Golf Grinder Weekly - Issue 1 (18.09.2012)

GOLF*GRINDER ISSUE 01 // 18th SEPTEMBER 2012

WORLD’S BEST LINE UP FOR $10 MILLION TOUR FINALE

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FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

HOW GOOD IS RORY MCILROY? Welcome to our first issue and what a time to kick things off. Within a week the 2012 FedEx Cup champion will be determined and despite all the criticism and flaws, the FedEx Cup series seems to have got it right.

For starters it brings the PGA Tour’s top players to the same table for an entire month of dates as they battle for the richest prize money on tour.

We have seen over the last month the domination of the ‘new’ Rory McIIroy with back-to-back play-off titles.

McIlroy becomes the first player to win consecutive US PGA Tour titles since Tiger Woods in 2009. He’s also just the fourth player to win two FedEx Playoffs events in the same year following Tiger Woods (2007), Vijay Singh (2008) and Camilo Villegas (2008).

All eyes this week are on whether or not he can take the Tour Championship title and claim the $US10,000,000 bonus prize pool.

So far the 23-year-old has silenced his critics who have scrutinised McIIroy’s personal life and the time he has spent on the course. McIIroy’s game continues to improve, leaving many wondering how far he can dominate the game.

It started back at the US PGA Championship in Kiawah and since then McIIroy has been virtually flawless.

Let the Championship begin.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anthony Powter

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anthonypowter@golfgrinder.com

anthonypowter@golfgrinder.com

PUBLISHER Tycoon Ventures Pty Ltd ACN - 147 466 724 NATIONAL SALES Steven Scott

CORRESPONDENTS Bernie McGuire (Europe) Michael Court Paul Prendergast Anthony Powter Nigel Yeoman (USA)

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR Liz Gibson (Dallas, TX)

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anthony Powter www.golfgrinder.com

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PLAYER PROFILE

MATT GRIFFIN: FRUSTRATION TO VICTORY 29-year-old Matt Griffin turned frustration into victory to secure his breakthrough win on the OneAsia Tour recently

BY ANTHONY POWTER

“I had a tough time of it throughout the year,” says Griffin, who recently covertly toured the US during their summer playing in E-Tour events outlaying US$1,450 per event to tee up with 156 hopefuls with the top-35% the fortunate ones to bank a cheque.

Few who play the game professionally advocate that being a pro golfer is all fun, where you get to travel the world, play on great courses and in the process make a ton of money.

“Basically, I went with a mate to have a type of ‘golfing holiday’ and enjoyed it. The E-Tour events presented an opportunity to play four rounds of golf on different courses than what I am used to in Asia.”

You only have to ask Matthew Griffin what life on tour can be like to get a different perspective of the challenges players like him face on a daily basis.

“I had some success bagging some money and that obviously had a flow-on effect once I returned to the OneAsia Tour.”

Victories can be few and far between. The constant grind of practice, travel and competing the only certainty.

Following his recent win a fortnight ago on the OneAsia Tour, where the 29-year-old held on for a one-shot victory at the Charity High 1 Resort Open in South Korea, Griffin is experiencing the “up” side of professional golf after his share of setbacks.

“I was finding it frustrating as my golf was improving, yet I was not able to put the results on the ground,” remarked Griffin following his recent break-through win.

Griffin had entered the event ranked 981st in the world and led by two shots moving into Sunday’s final round and held his nerve for an even-par 72 to give him a one-shot victory and the winner’s cheque of $A171,000, the biggest of his career.

“I was able to stay in the movement,” said Griffin whose world ranking jumped 156 places following the victory.

“It takes a lot out of you emotionally. I know that I can now close out a tournament. This is a tremendous confidence boost. I feel if I am are placed in the same position moving forward that I can do the job again.”

The Charity High 1 was Griffin’s second fourround tournament win, his first was at the 2011South Pacific Open in New Caledonia.

With a two-year exemption on the OneAsia Tour there are no worries for Griffin about retaining his tour card and this enables him to explore his options.

With playing privileges secured on the OneAsian Tour and with his second professional title in the bag, Griffin is aiming to forge his way onto either the European or US Tour. Options are now available and the confidence knowing that he can compete and win has returned.

“I have another chance with European Tour School and plan to play the US Tour schools later in the year. Every year my goal is to take another step forward. It is a building process and my ultimate goal is to get inside the world’s top-50.”

Griffin turned professional in 2008 immediately after playing in the Australian Eisenhower team at the World Amateur Championship where he finished a very creditable 10th in the individual scores.

In 2008 alone Griffin collected three major amateur titles with the Rice Planters Invitational in the US and back home in Australia bagged two National Trial events including the Mandurah Easter Amateur and Keperra Bowl.

Progression to the professional ranks seemed only natural, yet Griffin’s pathway during his formative years on tour has been anything but easy.

Professional golf for Griffin has been more about exploring the options than anything else. In four years on tour he knows there is more to be done, yet Griffin is never one to shy away from the enormity of the challenges he faces ahead - even with a OneAsia Tour win under his belt.

A solid work ethic coupled with considering all the options, should see Griffin play his way on to one of the world’s top golf tours.

His nature is built on the strength of self belief and that was shown a fortnight ago in South Korea.

You don’t finish university degrees and compete at the highest level of professional sport unless you have some faith in what you can achieve.

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FEDEX PLAYOFFS

Should McIIroy secure a top-5 finish the Irishman has a reasonable chance of claiming the title yet he could mathematically finish as low as 29th and still have a chance.

With a victory, McIlroy would join Chad Campbell (2003), Bart Bryant (2005) and Haas (2011) as the only players to win the Tour Championship in their first appearance.

Adam Scott qualified 21st along with John Senden at 29th to be the only Australians remaining.

With the points reset following the BMW Championship, all 30 players in the field at the Tour Championship have a mathematical chance to win the FedExCup.

WORLD’S BEST LINE UP FOR TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP The 2012 FedEx Playoffs draws to a $10 million conclusion this week at the Tour Championship

BY ANTHONY POWTER

The 2012 FedExCup Champion will be determined this Sunday when the Tour Championship returns to East Lake Golf Club for the final big name event on the PGA Tour calendar this season.

Rory McIlroy remains atop the FedExCup standings following a two-stroke victory over Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood at the BMW Championship, the third event of the FedExCup Playoffs.

McIIroy prepares to make his first appearance at the Tour Championship and will be aiming to create history in becoming the first leading player in the standings entering the Tour Championship to win the FedEx Cup title.

Rounding out the top five in the FedExCup standings are Tiger Woods (No. 2), Nick Watney (No. 3), Phil Mickelson (No. 4) and Brandt Snedeker (No. 5).

Any of the top-five players are guaranteed to win the FedExCup title should they win the Tour Championship.

Crunching the numbers means Scott will need to win this week, with McIIroy finishing 13th or worse, Woods securing a 5th place finish or worst, Nick Watney finishing in a 6-way tie for 2nd or worse, Phil Mickelson recording a 3rd place or worst and Brandt Snedeker and Louis Oosthulzen finishing tied 2nd or worse.

A similar scenario also requires Senden to win this week to have any chance of taking out the FedExCup Series and the US$10,000,000 bonus money distribution.

from a poor season as Sergio Garcia ran out of steam in his quest for back-to-back victories.

At the Deutsche Bank Championship, McIlroy made up a three-shot deficit to Oosthuizen in the first five holes of the final round, then hunted the Masters runner-up down the stretch for the victory.

Woods was another shot back and kept the pace alive as we waited for another “Tiger” comeback that we all are so patiently awaiting. In the process Johnson and Brandt Snedeker sealed their selection on the US Ryder Cup team.

McIlroy struck again at the BMW Championship, winning a sprint to the finish, which again included Tiger, with Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Lee Westwood and our own Adam Scott getting attention.

