@golf_vic October/November 2018 Volume 59 - Number 5 GolfVictoria PP 381 667 667 0038

DANIEL ANDREWS: On & The Vic Open ARDOCH’S 10TH ANNUAL Hosted by champion Charity Golf Day Australian golfer 3RD The DEC Just one week after the of Golf!

Ardoch is a children’s education charity focused on improving educational outcomes for children in disadvantaged communities. Please join us and help Ardoch ensure that every child’s potential is realised through full participation in education.

To register your interest please contact: Amy Coote p: 03 9537 2414 e: [email protected] Event www.ardoch.org.au Partner: October/November 2018 Volume 59 – Number 5 Front cover: Premier Daniel Andrews at Kingston Heath. Photo: Daniel Pockett

BOARD MEMBERS Stephen Spargo AM (President) Ross Anderson contents Luci Bryce Mark Dunstan Dorothy Hisgrove GOLF VICTORIA REPORTS Alison McCaig Lucinda (Cindy) McLeish 05 A Great Time For Golf Peter Nash (Finance Director) David Shilbury 34 VGCSA Honours CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Two Of Its Best Simon Brookhouse 35 GMV Report CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER David Greenhill 39 Noticeboard GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER Fiona Telford TOURNAMENTS MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER 22 What A Finish! Greg Oakford 24 Country Week Brings The State Together

FEATURES is published by Golf Victoria 10 Golf Is My Game: MANAGING EDITORS Dan’s Open Drive Mark Harding ARDOCH’S Mob: 0417 105 659 13 The Unsung Genius of Goroke Email: [email protected]

16 Steffi Makes Short Karen Harding 10TH ANNUAL Work Of Practice Mob: 0421 040 580 Email: [email protected] 18 Don’t Take Graeme Hosted by champion For Granted ADVERTISING: Charity Golf Day Ray Kelsall Australian golfer 28 Team Thomas Teaches Mob: 0408 196 729 The Town Email: [email protected] Brett Ogle SUBSCRIPTIONS 3RD The Metropolitan Golf Club 30 Fame For Brendan All enquiries to Anne Maddock Tel: (03) 8545 6200 Just one week after the World Cup of Golf! 36 Game For Life: Marshalls Email: [email protected] Serve The Game With Honour DEC GOLF VICTORIA 44 Unique Country Experiences Level 1, 47A Wangara Road, – Horses For Courses Cheltenham VIC 3192 Ardoch is a children’s education charity focused on improving PO Box 2168 Hampton East VIC 3188 Tel: (03) 8545 6200 educational outcomes for children in disadvantaged Fax: (03) 9543 9307 communities. Please join us and help Ardoch ensure that every DEPARTMENTS Email: [email protected] No part of this issue may be child’s potential is realised through full participation in education. 06 Clayton Tees Off reproduced, transmitted or otherwise copied without 40 Fairway written permission from Golf Victoria. To register your interest please contact: 42 Twinklers Production: Mustard Creative Media Amy Coote 43 Star On The Rise Tel: (03) 8459 5500 p: 03 9537 2414 Printed by Printgraphics 48 Update Tel: (03) 9562 9600 e: [email protected] Event www.ardoch.org.au Partner: 49 Gallery 15-18 November 2018 The Lakes Golf Club

For more information visit emiratesaustralianopen.com.au

golf report

Simon Brookhouse Chief Executive Officer @golfvicsb It’s Here! One Golf Moves The Game Forward

This edition of Golf Victoria Magazine is the working in harmony towards one goal, not five years and the fervour of the massive first since Golf Victoria officially signed over many as has historically been the case.” crowds in France at the show to Golf ’s One Golf structure. interest is at unprecedented levels. I can’t think of a more exciting time for the Over the next decade we At home, we are on the verge of a great game because with the greater resources will see an enormous season with Victoria ready to stage the and the economies of scale created by 2018 ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf at the move, we are now geared to tackle change in the structure of Metropolitan, sandwiched by the Emirates the biggest issues facing golf at grassroots Australian sport, I believe, and the Australian PGA level and upwards. and it is great that golf can Championship. From October 1, Victoria has joined be at the forefront of this And, of course, in February, our very , , special event, the $3 million Vic Open and the Northern Territory in signing revolution, rather than has co-sanctioning with the European service agreements with being slow to adapt and Tour and the Ladies European Tour after that, put simply, will deliver an alignment risk being left behind. the massive injection of funds by the and co-ordination between all the bodies state government. that hasn’t previously existed. Golf NSW and Golf WA have so far not The revision of the rule book has seen a So, what does it mean for golf club committed to One Golf but we are in simplified, common-sense approach to 15-18 November 2018 members and other golfers? Essentially, ongoing discussions with them and are help speed the game and make it more on a day-to-day level it will be business confident that when the new structure is appealing to newcomers daunted by as usual. as successful as we believe it will be, they some of the complexities. The Lakes Golf Club will also come on board so the One Golf Inclusion has become one of the key This is the most critical benefits can work in those states too. aspects to the modern game with steps thing for Australian golf – to The ultimate plan with One Golf operating taken at every level to ensure there are no barriers to anyone who wants to have really strong, aligned in every state in Australia is for golf to have the most efficient, streamlined and unified give golf a go. decision-making processes governance structure in Australian sport. And Vision 2025, the project to generate greater female participation in the game, that share a vision so we “There are a number of sports considering is up and running and already showing ensure we are working in their structure and many are looking at positive signs. harmony towards one goal, what we are doing with great interest,” Pitt said. It’s a great time to be involved in the sport. not many as has historically been the case. “Over the next decade we will see an enormous change in the structure of The difference will be in the efficiencies in Australian sport, I believe, and it is great maximising revenue and providing a clear, that golf can be at the forefront of this unified structure to enable the game to revolution, rather than being slow to For more information visit emiratesaustralianopen.com.au grow with a common goal. adapt and risk being left behind.” As Golf Australia Chief Executive Stephen In the meantime, opportunities abound in Pitt said: “This is the most critical thing all aspects of the game and there is for Australian golf – to have really strong, so much in golf to be excited about. aligned decision-making processes that At the professional level, the comeback of share a vision so we ensure we are to win his first tournament in

Golf Victoria 5 clayton tees off

by @MichaelClayto15 WHY THE WORLD CUP WORKS

The 2018 ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf at Metropolitan from November 21-25 features a rich and diverse field of 56 golfers from 28 countries. MIKE CLAYTON explains why golf fans should relish the opportunity to watch.

Flying the flag: Australian pair and have the advantage of home soil and will start favourite to lift the World Cup.

6 Golf Victoria The World Cup is one of golf’s more It was sent to places like Caracas, enduring events, one played through Acapulco, Puerto Rico, Athens, Manila several eras and incarnations, beginning its and Marbella but over time it fell from THE FORMAT life as the Canada Cup in Montreal 1953. favour because any tournament without spectators becomes little more than an The tournament is a 72-hole It was a much different time and one exhibition with a good field. Davis Love highlighting how much the nature of and Freddie Couples won four years in a strokeplay team event with professional golf has changed since row in the 1990s, giving it credibility, but each team comprised of two the great team of Thomson and Nagle the problem remained. Playing at Royal players. The first and third days represented Australia and won the Melbourne in 1988 in front of a big gallery second edition in 1954. was more an anomaly than the norm. are four-ball (best ball) play and The professional tour in Britain and The issue now is that a huge prize fund the second and final days are Europe played from April to late ($US7 million) doesn’t guarantee the foursomes (alternate shot) play. September so their best players were modern-day American equivalents to more than happy to play anywhere in the Hogan and Snead, Palmer and Snead, world in their winter. For some like Harry Nicklaus and Palmer or Woods and Duval, WEDNESDAY Bradshaw, the great Portmarnock club pro who played together in Argentina in 2000 and 1949 Open Championship runner-up, when they were the two best players in 21 NOVEMBER it was a couple of weeks reprieve from the game. selling balls to the members. There was Pro-Am day, course open and Kyle Stanley, playing for no Presidents Cup and the continental the United States this time, are fantastic to public. Shotgun start: players were excluded from the Ryder players but no one could be anything Cup, making the World Cup a rare chance 7:15 am and 12:15 pm but disappointed Tiger Woods and to play for your country. are playing a pointless – THURSDAY 22 demeaning, even – exhibition for ten Who is coming to million dollars the same week. NOVEMBER But rather than focussing on who Round 1 (Four-ball) isn’t playing, we should acknowledge Metropolitan, likely the professional world – in an era of Tee Times from 8:10am unimagined prizemoney to generations Gates Open 7am one of the best past – has changed. Otherwise we are going to spend every summer moaning FRIDAY handful of courses about who isn’t coming down here to play. The days of the Australian Open 23 NOVEMBER any of the field have being the ‘Fifth Major’ are long past. Of course, it was a myth but it was Round 2 (Foursomes) played all year, should one we all wanted to believe. Tee Times from 10:40am be the celebration of Instead, who is coming to Metropolitan, Gates Open 9am likely one of the best handful of courses any of the field have played all year, the World Cup. should be the celebration of the SATURDAY 24 World Cup. For the best American players, the tour NOVEMBER wound down after the PGA Championship The format, a mix of foursomes and Round 3 (Four-ball) four-ball, is interesting at a time when in August, freeing up Tee Times from 8:10am and to team up and win the game all over the world is awash four times. Later, Nicklaus teamed with with 72-hole tournaments. Gates Open 7am both and , a Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith presence guaranteeing the credibility of have some advantage perhaps because SUNDAY the tournament and highlighting Nicklaus’ the course will be more familiar, commitment to spreading word of the especially to Leishman who grew up 25 NOVEMBER game all over the world. playing his Melbourne golf down the Round 4 (Foursomes) road at Commonwealth. As we did with the Davis Cup, Australians Tee Times from10:40AM paid a lot more attention to the World Aside from how the course, now the Cup when it was in Australia – or more longest championship course in the Gates Open 9am specifically in Melbourne, since it’s never country, plays, the interest for those been anywhere else. looking for more than just watching the Shuttle buses Australians and the Americans (and who The problem with the event was that its All trains arriving at Oakleigh Station they happened to be paired with) could admirable mission to spread the game will be met by a free bus service focus on a number of players. sent it to places where few had any operating in conjunction with Gate interest in golf and one is left to wonder if Years ago the Irish Golf Union was Opening times and returning for one it engendered any since. unsurprisingly enthused about the (1) hour after play is completed.

Golf Victoria 7 prospects of a young, curly-haired kid homemade swing where the club almost shots are much more difficult than the from up near Royal Portrush. Peter Cowan, hits his right shoulder as he rips it down norm and it always takes some adjustment one of the game’s best teachers, was from the top of his backswing. It’s always and imagination pitching and chipping off employed to assess the home-grown fun to watch players who look like they all the short grass around the greens. talent and, as everyone else could see, care a little bit less than the others, The defenders, Danes Thorbjorn Olesen he told the selectors Rory McIlroy was something freeing them up to play a and Soren Kjeldsen, adapted quickly to obviously a pretty special player. little more recklessly than is the norm. Kingston Heath a couple of years ago and “But”, said Cowan, “there is another kid Two recommendations are both playing whilst Kjeldsen is a short hitter, the length here who is really good – that little fat kid for Belgium and it would be no surprise shouldn’t be a problem. That’s because over there with the glasses." It was Shane if they had a chance to win on Sunday while the course is longer than it was Lowry, who won the as an afternoon. was fourth 40 years ago, it plays shorter because amateur and has played well ever since. at Augusta last year and swings as well of the equipment and the extra roll on Lowry teams with Paul Dunne, who led the and as powerfully as anyone on the tour. the fairways. 2015 Open at St Andrews after 54 holes At Kingston Heath in 2016, he drove his Either way, it will be terrific fun watching – as an amateur. foursomes partner Nicolas Colsaerts only the World Cup and it’s time we accept the 80 metres from the opening green – a is one we haven’t yet seen days of our big events attracting a couple hole that used to be a par five from a tee play in Australia and, in fairness, his form of the world’s best and hanging everything 20 paces closer to the green than the one hasn’t been up to much lately. But anyone around them are long gone. Pieters played from. who has won , Instead we have to make great events the US PGA and the 2015 U.S Open by Thomas Detry, 25, is a year younger and with interesting formats and continue to eight shots can properly play golf. swings just as well. Metropolitan is a play them on our best courses. With both course unlike the vast majority of the Stoic and quiet, the German is starkly the World Cup and the Vic Open to look week-to-week courses on the professional different to the flashy Thai, Kiradech forward to this summer, and with the tour, no matter whether they are in Aphibarnrat, who won at Lake Karrinyup Presidents Cup to come next year, Europe, America, Japan or Asia. The greens at the beginning of the year with a there is much to look forward to. are harder and faster, greenside bunker

THE FORMAT, A MIX OF FOURSOMES AND Thorbjorn Olesen and Soren Kjeldsen FOUR-BALL, IS INTERESTING AT A TIME won the World Cup for Denmark at WHEN THE GAME ALL OVER THE WORLD IS Kingston Heath and are back to defend at Metropolitan. AWASH WITH 72-HOLE TOURNAMENTS.

