Simon Khan put his play-off defeat in the BMW PGA Championship behind him to secure one of the 12 spots on offer in the US Open qualifier at Walton Heath.

Khan admitted he had a sleepless night after losing to Italian Matteo Manassero on the fourth extra hole at Wentworth in The European Tour’s flagship event on Sunday.

But he showed few side-effects in the wake of that disappointment as he led the 94 hopefuls competing in the 36 hole qualifying event for next month’s US Open Championship at Merion Golf Club.

The 40 year old followed an opening round of 67 on the Old Course with a 70 on the New Course for a seven under par total of 137, finishing one stroke clear of Englishman Paul Casey and South African Jaco Van Zyl.

After birdieing the first two holes, Khan bogeyed the fifth before picking up another shot on the eighth. He then made back-to-back bogeys immediately after the turn, before hitting back with a superb run of three consecutive birdies on the 12^th, 13^th and 14^th holes.

Although he dropped a shot on the 16^th, Khan had enough left in the tank to par the closing two holes and secure his third appearance in the US Open after previously playing in 2009 and 2010.

“I’m delighted with today,” said Khan. It was tough out there with a lot of cross winds. I had a little wobble around the turn but then settled down with three birdies in a row. I dropped one on 16 but I was beginning to flag by then.

“Yesterday I did everything I could. I would not have done anything different but it didn’t work out. When I won the BMW PGA Championship there was a downside in that I shut off a little bit after reaching one of my all-time goals of winning a tournament like that.

“Hopefully, this time I can look at it the other way round and kick on from here. I don’t know a lot about Merion but it looks fantastic from the pictures I’ve seen. It looks quite tricky and a bit shorter, which hopefully will suit me.

“It will be my third US Open and I love the tournament, so it will be fantastic to go back.”

Former Ryder Cup player Casey produced the round of the day, firing a superb 64 on the New Course after an opening 74 on the Old Course to seal his place in the season’s second Major Championship.

“I played lovely today,” said Casey, is slowly returning to form after recovering from a shoulder injury. “It was the first qualifier I’ve played, so I didn’t know what to expect. We had great crowds and it was a golf course I played a lot as a kid, so I’m ecstatic to come through.

“For me, the US Open is right up there along with The Open Championship. I don’t know a lot about Merion but I’ve played a lot of US Opens and I love them. I know it is going to be tough but I’m looking forward to it.”

Van Zyl joined Casey on six under par following rounds of 71 and 67 to earn his debut in a Major Championship in Pennsylvania.

“It’s great to be playing in my first Major,” he said. “I qualified earlier in the year for the US PGA but to get in this is fantastic. I’m just going to go and enjoy and not have any expectations.”

Morten Ørum Madsen finished fourth on five under par, while Australian Marcus Fraser and Sweden’s Peter Hedblom, who finished tied 11^th in the 2005 US Open at Pinehurst, also ensured their spots on four under par, along with 22 year old rookie Eddie Pepperell of England.

Pepperell continued the form he showed in finishing tied sixth in the BMW PGA Championship at the weekend and will now continue his progression at the top level by making his debut in a Major Championship at Merion.

“I didn’t feel too tired today, which I thought I might have done after Wentworth,” he said. “I putted well again and just kept trying to do the things I did last week.

“It’s a massive tournament and it’s another opportunity to play at the highest level, which is something I’ve not done before. It will be a great experience for me. I enjoy tough courses and tough conditions so hopefully I can play well. It’s the next step up for me.”

Madsen was the last man on the course and his success meant a six-man play-off  for the final five spots, involving 2012 European Ryder Cup Captain José María Olazábal, Argentine Estanislao Goya, Scotland’s Chris Doak, Swede Rikard Karlberg and the English pair of John Parry and David Howell.

At the first play-off hole, Olazábal, Howell and Parry all made birdie to progress, Parry securing a Major Championship debut and Olazábal and Howell earning their first appearances at the US Open since 2007 and 2011 respectively.

Olazábal said: “I’m very pleased to be going to Merion. It’s not very often you are involved in a six-man play-off so I’m delighted to get through and get a place in the US Open.”

Howell said: “I’m delighted to get through. They were generous odds in the play-off but someone has to miss out, so thankfully I made it through.

“Things have been going better for me the last year or so but you want to be playing in the Major Championship. From what I hear Merion is a brilliant course and hopefully I can do well.”

Doak, Goya and Karlberg all made pars on the subsequent two additional holes before Karlberg struck a tree with his tee shot on the fourth and could only make bogey, meaning the Swede was the unfortunate man to miss out.

Both Goya and Doak will play in the US Open Championship for the first time, with Doak also making his debut in any of the four Majors after coming through 40 holes at Walton Heath.

He said: “I’m really excited about it. I’ve got one of the golden tickets and it is fantastic. I actually lost in a play-off for The Open Championship last year, so it’s nice to actually get to a Major.”

Results from Walton Heath

1 Simon KHAN                             ENG             67      70                              137       -7

2 Jaco VAN ZYL                             RSA              71      67                              138       -6

Paul CASEY                               ENG             74      64                              138       -6

4 Morten Ørum MADSEN                 DEN             67      72                              139       -5

5 Peter HEDBLOM                         SWE             67      73                              140       -4

Eddie PEPPERELL                        ENG             70      70                              140       -4

Marcus FRASER                          AUS              71      69                              140       -4

8 John PARRY                              ENG             66      75                              141       -3

David HOWELL                           ENG             68      73                              141       -3

José María OLAZÁBAL                   ESP              68      73                              141       -3

Estanislao GOYA                         ARG             69      72                              141       -3

Chris DOAK                               SCO              71      70                              141       -3

RACV Royal Pines

The new beginning for the Australian PGA Championship is off to a flying start with the appointment of Graham Marsh Golf Design as designers at RACV Royal Pines Resort.

The appointment follows hard on the heels of RACV’s commitment to invest at least $5 million in improving the challenge of the course and establishing it as the true ‘home of Championship Golf’ as part of the agreement to host the Australian PGA Championship at RACV Royal Pines Resort for the next five years.

The appointment was made by RACV following input from a Championship Planning Committee involving golf experts from the RACV, PGA of Australia and ALPG.

Sue Blake, Executive General Manager, RACV Club and Resorts, said the Committee was very impressed by the initial design concept which Graham Marsh Golf Design had proposed.

“RACV Royal Pines Resort has a high-profile in the golfing world, and there was strong interest from a number of top-calibre designers, making this a much sought after commission,” Ms Blake said Graham impressed us with his wonderful ability to meet the needs associated with one of our top resort courses also being a test of golf for both men and women professional players, each at their championship levels.

Ms Blake said the exciting design concept, which would be refined in coming months, proposed substantial changes to all green complexes, fairway bunkers and greenside bunkers, with some holes being redesigned and improvements made for spectators.

“The improvements to the course will benefit both the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Ladies Masters, as well as our many members, guests and corporate groups who enjoy playing at RACV Royal Pines,” Ms Blake said.

“RACV and its partners the PGA of Australia and ALPG will now work with Graham Marsh Golf Design to refine the design, and we plan to start work on the improvements later this year, after November’s Australian PGA Championship,” Ms Blake said.

RACV Royal Pines Resort provides a ‘five star’ environment to host the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Ladies Masters, which have a reputation for being fun, relaxed tournaments for players, their families and spectators.

Located close to the new Metricon Stadium, which will be the focus of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Resort has top quality facilities and regularly hosts major conferences, corporate and sporting events.

Since acquiring Royal Pines Resort in 2008, RACV has heavily invested in new facilities, services and infrastructure including the award winning Videre Restaurant, Executive Lounge, and Trattoria Amici Restaurant for the benefit of our members and guests. Construction of a new Day Spa facility commenced earlier this year.

Mark E. Newell, Chairman, USGA Rules of Golf, Michael Davis, USGA Executive Director and Glen D. Nager, USGA President, during a press conference at the USGA headquarters. (Copyright USGA/Chris Keane)

The United States Golf Association (USGA) and The R&A, golf’s governing bodies, have announced the adoption of Rule 14-1b of the Rules of Golf that prohibits anchoring the club in making a stroke. The new Rule will take effect on January 1, 2016, in accordance with the regular four-year cycle for changes to the Rules of Golf.
Rule 14-1b, which was proposed on November 28, 2012, has now been given final approval by the USGA and The R&A following an extensive review by both organizations. The decision to adopt the new Rule came after a comprehensive process in which comments and suggestions from across the golf community were collected and thoroughly considered.

The USGA and The R&A have prepared a detailed report to explain the reasons for the decision to adopt Rule 14-1b. The report explains the principles on which the Rules of Golf are founded, why freely swinging the entire club is the essence of the traditional method of stroke, and why anchoring is a substantially different form of stroke that may alter and diminish the fundamental challenges of the game. It points out that the Rule will still allow the use of belly-length and long putters and that a wide variety of types of strokes remain for players to use. The report concludes that the new Rule should not adversely affect participation in the game, that it is not too late or unfair to require players to comply with it and that it will remove concerns about any potential advantage that anchoring provides. It also makes clear that one set of Rules is essential to the future health of the game. The report, entitled Explanation of Decision to Adopt Rule 14-1b of the Rules of Golf, can be found at www.usga.org/anchoring or at www.RandA.org/anchoring.

“Having considered all of the input that we received, both before and after the proposed Rule was announced, our best judgment is that Rule 14-1b is necessary to preserve one of the important traditions and challenges of the game – that the player freely swing the entire club,” said USGA President Glen D. Nager. “The new Rule upholds the essential nature of the traditional method of stroke and eliminates the possible advantage that anchoring provides, ensuring that players of all skill levels face the same challenge inherent in the game of golf.”

Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A said: “We took a great deal of time to consider this issue and received a variety of contributions from individuals and organisations at all levels of the game. The report published today gives a comprehensive account of the reasons for taking the decision to adopt the new Rule and addresses the concerns that have been raised. We recognise this has been a divisive issue but after thorough consideration we remain convinced that this is the right decision for golf.”

The current Rule 14-1 of the Rules of Golf will be re-numbered as Rule 14-1a, and new Rule 14-1b will be established as follows:

14-1b Anchoring the Club

In making a stroke, the player must not anchor the club, either “directly” or by use of an “anchor point.”

Note 1:  The club is anchored “directly” when the player intentionally holds the club or a gripping hand in contact with any part of his body, except that the player may hold the club or a gripping hand against a hand or forearm.

Note 2:  An “anchor point” exists when the player intentionally holds a forearm in contact with any part of his body to establish a gripping hand as a stable point around which the other hand may swing the club.

Rule 14-1b will not alter current equipment rules and allows for the continued use of all conforming golf clubs, including belly-length and long putters, provided such clubs are not anchored during a stroke. The new Rule narrowly targets only a few types of strokes, while preserving a golfer’s ability to play a wide variety of strokes in his or her individual style.

The January 1, 2016, timetable for implementation also provides an extended period in which golfers may, if necessary, adapt their method of stroke to the requirements of the new Rule.

