NEWS • GEAR • OPINION • TRAVEL • LIFESTYLE • HOLIDAYS • INDUSTRY ISSUE 239 // SEPTEMBER 2025 WWW.INSIDEGOLF.COM.AU AUSTRALIA’S M O S T - R E A D GOLF MAGAZINE TRAVEL > MORNINGTON PENINSULA > TOOWOOMBA HELP US DECIDE AUSTRALIA’S 100 BEST PUBLIC GOLF EXPERIENCES AMATEUR YOUNG GUNS > O’DONOVAN > DOWLING > SKAYSBROOK >SINGH ADAM SCOTT’S SPECIAL ROYAL MELBOURNE RELATIONSHIP TOP 100 AUSTRALIA’S BEST PUBLIC GOLF EXPERIENCES AS VOTED BY INSIDE GOLF READERS 2026 INSIDE GOLF EQUIPMENT WE TRIED IT > CALLAWAY IRONS > ODYSSEY PUTTERS OPINION WHICH MAJOR VENUE CAME UP TRUMPS? THE US V EUROPE SCOTTIE V RORY FOR THE RYDER CUP STOP DREAMING & START PLANNING! BOOK YOUR 2026 & 2027 GOLF TOUR NOW CGE GOLF WILL LOOK AFTER ALL OF YOUR REQUIREMENTS DESTINATIONS INCLUDE: › Vietnam › Thailand › China › Japan › South Africa › Ireland & Scotland › USA ~ Pebble Beach & Scottsdale › And many more... PACKAGES INCLUDE: › Superior Accommodation › Full buffet breakfast › Transfers › Advanced course & tee times arranged › Escorted & independent tours › Group & early bird discounts available *Ts & Cs apply.. contact us for full tour details CONTACT US: 0413 736 245 www.cgegolf.com.au play@cgegolf.com.au CGE GOLF! CREATING GOLF EXPERIENCES SINCE 2010
©2025 Acushnet Company. SPEEED IS A BEAUTIFUL THING
September 2025 www.insidegolf.com.au THE FIRST TEE 5 So, which courses do you enjoy regularly, or maybe those you’ve played just once or twice but will forever remember. And while we love and appreciate the likes of Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath, NSW, Royal Adelaide and The Australian to name just a few of our very best private/memberonly clubs, exceptional, world-class golf courses, not everybody has the opportunity to play them. This list is about public access golf. You play them, love and/ or maybe on occasion hate them, but whatever your opinion, be a part of our panel of experts. For Inside Golf, it’s about highlighting the courses you and I can go and play tomorrow, on our next trip across town, interstate or on our next golfing holiday. We want you to consider the design and layout, the course condition and presentation, the setting and location, how playable and challenging it might be for all level of golfers, and perhaps most importantly, the overall experience. Think customer service, clubhouse facilities, value for money, and that intangible ‘X factor.’ Click on the link below, with a more extensive explanation of the criteria and what we are trying to achieve featured on page 16. Let us know what you think, you have until October 14 to make your votes count and don’t miss our November issue when we publish our top 100 list. I did say “don’t do it” but I may be warming to the idea. Vote now - www.insidegolf.com.au/top-100/ The top 100 – Help us decide I SAID don’t do it! When Inside Golf publisher Sam pitched the idea of compiling a list of Australia’s 100 best public golf experiences, I reasoned how can we possibly come up with a fair, reasonable and accurate ranking? My thoughts drifted to my lack of enthusiasm surrounding lists released in other publications, where a collection of industry ‘experts’ decided which courses ‘you’ should play and enjoy. Then Sam sold me on the theory that it’s not about how professionals and the best players rate the courses. Or while respecting what they do, whether constructing a course from scratch or making upgrades or changes, what a course architect might believe is superior is not always what the rest of the golfing world sees or appreciates. I might have played a lot of golf, on many different courses, in every Australian state and territory, but it’s not really about what magazine editors, writers or golfing journalists think. Sam convinced me it would be about letting you have your say. With Inside Golf magazine landing in public and private courses around the country each month, the content consumed by golfers at the proverbial ‘coal face’, we’d like to think we value your opinion on a range of topics. Why not ask which courses you believe to be the best? 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 CONTRIBUTORS: Larry Canning, Tony Webeck, Michael Cooney, Andrew Crockett, Andrew Marmont www.insidegolf.com.au Inside Golf publishes opinion from a wide range of perspectives in the hope of promoting constructive debate about consequential questions. SALES: National Sales: Sam Arthur P: 1300 4653 00 | M: 0410 575 303 E: sam@insidegolf.com.au Northen NSW/QLD/NT Sales: David Ross M: 0439 612 458 | E: david.ross@insidegolf.com.au NSW/ACT Corp Sales: David Andrews M: 0404 871 479 | E: david.andrews@insidegolf.com.au Sydney/NSW Sales: Michael Hamilton M: 0423 455 572 | E: michael.hamilton@insidegolf.com.au VIC/TAS/SA Sales: Marc Wilson M: 0419 107 143 | E: marc@insidegolf.com.au WA Sales: Gary Powell M: 0439 350 363 | E: gary@insidegolf.com.au ACCOUNTS: Sheridan Murphy M: 1300 465 300 | E: accounts@insidegolf.com.au Rob Willis rob@insidegolf.com.au 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 Cover photos: Clockwise from left - Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Jon Rahm. Pics courtesy R&A Media, USGA Media, LIV GOLF st/1.3 11.5” st/1.2 10.5” putter Grips 2x major winner bryson dechambeau Letter of the month WHILE the content we needed to fit into another bumper issue of Inside Golf forced us to leave out our letters page for this September edition, there was one particular piece of correspondence I felt deserved a response. From Jordan Canham, titled ‘Disappointed’ the choice of our lead cover photo for the August edition was brought into question. Jordan reasoned following the recent triumphs of Minjee Lee and Grace Kim, our pair of high achieving homegrown women professionals, at least one or the other, deserved to be front and centre, where we opted to highlight Scottie Scheffler following his second major championship victory of 2025 at the Open Championship. No excuses or apologies for our eventual choice, however I certainly understand the sentiment. It was something we wrestled with up until making the final call to go the way we did. In the end it came down to how to do put either Minjee or Grace ahead of the other. Minjee joined an elite list of Australian greats with her third major championship victory, while Grace was amazing over the closing holes in winning the Evian for her first major title. Then a week or two later Scottie beats the best players in the world into submission in delivering a masterclass at Royal Portrush. So, Jordan, we get it. Minjee and Grace were a part of our August cover, and in no way were we trying to diminish their achievements, however Scottie continues to put up ‘Tiger-like’ numbers when it comes to wins (after his most recent triumph at the BMW, he now has five victories this year all up) and his current domination of professional golf. Thanks for your letter, we definitely value the opinions of our readers and we’ll embrace the chance to highlight Australian’s on the cover of Australia’s most read golfing magazine in the future. Let’s hope Minjee, Grace, and our many talented men and women can keep winning and force our hand going forward when it comes to our Inside Golf covers. Get in touch If you have an opinion on this or any other golfing topic, send your letters to rob@insidegolf.com.au to be in running to win a dozen Bridgestone balls
