IITT’’SS BBEEEENN AA

WWAALLKKGGRREEAATT

AUSTRALIAN PGACHAMPIONSHIP

100 YEARS OF THE

TTHHEE RRIICCHH HHEERRIITTAAGGEE OOFF TTHHEE PPGGAA 22

EEAARRLLYY EERRAA 11990055--11994455 44

MMAATTCCHH PPLLAAYY EERRAA 11994466--11996644 1100

IINNTTEERRNNAATTIIOONNAALL EERRAA 11996655--11999955 1188

MMOODDEERRNN EERRAA 11999966 && BBEEYYOONNDD 3300

AA CCEENNTTUURRYY OOFF CCHHAAMMPPIIOONNSS 4422

Dan Soutar, winner of four of the first six PGA titles and the PGA’s first president, shows his artistry from the sand.

3

Just to play for the PGAChampionship players had toqualify from their scores in theAustralian Open which normallywas played the week before.

The Australian PGA has thesingular distinction of havingbeen played on each of the eightcourses in Australia which havebeen accorded the honour ofhaving the Royal prefix attachedto their club’s name – RoyalMelbourne, Royal Sydney, RoyalQueensland, Royal Adelaide,Royal Hobart, Royal Perth, RoyalFremantle and Royal Canberra.

Another indication of the truenational flavour with which the PGA Championship hasenriched the game is that it isthe only title which has beenplayed in not only every state’scapital city, including Canberra,but also on a string of leadingregional layouts.

From Australia’s top course, the world renowned RoyalMelbourne, to short sub-70 par suburban layouts, the PGAchampions have achieved theirmoments of glory in every golfcorner of the country.

The Australian PGAChampionship, which, afterbeing disregarded in its earlyyears by the hierarchy of golf asmerely a low prize money matchplay aftermath to the AustralianOpen, has become our mostprestigious professional title.

The PGA Championship isunique in that during its first 60 years it was played as amatch play event at least 40times. With 11 years play lost tothe two world wars and gaps inthe early records, the AustralianPGA was only rarely playedunder stroke play conditionsbefore 1964.

In many ways the history of the PGA of Australia reflects the amazing growth of the gamehere and the high standing thatAustralian professional golfersenjoy around the world.

There were very few professionalgolfers in Australia when thefirst PGA Championship wasplayed in 1905 and yet todayAustralia is the most dominantgolf nation in the world on aper capita basis. Indeed only the US, with 47 players in thetop 100 world rankings, wasahead of Australia which had 11 top 100 players late in 2005.

TTHHEE RRIICCHH HHEERRIITTAAGGEEOOFF TTHHEE AAUUSSTTRRAALLIIAANN PPGGAA

BORN IN POOR, YET PROUD, CIRCUMSTANCES, THEAUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP, WHICH CELEBRATES ITSCENTENARY IN 2005 IN DAZZLING STYLE, HAS FABULOUSLY

ENRICHED THE GAME OF GOLF IN THIS COUNTRY.

EEAARRLLYY EERRAA11990055--11994455

MMOODDEERRNN EERRAA

BBEEYYOONNDD11999966&&

IINNTTEERRNNAATTIIOONNAALL EERRAA

MMAATTCCHH PPLLAAYY EERRAA11994466--1199664411996655--11999955

5

EARLY ERA 1905-1945

The pair were lifelong friends,both hailing from the esteemedgolf nursery of Carnoustie. In1902 Soutar followed Clark bymigrating to Australia at age 20 after serving a five-yearapprenticeship as a carpenter.

Three months after his arrival he won the 1903 AustralianAmateur Championship and two years later turnedprofessional. He promptly won the 1905 Australian Openand followed up to win the firstAustralian PGA Championship.He was never to win the Openagain – finishing second seventimes – but won the next twoAustralian PGAs and again in1910. He became the firstPresident of the PGA of Australia in 1911.

SCOTLAND, THE HOME OF GOLF, IS ALSO WHERE THE ROOTS OF THE AUSTRALIAN PGACHAMPIONSHIP ORIGINATED.SCOTTISH-BORN PLAYERS, DANSOUTAR AND CARNEGIE CLARK,DOMINATED THE EARLY YEARS OF THE PGA TITLE WINNING THEFIRST SIX CHAMPIONSHIPS.