This sixth edition of the FedEx Cup has produced the kind of star power envisioned when PGA Tour officials decided the season needed a final series showdown.

For the avid Tour follower this creates tremendous pulling power and so far these series have been very satisfying. The next four rounds at East Lake Golf Club starting Thursday promises to be no different.

These sort of mathematical scenarios and ‘what-if’s’ remain a drawback to the series.

Volatility is nice, but not when it gives way to the improbable based on the likelihood of a particular scenario playing out. There are simply too many factors at play to consider what might eventuate come this Sunday.

Those criticisms will certainly get their airing over the next few days. Whilst the FedEx Cup series has plenty of flaws, it also gets plenty right. It brings the PGA Tour’s top players to the same table for an entire month of dates as they battle for the richest prize money on tour.

At The Barclays, Nick Watney emerged

2007 and 2009 FedEx Cup winner, Tiger Woods, sits in second place behind Rory McIlroy GOLF GRINDER

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100 million reasons to smile

BY PAUL PRENDERGAST

The second leg of the FedEx Cup series – the Deutsche Bank Championship – was blessed with a spectacular leaderboard and a final group duel between the two sweetest swingers in the game.

World number one Rory McIlroy finally outlasted Louis Oosthuizen to claim the first of consecutive victories in the FedEx Playoffs, with the former world number one, Tiger Woods, a highly creditable third only two strokes behind.

Woods’ US$544,000 collect was historic in that it pushed his career haul over the US$100 million mark on the PGA Tour, the first player to reach that mark and dwarfing the second-highest earner Phil Mickelson with US$66.4 million.

Woods’ arrival on the scene in 1996 heralded a huge increase in PGA Tour purses and while he has cashed in on and off the course over the years, so to have his peers with Vijay Singh ($66M), and Jim Furyk ($52M) also topping $50 million.

Non-major winner Steve Stricker’s $35 million far outstrips Jack Nicklaus whose 18 career majors and 73 official tour wins netted him just US$5,734,031.

$100,000,000

McIlroy may be the current, undisputed world number one but when it comes to career cash, Woods is by far the king of the mountain.

TOP 5 ALL-TIME MONEY LEADERS TOTAL

PLAYER

$100,702,700

Tiger Woods

$67,477,498

Phil Mickelson

$67,039,396

Vijay Singh

$52,175,459

Jim Furyk

$44,566,109

Ernie Els GOLF GRINDER

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TIGER WOODS:

GOLF’s $100 MILLION DOLLAR MAN BEST SEASON:

2

$10M

$5M

$1M

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1

1998

$790,594

1997

$1M

1996

$5M

$6,027,381

7+1715+ 55+ 77+ 47+ 58+ 56+ 45+ 89+ 83+ 91+ 48+ 88+ 11+ 6+ 50+ TURNED PRO:

$10M

$10,867,052

1. Woods turned pro in late August 1996 so he only played 8 money events that year for his total of $790,594 2. US PGA Tour prizemoney up to and including the BMW Championship 3. Figures are based on US PGA Tour prizemoney totals at www.tigerwoods.com GOLF GRINDER

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MANDURAH AMATEUR OPEN

Holman wins Mandurah Amateur OPEN

BY ANTHONY POWTER

Nathan Holman has collected another major amateur title with a one stroke victory over Jordan Zunic and Nicholas Price at the Mandurah Amateur Open in Western Australia.

Holman recorded rounds of 72-71-70-70 to finish at 5-under-par.

“It was nice to get another victory under the belt after a disappointing UK and US tour,” said Holman.

“It had been a frustrating time overseas for me. My game was not there as I was struggling with my putting and finding the fairways.”

“This week I held it all together and to close another event out is very satisfying.”

Jordan Zunic finished at 4-under-par, with only his opening round of 2-over-par, 74, damaging his chances of claiming his first major amateur title after following with rounds of 72-69-69.

Nicholas Price shared the runner-up position with Zunic with rounds of 69-71-72-72.

Oliver Goss, Michael Dennis and overnight leader, Brady Watt, finished in a tie for 4th at 3-under-par, after Watt recorded closing rounds of 72-74.

The victory was Holman’s fifth local win in eighteen months after securing the Riversdale Cup, Portsea Open, Victorian Amateur, with the Australian Master of the Amateurs his last win back in January at Royal Melbourne.

Holman is positioned just outside the top-100 world amateur ranking.

The win at the beginning of the Australian season gives the talented 21-year-old the much needed momentum following a disappointing summer in the UK and USA, where Holman’s best finish was a top-25 at the Porter Cup. GOLF GRINDER

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MASTER OF THE AMATEURS

The player exemption categories for the tournament include the current US and British Amateur champions, the European Amateur champion, the Australian Amateur champion and winners of the 2012 Porter Cup, Players Amateur and Dogwood Invitational.

All tier one Australian National Squad members are also exempt, as well as the world’s top-50 players under the R&A world amateur ranking.

“We have sent invitations to the world’s best players inviting them to come and play our event.”

“We have our American representative, Rick LaRose, currently in discussion with many of their top amateurs and he will bring another top team next January to Melbourne,” says Mann.

“Ulrich Zilg, the German National Coach, is working and talking to Europe’s main amateurs, whilst Lu Young is working with the Chinese national team.”

L TO R: TOM SMILEY, RICHARD FORSYTH, PETER MANN (CEO - MASTER OF THE AMATEURS), PAUL RAK

Master of THE AmATEURS tops ranking list Moving in to its 16th year, the Australian Master of the Amateurs has become the most successful and profitable amateur tournament in Australia

BY ANTHONY POWTER

According to tournament organisers, Peter and Angela Mann, the Australian Master of the Amateurs has captured the top-ranking position for amateur tournaments in Australia.

Peter Mann made the announcement last week in Melbourne at the tournament’s business network luncheon and with the world number one ranked amateur Chris Williams expressing interest, as well as players from Europe and Asia, the 2013 Australian Master of the Amateurs is shaping up nicely.

“We are excited with becoming the top-ranked Australian amateur tournament,” said Mann.

“Each year we continue on our journey and grow.

We have a wonderful family of sponsors and play the event at one of the world’s great courses.

This attracts the best amateurs in the world and the 2013 championship will be no different.”

The tournament is moving into its 16th successful year and is scheduled to be played on the West Course of the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in January 2013.

The fact the tournament has secured Royal Melbourne as the tournament’s venue is itself a major drawcard with many of the top US amateurs eager to test their skills on the famed course.

“Many guys here have said it is an event that you should play and to play where they held the Presidents Cup is certainly an added attraction,” remarked current world number one amateur, Chris Williams.“I have never played in Australia and that’s something I really would like to do.”

“It will be another truly international amateur tournament, like nothing else in Australia.”

Mann is open about how the tournament has expanded into an international affair despite criticism locally that each year fewer spots become available for Australian players through local qualifying.

Only the top three players gain entry to the 2013 championship.

“We don’t hide from the fact that we have raised the standard over the years,” says Mann.

“The world’s best want to play our event and that has seen the Australian Master of the Amateurs become this country’s best amateur tournament with players from all around the world competing for the title.”

It is hard to argue with Mann as to how the tournament has evolved on the world amateur stage.

Each year it has gone from strength to strength.

From a dream the Mann’s shared fifteen years ago, the couple currently run the most successful and profitable amateur tournament in Australia.

Ask PGA Tour player and former world number one amateur Rickie Fowler and he’s quick to make reference to his experience playing the event as

being one of the best he’s competed in.

2012 US Amateur champion Kelly Kraft and US Public Links champion Corbin Mills were blown away with the event last year, which according to Kraft was one of the best he had ever played.

The tournament rightly stands atop the list in the amateur rankings in Australia. This attracts the sponsors as the stature of the event continues to improve, becomming the blue print for other amateur tournaments in this country to follow.

