Rob’s royal award
Robert Allenby has been named the Australian Golf Writers Association Honouree of the Year for 2012.
In announcing the award, association president Brendan Moloney said: "We are delighted that Robert is our 2012 recipient. He joins a distinguished group of former winners including the late Norman von Nida, Peter Thomson, KelNagle, Rachel Hetherington, Karrie Webb, Jan Stephenson, Greg Norman, Jack Newton, Max Garske and Bob and Kathie Shearer".
"We have watched his progress on the world golfing stage, from the time he was the clubhouse leader in the 1991 Australian Open as an amateur to winning our Open, PGA and Masters in the same year as a pro, along with victories in Europe and America."
"We also honour him for his untiring work for Challenge Cancer and children with cancer both in Australia and overseas for more than 20 years. Most people are aware of the many millions of dollars his annual golf day has raised for Challenge. Not so well known though is his personal involvement with children suffering from cancer and their families."
Allenby said: "I feel very humbled by this award and consider it an honour to accept. Golf has been my life and being acknowledged in this way by Australia's golfing media is something that my family and I are proud of. I thank the members of the Australian Golf Writers Association for honouring me in this way."
The 2012 Australian Golf Writers Association Honouree of the Year Award will be presented at the AGWA annual dinner at the Lakes Golf Club Sydney on December 8 after the third round of the Australian Open.
MASTERS TRIP
Ever wanted to visit The Masters at Augusta and play some great courses along the way? itravel are running a 13-day trip to the Masters from April 3 to 15 next year.
The tour includes three days at the tournament with a five-star hospitality centre offering breakfast, lunch, canapés, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the day.
Guests will also play seven games of golf during the trip with two further rounds an optional extra. Carts, range balls and prizes will be provided. The tour features 12 nights luxury accommodation and three dinners at a la carte restaurants at Pinehurst.
Prices for The Masters Golf Tour start at AU$10,698 per person for twin/double share, excluding airfare. For more information, please contact Stacey Arthur on 61-2/4285-0711 or 0402-327606 and online at itravel-au.com
Underway in W.A.
The AU$1million redevelopment of Yanchep’s championship course has begun in a bid to reinforce the Western Australia town’s credentials as a choice destination for golfers.
The course is known for its emus and kangaroos and is located just five minutes from Yanchep’s iconic lagoon. The multi-year upgrade program, which will see the course redesigned and modified by Ogilvy Clayton, is the first major works at Sun City Country Club since it opened in the 1970s.
“We see this redevelopment as an important step forward in preserving and enhancing the local beauty of the area as Yanchep’s community grows,” said Brendan Gore, Peet Limited’s CEO and Managing Director. “Sun City Country Club, with its unique landscape, is an undeniable local asset.”
The redevelopment is being undertaken in partnership by the club and Peet, the company behind the 1500-home estate that will be built alongside the course over the next 10 years.
The first phase of the fairway upgrades, involving the realignment of holes 13, 14 and 15, is anticipated for completion in early 2013. The boundary of this area, which adjoins the new estate, will also be re-landscaped as part of this work. Works will then be rolled out over the coming four years. The club will remain open throughout the duration of the works.
California Dreaming
We’ve run some great competitions in our time but in the October issue, we’re offering one lucky reader the golfing holiday of a lifetime!
Thanks to our friends at Fox Sports, Delta Airlines, the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, and Indian Wells Golf Resort, we are offering a five-day golfing vacation in sunny California. You’ll fly Business Class to America before enjoying all the delights of this luxurious five-star resort. You’ll also get to play two rounds of golf at the world-renowned Celebrity or Players courses.
But wait, there’s more! We’re teamed up with Oakley to offer AU$2,000 worth of clothing and accessories for three lucky readers.
Apart from great competitions, the October issue also looks at some of Australia’s hidden gems and leading course photographer Gary Lisbon shares his stories and pictures from a golf trip that saw him play 40 courses in just 32 days.
Plus we have features on China, Hawaii, Vietnam, Scotland and Thailand.
It’s been a very exciting time for two lucky Golf Vacations subscribers who picked up amazing prizes in our recent competitions.
