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Australian golf is pitching in to help the victims of the country’s bushfire crisis.
The central point for donations has been set up by the Australian Golf Industry Council (AGIC), the collaboration of all the industry bodies. It includes not only a GoFundMe page, but a designated bank account for donations for donors who prefer that method.
The 2020 Australian Golf Bushfire Appeal Fund kicked off earlier this month.
The industry has pledged to hand over 50 per cent of the total raised to the Disaster Relief Recovery Fund run by the Australian Red Cross.
The remaining funds raised will be distributed to other bushfire-related charities (including wildlife funds) and to any golf clubs impacted by the disaster.
The PGA TOUR and European Tour contributed $USD 100,000 while the annual Premiers Cup – brought forward to assist bushfire-affected communities – raised more than $550,000.
As a mark of respect for our fire and emergency workers, they and their families will be admitted to the upcoming tournaments – the ISPS Handa Vic Open at 13th Beach and the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open at Royal Adelaide – free of charge.
“Our industry is heartbroken at the devastation that has been caused by these fires,’’ said Gavin Kirkman, chair of the AGIC.
“It’s something that we need to act on and it’s something that needed a coordinated approach; a galvanisation of the golf industry.
“We’ve had contact from a number of clubs and other stakeholders looking to see what they can do to help, and we’ve had a number of high profile players who’ve already dug into their pockets to make donations. We are aiming to pull that together.’’
In addition, clubs and golf facilities throughout Australia are asked to dedicate their club competitions for one week from now until the end of February 2020 to a special fundraising appeal for bushfire relief via any of the following options:
All funds raised can be lodged either via the GoFundMe page or the Australian Golf Bushfire Relief Fund Bank Account.
NAB Account Name: 2020 Australian Golf Bushfire Relief Fund;
BSB: 083004
Account Number: 934028357
The golf industry recognises that a number of clubs and stakeholders have already decided to undertake their own fundraising efforts and are encouraged to continue with these appreciated efforts.
The industry applauds the efforts of people within our sport who are working to assist the victims of the bushfires. Please email details to [email protected] and your initiatives will be acknowledged at the designated appeal web page.
Queensland golfer Peter Senior has claimed his second title at Glenelg, 41 years after his breakthrough victory as a professional in the South Australian Open.
The 60-year old used his experience and deep well of skills to conquer Victorian Ruben Lal, 32 years his junior, in a playoff for the Golf Blitz crown.
Twice Senior, pulling his own clubs, had to survive the cutthroat closest the pin shootout to even qualify for the four-man final in the unique competition.
But he then put his deft touch on display against his far younger opponents.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Senior said.
“It is always good to win, no matter what it is.
“I fly under the radar because no one expects me to win.
“I didn’t feel any pressure in the final, it was just a short shot into the green.
“It would have been different if it had been a five or six iron into the green, but a sand iron I can handle.
“I’ve played two of these Blitz tournaments now and enjoyed every moment.”
NSW player Aaron Townsend failed to progress beyond the second round, but pocketed $12,000 as the leading money earner in the three tournaments.
Jordan Zunic and Brett Rankin set the pace in the opening nine-hole round at five under par. West Australian star Hannah Green, a major winner last season, was untroubled in moving into the next round with two under.
However, she narrowly missed a putt on the sixth and final hole in the second round to be knocked out of the title race.
Zunic also wasted his first round, ending his day with three over in the second round.
Lal led the scoring in the three-hole third round with two under, two shots clear of his nearest rival, to confirm his spot in the four-man final.
Senior, Brett Rankin and Peter Wilson then negotiated a shootout to secure a berth, only for Rankin and Wilson to be knocked out at the first trip down the playoff hole.
Forced to play the hole again, Lal’s putt slid by the cup and Senior took advantage to sink his short attempt.
“It was a pleasure to play alongside Peter,” Lal said.
“He is a legend of Australian golf and to be in the playoff with him, I’m happy with that.
“I felt the pressure, but it is all about how you handle it. And I felt I did okay.”
Young gun Zach Murray claimed the Blitz Golf title in Curlewis, while Aaron Townsend secured the crown at Hope Island.
Aaron Townsend has won the 2020 Blitz Golf Pro-Am at Hope Island tournament following a three-hole playoff.
