HOW THE NEWMONT GOLDEN QUARTZ 4-DAY TOURNAMENT BEGAN, AND REPORT ON THE 2011 TOURNAMENT.

Golfers at Waihi Golf Club

The Newmont Golden Quartz 4-Day Tournament began in January 2009. It was dreamed up by Waihi Golf Club Member, Mike Rose. He had always wanted to experience the thrill of playing in a 4 Day PGA Tour style tournament over 4 consecutive days with a cut after 36 Holes. So he talked it over with a few of the Waihi Golf Club members and they decided that the 1st weekend in January would be the perfect time to stage the event every year.

So they formed a Tournament Committee, and got Newmont Gold, one of the big businesses in the Waihi Town to be the Major Sponsor. And so there is was, the 1st Tournament was staged in 2009 with a near full field of 120 entries. The 2nd staging of the tournament was in 2010 when entries were down a bit to 80. So in 2011 they decided to open the Tournament up to Woman. The Woman were to receive 6 extra shots on their handicap each round, but they had to play off the men’s tees. And it worked well with another near capacity field of 116 Golfers.

The Tournament consists of playing 4 rounds of golf from Thursday to Sunday with a cut to 65% of the field after 36holes on Friday night. There is a reverse draw on Thursday and Friday. And a seeded draws on Saturday and Sunday on Stableford. The cut is done on your Stableford score, which is the main tournament. If you miss the cut you are put into the plate draw and your scores still count for your team. But you tee off before the players that made the cut do. But there are also 3 gross prizes. And there is also a team’s competition. You either indicate which team you want to play in or ask to be put in a team when you enter. Only 3 of the 4 Stableford Scores count for the teams score. And they give out 3prizes for the best 3 team’s scores after 72holes. The best team of all club members from another club other than Waihi also receive a prize. And they also give out 3 gross prizes for the best 3 gross scores.  

There are also daily haggles and spot prizes for the people who are present in the Clubhouse when they are drawn. And raffles are run as well.

So to the 1st day on Thursday 6th January, with light raining falling throughout the morning and into the afternoon. I had an average round of 80+8 off my 6 handicap and only got 34 Stableford points. The 1st round leader in the Stableford was Local Club member Charles Gurr (Waihi) with 43 Stableford points, and the 1st round leader in the gross was Robert Noffke (Muriwai) on 71-1, he was playing off a +1 Handicap.

So to day two, Friday 7th January, which started out overcast then mid morning came out hot and sunny and remained that way for the rest of the day, with high humidity all day.

I was teeing off early at 7:30am and I played a much better round of 76+4 gross that gave me 38 Stableford points and meant I easily made the cut with a 36 Hole Total of 72 Stableford Points.  And my gross 36 hole total was 156+12. The Cut fell at 63 points with 65% of the field making it. The other 35% got to play the last two rounds but were in a plate draw and teed off first on Saturday and Sunday before the 65% that made the Cut. Mike Morrison (Omanu) on a 22 handicap was leading the Stableford after 36 holes on 81 Stableford Points. And Robert Noffke (Muriwai) extended his lead in the gross after scoring the best round of the tournament 68-4 and was 139-5 after 36holes.  

9th Hole at Waihi Golf Club

I teed off at 9.45am on Saturday 8th January, because I was lying 30th in the Stableford.  It was a beautiful Sunny day with clear skies and temperatures in the mid to late 20’s Celsius. After getting a shocking start to my front nine and being +6 after 8 holes, I made a great come back on the back nine to score 34-2 and scored my 2nd straight round of 76+4. That also gave me 38 Stableford points and improved my position in the overall Stableford getting me into the top 16 players heading into the final round on Sunday. My 54 hole Stableford total was 110 points. And my 54 hole gross total was 232+16.  The leader of the Stableford after 54 holes was Mike Morrison (Omanu) on 119 Stableford points; he had 3point lead over Blair Langdon (Waihi) and Nigel Sanderson (Waihi) who were both on 116 points. And the leader of the gross after 54 holes was still Rob Noffke (Muriwai), but he did score his worst round of the tournament 78+6 to be on a 54 hole gross total of 217+1, 2nd was Chad Meyer (Waihi) 5 shots back on 222+6 and Mathew Switzer – Josephs (Peninsula) was 1shot further back at 223+7.

So to Sunday 9th January, similar day weather wise to Saturday with clear blue skies and very hot temperatures. I had my best round of the tournament. I scored 75+3 gross and 39 Stableford points. I feel I could have even scored 2shots lower. But unfortunately I dropped a couple of shots at the end of my round. So my 72 Hole Stableford total was 149 points, 6 points behind the winner and left me in 9th place out of 116 Golfers. It was a good achievement for me and I was very proud of myself. I also finished 5th in the gross with a 72 hole total of 307+19. Well the Stableford winner of the tournament turned out to be Mike Morrison (Omanu) on 155 Stableford Points, He won by 2points from Nigel Sanderson (Waihi) and Blair Langdon (Waihi) on 153 points. But Nigel Sanderson (Waihi) got 2nd place on a count back. After 63 holes Blair Langdon (Waihi) had caught Mike Morrison (Omanu). But Blair Langdon (Waihi) had started the back nine bad with Triple Bogey, Double Bogey and Double Bogey to ruin any chance he had of winning.

