On Par - All about golf in Australia

Whilst not exactly golf etiquette, the Jackass boys hit the golf course with an air horn to really piss off some golfers! The guys on the tee dont see the funny side!

Very lucky to tee up again for my third round within a week. This time I was at Rich River near Echuca with Scott and his son Keegan. We teed off late with superb weather on the West Course. Kept the form from the last two rounds going with the driver starting to work again, the irons very good, and wedges into the green excellent. Unfortunately the chipping and putting sucked. Needs more work. Scott played well, though the putter wasnt working for him either, and Keegan improved through the round.

Highlights were two birdies on the back nine thanks to some accurate approach shots leaving one tap-in. The course was good considering how dry the surrounds were, the lack of water is evident from the large lakes that are now virtually empty, anything off the fairway was dirt. The entire Murray Region needs a LOT of rain.

Have played the last three rounds in the 80s, much improved driver and irons, wedges are very good.  The short game though remains a problem!

Working on the course


Originally uploaded by Doogsta

Played at Corowa Golf Club with Nige following a presentation to the local Rutherglen committee. Still feeling the effects of the $20 wine buffet of the previous night, started ok with some dodgy putting. Nige on fire with pars on 4 of first 6 holes. Then I fixed the driver and went par, tap in birdie, par to close out the 9. Nige had to get back to Melb so I then played a cruisy back nine. Irons are very good, short game much improved, putting..welllll!



Corowa is a great Murray course, excellent fairways and greens

Played again at Waterford Valley today, with colleagues from work, Bernie, Nige, Nic, Tania and Kenji. Weather was sensational, not a cloud in the sky and a slight wind. What a difference a week makes in golf! The swing started off patchy again, the short game was much improved though the putter still sucked. 3 pars on the front nine, and apart from making a mess of the 8th hole, was pretty pleased. A double bogey on 10 kicked the swing into action, and played one of the best 9 holes in a LONG time, hit 6 of the remaining 8 greens in regulation, 3 pars and 2 birdies including almost holing out on the 17th, and a rifled 5 iron into the 18th and just missed the putt for a 3rd birdie! 40 shots on the back nine finished the day off nicely with an 84.

The Waterford Valley course is in excellent condition, fairways are hard with a lot of run but the couch grass is well covered, the greens are hard and quick, a bit of rain would set the course up beautifully.

Immers wins the Masters
Trevor Immelman lead the US Masters from start to finish, eventually winning by a comfortable 3 shots.  Though he would have had the heart thumping out of his shirt after hitting into the water on 16 to double bogey just as Tiger birdied the last.  Immers held it together down the final two holes though to grab the Purple Jacket for 2008.

No jacket for Tiger
Tiger didnt win, the Grand Slam talks are shelved for another year.  The fact that Tiger had an off weekend, couldnt putt to save himself and still finished second says a lot about Tiger, the course and the opposition

Rory is no pirate
Outfit of the week goes to Rory Sabbatini for the jewel encrusted skull belt buckle.  Rory, what were you thinking, who dresses you, the Liberace chapter of the Hells Angels?  Or is it a Jack Sparrow tribute?  Regardless it looked crap and no wonder you missed the cut

The Australian Ghost of Masters past
Ahhhh yes, and of course, an Australian did NOT win the Masters…again.  I think that the ghosts that were created in 1987 when Larry Mize chipped in to defeat Norman in the playoff, and again in Normans infamous final round 78 in 1996 against Faldo, have taken up residence at Augusta and haunt every Australian that steps onto the tee!  How can these ghosts be exorcised?

Bunkered at Waterford valley


Originally uploaded by Doogsta

Played yesterday at Waterford valley with Steve. Weather was good, course in great condition so no excuses for my crap play. Swing was average and short game poor, Steve’s game was improving all round with a birdie and 2 pars on backnine. Hit my best shot of the day on the last, a 6 iron at the pin. (missed the birdie putt)

Drinking our Grange tonight!


Originally uploaded by Doogsta

The US Masters has teed off for another year on the manicured, pedicured, buffed and polished Augusta National.  And yet again, the two main stories in the Australian media are:
a) How many shots will Tiger win by and will Tiger win the real Grand Slam this year (as opposed to the Tiger Slam when he held all four majors but not in consecutive years.
b) Will an Australian break the drought and win the Masters.

Tiger has an ordinary start, at least for Tiger, yet he shot even par and is only 4 shots from first round leaders Immelman and Bateman.  The TV coverage is like channel Tiger when he is on the course, every single practice swing and shot made by Woods is covered, interspersed occassionally with the rest of the field.

And as for the Aussies, Peter Lonard shot his best round ever at Augusta (71) to lead the Aussies.  Ogilvy was the form Australian leading in, and shot a 75 with Scott and the Badds.  Its early days yet.

Geoff Ogilvy has won the CA Championship at Doral in Florida, ending Tiger Woods remarkable run of 7 straight victories.  The course dubbed the Blue Monster, could be renamed the Blue Teddy Bear as players went on a birdie blitz in the third round.  Ogilvy had a virtually faultless four days and stayed in front for the entire tournament holding off prestigious company including Singh, Goosen, Stricker, Furyk and…oh yeah, Tiger!  Woods was only two shots off the lead, and Ogilvy didnt succumb to Tiger stalking behind him.

Congratulations Geoff, and proof that Tiger is indeed human after all and not a programmed cyborg machine.  Or did he just burn out a circuit?

Inconsistency at the Growling Frog

Originally uploaded by Doogsta

Played in the Easter monday stableford comp with paul at the growling frog. Swing was very inconsistent all day, from wild drives to a very erratic and mainly poor short game but managed to avoid any major stuff ups and scored 16pts going out. A spanked drive and very accurate sand wedge setup a rare birdie on the 10th, then the short game wrecked the 12th and 13th before some better approaches and good putting setup and pars on 17 and 18.  A surprising 20 pts coming home for a total of 36 points.  Played to handicap without really playing well