The New South Wales golfer defeated a field of 31 male and 8 female professional golfers in a mixed-gender knockout tournament considered to be golf’s equivalent to T20 cricket.
Townsend, 38, was pushed to the wire in three playoff holes before sinking the tournament-winning putt, taking his tournament winnings over $12,000.
“I feel really fortunate to be standing here with the trophy,” the Newcastle resident said.
“I had more shots today than any other player in the final having it through each round via the shootout.
“I really like the format of Blitz Golf, it puts you under pressure all day which puts us in great stead for the GPA Australasia Tour events next month.
“This (win) puts me in a great position leading the Blitz money list heading into Glenelg.”
Townsend outplayed the legendary Peter Senior on his home course to take home the trophy and a tournament prize purse worth over $11,000.
Townsend’s prize was the largest of the tournament, pushing him ahead of Zach Murray and Brett Rankin on the money board podium heading into the Blitz Golf final in South Australia tomorrow.
To be played at the Greg Norman-designed Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Club, The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic marks the start of the Korn Ferry Tour season for the fourth straight year with six Aussies and Kiwi Steven Alker to begin their quest for PGA TOUR promotion. Australians and golfers from around the world have pledged […]
To be played at the Greg Norman-designed Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Club, The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic marks the start of the Korn Ferry Tour season for the fourth straight year with six Aussies and Kiwi Steven Alker to begin their quest for PGA TOUR promotion.
Australians and golfers from around the world have pledged donations to the bushfire recovery efforts by way of birdies and eagles and stunned by the devastation in his homeland, Florida-based Ruffels will add his efforts to the cause.
“I’m planning on doing a donation through the Bahamas event for birdies and eagles,” Ruffels told the Golf Channel’s Morning Drive program.
“I’m not exactly sure what that’s going to be just yet – I’ve got to think about that the next couple of days – but it’s horrible to see what’s going on.
“I’ve seen so many pictures from back home, where I lived and grew up playing golf and how many people and animals are affected, it’s horrible to see.
“Whatever I can do, whether small or large, I’d love to and I’m going to.
“Hopefully everyone in pro golf and everywhere else gets behind it as well.”
Still just 21 years of age, Ruffels is entering his fifth year as a professional having already experienced many of the highs and lows that life on tour can throw at you.
Given seven sponsor invitations to PGA TOUR events in each of his first two years on tour, Ruffels has had to go back and plot a new path to the top of world golf.
Having fallen to 1,339 in the world at the end of 2018, Ruffels logged a total of seven top-10 finishes on the Canadian and Latin America tours last year and enters 2020 ranked No.609 in the world and with starts in each of the first eight events on the Korn Ferry Tour.
“It wasn’t easy. I turned pro, played pretty well but probably didn’t give myself enough credit for what I did early on,” Ruffels said of his early entry into the pro game.
“I was pretty hard on myself when I didn’t get to the PGA TOUR right away so I had to go back and play a few different tours, find my feet again and get some confidence back.
“I’m starting to do that and now I’m hopefully able to keep moving up the rankings and get back to where I want to be and competing at a high level.”
As difficult as his struggles were, Ruffels had some high-profile support in his corner in fellow Aussie Jason Day.
Like Ruffels, Day was touted for big things at a young age and the 2015 US PGA champion has proven to be a valuable sounding board through Ruffels’ down times.
“It’s been fantastic. He’s been one of the biggest roles in my professional career so far,” Ruffels said of Day’s influence.
“Any chance that he’s gotten to help me out whether it be to play with him at Zurich, get me into a tournament or reach out for practice rounds… We practiced quite a lot in the desert over the winter too.
“Anything he can do he does and he doesn’t have to do that. But he chooses to and for a young guy like me that’s trying to become what he is I guess, it’s very special and something that I appreciate a lot.”
Joining Ruffels at the Great Exuma Classic are fellow Aussies Jamie Arnold, Steven Bowditch, Brett Coletta, Brett Drewitt and Curtis Luck.
The PGA, along with its partner Peninsula International Group – the owners of the Moonah Links Golf facility – unveiled a bronze bust of the legendary course designer and PGA Immortal Peter Thomson.
The Peninsula International Group is extremely proud of its association with Thomson and is humbled to pay this lasting tribute to the iconic figure.