18th Hole at Waihi

The Gross winner ended up being Rob Noffke (Muriwai), he scored another poor final round of 76+4 and finished 72 holes on 293+5, but it was good enough to win by 5shots over Chad Meyer (Waihi) and Mathew Switzer – Josephs (Peninsula) who were tied 2nd on 298+10. Rob Noffke (Muriwai), posted his +5, 72 hole score early. Mathew Switzer – Josephs (Peninsula) who teed off later was having a great final round. After scoring 37+1 on the front nine, made a great start to his back nine. He birdied the par 3, 13th hole. Then he drove the short 285 metre par 4, 14th hole for a 2putt birdie. He was now only 1shot behind Rob Noffke (Muriwai). But the pressure must of got to him because he ended up bogeying the short par 3, 15th hole, and a disastrous triple bogey 8 on the short par 5, 16th hole, and then bogeyed the driveable 17th hole, but made a nice birdie on the 72nd hole to help his team “The Broadway Duffers”  win the teams competition.

The prize – giving was held immediately after all the players scores were in, on the Practise Putting green, just like the professionals have their prizes giving’s straight after the tournament. With the CEO of Newmont Gold on hand to make a speech and hand out the prizes.

First they handed out the Gross prizes with Rob Noffke (Muriwai) coming 1st on 293+5, with rounds of 71 – 1, 68 -4, 78 +6 and 76+4; 2nd = was Mathew Switzer – Josephs (Peninsula) and Chad Meyer (Waihi) on 298+10. They each received trophies and got to keep the miniatures.

Next they did the teams prizes. First was “The Broadway Duffers” with team members consisting of Rosemary Switzer (Remuera), Kerry Switzer (Remuera), Matthew Switzer-Josephs (Peninsula) and Blair Langdon (Waihi). Rosemary Switzer (Remuera), Kerry Switzer (Remuera) were the grandparents of Mathew. So it was a family effort. And they jokingly said they would make Blair Langdon (Waihi) an honorary member of their family.

2nd in the teams competitions was 'The Sore backs’ that was an all Waihi team that consisted of Des Meyer (Waihi), Brian Robinson (Waihi), Bruce Warwick (Waihi) and Rob Clark (Waihi). And the team in 3rd place was 'Morricados' that was a team made up of 2 Waihi players and an Omanu and Walton players. The team was Rob Morrison (Waihi), Michael Morrison (Omanu), Jon Morrison (Waihi) and Todd Woodmass (Walton) who also scored a HOLE IN ONE! On the 15th hole in the final round. They too received trophies and miniatures to keep. Also winner of the team of all members from the same club that wasn’t Waihi got a Prize. “The Goldminers” team from Pio Pio Aria Golf Club took that prize out from the “Team Formosa” from the Formosa Golf Club in Auckland.

Then they did the Stableford individual Winners for 72 holes. It was the major prize in the Tournament and it went to Mike Morrison (Omanu) with a 72 hole total of 155 Stableford points. Michael Morrison (Omanu) played off 22 handicap from the Omanu Club in Tauranga. He played consistent golf over the four days scoring Stableford scores of 38 - 43 - 38 – 36:155. He was presented with a miners Vest and Helmet (That is a tradition, because Newmont Gold is a mining company) from the Newmont Gold CEO. And he gave a good victory speech. He also got a trophy with a miniature to keep and also a voucher of a Substantial amount. 2nd was  Nigel Sanderson (Waihi), on 153 Stableford points for 72 holes, and that was on a count back from Blair Langdon (Waihi) who was on the same score. They too received trophies and miniatures to keep.

Then everyone that made the cut was told that there was an envelope on a table up stairs with their name on it. This was like a professional golf tournament as well in the sense that the players that finish outside the top 3 place getters get there cheque in the mail, hence why there was no need for a major prize – giving. I went up stairs and found my envelope for coming 9th in the Stableford. I opened it and it was a $180 Mitre 10 Voucher at Waihi. So that made me happy.

In summing up this tournament I personally feel it was a huge success with a near capacity field, with great prizes and the organisers had everything under control with no stone left unturned. I will definitely be playing next year, but will have to get my entry in early to make sure I don’t miss out.

Source: www.waihigolf.co.nz

GOLF EVENTS FROM THE WEEKEND 23RD JANUARY

Scott Laycock (Australia) 

sinks the winning putt to win 

the 1st Surf Coast Knockout

Well it was another exciting weekend on the Professional Golf Scene. First I will start with the Australasian Tour. This week it was the Surf Coast Classic played at the Sands Torquay Golf Club in Victoria, Australia. It was a Tournament 1st for PGA Tour of Australasia, because it combined the 2 forms of the game, Match play and Stroke play.

The 1st 54 holes were played as a normal Stroke play tournament with a cut to the top 50th players after 36 holes. Then after 54 holes the top 32 players qualified for a knockout match play tournament on the final day. It was modified Match play with each match over 6holes.

Peter O’Malley (Australia) qualified as top seed with a 54 hole score of 200 -16, after rounds of 68-4, 64-8 and 68-4. Next best was Daniel Fox (Australia) and Andrew Buckle (Australia) on 204-12. Best New Zealander was Michael Hendry (NZL) on 213 -3, but he faded after a 1st round 64-8, also on 213-3 was Brad Shilton (NZL). They both were involved in a playoff with another 7 players tied on -3 for the last 2places in the Match play draw. But unfortunately they both missed out. The other New Zealander to make the 36 hole cut was Mahal Pearce (NZL) who was at 219 +3, that was after a shocking 3rd round of 77+5 that derailed his chances of making the top 32 for the match play final round knockout.

