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November 2024 www.insidegolf.com.au THE FIRST TEE 5 Golf in Asia. Why not? A RECENT Inside Golf reader competition, coupled with articles I’ve either written or edited in the past 12 months relating to golf in Asia, brings fond memories flooding back from my time playing and traveling throughout the region in the mid to late 1990’s. Every week was a unique experience, with different countries and their distinct cultures, while more often than not we played on quality golf courses, against elite competition. It was a period in my life I’ll never forget, a time which broadened my horizons and opened my eyes to a whole new world, not only as a golfer, but for someone who had led a relatively sheltered existence, knowing little about Asia and what it was all about. My Asian golf experience began with a flight to Bangkok, a trip to Hau Hin and a successful tilt at a qualifying school, one which allowed me to join what was then called the Omega Asian Tour. The Omega Tour was an ambitious project, a breakaway organisation to one that had previously existed, which had been run and administered by an American named John Benda who worked with the various local golfing bodies. With a couple of smart people and investors in charge and with the assistance of a few heavy hitters from around Asian golf, the Omega Tour was born and the new entity succeeded in becoming the premier professional circuit in the region. We played almost everywhere, from the traditional destinations to emerging golfing nations. The Tour would visit Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Korea, India, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Dubai, the Philippines, Macau, even Myanmar and Pakistan, and I’ve likely forgotten a few. Probably the places where I didn’t play well!! And the local players were world class, the world at the time just didn’t know about them, while most had little ambition to try their luck in the US or Europe. KJ Choi dominated in Asia before he headed for the US, however there were a collection of exceptional players who never ventured further afield. Kang Wook Soon, a Taiwanese professional won everything for probably a twoyear period, a stocky little Thai named Prayad Marksaeng was super impressive and there was another golfer from Thailand, Thaworn Wiratchant, who won multiple events, over a number of years, with what would be best described as an unorthodox swing. I still to this day don’t know how he did it, produced the scores he did, but he definitely beat me on more occasions than I beat him. Plenty of Australians also cut their teeth on the Asian Tour, John Sendan, Greg Chalmers played a couple of seasons before heading for the US and the PGA TOUR, Scott Hend before he carved out a career in Europe, Robert Allenby was an occasional visitor during his prime, just to name a few. Good times, good golf and if you played well enough you could make a decent living. So then, what is this editorial all about? Firstly to congratulate our prize winner, Greg Slocum from Hawthorn, Victoria who has won a trip for two, including round trip flights, accommodation and golf at a couple of Kuala Lumpur’s premier courses. Recently retired, Greg is a regular at Morack Public Golf course in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. His 25-word response in our Win a Golfing Trip To Malaysia competition must have done the trick, with Tourism Malaysian choosing Greg as the winner and while he has previously played golf in Asia, to say he was excited to be going back again is an understatement. Well done Greg, and we hope you enjoy your prize. Secondly, I’m here to say I am very envious. Asian golf has come a long way since I was travelling and playing throughout the region. More Asian golfers are now on the world stage, particularly regarding women’s golf where they are a dominant force. Added to that, the game has become increasingly popular in the region, there has been a surge in demand from locals and visiting golfers alike and as a result numerous big name professionals and best in the business course designers have, and are continuing to, put their names to new projects. All of the above considered, I read through the editorials for Asian golf and consider the possibilities of returning to experience the courses on offer, albeit for fun these days rather than as a way of earning a dollar. Maybe you should too. Australian golf is obviously in great shape, the game is accessible, our courses outstanding wherever you want to play, therefore far be it from me to discourage anyone from venturing to a regional area or maybe interstate to tackle a new golfing destination. However, for something a little out of the ordinary, maybe think about packing the clubs and booking a golfing vacation in Asia. Every chance you won’t be disappointed if you do. PUBLISHER: Sam Arthur | sam@insidegolf.com.au Outdoor Sports Publishing Pty Ltd ACN 113 836 301 ABN 30 043 104 919 PO BOX 437, Miami, QLD 4220 EDITORIAL: Editor: Rob Willis rob@insidegolf.com.au Editor-At-Large: David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au NSW/ACT Journalist: Michael Court michael@insidegolf.com.au VIC/TAS Journalist: Michael Davis michael.davis@insidegolf.com.au QLD Journalist: Peter Owen peter.owen@outlook.com.au Design & Layout: Stacey Broomhead, Rob Kirk CONTRIBUTORS: Larry Canning, David Newbery,Tony Webeck, John Riley, Karen Lunn, Michael Cooney, Andrew Crockett Distributed to over 450 golf clubs, social golf clubs, driving ranges and retailers Australia wide every month. Combined print and online national monthly readership over 210,000. AUSTRALIA’S MOST-READ GOLF MAGAZINE www.insidegolf.com.au Cover Images: Cover images, from left, Stephanie Kyriacou, Jason Day, Joachin Niemann, Lucas Herbert, Cameron Smith, Min Woo Lee, Hannah Green. 