Date: November 18, 2006
Author: Ben Collins

Fans closer to the action

By Ben Collins, Sportal Fairways are usually the domain of the players and their caddies – but not at this week&aposs MFS Australian Open at Royal Sydney. Fans have been given the chance to tread the fairways to get even closer to the action during this year&aposs battle for the Stonehaven Cup. Eight holes feature Go Zones, which spectators can access to get a perfect view as the players hit their approach shot to the green. The Go Zones have also been positioned a matter of metres from where most of the tee shots land, something Ross White, from Heathcote, noted after watching Aaron Baddeley on the fourth hole on Friday. “They&aposre perfectly designed, they seem to have put them just in the right spots,” he said. “We just watched Baddeley play and he was only three metres over the line.” “It&aposs good value,” he added. “They used to do it years ago, back in the days of Jack Nicklaus, but for some reason they stopped doing it. I don&apost know why, it lets everyone have a great view and get a bit more involved.” Greg, from Croydon, is a newcomer to the concept of Go Zones, but he is certainly a fan after also watching from the Go Zone on the fourth on Friday. “Getting to watch the approach shots from behind is something I&aposve not seen before but it&aposs very good,” he said. “It gives you an even better view. It&aposs a great idea.”