Aussie of the Month: Cameron Smith

The 2022 Open champion generated exciting headlines – that even travelled as far as a golf website in the UK – in late August when it was announced he would play in the NSW Open on the Murray River from November 14-17. The biggest star in Australian golf will grace the fairways of Murray Downs in what will be a huge boost to the region – for tourism and golf. Smith’s presence in golf tournaments is highly sought-after and he could have played anywhere, or have taken the week off while back in his homeland. Good on Smith for teeing up on the river.

Golfers in the news

Trio of Aussies in Montreal: Three Australians teed up for the International team at the Presidents Cup in Montreal, Canada. Min Woo Lee made his debut after being added to the International side as a captain’s pick by Canadian captain Mike Weir. Lee joined his idols Adam Scott and Jason Day, after both former world No.1s qualified via their world ranking. Scott made a record 11th appearance for the International team in yet another example of his incredible longevity. 

Defending Australian Open champIONs to return: The 2023 Australian Open winners from the men’s and women’s events announced they will return for this year’s edition in Melbourne, from November 28 to December 1. Chile’s Joaquin Niemann will tee up at Victoria and Kingston Heath golf clubs, while South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai will also head to the Sandbelt to attempt an incredible three-peat, having won in 2022 and 2023.

Asia-Pacific Amateur contingent: Australia will field a seven-man team for this month’s Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Japan (October 3-6), where major starts for the 2025 Masters and Open Championship are up for grabs for the winner. The Australian contingent is led by defending champion Jasper Stubbs [left], who made dream major debuts at Augusta National and Royal Troon after his 2023 win, as well as Quinnton Croker, Tony Chen, Billy Dowling, Phoenix Campbell, Lukas Michel and Connor Fewkes.

King OF THE Island: Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff announced his government will loan $10 million to Ocean Dunes Golf Course on King Island to undergo a major expansion of facilities. Those works are set to include the creation of 64 hotel rooms, as well as restaurant and bar facilities. “This is a fantastic project for King Island and will support Tasmania’s position as a leader on the international golf stage,” Rockliff said. The work is expected to be finished in 2025.

All Abilities clinics at Ranfurlie: Melbourne’s Ranfurlie Golf Club has started delivering All Abilities clinics, which are expected to become a regular monthly event. The program is led by Ranfurlie pro Jack Cox, an All Abilities-accredited coach. The clinics are run in conjunction with the Amstel Club.

They did what?

Husband and wife Ben and Georgina Haines recently recorded consecutive holes-in-one in their weekend competition rounds at Neangar Park Golf Club in Bendigo.

Ben and Georgina play golf together most weekends at Neangar Park, and at the 136-metre par-3 12th, the estimated 17-million-to-one consecutive aces happened. In the Saturday comp, Ben hit an 8-iron on No.12 and holed it, prompting plenty of cheering from golfers on the 13th tee. Georgina then teed up a 6-iron and that smooth swing also went in for an ace. “Same day, same hole, consecutive shots by two people who are married… What are the chances?” Georgina asked.

Birdie of the month: The centurion golfer

A warm congratulations to Hobart golfer Isabel Sutherland, who turned 100 recently – making her one of only a small group of centenarians in Australia who still play golf. Sutherland walks all 18 holes at Claremont Golf Club twice a week. Sutherland got into golf in 1960 when her husband arranged for some golf lessons. “Very good therapy,” she told ABC News. “Some mornings you feel a bit off, we all do. [But] you go to golf, you forget about yourself.”

Bogey of the month: Mike Weir

Oh, Canada! In assembling the six wildcards for his International team, Mike Weir made an enormous mistake in leaving out Australia’s Cameron Davis from the 12-man International side. Davis won the Rocket Mortgage classic less than two months before the team was announced. On debut at the 2022 Presidents Cup, Davis also won two points – one of only seven International players to contribute two or more points at Quail Hollow. For the Royal Montreal teams event, Weir also left off Canadian Nick Taylor and Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas – the only International team-eligible players, besides Hideki Matsuyama and Taylor Pendrith, to have won on the PGA Tour this year. Seriously, Mike?