David Rickman, Executive Director of Rules and Equipment Standards at The R&A, said: “This Rule change addresses the future and not the past. Everyone who has used an anchored stroke in the past, or who does so between now and January 1, 2016, will have played entirely within the Rules and their achievements will in no way be diminished.”

“The discussion around the Rule has been very helpful, and we appreciate that so many different perspectives were offered,” said USGA Executive Director Mike Davis. “We know that not everyone will agree with the new Rule, but it is our hope that all golfers will accept that this decision is reasoned and motivated by our best judgment in defining the sport and serving the best interests of the game.”

For more information about the adopted Rule, including a demonstration video, photos, infographics, and a Guidance Document for Players and Officials, visit www.usga.org/anchoring orwww.RandA.org/anchoring.

Matthew Griffin

Australian Matthew Griffin won his second OneAsia title in less than a year when the final round of the SK Telecom Open was called off without a shot being played because of thick fog at Pinx Golf Club on Korea’s Jeju Island.

Griffin can credit a spectacular 40 foot putt from off the back of the 18th green on Saturday for the win, as it meant he held a one-shot lead over Korean veteran Kang Wook-soon at the end of three rounds.

The tournament ended in similar circumstances in 2011 when Kurt Barnes was declared the winner after fog prevented any play in the final round.

Built on a plateaux, Pinx Golf Club is prone to rolling fog from the extinct Mount Halla volcano, but the weather had been perfect for two rounds — albeit damp and windy for the third.

“It’s unfortunate to finish like this, but I’ll take it,” said Griffin, 29, who banked 200,000 won (around U.S. $180,000) for the win and leapt to the top of the OneAsia Order of Merit with earnings of over $233,000 for the season.

“I thought my final putt yesterday was big as it gave me the lead, but I didn’t think it would be the winning putt. It just goes to show you really must try and make everything.”

Griffin recorded rounds of 64, 67 and 72 for a 13-under par aggregate of 203 around the 6,732 metre (7,361 yard) course — one better than Kang and four ahead of China’s Hu Mu and Koreans Lee Ki-sang and Park Do-kyu.

The 29-year-old from Melbourne has developed a liking for Korea after winning OneAsia’s Charity High1 Resort Open in September — his second professional title following victory at the South Pacific Open Golf Championship on the PGA Tour of Australasia a year earlier.

“High1 was fantastic but this feels even better,” said Griffin. “I never really played well in Korea in the past — which is surprising because I think the courses suit me — but it looks like I’ve found my way here now.”

Griffin has taken up membership of the Korean Tour and will stay to play next week’s Happiness Kwangju Bank Open before heading to the United States in a bid to qualify for the U.S. Open.

Royal Melbourne will play host to the world's best players once again in November

The International Federation of PGA Tours, an organization of the top professional golf tours in the world that sanctions the World Golf Championships and the World Cup of Golf, is proud to join the State of Victoria and the International Golf Association in announcing that the 2013 World Cup of Golf will return to The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and will be played from November 21-24.

The Royal Melbourne Golf Club, which hosted The Presidents Cup 2011, will host back-to-back events in November. The World Cup will be preceded on the calendar by the Australian Masters, which boasts Adam Scott as the defending champion.

The World Cup has been played three previous times in Australia, each at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club. The event was last played in Australia in 1988 as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebrations when the United States team of Ben Crenshaw and Mark McCumber defeated the Japanese team of Masashi (Jumbo) and Tateo Ozaki to win the tournament.

“It is an honour to host the World Cup and welcome another international golf event to Melbourne, home of great sporting events and, of course, the incredible Sandbelt region,” said Victorian Premier Dr. Denis Napthine.

“Melbourne is the pride of Australia when it comes to major events, and we would argue rivals any city in the world in that regard. Today’s announcement is another exciting chapter for Melbourne, and we eagerly anticipate the World Cup in November, when we can once again showcase all that Victoria has to offer to the event’s players and fans.”

Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia, welcomed the World Cup announcement.

“On behalf of the PGA, we’re thrilled to be the host sanctioning partner for the 2013 World Cup and to welcome the world’s best golfers back to Australia.

“The Victorian Major Events Company and IMG continue to be wonderful supporters of Australian golf and I congratulate them on their vision to bring the World Cup back to Australia.

“As a nation, we’ve got a long and proud history with this event dating back to its beginnings as the Canada Cup when Kel Nagle and Peter Thomson prevailed twice, and we’re delighted to see this tradition continue at Royal Melbourne in 2013.

“The addition of the World Cup will complement an already strong swing of PGA Tour of Australasia tournaments throughout October and November and will significantly boost the international player prospects for our major tournaments.

“Following on from their successful broadcast of the US Masters, I’m also pleased that Network Ten will broadcast the World Cup live on free to air.”

As part of the move, the event boasts an $8 million total purse and returns to an individual, stroke-play competition for $7 million, with a team component (adding the total scores of two-man teams) for $1 million.

The qualification system for the event is similar to that which will be used in the Olympic Games, when golf returns to the program in 2016. The field will include 60 players (no cut), with eligibility taken from the Official World Golf Ranking. Up to four players can qualify, per country, if they are in the top 15 of the OWGR. Beyond No. 15, up to a maximum of two players per country can qualify.

If two or more players from a country qualify, then the country is eligible for team competition, with the top-two players comprising the qualified team.

The major difference between the World Cup qualification model and that of the Olympic golf competition is that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will each be considered a separate country (for the purpose of the Olympics, those four countries compete as Great Britain). Further, the Olympic Games golf competition will not feature a team component OWGR points will be awarded for the individual portion of the competition.

“We’re thrilled that the World Cup will return to Australia, bringing this historic event to a venue, city and country that have hosted the biggest and best international sporting events for many years,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem on behalf of the International Federation of PGA Tours.

“The Presidents Cup 2011 was the best in event history, thanks in no small part to the welcome provided to us by the incredible Australian sports fans, the Victorian government and the Victorian Major Events Company . With all of those ingredients still in place, and added to them Adam Scott’s win at the Masters Tournament in April, there is tremendous momentum and excitement for the World Cup 2013.”

“Melbourne, Australia, is a perfect venue for the World Cup,” said Jon Linen, chairman of the International Golf Association. “We look forward to a terrific competition this November and are confident that the many sports fans in Melbourne will turn out to cheer on the Australian team and the players from many other countries who will be participating in the event.”

IMG, which is staging the Australian Masters in the week preceding at Royal Melbourne, will also manage the delivery of the World Cup.

Global Head of Golf at IMG Guy Kinnings said, “Australian golf is fortunate to have such outstanding support from the Victorian Government and we are delighted to have the opportunity to partner the 2013 World Cup immediately following the Australian Masters, which we are proud to stage at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the first time.”

The tournament was founded by the International Golf Association in association with industrialist John Jay Hopkins for the purpose of promoting international goodwill through golf. It began in 1953 as the Canada Cup and was renamed World Cup in 1967.

The World Cup was staged as part of the World Golf Championships series from 2000 to 2006. In 2010, it was announced that the event would change from annual to biennial, held in odd-numbered years, to accommodate the 2016 inclusion of golf in the Olympics Games.

The United States has a clear lead in team wins, with 24, including Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland in 2011. Australia holds four World Cup titles, the last coming in 1989 (Wayne Grady/Peter Fowler). Peter Thomson and Kel Nagle won two of Australia’s World Cup titles, including the country’s first in 1954 when it was held at Royal Melbourne.

The 2013 World Cup will mark the fourth occasion that Melbourne has hosted the event and it remains the only city outside the United States to have staged the Presidents Cup on two occasions.

The World Cup is the fifth worldwide event sanctioned by the International Federation of PGA Tours, joining the four World Golf Championships – Accenture Match Play Championship (Arizona, USA); Cadillac Championship (Florida, USA); Bridgestone Invitational (Ohio, USA); HSBC Champions (Shanghai, China).

Quick Facts: Australia and the World Cup

• Australia is ranked fourth in overall performance at the World Cup since 1953, having won the title four times, and finished runner up five time
• Australia last claimed the World Cup title in 1989, when Peter Fowler and Wayne Grady prevailed over local favourites, Spain
• Royal Melbourne is the only Australian course to have ever hosted the World Cup, 2013 marking the fourth occasion
• Royal Melbourne has previously hosted the World Cup in 1988, 1972 and 1959
• Australia has won the World Cup once on home soil in 1959
• The victorious 1959 Australian World Cup team was represented by PGA Life Members and World Golf Hall of Fame inductees Peter Thomson and Kel Nagle
• Thomson and Nagle also claimed the title in 1954 and finished runners up on two occasions in 1955 and 1961
• Australia’s last glimpse of World Cup success came in 1995 at Mission Hills in China when Robert Allenby and Brett Ogle finished runners up to Fred Couples and Davis Love III who with the win claimed their fourth consecutive World Cup title
• The US team of Couples and Love share the record for the most wins at the World Cup with compatriots Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, who likewise won the title on four occasions
• Formerly known as the Canada Cup, the tournament became known as the World Cup in 1967

Brett Rumford (Photo: OneAsia)

Brett Rumford became the first Australian to win back to back European Tour titles for more than 40 years with a short game masterclass at the Volvo China Open.

Jack Newton, in 1972, was the last Australian to achieve the feat, and Rumford followed in his footsteps by adding the Volvo China Open to his victory in last week’s Ballantine’s Championship.

The two wins were secured in contrasting fashion, as Rumford had to overcome a nailbiting play-off in Korea last week, but strolled to the title by four shots at Binhai Lake, in Tianjin.

Rumford surged clear with five birdies in ten holes to turn the final round into a procession, and a brace of bogeys late in his round were of little consequence as he signed for a four under par round of 68 and a 16 under par total to finish four clear of Finland’s Mikko Ilonen.

Rumford was 138th in The Race to Dubai prior to his win last week, but now leads the way on €811,806, having won €775,406 in his past two tournaments.

“It’s surreal,” said Rumford. “I’m more than pleased, but its not my doing completely — I have a great team around me.”

“It’s the first time I’ve actually played the week after a win. It’s hard to get my head around it at the moment.

“It was such a long wait for my last win, so to win again this week is beyond my wildest dreams. Pegging it up this week, the confidence was high and the course was really to my liking.

“Physically yesterday I was a bit flat, but I got myself up this morning, and got the job done. It was a tough day in that wind, and credit to Mikko [Ilonen], because he pushed me hard. But I managed to give myself some breathing space with the three birdies on the bounce. The bunker shot on the 12th was definitely the turning point, because I could so easily have dropped a shot there. After that, I was always pretty confident of not letting it slip, although those two late bogeys gave me a bit of a scare.”

Ilonen’s 71 saw him finish on 12 under, one ahead of France’s Victor Dubuisson, with first round leader Robert-Jan Derksen taking fourth.

