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C ON T E N T S
FEBRUARY #405
44
TOP-100 MOST
INFLUENTIAL
PEOPLE IN GOLF
Meet the Tour stars, YouTubers,
Instagrammers, equipment designers,
company CEOs, course architects,
legends, rule-makers and disruptors
who had the biggest impact on
our game this past year.
10 36
118 112
88 MIND GAMES 120 POPULARITY DRIVES INNOVATION

How to believe in yourself in a game of Srixon Soft Feel balls.
10 COURSE REVIEW: SANDHURST CLUB mistakes, by Dr Karl Morris.
What began as an ambitious idea in the early 121 IRONS BUILT FOR PLAYERS
1990s is today a thriving residential 90 TOUR TIP #2: ASHLEIGH BUHAI TaylorMade’s P•700 series of irons.
community with two nationally-ranked golf Pure strikes from sandy lies, with the
courses lying at its heart. Women’s Australian Open champion. 122 SPEED, DISTANCE &FORGIVENESS
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36 CHASING A PIECE OF 92 TOUR TIP #3: ADRIAN MERONK
VIC OPEN HISTORY Unorthodox power and precision, with the 123 IMPROVE YOUR GOLF & LIFE
The Vic Open is one of this country’s most Men’s Australian Open champion. The Ironback postural aid.
important tournaments on the local calendar,
especially for the defending champions 94 TOUR TIP #4: MARC LEISHMAN
Dimi Papadatos and Hannah Green. The most important of flexes.
NEWS & VIEWS FOR WANDERING GOLFERS
20 WORK BEGINS AT THE CLIFFS 96 PLAY & STAY DEAL

Construction has started on a world-class Spend some time overlooking Tom Doak’s
course for South Australia’s Kangaroo Island. St Andrews Beach gem. 124 THE INSIDE STORY
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22 ULTRA GOLF IS COMING 98 GOLF & WINE TOUR
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24 OPPOSING VIEWS New South Wales’ Coffs Coast is the 128 PLAYING WITH…
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With guest contributor, Golf Australia CEO, the sea. And it is here where you will also
James Sutherland. discover some beautiful golf courses, as
Brendan James writes.
26 FROM THE VAULT 8 TEEING OFF: BRENDAN JAMES
Jan Stephenson’s American breakthrough. 112 TOP-100 SPOTLIGHT: NOOSA SPRINGS 16 HUGGAN’S ALLEY: JOHN HUGGAN
GOLF & SPA RESORT 30 IN MY OPINION: GEOFF OGILVY
28 FLASHBACK: FEBRUARY 2, 1992 Brendan James enthuses about one of the
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86 TOUR TIP #1: CAMERON SMITH 118 SHIFTING THE PARADYM
How to control bunker shot distance. Callaway’s new family of clubs.
golf australia | FEBRUARY 2023 7

TEEING BY BRENDAN JAMES | GOLF AUSTRALIA EDITOR
OFF
EDITOR
Brendan James
[email protected]
DEPUTY AND DIGITAL EDITOR Jimmy Emanuel
ART DIRECTOR Oliver Barles
“... it became ARCHITECTURE EDITOR Mike Clayton

COLUMNIST-AT-LARGE John Huggan
apparent to me one COLUMNIST Geoff Ogilvy

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Karen Harding,
Mark Hayes, Adrian Logue, Rod Morri,
Paul Prendergast
CONTRIBUTING PGA PROFESSIONALS
Daniel Blackwell, Rob Richards, Anthony Summers
PHOTOGRAPHY Getty Images,
Matthew Harris, Gary Lisbon,
Mark Newcombe
O
ne of the aspects of golf I enjoy continued to grow. Cape Wickham,
most is the bond you share Doonbeg, Hoylake, Royal Cinque Ports, EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES
with other golfers. You could Machrihanish, Cape Kidnappers and Royal PH: (02) 9901 6142; [email protected]
be standing in a crowd at a wedding Birkdale all entered the frame and I had
or circling a BBQ and a few minutes to stop myself from delving further. There
after striking up a conversation with is not a dud course among the list but I A D V E R T I S I N G
a complete stranger you discover a actually found myself mixing truly great NATIONAL ADVERTISING MANAGER
David Mullins
common thread … golf. courses with very good courses where I
[email protected]
I was at a Christmas function where had actually had a great experience.
M: 0412 327 886
I knew not a soul. Within an hour or so Therein lies the mistake most golfers,
there was a group of nearly a dozen including myself, make when referring to a ADVERTISING MANAGER (NSW &ACT)
guys standing around with beers in hand course as being “great”.The first eight layouts Stephen Louis
[email protected]
discussing everything from the future of on my list tick all the boxes required for being
PH: 0420 532 160 or (02) 9901 6328
Tiger Woods, to LIV Golf and Cam Smith’s a great course. The following seven are all
putting stroke. terrific layouts but your hardcore student of ADVERTISING TRAFFIC CO-ORDINATOR
Then the chat took a turn to golf courses course architecture may have other ideas. Georgia Sutton
… where we’d played, memorable holes, dud I agree the adjective ‘great’ is often [email protected]
PH: (02) 9901 6324, Fax: (02) 9901 6116
courses and so went the conversation right too loosely used when describing golf
through the main course and onto dessert. courses but isn’t it an appropriate word if
It was interesting to note the differing said course provides a great experience. PRODUCTION & DIGITAL SERVICES MANAGER
observations and opinions of these For me, I have had the most memorable, Jonathan Bishop
passionate players, who had seemingly all or great, golfing experiences at all of the PRODUCTION MANAGER Peter Ryman
travelled far and wide to test their skill on aforementioned layouts, which for mine
highly regarded courses here and overseas. makes all of the courses on my list great.
After a few hours of occasionally vigorous But what about all those hundreds of ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – SPORTS Daniel Findlay
debate, it became apparent to me one quality courses that fall into line these? Are GENERAL MANAGER Carole Jones
man’s slum is another man’s kingdom. I any of them great?
guess I shouldn’t have been so surprised Depending on who you talk to, they just MANAGING DIRECTOR Arek Widawski
how some of our opinions on each course might be. Here’s my own three guidelines S U B S C R I P T I O N S
differed so much, after all the attributes of a for what makes a great course. www.mymagazines.com.au
layout can be a very subjective thing. • A great course is always memorable. If
Toll Free: 1300 361 146 Or +61 2 9901 6111
With waiters keen to wrap the evening up you have played a course once and have Locked Bag 3355, St Leonards Nsw 1590, Australia
and get us out the door, the question was difficulty recalling more than two or three
posed; what makes a golf course great? holes, that course is probably not good
The question continued to burn in my enough to be considered great.
Level 8, 205 Pacific Highway,
brain after I got home so I started scribbling • There should be plenty of variety, which St Leonards NSW 2065
down the names of some of the courses goes hand-in-hand with a memorable Locked Bag 5555, St Leonards NSW 1590
I have played and will long regard them as course. Great golfing land, usually equates
great. Augusta National, The Old Course to great golf despite some designers trying
at St Andrews (pictured below), Royal their best to stuff up the equation. Golf Australia is published by nextmedia Pty Ltd ACN: 128 805 970,
Level 8, 205 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, NSW 2065 © 2019.
Melbourne, Barnbougle Dunes, Royal • The course should be a solid challenge All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in whole or in part,
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County Down, Kingston Heath, Carnoustie with thoughtfully designed holes offering in Australia and NZ by Are Direct. ISSN 0818-5077. The publisher will not accept
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be taken nextmedia does not accept liability for loss or damage.
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www.golfaustralia.com.au
8 FEBRUARY 2023 | golf australia
COURSE REVIEW
SANDHURST
CLUB S A N D H U R S T • V I CTO R I A
CESS
B LI C ACES
PU OURS
C 023
2

What began as an ambitious idea in the early 1990s is today a thriving
residential community with two nationally-ranked golf courses lying at its heart.
WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY BRENDAN JAMES
F
or the avid golfer, Melbourne’s The idea for Sandhurst was conceived and both Peter Thomson and Ross Perrett-
south-east might best be described nearly three decades ago and over the few designed layouts – known as the North and
as paradise. years that followed, the plan morphed into Champions Courses – are continuing to evolve
From the world-famous Sandbelt layouts a project that ultimately saw the creation as fine challenges for players of all abilities.
to the spectacular fairways of the Mornington of a master-planned community – now A mark of the quality of golf to be found at
Peninsula further to the south, the region has home to more than 5,200 residents – with Sandhurst is both courses are ranked in Golf
a plethora of incredible courses seemingly at two championship standard golf courses, Australia magazine’s Top-100 Public Access
every turn. modern clubhouse, a training facility and a Courses for 2023.
One of the most recent additions to the PGA of Australia Centre for Learning and With five-time Open champion Thomson
eastern edge of the Sandbelt is the Sandhurst Performance at its hub. Ambitious … yes. having such strong ties and a love of golf in
Club – a 36-hole golf complex just 40 minutes’ Impossible … no. Scotland it should not come as any surprise
drive from the CBD. Today, much of the real estate is occupied that a course bearing his name might, in some
THE BEST LINE INTO THE NORTH

COURSE’S 18TH GREEN IS FROM
NEAR THE LAKE AND BUNKERS LEFT.

part, pay homage to the great links of the Home
of Golf. The North Course does just that.
It is a layout that closely follows Thomson’s THE NORTH COURSE IS RELATIVELY FLAT, MAKING FOR AN
EASY WALK, BUT THE SUBTLE RIPPLES IN THE FAIRWAYS HAVE
philosophy of design, which comes from the
traditional links-style courses of Scotland
where the belief is that golf is a game played
predominantly along the ground, not in the air.
SOME INFLUENCE ON THE SHAPE OF SHOTS YOU WILL HIT.
There was high expectation attached to
the project, given the new layout’s proximity
to the Melbourne Sandbelt and the finest – TOP-100 RANKING JUDGE, EDWARD LEE
courses in the land. With the aid of modern
construction equipment, computer-aided surrounding most fairways have matured, This 181-metre (from the black
design and a lot of imagination, Thomson giving the layout even greater definition. championship markers) par-3 is the signature
and Perrett were successfully able to turn The aim was to build upon the indelible hole of the North Course and transports you
relatively flat and degraded cow pastures into characteristics of the old Scottish links. If to the 1st hole at Prestwick, the 11th at Royal
rolling links land. you’re not hearing the bagpipes as you wander Troon or the 13th at North Berwick – holes
They delivered a fine course, which opened down the 1st fairway, you will undoubtedly be that have been made famous because a stone
for play in 2004, that has grown in stature consumed by their eerie presence as you stand wall borders an edge of the putting surface.
as its playing surfaces and the wild grasses on the 3rd tee. Thomson pays homage to this design quirk

A HUGE DOUBLE GREEN LIES AT THE
END OF THE 11TH (LEFT) AND 17TH
HOLES ON THE NORTH COURSE.
THE NORTH COURSE BOASTS A FINE

COLLECTION OF PAR-3 HOLES, WITH
THE 8TH BEING ARGUABLY THE BEST.
A 1.6-METRE-HIGH WALL IS A QUIRKY

ADDITION TO THE NORTH COURSE’S
PAR-3 3RD HOLE.
at the 3rd, known as ‘Wall’, with a 1.6-metre- as well as unusual winds. for an easy walk, but the subtle ripples in the
high stone wall flanking the entire left side The back nine also has some wonderful fairways have some influence on the shape
and rear of the green. There are no bunkers highlights including the 497-metre par-5 of shots you will hit. I quite enjoyed my last
on this gem of a hole, just a slightly crumpled 11th – known as ‘Purgatory’, which rewards round here as its width from the tee keeps you
landscape that flattens out to accommodate the the player for risking everything from the in play but finding the right spot to have an
putting surface next to the L-shaped wall. In tee in trying to clear two fairway traps to get easier follow-up shot takes a lot more skill,”
the early stages of COVID lockdowns, Course a generous kick forward to put the green in Top-100 ranking judge, Edward Lee, said of
Superintendent Cory Budden and his staff range for two shots. the North Course.
reshaped the 3rd green to add some contouring The 321-metre par-4 14th is a delightful The adjoining Champions Course,
to the vast bentgrass putting surface. short dogleg right while the 392-metre par-4 which opened for play in 2008, covers more
It wasn’t the only project undertaken on the 18th, known as Woe Betide, is a solid closing undulating terrain than its neighbour and,
North Course during the pandemic as bentgrass hole with water left, seven bunkers bordering therefore, offers a greater variety of holes and
collars and green surrounds were converted the fairway left and right, and another three shots. The course, from the tips, is also a clear
to couch, while many bunkers throughout the large sand traps as well as humps and swales 200 metres shorter than the North Course but
front nine were also remodelled. guarding the equally grand putting surface. the challenge is no less.
Wind plays a major factor at Sandhurst and The brave player skirting the edge of the lake While the surrounding residential
Thomson – drawing on more than 60 years and left side bunkers from the tee will be left development is more intrusive on the
of playing the Sandbelt – routed the North with a much easier second shot approach. Champions Course than the North layout, the
Course to take advantage of prevailing breezes “The North Course is relatively flat, making quality of the holes and the playing surfaces

THIS IS A BIG GOLF COURSE WITH SOME BIG MOMENTS
THROUGHOUT. THERE’S PROBABLY NONE BIGGER THAN THE TEE
SHOT ON THE SHORTEST HOLE ON THE COURSE, THE PAR-3 11TH.
– TOP-100 RANKING JUDGE, JACK DONALDSON.
guarantee a satisfying round. open-fronted large greens and some fairways scored after hitting from the rough.
The wide-sprawl bunkering of the lined by ancient Red River gums. Smart play is also needed at the short
Champions is more the influence of Perrett “From a design point of view, the holes offer par-4 4th hole, which appears seemingly easy
than Thomson, who always favoured smaller plenty of variety,” Perrett said. “No two are when standing on the tee but the full extent
bunkers in greater numbers. Beyond the the same. It will eventually be seen as a course of the test becomes apparent as you wander
bunkering, it is hard not to be impressed by of endless fascination with primary hazards down the fairway. This classic two-shotter is
the size and shaping of the greens on each dictating play.” just 337 metres from back markers and the
hole, which have each been dedicated to a past Ever the strategist, Thomson brought the two bunkers seen to the right of the fairway
winner of the Australian PGA Championship. same emphasis on thinking golf to his course provide the best line for the drive. Hitting
This makes for an enjoyable added feature of a designs and this can be seen from the opening as close as possible to these two hazards –
round as every tee has a plaque commemorating shot of the round. without dribbling into the sand – leaves you
a player with a brief story of their career. For The 376-metre par-4 1st, named after in the best spot to hit a short iron at any pin
example, the 7th hole is dedicated to Kel Nagle, the three-time PGA winner Carnegie Clark, position on a green that is angled diagonally
the winner of a record six PGA championships, offers a generously wide fairway for players, away from right-to-left. A drive down the
while other players immortalised include Craig who resist using the driver, in preference for middle of the fairway leaves a tough and
Parry, Greg Norman, Ossie Pickworth, David a fairway metal to leave a longer second shot obscured shot over a large bunkered ridge.
Graham and Wayne Grady. into the green. The further you drive the ball Eric Cremin, who won two PGA titles in the
This layout is more of the traditional from the 1st tee the narrower the cut portion 1930s and was runner-up in the championship
Sandbelt-style with gentle fairway contours, becomes and the more likely a bogey will be a record seven times, would be proud to have

ONE OF THE BEST SHORT PAR-4
HOLES AT SANDHURST, CHAMPIONS’
4TH, KNOWN AS ERIC CREMIN.
THE FINAL APPROACH TO THE PAR-5

10TH ON THE CHAMPIONS LAYOUT,
NAMED AFTER GREG NORMAN.
THE SHORT PAR-3 11TH (LEFT) AND

THE TIGHT DRIVING 17TH HOLE ON
THE CHAMPIONS LAYOUT
his name on this gem.

One of best holes on the Champions layout
is the shortest hole, named after the shortest
FA C T F I L E
of the PGA winners celebrated here – Norman LOCATION: Sandhurst Boulevard, GREEN FEES: Sandhurst welcomes
Von Nida. The 138-metre uphill par-3 11th Sandhurst, Victoria visitors Sunday through Friday. From $69
hole is affected by wind so your club selection CONTACT: (03) 8787 7011 (18 holes, weekday); $109 (Sunday).
here is vital to avoid the waste bunker WEBSITE: www.sandhurst.com MEMBERSHIP: Sandhurst offers five-, six-
stretching across the front of the green and DESIGNERS: Peter Thomson and Ross and full seven-day memberships. There is
the three deep bunkers flanking the long and Perrett – North (2004), Champions (2008). a membership best suited to your playing
narrow putting surface. PLAYING SURFACES: North Course: needs. Membership at Sandhurst brings
“This is a big golf course with some big Bentgrass (greens), Santa Ana couch with it a wide range of benefits including
moments throughout. There’s probably (fairways). Champions Course: Bentgrass unparalleled access to 36 holes as well as
none bigger than the tee shot on the shortest (greens), Legends couch (fairways). premium modern facilities.
hole on the course, the par-3 11th … It’s only
COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Cory Budden. ACCOLADES: North Course ranked
a short iron but the prospect of dropping
PGA PROFESSIONALS: Jon Abbott (Golf No.82 and Champions Course No.72 in
short in the wasteland bunker, or finding a
& Sports Manager), Cameron Davies and Golf Australia magazine’s Top-100 Public
deeper sandy hazard left or right, can rattle
your nerves on the tee,” Top-100 judge Jack Jaydon Vaenuku. Access Courses for 2023.
Donaldson said.

HUGGAN’S BY GOLF AUSTRALIA COLUMNIST-AT-LARGE | JOHN HUGGAN
ALLEY
“who are the players Europe

will be looking at in hopeful
Ryder Cup expectation?”
R
ory McIlroy calls them “the core” have more than a wee chance of winning Rumours of what would be an
of the next European Ryder Cup too. Donald has no such luxury. unfortunate dalliance with LIV Golf have
team, which makes sense. So, who are the players Europe will be long surrounded Thomas Pieters, but it is
It is hard to imagine the Old World lining looking at in hopeful Ryder Cup expectation? to be hoped that the prospect of a second
up at the Marco Simone Country Club Happily, there are more than five likely lads Ryder Cup appearance is enough to keep
outside Rome in September without Rory, in contention. Those in receipt of Donald’s the gifted Belgian on-side and in the side.
Jon Rahm, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, largesse will therefore have golfed their He was a sensation back in 2016, totting-up
Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Matt balls with no little distinction prior to lining- four points from his five games amidst a
Fitzpatrick. They are – for the moment – the up alongside the magnificent seven. comfortable American victory at Hazeltine.
seven stand-outs within the squad of 12 Again, that matters. Along the way, Pieters formed a potent
that will attempt to wrest the trophy back The last thing Donald needs is someone partnership with Rory, one that could well
from American hands and maintain a long not approaching top-form in the bottom be resurrected seven years on.
unbeaten run for Europe in home games. half of his side, especially if, as nearly It is hard also, to dispute the claims
Three decades have passed since Uncle always happens in these team things, of Seamus Power and Sepp Straka. The
Sam’s nephews finished first in the biennial someone in the top-half arrives firing on Irishman and the Austrian both laboured
contest on foreign soil. something less than all cylinders. See long and hard in the professional ranks
Hang on though. Assuming Rory’s Rory during Europe’s 19-9 ass-whipping before making it as tournament winners.
assessment of the situation is correct, at at Whistling Straits two years ago. By the Apart from anything else they bring to
least one of his six buddies (he is a racing way, that can’t happen again. If Europe is the team table; you have to like that fact.
certainty to be there) will require one of to win, their best players have to win most Alongside its stars, every side needs
captain Luke Donald’s half-a-dozen wildcard of their games. Amidst all the statistical workhorses, guys that can be relied upon to
picks. So, it follows that, if more than nonsense that has become part of 21st perform at or above their level. That is, guys
one needs a friendly nod from the non- century Ryder Cups, that immutable law who will always beat off-form opponents
playing skipper, the team is – theoretically remains intact. and who will ask that the opponent plays
at least – weakened. Okay, it’s time for your fearless columnist really well if he is to prevail.
That’s important because it says here to make some predictions. Here, in no In that regard, I want Alex Noren and
that Europe will need its very best side if it particular order, are the five men who will Adrian Meronk in Donald’s team. The
is to prevail over the big, bad Americans. In best compliment Rory’s gang of seven, Swede, who performed well in Europe’s
contrast to his non-playing counterpart, U.S given that it is impossible to argue with his 2018 victory in France, is the “play with
Captain Zach Johnson could head into battle logic in that department. They are, eight anyone, anytime” guy every team needs.
armed with numbers 13-24 on his preferred months out from the matches, indisputably See Bernhard Langer in days gone by. And
list and still be competitive. 25-36 would Europe’s best players. Meronk? The man makes many birdies and
he’s the current Irish Open and Australian
Open champion. Need I say more?
At this point there is a temptation to
veer off-piste and select one or both of
the identical Hojgaard twins, Rasmus and
Nicolai. There is obvious fun to be had in the
confusion they could create wearing team
clothing. And both, it must be said, offer
more than physical resemblance. But both
fall into our “possibles” category rather
than “probables.” Both are perfectly capable
of playing well in a Ryder Cup environment
– Nicolai won the 2021 Italian Open at
Marco Simone – but both would represent
something of a risk. That’s a lot of boths.
The same can be argued of others. I’m
thinking of Thomas Detry of Belgium. And,
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
in a way I can’t see happening, Spaniard

Adrian Otaegui. Maybe that is the only
certainty amidst all of this conjecture. No
JON RAHM & RORY MCILROY WILL BE FRONTRUNNERS OF EUROPE’S RYDER CUP CAMPAIGN
one from LIV Golf is going to get picked.

NEW DEVELOPMENT
WORK BEGINS
AT THE CLIFFS
S
outh Australia’s Kangaroo Island dimension” to the island’s tourism offering,
is a step closer to becoming one adding it would “no doubt soon become a
of the world’s ‘bucket-list’ golf must-play for golfers far and wide”.
destinations with construction now “Importantly, thousands of out-of-state
underway on the island’s $20 million visitors expected to play at The Cliffs will golf course but some
course, The Cliffs. inject valuable dollars into the island’s of the most awe-inspiring
With breathtaking views atop 500-million- tourism sector and help share the story scenery anywhere in the
year-old cliffs overlooking the Southern about this absolutely iconic location,” world,” he said.
Ocean, The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is Minister Bettison said. The clubhouse, designed by local
predicted to be South Australia’s next world- Course architect Darius Oliver, who is architects Walter Brooke, will be home to
class tourism attraction. perhaps best known for his work on King luxury accommodation boasting four,
The course will inject an estimated Island’s incredible Cape Wickham links, is six-star suites designed to make the
additional $30 million into the state’s annual leading the design of The Cliffs course. He most of the expansive ocean and island
tourism expenditure, and is expected to said the opportunity to “design and create views as well as a pro shop, restaurant,
draw upwards of 40,000 tourists from something globally unique” on Kangaroo lounge, sports bar and green space for
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED
across the globe in its first year. Island was “something truly special.” outdoor entertaining.
Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said “The Cliffs Kangaroo Island will provide The Cliffs Kangaroo Island is expected to
The Cliffs Kangaroo Island “adds another players with not only a world-class links be open for play in late 2024.