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November 2024 www.insidegolf.com.au 6 CAMERON Smith, defending Australian Open champ Joachin Niemann, 2023 Australian PGA winner Min Woo Lee, Lucas Herbert, Cam Davis and Marc Leishman, taking on Australia’s exciting crop of young guns and emerging stars, the likes of Hannah Green, Ashleigh Buhai and a field of world class female professionals competing for the Women’s Open in Melbourne. It’s enough to excite any Australian golf fan. And it could be you, taking it all in from the best seats in the house, watching a collection of elite golfing talent battle for the most coveted and sought after titles. It’s about a good time at the BMW PGA Championship at Royal Queensland, be it from the infamous ‘party hole’ or from any of the other corporate or public vantage points on course. Min Woo put on quite the show last year, can he do it again? Then following the festivities in Brisbane, the action shifts to the Melbourne sandbelt for the ISPS HANDA Australian Open, where Men, Women and All Abilities head to the Kingston Heath and Victoria golf clubs, where it’s all about inclusivity and seeing the best Aussie’s play in the one event. And you could be watching all the action in comfort and luxury, with Inside Golf giving readers the chance to win two corporate tickets to the PGA Championship, with two more on offer at the Australian Open. On Thursday November 21, for round one of the PGA Championship, you could be enjoying the world class golf on display, and the first-class hospitality to match, from the Champions Deck at Royal Queensland. While one lucky winner can be front and centre at Kingston Heath during the opening round of the Australian Open on Thursday, November 28. Eat, drink, enjoy the hospitality and comfort of the Champions Club and experience the excitement and atmosphere as a collection of Australia’s best men and women professionals compete for two national golfing crowns. You need to be in it, to win it! To enter, visit www.insidegolf.com.au/competitions Competition closes Monday 18 November. INSIDE NEWS With Inside Golf Editor Rob Willis rob@insidegolf.com.au IN THIS ISSUE 62 63 NEW GEAR INSTRUCTION AMATEUR GOLF 18 BUNKER-TOBUNKER 32 SPECIAL FEATURE LETTERS BELLARINE PENINSULA FEATURE 38 33 54 PRO NEWS 7 INDUSTRY NEWS 24 CLUB NEWS 44 CLUB OF THE MONTH 40 EVENTS 64 GOLF DIRECTORY 68 19TH HOLE 66 DEMO DAYS 65 PGA Championship – be there to share in $1million ADDING some extra excitement to the famous Party Hole at this year’s BMW Australian PGA Championship, sports betting brand Dabble is offering spectators on course at Royal Queensland during Saturday’s third round on November 23 to share in a $1 million dollar prize giveaway. For the first time in Australian tournament golf history, lucky fans on site could share the massive cash bonus if a player produces the perfect shot and makes a hole-in-one on the par-three 17th. Courtesy of the newest partner of the BMW Australian PGA Championship, the $1 million dollars will be up for grabs for the first ace on 17 during the tournament broadcast window, between 11am and 4pm (Qld time). To be eligible to share in the million-dollar prize, fans must have a valid 2024 ticket A rare bird for a Belgian at the Alfred Dunhill Links for the day’s play, be 18 years of age or older and register via the QR codes at the Dabble Party Hole. “You can only imagine the scenes at 17 if someone like Cam Smith, Min Woo Lee or Jason Day makes an ace on Saturday afternoon. It would be off the charts,” PGA of Australia Chief Commercial Officer Michael McDonald said. “Every shot on the Dabble Party Hole during the Million Dollar Hole-in-One on the Saturday afternoon is going to be huge. There’ll be thousands of expectant eyes on the ball every time someone tees off.” “With a million dollars up for grabs for the crowd at the Dabble Party Hole, everyone’s part of the action,” Dabble CEO Tom Rundle added. “And if it goes off, you better believe it’ll be an experience no one will forget!” Curtis Luck had a hole-in-one on 17 last year, with a repeat during the designated period on Saturday, no doubt the crowd will go home with a few extra dollars and a smile on their faces. Queensland professional Aaron Pike, and former NRL player and Dabble Ambassador, Josh Mansour. News, views and observations from around the golfing world INSIDE NEWS THE Ryder Cup is a bucket list event for golfing enthusiasts, especially those from Europe or the US. But at what price? Tickets for the 2025 Ryder Cup, to be hosted by the Americans at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, have gone on sale, with a US$750 (approx. $1,100) asking price for a one-day pass. That oneday pass does include unlimited food and soft drinks or waters. No doubt the golf will be memorable, as the US tries to win back the Ryder Cup, however how many hot dogs can you eat in a day? How many hot dogs can you eat? Corporate Tickets to Australia’s two major golfing events WIN The last staging of the event in Italy attracted massive crowds as Team Europe won back the Ryder Cup. Nicolas Colsaerts recorded a rare albatross at Kingsbarns during the recent Alfred Dunhill Links championship in Scotland. VETERAN professional Nicolas Colsaerts enjoyed an eventful week at the recent Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, finishing second behind eventual winner Tyrrell Hatton. It was a strong performance from the Belgian, who now spends as much time in the commentary booth, as he does competing on the DP World Tour. However, while the result has potentially reignited Colsaerts playing career, there was one particular shot during his third round which will remain in his memory for some time to come. Playing at Kingsbarns, Colsaerts hit his second shot at the 565-yard, par five 16th past the pin, where it climbed a steep slope, before rolling back and dropping into the hole for an albatross two. “Obviously it was super special. That 6-iron just came out perfectly,” Colsaerts said. Colsaerts finished the round with a 65, one shot behind Hatton, setting up a dramatic final round on the Old Course. It was the fourth albatross in the Alfred Dunhill Links, the previous most famous being Lee Westwood’s on the ninth hole at Kingsbarns in 2003 which led directly to his victory.
