Walking the new nine with architect Graham Marsh on Saturday helped me a great deal on Monday as I shot a 39 on his nine!
One would think that the ultimate ticket in golf for an Aussie was to be at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday, April 14th, 2013 to see Adam Scott win The Masters and become the first Aussie to do so. In reality that is ancient history and the ticket in demand was yesterday’s Sunday final round ticket at the PGA Championship. What a show that was as Greg Chalmers outlasted Wade Ormsby and World No. 3 Adam Scott to win his 4th Australian major. But there was even a better ticket, the Monday morning ticket to play the Championship Course at the RACV Resort, to “play the course where the pro’s played.”
Thank you RACV, the PGA of Australia and Kathie, the women behind it all, for giving me the ultimate thrill in sports, to play and experience as nearly as possible what the professionals experience in the heat of battle. Same back tees (7,336 yards at sea level was all the course I ever need to see thankfully only once per year), same firm and fast fairways (even more so with one more day of heat and sunshine). same rough (very heavy, punitive and a shot lost for sure), and fast greens. Thank you to my partners Troy, Jamie and Gene`. We survived the challenge, embraced and enjoyed it and shot a net 64, tied for fourth place.
Great experience playing the RACV Royal Pines Resort Championship Course the day after Greg Chalmers shot 64 and won an epic 7-hole playoff in the Australian PGA Championship… (Facebook Link, Andy Reistetter, 12/15/14)
Now off to complete the adventure I call the ‘Golf Journey to Australia!
So here goes a night in my Blue Berlin rental car traveling back from the Gold Coast to Sydney to meet and interview two special people in Australian golf history… morning spent playing golf in a 5-star event… rest of day driving south… currently in a McDonald’s in Coffs Harbor… 525 km and six hours from my 10:30 am appointment which is 12 hours away… where will I see the sunrise in 7 hours at 5:38 am… life is good, always! (-: (Facebook Post 1 Pic, Andy Reistetter, 12/15/14)
Sadly this happened as I was heading down to Sydney from the Gold Coast…
My thoughts are with the hostages in Sydney, praying for a peaceful resolution and a safe return home for them with family and friends for the holidays… I am heading back to Sydney tonight to fly to New Zealand… spent several days in the CBD not far from this area… Aussie spirit of diverse and respectful community is shining through on radio and TV coverage here… (Facebook Link, Andy Reistetter, 12/15/14)
Here are some pics from my day at the RACV Resort and playing the Championship Course:
Best ticket on the Gold Coast!
Australian PGA Championship & RACV Royal Pines Resort, a dynamic duo for sure!
Front Nine masterfully redesigned by Graham Marsh… this is the par-5 3rd green.
I think walking the front 9 with its creator Graham Marsh helped me a great deal as I shot a 39 with 3 bogeys and 1 birdie on the par-3 2nd hole.
Lunch with the team afterwards. First class well run event just like the PGA Championship!
2014 Australian PGA Championship, what a week and what a Monday After!