8 Golf Victoria *Bold denotes first World Cup of THE TEAMS Golf appearance

1 Australia Marc Leishman Cameron Smith 16 Spain Adrian Otaegui Jorge Campillo

2 England Tyrrell Hatton 17 Ireland Shane Lowry Paul Dunne Michael 3 United States Kyle Stanley Matt Kuchar 18 France Alexander Levy Lorenzo-Vera Kiradech 4 Thailand Prom Meesawat Aphibarnrat 19 Austria Matthias Schwab Shubhankar 5 South Africa Branden Grace Charl Schwartzel 20 India Anirban Lahiri Sharma 6 Denmark Thorbjorn Olesen Soren Kjeldsen 21 Netherlands Daan Huizing 7 Japan Satoshi Kodaira Hideto Tanihara 22 Finland Mikko Korhonen Mikko Ilonen 8 Korea Byeong Hun An Si Woo Kim 23 Mexico Roberto Diaz 9 China Haotong Li Ashun Wu 24 Germany Martin Kaymer Maximilian Kieffer 10 Canada Adam Hadwin Nick Taylor 25 Italy Andrea Pavan Renato Paratore Scotland Martin Laird 11 Benjamin 26 Zimbabwe Scott Vincent Follett-Smith 12 Belgium Thomas Pieters Thomas Detry Gavin Kyle 27 Malaysia Ben Leong 13 Sweden Alexander Bjork Joakim Lagergren Green 14 New Zealand 28 Wales Stuart Manley

15 Venezuela Jhonattan Vegas Joseph Naffah WORLD CUP FACTS

• Denmark became the 16th nation to win the World Cup when Thorbjorn Olesen and Soren Kjeldsen won by four shots at Kingston Heath in 2016. Now they are back to become the first pair to defend the title since Davis Love III and won their fourth in a row in 1995. • While the USA is clearly the most successful nation, with 16 wins from the 58 previous World Cups, the last 11 tournaments have gone to 11 different nations. • Australia and South Africa are next best with five wins. Australia’s wins include 1954 Montreal and 1960 Melbourne by and , one of only four pairs to win the Cup more than once. and won in Buenos Aires in 1970, and won in Marbella in 1989 and and gave the Melbourne crowds something to cheer about in 2013. • Metropolitan Golf Club has hosted seven Australian Opens, five Australian PGAs, one , the Australian Women’s Open and the WGC World Match Play Championship. The couch fairways and bentgrass greens for the 2001 Match Play were considered among the best conditioned ever produced for a tournament in Australia. • Three members of the winning 2018 Ryder Cup European Team will make the trip to Australia – the English duo of Tyrrell Hatton and Ian Poulter and Denmark’s Olesen.

Golf Victoria 9 golf is my game by Mark Harding

Daniel Andrews on the tee for some short form golf at Kingston Heath.

10 Golf Victoria Photography: Daniel Pockett

He began, as so many children do, with “It’s funny,” he said during one of those the politician and the golfer in Daniel some hand-me-down clubs, playing until recent Sunday sessions. “When you are Andrews were really able to find common dusk after school and from dawn on younger and you take the game far too ground. "There was a lot of talk after the weekends at the country golf club which seriously, it is all about your game rather (Australian) Masters was no longer being was literally next door to his house. than the game, and anything less than a played that there was a need to build a perfect strike is the end of the world. Now, new tournament in Victoria,” Andrews said. He attended a few junior clinics but his swing is I’ve only got to hit one good one to bring “The thing is, we have already got a largely self-made … it shows and he knows it. me back. And there have been occasions fantastic tournament, played in regional But practice makes permanent and that when I have not hit that one good one … Victoria, on a 36-hole complex down at swing has been firmly grooved … well enough and I am still coming back.” 13th Beach. to ensure that in busy adult life he can still Andrews admits that with the pressures “If you look at the crowds in recent years, play to a good standard – off ten at one of of the job, the solitude of the Sunday they are amazing and they get bigger and the finest courses in Australia. afternoon sessions has become even more bigger every year. They’re able to view golf Trouble is, he’s so busy that he rarely gets important. “You do cherish a few moments down the line, walking behind the players, to play a full round. But he loves the game of quiet time. It keeps you balanced, no ropes. And the unique format of that so much that even a brief visit to the focussed on things. Just a couple of hours tournament … men and women, equal practice fairway or a few holes in the late to clear your head is nice.” prizemoney, same course, same week.” afternoon on Sunday is enough to retain his In that sense, he’s a perfect role model for For the politician, the success of the enthusiasm and keep him coming back. Golf Victoria and Golf Australia’s push to tournament made greater government support a fairly straightforward decision. He believes golf has positive benefits for the encourage more short form golf, such as The result? An increase from $1.3 million individuals who play it recreationally and, Play 9, because he doesn’t have to play in prizemoney in 2018 to $3 million in at the elite level, for the regions which an 18-hole round in competition to get prizemoney in 2019 until at least 2022. conduct major tournaments. At 46, his his thrills from the game. successful career has put him in a He’s also an advocate for the philosophy The $1.5 million for the men’s Open position of extraordinary influence. of equality which is at the heart of the Vic enabled Golf Victoria to secure co- sanctioning with the men’s European Which has very much been to the Open. His hero in golf has always been Tour to match the existing co-sanctioning game’s advantage. because of his perfect swing, pure ball striking and the courage it took to with the Ladies European Tour, while the That, in a nutshell is the Daniel Andrews return from his near fatal car accident. But $1.5 million for the women elevated their story – how a time-poor golf tragic asked to nominate who among the current tournament to one of the big ones. became the poster boy for the Vic Open. day players he likes to follow, the first name “The crowds are big and the prizemoney When Daniel Andrews became Premier he mentions is outside the norm of Tiger, will match now,” said Andrews. “It is going of Victoria in December 2014, he was Phil, Justin, Dustin, Jason or Adam. to be a great field and an absolutely playing off a handicap of ten at Kingston “I watch a bit of women’s golf, which is fantastic week with, over time, a really big television audience as well. That is great Heath. In the mid-forty age range, it’s a more relative to our game,” he said. “I’ve for tourism, great for the number of mark which usually requires fairly regular been lucky enough to play a bit with Su visitors coming down here. play to maintain. Oh, a fantastic person and a really talented player making her way on the LPGA.” Of course, that doesn’t happen. He reckons “And it is using what you have got rather than the inherent risk of trying to build he would be lucky to play a handful of As such a keen and inclusive golfer, he had something new from scratch.” competitive handicap rounds a year but immediately embraced the decision of Golf he’s been able to retain his swing and Victoria to play the men’s and women’s It’s not just the Vic Open that has Andrews standard with late Sunday afternoon state Opens at the same time, on the same enthused though. “We have the World sessions on the practice fairway and, course, on the Bellarine Peninsula at 13th Cup this year, the Presidents Cup next depending on time, playing a solo three Beach. As a politician, he’d long been aware year, the Australian Open back in or six hole loop on the Heath’s front nine. of the benefits a major sporting event can 2020 at Kingston Heath and in 2022 bring to the economy. at Victoria. There is every reason to be To do that requires a deep-seated love of highly optimistic.” the game, and it’s undeniable that Daniel And it was after the decline and demise Andrews has that. of the Australian Masters in 2015 that The World Cup in November will be held without Andrews though – the weekend clashes with the state election. But he is enthused at the prospect of more international coverage for Victoria … and the Melbourne sandbelt. “It’s one of the most internationally significant collection of golf courses anywhere. If you are a student of the game and golf is a serious part of your life, and you live in America or the UK and Europe, then you have to come here. Your golfing career is not complete unless you play the sandbelt.”

Golf Victoria 11 He knows what he is talking about, too, In 2001, he joined Keysborough and having played extensively abroad although, played there for about ten years before Daniel Andrews … he stresses, only when on holidays. joining Kingston Heath. He describes self-confessed “We have a no golf policy when we are himself as a “scorer not a striker, if that golf tragic. on business but when away privately, makes sense. I scrap it around a bit … I have been lucky enough to play a not a bad short game. I spend a lot of few special places.” time in bunkers and get up and down Keeping up with the elite level of the game more often than not.” is difficult but late at night, when everyone The swing that is “self-taught for better else has gone to bed, Andrews will turn or worse” certainly gets him by but he the television to the sport channels. would prefer his own children to get some “I am a true golf tragic,” he said. “It is lessons. Eldest of three Noah, 16, has probably the only TV I watch, to be already had some and according to Dad, honest.” He was enthralled by the Open has a good grip and “rips it”. Grace, 14, is Championship this year. “It was great to yet to discover the joys of the game but see Tiger back to something approaching Joseph, 11, is showing some interest. his best. Sitting up, whatever hour it was, Andrews was chuffed during the recent and he was in the lead going into the back school holidays when he asked Noah nine. It all kind of crumbled a bit there but, I dunno, I wanted him to win. It would have what he was doing the next day and the been one of the greatest comebacks, not answer came back that he was going to just in golf but in sport.” hit some golf balls with his mates. It was a sign that the love of the game has been He’s such a golf nut that Andrews can’t passed down and that years of family fun quite believe that there was a time when are ahead. he didn’t play for ten years as he was making his way in politics after leaving Wangaratta. “There are not too many games where “Looking back, I don’t know how I managed fathers and sons and daughters and that – it was a busy time.” But it has given grandparents can all play on the same him an insight into the challenge golf faces playing field against each other, no matter in retaining players in their 20s and 30s, and their age and ability,” he said. “It is good. the need to make the game more inclusive. It is very good.” feature by Bruce Baskett

THE UNSUNG GENIUS OF GOROKE

Gerald Murnane, 28-marker at Goroke, honorary barman and literary genius, recently trekked back to Metropolitan where he caddied 65 years ago. BRUCE BASKETT was there to hear his recollections.

Gerald Murnane reliving his caddying days at Metro after 65 years. Photo courtesy Metropolitan Golf Club

Golf Victoria 13 Gerald Murnane behind the bar at Goroke. Photo by Josh Calvo. And pulling a beer at Metro. Photo courtesy Metropolitan Golf Club

It’s a long straight drive from the Goroke His most recent book – and probably his enthralled as he spoke largely about Golf Club in western Victoria, near the last – Border Districts was on the short list another of his books called Something for South Australian border, to Metropolitan for the 2018 Miles Franklin Award. the Pain, which covers his other sporting Golf Club, venue of this year’s World Cup. love: horse racing. He has an amazing It was golf that recently lured Gerald back memory of the colours carried by horses Gerald Murnane, secretary, vice-president to Metro, where he lugged a bag in the over decades, back to his favourite and part-time barman at Goroke, recently 1950s for luminaries such as the Governor Bernborough, the wonder horse from piloted his car solo for more than six Toowoomba (orange, purple sleeves, hours across the state to play at Metro, black cap). where he caddied as a schoolboy about 65 years ago. "THE NEW YORK He only played the back nine, as some of the greens were being sanded, and A nostalgic and arduous journey for just TIMES POSED THE then took a cart ride around the classic nine holes on the sandbelt. first nine which he remembered from his There were quite a few pitstops along the QUESTION ... caddying days. exhausting 390-kilometre road trip as A 28-marker, he hit the ball low and straight he is a man nearing 80, recovering after IS THE NEXT and only his putting let him down on treatment for prostate cancer. the slick Metro greens, which take some Gerald loves golf. He only took the game up NOBEL LAUREATE acclimatisation coming from the sandscrape again about 10 years ago after a hiatus of greens at Goroke that are tempered with about 50 years when he moved to Goroke TENDING BAR IN sump oil from a local farmer. to live with his son after his wife died. “My family lived over the other side If the name of Gerald Murnane is not A DUSTY of Huntingdale Golf Club, but I wasn’t immediately familiar, it is not surprising as interested in golf and didn’t know how he has been described as “one of Australia’s AUSTRALIAN it was played,” he said. “We were always greatest writers who you have never heard short of pocket money as kids and the of” and “an unrecognised genius”. TOWN?" family wasn’t well off. This year the New York Times posed the “My brother and I heard through the question in the headline of a lengthy feature grapevine as schoolkids that caddying was article: “Is the next Nobel Laureate tending Sir Dallas Brooks and General Sir Horace done at Metropolitan, so for two years we bar in a dusty Australian town?” The Paris “Red Robbie” Robertson. He made the caddied nearly every weekend. Saturday Review and the Guardian also laud him. journey to see the course again, play a few and Sunday, sometimes morning and holes and address the club’s book group. afternoon. I recall we were paid about He has been nominated for the Nobel seven shillings a round. Prize for Literature most years in the past The book group audience, roughly double decade – the only Australian author to be the total membership of between 30 “I compare the value of money to the price so honoured. and 40 at his home club at Goroke, was of a paperback book. The first books I ever

14 Golf Victoria Goroke Golf Club is the community’s social hub. Photo by Paul Shire. Two of Gerald Murnane’s acclaimed books.

