The 15th Hole at Thames Golf Club

Thames Golf Club

The 15th hole at Thames Golf Club is a unique hole in many ways. You play off an elevated tee which has a great view over the Hauraki Plains. Off the Blue Tees it is a Par Four and is the number 1 stroke hole on the scorecard. But off the Red Tees it becomes a Par 5 and is number 16 stoke hole. It plays 396 metres off both tees. It was originally designed as a par 5. But when JP(Course Convener) at the time in 2004 decided to create a Blue Tee course, he decided to turn it into a Par 4 off the Blue Tees.

 It is a dog leg left to right and at about 200metres from the tee, the fairway narrows from 10 mower lengths wide to 6 mower lengths wide and it has a severe slope from left to right, meaning that in the summer months, a well hit tee shot that lands in the middle of the 6 mower lengths cut fairway can land and bounce into the trees on both the right and left hand sides of the hole. In my Opinion this is a touch unfair. Because if a lower handicap player hitting a good drive right down the middle of the fairway can land right behind a tree meaning, they may just have to chip out back to the fairway. In fact if the good player misses his drive way left or right, he may well have a clear shot to the green.   

Well the 2nd shot can be a difficult one to control at the best of times. In the summer you need to hit the green on the full to be sure the ball is going to stay on the green. But a big advantage in the summer is a good drive will only leave a Wedge to the green. But in winter the hole can be out of reach in 2shots just because of the holes length and the ground is so wet. And wind conditions play a huge part in this hole. If the wind is quartering out of the north then the hole plays a lot shorter. With a good drive you can hit as little as a pitching wedge for the second shot. But playing the hole into a strong south westerly wind and you can hit a Driver and a long iron or fairway wood and still come up short of the green. Plus if you miss to the left, you will face a tough chip up the hill over the small trees on the left hand side. And if you go long you will face a very tough chip up the slope at the back of the green. The green slopes from front to back.

Once on the green the challenge is far from over. Depending on where the pin is placed, you will either have a putt that breaks from left to right of right to left. So in my opinion the Par 4, 15th hole at Thames Golf Club is a worthy number one stroke hole of the Blue Tees and a relatively easy par 5 of the Red Tees. But a Par is always a good score and fine achievement off the Blue Tees.

Golf Events from the Weekend 19th December

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Professional Golf Tours around the world. On the Australasian Tour they staged the first stage of the PGA Tour of Australasia’s Qualifying School and it also combined with the first Stage of One Asia Tour School. It was played from Tuesday 14^th December to Friday the 17th of December.

It was staged on two courses, Sandhurst Golf Club (North Course) and Peninsula Country Golf Club (South Course) in Victoria, Australia. The top 25 and ties from each venue qualified for the Final Stage at North Course at Peninsula Country Golf Club from the 20th to the 23rd of December. With the Top 10 players likely to get starts at the major professional events like the Australian Open, PGA and Masters in 2011.

Deyen Lawson (Australia) was top qualifier at Sandhurst Golf Club with a score of -3 and New Zealand Golfer Brad Shilton (NZL) was second to easily qualify for final stage at the other venue which was Peninsula Country Club. The Top Qualifier at that venue was Brett Rankin (Australia) -1. Some of the other New Zealand Golfers to make it through were Thomas Spearman-Burn (am) (NZL), David Klein (NZL), and Josh Carmichael (NZL).

So let’s hope as many New Zealand players as possible can gain there 2011 cards as the final Stage gets under this week. Well now to the Asian Tour which was staging its last tournament of the year. It was the final event on the 2010 season this week being played at the Black Mountain Golf Club, Hua Hin, in Thailand, and was the Blue Mountain Masters. Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Japan) and Namchoak Tantipokakul (Thailand) each finished 72holes on -14. That meant they had to play off for the title. They went back to the 18th hole for the first playoff hole. Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Japan) was able to secure a par to a Namchoak Tantipokakul (Thailand) bogey.

Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Japan)

Winner of the Blue Mountain Masters for 2010

So Tetsuji Hiratsuka (Japan) was the winner of the Black Mountain Classic for 2010. He earned US$95,100 for the win and finished in fifth place on the final Order of Merit with $333,092.98 from the 9 events he played. Noh Seung – yul (Korea) won the order of Merit for 2010 on the Asian Tour with $822,361.03 from the 10 events he played. Marcus Fraser (Australia) was second on $610,926.56 from 9events. Best New Zealand Golfer this year was Mark Purser (NZL) on the Asian Tour. He finished in 86th on the Order of Merit with $24,991.14 from the 16 events he played. He will now have to head back to Asian Tour School in mid January 2011 to try and regain his card.

Ernie Els (RSA) with the South African Open Trophy

And so the European Tour and the second event on the 2011 Race to Dubai Schedule. It was the South African Open Championship played at the Durban Country Club, Durban, South Africa. All the Top South African players were there. Ernie Els (RSA) shot a final round of 63 and finished -25 to win by one-shot from his country man Retief Goosen (RSA). It was the 5th time Ernie Els (RSA) had won the South African Open Championship in his career. And the 3rd time he had won at Durban Country Club having won there also in 1995 and 2005.

The tournament was disrupted on the first day when play was suspended for the day after only a couple of hours of play. Rain had flooded the course and made it unplayable. So they played and completed the first round on the second day Friday and completed the second round on the third day, Saturday. The cut was made to the low 60 players and ties instead of the low 65 players and ties. That was because the Tournament Organisers wanted to play 36 holes on Sunday and completed the scheduled 72 holes. The players that tied for 61st still got paid but just couldn’t play the final two rounds.

So the third and final rounds were re scheduled to be played on the final day as 36holes in one day. But due to heavy overnight rains the 4th green was so wet that they deemed in unplayable. All the players were given a nominal score of PAR on that hole. Ernie Els (RSA) won a cheque of € 158,500 for his efforts. And that win has moved him to 2nd place on the 2011 Race to Dubai money list with €158,500. He is just behind Pablo Martin (Spain) that has €160,786 after winning last week and finishing tied 61st and winning € 2,286 at the South African Open this week.