The 2013 Master of the Amateurs Champion will receive exemptions into the 2013 British Amateur Championship and major US amateur tournaments including the Porter Cup, The Players Amateur, The Dogwood Invitational, as well as the Canadian Mens Amateur Championship.

That is hard to beat, no other amateur tournament in Australia can potentially open as many doors and this is why the Master of the Amateurs rightly has the top-ranking position.

MOTA CHAMPIONS YEAR

WINNER

2012

Nathan Holman

2011

Tarquin Macmanus

2010

Jordan Sherratt

2009

Mark Anderson

2008

Toby Wilcox

2007

Ashley Umbers

2006

Jason Day

2005

Ashley Hall

2004

Andrew Tampion

2003

Heath D'altera

2002

Ben Meyers

2000

Chee Huat Chong

1999

Brendan Jones

1998

Jim Stone

1997

Barry Miles GOLF GRINDER

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WORLD AMATUER TEAM C’SHIPS

MATT STIEGER

AUSSIES SET FOR WORLD AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP Turkey will play host to the best names in amateur golf as the 2012 World Amateur Team Championship tees off next week at Gloria Golf Club

BY MICHAEL COURT

Two Queenslanders and one New South Welshman will anchor the Australian men’s team for next week’s World Amateur Team Championship in Turkey.

The women’s team, to contest the Espirito Santo trophy also boasts some stunning talent with two West Australians and one Victorian selected to compete.

The men’s Eisenhower Trophy team will be the experienced Matthew Stieger (New South Wales), Daniel Nisbet (Queensland) and Cameron Smith (Queensland).

Likewise the women’s team of Breanna Elliott

(Victoria), Whitney Hillier and Min Jee Lee (WA) have been in stunning form and expected to acquit themselves well from September 27 to October 7 at Gloria, Antalya and Cornelia Golf Clubs in Antalya, Turkey.

Matthew Stieger, from the St Michaels Golf Club in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, is a former Australian Amateur champion and enjoyed a successful northern summer schedule making the quarter finals of the British Amateur Championship and also notching top-five finishes at the Scottish Amateur and Porter Cup. Nisbet (Caboolture) won the Players Amateur Championship in South Carolina in July and also

the prestigious Lake Macquarie Amateur earlier in the year. He also finished runner-up at the Australian Amateur.

Cameron Smith (Royal Queensland) is a former Australian Junior and Australian men’s strokeplay champion who finished runner-up to Nisbet at the Lake Macquarie Amateur.

Breanna Elliott (Yarrawonga and Border) won the Trans-National Amateur in South Carolina in July and won the South Australian, Western Australian and New South Wales Stroke Play titles earlier in the year.

Whitney Hillier (Joondalup) won the Malaysian Amateur Championship, Lake Macquarie Amateur and the Riversdale Cup and was the medallist at the Trans-National Amateur in the United States in July.

Min Jee Lee (Royal Fremantle), the world No. 6, last month became the first Australian to win the US Girls’ Junior Championship.

She is also a former Singapore Ladies Amateur,

Western Australian Amateur and Handa Junior Masters champion.

The Australian men’s team last won the Eisenhower Trophy in 1996 with a team that included Jamie Crow, David Gleeson, Jarrod Moseley and Brett Partridge.

The last Australian women’s team to win the Espirito Santo Trophy was Katherine Hull, Lindsey Wright and Vicky Thomas in 2002.

WORLD AMATEUR TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP DATE: SEP 27 - OCT 7 2012 WHERE: Antalya, Turkey WEB: www.worldamateur2012.org ESPIRITO SANTO TROPHY: 27-30 SEP COURSES: Gloria Golf Club (Old and New) EISENHOWER TROPHY (MEN): 4-7 OCT COURSES: Antalya (PGA Sultan) & Cornelia GC GOLF GRINDER

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2016 RIO OLYMPICS

TIGER MAY GO FOR GOLD AT RIO 2016 The thought of joining African-American greats such as Jessie Owens, Carl Lewis, Michael Jordan as Olympic Gold medallists definitely appeals to Woods

BY MICHAEL COURT

Tiger Woods has not ruled out representing the United States in four years’ time when golf returns to the Olympics, in 2016.

Woods will be 40 if he marches into the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Stadium behind the Stars and Stripes.

MCILROY’S OLYMPIC HEADACHE Ireland or England? The world number one golfer has been caught up in a heated debate about what flag he would play under at the 2016 Rio Olympics

BY MICHAEL COURT

He might have the golf world at his feet at the moment, but Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is in no hurry to decide just which part of the world he will be swearing his allegiance to.

The world’s number one player says he is in no hurry to decide whether he will represent Ireland or Britain at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

While McIlroy is as proud as any Northern Irishman, he moved quickly to defuse a sticky situation after he was reminded of a 2009 quote when he said he would “probably play for Great Britain”, a quote picked up by one of London’s daily newspapers.

“I wish to clarify that I have not made a decision regarding my participation in the next Olympics,” McIlroy explained on his Twitter account.

And while he still is fiercely determined to go past Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 Majors, the thought of a joining African-American greats such as Jessie Owens, Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson and Michael Jordan as Olympic Gold medallists definitely appeals to Woods.

“It’ll be something else to be able represent my country in the Olympic Games,” said Woods.

“Hopefully, I will be able to have qualified at that point in time, and I’ll be 40 years of age.

“It will be exciting to be able to go down to Brazil and do something like that, and to represent your country, whatever country we’re from.”

However the biggest gripe among the top players will be the 2016 Games format of four rounds of stroke play.

Former British Open champion, Stewart Cink has even suggested a long driving contest to ‘spiceup’ the golfing side of the things at the Games.

But while Woods would love an OIympic Gold, it’s his quest for a 15th major championship that continues to plague him.

“I figure it’s going to take a career, and it’s going to take a long time,” said Woods.

“Jack didn’t finish his until he was 46.

“So if go by that timetable I’ve got 10 more years and 41 more Majors.”

“On a personal level, playing in the Olympics would be a huge honour.”

“But the Games in Rio are still four years away and I certainly won’t be making any decisions with regards to participating any time soon.”

“My focus right now is on being the best player I can be, trying to win major championships and contributing to what will hopefully be a victorious European side at the Ryder Cup.” “I am also a proud Ulsterman who grew up in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom,” he said.

“That is my background and always will be. I receive huge support from both Irish and British sports fans alike and it is greatly appreciated.

It seems that whatever he decides to do, McIlroy may win plenty of fans – but lose a few others.

Both sides will want him on board. And golf will be the loser if he turns his back and decides it’s all too hard and stays home instead.

TIGER WOODS

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JAPAN GOLF TOUR

Barnes in valiant title defence in Japan

BY PAUL PRENDERGAST

Muswellbrook’s Kurt Barnes put up a stout defence of the ANA Open title he won in 2011, finishing with a final round 5-under par 67 on Sunday to finish a shot behind winner, Hiroyuki Fujita, at the Sapporo Golf Club’s Wattsu Course in Japan.

Barnes started the final round four shots behind in-form Korean Hyung-Sung Kim in a log-jam of ten players tied for third at 10 under par.

Kim held an overnight two shot lead over Fujita, Japan’s highest ranked player, but a final round 71 was not good enough to hold the lead in a low scoring final round.

Fujita’s final round 68 for a 16 under par total held off Barnes (67) who shared second place with China’s Wen-Chong Liang (64), Japan’s Yuta Ikeda (67) and Kim. Barnes earned ¥7,040,000 (AUD $85,080) for his best result in Japan in 2012, only a few weeks after a tie for 4th at the Vana H Cup KBC Augusta tournament.

The win was 43-year-old Fujita’s third on the Japan Golf Tour this season and vaulted him ahead of Australia’s Brendan Jones to number one on the Order of Merit.