NEW CHAMPIONSHIP
ULTRA GOLF IS COMING

A
unique and modern format of venues. There is a strong Asian feel about some low numbers appeal to not only the
golf is heading to Australia in the teams, with only four of the ten teams golf purists, but also the casual fan, who
December 2023. based outside the continent. could be more inclined to tune into this new
The Ultra Golf Championship (UGC) The announcement of the UGC follows and exciting format of golf.
involves 10 city-based teams from around the inaugural year of the controversial LIV The innovative format is remarkably
the globe. The ten confirmed teams are: Golf series of events, which has shaken similar to the introduction of T20 cricket. You
Bangkok Blades, Delhi Drivers, Dubai Kings, up professional golf with its party-like don’t have to look far to see the success
London Lasers, Los Angeles Eagles, New atmosphere, 54 holes and a shotgun start T20 cricket has had on the sport, although
York Tigers, Melbourne Rockets, Shanghai with a team element as well. that success was not necessarily instant.
Jets, Seoul Condors and Tokyo Royals This new championship is just another The quick and exciting format of the game
Each team will feature four players and step towards modernisation of the sport. has taken over. Not only because of the
a marquee captain, and will see teams The shortened nature will appeal to a shortened nature but also the franchising
competing over nine holes instead of the broader and a younger audience. of competitions such as the Indian Premier
conventional 18 holes. Players will be split UGC founder Deke Smith, along with League and the Big Bash have been
into pairs to compete in the revolutionary the PGA of Australia, are looking forward to revolutionary to the sport not only in terms
format, which will have a points-based getting everything aligned and underway. of growing the sport and getting more
system. Teams will gain points relative to ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia people in stadiums and eyes on TV’s.
what they score on each hole – 10 points for Tournaments Director, Nick Dastey, is But from a corporate and financial
an ace, eight for an albatross, six for an eagle, excited about the upcoming venture and perspective the amount of money being
four for a birdie and two for a par. Along with believes the new event has the potential pumped into the sport off the back of
the points system there will be four feature to grow the game on a number of different T20 cricket alone is incredible. If the UGC
hole opportunities, where teams will be able levels in Australia. can take off similar to the way T20 cricket
to earn extra points. A power play hole will “This is an event we are passionate about did, the game could be on the verge of a
be in play, with teams earning double points and it continues to align with our innovation monumental innovation and progression.
on this nominated hole, and an alternate shot in the game in Australia,” Dastey said. The UGC has been a work in progress
hole, where the two team members play “We know once this world-first format for the best part of five years. The move
alternating shots on that particular hole. There has some of the best players in the world will see fans able to continue to support
will also be a best ball hole, where players showcasing it on TV next year, Ultra Golf their favourite golfers but also give them
are able to take the best ball off the tee. A Championship will become a part of all golf the ability to align their affiliation towards
long drive hole will also provide opportunities fans’ lives through both professional and a team. It is a world-first format, with the
for teams to earn extra points. amateur golf with anyone able to play and potential to hit the ground running.
Teams will play seven round robin enjoy the format.” Event organisers are yet to confirm
matches to be followed by a final series. The two hours of golf will emphasise the any logistics such as venues, players,
The exciting format will feature 74 matches exciting elements of the game, long drives broadcasting arrangements and prizemoney.
over four days at yet to be confirmed and the intent to attack flagsticks to make – Callum Hill

SHAFT
OPTIMISER 3D
OUR MOST ACCURATE
FITTING EVER
OPPOSING VIEWS
Australian Opens –
Together or stand alone?
and it was fabulous to see the Open back the feedback from stakeholders and the
Together on the Melbourne Sandbelt, with two of

the world’s greatest golf courses – Victoria
public has been incredibly positive. From
my point of view, none of the glitches are
JAMES SUTHERLAND and Kingston Heath – showcased around insurmountable.
CEO Golf Australia the planet. The big picture for us comes from our
It was brilliant to see the great desire to make golf a sport for all; a game
T
he 2022 ISPS HANDA Australian players up close again, from Adam Scott that attracts fans and participants from all
Open was a triumph, in our contending on the final day, to a rising star age groups and all backgrounds. By having
view, which is not to say that it like Grace Kim getting into the mix in the the three tournaments in one, it sets a
was perfect. We took a risk by staging women’s Open, to Minjee and Min Woo standard. It sends a message to the world
our marquee event with a new format, Lee being able to compete on the same that golf is for all.
but the positives far outweighed stage as siblings. One of my favourite We need to do better in that space.
the negatives. memories will be Tommaso Perrino, the We say that golf is for everyone, but only
We think it was a great week for Italian All Abilities player, holing out from 18 percent of club members are women
Australian golf, with the Open coming the bunker at the 18th on Friday and the and girls, and the average age of a female
back after two years of absence caused by roar that echoed around Victoria. club member is 62. We need that to
the pandemic and the travel restrictions. This was the first time in a decade the change, and to do that, we need to take
The crowds (well above 50,000 for the running of the Open came fully in-house. that holistic view. At the same time, we
week) were the biggest we have seen at Logistically there were some stern understand the heritage of the Opens as
an Open for more than a decade, since challenges and complexities from the well as anyone, and the need to maintain
the 2011 edition at The Lakes when Tiger decision to bring the three tournaments – those great traditions.
Woods played to massive galleries. men’s, women’s, All Abilities – together. But we also need to ensure our
The atmosphere generated was brilliant But I have to say that by and large, tournaments are inspiring the next
THE TRIO OF WINNERS WAS ONE

OF THE GREAT OUTCOMES FOR
GOLF AUSTRALIA.
PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES X 2

generation to get involved in the game. be forgiven at a smaller event, while the deep as the men’s.
We need to innovate so golf is competitive 36-hole 13th Beach home venue made On the men’s side of the equation,
in the broader landscape of sports and things work seamlessly. the second cut on Saturday was a very
entertainment in modern Australia. But just because something is good, contentious element.
That’s the balance which has to doesn’t mean it is the prototype for Cam Smith was almost certain to miss
be found. But for now, we move forward, everything. the first cut, yet scraped in. Then he did
take the feedback, and aim to make For mine, that is true of the Australian miss the second cut.
it better. Opens, two events that stand alone as Imagine the crowds that would have
the most important championships held in shown up if he was on the tee at 6am on
this country. Sunday that would have hung around to
Separate Sure, the financial implications of watch the leaders.
running the events separately and the Given school and sport, Sunday is often
JIMMY EMANUEL boost in overall crowd numbers when THE day for kids to come to the golf.
Golf Australia magazine together are good arguments, yet these Part of my obsession started watching
Deputy & Digital Editor are our national championships. That Rodger Davis in the flesh on a Sunday.
means something to a lot of people, Some kids lost that chance with Cam
N
ow that we have gone down many players included. Smith being cut from the field.
the path of playing concurrent With the shift in date for the women And while Cam is doing alright for
Australian Opens, the reality is to December, it is fair to say LPGA himself, other players lost the chance to
that as strong as my case may be here, co-sanctioning won’t be coming back climb the leaderboard with a low Sunday
my opponent in this month’s column anytime soon. round and earn more money.
and his organisation are going to press The American circuit’s season is The second cut is a reality of the
ahead with the concept. run and done by then, and 2022 winner format, but that is where a national Open
However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t Ashleigh Buhai discussed the difficulties is different to a state Open. It shouldn’t
worth debating. of the timing in her post final round be the reality we deal in.
Firstly, I want to state openly my love press conference. All of which is to say, a national Open
of the Vic Open. That means we will rely on the odd is different and special and worthy of its
The bringing together of men and overseas star and our local players teeing own stage for men and women. The idea
women. One venue. It is all great, it up to support the event field wise, and of back-to-back weeks is one I would have
However, that tournament structure the unfortunate timing this year meant investigated first before combining.
was built for purpose for a state Open clashes with LPGA Tour Q Series and a But we are here now, and my main
that otherwise struggled for much close timing with Ladies European Tour hope is that Australian golf prospers no
relevance or interest. school. And so the women’s field was cut matter what the format of the Open. And
Its date attracted co-sanctioning and down in size, and while the quality at the I am certain James and his team have
great fields, and the secondary cut could top was excellent, it was nowhere near as that interest at heart as well.
SUTHERLAND BELIEVES THE LEE

SIBLINGS PLAYING ALONGSIDE
EACH OTHER WAS A HIGHLIGHT.

F rom t he va ult
JAN’S AMERICAN
BREAKTHROUGH
FEBRUARY 8, 1976
J
an Stephenson was just 13-years- gustier for the finale. Seeking her first didn’t feel too bad when my ball finished in
old when she won her first big LPGA victory, Stephenson drew on all the bunker. I felt better playing from there,”
tournament, the NSW Schoolgirl her experiences of playing in the wind at she confessed.
Championships. Bonnie Doon – and even earlier at the then Stephenson proudly hoisted her first
It was a title she would win another four named Tuggerah Lakes GC (now Shelly LPGA trophy and pocketed a winner’s
times before moving on to the NSW Junior Beach) beside the sea on the NSW Central cheque for $8,500. She was on her way
Championship, where she was victorious Coast – to remain patient and keep her and as soon as the post-round interviews
three years in a row, and the NSW Amateur, name at the top of the leaderboard. were over, she was looking for a phone to
which she won twice. Even as a teenager She bounced back from bogeys at the call Mum and Dad.
playing out of Sydney’s Bonnie Doon Golf 1st and 6th holes with a birdie at the “Does anybody have any idea what
Club, Stephenson seemed destined for following hole. A third bogey for the round time it is in Australia?” she queried before
much greater achievements in the sport. on the 9th had her one-over at the turn. making that call to break the good news of
After briefly attending secretarial college, Then on the back nine, she bogeyed 10, her first win.
Stephenson turned professional in 1973 12, 14 and 15, with a lone birdie at the 11th It wouldn’t be the last call of its type.
and within 12 months she was playing thrown into the mix. Of course, Stephenson would win
on the LPGA Tour in America. She was “After 14 and 15, I thought I’d lost the another 15 times on the LPGA Tour,
named the 1974 Rookie of the Year and it tournament,” she said after the round. “I including three major championships in a
seemed only a matter of time before she was mad at myself because I wasn’t doing golden three-year run in the early 1980s, as
won stateside. the little things well. well as collecting trophies here in Australia,
But she would have to wait until “But the people here were great. Japan and Europe.
February 1976 before getting her hands on They encouraged me by telling me they In 2019, Stephenson was admitted into
a trophy. wanted me to win. I didn’t think anybody the World Golf Hall of Fame alongside
Her U.S breakthrough win came at the really wanted me to win because I’m Retief Goosen, Peggy Kirk Bell, and former
Sarah Coventry-Naples LPGA Classic at the from Australia.” chairman of Augusta National Golf Club,
Golden Gate Inn & CC in Florida. After the bogey on 15, Stephenson Billy Payne.
The then 24-year-old held on in trying remained composed enough to string Today, Stephenson’s impact on the
windy conditions to card a four-over-par together a trio of pars to close out the game extends beyond the golf course.
76 closing round to finish at two-over for round with a one-stroke advantage, She has been a tireless charity worker
the tournament and one stroke clear of although there were some anxious for many years, including acting as the
defending champion Sandra Haynie and moments on 18. Her second shot approach honorary chair of the National Multiple
fellow American Judy Meister. Haynie had on the 450-yard par-5 failed to clear the Sclerosis Society in the United States.
a final day 75, while Meister excelled in the bunker lying short and right of the green. She is also an ambassador for blind
conditions shooting a one-under 71, one of Despite the less-than-ideal lie in the sand, and disabled golf through ISPS Handa.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
the best rounds of the day. Stephenson blasted out to 10 feet and two Through the Jan Stephenson Crossroads
Stephenson led by two shots heading putted for par and the win. Foundation, she also provides initiatives for
into the final round, and the strong winds “My chipping was really bad all day. It blind/disabled and wounded veterans and
encountered in the third round were even was the only thing that let me down, so I first responders.

FLASHBACK
FEBRUARY 2, 1992
S
eve Ballesteros’ journey into golf
is the stuff of legend.
As a child, he would hit 3-irons on
the beach near his home in Pedrena, Spain,
because he wasn’t allowed on the local golf
course. He played every shot imaginable
with that one club, which sowed the seeds
of shot-making creativity that would yield 90
professional wins worldwide, including five
major championships.
In 1992, he returned to that beach with
legendary golf photographer David Cannon
to recreate where he hit his first golf shots.

A week later, he won his 46th European
Tour title at the Dubai Desert Classic,
defeating Northern Ireland’s Ronan Rafferty
with a birdie on the second sudden death
play-off hole.

IN MY EXCLUSIVE BY GEOFF OGILVY | GOLF AUSTRALIA COLUMNIST
OPINION
“... I like the contest between

LIV Golf and the PGA Tour/DP
World Tour.”
I
t’s a time of year for looking back and, weeks of 72-hole stroke-play – wherever players going to make the jump? Especially
more positively, looking forward to a it is – is a bit boring. It might be the best if some of the young, up-and-coming
new year in golf, which was my brief way to determine who wins and loses, but Americans do decide to leave the PGA
for this column. it doesn’t have to happen every week in Tour, it’s going to get really interesting. And
So, what follows is a mixture of what I three different places around the world. So probably more confrontational, which is not
think we will see and what I’d like to see in at least we have seen something that has what I want to see. I’d like to see everyone
this great game during 2023. come along to do something different. It’s just get along. There’s room for everyone on
1. I might be in the minority here, but I interesting and ultimately will benefit the the calendar.
like the contest between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour. It is also clear that the players are still
PGA Tour/DP World Tour. Competition is A full season of LIV Golf in the coming able to get along. Many of the LIV players
always good. It’s healthy. Let’s face it, 45 year is going to be fascinating. Are more have been competing on the DP World Tour
and in Australia without, as far as I know,
any great conflicts. And they are going to be
in all four of the majors in 2023. So, will it
all be just a storm in a teacup? Will LIV Golf
just be something players can decide to be
part of without lingering acrimony? To my
mind, both sides can both be winners.
Which is not to say a decision doesn’t
have to be made by each player. It’s not
right that LIV players should be able to
cherry-pick all the big events elsewhere.
That’s only going to lead to the other
Tours finding sponsors hard to come by
in those events that don’t attract the very
best players. Maybe the best we can hope
for is seeing all the top names competing
together only a few times next year.
2. On a related note, it wouldn’t be the
worst thing in the world for the DP World
Tour to “lose” the upcoming court battle
with the LIV players. If those guys are
free to continue playing on what was the
European Tour, it would be something of a
boon for the second-biggest circuit in the
game. If they can’t play on the PGA Tour
and there is room within the LIV schedule,
I have to think at least a few of those guys
are going to pitch up on the DP World Tour.
Of course, that might set off another
round of disputes. If the likes of Dustin
Johnson is free to play in Europe, things are
inevitably going to get interesting, which is
how I’m trying to look at all of this. It isn’t
necessarily what I want to see happen, but
it is something I’m interested in watching
as it all plays out.
No one really knows what the best make-
up of professional golf really is. But I’d like to

see a variety of formats given an airing. I’d
like to see more team golf. That’s what LIV
has got right, even if they are not doing it as
PRESIDENTS CUP DEBUTANTE TOM KIM HAS OGILVY EXCITED FOR WHAT LIES AHEAD.
much as they should. People love team golf.

THE DP WORLD TOUR MIGHT BENEFIT FROM LIV GOLF PLAYERS LIKE DUSTIN JOHNSON PLAYING ITS EVENTS
3. In the wake of the ‘mixed’ Australian events either, although that would be nice. things happening almost everywhere you
Open week at the end of 2022, I’d like to I just want to be able to play competitively, look. The spirit of what makes a great
see that avenue explored more. with the PGA Tour being my preferred course and what makes people enjoy golf is
Resurrecting what was the old JC Penney option. The travel is easier than in Europe. being recognised more and more.
Mixed Team Championship is obvious. I’d Okay, I’m the first to admit my correct It’s not about “long and hard” anymore.
like to see the men and women playing level of play isn’t good enough to compete It’s about “how good can we make this?”
together more, rather than attempting to seriously on the PGA Tour. But the pieces That wasn’t happening 25 years ago. It was
have two events running alongside each of the puzzle are all there. I hit the ball at more about “how many houses can we
other. That sort of thing has limitations. So least as well as I did when I was winning sell?” That isn’t happening any more. In that
actual team events with men and women tournaments. And the short game gets sense, the game is in a really healthy spot.
on the same sides is surely the way to go. sharper by “doing.” I think it was Bobby 6. More good news to finish with. The
It would be far more entertaining. Look Jones who said “golf and tournament golf standard of professional golf has never
at the events that come along at the end are different sports.” So, what I need to do been higher. If we eliminate the “GOATS” –
of the year. I’m thinking of what was the is get out there and do a bit of everything Tiger at his peak, Jack Nicklaus at his peak
Shark Shootout and the Father-Son event more often. And I’d like to find out if I can – the general level of play is beyond what
in Florida. People love to watch those. It is still do it at a high level. I’m willing to play anyone could have imagined even 25 years
a market that needs to be tapped into more. anywhere really. ago. It’s outrageous how good they are. And
4. On a personal note, I’d like to play a bit 5. Business-wise, I pretty much know what there are so many of them. The pro game
more competitive golf in 2023. I’d like to get 2023 is going to be like. My architecture has never been deeper in that sense.
some status back, preferably in the U.S but firm – OCM (Ogilvy, Cocking and Mead) – is My mind goes back to when I was an
anywhere really. I just want to play in good going to be busy. We have an extensive assistant captain at last year’s Presidents
golf tournaments again. I’m done doing 30 re-modelling job at Medinah in Chicago Cup. With the state of my game at the
events a year though. I have no interest in which is exciting. And important for us as it moment I was very happy to be driving a
that. But playing virtually none hasn’t been is the first really high-profile job we’ve had cart and watching from a suitable and safe
any fun either. in the States. There are other projects too, a distance. At least 20 of the 24 players on
When I did play in 2022, I felt more at couple of them in Australia. display were intimidatingly incredible. How
home when I was there than I did when Architecture-wise, the bigger picture is hard they hit. How straight they hit. How far
I wasn’t playing tournaments. When I got equally exciting. Ben Crenshaw and Bill they hit. How many putts they make. They
there, it was like “this is what I do.” I’m Coore continue to do great work. So does all swing great and play great, which gives
not talking about being part of the biggest Gil Hanse. And Tom Doak. There are good us all so much to look forward to in 2023.

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preview
e tu rn e d to its heights
p en m ig h t n o t have r e m oney of
The Vic O eq u a l p r iz
c ov id ju st ye t , but the p le n ty o f other
pre- w omen , p lu s
0 ,00 0 fo r m e n a n d
a m en t o n t he local
$42 o rta nt tour n
k s, m a ke s it a n i m p
fe n di n g c h a m pions
per ia lly for the d e
r. E s pe c G r e e n.
calenda s and H a n n a h
Dimi PapadatoS JIMMY EMANUEL
WORD

HANNAH GREEN WON HER FIRST
PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENT
AT HOME AT THE 2022 VIC OPEN.

GREEN AND PAPADATOS WOULD
LOVE TO ADD A SECOND AND THIRD
VIC OPEN TROPHY RESPECTIVELY.
IT GOES TO SHOW I DIDN’T FLUKE IT THE FIRST TIME.

– DIMI PAPADATOS.
“
H
e just looks like a European the Australian Open, Papadatos is one of
Tour player and carries the players who will prefer the new points
himself like one.” based system the local Tour has implemented
It was a throwaway line from colleague Adrian for its rankings that reward consistent
Logue at last year’s Vic Open about Dimi performance rather than one big win.
Papadatos that, despite failing to materialise Yet winning is still vitally important
in 2022, remains exceptionally true as the for those chasing bigger and better things
PGA Tour of Australasia prepares to head overseas, and the Vic Open will have had a big
back to 13th Beach this month. circle on the calendar for the Toukley Golf
Papadatos would go on to win that week Club junior, who could join some truly elite
and claim the Vic Open trophy for a second company if he is to defend his title.
time and push himself up the circuit’s Order Only the legendary English player Guy
of Merit where three DP World Tour cards Wolstenholme (four) and Peter Thomson
were on offer at season’s end. (three) have won the Vic Open more than
Yet it was another case of so close but so far twice, with Papadatos’ victory in 2022 going
for the son of a former professional wrestler on the maantle next to his 2017 triumph to
from the New South Wales Central Coast put him alongside the likes of Mike Clayton,
as Papadatos finished fourth on the money Frank Phillips, Bruce Devlin and Kel Nagle as
list and missed status on the Tour formerly two-time winners.
known as European by just $1,1240. Both of Papadatos’ wins came at 13th
Now 31 years of age, Papadatos does Beach in the men’s and women’s format.
have some access to the DP World Tour Two constants that return this year with the
via category 20, those playing the venue’s Beach and Creek Courses sharing
final stage of qualifying school and hosting duties as well as welcoming the
finishing outside the top-25. But Victorian Inclusive Championship for
starts with that category will be golfers with a disability and the Australian
few and far between, meaning, Wheelchair Golf Championship both in 2023
once again, the Order of Merit of and 2024.
his home circuit forms the best “We’re delighted to have the tournament
chance of fulfilling what many back at 13th Beach, not only because they
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES X 2
believe has been written in the are such a wonderful pair of golf courses but
stars for the hulking figure of because the atmosphere and community
Greek heritage. support on the Bellarine Peninsula is
Missing the cut at the Australian second to none,” Golf Australia CEO James
PGA and finishing tied for 28th at Sutherland said when the venue was

A CONSISTENT PERFORMER AT HOME,
PAPADATOS HARBOURS A DESIRE TAKE
HIS GAME TO A BIGGER STAGE.
announced late last year.

Count Papadatos in the delighted camp
as well, even if he is unable to put his finger
on just why he seems to find his best when VIC OPEN WAS MY FIRST EVER PROFESSIONAL EVENT, IT HAS
in his homeland rather than when given
opportunities overseas. Although he did win in
VERY SPECIAL MEMORIES FOR ME COMING HERE.
Portugal on the Challenge Tour back in 2018.
“I love being back in Australia. Always
seem to play a little bit better than I do
– HANNAH GREEN.
overseas. Nice to get a bit of a run of events,
it’s been a while since I have been up there. The other big winner that week was victory was something special for the now
See if I have still got it,” he told Golf Australia certainly no fluke, with Hannah Green 26-year-old.
magazine last year before the final round of claiming the women’s trophy in her first “Vic Open was my first ever professional
the Vic Open, which started in 1957 when the start back for the year following an extended event, it has very special memories for me
legendary Ossie Pickworth was victorious. break in Perth after her LPGA commitments coming here. This is just a steppingstone and I
He proved he still had “it” when he holed a finished in 2021. think it will give me some positive vibes when
downhill five foot putt at the 72nd hole to beat Green was without doubt the star of the we do get to have our Aus Open back,” Green
Kiwi Ben Campbell by one shot in 2022. show on the Bellarine Peninsula, and followed said at the time.
“I’m very happy with that – it goes to show her six shot victory over Karis Davidson and Those “positive vibes” were on display early
I didn’t fluke it the first time,” Papadatos said Whitney Hillier with the first ever victory by at the Australian Open when it took on the Vic
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
when holding the trophy in 2022, a win that a woman in a mixed gender tournament at the Open format for its return in late 2022. Green
also earned him a start at the 150th Open TPS Murray River event the following week. opening with rounds of 68 and 66 to evoke
Championship. “I’m just so happy to get my Although already a major champion and memories of Karrie Webb’s Australian Open
game back and start playing alright again.” highly decorated professional, the Vic Open dominance on the Sandbelt in her prime.

For more information > golfworks.com.au
YOU CAN’T KEEP SAYING
GOOD THINGS ABOUT A
IT’S TPS SEASON!
After more than a month without a sanctioned Courses for 2023, the North ranked 27th and
TOURNAMENT I GUESS, Tour event, the PGA Tour of Australasia and the South 56th.
BUT IT IS JUST A WELL- the WPGA Tour get back underway in late
January with four The Players Series events
Victorian Todd Sinnott won his maiden
event here last year and kicked off a year that
RUN TOURNAMENT THAT sandwiching the Vic Open at 13th Beach. saw him contend consistently on the Asian
EVERYBODY LOVES.
The first cab off the rank for 2023 is the Tour and play the weekend at the U.S Open
TPS Rosebud event hosted by Golf Australia at Brookline.
magazine columnist Geoff Ogilvy from A first stage qualifying school site for
January 26-29. the DP World Tour last year, Rosebud is
– GEOFF OGILVY. Played across a composite course at home to James Marchesani who will fancy
Rosebud Country Club on the city side of the his chances of winning at home for a first
Mornington Peninsula, the venue is one of the PGA Tour of Australasia title after caddying
However, the pressure of winning her stars of the show at the event that pits men (temporarily) to one alongside Jarryd Felton at
national Open, that at times she has equated and women against each other from varied the TPS Sydney event in 2022.
to almost the same stature of the majors, tees across 72 holes of strokeplay. Unlike last year when it was played the
appeared to weigh on her over the weekend, Ogilvy’s own design firm OCM (Ogilvy, week after, the TPS Murray River tournament
when Green struggled on Sunday to a 74 and Cocking and Mead) are the consulting precedes the Vic Open for 2023, with the
fourth place behind winner and close friend architects at Rosebud, which now boasts two tournament returning to Cobram Barooga’s
Ashleigh Buhai of South Africa. courses in Australia’s Top-100 Public Access Old Course where Hannah Green (pictured)
Like the Australian Open, the Vic Open
no longer carries its LPGA co-sanctioning
of the pre-Covid world, but with a gap in the TPS HUNTER VALLEY WINNERS
schedule of the premier women’s circuit for AARON PIKE AND ELLA
the February 9-12 dates, organisers (Golf SCAYSBROOK WITH PETER O’MALLEY.
Australia) have done their darndest to ensure
that Australia’s LPGA players, especially
Green, will be on the Bellarine take a rare
opportunity to play at home.
An ardent supporter of her home WPGA
Tour of Australasia, and lover of all things
Vic Open, it would be hard to imagine Green
missing the tournament this month and the
chance to become just the second two-time
winner alongside her former state amateur
teammate and fellow major winner Minjee Lee.
Lee is another who could find herself in
the country before the LPGA Tour kicks of its
‘Asian Swing’ through Thailand, Singapore
and China at the end of February and would
surely love nothing more than to be capture a
hat-trick concurrently with Papadatos. A very
fitting celebration of the concurrent format
that started a revolution in tournament golf.
The merits of that format for the national
Opens has been a constant source of debate,
however few would ever question it at the Vic
Open that any and every one in golf hopes will
work its way back to the its elevated status on
the world stage with co-sanctioning and the
deep fields it boasted before the pandemic.
But for now, those who do show up and
play, and even more so the winners of
the tournaments on February 12, won’t
undervalue the event. Nor the spectators
who get the chance to walk the fairways
unencumbered by ropes alongside their
favourite players.
The summation of what lays ahead this
month best left to a player who would love
nothing more than to spoil Papadatos’ party
and, like Green, become a major winning Vic
Open champion.
“You can’t keep saying good things about
a tournament I guess, but it is just a well-run
tournament that everybody loves,” Geoff
Ogilvy said of the event.

made history last year. manager, Braith Anasta. famous faces courtesy of the Anasta connection,
Like all the TPS events, the Murray River A final day severely affected by rain in 2022 the TPS Sydney has been one of the proving
tournament (February 2-5) offers up $200,000 in still allowed for a play-off between Felton and grounds of the value of the TPS concept
prizemoney to the mixed field and adds juniors Japan Tour veteran Brendan Jones at Bonnie developed by Nick Dastey and Kim Felton from
on the weekend contesting their own event. But Doon, which once again plays host from the 16th the PGA Tour of Australasia.
the Murray River TPS holds a special place in to the 19th of this month. Finally, the latest player in the TPS space,
Australian golf as it is played in honour of the Well attended by crowds and often full of Hunter Valley, will be hoping for better weather
late Jarrod Lyle. than mother nature dished up for its debut in
Lyle grew up in Shepparton, just under a 2022 when the sodden fairways meant even
60-minute drive from the gates of Cobram getting mowers on the fairways of Cypress Lakes
Barooga, and his wife Briony was on site last was a challenge, let alone golfers.
year to honour Green when she made worldwide Reduced to 54-holes, it was a men and women
headlines by claiming the trophy. Whether mixed play-off last year, when Queensland’s
the West Australian returns to defend was Aaron Pike was able to finally wrestle the trophy
unanswered at the time of going to print, but this away from Momoka Kobori of New Zealand at
event will hold a special place for Green for the the tournament jointly hosted by major winner
rest of her golfing life and its own slice of the Jan Stephenson and Peter O’Malley.
PHOTO: AUSTRALIAN GOLF MEDIA X 2
game’s history. With hopefully better weather in the lead up

Immediately following the Vic Open, the to, and during, the event, Oaks Cypress Lakes
travelling circus of professional golf heads to Resort will get its chance to shine on a big
Sydney for the harbour city’s TPS event stage from February 26-29 before the Tour heads
hosted by former rugby league player turned to New Zealand for the country’s Open and
FoxSports TV commentator and golf player PGA championships.