3rd place went to Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) on -21 after a final round of 63 and that earned him € 69,200. It capped of a great year for him, after he won the Open Championship, his first major in July. And another South African Player was in solo 4th position, he was Charl Schwartzel (RSA), he finished -18 after 72 holes and earned € 49,100. So the South African Golfers proved they know how to play on their home turf.

Robert Rock (England) and Romain Wattel (France) tied 5th on -16. In tied 7th place was Alex Cejka (Germany) and Victor Riu (France) on -15.  Thorbjorn Olesen (Denmark) who was only playing in his 2nd European Tour event as a professional after recently gaining his 2011 card finished tied for 9 th on -14 along with Tim Clark (RSA) and Robert Dinwiddie (England). The only New Zealander in the field was Mark Brown (NZL) and he played very well. He scored rounds of 68 69 69 66 :272 – 10 and finished tied for 23rd and earned € 10,350. And he is positioned in 28th place on the 2011 Race to Dubai Money list after 2 events. He has earned €13,200 from his first 2 events.

The next event on the European Tour starts in the New Year on the Thursday the 6th January. It is the African Open played at the East London Golf Club, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It should produce another high quality field with players looking to get there seasons off to a fast start. So until then I wish you all a safe Christmas and a Very Happy New Year. And trust you will enjoy reading my Golf Blogs in the New Year.

Source: pga.org.au, asiantour.com, europeantour.com

GOLF EVENTS FROM WEEKEND 12TH DECEMBER

Peter Senior (Australia) Australian PGA Champion

with the Joe Kirkwood Cup

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Professional Golf tours from around the world. I will start with the Australasian Tour that Staged the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca – Cola at the Hyatt Regency, Coolum, Queensland. The Amazing and ever green Peter Senior (Australia) prevailed after the tournament was forced into a Monday finished, because heavy Rains forced play to be suspended midway through the final round on Sunday afternoon.

When the players resumed played at 6am on Monday morning Peter Senior (Australia) was leading by one shot. He still had the back nine holes left to play. He got away with a bogey 5 on the par4 10th after his way wood tee shot. But then he made all pars from the 11th hole to the 17th holes. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) on the other hand resumed his final round on the 14th hole already -4 after 13holes. He made a birdie 2 on the 14th and also birdied the 16th hole as well. He scored 66-6 in the final round to post a 72 hole total of 276-12 after rounds of 70-2, 69-3, 71-1 and 66-6.

So Peter Senior (Australia) knew what he had to do, and that was birdie the 72nd hole. And that is just what he did. After hitting his approach shot into 15 feet he rolled in the birdie putt to tie Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) at 276 -12 after rounds of 70-2, 67-5, 68-4 and 71-1. The player though that must be feeling the most disappointed is Andre Stolz (Australia), After making a birdie at the 71st hole and drawing level with Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) in the Club house. He teed off on the 72nd hole knowing a birdie would more than likely win him the Australian PGA Championship. But his tee shot went in the Water and his putt to salvage par and make it a 3way play off missed. But he can take pride in how he has played this summer with finishing 8th on the 2010 Australasian Tour Order of Merit with AU$147,863.46.

Well so to the play off that decided who would win the Joe Kirkwood Cup for 2010. They played the 18th Hole again as the first playoff hole and both Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) and Peter Senior (Australia) made solid pars. So it was back to the 18th hole for a 2nd time. This time they both hit the green in regulation same as the first time. But Geoff Ogilvy(Australia) was above the Cup and putted first, his putt rolled past 8feet and he was unable to make the return putt for par. That meant it left Peter Senior (Australia) with Two Putts for par and the Championship which he did easy. So Peter Senior (Australia) won the Joe Kirkwood Cup for a third time and the AU$270,000 first prize cheque that goes with it, having won it previously in 1989 and 2003. It was also his 28th Career Title in Professional Golf on any tour. He became the oldest winner of the Australia PGA Championship at age 51, and the second oldest winner on the Australasian Tour behind Kel Nagle (Australia) who won the 1975 New Zealand PGA Championship at age 55. And just thought I would mention it was Kel Nagle’s (Australia) 90th Birthday yesterday as well.

Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) took out the 2010 Australasian Tour Order of Merit with AU$459,900.00 and 2nd was Peter Senior (Australia) with AU$308,011.25. Best of the New Zealanders was Gareth Paddison (NZL) with $83,019.25 that put him in 15th position on the final Order of Merit for 2011.

The best placed New Zealander that made the cut was Richard Lee (NZL) who shot the equal best final round of 66-6. He finished 72 holes at 284-4, his rounds were 71-1, 71-1, 76+4 and 66-6 that left him a tie for 22nd. Other New Zealanders to make the cut were Gareth Paddison (NZL) who finished tied 52nd on 290+2 with rounds of 68-4, 75+3, 74+2 and 73+1 and also Michael Hendry (NZL) tied 52nd as well on 290+2, he scored rounds of 69-3, 71-1, 77+5 and 73+1. And the last New Zealander to make the cut also finished tied 52nd on 290+2, his rounds were 72even, 68-4, 75+3 and 75+3. Michael Campbell after scoring a good first round of 70-2, had a shocking second round of 79+7 and missed the cut to put a dent in his confidence after two good tournaments previously.

This week the Australasian Tour along with the One Asia Tour stages its first stage of Tour School at the Sandhurst Golf Club (North Course) & Peninsula Golf Club (South Course) in Victoria, Australia. It is on from the 14th to the 17th of December. The players that make it through to the final Stage will then play at the Peninsula Golf Club (North Course), Victoria, Australia from the 20th to the 23rd of December, with the Top 35 and ties gaining their 2011 Australasian PGA Tour Cards.