So to the final day of the Surf Coast Knock match play. Play started nice and early at 8:45am. First match out was Aaron Townsend (Australia) verse Brad Kennedy (Australia) with Brad Kennedy (Australia) winning the 6 hole match 1up, Next match at 8:53am was Paul Gow (Australia) verse Paul Spargo (Australia), with Paul Spargo (Australia) winning 3 & 1. After all the 16 first round matches were completed, the 16 winners were, Brad Kennedy (Australia), Paul Spargo (Australia), Leigh McKechnie (Australia), Daniel Fox (Australia), David Mckenzie (Australia), Andre Stolz (Australia), Terry Pilkadaris (Australia), Andrew Buckle (Australia), Scott Priest (Australia), Paul Sheehan (Australia), Brendan Smith (Australia), Adam Bland (Australia), Steve Collins (Australia), Peter Senior (Australia), Peter Wilson (Australia), and Scott Laycock (Australia).

So on to the 2nd round, and the 8 players remaining after those matches were Paul Spargo (Australia), Leigh McKechnie (Australia), Andre Stolz (Australia), Andrew Buckle (Australia), Scott Priest (Australia), Adam Bland (Australia), Steve Collins (Australia) and Scott Laycock (Australia). On to the quarter finals and the 4 players still left after those matches were, Leigh McKechnie (Australia), Andrew Buckle (Australia), Adam Bland (Australia) and Scott Laycock (Australia).

The Semi Finals were some very close matches with Andrew Buckle (Australia) defeating Leigh McKechnie (Australia) in one Semi Final and Scott Laycock (Australia) defeating Adam Bland (Australia) in the other. So to the Final between Scott Laycock (Australia) and Andrew Buckle (Australia). It was very closely fought out match that Scott Laycock (Australia) prevailed to win 1up. So Scott Laycock (Australia) became the inaugural winner of the Surf Coast Knockout. It was quite amazing really that he made the 36 hole match play draw having survived a 9 player playoff for 2 places on Saturday afternoon. He was also seeded the lowest at 32nd. Also 4 of his 5 matches went to the Knockout hole. He described pulling off the winning like “Keanu Reeves in The Matrix- dodging bullets”.  And he feels the PGA Tour of Australasia should have more tournaments like this in the future, as it gives huge excitement to the crowd and people watching on TV.

The win earns Scott Laycock (Australia) AU $18,000, and should give him a huge boost of confidence for the rest of the season. The PGA Tour of Australasia takes a month break now before it recommences at the Cellarbrations QLD PGA Championship on Thursday 24th February at the City Golf Club, in Queensland, Australia. I will look forward to reporting back the results on that tournament.

Martin Kaymer (Germany) with 

the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Trophy

Now to the European Tour and the Race to Dubai which started it’s desert swing, the 1st of 4 tournaments in the desert. It was the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship that was staged at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Martin Kaymer (Germany) was the defending champion. He played flawless golf over the 4 days with scores of 67-5, 65-7, 66-6, 66-6: 264 -24. So he defended his title with easy by 8shots. And it was the 3rd time he has won this tournament in 4 years. The win earned him € 334,398 and moved him to number 2 on the world rankings over taking Tiger Woods (USA) who is now back in 3rd place. The win also places him 2nd on the Race to Dubai money list behind Charl Schwartzel (RSA) with €334,398 from the 1 event he has played.

Whereas Charl Schwartzel (RSA) has played 5 events for the €419,927 he has earned to top the Race to Dubai earnings. There are 5 South Africans in the top 10 of the Race to Dubai standings which shows to me their golfers are playing to a high standard. I feel Martin Kaymer (Germany) may reach Number 1 in the world this year, and could even add to his Major tally having already won the PGA Championship last year.

2nd,  8shots back was Rory McIlroy (NIR) on -16, it was his 1st start this year on the European Tour and should be a boost to his confidence that he is playing so well, so soon. Retief Goosen (RSA) scored the best final round of 64-8 and finished -14, tied 3rd with Graeme McDowell (NIR). Charl Schwartzel (RSA) had another good performance finishing tied 8th at -10. Phil Mickelson (USA) making a rear appearance on the European Tour had a poor tournament by his high standards. He finished tied 37th at -5 and slid further down the world rankings to number 5. Danny Lee (NZL) the only New Zealander to make the cut finished a promising -2 in 53rd place, and with 2 rounds of 69-3, he showed his best form isn’t too far away. But a 3rd round 76+4 ruined his chance of a high finish. But he earned € 7,022 for his efforts. The other New Zealanders in the field both missed the 36 hole cut. Michael Campbell (NZL) scored 72even & 71+1 to miss the cut by 1shot. But Mark Brown had two poor rounds of 74+2 to miss it by 4 shots.

The European Tour stays in the Middle East for its 2nd leg of the desert swing and heads to the Royal Golf Club, Kingdom of Bahrain, Bahrain for the Volvo Golf Champions. It starts on Thursday 27th January and is a brand new tournament. The €1,700,000 prize money will surely attract some of the best players in Europe. I will report back who won next week.

