New Zealand launches Sir Bob Charles Tour

New Zealand Golf and the PGA of New Zealand will manage a new series of 72 hole strokeplay tournaments for professionals and elite amateurs.

Sir Bob Charles, who attended the launch in Auckland today, has agreed to lend his name to the series which will be known as the Charles Tour. The Charles Tour will be staged in partnership with the respective host clubs, including three existing independent events – the Carrus Tauranga Open, Youthtown Wairakei Open and Bayleys Taranaki Open.

These will be joined by an additional event, the Shirley Open in Christchurch, which was confirmed today. Two further tournaments will be added next year with Waikato Golf and Titirangi Golf Club indicating that they are keen to come on board.

The Charles Tour will carry an order of merit which will provide important playing opportunities for professionals. The leading amateur from the tour will be granted an exemption to the New Zealand Open, with a number of other exemption opportunities to be provided for professionals and amateurs.

The structure of the tournaments will be similar to that initiated by former professional Greg Turner.

“These have proven excellent for the development of the game – for the country’s best amateurs and budding professionals – male and female,” said NZG chief executive Bill MacGowan and NZPGA CEO Garth Stirrat.

“Greg’s vision is one we share. He saw this as the ideal time to let the tournaments continue without his direct input, and accordingly NZ Golf and the PGA have reached an agreement with the existing three events and a number of new venues.

“Collectively we are able to add some important playing opportunities for both amateurs and professionals.”

The organisation is delighted that Sir Bob has agreed to have his name associated with the tour.

“I’ve been a keen supporter of the development of the game in this country with both New Zealand Golf and the PGA for nearly half a century,” Sir Bob said. “I am impressed with this concept and honoured to have it named after me.”

It was fitting to name the tour after New Zealand’s leading professional Sir Bob Charles, who has given much back to the development of golf in this country.

Asian Tour rejects OneAsia

The Asian Tour rejected plans for a regional golf "super tour" on Friday after they were formally endorsed by Japan, Australia, China and South Korea.

Asian Tour chief executive Kyi Hla Han said the OneAsia project, designed to rival the European and US circuits, did not serve the region's best interests.

"Following a statement issued by the PGA of Australia this morning in regards to plans for an Asia-Pacific golf tour, the Asian Tour unequivocally states that we are not endorsing or participating in this initiative," he said in a statement.

"Plans to launch this new Asia-Pacific golf tour are being driven aggressively by the PGA of Australia, whose tour is diminishing, and the Asian Tour believes it does not serve the best interests and growth of professional golf in Asia," Kyi Hla added.

The Japan Golf Tour Organisation, China Golf Association, Korean Golf Association and the PGA of Australia earlier said they had reached agreement for the new tour with a planned launch in January.

The tour's backers reportedly envisaged an eventual 35-stop tour to rival the lucrative and hugely popular US PGA and European Tours, with existing circuits acting as feeders.

"In an effort to better promote the game of golf and take the game to a higher level in the Asia-Pacific region, each of the founding tours believe it is necessary to find a single regional organisation that can truly represent the common rights and benefits of relevant local golf bodies and their members," the groups said in a joint statement.

"The new tour will seek to bring together the best tournaments conducted throughout Asia-Pacific to create an alternative elite career pathway for national organisations and their aspiring professional golfers in the region."

Friday's joint statement said an interim board had been appointed to guide the creation and launch of the tour, consisting of representatives from each of the founding tours. A board chairman will be officially appointed shortly.

Australasian PGA Tour chief executive Ben Sellenger has trumpeted the plan, saying it will lift playing standards and attract more big stars to the region.

He has also said the initial target was to play 20 tournaments with a minimum purse of 1.5 million US dollars, although some tournaments would be worth twice that amount.

However Kyi Hla, who signalled reluctance to the plan in an AFP interview this month, said Asian Tour members "unanimously" did not want to be involved in the new initiative.

"Since the Asian Tour's formation as a players' organisation in 2004, the Asian Tour Schedule has expanded greatly where in 2008 we are poised to surpass 30 tournaments for the first time in Asian golf history and offer an unprecedented 40 million dollars in total prize money," he said.

"Elite and major golf tournaments already form the burgeoning Asian Tour Schedule and the Asian Tour firmly believe that we are on the correct pathway in developing, promoting and growing professional golf in Asia under the existing Tour structure," Kyi Hla said.

OneAsia is officially on

The PGA Tour of Australia has joined forces with golf organisations in Japan, China and Korea to form a new Asian Tour.