New Zealander Richard Lee (T31st) and Brad Kennedy (T37th) were the other Australasians to make the cut.

KURT BARNES

+/-

NAME

R1

R2

R3

R4

-16

Hiroyuki Fujita

71

68

65

68

-15

Wen-Chong Liang

66

75

68

64

-15

Kurt Barnes (AUS)

70

67

69

67

-15

Yuta Ikeda

68

71

67

67

-15

Hyung-Sung Kim

67

70

65

71

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WEB.COM TOUR

SCOTT GARDINER

GARDINER EARNS PGA TOUR CARD for 2013 Queensland’s Scott Gardiner has fulfilled a life-long dream after securing his PGA Tour card for 2013 following the Web.com’s Boise Open

BY ANTHONY POWTER

Since turning professional in 2000, Scott Gardiner is yet to play on the PGA Tour.

It is something Gardiner has always wanted and his dream has finally become a reality following his runner-up finish at the Web.Com’s Tour Albertson’s Boise Open.

The 36-year-old Aussie and eight year veteran of the Web.Com Tour finished four shots behind Luke Guthrie at the Hillcrest Golf Club in Idaho to move his season earnings to US$212,000 to be in 9th position on the money list, well inside the desired top-25 who graduate to the main tour next season.

The result guarantees Gardiner a 2013 PGA Tour card following some near misses, with the most notable in 2010 when he missed by one place, or US $2,010, after closing poorly at the Tour Championship, the final event of the season.

But for a double bogey late in his final round Gardiner would have been packing his bags for the 2011 PGA Tour.

At the time it was one of the hard luck stories of the secondary tour, yet it made Gardiner even more determined to earn his way onto the PGA Tour.

“I don’t really dwell on it,” Gardiner said about

his near misses on making the PGA Tour.

Gardiner also came close to making the PGA Tour in 2009 and 2007 when he was 30th on the Web.com Tour money list each of those seasons.

He’s been to the Q-school finals three times all without securing a much sought after PGA Tour tour card.

His only career win on the Web.Com Tour came at the 2010 Chattanooga Classic, yet that was not enough to see him move to the PGA Tour that season.

“I’ve never really been there so I don’t know what I’m missing. That’s how I’ve looked at it in the past. A couple of years ago I won with about three events to go but in the last three weeks I didn’t get it done.”

Gardiner certainly knows the courses on the Web. Com Tour, having played in 193 career tournaments, making 119 cuts for just over US$1 million in career earnings.

This season there was the added motivation to make the number with the PGA Tour in 2013 set to change the qualifying criteria as to who graduates to the main tour from the Web.Com Tour.

“You have to always finish high on this tour or you can lose ground and miss the number,” said Gardiner about the Web.Com Tour.

“I’m kind of looking at this last stretch of golf as very important and I feel pretty good. It’s really about getting under par and seeing how low you can go.”

When Gardiner makes his long awaited debut on the PGA Tour next season, his experience and knowledge of life on tour will prove invaluable.

Gardiner has got the break he so richly deserves and in the process finally gets his shot at the big time.

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AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Scott, Ogilvy & Watson named for Aussie Open 62-year-old Tom Watson returns to the Australian Open for the first time in nearly 30 years.

BY PAUL PRENDERGAST

World number nine Adam Scott, eight-time major champion Tom Watson, defending champion Greg Chalmers and former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy are the first big names confirmed for this year’s Emirates Australian Open.

The 2009 champion and Australia’s highest ranked player, Scott will play the Open after an outstanding year capped by his heart-breaking runner-up finish to Ernie Els at The Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

Watson returns to the Australian Open for the first time in nearly 30 years.

The 62-year-old won the Australian Open in 1984 and holds five Open Championships, two US Masters and the US Open titles in an illustrious major collection. He also has eight second place finishes and 46 top-10 results in his major career.

Chalmers and Ogilvy return to The Lakes looking to repeat their recent successes, with Chalmers hunting a third Stonehaven Cup following his thrilling one stroke win over John Senden in 2011.

Golf Australia CEO Stephen Pitt said the field was coming together very well and would have some real attractions for golf fans.

“It’s fantastic to welcome back these four past winners of the Stonehaven Cup to the Emirates Australian Open.”

“Tom is one of the household names in world golf and we can’t wait to have he, Adam, Geoff and defending champion Greg back in action at The Lakes,” Pitt said.

“It’s the pinnacle week in Australian golf and things are continuing to shape up really well for the Championship.”

Pitt said there would be further player announcements as the countdown to the Championship continued.

The Emirates Australian Open is again co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia.

“We look forward to welcoming not only our own players, but also Asia’s best to The Lakes in December for yet another memorable tournament,” said PGA of Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Brian Thorburn.

The Emirates Australian Open will be played at The Lakes Golf Club from 6-9 December 2012.

A DECADE OF CHAMPIONS YEAR

WINNER

COURSE

2011

Greg Chalmers

The Lakes Golf Club, NSW

2010

Geoff Ogilvy

The Lakes Golf Club, NSW

2009

Adam Scott

New South Wales Golf Club, NSW

2008

Tim Clark

Royal Sydney Golf Club, NSW

2007

Craig Parry

The Australian Golf Club, NSW

2006

John Senden

Royal Sydney Golf Club, NSW

2005

Robert Allenby

Moonah Links (Open Course), VIC

2004

Peter Lonard

The Australian Golf Club, NSW

2003

Peter Lonard

Moonah Links (Open Course), VIC

2002

Stephen Allan

Victoria Golf Club, VIC

2001

Stuart Appleby

The Grand Golf Club, QLD

TOP MULTIPLE WINNERS ✪✪ Gary Player (7 times)

✪✪ Ivo Whitton (5 times)

✪✪ Jack Nicklaus (6 times)

✪✪ Peter Thomson (3 times)

✪✪ Greg Norman (5 times)

✪✪ Norman von Nida (3 times) GOLF GRINDER

23

GOLF GRINDER

24

COURSE OF THE WEEK

BARNBOUGLE DUNES HOLE: 17 (400m PAR 4) LOCATION: Bridport, Tasmania WEB: www.barnbougledunes.com.au GOLF GRINDER

25

GOLF GRINDER

26

NEW GEAR

Titleist introduces new 913 SERIES Drivers The all new Titleist 913 drivers have recorded a total of nine victories by six different winners including three titles by world number one, Rory McIlroy.

Designed and built for more speed and more distance, the new Titleist 913 drivers deliver more performance with the most precise fit available to all serious golfers through a combination of new innovations and Titleist’s SureFit Tour hosel technology.

Featuring a high-speed, forged face insert, the new Titleist 913D2 and 913D3 drivers are the fastest, most consistent drivers Titleist has ever designed, delivering maximum ball speeds over a large area of the face.

They are also Titleist’s most playable and forgiving drivers, primarily the result of improved launch conditions from a lower, more optimal center of gravity (CG) position, a new rear SureFit Tour weight and the fitting precision provided by the SureFit Tour adjustable hosel.

913D2 vs. 913D3 The 913D2 driver, with a larger head (460cc) and fuller pear shape, provides maximum forgiveness and has a slight draw bias as a result of its CG being positioned deeper in the head.

The 913D3 driver, with a smaller head (445cc) and traditional pear shape, is a forgiving driver yet provides more workability with no flight bias from its CG that is positioned closer to the face relative to the 913D2.

lower, and for more draw or fade for improved shot control and maximum distance.

The dual angle SureFit Tour hosel features a sleeve and ring, each with four settings.

The sleeve settings are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and the ring settings are lettered A, B, C, D. In total there are 16 settings, each creating a unique loft and lie combination.

Impressive Stock Shaft Matrix The 913’s high performance stock shaft matrix features five tour-proven options, including four high-performance aftermarket shafts (two each from Mitsubishi Rayon and Aldila), to fit a wide range of players and swing speeds.

