Golf Australia January 2021 - Issue #380

A new year always presents some expectation or hopes of what might lie ahead. Of course, there are dreams of more money in the payslip, perhaps an overseas holiday or even purchasing a big ticket item. I’ve no doubt, like me, you’re glad to have 2020 in the rear-vision mirror and all thoughts are for a positive 2021. With the upcoming year in mind, I began jotting down a ‘bucket list’ – not so much a menu of ‘to do’ adventures or resolutions but more a list of things I would like to see happen, at least in the golf world, in the 12 months ahead. I’d like to see … * A COVID-19 vaccine rolled out sooner rather than later. Some of my bucket list entries depend on it.…

I will never forget my father’s midlife crisis. One day his run-of-the-mill Holden Commodore was parked in the driveway – and then it was gone, replaced by an ivory green 1966 Ford Mustang GT Coupe that was well past its glory days. The passenger door was badly dented, its interior smelt like cigarettes and the engine made an awful rattling sound. But he was smiling from ear-to-ear and was quick to explain the car was a classic. It just needed someone to help it rediscover its spirit. I have developed a passion for restorations of all kinds ever since – from musical instruments to houses – so to receive an invitation to experience the refurbished course at Yarra Yarra Golf Club was, of course, an exciting prospect. Yarra Yarra was…

LOCATION: Warrigal Road, Bentleigh East, Victoria. CONTACT: (03) 9575 0595 (Pro Shop); (03) 9575 0575 (Clubhouse). WEBSITE: www.yarrayarra.com.au DESIGNERS: Alex Russell (1928); Martin Hawtree (2011); Tom Doak (ongoing). COURSE SUPERINTENDENT: Clint Raven. PGA PROFESSIONALS: Andrew Bertram (Head Professional); Travis Carpenter; Jasmine Hobb. PLAYING SURFACES: Couch/Santa Ana (fairways); Poa annua (greens). GREEN FEES: Yarra Yarra Golf Club is a private members’ club. Members may invite guests to play on most days throughout the year. Members of reciprocal clubs have the ability to experience Yarra Yarra in accordance with agreements and playing rights. Interstate and international guests are welcome at Yarra Yarra during select times throughout the year and may enquire directly with the club’s pro shop. MEMBERSHIPS: Yarra Yarra is currently open for new members. Full membership gives you access to…

It’s that time of year again. And as 2020 draws to a close, I’m guessing all of you out there are, like me, glad to see the back of it. May we never see the like again. So, it is time to look forward. Here is a “front-nine” of the things that should happen – or I would like to see happen – in the next 12 months. 1. This one comes under the heading of shameless crawling, but I’m confident I will have overwhelming support in yearning for the return of the ladies and gents Australian Opens in 2021. I’ve missed the annual jaunt that transports me from the darkness of the Scottish winter to the brightness of the Aussie spring/summer. 2. At least in the northern hemisphere, 2021…

There is no questioning the top tier of men’s professional golf is exceptionally lucrative, to the point that some might even consider it obscene. Career earnings lists on the PGA Tour make for eye-watering reading, so too do the rumours of endorsement amounts paid to top players to play a certain brand of clubs, wear a certain logo or even appear at corporate outings. Tiger Woods deserves the majority of the credit from his fellow players for the significant jump in prizemoney and other financial benefits since he turned pro in 1996. And a study by value advisors Duff & Phelps focusing on the future earning potential of the top players in the men’s game suggests things aren’t slowing down. This, of course, is despite the changing world at the…

GOLF AUSTRALIA confirmed more than 42,000 new members joined golf clubs in the first 10 months of 2020. The figures represent a surge in new membership demand of 126 percent nationally – and at the time of writing, were on track for a five percent annual rise, which would be the best such number for 31 years. The PGA Tour and European Tour announced a STRATEGIC ALLIANCE. Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of the European Tour, said: “This partnership is an historic moment for the game of golf and is a fantastic opportunity for both the European Tour and PGA Tour to explore ways to come together.” The PGA OF AUSTRALIA and ALPG unveiled their new respective brands as part of a new era that aims to strengthen the alignment between…