The New Zealanders competing at the first Stage of qualifying at Sandhurst Golf Club (North Course) are Aaron Leech (Am) and Jonny Dittmer (Am) and New Zealanders competing at the Peninsula Golf Club (South Course) are David Klein (Am), Brad Shilton, James Hamilton (Am), Sven Van Puymbroecok (Am), Thomas Spearman – Burn (Am), Tim Chiang, Jason Mann (Am), Matthew Williams (Am), Josh Carmichael, and Ben Taylor. So I wish them luck in getting through to the final Stage.

Pablo Martin (Spain) with the trophy

Well now to the European Tour and the first event on the 2011 Race to Dubai Schedule was played at Leopard Creek CC,Malelane,South Africa. And it was the Alfred Dunhill Championship with €1,000,000 at stake. Pablo Martin (Spain) defended his title he won last year. He won by 2 strokes, with a 72 hole Total of 277-11 that included rounds of 69-3, 70-2, 68-4 and 70-2. And he won the € 158,500 first prize Cheque and just like last year he leads the Race to Dubai after the first tournament. There was a 3way tied for 2nd at -9 between Anthony Michael (RSA), Throbjorn Olesen (Denmark) and Charl Schwartzel (RSA) and they all earned € 77,767 between them. The best New Zealander was Mark Brown (NZL) who finished on 296+8 after rounds of 69-3, 74+2, 80+8 and 73+1 to tie for 61st and earned € 2,850.

Also the other big tournament on the European Tour last week was the Final Stage of European Tour Qualifying School. It was played at the Calalunya Resort in Spain. Simon WAKEFIELD (England) led the Q-school at the completion of the 108 Holes. He had a 6 round total of 407 -21 with rounds of 70 68 65 70 67 67 and will be a player to look out for on this year’s Race to Dubai as he is a past European Tour player. The cut off mark for a European Tour Card was -9 with 34 players gaining there 2011 European Tour Cards. But unfortunately no New Zealander Golfers even made it to the final stage.

This week the European Tour stays in South Africa for the South African Open Championship that is being played at the Durban Country Club,Durban,South Africa. Pablo Martin (Spain) will be looking to make it two wins in a row. But I’m sure the big name South African players like Ernie Els (RSA), and Retief Goosen (RSA) will also be looking for a win. Mark Brown (NZL) is the only New Zealander in the field. Let’s hope for a good showing from him. The tournament starts on Thursday night New Zealand time.

Duston Johnson (USA)

at the Shark Shootout

And so to the USPGA Tour, it staged its last event of the year which was the fun event which was thought up by Greg Norman (Australia). It is called the Shark Shootout and was played this year at the Tiburon GC, Naples, Florida. It consisted of 12 two man teams chosen by Greg Norman. The format was on Friday they played Foursomes, Saturday they played fourball and Sunday they played Scramble format. Heading into the final round the team of Ian Poulter (England) and Dustin Johnson (USA) were -17 going into the low scoring last day Scramble where both players tee off and they chose the best drive and then they both hit the second shot and so on until the ball is holed out. The Scramble format promotes really low scoring and this year it was no different. Dustin Johnson (USA) and Ian Poulter (England) scored a 59-13 to score a 3 round total of -30 and win by 2 strokes. Their 3 rounds were 63-9, 64-8 and 59-13:186-30 and the win earned them $US375,000 each. In second place was Darren Clarke (NIR) & Graeme McDowell (NIR) on -28, they also scored 59-13 in the final round. And another 59-13 was scored in the final round by David Duval (USA) & Davis Love III (USA), but they finished in tied for 5th place on -24. The Host Greg Norman (Australia) who teamed with Matt Kuchar (USA) finished 9th on -22, but they also achieved that rear number of 59-13 in their final round as well. 

The USPGA Tour is now finished for 2010. The 2011 FedEx Cup starts up again in the first week of January (Thursday 6th) with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions that is played at the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii. It is a Tournament for all the winners of Tournaments on the USPGA Tour in 2010 and Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) is the two time defending Champion and will be looking for a 3peat.

And on a final note Wellington won the Interprovincial’s at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club on the Kapiti Coast on Saturday afternoon. They defeated North Harbour 4-1 in the final. The Interprovincial Teams competition in considered the best team’s competition in NZ Amateur Golf. The last time Wellington won was back in 2000. So well done to Wellington.

So until next week enjoy your Golf and keep cool.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com, pgatour.org.au, www.golf.co.nz

HOW I CAME 4th IN THE 2010 SHOOTOUT AT THAMES GOLF CLUB

The "Shoot out 2010 Thames" Hat

The 2010 Shootout at Thames Golf Club was played on Sunday 28th November. The players that scored the nineteen best net scores throughout the season were chosen to compete. It was played under some unusual rules. Once you had teed off you couldn’t touch your ball until it was holed out. Once every player’s ball was on the green you couldn’t touch your ball until it was holed in the cup. And the nearest player’s ball to the hole putted first. This was to speed up play. And also if your ball was next to the hole and another player hit your ball off the green while playing their shot you had to play from where your ball landed.

This was a unique way of playing the shootout different to the most usual rules of Golf.

Well, at 10:30am there were 12 players ready to start in the Shootout. So 7 players hadn’t turned up for various reasons. PH (Golf Director) who was the referee in the Shootout and RM (Duty Manager) was helping him. We waited for 5 minutes in case some players were running late. So at 10:35am off the 1st tee, we all teed off as our names were called out. Me, BW, NH(Farm Sales Rep), BH(Past President), RB(Thames Car Salesman), SG(Senior Champion), LT(Timber Worker), JR(Promising Junior), GO(Low handicapper), GP(Thames Timber), JF(Bus Driver), GL(Bank Manager) & IA(Greens Supervisor). I hit mine on the green and two putted for an easy par and advanced to the 2nd hole with a nett 3. BW had a nett 5 and was eliminated. He was running late, and he teed off when all of us were on the green. Maybe he should have just stayed at home...