The stock lineup includes the Mitsubishi Diamana +Plus White 72 (low launch) and Mitsubishi Diamana +Plus Blue 62 (mid launch).

Also Aldila RIP Phenom 70 (low-mid launch) and Aldila RIP Alpha 60 (lower-mid launch).

Mitsubishi Rayon and Aldila driver shafts are currently the most played driver shafts on the PGA Tour.

913D2 Specs ✪✪ Head volume: 460cc ✪✪ Lofts: 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 12° RH & LH ✪✪ Lofts: 7.5° RH only ✪✪ Lie 58.5°, Standard Length 45” ✪✪ Stock Grip: Titleist Tour Velvet 360° rubber 913D3 Specs ✪✪ Head volume: 445cc ✪✪ Lofts: 8.5°, 9.5°, 10.5°, 12° RH & LH ✪✪ Lofts: 7.5° RH only ✪✪ Lie 58.5°, Standard Length 45” ✪✪ Stock Grip: Titleist Tour Velvet 360° rubber

Precision Fit Via Tour Van-In-A-Hosel

Price & Availability

The SureFit Tour hosel, which debuted on Titleist 910 drivers, allows golfers to set loft and lie independently to optimise ball flight – higher or

The new 913D2 and 913D3 drivers will begin shipping to golf shops mid-November, 2012, with a suggested retail price of AUD$539 & NZD$649.

GOLF GRINDER

27

SUCCESS IS IN FULL SWING.

Rory McIlroy

Steve Stricker

Luke Donald

Yani Tseng

Bill Haas

Jason Dufner

Webb Simpson Nick Watney

Hunter Mahan

Nick Watney Webb SimpsonBubba Watson

2012 Worldwide Ball Count

Lee Westwood

15,671 Adam Scott

Nearest Competitor

2,517 Marc Leishman

The season’s momentum continues to build, as does the success of the undisputed golf ball performance leader. Week after week, more players around the world trust their game to Titleist, earning more victories than all other golf balls combined. The game’s best know they can count on Titleist when it matters most.

So when you’re on the tee with everything on the line, there’s just one question: What ball would you play?

Join Team Titleist at titleist.com.au ©2012 Acushnet Company. Source: Darrell Survey. Sports Marketing Surveys Inc. Northmountain International. Based upon results through 10/9/2012 on the U.S. PGA, U.S. LPGA, Champions, Nationwide, South African, Asian, Korean, China, OneAsia, Australasian, Japan, Canadian PGA and PGA European Tours. Customer Service:1800 660 535

GOLF GRINDER

28

MCDOWELL RETURNS TO OZ FOR MASTERS

BY MICHAEL COURT

In a major boost for this year’s Australian Masters, former US Open winner Graeme McDowell is set to make his Australian Masters debut at Melbourne’s renowned Kingston Heath layout from November 15-18.

The Ulsterman ended a 40-year wait for the Europeans by winning the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach.

Now he will return to Australia for the first time in seven years.

“It has been a while since I played in Australia and I have been desperate to get back down there ever since,” McDowell said.

“It’s such a beautiful country with great golf courses, great people and lovely weather.

“I am really looking forward to getting back down to Melbourne and playing on the sandbelt again.”

Also signed for Melbourne is defending champion Ian Poulter and Adam Scott, the current world number seven.

Scott has come closer than any other Australian player to winning a major for many years with his second at this year’s British Open.

After blowing a seemingly invincible position in his loss to South African Ernie Els, Scott is looking for redemption and nowhere more so than in Australia, where his record has not mirrored his success on the world stage with 18 career titles.

Scott’s only Australian success to date was his stunning victory in the windswept 2009 Australian Open.

GOLF GRINDER

29

SHORT CUTS

DALY’S TIME MACHINE

TAYLORMADE’S PROJECT 5

John Daly recently posted the following on his Facebook page:

GolfWRX reports that TaylorMade Golf Tour Staff Professional Justin Rose recently put the prototype “Project 5” ball into play at the Deutsche Bank Championship.

“All the talk of Crooked Stick--sifted thru an oldie but goodie! Oh,,,how young & fun with Tiger. I had just turned 21!!”

Prior to the start of the tourney, TaylorMade’s Dean Snell, was on-site to test the new ball. Rose put the new ball and liked it so much, he asked if he could play that week in Boston.

That makes Tiger Woods about 11-years-old in this photo.

He played 18 holes in the Pro-Am with the ‘Project 5’ and came back to Dean and said “I don’t how you did it, but outstanding work.”

Within just a decade, the gangly future billion dollar golfer had cruised to his first US Masters title by 12 strokes and , of course, the rest is history......

“I called the plant, had 4 dozen overnighted for the start of the tourney,” said Snell.

GMAC’S GUN AUTOGRAPH MONTY UNDERGOES MRI

The most interesting autograph goes to...

Graeme McDowell otherwise known as “GMac”.

Eight-time European Tour Order of Merit title winner, Colin Montgomerie underwent an MRI scan on his left leg after picking up the injury last fortnight in Switzerland and being forced out of the recent KLM Open.

Follow more of the US PGA Tour’s (pga_tour) tournament images on Instagram.

GMac will hit our shores for the first time since 2005 when he tees it up at the Australian Masters from 15-18 November.

He’ll wear a special DVT airline sock while he is also on a prescription of anti-inflamatories.

The 49-year-old has taken to wearing for a first time the new Ecco line of casual wear looking golf shoes worn by Masters champion, Fred Couples and recent Open Champion, Ernie Els.

DONALD VENTS ON TWITTER

VALE: MISS BURTTA CHENEY Golf Australia has announced that one of Australian golf’s true pioneers, Miss Burtta Cheney MBE, has passed away at age 95.

A pioneer of women’s golf, 95-year-old Miss Cheney enjoyed a long and illustrious career as a player, administrator and the founder of junior girls’ golf in Victoria.

Luke Donald learned that perhaps the old adage of “What happens on Tour, stays on Tour” doesn’t apply anymore. After bogeying the 18th at the Deutsche Bank Championship, a hole recently redesigned by Gil Hanse, Donald made his feelings clear.

“Gil Hanse is a c*ck! Ha ha,” he wrote. The tweets were quickly deleted but the damage was done.

“I made an error, I sent a message out on Twitter that was not meant to go out on Twitter and I take full responsibility.” Lesson learnt!

GOLF GRINDER

30

NEW GEAR

Cobra celebrates 40th Anniversary with Baffler Hybrid Irons Cobra Golf is celebrating its rich heritage and launching the all new Baffler Hybrid Irons just ahead of the company’s 40th anniversary.

The Hybrid Irons take key technology from Cobra’s iconic Baffler Hybrids to create an easy to hit iron that delivers maximum forgiveness, higher launch and improved distance.

Cobra introduced the Baffler, the first utility wood, in 1975. It changed the game with its patented railed sole for effective ball striking from any lie condition.

Since then, Cobra has developed and further improved on the original Baffler technology. The Baffler Hybrid Irons use a railed sole, influenced by the Baffler but designed specifically for irons, to reduce turf drag, providing easy contact and easy launch from all lie conditions.

The Cobra Baffler Hybrid Irons are available in right and left handed models in both steel & graphite (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, P, G, SW). RRP per iron is $75 for steel (stiff or regular) and $90 for graphite (stiff, regular or lite).

All Baffler Irons feature a Lamkin Cobra REL Grip.

Baffler Hybrids feature an MRC Cobra Baffler Hybrid shaft and Baffler Irons feature an MRC Cobra Baffler Iron shaft. The full set is Revolver Grey with Barbados Red highlights.

In the women’s line, the Baffler Hybrid Irons are available in right and left handed graphite models (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, P, G, SW) with a RRP of $90 per iron.

AVAILABLE

19 OCTOBER 2012 STEEL: $75 GRAPHITE: $90

Available at retail on October 19th, 2012.