November 2024 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 7 Stars set to shine during the Australian summer of golf ESTABLISHED stars, a sprinkling of international talent and a crop of young guns ready to make their mark all adds up to an exciting summer of golf. Jason Day is heading home to Queensland to play his first tournament on Australian soil since 2017 when he contests the BMW PGA Championship, where he will be joined by the likes of Cam Smith, Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman and defending champ Min Woo Lee, before a stellar field is then set to assemble in Melbourne for the ISPS Handa Australian Open at the Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club’s. Prior to competing in the two Aussie ‘majors’, Smith and Herbert will be in the field for the NSW Open at the Murray Downs Golf and Country Club, while Smith will also play the Queensland PGA to kick off his Australasian Tour season. Herbert has committed to compete at the Webex Players Series Murray River event at Cobram Barooga early in 2025. “The support of players like Cam and Lucas for the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia is tremendous and will help to bring added attention to the amazing group of players contesting 19 events across the season,” PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said. South African Ashleigh Buhai and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann will also be in Melbourne to defend their Australian Open titles, with Hannah Green to headline the field at the women’s Open. JUST weeks after confirming her participation in the upcoming ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open, Hannah Green has claimed her third LPGA Tour title in 2024 with a victory at the BMW Ladies Championship in Korea. In a tournament played at the Seowon Valley Country Club, Green birdied the difficult 17th hole in posting a 19-under par total, holding off Frenchwoman Celine Boutier to win by one shot. The event boasted a stellar field including eight of the LPGA Tour’s top 10 ranked players and 17 of the 18 tournament winners from 2024. “Obviously it’s difficult to win tournaments, but I think having experienced it and having confidence on the right side of things, it makes it easier,” Green said. “But don’t get me wrong, I was still really nervous playing those last three holes.” The win saw Green become the first Australian woman since Karrie Webb in 2006 to win three LPGA Tour events in the same year. She can now look forward to returning home and to trying to claim a maiden Australian Open title. “I’ve come close a couple of times and hopefully this is the year I can get my hands on the trophy,” Green said. Green will be joined in the field at the Australian Open by twotime defending champion Ashleigh Buhai and young Australians Gabriela Ruffels, Stephanie Kyriacou and Grace Kim. Jason Day returns to Queensland to contest the BMW Australian PGA Championship. Hannah’s coming home…..with a third LPGA Tour title in 2024 Following a win in South Korea, her third on the LPGA Tour in 2024, Hannah Green is heading home to compete in the Australian Women’s Open. Post Christmas Challenger Australasian Tour schedule released PGA Australia has announced its post-Christmas Tour schedule, with four Webex Players Series events, where the men and women compete together, amongst the eight events planned. The brother-sister combination of Minjee and Min Woo Lee host the opening tournament of 2025 at the Royal Freemantle Golf Club, while the 2024-2025 tour schedule concludes with two events in Victoria, the first at The Heritage Golf and Country Club, the second to be played on the Old Course at The National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula. All tournaments are to be televised on Foxtel, Kayo and on Sky Sport NZ. 2024/25 CHALLENGER PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA 2025 DATES January 11 – 12 Webex Players Series Perth hosted by Minjee and Min Woo Lee - Royal Freemantle Golf Club January 23 – 26 Webex Players Series Victoria - Rosebud Country Club February 1 – 2 Webex Players Series Murray River in honour of Jarrod Lyle - Cobram Barooga Golf Club February 8 – 9 Tournament TBC February 22-23 Webex Players Series Sydney - Castle Hill Country Club February 27 – March 2 NZ Open presented by Sky Sport - Millbrook Resort March 22 – 23 Heritage Classic - The Heritage Golf and Country Club March 29 – 30 The National Tournament - The National Golf Club, Old Course
November 2024 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 8 Thoughts with Guan following freak accident US PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has reached out to young Aussie golfer Jeffrey Guan who was released from the Sydney Eye Hospital in early October after being struck by an errant golf ball during a pro-am tournament on the NSW south coast. The freak accident occurred at a pro-am in Bateman’s Bay and just a week after the 20-yearold had made his PGA Tour debut in September at the Fortinet Championship in California. Despite being released from hospital and also no longer under constant medical supervision, there remains “no clear timeline” for Guan’s recovery. And the long-term prognosis remained uncertain as this issue of Inside Golf went to press. The golf-related organisations - Golf Australia, Golf NSW and the PGA of Australia - continue to maintain close daily contact with Guan’s family, offering support as they navigate the challenges ahead. Monahan was approached by renowned Australian-born and occasional Inside Golf correspondent Bernie McGuire at St Andrews during the recent Dunhill Links Championship where Monahan was making his first appearance as a player. “I heard the terrible news about Jeffrey and obviously our thoughts are with him and his family at this very difficult time,” said Monahan. “It was such an unfortunate situation and we say our prayers and reassure Jeffrey that the Tour will be there for him on his road to recovery. “I am aware the leading golf bodies in Australia are doing all they can for Jeffrey, with some of their officials present last week in Canada at the Presidents Cup where I managed to spend time with them. “So, Jeffrey is very much in our thoughts.” Rory to enjoy a New Zealand golfing vacation RORY McIlroy is heading Down Under. But don’t get too excited because the four-time major champion is going to bypass Australia and head for New Zealand in the next few weeks. It