September 2025 www.insidegolf.com.au 6 Baker Finch retires from the CBS broadcast booth IAN Baker-Finch has retired from the CBS broadcast booth after nearly 19 years in the chair. Best known for his British Open victory in 1991, the highlight of his 16 victories worldwide, Baker-Finch joined CBS in 2007 after working the previous decade in golf announcing with ESPN and TNT. “Golf has been an enormous part of my life,” Baker-Finch, 64, said in a statement. “I was fortunate to compete against the best players in the game and more recently work with the very best in television.” The curtain came down on Baker-Finch’s CBS career at the conclusion of the PGA TOUR’s Wyndham Championship. “As a major champion during his successful playing career and over three decades in broadcasting, Ian Baker-Finch distinguished himself as one of the most respected and trusted voices in golf,” said David Berson, the president and CEO of CBS Sports. “As he announces his retirement, we’ll miss his passion, insight, warmth and steady presence on the air but know he will continue to make his mark across the world of golf.” Baker-Finch received numerous well wishes and congratulations from many in the golfing industry, including Jack Nicklaus, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and his CBS colleagues, as well as one special tribute from Tiger Woods, “Congrats Finchy for 30 incredible years behind the microphone. You brought insight into things that the viewing audience could understand and relate to. From all of us— thanks for the memories,” Tiger expressed. Baker-Finch is the current Chairman of the PGA of Australia and has recently released Ian Baker-Finch – To Hell and Back, an authorised biography. INSIDE NEWS Allan a three-time champ on the US Champions Tour VICTORIAN Steve Allan won the Boeing Classic for his second PGA TOUR Champions victory in three starts and third of the 2025 season. Allan closed with a birdie, making a five-foot birdie putt on the par-five 18th at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge, for a 7-under 65 and a one-stroke win over Stewart Cink. The 51-year-old Allan finished at 15-under 201. He won The Galleri Classic at Mission Hills in the California desert in March and the DICK’S Open in July in Endicott, New York. It was the 39th win by an Australian on the PGA TOUR Champions, with Allan now behind only Bruce Crampton (20), Graham Marsh (six) and David Graham (five) on the all-time winner’s list on the US over-50’s circuit. Allan moved to seventh on the season-long Charles Schwab points list. Ian Baker Finch has retired from the broadcasting booth following a 30-year career. While six Australians finish inside the top 20 at the Senior Open PADRAIG Harrington continued his winning run with a victory at the Senior Open Championship, played at Sunningdale in the UK, however the results of the Australian contingent as a collective were also impressive. While Harrigton added the Senior Open title to his two Open Championship victories, and his triumph earlier this year at the US Senior Open, the Irishman scoring a threeshot victory over Justin Leonard and Thomas Bjorn, six Australians managed to finish inside the top 20. Leading the way was Scott Hend, who was fourth on 12-under par, four shots behind the winner, Cameron Percey was tied fifth (-11), Greg Chalmers and Steve Allan (-9) tied for eighth, Richard Green was 12th (-7) and Michael Wright 17th (-5). And it could easily have been seven in the leading 20 with Mark Hensby, in second place after his opening round of 64, slipping back to end his week tied for 24th. INSIDE NEWS IN THIS ISSUE TOP 100 16 INDUSTRY NEWS 22 CLUB OF THE MONTH CLUB NEWS MORNINGTON PENINSULA FEATURE 40 28 49 PRO NEWS 8 AMATEUR GOLF 18 TECH ON THE TEE FEATURE 44 BUNKER-TOBUNKER 42 News, views and observations from around the golfing world With Inside Golf Editor Rob Willis rob@insidegolf.com.au NEW GEAR 60 TRAVEL 56 Steve Allan continued his outstanding winning run on the PGA TOUR Champions with a win at the Boeing Classic. Irishman Padraig Harrington won a second senior major in 2025 with his victory at he Senior Open Championship. 64 63 INSTRUCTION EVENTS NEW GEAR - WE TRIED IT 62 DEMO DAYS 65 19TH HOLE 66 GOLF DIRECTORY 68 IT didn’t take too long for 21-year-old Lottie Woad to back up her victory at the recent Irish Open, a result reported in the previous edition of Inside Golf. Playing as an amateur, Woad blew away a quality field of Ladies European Tour players in winning by six at Carton House in Ireland, a performance which made the golfing world sit up and take notice. From there she would move onto the Evian Championship in France, one of the five women’s golfing majors, where Woad was equally impressive, coming up just short in finishing one shot out of the playoff between eventual winner Grace Kim and Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul. The young Brit then turned professional prior to the Scottish Open, and her incredible run of form would continue. Battling with Kim Hyo-joo on Sunday in Scotland, Woad displayed composure beyond her years and experience, winning by three, her dominance evident with the joint third-place getters a further four shots behind. In winning the Scottish Open in her first LPGA event as a professional, Woad became just the fourth player to do so. Capping off remarkable month, Woad finished inside the top 10 and in a tie for eighth at the Women’s Open Championship. Lottie continues on her winning ways With two victories in professional events and a third placing at the Evian Championship, young Englishwoman Lottie Woad has made quite the impression with her recent performances.