And now to the USPGA Tour, and this past week it stage the Bob Hope Classic at four separate courses that were PGA West (Palmer Course),  PGA West (Nicklaus Course),
La Quinta CC, and Silver Rock, La Quinta, California with the final round being played on the PGA West (Palmer Course). The 1st 4 rounds all the professionals in the field play with 3 Amateurs on each of the 4 courses. Then the Top 70 professionals and ties contest the final round to decide the champion. Well after 90 holes there was 3 players tied at -27. They were Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela), Gary Woodland (USA) and Bill Haas (USA). Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) only needed a par on the 90th hole to win outright but missed his 9foot par putt.

So the 3players head back to the 18th tee for the 1st playoff hole. Bill Haas (USA) missed the fairway to the right, and Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) and Gary Woodland (USA) hit their drives down the centre of the fairway. Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) hit his 2nd shot 1st and left it out well to right, next to the hospitality tents. Gary Woodland (USA) hit a brilliant 2nd shot that almost hit the pin, but rolled just through the green. Bill Haas (USA) hit a poor 2nd shot short of the bunkers on the right. He then was 1st to hit his 3rd shot, again hitting a poor shot and only just getting it on the green, leaving a very hard birdie putt to make. Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) then hit a brilliant chip shot that was PGATour.com shot of the day. He had to chip over the bunkers and land it in the rough; it caught a piece of the hole and nearly went in for eagle, but secured an easy birdie for him. Gary Woodland (USA) hit a poor chip shot and had too hole a 6foot putt for birdie which he did. But Bill Haas (USA) long putt for birdie missed and he was eliminated from the playoff.

It was a fine defence of his title having won this tournament in 2010. So both Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) and Gary Woodland (USA) headed over to the 10th tee for the 2nd playoff hole. Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) teed off 1st and drove it left in the water on the long par 4 hole. Gary Woodland (USA) hit his long iron in the fairway. Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) then took his drop and hit his mid iron 3rd shot to 20 feet away from the hole on the green. Gary Woodland (USA) then hit his 2nd shot into the right green side bunker. From there he hit a poor bunker shot that rolled through to the left side of the green on the fringe. Then he charged his putt thinking he may need to hole it to keep the playoff going, and missed and it, and it rolled 10feet past. Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) then rolled his 20foot par putt into the centre of the cup for his 1st USPGA Tour win in only his 5th start on tour. He pumped his fist in the air to celebrate his win. And his Parents came on to the green to celebrate with him as well.

Jhonattan Vegas

Jhonattan Vegas (Venezuela) becomes the 1st Venezuelan golfer to win on the USPGA tour and it secures his card till 2013 as well as gaining a place into the US Master is April and the 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions. The win earns him $US 900,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points which moves him to 2nd on FedEx Cup list with 509 points, 29 points behind the leader Jonathan Byrd (USA). There were no rounds of 59 shot during the 5rounds with the best being Bill Haas (USA) in the 4th round and Brain Gay (USA) in the final round both scoring 62 -10. Next week the USPGA Tour heads to Torrey Pines (South Course), Torrey Pines (North Course), San Diego, California for the Farmers Insurance Open. It starts on Thursday 27th January with Tiger Woods (USA) making his 1st Appearance for the 2011 season. And having won the US Open here in 2008 and the Farmers Insurance Open many times before, he will be the player to watch. The defending Champion is Ben Crane (USA) who will be keen to defend his title. I will report back all the results next week.

John Cook (USA) with the Mitsubishi Electric Championship 

at Hualalai Trophy

And so to the 1st event on the Champions Tour for 2011. It was the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai played at the Hualalai Golf Course, Ka'upulehu-Kona, Hawaii. John Cook (USA) starts his season where he left off last year. He scored a final round 64-8 that included a 30-6 on the back nine. He scored -22 for 54holes to win by 2 shots over Tom Lehman (USA) on -20, and 1 shot further back was Tom Watson (USA) on -19. So he has now won back to back tournaments having won the Final Tournament of the year last year the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at TPC Harding Park GC, San Francisco, California. He must have a thing about playing golf in the State of California. He earns $US 305,000.00 for the winning and shoots to the top of the Charles Schwab Cup points standings. Russ Cochran (USA) after starting the final round with the lead, faded with a 72even par to finish tied 4th at -17.

The Champions Tour stays in Hawaii this week for the Champions Skins Game that is being played at the Royal Kaanapali Golf Course, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii with Jack Nicklaus (USA) and Tom Watson (USA) the defending champions. I will report back next week who won all the skins.

Just a final note, the 13 year New Zealand Ladies junior golfer Lydia Ko (NZL, am) scored rounds of  68-4, 68-4, 70-2:206-10 to finish 2nd in the Australian Ladies Professional Tour event which was the New South Wales Open played at the Oatlands Golf Club in Sydney. It was an Amazing effort by the 13 year old Golfer that is destined for huge things in the game. And it was only her 3 putting the last green that caused her to lose by 1shot to Caroline Hedwall (SWE) who was the top qualifier at the Ladies European Tour School last year.

Anyway have a great golfing week, remember hitting fairways and greens equals good golf scores. Be sure to read my blog again next week.