will be the first time in his professional career that McIlroy has headed to the Shaky Isles. And sadly for golf fans the Irish star won’t be teeing it up in any New Zealand-sanctioned Tour event. The world No 3 will instead join a handful of close friends playing some of New Zealand’s world-renowned golfing gems. “I’m going to join some good friends and play some of the great golf courses of New Zealand such as Tara Iti, Kauri Cliffs and great courses like those,” McIlroy told Inside Golf’s European Tour correspondent Bernie McGuire while playing in the recent Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns in Scotland. “I have a friend who owns a house in New Zealand, so he is organising us to be there for five days. “It’s going to be nice playing golf down there and just hanging out at the end of the year.” This will be the first time McIlroy has taken his golf clubs to New Zealand as a professional. In 2006, when he was just 18, a young amateur McIlroy was a member of the winning European Team that played the Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy at the host Auckland Golf Club. Among McIlroy’s victorious team-mates that year were Scotland’s Richie Ramsay, Dutchman Joost Luiten and England’s Oliver ‘Mr.59’ Fisher. McIlroy’s return to New Zealand will mark the close of a busy year for the 35-year-old, who will have played 27 regular DP World Tour and US PGA Tour events. He was planning to wind-up formal competition just prior to his New Zealand golfing holiday by teaming with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a made-for-TV match against LIV stars Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka in Las Vegas. “It’s been a busy year with the Dunhill being my 25th tournament, while the Abu Dhabi HSBC and the following week’s DP World Tour Championship will be my 26th and 27th of my year,” he said. “I’ve then still a bit going-on as I have that match in Vegas later in November and will then look forward to going to New Zealand. “I will still be keeping busy these next few months but I’m already looking forward to doing other things that I am interested in and spending time doing other stuff.” Michael Court michael@insidegolf.com.au Young Australian golfer Jeffrey Guan in action prior to the freak accident in September. Aussie journalist Bernie McGuire catches up with Jay Monahan at St Andrews. Rory McIlroy, competing at the recent Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, is planning a golfing vacation down under. Michael Court michael@insidegolf.com.au THE ONLY RETIREMENT VILLAGE IN GEELONG, THE BELLARINE & BENDIGO* WITH A PRIVATE GOLF COURSE Homes available from $765,000 *Bendigo – NEW Country Club – First stage selling now 1800 255 578 Sole agents Eight Victorian Locations, perfect for over 55s living GEELONG
November 2024 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 10 International team falls short at the 15th Presidents Cup TEAM USA retained the Presidents Cup with a dominant performance at the Royal Montreal Golf Club in Canada in the bi-annual teams matches. The American’s won all but one series of matches over the four days played, the final score of 18 ½ to 11 ½ an indication of the strength of their 12-man squad and their overall superiority. The US have now won the Presidents Cup on 10 straight occasions and have been victorious 13 times overall, losing just once in the 15 stagings of the event (with the 2003 Presidents Cup finishing in a tie), the lone triumph for the Internationals coming in 1998 when the matches were played at Royal Melbourne Golf Club with the late Peter Thomson in charge as team captain. After the US made a clean sweep of the day one Fourball matches, winning all five, the International’s returned serve on day two in the Foursomes, claiming five points in levelling up the overall ledger heading into day three. Unfortunately for the Internationals Saturday saw the US regain the ascendency, winning the morning Fourballs 3-1, before posting a similar 3-1 scoreline in the afternoon Foursomes, taking an 11-7 lead in the Sunday singles. The Cup-clinching point came in the fifth match of the final day when 2025 US Ryder Cup Captain Keegan Bradley scored a 1up victory over Korean Si Woo Kim. The 2026 Presidents Cup returns to the US and to the Medinah Country Club in Chicago, with Kingston Heath in Melbourne to host the event in 2028. Facts and figures • The seven point win by the US was the second-largest margin of victory since the points format changed in 2015 • There were no tied matches through the team sessions for just the second time in Presidents Cup history • Nine players competed in all five rounds – five for the Internationals, Corey Connors, Sungjae Im, Hideki Matsuyama, Taylor Pendrith and Adam Scott, four for the US, Patrick Cantlay, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler • Of the Australians – Jason Day scored 1 point (from three matches), Adam Scott, 2 points (five matches) and Min Woo Lee ½ point (2 matches). • No player went through the series of matches undefeated, with Cantlay, Morikawa and Schauffele boasting the best records, each with four wins and one loss. QUEENSLAND professional Katelyn Must led her country to a commendable third place at the PGA Women’s Cup in Oregon last month, Australia beating all but the US and Canada in an event that has been dominated since its inception by the Americans. Must, captain of the Australian team in her second Cup campaign, had the honour of hitting the first shot of the 54-hole tournament at Sun River Resort’s Meadows course before going on to shoot a first round score of par 71. With rounds of 71, 75 and 70, Must finished the tournament in seventh place in individual standings – just a shot behind the leading Australian Grace Lennon, whose second round 71 was one of the day’s best. At the end the Aussies were 28 strokes behind the dominant Americans, and 16 behind Canada in an event where the best three of five scores count each day. Lisa Jean, the head teaching professional at Royal Canberra who was part of Australia’s 2019 team, announced her retirement from international competition after her final round of three-under-par 68. “My body’s just been through the mill with the hard work, trying to play and practice with injuries,” she said. “It’s been a great experience and everyone’s been so welcoming and friendly and we’ve had a lot of fun.” Maroochy River assistant pro Jessica Cook, the youngest member of the Australian team, had rounds of 75, 79 and 80 on the tricky course, her scores counting on the first two days, while Victorian Sienna Voglis had rounds of 76, 85 and 82 The PGA Women’s Cup is contested by vocational professionals who are not members of any golf tour. Other teams competing were the UK and Ireland, South Africa and Sweden. – PETER OWEN The Australian team which finished third behind the US and Canada at the PGA Women’s Cup. US and Canada on top at Women’s PGA Cup Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee paired up just once in the 2024 Presidents Cup, beaten 1up by Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala in their day one Fourball match. World number one Scottie Scheffler, partnered by Russell Henley proved too good for Sunjae Im and Tom Kim (pictured) in their Fourball match at the Presidents Cup. Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort's championship course is located in Noosa Heads. Play & Stay, just minutes from the main beach and vibrant Hastings Street. 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November 2024 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 12 *Tour extensions available on request JAPAN GOLF TOUR 2025 ATTEND THE US MASTERS IN 2025 • Enjoy WED, FRI & SUN at The Masters • Play Pebble Beach, Pinehurst & others • Dedicated Tour Host • Private transfers throughout • 3 fine dining experiences • Private housing only minutes from Augusta National • 14 day Golf Tour of Japan • Play Orai Showood GC, Grand PGM Ishioka GC & Gotemba West GC • Explore the Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo and Kyoto’s historic streets • Travel in style on the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) & soothe in the hot springs of the Oshino onsen • Luxurious accommodations await ROVOS RAIL GOLF SAFARI SOUTH AFRICA 2025 Experience the Ultimate Blend of Golf and Safari Adventure ALL INFORMATION IS CORRECT AT TIME OF PRINT AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANCE WITHOUT NOTICE, DUE TO MATTERS OUTSIDE OUR CONTROL SUCH AS ADVERSE CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS, TAXES AND FUEL SURCHARGES. MASTERS PACKAGES FROM AS LITTLE AS $5000USD PER PERSON Elvis all smiles after WA Open win THERE was wind, torrential rain and a determined challenge from his two closest pursuers on the final day, however it was Elvis Smylie who prevailed, the 22-yearold winning his first professional tournament with a victory at the Bowra & O’Dea Nexus Advisernet WA Open played at the Mandurah Country Club. Heavy rain over the closing holes, coupled with wind gusts exceeding 50kph, meant Smylie had to fight hard for his win, the Queensland lefty hitting a sublime approach shot on the first playoff hole to beat South Australian Jak Carter. The pair had finished level on 19-under par at what was the 100th year of the WA Open, one shot clear of Perth native Curtis Luck. Smylie shot rounds of 67-64-65-69 around the par-71 layout, while Carter opened with a tournament low 62 on Thursday and took a one stoke lead into the final round. At the first extra hole when Carter, who made a spectacular birdie of his own on the 72nd hole to force the tie, bogeyed after finding the trees off the tee, it was Smylie’s wedge shot to within a metre which saw him come out on top and collect the $31,500 winner’s cheque. “It means absolutely everything,” Smylie said. “I’ve been busting my backside out here for the last three years and to be able to get my first win, it means absolutely everything.” Speaking of the shot that sealed his victory, Smylie says he turned to a gap wedge that was responsible for another memorable moment a day earlier. “I actually used the exact same club that I used on 16 in the third round to hole-out with. So definitely have some good vibes with the 50-degree wedge at the moment,” he said. “Hit a nice low flighted wedge shot and I’m not sure exactly where it landed. It’s an elevated green, but obviously hit it to about two foot and really nice to knock it in and notch my first win that way.” Coming off a third-place finish at the WA PGA Championship the week prior, Smylie takes over the top spot on the Order of Merit. Sixteen-year-old West Australian Ollie Marsh was the low amateur, finishing the tournament tied for 25th in taking home the Terry Gale Cup, while NSW golfer Lochie Smith made it back-to-back wins in the All Abilities championship. Elvis Smylie battled atrocious weather conditions on the final day to take out the 100th WA Open. Aussie young guns enter the professional ranks AUSSIE young guns Jasper Stubbs, Quinn Croker and Phoenix Campbell have turned professional after competing in the AsiaPacific Amateur Championship in Japan in early October. The trio were part of a seven-strong Australian contingent at the Asia-Pacific, won by China’s Wenyi Ding, who shot four consecutive rounds of 67, for a 12-under par total, in gaining redemption after being beaten in a playoff by Stubbs in the same event when played at Royal Melbourne 12-months ago. As for the Australians, while none were able to mount a serious challenge at the Taiheiyo Club Gotemba in Japan, with Campbell the best placed 10-shots behind the winner, all three will take strong amateur records into the professional ranks. Campbell, who finished his amateur career with a tie for 34th at the Japan Open at Tokyo Golf Club the week following the Asia Pacific, took up the two-year exemption available to him courtesy of his win at the Queensland PGA Championship last year. The Victorian’s debut as a pro came at the 100th WA Open where he made the 36-hiole cut before finishing in a tie for 52nd. Stubbs, 32nd in defence of his Asia Pacific title, became the first to play as a professional when he teed it up at Kalgoorlie at the WA PGA, missing the 36-hole cut, while Croker, the reigning Australian and Queensland Amateur champion, travelled to the US in mid-October, where he was successful in winning his way through the first stage of Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School in Florida. Croker earned Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia membership by winning the Future Tour category last season. His first Australasian event as a professional was scheduled to be at the Webex Players Series South Australia in Willunga. The 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be played in Dubai from October 23-26. Australian Amateur Champion Quinn Croker has made the jump into the professional ranks.