Carnegie Clark, who won theAustralian PGA Championship in1908 and 1909, was also one ofthe PGA of Australia’s foundingfathers. The association’s firstmeeting was held on MondaySeptember 19, 1911, in Clark’spro-shop at Royal Sydney GolfClub. He was the first player to win the Open as an amateurand as a professional. He wasthe first pro to manufactureclubs on a large scale inAustralia and Carnegie ClarkGolf still operates at St Peters in Sydney.

The Scottish connection didn’tend with Soutar and Clark –other Scottish-born winners of the PGA Championship are:Rufus Stewart (1929), FergusMcMahon (1932), Sam Torrance(1980) and Andrew Coltart(1994 and 1997).

In all, 11 PGA titles have beenwon by Scots, second only tothe number won by Australians.

THE PGA’S SCOTTISH ROOTS

Scottish pair and lifelong friends, Carnegie Clark (left) and Dan Soutar were Australia’s first professional golfers.

First Aussie winner a Bondi boy

Born in nearby Bondi in 1890,Campbell was only 21 when heshot a 36-hole total of 154 tobeat a string of players on 157including the dominant Scottish-born greats Carnegie Clark andDan Soutar.

Not only was Campbell home-grown, it was the first time thatsomeone other than Soutar (who had won in 1905, 1906,1907 and 1910) or Clark (1908and 1909) had won the title inits seven-year history.

WITH THE OFFICIAL FORMATION OF THE PGA OF AUSTRALIA AT ROYAL SYDNEY IN 1911, THE STATURE OF THE GOLF PROFESSIONAL ROSEDRAMATICALLY, AS DID THE PUBLIC’S PERCEPTIONOF THE AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP, WHENCHARLIE CAMPBELL BECAME THE FIRSTAUSTRALIAN-BORN WINNER THAT YEAR.

The tough and talented Tom Howard.

When the Blue Mountains Parrotbeat pipe-smoking Howard

According to the PGA’s Pro Golf: Out of the Rough,Campbell, the pro at Leura GolfClub in the Blue Mountains,was known as the “BlueMountains Parrot” and wouldchatter away while he played,pausing only to hit a shot, oftenmid-sentence.

He was also was known as“miss’em quick Campbell” due to his speedy play whichonce saw him and a pro-pursepartner race around TheAustralian Golf Course in aboutan hour and a half – and bothshot 75.

Campbell, fresh from winningthe 1922 Australian Open with a record low score of 307 foran Open championship playedat Royal Sydney, ran into atough and talented opponent inHoward before winning 1 up.

THE CLASH OF CHARLIECAMPBELL AND TOM HOWARD

IN THE AUSTRALIAN PGACHAMPIONSHIP FINAL IN 1922AT ROYAL SYDNEY ATTRACTED

HUNDREDS OF SPECTATORSWHO WERE TREATED TO A

THRILLING DISPLAY BY TWO OF AUSTRALIAN GOLF’S MOST

UNIQUE CHARACTERS.

Howard, the long-term pro atConcord Golf Club, in Sydney’swestern suburbs, was similarly a golfer out of the ordinary inthat he mostly played his shotssmoking a tobacco pipeclenched in his teeth. He alsohad a unique style in looking atthe hole and not the ball whenhe putted.

As Howard put it so succinctly:“If you were going to throw arock at a bird sitting on a fence,you would not look at the rock,but at the bird.”

It obviously worked becauseafter his narrow loss toCampbell in 1922 Howardcollected the PGA title twice in 1924 and 1925, first beatingArthur Le Fevre 3 and 2 atRoyal Melbourne and thendefending his title against Fred Popplewell 3 and 1 at The Australian.

7

EARLY ERA 1905-1945

Sydney-born Kirkwoodunofficially won the 1920 PGAChampionship – a result neverconfirmed. This was the sameyear, carrying just seven clubs,that he became the first golfer toscore less than 300 to win theAustralian Open at The AustralianGolf Club in Sydney.

Kirkwood was a freakish golfer.He could play right or left-handedand in 1918 at the age of 21,and already a professional, heheld the course records for Royal Sydney, 69; Royal Melbourne,70; Metropolitan, 66; and hishome club Riversdale, 65.

The Riversdale members actuallypaid the way for their 23-year-old pro to play in the 1920Australian and New ZealandOpen Championships, the firststaged following World War I,and he rewarded them bywinning both titles.