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

GOLF EVENTS FROM THE WEEKEND 16TH JANUARY

James Nitties (Australia) with the Victorian PGA Trophy

Well I will start off this week recapping who qualified in the International Final Qualifying (IFQ) Australasia for the 140th Open Championship at Royal St George’s GC, Sandwich, Kent, England in July. It was played at Kingston Heath Golf Club last Tuesday (11th January). The 3 players to get through were three Australian players.

Matt Millar (Australia) topped the qualifying with a 36 hole score of -10, it added to his great week as his wife gave birth to their 2nd child Charlotte, a baby girl only the Wednesday before. The 140th Open Championship in July will be his 1st ever major championship appearance. The 2nd player to qualify was Kurt Barnes (Australia); he finished at -9 after 36 holes and gets another shot at the Open Championship having played in it last year, after qualifying at this same tournament.

The final place went to Rick Kulacz (Australia), but he had to fight for it. After he and Stephen Leaney (Australia) both finished 36 holes on -8. They had a sudden death playoff. They both parred the 1st playoff hole, but after Rick Kulacz (Australia) parred the 2nd playoff hole and when Stephen Leaney (Australia) missed his par putt, it meant Rich Kulacz (Australia) had secured a start at his 1st major championship. So it will be interesting to see how these 3 players fear at the 140th Open Championship in England, mid July.

Now to the Australasian PGA Tour which staged Cellarbrations Victorian PGA Championship proudly supported by Frankston City and was played at the Sandhurst Golf Club (North Course) in Victoria. The Tournament was affected by the heavy rains that had been causing bad flooding in the state of Victoria. This meant the tournament had to be reduced to 54 holes instead of 72 holes as usual. The tournament came down to two players in the final round. They were James Nitties (Australia) and Peter O’Malley (Australia) who were in the final pairing.

But James Nitties (Australia) birdied 16th and 17th holes to score a final round 69-3 and finish at -18 on 198 after 54 holes and win by 1 shot over Peter O’Malley (Australia). The win will give James Nitties (Australia) a lot of confidence heading back to try and Monday qualify for USPGA Tour, as he lost his USPGA Tour playing status in 2010. Peter O’Malley (Australia) can’t be too disappointed with 2nd, as he struck the ball near perfect all week. And to finish at -17 after 54 holes is a fine effort for him.

In 3rd place was Andrew Buckle (Australia) at -13, 5shots back, and a further shot back was Leigh McKechnie (Australia) in 4th at -12. Bronsan La’Cassie (Australia) was tied for 7th at -10 after having the equal best final round of 66-6. Best New Zealander was Mathew Holten (New Zealand) who tied for 12th on -9 after rounds of 70-2, 69-3 & 68-4:207-9. Also Marcus Cain (Australia) who I caddied for in the 1995 NZ Open at the Grange GC in Auckland, finished tied of 12th. So it shows after 16 years he is still playing good golf.

Of the other New Zealanders that made the cut, Michael Hendry (New Zealand) was next best on -8, tied for 15th. This could be a really big year for him as he now has full status on the Nationwide Tour in USA. Brad Shilton (New Zealand) was also tied for 15th at -8. And he had a brilliant 2nd round 65-7. Gareth Paddison (New Zealand) had a poor tournament by his standards. He was tied 45th at -3. Nick Gillespie (New Zealand) who only recently got his card at the qualifying school last year in December, had a respectable finish of tied 50th at -2 and made a pay cheque.

 The next event on the Australasian Tour is the Surf Coast Knock that is played at the The Sands Torquay GC in Victoria. It is a different tournament because it combines the two forms of the game, stroke play and match play at different times in the tournament of course. It starts on Thursday (20^th January). I report on the results next week.

Now to the European Tour which for the 4th straight week was in South Africa. It was the 4th leg of the South African swing which started before Xmas. The Joburg Open was played at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club’s, Johannesburg, South Africa. There was a 3way tie for the lead after 54 holes between Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Garth Mulroy (RSA) and Thomas Aiken (RSA). They were all on -14. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) who was the defending Champion from 2010, shot a final round of 67-4 and had a 72 hole score of 265-19 to win by 4 shots. His 2nd round 61 really set up the win. But his final round 67-4 was very good as well. Charl Schwartzel (RSA) won € 206,050 for his win and now moves to number 1 on the Race to Dubai money list with €374,850 from the 4events he has played.

Charl Schwartzel (RSA) with the Joburg Open Trophy

There are 5 South African Golfers in the Top 6 players on the Race to Dubai money list, so that shows how strong South African golf is at the moment. I feel Charl Schwartzel (RSA) will be a player that could do well in the Majors and WGC – World Golf Championship in 2011. Because he is continuing the good from he showed last year. Anyway, 2nd place went to Garth Mulroy (RSA) on -15. He had a poor final round by his standards, he shot 71even.

Thomas Aiken (RSA) finished 1 further shot back in 3rd on -14 after he shot 72 even in the final round. 4th was Jamie Elson (England) on -13. He had his best finish on the European Tour in his short career. Best of the Australian players was Daniel Gaunt (Australia) on -6 tied for 20th. There were no New Zealand players competing this week.