Meet the Tour stars, YouTubers, Instagrammers,
equipment designers, company CEOs, course
architects, legends, rule-makers, deal-breakers and
controversial disruptors who had the biggest impact
on our game this past year.
WORDS MICHAEL CATLING, ROB JERRAM, NICK HARPER,

SIMON DADDOW, CHRIS JONES, CHRIS BERTRAM,
KEITH JACKSON, WILL SHREEVE-PEACOCK

WELCOME TO HOW THE
THE 100 MOST TOP-100
LIST WAS
INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE COMPILED
IN GOLF Measuring individual
influence in the golf
A BRAND-NEW industry isn’t easy. Sifting

through hundreds of
worthy candidates is even
RANKING OF THE harder. This list is based

on how these people
influenced ‘your game’
MEN AND WOMEN and ‘the game’ over the

last 12 months; other
years will be different.
WHO MADE THE You will recognise many

of the people. There are
some you will not have
BIGGEST DIFFERENCE heard of; and others who

may not be household
names, but play a crucial
IN THE GAME DURING role in your enjoyment

of the game. There are
people from the world of
THE PAST YEAR... equipment and course

design, from social media,
the Tours, the governing
bodies, tech firms and
broadcast media.
We measured their
influence across seven
categories, which were
then marked by a panel of
golf industry experts:
INFLUENCE Noun; When we started planning this list
The capacity to have an back in the summer, we spent hours YOUR GAME
effect on the character, and hours discussing what merits Equipment design
development, or behaviour influence. Is it a massive YouTube (max 10 marks)
of someone or something, or following? Is it setting trends in Course architecture
the effect itself. equipment design? Is it having a (max 10)
major to your name, or running a TV Instruction
According to the R&A, there are company, or having a million-plus (max 10)
around 66.6 million golfers in the Instagram followers? It’s all of those Inspiration
world – and every single one of them things, and more. (max 15)
has, in some way, been influenced by We also debated what our sphere
people on this list – the first ranking of influence would encompass. Just THE GAME
of its kind. Whether you’ve bought a social media? Just Tour players? Financial influence
dozen balls, a new driver, watched a Just one region? In the end, we (max 25 marks)
clip on YouTube, shared a Tweet, opened it up to anyone, anywhere – Voice
liked an Instagram post or played this is a global list open to anyone (max 15)
a top course, the reach of the 100 whose decisions, designs, money or Innovation
TEXT & IMAGES: © BAUER CONSUMER MEDIA LIMITED
people on the following pages is content affects the way you enjoy and (max 15)
simply staggering. consume the game.
Of course, the word ‘influencer’ Finally, we scored every person
has evolved in the last decade; it’s no who made the final shortlist (more
longer the sole preserve of men in than 540 names in all) and split
suits who make decisions behind them according to their influence
closed doors to have an ‘influence’. over YOUR game (governance,
Social media has given everyone a media, rules, equipment design) and
voice; but some are more influential THE game (players, Tour bosses,
than others. rights holders).

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98 SCOTTIE
SCHEFFLER
Golf’s silent
assassin who went from winless
I don’t look at a lot of social media. I
don’t read too much news about golf.
I try and stay in my own lane. I don’t make
huge changes in my swing and I don’t make
huge changes with how I approach the
to World No.1 and then major game, and it’s served me well over time.
100 DAVID SPENCER winner in record time.
Commissioner of the MENA Losing the No.1 spot affects I grew up watching Rory on TV. I grew up a
Tour, based in the Middle his ranking somewhat, but few years behind JT and Jordan, and I’ve
East and North Africa. Scheffler still won four looked up to those guys for a number of
The MENA Tour was launched in times and a Green Jacket years. I’ve taken good bits and pieces of
2011 and features a number of 54- in an incredible 57-day advice from them as well. So to be out here
hole tournaments. Sound familiar? stretch. Those Tiger competing with them is really a dream
Earlier this year, the Tour was levels of domination come true for me.
thrust into the spotlight after its proved unsustainable,
commissioner agreed a “strategic but he was still crowned My dream was to play on the PGA Tour,
alliance” with LIV Golf, meaning PGA Tour Player of never to maximise my financial benefits.
Greg Norman’s men may yet earn the Year after pocketing I feel blessed to play golf and get paid for
World Ranking points from events a record $14m in it, so I’m not looking to do anything else.
co-sanctioned by the Tour. on-course earnings. The PGA Tour is where I want to play.
94 MARK
CROSSFIELD
A pioneer of online
golf coaching.
Crossfield was THE YouTube
99 NO LAYING UP coach, dominating subscription
Global online golf behemoth. numbers and views. He continues
Friends Phil Landes, Chris to churn out course vlogs,
Solomon, and brothers Todd and golf instruction and honest
Neil Schuster launched NLU as equipment reviews,
a website in 2014, previewing but also co-hosts
tournaments and covering big the Hack It Out Golf
golf stories. Then it exploded. podcast with Arccos
Today, they have close to a expert Lou Stagner,
million followers across their discussing golf’s
social platforms and have hottest topics
produced almost 1,000 podcast and helping to
episodes, listened to by hundreds improve your
of thousands of people, with game.
guests including Tiger and
Rory. They’ve also signed major
partnerships with Callaway and
BMW, and launched a global
merchandise line.
96 LUKE DONALD 95 ZACH JOHNSON

Former World No.1 and Two-time Major champion 93 BOB ROTELLA
the current European Ryder and the current US Ryder The godfather of golf
Cup captain. Cup captain. psychology.
No one likes to be second choice, Like his opposite number, Rotella is golf’s equivalent of
but Donald will lead Europe into Zach Johnson was revered for his a fixer, a confidence guru and
97 DARIC ASHFORD battle against Team USA with consistency and sublime short- advisor to many of the world’s
Recently-named a point to prove after replacing game skills during a stellar career greatest athletes. He is credited
President of Nike Golf. LIV defector Henrik Stenson last which – unlike Donald – yielded with helping his male and female
They might not make clubs northern summer. His playing two major titles, the 2007 Masters clients to claim more than 75
anymore, but Nike’s golf apparel career is starting to fizzle out – he and 2015 Open. The 46-year-old major titles while in his care. Rory
still sells in phenomenal numbers, lost his PGA Tour card for this will be responsible for Team McIlroy has attributed his recent
as do their shoes. Ashford also season – but over three days USA’s defence of the Ryder Cup revival to Rotella’s methods,
has two of the most marketable in September, he’ll carry the next year, but in post-LIV times, which are laid bare across
players in the game on his books, hopes of almost 50 nations on his his selection plans have taken a dozens of self-help books. Golf Is
in Tiger and Rory, plus hundreds shoulders. No pressure, then. huge hit. Not a Game of Perfect remains
of other influencers. one of the greatest of all time.

92 TONY FINAU
He climbed the world
rankings in 2022. But he
represents much more than
just a number.
A noticeable face in a sea of
white men, Finau represents
golf’s ongoing push for equality. 91 PETER DAWSON
Finau is Polynesian by birth and Chairman of the Official
the highest-ranked black player World Golf Ranking.
at the time of writing. As such, Despite retiring from his role as
he represents possibility and Chief Executive of the R&A in
hope for the next generation of 2015, Dawson is still relevant in
minority golfers, that they too can shaping the future of the game.
make it in a still all too white-
dominated sport.
As chairman of the OWGR, he
has already changed how the
system is calculated to improve
its relevancy. Next in his in-tray –
90 DUDE PERFECT
An American sports and comedy group
with more than 58 million subscribers
on YouTube and 11.6 million followers on Instagram.
with the input of a seven-strong Former college room-mates Tyler Toney, Cory and Coby
board of directors – is deciding Cotton, Garrett Hilbert and Cody Jones are the stars of the
whether to grant LIV Golf ranking second biggest sports channel (behind WWE) on YouTube,
points, which could have a big combining humour, trick shots, challenges and world record
say in how many more players attempts. In April, DP were granted access to Augusta
join the breakaway league. National to film an ‘All
Sports Golf Battle’ video “My first reaction was,
with Bryson DeChambeau. ‘Who are these guys?
More than 12 million Y’know, I’ve never heard of
people have watched them.’ But ... it was
the group tackle Amen something I got
Corner using hockey comfortable with very
sticks, American footballs, quickly. I have heard from a
frisbees and more, as well number of my law partners
as taking on the famous who have teenage children
88 SCOTTY skip shot on 16, complete who said, ‘This is great, my
89 JON RAHM CAMERON with a voiceover from kids want to go out and
One of the finest, fieriest, The world’s best-known legendary broadcaster play golf’.” Fred Ridley,
and most outspoken golfers putter maker. Jim Nantz. Augusta Chairman.
in the world. Since 1993, more than 500 Tour
Rahm has firmly established events and about a third of all
himself among the game’s elite, majors (including all of those
having been a mainstay won by Tiger Woods) have been
in the OWGR’s top-10 since 2017, won by a player using a Scotty
ALEXENDRA
85
and clearly feels he’s earned the Cameron putter. He continues to
right to an opinion. He’s been design putters using innovative ARMAS
one of the highest-profile and methods, new materials, modern Former player
staunchest supporters of men’s shapes and concepts. turned CEO of the
golf’s two traditional Tours – at a Ladies European
time when they need it most. Tour.
Armas hasn’t had it easy
as the leader of the LET.
Two months into her
reign, the pandemic
hit and 13 tournaments
were cancelled. The
Tour was in danger of
86 DONALD TRUMP going bust until she
45th U.S President, now struck vital alliances
87 BOB VOKEY removed, a real estate with the LPGA and Golf
The legendary club billionaire who owns Saudi, safeguarding
craftsman behind several A-list golf resorts. ‘IN 2020, PLAYERS ONLY the immediate future of
Titleist’s wedge brand. Trump’s global influence has HAD 19 TOURNAMENTS the Tour. Members are
Still going strong in his 80s,
Vokey has designed wedges for
waned since his removal from
office, but his influence in golf
AND WERE PLAYING FOR now benefitting from
more big-money events,
and been a short-game advisor remains strong. He owns a €11 MILLION. NOW, IN including the Aramco
to many of the world’s best number of high-end resorts, 2022, WE HAVE 34 Series, while Armas’
players. The wedges which bear
his name still make up close to
including Trump Turnberry, Trump
Doonbeg and Trump International
TOURNAMENTS AND growing influence has
seen her named among
40 percent of all sand, lob, and Golf Links in Aberdeen, and LIV (ARE) PLAYING FOR the ‘Top Women in
approach wedges in play every Golf staged events at two of his €27 MILLION’ Sports’ by the Women’s
week on Tour. resorts this year. Sports Institute.

84 SAL SYED
CEO and Co-founder of
Arccos Golf.
More than half a billion shots have
now been tracked by Arccos’ grip
tags, giving users a whole new
LYDIA KO
AI-driven insight into their game.
Their free app has been credited
with helping members cut their
handicap by 5.78 shots in the first
year, by allowing them to make The erstwhile teenage phenom
better decisions on the course. who made Tiger look like a slow
starter, now back to her best after
a couple of uncharacteristically
quiet years.
83 CHRIS RYAN
Elite coach and rising
W
star of online instruction. e had to double-check the You must have surprised yourself,
While YouTube has become fact that Lydia Ko is only 25, winning as an amateur on just your
bloated with instructional videos as it seems like she’s been a third LPGA start?
in recent years, Ryan’s content dominant force in women’s golf for an I don’t think I could ever have
stands out for his engaging age. It’s been almost eight years since the imagined that winning the Canadian
delivery, his gift for demonstration, New Zealander became the youngest Open at 15 was even possible … I was just
and his uncanny knack of player of either gender to be crowned trying to make the cut! It was just about
addressing the very element that World No.1. She was the youngest to win playing with the pros and gleaning
seems to be plaguing your game. a professional event (at 14), an LPGA experience from that.
His tips have racked up more Tour title (15), a major (18), and two
than 75 million views since he majors (still 18). She was listed among You made it look awfully easy ...
joined YouTube in 2011 and he has Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential I may have made it look easy but it was
600,000 subscribers across all People in the World at just 17, inspired a never easy. It never felt easy to me.
digital platforms. generation of girls to take up the game,
and continues to do so today. Here, she Did you find it difficult dealing with
reveals why the women’s game is fame and being billed as the female
underappreciated, and why she felt Tiger Woods after winning your first
empowered to speak out about a taboo major at 18?
subject affecting female athletes in sport. I think there was a bit of pressure
because of the expectations, but mostly it
When you first burst onto the scene, was down to the expectations I had put
you were the talk of the Tour, on myself. I feel like the second time I
breaking records and beating the became World No.1 I was able to embrace
biggest names in women’s golf. How it a bit better.
81 CAMERON SMITH did you manage to achieve so much
Reigning Open Champion at such a young age? You made a lot of headlines when you
and LIV Golf’s biggest catch. To be honest, I think I got a lot of opened up about the effect periods
LIV Golf detractors had pointed to opportunities. Getting to World No.1 gave can have on your performance. Did
the Tour’s recruits coming from me the opportunity to play in major you expect to receive such a positive
two camps: players in the twilight championships, which in turn gave me reaction for speaking so freely?
years of their careers or those the confidence to play in other LPGA Some people may feel uncomfortable
who could be called also-rans. events, which led to me winning the 2012 hearing about it or talking about it, and
Cam Smith’s switch changed all Canadian Open. So, I think I was really it’s not something that’s been said often,
that. He was a player at the peak lucky with the opportunities which came but it is the reality that pretty much all
of his powers, poised to challenge my way and how the timings fell. female athletes have to deal with. A lot of
for more majors and top spot in the
World Ranking. He is potentially
giving at least some of that up by
joining golf’s big-money league.
Greg Norman’s best get yet.

people have reached out to me, saying, “I The LPGA Tour is dominated by If you had to pick a single highlight
can’t believe you said that”. Some players world-class Asian players. Why do you from your career, what would it be?
are like, “Yeah that’s totally true. I feel like think that is? Winning the Evian Championship (in
that every month”. If I only knew the reasons, I’d be doing 2015), aged 18, was one of the highlights
When I was younger, even with my that every day in practise! Definitely the just because it was my first major and
(male) physio, I didn’t really feel inspiration of Sarah Lee has been a key I didn’t think it was going to happen, let
comfortable talking about it, but now I’m factor. She was among the first Korean alone that I’d break Morgan Pressel’s
like, “Oh, it’s that time, my legs feel heavy players to play on the LPGA, which gave a youngest major champion record! Also, and
so maybe we shouldn’t go too aggressive lot of motivation and inspiration to many even though I didn’t win, the silver medal in
on our workouts” or “My back’s tight girls in Korea to follow in her footsteps. She Rio and bronze at the Tokyo Olympics were
because of that”. Even within my team I set that path for so many of us, including among the most honourable and gratifying
got more comfortable talking about it. It’s me, being of Korean descent myself. experiences of my career.
a lot more complex than just the
menstrual cycle. What is driving you on now?
Just that there’s no perfect round, no
Do you see yourself as a role model for perfect game. It doesn’t matter whether
youngsters? you’re the No.1 player or No.100, we
If I can inspire young girls to take up golf think we can all get better. We’re almost
and think, “Hey, I want to play on the LPGA trying to play the impossible game, so it’s
in the future” or “I want to be the next Lydia not easy. Trying to be consistent, to be
Ko”, that would be a job well done by me. able to contend regularly, that’s what’s
That’s why you see so many of the LPGA motivating me.
girls – regardless of whether they’ve had
a good or a bad day – sign so many How does this season stack up
autographs. We’re in the position to compared to the rest?
inspire and give hopes and dreams to I think this is probably the best I’ve
juniors to be in our position one day. played, the most consistently I’ve played. I
think when I was No.1, I had more wins in
Is it getting harder to compete that season, but I don’t think I had as many
at the top of the LPGA Tour top-10s.
these days? Do you still plan to retire at 30?
The talent on the LPGA Tour is Yes, I’m still sticking to that or around
amazing and a lot of people don’t realise it about that anyway. I want to do other stuff,
until they see it, then they go, “Wow, these like studying or family or whatever else.
girls hit it a long way and have a lot of There’s more to life than golf – but I won’t
finesse.” I’m playing against these ladies be stepping away from the game just yet!
week in, week out and I learn from the
shots that these players hit and am thinking
to myself, “Wow, this is amazing!”
‘I THINK THIS
SEASON IS PROBABLY
THE BEST I’VE
PLAYED, OR THE
MOST CONSISTENTLY
I’VE PLAYED’

77 TOM FAZIO
80 JORDAN SPIETH A household name in the
Three-time major winner world of golf architecture
and most unpredictable – and an advisor to Augusta
golfer in the world. National since the late ‘90s.
A marketer’s dream, Spieth has After collaborating with his uncle
gone from golf’s golden boy to George in the 1960s, Fazio forged
struggling artist to comeback his own path in the 1980s and
kid – and all before the age of has sculptured more than 200
30. It’s been a long road back courses, many of which feature
but a perfect 5-0 record in the in Top-100 lists. His fingerprints
Presidents Cup has got us can be found on Ireland’s
believing again. His partnership Waterville and Adare Manor, as
with Justin Thomas evokes well as Shadow Creek and PGA
memories of Seve and Ollie. Tour stop Quail Hollow.
79 MIKE CLAYTON
Former European Tour
winner, now part of the
Clayton, DeVries & Pont
architectural firm.
76
PETE COWEN
Full-time Tour coach
THE KING OF SWING
Don’t swing to stay
in balance, swing
in balance. If you watch
someone who hits it down
too far back or forward
when chipping and pitching,
it causes the bottom of the
arc to change which causes
The Australian had a fine playing shaping the swings and the middle all the time, inconsistencies. The more
career but may have surpassed careers of top players, they swing within you minimise the movement,
his achievements since retiring. including Tommy themselves, finish in the better your consistency
He partnered with Tom Doak at Fleetwood and balance and can hold that will be.
Barnbougle Dunes and restored Lee Westwood. position for 20 seconds.
Victoria before joining CDP. He is The sheer depth, breadth and Most golfers can’t do that There’s a lot of confusion
now renovating The Addington, success of his pupils make because their mechanics about hinging and cocking,
among others. A wonderful Cowen a legendary name in aren’t good enough. especially when it concerns
writer on architecture and a big coaching circles. Nine of his shorter shots. You cock the
presence on social media. students are major winners, One of the biggest faults wrist up and down, and
while many more have gone I see is people hinge the wrist back and
on to forge successful Tour standing too far forward. You need to hinge
careers, racking up more away from when you chip, and then use
than 250 PGA Tour wins the ball and a combination of the two
in the process. Cowen having little when you’re pitching. If you
commands the respect control of try and cock the wrists like
of the best through the the butt end a hammer when you chip,
clarity of his approach, his of the club. that’s what throws the club
understanding of the Tour If the butt miles out of plane and adds
78 ALAN SHIPNUCK pro psyche and his own, not- travels unwanted height. If you
Golf writer, author, and inconsiderable skills keep the shaft more vertical
feather-ruffler. with a golf club. and have a slight hinge, the
Shipnuck is one of the foremost action almost resembles
writers in golf, having previously a brushing motion which
worked for Sports Illustrated and, gets the ball running on the
more recently, Golf magazine. ground a lot quicker.
He’s since become a partner and
editor at the Fire Pit Collective,
producing golf stories, podcasts,
and videos. But he’s perhaps best
known for his books, including
a warts-and-all biography of
Phil Mickelson, featuring a
now infamous ‘off-the-record’
telephone call between the two.

74 CHRIS LINDNER 73 GOLF WITH AIMEE
President of FootJoy. Aimee Cho, a Tour player
FootJoy have been the No.1 shoe turned instructor with
on the PGA Tour since 1945, and 440k+ YouTube subscribers.
there isn’t a golf course on the A huge hit in Asia, Aimee
planet that hasn’t been walked Cho’s YouTube channel is
upon by a pair. Along with its among the world’s most popular
75
GUY KINNINGS
apparel and gloves, FJ now
contribute $600m to Acushnet’s
annual sales. Among Lindner’s
many contributions include signing
Justin Thomas and Jessica Korda
as brand ambassadors at the start
of the year.
thanks to its simple and enjoyable
content, including tips and
lessons with celebrities.
She also has a website,
MPswing.com, where you
can sign up to video coaching
courses and one-to-one sessions.
Deputy CEO of the DP World Tour and
Director of Ryder Cup Europe.
A long-time manager of Colin Montgomerie, Kinnings
became one of the most prominent agents at IMG, rising
to the rank of Head of Golf. His reputation alerted Keith
Pelley, who installed Kinnings as his right-hand man and
tasked him with overseeing all operations relating to
the Ryder Cup. He has had a tricky start to say the least.
A record defeat at Whistling Straits and an enforced
change of captain this year were unfortunate, yet he is still
considered to be the natural successor to Pelley.
71 GEORGE GANKAS 70 JAMES LEDFORD
One of the world’s most President of Golf Pride,
watched and quoted coaches. the No.1 grip on Tour.
Gankas is the world’s most Every week, around 80 percent
revolutionary golf instructor. of Tour pros use Golf Pride grips
Famed for arguing against without being paid a penny;
JIN YOUNG KO
72 Two-time major winner and

serial record breaker.
Without question the biggest star in Asian golf right now. Victory at the
traditional methods and his ability
to add speed to anyone’s game,
the 52-year-old coaches Matt
Wolff, who possesses one of the
and their dominance is at a
similar level in clubs all over the
world. Ledford leads a team of
researchers and innovators in
HSBC Women’s World Championship in March delivered Ko’s sixth title most unusual but effective swings Pinehurst, North Carolina, where
in 10 starts and saw her set an LPGA record for the most consecutive in golf. He’s even given a lesson they’ve just opened a new retail
rounds in the 60s (16). At one point she was on a run of hitting 66 to the great Butch Harmon. The lab in their Global Innovation
greens in regulation in a row, another American commands up to $1,000 Centre, giving club golfers a
record on the PGA and LPGA Tours. for lessons and runs a fascinating Tour-like, inside-the-ropes fitting
Only a niggling injury stopped her from online teaching programme. experience for the first time.
holding onto top spot in the world
ranking for the whole of this year.
She represents the vast potential
of the next generation of golfers in
South Korea.
“I feel like people don’t give her 69 CHO MINN THANT

enough credit for how dominant Commissioner and CEO of
she is and how consistent the Asian Tour.
she is. I don’t think A 15-year veteran across a
anyone has seen this number of roles for the Asian
since Annika. It’s Tour, Thant’s tenure as CEO has
very Tiger-esque.” been thrust into the limelight
Cheyenne Knight. after he linked up with LIV
Golf boss Greg Norman. The
partnership with the Saudi-
backed investment fund is worth
more than $300 million to the
Asian Tour over the next decade
and includes the promise of a
new, 10-tournament International
Series each year.

MARTIN
EBERT
One half of the Mackenzie &
Ebert firm, working on eight
of the 10 Open venues.
Ebert is the R&A’s go-to man.
He worked on Lytham, St
George’s, Troon, Hoylake, Birkdale
and Carnoustie before they host
The Open, with bigger projects at
Portrush (two new holes), as well
as the complete overhaul of the
Ailsa course at Turnberry.

‘DONALD TRUMP
CALLS ME THE MOST
STUBBORN MAN
HE’S EVER MET!’
CLAUDE HARMON III

Son of Butch, grandson of
Claude, but now making his
own name as an innovative
and sought-after Tour coach
and commentator.
A self-confessed technophile,
Harmon III is well positioned
to align a data-led coaching
philosophy with the old-school
approach of his distinguished
relatives. He stepped out of
his dad’s shadow in 2017 by
guiding Brooks Koepka to the
2017 US Open and has gone
on to coach the likes of Dustin
Johnson, Si Woo Kim and Adam
Scott. His podcast series and
TV commentary stints have
enhanced his reputation.
66 DAVID PILLSBURY
CEO of Invited (formerly
ClubCorp), the largest
owner and operator of
private clubs in the U.S.
A major player in the American
golf scene, Invited own and
operate 161 golf and country
clubs, serving 430,000 members
across 30 states and two
countries. Pillsbury is also in
charge of seven BigShots Golf
locations, Invited’s answer to
TopGolf, which is set to grow to 20
ranges by 2024.

64 DUSTIN JOHNSON
Two-time major champion,
now plying his trade on
the controversial LIV
Golf Tour.
65
PHIL KENYON
Britain’s most
PUTTING TRICKS
OF THE TRADE
My biggest source
of frustration is ...
you need to respond to
changes in speed. To build
The former World No.1’s career sought-after Seeing amateurs under- your intuition, I would
seemed to be slowing, but he’s putting coach, with read big, breaking putts. recommend using AimPoint
been revived after defecting to a star-studded When greens get faster, Express (a green-reading
LIV. DJ has won US$35,637,767 client list featuring break magnifies and so technique) to help get a feel
in five months since making the Matt Fitzpatrick, for slopes and angles.
switch, not to mention a reported Max Homa and
US$100m signing bonus. He’s Justin Rose, among The best putters ... Replicate
been the dominant force on the others. the same length stroke
new Tour and the biggest case for A modern-day legend in back and through and
the OWGR to include LIV players. his field, Kenyon minimise body movement
is the man to go to by keeping their arms and
for all things putting. He hands quiet. That’s why I’m
has an online academy, a big fan of the Mi Putting
as well as a range of Template as it includes
Visio Putting training swing-length features and
aids which are used by visual guides to train the
several Tour stars. He correct path shape.
is also the Director of
a high-tech putting The single best
63 PETER FINCH school bearing training aid is ... One
Golf pro turned content the name of his that is most relevant
creator with 510,000+ mentor, Harold for you and your
subscribers on YouTube. Swash, at Formby stroke. You can
Almost a decade on from starting Hall Golf Resort. spend hundreds
his channel, Finch remains one of pounds buying
of YouTube’s biggest golf stars. training aids or
His videos have been watched you can make your
for more than 2.5m hours in own. First, I would really
2022. Alongside his instruction, recommend a putting
equipment and challenge videos, lesson, then find something
Finch has partnered with a host that is tailored to correct
of brands, including BMW, and your flaws.
co-hosted ‘Live at the Range’ for
the R&A and Sky Sports at The
150th Open.
Open For The Ages, that included

golfing greats from the past 50 years.
62 NELLY KORDA More recently he’s played
Olympic gold medallist. a major role in improving fan
Still only 24, Nelly has overtaken Lexi engagement at R&A Championships,
Thompson as the face of women’s golf as well as the creation of the World
in America. She hasn’t reached the Amateur Golf Ranking. However,
heights of last season when she won his greatest influence can be linked
STEVE OTTO
61
four times, including the Women’s to the Distance Insights project.
PGA Championship, but she’s still Ex NASA employee, He currently heads up the R&A’s
pocketed US$5.9m this year, making her now Chief equipment standards department at
the ninth highest paid female athlete, Technology Officer at the R&A. a new testing centre at Kingsbarns
according to Forbes. She is also part Otto is golf’s very own rocket Links, where they are using robots,
of one of the greatest athletic families: scientist and an unsung star of the cannons and even missile tracking
sister Jessica is a multiple LPGA pandemic. He kept us all entertained technology to test and analyse
winner, while her parents, Petr and when The Open was cancelled in thousands of balls and clubs every
Regina, were pro tennis stars, as is her 2020, using a combination of data year. His research is likely to have a
brother Sebastian. and archived footage to create a big say on the proposed changes to
virtual replacement, known as The the equipment rules.

