Huntingdale assistant superintendent Justin Crowe handwaters the 12th green after the opening round which saw Adam Scott fire a 7-under 64
The 2015 Masters was superintendent Michael Freeman’s 27th and eighth in charge
Tools of the trade. Who said bunkers were a hazard?!
A MUCH-NEEDED BREAK
Main photo: Despite being given just over three months’ notice to host the 2015 Uniqlo Masters, Huntingdale Golf Club was in superb nick. Pictured is the short par four 8th JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016
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When IMG announced in 2009 that after 30 years residing at Huntingdale the Masters was on the move, there was a certain sense of emptiness felt by all at Huntingdale, especially Freeman and his crew. Having been the stage for so many memorable moments over the years, watching the players striding down the fairways of Kingston Heath was unusual, notwithstanding the huge galleries that descended to watch Tiger Woods make his now infamous appearance. It would be a further six years before the Masters would make its return to Huntingdale, but according to Freeman it was a much-needed break. Not only did it give the club the opportunity to build a spectacular new multi-million dollar clubhouse, it also afforded Freeman and his crew the ability to focus on improving some of the weaker parts of the course, in particular the plantation areas.