The Long Game The Official Newsletter of the Golf Society of Australia Golf Australia House, 155 Cecil Street, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205, Australia. Telephone (03) 9699 7944 Fax (03) 9690 8510 Editor Telephone (03) 9521 6809 Volume 3, Issue 2 July, 1998 From the President From the Editor What price a scrap book? At our June dinner at As you can see above, we have opted for a new “name” Metropolitan Golf Club our delightful guest speaker for our Newsletter. We are looking for feedback from Sandra McKenzie-Wood, who is on the executive of the members as to their preference for a name the above LPGA, lamented the lack of publicity accorded Ladies being among those favoured by your Committee. We Professional Golf. Whilst one can be sympathetic with have also considered names such as - the LPGA's dilemma, the dearth of publicity for amateur Approach Screamers golf is even more regrettable. Top Shots Bisques This was brought home to me quite strongly the Out of the Rough Down the Fairway other day when I received a phone call from Mrs.Jess Links Chip Shots Bull, the widow of the late R.L. (Bob) Bull, the great Back Spin Divots Huntingdale amateur of yesteryear. Mrs Bull asked Follow Through The Match whether the Golf Society would be interested in Bob's The Auld Game scrap books. When I looked at them the memories come flooding back. There were clippings and photographs How about giving us the benefit of your imagination and galore of numerous amateur and open events in the post let us know if you have a favourite name for our war years up until recent times; a multitude of stories by publication or perhaps you might indicate a preference the late Jack Dillon and Don Lawrence hailing the for one of the above names. We would really like to winners, giving a summary of the days play and listing settle this matter before the next issue goes to the printer the names and scores of the contenders. Nostalgia (anticipated early October 1998). flooded in. What a wonderful record of past events. I As you will see inside, Dr Ken Shepherd has told Mrs Bull the Society would love to have the books. contributed a substantial piece on Ralph Guldahl. We As I drove away I reminded myself of the all share a strong interest in the game of golf, past, modern era and the problem of the dearth of publicity present and future so why just leave it up to Ken? - we for amateur golf. Events are recorded in the State and would love to hear from anyone with a contribution. I National journals but these lack the immediacy of a do hope you enjoy our latest issue. daily paper where performances are recorded side by John Lindsay, Editor side with the other achievers in other sports. As it is not possible to turn back the clock, amateur golf (and the LPGA) has to find other ways of Quotable Quotes keeping performances before the public eye. This is an almost impossible task given the prediliction of the Lee Trevino is always quick with a one liner! Try these - media for professional play especially of the kind that On hearing from his oppnent that he would prefer not performs before large audiences. The Golf Society of to talk “That’s OK, you don’t have to talk, just listen!” Great Britain does its bit for amateur golf through fund ——- raising. Even if the Golf Society of Australia raised Trevino’s Doctor “you know Lee, jogging could add money for amateur golf it is unlikely it would lead to years to your life” Trevino “Oh I know that, I feel ten years older already!” greater mass media exposure of amateur play. ——- Perhaps mass media circulation managers On aging “Grey hair is great, ask anyone who is bald” ——- might rethink their target audience profiles if they were On shaping a delicate little chip shot “Just watch this exposed to scrap books as they do induce reflection. one land ... like a butterfly with sore feet” With electronic mediums the significant communication ——- vehicles of the future, scrap books will become relics of On hearing that his opponent is twenty-seven years of a bygone era. If any member has a scrap book or knows age “My Gaaad! I’ve got socks older than you, and of any others kindly remember such an item would be a they are still in perfect working order!” ——- valuable accquisition for the Museum. To an opponent who has just putted five feet past the Daryl Cox, hole “You wanna go and hit that now, while you are President still mad!” 1 Lindsay also won at the 1st over Ray Wigley. Glen and The Inaugural playing of The John proceeded to the 2nd hole. President’s Trophy Neither player drove well at the 2nd and Glen did well to find the right edge of the green with his third by The Editor shot John meanwhile had layed up short of the green in two then played an excellent pitch to within 4 feet of the A small but enthusiastic field contested the hole. This was to no avail as Glen holed a magnificent inaugural President’s Trophy on Monday 11th May at 30 foot putt for a net 3 and the victory. Well done Victoria Golf Club. Although the weather was not Glen! kind, all participants indicated their enjoyment of this At the presentation ceremony, the President new event in the GSA calendar. presented each qualifier with two GSA golf balls and The event conceived by the current President, informed the gathering that, as his trophy was not yet Daryl Cox, took the form of 9 holes qualifying ready for presentation, Glen would be presented with the followed by lunch. Following lunch the 4 leading trophy at a future GSA function. The participants all qualifiers then played off sudden death to determine agreed that the day was a great success and we look the winner. Daryl introduced a number of interesting forward to it becoming a regular outing in our golfing conditions under which play took place. These are calendar. summarised below - • All players were limited to seven clubs • The competitiuon was to be played under the rules prevailing in 1950 including - Remaining 1998 GSA Events • Compulsory use of the small (1.62”) ball • No lifting or cleaning of the ball on the green. The following events are scheduled for the remainder of • No repairing of ball marks on line of putt. the year - • Stymies to apply in match play section of the 13th August Dinner at Victoria G.C. event 22nd October Dinner at Yarra Yarra G.C. The first challenge was to select the 18th November Doug Bachli Trophy, AGM and appropriate collection of clubs - perhaps those with Cocktail Pary at Commonwealth G.C. local knowledge of the VGC layout had a clearer idea 12th December Special Presidents Cup Dinner of this than others although subsequent events do not at Victoria G.C. support this notion. Out of interest the author took 3 wood, 3, 5, 7, 9 irons, sand iron and putter. Others Please note your diary. Notices will be forwarded. took driver rather than 3 wood but this selection was fairly representative of the choices made on the day. The next challenge was to find a small ball in Golf Trivia Quiz (Answers on Page 8) good enough condition to play with. For those without This issue we focus on the “Open” Championship. a “secret” supply or cache (previously salted away for hickory day), Lindsay Gitsham kindly provided a 1. Only one player won the Open before and after supply for use on the day and return for future events. World War II. Name him. Thank you Lindsay. 2. How many times has the “Open” been played in The qualifying holes were played in constant Ireland? Name the venue/s and the winner/s. rain which made scoring difficult. All players were 3. Since winning his fifth “Open” in 1983, what is the delighted to find the fires lit and burning strongly in the best finish recorded by Tom watson in pursuit of a clubhouse upon completion of qualifying and normal record equaling sixth title? circulation was soon restored. The “match” committee 4. Who said, referring to the famous claret jug: “In confronted the issue of determining the qualifiers with 1982 I had my left hand on the trophy: in 1988 I had due diligence and after much deliberation announced my right hand on it; now at last I have both hands that the qualifiers were (1) Norm Davies, (2) Ray on it”? Wigley, (3) John Lindsay and (4) Glen Carboon. Ruth 5. When was the “Open” first scheduled over 4 days? Summerfield tied for 4th place but was eliminated on a 6. What famous player shot an 83 in the first round of count back - bad luck Ruth. the 1981 “Open” and then improved 17 shots for his After a most enjoyable lunch, the qualifiers second round? proceeded to the first tee to commence the sudden 7. Name the oldest and youngest winners of the death match play. Before teeing off the finalists were “Open” Championship - both for the Belt & the Jug. given a short presentation on the “art” of playing the 8. How many amateur golfers have won the “Open”? stymie by the President. This was both interesting and 9. Name the former US Open Champion who was dis- informative but unfortunately inneffective as the match qualified because he failed to arrive in time to play play did not actually see a stymie come into play.