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Q. What’s it like … how do you get your head around an invitation to the Masters at Augusta. MIN WOO LEE: Well top 50 (ranking) wasn’t even a goal until the second last week of my Tournament schedule, so I come fourth in the AVIV Dubai Tournament and I was like just […]
Q. What’s it like … how do you get your head around an invitation to the Masters at Augusta.
MIN WOO LEE: Well top 50 (ranking) wasn’t even a goal until the second last week of my Tournament schedule, so I come fourth in the AVIV Dubai Tournament and I was like just under 60th ranked, so it only just popped in my head, I had to play good in that last Tournament. I think if I did make a birdie on the last I would have not been in the top 50, so it was great to make that birdie and I would have kicked myself if I didn’t, because I didn’t play that good that last day. So no, I’m really looking forward to it.
Q. The second thing I wanted to raise, I’m sure a lot of the journalists here will want to talk about the Tournament but the Greg Norman Medal’s tonight and both you and Minjee, your sister, were nominated. How did that feel from a family point of view, to both being nominated and has that ever happened before? And if Minjee wins it – which is a good chance probably – maybe you can scrub out her name or something?
MIN WOO LEE: No, I was going to say an engraver can fix it. She’s already got one, so she could hopefully give me one. Obviously, (Lucas) Herbert’s had a great year, Mark and Cam’s had a really good year. We all play good golf. I mean, we’re all trying to be the best golfer in the country and the best golfer we can be, but we all had a good year, so a pat on the back. It would be nice to get your name on that medal, but I don’t know if I like my chances against them.
Obviously Minjee won the Major and Herbert won two Tournaments. I mean, Scottish Open is pretty good, but I don’t know, we’ll see.
Q. Min, do you think this year you’ll have a bit more expectation going into it, particularly this week, if that changes in the way you do anything or just the way you have to deal with things, sort of these couple of days leading in?
MIN WOO LEE: My coach and I worked on a few things, but at the end of the day, the last three months from the end of the year everything’s been improving, everything that I’ve needed to get better at, I’ve been getting better at. So I think just keep playing and the more tournaments I play the more I get to practise what I’ve been practising and trying to resolve, so hopefully I can do that.
Q. Around a golf course like this with the fairways so wide that there’s better angles from different sides, is it hard for someone like you who’s going to be the long player in the field, not to just hit driver everywhere, to sort of dial back?
MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, it’s a very quirky course. I played nine holes today, nine holes yesterday and some of the greens are really tricky. It’s not like a course where you can just hit average shots and get away with it, you’ve actually got to hit good shots. I’m looking forward to the test. But I mean the fairways are wide, but it’s nearly harder that way because it’s not – there’s nothing to kind of like go into. There’s such a big fairway, so I have to, you know, when I get in the zone I’ll be fine, but I’m looking forward to it.
Q. And shooting and putting on grainy sort of surfaces, how do you go, have you done that before?
MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, I mean on Tour there’s a few grainy places and you’ve got to adapt to wherever you play, so I mean I guess we’ll see. But no, it’s pretty grainy out here, some of the spots can get pretty tricky, so hopefully don’t hit it there, but I’ll try to do my best.
Q. Back to the first question, is it sort of coming into a time where you see how you’ve gone in that, given the circumstances with some of the guys overseas and just you and the guys, you’re the guy everyone’s coming out to beat and stuff, that you go into the event with a bit of a target on your back, does it feel a bit different?
MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, I feel like at the Vic Open I kind of had that feel of being a high ranked player. Hopefully the crowds are going to be awesome and out there and cheering me on, so I think that’s a big advantage, but you know, I’m just going to go out there and play. If I don’t play so well, but hopefully I do, I do play well and get the year rolling.
Q. Cam Smith’s obviously playing well in his Tournament, we saw him win again yesterday. How much does how he’s going sort of inspire you guys, when you see how well he’s playing?
MIN WOO LEE: He’s been playing so good since he’s been on the PGA Tour and that’s probably the perfect way to be a top 10 player in the world, every year just keep putting pressure on the results and just winning every now and then, a couple of times a year, it’s awesome to see. So hopefully I can do the same thing, but he’s done a really good job.
Q. You’re talking about you improving and you’ve been working on things, what are those things you’ve been working on?
MIN WOO LEE: Pitching was probably one of them that I wasn’t good at. It’s one of the things where, I’m not like too struggling, but everything else is pretty good ranking-wise, like strokes gained and everything’s been pretty solid. So that’s just one of the things. Putting’s probably one of them, if I just get it to level strokes again I can do some damage on the course. But yeah, when I putt good, I usually do really well at tournaments, so hopefully I can do that on the grainy greens this week.
Q. The same kind of test for links golf was the Scottish Open, your success there, I mean, this is probably the closest we’ve got to links here. Do you think it’s going to adhere well to this week here at Royal Queensland?
MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, I think especially it’s going to get windy, so that’s going to be a protector or scores. I mean, l love playing in the wind, so I think that might play a bit of favour, but all the guys in Australia have to play in wind and all that, so yeah, I’m just looking forward to the test. I mean, Scottish Open wasn’t – it was quite wet, so it wasn’t too linksy, but it’s like a mis of both. That wind definitely boosts my confidence, but yeah, it’s a different challenge.
Q. Just getting back to Smithy talking before, he seems so relaxed when he plays, he doesn’t put any undue pressure on himself. Do you like that style, his laid back, because you seem like the same sort of guy. Is that the way you work?
MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, I don’t really try to take things too seriously. It is golf at the end of the day and you’ve got to play – you don’t need to worry about anything or anyone else, except yourself, so yeah, I think I’ve got a lot better at that since in turned pro. Just pretty much take care of yourself. If you do the right thing, do the 1 per cent of it right and hopefully it can add up at the end of the week.
Q. Are you trying to challenge Cameron Smith with the hair at the back? Are you starting to grow a mullet?
MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, I actually posted my first mullet on Instagram and I got a bit of backlash over it because it wasn’t cut high enough and that, so it’s a little shorter and a bit more defined. So yeah, I mean, I’m not challenging him, that’s why his is pretty dirty and I probably can’t match that, but you know, as someone said, it was like the first mullet to ever win, so that’s pretty cool.
Q. Just on the Masters, can you put into words, you get an invitation and open it, that moment you’re going to Augusta, how cool was that?
MIN WOO LEE: I didn’t get the actual invitation, my manager did, so hopefully when I get it, it will be like that, but I mean, just to share to the world that I got into it, it was – it got a lot of attention and it’s just awesome. I think I said in my other interview, it’s just something you dream of as a kid and you try to get to the Masters. I don’t think it will sink in until I get there. It’s just going to be a different field, so I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be pretty special.
Q. Can you confirm, are you the best in your family at the moment? Who’s the better player?
MIN WOO LEE: I don’t know. I mean, we’re pretty close, I would say we’re pretty close. One thing I can say is – I probably shouldn’t say it – but no, no, it’s good. I’ve said it in every interview, but we played a few tournaments and we’ve halved in all of them, so maybe the next one is the rematch, but I don’t really get to see her. We try to get away from golf as much as we can when we see each other.
Q. I know you’ve got many factors that are your favourite, but are you able to just turn to Minjee and say, I’ve just gone 50 metres past you?
MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, I mean, 50 is pretty generous, I’m more than that. But she does everything pretty solid. She doesn’t really make a mistake and in the long run she might get me in that, but if there’s a short stint, I might be able to get her on that. No, it’s good fun. Off the same tees obviously I’d hit it too past her, so she whinged and she says I need to play off the ladies, so I have to give her a little handicap if we do play on the same tees.
Q. Does it impress Mum and Dad? What impresses your parents for you two, we talk about you guys are going to head down the golf course, what are your Mum and Dad most proud of?
MIN WOO LEE: I don’t know, I think obviously they’re happy. They’ve actually got a café back home and they put up posters and newspapers, little things like that. But Mum was bawling her eyes when I was calling her while my sister was winning, so that was pretty cool and she said the same thing, she did the same thing when I won. So I think just, I don’t know, they created us and, I don’t know, we did well I guess, but yeah, genetically, she was a golf pro and Dad was pretty sport genetic too. He was a swimming coach and he did every other sport, so I think it was good to play at a really high stage and show them what we’ve got.
Q. Did they when you were kids drum into you, playing good golf’s good, but you need to be a good person as well? How much of that came into your upbringing?
MIN WOO LEE: Yeah, Mum’s quite hard work sometimes and I try and not be like her sometimes. No, we learn. They’re really good people and I think we’re just, I think my sister and I have got those genes and I guess you know, just doing all these interviews and being around a lot of people, I think golf makes you a good person. I don’t think you want to be known as that mean guy or anything like that. We like to enjoy it and have fun and mess around, so yeah, hopefully we can keep doing that.
Q. Thanks very much Min for coming in and good luck this week.
SARAH KEMP Q. Welcome to another press conference and welcome to 12-year LPGA veteran, Sarah Kemp. Kempy, it’s great to have you back for this new event. You had a good year in America last year, how’s your form been as far as you can tell? SARAH KEMP: Not too bad. I’ve been home […]
SARAH KEMP
Q. Welcome to another press conference and welcome to 12-year LPGA veteran, Sarah Kemp. Kempy, it’s great to have you back for this new event. You had a good year in America last year, how’s your form been as far as you can tell?
SARAH KEMP: Not too bad. I’ve been home since 10 December and just been working with my coach getting back into the swing of things, so I’m not really sure what’s going to happen this week, but I’m looking forward to it.
Q. Talk to us a little bit about the Karrie Webb influence, you’re obviously playing for the Karrie Webb Cup this week. Do you remember your first meeting with Karrie and what’s your relationship with her?