Darryl Sisson from New South Wales won a brand new set of Mizuno JPX800 HD irons, JPX800 driver, Fairway Wood and Hybrid plus a bag worth AU$2,000. The 18-handicapper received the clubs from Golf Vacations editor Jon Underwood.
And 16-handicapper Mark Eva (pictured at Jack’s Point) from Victoria was just about to head off and celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with wife Linda when we told him he’d won a trip to Queenstown to play in the NZ PGA Pro-Am Championship.
He writes: “By the time we actually arrived in Queenstown I was in a state of disbelief that this was actually going to happen. I need not have worried about this as the experience, outside of family, was THE best experience of my life.”
Mark and Linda were particularly impressed with the hospitality of the staff at Hilton Queenstown, Air New Zealand and at the tournament, which was held at The Hills. He got to play with former All Black captain Justin Marshall and touring pro Jason Norris from South Australia.
How did he play? “Best round of golf in my life on one of the best courses I've ever played on and a great guy to be paired with. I was in my own golfing nirvana.”
Editor’s note: Thanks to everyone who entered these competitions and if you’d like you own slice of the golfing good life, make sure you enter our current prize to win a trip to Sanctuary Cove. And watch out for more great prizes from Golf Vacations.
Golf Vacations editor Jon Underwood was a guest on the top American radio show Where To Play Golf, hosted by Michael Stewart and Tim Bona. Michael founded Where To Play Golf more than 10 years ago while Tim wrote the Blazing Saddles article in our April issue. For more information, visit wheretoplaygolf.com
In case you missed it
The stars start to come out...
Adam Scott, Graeme McDowell and defending champion Ian Poulter are the first big names announced for the summer, headlining the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath.
The fashionable and charismatic Poulter became the second Englishman to win the gold jacket last year. “I am delighted to return to Melbourne to defend my title. I thought Victoria Golf Club last year was an outstanding layout and I have heard a lot of great things about Kingston Heath. I am already looking forward to returning to the sandbelt,” said Ian.
Adam Scott has enjoyed another terrific year on the international stage and commented: "I'm delighted to be returning to play the Melbourne sand belt, and specifically the Australian Masters at Kingston Heath. It will be a great week and it's fantastic to see top class International players like Poults and Graeme in the field. I'm sure we will see massive crowds and a fantastic tournament".
This marks Graeme McDowell’s first appearance at the Australian Masters and his first in Australia in seven years. “It has been a while since I last played in Australia and I have been desperate to get back down there ever since! It's such a beautiful country with great golf courses, great people and lovely weather. I am really looking forward to getting back down to Melbourne and playing on the sandbelt again,” said Graeme.
The Australian Masters takes place from November 15-18.
Tickets will be on sale from Thursday 16th August
at FoxTix - www.foxtix.com.au or 1300-111-369.
Show your support
Golf Australia, Legacy and the Australian Defence Force have initiated Remembrance Golf Day for Legacy, a fundraiser for the leading charity that cares for the welfare of families of our fallen and wounded.
Clubs around Australia are being encouraged to hold competitions and activities on or around Remembrance Day, similar to the United States’ Patriot Golf Day. A gold coin donation is asked of each player, in addition to the green or match fee.
Golf Australia National Director Golf Development Frances Crampton said: “There are many veterans and families of veterans who are actively involved in golf and we look forward to supporting the good work which many have already begun through the Remembrance Golf Day.”
For more information about the week or how your club can register to be involved, visit www.remembrancegolf.com.au
Meanwhile a charity golf tournament that aims to raise money for those who lost their lives or were wounded fighting for freedom has just been launched in Thailand.
The Poppy Golf 2012 tournament takes place at the Summit Green Valley Country Club in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on October 26th. Money raised will go to The Royal British Legion Thailand and Thai Veterans Hospital.
Entry costs 1.800 Baht (around AU$56) and includes green fee, caddy fee, Poppy Golf 2012 shirt, dinner at Green Valley Clubhouse Restaurant after the event, and gift vouchers worth more than 2,500 Baht (around AU$78).
There’s also a hole-in-one contest at every par-three on the course with a main prize of 100,000 Baht (AU$3,100).