The OneAsia Tour will include the top tournaments currently held in the Asia-Pacific, with the aim of producing an elite level of competition in the region.

Organisers hope to start the new tour in January next year.

The tour's backers have reportedly envisaged an eventual 35-stop tour to rival the lucrative and hugely popular US PGA and European Tours, with existing circuits acting as feeders.

"In an effort to better promote the game of golf and take the game to a higher level in the Asia-Pacific region, each of the founding tours believe it is necessary to find a single regional organisation that can truly represent the common rights and benefits of relevant local golf bodies and their members," the bodies of the four countries said in a joint statement.

"The new tour will seek to bring together the best tournaments conducted throughout Asia-Pacific to create an alternative elite career pathway for national organisations and their aspiring professional golfers in the region."

The chief of the current Asian Tour, however, has signalled reluctance to sign up to the new tour, which is yet to be officially named but is being referred to as OneAsia.

Kyi Hla Han said the project to merge the Asian, Australasian and Japanese circuits into the OneAsia Tour was complex and may not benefit the present regional set-up.

Friday's joint statement said an interim board has been appointed to guide the creation and launch of the tour, consisting of representatives from each of the founding tours. A board chairman will be officially appointed shortly.

Australasian PGA Tour chief executive Ben Sellenger has trumpeted the plan, saying it will lift playing standards and attract more big stars to the region.

He has also said the initial target was to play 20 tournaments with a minimum prize money purse of $US1.5 million, although some tournaments would be worth twice that amount.

Golf News: Australian Open - Craig Parry Wins

At long last Craig Parry has added the missing link to his resume, finally winning an Australian Open title at his 24th attempt.

The 41-year-old fired a closing round three-under-par 69 to finish on 11-under at The Australian course in Sydney, one shot ahead of West Australian Nick O'Hern (70), young Sydneysider Won Joon Lee (66) and American Brandt Snedeker (69).

Already boasting 12 titles on home soil from his 22 triumphs worldwide, Parry had come so close to winning his national championship, including a playoff loss to John Morse here way back in 1990.

Seventeen years later at the same venue, Parry can finally add his name alongside those of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman on the prestigious Stonehaven Cup.

Well known for holing a six-iron for eagle on the first playoff hole to win the 2004 Ford Championship in Doral, Parry said Sunday's was comfortably the best victory of his career.

"Just the feeling I've got right now, this is the best one ever," he said.

"If you enter in golf tournaments you have to think you've got a chance of winning.

"When I don't think I have a chance of winning I'll be putting the clubs away.

"It's amazing. Who would think at 41 I'd win an Aussie Open?"

Parry looked anything like the Open winner when he started with a first-round two-over 74, but a course record-equalling 64 in the second round ignited his charge and closing rounds of 70 and 69 were enough to claim the $315,000 winner's cheque.

Asked what he was going to do now, Parry jokingly said "retire", but he'll be back to defend his title next year...

Read the complete golf news story

My Thoughts
Craig Parry is one of those really likable guys and one of my favorites. I have always had great respect for him and can't imagine a more deserved winner. He has wanted this tournament for so long and it just goes to show that those old dogs can still learn a trick or two.

A storm in a beer cup (part 2) and Australian Open Day 2 Wrap

If you are a regular reader you might remember a couple of days ago I talked about how Robert Allenby wasn't too happy about the bar on the 11th hole of the Australian open. This was his response:

Robert Allenby produced some rare theatrics at the $1.75 million Australian Open, donning bright red earmuffs and pumping up the crowd before putting himself in contention for another Stonehaven Cup.

Allenby fired a two-under par 70 at The Australian course to move to seven under overall, one shot behind West Australians Nick O'Hern (66) and Kim Felton (69).

Defending champion John Senden missed the cut, joining Mark Hensby, Brett Rumford and struggling former US Open champion Michael Campbell on the sidelines this weekend.

But all the talk was about Allenby's colourful display, the likes of which is rarely witnessed on professional golf's pristine fairways.

Speculation was rife all week that Allenby, who is chasing a third Open to add to his 1994 and 2005 victories, would cop an earful from the crowd after he criticised tournament organisers for putting a bar and music at the par three 11th hole.

But he came prepared with the perfect response, pulling the earmuffs from his golf bag as he approached the 11th green and encouraging the crowd to find its voice.

Allenby admitted the whole episode gave him such an adrenaline rush he had no chance of making his birdie putt, but he had no regrets after getting a friend to track down the earmuffs.