bought were with my caddying money, (Talbot Coate was a war hero and bibulous Back at Goroke, when he goes over to so it seems to me that we were paid the character whose hip flask once ran out tend the bar and he has a spare hour, equivalent of about $15 a round. With on the fifth hole near Huntingdale, so he he plays three holes near the clubhouse four rounds some weekends it could be crossed the fence and ordered a refill in and loves the freedom and peace with a near $60, which was pretty good, and the Huntingdale bar. He was chastised bag of trusty sticks and a little white ball. my brother bought a brand-new bike but said he was only trying to be friends Since the pub closed, the golf club is the and other things. My first golf clubs were with Huntingdale members). community’s social hub. bought with caddying money.” The only mention of golf in all Gerald’s A mate snapped up Gerald’s clubs at a As a teenager he also worked part-time 14 books related to something he garage sale for $50. “They are an old set behind the bar – as he now does at Goroke. noticed about the way people spoke with ’s name on them. His first clubs were tried out on the quiet at Metropolitan. “They spoke with a I don’t think Greg actually played with holes far from the clubhouse. Gerald did distinctly English accent, it could have them – though perhaps he sold them after ask if he could play on the course and was been a public-school accent, but I didn’t one of his bad rounds,” Gerald added. told he would need to get permission from know anyone from a public school. It Gerald has stopped writing now as he’ll the manager Jack Kissling. was a fruity accent, not unpleasant. be 80 in February, giving the Remington “I was intimidated by the whole I thought I’d walked off the planet into Monarch typewriter a rest from the atmosphere of the clubhouse and the another universe.” pounding by the one finger he used to compose some of the greatest literature idea of me walking in my shabby clothes On his return to Metropolitan, he said in the history of this country. to the desk, through the glass doors and it had all changed. “I felt welcome the the corridor beyond. So I never did that,” moment I entered. I thought I would He has won the Victorian Premier’s Gerald said. not remember, but I’m amazed about Literary Award, the Australia Council “I just played a few holes without how much I recall and the friendliness Emeritus award, the Melbourne Prize for permission. During the school holidays of everybody I’ve met,” he said. Literature and the Patrick White Award. I would hit some balls on the practice He took those memories – and lots of There is still the elusive Nobel Prize. fairway and I guess the members just photos, particularly the Metro bunkers - Hopefully he will join White as the second presumed I was a junior member. back to Goroke when he drove back a Australian to be recognised on the “I once caddied for psychiatrist Dr Guy few days later. ultimate world literary stage in Sweden. Springthorpe, the first man I ever saw Gerald handled the round-trip drive deliberately throw a club in a creek, The season at Goroke runs from April from Goroke to Oakleigh well but it is Collins Street specialist Ewan Downie to October. Too dry in summer. The nine- highly unlikely he would travel across (a world-famous endocrinologist and hole course with 18 tees is part of a state the world to Stockholm. pioneer in treatment of diabetes), who forest. Every Sunday is competition day was a nice man who never remembered and on Thursday he drives 60km each He has never been in an aeroplane, my name and just called me laddie, way to Edenhope to play with a group though he said he once took the ferry and for Talbot Coate.” called the Geriatrics – “Gerries” for short. to Tassie.

Golf Victoria 15 feature by Bruce Matthews

Steffi Vogel has emulated father Terry as a Victorian state team member.

STEFFI MAKES SHORT WORK OF PRACTICE

Long drives in the car and However, every teacher preaches the "I've never had the best short game. I straight drives off the tee have importance of touch and technique, a never really practised it because I found message that eventually resonated with it quite boring. I just love hitting the driver been the bedrock of Steffi Vogel’s country teenager Steffi Vogel, paying and to go out and play holes. I would do golfing life, but even more handsome dividends this year. anything to not go and chip and putt. But travelling with the state team I've been focusing more on the stroke and From the youngest member of the state everything," Vogel said. made her realise she needed women's team – and the best performed in to focus on her short game. the Interstate Teams series in early May – to "It was something I decided to do because BRUCE MATTHEWS reports. following up with a handful of country titles it was the biggest thing that was costing to boost self-belief and that critical quality me shots. I was having good rounds, but Whatever , ambition or ability, every of learning how to win, the 19-year-old from they could've been a lot better. And my golfer yearns for the adrenalin rush from Cobram in northern Victoria is on the rise. bad rounds were because I couldn't get flushing a drive down the middle of the fairway. up and down. Vogel has complemented unerring Smashing balls on the driving range is for accuracy off the tee with an improving "The good players just know how to scramble many so much more enjoyable than the strike rate for getting up-and-down around for pars. When I got into the state team, tedious repetition of chipping and putting the green, a stat so critical for players in I realised I had to practise my short game around the practice green. elite competition. because the girls were incredible with

16 Golf Victoria Photography: John Russell

their short games and I knew I had to She slept on the floor of the campus "They are quite flexible with work. I can do the work. And when you do the work room of teammate Sophie Crouch, go if I need to play a tournament. I usually and see it during a round, you realise it who was studying for a science degree work five days a week and they could be was all worth it. at Monash University, during the pennant day or night shifts. If I have night shift I "I also started reading a couple of books season. And the nearly four-hour drives have the whole day to practise. But there and online stuff about the mental side. from Cobram didn't faze the determined are days when I start at 10 o'clock and And I found that when I was playing well country kid, winning four of her five that can be tough in winter to get out in the last few months that I would hit a matches to help her club avoid relegation. beforehand in the frost. Summer will be bad shot and not worry too much easier, but it can be difficult to find about it and just move on. I was a the time to practise," she said. lot happier out on the course." While Vogel loves the That positive, why-worry attitude independence of just going out was on show as Vogel won four of to play and experiment with shots, her five matchplay contests in her she has a loyal team with dad Terry, rookie Interstate Series at Glenelg Speirani and pro colleague Michael Golf Club in . MacGregor to watch over her. She maintained that form to claim the Victorian Women's Country "She's just continuing to improve Championship, beating country every area of her game gradually. I legend and multiple champion think her greatest strength is that Judy Langford of Wodonga 5&4 in she doesn't do anything badly, she the final at Yarrawonga. does everything fundamentally well. With the short game, we're trying to And followed up in quick get sharper and introduce shots for succession by winning the Cobram- Barooga Open at her home club, her," Speirani said. then the Shepparton Open and the "We've all had a little input into the Goulburn-Murray Golf Association product that's coming out. Terry Championship at nearby Tocumwal doesn't play much now but when Golf and Bowls Club, where she he does, he still goes out and works with her mother. flushes them." Vogel was destined to be a golfer. Speirani grew up on the Her father Terry has had a long and successful amateur career, Mornington Peninsula and plans captaining the Victorian state to take his talented pupil to the team in 2011 and 2012 and links-style courses near Bass Strait winning the club championship 21 in spring and summer to learn times at Cobram-Barooga, where how to play in those often windy he works as a groundsman. conditions. Her mum Jackie was also a "There's still more work to do. She'll regular player, along with her grandparents. get a start at the Vic Open and the short game is different on that As a youngster, Steffi was granted style of golf course. We'll spend permission to caddy for her dad time working on the different shots in his last Interstate Series, an up- where you have to hit the ball on close experience that left a lasting the ground a little more. You don't impression. have the opportunity to hit those "It was pretty cool because it was at shots up here," he said. Royal Adelaide. And I was at Royal Adelaide "Sophie's from Mildura and we met as when I found out I was in the (state) team," juniors and have been really good friends Vogel is under the moniker of Grumpy she said. since. I'm kind of used to all the driving. Bum when Speirani flicks for her number I usually listen to music or the footy. I on his mobile phone listings. Cobram-Barooga professional Justin normally come down Saturday morning Speirani had arranged for the teenager "That goes back to when she was about six and play at Kingswood or Peninsula, stay to spend a few days practising at Royal and came along with Terry. She was one overnight and play pennant and then drive Adelaide. And, typically, she found her own of those little kids who never smiled and home," Vogel said. way there without any fuss. I grew up in a house full of girls, so I joked Long road hauls are the norm for Vogel, Vogel, who plays off a plus-two handicap, with her about being a grump. Quite often who made the 570km round trip each admits life right now is either work or when she sends a text when she's away weekend to play pennant for Peninsula- golf as she alternates between Cobram- playing somewhere, she signs it off Kingswood in Golf Victoria's Division Barooga Golf Club and Tocumwal 15 as Grump. It's just a name that came Two pennant competition. minutes away. out one day and stuck," he said.

Golf Victoria 17 feature by Michael Hedge

Graeme Grant … guardian of golfing tradition and a bold innovator.

DON’T TAKE GRAEME FOR GRANTED

18 Golf Victoria Photography: Daniel Pockett

Graeme Grant describes Ocean and started playing. First, they had to learn at its best when the turf is hungry and Dunes, the course he designed about the game, and not just how to hit taking on more of a brown appearance.” the ball. and built on King Island, as Another Crockford philosophy was the culmination of his life’s “Trevor and I weren’t allowed to go onto the that hollow tyning, the coring of greens, work. MICHAEL HEDGE speaks golf course to play until we understood the should never be a routine part of turf etiquette of the game,” Grant said. to one of the most influential maintenance. figures in Australian golf course “To learn about etiquette, we had to “’Why’, he would ask, ‘would you want to construction and maintenance. caddy. And we weren’t allowed to caddy continually destroy the smooth surface for anybody else until we’d learned how to you are striving for by putting holes in it Graeme Grant has done more to improve do it by caddying for Dad at Long Island.” that make it soft and prone to Poa annua the average player’s round of golf than invasion?’” Grant recalled. most of them will ever know. All three brothers went on to carry bags for members at Victoria Golf Club, where “Crocky was different, and so was his golf Golf course superintendent, architect, Bruce ended up as superintendent many course. He was the doyen, streets above builder and designer, he was one of the years later. everyone else.” first to understand the benefits offered by new breeds of couch grass on Grant’s youthful experiences at Long After five years at the knee of the master Australian golf courses – to the benefit Island also played a part in him eventually at Royal Melbourne, Grant took on a of clubs and their many thousands of becoming a golf course superintendent. position as an assistant to the curator members all over Australia. As he waited for his father to finish the John Spencer at Kingswood Golf Club, advancing to the top job when Spencer He is also a very handy golfer, a dedicated post-game traditions, Grant would listen left 18 months later. club member for 46 years at Woodlands, to other golfers in the bar complaining a guardian of golfing tradition and a bold about the course. When he went to Kingswood, Grant took innovator whose thoughts and opinions “They all had a theory about what was with him warnings from his peers and are offered with enthusiasm. wrong,” he said. “I used to think that others that the Royal Melbourne methods Grant was taught about golf by his father rather than listen to them, I’d like to do wouldn’t work anywhere else. He took Ron and about golf courses by the doyen something about it.” no notice and backed himself. of curators, Royal Melbourne’s legendary But when the 17-year-old Grant decided As well as the regular rounds of care course manager Claude Crockford. to chuck school in and go and work on a and maintenance, Grant’s major aim The lessons learned from both have golf course, the father who had provided at Kingswood was to provide pure, never been forgotten, and never ignored. the spark wasn’t so keen to fan the fire. bentgrass greens that were free of the dreaded Poa annua weed. In a career that took him prematurely from “When I told my parents I wanted to leave school and let him loose as a teenager school before I matriculated, they were By his own admission, Grant damaged on one of the world’s finest golf courses, horrified,” Grant said. the surfaces by removing the Poa in his early days at Kingswood. Grant has backed his judgement, taken His father relented, but only on the his chances, and excelled, if sometimes condition that he work at Royal “I was impatient and I wanted to get radically, in combining new thinking with Melbourne under Crockford. those greens at Kingswood the best I traditional concepts. could,” he said. “I went out on a limb. So began one of the more notable, No better example of that is Ocean Dunes, and occasionally colourful, non-playing There were times when I had to do a the course he designed and built on King careers in Australian golf. lot of hard talking.” Mostly it was to Island in Bass Strait. Opened to acclaim do with the experimental nature of his last year, it debuted in the top 10 of Crockford took on the young Grant as attempts to eradicate the Poa annua. both the Australian and Golf a junior groundsman at $32 a week In time, the right balance of chemicals Australia course rankings. and began to instil in him the lessons on which he still relies 50 years later. and treatments was achieved, the Grant’s introduction to golf was as a nine- fairways and greens improved dramatically year-old knocking balls around parks near One of the first of those was that caring and Kingswood committee members his family home in Moorabbin with his for a golf course could be one of the most handed Grant licence to make substantial father and his brothers Bruce, who also stimulating ways there was to make a living. design changes to the course as well became a golf course superintendent, Another, and one of the most enduring, as to maintain it. and Trevor, who was one of Australia’s was to reject the idea that everything finest sportswriters. Kingswood became such a showpiece should be lush and green. that it and its superintendent attracted “I grew up playing golf. Dad was a golfer, Yet another was that a curator’s job the interest of Kingston Heath committee he played at Long Island where my cousin wasn’t always to make the grass grow members in 1981 as they prepared for the John Clark was the professional,” Grant said. but sometimes to retard its growth, so 1983 Australian Open. fertiliser was rarely the answer for Royal “John was a very good golfer who once “In what was to be my last year at took to the 37th hole in the Melbourne’s pure bentgrass greens. Kingswood I was approached by people Australian PGA Championship. So golf “Claude Crockford’s mantra was firm, on the committee at Kingston Heath was in our family.” fast, true putting surfaces. He wanted with the Open in mind, keen to see what That didn’t mean, however, that the them consistent all day,” Grant said. we were doing. I obliged and took them junior Grants merely picked up a club “He maintained that the surface will be on a course inspection.”

Golf Victoria 19 The sweeping landscapes of Ocean Dunes have won widespread acclaim. Photo courtesy: Graeme Grant.