September 2025 www.insidegolf.com.au INSIDE NEWS 7 Harry Takis has been named in Australian teams to contest the Eisenhower Cup and Asia Pacific championships. IF there was any doubt as to their participation in the Ryder Cup, a one-two finish at the St Jude Classic, the first event of the PGA TOUR’s FedEx Cup playoff series, ensured JJ Spaun and Justin Rose would be at Bethpage Black for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Englishman Rose birdied six of his last eight holes before emerging victorious after a three-hole playoff with Spaun, another birdie at the third extra hole securing his 12th PGA Tour victory. The 45-year-old Rose, who lost a playoff to Rory McIlroy at the Masters earlier this year, moved inside the top 10 on the Official World Rankings and to number two on the European Ryder Cup points list just two weeks before the team was to be named. As for Spaun, the winner of the 2025 US Open, while he was well positioned prior to the St Jude, his runners up finish guaranteed he would make his Ryder Cup debut. As Inside Golf was going to print the European team had one more week before finalising their automatic qualifiers, however it appeared McIlroy and Rose, along with Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry, all ranked in the top six, had done enough to assure themselves of selection. Luke Donald would then have six captain’s picks to fill his 12-man team. Regarding team USA, Scottie Scheffler led the points list after his fifth win of 2025 at the BMW Championship, while also confirmed for Bethpage were Spaun, Xander Schauffele, Russell Henley, Bryson DeChambeau and Harris English. Like Donald, Keegan Bradley then had the responsibility of making six captain’s picks. Meet ALIGN MAXTM. The newest ALIGN® Technology pushes our raised ridge to the limit to help golfers’ hands stay locked in for more consistency throughout the swing. Available in MCC® & MCC Plus4TM Standard & Midsize. AUSTRALIAN teams have been announced to contest international amateur events during September and October. First up a team of seven heads to the Philippines for the AsiaPacific Golf Confederation Senior Amateur Championship in late September. Australia stormed home in both the men’s and women’s senior events in 2024, continuing their dominance from previous years. Next on the schedule is the World Amateur Team Championships being played in Singapore in October, with the women competing for the Espirito Santo Trophy, and the men the Eisenhower Trophy. Held biennially, the entire team of six from the 2023 stagings of the two events have since joined the professional ranks. Then later in October a six-man Australian team, including Harry Takis, Billy Dowling, and Declan O’Donovan, the trio named to play the Eisenhower Cup, will contest the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship in Dubia. Event details and team lists below: APGC Senior Amateur Championship 2025 24- 26 September The Orchard Golf & Country Club, Cavite, Philippines Team Australia: • Gemma Dooley (New South Wales GC) • Louise Mullard (Wyong Golf Club) • Wendy Harrington (Monash Country Club) • Greg Rhodes (Coomealla Golf Club) • Graham Hourn (Kingaroy Golf Club) • Mark Allen (Drouin Golf & Country Club) • Ian Frost (Lakelands Golf Club) World Amateur Team Championships (Espirito Santo & Eisenhower Trophies) Tanah Merah Country Club, Singapore Espirito Santo Trophy: 1-4 October • Jazy Roberts (Yarra Yarra Golf Club) • Raegan Denton (Royal Adelaide Golf Club) • Ella Scaysbrook (Australian Golf Club) Eisenhower Trophy: 8-11 October • Harry Takis (Virginia Golf Club) • Billy Dowling (Brisbane Golf Club) • Declan O’Donovan (Avondale Golf Club) Australian amateur teams named ahead of major competitions Justin ‘Rose’ to the occasion at the St Jude Classic to confirm his place on team Europe for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship: 23-26 October Emirates Golf Club, Majlis Course, Dubai • Harry Takis (Royal Queensland Golf Club) • Kayun Mudadana (New South Wales Golf Club) • Billy Dowling (The Brisbane Golf Club) • Declan O’Donovan (Avondale Golf Club) • Jye Halls (New South Wales Golf Club) • Chase Oberle (The Brisbane Golf Club) STOP PRESS – Australian success on the Champions Tour continues AS Inside Golf was going to press, Richard Green joined Steve Allan as a winner on the PGA TOUR Champions in 2025 with a victory at the Rogers Charity Classic. Green finished a shot ahead of Ricardo Gonzalez for what was his first win on the over-50’s tour. The win followed a series of near misses for Green, who has been a runnerup on the Champions Tour on six occasions. The victory for Green was worth US$375,000. Jazy Roberts will represent Australia at the Espirito Santo Trophy. Rose and Spaun bound for Bethpage
September 2025 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 8 Ryder Cup – the stats don’t lie WHAT makes the Ryder Cup so special? How about colour, excitement, tension, fear, drama, team tactics, panic, players with sweaty palms, finger-biting captains, assistant captains and fans. Then there’s all the fashion, glitz and glamour led by the players’ wives and girlfriends. The biennial tournament, first staged in 1927, is arguably much more exciting than any major and is one of those must-see events. Every two years the event becomes a team sport as the heavyweights of world team golf – America and Europe – do battle for the prestigious Ryder Cup. The battle lines for the 45th Ryder Cup have been drawn as team captains, America’s Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald’s Europe, the cup holders, plot each other’s downfall. Ahead of the showdown, Europe’s captain Luke Donald said: “A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes to get to this point and everything is now focused on doing all we can to retain the trophy.” So, let’s delve into the history of the 98-yearold Ryder Cup. Originally it was played between Great Britain and the United States. The representation of Great Britain and Ireland was extended to include continental Europe from 1979. In all the following tables Europe