IG174 January 2020

January 2020 www.insidegolf.com.au CLUB NEWS 18 In perfect conditions at the Canberra International Golf Centre at Narrabundah last month, 72 holes proved to be insufficient to decide either the Men’s or Women’s National Pitch and Putt Champions. Locked on 14-under-par, James Rogerson – a past runner up in the World Strokeplay Championship and former title holder – faced against a younger Jack Kalis from Wagga in a sudden-death play-off. Both landed the 11 th green comfortably but Kalis was inside Rogerson’s ball. Rogerson narrowly missed his putt but an assured Kalis sank his to claim his first Australian Open Pitch and Putt Title. The Women’s play-off was a family affair. Marie Hutchison against Sandra Hutchison – Queanbeyan against Canberra. After good tee shots each comfortably parred the 11 th hole and the contest seemed all over on the 12 when Marie Hutchison put her ball three feet from the flag. Sandra played a poor tee shot, leaving her more than 20 feet off the green and a further 10 feet from the flag. Undaunted. She rifled in a putt that jammed in the hole against the flag. Marie sank her putt to remain in the hunt. Playing the first hole as the 39 th hole of the day – the 75 th of the competition – in what was becoming an epic battle, the pressure began to tell as both players uncharacteristically failed to find the green with their tee shots. Marie’s approach shot left her with a 10-foot putt but Sandra’s downhill putt from off the green finished stone dead to secure her first Australian Open Pitch and Putt Title. This year event provided a dramatic illustration of just how exciting and engaging the sport of pitch and putt golf can be. The finish to both the Men’s andWomen’s events was of the highest quality and produced two worthy champions. At the Championship Dinner hosted by the Canberra International Golf Centre Committee at the Harmonie German Club on Saturday evening, Tim Terrell AM – a founding member of the Australian Pitch and Putt Association in 2006 and a long- term Board member who established the administrative structure and formulated the key strategies and policies for the sport – was installed as the national association’s inaugural Life Member. By Michael Court Winner of the play-off in the 2019 Australian Ladies Open Pitch and Putt Championship, Sandra Hutchison plays the approach shot that sets up her winning putt. Dramatic end to the Australian Pitch and Putt TITLES IN CANBERRA IT is one of Australia’s biggest inland cities … and Orange boasts three impressive 18- hole golf courses for its golf-mad residents. Now it’s been suggested the Orange Ex- Services’ Country Club golf course could become the preferred site for a $25 million multi-sports complex. Unfortunately that may mean the course loses nine of its 18 holes, which are currently beside Sir Jack Brabham Park. A recent report to Orange City Council has recommended the council focus on the Bloomfield site instead of the current preferred site off the Northern Distributor Road in north Orange. It claimed the Bloomfield site has a number of benefits including existing power and water access, less administration costs, proximity to existing sports facilities and Orange hospital and the Southern Feeder Road. Obviously that would be subject to the golf course land becoming available. Reports say the golf club has been told its lease on the Crown Land site is unlikely to be renewed. Orange Ex-Services course in danger Tree trouble at Roseville I T was a storm which left the golf club reeling, members with nowhere to play and almost 100 trees either uprooted or severely damaged. And some of them had been there since the Roseville golf course in Sydney’s north was first built. Head superintendent Mark O’Sullivan said he had never seen anything like it in his 29 years at the iconic Sydney course. A call went out to the members for support and Roseville GM Oliver Raggett said he witnessed a new-found spirit at the club that surprised him. “Everyone just wanted to pitch in and get the course back in a playable condition,” said Raggett. “They came from everywhere and there was such a great mateship they did a marvellous job getting everything open. “We lost two days’ play – the power was out for longer than that – and we were open for play on the Saturday with only the par-four seventh still too damaged to play to its full length. “Mark worked around the clock to get the place back to normal. “But some of the trees we lost were massive.” And while many tall trees came down around the 10 th , 11 th and 12 th holes, many members say the ‘holes in the sky’are making golf a little more hazardous than they were before as balls that once found trouble in trees now come soaring through the heavens. “The amazing part about it was we received more damage than any of the other courses in the area,” said O’Sullivan. “It must have been a once in a 100-year storm and it came in a straight line that smashed Roseville but didn’t seem to cause anywhere near as much damage to the nearby golf courses. “The course had been in great condition following the recent Roseville Gold Mashie. “Nearly everything has now been cleaned up, sadly the dam is at its lowest level for a long while. “Right now some rain would be a Godsend.” Spring Valley Golf Club Summer Promotion GOLD OFFER Terms of offer: No entrance fee, limited to 50 only in category A and B; first come first serve; Under 40 age categories are not eligible; AM weekend timesheet access restricted to 24 hours later for the current financial year. ExtEnDED tO 31 JanUaRY 2020 Phone: (03) 9562 3811 | Email: membership@springvalleygolf.com.au nO EntRanCE FEE