Kirkwood left Australia soon afterto become the first Australiangolfer to make his mark on theworld. He teamed up with theworld’s top professional, WalterHagen, in a series of stage showsand exhibitions and becameworld famous for his amazinggolf trick shots, one of which wasto rapidly hit two balls, one ahook and the other a slice.

JOE KIRKWOOD, THE GOLFER WHOSE NAME IS IMMORTALISED ON THETROPHY AWARDED EACH YEAR TO THE WINNER OF THE AUSTRALIANPGA CHAMPIONSHIP, WAS AUSTRALIA’S FIRST INTERNATIONAL GOLFSUPERSTAR AND FAMOUS AS THE WORLD’S GREATEST TRICK SHOT PLAYER.

It often appeared that the twoballs would collide in flight. He said the trick that was hismost difficult was when heportrayed a duffer, first missingthe ball, then topping it barely offthe tee, topping it progressivelyfurther and finally hitting aperfect shot down the middle.

Kirkwood’s most spectacular and skilful shot was to hit a golfball from a tee held in the mouthby a women lying between hisfeet. He had no shortage ofvolunteers to be the tee model,as his stage shows were throngedby thousands and very popularwith the sophisticated theatrecrowds. He also hit shots offwatch faces, once scoring a holein one. Another amazing trickwas to balance three balls on topof each other and to only hit themiddle one.

In between making a fortunefrom his exhibitions, Kirkwoodcould still play world-class golf,finishing ninth in a US Openand fourth, three times, inBritish Opens.

Kirkwood, who died in 1970, is said to have played more than6,000 courses in his career andhe is credited with 29 holes-in-one, including two performingwhile on television and 11 incompetition.

TRICK SHOT JOE

Joe Kirkwood hits a ball from a tee held in a woman’s mouth – just another part of his amazing trick-shot routine.

Australia’s giant killertamed

Bolger not only beat Sarazen but shot a 72 hole total of 283– five under par – which then was considered a national record.

The following week Sydney’s Lou Kelly provided his owngiant-killer effort when hescored his career best win byupstaging Bolger to win thePGA Championship matchdecider 2 and 1 at Royal Sydney.

MANY GOLF BOOKS TRACING THEGROWTH OF GOLF IN AUSTRALIAHAIL THE 1934 AUSTRALIAN OPENWIN AT ROYAL SYDNEY BY BILLBOLGER OVER THE US SUPERSTARGENE SARAZEN AS A PIVOTALMOMENT IN AUSTRALIAN GOLF.

Bill Bolger puts on a display for troops in 1943.

The Australian PGA Championshiphas the singular distinction ofhaving been played on each ofthe eight courses in Australiawhich have been accorded thehonour of having the Royalprefix attached to their club’sname – Royal Melbourne, RoyalSydney, Royal Queensland, RoyalAdelaide, Royal Hobart, RoyalPerth, Royal Fremantle and Royal Canberra.

WHILE THE AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WAS LOOKED DOWNUPON IN ITS EARLY YEARS BY THE HIERARCHY OF GOLF IN AUSTRALIAAS MERELY A FOLLOW-ON EVENT FROM THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN, ITCAN CLAIM A UNIQUE “ROYAL BLUE-BLOOD FIRST” OVER THE OPEN.

The earliest PGA championshipsalternated between RoyalMelbourne and Royal Sydney,and over the past 100 years theAlister McKenzie classicVictorian course has staged theevent 13 times, in 1905, 1907,1924, 1933, 1939, 1947, 1953,1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982and 1983. The Rose Bay RoyalSydney course has been thevenue six times, in 1906, 1911,1922, 1934, 1954 and 1966.The other six Royal courses inAustralia also have each enjoyedthe privilege of hosting the PGAChampionship: Royal Adelaidefive times, in 1923, 1929, 1932,1935 and 1938; RoyalQueensland twice, in 2000 and2001; and Royal Hobart in 1948,Royal Perth in 1949, RoyalFremantle in 1960, and RoyalCanberra in 1969.

ONLY THE PGA HASUNIQUE ROYAL HISTORY

9

EARLY ERA 1905-1945

Cremin’ssweet-and-sour PGA record

Cremin won the title in 1937and successfully defended it in1938 but his savouring of successin the PGA Championshipproved to be a sweet-and-sourexperience. It was deliciouslysweet for him winning at hisfirst two attempts but the tastesoured somewhat over thefollowing 25 years.