SARAH KEMP: Yeah, Webbie’s awesome. When I was growing up, she was world number 1, which was awesome. I remember getting my LPGA Tour card and she was one of the first people to email me and we’ve been lucky enough to have a pretty good relationship and we have a few Queensland/New South Wales bets throughout the year that embarrass myself and embarrass her, which is good.
But no, it’s great to be playing for a trophy that’s got her name on it.
Q. Just for background for all you people, Sarah had two top fives on the LPGA last year and was tied 19th at the Evian Championship, which is a Major and she was also in the hunt for the Pure Silk Championship until late. Any questions?
Q. Sarah, is this sort of the perfect start for your year? You’ve got four rounds, you see where your game’s at before you get ready to head back home?
SARAH KEMP: Absolutely perfect. There’s no better way to start the year, especially playing at home too. My coach is here, so he can see where my game’s at before I head over to the States, but no, it’s the absolute ideal start.
Q. Last year your status was flipping to everything, the LPGA stuff, do you think that actually helped you play really well if you did get a start, because every time you did get a start in an event, you played some really good golf?
SARAH KEMP: So my status last year was actually – it was better than the year before, so I got into more than I thought I would. But it wasn’t that sort of last minute stuff where I had to worry about booking a flight more later. The Majors, I had to all qualify for, but yeah, definitely helps when you know you’re going to be into, like next year I can already plan for a couple of Majors and book flights and accommodation for that, which is really, really cool.
Q. The work in the lead up to this, is it just fine tune stuff or anything major for the year ahead?
SARAH KEMP: No, not really. I think I’ve pretty much done the same thing throughout my career. We just kind of put band-aids on it and try and fix it as best we can, but yeah, it’s the same sort of stuff. It’s great to get in to get eyes on it and fix it.
Q. The golf course this week, probably a bit shorter than what you’re used to playing in LPGA Tour events, small greens, hard greens and it seems to be pretty tough for the guys and the girls at the same time. How do you think the course will play here?
SARAH KEMP: Yeah, I walked the back nine yesterday. I played here when I was a kid in one of the amateur events, but it’s completely different. But yeah, like you said, it feels pretty generous off the tee but small greens, but yeah, you’ve got to be able to – feels like a second shot golf course, which is great. I love if you miss the green, it’s not going to be an easy up and down, so it should be a good challenge for all of us.
Q. Just to expand on that, the format, the guys and the girls playing at the same time, I guess it’s something that everyone’s kind of asked you, but your thoughts on that?
SARAH KEMP: The Vic Open has been my favourite tournament ever, all year to play in. It’s so cool playing along with the guys and practising with them, and you’re just hitting balls next to them on the range. I played junior golf and amateur golf with a lot of the boys and I haven’t seen them in 10, 15 years, so it’s nice to catch up and just be around them is great. So it’s awesome to have another event like that and I hope we get more.
Q. I just want to go to something that you told Tony Webeck before last year at one of the Majors, the pressure you felt Sarah, with Karrie Webb being world number 1 and you being earmarked as the next Aussie superstar, and now we’ve got these youngsters like Hannah Green and Minjee Lee really taking the pressure off everyone who’s an Aussie on the Tour. What’s it been like for you seeing them develop, and if you take us back to what it was like for you being under that sort of pressure.
SARAH KEMP: I think, yeah, I had a pretty good amateur career and there were comparisons right as I turned pro, so I think I felt a little bit of pressure back then, but I mean, Karrie’s career is like, it’s hall of fame, it’s one in – you know, even if you had 15 per cent of her career, you’ve had a great career. So I don’t really feel any type of pressure and I don’t think the girls coming up should either. Hannah and Minjee have won Majors in the last few years and that’s awesome. But to feel what Karrie did, it’s a big ask. I definitely think they can do it, but I don’t think they should feel pressure to have a career like Karrie.
Q. The next cab off the rank is Stephanie Kyriacou. Do you mentor someone like her, do you talk to her, because of your experience on Tour, about what it’s going to be like? It’s actually very hard, she’s coming over to your place?
SARAH KEMP: This morning I had to spent 20 minutes downloading an app to sign some papers for to get a visa, so yeah, I guess I’m helping along the process to get her over to America. But yeah, I mean, I’m here, I guess being on Tour now for so long, you know, if any of the girls need any help, just travel or visas or stuff like that, yeah, I’m happy to help and I’m definitely there for all the girls.
Q. I don’t want to labour the point, you haven’t won yet, after obviously being hailed the next one, is there a bit of pressure on you personally that you’d like to get one of those, particularly in the stage we’re at, winning the Karrie Webb Cup, just to put it up on the mantelpiece so to speak?