MOLLIE
59 J.P. MCMANUS
An introverted Irish bookmaker turned
billionaire businessman who has the
56 MARCOUX
SAMAAN
Commissioner of the LPGA.
game’s biggest stars on speed dial. Replacing Mike Whan as head
Already the owner of Sandy Lane in the Bahamas, of the LPGA was never going to
McManus’ golfing influence has grown in tandem with his annual pro-am. be an easy task, but Marcoux
It’s become an eve of The Open Championship tradition, packed full of Samaan got her tenure off to a
60 HIDEKI big-name PGA Tour stars – including Tiger. When J.P. calls, the stars align. popular start – strengthening
MATSUYAMA That the modern-day King Midas also brought the 2027 Ryder Cup to Adare relationships with the Ladies
2021 Masters champion, Manor was no great surprise. European Tour while also
the man LIV Golf want securing further investment from
above almost all others. Golf Saudi, backers of
The Japanese star spent the the Aramco Series. That
summer surrounded by rumours partnership has attracted plenty
that he would jump ship and join of headlines for the LPGA and
LIV Golf’s gravy train for $400m. Marcoux Samaan, who admitted
He didn’t sign, and eventually in the summer that she would
pledged his allegiance to the PGA consider a deal with Greg
Tour, though he hasn’t closed the Norman and the controversial
door completely … LIV Golf. “It’s my responsibility to
evaluate every opportunity”, she
said. “Women in golf have always
struggled to get anywhere close
to matching the earning power of
MATT
58
their male counterparts, so a deal
FITZPATRICK with LIV would make financial
Reigning U.S Open sense and create long-term
champion. security.” But at what cost? That’s
An inspiration for golfers 57 SEAN TOULON for Marcoux Samaan to decide …
who are short and slight in SVP at Callaway, GM at
stature. Fitzpatrick gained Odyssey, and Founder of
4mph in clubhead speed Toulon Design.
and added 10 yards in A golf industry veteran who spent
distance off the tee last year 15 years at TaylorMade (where
thanks to a speed training he brought us the first adjustable
system called The Stack. His driver), Toulon came out of
obsession with stat tracking retirement to head up the world’s
convinced him to chip largest putter company, where
cack-handed from 30 yards he’s brought us ground-breaking
and in for the first time last innovations including Triple Track
season, gaining 0.4 strokes alignment and Stroke Lab shafts.
around the green compared
to 2021 on the PGA Tour.
He’s reminded everyone
that the outcome is far more
important than how it looks.
THE THREE KEYS TO

MATT’S SUCCESS 55 MARK STEINBERG
54 RAJ
SUBRAMANIAM
STACK STATS SHORT GAME The most powerful agent CEO of FedEx, sponsor
“I use a training “I put a lot of my “My chipping on the planet. of the PGA Tour.
program called improvements stats are 100 You could argue that Tiger Woods With the PGA Tour in crisis as LIV
The Stack, which down to statistics. percent better this doesn’t need an agent, but in lures its top players, the FedEx
is like a golf club I’m always trying year compared to Steinberg he has a man cut from millions signed off by new boss
with weights on. to see where I last. When I was a similar cloth. Possessing the Subramaniam have never been
You follow an app can improve all chipping normally, same cold-eyed characteristics more important. The FedExCup,
on your phone aspects of my I was getting a lot as his star client, Steinberg with its US$75m end-of-season
and it tells you game. That’s why of inconsistency in made his name at IMG, notably Playoffs pot, remains one of the
what weights to I take so much the strike and the on the back of signing Annika biggest sponsorship deals in golf
put on the club detail on the release. I started Sorenstam before she landed and was extended for 10 years
and how many golf course, so I doing it (left hand the first of 10 Majors. He’s now in 2017 to continue one of the
swings (to make). know where my below right) two one of four partners at Excel longest-running endorsement
It’s like going to weak areas and years ago in the Sports Management. partnerships in sports.
the gym basically. strengths are and rough. I just got so
I’ll be honest, it’s I know how to comfortable with
worked wonders.” improve those it, now I really like
with my team.” doing it.”

53 MIKE KEISER 48 TIM SCHANTZ
The game’s pre-eminent The President and CEO
developer who fell in love of Troon.
with GB&I links and wanted Since succeeding founder
to recreate them in the U.S. Dana Garmany three years ago,
Keiser started with Dunes Club but Schantz has overseen a period
50
Bandon Dunes’ success led others of incredible growth, cementing
to create Barnbougle Dunes, Sand Troon’s status as the largest third-
Valley, Cabot in Canada and Cabot party manager of golf clubs. They
St Lucia. His creations make up a service more than 725 courses
good chunk of World Top 100 lists. in 32 countries, up from 280
He’s bucked the trend by courses in April 2019. The Troon
building courses on remote sites GIL HANSE Golf portfolio includes The Grove,
that encourage walking over A Doak disciple, Hanse’s own designs are lauded Trump Turnberry and Centurion,
buggies and aren’t overlooked but he is almost as revered as a masterful restorer. which gives you an idea as to the
by properties. Along with Coore-Crenshaw and Tom Doak, Hanse is quality of service they provide.
the driver in the ‘minimalist’ philosophy and the creator of
the Rio Olympic Course. Castle Stuart, Les Bordes (New) and
Streamsong (Black) feature among his standout designs,
though he has also renovated numerous classics, from
Pinehurst (No.4) to Narin & Portnoo to Fisher’s Island.
47 KLAUS
52 BILL COORE ELDRUP-JORGENSEN
The driving force behind the Co-founder and CEO
Coore-Crenshaw partnership, of TrackMan.
doing much of the work on site. Teachers, fitters, designers and
Coore is the quiet man of even the PGA Tour (where there’s
architecture but does his talking on now 40 at every event) rely on
the ground. It’s no exaggeration to TrackMan’s ball-tracking data,
say that giving your land to Coore is which provides real-time insight
virtually guaranteeing a compelling on ball speed, launch, flight,
result. He began his design career and landing … and lets us see
in 1972 with Pete Dye before the the trajectory on TV. Indeed, so
spotlight fell on him through the good is it that more than 1,000
partnership with Ben Crenshaw. Tour players have invested in
TrackMan tech for their own
personal use.
BRANDEL CHAMBLEE
Former PGA Tour player turned
analyst for the Golf Channel.
Chamblee is far out in front as the most Phil Mickelson
outspoken TV personality in golf. He is an uncommonly
comes from the Roy Keane school of gifted golfer who
51 DANNY MAUDE punditry and currently has a $750m also has a gift for
One of the world’s most- defamation lawsuit hanging over his egoic grandiosity 46 JON WATTERS
watched online golf coaches, head, courtesy of Patrick Reed. He’s just and, by way of his Co-President of
with more than 850,000 authored his second book: The Short recent comments, Foresight Sports.
YouTube subscribers. Game: Lessons from Inside 100 Yards towering irony. The company that brought us
Maude doesn’t get the attention by the Best Golfers in History, though the GC2 launch monitor have
that other YouTubers receive, architectural buffs are more interested in revolutionised club fitting under
perhaps because he doesn’t his new design partnership with Agustin Watters’ leadership. The little grey
produce challenges or course Piza, which is focused on pushing the box, which uses cameras rather
vlogs, but his content will creativity boundaries of multi-purpose than radar to track a ball, is a
do wonders for your game. golf. Their first project is set to debut in common sight in fitting rooms and
Alongside his YouTube channel, Mexico, featuring four quadrangles of now at Toptracer driving ranges.
he offers a host of coaching plans six-hole loops known as the ‘Butterfly
– either pre-produced, virtual or Effect’. It could be a game-changer.
in-person – all via his website.

45 JONATHAN SMITH
Founder and Executive Director
of the GEO Foundation for
Sustainable Golf.
Golf is slowly moving towards a greener
future – and Smith and his team have
been leading the charge to inspire, educate, and reward
sustainability. They hosted the first ever Sustainable Golf Week 44 GOOD GOOD 43 TOM DOAK
in October, 2022 and continue to report year-on-year growth America’s biggest golf The world’s best-known
with golf facilities becoming GEO certified in recognition of YouTube channel. and most charismatic
their environmental and social responsibility. Smith is currently Founded by friends Garrett Clark, course designer.
collaborating with several big-name partners, including the R&A, Matt Scharff, Stephen Castaneda, The man behind World Top 100
LPGA and around 50 federations and associations across 25 Micah ‘Tig’ Morris, and Tom fixtures Pacific Dunes at Bandon
countries, to accelerate change in the industry. He also directly ‘Bubbie’ Broders in July 2020, this Dunes, Ballyneal, Barnbougle
advises some of golf’s largest events, including The Open, Ryder September Good Good became Dunes, Cape Kidnappers and
Cup, Solheim Cup and Olympics. only the second golf YouTube the brand-new Rosapenna (St
channel to reach a million Patrick’s), Doak is now grooming
subscribers. Each a scratch or the next generation of architects,
single-figure golfer, they play in with Gil Hanse and Mike DeVries
JUSTIN THOMAS
42
pro-ams, break world records and among his pupils. The American’s
Two-time US PGA Champion and attempt many challenges. Their pithy Confidential Guide to Golf
one of the most vocal defenders of brand now includes a podcast Courses book will be lauded
the PGA Tour. and a full range of merch. for centuries.
Unfairly cast as a supporting actor behind
Rory and Tiger, JT has stepped back into the
spotlight his year, becoming the sixth man
since World War II to win 15 times, including
two majors, before turning 30. He has almost
certainly replaced Patrick Reed as Captain
America, winning 12 times and losing
only four from 19 matches across two
Ryder Cups and two Presidents Cups.
40 BEN CRENSHAW
Two-time Masters
champion, Ryder
Cup-winning captain and
one half of the Coore-
Crenshaw design firm.
His swagger and joggers-and-hoodie Crenshaw had a stellar legacy
combo make him one of the most even before he partnered with
popular players among the younger Bill Coore to create one of the
generation. He’s also not immune to the most revered course design
occasional shank or top, which makes firms in the world. He will
him relatable to everyone else. always be remembered for his
Masters wins but his part in
the trend towards less penal,
more strategic courses might
be his most enduring legacy.
41 BRYSON DECHAMBEAU
A major-winning, long-driving, equipment-
revolutionising, opinion-dividing LIV Golf star.
The Mad Scientist of Golf has never been afraid to
do things his own way. From one-length clubs and one-
plane swings, to gaining 40lbs in a quest for increased
swing speed, it’s Bryson’s world and we’re all just trying to
understand it. Love or loathe him, LIV Golf shelled out more
than US$125m for Bryson’s signature
because his influence stretches
far beyond the course. Not
content with being one of the
world’s best players, the 29-year-
old finished second in last year’s 39 DAVID RICKMAN 38 STEVE PELISEK
World Long Drive Championship Executive Director – President of Titleist
and is chronicling his life on YouTube Governance and Chief of golf clubs.
to 324,000 subscribers. The 2020 US Staff – at the R&A. Pelisek joined Acushnet in 1993
Open champion is now looking Rickman affects your game in a and was made President of
to grow the game at home big way – perhaps more so than Titleist’s clubs in early 2016. When
in Dallas and in California, anyone on this list. Over the last much of the industry has gone
with plans for a multi-sports 25 years, he has been responsible to annual product cycles, he’s
complex and the development for the Rules of Golf, Amateur stuck behind a tried and trusted
of junior golf tours through his Status, Equipment Standards and launch formula; Titleist fans know
own foundation. Handicapping in conjunction when it’s coming, they know it
with the USGA. He’s also the will be better than what came
chief referee at the men’s and before, and they know it will be
Women’s Open – so a man used by lots of Tour players and
players like to keep on side. accomplished amateurs.

37 JOE ASSELL
President, CEO and
Co-founder of GOLFTEC.
Over the past 27 years, Assell has
built GOLFTEC into a global brand
that’s shaped instruction and
club fitting at 240+ centres in six
countries. They have just acquired
PAIGE
SPIRANAC
SkyTrak and Assell is hopeful
of expanding the GOLFTEC
business to 350 locations in the
US, as well as 400 international
sites in the future. Golfer turned online
coach, model and social
media sensation.
36 MARTY JERTSON
Vice President for Fitting &
Performance at PING.
If you’ve played any new PING Unless your weekly golf fix doesn’t include scouring social
golf club over the last 15 years, media for tips and tricks, there’s a very good chance you’ve
it’s likely Jertson played a part in stumbled across Paige Spiranac before. She is, in many
its design. An engineer at heart, ways, exceptionally hard to miss. With 3.7 million followers
he is now responsible for PING’s on Instagram and more than 11 million across her social
‘fitting science’. He’s also a hell media channels, she operates in a different world to most
of a player, appearing in his sixth professional golfers. It’s easy to judge and typecast her as
major in 2020. ‘just another influencer’, but Spiranac is bold, feisty and
one of the most prominent woman in golf. She has built an
enviable network of partners and followers because she
plays the social media game better than most.
It helps that she was named the ‘Sexiest Woman Alive’
by Maxim magazine, though the 29-year-old has succeeded
where others have failed because of her relatability, work
ethic and willingness to disrupt golf’s status quo. She likes
to joke that “men like golf and boobs” in response to being
listed as the most followed golfer on Instagram, but there
35 ANNIKA remains a seriousness which underpins a lot of what she puts
SORENSTAM out. This year she has used her Playing a Round with Paige
President International Golf Renee podcast to express herself, speaking out against body
Federation (IGF) and the shaming, outdated dress codes and sexism in the sport. Now
greatest female player of her she is about to launch a new subscription platform which
generation. aims to break down one of golf’s biggest barriers to entry. It’s
Her on-course achievements are time we all put some respect against her name.
legendary (10 majors, 89 wins
worldwide) but the Swede is
playing an even greater role as an
ambassador, lending her name to
‘I STILL FEEL A BIT
tournaments and programmes and
donating almost US$8m to junior
OUTCASTED AS A WOMAN
golf through her foundation. She
even committed $50,000 to support
IN A MALE-DOMINATED
Symetra Tour players during the
pandemic. Last year she hosted the
INDUSTRY’
Scandinavian Mixed for a second
time alongside Henrik Stenson, and
next November she’ll be getting
her own LPGA event; The Annika
Driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.

golfgolf australia | | FEBRUARY
australia FEBRUARY2023
2023 61
EXCLUSIVE
‘SOMETIMES
A VIDEO OF MY
GOLF SWING WILL
GET THREE
MILLION VIEWS’
As the original Insta golf girl, Paige
Spiranac has built a following which
far outstrips the biggest names in golf.
Her success owes as much to the
flirtatious nature of her content as it
does to finding a niche in a sport
which has always taken itself too
seriously ...
Let’s go back to the beginning. What needed a break from. I switched over to I think so. I got another sponsor’s invite to
made you decide to give up your golf social media full time in 2016/17, and that’s play at the Scottish Open. I made the cut
career and become a content creator, when it really took off because I was doing there. But it was hard being in an
because not many people were doing both about 50 percent. Once I put all my environment where you didn’t feel
that at the time? energy and attention into social media, welcomed. All of the outside eyes were on
I kind of fell into it accidentally. At that that’s when I realised I can actually turn me and as we all know, golf is so mental
time, I was just putting golf content out this into a profitable, successful business. and you need to have confidence. Even
on social media for fun. I had no money to when I played well, I would check social
pay for my golf career. But after this one Just before that, in 2015, you made media and thousands of people were
tournament, someone wrote an article your LET debut in Dubai. A few players telling me how bad I was and that I should
about me and it ended up going viral. were quite dismissive about you quit. It just took a toll on me. I won a
Overnight I went from having no followers receiving a sponsor’s invite. Was it Cactus Tour event and I played really
to close to 100,000 on Instagram. No one difficult hearing that from your peers? well. But my dad said that was the moment
was really doing social media in the golf It was really difficult. I got the invitation he knew that I wasn’t going to continue
space, so there really wasn’t any road that to play about three months into my social to play anymore. I should have been so
I could follow. So, I was like, maybe I can media journey, so it was really happy and I wasn’t happy. The highs
kind of leverage this to get free golf balls overwhelming to handle all of this didn’t outweigh the lows and that was
and shoes, because I literally couldn’t afford new-found attention. It was my very first the reason why I stepped away. I just
anything. Some companies started professional event and I was so nervous. didn’t have the right mentality to play the
reaching out and that’s essentially how it I didn’t want the spotlight on me but it game professionally.
started. From there, I was able to grow it turned into this huge media storm and
and I could see that this path seemed better again, I wasn’t prepared for it. The girls You need to have quite a thick skin
suited to me, compared to playing golf weren’t very welcoming and while I can see to be an Insta golf girl as well. Do you
professionally. why they felt that way, I didn’t handle it struggle with some of the negativity
very well. you get online?
Was there an exact moment when you Not so much now. It was much harder
thought, I could do this for a living? Did that influence your decision to when I was playing golf because I cared so
I don’t think there was an exact moment take a step back from Tour life? deeply about my game and wanting to play
because even to this day, I’m still so shocked on the LPGA Tour. That was such a big goal
and blown away by the support that I get. of mine and that was my biggest failure,
But after my first year when I was playing that I didn’t make it. It’s something I still
around 25 tournaments, I barely broke struggle with every single day, feeling like a
even. Everything that I was doing on social
media was going back into my golf career LEFT: Paige was named the ‘Sexiest Woman
and I was burnt out. I was frustrated. It was Alive’ in the Maxim 2022 Hot List, the first
just an emotional grind that I felt like I athlete ever to take top spot.

quitter and like I wasn’t good enough. But
with social media, this Paige Renee persona Paige made her third
is a bit of a character that I play. It’s still me, and final LET start
but it’s an exaggerated version of the sexiest, at the 2016 Dubai
fun side. So, when people comment on the Ladies Masters.
persona, I can brush it off pretty easily
because it’s not really who I am.
33 THOMAS PAGEL
You have spoken openly about some of Chief Governance Officer
the mental health challenges you’ve for the USGA.
experienced over the years. Was that a Before LIV Golf was even a thing,
conscious decision to let people in and the biggest headache for the
see the real you? sport’s authorities was the long-
Yeah, I’ve done the opposite of what running debate on technology.
everyone has told me. I remember I talked Amid continued calls for some
about wanting to quit after Dubai and how it restriction on the huge distances
really got to me. I got a call from my sponsor achieved by modern professionals,
and they were like, “Yeah, never do that. Pagel is a key player as he and the
Don’t talk about your emotions”. But I am R&A debate the findings of various
glad that I didn’t take that advice and I’ve distance-related investigations.
been able to be so open about my anxiety and Vegas, Utah, back to Colorado, and then New He also oversees the World
the hard times in my life. When I started York again. And that’s two weeks for me! Handicap System in the States.
doing this in 2015, Instagram was a highlight
reel and everyone only showed the good That sounds exhausting! Do you still
sides of their life. I was one of the first people pinch yourself, seeing that you have
to come out and say, “I’m not OK, I’m more than 10 million followers across
anxious! This is really hard.” A lot of people all your channels?
were able to relate to what I was talking It’s insane. Sometimes I’ll post a golf swing
about. I think that’s why I’ve been able to and it will get three million views. It is
build such a loyal and amazing group of absolutely crazy, but I love that I’m able to be
followers who have become my friends, successful at something that I’m so
because we’ve dealt with anxiety, depression passionate about.
and failure together. And even now we’re 32 ROBERT
talking about body shaming. What would you put your success MAXFIELD
down to? Chief Executive of the
In the past you’ve called out the sexism Taking time to talk to my followers and Professional Golfers’
which exists in golf. How prevalent are interact with them. I think that when people Association (PGA).
those attitudes and do you see yourself get to a certain level on social media, they One of the busiest men in golf,
as a voice for change? forget how valuable and important the serving 8,000+ members and
They’re very prevalent. Even where I’m at in people who follow you are to the success of presiding over almost 1,000
my career, I still feel a bit outcasted as your career. I run all my social media golf events annually. Together
a woman in a male-dominated industry. It’s channels myself and I try to respond to as with his team, he’s won praise
difficult because you don’t have much many people as I can. That’s what makes the for increasing prize funds by
support from other women because we are difference, taking that time to connect and 30 percent this year and for
all fighting for our own spot. I think the golf create a bond. introducing an unrivalled PGA
industry is becoming a little bit more training programme with three
welcoming. We’re moving in the right Where do you go from here? What’s the routes to qualifications. It has now
direction, but we need to fight for it every grand masterplan? never been easier to get a job in
single day. A lot of times I post things on We are creating a subscription site and it the industry.
social media to make a statement. I wear is basically everything and anything. We’ve
a lot of outfits just to prove that you can be a just filmed a golf instruction series, starting
good golfer and wear what you want to wear. with the very basics, which strips everything
You don’t have to wear skirts down to your back and answers the questions people are
knees and a collar. scared to ask, like ‘Where do you get your
clubs?’ ‘What do you do when you get to the
What does a typical day look like clubhouse for the first time?’ We then move
for you? to the very basics of putting, short game and
No two days are the same. I have so many full swing. From there, it moves onto the
great partners, like Swag Golf, Devant next step and then the next step. It’s great for 31 GARY PLAYER
Towels and X-Golf, who share the same all skill levels. We want to do nutrition, A nine-time m ajor champion
common goal that I have, which is to make fitness. I’ll be doing more live interactions, and ultra-fit octogenarian.
golf a little bit more fun. We create all this more daily content. I realised when I was Despite being into his 87th year,
awesome content on Twitter, Facebook, talking about all these issues in my life and the Black Knight remains one of
Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, the podcast. I people were able to relate to them, I wasn’t the game’s biggest influencers,
just came back from Missouri, like two days able to provide any resources for them to get mainly on account of his off-course
ago, but I was in Colorado, then New York, better. So this subscription programme is endeavours. He’s authored almost
Virginia again, Missouri, back to Colorado, going to provide all that information. 40 books on the game and is always
happy to voice his opinion, but it’s
his course design arm, Gary Player
Design, that will leave the biggest
mark long after he’s departed.

was a lack of content that was doing that.
Piers: In 2012 we made a decision to

commit to doing online content for as long
as it took. We shot two videos a week,
committing to consistency. As we put
more content out there more and more
people discovered us, social media arrived.
We began building a presence on
Facebook in 2013, and as the others came
in we wanted to ensure we had a presence
on all of them. The social media platform
content became mostly concepts while
ME AND MY GOLF
our website was allowing a more
personalised experience, where we could
go into another level with coaching plans.
A pair of PGA pros – Piers Ward Andy: Whatever our content, we pride
(below, left) and Andy Proudman – ourselves on keeping it simple. We are
who have created a global instruction fortunate now to get to spend time with
the best players in the world, and that’s
business based on their YouTube exactly what they say to us. There is too
teaching videos (202 million views much that is confusing. It can work for
and counting). some, but not for the average golfer. The
better the player, the simpler they seem
to keep it. We’ve just come back from a
session with double DP World Tour
winner Aaron Rai, and we worked on
alignment and ball position.
T
here are hundreds of golf understanding of a lot of simple things. We Piers: Have we influenced people to look
coaches on YouTube. But Andy asked ourselves how we could give these online for their coaching? Probably.
and Piers have taken their people the right concepts, the right YouTube is that search platform where
teaching to the next level, developing thoughts in their mind, without them you go for help and our presence has been
coaching plans, subscription-based having to come to us. We developed heavy there for a decade, so yes, we
lessons, a range of training aids and content that used graphics to paint the definitely have had an influence on that.
sponsorship deals with the likes of ideal picture, while keeping things simple. We still want people to go for a golf lesson
TaylorMade and Audi. They also coach We wanted content that was only in person, but in the meantime we want to
PGA Tour star Aaron Rai and have their going to help people. And there put out the best content possible to help
own podcast, featuring more than 125 people approach shots with the correct
episodes with some big-name guests. concepts in their heads. If you need more
personal detail then it’s more of a
Piers: We shot our first video in face-to-face approach. If you’re smart you
2011. It was a Rory McIlroy swing can do it in a healthy way.
analysis. We posted on YouTube …
and got excited when we realised it was Andy: It’s hard to say if we have
being watched by people who weren’t influenced the way coaches coach. There
our relatives. We can remember it getting are two camps; coaches who are against it
to 10,000 views and thinking it was and those who accept it. We have a lot of
amazing. Today we have around 850,000 young coaches asking our advice on best
followers on YouTube, 440,000 on practice on how to do this; younger
Instagram and 600,000 on Facebook. coaches definitely seem more involved,
almost to the point that it has to be a
Piers: Our original concept was part of what they do.
to create a series of training aids
that would be different, our own Andy: I guess when we started,
design, and to place some video online tips were a new thing
coaching alongside those. But and there were only a
while we were readying handful of coaches that
prototypes, we soon realised were doing it. There was
there was a massive thirst for a lot of scepticism. Now
online coaching. We had seen the it’s almost strange if
influence the fitness industry was you’re not doing it.
having – how many people they were Everyone has a profile
helping around the world – and we somewhere: it’s
thought maybe we could do a bit of that. almost the way of
the world now,
Andy: For the first two years, we were with social media
pretty much answering questions a part of everyone’s
through our videos. The biggest thing was life. The response we’ve
how many people were coming to us with had to our content will surely have
the wrong concepts; there was a limited played a role in that.

KEITH PELLEY
Canadian sports executive
and CEO of the DP World
Tour for the last seven years.
Pelley had plenty of early wins, bringing back the British
29 BOB PARSONS 28 MARY LOU BOHN Masters and introducing the Rolex Series, but he has found
Billionaire Founder of President of Titleist Golf it tough going since the pandemic hit. This year he’s had
Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG), Balls – and the highest- to deal with the threat of LIV Golf, impending court cases,
an equipment brand ranked female on this list. and regular rumours that the Tour’s finances are in peril. An
pushing boundaries. The Pro V1 is the most successful extension to their ‘strategic alliance’ with the PGA Tour until
It’s hard not to like PXG’s ethos equipment franchise in the 2035 has offered some security, but the
of trying to make the world’s best history of the game, and one of long-term repercussions may be felt
golf equipment, with no cost or the most lucrative. Acushnet’s as early as next year when the top-
time restraints. And they back net sales topped $2 billion in 10 players in the Race to Dubai
themselves with a no-questions- 2021, and balls accounted for the earn a PGA Tour card for the
asked, 60-day, 100 percent majority of that. Their latest stats following season. It’s very hard
money back guarantee, which is show that 69 percent of pros play to see how the DP World Tour
impressive. They’re also the only a Titleist golf ball on the PGA can stay relevant
brand to describe their clubs as Tour, which is some endorsement if that happens
“the duck’s nuts”. for Bohn. year after year.
YASIR AL-RUMAYYAN
Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and one of
the most powerful men in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Football fans may recognise him as the Chairman of Newcastle United,
but his Excellency is obsessed with golf and a major player in its rapid
growth in the Middle East as part of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s social and
economic reform project. 25 GREG
As a trusted member of the Crown Prince’s inner circle, Al-Rumayyan’s MCLAUGHLIN
influence is far reaching. He is the current Chairman of LIV Golf, a role Highly respected executive
he has performed to great effect at Aramco, Golf Saudi, the Saudi Golf with links to Tiger and the
Federation and the Arab Golf Federation. He also fronts the Saudi-backed PGA Tour.
PIF – valued at roughly $620 billion – which is financing LIV Golf and the A former CEO of the Tiger Woods
Asian Tour. You will have your own opinion about whether it is helping Foundation, McLaughlin is an industry veteran of 30 years
or hurting the game, but without Al Rumayyan’s support and Aramco’s and holds a raft of high profile and influential roles. He
investment in the women’s game with the Aramco Team Series, it is had been in charge of the PGA Tour Champions prior to
unlikely we would still have the Ladies European Tour. His greatest being asked to take on executive roles at the PGA Tour
contribution to our sport may be yet to come, however. First Tee Foundation and World Golf Foundation. He is also
He remains committed to opening at least 16 new courses in Saudi responsible for managing the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Arabia and growing the number of female golfers to 100,000 by 2030. Over the years he has helped raise millions through
Green-lighting a Ladies First Club and doling out 1,000 complimentary golf various charitable initiatives in golf and now he is heading
memberships to women has been an encouraging start. up the First Tee program, which works with 1,400 golf
courses, 10,000 schools and 1,700 youth centres to
introduce golf and life skills to 2.2 million kids across six
countries each year. He is one of golf’s unsung heroes and
a man to have on your side in a crisis.