GOLF GRINDER

31

39TH RYDER CUP

Love’s USA Ryder Cup team brimming with talent A combination of good luck and timing sees Love enter the 39th Ryder Cup with a team that is bristling with talent, experience and current form.

BY PAUL PRENDERGAST

United States Ryder Cup team captain, Davis Love III has announced his last four Captain’s picks to finalise a team to challenge the Europeans from September 28 – 30 at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.

Love III made what were the almost ‘no brainer’ picks of veterans Jim Furyk, Steve Stricker and the in-form Dustin Johnson and Brandt Snedeker, both of whom virtually picked themselves based on their form over the opening weeks of the FedEx Cup Playoff series.

The four picks join those who had qualified automatically following the PGA Championship at Kiawah.

Tiger Woods capped a meteoric rise on the back of a 3-win PGA Tour season by topping the automatic qualifiers, not 10 months on from when he was considered a somewhat controversial Captain’s selection for the 2011 Presidents Cup team.

Bradley, the 2011 PGA Champion, surged into automatic qualifying contention with his victory at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone and secured his spot, officially and emphatically, at Kiawah with a tie for 3rd in defence of his title.

“Ryder Cup means everything,” said Bradley, who along with Dufner, Simpson and Snedeker will be making his Ryder Cup debut. “It’s going to be a real challenge for me that week to stay calm and not get too excited. It’s a great event. I can’t wait to play.”

New England-native Bradley actually attended the 1999 matches at Brookline Country Club in Boston as a spectator. “Yeah, I went to the ’99 Ryder Cup,” he said. “Greatest sporting event I’ve ever been to, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

“It means a lot,” said Masters champion Bubba Watson.

“Any time you can put the stars and stripes on your sleeve and play some golf, this is the closest I’ll get to the military, so for me it’s about representing our coun-

try and playing some golf and hopefully win it.”

Veteran Phil Mickelson scraped in to the last automatic qualifying position with a T36 at the PGA and will be making his 9th Ryder Cup appearance, a new US record.

Love III will also be bouyed by Mickelson’s strong showing at the Deutsche Bank Championship, Mickelson’s highest finish on Tour since The Masters.

Love III had the enviable, but difficult, decision to make his final selection from a very strong cast of aspirants – including Hunter Mahan, Rickie Fowler and Nick Watney who were unlucky not to be selected.

“I think we’re extremely deep this time, deeper than we’ve ever been. There were a lot of guys that played a lot of really good golf,” Love said.

“You can analyze the numbers up and down and back and forth. It was tough to leave really anybody off.”

TEAM USA ✪✪ Phil Mickelson (9th appearance) ✪✪ Jim Furyk (8th appearance) ✪✪ Tiger Woods (7th appearance) ✪✪ Steve Stricker (3rd appearance) ✪✪ Zach Johnson (3rd appearance) ✪✪ Bubba Watson (2nd appearance) ✪✪ Dustin Johnson (2nd appearance) ✪✪ Matt Kuchar (2nd appearance) ✪✪ Brandt Snedeker (Debut) ✪✪ Jason Dufner (Debut) ✪✪ Keegan Bradley (Debut) ✪✪ Webb Simpson (Debut) GOLF GRINDER

32

PLAYER NEWS

Norman CLOCKED BY SPONSOR SNUB

BY MICHAEL COURT

Two-time British Open champion Greg Norman declared he’d never been more insulted in his life after being refused entry to hear long-time friend and colleague, Jose Maria Olazabal announce his two European Team ‘wildcard’ picks.

Norman was at Gleneagles to host a Johnnie Walker-sponsored clinic before heading for Switzerland to play in the European Tour’s Omega European Masters.

With heavy rain keeping everyone inside, Norman found himself in the hotel about the same time his friend and colleague of 30-years was confirming Ian Poulter and Nicolas Colsaerts were his two Ryder Cup wildcard picks.

Norman is currently an ambassador for Omega whereas Swiss wrist watch rival, Rolex was one of five main sponsors, along with Johnnie Walker, of the European Ryder Cup Team.

For that reason the champion Australian, who also spent more than 300 weeks at World No. 1, was told in no uncertain terms his presence was not welcome at the announcement.

“It’s a long story but Rolex just wouldn’t allow me to be present in the room,” said Norman.

“What was annoying is that Jose Maria and I have been mates for 30 years. He later came up to me to apologise for what happened.

“He just wanted to know that it wasn’t him who didn’t want me in the press conference.”

“Of course, I was in Scotland for Johnnie Walker and they’re one of the Ryder Cup and Tour sponsors.”

“So it’s a deep and ugly story. I’m disgusted by it all and it’s never ever happened before in my entire life.”

GOLF GRINDER

33

GOLF NSW

JOAN LEE AND STEVEN VAIL

VAIL, LEE WIN NSW MIXED FOURSOMES Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club’s Joan Lee and Steven Vail have won the NSW Mixed Foursomes on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff

BY MICHAEL COURT

It was a nail-biting finish to the 2012 NSW Mixed Foursomes Championships at Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club.

Joan Lee and Steven Vail from Ryde-Parramatta GC finished tied with Kate Thomas and Julian Jackson from Manly GC, both pairs shooting 75 in a field of 110 players.

A sudden-death play-off down the first hole was needed to determine a winner between the two pairs.The home team of Lee and Vail parred the first play-off hole to take the Championship, proving to be too strong for Thomas and Jackson who had a bogey.

NSW OPEN @ THE VINTAGE

Lee and Vail were determined to win this year’s championship as it was their home turf, but they were also excited as it was their first foursomes pairing.

Last year’s winners, Olivia Wilson and Callum O’Reilly finished three strokes behind the leaders with a 78 to come in third place.

Wilson and O’Reilly’s highlight of the day was an eagle on the fifth hole.

Nett Winners were Marilyn Carthew and Alan Jewell (Charlestown) with a score of 76.

One shot behind were Runners-up were Zoey An and Andrew Murgatroyd (Liverpool) with 77 nett winning on a countback from Stacey South and Jefery Shearim (Glenmore) who took third place.

This year Golf NSW introduced the NSW Mixed Foursomes Club Champion of Champions event, to be played in conjunction with the NSW Mixed Foursomes Championship.

The 2012 winners of this trophy were Kelly and Andrew Brough from Magenta Shores, with a 90 off the stick, to win by two shots.

Well done to Joan Lee and Steven Vail.

NSW OPEN CANCELLED for 2012 The NSW Open, which began in 1931, has come to an end for 2012 with the annoucement by Golf NSW that the event is financially unsustainable

BY MICHAEL COURT

Its list of winners reads like a who’s who of Australian golf greats. Yet even that wasn’t enough to save the men’s NSW Open golf championship from being cancelled for 2012.

Lack of sponsorship forced the board of Golf NSW to declare their flagship event as being ‘financially unsustainable’.

It’s a sad ending for an event that was once labeled among the top three golf events in Australia.

Since it began in 1931 the NSW Open has boasted winners like five-time champion Jim Ferrier,

four-time winner Norman von Nida, former British Open champions Kel Nagle, Greg Norman, Peter Thomson and Ian Baker-Finch and most of our other prominent golfers including Craig Parry, Jack Newton, Peter O’Malley, Peter Lonard, Bob Shearer, Rodger Davis, Billy Dunk, Frank Phillips and Eric Cremin – the list just goes on and on.

After a six-year hiatus from 1995-2001, officials worked doubly hard to get the NSW Open back up and running and in recent years it has been played at courses like Liverpool, Greg Norman’s Hunter Valley masterpiece The Vintage as well as the renowned Newcastle course.

Yet even with a history like that sponsorship has been hard to find and the 2012 event had to be cancelled.

According to the Golf NSW board, efforts will continue to be explored to bring the event back again in future years.