SARAH KEMP: Yeah, I’d love to win. I finished second on the LPGA and third, fourth, whatever. It would be awesome to get a win, but I’m not putting too much pressure on myself. I had my best year last year and I had a really good chat with Brad Kennedy yesterday and he’s 47 now and he talks about his last 10 years being the best of his career. So, I nailed him down and got some good nuggets to take through my next 10 years. But yes, do I think it’s possible – yes. I feel healthy, I feel fit, so that’s the plan. The plan’s to still win.
Q. Sarah, after you we interview Min Woo Lee, who’s had a great year but still struggles to be the best player in his family. You’ve had a fair bit to do with Minjee, how much has he got his work cut out to match what she’s done and how impressed have you been with that?
SARAH KEMP: That’s awesome, those two, they’re great talents, represent Australia wonderfully. Very happy for both of them, but yeah, I’m going for Minjee to win a couple more.
Q. Can I ask, obviously you enjoy it with the guys, but does the dynamic change when you’re out there with the guys? You’ve got to try and not be as long, how does the mindset work when you are alongside the guys?
SARAH KEMP: I don’t know, I don’t really feel a mindset change, to be honest. I’m playing against the girls, but I love playing with the guys. I walked around with some of the boys yesterday and had a practice round on the back 9 with some wedges and putter and I loved watching the shots that they played. But it doesn’t really change my mindset, how they play the golf course versus how the girls play the golf course. I just like being around them.
Q. Do you find the chat is a little bit more interesting with the guys or can you be just as brutal with the girls?
SARAH KEMP: Yeah, it’s probably similar. No, it’s not any different. It’s just really, really awesome to have these mixed events like this. I’ve never heard a bad – coming from all the girls, we all love it. I really hope that there’s more going forward. It’s awesome.
Q. Thanks for that. Thank you Kempy for coming up and good luck this week and we’ll have Min Woo Lee pretty soon, if you want to stay around.
ELVIS SMYLIE Q. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Royal Queensland, to all the media who are assembled here and welcome to Elvis Smylie, our young Queensland Pro who’s about to make his debut in this sport and then Australian PGA Championship, and of course, we have the Fortinet Women’s Australian Championship as well, WPGA Championship. […]
ELVIS SMYLIE
Q. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Royal Queensland, to all the media who are assembled here and welcome to Elvis Smylie, our young Queensland Pro who’s about to make his debut in this sport and then Australian PGA Championship, and of course, we have the Fortinet Women’s Australian Championship as well, WPGA Championship. We’ll have some questions in a moment, I’ll just start off with Elvis.
Elvis, first time in this event are there any nerves at all?
ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, I think there’ll be a little bit of nerves. It will be exciting nerves on the first tee. I’ve played Royal Queensland quite a lot, so I’m quite familiar with the place and looking forward to getting the week underway with Clayts on the bag.
Q. Any success at Royal Queensland in the past, you would have played a lot of golf here?
ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, I think going back to 2020 I played the Australian Amateur here. I think I made the quarters and unfortunately went on to lose to Jed, who eventually won it, so it’s a little bit nicer to say that when you lose to the winner. But no, I love the course and can’t wait to start.
Q. Elvis, you mentioned Clayts, having him on the course tomorrow on your bag this Tournament, what does that do for you in terms of knowledge and working your way around the place?
ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, it means everything to be able to have a little bit of an inside scoop with the course’s own to be on your bag. This place is what you see is what you get around here and yeah, it’s very hard to be able to be flabbergasted when you’re off the tee. It’s very clear right in front of you, but around the greens it can get pretty tricky with all the undulation and slope, so being on the right side of the hole is quite important around here. But yeah, Clayts and I will have that down pat, so we’ll be fine.
Q. It’s a really strategic sort of a golf course and you come off playing the last event in Melbourne on a lot of strategic courses as well. Does that sort of give you a lot of confidence going into the week?
ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah it does, most certainly. Playing the Sandbelt Invitational where Clayts and Geoff, they both hosted that event and it was such a great first year for it. Going into Royal Queensland, it reminds me a little bit of Sandbelt Golf. I mean, obviously nothing similar to Sandbelt Golf when you’re away from Melbourne, but this is probably the closest thing you can get to it. It’s a little lengthy. There’s a couple of long holes in areas but yeah, just keep it straight, and knock it on the green, make some putts, keep it simple, it will be fine.
Q. Elvis, watching Cam Smith this morning, how inspirational is that for you to want to go out and do what he did?
ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, it’s very inspirational. I remember going back to 2019 where I spent a week with Cam over in Jacksonville. That was great to be able to get an insight of what life’s like on the PGA Tour and most importantly what I need to do in order for me to get to that level. That was a really good learning curve for me. I think I was 17 at the time. So I’ve had a couple of years since then to work on my game and find little holes that I might need to improve. I like to call them the 1 per cent stuff. It’s very inspiring. He’s such a legend of a guy. He’s such a down to earth guy. So to be able to see him win, it was great to see that for him and for Australian golf.
Q. Just further to that, to hold off the number 1 in the world, there’s a bit of ticker there, isn’t there, you need it in a bottle?
ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, I mean, to be able to shoot, I think Clayts told me it was 34-under for the week, I mean, that’s obscene, to be able to shoot that kind of scoring. It doesn’t matter what golf course you play, you still have to shoot that, so to be able to see that happen, yeah, it was ridiculous. I mean, he’s such a great bloke and yeah, I’m very happy for him.
Q. Elvis, how’s your back and what did you learn in Europe?
ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, going back to the middle of 2021 I played the NSW Open in late March and then I had about a month off and then I headed over in about June to Munich and played off a couple of sponsor exemptions on the European Tour and learnt a lot about my game there. Obviously, it was very unfortunate with what happened with my back. I had a minor dislodge in my lower right back, which was – I mean, to be honest, it was probably just a bit of overuse. It’s very hard going from Australia to Europe where your routines aren’t the same. I think that’s the number 1 thing I learnt, was you have to adapt and adjust as well as you can. Obviously going back over there in May after I play all these Australian events, I’ll have a very good understanding of what I need to do better and I’ll just know how to handle my business a little bit better. So, I’m grateful to have that experience.
Q. Have you done anything to try and recapture that form you had last year when you really burst onto the scene? Was there anything that was working there that maybe didn’t work in Europe or have you got back to or anything like that?
ELVIS SMYLIE: You know, it’s just keeping it simple. I mean, not getting in your own way, I’ve got such a great team behind me. Obviously, my coach, Ian Triggs, I’ve been with since I was about 8 years old and I’m still working with him and he’s great for me. Then yeah, I mean, it’s just keeping it simple, just staying out of my own way. I know what works well for me, I know what doesn’t. Obviously, I’m focusing more on what does work well for me, but when things don’t go well, I learn from them pretty quickly and I know how to make that not happen again.
Q. You just mentioned before about going back to Europe in May, what’s your outlook or target for the year in general, mate?
ELVIS SMYLIE: My main focus here is playing as well as I can here in Australia. The Australasian Tour I think has about 11 events in this four/five month period, so I’m looking forward to playing all those and doing as well as I can. Yeah, the goal is to do as well as I can on the Order of Merit. There’s a lot of opportunities up for grabs and I’m excited for that.
Q. This course is the Olympic Games course in 2032, I guess you’d like to be there?
ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, for sure, it would be a nice lead up for that this week, so hopefully I can – 2032 is a little bit of a time away, so I’m sure I’ll play a couple of times until then. But I’m looking forward to playing here as much as I can and yeah, when the Games do play in 2032, I’ll be ready for that.
Q. Elvis, I just wanted to ask you one last one about staying and living with Cameron Smith for a little while. I remember Cameron told me that Louis Dobbelaar didn’t eat his vegetables very well. Did he take you out fishing? What was he like to live with?
ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, well I mean, going back to 2019, it was Hurricane Doreen in September, so we were actually in lockdown for about three days of that week that we spent, so we actually went down to the Concession, where they had the WGC event there that Morikawa won this year, so we didn’t do much fishing, but just a lot of chit-chat. I mean, when we were away from the golf course, we rarely chatted about golf, which I actually enjoy. It was a bit of a flick of the switch I like to call it. But yeah, he’s such a great guy and to be able to just be surrounded by him and learn as much as I can, it was awesome.
Q. And Elvis takes a dollar for every time a reporter at a press conference asks him about his Christian name, so he’s missed out today.
ELVIS SMYLIE: Yeah, very lucky.
Q. I made that mistake in an interview once.
Q. Thanks very much for that. Thank you Elvis.
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The Foxtel Group has announced an agreement with the PGA Tour of Australasia which will see the 2021/22 golf season live and exclusive on Foxtel and Kayo.
In a major coup for fans, over 100 hours of live Australasian golf coverage will be broadcast including the Australian PGA Championship and Vic Open which will both also be available live and free on Kayo Freebies.
This is the first time Kayo will be putting this on free to ensure accessibility for a broad range of golf fans on the platform.
“The Foxtel Group is already the number one destination to watch golf globally including the PGA TOUR, the European Tour (DP World Tour), the Ryder Cup and all four Majors.
“Together with making two of the most popular Australian tournaments available free on Kayo, this new agreement is a great result for golf fans and our sports subscribers.”
Tournament broadcast dates
2021 Fortinet Australian PGA Championship 13-16 January 2022
2022 TPS Victoria presented by Webex by Cisco 5-6 February 2022
2022 Vic Open 10-13 February 2022
2022 TPS Murray River 19-20 February 2022
2022 TPS Sydney presented by Webex by Cisco 5-6 March 2022
2022 TPS Hunter Valley 12-13 March 2022
2022 NZ Open 31 March-3 April 2022
2022 NZ PGA 10 April 2022
2021 WA PGA 23-24 April 2022
2022 Queensland Open TBA
Link to Kayo Freebies: https://kayosports.com.au/freebies
It was an historic moment today for Australian golf as the industry’s milestone national strategy was launched following many months of collaboration and alignment.