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November 2024 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 14 Rankin’s a world champion BRETT Rankin arrived at Binalong walking on air as the Aussie Rules tragic celebrated Brisbane Lions’ win over Sydney Swans in the AFL Grand Final. Yet the Queenslander found walking on sand also agreed with him as he left the tiny NSW town as a world champion. Rankin fired two stunning rounds of 66-65 then survived a sudden-death three-man playoff to win the inaugural World Sand Greens Championship at the Southern Tablelands village near Yass. The well-travelled Rankin slotted home a seven-metre birdie putt to win the playoff with Andrew Kelly (68-63) and Sam Slater (66-65), the 38-year-old later commenting the win completed what would have to rate as possibly the best weekend of his life. “I was already buzzing about the footy, then to have this, I can’t believe it,” he said. “I think I’m going have to change my resume and all my socials to add in the words ‘world champ’. “I think I might even get that ‘the champ is here’ thing from Muhammad Ali to play when I go and see the boys.” Rankin began his second and final round in the second-last group poised at four-under and two off the lead, held by Ryan Peake. Rankin soon loomed as the likely winner when he soared to the top before the turn as those in the final group began to stumble. But just as he failed to take advantage of some key scoring opportunities midway through the back nine, Victorian Andrew Kelly caught fire ahead with birdies on 15, 16 and 17 to post a magnificent course-record 63 and reach nine under-par. There looked to be an even bigger story unfolding when Yass amateur Robbie Furner looked a winning possibility as well. He finished with back-to-back rounds of 66 after his birdie attempt from off the back of the 18th green narrowly missed. Furner signed for eight-under-par with some loud applause from a big gallery of locals. Still, it was Rankin who steadied behind and he and playing partner Samuel Slater, also of Queensland, each birdied the 17th to reach nine and eight-under-par, respectively. Buchanan wins in the west IT was more about red dirt than sand greens for Jack Buchanan with the South Australian prevailing in a playoff to win the CKB WA PGA Championship. Played at the Kalgoorlie Golf Club, where the lush green fairways provide quite the contrast to the red dirt which acts as the rough awaiting errant drives and approach shots, Buchanan finished tied with Western Australian Jordan Doull, the pair shooting tournament totals of 17-under par. After matching fours on the par five 18th at the first extra hole, a three-metre birdie putt the second time around from Buchanan, a rookie professional hailing from the Glenelg Golf Club in Adelaide, was good enough for the 22-year-old to claim his first victory on the Challenger PGA Australasian Tour. “This means so much. Getting over that first hurdle makes you believe that you can do it more,” Buchanan said following the win. Victorian Elvis Smylie, joint leader alongside Doull and Cameron John heading into the final round, finished outright third one shot shy of the playoff. In the WA PGA All Abilities Championship played in conjunction, Sawtell’s Lachlan Smith celebrated his first All Abilities victory. – ROB WILLIS Jack Buchanan claimed his first professional victory with a playoff win at the WA PGA Championship in Kalgoorlie. Michael Court michael@insidegolf.com.au The powerful Slater hit a huge drive almost 100m left of his target coming up the final regulation hole and it didn’t appear much better when his second could only get to within 25m of the green. Needing a birdie to join a possible playoff, Slater pulled off the miracle as his third fell in on the last roll to bring the house down. Rankin missed what would have been the winning birdie putt, but made no such mistake in the playoff from a similar position minutes later. “This course is great, it really makes you think and hit some shots that require a bit of imagination, which I really liked,” said an ecstatic Rankin. “I had an amazing week out here. “I really loved it . . . and everything about the sand greens. “And to cap the whole thing off by winning in a playoff, it’s just amazing.” Furner and Dillon Hart shared fourth one shot back, while Matt Dowling, Adam Brady and Blake Windred finished tied sixth at seven under. Brett Rankin, the winner of the World Sand Greens Championship played at Binalong Golf Club. We invite you to join GREAT COURSE | GREAT CLUB | GREAT FRIENDS Contact Patterson River Golf Club on 9772 1855 or membership@pattersonriver.com.au to discuss packages today Patterson River Golf Club
November 2024 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 15 Twite returns to Portrush – 73 years on METROPOLITAN’S venerated teaching professional, Brian Twite, is now 98 years old and as such the oldest living player who took part in the 1951 Open Championship at Royal Portrush in County Antrum, Northern Ireland. It was the first time the event had been played outside Scotland or England. Vilips PGA TOUR bound ROOKIE Australian professional Karl Vilips has qualified for the PGA TOUR in 2025 after finishing 19th on the Korn Ferry Tour moneylist following the season-ending Tour Championship. Featured in the September edition of Inside Golf, the 22-year-old Vilips posted top 15 finishes in each of his first four Korn Ferry Tour starts, culminating in a victory at the Utah Championship in just his sixth tournament as a professional. Prior to playing on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024, Vilips spent four years at Stanford University in California, where he lived with teammate, close friend and young gun Michael Thorbjornsen, the American playing 17 events in making an immediate impression on the PGA TOUR this year. Vilips grew up in Melbourne before the family moved to