SCORES

After round 4 of the Volvo China Open 2013 being played at the par 72, 7,667 yards Tianjin Binhai Lake Golf Club course (a- denotes amateur):

272 – Brett RUMFORD (AUS) 68-67-69-68.

276 – Mikko ILONEN (FIN) 69-63-73-71.

277 – Victor DUBUISSON (FRA) 71-72-66-68.

278 – Robert-Jan DERKSEN (NED) 66-70-73-69.

279 – Ricardo SANTOS (POR) 70-72-68-69, Pablo LARRAZABAL (ESP) 71-66-69-73.

280 – Andreas HARTO (DEN) 72-71-70-67.

281 – Felipe AGUILAR (CHI) 71-73-68-69, Paul CASEY (ENG) 71-68-72-70, Thomas BJORN (DEN) 70-73-68-70, Joost LUITEN (NED) 73-67-68-73.

282 – Ricardo GONZALEZ (ARG) 73-71-67-71, Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 68-67-72-75.

283 – Raphael JACQUELIN (FRA) 68-72-75-68, Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 72-69-73-69, Andy SULLIVAN (ENG) 74-68-72-69, Aaron TOWNSEND (AUS) 69-70-74-70, Gregory HAVRET (FRA) 72-70-71-70, Lee SLATTERY (ENG) 69-68-74-72, Paul LAWRIE (SCO) 69-72-70-72.

284 – Emiliano GRILLO (ARG) 73-71-70-70, Paul WARING (ENG) 72-68-73-71, Steve WEBSTER (ENG) 73-67-71-73.

285 – Johan EDFORS (SWE) 73-69-73-70, Mark FOSTER (ENG) 70-69-75-71, Stephen GALLACHER (SCO) 70-71-71-73, Matthew BALDWIN (ENG) 70-71-70-74, PARK Sang-hyun (KOR) 69-70-71-75.

286 – Tommy FLEETWOOD (ENG) 71-70-72-73, Soren HANSEN (DEN) 72-69-72-73, Richie RAMSAY (SCO) 71-68-73-74, Damien McGRANE (IRL) 73-66-73-74.

287 – AN Byeong-hun (KOR) 73-68-74-72, Markus BRIER (AUT) 71-71-73-72, Moritz LAMPERT (GER) 72-72-71-72, Matthew GRIFFIN (AUS) 70-68-76-73, Soren KJELDSEN (DEN) 72-68-74-73, DOU Ze-cheng (am, CHN) 70-72-72-73, Branden GRACE (RSA) 74-67-72-74, Graeme STORM (ENG) 70-68-74-75.

288 – Nick CULLEN (AUS) 72-69-78-69, Eddie PEPPERELL (ENG) 75-68-75-70, Richard BLAND (ENG) 72-71-75-70, Estanislao GOYA (ARG) 70-74-74-70, Kristoffer BROBERG (SWE) 74-67-75-72, Edoardo MOLINARI (ITA) 75-68-73-72, Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 74-69-72-73, Alexander NOREN (SWE) 70-73-71-74.

289 – Andrew DODT (AUS) 72-71-77-69, Magnus A CARLSSON (SWE) 71-73-72-73.

290 – Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 76-68-76-70, LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 74-70-75-71, Fabrizio ZANOTTI (PAR) 71-69-77-73, Rafael CABRERA- BELLO (ESP) 72-70-72-76.

291 – Michael HENDRY (NZL) 74-67-75-75, Richard FINCH (ENG) 71-70-75-75, Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) 69-73-74-75, JB HANSEN (DEN) 73-69-71-78.

292 – Niclas FASTH (SWE) 73-68-78-73, Garrett SAPP (USA) 70-74-74-74.

293 – Joel SJOHOLM (SWE) 74-65-76-78, Peter WHITEFORD (SCO) 73-69-73-78.

Brett Rumford. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Australia’s Brett Rumford showed he is the man for the big occasion when he prevailed in a three-way play-off with compatriot Marcus Fraser and Scotland’s Peter Whiteford to win the €2,205,000 (Approximately US$2.8 million) Ballantine’s Championship.

After returning to the 18^th tee for the play-off, Rumford fired a spectacular second shot which landed within six feet from the pin.  The 35-year-old made no mistake in draining his eagle putt which made him the second Australian after Fraser to win the Ballantine’s Championship.

Rumford could have sealed his victory at the Ballantine’s Championship in regulation play as he looked set to be cruising towards victory after an outward-30 at the Blackstone Golf Club.

He led by two shots with two holes to play until a double-bogey six on the 17^th hole saw him lose the outright lead.

The 35-year-old, however ensured he was back in command during the play-off with his brilliant approach shot where he eagled to finally end his six-year title drought.

“It was a roller coaster day for me. One shot can really turn events, and obviously 17 proved that.  I seemingly had everything under control, and I was thinking, it’s just two good drives coming home and then I hit two into the trees which wasn’t my ideal finish,” said Rumford.

“It’s an honour to win any time, and it’s only getting harder and harder. As the years go on, I’m getting older and there’re more and more young guys coming through with really big games, and the face of golf is changing with technology and obviously with the fitness of these young guys coming through, the ball going so much further. So it’s great to be in this position today and an honour to win the Ballantine’s Championship,” added Rumford.

Fraser, who was bidding to win his second Ballantine’s Championship following his victory in 2010, tipped his hat to Rumford for being a deserving winner.

“I played very well this week and came up a little bit short. I got beaten by some pretty good golf today.  That shot into the playoff hole was pretty impressive.  He (Rumford) would easily agree it’s one of the best shots he’s ever hit to, so full credit to him.,” said Fraser.

“I played the play-off hole really well.  Hit the second shot a little bit left and hit a great chip to about a foot. But that wasn’t good enough and that’s the way it is, that’s golf and we are big boys, we’ll get over it I’m sure,” added Fraser.

It was a heartbreaking moment for Whiteford as he could have sealed his win at the Ballantine’s Championship with his birdie putt from five-feet on the final 18^th hole.

The ball, however went inches off from the pin, leaving Whiteford deflated and searching for answers.

“I thought it was a decent putt but I obviously misread it.  I’ll  take the positives, press on and see if I can go one better,” said Whiteford.

The sixth edition of the Ballantine’s Championship was the first event to be played in Korea on the Asian Tour this season and is once again sanctioned by the Asian Tour, European Tour and Korea PGA.

Leading scores after round 4 of the Ballantine’s Championship 2013 being played at the par 72, 7281 Yards Blackstone GC course (a- denotes amateur):

277 – Brett RUMFORD (AUS) 73-67-69-68, Marcus FRASER (AUS) 70-70-69-68, Peter WHITEFORD (SCO) 70-69-69-69.

* Rumford won with an eagle in first play-off hole

279 – Romain WATTEL (FRA) 70-69-71-69.

280 – Louis OOSTHUIZEN (RSA) 69-71-71-69.

281 – Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 71-72-73-65, KIM Hyung-sung (KOR) 71-69-74-67, Stephen GALLACHER (SCO) 70-68-75-68, Pablo LARRAZABAL (ESP) 70-70-68-73, Alexander NOREN (SWE) 71-67-69-74.

282 – HONG Soon-sang (KOR) 71-71-73-67, KIM Gi-whan (KOR) 67-72-75-68, S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND) 71-70-73-68, K.T. KIM (KOR) 74-68-71-69, Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 71-66-75-70, Jose Manuel LARA (ESP) 71-67-72-72.

Adam Scott

Just a few months after winning the gold jacket in the Australian Masters, Adam Scott has  finally delivered the goods for Australian golf — taking home the green US Masters Jacket in dramatic fashion over Angel Cabrera in the dusk at Augusta National.

First, Scott made an out-of-this world putt on the 72nd hole in regulation — igniting a thunderous chorus of cheers that was heard from Augusta to Down Under. The putt gave him a one-shot lead over Cabrera at 9-under par. Not to be outdone, Cabrera (in the following group) then pured his approach shot to two feet, with  the ensuing birdie leaving him tied with Scott, sending this 77th US Masters to a playoff.

After squaring the first playoff hole on 18 with pars (with a near chip-in for birdie by Cabrera that barely shaved the hole), they moved to the tenth.

On that second playoff hole, Cabrera’s bid for his uphill twenty-footer somehow stayed above the hole and it set the stage for Adam Scott’s historic winning putt that he poured in confidently. At last, Australia has its green jacket that’s been coveted all these years.

In unquestionably his finest moment as a professional, Scott gave credit to the great Greg Norman for his influence on his career.

“Part of this is for him because he’s given me so much time and inspiration and belief,” Scott said, “And I drew on that today.”

While Norman was certainly an icon and inspiration for Scott throughout his early years, he was also responsible for helping Scott turn his career around, courtesy of a Presidents Cup “Captains Pick” in 2009, which came as a surprise to many as Scott was in a horrible slump at the time.

Many believe that that moment was a turning point for Scott, and has helped boost him back into the world’s top performers.

Perhaps Scott’s story will continue to inspire others to pursue the magnificent green jacket here at Augusta National.

Following the win, Australian golf fans went wild on Twitter, with many fans tweeting their support. In addition, the Australian golf industry showered praise onto Adam:

(With Garret Johnston)

Terry North has been performing Stand-up for 15 years, has toured Australia, performed New Zealand and off course the UK.

Before this he worked on the European Golf Tour for nine years.

Put the two together and you get “FAIRWAY TO HEAVEN”

If you love golf, or even if you just like it a bit, you will love this show. This is what they said in Adelaide:

Terry North’s latest show, Fairway To Heaven, is a comedic tribute to all things golf; called so because, as the Fringe guide says, all the other four-letter words were taken. With the odd ‘wife’ and ‘life’ joke thrown in here and there – as you do – there is plenty to laugh at with an array of golf one-liners too good to pass up. Comfortable on stage, and full of interesting golfing facts and YouTube clips, North takes his audience on an amble through golfing tips and spits in a relaxed, fun evening that is definitely one for lovers of golf.

Show’s are at: The Elephant & Wheelbarrow, cnr Bourke And Exhibition Sts, Melbourne.

Sunday/Tuesday 9.30pm, Thursdays 9.30 and Saturdays and Sundays 4.30pm

Full details can be found here: http://www.tixnofee.com/listing.php?showid=267

Last year's finalists of the Lexus Cup

Every Australian club golfer who wants to play the magnificent Royal Melbourne golf course or drive a luxury Lexus IS 250 X Special Edition sedan will get a chance to do so this year, following last month’s launch of the Lexus Cup powered by Golf Link.

The innovative competition, which saw more than 35,000 Australian club golfers tee up in its inaugural season last year, has proved so popular there will be two rounds of qualifying in 2013, two luxury Lexus sedans to give away and twice the finalists to Royal Melbourne.

Lexus, one of Australia’s most prestigious vehicle brands, has signed on as sponsor of the event for another two years after the success of 2012 and co-sponsors Callaway Golf, Go Golfing golf tours, Australian Golf Digest and the Golf Link Wine Club will be joined this year by new partner and Official Timekeeper TAG Heuer to add even more incentive for competitors in 2013.