Launched at the newly opened Australian Golf Centre in Melbourne, the Australian Golf Strategy is said to provide a roadmap for the game at all levels for the foreseeable future, flagging “an ambition to grow golf as efficiently, collaboratively and sustainably as possible”.
Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said: “This national strategy gives golf in Australia a strong sense of direction. It has allowed us to collectively lift our eyes to golf’s enormous potential as a sport for all.
“We share the industry’s excitement about the opportunities ahead – and commit to serving Australian Golf and its millions of golfers.
“The positive appetite for change has been overwhelming and I’m proud to be standing here today representing not Golf Australia but Australian Golf in this industry first.”
Acknowledging the sport was perceived by many as expensive and not inclusive, WPGA Tour of Australasia CEO Karen Lunn said the Strategy was “designed to challenge this perception and change this reality”.
“Golf needs to commit to making all clubs and facilities a welcoming environment,” Lunn added.
“We need to embrace all formats of golf as golf and enable more people to play more often in ways that suit their lifestyle and interests.
“There is a clear opportunity to better service our members, attract newcomers and to make the game more appealing to women, children and families. It’s affordable, it’s accessible and it’s fun, but we know that’s not how its perceived, and we are determined to change that.”
CEO PGA of Australia, Gavin Kirkman said the strategy provided guidance on the industry’s aspiration for customer experience that drives enjoyment through playing and being involved in golf.
“We all have a role to play in this – golf club managers and staff, PGA professionals, volunteer administrators, and others employed in the industry,” Kirkman said.
“We want all those that play our great game, no matter of their ability or the preferred format they choose to play, to have fun and keep coming back for more.“
Kirkman noted significant growth in the sport through the global pandemic was not something to be taken for granted.
“While Australian golf has seen a material spike in interest and participation through Covid-19, after a 20-year downturn, the industry is not shying from the fact that issues remain and need to be addressed to ensure the growth experienced is sustained,“ said Kirkman.
“Golf has such a great story to tell but needs to get better at telling it. It’s a game that can be played by anyone, at any age, in any format. Growing the game is key to golf’s success and working together is the only way we will do that.”
Kirkman also noted a need to focus on aggregating and packaging key tournaments to help showcase the game in new ways.
“From Karis Davidson to Min Woo Lee and Cam Smith, our competitive golfers come from all walks of life and genuinely reflect the diversity and accessibility of our sport.”
More than 10,000 people were consulted in the development of the strategy, including golfers, club representatives, PGA Members, industry partners, public, government, equipment suppliers and industry experts in a series of webinars, meetings and surveys.
Applications for media accreditation are being accepted for the Australasian summer of golf. Australian Golf Media is delighted to see 18 tournaments on the 2021/22 ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia
Applications for media accreditation are being accepted for the Australasian summer of golf. Australian Golf Media is delighted to see 18 tournaments on the 2021/22 ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia and WPGA Tour of Australasia
Ground-breaking research marks Australian golf’s new direction as it sets its sights on a solid path for post-pandemic growth.
Officially launched today by the Australian Golf Industry Council – a collaboration of golf’s main industry bodies – the findings of the Nature Report are the most comprehensive on golf to date.
AGIC Chair and PGA Chief Executive, Gavin Kirkman, said the findings of the independent report were already being used in the development of the National Golf Strategy to be launched in December as an industry template for the future.
Some of the key findings include:
Kirkman said the report showed that finding an entry point for golfers would be critical to the game’s future. “We know golf is a game that can be played by anyone at any age, it’s fun, it’s enjoyable and it’s good for your health.
“We need to ensure golf, in its many formats, is in the consideration set particularly for women and juniors.
“Availability of different entry points so people can find their way into the game is key,” he said.
“Whether it’s at a golf club or mini golf facility, a driving range, or a simulator experience shouldn’t matter – all golf is golf. We know how sticky it is once someone has caught the golf bug, but we need to clear the path so they can find that start.”
“Many want a more relaxed and a less regulated entry point to the sport, a golfing experience less focused on competition, no harsh clothing rules. People want to experience the game in a way that makes them feel welcome and included, regardless of skill or regularity of play.
“We need to continue to wrap our arms around members while putting out the welcome mat for newcomers to the game, to connect with everyone who wants to play. We’ve been solely focused on club players, but we’ll be stronger as a sport if we embrace other golfers too.”
Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland said the eye-opener from the research was its top line of nine million people ‘interested’ in golf, including members, round players, ball hitters and alternative formats and many who are yet to pick up a club. “Those numbers turn everything we’ve been doing on its head. If only five percent of ‘golf people’ are members, the potential for the growth of the game is huge, and certainly more substantial than we’ve ever realised, if we get it right.”
“Golf’s resurgence over the past couple of years, both in Australia and globally, is evidence of a new opportunity for golf that will see the game continue to grow and evolve for decades to come. We anticipate continued growth and the National Strategy addresses the findings of this report which can only be good for golfers, old and new.”