 This coming week the European Tour heads to the Middle East for the start of the desert swing. It has 4 tournaments over there with the 1st starting on Thursday. It is the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship which is being played at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. And with $US 2,700, 000 up for grabs. Martin Kaymer (Germany) will be out to defend the title he won last year, but he will have stiff competition with the likes of Phil Mickelson (USA), Graeme McDowell (NIR) and Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) all playing as well as many of Europe’s top players looking to get there seasons off to a flying start.  I will report back who took the trophy home next week.

So finally to the USPGA Tour and the 2nd event of the FedEx Cup season. It was the Sony Open in Hawaii which was played at the Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii. It has been its home for many years, and always produces a great tournament finish come Sunday afternoon. With US $5,500,000 prize money up for grabs; there was a lot to play for and a lot Nationwide and Qualifying School Graduates looking to get there seasons of to a flying start. The 1st round was postponed to Friday because the Golf Course was unplayable due to the 4 inches of rain that fell in the days leading up to the tournament. This meant that tournament organisers had to reschedule the tournament for the 1st round on Friday, 2nd round on Saturday, and then cut to the nearest 50 players to play the final 36 holes on Sunday. With the remaining players in the top 70 and ties still getting a pay Cheque.

Well Mark Wilson (USA) feared the best over final 36 holes. He fired a 3rd round of 65-5 and backed it up with a 67-3 in the afternoon final round to finish the 72 holes at -16, and won by 2shots. It was his 3rd win on the US PGA Tour having won the Honda Classic in a playoff back in 2007, and in 2009 won the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun. He didn’t make a bogey in the final 36 holes. And when he missed the 71st green with his tee shot and only managed to get his bunker shot out to 12feet from the hole, he faced his toughest putt of the day. But he calmly rolled it in for a great par. And on the 72nd hole he landed his 2nd shot 10 metres from the green. But hit a brilliant chip to 7feet and rolled his birdie putt in for the win. That was after Steve Marino (USA) had hit a brilliant 2nd shot from the ball way above his feet on the face of the bunker on the left hand side of the fairway. He hit his fairway metal to 40feet away from the pin, and was on the green for 2shots, putting for his eagle 3 on the par 5 18th hole. He was -13 coming in to the final hole and needed the eagle to draw level with Mark Wilson (USA), But when it just slide by, it meant Mark Wilson (USA) could two putt and still win his 1st Sony Open in Hawaii. And as I mentioned earlier that is just what he did.

Mark Wilson (USA) with the Sony Open in Hawaii Trophy

Mark Wilson (USA) 4 rounds of 65-5, 67-3, 65-5, 67-3:264-16 was brilliant Golf, and earned him $US 990, 000 1st prize pay cheque and 500 FedEx Cup points as well as a Trip to his 1st Masters in April at Augusta National GC, Augusta. Mark Wilson (USA) now moves to 2nd on the FedEx Cup points list with 500points from 1 event. Mark Wilson (USA) has come a long way from when I first saw him play in 2001 at the New Zealand Open at the Grange Golf Club in Auckland, New Zealand. Jonathan Byrd (USA) is still leading with 534 points from 2events played. Tied for 2nd were Steve Marino (USA) and Tim Clark (RSA) who scored the equal best final round on 64-6. They were both -14. Jimmy Walker (USA) was 4th on -13, with Matt Bettencourt (USA) and Matt Kuchar (USA) tied 5th on -12.

The big surprise for me in the final round was how Stuart Appleby (Australia) played. After being at -11 after 54 holes he fired a poor final round of 72+2 and finished back in tied 13th place at -9. But he still finished low Australian player. The USPGA Tour now heads back to mainland USA for the Bob Hope Classic which starts on Wednesday (19th January). It is played at 4 different courses over 90 holes. The courses are PGA West (Palmer Course), La Quinta, California; PGA West (Nicklaus Course), La Quinta, California; La Quinta CC, La Quinta, California and Silver Rock, La Quinta, California.

It is the only 90 hole tournament on the US PGA Tour with the Professionals playing with 3 different Amateurs for the 1st 4 days. Then the top 70 Professionals and ties play the final round at the PGA West (Palmer Course), to decide the Champion. Last year it was forced into a Monday finish, because of bad weather early on in the tournament. Bill Haas (USA) will be looking to defend his 2010 title. With US$ 5, 000, 000 up for the prize money it is sure to attract some of the big name players. The winning score is usually in the high 20’s to early 30’s under par. I wouldn’t be surprised to even see the 1st round of 59 on tour scored for 2011. When David Duval (USA) won this tournament in 1999 he scored 59-13 in the final round to win by 1shot. I will report back who won next week. So until then have fun and keep getting low scores.

Source: Pgatour.com, europeantour.com & pga.org.au

The 10th hole at Waihi Golf Club

10th Hole at Waihi Golf Club looking from the tee

The 10th Hole at Waihi Golf Club is a great hole. It is the Men’s number 2 Stroke hole and Number 1 stroke hole for the Ladies. It plays to a length of 380 Metres off both Men’s and Women’s Tees.

For the Tee Shot you need to have a slight fade if you are a right hander. Or a slight draw if you are a left hander. On the right hand side of the fairway at about 170 metres from the tee are some trees that come into play if the ball is sliced badly or hooked badly if you are a left hander. Or if you are trying to draw the ball for a right hander, you have to take on the trees.