“The addition of an iconic luxury brand like TAG Heuer to the prestigious Lexus brand and our array of quality co-sponsors demonstrate the commercial value that Golf Link and the enthusiastic club golfer represents,” said Golf Link CEO Craig Connelly. “Add to this the fact that the 2012 Lexus Cup generated an increase in rounds played by registered golfers of almost 10% during the 3 month period the Lexus Cup ran for, and the benefit of this innovative golf competition to the wider golf industry is obvious.”

The Lexus Cup powered by Golf Link is free to enter. Club golfers simply register their name and play a minimum of six rounds during one, or both, of the 13-week qualifying periods.

In addition to playing for thousands of dollars worth of weekly and monthly prizes at club, state and national levels, by simply playing the minimum number of rounds to qualify – whether you score 40 points or 14 – participants are entered into the draw to win an all new Lexus luxury car in each Series.

A national online leaderboard is updated daily, so competitors can follow their progress in the competition which sees two winners from each grade in each Series flown to Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the 16-person National Final, including a day in the Lexus Marquee at the Melbourne Cup.

The more than 35,000 golfers who teed up in the 2012 Lexus Cup played a remarkable  433,884 rounds between them, an increase of almost 10 per cent over the number of rounds played by the same group in 2011.

The 8 lucky players who made it to the final last year all sang the praises of what was a once in a lifetime experience for most – and there’ll be 16 in 2013.

Bill Basan from Magenta Shores Golf and Country Club and manager at Cabramatta GC taking out the inaugural Lexus Golf Link Cup said “The rules official gave me the tip before the round – If you miss the green, miss it short and if you putt up you won’t get in any trouble – and it worked. What a great moment in my life.”

“All the competitors would agree we gained a lot from the day,” said 2012 B Grade winner Anthony Quattrone. “I had a fantastic experience in the Lexus marquee and the hotel was fantastic… My wife appreciated everything!”

Ladies runner-up Libby Stewart concurred. “As a lucky finalist I had the time of my life experiencing Royal Melbourne, various social functions and a sensational Melbourne Cup day,” she said. “The organisation was superb and I extend a big thank you to all involved.”

But those who made it to the final weren’t the only winners.

Derek Taylor from Gungahlin Lakes Golf Club in the ACT was ranked 12,409 on the national leaderboard after he played his eighth round of the 2012 event but he was still perhaps the biggest winner of all. Taylor hit the jackpot when his name was drawn as the winner of an all new Lexus GS 250 Luxury sedan worth more than $80,000. “I think I’ll be the envy of the golf club car park. In fact, I think I’ll just stand by the car for the first few rounds just to rub it in! The first trip I’ll make is with three other mates on a golfing holiday to the Murray region. The ride down will be very comfortable in the Lexus.”

This year there will be two lucky contestants driving away in brand new vehicles with each of the 15 week qualifiers giving away a Lexus IS 250 sedan valued at up to $65,000.

Registration for the 2013 Lexus Cup powered by Golf Link is open now at: www.lexuscup.com.au

Stacey Keating with Vic Open Trophy

Local favourite Stacey Keating capped off a tremendous summer by winning her State Open, the Women’s Victorian Open, which was played at the magnificent Thirteenth Beach Golf Links, Barwon Heads.

Keating’s goals at the start of the ALPG season included performing better at home than her had done in the past two years and putting herself in contention as much as possible.  The talented golfer from Cressy certainly achieved both, she posted top 10 finishes in the Bing Lee Samsung Women’s NSW Open and the Volvik RACV Ladies Masters.  She then was third in the ISPS Handa New Zealand Women’s Open and today’s win in front of many family and friends was the icing on the cake.

In front of huge galleries Keating fired a final round of three-under-par 71 to finish at 18-under-par total and two clear of England’s Hanna Burke (66) and Western Australian Kristie Smith (68).

The two-time winner on the Ladies European Tour in 2012 was thrilled with her first major victory on home soil.

“It means everything this win, it is the best.”  Keating said.

An eagle on the par-5 9^th was a turning point for Keating “I was over par at that point and I had just  missed a short putt on 8^th, then the eagle got me from over par to under par , which made me feel better going into the back nine.”

Luck also played its part in her win, particularly on the par 3 12^th when an errant tee shot  hit a spectator and bounced back onto the green and finished six feet from the pin,  she went on to  convert the birdie putt.

Keating, who took at four shot lead into today’s final round, didn’t have it her own way at all.  Early in her round she had relinquished her lead to unknown Spaniard Mireia Prat who was soaring up the leaderboard with a barrage of birdies and an eagle.    The Spaniard was eight-under through11 holes, but two bogeys in five holes faulted on her momentum.

There were a number of players that got within striking distance of Keating but the 26-year-old stayed patient and made crucial birdies on the 11^th, 12^th and 14^th holes to go clear of the field.

Even with a three shot lead playing the last, she played it safe, rescue, rescue, wedge into the par five, she then took three putts to secure the victory.

ACT’s Nikki Campbell (68) finished outright fourth at 15-under-par, with Prat and Queensland Bree Arthur (67) a further shot back.  New South Wales Rebecca Artis (68) and England’s Laura Davies (68) finished tied for seventh at 13-under-par, while Western Australian Jessica Speechley (70) and South Australian Tamie Durdin (70) rounded out the top 10.

RACV Royal Pines

The PGA of Australia has confirmed the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola has found a new home on Queensland’s Gold Coast at RACV Royal Pines.

Following an extensive search within the Sunshine State where a number of competitive offers were considered, a series of new agreements will now see Australia’s oldest Professional Championship contested on the Gold Coast for the next five years.

The agreements include the renewed support of the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, as well as investments by RACV, Gold Coast City Council and Gold Coast Tourism.

Brian Thorburn, CEO of the PGA of Australia said that the partnerships will provide major leverage to grow the Championship into one of the biggest events on the Gold Coast calendar.

“This is a significant and exciting day in the history of the Australian PGA Championship,” said Thorburn.

“The Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola holds great importance to the entire PGA Membership, and the relocation to RACV Royal Pines on the Gold Coast now provides us with the required assets to grow the tournament.”

“With a significant population base and its natural tourism appeal, we now have a wonderful opportunity to attract increased interstate and international visitors to the region and contribute considerably to targets set by Tourism Australia as part of their 2020 vision.”

“The Australian PGA Championship has a reputation for being a fun, relaxed tournament and we think we have the opportunity to not only recreate, but enhance that at RACV Royal Pines. Additionally, the opportunity to work alongside RACV is a significant one, and we’re looking forward to developing a multifaceted partnership over the next five years.”

Thorburn added that while the Championship has enjoyed continued support from the likes of the Queensland Government, Coca-Cola Amatil, Volkswagen and Emirates, he also believes the move will attract a new naming rights sponsor.

“We’d previously had feedback from a number of potential sponsors that they would be interested in key sponsorships if the tournament moved to a region with a larger population base, so we’ve now put the event in the best possible position to reach new heights in terms of entertainment value, prize money and commercial opportunities.”

“While we’ve attracted considerable support from many companies on the Gold Coast, RACV and its sister motoring clubs across Australia, have a combined membership of more than seven million, which provides great opportunities to partner and deliver benefits for this tournament, the PGA in general and the wider industry.”

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey welcomed the PGA’s decision to host the Championship on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

“I am pleased the organisers have been able to secure a new venue which will allow them to get on with planning for the 2013 tournament to be held later in the year,” Ms Stuckey said.

“As we look toward the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, it is major international sporting events like this that showcase the Gold Coast as a premier event and holiday destination.”

The proud home to the Ladies Masters since 1992, RACV Royal Pines is no stranger to hosting world-class tournaments.

“RACV has excellent golf credentials through its management of four Club and Resort golf courses in Queensland and Victoria, hosting and sponsoring the Ladies Masters, support of Australian Master of the Amateurs tournament, sponsorship of young players and our very successful Golf Membership program, which has almost 3,000 members,” said Sue Blake, Executive General Manager, RACV Club and Resorts.

“RACV is delighted to partner with the PGA of Australia to present this world-class event and we will work closely with the PGA to enhance this tournament including investing $5m over the next three years to make changes to the course that meet the PGA’s requirements.”

The Australian PGA Championship moves to the Gold Coast after 11 years at Coolum.

The Championship however has previously been contested on the Gold Coast on three occasions, at Surfers Paradise (1970 and 1971) and at Burleigh Heads (1975).

2013 will mark the first time in over 10 years that the PGA Tour of Australasia has staged a major tournament on the Gold Coast, the last being the 2001 Australian Open, won by Stuart Appleby.

“The Gold Coast is renowned for its world-class golf courses and I am delighted to showcase them during the 2013 Australian PGA Championship,” said City of Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate.

“The Gold Coast has earned a reputation as Australia’s emerging sports capital and it’s fitting to have this much loved event back in the city after a decade long hiatus,” said Cr Tate.

The 2013 Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola will again be co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and OneAsia.

During the announcement Thorburn also confirmed that Network Ten will continue to broadcast the Championship, with all four days to be showcased live across the country on free-to-air.

Additionally, the Gold Coast will be showcased internationally through OneAsia’s television platform that spans 400 million homes in more than 40 countries, with all four days broadcast via ESPN Star Sports, Jupiter Golf Network, SBS Golf Channel, Fox International and Sky Sports NZ among others.

The Australian PGA Championship was first played in 1905 with the Joe Kirkwood Cup boasting the names of past champions including Kel Nagle, Peter Thomson, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros and Greg Norman.

More recent Champions include Geoff Ogilvy (2008,) Robert Allenby (2000, 2001, 2005 & 2009,) Peter Senior (2010), Greg Chalmers (2011) and last year’s Champion Daniel Popovic.

Legends Golf Gourse

“Any nervous flyers among us?” asked the helicopter pilot as we took off to descend Hanglip Mountain. My sister yelled “NO!” which gave him the nod to take off and soar down over the cliff, followed by the most extreme acrobatics that gave us an incredible adrenalin rush. Firmly belted in, headphones on, and eyes closed, I thought the end had come at last.

We had just teed off the par-three Extreme 19th at the Entabeni Legends Golf Course in the Limpopo Provence of South Africa. Our party had taken off early in the morning in the game jeeps to the highest par-three in the world. The tee is located 430 meters on Hanglip Mountain and only accessible by helicopter. Leaving our clubs in the jeeps and armed with only our drivers, we were flown up in groups of four, and once assembled we were escorted to the tee box on the edge of the cliff.

It was the most awesome sight. We looked down on the postage-sized green below, shaped in the map of Africa and completely surrounded by a massive bunker. And we were meant to reach the fairway with one shot, let alone the green?

We were all given a quota of six balls, numbered and initialised, and the club professional gave us hints as to which direction to aim. The balls were followed and located by men on the fairway, who were armed with two-way radios relating to the pro as to where the balls landed. This experience was certainly a fantastic ice-breaker with lots of “oos” and “ahs”, cheers, and applause.