EXCLUSIVE
“I LEFT SCHOOL
WITH AN ‘A’ IN
DRAMA AND
AN ‘A’ IN P.E, AND
SOMEHOW I’VE
TURNED THEM
INTO A JOB!”
Rick Shiels explains how he
went from a Manchester club
pro hoping to boost his client
RICK
base, to the biggest YouTube
channel in golf – with an
SHIELS
audience of millions.
WORDS ROB JERRAM & WILL SHREEVE-PEACOCK
The man behind the

world’s No.1 golf YouTube
channel, co-host of the
Rick Shiels Golf Show
Podcast and owner of Rick
Shiels Media Ltd.
Has anyone done as much to attract
a new generation to the game as
Rick Shiels? In 2020, eight years
after uploading his first video on
YouTube, he became the first golf
creator to smash through the one
million subscribers’ barrier. That
figure now stands at 2.4m after
another blistering year. He has
built a multi-million-pound brand,
relationships with some of golf’s
best-known companies, a team of
staff and even a hit podcast.
The mix of challenges, big-name
collaborations, reviews, instruction
and high production values has
seen Shiels’ 2022 videos gain
more than 50 million views to date.
Countless golfers credit Shiels with
fixing their game, while the 36-year-
old’s influence over golfers’ buying
decisions was highlighted when a
positive review of Callaway’s Hex
ball saw it sell out within hours.
He now boasts 2.3 million
followers across his other social
media platforms and attracted
national headlines in June when he
carried his golf bag 150 miles from
Prestwick to St Andrews, raising
more than £120,000 for Prostate
Cancer UK. He is, in many ways,
one of golf’s good guys.

Ten years in, how does your early wanted to come for a lesson with me. That YouTube itself and I’ve always been really
content compare to what you was a real lightbulb moment, and it made into technology. I was always an early
produce now? all those lonely hours editing and not adopter. I didn’t do very well at school, it
The big difference now is that I really knowing what I was doing suddenly certainly wasn’t my forte, but I came out
understand what I’m doing! Back in the worth it. with an A in drama and an A in PE, and I
early days it was very much upload Believe it or not, the main reason I like to think I’ve somehow turned them
anything and see what happened. Now I started YouTube was because I got turned into a job.
still produce content I enjoy making, but we down from every single golf magazine!
spend hours planning and filming. I have a There is an email somewhere from a young How did you go about building
team of four editors that go through every Ricky Shiels, asking if I could feature in the brand and evolving the business
fine detail of every video. We look at Today’s Golfer. I don’t know if I ever got a into what it is now?
analytics, we look at retention time and we response (laughs). It’s been slow and steady. There’s never
create about 12 thumbnails per video! It’s Because of that, I took my own been a huge, pivotal point. Each year we’ve
grown into something that I’m very proud standpoint. I’d always been a super fan of tried to grow it by continuing to make the
of and my audience seem to really best content. I’ve always tried to be genuine
appreciate and love the content too. and honest with what I do – if I hit terrible
golf shots I’ll show them. Because of that,
Did it ever cross your mind that you the audience have always been quite keen
might be this successful? to keep watching.
No, it was all about getting clients
through the door. I remember the very first How important is it that you attract
phone call I got from a fan who’d watched a new people to the game?
YouTube video and they were from There’s seven-and-a-half billion
Newcastle. That was a three-and-a-half- non-golfers, so trying to make content that
hour journey to Manchester and they attracts them into the game is something
probably went past hundreds and that I’m incredibly passionate about. We’re
hundreds of golf professionals, but they very lucky to have an unbelievable back
liked how I presented my content and catalogue of coaching videos, so I’d like to

Do you see other channels as money and awareness for great causes. I
competition or as potential won’t tell you about next year’s, but it’s
collaborations? probably 10 times more ambitious than
Back in 2019, I ran the one and only this year’s challenge.
YouTube Golf Day and invited every
single YouTube creator. I think it speaks What advice would you give to
volumes that everyone who I would be in anyone starting a channel?
competition with was there. I’m Stand out and be different, whether
competitive and I like to be one of the that’s your content, presentation, ideas,
bigger channels, but I almost see it as us or production. I got asked recently
competing against ourselves and trying whether I’d prefer to start YouTube
to make our videos better than the last when I did, 10 years ago, or now. There
one. I can’t collaborate with everybody, I are pros and cons for both. Ten years ago
just don’t have time, so I do choose my I didn’t know what the ceiling would be
collaborations a little bit more carefully and there was no competition really, 20
Above: Shiels has filmed alongside several to ensure they’re mutually beneficial. I’m channels maximum. Coming into it now,
celebrities, including Robbie Williams and sure the other people on this list, I could it’s proven there are millions of
Richard Hammond. look through it and say I’d love to subscribers out there, there’s just a lot
collaborate with most of them. more competition. I don’t think I would
think if somebody was going into a have been successful starting now,
driving range for the first time, they could You’ve raised almost £200,000 for because you have to come out as a
go on YouTube, see a free, easy-to- charity since 2019. Tell us a bit finished article, whereas 10 years ago I
understand video, and then go to the about that? could make mistakes and it didn’t
range feeling 50 percent more confident I always knew as the channel grew that matter because everyone was finding
than they did before. A lot of new golfers I’d want to give back. I’m very blessed for their feet.
think golf is incredibly expensive. It can the opportunity that I’ve been given, so I
be but I also show the side where you can want to give back as much as I can. We You’ve made more than 2,500 videos,
get into the game for £50 to £80. I feel raised money from the YouTube Golf Day, but which is your favourite?
like they’re areas where I’ve managed to I did a four-mile walk with my golf bag Probably when I played St Andrews in
have some influence. And I have a lot of every day in February last year for Mind, reverse with Min Woo Lee. That was one
non-golfers watch the content. That and I did the walk across Scotland this of the real ‘pinch me’ moments. Weirdly, I
might not be growing the game in terms year (150 miles from Prestwick to St also got to play the Old Course in reverse
of participation, but it’s growing Andrews while carrying his golf bag) to with Tom Watson. It wasn’t all the holes,
spectators and interest. raise money for Prostate Cancer UK. just a handful, but it was another moment
I like to challenge myself, it excites me, where I was thinking, “Is this real life?
Do you ever consider the impact it pushes my boundaries, and it raises How the hell is this a thing?”
your product reviews could
have before making them?
I’ve been doing it for so
long that I completely
detach myself from
anything that
happens pre or post
the review. My job
is to give that
product the most
in-depth and
honest review.
When the video is
released, I want to
be proud and to be
able to say I did my
best job.

23 BRIAN BAZZEL
VP of Global Product
Creation at TaylorMade.
A TaylorMade veteran
who’s worked in every product
20
department, Bazzel is now MOHAMMED BIN
responsible for all of them. He SALMAN
also runs the company’s secretive Crown Prince and PM of
weekly Global Product Strategy Saudi Arabia – and the man
meeting – where the equipment funding LIV Golf.
we’ll be using in five years LIV may boast of being ‘Golf,
is discussed. but louder’, but the man with the
keys to a war chest reshaping
the professional game has his
volume set very low. Bin Salman
prefers his “finger puppet” Greg
Norman to answer accusations JACK NICKLAUS
of sportswashing, but the Crown One of the two greatest golfers
Prince is signing off cheques of all time, now owner of one
that turn the heads of a growing of the biggest golf design and
number of PGA and DP World construction companies.
22 ALAN HOCKNELL Tour defectors. Whether you’re Camp Tiger or Camp Jack probably
Senior VP for Research & He is the silent Chairman of depends on your age and whether you believe major titles
Development at Topgolf the PIF, the Kingdom’s sovereign trump all else. Either way, it should be no surprise that
Callaway Brands Corp. wealth fund, which is dedicating everything the Golden Bear has touched since hanging up
Spurred on by his boss Chip $2bn towards an expanded his MacGregor sticks has turned to, well, gold.
Brewer, Hocknell – a Brit now schedule of LIV Golf events over Nicklaus Design have 425 golf courses open for play,
in California – has been at the next three years. The first meaning around one percent of the world’s courses
the forefront of Callaway’s season reportedly cost around were designed or redesigned by Jack and his company.
product renaissance. $784m in total, but they still need to Some of the standouts include Gleneagles, Hilton Head,
He was responsible for the strike a TV deal. Harbour Town, Killeen Castle, and Muirfield Village, where
relaunch of the Big Bertha in Jack hosts the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament every year.
2013, a club he says “meant One of his latest developments is the Ury Estate in
we weren’t always playing for Stonehaven, near Aberdeen, set to open in 2024. It’s the
second in the driver market, first Nicklaus-branded residential golf community in Europe
which was significant.” and looks absolutely stunning, with a top-drawer course
Now he’s at the forefront of wrapped around Ury Castle.
Artificial Intelligence in golf Jack’s instruction book, Golf My Way, is one of the
equipment design. classics of golf instruction and has sold more than two
million copies and its influence shows no sign of fading.
He has his own apparel line, as well as partnerships with
countless leading brands, including Miura, E-Z-GO, and
Golf magazine.
19 JOHN K. SOLHEIM Jack was even approached to become LIV Golf CEO,
President of PING and the with an offer in excess of $100 million, but turned it down
third generation Solheim twice due to his loyalties with the PGA Tour. As one of the
to run the company. most revered statesmen in golf, the 82-year-old’s opinion
When Karsten set up PING more carries serious weight. It’s good news, then, that he feels
21 JASON WESSELY than 60 years ago, it was because golf is in a strong spot.
Head of Golf at Sky Sports. he could not find a decent putter. “There are more good players in the game than we’ve
A silent star of U.K broadcasting, But in the last 30 years, PING have ever had,” he insists. “From a television standpoint, good
Wessely oversees live golf firmly established themselves as gracious. You can watch almost any golf tournament in
coverage 50 weeks a year, an iconic driver brand and a leader the world today on television. You can turn it on and say,
including the men’s and women’s in custom fitting. ‘I’m going to watch something in Africa or I want to watch
majors. Sky has become the ‘Home The G425 Max was named the something in Europe’. No matter where you are, you’re
of Golf’ for viewers, who have most forgiving driver of 2022, while going to be able to watch it. That will continue to popularise
been treated to ground-breaking the new G430 LST was the most the game of golf.
innovations such as the 360 played model in the season opener “Covid has really seen people flock to the game. I think
Augmented Reality Player Swings. on the PGA Tour. The Solheim golf is probably in as good a state as it’s ever been as far
A vast increase in live women’s family also established the Solheim as the growth of the game and seeing the number of good
and amateur golf has been most Cup, which will precede this year’s players that there are today. I think it’s really fantastic.”
welcome and a new rights deal Ryder Cup by a week and take
means they’ll continue to show the centre stage at Finca Cortesin for
DP World Tour until 2024. the first time.

NIALL HORAN
Popstar and golf fanatic who set JUSTIN
ROSE
up a management company,
Modest! Golf, in 2016.
The 29-year-old has gone from being
part of One Direction to revolutionising Major winner, Olympic gold
how golf is perceived by minority medallist and force for good.
groups. Besides managing a wealth At a time when the morals
of stars, including Tyrrell Hatton, of his former Ryder Cup teammates
Leona Maguire and disability golfer When I started Modest! are being questioned, Justin
Brendan Lawlor, Horan has set out Golf, my intention was Rose has emerged as one of the
to change the face of golf by making always to do my bit to get more biggest advocates for equality and
it more diverse and inclusive. young people into the game and inclusivity in golf, breaking down
He was instrumental in the to support the younger barriers and becoming a force for
birth of the ISPS HANDA World generation of professional good in a sport which desperately
Invitational, presented by Modest! golfer. Hopefully the work we needs it. While the rest of the
Golf, which sees men and women are doing in the event space and industry were in caretaker mode
compete side by side for equal in addition to our work with the during the pandemic, Justin and
money. The event broke ground R&A, we like to think we are wife Kate put their name and
as the first event of its kind in the doing our bit. money behind the Rose Ladies
Northern Hemisphere and is now I always say that if I can Series and offered eight playing
tri-sanctioned by the DP World, get a couple of percent of opportunities for stars of the LET. It
LPGA and Ladies European Tours. the 41 million of my Twitter was such a success that the series
His stock is so great his agency has followers interested in golf, extended to 11 events last year,
been appointed by the R&A to help it’s a game changer because and even filled a four-week gap in
develop grassroots programmes a couple of percent of a lot this year’s LET schedule with five
aimed at getting young people into of people is a lot of people! more tournaments.
golf. It probably helps he has So we’re going to try to Their attention has since turned
41.1 million followers on Twitter and move the needle as much to hosting the first-ever Rose
30.7 million on Instagram as well. as we can. Ladies Open on the LET Access
Series and promoting a new
Justin Rose Academy, spread
across six American Golf
sites in the UK. It’s early
days but the Roses hope
to bring 18,000 young
people onto the Justin
Rose junior programme
in the first five years.
He already has his
name attached to the
Telegraph Junior Golf
Championship, and last
year he was presented
with the PGA Tour’s Payne
Stewart Award in recognition
of his character, sportsmanship
and commitment to charitable
giving. So far, the Justin and Kate
Rose Foundation have raised more
than £3m since 2009, providing
more than 500,000 hunger-free
weekends, and over 300,000 books
to 29,000 children in Central Florida.

walked away and it felt like they needed
EXCLUSIVE
some support. Kate came across Liz
Young’s story, how she was trying to
‘OUR MISSION IS TO rally some troops together and create a

little one-day event. We just felt like
there really was a huge need there.
GROW THE GAME AND That’s why we got behind it and the
messaging surrounding it, so we could
CLOSE THE GAP FINANCIALLY showcase the collection of players

involved, the great stories, the wonderful
personalities and characters.
IN WOMEN’S GOLF’ How much further do you think you
Justin Rose tells Michael Catling how hearing can take the Rose Ladies Series and
about the plight of LET stars gave him a guilty now the Rose Ladies Open? Are they
conscience, and why he wants to emulate what Sir both now part of a concerted effort
and commitment to grow the
Andy Murray is doing in tennis to drive equality. women’s game?
We’re not entirely sure where it’s going
to take us but we’re approaching it step by
What inspired you to get involved in step. We have just one mission and that is
women’s golf? to grow the game. We also want to close
I have a son and a daughter at home the gap financially and help build the fan
and we always try to create equal base in women’s golf. We want to support
opportunities for them. And just to the players, we don’t want to compete
see that not being the same in my with anybody. The Rose Ladies Series is
professional world, there was possibly a designed to fill the gaps when the LET is
little bit of guilt there. When everyone not at its strongest and keep the players’
was going through Covid, the PGA Tour skills sharp, so they can be at their best
resumed without too much disruption when the big tournaments really matter.
and certainly without any pay cuts. That That has led to this growth phase of
was a moment where I had to take a stepping up to the next level and doing the
broader look at the game of golf and I same with the LET Access Tour. Maybe
realised that the opportunity wasn’t the ultimate goal is to look for a great
there across the board for sponsor and do an LET event, but if we
the women. Their do do that, it needs to be at the very
schedule had been top end and to keep pushing the
decimated, boundaries of what the girls
sponsors had are able to play for.

Above: Justin Do you still see yourself as ‘Justin How would you describe your So is that the ultimate aim, to
and Kate Rose the Golfer’ or has your role business model, because your get golf added to the curriculum
with Rose shifted now? name is attached to several at schools?
Ladies Open I don’t think they’re mutually initiatives at grassroots level, That is definitely something that we
champion, My exclusive. I feel like I’m still very as well as tournament level in are talking about quite a lot. We see it
Leander. focused on being ‘Justin Rose the the professional game? as an opportunity to get involved and
Golfer’. Ultimately, if I’m doing a good We are creating a pathway. potentially expand on what is already
Right: Signing job at that, I can have the most impact Through Rose Golf, we have the being done.
autographs elsewhere. Staying relevant and academies in partnership with
for stars staying current is extremely American Golf. We have the Have you found that your focus is
important to me, and that’s where 90 Justin Rose Telegraph Junior starting to shift away from
of the 2021
percent of my focus is. Luckily, I have Championship, then we have the Rose professional golf because of how
Justin Rose
a great group of people around me and Ladies Series and now the LET much your brand has grown?
Telegraph
Kate has the bandwidth of skills and Access Tour events. So, if you’re an Well at the moment I feel like I’m
Junior Golf
the passion to really push our eight-year-old girl, for example, and trying to fight and grind hard and
Championship. practice hard to really get my level
endeavours in different directions as you want to start playing golf, we feel
well. She has been taking a lead with a like we can cover you all the way back to where I want to be. Of course,
lot of this stuff. That’s what makes us a through that journey and into the there is a temptation to wear too
great team. We’re kind of rolling with professional ranks. But we want to many hats because we have so many
it, trying to be flexible, so we can pivot cast our net wider, working within the wonderful initiatives going on. But at
in and around the ladies’ game and school system to try to improve the same time, I really feel like it’s an
support them where needed. everyone’s access to golf. important stage in my career to get
the most out of myself for the next
three to five years, and there’s plenty
‘GOLF HAS GIVEN ME SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES of time to change the hat going
forward. But I must continue to give
OVER THE YEARS AND I AM SO DELIGHTED, my career 100 percent.
ALONGSIDE MY WIFE KATE, TO GIVE BACK AND And how is your back injury at
the moment?
HELP BREAK DOWN BARRIERS AND GET MORE It’s a niggle. I wouldn’t really call it
PEOPLE ENJOYING THE GAME’ an injury per se. Since The Open,
I haven’t really had the time to deal

with it the best I could have or should on it. I’d love to still be playing in 2025
have. The temptation to play is always or ’27, but it could be as early as ’27.
there and I feel like that’s maybe set There’s a lot of things that need to still
me back when I just needed a little be uncovered to figure out what the
block of time to recover. Basically, I right pathway is, but it’s absolutely on
need my off season now and to make my radar. I’d love it.
sure I’m 100 percent for 2023.
When all is said and done, what
If your career ended tomorrow, kind of legacy would you like to PHIL MICKELSON
would you be satisfied? Have you leave behind? The most polarising figure in our
still got goals left to achieve? Legacy is a tough word, isn’t it? sport; golf’s greatest showman and
I’ve achieved all of my goals once, I think it’s for other people to talk its master manipulator.
meaning I would love to push myself about on your behalf. It’s not a thing Since becoming the oldest man to win
to win another major championship you can really force. I’ve been very a major, aged 50, Phil has done his best to
because I think if I won another now, grateful for the career I’ve had. It’s tarnish a legacy which has (so far) delivered
it would feel like I’ve done it again for given me a ton of opportunity. I just six majors, 12 Ryder Cup appearances and
the first time. There’s a lot of water try to carry myself in the right way Hall of Fame status. This year he’s been
under the bridge since 2013, so if I and be a role model to as many people banned – and then stripped of his lifetime
was able to find that level again and as I can. membership – from the PGA Tour, joined LIV
get the job done, I’d take immense Golf for a reported US$200m, and given up
pride in that. Now I’m a little bit We’ve seen Andy Murray advocate the chance to ever captain the U.S Ryder
older, my kids are at an age where if I for women’s rights and equal Cup team.
was able to achieve those goals again, opportunities in tennis. Do you His licence to thrill has fallen in line with
it would be more eye opening for see yourself playing a similar role his Twitter game and reputation, yet Forbes
them. So there’s that motivation to in golf? Would you like to be seen still named him as the highest paid golfer
sort of show the kids a little bit of as that person driving change? of 2022 after he crossed the US$1bn mark
that commitment and sacrifice and It is important to me and it’s in career earnings. And that’s despite three
then the reward. But to play in important to my wife Kate. It’s part sponsors dropping him over his criticism of
another Ryder Cup, to play in the of our vision, to make a difference and the PGA Tour and his “scary motherf***ers”
Olympics again in 2024, they’re the lean into this growth organically. We outburst about the Saudis. He remains one of
big goals. are both competitive and we want to golf’s greatest enigmas.
keep building our résumé. We have
Is a possible Ryder Cup captaincy high expectations so when we do get I firmly believe that I’m on the
on your radar? involved in any initiatives to help grow winning side of how things are
Yeah, absolutely. That’s definitely the game, we want to make the best of going to evolve and shape in the
on my radar. I do not have a fixed time it. That’s our motivation. coming years for professional golf. I
see LIV Golf trending upwards, I see the
PGA Tour trending downwards.
Through his Academy,

Justin has pledged
to give away 5,000
free lessons to
school children.

14 FRED RIDLEY
The most powerful man wearing a Green Jacket.
You can’t so much as set foot on the property at Augusta National without
Ridley’s say so, which many thought would be a problem for LIV golfers with
ambitions of playing the Masters. Since succeeding Billy Payne in 2017, he
has dragged Augusta National into the 21st century.
He’s made some big calls, most notably announcing an Augusta National
Women’s Amateur and honouring Lee Elder with two scholarships in his
name at Paine College. More recently he’s given the green light for Augusta’s
re-entry into the video game space with EA Sports, and overseen major
alterations to the 11th, 15th and more recently the par-5 13th.
13 SETH WAUGH 12 DAVID

CEO of the PGA of MAHER
America, which serves President
almost 30,000 and CEO of
professionals. Acushnet, which
A mentor to PGA Tour chief owns Titleist,
Jay Monahan and a former FootJoy, Scotty
colleague of R&A chief exec Cameron and Vokey,
Martin Slumbers, Waugh is well among others.
connected and well respected as Valued at more than $3.1bn,
the leader of the PGA of America. Maher’s Acushnet Holdings
It is his job to oversee more than Corp is the largest manufacturer
30 tournaments for their members, of golf equipment in the world
while also controlling operations and posted a record 33 percent
for Team USA in the Ryder Cup. increase in net sales in 2021.
He has a seat on the board of the A pure ‘golf’ company – clubs,
OGWR. balls, shoes, gloves, apparel –
He has just overseen another with half its sales coming from
seismic move after relocating outside the USA, Acushnet has
the PGA of America HQ to a new been well placed to capitalise on
$600m estate, dubbed the ‘Silicon the growth of the game since the
Valley of Golf’. The 600-acre pandemic. Last year they opened
campus in Dallas aims to be a a Titleist Performance Centre
“first-of-its-kind golf laboratory”, at Woburn in the U.K, featuring
with two golf courses, a 510-room two fitting bays and a bespoke
resort, a practice area totalling club building workshop. The
45 holes, and a PGA District, 10-acre site replicates most of
featuring indoor and outdoor golf what is on offer at the advanced
entertainment areas. From the Titleist Performance Institute in
start of 2022, the site will host California and promises the “best
26 championships up until 2034, fitting experience available in
including the men’s, Women’s and Europe”. Even Adam Scott is a
Senior PGA Championships. fan. “What Titleist has done here
is amazing,” he says.

DAVID ABELES
CEO and President
of TaylorMade.
Stealth drivers, P-Series
irons, TP5 balls … just
three of the products that
have been huge successes
under Abeles’ watch. He’s
successfully steered TM out
of its ownership by adidas,
put the focus back on
product, and then spent big
money on big names (Tiger!
Rory! DJ!) to show the world
how good it is.
golf
golf australia | | FEBRUARY
2023 75
RORY
MCILROY
Four-time Major
champion, current
World No.1 and PGA
Tour Player Advisory
Council Chairman.
McIlroy is golf’s biggest superstar since
Tiger. OK, so he hasn’t quite lived up to
our lofty expectations (Jack Nicklaus
once predicted Rory could win 15 or 20
majors), but the Holywood lad hasn’t
done too bad.
He has 30 wins across the PGA
Tour and DP World Tour, four major titles,
and recently returned to World No.1
thanks to three victories in 2022, alongside
top-10 finishes in all four majors.
He’s been named among the top three
most marketable athletes in the world,
awarded an MBE, had a computer game
named after him, been crowned PGA Tour
Player of the Year on three occasions
(only Tiger has more), and spent more
than 100 weeks as golf’s top dog.
At a tumultuous time for golf, McIlroy
has repeatedly made his feelings clear
about LIV Golf and, in particular, its CEO
Greg Norman. McIlroy celebrated his
Canadian Open victory by claiming that
his 21st PGA Tour win was “one more
than someone else; that gave me a little
bit of extra incentive …” in reference to
Norman’s 20 PGA Tour titles.
That feud aside, McIlroy has shown
maturity and reason in his views on LIV.
“I don’t want a fractured game,” he
said. “I never have. The game of golf is
ripping itself apart right now and that’s
no good for anyone. I’ve always said I
think there is a time and a place where
everyone that’s involved should sit down
and try to work together.”
Given his influence on the PGA Tour
and beyond, McIlroy could well play a
pivotal role in finding a way for LIV Golf
to exist in harmony, alongside golf’s
traditional tours. If he can manage that
and complete the career Grand Slam
by finally getting his hands on that
elusive Green Jacket, he will cement his
position as one of the game’s true greats.

ANDREW
GEORGIOU
‘THE PGA TOUR 9 SEAN MCMANUS Officially, Warner
A sports media giant, Bros. Discovery
AND LIV WILL now Chairman of CBS Sports Europe
HAVE TO FIND Sports in America.