includes Great Britain/Great Britain and Ireland up to 1977. David Newbery david@insidegolf.com.au THE 45th RYDER CUP BLACK COURSE, BETHPAGE PARK, FARMINGDALE, NEW YORK SEPTEMBER 26-28 Keegan Bradley will captain team USA at the Ryder Cup. Vice-captains Format Results by team Team From to Matches Wins Losses Ties USA 19272023 44 27 15 2 Great Britain and Ireland 19271977 22 3 18 1 Europe 19792023 22 12 9 1 Summary Largest margins of victory in a match 36-hole matches (to 1959) All victories by 7 or more holes for Europe and by 8 or more holes for the United States are listed. Europe Margin Winner Loser Type Year 10&8 George Duncan Walter Hagan Singles 1929 9&8 Abe Mitchell Olin Dutra Singles 1933 9&7 Fred Daly Ted Knoll Singles 1953 United States Margin Winner Loser Type Year The largest victory in a foursomes match was a 10&9 win by Walter Hagen and Denny Shute against George Duncan and Arthur Havers in 1931. In 1947, Ed Oliver and Lew Worsham (USA) defeated Henry Cotton and Arthur Lees 10&9. The US team has five vice captains – Webb Simpson, Brandt Snedeker, Kevin Kisner, Jim Furyk and Gary Woodland. Europe has four – Thomas Bjorn, Edoardo Molinari, José María Olazábal and Francesco Molinari. It’s a matchplay event with each match worth one point. • Day 1 – foursomes (alternate shot) matches and four fourball (better ball) matches; • Day 2 – four foursome matches and four fourball matches; and • Day 3 – 12 singles matches. With a total of 28 points available, 14½ points are required to win the cup and 14 points are required for the defending champion to retain the cup. All matches are played to a maximum of 18 holes. There have been a total of 1040 individual matches played in the 44 Ryder Cups. Of these the US has won 501, Europe (including Great Britain/Great Britain and Ireland up to 1977) has won 396 with 143 matches halved. That means the USA have scored a total of 572½ points to Europe’s 467½. 18-hole matches (from 1961) All victories by 5 or more holes for Europe and by 6 or more holes for the United States are listed. Europe Ludvig Aberg and Victor Hovland defeated Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka 9&7 in foursomes in 2023. The largest victory in a singles match has been a 5&4 win, achieved nine times, firstly by Bernard Hunt against Jerry Barber in 1961. United States Margin Winner Loser Type Year 8&7 Tom Kite Howard Clark Singles 1989 8&7 Fred Couples Ian Woosnam Singles 1997 Foursomes: In 2012, Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson defeated Lee Westwood and Luke Donald 7&6.
September 2025 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 9 Record European point winners Up to and including the 2023 Ryder Cup. Rank Name Record (W-L-H) Points Percentage 1 Sergio Garcia 25-13-7 28.5 63.33% 2 Nick Faldo 23-19-4 25 54.35% 3 Bernhard Langer 21-15-6 24 57.14% United States Rank Name Record (W-L-H) Points Percentage 1 Billy Casper 20-10-7 23½ 63.51% 2 Arnold Palmer 22-8-2 23 71.88% 3 Phil Mickelson 18-22-7 21½ 45.74% Most singles points won 7 Colin Montgomerie (Eur) (6-0-2 record) Billy Casper (US) (6-2-2 record) Lee Trevino (US) (6-2-2 record) Arnold Palmer (US) (6-3-2 record) Neil Coles (GB, GB&I) (5-6-4 record) Most Foursomes points won 13½ Sergio Garcia (Eur) (12-4-3 record) Most fourball points won 10½ Ian Woosnam (Eur) (10-3-1 record) José María Olazábal (Eur) (9-2-3 record) Sergio Garcia (Eur) (9-4-3 record) Most frequent pairings Pairings used 7 or more times for Europe and 5 or more times for the United States are listed. Europe Between 1987 and 1993, Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal were paired 15 times picking up 12 points. Overall record W-L-H 11-2-2; Foursomes W-L-H 6-1-1; Fourball W-L-H 5-1-1. United States Between 2018-2023, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were paired nine times and picked up 4½ points. Overall record W-L-H 4-4-1; Foursomes W-L-H 2-3-0; Fourball W-L-H 2-1-1. Top points percentage (minimum 3 Ryder Cup matches) Jimmy Demaret (US) (6-0-0) 100% Jack Burke Jr (US) (7-1-0) 87.5% Horton Smith (US) (3-0-1) 87.5% Most points in a single context 5 Tony Lema (US) (5-1-0) 1965 Peter Alliss (GB) (5-1-0) 1965 Gardner Dickinson (US) (5-0-0) 1967 Arnold Palmer (US) (5-0-0) 1967 Tony Jacklin (GB) (4-0-2) 1969 Jack Nicklaus (US) (5-1-0) 1971 Larry Nelson (US) (5-0-0) 1979 Francesco Molinari (Eur) (5-0-0) 2018 Dustin Johnson (US) (5-0-0) 2021 European country records Since European team formed for the 1979 Ryder Cup up to and including 2023. Country Appearances Events Players Most capped England 84 22 28 Lee Westwood 11 Spain 43 22 11 Sergio Garcia 10 Scotland 36 17 11 Sam Torrance 8 Colin Montgomerie 8 Most appearances - Europe Number Player 11 Lee Westwood 11 Nick Faldo 10 Sergio Garcia 9 Dia Rees United States Number Player 12 Phil Mickelson 9 Jum Furyk 8 Tiger Woods, Lanny Watkins, Ray Floyd and Billy Casper Most frequent pairings Pairings used 7 or more times for Europe and 5 or more times for the United States are listed. Europe Between 1987 and 1993, Seve Ballesteros and José María Olazábal were paired 15 times picking up 12 points. Overall record W-L-H 11-2-2; Foursomes W-L-H 6-1-1; Fourball W-L-H 5-1-1. United States Between 2018-2023, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas were paired nine times and picked up 4½ points. Overall record W-L-H 4-4-1; Foursomes W-L-H 2-3-0; Fourball W-L-H 2-1-1. Scott Verplank 14th K Club 2006 Holes-in-one United States Peter Butler 16th Muirfield 1973 Nick Faldo 14th The Belfry 1993 Costantino Rocca 6th Oak Hill 1995 Howard Clark 11th Oak Hill 1995 Paul Casey 14th K Club 2006 Europe Age-related records: The ages given are on the first day of the Ryder Cup. Age Player Year DOB Date of Cup 19y, 258d Sergio Garcia 1999 9-1-1980 24-9-1999 United States youngest player Europe oldest player United States oldest player Captains • Youngest USA Ryder Cup captain: Arnold Palmer – 34 years, 31 days in 1963. • Youngest European captain: Charles Whitcombe – 35 years, 278 days in 1931. • Youngest non-playing US captain: Ben Hogan – 37 years, 34 days in 1949. • Youngest non-playing