When did you begin working at Golf Victoria and what was your first role?
I began working with the former VGA (now Golf Victoria) in February 1991 as the Golf Programs Manager.
Name some of the best talent you’ve seen come through Golf Victoria in your time here?
There have been so many great players from Stuart Appleby, Richard Green and Robert Allenby in the early 1990’s; Geoff Ogilvy; Aaron Baddeley; Marcus Fraser all the way to today’s young stars such as Nathan Holman, Todd Sinnott, Geoff Drakeford, Ryan Ruffels, Stacey Keating and Su Oh.
How would you rate the current crop of Victorian amateur golfers?
Today’s young men and women players are certainly extremely talented and every bit as good as the players that have come before them. They do face an international golf landscape where more and more competition is coming along as the game expands, especially throughout Asia. However there’s no reason why this generation won’t go on and also be successful, including competing for major titles at some point.
Can we expect a bigger and better state open in 2016?
Hopefully the 2016 Oates Vic Open at 13th Beach will see an increase in prize money, ongoing support from the broadening group of talented Australian men & women players, greater participation from talented overseas players who have been attracted by the unique format & further spectator growth from the over 20,000 that attended in 2015. GV & 13th Beach are committed to presenting the best spectator & player experience possible, so if any newsletter reader hasn’t been yet, come along next February.
Most challenging golf course in Victoria and why?
The Old Course at The National. Mainly due to the strong coastal breezes that frequent this area and the heavy bushland that borders many of the fairways. While it’s a magnificent course, I’ve always found it tough to play consistently on.
Your favourite golf course from around the world?
The Old Course at St Andrews. I’ve only played it twice. Great course design, breathtaking links land, exposed to the wind – so many different aspects to it. The whole place has an atmosphere and feel to it that has to be experienced – hard to describe.
Top 3 favourite golfers in the world?
On the men’s side, I loved Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus & Seve Ballesteros growing up – the latter had the best short game I’ve ever seen before or since. For the women, I was lucky enough as a junior to see the great Tasmanian Lindy Goggin play a lot and later on see Karrie Webb & Annika Sorenstam.
Favourite golf book that you would gift someone?
Dr Alister MacKenzie’s book on golf course architecture – ‘The Spirit of St Andrews’.
What is the most common rule enquiry that Golf Victoria receives?
Most queries revolve around player eligibility, handicaps to apply, format to be used and how to determine ties. From a pure Rule of Golf perspective, Rule 13-2 (Improving Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing, or Line of Play) also leads to many queries and discussions.