Soon afterwards they hired him and Grant That experience set them in the direction The next step was to find the right breed looked after one of the best courses in they wanted to go and after the 1983 of couch to improve the weak areas he Australia for the next 16 years. Open at Kingston Heath, Grant was would inevitably create. experimenting, using the short par-four At about the same time, Spencer took “There had always been common couch, up the superintendent’s job at third as his laboratory. about 10 varieties of it, but some weren’t dense enough and were too open in their Huntingdale. He and Grant formed a “We were forever chasing our tails prior growth habit. Then we discovered Santa Ana consulting business and the pair pursued to 1983, all we knew was to starve and which had been cultivated in America and the dream that led to Santa Ana. dry out the fairways to rid them of winter was ideal for climates like ours,” he said. It was less than straightforward. grasses,” Grant said. A trial of both Santa Ana and Wintergreen Grant and Spencer got an idea of how A key to the breakthrough was a herbicide varieties of couch followed at Kingston good a pure couch surface could be called Atrazine, which knocked out the Heath, with Grant settling on the former when they inspected the new hybrid cool-season grass and left the couch. for most fairways with Wintergreen couch fairways at The Australian GC “It worked, so I took it gradually through planted on those that were subject to during the 1982 Australian Open. the course at Kingston Heath,” Grant said. a heavier concentration of divots.

20 Golf Victoria “I searched for six years and found links land on King Island like no other in Australia.”

As successful as the early experiments were, greens’. If you want awkward lies, they championships at Woodlands. it took until 1996 for Kingston Heath to have should be designed into the course. “The culmination of my life’s work was 18 fairways of primarily Santa Ana couch. “The ball may run further but run has Ocean Dunes,” he said. “I searched for six Despite Santa Ana now being one of the always been part of the game and judging years and found links land on King Island most commonly used couch grasses in that run is a skill in itself. Straight shots like no other in Australia and I was able to fairways in Victoria, it has its detractors. might benefit but offline shots are more design and build a course ranked number Some have even suggested that it provides likely to be in trouble." eight in the country. such good lies that it is unfair. Others, like the late Peter Thomson, were concerned For Grant, the debates are now largely “When I think about what I love so much that it allowed the ball to run too far. academic, having shifted his focus towards about golf, I think of the friends I’ve made design and consultancy work - including and what my father said to me when he Grant sees it differently. at Kew Golf Club where he continues taught me to play. “I can’t understand that thinking,” he said. to consult after spending eight years “As a superintendent, our life revolves redesigning the course – along with “He told me I would be able to play around providing the best surface for playing the game he loves, one which this game for my entire life. At 68, golfers. No-one says ‘let’s have bumpy has rewarded him with four senior I’m living those words.”

Golf Victoria 21 tournament by John Mack What a finish!

Thumbs up from Sophie Yip as she and Kazuma Kobori celebrate their Victorian Boys and Girls victories.

Back to back for a Kiwi and a stunning finish by a And if the girls’ event finished spectacularly, the leading boys also Sydneysider highlighted a week when the young turned on a show, 16-year-old New Zealander Kazuma Kobori defending the title he won last year with an astounding 10 under stars of the game put on a show at the Victorian Boys par for his four rounds. and Girls Championships. Report by JOHN MACK. And while interstate and overseas visitors took the major A stunning finish to a fascinating duel in the sun and the wind, honours in the championships, open to players under the age the narrow leader sinking a pitch shot for eagle on the 72nd hole of 18, Victorian Daniel Gill played his role, leading into the final to see off a persistent challenger … it was a shot worthy of the round and finishing third in what was a revealing look at our next PGA Tour but, in fact, was played by 14-year-old generation of elite players. Sophie Yip at the Victorian Boys and Girls Championships at the Kobori, a plus-two marker, birdied the first two holes to take a testing Moonah LInks course on the Mornington Peninsula. lead he never relinquished and his six-birdie round of 69 on the

22 Golf Victoria Photography: Paul Shire

par-72 Open Course gave him victory by four strokes from one as she and Yip came down the par-five 72nd hole. Royal Fremantle’s Hayden Hopewell and seven from Gill. It was then that Yip played her final shot with a sand iron. Japan-born Kobori, from the Pegasus club just north of “I didn’t see it go in,” she said. “Everyone clapped and I assumed Christchurch, is coached by dad Reo and plans to finish school it was maybe a foot from the hole but when I got there, the ball then move into ‘’something to do with golf”, preferably as a player wasn’t there.” if he can make the grade. “I didn’t know (I was only one stroke ahead) as I wasn’t looking at the “It feels amazing,” he said of his win. “I won by one last year and scoreboard. I was just focussing on my own game, shot by shot.” didn’t really know I had won until I finished but this year I had full Song, the 2017 New South Wales Junior Champion, was gracious control. But it was tough as the wind was quite strong.” in defeat. “I was kind of half-half,” she said. “I was happy for her Will he be trying for a three-peat in 2019? “It’s a great tournament but also disappointed. and I’ll give it my best shot,” Kobori said. “I knew I was a shot behind but I tried not to think about it. I Girls winner Yip, a plus-two marker from ’s Concord club, was about 32 metres out, just in front of Sophie, and I chipped edged out fellow Sydneysider June Song in another classic duel. to about three feet. I was hoping I could make a birdie and she would make par and I could get into a playoff.” Yip played in the US Amateur Championships in Tennessee in August and although she narrowly missed qualifying for the The Victorian Boys and Girls Championships are Australian and matchplay rounds, that experience showed against Song. world-ranked events. They have been won by such notables as Lindy Goggin, Rachel Hetherington, Su Oh, , Bob The pair began the final day on 218, two over par and four strokes Shearer, Marc Leishman and Kevin Hartley. clear of the rest of the field. Song snatched the lead with birdie on the second hole but went one behind when she made double Live scores were available on the Golf Victoria website on all four days bogey on the third. Twice she fought back to level but trailed by and the final round was streamed live with commentary by GV staff.

gill the leading victorian

Leading Victorian Daniel Gill, 17, a plus- “It was very windy and a bit of a struggle school, play golf in a gap year and see two marker who attends Catholic College but I was happy with the way I played on how I’m going after that.” the first three days and pretty happy with Wodonga, finished third after starting the Louis Dobbelaar (Brookwater, Queensland) the result. I’d have taken third at the start final round in the lead at eight under par, finished fourth, Lachlan Chamberlain one clear of Kobori, and three ahead of of the week.” (Federal, ACT) was fifth and then came four Royal Fremantle’s Hayden Hopewell. Gill’s first contact with golf not only Victorians – Phoenix Campbell and Jasper Stubbs (both Huntingdale), Mitchell Crabbe Gill, who played Division One men’s introduced him to the sport but gave him (Commonwealth) and Matthew Lever (The pennant for Commonwealth this year and invaluable exposure to two key elements National). is a member of the Victorian State Junior of the game. Team, stayed in touch until a triple-bogey “I started when I was about 10 or 11,” he Victorian girls also filled five of the top seven on the sixth. said. “My dad, Wayne, played comp and ten placings. Kay Bannan (Southern) and when he was playing I used to chip and Jeneath Wong (Metropolitan) were equal “I lost my ball left, went back to the tee, fourth, Sheradyn Johnson (Commonwealth) putt for about four hours. drove down the middle then wedge long, sixth, Ashni Solanki (Victoria) seventh and missed the up-and-down and it was pretty “I’d like to be a golfer but perhaps I’ll study Piper Stubbs (Huntingdale), sister of Jasper, hard to come back from there,” he said. business at university as a backup. I’ll finish finished ninth.

BOYS Champion: Kazuma Kobori (Pegasus, NZ) 278 Handicap champion: Jack Mackenzie (Medway) 278 Under-16 champion: Nathan Page (The National) 295 Under-16 nett champion: Fraser Anderson (Berwick Montuna) 284 Under-14 champion: Jake Foley (Keppel Club, Singapore) 309 Under-14 nett champion: Flynn Trembath (Kooringal) 289 GIRLS Champion: Sophie Yip (Concord, NSW) 288 Handicap champion: June Song (Avondale, NSW) 294 Under-16 champion: Sophie Yip (Concord, NSW) 288 Under-16 nett champion: Trinity Francis (Huntingdale) 295 Under-14 champion: Jeneath Wong (Metropolitan) 304 Under-14 nett champion: Sayumi De Costa (Victoria) 305

Golf Victoria 23 tournament by Bruce Matthews Country Week Brings The State Together

Country Week in Victoria is a celebration of the game across the state. BRUCE MATTHEWS was there for wins by the Goulburn Murray men and the North Eastern women but also caught up with some of the faces of this amazing competition.

Back-to-back. It was a powerful motivation against Ballarat left it two matches Not only was Michel unbeaten, his for Goulburn Murray's men's team behind the Shield victors. opening 4&3 win was the toughest test. to match the feat of their women He lost only three holes playing number It continued a memorable year for counterparts in the Country Week one under matchplay pressure around Goulburn Murray captain Kyle Michel, Teams competition. Southern, Woodlands and Huntingdale a member of Victoria's team that The girls earned bragging rights last successfully defended its title at the and was collectively 22-under on those year by clinching the Division One title Interstate Teams series in Adelaide in May. sandbelt courses. immediately after earning promotion, and "It's always nice to play on a team with It was the first time he had played this time it was the boys' turn to similarly blokes that you play with every week. Huntingdale and he holed a five-metre triumph in the final round at Huntingdale. Whether it's with Golf Victoria boys or the putt, his fifth birdie, to beat Western's With virtually the same team that won Goulburn Murray boys, it's always a good up-and-comer Caleb Perry 6&5 on the the Men's Plate (Division Two) last year, week and great to play as a team," he said. final day. Goulburn Murray sealed the Shield "We stayed with each other this week. The "I just went on my instincts, on what victory this time with a convincing 5.5 group had only one new inclusion from last I saw. I have enough confidence in my to Western's 1.5 matches to fend off year's team and we all get along really well game at the moment to just hit it where second-placed Golf Peninsula. with each other. The pennant season was I need to. Around here there's not a lot Heading into the fourth and final round only a couple of months ago and we compete of dodgy holes where you don't know at Huntingdale, Goulburn Murray led by against each other in events around the where you're going and the course was half a point and Golf Peninsula's 4-3 win region too and have a good time." in great condition," Michel said.

24 Golf Victoria Photography: Paul Shire

The powerful North Eastern team celebrates victory in the women’s team competition.

The Goulburn Murray men were jumping for joy at their triumph.

North Eastern's women's team had the match and she admitted concentration Langford, a legend in country women's luxury of being able to celebrate the night was difficult on the back nine before golf, has played the Country Week prior to the final round, with good reason eventually triumphing 2&1. competition since 1997, when North after building an unassailable lead in the Eastern was in the seventh year of a run "It was a bit traumatic. We had gone Division One battle. of eight wins in a row. North Eastern from elation to devastation. I was also won in 2002, 2004 and 2005 and It had wrapped up the title with a 4-3 standing over the ball thinking not completed four in a row in 2012. 2018 win against Golf Peninsula at Woodlands about golf," Langford said. makes win number 10 for Langford. the previous day, but the 5-2 victory march over defending champions The confusion arose after Coyne played For her, Country Week is a fine celebration Goulburn Murray at Huntingdale was three trainee pro matches early this year of country golf across the state, with a not without a nervous moment after a but reconfirmed her amateur status when special edge this year. query on the amateur status of number- her home club Howlong, on the Murray "Just being the captain, for me this is two player Danika Coyne, a member of River near Corowa, forwarded the relevant definitely the best. The competition Commonwealth's team that won the paperwork to affiliate body Golf NSW. has been quite close the last few years. Division One Metropolitan Pennant Once Golf Victoria officials were able to Goulburn Murray won last year, and they crown in March. clear up the matter, North Eastern added hadn't won for 30-odd years. The year North Eastern captain Judy Langford was to its wonderful record in this event. 2018 before that, any team could have won informed of the potential problem by the marked the North East’s 23rd victory in or been relegated on the last day. That's team manager and off-course captain the 77 editions of Country Teams fantastic because you don't really want when she reached the turn in a tight final Matches since 1933. one district dominating," Langford said.

Golf Victoria 25 tournament by Bruce Matthews

Around The Traps In BRUCE MATTHEWS finds some of the many great stories of the annual Country Week Country Week teams competition.

Molly McLean (left) and Girls just Gracie Larsen lit up Country Week in their wanna debuts for Golf Peninsula. have fun

It was a tough contest for experienced Ballarat golfer Jillian Morrison. Falling behind early despite solid pars, being outdriven down most of Woodlands' fairways and then watching helplessly vastly more experienced opponents. they moved to Australia from Singapore as her opponent drained a breaking "We've played a lot of matchplay in when she was five. three-metre birdie putt to close out different pennant teams. We play a "Dad used to give me plastic clubs and I the 7&6 victory. lot together and practise together," have loved it ever since. We would go to McLean said. Strolling back to the clubhouse, the driving range together, have putting Morrison described it as being thrashed "Because you play off the stick, you don't contests inside and it was a lot of fun," by someone young enough to be know how good your opponent will be Molly said. her granddaughter. Understandable, until the match gets underway. So you Gracie was born in Lincolnshire in England considering her foe Molly McLean is do get a little nervous at the start, but and had lessons with a local pro before just 12 years old! after that you settle in." the family moved here when she was Molly and teammate Gracie Larsen are Already the pair, both off single-figure eight. "I just picked up a club because my not even teenagers, yet Golf Peninsula's handicaps, have won the monthly medal dad and grandad played," she said. women's team made the bold, futuristic at Rosebud Country Club, Molly at just Molly had played three matches for a 2-1 selections for the 2018 Country Week 10 and Gracie when she was 11. record before Gracie finally got her team competition. Craig McLean, a professional with call-up for the final round at Woodlands. But the primary school friends, both born Mark Williamson at Sorrento Golf Club, And Molly's simple message to her friend? overseas, had no fear of the contest or introduced his daughter to the game when "Just go out and have fun".