Nature director Paddy Cain said the research was particularly instructive when it came to formats that are popular in the modern context.
“Golf, in all its various formats (from traditional through to Holey Moley and mini-golf), is uniquely positioned to benefit from post-pandemic demand,” he said. “Golf is known to enhance mental and physical wellbeing and social connection – all increasingly important in these times. Just less than three million people have played alternative golf formats recently, but have not played traditional golf. Considering these numbers, there is no sport in Australia that has higher adult participation.”
Read the full report here.
The AGIC consists of:
Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA)
Australian Sporting Goods Association (ASGA)
Golf Australia (GA)
Golf Management Australia (GMA)
Golf NSW
Golf WA
PGA of Australia (PGA)
Public Golf Facilities Australia (PGFA)
Society of Australian Golf Course Architects (SAGCA)
Women’s Professional Golfers Association Tour of Australasia (WPGA)
Golf Australia and the PGA have today reached out to the Victorian Government advocating for the covid-safe reopening of golf courses in Victoria, the only state yet to do so.
Golf Australia chief executive James Sutherland said that while the Victorian golf industry supports the public health efforts regarding the pandemic, there are ways in which golf clubs and facilities can play their part in the solution moving forward.
“It’s no secret that golf provides significant benefits to the mental and physical wellbeing of its participants, while conducted outdoors in an appropriately socially distant manner,” Sutherland said.
“During this latest lockdown it is distressing to see that more people than ever, of all ages, are reaching out to mental health services citing issues including emotional wellbeing, loss, and grief. That’s why we have offered assistance to the government to help with the roadmap out of restrictions.”
Mr Sutherland said that Victorian golf clubs and facilities had done it tougher over the past 18 months than any other state due to forced closures, and believed it was time to reward those doing the right thing with access to the game.
PGA chief executive Gavin Kirkman said that golf continues to be in a unique position to offer an environment that can aid both mental and physical wellbeing while working with the essential distancing guidelines that help manage and eradicate the further spread of Covid-19.
“The importance of exercise and outdoor activity and related effects on the health and wellbeing of Victorians is well documented,” Kirkman said.
“We wish to play our part in the solution and help in any way we can. Our offer of assistance to the government has extended to providing venues and promotion of the COVID-19 vaccination program with potential marketing reach to an extensive database of millions of Australians.”
“We recognise these decisions aren’t made in isolation but remain ready and willing to do whatever we can to help.”
Both parties congratulated the Victorian golf industry for its continued compliance while facing ever increasing challenges during the pandemic.
“From golf club and facility managers, staff and pros, to superintendents and volunteers – we applaud you for every bit of hard work you are doing to ensure that our golf spaces are ready and safe to come back to.
“We know it’s frustrating but rest assured we’re doing all we can to work with government for the benefit of all.”
The most daring hairdo in world golf has taken Tokyo by storm and now Cameron Smith’s mullet has received an Olympic endorsement.
Smith and Marc Leishman will become our latest golf Olympians on Thursday morning when they tee it up in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic golf men’s competition, Leishman paired with local hero Hideki Matsuyama and Canadian Corey Conners from 9.41am AEST with Smith to follow at 11.14am alongside Norwegian Viktor Hovland and South Africa’s Garrick Higo at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
When golf made its return to the Olympics in 2016 at Rio de Janiero Scott Hend, Marcus Fraser, Minjee Lee and Su Oh represented Australia with pride, Fraser finishing tied for fifth and Lee tied for seventh.
As he reflected on his own experience five years ago, Hend said that there could not be two more deserving players to represent the men’s golf team than close mates Smith and Leishman.
The pair combined earlier this year to win the Zurich Classic on the PGA Tour and Hend believes that even in an individual strokeplay competition, that camaraderie will thrive in the Olympic environment.
“I couldn’t think of anyone better than Cam and ‘Leish’ to be there having a crack at it and wearing the green and gold,” said Hend from Ireland where he is playing the ISPS HANDA World Golf Invitational this week.
“Cam and Leish get on like a house on fire so I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re egging each other on and they do really well just because of that.
“There’ll be a lot of team spirit amongst those guys and ‘Finchy’ (Australian golf captain Ian Baker-Finch) is great at that too, he’s a great guy to have in that position.”
Admitting to having mixed emotions about Smith’s latest alteration to his distinctive hairstyle – “I didn’t know whether to laugh or throw up!” – Hend has seen the mullet that now has ‘AUS’ carved into the side of Smith’s head develop from its formative stages.
“He’s a legend,” said Hend.
“We went around to his house for a barbecue a few months ago and he was starting to grow it, saying stuff like, ‘How good’s this!’ And then he started to shave the sides and I was like, Dear me.
“I called him Joe Dirt. He should be out west riding motorbikes and shooting kangaroos with that mullet.
“He’s a good lad.”