McManus is better known in the
President and
Managing Director,
A COMPROMISE USA for his dealings with the

NFL, NCAA and European football
but you can call him
the President of
AND SPEAK FOR coverage, but his passion for
golf also shines through in the
Sports at Discovery.
Georgiou is likely to be
THE SAKE OF network’s coverage. Their crown
jewel has been The Masters for
the highest-placed entry on this list whose name
and face you don’t recognise, but his influence
OUR SPORT’ many years, but McManus beat off
plenty of competition in 2020
on your enjoyment of the game is vast. In 2018,
US media giant Discovery signed a US$2bn,
to secure a nine- 12-year deal for worldwide broadcast rights to
year deal to all PGA Tour golf tournaments until 2030, ending
air around 19 a deal Sky Sports had held since 2010.
PGA Tour and Discovery’s deal made them the ‘strategic
at least seven partner’ of the PGA Tour and gave them
LPGA Tour multi-platform live rights to all PGA Tour
events per media properties. In plain English, it bought
season. them around 2,000 hours of content per year,
giving them access to the six Tours operating
under the PGA Tour umbrella. That means
around 150 tournaments annually, The Players
Championship, the FedExCup Playoffs, the
Presidents Cup, plus 40 DP World Tour events
per year. That’s a lot of golf.
The deal covers 21 markets outside of the
U.S, including Australia, South Korea, Canada
and the U.K, giving Discovery vast influence over
when, where and how so many of the game’s top
tier events are watched. Crucially, the deal
also allowed Discovery to auction coverage on a
territory-by-territory basis. So, when, last June,
Sky Sports announced it had signed a new multi-
year extension with Warner Bros Discovery
to show a minimum of 36 PGA Tour events per
year, the signature on the contract read ‘Andrew
Georgiou’. He is one of the most important
people in your life. Even if you don’t recognise
his name or face.
8 MIKE MCCARLEY
President of Golf for NBC
Sports, so effectively Head
of the Golf Channel.
McCarley has been credited with
the transformation and expansion
of the Golf Channel over the
last 10 years. During that time
he has overseen a quadrupling
of the workforce, technological
advances and the launch of
initiatives such as GolfNow –
which has become a worldwide
operation – and GolfPass in
partnership with Rory.
He is set to play an even bigger
role in the years to come as the
co-founder of tech-based venture
TMRW Sports, alongside Tiger
and McIlroy. Together they are
set to launch a series of Monday
night matches, in association with
the PGA Tour, that will begin in
spring 2024.

BREWER’S
BRANDS
TOPGOLF
Famous for its high-tech driving
ranges, where customers can
compete with each other thanks
to launch monitors in every bay
on games and app-enabled tech.
CHIP
Callaway first invested in the chain
in 2006 and owned a 14 percent
interest in the company when it
BREWER
agreed to acquire the rest of it in
late 2020 in a $2.5bn deal. It now
has 71 locations in the USA, plus
President and CEO of five outside the US.
Topgolf Callaway CALLAWAY

Brands Corp. Founded in 1992, Callaway has
brought us some of the most iconic
clubs, including the Big Bertha
driver and Odyssey 2-Ball putters.
They’re now a major player in
balls, with a $50m investment in its
factory to improve the Chrome Soft
line, yielding significant growth in
Back in August, a press 2022, they made US$452m market share.
release dropped about one in revenue, up 13 percent
of golf’s most famous brands year-on-year. Its ‘active TRAVISMATHEW
changing its name. It didn’t lifestyle’ segment – made Created 15 years ago by two
elicit many headlines for up of TravisMathew, OGIO, Californian golf pros who were
golfers; but it was very big Jack Wolfskin, Callaway frustrated by the style of clothing
news for the stock market. Apparel and accessory available to them, Brewer bought the
Callaway – the golf brands – also increased 40 company in 2017 for $125m – and set
equipment company percent to record sales of about turning it into a global apparel
founded with a driver – US$260m, while Topgolf’s powerhouse, utilising Callaway’s
was changing its name to revenue shot up by 24 retail network and Tour presence.
Topgolf Callaway Brands percent to US$404 million in Jon Rahm wears the clothing and
Corp. The company’s ticker the same period. footwear, and it launched its first
symbol on the New York “Our business has ladies’ range in the spring.
Stock Exchange even been really good for the
changed from ELY to MODG last several years,” says OGIO
to “reflect the company’s Brewer. “We were a Brewer spent £75.5m for bag brand
leadership position in the turnaround in 2012, we OGIO in 2017, his first ‘lifestyle’
Modern Golf ecosystem.” grew the business and acquisition. OGIO specialises in
It meant the golf have shown we’re pretty bags. Any bags. Golf bags, travel
equipment company good operators. bags, backpacks … if you want to
founded by Ely Callaway “We have a strong brand carry something, anything, OGIO
in 1992 was now an position. We believe we are probably has a product for you.
entertainment company. No.1 in the club market and
And a tech company. And the golf ball business has JACK WOLFSKIN
a clothing company. And been growing to double- Even though the outdoor clothing
a lifestyle brand. The man digits. The use of AI will brand isn’t well-known in North
who’s led this transformation set the stage for further America, it gives Brewer a foothold
is Chip Brewer; a Texan changes and innovations as in other markets, notably Europe and
who used to head up we apply it to different parts China. “The outdoor apparel market
Adams before taking over at of our product range. AI is is in the billions, considerably bigger
Callaway in 2012. like CAD (computer assisted than the golf market,” he says. “We
Under his watch, design): it’s a fundamental can have a very niche position in the
Callaway’s core club and way of designing a product. category. We don’t need to dominate
ball business has gone If you don’t do that going the category to make money.”
from strength to strength. forwards, you’re not going
Between April and June to be in the game.”

MIKE WHAN
CEO of the USGA and talent pool ticking over. But
former Commissioner of under his leadership, women’s
the LPGA Tour. golf around the globe benefitted.
“Mike is a proven, successful Whan brokered deals with his
and transformative leader, not counterparts in Europe,
only in the golf industry but the Middle East, Asia and
throughout his entire career”. Australasia, which thrust the
Those were the words of USGA LPGA into genuine ‘global brand’
President, Stu Francis, as he status and ensured significant
confirmed the appointment of increases in the number of
Whan as the successor to Mike tournaments, prize money,
Davis at the helm of arguably the television coverage and overall
most powerful golf authority in membership.
JAY MONAHAN the world. When Whan was finally lured
The Dark Knight in the PGA The LPGA had been the chief to the USGA 11 years later, the
Tour’s battle with LIV Golf. beneficiaries of Whan’s talent number of registered LPGA pros
Jay Monahan has never faced a more for 11 years, where he forged was almost 50 percent higher
tumultuous time as the head of the PGA his reputation for success than when he took over. LPGA
Tour. He’s had his competency – or and transformation. When he Player President, Vicki Goetze-
apparent lack of – questioned by Phil joined, the Tour was struggling Ackerman, said: “Mike rebuilt
Mickelson and others. He’s been dragged into legal to establish the worldwide the LPGA Tour, reimagined its
battles, rushed through mandates, and faced awkward presence required to generate future, and he brought new
questions about how much money he and the PGA Tour investment and keep the events, new sponsors and a
are sitting on after unveiling a $96 million cash injection new value proposition around
for this season. diversity and inclusion to the
For now, he remains the central figure in golf’s LPGA. He has that rare ability
ongoing soap opera, but his standing is far weaker than to get people of all ages and
it was in 2019 when he was widely praised for securing backgrounds excited and on
a 70 percent increase on the Tour’s previous media board with his vision.”
rights deal. He does deserve credit But Whan’s record for
for how he led the Tour through the “I think the TV deal, change did not sit well with
pandemic, not to mention how he the domestic rights some on the USGA committee,
convinced the DP World Tour to side deal, that the PGA Tour his appointment coinciding with
with them rather than the Saudis. But did a year or so ago was a raft of resignations, though he
people in golf have short memories incredible. I’d say won the players over when he
and the consensus on the ground is overall Jay has done a vowed to avoid interfering with
that Monahan acted too late to stop wonderful job in terms course set-ups for the USGA’s
Greg Norman from poaching the of weathering the storm 14 national championships, a
Tour’s top talent. of the pandemic, putting subject that haunted Davis for
Ultimately, it took two of the PGA more money in guys’ much of his tenure. And it didn’t
Tour’s most loyal stars, Tiger and pockets, making this take long for Whan to stamp
Rory, to form a united front and Tour the best tour in the his authority, securing a title-
push through changes to the Tour’s world to play on.” sponsor deal with ProMedica
structure to fend off another mass Rory McIlroy for the US Women’s Open which
exodus of players. That Monahan effectively doubled the prize
was initially kept out of those discussions is perhaps fund to $10 million.
indicative of how fragmented the Tour is right now. Whan’s outlook is to
He can at least cling to the notion that the “advance, rather than
PGA Tour still holds all the major cards – literally and preserve”, qualities that should
figuratively – but the impending legal battle with LIV Golf ensure a prosperous future for
is likely to have big repercussions for the future of golf the game at every level.
and the Tour itself. “What does the USGA
Monahan just needs to hope he comes out on the actually do?” he was once
winning side, otherwise he may yet find himself cast as asked. His answer? “Unify,
collateral damage. Showcase, Govern, Advance”.

GREG NORMAN
LIV Golf’s Commissioner, a man who has taken a
sledgehammer to the game’s current ecosystem.
No one has created more headlines last year exceeded US$650 million – and it’s not over career which delivered two Claret Jugs and
than Greg Norman. He’s been waiting a long yet. He is now plotting to sign seven of the 88 professional victories worldwide. That’s all
time to establish a world tour, almost 30 years world’s top-20 players ahead of an expanded in the past, of course, but Norman’s portfolio
in fact, and has seemingly found the perfect 14-tournament league next season. boasts a dozen brands, including a golf course
partners in the Saudis. He is revelling in Of course, it’s easy to criticise his design business and an apparel line bearing
his role as the face of LIV Golf, waging a involvement in Saudi’s his iconic shark logo.
war against the PGA Tour and partnering with sportwashing campaign Ultimately, his entire
the Asian Tour and MENA Tour to upset the as morally unpalatable, LIV has only just begun. legacy is likely to hinge
status quo. but for the purpose of this From my perspective, it on the success of LIV Golf
Like Rory, we didn’t think LIV would list we cannot overlook was one heck of a year. And I and whether it can find a
ever get off the ground and yet Norman all the good he has done don’t think there has ever place to exist alongside or
proved us all wrong, poaching 14 major in the game as well. been any new sports league instead of more established
winners – including the European Ryder He’s supported a raft of that in its first year Tours. For the time being,
Cup captain – and delivering on his promise charities, established accomplished as much as what at least, he has positioned
to make everyone sit up and take notice. the QBE Shootout on LIV Golf has accomplished. Our himself as golf’s chief
Between Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, the PGA Tour, and built long-held dream of creating a antagonist and a major
Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and a US$400 million empire league that puts golfers and thorn in the sides of Jay
Cameron Smith, his recruitment push has since leaving behind a fans first has arrived. Monahan and Keith Pelley.
Professional golfers are
finally getting paid the way
they always should have been
paid. Fans are getting new and
more exciting golf. The
experience at our events is
(like) nothing else. It’s fun
– and that’s the way golf
should be.
golfgolf australia | | FEBRUARY

2023 81
MARTIN
SLUMBERS
R&A Chief Executive and Secretary of the
Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews,
aka golf’s most powerful man in a suit.
Brighton-born, former Deutsche Bank executive
Slumbers took over from Peter Dawson as
Chairman of the R&A in 2015. Apart from the US
and Mexico, the R&A governs golf worldwide,
which means they and Slumbers are responsible
for more than 41 million golfers in 144 countries
with the consent of 159 organisations from
amateur and professional golf, plus the running of
28 championships that range from the Boys’ and
Girls’ Amateur Championships, right up to The
Open Championship.
Almost every aspect of the game, at every
level, is presided over by Slumbers. The rules,
the changes to your handicap and the pace
of play are all within his remit. Likewise, the
distribution of world ranking points (as a member
of the board for the Official World Golf Ranking),
the distance debate and the ongoing technology
wars with manufacturers. Little occurs in golf
without Slumbers having significant influence.
Of course, this entry is more about the position
than the specific person, but Slumbers has
impressed with the quiet efficiency with which
he’s assumed the role.
One of his first big challenges came in 2016,
when Muirfield voted against admitting women
to the club. Slumbers removed the Honourable
Company from The Open rota – then reinstated it
when the club had a rethink. Slumbers’ decisive
action was illustrative of the direction in which
he is steering the R&A and the game as a whole:
a refusal to move with the times and focus on the
future is at odds with his vision. The 62-year-old
has one eye on the past but both fixed firmly on the
game’s future.
This was made clear with the publication of
a 40-page R&A blueprint for ensuring the game
thrives over the next 50 years. “We need to
attract more women and children into golf via
grassroots, including embracing short and less
traditional forms of the game,” he says. “The
traditions are important, but we need to look at
the wider ecosystem ... to broaden the game.”
Slumbers by name, then, but tireless by nature,
as the role dictates.

‘WE WILL NOT BE BANNING
LIV GOLFERS – BUT WE
RESERVE THE RIGHT TO
MAKE CHANGES TO OUR
EXEMPTIONS AND
QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
FOR THE OPEN’
Martin Slumbers has the power to decide
where The Open goes and who is eligible.
This is his take on what the future holds for
LIV golfers and why the R&A won’t
undermine the spirit of open competitions.
We all know the disruption that I would also like to say that in my
men’s professional golf is facing and opinion the continued commentary
the potential impact it could have on that this is about growing the game
the structure of the game. We’ve is just not credible and, if anything,
been saying for some time now that is harming the perception of our
our purpose is to ensure that golf is sport which we are working so hard
thriving in 50 years’ time and that it to improve. We believe the game
remains strong at all levels, from needs to focus on increasing
grassroots through to the participation, achieving greater
professional game. diversity, and making sure that golf
We’ve seen significant growth in is truly open to all, rather than this
the sport over recent years. The narrow debate involving a small
R&A invests the proceeds from number of players.
The Open in developing, nurturing Golf is far more than just
and strengthening golf around the professional golf, and we should all
world and ensuring that talented remember that. I have often talked
players have pathways to progress as about the 99 percent who play golf
far as they can in the game, based for love. And I believe that the vast
simply on their own ability. I firmly majority of the 70 million-plus
believe that the existing golf golfers do so because of the values
‘TRADITIONS ecosystem has successfully provided
stable pathways for golfers to enter
of golf, which to me are integrity,
personal responsibility, and respect.
ARE IMPORTANT, the sport and develop and realise
their full potential.
Looking ahead to The Open this
year, we have been asked quite
BUT WE NEED TO Professional golfers are entitled
to choose where they want to play
frequently about banning players. Let
me be very clear. That’s not on our
LOOK AT THE and to accept the prize money that’s
offered to them. I have absolutely no
agenda. But what is on our agenda is
that we will review our exemptions
WIDER issue with that at all. But there is no and qualifications criteria for The
ECOSYSTEM IF such thing as a free lunch. I believe

the (LIV Golf ) model is not in the
Open. And whilst we do that every
year, we absolutely reserve the right
WE’RE TO GROW best long-term interests of the sport

as a whole and is entirely driven by
to make changes as our Open
Championships Committee deems
THE GAME’ money. We believe it undermines

the merit-based culture and the
appropriate. Players have to earn
their place in The Open, and that is
spirit of open competition that fundamental to its ethos and its
makes golf so special. unique global appeal.”

TIGER WOODS
An icon and inspiration to millions of
golfers, young and old.
Tiger Woods is more than just a great golfer. support. He has lent his name to various tournaments
He is golf’s greatest ambassador. No one has and junior programmes, built a fledgling course design
had a greater impact on your game or the game since business, partnered with TaylorMade and PopStroke,
he burst onto the scene all those years ago. to name just two, and delivered 85 TGR Live charity
He is the PGA Tour. He turned events, raising US$113 million for
golfers into athletes. He gave Nike the I had this burning charitable causes.
most iconic moment in sports history. desire to be able He was rewarded early last year
He forced the greatest institutions to to express myself in this with a long overdue induction into the
‘Tiger-proof’ their golf courses. He game of golf. One of the World Golf Hall of Fame, yet another
broke down barriers by becoming things that Dad had accolade to go with his 15 major titles
the first African-American to win instilled in me is that he and 107 worldwide wins. He’s still
the Masters. We could go on and grew up in an era, same searching for a record-breaking 83rd
on, but above all else, he made golf era as Charlie Sifford and PGA Tour victory to move him ahead of
cool again. He is the single biggest why my son is named after Sam Snead on the all-time list, but we
reason why the Saudis want to invest Charlie, is that you had to wouldn’t rule it out. He’s done it before
in golf and why they were reportedly be twice as good to be on one leg.
prepared to offer in the region of given half a chance. So Following his untimely injury in 2021,
US$800 million to get him to defect. train hard, fight easy. I he’s become the face and Director
At The 150th Open, people were made practising so of the 2K Sports’ golf video game
hanging off fences just to catch a difficult, hurt so much, franchise and broadened his empire by
glimpse of the 46-year-old walking because I wanted to make co-founding TMRW Sports with Rory
up the 18th on the Old Course. The sure that I was ready McIlroy, which is bringing a virtual golf
Tiger roar is still unlike anything you come game time. league called TGL to Monday nights
will ever hear. And when he speaks, I hit thousands of balls, in 2024 to shake up the sport again.
people listen. It would be a stretch to hands bleeding, aching, An incredible array of celebrities –
suggest that he saved the PGA Tour, just so that I could play including Justin Timberlake, Serena
but he stopped other players from in a tournament. Williams, Lewis Hamilton and Steph
leaving by hosting an intervention and Curry – have already bought into the
presenting a united front. venture, which shows what kind of pull Tiger still has.
He remains a flawed genius. The greats often are. His commitment to leaving golf and sport in a
But he has transformed golf for his own generation and better place than he found it is commendable and
the generations to follow. Among his many success befitting of his status as the most influential person
stories include the TW Foundation, which has reached on our list. He remains golf’s greatest needle mover,
over two million students and supported more than and you don’t need the Player Impact Program to tell
260 college scholars through internships and financial you that.

“He is
the hero that
we’ve all looked up to.
“Every pro His voice carries further
out here owes a than anyone else’s in the
debt of gratitude to game of golf. His role is
Tiger, because this sport navigating us to a place
wouldn’t be where it is where we all think we
today without his should be.”
impact.” Rory McIlroy
Patrick Cantlay
“When I was in
high school, you kind
“He is of were a dork if you played
someone I’ve always golf. Tiger made it actually a
tried to model my game on. I cool sport to play. For me it was
wore black pants and red shirt huge. When he was in his prime,
every tournament I played when I everybody wanted to be like Tiger
was a junior because of him. I use an for sure. He was a huge part of me
interlocking grip because I saw a playing golf and wanting to get out
picture of him when I was a kid on tour and play
following through and he had an against him.”
interlocking grip. That was the day I Dustin Johnson
started using interlocking and I’ve
done it ever since.”
Justin Thomas
“Besides “Looking
entertaining all of us back now, having
for 20 years and doing played golf in the Tiger
unbelievable things, he Woods era was incredible.
inspired the generation of What he did for television and
players that you’re seeing the exposure of it, I mean he
today. I think that’s why the gave me a job. I couldn’t have
level of the game is as high picked a better time.”
as it is right now.” Charles Howell III
Jon Rahm
“He’s done so much
for the game of golf. He is
the needle. He has completely
changed the PGA Tour from when
he came on 25 years ago. And his
YouTube clips are such an inspiration
for me. I remember watching the
highlights of him winning (the Masters)
in ’97, kind of running away with it, and
he never really broke his
concentration. That’s something
I remind myself.”
Scottie Scheffler
golf
golf australia | |FEBRUARY
2023 85
1

CAMERON SMITH
HOW TO CONTROL
BUNKER SHOT
DISTANCE
F
or many of you reading this, you’re length pitch shots.
probably happy just getting your Most amateurs feel the need to take a
ball out of a bunker in one shot and full swing to ensure they get their ball out of
having it land anywhere on the green. a bunker. But this is because they take too
But if you can spend some time working much sand for fear of hitting the ball thin and
on your bunker shot setup and consistently watching it smash into the face of the bunker
getting shots out of the sand, you will realise or fly over the green.
bunker shots are not that difficult and you Ideally, you should aim to hit the sand
will be keen to get those recovery shots about five centimetres behind the ball on
closer to the hole. every greenside bunker shot. The length of
There are two ways you can effectively your backswing will then determine how far
control the distance of your bunker shots. the ball will travel.
You can make the same length swing each It is also important to not second guess
time but take more or less sand. Or, you can the length of your backswing as this can
take the same amount of sand but shorten cause you to decelerate in your downswing.
or lengthen your swing. Accelerate through the shot, like Cameron
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES X 2
Of these two options, it is much easier Smith has done here (pic 1). This is a long
to control how the ball flies by taking the greenside bunker shot so his follow-through
same amount of sand on every length is twice the length (pic 2) of what his
bunker shot and simply varying your swing backswing was, as a result of accelerating
length, just like you would for different through the sand under the ball.

MIND GAMES
‘TO BUILD YOUR

CONFIDENCE,
EMBRACE FAILURE’
How to believe in yourself in a game of mistakes
I
think it’s fair to say the vast majority
of club golfers head to the 1st tee with
little or no confidence in themselves.
Typically, any lingering self-belief is
brittle at best, and tends to crumble at the
first sign of trouble.
I believe there are two key reasons why we
tend to play the game in this state.
The first is the way we practise golf. Golf
remains the only sport where the training
environment is not only decidedly different
from the playing one, but also emphatically
easier. We are hitting into a wide-open field,
able to hit a sequence of uninterrupted shots,
with no pressure or consequence. With the
range environment so removed from the
real game, it becomes relatively easy to find
the centre of the face, and we tend to gain a
certain confidence from a succession of good
strikes. But because the environment is so
removed from actual golf, the confidence a personal best or recovering from setbacks the game. But would you ever call them
it creates must remain a false confidence. – you find on the course. Golfers who excel at consistent? Even with their intense training
However well you hit it on the range, whatever Par-18 invariably score well on the course. ethics, they can both hit it off the planet. But
belief you had quickly evaporates as soon as These are just two options. You can always they both accept it as part of the game, and it
things start to go wrong on the course. tailor your own scoring game to wherever is this acceptance that allows them to step up
The way out of this is through what we you feel your confidence is weakest. But on the very next hole and thrash it down the
might call evidential practice. always write your score down afterwards, middle. They are both fantastic examples of a
On the course, after every hole you have before trying to beat it next time. Improved truly effective attitude to consistency.
to take a piece of paper out of your pocket performance, written down in black and white, The literal meaning of confidence is ‘with
and write down what you’ve just done. So, delivers a much stronger basis for confidence. faith’ – it must come from within, not from
for better practice, do the same. Set yourself The second way to protect your self-belief any external cues, like your ability to hit five
a challenge and record the results. As they is through your attitude to consistency. Most straight 6-irons in a row. In accepting bad shots
improve, your confidence will rise. Two for club golfers play with the notion that they will are part of golf, and committing to dealing with
you to try are ... be confident when they get more consistent. them, you will fortify your resilience. And a
* 10 Chance. Visualise a 20-metre-wide The trouble is that consistency is a resilient golfer is a confident golfer.
fairway down the range, perhaps framed by myth. No golfer is truly consistent. TV may
two distance markers. Hit 10 balls and see suggest otherwise, because we are always
how many find the fairway. If you get seven watching the best players in their best form,
or better, narrow it for next time; if you get hitting their best shots. But it’s a skewed YOUR COACH
TEXT: © BAUER CONSUMER MEDIA LIMITED; PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
three or worse, widen it. If you are working representation. We don’t get to watch the guys
on something technically, use this drill at the who are struggling and missing the cut.
start and end of the session to discover your So, instead of seeking consistency, change
progress, and to see how well the new move is your relationship with inconsistency. Set
holding up. out knowing you’ll hit some dreadful shots
* Par-18. Throw nine balls around the – but with a commitment to deal with them
KARL MORRIS
chipping area and record how many shots it and recover – and your confidence instantly
Karl has worked with multiple major
takes you to get them all in the hole. Each ball becomes less fragile. In essence, you need
winners. Check out his BrainBooster
is a par-2. How close to par can you get? Or to build confidence in your ability to deal
Podcasts for free on iTunes.
can you manage to nudge a couple of chips in with inconsistency.
and beat it? This simple game recreates the We all enjoy watching the likes of Phil www.themindfactor.com
same feelings – building a good score, setting Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau play

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ASHLeiGH BUHAI
PURE STRIKES
FROM SANDY LIES
T
here are shots that you face with the ball.
only occasionally from round The main objective of any shot
to round, and as a result if you from a sandy lie is to hit the ball first,
don’t know how to play them well it otherwise your club could dig into the
can really have a negative impact on sand and the ball could just dribble off
your score. into more trouble.
Women’s Open and Australian Open Ball position is key for this shot.
Champion Ashleigh Buhai is one of the Whenever you are hitting from a sandy
best ball-strikers in the women’s game lie, position the ball just behind the
so it is rare to see her too far from the centre of your stance. As you can see
fairway. But when she ventured into with Buhai’s shot here, impact with the
the bare, sandy rough of the Melbourne ground after impact would have had her
Sandbelt, she was up to the task of ball positioned further back than it would
getting her ball back in play without too have been for a normal shot from the
much fuss. centre of the fairway.
Here, during the final round of the To further encourage hitting the ball
Australian Open at Victoria Golf Club, first from this lie, setup with a little more
the South African was faced with a weight over your lead leg. This will lead to
typically sandy lie in the rough but still a slightly steeper angle of attack into the
with a chance to get her approach near ball, making it less likely to hit the ground
the green if she made good contact even just slightly behind the ball.