European captain: Tony Jacklin – 39 years, 99 days in 1983. • Oldest US team Ryder Cup captain: Tom Watson – 65 years, 22 days in 2014. • Oldest European captain: J.H. Taylor – 62 years, 99 days in 1933. • Oldest European playing captain: Ted Ray – 50 years, 67 days in 1927. • Oldest playing United States captain: Sam Snead – 47 years, 163 days in 1959. Prediction 1: A number of fools will yell “get-in-the-hole” when the first group tees off on day one and will continue the stupidity until the last putt drops. Prediction 2: The contest will be tied and holders Europe will retain the cup. Winning captain from 2023 Luke Donald, will again be in charge of team Europe. Age Player Year DOB Date of Cup 20y, 339d Horton Smith 1929 22-5-1908 26-4-1929 Age Player Year DOB Date of Cup 50y, 67d Ted Ray 1927 28-3-1877 3-6-1927 Age Player Year DOB Date of Cup 51y, 20d Raymond Floyd 1993 4-9-1942 24-9-1993 Europe youngest player Golf just got a whole lot faster, cooler, and more fun. The Finn Cycle, the revolutionary single-rider electric golf scooter, has officially landed in Australia – and it’s changing the game for good. Designed for golfers who crave speed, style, and efficiency, the Finn Cycle lets you cruise the course at up to 24 km/h, cutting your round time in half while keeping the fun factor sky-high. With a 1000Wh lithium battery, you’ll get up to 50km on a single charge, enough to power through 36 holes with ease. Built tough yet sleek, the Finn features: • A 48V high-torque brushless motor for smooth acceleration • Motorcycle-style front suspension and adjustable rear shock for a comfortable ride • Low PSI turf-friendly tires and dual disc brakes for safety and control • Foldable handlebars and footplates for easy transport Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a course regular, the Finn Cycle is your ticket to a faster, more exhilarating round. Available now at Platypus Golf Club, the exclusive Australian distributor - AU$5,399 Introducing the Finn Cycle – Now Available in Australia! Order now to book your test ride at platypusgolfclub.com
September 2025 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 10 After a few years of frustration, Cam Young broke through for his first PGA TOUR victory with a win at the Wyndham Championship. Long wait ends for Cam Young YOU just knew that when Cameron Young inevitably broke through for his first PGA Tour win he’d do it with some style. He didn’t let anybody down when he strolled to victory in the season-ending Wyndham Championship last month. Not only did he win by a whopping six strokes – despite bogeys on two of the final three holes, mind you – Young became the 1000th player to win on the PGA Tour. For the sake of story-book drama he could perhaps have waited a few more weeks and claimed that first success in his 100th start as a professional golfer, but breaking his duck in his 94th appearance would have to do. Young has long carried the bitter-sweet tag of being the best player never to have won on tour. He reminded fans of his long wait during post-tournament interviews. “It feels like a long time coming,” he said. “I felt like, that for the first year and a half I was out here, I had a chance to win every third week. Kiwi trio sign on for Australian PGA RYAN Fox will headline the Kiwi contingent at Royal Queensland at the 2025 Australian PGA Championship. A two-time winner on the PGA TOUR in 2025, Fox will be joined by Daniel Hillier and Kazuma Kobori, with the trio aiming to break a 26-year drought for New Zealanders at the tournament which tees off from November 27-30. Fox, who returns to Australia for the first time since 2022, took out the Myrtle Beach Classic in March, before backing that up with a playoff victory over Sam Burns at the RBC Canadian Open. His official World Golf Ranking had climbed to No.34 (prior to the St Jude Classic), while at the same time Fox was 31st on the season-long Fed Ex Cup points list. He has 19 professional wins to his credit and is also a former winner of the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Order of Merit. Hillier has seven professional victories on his resume, including the 2023 British Masters and was 13th on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai standings as of early September. While like Fox, Kobori is a past winner of the Order of Merit and Player of the Year title on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, claiming the honour for the 2023/24 season when he won three tournaments as a rookie professional. PGA of Australia Nick Dastey General Manager of Tournaments & Global Tour Relationships said he was delighted the top three Kiwis on the Official World Golf Ranking had signed on for this year’s PGA Championship. “They’ve been a bit more few and far between, so to have a chance like this today, I was not going to let it get away from me.” Young’s talent has never been questioned. Though a non-winner until the Wyndham Championship, he’d recorded seven runner-up finishes in his first 93 starts since joining the PGA Tour in 2021. One of those near misses was in the 2022 Open when he shot a final day 31 on the back nine to finish just a stroke behind Cameron Smith. He’s earned almost $20 million in prizemoney, shot 59 in competition and has represented the US in a Presidents Cup. It will be no surprise if he now forces his way into the US Ryder Cup team at Bethpage this year. I wrote in February that when his first win came – prophetically suggesting it may well be this year – the floodgates might just open for Young. Look for many more victories from this young man in the next few years. – PETER OWEN “Having Ryan, Daniel and Kazuma in our field, representing the best of New Zealand men’s golf, is a huge plus for this year’s tournament,” Dastey said. “We haven’t had a Kiwi winner since Greg Turner in 1999, but with these three great contenders in the field, plus the other New Zealand pros who will join them from our Tour, you definitely can’t discount it this year.” Ryan Fox, a two-time winner on the PGA TOUR in 2025, has committed to play in the Australian PGA Championship.