Cremin won the 1937 PGAbeating Vic Richardson 4 and 2at The Australian Golf Club inSydney and successfullydefended it by beating CharlesBooth 2 and 1 at Royal Adelaide.

WHEN ERIC CREMIN WON THE FIRST TWO AUSTRALIAN PGACHAMPIONSHIPS IN WHICH HE PLAYED AFTER GRADUATINGAS A PGA PROFESSIONAL, IT LOOKED AS IF HE WAS GOING TO MAKE IT HIS PERSONAL TITLE.

He didn’t appear in the final in1939 but after professional golfresumed in 1946, followingWorld War II, Cremin was tosuffer being runner-up in five ofthe next seven PGA titles. Hewas destined never to win theKirkwood Cup again but reachedthe final another two times in1958 and 1962.

So in the 20 years the PGA wasplayed, from his first win in1937 to his second placing in1962, Cremin had two wins andnine runner-up finishes – quitea record.

After two PGA wins from his first two starts, Eric Cremin had nine runner-up placings in his next 18 attempts at the title.

MMAATTCCHH PPLLAAYY EERRAA11994466--11996644

EEAARRLLYY EERRAA11990055--11994455

IINNTTEERRNNAATTIIOONNAALL EERRAA11996655--11999955MMOODDEERRNN EERRAA

BBEEYYOONNDD11999966&&

11

MATCH PLAY ERA 1946-1964

THE VONA MATCH PLAY MARVEL

As he relates in his marvellouslittle book, The Von, he was notbroke for long, winning about£750 in a betting match at the famous Wentworth coursejust days after his arrival. By theend of 1946 The Von, as hebecame universally known, wasno longer unheralded, havingwon twice in England and thenreturning to Australia to win his initial national title, theAustralian PGA Championship,the first played after World War II.

His exciting 1 up win over Eric Cremin at Manly Golf Clubin Sydney added to his successthat year in the NSW Open and the Queensland Open, and ushered in a golden era for professional golf.

The Von, complete with hisdistinctive black beret headwear,took Australian golf on atumultuous trip around theworld over the next 20 years. He returned to England to winseven tournaments there andwon the scoring averages VardonTrophy on the European Tourwith a record low total of 71.25for each of his 52 rounds.

WHEN 32-YEAR-OLDQUEENSLANDER NORMAN

VON NIDA ARRIVEDUNHERALDED IN ENGLAND

IN 1946 WITH JUST £17 IN HIS POCKET HE WAS NOT TOKNOW HE WAS EMBARKINGON A GOLF JOURNEY WHICH

WOULD HAUL AUSTRALIANPROFESSIONAL GOLF ONTO

THE WORLD STAGE.

At home he was the benchmarkfor all aspiring Australian pros –if you could beat The Von yougenerally could win.

He won the Australian PGAChampionships in 1946, 1948,1950 and 1951, and theAustralian Open in 1950, 1952and 1953. Overall he wonalmost 40 professional events inAustralia and over nine years inBritain, from 1946 to 1955, hewon an impressive 16tournaments.

He came close to winning aworld major, finishing fourth inthe 1946 British Open, sixth in1947, third in 1948 and ninthin 1952. His great legacy to thegame was that each year heventured overseas he wouldconvince a cavalcade of hisfellow Australian pros to joinhim in showing the world howwell those from “down-under”could play the game.

Norman von Nida was small in stature but was a huge help to a string ofAustralian champions.

Cream rose to the top inpostwar PGAs

Of the 15 Australian PGAChampionships, played as matchplay events, from 1946 until1960, The Von, Nagle andPickworth won 10 of them.Nagle won four (1949, 1954,1958, 1959), Pickworth three(1947, 1953, 1955) and VonNida three (1946, 1950, 1951),and Eric Cremin was therunner-up six times.

NORMAN VON NIDA, AUSTRALIA’S INTERNATIONAL STAR WHOALWAYS RETURNED EACH YEAR TO PLAY IN THE OPEN ANDTHE PGA CHAMPIONSHIPS, INSPIRED AND FOSTERED MANYTALENTED PROS SUCH AS OSSIE PICKWORTH, ERIC CREMIN,KEL NAGLE, PETER THOMSON, ALAN MURRAY AND BRUCEDEVLIN TO HEAD OVERSEAS, AND THEY ALL SUCCEEDED.

