Golf Australia January 2020

When the news broke of Jason Day’s withdrawal from the Australian Open and Presidents Cup due to a back injury, it was less than surprising. His announcement, just six days before the opening shots of our national championship and 13 days before the Cup, was more of a surprise … at least to those of us observing the game from outside the ropes. “Frustratingly, I’ve been through back problems before and my medical team decided it best to shut down all practice and play,” said Day, who had been preparing for both events in Palm Springs with coach, Col Swatton, when the injury occurred. “I’m quite disappointed I won’t be coming home to play in either the Australian Open or the Presidents Cup. I was quite looking forward to both…

Victoria Golf Club is a fantastic shot-makers course, where strategic play can compete, and often win, over brute strength. This is probably why the club has produced so many fine players over its history. The Honourable Michael Scott was a member when he won the first Australian Open back in 1904. Peter Thomson was a member when he won his five Open Championships, while fellow Victoria Pennant team member, Doug Bachl, was the 1956 British Amateur champion. Club member Geoff Ogilvy won the 2006 US Open and more recently Gabi Ruffels claimed the US Women’s Amateur title. It is safe to say Victoria is a golfer’s golf course (if there is such a thing) – a place where good golfers have their skills tested, and the rest of us enjoy…

THE COURSE LOCATION: Park Rd, Cheltenham, Victoria, 3192. CONTACT: (03) 9584 1733. WEBSITE: www.victoriagolf.com.au DESIGNER: Oscar Damman, William Meader & Dr Alister MacKenzie (1927); Mike Clayton (1995); Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Clayton, Mike Cocking & Ashley Mead – OCCM (2019). SLOPE RATINGS: Men – Black 134, White 129, Silver 135, Blue 132; Women – Red 137, Yellow 118 and Silver 146. PLAYING SURFACES: Pure Distinction creeping bentgrass greens; couch fairways and tees. GREEN FEES: Victoria is a private club but interstate and overseas guests, who are members of a golf club, can apply for a tee time. COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Steven Newell. PGA PROFESSIONALS: Paul Wright, Andrew Cooper and Denis McDade. THE CLUB FACILITIES: The Victoria Golf Club Teaching Centre was opened in 2013 featuring the latest in state-of-the-art coaching and fitting…

As was clear for all to see in the immediate aftermath of his recent victory at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa, Tommy Fleetwood is an emotional wee soul. Almost two years had passed since his previous win in Abu Dhabi – a near-eternity for one of golf’s top-10 players – and he was, at least briefly, quite overcome by it all. Which is no surprise. While it has been obvious for a while that the 28-year-old Englishman is one of the more accomplished ball-strikers in professional golf, he is also one of the most approachable members of the game’s elite. This is a lad who has never forgotten where he came from. It measures only 6,253-yards and plays to a standard scratch of 69, but for Fleetwood, Southport’s…

RORY McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth may have won multiple major championships throughout their 20s. But did you know that 71 percent of male major winners have been over the age of 30 since the year 2000? Research conducted by physiologists has revealed that the peak age of major winners since the year 2000 has been 31 years old, despite the success of the aforementioned young guns. Essentially, players in the men’s game appear to be peaking from 30 onwards, with 57 out of the past 80 major champions claiming their titles after their 30th birthdays. Reflecting on last year’s major champions exemplifies this, with three out of the four winners well into their 30s … Tiger Woods claimed his fifth green jacket at Augusta National in April –…

After a supporting vote from players during its annual membership meeting in Spain in November, the LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR approved a merger with the LPGA, set to offer European players more playing opportunities on the game’s biggest stage. Taking effect immediately, the joint venture will also aim to fast track an expanded schedule in Europe for 2020. “This is an exciting next step for the LPGA’s mission to provide more opportunities for women in this game,” LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan said. “We are thrilled to deepen our relationship with the Ladies European Tour in an effort to create the strongest possible women’s Tour in Europe.” For the fourth consecutive year, BONVILLE GOLF RESORT has topped Australia’s 50 Favourite Courses as voted by the Golf Australia magazine readers. Compiled over a…