September 2025 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 12 Scott’s special relationship with Royal Melbourne IT’S not putting too fine a point on it to suggest Royal Melbourne and Adam Scott have long had a ‘bromance’ going. It began almost as soon as Scott appeared on the professional golf arena in the 1990’s, with RM immediately loving the way the young Queenslander carried himself on and off the golf course. Members also admired the genuine respect and sense of history the 2013 Masters Champion has for the game. After the win at Augusta, RM awarded Scott with honorary life membership – a measure of the esteem in which he was held. A members’ night, for which guest of honour Scott donned the Masters green winner’s jacket, was quite literally packed to the rafters. You could have heard a pin drop when Scott spoke. That’s why the addition of Scott to the list of Australians and other internationals who will try to stop Rory McIlroy lifting the Stonehaven Cup at RM from November 27-30 has added even more theatre to the appearance of the reigning Masters champion from Northern Ireland. While McIlroy is no Tiger Woods when it comes to pulling power, he will draw huge galleries to the first open at RM since 1991. Should organisers opt to draw Scott and McIlroy together on the first two days, record crowds are assured. “No doubt it made big headlines (overseas) that Rory was coming down to play at Australia,” Scott said. “That pushed Royal Melbourne out there even more, and there are a fair few guys who played the Presidents Cup in 2019 at Royal Melbourne, and it’s certainly gotten a lot of attention from the players right through the ranks, from the top guys down. “Royal Melbourne has an incredible history and reputation that a lot of guys would like to experience. “It’s got this reputation, and rightly so, of being our greatest golf course. With the announcement of Rory coming down to play, it refreshed everyone’s mind how good it is. “There has definitely been 100 times more interest in the Australian Open and the events in Australia this year.” Scott, 45, said he would plan his schedule between now and November to ensure he was feeling physically and mentally fresh in his bid to win a second Australian Open and a third Australian PGA title. to shoot a 79 to finish in a tie for 12th. Scott then missed the cut earlier in July at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush. “The Open was disappointing. I just played poorly on Friday (in the second round). I got out of sorts in the wind and couldn’t figure it out,” he said. “There are a lot of things I can think I’d do different. At the US Open it was disappointing to leave without a result and that’s kind of been how my year’s been – all my good golf has ended up not really getting the results I wanted. “To be in the mix with nine to go at the US Open, and to be in the mix with nine to go at the PGA Championship, still gives me enough confidence that I’m doing enough of the right things. I just have to iron out a couple of the kinks to get over the line.” NOTE: In addition to the Australian Open and PGA Championships, Adam Scott will also play in the Cathedral Invitational, a relaxed event prior to Christmas. The tournament held near Mansfield in Victoria, is played on the Greg Noman-designed layout owned by Melbourne businessman, David Evans. Played over the 36-holes, the tournament will be following the Australian Open, teeing off on December 9 and 10. McIlroy might also play. Michael Davis michael.davis@insidegolf.com.au “I’ve learned my lesson a little bit the last couple years that I’m at the point where I can’t continue pushing myself,” he said. “It just doesn’t work like it used to, so I’m going to try, to not take it easy, but plan my time a little better because I certainly want to come down and perform and give myself a shot at these great trophies at home.” Scott said this year had been frustrating for him, believing his “good golf” had not been rewarded with wins. He was in the final group in the fourth round of June’s US Open at Oakmont Country Club, only 198-228 Hollywood Dr, Lansvale NSW 2166 (02) 9728 7777 | E: Membership@opgc.au www.opgc.au Welcome to Oak Point Golf Club Transitioning to become one of the best golfing experiences in Western Sydney Mid Week Memberships (Open) Golf for kids • Womens’ Golf • Tuition Corporate Events
September 2025 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 13 Canberran Josh Armstrong qualified for the NSW Open with his win at Coffs Harbour. Qualifiers book places for a ‘Vintage’ NSW Open SEVERE weather conditions played a major role, but some talented young as well as a few more ‘senior’ golfers prevailed at Golf NSW events played around the North Coast of NSW in recent weeks. The events were all qualifiers for the prestigious 2025 Ford NSW Open, so quality fields were assured. Yet events at Teven and Coffs Harbour had to be reduced in rounds as courses became unplayable and conditions deteriorated during what has been a wet winter for golf in the Premier State. Victorian Ben Henkel secured his second Ford NSW Open Regional Qualifying title after severe weather forced officials to abandon play at Michael Court michael@insidegolf.com.au Teven Valley Golf Course and declare the tournament complete after just 18 holes. Henkel, who led by two shots after Friday’s opening round, was declared the winner when play was called off for the third and final time late on Saturday following torrential rain that saw the course receive almost 50mm in under two hours. Henkel’s brilliant bogey-free, sevenunder-par 51 in the opening round proved decisive on the Craig Parrydesigned layout. “I would have loved to obviously win playing 36 holes,” said Henkel. “I was going all right today; I think I was even par and maybe one or two ahead still and had a good birdie chance before the final siren went.” With the weather ensuring an early end to the day, the coveted Ford NSW Open qualifying spots were decided on a countback from scores in Friday’s opening round. Queenslander Dillon Hart (-5), Kiama’s Will Diabarra (-3), and Sydneysider Neven Basic (-3) took the spots. Then it was on to South West Rocks where St Michaels amateur Daley Loumanis delivered the biggest performance of his career to claim a one-shot win at their qualifying event. The 22-year-old who began the final round three shots behind overnight leader Lincoln Tighe, delivered when it mattered most with a tearaway opening nine, fiveunder-par 31, to set the foundation for his barnstorming win. Starting his day on the 10th hole, the Sydney-based university student