Whether Ballarat's Michael Harricks for Golf Peninsula around the Southern, sensed it or not, his opponent was Woodlands and Huntingdale layouts. JJ hasn’t always going to fight to the bitter end at Trailing six down and seemingly crushed Huntingdale on Country Week's Teams by Harricks, the former Bomber dug deep competition final day. lost his to push the match to the 17th green It's just the way Jason Johnson tackles life, before offering a too-good handshake to golf and previously elite football with an his opponent. competitive uncompromising no-quit attitude. "With golf you've got more time to Johnson, a midfielder in Essendon's 2000 think about it. Footy is very instinctive spirit AFL premiership team, thrived in the but the three- or four-foot putt gets bigger competitive environment despite winning by the second every time you only one of four matches at number four look at it," Johnson said.

26 Golf Victoria Photography: Paul Shire

"What I do love about the game of golf is that I'm a pretty focussed sort of person, so I love the grind of practising and trying to be as good as I can. "That never-give-up attitude. I got pummelled today, I was six down and got it back to 2&1 (loss). Even if I’m not having a good day, I try to get something out of it. That's how I played my footy." Kilmore Golf Club was Johnson's playground as a kid, growing up less than 100 metres from the course, and he has never lost that desire for the game. "It was just a walk down the hill and through the gate and I did that practically every night after school. Golf was a big in Kilmore and travelling to Windy Hill, but match review panel until it was reduced part of my childhood, along with cricket it was mainly in the pre-season. Certainly to one officer this season. once I established my career, all my focus and footy," he said. A powerful driver with a low ball flight, was on footy and I probably played half a "It was only when I was 18 and got Johnson plays off plus-one at The dozen times a year. It was a couple of golf drafted by Essendon that golf took a National, where the Bass Strait winds days here and there, no time for practice back seat. I had managed to get down test every shot. and that was the extent of it." to four (handicap) as a 16-year-old, but "I've really only picked up the sticks again in I didn't play much golf outside of Even after retiring from football, Johnson the last three years. I was pretty busy after Kilmore in those days. spent most of the next seven years footy establishing my business and working "The first couple of years (in the AFL) I establishing his food retail and packaging hard. I play once or twice a week and try played a little bit because I was still living business and he served on the AFL's and hit as many balls as I can," he said.

Sue’s courage inspires victory

No wonder North Eastern's number seven disease. She even rebounded to be crowned "I'm incredibly tired. That's the first time Sue Eisenhauer savoured the three days club champion at Howlong Golf Club on I've played 36 holes (on the same day) for playing her role in the Division One triumph the Murray River following an operation to three years. I felt like my hips were pinned in the Country Week Teams series. remove lymph glands in the neck. on. My caddy worked very hard. I have an She loved and lived every minute of the Cleared by doctors to resume playing 12 excellent caddy and she's the reason I'm matchplay competition after surviving months ago, she had another scare five here in this team," she said. weeks ago that put her spot on the North three bouts of head and neck cancer to Eisenhauer also paid tribute to team Eastern team in jeopardy. Fortunately, tests make her comeback after three years. captain Judy Langford for her guidance found nothing sinister, rather a fixable on how to fight back after she herself was "This is particularly special because I problem arising from the radical treatment. haven't been well the last three years. I forced out of the game by a serious car didn't think I would be back playing golf. I She was undefeated in four matches accident a couple of years ago. didn't even think I would be here. I've been with close friend Noellene Wells on the bag, winning 3&2 and 7&6 in two rounds "Judy is amazing how she battled back very lucky, really," she said. on the first day at Southern before after her car accident. We inspire each Eisenhauer couldn't play golf for a year as closing with 6&5 victories at Woodlands other and the camaraderie of this team she endured radical treatment to beat the and Huntingdale. is amazing. Life is good," she said.

Golf Victoria 27 feature by Steve Perkin

Mitch Thomas and his father Greg are doing their best to boost the numbers at Edenhope. TEAM THOMAS TEACHES THE TOWN

Edenhope in Victoria’s west is a ago when Saturday events attracted It started just over a year ago when the beautiful town with a wonderful fields of around 50 players. regional development officer for Golf Victoria, Tony Collier, had a conversation golf course but an ageing Now they are lucky to get 20. with Mitch about attracting younger demographic. Greg and Mitch The game of golf in Edenhope is a long players in the area to the game through Thomas are doing what they can way from the days in the late 1970s when the MyGolf program. to improve their club’s outlook. Australian touring professional and now Mitch knew of kids at the local primary STEVE PERKIN reports. commentator Sandra Mackenzie teamed school who might be interested. The up with her Edenhope Secondary School When Edenhope 18-year-old Mitch problem was that there was nobody to headmaster to compete in popular mixed Thomas looks at his local golf club, teach them or to be there on a regular events on her home course. basis to talk to them and encourage them. something isn’t right. But instead of putting up their feet and Almost immediately, Mitch and Greg He is the youngest member and its only hoping fate might somehow lend a enrolled in the online community junior player. hand, Team Thomas has decided to do instructor course and about 12 months When his father Greg looks at the something about it by trying to lure local ago, conducted their first MyGolf program Edenhope Golf Club, he recalls 20 years kids into the sport. at Edenhope, with overwhelming numbers.

28 Golf Victoria Photography: Paul Shire

Their first Wednesday class attracted 25 “I wouldn’t mind becoming a teaching “I’m the youngest player at Edenhope. boys and girls, ranging in age from 10 to professional working in a pro shop, or We have a couple in their 20s and the 14. Almost the same number had to be perhaps a primary school teacher, and rest are over 50. turned away because there were simply to do that I’d probably have to move to “Through MyGolf, it is my wish that we too many for Greg, Mitch and Tony to Melbourne or Ballarat. There are not might get the kids playing and start to cope with. enough opportunities in Edenhope.” regenerate numbers. There are three Greg and Mitch also ran nine-hole A shrinking population is a sad reality for or four who are on the edge of playing competitions on Friday nights during so many country towns, especially those regularly. The others are a bit young but daylight saving which were more about if we can teach them the basics, then as remote as Edenhope. Located some enjoyment than scores. they may become golfers. 30km from the South Australian border “It was hard work,” said Mitch. “But it was and 395km west of Melbourne, Edenhope “Last year’s program was a great rewarding to see the kids develop and is ranked in the best three or four courses experience, very rewarding, and I’m enjoy their golf. And that’s the key – getting in the Wimmera despite having looking forward to doing it again.” them to enjoy it enough that they want to a population of less than 1000. For Tony Collier, having a MyGolf teacher come back.” For the Thomas family, their local as young as Mitch has been a real positive. Just turned 18 and in his final year at golf club has been a home away “It has been great to have someone as school, Mitch is gearing up for the next from home. young as Mitch because he can relate program, starting this month, where to the kids so well. I also think the numbers look like being the same. Living only 200 meres from the first tee, program has been very good for three generations of Thomas men have He doesn’t know if the MyGolf program will Mitch’s own development. their names on the club championship provide Edenhope Golf Club with a lifeline, honour board – Mitch the last three, ‘With both he and Greg on board, we’ve but he knows it can’t hurt. Greg, who has won it five times, and been able to build golf in this area. In “It’s a small club and it’s been slowly dying. Mitch’s grandfather, Cedric. October this year we will be holding the It’s sad to think that if I leave here after first ever primary school tournament at finishing school, the club won’t have any Mitch started playing when he was 10 Edenhope, with kids from five nearby junior members.” and loved it so much that he gave up schools playing. football and started playing in Saturday Currently a one-handicap golfer himself, golf competitions against the adults “Hopefully, with hard work, we can Mitch has learned from the MyGolf because there was nobody his own age. continue to get more juniors playing program that there are genuine rewards the game in Edenhope because it’s a in teaching others. These rewards are “I didn’t meet players my own age until wonderful course, one of the best in currently more attractive to Mitch than I was 16 or 17 and started playing in the Wimmera, and it deserves to be a career as a professional player. events at other country courses. enjoyed by more people.”

Even while still learning, Mitch Thomas has discovered the thrill of teaching.

Golf Victoria 29 feature by Martin Blake

30 Golf Victoria Photography: Daniel Pockett

Journalist and author Brendan Moloney, a longtime writer for Golf Victoria Magazine, has assessed many a nominee for the Victorian Golf Hall of Fame, but recently experienced that process from the other side with his own election. He spoke to MARTIN BLAKE about his life in golf. Brendan Moloney knows a thing or two about the Victorian Golf Hall of Fame. For some years he’s been on the selection panel, but he dutifully stepped aside from the panel this year as he found himself actually nominated for induction. The veteran journalist and author, a fixture around golf since the 1980s, was duly elected, becoming just the third scribe – behind Don Lawrence and Jack Dillon – to enter the Hall of Fame. At the end of a period when he lost his beloved wife Michele to multiple sclerosis and associated ailments, it was a thrill for Moloney, who was her primary carer for many years. “I don’t even know who nominated me, but I’m eternally grateful,’’ he said. “It was unexpected and very humbling, one of the nicest things that’s happened to me in a long career in journalism.’’ Moloney is something of a legend of the game and of journalism itself. The son of a journalist (his father Frank ran the RMIT journalism school for years after working at The Sun), Moloney began his career at The Sun as a copy boy in the late 1960s, picking up his first byline with a golf story. It was on the appointment of Bruce Green as trainee professional at Royal Melbourne and Moloney, who grew up in the sandbelt area, knew the Green family. He later became a journalist at The Sun before spending two years working on a newspaper in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Returning to Melbourne, he had two years working in public relations (“the most miserable two years of my life”) before picking up a correspondent’s job with and Weekly Times in Papua New Guinea, sports editing the Post Courier newspaper in Port Moresby. After returning to Melbourne, Moloney joined The Age newspaper in the early 1980s, and in 1985 when Trevor Grant, the incumbent golf correspondent, took up the cricket writer’s job, then-sports editor Michael Gordon asked Moloney if he wanted to cover golf. “I thought about it for a nanosecond and said yes,’’ he recalled. “I’d spent my early career in sport on The Age avoiding writing footy. I played footy, liked footy, hated writing it. Going from that football environment to golf was like dying and going to heaven. They were like decent Riding on … Brendan Moloney’s love of the game and his craft is Golf Victoria 31 undiminished. human beings as opposed to smartarsed a particularly favourite memory. “I was Sorrento, Kingston Heath, Moonah Links, kids driving Porsches far too young and the only journo invited to the party at the Northern, Green Acres and The Capital. He being paid too much for doing too little.’’ house he was staying in. (Fellow pro) Steve also wrote a biography of Harry Hattersley, Bann cooked his ‘tour survival spaghetti’, the great amateur of the 1930 and 40s, He’d always played some golf, and which he used to cook when they were among other tomes. His most recent book remembered as a boy climbing over the playing the Troppo Tour years earlier when is a history of the Port Phillip Sea Pilots. fence at Cheltenham links with mates to they were kids, and when that ran out, they dodge the green fee, but this was heady At 69, Moloney continues to write a column ordered pizza. territory – a golden era of Australian golf for Golf Australia magazine and plays a on a wave started by Greg Norman, who “By the end of the night the room was clear, couple of times a week at Malvern Valley was at his peak. Moloney was dispatched they’d pushed all the furniture against the public course, near his East Malvern home, all over the world to report on the feats of walls to make space, and there was a table riding a single-seater buggy across the The Shark; he covered 16 majors. “I missed in the corner covered with dirty plates and bridge over the Monash Freeway. His love seven straight wedding anniversaries of the game and his craft is undiminished. because of the British Open,’’ he said. “They say in sportswriting that the smaller “There were 16 order-of-merit tournaments the ball, the better the quality of the writing, in Australia and I was probably away for half and I go along with that. It was the people the year, which wasn’t easy on the family.’’ involved and the environment. I mean, In 1987, he witnessed Norman’s heart what’s not to like about walking on to a golf broken by a 50-metre chip-in birdie by course? You watch tennis or soccer and it’s American Larry Mize at the Masters a confined space and it’s repetitive. With tournament at the fabled Augusta National golf it’s a park-like setting, anything can and felt the Shark’s pain personally. “That happen and it holds your interest. is the most tragic thing I’ve seen on a golf “You play at any level and even the really course. He was home and hosed. I felt like good players will warm to you because they I’d been physically kicked in the guts at that pizza boxes and full ashtrays. There was know you play golf, no matter how badly. moment because all the players wanted to this little glimmer of silver sticking out of They like that you play something that they’re be the first Australian to win the Masters, the top of it and I remember thinking in my passionate about as well. When you see great but all the reporters wanted to be the guy advanced state of inebriation: ‘That’s the players, the talent they have is incredible. We who covered the first one as well.’’ Open trophy and I reckon it’s going out with just dream of doing it once in a while.’’ Moloney had a “rocky’’ relationship with the rubbish in the morning!’’’ He has no plans of retirement. “Retirement Norman, who often rounded on the After leaving The Age in 1993 in despair it seems to me is like throwing your hands travelling pressmen, but not so with Ian at the decline of newspapers, he became up and saying ‘that’s it’. If there’s a good Baker-Finch, whose victory in the 1991 a freelancer and produced a string of story to be done or an opportunity, I’ll Open Championship at Royal Birkdale is books, including club histories for Victoria, certainly take it.”