Perth. He attended the Saddlebrook Preparatory School north of Tampa, Florida, then later enjoyed a decorated junior career, recording wins at the 2017 Southern Amateur Championship and at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics. He would study and play golf at Stanford from 2021 to 2024, turning professional in June. The top 30 from the Korn Ferry Tour earned PGA TOUR cards for 2025. Karl Vilips is headed for the PGA TOUR in 2025. Michael Davis michael.davis@insidegolf.com.au Revered Metropolitan GC teaching professional, Brian Twite, now 98 years old, will return to Royal Portrush as the oldest living player to have competed at the 1951 Open Championship. Metro members led by Damian Quirk, eager to take their beloved professional to next year’s Open at Royal Portrush, alerted the R&A to the fact that Twite was perhaps the oldest living player in that first Open. Naturally, the game’s governing body quickly responded by inviting Twite to next year’s championship as their guest. Twite, who arrived at Metro as a young teaching professional from Sunningdale in 1955 was still giving the odd lesson or two at the club until recently coming down with a kidney illness. “I’ve accepted the invitation which arrived six weeks ago from the R&A and it was very nice of Damian and the members to do all they could to get me there. I still have a few months to get well and hopefully be able to go.” Twite still remembers his appearance in the Open 73 years ago. “I was 24 and played with the Scottish international Eric Broun. He was a train driver before he turned golf professional. Before we hit off he said to me, ’Brian, remember you have to play around the wind, here, don’t fight it.’ “That’s what I did and played well from tee to green. Unfortunately, I had 36 putts on the first day and 37 during the second round for two rounds of 81 and missed the cut. Broun, had a total of 53 putts on the first two days and easily made the cut. “The greens were very undulating and if you picked the wrong undulation, even from as little as two feet away, you could end up 10 feet past the hole, worse off than you were with your approach shot.” Flamboyant Englishman Max Faulkner – he was a natty dresser for the conservative times - won the event in 1951 after being runner-up twice in the Irish Open at Portrush. Such was Faulkner’s confidence, rumour had it that the evening before the final two rounds he was signing autographs and adding ‘Open Champion 1951.’ A more accurate tale came to the fore after the victory, that this had simply been acceding to a request from a fan to add the title to the signature he was giving to his young son. Or maybe it could have been an embellishment at the time by Faulkner’s ‘ghost’ writer for a London newspaper – a freshfaced Ian Wooldridge. $2520* Pricing From
November 2024 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 16 Cassie earns her place on the world’s biggest stage CASSIE Porter fulfilled a dream she has had since a young girl when she played four solid rounds in the Epson Tour Championship in early October to earn the right to play on next year’s LPGA Tour. Even better, the 22-year-old Sunshine Coast star finished 10th on the tour’s season-long Order of Merit, which gave her fully exempt Category 9 status on the lucrative LPGA Tour for 2025. Her promotion to the world’s biggest women’s tour came after three top 10 finishes on the Epson Tour, as well as a breakthrough victory in the Firekeepers Casino Hotel Championship in June. But even that level of success did not guarantee her LPGA status. She was placed 11th in Race For The Card standings before the Tour Championship, with the first 15 earning LPGA cards – Category 9 status for the top 10; Category 15 for the remainder. After shooting one-under-par 70 for her first two rounds at Indian Wells, Porter put herself in a prime position with a third-round 66, and took no chances in the final round, carding a two-under 69 to complete her second season on the Epson Tour in style. “I am actually really struggling to believe it,” said Porter. “Even when I finished on 18 I had no idea… in my brain, I was like, Oh, there’s no way I’m making top 10. Obviously, I’m so excited for top 15, but I was like, there’s no chance. “As things progressed, we moved up into 10 and I’m stoked. Hopefully it sinks in soon. I’ve dreamed about this since I was a little girl, so for it to be real so soon, I’m stoked.” Back in 2019, playing on the LPGA Tour seemed a lifetime away after Porter suffered a serious back injury that took her of the golf course for more than a year and into a brace for 23 hours a day. Hers was a similar injury to one that more than a decade ago sidelined US golfer Patrick Cantlay for the best part of three years. Like Cantlay, Porter fought through pain and uncertainty to return to the game she loves. Runner-up at the Masters of the Amateurs in 2020 after a spectacular junior career, Porter turned professional at the age of 18 and immediately made an impact. In her first Australian professional campaign she recorded five top 10s and early last year won the WPGA Melbourne International. Porter is a member of Peregian Springs, on the Sunshine Coast, and has been coached by Peregian’s director of golf, Dan Morrison, since she was 14. After her first year in the US, it became clear to Morrison that Porter performed best in short stretches of four to six weeks, with breaks in between which she’s filled this year by flying home. “She feeds off the energy of being around family and friends,” Morrison said. “That’s what makes her happy, and her happiness is our No.1 priority.” With her LPGA card wrapped up, Porter will return home to play on this year’s WPGA Tour. WA’s Kirsten Rudgeley has narrowly missed out on a first title on the Ladies European Tour after a playoff loss to 24-year-old Swiss star Chiara Tamburlini at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France. The