INCORPORATING ASIAN CULTURE into it’s design, the Bali National has hand-laid local stone walls alongside the fairways which give the impression of being in one of the typical rice field terraces that fill the Indonesian countryside.
FORMER WORLD No. 1 Lee Westwood is set to tee it up on December 1st in the Asian Tour’s Indonesia Masters, an event he has won three times. Nottinghamshire-born Westwood has pocketed 3 million in his first season with LIV so should be able to stump up the air fare. The Masters is being held at the Royale Jakarta golf club, not Bali, but anywhere in Indonesia beats Worksop in December.
Westwood claims that after the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, one of the Legends Tour’s executives approached him, offering him a spot in upcoming events. He turns 50 next April, making him old enough to play the DP World Tour’s senior circuit. The 11-time Ryder Cup player also claimed the senior circuit offered to pay him appearance fees to play their events. However, the DP World Tour could well have issued him a ban by the time his birthday comes around because he has joined LIV.
“So let’s get this right,” he says: “The main Tour is trying to ban me and their Seniors tour is saying they’ll roll out the red carpet. It sums up the mess they’re in and I’m not sure they know what their plan is. I”m confused.”
THE AUSTRALIAN PGA Championship will be held between 24-27th November at the Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane, and the Australian Open will take place on the Melbourne Sandbelt from December 1-4. Australia’s hero Adam Scott, who has won both in the past, will be hoping to add to his tally.
WILDLIFE “EXPERT” Chris Packham claims that there are too many golf courses in the UK taking up too much space. Lamenting the amount of land used for golf courses he moans: “If the government wants to put land to better use why don’t they take a look at golf courses first? Bonkers isn’t it? Needs changing doesn’t it?”
Some rather more “expert” experts have pointed out that golf courses manage woodland, are home to deer, countless birds, rodents etc, and that many use natural fertilisers on the course. They are valuable green spaces not only for golfers but also for wildlife. In addition, migratory birds use golf courses to help their journey. Apparently Greenpeace have wildly overestimated the amount of land used for courses anyway, and Mr Packham is urged to “Do your research.”
Sometimes I think it might be better for the environment if Chris Packham migrated.
RORY MCILROY admitted that his victory in the CJ Cup was down to his improved putting. “Being able to fall back on your putting takes pressure off your iron play, it takes pressure off your short game and your driving,” he said. “You know that if you can get it up there within ten feet, whether it’s for birdie or for par, it makes the rest of the game just that little bit easier. Last year was the first time ever I finished in the top-20 on tour in Strokes Gained.” Rory used a TaylorMade Spider X Hydro Blast putter, if you’re thinking of treating yourself.
SHANE LOWRY wasn’t quite so happy with his flat stick. He was forced to drive for over an hour at the CJ Cup in pursuit of a new one after breaking his on the 9th hole. He purchased two Odyssey 2-ball putters at the golf Superstore after discovering the equipment trucks on the course had packed up for the week. Great organisation!
BACK IN THE MURKY PAST our regular Sunday foursome would hold earnest discussions in the 19th on everything from local politics to the pitiful size of the measure. Enjoying an after-round tincture recently I noticed our discussion consisted solely of our ailments, symptoms and treatment! But as they say, after sixty if you don’t wake up with aches and pains you’re probably dead!
Until next time: Happy Golfing.
Contact Mick for re-gripping and repairs. Tel 638 859 475.