The sculpture will be enshrined close to the first tee of the famed Open Course, which was designed by the World Golf Hall of Fame member.
“It is fitting that all golfers who play at our facility will pass this bust of Mr Peter Thomson as they go out on course to begin their round, Mr Jiao Ming, Executive Director and Chairman of the Peninsula International Group, said.
“I am hopeful that as golfers pass the bust they receive good luck and enjoy their round all the better as they acknowledge a great of the game.”
The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from the Victorian State Government, Mornington Peninsula Council, as well as representatives from the Australian Golf Industry.
Chief Operating Officer of the PGA Mr Stuart Hergt spoke to the gallery, about what Peter Thomson means to the PGA and PGA Members.
“Peter Thomson was a trailblazer during his life for the PGA of Australia, Mr Hergt said.
“A five-time Open champion, Peter returned to Australia to represent PGA Members in our country as President of the PGA for 30 years.
“The first PGA Immortal has been enshrined by the PGA of Australia as a golfing great, having contributed to our industry on so many levels.
“The unveiling of his likeness here today is something that will remind all who play at this magnificent facility, that Peter is never far away from anyone who plays golf in Australia.”
The PGA of Australia and the Peninsula International Group recently signed an MOU that outlines a partnership that aims to assist in developing golf in Australia, and in particular Victoria and the Mornington Peninsula. It is planned that the two parties will work together to continue to elevate golf in this country.
Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith have started a campaign to raise money for the Australian bushfires relief effort.
With the support of other Australian tour players and the PGA Tour, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith have vowed to kick in money for each birdie or eagle they make this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii, with the PGA Tour matching up to $125,000.
Leishman has vowed to donate $500 a birdie and $1000 an eagle this week.
Supporters of his have added to this taking it up over $800 a birdie and $2,000 an eagle.
Leishman’s Begin Again Foundation has also vowed to match general donations up to $5,000.
“I am calling on my fellow TOUR pros to join the cause and create enough support so we can maximize the donations from the Presidents Cup and TOUR itself as well,” Leishman said.
“This is a global crisis and a cause close to my heart.”
Smith was quick to jump on board, rallying to his nations cause. He will also pledge $500 a birdie and $1000 an eagle this week.
His uncle from Tumbarumba, a town not far from the nation’s capital in Canberra, lost his house, tractors, horses and most of his farm. Smith had him flee to his Florida home.
“People all over Australia are doing it tough at the moment and if we can help in some small way hopefully that keeps some of the morale a little higher,” Smith said.
Smith and Leishman aren’t the only Australian golfers vowing to help out as they can.
Lucas Herbert and Sarah Kemp are among others who will all be donating money across the next few months of golf.
“Watching these fires burn in my home country of Australia is devastating,” Kemp said.
“During the ISPS HANDA Vic Open and ISPS HANDA Australian Open, I will be donating $40 for every birdie and $20 per birdie during the Australian Ladies Bonville Classic and Women’s NSW Open to the Australian Red Cross disaster relief and recovery.
“My parents almost lost their house two months ago. Fortunately, only part of their back fence was burnt. So many other Australian residents haven’t been so lucky.”
Herbert has offered to match Kemp’s philanthropy at next month’s Vic Open.
To support the Australian Red Cross, visit https://bit.ly/2ZTF0PZ
Zach Murray has taken out the Curlewis Blitz Golf tournament in emphatic style following an epic four-man playoff.
Forced into sudden death against Max McCardle, Brett Rankin and Ben Eccles on the 126-metre par 3, Murray holed a 30-foot putt to birdie to secure the first of three Blitz Golf Pro Am Series titles.
After the trio parred the makeshift playoff hole, 22-year-old Murray, who made the playoff last year at Curlewis before falling to Matt Millar, said he wasn’t expecting to nail the monster putt.
“I originally thought we were going to be playing a full hole so it was a nice surprise and it is an easier task hitting a little gap wedge rather than playing a three-wood into the wind and then having a second shot,” Murray said.
“You don’t have that much time to think so I just tried to get it as close as I could. It blocked a little bit, but you drive for show and putt for dough, so that was how it turned out.
“I have been doing some work on my putting and it is nice that it pays off when it counts. It sat a bit outside so I thought it had to break a bit coming in and it did – it was a bit like a horse sitting outside that finds a gap and it gets in.