Brendan Moloney upon his induction as a Victorian Golf Hall of Fame member.

32 Golf Victoria Golf Victoria 33 golf report by Brett Robinson

Steve Hewitt (left) and Dechlan Turkington grow their reputations with their Golf Industry Awards.

The Victorian Golf Course Superintendents Association (VGCSA) While Hewitt was recognised for his sustained dedication to was privileged to honour two of its outstanding achievers at the the industry over many years, by contrast VGCSA Graduate of recent 2018 Victorian Golf Industry Awards night. the Year winner Dechlan Turkington has just embarked on his turf management career. Having cut his teeth at Green Acres Steve Hewitt, course superintendent at Thirteenth Beach Golf Golf Club as an apprentice under former VGCSA president Mat Links, received the VGCSA’s highest honour, the Superintendent Poultney, Turkington now finds himself on the crew at Royal Recognition Award. Hewitt joined an exalted list of past winners, Melbourne Golf Club. receiving the award for his celebrated tenure at Thirteenth Beach as well as many years of service to furthering the cause of the VGCSA. A top student at Holmesglen TAFE throughout his apprenticeship – he was named the institute’s most outstanding turf management Hewitt has been in charge at the Bellarine Peninsula course since student in 2016 and 2017 – Turkington has also added some 2006 and together with his crew has played a key role in helping major tournament experience to his developing CV. He was a establish the Vic Open as one of the most popular tournaments volunteer at the 2015 Australian Masters at Huntingdale Golf on the PGA Tour of Australasia. Hewitt and his team prepared Club and also travelled to Natadola Bay Golf Course to assist with both the Beach and Creek courses for the combined men’s and course preparations at last year’s Fiji International. The big focus, women’s events for the sixth consecutive year in 2018. It is a huge however, will be the upcoming Presidents Cup which returns to exercise in logistics, essentially preparing two courses for two Royal Melbourne in December 2019. separate tournaments (and pro-ams) at the same time. “The VGCSA was very pleased to be part of the 2018 Victorian Golf In addition to his day-to-day role at Thirteenth Beach, Hewitt Industry Awards night,” said Woodlands Golf Club superintendent has also spent nine terms on the VGCSA committee. During that and VGCSA president Barry Proctor. “The hard work of time he served as president and vice-president, stepping off the greenkeeping staff often flies under the radar, so the recognition committee at this year’s Annual General Meeting held at Victoria given to Steve and Dechlan in front of the whole Victorian golf Golf Club in May. industry was great for our association and its members.”

34 Golf Victoria Resilience key

State team members Stephanie Bunque and Dave Micheluzzi for management were named Golf Victoria Amateur Golfers of the Year at the Victorian Golf Industry awards night in August. GMV recently held its mid-year conference at the After stellar performances in 2017, both Bunque and Yarrawonga and Border Golf Club, focusing on the Micheluzzi were overseas progressing their careers when theme: Resilience. Together with emphasising educational more than 200 people from the Victorian Golf Industry opportunities, the conference also allows us to network attended the Arts Centre Melbourne to celebrate the with our peers on common issues facing the golf achievements of the people and clubs that have excelled in industry at large. numerous award categories. Guest speakers, former AFL player Wayne Schwass and The night saw Golf Victoria, Golf Management Victoria, the psychologist Amelia Twiss, focussed their presentations Victorian Golf Course Superintendents Association and the on mental health, emotional wellbeing, developing Victorian PGA come together to announce the winners. leadership, delivering organisational assessment and developing solutions. Golf Victoria 2017 Golf Victoria Amateur Golf Industry Awards Stephanie Bunque of the Year (Female) The Victorian Golf Industry Awards were held in August 2017 Golf Victoria Amateur at the iconic Arts Centre Melbourne. The annual event is David Micheluzzi of the Year (Male) a collaborative initiative between the PGA, Golf Victoria, 2017 Inclusion Initiative Award Pakenham Golf Club the Victorian Golf Course Superintendents Association and Golf Management Victoria to recognise excellence Golf Management Victoria by individuals and Victorian golf clubs in our respective GMV Employee of the Year Callum Terrill fields within the golf industry. Award Metropolitan Golf Club Together with recognising individuals inducted into the GMV Excellence in Peter Parks Management Award Commonwealth Golf Club Victorian Golf Hall of Fame, outstanding achievements by employees within the golfing industry were also awarded. Victorian PGA 2017/18 Victorian PGA Pro GetWinesDirect In congratulating all the award winners on the night, Am of the Year (Metropolitan) Heidelberg Golf Club Pro Am I would especially like to congratulate GMV Members: Peter Parks – Commonwealth GC; Callum Terrill – 2017/18 Victorian PGA Pro The Big Garage Subaru Am of the Year (Regional) Bairnsdale Golf Club Pro Am Metropolitan GC; Hayden Thompson – Pakenham GC; Richard Hogg – Yarrawonga GC; James Woite – Gardiners 2018 Victorian PGA Legends Australian Valve Group Gardiner’s Run GC; Lindsay Bell – Heidelberg GC; and Josh Hall – Pro Am of the Year Run Legends Pro Am Leongatha GC on winning personal awards or accepting Shepparton BMW Senior awards on behalf of their clubs. 2017 National PGA Legends – Black Bull Golf Pro Am of the Year Club & Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf The industry awards are an important fabric of the golf Club Resort industry, recognising excellence within the many facets 2017 Victorian PGA Order of the industry, be that a club, player, volunteer or Mitchell Brown of Merit Winner employee, including club management. 2017/18 Bruce Green Heath Streat Victorian PGA Club Professional Box Hill Golf Club of the Year 2017/18 Victorian PGA Josh Hall Management Professional Leongatha Golf Club of the Year 2017/18 Victorian PGA Denis McDade Coach of the Year Yarra Bend Golf Complex 2017/18 Victorian PGA Christian Hamilton Game Development National Inclusion Manager Professional of the Year Victorian Golf Course Superintendents Association Apprentice of the Year Dechlan Turkington Superintendent Steven Hewitt Recognition Award Victorian Golf Hall of Fame – New Inductees

• Louise Briers • Colin Phillips OAM • Tom Crow • John Westacott OAM Callum Terrill (left) and Peter Parks with their • Brendan Moloney Victorian Golf Industry Awards.

Golf Victoria 35 game for life by Brian Meldrum

Dayle and Ashley Marshall continue to give back to the game they love.

Marshalls Serve The Game With Honour

36 Golf Victoria Photography: Daniel Pockett

Husband and wife team Ashley and “All of a sudden about 200 kids and their families Dayle Marshall have assisted countless were there to see him,” Dayle said. junior golfers along their pathways. Newton asked if all the kids played golf, to which BRIAN MELDRUM tells the story of an Dayle’s father replied he didn’t know. ‘Well, why don’t unsung couple and their life in golf. we run some clinics for them and get them going?’ Newton asked. The club did just that, and soon there The fact that Ashley and Dayle Marshall are lucky were up to 80 youngsters getting coaching and if they get to play 18 holes a week would suggest having a hit around the course on a Sunday morning. that golf, for them, is something of an afterthought. It was, in fact, the forerunner to the renowned Jack Which is about as far from the truth as you are Newton Junior Golf Foundation. ever likely to get. “It still astounds me that just a tiny little link could The fact is, the husband and wife ‘team’ have been create something that has been so successful and actively involved in golf since they were teenagers, brought thousands of kids to the game. Just because both as players and as administrators, and their someone, somewhere, said 'let’s do something',” passion for it has manifested itself in various ways Dayle said. “That message of ‘let’s do something’ that have benefitted the game. has resonated with me the whole way along. The couple tends to play down their contribution, “If I hadn’t had that richness and involvement, that preferring to see anything they have done as being support, as a junior golfer, then I wouldn’t have a responsibility that comes with being a member the love of golf that I have. It might just have been of golf’s ‘family’. another sport to play. But it was that Sunday morning social thing, that little slot that you fitted into, that “It’s the people,” Dayle said. “They connect you, and kept me coming back and getting a bit better, make you feel like you are part of a community. In a bit more interested.” golf, the notion of getting involved and having a go is so important to the success of the game.” Over time Dayle became good enough to be selected in NSW state teams and, in 1996, aged 25, she won Having a go, so to speak, is a mantra to which both the Australian Women’s Amateur Championship at Ashley and Dayle have adhered and as a result Kingston Heath. they have accumulated a considerable breadth of experience in many of golf’s different aspects, She gave some thought to turning pro but didn’t although it was as players that they began their fancy the travelling and was mindful of amateur golf odyssey. players who were better than her, never mind that one of those she measured herself against was For Dayle the starting point was the golf club at a youngster named Karrie Webb. She also had a Cessnock, 50 kilometres west of Newcastle. She degree in Business-Tourism Management to fall played with her mum and dad, who were both back on, and the decider came when she broke members, but the family also bred horses and she a bone in her wrist. was a keen equestrian. Her marriage to Ashley in the late 1990s saw Then, in 1979, born-and-bred Cessnock golfer Jack her move to Melbourne and her appointment Newton won the Australian Open and soon after as Executive Director of Women’s Golf Victoria in turned up at the golf club with the replica trophy. 1998 set her on the path of golf management. There are some similarities in the story of Ashley’s golfing journey. His grandfather was a founding member of and his father naturally became a member as well. Initially Ashley was taken with soccer, but he became intrigued by the way his father approached his golf. “Dad would go off and play on a Saturday, and when he’d get home, I’d ask him how he went,” Ashley recalled. “He’d say, ‘not very well’ and he’d be a bit dejected. But his enthusiasm would build through the next week and by Thursday he’d be saying, ‘I’m really looking forward to playing golf at the weekend’. And I’m thinking ‘there must be something good about this game’.” During school holidays he and some mates started playing what they called the ‘Public Course Tour’ – courses such as Wattle Park and Glen Waverley, and the two they considered to be the ultimate, Yarra Bend and Albert Park.

Golf Victoria 37 Eventually he went with his Dad to a junior golf foundation for Australian golfers’ lives, and lots of families’ lives, Kingston Heath and fell in love with the PGA Tour player . Dayle gives you a great sense of achievement,” place. He joined the club when he was 14, was appointed General Manager and Dayle said. to that point the youngest ever member says it was not by coincidence that the For Ashley, that feeling manifested when and, as he put it, ‘became part of the foundation was modelled along the lines furniture down there.’ of the Newton Foundation in NSW. Golf Victoria’s four state teams – Men, Women, Junior Boys and Junior Girls – Ashley did a Bachelor of Science degree “Renay White, who was Stuart’s (first) wife, made history with a clean sweep of wins at Melbourne University, then in 1981 was one of the kids who used to go out at the 2015 Interstate Series. “It had never was scouted to play college golf at Indiana and play every Sunday at Cessnock. Her been done before and it probably won’t State in the US. Upon his return to father was the deputy principal at one happen again,” he said. “Too many things Australia he decided to give pro golf of the primary schools,” Dayle explained. have to go just right.” a shot. “But I felt I needed a backup plan, Tragically, Renay was killed in a freak so I did a traineeship,” he said. “Even if I car accident while she and her husband Dayle experienced similar feelings as wasn’t successful as a player, I still wanted were unloading bags from a taxi outside manager of Australian teams that won the to work in the industry.” London’s Waterloo Station in 1998. Queen Sirikit Cup, Asia Pacific’s foremost women’s amateur contest, in 2000 and He did his time at Huntingdale under Lin It was the growth of the Appleby Foundation again in 2001. “For so many years I’d been Jacquelin and in his first year won the PGA that brought Ashley back to golf. In 2005 he a person that others were chaperoning National Trainees Championship, which took over the General Manager’s position around; this time I was the one with the gained him entry to the Australian Tour, and Dayle became the Communications responsibility. It was tremendous,” Dayle initially as a trainee. “I played on Manager. The work they did to ensure the said, then laughed, “And the relief of not the tour for a number of years, until I success of the Foundation was rewarded realised I wasn’t as good as I needed to be. in 2012 when it was incorporated into Golf having to hit a shot.” “I had a qualification within the industry, Victoria as the state’s official development so at that point I decided that was where arm for junior golf. “To have played a role I wanted to work rather than utilise the For the past four years Ashley has been in what has been an mathematics I’d studied at uni,” he said. “I Golf Victoria’s High Performance Manager, influential part of lots just wanted to be in and around the game while Dayle has held several positions of golf, which I loved and still do.” within the industry and is currently a key of young golfers’ lives, For the best part of 12 years Ashley member in the office at Metropolitan GC. and lots of families’ lives, honed his skills as a golf teacher and Also, the couple, having watched so gives you a great sense educator, including a stint as the National many parents spend enormous time and Coordinator – Educational Programs for effort in support of their youngsters in of achievement.” PGA Australia. their golfing endeavours, are themselves For all of that, he did, at one stage, enjoying having a sports-loving teenager in Ashley and Dayle consider themselves become somewhat disillusioned with the the family. very fortunate to have been so involved in golf. “We’ve made decisions along the way game and in 2000 accepted the offer Their 16-year-old son Cameron, who lives of a friend to be General Manager of a with autism, at the moment has a limited that perhaps haven’t been the smartest new venture, MW Wines, now Australia’s interest in golf – his parents reckon he’s financially, but generally we’ve always been premier rare and fine wine company. been ‘over-exposed’ to the game – but he very happy in our work,” Dayle said. “I really enjoyed it,” he said. loves running and cycling and is right into Ashley agreed. “It’s been very fulfilling. Dealing (and tasting) on a daily basis wines triathalons. “Lots of early starts there,” And not only to see the players who have worth thousands of dollars, produced by Ashley quipped. achieved at golf’s highest level but to see the world’s foremost winemakers was, to In conversation with the Marshalls you young people consuming and loving the pardon the pun, highly intoxicating. But in become very aware of their desire to help sport, and their parents too. If, at the end the end Ashley’s love of golf drew him back people enjoy the game of golf in all of its of the day, they become good club golfers, to the game. aspects and of their affinity with young or pennant players, it is just as rewarding. In 2003 the Marshalls were approached by players. “To have played a role in what has For Dayle and I, it’s great to be a part of it, noted coach Steve Bann to help establish been an influential part of lots of young and to help make that happen.”.