If team spirit is the secret weapon of the Aussie men it is pure form that gives Hend cause for optimism for a medal among our women when they compete next week.
Hannah Green won the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship while Minjee Lee will arrive in Tokyo as the game’s latest major champion following her victory at the Aumundi Evian Championship last week.
“If you look at current form, you’ve got to be thinking Minjee’s a pretty good chance for a medal,” added Hend.
“It’s probably a good thing that she gets a week off, gets a bit of a break between actually going to have to play and she can settle down a little bit after winning.”
Debate has raged over the merits of individual strokeplay being used as the competition format at the Olympics and while Hend is a proponent of a team event, he says that vying for one of three medals requires a different approach to that of week-to-week tournament play.
“The only way it feels different is that you know you’ve only got three spots to play for,” said Hend, who has his Australian Olympic jacket proudly framed and hung at home.
“How do you put that into your head? Do you go and play like a Saturday comp and go for everything? Because you know it’s only first, second and third; if you come fourth it doesn’t matter anyway.
“You’ve got to go for it but it was hard to think how to approach it when you got there. I just tried to go for broke and that obviously didn’t work.
“It’s something very special. As a golf pro I’m very fortunate to be able to represent Australia every week when I’m out playing on international golf tours but to do it under the Olympic banner is something that they can’t take away from ‘Frase’ and I.”
Olympic men’s golf tee times Thursday AEST
9.41am Marc Leishman, Hideki Matsuyama, Corey Conners
9.52am Ryan Fox, CT Pan, Anirban Lahiri
11.14am Cameron Smith, Viktor Hovland, Garrick Higgo
The senior leadership structure of the PGA of Australia has been confirmed through until 2024 with Australian golf legend Rodger Davis to remain on as Chair and Gavin Kirkman to continue as Chief Executive Officer.
Davis was re-elected unopposed for a second term at the recent Annual General Meeting where the Board also endorsed Kirkman’s contract to continue in his role as CEO for a further three years.
At a time when golf’s popularity is booming yet the ongoing management of the COVID-19 pandemic makes forward planning challenging, Davis said that it was a positive that the PGA could provide a sense of certainty around its leadership team.
“The past 15 months have been obviously very challenging for everyone but golf in Australia has experienced a massive surge in interest and popularity,” said Davis.
“There have been logistical challenges in terms of staging golf tournaments yet our PGA Professionals around the country have gone above and beyond to make golf available in a COVID-safe environment at a time when many sports were unable to continue.
“Like everyone we are hoping that the worst is behind us and that we will return to a full summer of golf featuring both the Australian PGA Championship and Australian Open at the end of the year.
“I’m delighted to serve again as Chair for a second term and hope that myself and the Board of Directors can do our part to build on this surge in interest into another golden period for Australian golf.”
In reappointing Kirkman to the position of CEO, Davis and the PGA of Australia Board believe they have both rewarded his leadership in a difficult time and provided a much-needed sense of stability within the organisation.
It comes during an exciting time in Australian golf, with the PGA and Golf Australia set to move into a shared facility, the Australian Golf Centre, located opposite Royal Melbourne in Sandringham, and promises to reshape how golf is administered.
The alignment of Australia’s two biggest golf bodies will create efficiencies that will benefit the growth of the game at grassroots and professional level.
“Gavin has a long and distinguished history of working within the PGA and he and his team have navigated the past 18 months as well as could be expected,” Davis added.
“He is a proud promoter of our Vocational Members, is working closely with Golf Australia on creating a better overall environment for Australian golf and is actively engaged in the Australian Golf Industry Council.
“Gavin’s global golf relationships with the PGAs and Tours have put our association in a strong position and to think globally and act locally is key for our sport in Australia.
“We’re delighted that Gavin will be leading the PGA of Australia for the next four years.”
Executive of PGA Queensland from 2002-2007, Kirkman spent six years as the PGA’s National Chief Membership Officer before stepping into the role as CEO in March 2017 and was thrilled to have his contract extended.
“I’m a great believer in the important role that PGA Professionals play in the health of golf in this country and overseas and I’m thrilled to continue as CEO of the PGA of Australia for a further three years,” Kirkman said.
“We have a host of outstanding young players ready to take their games to the world and our Vocational Members are working hard at the grassroots level and across all areas in golf to provide new and established golfers with a wonderful experience every time that they visit a golf facility.
“Our close collaboration with the WPGA Tour of Australasia is an exciting initiative with benefits at a number of different levels and we continue to work together and align with Golf Australia on a national strategy for the betterment of the game in Australia.
“Collectively we’re working on a number of industry projects, including engaging more women to play our game and improved opportunities to have careers in golf, strengthening our Tour opportunities for aspiring and existing professional golfers, and building on the success of non-traditional golf, such as driving range, mini golf and simulator golf facilities.
“I have no doubt that we are on the verge of a very exciting and critical time for the game in Australia and I am delighted that I will get to play a part in that.”