"I knew it would set (the crowd) off. My intentions were to make them as loud as possible," he said.

"It was deafening. It was great. Everyone was happy and having a good time.

"Even (playing partners) Geoff (Ogilvy) and Brandt (Snedeker) were laughing."

Allenby's display overshadowed a second round when O'Hern put himself in contention for a first Open title and Craig Parry equalled the course record of 64 held by former major winners Greg Norman and Steve Elkington.

O'Hern has regularly been in contention at his national championship and was in the identical position he finds himself in now back in 1997, leading after the second round.

He faded to fifth that year, but feels he now has the experience to win an Australian Open...

Read the complete golf news story

Golf News: Australian Open Day 1 Wrap

America's Lee Williamson held a two-shot lead following the opening round of the Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney on Thursday.

Williamson shot an astounding 7-under-par 65 to overtake early leader Robert Allenby.

Willamson started on fire collecting birdies from six of his opening eight holes, before a disastrous ninth-hole triple bogey restricted his score to just 3-under at the turn.

But the American came home strongly with four birdies on the back nine to finish the round two shots clear.

Allenby, a two-time champion of the event, shot a 5-under 67 to grab a three-way share of second place alongside fellow Australians Andrew Bonhomme and Kim Felton...

Read the complete golf news article

Golf News: On course bars and the storm in a beer cup

Two weeks ago Robert Allenby threatened not to play in his native country again after being heckled by three drunken fans during the Australian Masters.

His comments since would hardly have helped matters.

Stuart Appleby reckons his Victorian counterpart Robert Allenby would have been better off keeping his mouth shut about the galleries at this week's $1.75 million Australian Open.

Allenby all-but guaranteed he would be heckled at The Australian course in Sydney, saying he has his earplugs ready for the 11th hole, which will come complete with its own bar.

Not all players would have made a similar stance. Appleby, for one, would have kept his mouth firmly closed.

"There's a lot of players out there, I'm not sure if the public's trying to target Robert," Appleby said.

"It sounds like Robert's saying they will, which only heightens it.

"You drop a piece of meat on the ground, you don't have to yell out 'piece of meat' to the flies, they work out where it is pretty quick.

"If he's yelling out 'they're going to be all over me', well guess what they'll be? All over him.

"I would've kept quiet."

To Appleby, the whole matter is a storm in a beer cup.

Read the complete golf news story

Your Say

Drunken Fans - Genuine concern or storm in a beer cup? (leave a comment)

Golf News: Lonard Wins Australian PGA

Sydney professional Peter Lonard today won his third Australian PGA championship in six years at the Hyatt Resort at Coolum.

Lonard closed with a seven-under 65 for a 20 under total to beat New Zealand's David Smail (68) by three shots.

Tied for third were West Australian Greg Chalmers, who had a sizzling final round of 65, which included six straight birdies on the back nine, Victorian Scott Laycock and promising West Australian Michael Sim all on 15-under.

World No.6 Adam Scott finished six shots behind Lonard after a gallant four-under 68 in a tie for sixth.

South African overnight leader Rory Sabbatini dropped away to finish tied eighth several shots behind Lonard...

Read the full golf news story

My thoughts

I was really pleased for Peter who had a horror year on the US PGA tour and in his interview after winning suggested he was ready to give up the game a few months earlier. He just loves coming back to Australia and always seems to find his game down under. Congratulations Peter!

I was disappointed with Adam Scott's week (or should I say 3rd round) and I hope he bounces back from this.

Australian PGA - Day 3 Wrap

South African golfer Rory Sabbatini snatched a birdie on the 18th hole to grab a one-shot lead on 14 under on the third day of the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum.

Five other players - American Jason Gore, South Australian left-hander Adam Bland, West Australian Michael Sim, Kiwi David Smail and two-time PGA winner Peter Lonard were all tied for second on 13-under.

Adam Scott - who took a triple bogey eight at his 12th hole - showed great courage to finish with three birdies late in his round to still be a chance on 10-under.

Defending champion Nick O'Hern also put himself back in the tournament with a seven-under 65 to be five shots back and not completely out of contention...

Read the complete golf news story

Australian PGA - Day 2 Wrap

World number six Adam Scott moved past countryman Peter Lonard and South Africa's Rory Sabbatini to claim a two-shot lead during the second round of the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Scott was on 6-under-par through 16 holes to reach 11-under for the tournament after picking up several shots on his first-round 67.