So on to the par 4 2nd, I scored a 4, nett 3 and Advanced to the 3rd hole. NH (Farm Sales Rep) scored a nett 5and was eliminated. So the 11 of us walked to the 3rd tee. I secured an easy par 4 that became a nett 3 and easily advanced to the 4th hole. The unlucky person this time to be eliminated was BH (Past President) who lost a chip off.

So to the 4th hole, I made a par 4 that was a nett 4 and again easily got through to the next hole. But RB (Thames Car Salesman) was eliminated in a chip off. We walked back to the 7th hole, because PH (Golf Director) wanted to finish on the 18th hole. I scored a 5 that became a nett 4 and got through, but SG (Senior Champion) scored a nett 5 and his shootout came to an abrupt end.

So 8 players left and on to the 8th Hole. I managed a 4 that was a nett 4, but I got through. LT (Thames Timber Worker) had a major rush of blood to the head and ended up with a 6 that became a nett 5 and his shootout was finished.

So 7players left and on to the 9th Hole. I just got a 5 that was a nett 5 and I forced my way into a 4way chip off from the from off the green. GL(Bank Manager) went 1st and chipped to 10feet, JR(Promising Junior) was next and chipped to 20feet, GO(Low Handicapper) was 3rd and chipped to inside 15feet, and finally Me, I got inside JR(Promising Junior), so JR(Promising Junior’s) shootout was over.

6players left and on to the 10th Hole. I scored a birdie 2 for a nett 2 and got through to the next hole. GO (Low Handicapper) and IA (Course Manager) had nett 4’s and had a chip off which IA (Course Manager) won. GO (Low Handicapper’s) shootout was finished.

So the 5 of us headed to the 11th tee. I scored a 4 nett 3 and easily advanced. But GP (Thames Timber Worker) had a nett 5 and his shootout dreams had been smashed. So 4 players were left and on to the 16th hole. I had a 5 nett 4 and was in my 2nd chip off of the day. PH (Golf Director) took us to the front off the green for our chip off. GL (Bank Manager) went 1st and put it 15feet from the flag. Mine finished 20feet away, so my Shootout had come to an end. I won $15 cash for coming 4th and the Shootout 2010 Thames Hat.

So the 3 of them head to the 17th tee. IA (Course Manager) made a birdie 3, nett 3 and he was the first player through to the final hole. But GL(Bank Manager) and JF(Bus Driver) had nett 4’s and had too chip off. GL(Bank Manager) chipped to 8feet and JF(Bus Driver) couldn’t get inside him. So JF(Bus Driver’s) shootout had come to an end.

So to the 18th hole and the final two Players. IA(Course Manager) hit his drive just into the right rough, then GL(Bank Manager) hit his drive in the same place. They both missed their 2nd Shots to the right on the 18th. IA(Course Manager) chipped to 15th Feet and GL(Bank Manager) chipped to 8th feet. IA(Course Manager) putted first and it rimed the cup and then fell in. Then GL(Bank Manager) slotted his putt in showing no pressure. So a chip out was required to Decide the 2010 Shootout.

PH(Golf Director) took them both to the front of the green and they chipped off. IA(Course Manager) went 1st and chipped to 15th Feet as did GL(Bank Manager). It required an official measure by PH(Golf Director) and RM(Duty Manager). But when all was said and done IA(Course Manager) was declared the winner by 1foot, So IA(Course Manager) is the 2010 Thames Golf Club Shootout Winner. 

GOLF EVENTS FROM THE WEEKEND 5TH DECEMBER 2010

Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) holding the Australian Open Trophy

Well it was another exciting weekend of golf again on the Professional Circuits from around the world. I will start first on the Australasian Tour which combined with the One Asia Tour to host the 2010 Australian Open presented by Century Twenty One. It is considered one of the Big three tournaments to win in Australia along with the Masters and PGA Championship. And carries prize money to match its importance.

This year it was played at the Lakes Golf Club, in Sydney, NSW. The Lakes had recently been re designed by ex PGA Tour Professional, Mike Clayton (Australia), and this was its first big test in Championship Golf. It stood up well with the only complaints being that the greens were too slow. So to the final round and Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) took a 4shot lead into it.

He was cool and calm under the heavy pressure he was under. He birdied the Fourth, Eight, Thirteenth and Fourteenth holes and his only blemish came at the long par four 16th where he had a three putt bogey five. But he stood on the par 3, 72nd Hole at -19 and he had a four shot lead. And he hit a brilliant iron shot into 15feet of the pin and two putted for his 1st Australian Open Championship, and he was able to get his name on the Stone Haven Cup that goes to the Winner, Plus the AU$270,000 he earned for the win will come in handy.

He played great golf all week. And once he shot the bogey free 65-7 on Friday he never looked anything but the Champion to me. Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) scored rounds of 68-4, 65-7, 67-5, and 69-3:269-19. This win should do a world of good for his confidence and lead to bigger and better things on the USPGA Tour in the 2011 Season. It is his 2nd win in Australia having also won the 2008 Australian PGA Championship.

Matt Jones (Australia) was tied for 2nd with Alistair Presnell (Australia) on -15. Matt Jones (Australia) Stayed with Geoff Ogilvy (USA) for 14holes of the final round, but never got any closer than 3shots. But after playing the 1st 14 holes in 6 under par, he had a disappointing last 4holes with a 3 putt bogey on the par 3 15th Hole, and a poor bogey on the short par 5 17th hole, where he should have been looking at scoring a birdie or even an eagle. But he should become a better player for the experience.