Ossie Pickworth won both theAustralian PGA and AustralianOpen in 1947 and is picturedabove putting in the PGA atHuntingdale in 1957 in a matchagainst South African Gary Playerwho went on to win the title.

13

MATCH PLAY ERA 1946-1964

PGA prize doubledin a day

A foundation member of theVictorian Rossdale Golf Club,where the event was beingplayed, donated £500 to theprize money pool whichimmediately doubled the total money on offer.

In an upset, the young Murrayclaimed his biggest win inbeating Frank Phillips, who theprevious weekend had won theAustralian Open.

THE WINNER OF THE 1961 PGATITLE, NSW’S 21-YEAR-OLD ALANMURRAY, HAD A PLEASANTSURPRISE DURING THECHAMPIONSHIP.

JUBILEE YEAR PGACUTS TIES WITH OPEN

With 36 holes stroke playdeciding the 16 to meet inmatch play, South Australia’s Bob Tuohy, now a successfultournament organiser, set a hotpace with a course record sixunder 66 with just 29 putts. He followed with a 74 in theafternoon to be joint leadingqualifier with Bill Dunk 69, 71and Alan Murray, 71, 69. Tuohywas eliminated in the first roundand Dunk lost in a semi to 1961Open champion Frank Phillipswho Murray beat in the final 2and 1.

The PGA Chairman at the time, Alec Mercer, said the tworeasons for the breakaway werethat the Open was played indifferent states at various timesof the year, making it difficult for pros playing overseas and that professionals weresometimes balloted from theOpen entry, denying them achance of playing in their own championship.

THE 1961 AUSTRALIAN PGACHAMPIONSHIP AT ROSSDALEIN VICTORIA, WHICH MARKED

THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEPGA OF AUSTRALIA’S

FORMATION, WAS THE FIRSTTIME MATCH PLAY QUALIFIERSWERE NOT DECIDED FROM THE

FINAL SCORES IN THEAUSTRALIAN OPEN.

One-eyed club pro scores uniquedouble

Col Johnston is one such little-known hero, winning two PGAChampionships just four yearsafter losing his right eye.

The PGA club professional in the 1960s at the MonashCountry Club, in the NorthernBeaches region of Sydney,Johnston set a record that it was thought would never beequalled.

He won the PGA Championshipas a match play event in 1963when he beat American RonHowell 3 and 2 at Oatlands – apar 70 course in Sydney’s northwest – and the following yeardefended it successfully under astroke play format and on hishome course at Monash.

NOT ALL AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONS BECAME WORLD FAMOUS BUTALL WERE UNIQUE IN WHAT THEY CONTRIBUTED TO THE HISTORY OFTHE FAMOUS EVENT.

And Johnston, who played someof his best golf in the yearsfollowing the removal of hiseye, which had become infectedafter a work accident in 1959,had the honour of beating therising star Bruce Devlin in thestroke play title.

The week earlier Devlin had lost the Australian Open to Jack Nicklaus in a play-off at The Lakes, but the club proJohnston was not overawed. He won in style finishingbirdie-birdie against Devlin’searlier par-bogey closing.

As he approached the finalhole, a par three, a Monashclub member asked Johnston ifhe wanted to know what scorehe needed. “Yes,” said Johnston.“You need a two to win,” themember replied. So Johnstonhit a five iron to four metresbelow the hole and rapped theputt home. “If he had said youneed three to tie I probablywould have played safe and hadfour,” Johnston said.

Surprisingly 10 years laterQueenslander Randall Vinesrepeated Johnston’s unusual PGA title double, but in reverse.Vines won the 1972 stroke playevent from Bill Dunk at TheLakes and the following yeardefended it by beating StewartGinn 2 and 1 in a one-yearonly return for the PGA title to match play . . . the last timethat format was used.

Despite the loss of his right eye, Col Johnston won the 1963 PGA titleand is seen here holing out to win again in 1964 at his home course,the Monash Country Club.

15

NO MATCH PLAY SUDDEN-DEATHPGA CHAMPIONSIT’S HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT OF THE KNOWN RESULTSOF ABOUT 40 AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIPSFROM 1905 TO 1963 WHICH WERE DECIDED BY MATCHPLAY – NOT ONE FINAL WAS FORCED TO GO INTOEXTRA HOLES.