“I had a putt very similar half an hour before and Brett gave me a bit of a read as well so I had two good looks at where I needed to start it and it trundled in. I didn’t expect to hole it but it was a nice feeling.”
Murray won last year’s Glenelg Blitz before claiming the 100th New Zealand Open – his first tournament victory since turning Professional just months earlier.
He will now look to use this win as a launching pad for what looms as a monster 2020 season.
“My next event will probably be the Singapore Open, potentially Abu Dhabi and then I’ll have a week off before the Vic Open,” he said.
“I have five days off after that and then play in the World Golf Championships in Mexico. That will be my biggest event, a $10 million event on the PGA and European tour.
“All the big names will be there, Brooks Koepka, hopefully Tiger plays and Rory McIlroy, so that will be amazing.
“Mexico itself will be pretty cool, but to play in a tournament like that where they look after you so well is pretty cool in my second year in professional golf.”
Murray has donated 25 per cent of his tournament winnings to the Australian Red Cross Appeal in aid of those affected by the recent bushfires across the country.
To support the Australian Red Cross, visit https://bit.ly/2ZTF0PZ
The second edition of Blitz Golf Pro Series on Friday 10 January at Links Hope Island, Queensland before heading to Adelaide’s Glenelg Golf Club on Sunday 12 January.
This year the overall prizepool has increased to $150,000, as men and women will for the first time compete against each other for the same purse.
Professional golfers Zac Murray and Matt Griffin are digging deep to assist the firefighters and people affected by the devastating bushfires engulfing eastern Victoria and south-east New South Wales.
The two stars will donate 25 per cent of their prizemoney earnings from the Blitz Golf Pro Series to the Australian Red Cross Appeal set up to help the thousands of Australians who have been directly impacted by the catastrophic fires.
Dozens have died or are unaccounted for, as hundreds of properties have been lost in one of the most widespread fires in the country’s history.
Athletes from a number of sports have united to pledge thousands of dollars to support the donation drive, which was triggered by tennis ace Nick Kyrgios.
Murray, a winner at last year’s Blitz event in Glenelg and the two-day overall winner, said he was inspired by Kyrgios’ impassioned plea for sports stars to assist their compatriots impacted by the bushfires.
“Being an Australian, we’ve got to try and look after each other as much as we can,” Murray said.
“My family is all safe and sound, but if they weren’t, this would mean the world to me. I feel as though it’s not much out of my pocket but it has the capacity to have a really strong impact on those affected.
“Hopefully we can encourage others to get behind this great cause. Even if one more person got on board, it would really help.
“I don’t think I really understood how significant these bushfires were. I did a little bit of research and found the veracity of the fires and its scale confounding. Over the last couple of days the smoke has been unlike anything I’ve seen before.”
By committing a percentage of his potential earnings, Griffin says he’s determined to give his all to ensure the bushfire appeal is well supported.
“Seeing the generosity of other athletes from different sports made me feel compelled to do my bit to assist those doing it tough,” Griffin said.
“Living in the city, it can be hard to help, so the best way we can contribute is tucking into our wallets.
“In the end donating a percentage has spurred me on to give my absolute all so we can make the strongest contribution to the appeal.”
The Blitz Golf event organisers will donate $5 for every birdie and $50 for every eagle a Professional golfer scores during the series.
To support the Australian Red Cross, visit https://bit.ly/2ZTF0PZ
The Blitz Golf Pro Series returns for the second year running with three events to take place in three states:
Sunday 5 January – Curlewis Golf Club, Vic
Friday 10 January – Links Hope Island, Qld
Sunday 12 January – Glenelg Golf Club, SA
This year the overall prizepool has increased to $150,000, as men and women will for the first time compete against each other for the same purse.
The Blitz Golf Pro Series returns for the second year running with three events to take place in three states:
Sunday 5 January – Curlewis Golf Club, Vic
Friday 10 January – Links Hope Island, Qld
Sunday 12 January – Glenelg Golf Club, SA
This year the overall prizepool has increased to $150,000, as men and women will for the first time compete against each other for the same purse.
There will be more competitions and opportunities for player engagement than ever; along with Blitz Kidz zones and pros running junior clinics.