Scott was currently two shots ahead of Sabbatini, who carded a fine 5-under round of 67 while Lonard shot a 69 as the pair reached 9-under.

American JB Holmes was tied for second place on 9-under through 14 holes.

Little-known Cameron Percy shot a 66, the round of the day, and to grab a three-way share of fifth place alongside Scott Laycock and New Zealand's David Smail.

Percy's score featured nine birdies and three bogeys.

Overnight leader Michael Sim dropped back to 6-under after a disastrous 1-over 73 second round...

Read complete golf news story

Australian PGA - Day 2 Wrap

World number six Adam Scott moved past countryman Peter Lonard and South Africa's Rory Sabbatini to claim a two-shot lead during the second round of the Australian PGA Championship at Coolum on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Scott was on 6-under-par through 16 holes to reach 11-under for the tournament after picking up several shots on his first-round 67.

Scott was currently two shots ahead of Sabbatini, who carded a fine 5-under round of 67 while Lonard shot a 69 as the pair reached 9-under.

American JB Holmes was tied for second place on 9-under through 14 holes.

Little-known Cameron Percy shot a 66, the round of the day, and to grab a three-way share of fifth place alongside Scott Laycock and New Zealand's David Smail.

Percy's score featured nine birdies and three bogeys.

Overnight leader Michael Sim dropped back to 6-under after a disastrous 1-over 73 second round...

Read complete golf news story

Golf Super Tour OneAsia - The third tour emerges in 2009?

A new Super golf Tour involving Australia, New Zealand and Asia could tee up by 2009 after Japan's decision to back the ambitious plan.

The OneAsia Tour, involving Australia, New Zealand, India and Asia has been on the drawing board for more than two years.

Japan's commitment is regarded as a major breakthrough to establish a third Tour behind America and Europe.

At the moment the Australasian and Asia tours clash with a number of co-sanctioned events because they've been pushed by America and Europe to play their tournaments at the end of the year.

Ben Sellenger from the Australasian PGA Tour said the new tour was now a "reality" and could be up and running in opposition to the European and lucrative US PGA Tour by 2009.

He stressed there was a lot of work and planning still to be done.

Sellenger said initially the goal was to play 20 tournaments initially with a minimum prizemoney purse of $US1.5 million although some tournaments would be worth twice that amount.

Australia would look to have four or five tournaments as part of the new Tour which would run for 12 months.

The proposed Tour would offer more top-class tournaments, lift playing standards and attract more of the world's best golfers, said Ben Sellenger...

Read full golf story.

I think that this could be great for golf in the Australiasia region.

Tell me what you think - leave a comment.

Australian PGA Day 1 Wrap

Michael Sim shot a 7-under-par 65 Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over American J.B. Holmes and three others after the first round of the Australian PGA.

The 23-year-old Sim, whose rookie season on the U.S. PGA tour this year was delayed by a stress fracture in his back, was in the first group to tee off at 6:15 a.m. local time Thursday.

Sim went out in 4-under 32 after making birdies on three of the last four holes of the front nine and a 4-meter (15-foot) putt for par on nine.

"It was a terrific round," said Sim, whose missed the cut in 2005 when he last played the Hyatt Regency resort course.

Holmes and Australians Craig Parry, Richard Green and Peter Lonard were tied for second after 66s. Adam Scott and David Smail shot 67, South African Rory Sabbatini was in a large group at 68 while defending champion Nick O'Hern shot 70.

Read complete golf news story

Adam Scott Interview

Scott arrived in Australia on Tuesday still suffering the effects of a gastro virus which he picked up playing at Sun City in South Africa last week.

"I can't say I'm feeling 100 per cent, but I'm feeling certainly well enough to play, no problem at all," declared the tournament draw card.

Scott was far from satisfied with his one US victory this year in the Houston Open despite maintaining his high world ranking.

Asked what he'd consider a good year, he said: "all four majors would be good".

To consider himself as one of the best players in the world, he said apart from winning a major, he'd have to win more than once.

"I feel like I'm getting to the prime of my career and I should be winning more often," he said.

"I think it's about working a bit harder again. It's becoming harder to win on any Tour, there aren't so many players dominating (except for Tiger Woods).

"If I can commit myself to what I am doing, I can win a few events over there every year.

"I think winning three, four or five events would be a good year, a great year."