But it seems the future on the NSW Open will depend on securing financial support from prospective sponsorship partners.

Let’s hope for a return to the calender for 2013.

GOLF GRINDER

34

GOLF NEWS

MONTY’S DELIGHTED ABOUT AUGUSTA MEMBERSHIP DECISION

the exclusive Georgia club in its 80-year history.

Eight-time European winner Colin Montgomerie added his thoughts regarding the recent decision to allow female members at Augusta National

He also expressed a wish the R&A to follow suit.

BY MICHAEL COURT

Popular Scottish professional Colin Montgomerie showed his mischievous side when asked to comment on the decision by Augusta National to admit women members for the first time.

Former US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice and businesswoman, Darla Moore have been voted the first women to become members of

‘Monty’ was approached for a comment on the decision while playing in the recent Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

Monty joked: “It’s a great decision. [I’m] delighted. But they will find it difficult to clear the pond at 15.”

The eight-time European number one later spoke at length saying how pleased he was that clubs like Augusta National were being slowly dragged into the 21st Century.

“I’m not a member of the R&A and never will be as a pro, so I can’t say anything about that.”

“I’m just glad that Augusta have selected two lady members to be accepted into the golf club.”

“I’m sure that in this day and age, it’s just a matter of time before ladies are members of other golf clubs. So that was brilliant. That was very impressive, that was,” he said.

49-year-old Monty finished in a tie for 6th at the Johnnie Walker Championship.

MARK GIBSON (L) CONGRATULATES DENIS MCDADE

McDade PGA Teacher of the Year Yarra Bend’s Denis McDade has been named the PGA of Australia’s 2012 Teacher Of The Year at the Srixon PGA Coaching Summit on the Gold Coast

BY MICHAEL COURT

He coaches many of Australia’s leading golfers, yet it was two ‘departed’ golfers that came to the fore when Denis McDade was named the PGA of Australia’s 2012 Teacher Of The Year.

McDade has been a PGA member for more than 20 years and worked with the Victorian Institute of Sport golf program for the past 11 years as well.

His hard work was acknowledged when the award was handed out at the Srixon PGA Coaching Summit on the Gold Coast.

The Ross Herbert Teacher of the Year accolade is awarded every two years to coincide with the Coaching Summit, the pinnacle of educational opportunity for Australian PGA Professionals.

Past winners of the coaching award include Steven Bann, Ian Triggs, Gary Edwin, David Milne, Mark Gibson, Gary Barter and Dayle Lynch.

McDade, from the Yarra Bend golf course in Victoria dedicated his outstanding achievement to his late father as well as his former employer the late Ross Herbert.

“On behalf of the PGA and all my fellow Members, I congratulate Denis on this his latest achievement in what has already been an outstanding career,” said Mark Gibson, Chairman of the PGA of Australia.

McDade has forged a career coaching top players like Marc Leishman, Paul Sheehan, Gareth Paddison, Clint Rice, recent OneAsia tour winner Mattew Griffin and 2011 British Amateur champion Bryden Macpherson.

“Denis has always represented our Association with great passion, and his dedication to the game of golf at all levels commands great respect. I’m sure we will continue to see many more achievements from Denis and his players.

GOLF GRINDER

35

ASIAN TOUR

Sensational Field set for Thailand Golf Championship Bubba Watson will join major champions – Darren Clarke, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen at the US$1 million Asian Tour event.

BY PAUL PRENDERGAST

The second edition of the Thailand Golf Championship at the Amata Spring Country Club, from December 6 to 9, is shaping as one of the best fields being assembled anywhere in the world towards the end of the 2012 season.

Defending champion Lee Westwood of England will return to defend his title but his competition will literally be of ‘Major Championship’ quality.

Westwood will be joined by Bubba Watson, the 2012 Masters champion, and 2012 World Golf Championship - Accenture Match Play Championship winner Hunter Mahan.

Three other recent Major champions – Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke (2011 Open champion), South Africans Charl Schwartzel (2011 Masters champion) and a red hot Louis Oosthuizen (2010 Open champion) will take their place in this year’s US$1 million Asian Tour event.

Oosthuizen’s form has been outstanding of late, dueling with World Number One Rory McIlroy on the final day at the recent Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston only to finish a shot shy in second place and, of course, losing to Watson in a memorable playoff at The Masters in April.

Also adding to the excitement will be Spain’s Sergio Garcia who has also been in impeccable form.

Last month he won the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship and then took the lead into the final round of The Barclays Championship before finishing in joint third place.

The Spanish star is currently ranked 17th in the

world and will play a key role for Europe in the Ryder Cup later this month in his sixth appearance for the team.

Westwood, Garcia and Watson will all appear at the Ryder Cup matches in late September, along with Clarke who will be one of Jose Maria Olazabal’s assistant captains for the European team.

The local challenge will be led by Thongchai Jaidee, a three-time Asian Tour number one who played in two Majors this year, the Open Championship and PGA Championship.

Thongchai, regarded as one of Asia’s greatest players, has won five European Tour events, including the Wales Open this year, and has earned 13 Asian Tour titles, a record he shares with veteran Thaworn Wiratchant, who will also be competing at Amata Spring.

With some months to go before the tournament, there is already a high sense of anticipation following the great success of last year’s tournament and the player announcements for this year’s event.

Westwood won the full-field Asian Tour title in majestic style last year, storming to a comfortable seven-shot victory after opening his campaign with a stunning 12-under-par 60 - flirting with the magical 59, which would have been a first for the Asian Tour.

“It was one of the best rounds I’ve ever played,” said Westwood. “I was just on a roll.”

The English star admitted that at one stage he thought 59 was a chance, “but it wasn’t to be”.

He will face a tough defence with the inclusion of the world class names mentioned and strong contingents from the Japan Tour and Asian Tour, many of whom have achieved international success.

Thailand Golf Championship COURSE: Amata Spring Country Club DATE: 6-9 December 2012 WHERE: Thailand PURSE: US$1,000,000 WEB: www.thailandgolfchampionship.com GOLF GRINDER