The narrowest winning marginwas 1 up. This occurred whenCharlie Campbell beat Tom Howardin 1922 at Royal Sydney, whenNorman von Nida pipped Eric Cremin at Manly in 1946,when Ossie Pickworth shadedPeter Thomson at Royal Melbournein 1953 and when Kel Nagle beatthe Royal Sydney PGA club proJim McInnes on his home trackin 1954.

The most convincing win wasthe 9 and 7 runaway by SamRichardson over Arthur Spenceat Royal Melbourne in 1933.

Sam Richardson, the winner by the biggest margin in history in a PGA final, beating Arthur Spence 9 and 7 at Royal Melbourne 1933.

MATCH PLAY ERA 1946-1964

PGA’S STROKE OF GENIUS ENDS AN ERA

The PGA’s book Pro Golf: Out ofthe Rough reported: “This movewas vigorously opposed by theAustralian Golf Union whichinsisted it remain where it was.The PGA stood fast, despitethreats that the AGU woulddeny it use of all courses underits jurisdiction. However anoffer by the Monash CountryClub in Sydney to stage theevent that year, regardless ofAGU objections, was accepted.

IN DECEMBER 1963 THE BOARD OFTHE PGA OF AUSTRALIA DECIDEDTHAT THE AUSTRALIAN PGACHAMPIONSHIP WOULD IN FUTUREBE DECIDED AS A STROKE PLAYEVENT OVER 72 HOLES.

A TRULY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPTHE AUSTRALIAN PGACHAMPIONSHIP IS THE ONLYNATIONAL TITLE WHICH HASBEEN PLAYED IN NOT ONLY EVERYSTATE’S CAPITAL CITY, INCLUDINGCANBERRA, BUT ALSO ON A STRINGOF LEADING REGIONAL LAYOUTS.

From Australia’s top course, theworld renowned Royal Melbourne,to short sub-70-par suburbanlayouts, the Australian PGAchampions have achieved theirmoments of glory from every golf corner of Australia.

The championship has beenplayed at least 35 times in NSW;28 times in Victoria; 10 times inQueensland; five times in SouthAustralia; three times in WesternAustralia and once in Tasmaniaand Canberra. It was not playedfor 12 years during the two wordwars, nor in 1995, and the detailsfor 1912, 1920, 1927 and 1928are unknown.

The PGA’s first 72-hole stroke play event was held at Monash Country Club in the Sydney Northern Beaches suburbs in 1964.

“The first stroke play was agreat success and saw the startof increased sponsorship whichraised the status of the event toworld standards. For the firsttime the event also received live television coverage.”

So ended an era of about 40PGA titles decided by match play.

17

MATCH PLAY ERA 1946-1964

PGA-trained winners dominate

Hands-on experience in the pro-shop, building and remodellingclubs, has been the hallmark ofmany of the game’s greatestplayers from the time of theearly Australian professionalstars and PGA champions suchas Carnegie Clark and CharlieCampbell.

Today this pro-shop backgroundapplies to such Australian golficons as Peter Thomson andGreg Norman, arguably not onlyAustralia’s most internationallyfamous and successful playersbut also among the world’s bestcourse designers.

The majority of Australian PGAchampions and almost all of theamazing array of competitors inthe 100 years of the title learnedabout golf – that is how to playthe game, a myriad of club-making crafts and instructiontechniques at the coalface – in the humble pro-shop.

OVER THE PAST 100 YEARS AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONS HAVEINCLUDED A RANGE OF COLOURFUL CHARACTERS WHO HAVE ADDEDTO THE RICH TAPESTRY OF GOLF IN AUSTRALIA. BUT MANY OF THEMHAVE SHARED A COMMON THREAD – THEY BEGAN THEIR CAREERSAS PGA-TRAINED CLUB PROFESSIONALS IN GOLF CLUB PRO-SHOPS.

Ossie Pickworth, Peter Thomson,Kel Nagle and Bill Dunk andmodern-day PGA champions IanBaker-Finch, Peter Lonard andGreg Norman all served a PGATraineeship – a diploma of golfexcellence recognised around the world.