Read complete golf news story

Adam Scott - Swing Vision (Video)

Well today is the Australian PGA so I thought that it would be appropriate to show some great swing vision of Adam Scott. He has a swing that I have always admired and watching it slowed down it only proves what I have always thought - he has an awesome swing (if only his short game was as good). Enjoy!

Australian PGA preview

The hottest field in golf this summer is ready to set the course alight in Coolum with Stuart Appleby, Richard Green, John Senden, Peter Lonard, Brett Rumford, Mark Hensby, Nathan Green and Stephen Leaney all confirming their entry in the $1.4 million Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championship.

The cream of Australian golfing talent will join world top ten players Adam Scott and South African Rory Sabbatini in December to compete for one of this country’s most sought after trophies, the Joe Kirkwood Cup.

“Australian golfers are amongst the best in the world and to have so many of our top players returning home to support our event is fantastic,” said Max Garske, the PGA’s CEO. “We’ve got an incredible contingent of Australian players entered, as well as two of the world’s top ten players so it’s no doubt going to be the tournament to watch over the summer.”

Leading the charge will be Stuart Appleby. His results this year include a second to fellow Aussie Adam Scott at the Shell Houston Open in April and as one of Australian’s most successful golf exports he will be chasing his maiden Australian PGA Championship victory...

Read the complete golf news story

My tip
I think that an Aussie will win (I know that is not really much of a tip) and my gut says that it will be a slight outsider like Richard Green or Peter Lonard. However I would put money on Rory Sabbatini being close to the lead on the final day.

Tell me what you think - leave a comment

Finch wins New Zealand Open

Richard Finch, the overnight leader at 14-under had a solid even par final round, while his chasers failed to fire a shot.

As he did all week, Finch relyied on a simplistic mix of hitting the right area off the tee, finding the green and rolling the odd putt in.

Even a crowd disturbance during his tee shot on the first couldn't perturb him, recovering to make birdie when his chip shot hit a sprinkler head and bounced to within five feet of the hole.

Aussie Steven Bowditch was expected to mount a serious challenge from 11-under overnight, but three early bogies meant he was out of contention leaving Finch to take the New Zealand Open.

Bowditch Leads at the half way mark of the NZ Open

Australia's Stephen Bowditch shot a seven-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead over compatriot Paul Sheehan at the halfway mark of the New Zealand Open.

Diagnosed with clinical depression after losing his US PGA Tour card at the end of 2006, Bowditch has had an equally poor 2007.

But he found his game on the rugged Hills course near the southern resort town of Queenstown and took the tournament lead with a two-round total of 10-under 134....

Read Full Article

I love a good story and hopefully the depression is behind Bowditch and he can have a good weekend at the New Zealand Open.

Golf News: Baddley wins the Australian Masters

On the same course on which he honed his game playing pennant as an amateur, Baddeley finished the 72 holes of regular play at 13-under par in a tie with Chopra.

After watching the Swede hole a testing three metre putt to force the playoff, Baddeley joined him in a ritualistic journey up and down the 18th hole.

The pair played the 18th five times for the day without Chopra once hitting the fairway off the tee.

Four times he hit the ball into the right rough and once in the left, one of his recoveries coming up well short of the green in a bunker.

Each time he messed up he produced a minor miracle - until confronted with the easiest putt of the playoff.

With Baddeley having performed his own piece of magic to get out of the scrub, onto the green and into the hole in four, Chopra slid a 2.5m putt past the edge of the hole to break the deadlock...

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I was really impressed with Baddeley's game this week and thought he thoroughly deserved the gold jacket. He has had a superb year on the US tour and I can really see him stepping up again next year. In an interview after the win Baddeley revealed he almost quit golf in 2000, but after this amazing year I think that he will be very glad he stuck with the game!

Australian Masters - Day 2

Appleby holds a slender lead

Robert Allenby held a one-stroke lead during the second round of the Australian Masters at Huntingdale today. The overnight leader was 9-under-par for the tournament, having shot 4-under today through 11 holes.He claimed an eagle and a birdie on the opening nine holes and another birdie on the 10th hole.

Allenby, a two-time champion, shot a 5-under 67 in yesterday's opening round.

Aaron Baddeley held down second place following a 6-under-par 66 today...

Read full article

Baddeley has really impressed me this year. I always new he had the talent he just needed a bit of confidence to get him on his way. He finished the year 6th in the Fedex cup rankings and is really starting to become a golfer to watch.

Many of the Aussie golf commentators suggested he went to the US too early and should have started on the European Tour like Adam Scott, but I feel he did the right thing

What do you think? Leave a comment.