But left is no good either, if you hit your drive in the left rough. Because you will be faced with a ball below you’re the feet lie for your 2nd shot in thick rough. Once you have safely hit the fairway, the 2nd shot is no bargain. Because you will be looking at a mid to long iron in the winter, but in the summer you will have much less club. The single figure player could even hit in as little club as a Pitching Wedge. But as in any hole the wind is a big factor to how the hole plays and what club you are forced to use. Anywhere in the left rough or left hand side of the fairway you will have to either go over or around the Big Tree that is positioned on the left-hand side just in the rough about 50metres short of the green.

But the shortness of the shot doesn’t make it any easier. Because if you hit the green on the full, the ball is likely to release through the back of the green. And if you land it short it will more likely do the same thing or sometimes a shot you land short that you feel will release with, may just take one bounce and then stop. But you have a better chance if you land it short to roll it up close.  The Slope of the green is from left to right. So if you hit your 2nd shot into the middle of green it may roll off to the right and into the rough.

Once on the green a 2 putt is no guarantee. The green has some funny little breaks that will leave the good player even scratching his head. The green is huge, properly 40metres long from front to back. If the pin is put on the middle right hand side, and you land your ball on the left hand side, you are faced with an extremely difficult putt.

So in my Opinion, a par is a great score, a birdie a Brilliant Score!! And sometimes a bogey is even a score you will accept. The 10th Hole at Waihi Golf Club is just another great hole that the Thames Valley has to offer.

GOLF EVENTS FROM WEEKEND 9TH JANUARY

Well I will start off just recapping who won the 2010 PGA Tour of Australasia & One Asia Qualifying School Final Stage held at Peninsula Country Golf Club from 20th to 23rd December last year. It was Neven Basic (Australia). He scored rounds of 73+1, 69-3, 67-5 and 70-2 to finish the 72Holes on 279-9.

He won the Final Q-School by 4 shots over Paul Spargo (Australia) who was -5. In solo third place was Daniel Beckmann (Australia) on -4. In 4th place was Keith Nolan (Australia) on -3, then the best placed New Zealand Golfer competing was Brad Shilton -2. He scored rounds of 74 +2, 72even, 71-1 and 69 -3: for a four round total of 286 -2, and finished 6th and gained his card for 2011 on the Australasia Tour and also has his One Asia card for 2011.

Another New Zealander to gain his card for next year was Daniel Klein (NZL), he finished even on 288. And he also has his One Asian Tour card for 2011. Other New Zealanders to make it through are Josh Carmichael (NZL) +7, Mathew Holten (NZL) +8, Nick Gillespie (NZL) +8, Hamish Robertson (NZL) +11, Peter Spearman-Burn (am) (NZL) +12.

And so to the first event on the 2011 Australasian Tour Schedule. It was the Victorian Open Golf Championship, staged at the Spring Valley Golf Club in Victoria. In very difficult Conditions on the final day, Paul Sheehan (Australia) prevailed to win his first professional tournament since 2006. He only hit 5 greens in the final round. And it was his putter that saved the day. He shot a final round of 72+1. And he finished 72 Holes at -8 to win by 2 shots over the young Professional Matthew Griffin (Australia). Australian Golfers took up the Top 10 places.

Paul Sheehan (Australia) with Victorian Open Trophy

Best New Zealander was Doug Holloway (New Zealand) who was tied for 13th on -2 after 72 holes. He scored a fine final round of 69-2. Next best New Zealander was Mathew Holten (New Zealand) on +8, He finished with a 73+2 in the final round and tied for 36th Place. Also other New Zealanders to make the cut were, Brad Shilton (New Zealand) +11 after 72 Holes. He tied for tied for 50th place, but had a great final round of 69-2.

The next tournament starts on Thursday (13th January) and is the Cellarbrations Victorian PGA Championship proudly supported by Frankston City, it is being played at the Sandhurst Golf Club (North Course) in Victoria, Australia. Also this week on Tuesday (11th January) the International Final Qualifying (IFQ) for the 2011 Open Championship which is being played this year at Royal St George’s GC, Sandwich, Kent, England is being staged at Kingston Heath Golf Club, Victoria. The Top 3 player’s scores after 36 holes will gain a spot in the 140th Open Championship field in July. Next week I will be able to report to you the three  players that were Successful.

Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) 

holding the Africa Open trophy

And now to the first event on the European Tour for 2011, it actually was the 3rd event on the 2011 Race to Dubai Schedule, because the first two events were played in December last year. It was the Africa Open, played at the East London Golf Club, Eastern Cape, South Africa. There were 3 players tied at -16 after 72 holes. They were Chris Wood (England), Manuel Quiros (Spain), and Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa). They all went back to the 18th hole again to play it as the 1st playoff hole. Chris Wood (England) and Manual Quiros (Spain) both secured easy pars. But Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) rolled in his 8foot birdie putt to win the Africa Open and start his year off the best possible way.

He scored rounds of 70-3, 67-6, 69-4, and 70-3 to finish 72 holes at 276 -16, and of course he birdied the 1st playoff hole to win. It was his 1st win since winning the 139th Open Championship at St Andrews in Scotland last year. And should do a world of good to his confidence to continue the fine form he showed last year. He won € 158,500.00 for his win and he moves to number one on the Race to Dubai Standings after 3 events with €227,700 from all 3 tournaments. Charl Schwartzel (South Africa) had another good finish at tied for 4th on -15. There were no New Zealanders in the field and the best Australian Player was Wade Ormsby (Australia) at -10 in tied 21st place.