From our wild ride on the side of Hanglip Mountain we got mighty close to a friendly rhino who decided to scratch his tusks on the side of our safari car.  That was enough to wake us all up! Getting so close to the animals and meeting the happy, smiley village children was so special.  As was our visit to Nelson Mandela House — our guide Nic, a charming and friendly local, had a wonderful way of bring the history of South Africa to life. His caring attitude and thorough knowledge added much to the flavour of the tour.

A real treat towards the end of the tour was our stay at the Hyatt Hotel, Oubaii. Wow! Such a beautiful location, the hotel overlooks the ocean and from the balconies we had the most amazing views.  We really felt pampered and the spa was a welcoming retreat after tackling the tough Ernie Els layout.  It was a most rewarding, educational and enjoyable tour, where we made many friends that we look forward to travelling with again.

For more information about South Africa VIP Golf Tour, contact Go Golfing Travel on 07 5536 3280 or email info@gogolfing.net.au. Or visit: www.gogolfing.net.au

By Anna de Bondt

Big winners at 2012 RACV Ultimate Skins Challenge

Amateur golfers will compete for more than $10,000 in cash and prizes when the Ultimate Skins event returns to the Gold Coast at RACV Royal Pines from 30 June – 4 July 2013.

Starting back in 1983, Skins tournaments have traditionally been invitation only events where four of the world’s best PGA professionals have competed for million dollar prize pools. Tailored for television, the Skins are played over one round of 18 holes. Each hole has its own cash prize that is won by the pro with the lowest score on that hole. When the best score is tied, the cash jackpots to the next hole and all players are eligible to win.

Par is rarely good enough to win a hole and as such golfers tend to take greater risks in search of birdies and the cash. Excitement builds during the round with escalating cash prizes on each hole, and depending on jackpots, winning a single hole can make you an instant millionaire. Greg Norman won $1 million in the 2001 LG Skins event.

Gold Coast-based tournament organisers, Go Golfing, have hosted Skins events for club golfers for more than seven years. Such has been their popularity that Go Golfing launched the RACV Ultimate Skins at Royal Pines Resort last year. Teams of two play three rounds of stableford competition on the Ladies Masters championship layout at RACV Royal Pines Resort. The team accumulating the highest stableford total on each hole over the three rounds wins the prizes allocated to that hole. While there will be no million dollar payday for club golfers, there is $10,000 worth of prizes up for grabs.

The RACV Ultimate Skins has a minimum prize of $200 allocated to each hole, with some holes worth up to $1,000. Excitement builds when there is a tie for the best score as the prizes jackpot to the next hole with all of the teams back in the running to win.

Auckland’s Tony Tusa and Lorraine Clark were the big winners at the inaugural RACV Ultimate Skins last year, taking home an incredible $3,400 in prizes. Luck played a huge part in their winnings as Tony averaged just 28 stableford points and Lorraine 30 points over the 3 rounds.

Tony and Lorraine couldn’t believe their luck and the bounty of prizes which included a golf holiday, a $600 shopping spree in the Royal Pines pro shop, $400 Golf World voucher, 2 dozen premium wines and more.

Lorraine was both shocked and overjoyed with the winnings. “It’s amazing, we didn’t play very well at all, but we must have combined well on a couple of holes. Some teams scored much better on other holes only to tie and have the prizes jackpot. Luck played a big part in our wins.”

“The Skins is a great innovation and revealing the team scores hole-by-hole on the big screen at the end of the day was very exciting. We play for fun and the three rounds on the Ladies Masters layout in sunshine is just golfing bliss. Before we won any prizes we thought the all-inclusive tournament package was tremendous value and were very impressed with the event organisation.”

Go Golfing managing director Peter McCarthy has confirmed some subtle changes to spice up this year’s event. “Each day 3 random holes will be selected and these will be worth double stableford points. Sponsors have been keen to get on board and that translates to even better prizes.” Mr McCarthy says.

“We already have players from most states and New Zealand confirmed for this year.”

Go Golfing is renowned for running Australia’s biggest and richest tournaments for club golfers, including the Mitsubishi Motors World Masters Golf Championship on the Gold Coast each October for the past 18 years.

Contact Go Golfing for more information on 07 5536 8681 or email info@gogolfing.net.au. Visit the Go Golfing website at www.gogolfing.net.au

Turkey is fast becoming one of the most popular countries to travel to, and has an enormous amount to offer its visitors. Its past history of rulers, invaders and conquers have left a legacy of fascinating and interesting history and sights that will keep you wanting to learn and discover more.

Istanbul is the first port of call for most people arriving into Turkey, and there is a lot to see. The beautiful Blue tiles of the Blue Mosque, the exquisite mosaics of the Aya Sofia, the opulent Topkapi Palace where the Ottoman rulers kept their Harems, and the summer homes of the affluent – seen whilst cruising along the shores of the Bosphorus are top of the list, but my personal favourite would have to be the underground Basilica Cistern where in the dark depths of the underground, the water for the great palace was stored back in 532. It’s slightly spooky but well worth wandering around looking for Medusa’s head!

When hitting the tourist trail a must for any traveller from Australasia is a visit to pay your respects to the men who gave their lives on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915. ANZAC Cove is an emotional, moving place to visit, but the site is an informative tour into the hardships and realities of our heroes that gave their lives defending our countries almost 100 years ago and should not be missed.

Continuing south and stepping way back into the past there are Roman and Grecian ruins literally all over the countryside. The most famous of these would have to be Troy (nothing like the movie! – and no signs of Brad Pitt!) Pergamum and Ephesus give a wondrous insight to how lives were lived centuries ago, and the ruins have been recreated to give visitors a realistic feel as to how these cities were in their heydays. The famous Library at Ephesus makes you feel very insignificant and small, and wondering along the main paved road conjures up images of Romans peddling their wares.

Travelling in land, Pamukkale is like an oasis in the wilderness. After driving through dull brown countryside all of a sudden appears a crystal white hillside in the distance. It looks as though someone has turned on a snow-making machine in the middle of nowhere creating a small ski field. As you get closer you realise it is the famous Pamukkale Travertines.  Beneath Pamukkale and the ancient Roman city of Hierapolis lays a vast source of water heated by volcanic lava. The Romans used the ancient city (worthy of a visit in itself) as a place of healing, bathing in the Thermal waters at the Ancient Pool. If you have the chance, and the time, it’s well worth taking a dip in the 36C waters of the pool to relax amongst the fallen Roman columns.

If I had to choose, the highlight of my trip would have to be the Cappadocia area. It’s well worth making the effort to go to this mystical moonlike landscape area, where “fairy chimneys” (isolated pinnacles caused by erosion) look like giant mushrooms growing out of the ground, and rooms are carved out of the hillsides where the inhabitants lived. If you have the nerve -  try crawling around in the underground cities where upwards of 3000 people hid  for months on end hiding from the invading armies in the 6^th and 7^thcenturies. To top it all off, take an early morning Hot Air Balloon ride over this incredible landscape,  it’s an amazing sight to see upwards of 50 Hot Air Balloons floating over this dramatic landscape and something that will be forever etched in my mind.

I could go on and on about this special country – the very friendly, helpful and respectful people, the great shopping for leather goods (jackets a speciality), cotton clothing (excellent quality) and Turkish Rugs to name a few things – you could spend days in the Grand Bazaar alone!! But be warned: it’s not for the faint-hearted as there is an overwhelming number of people in here at any one time!

One cannot forget to mention the food – if you can grab a bunch of friends and try the delicious meze plates, or the two-metre-long pides served on wooden planks, the shish, the kebabs, the fresh fish and vegetables, and the Turkish bread – you should be extremely satisfied. And lastly, don’t forget to try the Turkish Delight (the Pomegranate with Pistachios is extremely moreish!)  Like me I think you will be pleasantly surprised with this amazing country and leave here wishing you had another two or three weeks to discover more.  Overwhelmingly it is the best Turkish delight in every way!!

Tees & Trojans – Turkish Golf Tour departing 2^nd September 2013. Contact Go Golfing Travel for more information on 07 5536 8681 or email info@gogolfing.net.au. Visit www.gogolfing.net.au

Matt Kuchar with the WGC Trophy (©Getty Images)

American Matt Kuchar was the last man standing at the WGC – Accenture Match Play Championship, taking the top prize with a 2&1 win over Hunter Mahan in the final day at the Golf Club at Dove Mountain, Arizona.

Poulter, who played brilliantly in his quarter-final win over Steve Stricker on the Saturday evening, was beaten in  the Sunday morning semi-final 4-up by defending champion Hunter Mahan. Kuchar, meanwhile, advanced to the final  with a 4-up victory over Australia’s Jason Day, who had shown brilliant form over the week. Day went on to defeat Poulter 1-up in the ‘consolation’ match to determine third and fourth place.

“I’m personally disappointed,” said Poulter on his match versus Mahan. “I would have liked the outcome to have been slightly different, but Hunter played very solid today.

“He chipped it unbelievably well when he had to, and I think the key point in the match was around 11 and 12.  I had a putt there to win the hole on 11 from about eight feet and I missed it, and then he hit the wrong club on 12, went flying through the back of the green but then chipped in.

“That was a huge turnaround there as I was in position and could have changed that match around at that point. But from then there was no let up. He pars the next couple of holes and I miss a short putt on 14.

“So it was a shame, really, but it has been a good positive week for me and I feel very strong and positive for the season ahead.”

For Day, the third-place finish will certainly be inspirational as he attempts to regain the solid form of 2011.

Day was the lone Australian to see any real success at the event, with Marcus Fraser, Adam Scott and John Senden all losing in early rounds.

Karrie Webb (Photo: Scott Powick SMP Images)

Australian Karrie Webb has won the Volvik RACV Ladies Masters for an incredible eighth time and in doing so she equals Sam Snead’s record for most wins of a single tournament.

Snead won the Greater Greensboro Open eight times in a run spanning four decades.  Webb first won here in 1998 and her most recent victory was 2010.

Webb, who started the final round two shots behind teenagers, Su-Hyun Oh and Ariya Jutanugarn, fired a flawless round of five under par 67 to finish at top of the leaderboard at 13-under-par and two clear of the field at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast.

Webb, didn’t feel it for the first nine holes and posted her only birdie on the par 5 3^rd to go out in 35.  “I wasn’t feeling it on the front nine, I really hang in there, I didn’t hit a lot of quality shots, but just managed to shot one-under on the front” said Webb after her round

A great up and down on the par 4 10^th, after an errant drive was the key to her round today “If I didn’t get up and down there, there would have been no momentum going forward and I would have really struggled to keep up.”

Webb was still trailing the leaders by three with eight holes to play, but the seven-time major champion then stepped it up a gear over the final holes, a crucial birdie on the par 5 12^th moved her to 10-under-par.

After Webb made her birdie on the 12^th,  Oh, who was leading, was starting to feel the pressure and a double bogey on the same hole saw her drop back to 10-under-par.  The 12^th wasn’t a good hole for the players at the top apart from Webb, Jutanugarn also bogeyed which resulted in Webb, Oh and Jutanugarn all at 10-under-par.