For more information, contact the tournament director: kari@sirelius.net
Fill your bucket
One of Australia's leading golf travel and tour companies has just added new tours to tick every box on your bucket list.
In August 2013, Ireland and Scotland are joining a long list of locations on Go Golfing’s world map of international holiday packages.
Go Golfing Managing Director Peter McCarthy says the 16-day “Castles and Kilts Tour” will take players to some of the world’s most iconic courses while exploring the charms of Ireland and Scotland.
“The tour features five British Open courses that all keen golfers must play at least once in their lives and the spectacular Edinburgh Tattoo, itself a bucket list favourite,” McCarthy says.
“Non-golfers on the tour won’t only be ticking off the Edinburgh Tattoo, but also visiting the Royal Britannia among many other activities.
“The tour will include deluxe accommodation at the historic Adare Manor in Ireland and Sherbrooke Castle in Glasgow along with a guided Edinburg city tour.”
Want to Play with Greg Norman?
The Captain’s Choice Tour, in conjunction with Ultimate Sports Tours, offers a group of only 16 people the once in a lifetime opportunity of playing golf with Greg Norman at his exclusive Medalist Golf Club in Florida.
Timed to coincide with next year’s Masters, this tour includes games at some of North America’s most famous courses, a round of golf with the Shark and attendance at Augusta.
The tour is inclusive of air travel from Australia, accommodation, all meals including lunch with Greg Norman, drinks with dinner, green fees, entry to the Masters, sightseeing, transfers, travel insurance, luggage handling, tipping, and taxes.
Charity day
The 2012 Daddo Charity Golf Day will take place at Moonah Links on November 23. The event is one of Independence Australia’s largest fundraisers with proceeds going to help those with Spinal Cord injuries. More than 200 golfers are expected to take part. Stay and play
Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley has launched a stay and play package that is ideal for both social golfers and die-hard enthusiasts.
Prices start from AU$280 per night for two adults and includes two rounds of golf with cart hire, as well as deluxe room accommodation and a full buffet breakfast at the hotel’s Redsalt Restaurant.
For guests looking to travel in larger groups, the package also offers four adults luxury accommodation in a two-bedroom villa plus four rounds of golf with cart hire, and a full buffet breakfast from AU$360 per night.
The package is available from Sundays to Thursdays until December 31, 2012.
To book or for more information, visit crowneplazahuntervalley.com.au/stayandplay or call 138-388. EYES ON THE PRIZE
Golfers can win an AU$5,000 prize package during the Festival of Golf at Radisson Resort Gold Coast.
Simply book a Stay and Play Package at the resort before December 31 and be in with a chance to win a six-night holiday for two and a customised set of premium clubs.
The prize doesn’t depend on golfing skills; all players go into the draw when they stay at Radisson Resort and play at one or all of the partner courses.
Stay and Play packages are priced from AU$139 per person, twin share or double. The price includes overnight accommodation, buffet breakfast and 18 holes with cart hire or a 60-minute Swedish massage – the perfect option for golfers with non-playing partners.
The winner will enjoy six nights’ accommodation for two in a Garden Spa Room, a buffet breakfast each day of their stay, a round of golf for two on each of the partner courses and a bag containing a set of premium golf clubs.
The resort has two swimming pools, a tennis centre, an outstanding gym and a day spa. Guests can dine in style at Chelos at Radisson Restaurant and relax with a drink in the lounge bar.
Aloha Hawaii
A new golf package on offer from the Keauhou Beach Resort in Hawaii allows players to enjoy the challenge of three top courses on the island.
The Kona Golf Trail includes the Kona Country Club, the Makalei Golf Club and the Big Island Country Club. Kona features ocean and mountain views while Makalei has a stunning backdrop of the western slopes of the Hualalai Mountain. Famed golf architect Perry Dye designed Big Island, which features wide fairways and water, situated against the base of the Mauna Kea Mountain.
Until December 21, guests can stay at Keauhou Beach Resort for a minimum of three nights and play three rounds at select courses. The Kona Golf Trail package starts at US$517 for one golfer and US$677 for two.
After returning from golf, guests can retreat to their ocean view rooms and take advantage of the hotel amenities, including free Internet access in all rooms and Wi-Fi in the lobby.