fired off birdies on the 12th, 13th, 15th, and 17th before producing the shot of the day – a spectacular eagle from off the green on the 18th hole, his ninth hole. The win capped off what has been a breakthrough year for the young amateur, who earlier this year finished runner-up to Declan O’Donovan in the NSW Amateur Championship at Stonecutters Ridge. When the dust settled at South West Rocks Country Club, it was Loumanis, Louis Dobbelaar and Sydney’s Jayden Cripps who secured their coveted NSW Open spots in November at The Vintage. Next it was on to Coffs Harbour Golf Club for their North Coast Open and regional qualifier which saw Josh Armstrong claim victory at another event that had to be shortened to a one-round shootout. Armstrong fired a flawless sevenunder-par round to secure the win, despite not realising he had done enough. After rain forced organisers to reduce the tournament to a single round, the pressure was dialled up with a $50,000 prize purse and three coveted qualifying spots for the 2025 Ford NSW Open on the line. “A little bit of a surprise,” said Armstrong. “To be honest, I thought I had to hole that putt on the last but turns out the other boys had done the work for me.” The leaderboard was tight all day, with several players jostling for position. Sydney amateur Daley Loumanis, who beat the pros at South Wests Rocks, alongside Jayden Cripps after the pair secured places in the field for the upcoming NSW Open. Local favourite Jack Pountney and Sydney’s Nathan Barbieri were in the mix, going shot for shot down the stretch. Meanwhile, Armstrong, who was just one group behind, held his nerve, needing only a par on the last to claim victory. The 24-year-old from Canberra played a bogey-free round and credited his strong short game for getting him across the line. Pountney finished in a three-way tie for second at six-under alongside Barbieri and Dillon Hart. Christopher Wood secured the final qualifying place with a five-under finish, helped by a hot start. Remaining NSW Open qualifying events will be played at Catalina Club Batemans Bay (Sept 17-19) and Queanbeyan GC (Sept 21-23). Ben Henkel was a winner of the NSW Open qualifier at the rainshortened Tevan event. www.redbacksport.com.au CHECK OUT OUR EXTENSIVE RANGE AT REDBACK SPORT – AUSTRALIA’S LEADING GOLF ACCESSORIES SUPPLIER HUGE RANGE OF GOLF ACCESSORIES FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS PREMIUM YOUNG GUN JUNIOR GOLF EQUIPMENT DURABLE RANGE BALLS, TEES & RANGE BASKETS FAST NATIONWIDE SHIPPING ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ STOCKED AT MOST GOOD GOLF RETAIL OUTLETS Scan to see our Stay & Play packages #LetsPlayPortStephens www.pacificdunes.com.au | 02 4916 0500 Huntingdale Place, Medowie Your Port Stephens’ Golf Getaway!
September 2025 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 14 Khan guiding elite NSW talent KHAN Pullen began his golfing career with the same dream as that of his now famous pupils, travelling the world playing golf for millions of dollars. After finishing his apprenticeship at what was then New Brighton Golf Club in Sydney’s west, Khan grabbed the clubs and played in Australia and Asia with early success on the national Pro-Am circuit. But when he played himself into contention in the back nine at the NSW Open in 1994, only to tumble off the leaderboard, he made a decision. “I was a quiet introverted sort of person, didn’t like being out in front of people performing,” Khan said. “I remember seeing my name near the lead on the leaderboard, a couple back, and went on to drop four shots over the last six holes.” He continued playing for a while but after running out of finances to continue following his playing ambitions, decided it was time to go in another direction. “I realised I wasn’t going to be a player and I was never much of a retailer or a sales person. I wanted coach. To work with players that were serious, probably more into player development rather than just giving swing tips,” Khan said. “I learnt as a player what mistakes I made. Standing there hitting 50 five-irons in a row wasn’t the way to go.” Through his playing days and early coaching roles he had the opportunity to be coached and to hang around and learn from many of Australia’s leading coaches. Khan continued to develop his coaching landing various roles in elite player development programs and is now the High Performance Manager at Golf NSW. Through these roles Khan was exposed to various sport science disciplines deepening his coaching knowledge as well as witnessing and overseeing the development of some of NSW most talented players. Khan guided Cam Davis to a national Amateur Championship, as well as to a victory in the Australian Open, defeating major champions, Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Cam Smith. It was when Davis won in the US and featured in the 2022 Presidents Cup that the name, Khan Pullen was being recognised as an elite coach of some high calibre players. My mate and co-host of the Backspin Podcast, Gary Barter, often refers to the tenuous role of an elite player’s coach with a somewhat sarcastic tinge. “You’ve either just been sacked or about to be sacked,” Gary expressed. I asked Khan about the split with Cam Davis and the effect it had. “Yeah, I was a little disappointed. It was more like I felt we had some unfinished business. I would have liked to finish the job, but I fully respected Cam’s decision and the direction he wanted to take his career.” Grace Kim is also one of Khan’s pupils and I asked if her recent major victory at the Evian Championship changed his way of thinking, maybe providing validation of what the pair have been working on and his ability to develop a player to this level. “I wouldn’t say its validation. I believe she had the potential for that. Probably the same with Cameron. Even now she’s won a major, I again, still believe there’s unfinished business,” Khan said. Did you see Grace’s major victory coming earlier in the year? “I caddied in the Golf NSW co-sanctioned LET event in Coffs Harbour and I just noticed a few things watching her general demeanour and body language. “So Grace and I had a deep and meaningful discussion shortly afterwards. I asked her, where do you want to go in the game? Are you happy to float along and be a nice LPGA Tour player? Or do you want to see where you can go? I think you want to be winning majors, and I have aspirations of going to an Olympics with you” Do you talk to the parents much? “Both her parents are great and very supportive. When she was a kid, her parents would drop her off and sit in the car, never interfering