38 Golf Victoria noticeboard

Golf Vic Events On The Horizon Summer is coming, and with it some of the premier amateur events on the Victorian golfing calendar. For information on these and other events, please to go to: www.golfvic.org.au/2018calendar.

VICTORIAN MEN’S AND WOMEN’S WOODLANDS OPEN AMATEUR AND VICTORIAN MEN’S AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS AND PORT CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS PHILLIP OPEN AMATEUR Contested over 36 holes of strokeplay, the Woodlands Open also The 2018 Victorian Amateur Championships incorporates the Victorian Men’s Champion of Champions and will be held at Huntingdale Golf Club from is the final Ivo Whitton event of the year. Just two days after his December 10-12. Qualifying for the Victorian Victorian Amateur victory last year, David Micheluzzi recorded a Amateur is via the Port Phillip Open Amateur seven–stroke triumph at the Woodlands Open Amateur, which during the previous week, December 6-8. returns this year on Sunday 16 December. The Port Phillip Open consists of 72 holes The Men’s Champion of Champions was first played in 1954. strokeplay, with 18 holes at Kingston Heath Eligible players are current club champions or winners of selected Golf Club on both Thursday and Friday before events. A full list can be found on the entry conditions. 36 holes at Commonwealth on Saturday. The top 32 men and top 16 women then qualify Entries close on Friday 30 November. A handicap limit of for the knockout matchplay rounds of the 5.4 applies. For more information visit: www.golfvic.org.au/ Victorian Amateur at Huntingdale . woodlandsopen The Victorian Women’s Amateur Championship was first held in 1894, five years before the men’s event, and has an honour roll including Margaret Masters (1957, 2019 VIC FOUR-BALL 1959, 1961-63), Jane Crafter (1979) and Su Oh The Vic Four-Ball Championship is open to all golfers in Victoria (2012-13). Stephanie Bunque of Victoria Golf who are members of affiliated clubs and have a handicap. The Club added her name to that list last year. championship involves men’s, women’s and mixed sections and is Cranbourne’s David Micheluzzi joined an played in two parts: qualifying events and a state final. illustrious list of previous winners of the Qualifiers are categorised as metropolitan or regional, with pairs Victorian Men’s Amateur Championship able to enter as many regional qualifiers as they wish with the including Peter Thomson (1948), Stuart field decided on a first-in basis. Entries close for regional qualifying Appleby (1991) and (1997). rounds 10 days prior or when a capacity field has been reached. Entry for the Port Phillip Open Amateur closes For Metropolitan qualifiers, pairs will nominate their preferred on November 15. A handicap ballot will apply, venues through the online registration process and Golf Victoria with those balloted out having another chance will endeavour to allocate pairs according to preference as closely to qualify via the Spring Valley Open Amateur as possible. Entries close for the Metropolitan qualifying rounds on December 2, with 10 places for men and at 5:00pm on Friday 30 November 2018. Venue allocations will be five for women on offer. available online after Thursday 6 December 2018 and any venues More information on the Victorian Amateur with vacancies will be re-opened for entry. Championships can be found at: www. New to the calendar is a Vic Open-themed qualifier at 13th Beach golfvic.org.au/vicam and on the Port Phillip Golf Links (Beach Course) on March 5. Open Amateur at www.golfvic.org.au/ eventdisplay/10091. For more information visit: www.golfvic.org.au/fourball

DUNES MEDAL An Australian and R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking Event, the Men's and Women's Dunes Medal is administered by The Dunes Golf Club and contested over 72 holes strokeplay. The 2018 event will run between November 27-30. Rounds 1 and 2 are followed by a cut with the top 48 men and top 30 women (plus ties) playing the final two rounds. Entries close on November 19. For more information visit: www.thedunes.com.au/cms/major-events/dune-medal/

Golf Victoria 39 fairway

THE 2018 AUSTRALIAN HICKORY SHAFT CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2018 Australian Hickory Shaft Championship was played A women’s event was conducted for the first time in some for the first time outside NSW, over the West Course of Royal years, with Paula Gompertz from The National (Vic) emerging Melbourne GC in September. Sixty players participated in the the victor on 111. 24th running of the championship, conducted over 18 holes of strokeplay. The field was the largest organisers can remember The Australian Golf History Society is based in NSW with a in the event’s history, a sure sign of the continuing popularity Queensland chapter. The Golf Society of Australia, which is based in of hickory shaft golf. Victoria, has its own hickory golf program of events for enthusiasts, The winner of the men’s section and Australian Hickory Shaft playing monthly at different venues and running an annual Hickory Champion was Alex Sutherland Jnr from Eastlake (NSW) who shot Day. Golfers interested in joining the GSA in Victoria to pursue their 81 with three birdies in his round. Peter Shaw from Royal interest in hickory golf or its other events and activities can find was the runner up on 84 with two birdies. further information at https://www.golfsocietyaust.com/

VICTORIAN MEN’S & WOMEN’S SENIOR AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS A thrilling final round saw Geoffrey Charnley of Rossdale take out the Victorian Men’s Senior Amateur Championship at Shepparton Golf Club, denying Metropolitan’s Doug Francis back-to-back honours. Going into the final round, Charnley had led the reigning champion by one shot, which had been clawed back after 12 holes. Charnley making birdie to Francis’ bogey on the par-four 13th ultimately proved the difference, winning by two strokes with a 54-hole total of 223 (74-72-77). The nett winner was Ignatius Duivenvoorden of Yarram, whose consistency was key to withstanding a final-round charge by Gerald Pennefather, playing on his home course. Pennefather’s nett 65 left him one shot shy of Duivenvoorden’s total 213 (71-70-72). The Victorian Women’s Senior Amateur Championship went to Kim Burke from Shelly Beach Golf Club in NSW, who beat Sandra Collingwood of Keysborough in the final at Hill Top Golf Club. The women’s title was contested over 36 holes of strokeplay qualifying at Hill Top and Shepparton before the top four returned to Hill Top for matchplay knockout rounds. The 2014 and 2017 champion, Helen Pascoe of Buninyong, had topped qualifying before Collingwood bested her in the semi-final, while Burke got past Wanneroo’s Glenys Ferguson 3&2. Burke then took the final 4&2 to add the Victorian Senior Amateur Championship to her Northern Territory and Queensland titles.

40 Golf Victoria TRIMAX VICTORIAN MEN’S & WOMEN’S SAND GREENS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Three times, two champions battled down the 18th in sudden- death. Finally, Mary-Anne Davis prevailed to win the Trimax Victorian Women’s Sand Greens Championship at Maldon Golf Club, her third triumph in the event, over Helen Leech, who was going for her fifth. Davis, from Murray Downs Golf Club, and Leech, from Neangar Park, had both finished on 156 to finish two strokes ahead of reigning champion Martina Whelan from Grampians Golf Club. The men’s event also finished with fireworks, but of a different kind, as Ben Tatt chipped in for an eagle at the last to seal a five-shot victory. Tatt, of Belvoir Park, backed up his fantastic three-under- par round of 62 on the first day with an even-par 65 on the second, to emulate his cousin Travis and uncle Chris, who had won the event in 2006 and 2008 respectively. On the same weekend, the Juniors Sand Green Championship was held at Bannockburn Golf Club. Ella Rogers from Inverleigh won her second straight title in the girls’ event, two shots ahead of Sayumi De Costa from Victoria, and Tom Hanson from Colac won the boys’ championship, also by two shots, beating Lochie Bath of Winchelsea and two-time defending champion Mitchell Crabbe from Barwon Valley.

JOAN FISHER PLATE AND VICTORIAN WOMEN’S CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS

Kilmore’s Jess Pickwick took out the prestigious 2018 Champion of Champions held at Metropolitan in September. The event, to decide the champion of the club champions, is held in conjunction with the Joan Fisher Plate. Pickwick posted rounds of 78 and 79 (157) to finish fifth in the Joan Fisher Plate but leading player for the Champion of Champions trophy. Keeley Marx from The Heritage was runner-up. Jeneath Wong, from Metropolitan, continued her good form this year by taking out the Joan Fisher Plate. The 13-year-old, who is also a member at Huntingdale, shot 151 to finish five shots ahead of Metropolitan clubmate India Matthews, Southern’s Adele Huggard and defending champion Kono Matsumoto of Victoria, the latter claiming the runner-up prize after a 74 in the afternoon round. Wong continues to dominate the junior scene as well, also winning the Mornington Peninsula Junior Open at Sorrento and the Pitch n Putt for term four at Waverley.

Golf Victoria 41 twinkl

THE TWINKLERS

Continuing our look at some of the little stars that shine so brightly as they start out in golf. Words by Olivia Kline.

OLIVE SPITTY AGE: 9 Olive is nine years of age from northern Victoria. She is a member at both Kerang and Murray Downs Golf Clubs. Olive thrives on the challenge golf gives her every time she steps out on to the golf course but always has fun while playing. She has a handicap of 25 which is very handy for a nine-year-old! Her two golfing idols are Tiger Woods and Lexi Thompson.

JACK WILSON AGE: 7 Meet the new Jack Wilson! Jack is seven years old and started playing golf at the age of two. He started off swinging his plastic clubs and quickly moved onto his first set at four, joining Mornington Golf Club at five. The game has taken him interstate and overseas to compete. His work ethic is amazing, putting hours of work in at the age of seven. Hitting his driver, meeting new friends and having his family come out to watch are some of his favourite things about golf as well as, interestingly, the rules of the game. Adam Scott is Jack’s idol, one he has been lucky enough to meet!

42 Golf Victoria by Evan Harding star on the rise

ON THE RISE

In our regular column highlighting some of the brightest young talent in Victorian golf, EVAN HARDING profiles Star On The Rise, Bailey Goodall.

Shepparton has produced many handy onerous – “I do it after dark,” sportspeople, none more accomplished Bailey said. than Jarrod Lyle. So it’s no surprise that as And while Glenn still helps his another young talent emerges from the son, Bailey gets much of his town, it’s Lyle he wants to emulate. instruction in Melbourne with Without doubt, Bailey Goodall has a long acclaimed teaching pro Denis way to go. But playing off a GA handicap McDade. While his ball striking and of 4.5 at just 12 years old, a member chipping are sound, Bailey knows he of the Victorian 12-and-under state can still improve, saying he’d simply like team and having represented Australia to “hit it a bit better”. internationally, it’s clear he has all the tools. A good chunk of that will come with time. Bailey has even won the Jarrod Lyle Junior Bailey is approaching an age where natural Classic in Shepparton. Lyle, of course, development will allow him to make even would have been impressed, having played further strides. a round with Bailey at their home course Shepparton Golf Club in 2016. “When he gets a little bit stronger, it’s going to make life a bit easier for him because “It was pretty exciting playing with a pro and he’ll hit it a little further,” said Glenn. seeing how good he was,” Bailey recalled of “Everything’s pretty consistent, he works the nine holes they played together. with Denis on all parts of his game, so he Also citing Adam Scott and Tiger Woods tries not to have a weakness.” as his idols, Bailey continues to make his That extends to mental preparation and mark in junior events not just around the course management. “Rather than just country but around the world. He finished hitting the one shot, Denis has taught him equal fifth in the World Stars of Junior Golf how to think a bit differently, add a bit more at Angel Park Golf Club in Las Vegas in July – variety and use different clubs around the his second time playing in the event. greens,” Glenn added. “It was really good fun … playing against Glenn and Bailey often make trips down to other kids from different countries,” Melbourne and surrounding area – usually he said. And the city itself was quite an just the two of them as Bailey’s mother experience. “There were a lot of lights and it Amberlee and sister Ally are horse riders – was really hot – about 42 degrees.” to play regular rounds at his second club, Bailey has been playing golf almost since Victoria, and a handful of junior events. he could walk, thanks to the influence of “He’s in the state 12-and-under team, and his father Glenn, who played professionally. they play in November down at Barwon “My dad took me out one day when he Heads,” said Glenn. “There’s lots of good went to golf and I just started hitting the events like the Victorian Boys and Girls ball around,” he said. Championship (he finished eighth in the By nine years old, he was really hooked and under-14 boys section in September); and by 10 his handicap was already down to the Victorian Junior Open is in December.” single figures. He’s now halved that mark, As for the longer term, Bailey’s goals are thanks to regular practice after school. Bailey Goodall is suitably lofty for a player of his talent. making his mark Approaching the final months of Year Six, “I want to become the best player in junior events his homework commitments aren’t yet too in the world.” near and far.