ADRIAN MERONK
UNORTHODOX
POWER & PRECISION
A
nyone who was eyewitness to But he proves the backswing is not
Adrian Meronk’s ball-striking at as important as some might suggest, as
the Australian Open would have long as you’re capable of getting in the
left Victoria and Kingston Heath Golf right position as you start the downswing.
Clubs captivated with what they saw. Here, he drops the club down onto the
The fact he went on to win the plane line (pic 2) by rotating his lower body
championship wouldn’t have come as a toward the target while keeping his upper
surprise either. body back. This instinctively helps Meronk
The World No.52 impressed with strong, reroute the club back onto the right plane.
accurate hitting, albeit with a swing not He doesn’t get to this position by directly
exactly drawn from the pages of orthodox manipulating his hands – he uses his body
golf instruction. to get him here.
Meronk features a loop in his golf Post-impact (pic 3), Meronk swings more
swing, meaning he takes the club almost in a line than he does in a circle, helping
straight up and away from his body on him hit straighter shots more often. Meronk
the backswing, then reroutes the club keeps the clubhead relatively low through
back to the inside of the target line on impact due to his slight descending angle of
the downswing. attack. His weight is on his left leg, and all
As you can see with his vertical top-of-the- he’s doing at this point is allowing the club
backswing position (pic 1) with his hands to swing down and through. It all seems
above his head and his high right elbow. pretty effortless.
It’s almost as though Meronk uses a little If you tend to swing across the ball
reverse psychology on his golf swing, that is, from outside-the-target-line to in, you may
the more he swings outside-in on the way find you make better contact with the ball
back, the more he has to swing from swinging from inside-to-out by looping the
the inside-out on the way down. club like Meronk does.
2 3

MARC LEISHMAN
THE MOST
IMPORTANT
of FLEXes
L
ocking up your right knee (for right-
handers) during the backswing is a
common swing error that has a signifi cant
impact on making a good swing.
A better golf swing, like Marc Leishman’s here,
sees the flex in the right knee maintained throughout
the swing. Indeed, at address both knees are set in
an athletic position using a reasonable amount of flex.
That flex is to be kept until impact.
The main issue with straightening your right leg
during the backswing and at the top of the swing is
that it changes the angle and direction in your hips.
Indeed, whereas the hips are supposed to coil
and uncoil along a central axis without moving much
sideways, the act of straightening the right leg will
pull your hips towards your right leg. In doing so, it
will also open up your hips to the right side.
From that point on, it will be difficult to bring the
club towards impact in anything but an inside-out
swing and club path. And while that club path is not
totally undesirable, it does make it difficult to hit
straight shots at the target.
To stop locking your right knee during your
backswing, imagine your right knee is attached to
a tee under the ball with a piece of string and that
string is taut at address.
Now, if you pull on that imaginary string during the
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

backswing, by simply straightening your leg, you will
pull on the tee and the ball will topple off. By focusing
on keeping the flex in your right knee, the string will
stay taut and the ball will not move.

BELLINGEN
G O L F C LU B
Join us here in QLD for 1, 3, 5-day packages with leading Beautiful course bordered by
PGA professionals playing great courses in great weather. the beautiful Bellinger River
Unique sought-after holiday location
$15 Unlimited Golf after 2pm
CENTRAL GOLD COAST LOCATION
Specialists in Corporate and Group bookings
EASY ACCESS TO GOLF COURSES Stay and Play Packages available
Social/Visitor Golf available 7 Days a week
WE CAN ASSIST WITH ALL YOUR PLANNING NEEDS
Carts readily available
ABOUT OUR CLUB HOUSE

Function Room available for hire • Fully airconditioned
Ample parking • Beer Garden • Outside Dining Area
| [email protected] 1172 Waterfall Way, Bellingen NSW 2454

Phone: (02) 6655 1312
Full details on our website Email: [email protected]
www.bellingengolfclub.com.au
the Island Way

18 Hole Golf Course
& Island Restaurant
Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club

Stuart Island, Nambucca Heads NSW 2448
Phone: 6569 4111
Email: [email protected] ) @IslandGolfClub The Island Restaurant
PLAY & STAY
OVERLOOKING DOAK’S GEM

The top-ranked public access course cater to a maximum of eight guests. of four adult guests per apartment).
on the Australian mainland now offers Ideal for family holidays, a couple’s The St Andrews Beach pro shop
luxury accommodation overlooking the retreat, or golfing enthusiasts, the fully is located approximately 300 metres
fantastic layout. self-contained villas feature open plan from the villas, offering basic food and
Designed by Tom Doak, St Andrews design and contemporary furnishings, beverage items during normal course
Beach lies in the heart of Victoria’s with balconies overlooking the course’s trading hours.
Mornington Peninsula and offers easily exclusive practice areas. A short walk away is the St Andrews
accessible world-class golf, as well as on- Each apartment is fully air-conditioned Beach Brewery as well as having close
PHOTO: BRENDAN JAMES
course accommodation. with a fully-equipped kitchen, European- proximity to walking tracks, beaches, local
The St Andrews Beach Apartments is style laundry and luxury bedrooms with wineries, restaurants and the coastal villages
a modern double storey two-bedroom modern furnishings and built-in robes. of Sorrento, Portsea, Blairgowrie and Rye.
accommodation facility perched on the Catering to any configuration, including For more details, visit the website
edge of the course and is equipped to couples, families, and groups (a maximum www.standrewsbeachgolf.com.au

GOLF & WINE TOUR
LINKS FLIGHT
OF FANCY
If you like good wine, good food and layout ranked in Golf Australia magazine’s
great golf, here is a day trip of pure Top-100 Courses.
indulgence you won’t forget. After your round, you will board the
Adelaide-based golf holiday specialist, helicopter for a short flight to McLaren
Golf Explorer, is offering a luxury day tour Vale’s multi-award winning d’Arenburg
package called the Adelaide Gourmet Winery where you will feast on a three-
Heli-Golf Day, which includes all of the course degustation lunch and a choice of
above as well as three helicopter flights. fine wines before the scenic late afternoon
PHOTO: BRENDAN JAMES

The day starts with a private car transfer flight back to Adelaide Airport.
from your hotel to Adelaide Airport where This package starts from $1,598 per
you will board a helicopter for a 25-minute person and is based on four people travelling.
flight to Links Lady Bay (pictured) where a For more details, visit the website
hearty breakfast awaits before playing the www.golfexplorer.com.au

H O L I DAY AT H O M E
THE
SWING
With rainforest-covered escarpments to the west
and more than 90 kilometres of golden beaches to
the east, New South Wales’ Coffs Coast region is the
paradise wedged in between.
And it is here where you will also discover some
beautiful, and challenging, golf courses.
T
here are just a handful of places beaches. There are also impressive resorts and
along the length of Australia’s hotels to choose from while foodies will love
East Coast where the majestic the award-winning cafés and restaurants in
Great Dividing Range comes close to abundance across the region.
meeting the edge of the Pacific Ocean. And then, of course, there is the fine
The Coffs Coast, almost halfway between selection of golf courses to play.
Sydney and Brisbane via the Pacific Any golf holiday on the Coffs Coast must
Highway, is one of those places. include at least one round at Bonville
The sub-tropical climate here provides Golf Resort – a mainstay of Golf Australia
what has often been described as one of the magazine’s Top-100 Courses ranking for
most liveable environments in the country. the past two decades and has been voted
Surrounded by National Parks and looking Australia’s Favourite Course by our readers
out to the magnificent Solitary Islands Marine every year since 2016. One round here and you
Park, Coffs Harbour – the region’s hub – is will agree the plaudits are well-deserved.
famously home to Australia’s first ‘Big Thing’ Bonville boasts dramatic undulating
– the Big Banana. But there’s certainly plenty fairways lined by flooded gums, patches of sub-
more to enjoy here. tropical rainforest, tranquil ponds and more
There’s a wide range of exciting activities testing water hazards, which all combine to
including fishing, scuba diving, white-water create a magnificent setting to play the game.
rafting and dolphin spotting complements the The greatest strides in Bonville’s evolution
abundant natural attractions and uncrowded have occurred during the past decade with

bonville golf resort

bonville golf resort
the playing surfaces and bunkering being come into play. Some longer hitters may only
consistently presented to a five-star standard. require a mid- to short-iron to the green after coffs harbour gc
One of the highlights of this Ted Stirling driving over the hill, but it remains a tough
and Terry Watson-designed layout is its call to approach, which ideally needs to be left on the
pull the driver from your bag and have a lash. low side of the hole.
There are few more spectacular sights than Long before the establishment of the
watching your drive from one of the many Bonville Golf Resort in 1992, the Coffs
elevated tees sailing above and then between Harbour Golf Club – just minutes from the
the strands of flooded gums lining the fairway. centre of town – was gaining acclaim for its
The 346-metre 2nd is one such hole where the challenging layout. In fact, there was a long
fairway descends gradually from the tee and period of time during the 1950s and ‘60s when
slopes markedly from right-to-left as it turns Australia’s best players and a few overseas
at 45 degrees right and climbs to the green. stars were annual regulars for the North
Trying to cut the corner with your tee shot Coast Open.
is fraught with danger as flooded gums and The honour board for the event reads like a
bunkers come into play. Ideally, a faded drive who’s who of golf in that era. Ten years before
down the centre of the fairway will leave you he won the centenary Open Championship,
a mid- to short-iron approach to the green. Kel Nagle was a victor at Coffs Harbour.
Bunkers come into play around the green but He won three of the next four titles before
it is the majesty of the flooded gums either handing over the winner’s baton to the great
side of the fairway and green that will take South African Gary Player, who won twice. A
your breath away. young Bruce Crampton followed with former
The same Bonville ‘magic’ will impress as Australian Open champ Frank Phillips, the
you prepare to drive from the photogenic 18th legendary Norman Von Nida also picking up a
hole. The 460-metre closer is not a long par-5 winner’s cheque. Billy Dunk snared four titles
by modern standards, particularly when the between 1966 and 1971, a few years before the
second half of the hole is downhill. A well- event became an amateur open event. The
struck tee shot here to the crest of a hill will North Coast Open – the first tournament in
leave you with a decision to make – do you Australia to be played as four rounds over four
go for the green or do you lay-up, and where? days – has been played at Coffs Harbour for
Before you load up, soak in the view. Strategy more than six decades and during that time
is all-important here, as a bunker and a stream there have been plenty of major changes made
cutting through the fairway short of the green to the original course.

The club moved to its present site in 1938 Heads is an easy 40-minute drive south of
with Carnegie Clark designing the original the Coffs Harbour course. This is where
nine-holes. Course designer Arthur East the Nambucca River flows into the sea and
oversaw the extension of the layout to 18 holes there are several lookouts dotted along the
less than 12 months before Nagle’s 1951 North headlands offering spectacular views – to
Coast victory. A further nine holes were added South West Rocks to the south, north towards
in the early ‘70s, while all the putting surfaces Coffs Harbour and west along the river to the
were converted to Bermuda Tifgreen 328 mountains. This westerly aspect also provides
grass in the late ‘80s. a glimpse of the town’s unique golf course.
More recently, former PGA Tour player The par-69 layout of the Nambucca
and course designer Craig Parry has worked Heads Island Golf Club is the only course in
closely with course superintendent Justin Australia that occupies an entire island. The
Sheehan to implement some design changes original nine-hole course was extended to an
on key holes ahead of creating a masterplan 18-hole layout in 1992 to occupy all of Stuart
for further renovations. Island in the Nambucca River, just upstream
Coffs Harbour not only boasts a wonderful from where the river meets the sea.
history, it is one of the most challenging and It is a picturesque layout that – like several
best-maintained layouts in regional NSW, lesser-known courses in the Coffs Coast
which didn’t go unnoticed by Golf Australia region – will surprise the visiting golfer
magazine ranking judges as the Lakes Course expecting “just another country course”.
(Holes 1-18) rose four places to No.85 in 2023. Nambucca Island is certainly more than that.
“Subtle elevation changes and a wide Whether it is the waters of the Nambucca
variety of different holes requiring a range of River, rows of pine trees or casuarinas,
shots, combined with beautifully manicured bunkers or the rise and fall of the greens, each
fairways and greens, make Coffs a favourite hole has at least one defence or a combination
for me,” ranking judge Daniel O’Keefe said. of the above. The 354-metre par-4 1st throws
The picturesque seaside town of Nambucca down the challenge from the opening tee shot.
COFFS HARBOUR NOT ONLY BOASTS A WONDERFUL HISTORY,

IT IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING AND BEST-MAINTAINED
LAYOUTS IN REGIONAL NSW.

nambucca heads island gc
Although the fairway is generously wide,

the beautiful Nambucca River laps at the
shore just a few metres from the left edge of
the fairway. TWO RIDGES RUN THROUGH THE LENGTH OF THE BELLINGEN
In March last year it was a much different
scene with the river breaking its banks and COURSE CREATING SOME UNIQUE HOLES AMONG HUGE
covering most of the course in floodwater
and accompanying silt. It was a similar story
CAMPHOR LAURELS AND ANCIENT FIG TREES.
to varying degrees for courses right across
the Coffs Coast region, but all have since
recovered nicely.
Standing in the middle of the short par-4 wetlands that line the left edge of the fairway. Halfway between Nambucca Heads and
3rd hole, the couch fairway is pure and carpet- The hazard also wraps around the back of the Coffs Harbour, and about 10 minutes’ drive
like. Up ahead, the putting surface is smooth green, adding some spice to the shot and club west of the Pacific Highway via Waterfall
beneath the morning dew. It’s hard to imagine selection for the second shot. Way, is the beautiful hinterland town
this hole was one of many that were six feet Water also plays a role on the next hole, of Bellingen – renowned for its cultural
under water at the height of the floods. The arguably Nambucca’s best par-3. The festivals, markets and an appetite-satisfying
recovery has been amazing. 175-metre 7th features a large, beautifully destination for food lovers.
There are several water hazards – shaped green that is the target beyond a lake It is also home to the scenic Bellingen Golf
apart from the river – that come into play and a stream, which cuts in front of the green Club. Framed by the Great Dividing Range
throughout the round, which features some and winds along the right of the small section and lying beside the snaking Bellinger River,
standout short holes. of fairway short of the putting surface. the beautifully tree-lined Bellingen layout
The slight dogleg left par-4 6th measures Playing the ‘Island’ at Nambucca is more features ten greens and alternate tees for 18
326 metres from the tips and can be played than just memorable for the river and its tree- holes laid out across interesting terrain.
a variety of ways, as long as you avoid the lined fairways. It is a fun course to play. Two ridges run through the length of the

TOURING THE COFFS COAST
With a winning combination of excellent
accommodation, a bustling foodie scene and
jaw-dropping natural beauty, it’s no wonder
the Coffs Coast has long been a popular
holiday destination.
The Coffs Coast is the only place in NSW
where the Great Diving Range meets the
ocean… home to a rich ecosystem including
world-heritage National Parks, State Forests,
Flora Reserves and the Solitary Islands
Marine Park, the oldest of its kind in the
state. The region also boasts sites of great
significance to the traditional owners of this Coffs Harbour and offers unparalleled
land, the Gumbaynggirr People. coastal views of up to 100km to the south
In 2021 the Coffs Coast was globally on a clear day.
recognised as an ECO Destination … • One of Coffs Harbour’s icons, The Jetty
celebrated for its diverse cultural community, was built in 1890 from local timber to
committed to balancing sustainable practices accommodate cargo vessels. Now it’s
with first-class, nature-based visitor where locals congregate to fish, swim, stroll,
experiences. It is NSW’s first ECO destination. watch the sunrise or dine on fish ‘n’ chips.
• Just five minutes from the city, Coffs Creek
is an oasis for families who can safely
paddle in its shallow turquoise waters. The
creek and its mangrove forests can be easily
accessed at several points, and are begging
to be explored on a paddleboard or kayak.
FABULOUS FOOD & DRINK

The Coffs Coast packs a punch when it comes
to foodie experiences. Whether it’s freshly
Bellingen course creating some unique holes
caught seafood, fine wines, distilled spirits,
among huge camphor laurels and ancient fig
NATURE ESCAPES craft beers or incredible coffee, there’s a foodie
trees. The best of these is the 456-metre par-5
Love the outdoors? Here are some great ideas experience here to tickle your taste buds.
4th hole, which is a tight driving hole that
tracks the valley between the two ridges, and for experiencing the natural wonders in and Immerse yourself in a full-day tour with the
massive trees, before doglegging slightly right around Coffs Harbour. experts and learn about the stories behind
to leave an uphill approach to a tiny green • Stroll along the northern breakwall to our producers and the inspiration behind the
perched above the fairway. Muttonbird Island, keeping an eye on flavours they create. Explore on your own
It’s a similar story playing the next – a the water to spot turtles and dolphins and take your time relaxing with friends to
terrific short par-4 of 308 metres where along the way. Then, take the steep walk discover the fabulous country hospitality
you play alongside a ridge to an expansive over the island to the eastern lookout for while your taste buds experience the new and
fairway before the hole turns slightly left and unique views back over Coffs Harbour fresh unique regional flavours.
climbs the ridge to a wide elevated green. On before visiting the island’s fascinating Find everything you need for a Coffs Coast
the back nine, the approach is very different Gumbaynggirr outdoor learning centre. getaway at www.coffscoast.com.au
when played as the 265-metre 14th as the tee • The Coffs Botanic Garden in the heart of
is located behind the 13th green (a green you the city is perfect for a picnic and relaxing
only play once during the 18 holes) leaving a walk. Set among 20 acres of lush plant life,
subtle dogleg right that favours the right- you’ll find exotic and native species and
handed faders among us. glasshouses containing rare displays of
Heading north from Bellingen, take another tropical plants.
diversion from the Pacific Highway to reach
• No Coffs Coast holiday is complete without
one of the prettiest villages on the NSW north
a visit to Forest Sky Pier and the award-
coast, Sawtell. This idyllic beachside location
winning Sealy Lookout, which stretches
is a good fit with the easy-going vibe here.
out from an escarpment 310 metres above
Sawtell’s main street, just a short stroll

bellingen gC
from the beach, has some great cafés and The course first opened for play in 1946 328, which is more suitable for greens in
restaurants. If you’re looking for a good coffee and over the years more holes were added to warmer and wetter sub-tropical climates. The
and a nice view, you’ll get both, as you wile finally complete a par-71 18-hole course. The modernising of the greens also gave scope for
away the time before another round of golf, at layout was completely redeveloped during improving greenside bunkering.
the Sawtell Surf Club’s The Kiosk. The views the 1990s, as the club’s greens staff worked Today, Sawtell’s green complexes are among
across the beach to the breaking waves are through a systematic rebuilding of all the the best presented on the NSW North Coast.
outstanding and the coffee is pretty good too. putting surfaces. The old table-top greens After playing the downhill 1st hole, the
Sawtell Golf Club is only a bit more than were replaced with larger, more imaginative, par-4 2nd climbs the same hill back to the
a lengthy par-5 from the beach via the town’s putting surfaces featuring swales and tiers. clubhouse. It plays considerably longer than
pretty Moreton Bay fig-lined main street. They were grassed with Bermuda Tifgreen its 279 metres and accuracy is needed to avoid
the tall gum trees that cloak the tee and form
a chute to the fairway. Club selection for the
sawtell gc approach shot is important and can be two- to
three-clubs more than what you may need
for a flat lie shot. The green slopes steeply off
the front, while the top plateau has a dish-like
appearance, while the huge bunker left of the
green is best avoided.
Chances are if you are travelling to the Coffs
Coast for the first time you may not have heard
of Safety Beach Golf Club.
Previously known as the Woolgoolga
Diggers Golf Club, Safety Beach covers some
pretty good golfing terrain on the northside of
Woolgoolga, about 30 minutes’ drive north of
Coffs Harbour.
A round on the heavily tree-lined par-
72 layout is nearly always played with an
accompanying breeze. But the wind and huge
trees across the course are not the only factors
influencing your scoring here with numerous
water hazards, wetlands and bunkers coming
into play across the 18 holes.
The course opens with two short par-4s
that can yield back-to-back birdies as easy as
consecutive bogeys depending on the quality

Come & Play
Set amidst South West Rocks’ pristine
landscape lies an immaculate 18-hole golf
course that poses challenges for its members
and their guests with a unique opportunity to
play alongside the ocean breeze.
The serene course offers a breathtaking

setting for stimulating and challenging golfers
of every skill level, whilst also offering a wide
array of golfing activities and services….
Regular Golf Tournaments

Social Golf | Golf Cart Hire | Golf Club Hire
LOOKING FOR A GREAT PLACE TO

PLAY A ROUND OF GOLF?
The Country Club is the perfect place to practice your swing, while our Rock Salt Bistro
& Café awaits you with a relaxed country club experience.
Situated only 86km from Port Macquarie and

100km from Coffs Harbour, SWR Country Club
has something for everyone!
• Enjoy a game of Golf or Bowls on our

immaculate greens
• Sip on a cocktail, relish in our Diner food and
let the good times roll in a game of tenpin at
‘Social Alley Diner, Tenpin & Bar’
• Join us for our fun family friendly events and
live entertainment – we have something on
every month!
• Watch all you favourite sporting events in our
NEW sports bar
• Enjoy our scrumptious meals from Rock Salt
Bistro & Café
• Eat by the beachside at The Kiosk at
Horseshoe Bay
• Looking to get fit & join the gym? Join the
Rocks Fitness & Lifestyle
W HE R E T O P L AY
BONVILLE GOLF RESORT
Green fees: Golf is available for inhouse
guests seven days and to general public
guests on Mondays and Tuesdays (except
public holidays).
Public: $175 (18 holes, inc. cart, September
to May); $170 (June to August).
www.bonvillegolf.com.au
safety beach gc
of your tee shot. But it’s not until you have There is more water to contend with on the COFFS HARBOUR GC
rounded the sharp dogleg left on the par-5 back nine, with the tee shot on the 117-metre Green fee: $50 (18 holes).
3rd hole that you get a real sense of the course 11th hole being the most visually confronting. www.coffsharbourgolfclub.com.au
that lies ahead. Faced with a long downhill The tee shot needs to be played across a lake to
approach, the green is quite reachable in two an elevated green two-tiered, kidney-shaped
blows but it is actually better to finish short as green cut into the side of a hill. While the carry
a pond lies just beyond the putting surface. is not too daunting, it is the prospect that any NAMBUCCA HEADS ISLAND GC
Water is also comes into play greenside on shot missing the putting surface left could Green fee: $40 (18 holes, pictured below)
the best, in my opinion, short par-4 at Safety easily trickle down the hill into the drink. www.namgolf.com
Beach. The 283-metre 5th is tempting for big If you plan to stay and play on the Coffs Coast
hitters standing on the tee, but I think I would for more than a few days, it is certainly worth
back the conservative play to yield a birdie making the 70-minute drive south for a round at
here. A water hazard stretches from the front the South West Rocks Country Club. BELLINGEN GC
of the tee all the way down the right edge of the This layout is a terrific hidden gem. Most of Green fees: $20 (18 holes). $15 (unlimited golf
fairway to flow into a lily-covered pond lying the fairways are lined with stands of Norfolk after 2pm and all day Sunday).
hard against the right fringe of the putting pines and a few species of gum trees, while www.bellingengolfclub.com.au
surface. Bets to lay-up short of a lone bunker there are also a selection of wider, more open
in the middle of the fairway, about 40 metres holes featuring palm trees.
short of the green, and leave a straightforward A mix of kikuyu and couch cover the
pitch into the narrow green. fairways, which are beautifully presented. SAWTELL GC
Green fee: $40 (18 holes).
www.sawtellgolf.com.au
SAFETY BEACH GC
Green fee: $19 (unlimited golf).
www.safetybeachgolf.com.au
SOUTH WEST ROCKS CC

Green fee: $30 (18 holes).
www.rockscountryclub.com.au
safety beach gc

SAFETY BEACH GOLF CLUB
Safety Beach Golf Club NSW is a great and well-placed bunkers, all of which make
18-hole seaside course situated just 20 minutes Safety Beach Golf Club well worth the visit.
North of Coffs Harbour. The course is set in There’s just one other thing to note, you won’t
a picturesque location and offers much to be lonely when wandering the fairways on
all levels of golfers. It has a challenging par this beautiful seaside course, you will also
of 72 of 5,678 metres and a layout where have plenty of spectators in the form of the
position takes precedence over length. vast native Kangaroo population.
Water comes into play on 15 holes with gently
sloping greens to multi-tiered greens. There In December the Club held the first Geoff King
are also some tricky pin placements along VW Safety Beach Classic which attracted
with a combination of varying ocean breezes some of the best golfers in the region.
Mens Blue Tees: Scratch Rating 73 & Slope Rating 128

Mens White Tees: Scratch Rating 71 & Slope Rating 126
FEES:
Womens Red Tees: Scratch Rating 74 & Slope Rating 132 Play all day
Neutral Course Rating: Slope 113
You can walk or book a cart and all hire equipment is available.
$19
For Bookings Call the Pro Shop Team on 02 66542111
safetybeachgolf.com.au
PROUDLY A PART OF
south west rocks cc
But it is the quality of the bentgrass putting sure of their club selection and ability to hit fairway wood is the ideal club from the tee
surfaces you will remember long after your the tee shot straight. to leave a full wedge or short iron approach
round. Course superintendent David Hobday The best short two-shotter on the inward to the slightly elevated green guarded by two
has certainly done a great job in getting the nine is the 304-metre 17th, known as bunkers, one left and one right. The better
greens to a standard many city clubs would be Melaleuca. It shouldn’t come as any surprise player needs to be wary as the front half of
envious of. that melaleucas, and pines, impinge on the green slopes markedly down to the front
Complementing the superb playing the straight-away fairway. A long-iron or fringe and is very receptive to spin.
surfaces are some really fun holes, with few
better than the 383-metre par-4 15th, which
also ranks as the hardest. It is a quality-
driving hole where your tee shot flies slightly
downhill to a narrow fairway lined with
bushy gums. There really is no option but
to take driver because your first shot must
be as long as possible, to leave you a chance
of hitting the green, lying just beyond a
wide stream, in two shots. It is, however, an
enormous target but its many dips and rolls
make it imperative that you aim for the best
putting position available. Any approach
finishing long of the flag will offer a slick
breaking downhill putt that will have your
knees knocking.
South West Rocks also features some very
good short par-4s with the sharp dogleg right
6th, known as Clarke’s Corner, offering a
birdie chance as you turn back towards the
clubhouse. The elevated tee offers a glimpse of
the huge green that sits beyond a dam on the
inside corner of the dogleg. What it doesn’t
reveal is the series of smaller ponds that
ring the putting surface like bunkers. At 255
metres, longer hitters will be tempted at trying south west rocks cc
to the drive the green but they had better be

MORE THAN JUST A GREAT GOLF COURSE...
Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort's championship

course is located in the heart of Noosa, just 3 km's
from the main beach & vibrant Hastings Street.
Open to the public every day.
For more information phone 07 5440 3333 or

visit www.noosasprings.com.au
TOP-100 SPOTLIGHT
GOLF & SPA RESORT

N O O SA H E A D S • Q U E E N S L A N D
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G
raham Papworth is one of suits the natural landfall, we create holes provide water hazards on a dozen holes
Australia’s more underrated golf that are aesthetically pleasing and offer but they are not there to keep ball
course architects. And given the maximum enjoyment and reward to the collectors gainfully employed. That wasn’t
quality of his design at Noosa Springs on player who takes on and achieves his level Papworth’s aim. Nor was it his aim to
Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, it is hard of challenge,” Papworth told Golf Australia intimidate players by pumping his design
to understand why. magazine in a 2010 interview. with steroids and presenting a 6,500-metre
Papworth learned his trade working Papworth certainly fulfilled that brief at plus layout. In this day and age of course
for designer Ross Watson and, later, the Noosa Springs. designers combating advancements in
Watson and Graham Marsh partnership. The layout, which opened in 1999, might club and ball technology by stretching their
He spent nine years honing his skills on lay at the heart of a massive luxury residential courses to greater distances, Papworth
projects, which included The Vines and development – just three kilometres from the has created a testing 6,198-metre (from
Secret Harbour in Western Australia as well centre of cosmopolitan Noosa Heads – but the championship tees) layout through
as NSW’s Terrey Hills and Horizons layouts. Papworth sticks to his word. clever design.
A common thread linking these four National parklands and the picturesque He has set out to deceive wherever
courses is each design incorporates a Lake Weyba, on the southern edge of the possible by subtly changing the lie of the
residential development within, or around, course, border Noosa Springs. It covers land on green approaches to make a player
the boundaries but offsets this with a gently undulating terrain and winds through second-guess club selection.
naturally occurring landscape for golf. pockets of rainforest as well as small It is the perfect golf course for its location.
In fact, Papworth’s design philosophy is bloodwood forests before breaking out onto Four tees have been incorporated on each
to place holes to suit and retain existing wide fairways flanked by imposing stands hole, so the choice of difficulty is left up
natural features. of melaleuca. to the player. This is ideal considering the
“When the playing strategy of the hole Several fresh and saltwater lakes hordes of holidaymakers that venture to the
THE TEMPTATION TO SHORTEN THE PAR-4

5TH HOLE BY DRIVING RIGHT OF THE
FAIRWAY BUNKER IS TOO GREAT FOR SOME.