The European tour stays in South Africa again this week for the Joburg Open, it is being played at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, Johannesburg, South Africa. And it starts on Thursday (13th January). A South African Golfer will be looking to win that as well. I will report back who won next week.

And now to the 1st event on the 2011 USPGA Tour Schedule and the Start of the 2011 FedEx Cup. The two times Defending Champion Geoff Ogilvy (Australia) had to withdraw because he cut his hand on Coral while have a swim before the Tournament even started. So the Tournament was assured of a new Champion. Well when it came to the 72nd hole late Sunday afternoon, there were 3 players that had a realistic chance of winning.

Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) came to the 72nd hole at -23 and -11 for the round needing a Birdie to get in the play off, and an eagle to win. If he birdied he would have set a new course record of 61-12.  He hit a great short iron approach to 8feet for his 3rd but just miss read his putt, and scored a disappointing par 5. But he had the best round of the year so far on the PGA Tour. His 62-11 was bogey free and just an awesome round. But at the beginning of the day he would have taken 3rd place if offered it.

Robert Garrigus (USA) came to the 72nd hole -5 for the day and -23 for the tournament. He hit his drive in the Fairway on the 660yards par five. Then hit his fairway wood 2nd shot to 15feet and had an eagle putt to secure the win. He pulled it slightly and had to settle for a birdie 4 and post -24 after 72 holes. Jonathan Byrd (USA) had a putt to win the tournament on the 72nd green. It was from 15 feet as well. But he left it a foot short and a play off was forced.

They headed back to the 18th hole again for the 1st playoff hole. Both players hit solid drives down the centre of the fairway which is one on the widest on the PGA Tour. Jonathan Byrd (USA) laid up with his 2nd shot to within 100 yards of the green. Robert Garrigus (USA) went for the green, but came up 5 yards short. Jonathan Byrd (USA) hit his approach shot to 15 feet. Robert Garrigus (USA) completely miss read his approach chip, and it landed 10 feet to the right of the hole. Jonathan Byrd (USA) putted for his birdie, but it miss on the left and he secured an easy par. Robert Garrigus (USA) attacked his birdie putt and rolled it 6feet past. But then gathered himself to hole the par putt. So the players then went back to the 2nd playoff hole, which was the 1st hole.

Jonathan Byrd (USA) with the Hyundai 

Tournament of Champions Trophy

Robert Garrigus (USA) hit 1st and nailed his drive over 300 yards, but it rolled just through the fairway into the rough. Jonathan Byrd (USA) hit his drive in the fairway but along way back. Jonathan Byrd (USA) then hit his long approach shot into 40 feet below the hole. Robert Garrigus (USA) hit his 2nd shot just inside him. They both had long putts for birdie. Jonathan Byrd (USA) had a brilliant putt that just slide past the left edge of the hole and stopped 18inches away leaving him a tap in for an easy par and putting a lot of pressure on Robert Garrigus (USA). Robert Garrigus (USA) hit his birdie putt too hard and it rolled 6 feet past the cup. His par putt to take the playoff in to a 3 rd hole hit the back of the cup and lipped out. That meant that Jonathan Byrd (USA) had won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. It was his 2nd win in 3months having won the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in late October last year and that was also in a playoff, when he holed in one on the 17th  hole at the TPC at Summerlin to winning an Amazing play off that went 4 holes. 

The win yesterday brings his total wins on the USPGA Tour to 5, and he moves to 1st on the 2011 FedEx Cup points list with 500 points after 1 event. The win also gives him a cheque of $ US1,120,000.00 to lead the money list as well and he gets one the latest Hyundai Vehicles to drive. Robert Garrigus (USA) can’t be too this appointed though, after backing up his win at the last tournament of the 2010 season (Children’s Miracle Network Classic), with a 2nd place here. It should give one of the longest hitters on the USPGA Tour a lot of Confidence to achieve big things in the 2011 PGA Tour Season. And now he has put behind him the disappointment of blowing that 3 shot lead in Memphis last year on the final hole.

Other players to have good performances were Carl Pettersson (Sweden) & Steve Stricker (USA) on -20, although Steve Stricker (USA) would be disappointed with his final round 71-2. Ian Poulter (England) & Matt Kuchar (USA) were tied for 6th on -18. 8th was Bill Haas (USA) on -16, and to round out the top 10 players was Dustin Johnson (USA), Jim Furyk (USA) & Jason Day (Australia) in tied for 9th place at -14.

This week the USPGA Tour stays in Hawaii for the Sony Open in Hawaii, which is being played at the Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii. It starts on Thursday (January 13th) There is $US 5,500,000 prize money on offer and it is the 1st regular tournament of the season with a lot of Qualifying School & Nationwide Graduates getting their first taste of USPGA Tour Tournament play. Ryan Palmer (USA) is the defending champion, and will be looking to go back to back. As a rule scoring is very low with the winning score being in the minus 20’s under par. So I look forward to reporting to you all how prevailed and took the trophy next week. So until then have a good week and happy golfing.

Source: pgatour.com, europeantour.com, http://www.pga.org.au/