Day 30: Rd. 2 AUS Open: Moving Day a Day Early?

It seemed like it was ‘Moving Day, A Day Early” to me for the second round on Friday at the Australian Open at the Australian Golf Club. American Jamie Lovemark set a new course record 6-under 65 in the morning moments after Adam Scott posted the now old course record of 66. Lefty Australian Greg Chalmers would match Scott’s 66, combine it with his opening par 71 score, to lead by one stroke at the half way point over a foursome of Rory McIlroy, Adam Crawford, amateur Todd Sinnott, and Conrad Shindler. First round leader Jordan Spieth slipped to a 1-over par 72 and is another stroke back. Scott is three strokes back of Chalmers and two strokes back of Rory trying to avenge the loss to Rory in last year’s Open at Royal Sydney Golf Club. The theme of the tournament is “Bring it on,” the “it” being the showdown between Rory and Adam. Other than Geoff Ogilvy being eight strokes back, the stage is set for a dramatic finish, albeit one day early.

In the spirit of the day I was out and about moving around the impressive grounds of this continent country’s namesake golf club. In between watching the Adam Scott/Jordan Spieth/Nick Cullen in the morning and the Rory McIlroy/Geoff Ogilvy/Matt Jones in the afternoon I checked out the Exhibitor Village and found lots of interesting stories.

I started off in the Emirates, the title sponsor’s booth. Emirates is an airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating nearly 3,400 flights per week from its hub at Dubai International Airport, to more than 142 cities in 78 countries across six continents according to Wikipedia. They had an engaging putting game that required skill, concentration and confidence since it was timed. The object was to putt a ball into each of the holes and the challenge was enhanced by the curved slopes of the putting surface. Playing was a lot of fun and I managed to finish 12th and earn a sleeve of balls. The PR firm behind the innovative booth is the Pulse Group out of London, Dublin and Dubai.

Next up, as I circumvented the village, I was drawn in by kids chipping into an inflated target with holes, to a combination tent of My Golf, Kids Only Clubhouse, FootGolf, and SpeedGolf Australia.  My Golf, Kids Only Clubhouse is Australia’s national junior introductory program to develop and promote participation in golf. A 10 week introductory program to the sport, the MyGolf program is the major driver of junior golf participation in Australia. The end result being, I guess, is the twelve competitors in the field of the Australian Open designated as part of the ‘Golf Australia Squad.’

 

SpeedGolf Australia, supported by Golf Australia is ‘Everything that Golf isn’t but can be… fast, creative, instinctive, aerobic and family friendly.’ I like to walk and play golf quickly with similar minded people so maybe this is for me? I did learn that Ireland’s Rob Hogan recently beat 24 professional speed golfers to take the Speedgolf world championship at Bandon Dunes in Oregon. Hogan jumped out to the midway lead on Saturday with a 77 in 39 minutes and 31 seconds (39:31). He followed up with a 79 in 41:29 and had the fastest time both days. The scoring format of Speedgolf is total strokes, plus total minutes and seconds it takes the player to complete his or her round. Hogan’s final Speedgolf score was 236.55. Interesting for sure.

 

Footgolf Australia was nowhere to be found and I suspect they were afoot out on a golf course somewhere. FootGolf is the result of combining the popular sports of football (soccer) and golf. The rules largely correspond to the rules of golf.​ This game is played, for the most part, without the supervision of a referee. The game depends on the integrity of the player to show consideration for other players and to abide by the rules. Would I would miss the act of hitting something (a ball) with something else (a stick)? Sounds interesting and worth a try too!

I then came across a booth and a man who dotted an ‘i’ and crossed a ‘t’ from my trip out to Tassie (Tasmania, the island state of Australia) and Barnbougle Golf Links Resort where I came across a fabulous collection of hickory clubs and modern PING clubs in the clubhouse at Lost Farm. The booth was the Australian Golf Heritage Society and the man is Ross Baker. Look for an interesting video on this authentic club maker. Ross is a combination of everyone I ever met in the Golf Collectors Society in America. What an informative treat to meet the guy I wanted to meet!

Watching Rory finish with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole I came across James Gribble, the founder of Empower Golf—for golfers of all abilities. James was on the Aussie team that placed 3rd at the World Disabled Golf Championships in Japan in October. His vision is to facilitate and promote golf for Australians of all abilities. I enjoyed my time with James and his Aunt Jackie. As we watched Rory finish a stretch of eight holes without a birdie but still score 3-under ( an eagle, four birdies and three bogeys) I was reminded that it isn’t how but how many in golf. Ditto that for life. Thank you James!

Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott all in the mix but Greg Chalmers leading the Emirates Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney… check out what I found and who I met outside the ropes on Friday…   (Facebook Link, Andy Reistetter, 11/28/14)