Australian Open 2005

[James Bennett]

The 2005 australian Open is being played at Moonah Links on the last week of November.  This is the Australian Golf Union backed course which is likely to host the Oz Open every second year.  Peter Thompson has been involved in the course which is located on the windy areas of the Mornington peninsual about 90 minutes south of Melbourne's CBD.  Peter Lonard won the event at this site two years ago, with a lower score than people expected possible, although apparently the wind was more benign than can occur.

The media coverage for the event has started here in Australia, with some quotes from players and from peter Thompson.  I have taken some of the quotes from the coverage in The Age newspaper from Thompson.  Because of the impact of the winds, he is proposing that the greens do not stimp higher than 9.5, are kept at about 4.5mm long (that about 0.18 inches, I think).  

His last comment that golf is easier with faster greens is interesting.  It is one that I have thought of, but not commented on todate.  Certainly, getting the right holing speed is more difficult on slightly slower greens than on slightly faster greens (you get more 'horseshoe lip-outs' on the slower greens).  It appears Thompson is advocating a 'firm but not-too-fast' style of course.  Any Comments?  The text of Thompson's comments are set out below.

James B

from The Age newspaper re the Moonah Links Aus Open (23 October 2005 edition)

Thomson has said he would not go out of his way to make it any tougher than it should be. Pins would be set sensibly, rather than tricked up. "We're totally against that," said Thomson. "It doesn't serve any purpose. The fact is, this course isn't defenceless even in dead calm. But when the wind blows, par is a good score."

Nor will the greens be as slick as the players would find on the Melbourne sandbelt. Thomson will have the putting surfaces cut at 4.5 millimetres in the Open week, much fluffier than would be found at Royal Melbourne or Victoria. The organisers will try to have the greens running at 9.5 on the stimpmeter, compared to at least 12 at Victoria three years ago when the course became unplayable on the first day.

Thomson said the Melbourne clubs found themselves in "a competition to prepare the fastest greens" and he won't fall for it.

"I'm totally against fast greens," he said. "They've been shown to be of no value in championship golf. They don't do it in the (British) Open Championship and we don't need to do it in Melbourne. In any case, it makes putting easier (on fast greens)."

[Tom_Doak]

James:

It would be hard for the pros to adjust to a slower speed after playing for weeks on faster greens.  In fact, it was suggested to me by some PGA Tour officials that is one of the reasons the scoring is fairly high on some of the shorter courses on Tour ... the greens stimp slower because they have more tilt to them, but it's possible that the pros are having more trouble with the slower speed than with the tilt.

[Matthew Mollica]

James,

Firstly, not to be overly pedantic, but Thommo doesn't have a 'p' in his surname (Thomson). Just letting you know as it is a mistake I made many times.

Secondly, an interesting article came acros the desk today. Some excerpts below.

"John Buckley, a spokesperson for the six-member interim board that will coordinate the roll out of Golf Australia over the next two years, spoke candidly in an exclusive interview to iseekgolf.com about issues facing the sport in this country. And topping the list is the future of the organisation's flagship - the Australian Open.

The AGU once held the ambition that Moonah Links would be the permanent home of the Australian Open. Outgoing executive director Colin Phillips conceded recently the venue on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula would hold the Open "probably not more than one in three years".

However, even that may be wishful thinking. "I've got to say to you that I think we've got to re-think that. I really do," Buckley says. "We have an obligation to take it [the Open] around the country. And I also strongly believe that you've got to have your Open championship quite close to the major cities."

He describes Moonah Links as "slightly inaccessible", hindering the chances of luring big-name sponsors, which use the Open for corporate hospitality and the opportunity to entertain clients. He thinks the six other board members hold the same view.

"Look, the facility is wonderful. If you talk about the [Australian] Institute of Sport facility, that's world-class. The accommodation is excellent and you've got two good golf courses down there, particularly the Open course. But in the view of a number of our potential sponsors, it's just too far out of town. And that's coming from people like IMG, who are our partner. And if they're finding it difficult to attract sensible sponsorship because of its position, geographically, I mean where do we go from here?""

Matthew

[Mark_Guiniven]

Yeah James, take the P out of Thommo.

And Matty, try another S on across while you're at it son.

If you Aussies want to hold the Open somewhere permanently, try Royal Melbourne. I hear it's free.

