hurry to turn professional. “I’d like to take my golf as far as I can so yes, I’d like to turn professional,” he said. “It could be next year, it could be five years away, it all depends on when I’m comfortable and the people around me are comfortable for me to take that step.”
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The Karingal Foundation presents Music To A Tee
TEX PERKINS CHARLIE OWEN + SPECIAL GUESTS
Friday 3rd July, 2015 Dinner & Show: $85 | Show only: $45 Booking fees included Tickets on sale Tuesday 19th May, for details and to book, visit www.13thbeach.net
or call Caroline Moore on 0437 114 674
TIPS FROM THE PROS: ‘Knock Down’ Shot This time of the year is very windy. To control your golf ball in these trying conditions is paramount to scoring well. The ‘knock down shot’ is of great advantage if you can play it correctly. Once you have made your club selection, we suggest you take one club more and make the following alterations to your swing and set up position. • Grip the longer club 1 inch down the grip/shaft for more control. • In the set up position, slightly open your stance to the target. • Shift 60% of your weight onto your target side. Now that you are in the correct position to execute a ‘knockdown shot, make an easier swing than normal keeping the weight on the target side throughout the swing. Gripping the golf club down one inch makes the ball fly a shorter distance with a lower trajectory. This will help you fight the wind and lower your scores.
For more information on this shot or for some help with your Golf, see Scott or Garry at the Golf Academy for a lesson. Bookings can be made on the website or by phone on 5254 2622. Happy golfing, Scott & Garry.
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INTERESTING GOLF FACT 1. Scientists using a hi-tech submersible device in 2010 to search for the Loch Ness monster found something even more mysterious – more than 100,000 golf balls. Local officials say golf tourists use the 21-square mile body of water as a landmark driving range.
INTERESTING GOLF FACT 2. The humble tee is golf’s most basic, low-tech device. But golf investors can’t help but tinker with the tee. In the last ten years, the USGA reports it gets, on average, 60 new tee designs a year from craftsmen who think they have created a much improved tee that deserves its approval. The U.S. Patent Office says that since 1976 it has processed more than 1,250 golf tee patents.
INTERESTING GOLF FACT 3. Canadian Moe Norman was considered the best ball striker ever by many golf purists. His accuracy and ability to hit shot after shot perfectly straight earned him the nickname “Pipeline More”. Norman was also, without a doubt, golf’s greatest eccentric. He liked to sleep overnight in bunkers on the course, drank a case of Coke a day and was forced to leave the PGA Tour in the late 1950’s because his squirrel-like chattering drove other plays nuts.
INTERESTING GOLF FACT 4. Barbara Nicklaus has seen her husband Jack stare pokerfaced at some on-course pressures that would make other men wilt. She’s also seen him in a condition few of his fans can ever imagine. Nicklaus fainted dead away at the birth of each of the couple’s five children.
Barwon Heads Road, Barwon Heads VIC, 3227 (03) 5254 2922 | info@13thbeach.net | www.13thbeach.net Join our conversation