Best of the New Zealand Golfers was Gareth Paddison (NZL). He scored rounds of 72 even, 69-3, 69-3 and 70-2: 280-8 for a tie for 9th place that earned him AU$37,000. It continued his fine run of form in recent months. And moved him up on the Australian Order of Merit list. Next best New Zealand Golfer was Michael Campbell (NZL) who had his best tournament finish in a long time. He scored rounds of 71-1, 71-1, 69-3 and 70-2:281-7 for a tie for 12th place that earned him AU$26,625 and should do him the world of good for his confidence knowing he has made back to back cuts on the Australasian Tour. Next best New Zealander was Michael Long (NZL) who scored rounds of 71-1, 68-4, 74+2 and 69-3:282-6 for a tie for 17th place that earned him AU$19,700 and finally the last New Zealander that made the cut was Mahal Pearce (NZL) who scored rounds of 72 even, 72 even, 72 even and 69-3:285-3 for a tie for 32nd place that earned him AU$9,390. So it was a good showing by all four New Zealanders that made the cut. But another Australian Open has pasted with still no New Zealander having won it. And David Smail (NZL) must still be having nightmares after leading by 3shots after 63holes in 2008 at Royal Sydney Golf Club, only to shoot 41+5 on the back nine and see his chances diminish. But there is always hope for the Kiwi’s next year.

The Australasian Tour and the One Asia Tour now head up to the Hyatt Regency Resort Course in Coolum, Queensland for the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca -Cola, with the 1st round teeing off on Thursday. The Last New Zealander to win this was Greg Turner (NZL) back in 1999. And with the AU$1, 500, 00 prize money on offer it is sure to attract some good players.

Now to the USPGA Tour that Staged the Chevron World Challenge at the Sherwood CC, Thousand Oaks, California. It is known as Tiger Woods Tournament and all the money raised from it goes to his learning Foundation for Kids. So how fitting it was that Tiger Woods (USA) was leading by 4shots after rounds of 65-7, 66-6 and 68-4 to be -17 heading into the final round. But conditions changed on the final day with light rain falling.

Tigers Woods (USA) had a poor start to his final round with scoring 36 even on the front nine and with Graeme McDowell (NIR) scoring 33-3 on the front nine, Tiger Woods (USA) lead had been reduced to 1 shot. It remained that way until the par 5 13th hole. Tiger Woods (USA) hit his drive into the left rough, But Graeme McDowell (NIR) hit his drive straight down the middle of the fairway, Tiger Woods (USA) had to lay up, But Graeme McDowell (NIR) went for the green in 2 shots and landed 40 feet from the pin. Tiger Woods (USA) hit his 3rd shot over the green and his 4th shot, a chip from the back of the green went past the pin and off the green, then his 5th Shot landed 20 feet past the pin and he missed his bogey putt and ended up with a Double Bogey 7, Whereas Graeme McDowell (NIR) calmly 2 putted for a birdie 4.

So it was a 3shot Swing in Graeme McDowell’s (NIR) favour. Graeme McDowell (NIR) now led by 2shots at -17 to Tiger Woods (USA) -15. So to the 14th Hole where Tiger Woods (USA) got his par 4 to Graeme McDowell’s (NIR) Bogey 5. Now Graeme McDowell’s (NIR) lead was only 1shot over Tiger Woods (USA) with 4 holes to play. They both made pars each on the Par 3 15th and Par 5 16th holes. Graeme McDowell (NIR) made a great bogey on the Par 3 17th hole when he was forced to take an unplayable lie for his 2nd Shot but got an excellent up and down. Tiger Woods (USA) secured an easy par. So that meant they were both -15 playing the par 4 72nd hole.

They both hit good drives on the par 4 18th and Graeme McDowell (NIR) hit his 2nd shot in first to 18 feet, while Tiger Woods (USA) responded with an excellent 8 iron to 3feet from the hole to put the pressure on Graeme McDowell (NIR). But Graeme McDowell (NIR) hit a brilliant putt that was always going in the hole. And when Tiger Woods (USA) rolled in his putt for a birdie 3, just as Graeme McDowell (NIR) had done, that meant they were tied on -16 after 72holes and it was back to the 18^th hole for a play –off.

Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) 

with the Chevron World Challenge Trophy

So to the play –off, Tiger Woods (USA) and Graeme McDowell (NIR) both hit good 2nd shots to the green. Graeme McDowell (NIR) was 20 feet away to Tiger Woods (USA) 12 feet. But again Graeme McDowell (NIR) just like in regulation play a few minutes earlier calmly rolled in his putt for the birdie 3. So that meant that Tiger Woods (USA) had to hole his 12 foot putt for birdie to extend the play off. But it just missed on the Right, and it meant that Graeme McDowell (NIR) had won the Chevron World Challenge for 2010. The win earned him US$ 1, 200, 000. It capped of a great year for Graeme McDowell (NIR) having already won the US Open his 1st Major in June as well as The Celtic Manor Wales Open also in June on the European Tour, and just last week he came 2nd in the Race to Dubai. But it was also a good showing for Tiger Woods (USA) having finished 2nd. And a win can’t be too far away once the 2011 USPGA Tour Season starts.

In 3rd place was Paul Casey (England) on -12, 4th was Rory McIlroy (NIR) on -11, 5th was Hunter Mahan (USA) on -10 and the 2010 US PGA Tour player of the year Jim Furyk (USA) was back in 11th place at even par. So now the US PGA Tour has just one more sanctioned event left for 2010 season. That is The Shark Shootout that is being played at Tiburon Golf Club, Naples, Florida and starts on Saturday morning New Zealand time. It is played under a fun unique format with 12 two man teams selected by tournament host Greg Norman. The first round is played under the Foursomes format, Day 2 is played under the fourball format, and the final day is played under the exciting scramble format that regularly produces scored in the high 50’s.The defending champions are Steve Stricker and Jerry Kerry. It will be exciting viewing, so it you can watch any of it, I recommend you do.

Billy Mayfair (USA) medalist

at the 2010 USPGA Tour School Final

The last event from the USA I am reporting on this week is the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament from Panther Lake Course, Winter Garden, and Crooked Cat Course, Winter Garden, Florida. The Top 25 players and ties gained there US PGA Tour Cards for 2011 Season, Billy Mayfair (USA) was the medalist with an 108 Hole Total of 411-18 which saw him shoot rounds of 69,69,68,68,67 and 70. He won the Final Qualifying Tournament by 1shot over William McGirt (USA) and Ben Martin (USA) on -17. Other notable USPGA Tour players to gain their Status back were, Jarrod Lyle (Australia) -15, Brandt Jobe (USA) -14, Paul Stankowski (USA) -13, Kent Jones (USA) -11, James Driscoll (USA) -11, Richard S. Johnson (Sweden) -10. 26 players gain their cards for the 2011 USPGA Tour Season with -10 being the final cut off mark.