[Mike_Clayton]

Mark.

With so few tournaments left in Australia there is increasing competition amongst the best clubs to hold the Open.

The Masters is not moving from Huntingdale - although perhaps it should to revitalize the tournament - the PGA is entrenched in Queensland and Adelaide and Perth have local events that will not move.

That leaves Royal Melbourne,Kingston Heath,Metropolitan and The Australian to compete with and/or share the Open with Moonah Links.
 Arguably that situation puts the Golf Union at odds with its  most powerful constituent clubs. That won't go on forever.

[Mark_Guiniven]

Apart from the quality of their venues (okay, take out The Australian) what "power" do those clubs hold Mike?

From the AGU website:

In its original charter the AGU specified that Royal Melbourne, Royal Sydney and Royal Adelaide were the organisation’s constituent clubs and delegates from these three clubs formed the first council.

Today, after many changes, the AGU does not specify from which clubs its delegates hail and State Association representation is the criterion. Victoria and New South Wales each have three delegates while Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia have two and Tasmania one.

The President of the AGU is elected on a state-rotational basis for one year whilst the majority of AGU business is handled by the Executive Committee which consists of one representative from each State Association.

[Mike_Clayton]

Mark,

I'm not sure what power they have  except they are the most respected clubs in the country - with Royal Adelaide and Royal Sydney and Lake Karrinyup.

Tournaments are a big part of their history and I assume they will not put up with having no tournaments, especially if the Open goes to Moonah every other year.

[James Bennett]

Matthew Mollica

thanks for the spelling correction - I note your name has two t's and two l's.  And, like Thomson, no p.

I'm also pleased to hear that the Open is not going to be at Moonah as often as first suggested.  It is too important an event down under, and there are too many courses that I like to see on the TV (or perhaps visit to see the Open) to warrant an emphasis on a single course.  Especially since the Oz Masters is a single course event.

In Adelaide, we have the occasional rotation between Kooyonga and Royal Adelaide which works quite well, although I expect some other clubs like to think they would be suited to hosting such an event in Adelaide.  Its their club, they can choose what they try to do, subject to the sponsors needs of course.

____________________________________________________


I haven't seen any comments from OZ or from overseas apart from Tom Doak's regarding the green speeds proposed (about 9.5 on the stimp) and the height of cut (4.5mm).  My personal expectation is that the pro's will find 10 footers more difficult, but the golf might be a little quicker (closer to 4 hours) because of the reduction in green speed compared to other courses.  Not sure whether slower (well, not so fast really), consistent  green speeds (across the morning and afternoon play) will be easier to achieve agronomically or not.  Certainly, the risk of green loss or abnormal playing conditions with strong north winds is reduced.  Any views?

[Mark_Guiniven]

Mike you've seen professional golf develop. Is bigger always better?

They ask so much of host venues these days and so much disruption is involved, surely there's a danger these clubs might decide "putting up with having no tournaments" is actually quite easy, and that that's why the AGU wants its own venue and one it knows can step in.

Members often end up the poor sods marshalling cross-walks, driving courtesy cars back to hotels all day, or playing traffic warden in some makeshift carpark, missing most of the action altogether.

I wonder if the members of Gulf Harbour for instance are getting the same buzz putting the NZ Open on for the banana-and-mineral-water-boys of Europe that we did putting it on for the Campbells, Parrys, Rileys, Davis', Nobilos, Turners and Claytons through the eighties and nineties. It will be interesting to see if it becomes a burden for them at some stage.

[Mike_Clayton]

Mark,

Members seen to enjoy big events here and it's good for the golf courses to see how they hold up against the modern equipment.
We are lucky our best courses/clubs want to have big events - unlike most of the rest of the world which is full of great courses not interested in the circus.

It did seem all the members in NZ really enjoyed the pros coming in those days. We all had a great time down there.

[Mark_Guiniven]

James,
Steve Wiliams once said Augusta use that ploy, slowing the greens down a foot just to mess with the players, but only for one round.

Speaking of Steve Williams and what you're saying Mike, he once paid for a friend of his to visit the AT&T a few years back. This guy's son showed me a home video his dad made of Mark Calcavecchia and Tiger playing a practice round at Cypress Point once. By this stage it wasn't one of the courses they were playing in the tournament, but there they were anyway. It was interesting to say the least—Tiger smashing one right of the trees on 17 as I recall.