Pickworth trained at Manly GolfClub in Sydney, Thomson servedhis traineeship at Riversdale clubin Melbourne, Nagle trained withTom Popplewell at Pymble GolfClub in Sydney, Dunk with PeterChurcher at Gosford, Normanwith Bill McWilliam at BeverleyPark and with Charlie Earp atRoyal Queensland, Baker-Finchgraduated after training withGary Wright at Gympie andwith Tim Bell at Caloundra and Peter Lonard trained withRichard Flood at The Lakes andBill Exten at Oatlands Golf Clubin Sydney.

PGA title winners Charlie Campbell (second from left) and Carnegie Clark (second from right) at work club-making inClark’s shop in Sydney in 1908.

IINNTTEERRNNAATTIIOONNAALL EERRAA11996655--11999955

EEAARRLLYY EERRAA11990055--11994455MMAATTCCHH PPLLAAYY EERRAA11994466--11996644

MMOODDEERRNN EERRAA

BBEEYYOONNDD11999966&&

19

INTERNATIONAL ERA 1965-1995

LOCALS HIT THE HEIGHTSKel Nagle (1965 and 1968), Bill Dunk (1966 and 1971),Bruce Devlin (1969 and 1970)and Peter Thomson (1967)dominated the seven yearsfollowing Monash club pro Col Johnston’s surprise win at his home course in 1964.

The PGA Championship was given the true tattoo of international golf standing in 1968 when the great JackNicklaus teed up with ArnoldPalmer and Gary Player at theclassy Metropolitan course inMelbourne.

However, like so many before, they succumbed to the indomitable Kel Nagle who streeted the field. Thismemorable, record-breakingperformance brought Nagle’sPGA titles to an even half dozen.

AUSTRALIA’S GROWING BANDOF INTERNATIONAL STARS

TOOK TO THE NEW STROKEPLAY FORMAT OF THE PGA

CHAMPIONSHIP FROM 1964WITH GUSTO.

Bill Dunk, after his 1974 PGA win. Dunk was one of a string of local stars to dominate the PGA in the 1960s and 1970s, winning in 1962, 1966, 1971, 1974 and 1976.

Thomson shot 14 under pararound the par 74 Metro layoutbut in beating Sydney pair ColJohnston and Frank Phillips hehad to overcome a string ofhealth problems.

Thomson had already won theBritish Open five times, in 1954,1955, 1956, 1958 and 1965when he teed it up in the 1967PGA. He was trying to better hisfour runner-up finishes for thetitle – in 1953, to OssiePickworth, 1957 to Gary Playerand in 1959 to Kel Nagle inmatch play finals before hissecond to Bill Dunk at RoyalSydney under stroke play in 1965.

As President of the PGA ofAustralia Thomson was no doubtespecially keen to win this titleand capture the treasured JoeKirkwood Cup. He was in topform having won the AustralianOpen a week earlier by sevenstrokes at The Commonwealthwith an 11 under par total.

After a six under 68 in the firstround it seemed the PGA mightbecome another procession forMelbourne’s favourite golfer ashe opened up a two-shot leadwith his course record score.

Thomson, who during his careerregularly wrote newspaperarticles, reported on his brilliantfirst round by writing in theSydney Morning Herald: “I feltMetropolitan was my sort ofcourse before we started in thisPGA Championship.

“Normally it is a very longcourse, as shown by the par of74, but we are getting up to 300yards off the tee because of thedrought. So many of the parfives are drives and iron shots.”

However as the Sydney MorningHerald’s golf writer Jim Websterreported the next day, thesecond round would live long in Thomson memory – and notjust because of the triple bogeyeight and the nine birdies heproduced on the way to a threeunder 71.

Webster wrote in part: “So manythings went wrong with PeterThomson today that thereseemed no possible way hecould hold on to his lead in theAustralian PGA Championship.

“But the unflappable Thomson isstill there at the head of the listwith 139 after two rounds of theevent at The Metropolitan.

“Here are the hurdles put in hispath:

• Early today he had a penicillininjection in the fleshiest part of his anatomy to counteract an extremely bad throat. He had another jab tonight as well.

• He has not been able to keep any food down for 24 hours.

• Tablets he has taken have caused him to lose the sensitivity in his hands.

• His wife Mary accompanied him during the round and gavehim some drugs to try and beat the infection.

• He had a triple bogey eight to worry about.

“Despite all this Thomson puttogether a three under par 71in one of the most memorabledays of his illustrious career.”