or standing on the range watching. They are active in Grace’s development and now in her career, but not controlling. The question was also posed as to who is the Grace Kim, Khan has come to know? “She is thoughtful, giving and kind. She’s a great golfer but an even better person.” I asked if he had any advice for aspiring coaches of elite players? “I heard Steven Bann once say, coaches become good the same way players become good. I feel a good coach is a continuous learner and they ask good questions. Hang around people that are smarter than you and learn from them.” I’m not sure I have seen a better matchup of player and coach as I see in Khan and Grace. Both humble, engaging and yet with an unwavering path to learn how to be the very best they both can. Khan Pullen at the Women’s Open Championship with Grace Kim. Grace Kim, coached by Khan Pullen, captured her first major title with a win at the Evian Championship. Larry Canning ed@insidegolf.com.au Play the Sunshine Coast’s Premier Golf Course! Enjoy magnificent views State of the art driving range Mates Rates Golf Special - $495 for 4 people including 2 x carts A new era of golf MACKSVILLE COUNTRY CLUB MCC Experience the rejuvenated golf course Our recent renovations have transformed the 3rd, 5th and 6th greens, introducing strategic gameplay elements that promise to challenge and thrill. The new par-5 7th hole and par-3 8th hole are splendid additions, enhancing your golfing experience against the picturesque backdrop of the surrounding hinterland in the Nambucca Valley on the NSW Mid North Coast. Ready for more? Brand-new driving range now open! Join us at Macksville Country Club - where golf meets serenity. Your perfect golfing destination is just a swing away! www.macksvillecountryclub.com.au Call for your next booking or function (02) 6568 1400
September 2025 www.insidegolf.com.au PRO NEWS 15 Playing for his country is becoming a habit for King AUSTRALIA’S team in the Four Nations Cup, an event featuring vocational professionals representing Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa, just wouldn’t be the same without Queensland’s T. J. King. King, 28, an assistant professional at Mt Coolum on the Sunshine Coast, has been a member of every team that has represented Australia since the event was played in South Africa back in 2022. It’s a remarkable record considering the tough qualifying conditions. Firstly, you must be a vocational member of the PGA and not belong to any tour. Then you have to win your way into the PGA Professionals Championship National Final, usually played in Melbourne. Once there, you must finish first or second to make the team. Remarkably, King has cleared all those hurdles each year and is currently part of the four-man team representing his country in this year’s Four Nations Cup, scheduled for September 2 to 5 at the Pulpit Club outside Toronto. Already he’s built up an impressive record in the event, which sees players compete in a series of foursomes and individual matchplay competitions. In Johannesburg in 2022, King was Australia’s dominant player, winning all of his singles matches, although Australia went down to Canada. A year later, he led the Aussies to victory at Moonah Links. The Four Nations Cup was not held last year. King, who completed his PGA Membership Pathway Program in early 2021, is a proud representative of his country. “I’m honoured to do it again,” he said. “It was a cool experience, good team, good atmosphere, looking forward to it.” As well as King, the Australian team includes Matt Docking, Sam Eaves and Sanctuary Cove teaching professional Mitchell Smith, all of whom are making their Four Nations debut. Burns ‘scapes’ home to win PGA Senior Sand Greens QUEENSLANDER Brad Burns survived a threeway playoff to win the Australian PGA Senior Sand Green Championship at the Cobar Bowling and Golf Club. Scheduled for 54-holes, the first day was washed out due to a thunderstorm in reducing the event to just two rounds. Murray Lott led with a 67 on day one, Burns was a shot back shooting 68, while Andre Stoltz and Nigel Weldon were in contention after returning 69’s. After the completion of the second round a 67 from Burns and 66’s by Stoltz and Weldon sent the trio to extra holes to decide a champion. All three made birdie at the first playoff hole, however a second birdie from Burns was enough for him to claim the inaugural PGA Senior Sand Green Championship. Burns was presented with his champions jacket by General Manager of the Cobar club Jason Howell. In all 65 professionals from all over Australia were joined by 50 Amateurs, with the best score of the tournament belonging to David Fearns who shot a last day 65. As a result of the round one cancellation players enjoyed a social bowls afternoon in taking full advantage of the amenities at the Cobar Bowling and Golf Club, best described as an ‘oasis in the Outback’. The club has recently just gone through $3.5 million in renovations, with the well-appointed club including a sports bar, poker machines, five big screen televisions and a restaurant. The Australian PGA Senior Sand Green Championship will again be staged in Cobar in 2026 on the weekend of May 2-3. A mining town with a rich history and plenty to see, the event in Cobar is one to put on the bucket list, with the hospitality shown by the locals second to none. For further details on next year’s championship contact Narelle Kriz via email at narelle.kriz@bigpond.com, with those interested encouraged to make a week of it and to play an event at the Warren Golf Club in the days leading into the Senior Sand Greens. Another unique golfing challenge, the Warren course features 12 grass greens and six sand greens. By Peter Owen Australia’s Four Nations Cup team – (from left) Sam Eaves, Mitchell Smith, Matt Docking and T. J. King. Brad Burns stroked in the winning putt at Cobar on the second playoff hole. None will be excited as Eaves, the part-time pro from Toowoomba, whose main occupation is selling real estate. He won his way onto the team by winning last year’s National Final at The Heritage Golf and Country Club. Eaves took time off from his day job to play in last month’s PGA Professionals Championship of Southeast Queensland at Nudgee, shooting a superb eight-under-par 62 to win the event. “It’s a really big year for me. Not only representing Australia at the Four Nations Cup and being defending champion at the PGA Professionals Championship National Final, but also getting a start in the Queensland PGA Championship, which is exciting,” Eaves said.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc1MjU0