36

DEMO DAYS

// SEPTEMBER 2012 DATE

TIME

LOCATION

TYPE

VICTORIA

DATE

TIME

LOCATION

TYPE

SAT 21ST

1000 – 1400

TOUKLEY GOLF CLUB

FIT*

SAT 1ST

1000 – 1400

WARRAGUL COUNTRY CLUB

FIT*

MON 24TH

1100 – 1600

DRUMMOND GOLF WARRAWONG

FIT*

TUE 4TH

1300 – 1700

KOORINGAL GOLF CLUB

FIT*

TUE 25TH

1100 – 1600

CHARLESTOWN GOLF CLUB

FIT*

WED 5TH

1000 – 1400

YERING MEADOWS

FIT*

WED 26TH

0900 – 1400

SHORTLAND WATERS GOLF CLUB

FIT*

WED 5TH

1600 – 1900

MELBOURNE GOLF ACADEMY

DEMO

THU 27TH

0800 – 1300

AVONDALE GOLF CLUB

FIT*

THU 6TH

1000 – 1400

PORTARLINGTON GOLF CLUB

FIT*

THU 27TH

1600 – 1900

THORNLIEGH GOLF CENTRE

FRI 7TH

1000 – 1400

LONSDALE GOLF CLUB

FIT*

FRI 28TH

1300 – 1700

MORRISETT GOLF CLUB

FIT*

SAT 8TH

1000 – 1400

BARWON HEADS GOLF CLUB

FIT*

QUEENSLAND

SAT 8TH

1000 – 1430

BARHAM GOLF CLUB

DEMO

TUE 4TH

1730 – 1930

VICTORIA PARK GOLF COMPLEX

FIT*

MON 10TH

0900 – 1300

MEDWAY GOLF CLUB

FIT*

WED 5TH

0900 – 1300

BRISBANE GOLF CLUB

FIT*

TUE 11TH

1000 – 1400

COMMONWEALTH GOLF CLUB

FIT*

THU 6TH

1300 – 1700

ROYAL QUEENSLAND

FIT*

THU 13TH

1000 – 1400

LONG ISLAND COUNTRY CLUB

FIT*

TUE 11TH

1000 – 1200

PELICAN WATERS

THU 13TH

1700 – 2000

YARRA BEND GOLF DRIVING RANGE

DEMO

TUE 11TH

1400 – 1700

CALOUNDRA

FIT*

FRI 14TH

1000 – 1400

KEW GOLF CLUB

FIT*

THU 13TH

1400 – 1700

PARKWOOD

DEMO

SAT 15TH

1000 – 1400

CURLEWIS GOLF CLUB

FIT*

FRI 14TH

1400 – 1700

VIRGINIA

DEMO

TUE 18TH

1300 – 1700

HOG RINGWOOD

FIT*

SAT 22ND

0900 – 1230

SANCTUARY COVE

WED 19TH

1000 – 1400

METROPOLITAN GOLF CLUB

FIT*

FRI 28TH

1300 – 1700

PALM MEADOWS

WED 19TH

1700 – 1900

SANDRINGHAM GOLF RANGE

DEMO

SAT 29TH

0900 – 1300

PACIFIC GOLF CLUB

THU 20TH

1500 – 1800

BARWON VALLEY GOLF CLUB

FIT*

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

FRI 21ST

1200 – 1600

SORRENTO GOLF CLUB

FIT*

THU 20TH

1000 – 1400

TEA TREE GULLY GOLF CLUB

DEMO

SAT 22ND

1000 – 1400

RANFURLIE GOLF CLUB

FIT*

SAT 22ND

1000 – 1400

BAROSSA VALLEY GOLF CLUB

DEMO

TUE 25TH

1700 – 1900

WODONGA GOLF CLUB

FIT*

DEMO

DEMO

MEM DEMO FIT*

* By appointment only WED 26TH

1000 – 1400

YARRAWONGA & BORDER GC

FIT*

THU 27TH

1000 – 1500

RICH RIVER GOLF CLUB

FIT*

NEW SOUTH WALES WED 19TH

0900 – 1500

BONNIE DOON GOLF CLUB

FIT*

THU 20TH

1000 – 1500

ST MICHAELS GOLF CLUB

FIT*

FRI 21ST

1100 – 1600

MOSS VALE GOLF CLUB

FIT*

* By appointment only

GOLF GRINDER

37

DEMO DAYS

// SEPTEMBER 2012 DATE

TIME

LOCATION

TYPE

WED 5TH

9AM – 3PM

SPRING VALLEY GOLF CLUB

WED 5TH

4PM – 7PM

MELBOURNE GOLF ACADEMY

DEMO

THU 6TH

9AM – 5PM

HOUSE OF GOLF MELBOURNE

FIT*

SAT 8TH

9AM – 12PM

MGA – RBZ CHALLENGE

DEMO

SAT 8TH

9AM – 12PM

MELBOURNE GOLF ACADEMY

DEMO

MON 17TH

10AM – 2PM

KEW GOLF CLUB

FIT*

TUE 18TH

8AM – 10:30AM

BOX HILL GOLF CLUB

FIT*

TUE 18TH

1PM – 5PM

MAROONDAH DRIVING RANGE

FIT*

WED 19TH

10AM – 3PM

KINGSTON HEATH GOLF CLUB

FIT*

WED 19TH

5PM – 7PM

SANDRINGHAM DRIVING RANGE

THU 20TH

9AM – 3PM

WERRIBIE PARK GOLF CLUB

FIT*

FRI 21ST

10AM – 5PM

SANTUARY LAKES GOLF CLUB

FIT*

SAT 22ND

10AM – 3PM

CLIFTON SPRINGS GOLF CLUB

FIT*

THU 27TH

5PM – 7PM

YARRA BEND DRIVING RANGE

FIT*

VICTORIA MEM ONLY*

DEMO

NEW SOUTH WALES SAT 1ST

9AM – 12PM

THORNLEIGH GOLF CENTRE

DEMO

TUE 18TH

9AM – 12PM

GOLD CREEK CC

DEMO

THU 20TH

5PM – 7PM

GOLF PARADISE DRIVING RANGE

SAT 25TH

1000 – 1330

ROYAL FREMANTLE GOLF CLUB

FIT* DEMO

* By appointment only

GOLF GRINDER

38

DEMO DAYS

// SEPTEMBER 2012 DATE

TIME

LOCATION

TYPE

VICTORIA

DATE

TIME

LOCATION

TYPE

THU 20TH

4PM – 7PM

TEMPE GOLF DRIVING RANGE

FIT*

SAT 1ST

11AM – 1PM

SANCTUARY LAKES CLUB LIMITED

FIT*

THU 20TH

12PM – 4PM

WENTWORTH GOLF CLUB

FIT*

THU 6TH

11AM – 4PM

WODONGA GOLF CLUB

FIT*

FRI 21ST

11AM – 4PM

MUDGEE GOLF CLUB

FIT*

THU 13TH

5PM – 8PM

YARRA BEND GOLF COURSE

DEMO

TUE 25TH

8.30 – 2.30

CAMDEN LAKESIDE CC

FIT*

WED 19TH

10AM – 2PM

DROUIN GOLF CLUB

FIT*

WED 26TH

9AM – 1PM

THE AUSTRALIAN GOLF CLUB

FIT*

WED 19TH

4PM – 8PM

SANDRINGHAM GOLF LINKS

FIT*

THU 27TH

4PM – 7PM

DRUMMOND CROSSROADS

FIT*

SAT 22ND

10AM – 2PM

COMMONWEALTH GOLF CLUB

FIT*

TASMANIA 10AM – 4PM

DEVONPORT GOLF CLUB

QUEENSLAND

SUN 9TH

SAT 1ST

8AM – 12PM

GAINSBOROUGH GREENS

DEMO

THU 6TH

3 – 5.30PM

CARRARA GARDENS GC

DEMO

FRI 7TH

3PM – 5PM

COOLANGATTA-TWEED HEADS

DEMO

SAT 8TH

6AM – 11AM

GOLD COAST COUNTRY CLUB

DEMO

SAT 15TH

8.30 – 12.30

SANCTUARY COVE CC

DEMO

TUE 18TH

5.30 – 7.30

VICTORIA PARK

DEMO

SAT 22ND

TBA

HOPE ISLAND RESORT GOLF CLUB

DEMO

DEMO

* By appointment only

NEW SOUTH WALES SAT 1ST

7.30 – 11.30

COFFS HARBOUR GOLF CLUB

FIT*

TUE 4TH

8.30 – 2.30

CAMDEN LAKESIDE CC

FIT*

WED 5TH

9AM – 2PM

BONNIE DOON GOLF CLUB

FIT*

WED 5TH

4PM – 7PM

THE RIDGE GOLF DRIVING RANGE

FIT*

THU 6TH

4PM – 7PM

MOORE PARK GOLF CLUB

FIT*

FRI 7TH

12PM – 5PM

CAMPBELLTOWN GOLF CLUB

FIT*

SAT 8TH

9AM – 2PM

BELMONT GOLF CLUB

FIT*

THU 13TH

4PM – 7PM

NARRABEEN DRIVING RANGE

FIT*

FRI 14TH

1PM – 5PM

MONASH COUNTRY CLUB

FIT*

MON 17TH

10AM – 2PM

DUNTRY LEAGUE GOLF CLUB

FIT*

TUE 18TH

10AM – 3PM

FORBES GOLF CLUB

FIT*

WED 19TH

8AM – 12PM

DUBBO GOLF CLUB

FIT*

* By appointment only

GOLF GRINDER

39