runners-up finish is the closest she has come to victory since joining the LET in 2023, with Rudgeley to take heart from a fabulous final day that saw her take the challenge to overnight leader Tamburlini. Rudgeley had led the championship after day one, only to fall four shots adrift of Tamburlini’s 36-hole lead after a second-round 73, however with birdies on the 11th, 12th, 15th and 16th Rudgeley would move into the lead, before the pair finished level, sending the tournament into a sudden-death playoff. After splitting the fairway at the first extra hole Tamburlini almost holed her approach, with the winning seven-foot birdie putt clinching victory. Following the second win of her rookie season, Tamburlini was quick to praise her Australian rival. “Kirsten played so well today, especially on the back nine, she really lit it up and it was tough for me to keep up,” she said. “The birdie on 17 in regular play was huge to keep up with her. And then the birdie on the playoff hole was incredible. I can’t really believe it right now.” The result moved Rudgeley into the top 10 on the Order of Merit, with her consistent form having seen her make 30 consecutive cuts on the LET. – GOLF WA Cassie Porter with her dad John after gaining her card to play on next year’s LPGA Tour. A near miss for WA’s Rudgeley Western Australian Kirsten Rudgeley, a runner-up on the Ladies European Tour. - Photo: Ladies European Tour By Peter Owen FOLLOW US ON WWW.GOLFWORLD.COM.AU RRP $50 NOW RRP $69 NOW RRP $159 NOW NOW RRP $87 BLACK FRIDAY SALE! BLACK FRIDAY SALE! OFF UP TO AND MUCH MORE!
November 2024 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 17 Wrong hole, right result, for Legends rookie WHEN Toowoomba greenkeeper Nigel Weldon surprised even himself by winning the Legends Tour’s Q School early this year, his goals for the year were modest – to play as many events as he could and, hopefully, finish in the top 40. That would ensure he kept his card and continue a career as a professional golfer that he’d dreamed about all his life. After his first 10 events, in which he’d earned a total of $137, Weldon was wondering whether even those small ambitions were beyond reach. That all changed in late September when Weldon, a champion amateur and three-time winner of the Queensland Sand Greens Championship, suddenly found his game and claimed the Moree Legends Pro-Am. And he did it in the most extraordinary fashion – by playing the wrong hole as he sought to wrap up a victory that would mean so much to the 50-year-old tour rookie. Weldon, who began his round on the third hole, was leading by three strokes when he stood on the tee of his final hole, the par four second, which runs adjacent to the 10th hole. Unfamiliar with the course in north-west NSW, he mistakenly cracked his drive down the 10th fairway, then played a superb approach to within two metres of By Peter Owen the hole, assuring him of a maiden victory. Or so he thought. “The amateurs in my group didn’t say anything,” Weldon said. “They just thought I was trying to play it that way. I thought they were on the wrong fairway themselves. “I’ve hit it to six feet and then realised I’m on the wrong green. “I had to take a drop off the side, hit it onto the other green, and then I ended up making a double-bogey to finish.” Happily for him it made no difference. Weldon shot rounds of 72 and 71 to be the only player in the field to break par. He finished a stroke clear of David McKenzie (70, 74) and Adam Henwood (74, 70). For Weldon it was the culmination of a dream he’s nurtured for most of his life. An accomplished junior golfer, he was playing off a handicap of plus three at the age of 26 and, in his words, was ‘keen to have a crack’ at becoming a touring professional. “But I’d just got married and had a young son and I didn’t feel it was the right time to put everything on the line,” he said. Instead, he continued to excel as an amateur, and even qualified to play in the Queensland Open while in his 20s. Weldon, the 2023 Darling District Golf Association champion, won the Queensland Country Week Championship last year, shooting 70 in the first round at Middle Ridge and 64 in the second round at City Golf Club, where he’s a long-standing member. In fact he’s been a greenkeeper at City for the past 13 years and perhaps knows the course as well as anybody on the planet. He took some backed-up annual leave and long service leave this year to allow him the security of a regular pay packet while he strove to carve out a career on the Legends Tour – just as well, perhaps, because his tour earnings after the Moree win were just $13,491.76. He’s 19th on the Order of Merit, though, and his win in Moree event – a two-round tournament – guarantees he’ll continue his career into 2025, at least. Weldon says he’s never been happier. “The players are great and everyone tries to help each other as much as they can. I’ve made a lot of good friends.” Weldon wants to play as much professional golf as he can during the next decade. “It’s been such a long term goal of mine,” he said. “It’s my time to get out and have a go.” “I’d always thought being a greenkeeper was the best job in the world,” he said. “Now I think it’s the second best – nothing beats playing golf full time.” He does have one further ambition, though. “Although I’m a professional golfer, I’m not a PGA Tour professional,” he said. “I can’t coach. But if my stroke average is good enough I can do a bridging course in time and became a PGA pro. “Then I’ll be able to coach younger players, which has always been a passion. However it goes, I can see myself being in the golf industry all my life.” Nigel Weldon after winning last year’s Country Week tournament in Toowoomba. Nigel Weldon (centre) after his breakthrough victory in the Moree Legends Pro-Am in September. * *30 day guarantee
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