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region and their Noosa Springs experience

might be a-once-a-year hit out. How
disconcerting would it be to blow the GRAHAM PAPWORTH’S DESIGN WALKS THAT FINE LINE
OF CHALLENGING BETTER PLAYERS AND NOT ALIENATING
vacation budget on golf balls. That said,
there are plenty of challenges on offer for
more accomplished players. Few people
come away from Noosa Springs not
HIGH HANDICAPPERS ...
remembering the stretch of holes from the
par-3 4th to the par-4 7th. Water plays its
part on all four holes but there is definitely – TOP-100 JUDGE, GAVIN HILL.
a ‘safe’ and a ‘risky’ option on each of
the quartet. coming into play for any shot misdirected back of the green, out of play.
From the championship black tees, the short or left of the target. Locals look to The 329-metre par-4 5th might be short
4th measures 141 metres and features a the treetops here for a gauge on the wind but it has inflicted more than its fair share
wide green that could easily be split into direction and will select a club accordingly. of pain over the past two decades. The
two distinct halves. The putting surface lies A bail out area short and right of the green snaking fairway is flanked by water to the
diagonally to your approach, with water takes the water, and a bunker through the right, while a tongue of short grass just

PRESENTED BY
THE TIGHT APPROACH INTO THE

SHORT PAR-4 2ND HOLE, WITH LAKE
WEYBA IN THE BACKGROUND.
THE 4TH IS THE SHORTEST OF

NOOSA SPRINGS’ PAR-3 HOLES,
BUT IT ISN’T THE EASIEST.
THE LARGEST BUNKER AT NOOSA

SPRINGS FLANKS THE ANGLED
GREEN ON THE PAR-3 8TH HOLE.
beyond a lakeside fairway trap entices at the 415-metre par-4 7th but it is the the approach shot looks much shorter. A
the longer hitter into taking a short cut to lake just right of the fairway, for all of its bunker cutting in front of the green, but
the green. On this aggressive line, it is distance between tee and green, that well short of the putting surface, serves to
a 215-metre carry from the back pegs to hurts the scorecard here. deceive you on club selection by creating
safely clear the water and find the fairway. On the back nine, Papworth’s penchant a no-man’s land between its front lip and
Any slight mis-hit is headed for a watery for deception is evident and it starts on the green.
grave. The approach is tough too, with a what I believe is the best hole at Noosa The short uphill par-4 14th is another
40-metre deep green perched just a few Springs – the 406-metre par-4 12th. From deceptive offering. At 329 metres from
feet above the water line. an elevated tee, the trouble is laid out the back markers, it is not a long hole and
Water plays a cosmetic role on the par-4 before you. Water cuts in toward the position on the fairway between the dense
6th. Only the wildest of hitters could fear left edge of the fairway while a shallow, clumps of trees and rough left and right is
the hazard well right of the fairway on this but long, fairway bunker hugs the right paramount. The approach to the elevated
356-metre hole. The real test comes on rough and is within easy reach from the green is deceiving with a large tongue
hitting the green, which is just 20 metres tee. Papworth’s deception of distance of fairway extending back down the hill,
wide and features slopes on both sides is, perhaps, no more apparent than on making the green appear closer than it
that will kick mis-hits into the rough. this hole. Standing in the middle of the really is. It is a semi-blind approach shot
Another deep, narrow green awaits fairway about 150 metres from the green, where you can see the top of the flag and

PRESENTED BY
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PUBLOURSES
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THERE IS PLENTY OF WATER TO

BE AVOIDED ON THE 340-METRE
DOGLEG LEFT PAR-4 17TH HOLE.
FA C T F I L E
I’VE NEVER ENCOUNTERED A ROUND AT NOOSA SPRINGS LOCATION: Links Drive, Noosa
WHERE THE CONDITION CAN BE QUESTIONED. Heads, Queensland.

CONTACT: (07) 5440 3325.
WEBSITE: www.noosasprings.com.au
DESIGNER: Graham Papworth (1999).
– TOP-100 JUDGE, MATTHEW GREIG. COURSE SUPERINTENDENT:
Peter Woods.
PGA PROFESSIONALS: Peter Heiniger,
little else to help with club selection. It is to brown slightly, Noosa Springs’ greens
Greg Lynch.
best to take one more club than you think remain a joy to putt on.
GREEN FEES: $135 (18 holes, inc. cart);
here, just to be on the safe side. It is this consistency and high level of
By the time you reach the 18th tee, you presentation that has seen Noosa Springs $120 (online booking rate, 18 holes inc.
will not only be happy with the challenging cement a place in Golf Australia magazine’s cart); $75 (nine holes, inc.cart).
yet fair design, but the condition of the Top-100 Public Access Courses for more PLAY & STAY PACKAGES: Noosa
playing surfaces will have impressed. than a decade. Springs offers a wide range of play
The Greenlees Park couch fairways are “This idyllic resort course offers beautiful and stay packages including an
beautifully presented year-round (the idyllic surrounds, while Graham Papworth’s design unlimited golf getaway.
Noosa weather probably has something to walks that fine line of challenging better This package is a minimum two
do with that), while the Bermuda Tifdwarf players and not alienating high handicappers nights’ accommodation in a spacious
greens are receptive and true rolling. I’ve or casual golfers by being too brutal,” self-contained apartment with daily
had the fortune of playing Noosa Springs commented Top-100 judge, Gavin Hill. breakfast, plus unlimited golf per
many times during its 23 years and the Fellow judge, Matthew Greig, added:
person per day in a cart. For more
putting surfaces have always been very “I’ve never encountered a round at Noosa
details, visit the resort’s website.
good. Even in winter when the cooler Springs where the condition can be
overnight temperatures cause the greens questioned.” I couldn’t agree more.

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NEW CALLAWAY FAMILY of clubs
SHIFTING THE PARADYM

Callaway’s latest offering of woods maximised distance, with a Triaxial Carbon Paradym Triple Diamond is for better players
and irons is designed to offer golfers crown and Forged Carbon sole that are 44 who want to work the ball.
an option that no longer requires a percent lighter than a titanium chassis. The fairway woods feature a new
trade-off between increased distance The weight savings relocated for construction that similarly removes weight
and forgiveness. increased moment of inertia (MOI). from the body to be shifted for higher ball
Available around the country on the 24th For increased distance, A.I. designed speeds and forgiveness.
of this month, the Paradym family includes ‘Jailbreak’ enhances stability while an An A.I. designed ‘Jailbreak Batwing
three drivers, three fairways and two all-new A.I. face optimisation enhances Structure’ stiffens the body and allows for
options in both hybrids and irons. speed, launch and spin, and now face flexing.
The drivers focus on a complete shift in downrange dispersion. Paradym features progressive shaping
performance thanks to the complete removal A face cup makes its way into a Callaway and fits a wide range of player, Paradym X
of titanium from the body of the clubs. driver for the first time, combining with offers high launch and draw bias. Paradym
This move results in shifting of weight a forged titanium face to deliver higher Triple Diamond produces a penetrating flight
and stability to the limits of optimisation energy transfer to the ball. with lower spin.
and forgiveness. The standard Paradym is suited to a wide The Paradym hybrids improve
A ‘360 Carbon Chassis’ promotes range of players, Paradym X for players performance in every way.
unprecedented weight redistribution for looking for forgiveness and draw bias, while ‘Cutwave Sole’ design improves
performance through the turf, while
fairway wood technologies boost ball
speed and distance, including ‘Tungsten
Speed Cartridge’, ‘Jailbreak with Batwing
Technology’ and 455 Face Cup.
The Paradym is for golfers who want
a mid-sized, wood-shaped hybrid, while
Paradym X is built for maximum forgiveness
and excellent versatility.
Combining ball speed and feel, Paradym
irons are offered in a standard model built
as a players’ distance iron with a refined
shape and premium forging and Paradym X
for power and forged feel.
The two offerings deliver this via
Callaway’s A.I. face technology being
applied to a high-strength forged 455 face,
creating the brand’s most powerful forged
iron face ever.
Each face is uniquely optimised for more
speed, higher launch, and increased spin
consistency, and a hollow body design
features ‘Speed Frame’ construction for
added stiffness to the body and support for
the forged 455 Face Cup.
Meanwhile ‘Urethane Microspheres’
produce the soft feel and sound.
RRP: $1,069.99 (driver); $629.99 (fairway);
$529.99 (hybrid); $359.99 per iron (steel
shafts); $379.99 per iron (graphite).
www.callawaygolf.com.au

SRIXON SOFT FEEL BALLS
POPULARITY DRIVES
INNOVATION
Srixon’s Soft Feel golf balls have become golfers a softer feel that’s unmatched in a The Speed Dimple, featured in every
one of the most popular in golf, and low-compression option,” Product Manager Srixon golf ball, are specifically a 338
despite that fact, the Japanese brand at Srixon Amelia DeLazzer said. aerodynamically-designed collection of
continues to work to improve the model “This is our softest FastLayer Core to dimples improving the overall flight in all
that is into its 13th iteration. date. It’s a core that is soft in the centre and conditions via a lower drag coefficient,
The performance benefits combining soft firms up on the outside giving golfers equal which means the ball gets through the air
feel, as the name suggests, with distance parts distance and feel.” easier and maintains a penetrating launch.
and spin around the greens are achieved via The core of the new model is more Announced alongside the Soft Feel is the
a ‘FastLayer Core’, ‘Speed Dimple’ pattern resilient to create enhanced distance on eighth version of the Soft Feel Lady which
and a soft, thin cover. previous models, with the centre of the ball is designed for women looking for a soft
“The consistent love for the Soft Feel snapping back into shape faster after impact feeling golf ball with increased launch that
has been tremendous and with each for boosted ball speeds while also reducing helps generate greater distance.
generation, this being our 13th, we’ve spin with the long game that causes slices RRP: $33.95 (dozen).
tried to incorporate new ways of providing and hooks off the tee. www.srixon.com.au

TAYLORMADE P•700 IRONS
IRONS BUILT FOR PLAYERS

TaylorMade’s P•700 series offers irons for increase in loft for optimised performance P·7MC is meticulously scrutinised to meet
a range of golfers from the Tour to the and playability that is achieved partially the performance demands of the game’s
social player, with three update models – via tungsten weighting. Meanwhile, best ball-strikers.
P•770, P•7MC, P•7MB – joining the P•790 ‘SpeedFoam Air’ dampens sound and The Tour-inspired P·7MC fits the eye of
in the range. strategically supports the face with a discerning players through minimal offset
Built on the family focus pillars of feel, material 69 percent less dense than and perimeter weighting, while a narrow
craftsmanship and performance the new SpeedFoam, with the P•770 also featuring sole guarantees consistent turf interaction,
models have been refined to improve established ‘Thru-Slot Speed Pocket’ and all combining for control of flight.
performance and aesthetics from the ‘Inverted Cone Technology’. Feel is achieved through ‘Compact Grain
brand favoured by the likes of Tiger Woods, “P•Series irons need to be technical, Forging’ that uses 2,000 tons of pressure.
Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson. elegant and timeless and the new P·770 The same high pressure forging
The P·770 features a compact, Tour design has all of that in spades. We technique is used in the new P•7MB
proven shape with a thinner top line, less wanted to take as much performance designed for the best ball strikers in
offset in long irons and a shorter blade and hide it on the inside of the iron to the world.
length when compared to P·790. where you look at it and it just looks like a As a result of detailed feedback from
A hollow-body construction and forged clean and classic iron with the pearl satin Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa, P•7MB
L-Face help increase distance, forgiveness chrome finish and hint of mirror on the features a shorter blade length, brand new
and feel in a smaller head. toe,” TaylorMade Director of Irons Product sole geometry, and progressive offset to
A progressive centre of gravity (CG), Creation, Matt Bovee said. create a minimalist profile that’s designed
known as ‘FLTD CG’, moves the CG lower With precision playability and a hint of to control shot shape and trajectory.
in the long irons and gets higher with the forgiveness, every angle of the all-new www.taylormadegolf.com.au

PING G430 DRIVERS
SPEED, DISTANCE
& FORGIVENESS
PING is well and truly more than the internal rib structure. is for those needing to lower spin rates to
putter company that it was when it The MAX is the most forgiving option maximise distance and features ‘Carbonfly
originated in the garage of Karsten that will suit the widest range of players. Wrap’, a unique and lightweight composite
Solheim, the brand’s drivers building a A 25-gram tungsten backweight that covers the crown and wraps into the
dedicated following both on Tour and influences shot shape ±8 yards between heel/toe sections to save weight and lower
with recreational golfers. the Draw, Neutral and Fade customisable the CG for more ball speed, less spin and
The latest offering – G430 – features settings. higher MOI.
three models that include unique designs “The MAX is the workhorse,” PING An adjustable tungsten weight influences
for the target golfer, as well as common boss, and grandson to Karsten, John K. shot shape ±7 yards in the 440cc head.
technologies used to increase distance Solheim said. The SFT model is built for maximum
and ball speed while maintaining the high “It fits every skill level, from Tour players forgiveness and a straight flight that is
forgiveness levels the category has come to to higher handicaps. The increases in ball now adjustable thanks to a two-setting,
expect from PING. speed are remarkable and the sound is moveable tungsten backweight that
Increased ball speed comes from a creating a very favourable conversation. positions the CG to deliver 13 yards of
shallower and thinner VFT forged face When you combine those advancements right-to-left shot bend in the Draw setting
design engineered with ‘Spinsistency’ that with its industry-leading forgiveness, the and another 7 yards in the Draw+ (20
is a variable roll radius first used in the G425 MAX will win a lot of battles in comparison yards total).
fairway and hybrid. testing in the fitting environment.” RRP: $995 (Max & SFT); $1,050 (LST).
Meanwhile the feel is created by an The LST – Low Spin Technology – model www.americangolf.com.au

IRONBACK POSTURAL AID
IMPROVE YOUR
GOLF & LIFE
If you are a dedicated golfer, you know all training aid is lightweight and made from
too well the cruelling issue of back pain, breathable, non-restrictive fabric.
while also appreciating the importance Delivering gentle feedback rather than
of posture both on the course and off it. harsh retraining of body positions developed
The Ironback aims to improve posture, after years of golf, the Ironback works to
and subsequently ball striking, as well as combine the work of the upper and lower
relieving back pain thanks a safer and more body during the golf swing for improved
athletic position. power and sequence work and is used by
Developed following an injury suffered top coaches around the world and proven
playing rugby union with the help of during testing with Q Golf.
chiropractors and physiotherapists, the Utilising the state-of-the-art facilities at the
Ironback is worn against the skin and under disposal of biomechanist Ryan Lumsden, the
a shirt, anchoring to the biceps to pull Ironback was shown to improve ball-striking
the shoulders up and back to activate the consistency by up to 15 percent.
shoulder blades. RRP: $110.
Offered in a range of sizes, the www.theironback.com.au

2023 Pro V1 and Pro V1x
THE INSIDE STORY

T
here is arguably no bigger golf ball that was used to clean sweep the stiffness of the rubber.”
equipment story in the big brands’ men’s majors in 2022? The high gradient core applies to both
development cycles than the That task is left to those at R&D, who the Pro V1 and the dual core of the Pro
biennial release of a new Pro V1 and Pro went to work on the core of the two V1x, which flies higher, spins more and
V1x from Titleist hitting the Tour then, models to reduce long game spin, while feels slightly firmer as has been the case
subsequently, the retail shelves. maintaining short game spin rates, control in previous models. Applying the new
The latest models – available around and the feel of the two golf balls that are technology to the dual core an important
Australia from January 25 – come on the overwhelmingly the most popular on every step to maintain the product variation
back of the 2021 version, which saw some professional Tour around the world. between the two models, something Titleist
of the most significant changes in the “No.1 To achieve the desired performance, new has excelled in of late including with its TSR
Ball in Golf” for many iterations. ‘High Gradient Cores’ were developed as range of metalwoods.
Following such drastic changes, the the hero technology of the 2023 Pro V1 The dual core of the new Pro V1x also
Research and Development (R&D) team at and Pro V1x that are once again offered in features a 44 percent larger inner core to
Titleist were led by golfer feedback. white and yellow and debuted on the PGA optimise performance for the likes of Pro
“Longer distance is key, golfers are Tour at the Shriners Children’s Open back V1x loyalists Adam Scott and Cam Smith.
always telling us they want that,” Titleist in October. Making the core firmer toward the
Senior Manager, Golf Ball Product Manager “We are talking about the actual outer edge and softer towards the middle
Michael Fish told Golf Australia magazine. hardness value of the core were you to to reduce long game spin sounds simple
“Certainly, that was a focus for these two cut it in half. So, if you cut it in half, you enough, however, that is far from the case
products when it came to the product brief take a hardness measurement throughout and required changes to the production
delivered to R&D. various portions of the core, the change of methods for the new Pro V1 and Pro V1x at
“Lower long game spin to create longer that hardness is what we refer to as the Titleist’s Ball Plant 3 in Massachusetts.
distance was really the key focus and that gradient. So high gradient means when we “We had to change the formulation to the
should be taken in totality of golfers asking are taking measurements around the outer cores to achieve this, there is also a process
us from the Tour ranks to amateurs for less part of the core it is very stiff and as you change in our Ball Plants to achieve this. We
long game spin and more distance. But gradually move towards the centre it gets changed the timing that we ball mould, we
they also asked us not to change anything softer and softer,” Titleist Senior Director of changed the temperatures in which we do it
else about the golf ball as far as great short Research and Engineering Mike Madson to achieve it,” Fish said.
game performance and all of those things.” exclusively told this publication. “We spend months in the plants running
More distance and lower long game spin “That differential between soft and hard testing to make sure we can deliver the
sound great. But how do you achieve it in a is the gradient we are referring to. It is the physical properties to make the ball that

R&D has created in the prototypes.” golf giving an insight into just how much
The lower long game spin leads to more goes into the final product you put on the
distance, which can also be achieved by tee this year.
raising the compression, however, that “A lot of the stuff that came out in 2021
approach alone creates more spin across we had been working on since 2013 and
the board. The high gradient core method we just got it to a point where now we are
also helping to improve other key long confident with it that it works with the new
game performance benefits. product,” Madson said.
“Lower spin is going to lead to lower “It is the same with high gradient, we
dispersion, that higher gradient core also have been working with high gradient
leads to a more consistent compression chemistry and trying to perfect that for a
and more consistent distance and really long time and we are finally to the
performance,” Fish said. point where it made sense in the product, it
That more consistent performance made sense in manufacturing and it made
has seen an improvement on the already sense from a performance standpoint.
impressive dispersion of the previous “And we didn’t change the aerodynamic
model, a result that is tested extensively pattern, because we tested all variations,
both in controlled and natural environments but they happened to stay. We are
before the golf balls are tested by the most maintaining it but only because it is
discerning golfers in the world, Tour pros. the best.”
The new high gradient core joining That level of research, testing and
the updated dimple patterns of the 2021 development is enough to give anyone
iterations, casing layer and soft cast confidence when stepping on the tee
urethane elastomer cover to provide be they Jordan Spieth or a player in the
total performance and feel that Pro V1 and Saturday comp.
Pro V1x users are accustomed to. And with more fitting and education
Yet, those remaining technologies aren’t events coming to Australia with the launch
simply applied because they worked of the new ball, golfers will also know they
previously. The process of deciding the final are using the best ball for them from a
makeup of the latest balls to be stamped company that has been at the top of the
with one of the most famous brandings in tree for golf balls for a very long time.

playng with...
L.A.B. GOLF MEZZ.1 Putter

Cost: US$559 (custom).
Tested by: Jimmy Emanuel, Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: was probably lacking. the later years of his career.
The intrigue in this putter Still the lie angle balance was “By chance I stumbled across this
came about, like so many impressive, with the putter not face company a few years ago and I have been in
things in equipment, from balanced like most mallets but instead built touch with them ever since,” Scott told Golf
the Tour. so the face stays square to the lie angle Australia magazine. “At the back end of last
Adam Scott might and subsequently the stroke. year, I did a lot of testing with them and I
not be rated highly as a Bringing that technology to a more started this year out putting with the L.A.B.
putter (stats prove that a traditional (still funky) shape is just smart and it has gone very well. Coincidently or
misconception) but for those of us who still from the brand, while the feel has been not, they have gone really well this year and
favour the unanchored broomstick, what improved, plus the offering of the Mezz.1 are making a bit of an impact because their
he is putting with is always worth paying in broomstick and armlock is a home run product is really good.”
attention to. for those of us lacking a little confidence on If it is good enough for a major winner, it
Scott played much of 2022 with a L.A.B. the greens. is good enough for me. And from personally
Golf Mezz.1 putter, the horseshoe shape Feel is important in putters and the testing it, this putter tragic agrees with
and rearward shaft entry making the Mezz.1 while not being in the level of pure the Masters winner’s assessment … the
putter standout. milled steel flatsticks is not in any way an Mezz.1 is really good.
Taking a look at the putters in the flesh issue that would see it cast aside in testing. L.A.B GOLF SAYS: Looks are important,
over the summer of golf, with players like Despite the smaller head size, the sole but so is science. That’s why Mezz.1 and
Brett Rumford and Blake Collyer also putting weights and design make this as stable a Mezz.1 Max look pretty much like normal
them in play, the unique shape is easy to putter as you will find that makes it feel as putters. But unlike normal putters they
get past once experiencing the stability on though once you’ve picked your like you actually help you hole more putters.
offer. And the lie angle balance technology are just holding on as the putter swings Like all L.A.B. Golf putters, Mezz.1 and
continues to interest this slightly shaky on the lie angle, which it is definitely Mezz.1 Max are 100 percent Lie Angle
putter after first experiencing it in the recommended you have fitted for you. Balanced to make putting easier and
company’s Directed Force 2.1 model. The Tour usage both in Australia and more fun.
HOW IT PERFORMED: That Directed Force around the world is another major tick for They feel like magic … but it’s just science.
putter was one Scott also experimented the Mezz.1 and who better to ask about the Mezz.1 is also plenty forgiving (and
with in a short putter setup that I tried for putter than Scott, a man who has tested Mezz.1 Max is even more forgiving) and
this page a few years back. A spaceship like more putters and styles then most golfers they might just be our best feeling putters.
design, the stability was high, yet the feel combined in his search for more success in Visit, www.labgolf.com to find out more

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ZX7 is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship help with ball striking consistency via A mainstay of Srixon iron design, ZX Mk
offering ball flight control. turf interaction plus there is some added II irons are designed with ‘Tour V.T. Sole’ and
The real standout of testing these is the versatility when playing from different lies popular sole notches. The V-Shaped design
feel off the face, a soft but solid blade-like and in varied conditions. of the Tour V.T. Sole maintains clubhead
feel from the ZX7 and a little more pop off Srixon may not be right at the top of your speed through impact for a clean, precise
the ZX5 are exactly what the target player is forged iron list if you are in the market, but strike. Revered by the Srixon Tour staff,
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THE FINAL BY GOLF AUSTRALIA DEPUTY EDITOR | JIMMY EMANUEL
PUTT
“Competitiveness doesn’t
disappear like clubhead
T
here were plenty of takeaways
from the big Australian events at
the end of 2022.
Cam Smith was a star in every way.
There were worthy winners at the
Aussie Open.
Young players on the rise showed what
we have to look forward to.
Yet, one of the most interesting and
enjoyable elements, for mine, was
observing the ‘older’ brigade.
They didn’t win any of the trophies, but
watching up close the likes of Karrie Webb,
Geoff Ogilvy, Peter Fowler and Peter Lonard
it was clear this game, and competing, still
means so much to them.
Webb and Ogilvy fall into the part-time
player category these days, but as major
champions it is obvious simply showing up
for their home events isn’t enough.
The pair were battling and fighting for
every par and birdie and infuriated by each
shot lost to par.
It was noticeable just how much playing
well still means to Ogilvy even if, to borrow
a Tiger Woods-ism, the “reps” haven’t been
put in.
Bad holes to finish a round, or a bad
score for the day, saw a return to the
scoring tent with haste and a look of
disgust for the 2006 U.S Open winner. And
that is a sure sign he feels like he is close
to playing good golf, the kind he found on
Sunday at the Australian PGA when he had
the equal low round of the day.
Webb plays even less tournament golf
than Ogilvy these days, but the Hallf of
Famer clearly isn’t comfortable with the
idea of being a mere ceremonial golfer.
She was grinding on every shot at the OGILVY AND WEBB WERE TWO OF THE VETERANS SHOWING SERIOUS GRIT.
Open and wanting to put on a show for the
large crowds following her group each day
and to show the younger players she still eventually finished one shot outside the than 2022.
has it. secondary Saturday cut. These players don’t need to prove
And Fowler ... he is a marvel in the world But here was another decorated veteran anything to anyone, and some might
of professional golf. not simply showing up to catch up with argue they don’t have anything better to
Having likely hit more practice balls than his mates. fill their time with than playing tournaments
any other human, you could forgive the At both Royal Queensland and the and hitting balls. However, that would
63-year-old for putting his feet up. makeshift range at Cheltenham Golf Club, it be incorrect.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES.
But there he was on the Sandbelt was one of my summer highlights to stand They are fantastic examples that
working harder than ever on his game. in the late afternoon sun watching the PGA competitiveness doesn’t disappear like
Lonard briefly found himself on the Tour winner flush the eyes out of irons as if clubhead speed as the years go on, and that
front page of the Open leaderboard, but it were the 2000 Australian summer rather even elite golf is a game for life.

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Together on the Melbourne Sandbelt, with two of

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