Best of the New Zealanders were Josh Geary (NZL) after a promising start with rounds of 69,67 to be place inside the top 10 after 36holes, he faded with rounds of 72,70,72,74 for a 6rounds 424-5 that left him tied for 50th, and he missed out on his 2011 USPGA Tour card by 5 shots. But it is not all doom and gloom for him, as he now has full playing status on the Nationwide Tour next year. Next best New Zealander was Danny Lee (NZL) who shot 426-3 for the 6rounds and finished up tied for 64th and he too has full playing Status on the Nationwide Tour in 2011.But he will have to choose between whether he sticks with the European tour which he is exempt for or chose’s the Nationwide Tour. I feel he will chose the Nationwide Tour as he has a house in Texas, USA.

 The 3rd best New Zealander was Tim Wilkinson (NZL) who also shot 426-3 for the 6rounds, and he too has his 2011full Nationwide Tour Status. It was not so good news for Michael Hendry (NZL) who I thought at the beginning of the week would have a great chance at gaining his Full USPGA Tour status for 2011. But he got off to a poor start, he finished off strong with rounds of 70, 68, 71. But he ended the 6rounds 430+1 and was tied 100th which only gains him semi nationwide tour status. So I feel he may just concentrate on the One Asia Tour in 2011 and then try again next year. And lastly Steve Alker (NZL) continued on the way he has been playing all year, he finished the 6rounds 436+7 in tied 132nd. He may have to reassess his professional playing career in 2011 as he only has Semi status on the Nationwide Tour, and the fact that he didn’t even earn a pay cheque in 2010 on that tour suggest to me that the USA might not of been a good career move. I suggest he has a Season on the One Asia Tour to regain his confidence.

Other news from the Professional Golf Tours this week, Lee Westwood (England) will end the year as the Number 1 golfer in the world after winning the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, South Africa on Sunday when he defeated Tim Clark (RSA) by 9shots. Lee Westwood (England) finished 72 Holes at -18 and it won him a cool US$ 1.25m. And on the European Tour they are staging the final stage of their Q-School as I write this they have completed 2rounds on the PGA Catalunya Resort Course in Girona, Spain with the unheralded German golfer, Florian Fritsch (Germany) leading after 36holes of the 108 holes on -9. Unfortunately no New Zealanders made it to compete at the final stage.

And on a final note, the 2011 Race to Dubai Schedule on the European Tour Commences in the early hours of Friday morning New Zealand time when Alfred Dunhill Championship tees off at the Leopard Creek CC,Malelane,South Africa. It is the start of a four tournament swing in South Africa with two tournaments before Christmas and another two in early January 2011. Players will be looking for a fast start to their 2011 Race to Dubai Campaign. Just like the Defending Champion Pablo Martin (Spain) did last year when he won this Championship and finished runner up in the South African Open the following week.

Well that is about it for this week, and again I hope in next week’s report I can have some good news to tell you all on New Zealand Professional Golfers winning tournaments and having high finishes from  around the world on their respective tours.

Sources: pgatour.com, europeantour.com, www.pga.org.au   

 

THE 14TH HOLE AT HAURAKI GOLF CLUB.

The 14th Hole at Hauraki Golf Club

The Fourteen Hole at Hauraki Golf Club measures 397 Metres off the men’s tees. And it is the Number 1 Stroke hole on the card. And it is the Number 1 shot hole for a reason. You tee off from an elevated teeing ground and hit to a severely sloping Fairway. 

It is a completely different hole in Winter to Summer. In Winter you can’t even reach the bottom of the hill, and sometimes the green is even out of reach in two shots, and if you are in the fairway you will have a long iron or rescue club, or even a 3wood. Also on the Tee shot you have a Large Tree about 100 metres from the Tee ground that comes into play if you draw or hook the ball off the Tee.

And if you are a slicer you have a Tree on the left hand side to deal with, which for the high handicapper is a real Challenge. But in the summer the hole changes completely. If the Single figure player hits a good straight drive he will have between a 5iron to a 60 degree Wedge for his second shot depending on the Wind Direction. But the Dryness of the ground brings the Out of Bounds on the left into play. And if the Drive is hit with a draw or hook on it, it can land on the severely sloping right to left fairway slope and kick viciously left to end over the fence and Out of Bounds meaning the player will need to reload and play his third shot from the tee again.

When hitting your second shot you don’t want to miss on the front right because you will be in the only bunker surrounding the green. But if you miss left you will more than likely be out of Bounds especially in the Summer. And also if you miss short you leave yourself a difficult chip that is hard to get up and down. Once you are on the green you will notice the green slopes from back to front. And the green has some tricky little breaks in it that will see a lot putts that look like going in miss.

So in my Opinion a par on this hole is a fine Achievement, and a Bogey is not too bad either. It does offer birdies as well. But they have to be 3 well played golf shots. This hole is just another example of some of the great golf holes we have on courses in the Thames Valley.

GOLF EVENTS FROM WEEKEND 28TH NOVEMBER.

Robert Karlsson (Sweden) and Martin Kaymer (Germany)

with their Trophies

Well it was another big weekend on the Professional Golf tours around the world. On the European Tour they had the Climax to the Race to Dubai at the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. And there was also the Race to Dubai title to be decided as well.


The Race to Dubai is in its 2nd year and is basically a revamp to the European Tour Order of Merit title that goes to the player that has won the most money throughout the season. This year it was won by Martin Kaymer (Germany) who won four tournaments throughout the Season including the 2010 PGA Championship. He received a bonus of €1,092,418 out of the $7.5 million Bonus Pool that the top 15 players each get a share of for playing so well throughout the season. So his total earnings for the 2010 Race to Dubai Season are €4,461,010. And that is €200,000 more than Lee Westwood (England) earned in the1st season of the Race to Dubai last year.


Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) was 2nd in the final standings of the Race to Dubai with €3,896,996, which was less than 600, 000 Euros behind Martin Kaymer (Germany). And 3rd on €3,222,423 was last year’s Race to Dubai Winner Lee Westwood (England), but he still holds on to his Number World Golf ranking for another week. So that covers all about what happened in the Race to Dubai for 2010.


Now let’s get to the Dubai World Championship presented by DP World. It was an exciting end to the Tournament with Robert Karlsson (Sweden) and Ian Poulter (England) finishing 72 holes at -14. So they went back and played the 18th hole again as the 1st playoff hole. Both players on the Par 5 hit great 3rd shots to less than 5 feet from the hole and made easy birdies. So it was back to the 18th hole for the 2nd playoff hole. This time Ian Poulter (England) hit a poor 3rd shot to 30 feet, but Robert Karlsson (Sweden) however hit his 3rd to 5 feet again. Ian Poulter (England) was careless with marking his ball and moved his marker which meant he incurred a 1 shot penalty, and basically handed the tournament to Robert Karlsson (Sweden) when he missed his par putt. 


It was a great win for Robert Karlsson (Sweden)  He was coming back from an eye problem that kept him out of Golf for a while. The win pocketed him € 910,349 and he finished 6th on the Final Race to Dubai Standings with €2,296,486, and it just backs up his 2008 European Order of Merit win which he won €2,732,748. That was before the Race to Dubai began in 2009. Tied for 3rd on -13 were Alvaro Quiros (Spain) & Lee Westwood (England). And back in 5th place was Rory McIRory (Northern Ireland) at -12 after he eagled the 72nd Hole. The Two players who had the only chance of winning the Race to Dubai both finished on -7 tied for 13th place. They were Martin Kaymer (Germany) and Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland).

So that is the end of the European Tour Season for 2010. But the 2011 Race to Dubai starts on the Thursday 9th December with the Alfred Dunhill Championship, which is being played at Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa with Pablo Martin (Spain) looking to defend the title he won last year.

Peter O'Malley (Australia) 

with the Trophy

And so to the Australasian PGA Tour. It staged the NSW Open hosted by Nathan Green. It was played at the Vintage Golf Club, NSW. Peter O’Malley (Australia) and British Amateur Tom Lewis (England) both finished 72 Holes at -14, along with Peter Cooke (Australia). So that meant they were heading back to the 18th Hole for a three way playoff. And Peter O’Malley (Australia) prevailed with a par on the 3rd playoff hole to win his first tournament on any tour in 5 years. And it will do his confidence the world of good heading into the Australian Open which starts on Thursday.


The New Zealanders didn’t fear so well with only two making the cut that fell at even par. They were Gareth Paddison (NZL) who fired rounds of 72+1, 68-3, 68-3, 73+2: 281 -3 to finish -3 as did Brad Shilton (NZL) who fired rounds of 68-3, 73+2, 71even, 69-2:281 -3. But the rest of the 8 New Zealanders in the field failed to make the halfway Cut.


This week’s tournament on the Australasian PGA Tour is the Australian Open Presented by Century 21 and is played at the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney. Most of Australia’s Top Professionals will be playing as well as the long hitting John Daly (USA) and the Crowd favourite Fred Couples (USA). New Zealand will have its leading professionals playing, that will be lead by Michael Campbell (NZL) who is trying to revive his Career out of a major form Slump. The Forecast for the Coming week in Sydney is for Strong Winds and Heavy Rain which will mean that scoring will be very difficult. I can’t wait for Thursday because the Australian Open is always one of my favourite tournaments and is considered one of the big three to win on the Australasian Tour, along with the Australian PGA & Masters.


On the USPGA Tour this past week there were no Tournaments. But this week there are two big Tournaments coming up. The 1st is the Chevron World Challenge which is being played at Sherwood CC, Thousand Oaks, California. The defending champion is Jim Furyk (USA) who will be keen to win it again. It is also known as Tiger Woods Tournament as he always donates all his winnings to his Charities for the Tiger Woods Learning Centres. He will be very keen to win this tournament as he has not won a tournament at all in 2010, and the last time he didn't win a Professional Tournament anywhere in the World was back in 1995 when he was an Amateur. The Full field of 18 players is Paul Casey (England), Martin Kaymer (Germany), Sean O'Hair (USA), Stewart Cink (USA), Anthony Kim (USA), Ian Poulter (England), Luke Donald (England), Matt Kuchar (USA), Steve Stricker (USA), Jim Furyk (USA), Hunter Mahan (USA), Camilo Villagas (Columbia), Dustin Johnson (USA), Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland), Bubba Watson (USA), Zach Johnson (USA), Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), and Tiger Woods (USA). So I wish Tiger all the best in finally getting a win in 2010.


The other tournament this week on the USPGA Tour is the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament that is being played at Panther Lake Course, Winter Garden, Florida  and Crooked Cat Course, Winter Garden, Florida. It is the last Chance for PGA Tour Hopefuls to gain a USPGA Tour card for 2011 season with the top 25 players and ties getting them. The next 50players get full Nationwide Tour Status for 2011 season. And the rest of the 170 odd players earn some Status on the Nationwide Tour. It has been nicknamed the Fall Classic and the tournament that all the USPGA Tour Members would like to avoid playing in. But on the other hand, players like Michael Hendry (NZL) and Danny Lee (NZL) this is there 1st ever time at the qualifying School Finals and they may look at it as a great opportunity to gain a card on the wealthiest tour in the world. And at least if they finish inside the top 75 they will gain a Nationwide tour card for 2011. So for Josh Geary (NZL), Steve Alker (NZL), Danny Lee (NZL), Tim Wilkinson (NZL) and Michael Hendry (NZL) this week could be a Career Changing week. Tim Wilkinson (NZL) got his 2008 USPGA Tour Card here 3years ago back in 2007, so this week should bring some good memories back. It all starts on Thursday morning New Zealand time. And it is played over 108 Holes between two courses that will be completed on Tuesday morning (7th December) New Zealand time. So it will be the Survival of the fittest. Best of luck to the 5 New Zealanders competing as just getting to the final Stage is an Achievement in its self. I really do hope a couple of New Zealanders make it inside the top 25 players and ties and gain full Status on the 2011 USPGA Tour because right now there are no New Zealand players exempt on the USPGA tour for 2011.