Already confirmed to play at least one event in our 2020 Blitz Golf Pro Series are players including; Peter Senior, Hannah Green, Nick O’Hern, Dimi Papadatos, Marcus Fraser, Zach Murray, Whitney Hillier, Matt Millar, Karis Davidson, Deyen Lawson and Jordan Zunic.
The second running of the Curlewis Blitz Golf tournament will take place on Sunday, with a field of professionals and amateurs ready to entertain and dazzle the crowds.
Geelong Advertiser golf writer Lachie Young breaks down the major contenders.
THE MEN
Nick O’Hern
Age: 48
Professional wins: 5
The only man to have beaten Tiger Woods in Matchplay more than once, Blitz Golf suits O’Hern’s style. New to the format but will be quick to adapt and looms as one of the main hopes.
Matt Griffin
Age: 36
Professional wins: 6
A former Vic Open champion and winner of the OneAsia Tour Order of Merit. Griffin had three top ten finishes on the Japan Tour in 2019 and enters the tournament as the highest ranked player.
Marcus Fraser
Age: 41
Professional wins: 6
Fraser is one of the more experienced players in the field and is a three-time European tour winner. A drawcard at last year’s event, he also represented Australia at the Olympics in 2016, finishing fifth.
Matt Millar
Age: 43
Professional wins: 2
Reigning champion who celebrated his 20th year as a professional last season. Enjoys the Curlewis layout and with a big year ahead in Japan will be keen to start 2020 on a high.
THE LADIES
Stephanie Na
Age: 30
Professional wins: 0
The South Australian celebrated her 10th year on the professional tour last season and after tying for seventh in last year’s Blitz Golf event she will be hoping to move up the order this time around.
Whitney Hillier
Age: 29
Professional wins: 1
Along with Stephanie Na, tied for seventh in this event last year before going on to win the Brisbane International. Hillier finished second in her most recent event at the New Zealand Women’s Pro-Am.
Charlotte Thomas
Age: 26
Professional wins: 0
The Englishwoman enjoyed her biggest pay day at the 2019 Vic Open when she came second but she is still looking for her maiden professional win. The Blitz Golf tournament could be the ideal setting for her to do it.
The Isuzu Queensland Open is heading north.
For the first time since 1990, when local hero Ian Baker-Finch etched his name on the T.B. Hunter Cup, the Sunshine Coast will play host to the state championship.
The 2020 Isuzu Queensland Open will be hosted for the first time by Pelican Waters Golf Club from 20-23 February as part of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia.
Further, the Golf Australia announcement marks the beginning of a new event partnership with Palm Lake Group, owners of the Greg Norman-designed layout.
Australian owned and operated, Palm Lake Group offers 35 luxury residential communities in 25 locations across Australia. More than 11,000 people call a Palm Lake Group address home. The 2020 Isuzu Queensland Open and Golf Australia digital platforms will allow the company to showcase its newest and nearest over-50s community lifestyle resort, Palm Lake Resort Caloundra Cay.
Golf Australia’s golf operations and state senior manager Luke Bates said it was extremely pleasing to have the support of Pelican Waters and the Palm Lake Group.
“With the great location and timing of the event, we are set to have one of the best fields assembled in many years,” Bates said.
“Through this new relationship, we are in position to further grow the event and provide a great experience for all involved.”
Palm Lake Group managing director Scott Elliott said the event’s move was a boon for the Sunshine Coast.
“We are very excited to partner with Golf Australia and bring a major event of this calibre back to the Sunshine Coast after three decades, both for the benefit of the game and for the benefit of our local community,” Elliott said.
ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Tournaments Director Nick Dastey said it was extremely exciting to be taking professional golf back to the Sunshine Coast.
“We are really looking forward to playing a professional golf tournament back on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“Our players love the relaxed atmosphere of the area and we know they will enjoy competing on the world-class Pelican Waters Golf Club.
“The event will be the third event of our 2020 schedule and will follow directly after the Queensland PGA Championship, meaning golf fans in Queensland are in for a fantastic two weeks with some incredible golf.”
In addition to the Queensland Open, Golf Australia will provide numerous opportunities to involve the community through clinics and volunteer roles. Entry will be free for spectators, who are also welcome to walk the course with the professionals.