Webb took the outright lead after she holed her pitch shot from the back of the green on the par 3 14^th for another birdie.

The reachable par 5 15^th gave her another birdie opportunity, she reached the green in two and just missed her eagle putt, but tapped in for birdie to move to 12-under-par.

A fantastic up and down from the right side of the par 16^th maintained her momentum and lead, before she sunk another 15 foot birdie putt on the 17^th to give herself a three shot lead heading up 18.

On her eighth win she responded “I am very happy, it never gets old when you get a win, what a way to start the year, I’m very happy”.

Three players finished at 11-under-par South Korean Chella Choi (69) and the two teenagers who share the lead in the final round, Australian amateur Su-Hyun Oh (71) and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn (71).  American Jessica Korda (71) finished outright fifth, while Australian Stacey Keating (72) was sixth at nine-under-par.  Swede Pernilla Lindberg (72) and American Dori Carter (72) were a further shot back and tied for seventh.

Tallwoods Golf Course

In terms of scenic beauty, the Mid-North Coast and the Northern Rivers of New South Wales are unsurpassed. And when it comes to golf, this stretch of NSW manages to combine the attraction of a resort golf destination with the charm of friendly local clubs.

Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club

YOU will never hear a member of Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club complaining.

That’s because the members are spoilt for choice with two first-class golf courses on which to play.

In addition, they have a clubhouse on three levels plus mezzanine.

Situated virtually on the Queensland/NSW border, Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club offers the best of both worlds – great golfing in one of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations.

The club’s entire 101 hectares is a dedicated nature reserve and last year both courses, the River Course and the West Course, were ranked in Australia’s top-100 public access golf courses.

All 36 holes offer great golfing challenges – relaxing but testing, gently undulating to flat, wide fairways guarded by groves of well-established trees and plenty of bunkers and water hazards to keep golfers’ minds on their game.

A small rainforest in the middle of the River Course is home to an abundance of goannas and bird life, generations of which have happily shared their lush riverside habitat with golfers.

A round at Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club is a fraction of the cost of many Gold Coast courses and is available all year round.

The savings made can be used to enjoy some of the other great facilities available at the club. There is a restaurant, bars and entertainment at the club seven-days-a-week.

When all the features of Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club are taken into account – two outstanding courses, reasonable price and unbeatable location – it is easy to see why it is regarded by many as one of the best-optioned courses in the region.

To book a round of golf, contact Coolangatta and Tweed Heads Golf Club on (07) 5524-5545.

Ballina Golf and Sports Club

SITUATED on the Far North Coast of NSW, less than an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast is the stunning Ballina Golf Course.

Known for its award-winning gardens, which are a visual delight for members and visitors alike, the layout is the “Garden Course” of the Northern Rivers.

The popular Ballina destination is an easy-walking, tree-lined course with lush fairways complemented with true and consistent greens that are a pleasure to putt on.

The area is fortunate to experience cooling ocean breezes in summer that definitely enhance your golfing experience.

Heavily steeped in tradition, the club proudly celebrated its centenary in 2008.

From inaugural pro-am winner Greg Norman in 1976 to this year’s champion and course record holder Steven Jones, the Ballina course has hosted many outstanding golfers, including Rodger Davis, Wayne Grady, and Peter Senior just to name a few.

The recently renovated modern and air-conditioned clubhouse provides all the usual conveniences for members and visitors including full bar facilities, Keno, a well-appointed gaming lounge and quality Chinese and contemporary meals in the Asian Green Restaurant. Kiosk facilities are also available.

Access to Ballina has never been easier with regular flights for interstate and Sydney travellers. And it’s only a short drive from the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Whether it’s for the day, a weekend or even longer, a visit will not disappoint.

The Ballina Golf and Sports Club provides an immaculate golf course that presents an enjoyable challenge for all levels of players. The course has been a hidden gem for far too long.

For more information, telephone (02) 6866-2766, email admin@ballinagolfclub.com.au or visit www.ballinagolfclub.com.au

Ocean Shores Golf Course

LOCATED in a remote seaside setting, Ocean Shores Country Club is one of Australia’s hidden gems.

Rated one of the 20 best courses in NSW, Ocean Shores is a test of golf that will challenge all levels of golfers.

Designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge in 1972, the golf course has some of the largest greens of any golf course in Australia.

The golf course has many unique features including enormous greens. The total area of all 18 greens is 13,000 square metres with the fifth green alone taking up 1100 square metres.

The 18-hole championship layout comprises six par-3s, six par-4s and six par-5s with the longest stretching to 556 metres.

The lush fairways and pristine greens set against a background of bushland and sparkling lakes makes it one of the most spectacular golf courses in Australia.

Visitors with a club handicap are welcome to play in club competitions.

Players looking for a social game should take advantage of the $49 (per player) mid-week package, which includes 18 holes of golf, hire cart and lunch.

In 1980, the Blue Marker Challenge was introduced to challenge golfers and with the course set up for tournament play it was a true test of character.

The Blue Marker Challenge continues and is played on the last Friday of every month. If you are up for a challenge, book in for the next “bluey” and if you happen to play to or better your handicap the club will give you a dozen golf balls.

Other events include: medley comp every Monday; ladies comp every Tuesday; men’s comp every Wednesday; veterans comp every Thursday ($16); Blue Marker last Friday of each month ($29); men’s and ladies comp every Saturday and Sunday mixed comp every second Sunday ($18).

Play-and-stay packages are available through the Pacific Palms Motel. Visitors and social groups are welcome on Saturdays.

Ocean Shores is located just north of Brunswick Heads, 30 minutes south of Coolangatta and 15 minutes north of Byron Bay.

Chris Graham and his staff handle all golf bookings and enquiries.

The pro shop has the latest in golfing technology to enhance your game, but if a new club is not the answer then lessons are available.

For information or bookings contact the pro shop on (02) 6680-1247 or visit the website www.oceanshorescc.com.au

Murwillumbah Golf Club

MT WARNING and its neighbouring ranges provide a dramatic backdrop to one of the most popular and challenging 18-hole golf courses in Northern Rivers of NSW – Murwillumbah.

Sometimes words like “hidden gem” are overused, but not when it comes to Murwillumbah golf course.

Located 90 minutes from Brisbane’s CBD and 20 minutes from Coolangatta Airport, Murwillumbah is popular with professionals and amateurs alike.

In fact, Scott Gardiner, who will play on the US PGA Tour in 2013, once held the course record there.

The par-71 championship course is one of the most challenging and aesthetically pleasing golf courses in the area and rates up there with the typical Gold Coast courses, but at half the price.

Both membership and green fees are affordable for social, average or elite golfers.

Green fees for visitors start at $25 and full membership is just $688.45 with no joining fee.

The golf club has opened a coaching facility, which is run by AAA-rated PGA professional Graeme Trew.

The facility includes an undercover hitting area, pay-for-ball service and specialised coaching from Trew.

The golf club recently upgraded and increased the number of carts to 25, which makes it an attractive venue for social clubs and groups at affordable prices.

Murwillumbah Golf Club also runs a Back Marker Challenge for golfers who love a challenge.

The golf course is ideal for those who want to test their skills, particularly as the course is set up off the back plates with tight pins. Of course, there are some great prizes up for grabs.

The golf club welcomes guests and visitors.

Anyone interested in a great day out, telephone Murwillumbah on (02) 6672-4200 or go to www.murwillumbahgolfclub.com.au

Byron Bay Golf Club

THE Byron Bay Golf Club offers great value with green fees starting from as low as $45.

The club says the chances of finding a better bargain for golf in the region are remote.

The course is located near the ocean and the sound and smell of the surf is never far away on any hole. The layout offers some subtle and severe elevation changes, a great mix of medium to long par-3s and beautifully manicured Bermuda fairways and greens set among tall gum trees.

The par-3 holes are outstanding, starting with the short downhill third with a green guarded by two pot bunkers, one with a set of stairs leading into it.

Often you will spot a rare red wallaby grazing near the hole.

The 155m 14th hole is one of the recent redesigned greens and is a beauty. The green runs diagonally from left to right and is surrounded by swales, bunkers and Dune grasses, which make it both an attractive hole and a difficult target.

The 318m par-4 sixth is a severe, semi-blind dogleg to the left. It’s a sporty hole where tee shots need to be hit to the end of the fairway to get a clear view of the green past the hillside on the corner of the dogleg.

The view from the elevated tee on the next hole is exhilarating and entices golfers to take out the driver to get some “hang time” to hit the snaking, wide fairway.

The 485m par-5 18th is another of the redesigned holes. It starts with a wide fairway before some decision-making is required to set up the best angle of attack.

Avoid the fairway bunker 100m short of the green by laying up down the left or attack and carry the bunker to get close to the putting surface.

The green is set against the side of a hill surrounded by grass, sand bunkers and swales and is a good finishing hole.

The club boasts a popular restaurant offering spectacular views across the golf course and to the lighthouse.

The golf club is located approximately 5kms south of the CBD on Broken Head Road.

For information, call (02) 6685 6470 or www.byronbaygolfclub.com.au

Bonville Golf Resort

JUST 10 minutes from the Coffs Harbour Airport, Bonville Golf Resort is nestled at the foot of the Great Dividing Range on the beautiful Coffs Coast.

Voted “Australia’s Leading Golf Resort” in 2006, 2011 and 2012 by the World Travel Awards, the par-72 championship golf course rises and dips through the serene and beautiful layout with each fairway private from the next.

Bonville’s restaurant The Flooded Gums has been awarded 1 “Chef’s Hat” in the 2013 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, making Australia’s first and only golf course/golf resort to be awarded a highly regarded and sought after “Hat”.

The golf course, which has that Augusta National look about it, has impeccably manicured fairways and greens set against a breathtaking backdrop of colour and tall timber.

The golf course boasts magnificent tall flooded gums while Augusta has pines.

The 470m par-5 seventh hole is a definite birdie opportunity while the 404m par-4 12^th is arguably the toughest hole on the course.

Almost every hole has that wow-factor, but the second, fourth and 15^th are feature holes.

The golf course has that intimate charm that gives the feeling you have the place to yourself. There are virtually no parallel holes and although there are other groups out there, you hardly ever see them.

Accommodation is on-site and all of the recently refurbished rooms enhance their modern conveniences further enabling guests to relax and unwind taking in the beautiful surrounds.

Recreational facilities include three-floodlit tennis courts, 30-metre rock lap pool and rainforest walks.

Once guests have experienced the beauty and allure of Bonville Golf Resort they usually want to return.

Bonville runs many in-house golf events including four-day pairs’ events, single day events and events specifically designed for women each year.

To be find out about Bonville events and the award-winning resort, call (02) 6653 4002 or visit their website www.bonvillegolf.com.au

Emerald Downs Golf Course

THERE aren’t too many golf courses where koalas can hold up play.