Golf Victoria 43 unique country golf experiences by Graham Eccles

YEA & ALEXANDRA HORSES FOR COURSES

Alexandra's 12th green has a great view of the racetrack.

This time in our series on the and Swan Hill, have housed nine-holers a comfortable 90-minute drive from charms of unique Victorian in the past. Melbourne, live quite happily with their quirky layouts, albeit with a few grumbles country clubs, GRAHAM ECCLES But long before any of them came to a in summer when several race meetings sharing arrangement, one of the first three looks at two neighbours require a very generous cover of grass on British Open venues was played largely north-east of Melbourne with the racetrack. within a race track. something very distinctive in Yea Golf Club, with its irrigated fairways common. Musselburgh Old Course in Scotland and impressively maintained greens, has hosted six Opens from 1874 to 1889, Golf courses and horse racing tracks three holes totally inside the racecourse remarkably as a nine-hole course that don’t really spring to mind as compatible with a further five holes played across the required shots over the running rails on joint tenants. Yet at Yea and Alexandra, track. The rest of the 5705-metre long three holes. The rest of the course was two Victorian country towns barely 30km course weaves its way attractively through laid out inside the racetrack. hilly terrain. apart, these two sporting pursuits have shared the same chunk of land for Some years ago, this golfing shrine was For much of the year, the pipe-style many decades. faithfully restored to its former glory but running rails are easily dismantled where there’s not much chance of Musselburgh the fairways cross the track. However, The mix of golf and racing is certainly not ever finding itself back on the Open roster errant shots are known to strike the rails new, at least not in Victoria. Drouin Golf any time soon. on either side of the crossings. Club has co-existed with the local picnic race club for many years and several Members at Yea and Alexandra golf One member recently found his second other race tracks, including Werribee clubs, which are both little more than shot on the 13th stuck fast in the semi-

44 Golf Victoria Photography: Paul Shire

YEA ATTRACTIONS

The $2 million Y Water Discovery Centre, opened in 2014, is one of Victoria’s top eco-tourism attractions. On 32 hectares of Crown land, the centre can be accessed by a 30-metre cable- circular plastic moulding on top of a rail. himself through a turf management Fortunately, he was able to replay the course when he retired from his post in suspension bridge on the edge of shot without penalty. nearby Alexandra. town. As well as visits to several The golf club was established with nine Yea presently has a membership of 74, boutique wineries in the district, holes in 1923, some 18 years after the among them former Victorian opening including Sedona Estate, there racecourse had been built. By 1933 the batsman Jeff Moss, who played one Test for are several scenic drives from course had been extended to 18 holes Australia in 1979 at the height of the Kerry Yea. One road passes through but it was not until 1992 that greens Packer revolution. replaced sand scrapes following a the former gold mining town Club Treasurer Peter Johnston, who joined generous $50,000 donation from the of Ghin Ghin and the hamlet of the club four years ago after running a Daiwa company. newsagency in Hobart, said that despite Caveat originally inhabited by Twenty years earlier, the club had the smallish membership, of whom six Czech settlers. And if you want staged the first Victorian Sand Greens or seven are life members, “the club is to go racing, Yea has three picnic Championship, an event that is played one of the few around that remains meetings in the 2018/19 season – to this day around the state. financially sound.” Saturday November 17, Saturday Although course maintenance is a “We made $6000 from green fees last December 15 and the town’s big voluntary affair like so many country year, which is pretty good for a country clubs, Yea does boast a “greens course,” he added. “We charge $20 a day of the year, the Rodwell’s Yea superintendent” in the guise of round but visitors can play all day for Cup on Sunday January 27. anaesthetist Dr Peter Keast, who put that amount if they wish.”

Golf Victoria 45 At Alexandra Golf Club, the membership stands at a more robust 140 but committeeman Alan Kirkpatrick reckons many members live in Melbourne and drive up to play on long weekends or when they want to take part in certain competitions. The club charges visitors $25 for 18 holes or $15 for nine. “We have made profits every year for quite a long time but we spend what we’ve got on maintaining the course and our machinery,” he said. At 5462 metres, the course is a little shorter than at Yea but still a challenging par-70 layout for men and 71 for women. Dotted with scores of magnificent river red gums around which the course was designed, almost half the holes require shots to be played over the racetrack, fortunately with the rails down in most instances. But if a wayward ball does strike the fence, the local rule is for the shot to be replayed without penalty. And a ball landing in a hoof mark is GUR. It can all make for an interesting round at ‘Alex’. From the wide verandah of the 120 feet long clubhouse that, with the help of a chainsaw, was transported from the Utah Constructions village at Eildon way back in 1967, members and visitors look out across a number of holes meandering in, around and across the racetrack. It might seem incongruous that golf and racing are forced to co-habit this way but the setting, as at Yea, has an intriguing appeal that continues to attract golfers from around Victoria. The club was established in 1929 as a nine- hole course with sand greens on private property east of Alexandra but was moved to its present site on Crown land six years later. Lance Thompson, a former Victorian Country champion, designed a testing 18- hole layout around the 600-plus red gums that dominated the area at that time. At first, sand scrapes were used but constant scouring on rainy days quickly led to the installation of grass greens that also struggled in the conditions until the course was fully irrigated in 1956. Today, summer or winter, there are competitions almost every day of the week.

To make a booking at Yea, call 0417 336 635. To make a booking at Alexandra, call 03 5772 1570 Yea treasurer Peter Johnson does his bit for course maintenance.

46 Golf Victoria Golf and racing are perfectly entwined at Yea, as seen from the ninth tee.

ALEXANDRA ATTRACTIONS

Just 26km away is Eildon, a haven for fishing, boating and camping. But on the outskirts of Alexandra, the Timber Tramway and Logging Museum is a popular attraction for railway enthusiasts and history buffs as well as children. The operational steam train has two cars and the museum has recreated the bush sawmill and tramway era of the Rubicon forest from 1900 to 1950. It is also home to the Alexandra Market held on the second Saturday of each month from May until September. And Alexandra also has three picnic race meetings a year, on Saturday October 27, Saturday March 2 and the Alexandra Cup on Saturday March 23. The ninth green.

Golf Victoria 47 update

Play Metro The Week After The World Cup And Help Children's Education Charity Ardoch

One in three children in Australia’s most disadvantaged STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects, communities start school developmentally vulnerable, recognised as critical to the future of Australian kids, are also a and the gap in academic attainment widens over time. key component.

Ardoch is an education charity focussed on improving these The 10th Annual Ardoch Golf Day, taking place in Ardoch’s 30th outcomes for children and young people. Ardoch currently works year, will be held on Monday December 3 at Metropolitan Golf with 100 schools and early-years centres to ensure that children Club, a week after the 2018 World Cup. Hosted by Drummond Golf ambassador Brett Ogle, the day provides the opportunity to in disadvantaged communities are given the necessary extra raise funds for a wonderful cause while playing one of Australia’s support required to break the cycle of disadvantage. top courses in peak condition. With 93% of funding achieved through fundraising efforts, events Included are light breakfast, 18 holes of Texas Scramble, gourmet such as the annual golf day are vital. In its nine years, the golf day lunch and premium beverages, a range of entertaining fundraising has raised over $1 million to support Ardoch’s work. activities including hole-in-one and longest drive competitions, the In 2017, 11,710 children were supported through 223 Learning option to “buy Brett’s drive”, a raffle and a grand auction. Through Lunch Programs, 27 Robotics Programs, 39 Literacy For further information on Ardoch and its work, visit www.ardoch. Buddy Programs, 129 Broadening Horizons Programs nine org.au. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Amy Coote, Numeracy Buddy Programs, and 1658 volunteers contributing National Fundraising and Engagement Manager on 9537 2414 26,389 volunteer hours. or 0418 991 980 or by email: [email protected]

48 Golf Victoria gallery

Cartoons: Paul Harvey by Martin Blake @martinj_blake

GOLF LEARNS TO INCLUDE INCLUSION

Golf and inclusion are not words that you would usually put This is worth seeing, because it’s exciting. At the World Cup together on the same page. of Golf, to be played at Metropolitan from 22-25 November, a bunch of golfers with disability are being assembled from Sadly, the game’s been exclusive for a long time. Just ask the kid around the world to compete in an event that will mimic who dropped out of the game forever because some grumpy the World Cup format of four-ball and foursomes play on member told him he had the wrong coloured socks on one day the Saturday and Sunday, playing behind the field on the (you won’t have trouble finding one). Or the women locked out same course set-up. of big clubs on the basis of gender: “No dogs, no women’’ (that one was at Royal St George’s in England until the 1980s). Players have been chosen off the world rankings and Europe will play against Australia for the Handa International Cup. Personally, I have never forgotten the barman at one of The Handa organisation’s sponsorship of the tournament Melbourne’s most famous clubs who sneered at me for omitting helped, because its stated purpose is to get golf into the to remove my cap in the spike bar on my first forays into a ‘big’ Paralympics (alas, this mission didn't succeed for 2020 and club, years ago, long before I realised that it was an offence 2024 but it is a work in progress). The willingness of the punishable by public humiliation. United States PGA Tour, owner of the event, to include the But in a sense, the history is not as important as what happens players with disability made the ride easier as well. from now. On a local level, there are things happening, albeit at I strongly doubt this would have happened a few years ago. golf’s somewhat glacial speed. The push to find more women and girls to play the game is welcome if overdue, and then Then there is the Emirates Australian Open at The Lakes in there is the work that is happening in the disability space. Sydney, held the week before the World Cup, where Golf

Golf Victoria 49 Australia is running the All Abilities Championship for players for what this sport can do for people, a genuine character who with a disability. A dozen players with varying disability, four does a lot of public speaking. from Australia, seven from Europe and one from the Dominican Rolls lost both his legs to meningococcal septicaemia at 18 and Republic, will compete in a rankings event for points and the then used golf to rehabilitate himself. He will be playing in the trophy, playing stroke over three rounds. Sydney event as one of the top-ranked all-abilities players in the It is a world first, because they will play their golf within the field country in competition with Australia’s top player, Shane Luke, for the Open. Same course, same conditions. It is not an exercise who takes his prosthetic leg off to thump the ball big distances in political correctness, as cynics might be deducing. Nor is it a and who has played below a scratch handicap. “tokenistic’’ event, as one of the competitors told me he once They are not all amputees. In Sydney, a Belgian golfer who feared that it might be. He has long since lost his doubts. suffers cerebral palsy, Adem Wahbi, is playing, alongside an These are incredible athletes; remarkable people playing Irishman, Brendan Lawler, who was afflicted with Ellis-van for world rankings points. Creveld Syndrome, a genetic disorder. I first met some of them at a day run by the Transport Accident Hamilton has made it his mission to bring golf into this space. Commission and Golf Victoria earlier this year at Metropolitan, His plan at the grassroots is to run accreditation programs for a truly eye-opening day put together by Christian Hamilton, who PGA professionals around the country, teaching them how to runs inclusion programs for Golf Victoria and Golf Australia and work with players with disability. There are close to 100 accredited is one of the more impressive people I’ve seen in Australian golf. coaches now; two years ago there was a quarter of that many. A lot of the players had been in motorbike accidents and had Hamilton’s notion is that if people with disability who are suffered nerve damage, lost limbs, or both. Some of them used interested in golf come forward – perhaps inspired by the likes of the ‘Paragolfer’ units which allow them to wheel themselves in the World Cup event and the Australian All Abilities Championship over the ball and hit it. I met Heath Kolac from Phillip Island, who – then the game needs to be able to provide them with facilities, coaching and encouragement to play. lost his left leg above the knee in a crash more than 10 years ago and almost died several times en route to hospital. Kolac He wants participation in golf by people with disability to be had been a golfer before the accident; ultimately he picked up completely normalised. a Paragolfer unit, came back to the game, plays off around 16 “They’re regular people who’ve had significant events happen in at Phillip Island Golf Club, and joined the club board. their lives,’’ he says. “But they’re rusted-on golfers and they just I played with Justin Andrews, who has since taken up membership want to play.’’ at Spring Valley and is playing three times a week as a regular Golf’s job is to make that happen. member of that club. Later I met Mike Rolls, a double amputee who plays at The National, a guy who is the best advertisement This could be a game-changer. Quite literally.

50 Golf Victoria *Plus 3 students SCHOOL TEACHER* PD SESSION GOLF OAKLEIGH SOUTH PRIMARY FRI 23 NOV 2018 9:30-11:30

About this PD Register

Activities on the day will be hands All registrations will be on, providing teachers with a processed online at range of skills and strategies to golfvic.org.au/teacher-pds deliver golf within any school environment. Not a golfer, that is not a problem, these activities Enquires are based around being fun, safe and inclusive. Contact Jayden Zeinstra [email protected] We are inviting both primary (03) 8545 6215 and secondary female teachers to attend this unique pd opportunity. In addition, we are encouraging teachers to bring along up to 3 female students from their school to participate in the ALL TEACHERS pd session. AND STUDENTS GET A TICKET TO THE WORLD CUP OF GOLF!