• Keilor, Taylors Lakes, Sydenham Star
• St Albans, Deer Park, Caroline Springs Star
• Sunshine, Ardeer, Albion Star

10th November 2009 11:05:03 AM

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THIS week is a milestone in Australian golf when Tiger Woods tees off on Thursday at Kingston Heath in the J.B. Were Australian Masters. There has been a plethora of knockers since it was announced that the Victorian Government would pay an appearance fee of $3 million to have Tiger play in Melbourne and I was recently informed by a person well up in government circles that the $3 million has been recouped threefold.

I first met Tiger in Sydney in 1997 when I was introduced to him by his then coach Butch Harmon and I found him then to be a shy unassuming young man. Things have changed quite a bit since those days and now as the world’s number one golfer he has an aura about him that has not been seen before. I am looking forward to renewing acquaintances with him on Tuesday night at the Masters Dinner and then later on this week at the tournament.

I said last week that “Tiger-Mania” will take over this town this week and I don’t think that I was wrong. For the sake of the event and its future, it will be great to see Tiger dressed in the familiar yellow jacket late next Sunday afternoon as the winner. His name on the winner’s trophy will be a welcome addition to the long list to those previous victors which include Aussies Greg Norman, Ian Baker-Finch and local products Craig Parry and Richard Green.

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THE 2010 edition of the Golf Course Guide has been released and there must be elation at Eynesbury with the announcement that it has moved up seven spots from number 34 to number 27 for 2010. As widely expected Barnbougle Dunes has kept its number one ranking and it is worth noting that Barwon Heads and the beach course at 13th Beach came in at number eight and nine respectively. The Horsham Golf Club is listed at number 32 despite the courses being partially decimated in the Black Saturday fires last February. Apart from Eynesbury the only other course in the northern and Western region to feature in the top 100 is Growling Frog and both that and Eynesbury were designed by Graham Marsh.

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GOLFERS from Victorian Golf League clubs in our region will compete in the annual Medal of Medallists play-off at the Ringwood Golf Club next Sunday. Growling Frog will be represented by Gary Watson, Hamza El Kurdi will be playing for the Westgate Golf Club, Frank Timothy is Altona Lakes’ representative and John Berry will be playing for his club Riverside Essendon. Hopefully one of these named will be able to take off one of the VGL’s most prestigious golf competitions for their respective club.

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FORMER Medway pennant player and manager Bruce Pearce who now lives in Corowa recently scored his seventh hole in one on the 12th hole at the Murray River course. Although he has not been too happy with his game of late, I am certain that this feat would have boosted his spirits. He told me recently that he is quite sad that his old club will be playing in division five next year but he also said that the boys at Medway are too proud to remain in the cellar for too long.

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THE Victorian Golf Association commenced its junior pennant competition last Sunday and I commend this activity to all local golf clubs. It allows both boys and girls to get the chance at an early age to play for their particular golf club and this is good for future years. Kooringal has two teams playing; their number one side is in region five and their number two side is in region seven along with Sanctuary Lakes and Melton Valley. All told there are 48 teams taking part and over 400 youngsters playing in the matchplay format.

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MANY Medway members were saddened recently at the sudden passing of well-liked and respected member Chris Wheeler. A member of the Maidstone club for quite a while he will be missed by all of his mates there. We offer our condolences to his family.

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IF YOU have any news or information about your club or individual golfing exploits, I can be reached at 9749 2481 phone/fax, 0409 381 192 or by e-mail beggolf@optusnet.com.au.

www.sanctuarylakes.com.au

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