Well, it’s a regular occurrence at Emerald Downs Golf Course – Port Macquarie’s newest golf course just minutes from the CBD.

The privately-owned public course is exclusively open for social play and welcomes locals, visitors and social clubs.

The 18-hole par-70 course, which stretches to 5181m for men and 4563m for women, is nestled in the midst of the exclusive Emerald Downs Residential Estate.

It’s a quiet, secluded parkland-style course where golfers play alongside abundant native wildlife including koalas.

Emerald Downs is an easy walking course with a good mix of par-3s, 4s and 5s. The par-3s are glorious, especially the 170m 18^th, which requires a solid tee shot over one of the massive lakes to a slightly raised green.

As one of the signature holes on the course, it can destroy a scorecard.

Featuring a mix of picturesque scenery, most of the holes are straight and wide so it’s relatively safe to use driver.

A few of the doglegs – notably the par-5 fifth – will require careful club selection and course management if you want any hope of par.

Emerald Downs offers more than just a game of golf.

The clubhouse commands sweeping views of the fairways. Other benefits include electric golf carts, a large range of golf equipment, hire equipment and free BBQ facilities for social golfing groups.

It’s the perfect place to sit and unwind after a challenging round.

Emerald Downs Golf Course is a favourite with visiting international and touring golfing enthusiasts. That’s because of its diverse degrees of difficulty.

Emerald Downs guarantees fantastic photographic opportunities and the chance to get up close to the resident wildlife. Of course, the “Augusta-style” rock bridge has become a feature for wedding photographers.

The 18-hole golf course offers a wonderful experience with enough golf variety to entice you back again … and again.

For information, telephone (02) 6582-6120 or www.emeralddowns.com.au

C.ex Urunga Golf Club

LOCATED 20 minutes south of Coffs Harbour rests the seaside village of Urunga, which boasts a charming old-world feeling, anonymous to the commercialism witnessed along the north coast of New South Wales.

Incredibly, the village centre is only a five-minute drive from the Pacific Highway turnoff. Many people have suggested a feeling of entering a time warp, such is the tranquillity associated with the town.

Nestled alongside the Kalang River at Urunga, lies a picturesque nine-hole layout, which caters for all levels of golfers.

While the original site retained a banana crop, the golf course’s condition offers good lies and playability from start to finish.

The signature ninth hole at C.ex Urunga, known as “The Hill”, is a challenging 120m par-3 straight uphill with out-of-bounds a real threat for a mis-hit shot. This hole proves difficult golf holes don’t need to rely on length alone.

The 5433m course (par-70 for men and par-72 women) offers a variety of challenges including water hazards, doglegs and different tee locations when playing 18 holes.

Available for social play throughout the week, the club offers a daylight saving discount rate every afternoon from 3pm.

Urunga Golf Club offers great value to social golfers by offering a complementary snack or beverage for group bookings or those who play as a four.

After the round, head for the clubhouse and experience what is arguably the most serenely spectacular outlook of any golf club in Australia. The uninterrupted view over the mouths of the Kalang and Bellinger Rivers entering the Pacific Ocean are magnificent.

Visitors are also welcome to enjoy the club’s other facilities including croquet lawns, tennis courts and squash courts.

Lui’s Restaurant serves a wide selection of Asian and Australian cuisine and is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch while enjoying panoramic views.

C.ex Urunga Golf Club may be the smallest club among the C.ex group of clubs, but the locals strongly suggest it’s the jewel of the C.ex crown.

For information, telephone (02) 6655-6161 or the website www.cex.com.au/play/golf/index

Wauchope Country Club

WAUCHOPE Country Club is the home of golf and bowls in the Hastings area.

Started in 1926, the club is situated in the centre of the busy hinterland township 20 minutes’ drive from the thriving coastal tourist destination of Port Macquarie.

One of the nice things about the club is you can sit back in comfort and watch the golfers in action while enjoying refreshments.

The club also offers dining from its tasty menu selections. The dining and bar facilities are open seven-days-a-week in the newly-renovated modern clubhouse.

“So many of our guests comment on the high standard of our golf course,” a club spokesperson said.

“That’s testament to the ongoing dedication and hard work of our superintendant and greens staff.”

In 1988, the clubhouse almost burnt to the ground, but since then there have been many transformations.

Rebuilt in 1989, the club has gone ahead in leaps and bounds with membership more than doubling to 900 members.

Visitors are welcome to play the course and enjoy the facilities every day of the week

“We have a distinct reputation as being a friendly club,” the spokesperson said. “Our picturesque 18-hole golf course has some of the best greens in the state.

“We are home to the NSW PGA 36-hole BDM and Wauchope Real Estate Pro-Am.

“We also have the privilege of retaining the services of our professional Clark Joyce and Jason Taylor who manage the On-Course, fully stocked pro shop.

“Both professionals are fully qualified fitting specialists, who can correctly fit your next set of clubs to suit your game.

“The pro shop also has package sets to suit all levels of golfers with attention from experienced golf professionals.”

Currently, the club is offering six and 12-monthly memberships. There is no joining fee.

For information, call the pro shop on (02) 6585-3885 or visit the website www.wauchopecountryclub.co.au

Camden Haven Golf Club (Kew Country Club)

OVER the past 18 months, the Camden Haven Golf Club has been undergoing a facelift and by all accounts members, guests and visitors are thrilled with the results.

“From the moment you drive through the new entrance, you start to realise that the aim of the club’s governing body is to provide a great recreational facility for patrons to enjoy,” said Laurieton United Services Club (LUSC) general manager Robert Dwyer, who also manages the golf club.

Two new all-weather synthetic bowling greens have been added to the facility, which boasts a quality 18-hole golf course stretching to 5700m.

“There’s been a massive continuous improvement program, with new works being done almost every week following the amalgamation of the two clubs,” Dwyer added.

The club’s excellent staff and many volunteers supported the services club’s huge investment in the property.

In order to improve the club’s marketing opportunities members recently approved changing the club’s name from Camden Haven Golf Club to Kew Country Club.

Located 30 minutes south of Port Macquarie and 40 minutes north of Taree, the clubhouse at Kew is only 80m from the Pacific Highway.

“If you are visiting the Mid-North Coast and are playing in the Port/Taree/ Wauchope area, this course is a hidden treasure not to be missed,” Dwyer said.

“From the time we took over the golf club, we have taken the view that we wanted to make sure the golf club, with its three bowling greens, would be one of the premier sporting and community facilities on the Mid-North Coast.

The upgrades and improvements include seven new tee blocks, landscaping to most tees and fairways, drainage and water management with over 150 metres of major drainage pipe installed and over 700 metres of aggie pipe lines, cart paths, practice and warm-up facilities (nets and short-game area).

Improvements to the driving range are on the drawing board.

Dwyer said the clubhouse improvements include a new bar, TAB, equipment and members’ facilities.

It costs $375 to be a member of the club with pay by the month options. There is no joining fee.

Beginner golfers will benefit from a membership drive and open group lessons.

For information, call the pro shop on (02) 6559-4596 or go to www.camdenhavengolfclub.com.au

Port Macquarie Golf Club

IN the heart of Hastings is the region’s oldest and most highly regarded golf course – Port Macquarie Golf Club.

Boasting more than 100 years of proud history, this beautiful championship golf course features a variety of magnificent golf holes that combine to provide a memorable golfing experience for players at all levels.

The course meanders through rainforests, wetlands and sand dunes and is easy walking on all but the hottest Port Macquarie days.

The greens are fast and true and the fairways are some of the best around, boasting lush, carpet-like grass that is consistently high quality and a pleasure to hit off.

There are some rewards on offer for those willing to take a risk. But be warned, there are plenty of challenging bunkers around the greens and the occasional fairway bunker to punish the wayward golfer.

And when you do drop in for a round of golf make sure you say g’day to the club’s professional Ben Hamilton.

He can attend to all your needs and may even provide a tip on how to handle the tricky second hole.

After the round, enjoy the extensive modern clubhouse facilities, beautiful views and perhaps a delicious meal at Aspire Restaurant.

For more information, telephone (02) 6582-0409 or the pro shop on (02) 6582-0784 or go to www.portmacquariegolf.com.au

Dorrigo Memorial RSL Golf Course

The Dorrigo Memorial RSL Golf Course, arguably the finest nine-hole course on the Mid North Coast, is one of those layouts golfers want to play again … and again.

One of the reasons for this is that greenkeeper Warren Atkins keeps the course in excellent condition.

Nestled beside the Bielsdown River, Dorrigo is a challenging layout with nine bent grass greens and 18 different tee positions.

The course is open for competitions every Saturday from 9am while the veterans play their competition every Thursday from 8.30am.  Both competitions are mixed and juniors and beginners are encouraged to take part.

Catering for social groups is the club’s specialty.  It costs $25 per person to play 18 holes and feast on a delicious local T-bone steak and salad lunch. Bar facilities are available.

“We guarantee your social group will have an excellent experience,” a club spokesperson said.

Social green fees for visitors are $12 for nine holes or $17 for 18 holes.  Members and reciprocal clubs pay just $7 for nine or 18 holes. Limited cart hire is available and carts can be booked by phoning (02) 6657-2294.

The par-4 third hole (12^th on the back nine) is a challenging, dogleg right, but when it’s played as the 12^th it’s a straight-forward short hole. It’s uphill all the way and golfers must not go left or long to avoid going out-of-bounds.

The fifth (14^th on the back) is Dorrigo’s signature hole. The Bielsdown River meanders the length of the fairway and the green is situated on a narrow peninsula within a loop of the river. Miss the green and it’s a tough up-and-down.

For information, call (02) 6657-2294 or go to www.dorrigorslgolf.com.au

Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club

LOCATED on the sub-tropical holiday coast, mid-way between Brisbane and Sydney, is the uniquely scenic Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club.

Surrounded by water, golfers will experience an exhilarating round of golf with the chance of seeing passing dolphins.

The birdlife is also a feature as pelicans, sea eagles and osprey soar overhead.

In the early-1990s, the golf course expanded to 18 holes and since then it’s gone from strength-to-strength.

It’s a flat, well-bunkered course with undulating greens but it’s the tightness of the layout that will test golfers of all abilities.

The challenging 389m par-4 16^th hole is a great hole with out-of-bounds along the entire length of the left side of the fairway and some hazards down the right.

If you do mess up on this hole, you can make amends at the 124m par-3 18^th – the easiest hole on the course.

Locals say if you can play to your handicap at Nambucca Heads Island golf course, you’ll be doing well.

Rivers Family Restaurant is the ideal venue for family, social or other gatherings.

Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club has a fully-stocked pro shop that offers some extremely attractive deals.

One of the highlights each year is the Golfest Week of Golf where golfers have the chance to collect $10,000 for a hole-in-one.

For information, call the pro shop on (02) 6568-8172 or go to www.namgolf.com

Forster Tuncurry Golf Club

YOU never know what good fortune will befall you when you visit Forster Tuncurry Golf Club in the Great Lakes area on New South Wales’ Mid North Coast.