In a strange way your problem in Australia is the reverse: trying to get the best Aussies back for tournaments at a Kingston Heath, Royal Melbourne or Royal Adelaide at a time when they really want a holiday before heading back to the States. It never ends!

In New Zealand—assuming our Open is going to remain long term where it is—we need to find a new way for clubs to showcase their courses. Greg Turner's NZ tour is promising. Maybe some kind of regular Shell's wide world of golf style match or "wandering golfer" type show would fit the niche. With 42% of households possessing 'Sky' here (perhaps 80% of golfers) it could prove popular.

We need to improve our courses but that's not going to happen without an exchange of ideas. John Huggan found a Sloan Morpeth links course in Southland virtually no one knew about. The back nine at Chisholm wouldn't look too bad on TV. Kidnappers, obviously. And I know I want to go back to Santoft (Marton) soon and show you some pics from that course. I think there's hope for us  

[James Bennett]

The Australian Open starts tomorrow at Moonah.  I think the weather is looking generally mild (in the 20's celsius) for the week, with the chance of a shower.  We are haveing some nice breeze here in Adelaide, so that should be getting to Moonah Links.

It will be interesting to see if the greens do indeed run at up to 10 feet, as discussed earlier.

I am going over on Friday for the weekend play.  If anyone wants to say 'hi', it should be me carrying the bunker rake for the 10.03 group on Saturday, and the 10.57 group on Sunday.  Alternatively, text me on my mobile (#0403 582 020).  I'm staying near Mt Martha.

James B

[Tom Renli]

James, excuse my ignorance, but is that truely your role?  They do not want the rakes on the ground in the line of play?  Not sure if I have heard of that before.  Do you also report scores or is that done separately?

I do not believe the event is being televised in the States, please redirect me if I am wrong.  I believe the Heineken Open was dropped this year.  All a shame, as the courses and different players made for interesting viewing.  What is driving the AAsain Tour down?  The native players all migrating to Europe and the States?
Thanks, Tom

[Chris Kane]

Tom, there is absolutely nothing driving the Australasian Tour at the moment, which is why it is falling to pieces.  The top American and European players won't come here unless they are paid huge appearance fees, which leaves us with only Australian players.

Its still a quality field though: Scott, Hensby, Ogilvy, Lonard, Appleby, Allenby, O'Hern, Pampling and Parry.  But this isn't enough to get serious interest from potential sponsors, so the purse is small (about $1m US).  Not like the old days unfortunately, when Nicklaus, Palmer and Player came down regularly.

[James Bennett]

Tom

my role is a 'course quality officer' (CQO).  As a volunteer, I am assigned a group, and take a small bucket and a rake.  It is my job to clean up after the pro's, including divots, divot debris and damaged bunkers.

There won't be a bunker rake on the course, apart from those carried by the CQO's.  This arrangement is organised at our national open by the Golf Course Supts Association.

It is my first time doing this (I tried to do it last year, but my health let me done,  everything looks fine this year).  

Scoring is conducted separately, generally by the fairer sex.

I believe there was an earlier thread on the loss of the heineken - can't recall the details.

The Australian Tour is hopeful of getting better players for some events in the next year or so, when the all-conquering US Tour moves the end-of-year Tour Championship to mid-september (is that 2006 or 2007?).  I wonder whether the better players would still come even if the US Tour ends earlier.  However, that was the suggestion of the Australian PGA last night on our Golf Show.

You asked what is driving down the asian, European and Australian Tours.  The perception here is that the strength of, and access to the US Tour is causing it.  What did 125th place on the US Tour earn in 2005?  Was it about US$650,000?  That is very hard for other tours to compete with.

James B

[Sean_A]

James

I spoke with John Bickerton (a European Tour pro) last week.  He was over in China for the world event a few weeks back.  I asked why he didn't stay out in Asia/Oz for a spell, play against relatively weak fields and try to pick up some cash in the sun.  He said he couldn't be bothered.  Astonishing really.  Even middle of the road Euro players aren't too interested unless they are taken care of.

