Golf Australia June 2019

THE details of a recent AusPlay Survey focused on golf participation and engagement made for some interesting reading. Some of the key findings were: • The annual population estimate for adults 15-plus participating in golf was 986,479, and was heavily skewed towards males which accounted for 81 percent of participation; • Golfers added more than $985 million to the Australian economy annually; • Fun/enjoyment (58 percent) was the main motivation for playing golf, followed by social reasons (46 percent), and physical health/fitness (33 percent). The report, funded and led by Sport Australia, concluded that despite a downward trend in participation during the past three years, net growth market opportunity is “fairly healthy as there are many adults, especially older males, considering taking up golf. One reason that interest may be…

I first played at the then named Peregian Springs Golf Club in December 2003, just a few days after the course officially opened for play. It was – as you might expect of a layout created specifically for a members-only club – beautifully presented and fully complemented the first full design of Phil Scott – a long-time PGA of Australia member and father to Masters Champion, Adam. Created to be the centrepiece of the Peregian Springs residential development, the course immediately gained a reputation as one of the most prestigious on the Sunshine Coast. In the decade that followed, it was noticeable with every return visit that the course was starting to look tired, which was surprising given its age. It was no surprise to me to learn in mid-2016…

THE COURSE LOCATION Peregian Springs Dve, Peregian Springs, Queensland, 4573. CONTACT: (07) 5471 5400. WEBSITE: www.peregiangolf.com.au DESIGNER: Phil Scott (2003). PLAYING SURFACES: Bermuda 328 (greens), couch (fairways, tees and rough) COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Brian Wilson. PGA PROFESSIONAL: Craig Goodall. GREEN FEES: $74 (18 holes), $69 (book & pay online); $37 (juniors). THE CLUB PLAYING PASSES: Peregian offers a range of playing passes. For example, a Lifestyle Access Pass for $395 a year (or $37 a month) offers half-price green fees, seven days a week. A Total Access pass offers unlimited golf anytime and costs $220 a month or $2,395 annually. Pass holders enjoy many benefits including exclusive offers, discounted cart hire plus the ability to introduce up to three guests at the special partner rate when playing alongside you. Visitors to…

PREPARE yourself. In the wake of the annual schmaltz-fest also known as the Masters Tournament, the good old US of A is already revving up for more saccharine-sweet coverage of the upcoming US Open Championship at, wait for it, Pebble Beach Golf Links. Diabetics be warned. Still, there’s no getting away from the fact that the Monetary Peninsula is one of the planet’s coolest locations. Forever easy on the eyes, it is one of the most beautiful places to be, whether you are a golfer or not. And Pebble Beach epitomises both of those qualities, as long as you have lots of pennies in your pockets. You want to tee-up on the course that has so far hosted six major championships – those being five US Opens and one US…

GOLF’S new World Handicap System (WHS) remains on track for global implementation starting in 2020. The WHS will unite the golf world under one single set of handicapping rules and will be governed by the USGA and The R&A, with support from the existing six handicap authorities, including Golf Australia. The system is designed to bring the game under a single set of Rules for handicapping and provide a more consistent measure of a player’s ability between different regions of the world. The R&A and the USGA has also launched a social media video campaign to remind golfers of the eight key features of the new Rules of Handicapping and to reveal more details. These features include: • Minimum number of scores to establish a Handicap Index and maximum Handicap…

1. The par-3 7th hole at Pebble Beach (pictured above) is the shortest hole played in major championships. From the back markers it measures 106 yards. How far is it from the red tees? 2. Americans have obviously dominated their home Open since John McDermott became the first US-born player to claim the title in 1911. Since then, players from only nine countries other than the United States have won. Name those countries. 3. In the three US Opens won by Tiger Woods, who is the only other player to break par? 4. Six players have won the Masters and US Open in the same calendar year. Name them. 5. Who was the first player to shoot in the 60s for all four rounds at a US Open? 6. Who…