Well that is about it for now. I hope in next week’s report I can report a win by a New Zealander in the Australian Open and 5 New Zealand Golfers have their USPGA Tour Cards or at least Nationwide Tour Status.

HOW I WON THE TOP DOG TROPHY AT THAMES GOLF CLUB IN 2008 & 2010. AND HOW THE TOP DOG TROPHY WORKS.

The Thames Golf Club "Top Dog" trophy

The Top Dog Trophy started when RB (Local Architect) joined the Thames Golf Club in early 2005. He started the Saturday Top Dog Competition which is for all players that play in the weekly Saturday Scramble at Thames Golf Club. In Mid February every year he warns everyone that the following Saturday, they will be having the draw for the start of the Top Dog Trophy.

So you have to give your name into the Golf Shop that week and pay your $2 entry fee, or on the Saturday that they do the draw. And from when the 1^st week of challenges start, you pay $1 to put a challenge in on someone during the year every time you put a challenge in. And all that money goes into the prize pool to be split into 4 percentage based prizes of your choice if you are lucky enough to finish in the Top 4 on the Final day of Top Dog Challenges.

Another rule to prevent someone from getting to the Top of the Ladder and not turning up because they want to stay at the top, is if the person you challenge is not there, you just have to beat the Average Stableford score of the day in the Saturday Scramble, and then you move up to the place you challenged on the ladder that day. On the Saturday that RJ (Local Architect) draws the order for the following week,s 1^st round of Top Dog Challenges, he puts everybody’s name into to a hat. And the 1^st name he pulls out is Number one on the ladder, and the 2^nd Name Number two and so on till he gets to the end.

How the Top Dog works is that you can challenge 5 places above the position you are in on the Ladder . So for example, if I am in number 6 position on the ladder, I can challenge Number 1. If we both get say 39 Stableford points, I stay in 6^th Position as long as no one Challenges me for my position. If they do and beat me, I drop a further position down on the ladder to 7^th Position. But if they don’t, I stay where I am. But if I had got 40 Stableford points to Number 1’s 39 Stableford points, I would be the Top Dog on the Ladder the following week, providing that the players from 2-5 positions don’t get 40 points as well. In other words, if the player in Number 2 position Challenges the Player in Number 1 position and beats him, he moves to number 1, no matter if the players in Number 3, 4, 5, 6, are also challenging Number 1 and beat him too. So it pays to be as high on the Ladder as you can. When you are Top Dog on the Ladder you don’t have to put a challenge in and pay your $1.

Being Top Dog on the Ladder, it is very hard to stay up there for a long time, because you normally have 4-5 players challenging you. And you will need at least 40 Stableford points to hold your position usually. Well RJ (Local Architect) announces usually the 3^rd Saturday in October is the last day for Top Dog Challenges. The person that is on top of the Top Dog Ladder on the last day of challenges is the Top Dog Trophy Champion for that year.

I feel myself the Top Dog Trophy is one of the fairest competitions held at the Thames Golf Club. Because it runs the whole year virtually, and anyone on any handicap can win it. But to have any chance of winning the Top Dog Trophy you must be 6^th Position or higher heading into the Final Week.


Top Dog 2008 

I was drawn out in 25^th place to start with in 2008. But managed to work my way up the Ladder during the year.  Well on Saturday 8^th November 2008, RJ (Local Architect) announced that that was the day of the final challenges would happen. I found myself in 2^nd Position on the Ladder. And that is probably the best position to win the Top Dog Trophy in my Opinion. IK (Course Manager) found himself the Top Dog that week of the last Challenges. So I knew all I had to do was beat him and I would win my 1^st TOP DOG TROPHY!!! I felt great about having a chance to win it!!!

I was on a 6 handicap and went out and shot a 74+4 in difficult conditions and had 38 Stableford Points. But I wasn’t sure that was going to be enough. But when I came into the Club House I saw IK (Course Manager) only got 37 Stableford Points. He immediately shook my hand, and said well done for winning. I collected my TOP DOG Trophy and $200 credit in the Golf Shop two weeks later at Prize – Giving. And with the $200 credit in the Golf Shop I purchased new Golf Shoes, and a couple of Golf Gloves.


Top Dog 2010 
In 2010 I was drawn out 7^th as my 1^st Position on the Top Dog Ladder. But 4 weeks out from the final Top Dog Challenge day I had slipped to 13^th Position on the Ladder. But I played some good golf leading in the final round of Top Dog Challenges on Saturday 16^th October. I was in 3^rd Position on the Ladder and SR (Junior Champion) who was in 2^nd Position, but he was unable to be there for the Final Day. So I knew if I beat HT (2010 THS DUX) who was the Top Dog for the final week. I would be the TOP DOG Trophy Champion for 2010, and the 1^st player to win the TOP DOG Trophy twice!!

I was on an 8 handicap and scored a good round of 74+4 for 40 Stableford Points!! HT (2010 THS DUX) had a 79+9 off his 5 handicap and only got 32 Stableford points. That meant that I had won the 2010 TOP DOG TROPHY!!! And became the 1^st player ever to win the Trophy Twice!!! I received the TOP DOG Trophy at the 2010 Prize – Giving at Thames Golf Club on Saturday 13^th November. I FELT VERY PROUD OF MYSELF!!! I also received the $220 voucher to purchase goods in the Thames Golf Shop. I got my Clubs re-gripped with the Credit because I badly needed them done.