First Ace for Nullarbor Links

Tasmanian golfer Chris Salmon

Salmon used his 6-iron to tame the 141m par-3. With a left-to-right breeze of 15 km/hr, his shot took a bounce in the red dirt -- followed by the ‘obligatory’ puff of dust – then kicked to the right, onto the green before hitting the pin and dropping into the hole. This is Salmon’s first hole in one in his 45-year golfing career. Nice timing!

Eagle Ridge offers memberships

EAGLE Ridge golf course on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is set to roll out an innovative new membership offer: a fully transferable membership.

Each golfer must be nominated and there are a host of other benefits attached.

Club manager Wayne Lucas hopes to sign up around 150 golfers over the next three years. He said a mid-week membership and flexi membership offer where golfers pay a small annual fee and reduced green fee would also be introduced.

There’s also a junior membership for $195 a year.

Rosebud voted best club

Rosebud Country Club has reaffirmed its position as one of Australia’s best golf clubs after taking out the prestigious Clubs Victoria golf club of the year award.

The award, which was presented at a gala function at Crown Casino, recognises the Rosebud Country Club for excellence in all of its operations including membership, golf course, golf operations, food, beverage, accommodation and community involvement.

Club general manager John Dellar said the accolade was a just reward for all the dedicated clubhouse, course staff and a board of directors who allow the club to be managed in a way that adapts to the needs of today’s market.

“This is recognition from our peers that all our staff, golf professionals and board of directors work hard to deliver a quality product in a contemporary framework,” he said.

“As a club we offer a complete package with dining, accommodation, value for money membership and very high quality golf courses without compromising the standards expected in golf clubs.”

Rosebud Country Club held off stiff competition, beating Yering Meadows, Barwon Heads and last year’s winner Southern Golf Club.

It’s the second time the country club has been named Victoria’s premier golf club having last won in 1997.

Master of the Amateurs rockets up rankings

Australia’s highest ranked amateur golf tournament has reaffirmed its position on world stage by jumping a massive 38 places on the official Royal and Ancient World Rankings.

The NEC Master of the Amateurs leapt from 56th place to 17th after the recent staging in Melbourne.

It’s now the only amateur golf tournament in Australia inside the A category. And the top category is only awarded to the world’s top 30 amateur golf tournaments.

It’s not surprising given the quality of field that teed up at Yarra Yarra Golf Club last month.

Four of the world’s top ten amateur golfers competed alongside the best players from Australia.

NEC Master of the Amateurs tournament director Peter Mann said he was proud of the recognition the new R&A ranking gives the event.

“Through the 13 years of the Master of the Amateurs, our aim has always been to lift the standard and status of amateur golf in Australia,” he told Inside Golf.

“This new ranking will help attract top overseas players as well as the very best locals, to fight it out for the green jacket.”

The Australian Strokeplay was the nearest amateur tournament to the NEC Master of the Amateurs in 75th place with the Lake Macquarie at 77, Australian Amateur at 95 and Riversdale Cup at 96th place.

Club golfers, start practising your sledging!

Here comes a golf competition guaranteed to get your competitive juices flowing.

Fairway Footy has taken your regular weekly competition golf and combined it with the loyal passionate support of your favourite football team.

Fairway Footy golf competition runs for the duration of the 2010 football season from March through to October. Points are scored each week based on both your competition golf results and the performance of your nominated footy team. At the end of the season a finals series will decide the winning teams whose members will all take home fabulous packages to the 2011 Presidents Cup Golf tournament at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

As in golf, the footy teams are given a handicap, so it makes no difference if your favourite team is a potential premiership winner or cellar-dweller, they all start from a level playing field every week.

To learn more about Fairway Footy ask your club professional or visit www.fairwayfooty.com.au