Ciao

Sean

[Matt_Sullivan]

Sean

Another factor in the decision of Bickerton and others like him may be that Australia is a long way from China. As an Australian living in Beijing it takes me longer to get to Sydney than it does to get to the UK or the US. Shanghai (where the tournament was played) is a little better (about 2 hours closer and a direct flight) but it is still 11 or 12 hours down to Melbourne.

The closest Asian capitals to Sydney or Melbourne are 8-9  hrs away (Singapore, Jakarta and KL). If you are going to get the Australian tour back on the rails again you need 4 or so big tourneys (US$3M and up in prize money) in a row spread across Australia and NZ.

Living in Singapore and Beijing, in the past three years I have seen more top players than I would ever see in Australia: Tiger, Vijay, Retief, Padraig, Sergio, Luke Donald, KJ Choi, Lee Westwood and so on. Even guys who go to Australia like Ernie or Adam Scott I have seen multiple times up here.

That's a shame: golf is a much bigger participation sport in Australia than in China or Singapore or anywhere else in Asia, and the courses in Australia are much better. But there is no real corporate money behind it in Oz. And there is a hesitancy to become really involved in and part of the Asian Tour, which doesn't help things

[JESII]

This seems as good a place to mention it.

My brother has just moved to Melbourne and is marrying a girl from there in a few weeks. I will be in town from the 12th through the 18th and he has some golf lined up. Will any of our contributors be in the area at the time. Any interest in playing (I will have to check what arrangements he has made)? I think he was working on the better known courses for probably three rounds, but I will also be in Sydney the 19th and 20th and am scheduled for New South Wales on the 19th.

If golf is not in the cards, a beer or two would be available also. IM me or respond here if interested.

Thanks

[JohnV]

James, excuse my ignorance, but is that truely your role?  They do not want the rakes on the ground in the line of play?  Not sure if I have heard of that before.

The R&A does it at the Open also.  They have for a few years now.  I'm sure the caddies appreciate it.

[Mark_F]

Chris,

Is it really the lack of overseas stars?  I think not.  

Which US player, aside from Woods, would you really be interested in following?  None of them interest me, and, I venture to add, perhaps arrogantly, would the majority of golf fans in this country.

I would rather see Sergio or Goosen any day.  Even Harrington and Luke Donald would be more interesting.  Are any of them truly unobtainable for promoters?  I doubt it.  Maybe the problem is that organisers are too fixated on US players at the expense of others?

One of the problems is that none of the Australians show any real interest in their own tour.  Scott hasn't played the Open for how many years?  

Baddely may play 1 or 2, I think Ogilvy is only playing the Open, Allenby said on radio he was playing three, but none of them appeared at the co-sanctioned events held in the new year  a few years ago, did they?

If the brand name Australians can't even support the tour, why should any sponsor, let alone the public?  

They are obviously far more interested in attempting to convince the proletariat that working 25-26 weeks a year is hard yakka, and by the time the US tour finishes properly, they can only get it up for half a dozen or so meaningless and moronic silly season events, before needing some serious R&R.

[Chris Kane]

Mark, I'm pretty sure that if Woods, Mickelson, Els or Singh came out, they'd draw big crowds.  Garcia and Goosen and Daly would be popular too.  I doubt there's many others who would sell an extra ticket.

Australian golf is suffering from the demise of Greg Norman as a force in world golf.  For 15-20 years he was one of the best in the game, and drew massive crowds.  Unfortunately he won't be replaced for a long time, if ever.  Having him play each week was like having Tiger.  

I actually think your criticism of Allenby, Baddeley, Ogilvy etc is unfair.  Playing the post-Christmas tournaments is difficult because they clash with the early season PGA Tour events.  That they're here at all - when there's no real incentive to play besides helping our tour - should be applauded.

[Matt_Sullivan]

Chris

Depth of field is also important. Perhaps only the players you mentioned would sell tickets on their own. But if you also had  a supporting cast of Donald, Jimenez, Harrington, KJ Choi, Bjorn and so on you would sell more tickets. All these guys play a lot in Asia (in fact I have seen all of them in person at least twice this year) but they don't get to Oz much.

Australian organisers have in the past tended to blow too much money on one or two stars. The Heinekin used to always draw a reasonable field, particularly in the early days -- no doubt due to good prize money and a good course. But I wonder if they'd thrown into the prize pot the money they paid Els to turn up each year, whether they might not have got an even better field (albeit one without Els).