One man who knows all too well is Charlestown Golf Club’s Brett Meeks.

The Novocastrian was visiting the club and drove away in a brand-new Toyota Yaris courtesy of a hole-in-one on the Tuncurry golf course.

Playing in the inaugural Beach Bums Cafe Great Lakes Spring Classic Golf Tournament, Meeks, who plays off six, aced the challenging 162-metre fourth hole using his trusty 4-iron.

According to witnesses, his perfectly struck shot “never looked like missing” as the ball hit the green on the fly, took one bounce, hit the flagstick and dropped into the cup. It was his first hole-in-one.

Twin Towns Toyota sponsorship manager Terry McCartney presented him with the $19,000 Toyota Yaris.

Forster Tuncurry Golf Club president Doug Holmes said the tournament was a great success with more than 200 local and visiting golfers competing in the two-day event.

Forster Tuncurry Golf Club, three hours north of Sydney, offers golfers two golf courses – the Tuncurry course and the Forster course.

The Tuncurry course is virtually an all-weather course as it has a sand base and easily absorbs any rain that falls.

The Forster course is one of the friendliest seaside courses on the north coast.

It’s not overly long and that’s why it attracts plenty of social golfers who enjoy its generous fairways and forgiving rough.

But don’t be fooled by the course’s short par-4s. Smaller greens, the sea breeze, bunkers and water hazards have ruined many a good round.

Competitions are played seven-days-a-week and visitors are welcome to join in the fun or play socially when available. After a round, golfers can relax with a drink while gazing out over the Pacific Ocean.

Stay-and-play packages are also available.

For information, call (02) 6554-6167 or go to www.forstertuncurrygolf.com.au

Harrington Waters and Tallwoods

LESS than a three-hour drive from Sydney, you’ll come across the magnificent Tallwoods Village and Championship Golf Course.

And less than 50kms from there you’ll discover another idyllic golf course – Harrington Waters.

Both these magnificent facilities come under the same management team.

Designed by American Michael Hurdzan, named Golf Architect of the Year by the USGA in 1997, Tallwoods offers spectacular panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the beaches to Forster and the tall timbered hinterland.

Hurdzan’s philosophy is to design golf courses that stir the spirit, exceed expectations and defy understanding.

“We want people to play our courses and discover pleasure, whether it is a closeness to nature, certain serenity or an exhilarating challenge,” he once said.

“We believe each golf hole should have a distinctive and strong personality, so that it becomes an unforgettable friend whom you cherish revisiting.”

That’s what you get at Tallwoods.

Meanwhile, Harrington Waters Golf Course is a wonderfully designed nine-hole golf course made by using the natural waters and lakes, with a variety of tee placements that ensure each game is different and challenging.

When played twice, the course adds up to a tough but fair par 72.

Open to the public, Harrington Waters offers a variety of competitions for members and guests.

Naturally, the course is open for social play seven-days-a-week.

The club conducts an open competition every Wednesday and Saturday and welcomes all affiliated club golfers. The competition is open to both men and women. Social play is available each day after our competitions have finished.

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Inside Golf's Richard Fellner (left) with ALPG CEO Warren Sevil (Photo by Andrew Brownbill)

The Australian Golf Writers Association (AGWA) last week announced the winners of the 2011-2012 Australian Golf Media Awards, an annual event honouring excellence in golf media.

Inside Golf editor Richard Fellner was awarded the highly esteemed “Best Column – Print” award for his monthly Starters Box column, which has generated acclaim over the past 12 months for its “outside of the box” viewpoints on subjects including Club membership models, alternative club strategies, Group Buying, Junior & Women’s golf, golf attire, club consolidation, the media,  and more.

“I’m deeply honoured to win this award,” says Fellner. “With the high calibre of writers in the Australian Media — not to mention some truly spectacular columns in the various golf publications —  this award came as a complete shock to me.  To have my name associated with great writers like Peter Stone, Martin Blake, Bruce Young and Mark Hayes is an absolute honour that I will always cherish.

“I would like to thank the AGWA,  my team at Inside Golf, all of our readers and the various individuals who offered feedback, quotes and information for  the column. You are all truly appreciated.”

The award is Fellner’s second AGWA gong, following his 2007 award for “Photojournalism – Best Photograph, Magazine“, also for Inside Golf.

The award winners were decided by a panel led by noted sports journalist Mr Jim Webster OAM and representatives from Golf Australia, the PGA of Australia and the Australian Ladies Professional Golfers Inc.

The President of the Australian Golf Writers Association Mr. Brendan Moloney said he was pleased to see the golfing community again support the Australian Golf Media Awards which continue to grow in stature each year.

“The Australian Golf Writers Association congratulates the winners of the 2011-2012 Australian Golf Media Awards,” said Moloney.

“Now in their 17th year, the awards acknowledge excellence in writing, photography and broadcasting by AGWA members and non-members alike. The announcement of the winners is always a highlight of our annual dinner during the Australian Open.”

“Nearly 200 entries for the 10 categories were received from Australia and overseas. As well as congratulating the winners, we’d like to thank the judging panel of Jim Webster OAM, Bruce Baskett, Hamish Jones, Nicole O’Farrell, and Sandy Lonergan.”

The complete list of winners at this year’s Australian Golf Media Awards is below.

Best Column – Print
Richard Fellner, Inside Golf

Electronic Media – Internet – Best Feature or Report
Bruce Young , ISEEKGOLF.COM

Photojournalism, Best photograph
Phil Hillyard – Daily Telegraph/ News Limited

Electronic Media – Radio – Best Feature or Report
ABC Grandstand Team

Best Feature Story – Newspaper
Joint winners: Martin Blake, The Age / Fairfax Media and  Mark Hayes, Herald Sun / News Limited

Print: Best Feature or Report – Women’s Professional Golf
Brendan James, Golf Australia Magazine

Best Report – Newspaper
Peter Stone, Sydney Morning Herald

Best Feature Story/ Report – Magazine
Ben Everill, Golf Australia Magazine

Best Feature / Story Amateur Golf
Tony Webeck, Australian Golf Digest

Television – Best Feature Story/ Report
Steve Pearce, ABC Grandstand

Life Membership
George Begg

Charl Schwartzel

South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel romped to a commanding 11-shot victory at the US$1 million Thailand Golf Championship on Sunday to end a frustrating 20-month title drought since winning the 2011 Masters Tournament.

The 28-year-old Schwartzel completed an imperious start-to-finish victory at Amata Spring Country Club with a final round of seven-under-par 65, which made up for last year’s runner-up result where he ended seven shots behind inaugural champion Lee Westwood.

Schwartzel’s winning total of 25-under-par 263 total saw him pick up his ninth career victory and first on the Asian Tour. He won US$158,500.

Thai youngster Thitiphun Chuayprakong shot a closing 70 finish tied second with reigning Masters champion Bubba Watson, who closed with a superb 65 for a 14-under-par 274 aggregate.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia came in fourth after a 70, followed by Korea’s Park Hyun-bin, whose fifth place performance following a 68 earned him his Asian Tour card for 2013.

“It’s been a great week. We had such a good time last year and obviously I came in second. I do know how the guys feel like as I had the same feeling last year when I lost to Lee by quite a margin. I played some solid golf. I’m very happy,” said Schwartzel, whose 11-shot winning margin was the third highest on the Asian Tour.

Such was his great form that the South African dropped only one bogey all week, at the ninth hole on Saturday. Leading by five overnight, he did not allow his rivals to get close to him as he turned in 32 for a 10-shot advantage before easing home with three more birdies on the back nine in front of large galleries. After saving par from six feet at the last hole, Schwartzel raised both arms in jubilation and relief.

“It’s always hard when you’ve won such a big tournament (and not win again). You go on a high and you feel that you can win all the ones that you play in. I came close a few times. Winning is not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. You know, it’s been quite hard work and it’s been a difficult year especially in the middle (when he was injured). It’s nice to put things in place and get the win that I’ve been looking for a while,” said Schwartzel.

“I always had it in the bag. Making one bogey the whole week pretty much sums up how I played. I played pretty flawless golf. After nine holes when I made the birdie on nine, I had a pretty decent cushion. I still kept doing what I was doing, hitting the shots. Walking down 14 and 15, you kind of know it’s over. But it’s still nice to hit good shots and hit the right shots and make more birdies.”

The 20-year-old Thitiphun held his head high against the stars of the game after enjoying his best Asian Tour finish yet alongside Watson, earning US$84,750. He fired an eagle, three birdies and three bogeys playing in the last group for the second straight day.

“I’m so proud with how I played because I played with one of the best players in the world. The way he (Schwartzel) handles himself was fantastic. This is a great feeling for me,” said the ever-smiling Thitiphun.

“I’m happy with my round but slightly disappointed I didn’t finish second alone. I’m going to play with more confidence now and this will be an inspiration for me because I want to win on the Asian Tour.”

Left-hander Watson saved his best for last with a seven-birdie round as he thrilled the galleries with his “Bubba Golf”, attacking the pins with ease at Amata Spring. “I didn’t have my best stuff on Friday and Saturday and made a lot of mistakes. Schwartzel played pretty good and my best stuff probably wouldn’t be as good. It would have given me a chance to scare him but I didn’t have my best in the previous two days. I had no bogeys and no mistakes today and somehow it came out to a seven-under,” said Watson.

Europe’s Ryder Cup star Garcia saluted Schwartzel for his commanding performance. “It is funny how Charl and Lee can shoot 20-under in the last two years because it doesn’t feel like you can shoot that kind of scores on this golf course. They both deserved their wins but I can’t be disappointed with the way the week went for me,” said the Spaniard, who will play the Iskandar Johor Open, the Asian Tour’s season-finale in Malaysia next week.

Scores after round 4 of the Thailand Golf Championship being played at the par 72, 7453 Yards Amata Spring CC course (a- denotes amateur):

263 – Charl SCHWARTZEL (RSA) 65-65-68-65.

274 – Bubba WATSON (USA) 68-70-71-65, Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 66-67-71-70.

276 – Sergio GARCIA (ESP) 69-69-68-70.

277 – PARK Hyun-bin (KOR) 68-74-67-68.

278 – Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 68-71-72-67, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 69-72-70-67, Simon DYSON (ENG) 72-71-67-68, Scott HEND (AUS) 70-68-69-71, Daniel CHOPRA (SWE) 67-67-69-75.

279 – Jonathan MOORE (USA) 73-72-67-67, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 70-73-67-69, Ryo ISHIKAWA (JPN) 70-66-73-70, Lee WESTWOOD (ENG) 70-69-70-70.

280 – Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 70-69-70-71, Nicolas COLSAERTS (BEL) 72-67-70-71.

281 – Kalle SAMOOJA (FIN) 71-72-72-66, Yoshinobu TSUKADA (JPN) 70-72-72-67, Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 69-71-72-69, Darren BECK (AUS) 69-70-72-70.

282 – Shiv KAPUR (IND) 73-71-72-66.