Thomson was headed for thefirst time after Frank Phillipsshot a six under 68 in the thirdround on Saturday morning to post a three round score of 12 under, two ahead of thehometown hero.

But in the afternoon’s finalround Thomson was not to be denied. Before he teed off he said ominously of Phillips’chances: “Phillips is the leadernow – let’s see how he plays as a leader.”

Not all that well, as it turnedout. Phillips turned in 38 oneover par but after four birdies in the run home stood on thelast hole with a putt of less thana metre to finish 14 under par for the event. Inexplicably hemissed holing it and joined Col Johnston who had shot a final 68, on 13 under.

Thomson cracksmemorable winafter 17 years IT TOOK PETER THOMSON, ARGUABLY AUSTRALIA’S BEST GOLFER, 17 YEARS TO WIN THE AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP, BUT WHENHE FINALLY MANAGED THE FEAT AT THE METROPOLITAN GOLF CLUBIN MELBOURNE IN 1967 IT WAS A MEMORABLE WIN.

With the leaders not playing atthe rear of the field in the lastround in those days, Thomsonwas in the final group and afternine holes he was 11 under forthe tournament and knew whathe had to shoot coming home.

So he did. He birdied the 10thhole and two more birdies at the14th and 15th put him in frontat minus 14.

Three pars saw him to his firstPGA Championship win and hejoined Ossie Pickworth, hismentor Norman von Nida andhis great mate Kel Nagle as theonly players at that stage to havecaptured the PGA and the Openin the same year.

21

INTERNATIONAL ERA 1964-1995

Peter Thomson, dubbed “Placid Pete” by the media, strolled through his career to win five British Open titles,before scoring his memorable win in the 1967 PGA at The Metropolitan.

However his 1968 win in theAustralian PGA over JackNicklaus, Palmer and GaryPlayer, the then Big Three ofworld golf, must be one of hismost satisfying.

Not only did Nagle humbleNicklaus, the world’s greatestgolfer, by six shots, but he settwo PGA records in achievingthe feat.

To put this win into context,the Golden Bear was at theheight of his powers havingalready won seven world majorsafter five years as a pro, and in1968 at age 47, Nagle was givingNicklaus a 19-year age advantage.

However, around the par 74Metropolitan course he knew so well, Nagle gave Nicklaus littlechance as he putted brilliantly onthe fast Melbourne sand belt greens.

Nagle’s tally of 276 (69 67 6971) for 20 under par stands as a PGA record winning score andwas a fitting finale as the last ofhis six PGA championship wins – another record which still stands.

Along the way, Nagle also gavehis British Open rival Palmer adrubbing to beat him by 10shots over 18 holes in thesecond round.

Playing with first round leaderBill Dunk – who had shot 67 toNagle’s 69 and Palmer’s 70 –Nagle had only 11 putts on thefinal nine holes to hit the frontwith a 67 while Palmer had 77and Dunk a 74.

Nicklaus, who began with a 71,provided his own fireworks inthe second round with a superb67 which included two eagles, to be two behind.

With a 69 in the third roundNagle extended his lead to fiveover Nicklaus and the final roundwas an anti-climax when nocharge emerged from the US star.

The non-smoking non-drinkingNagle enjoyed a cup of tea as hetold Sydney Sun journalist TerrySmith: “I don’t know what allthose young blokes were doingout there if an old bloke like mecan win.”

It surely was one of the finestmoments in Australian golfhistory . . . Nagle beat Nicklausby six shots, Palmer by 17 andPlayer by 18. His Aussie matesfared no better with BruceDevlin 11 shots back, Dunk, 14behind and Peter Thomson,suffering hay fever, was 22 shotsfrom his great mate.

The Australian champion said inhis victory speech: “I haven’tbeen great shakes as a golfer butI have been a reasonable playerand managed to win a fewtournaments.

“My putting has always been astrong point in my game andfortunately the touch returned tome for this tournament. The fastgreens suited my light touch.”

KEL NAGLE IS MOST FAMOUS FOR WINNING THE CENTENARYBRITISH OPEN IN 1960 AFTER A LAST-ROUND TRIUMPH OVER US SUPERSTAR ARNOLD PALMER.

NAGLE BLITZESNICKLAUS, PALMERAND PLAYER

23

INTERNATIONAL ERA 1964-1995

At the age of 47, Kel Nagle (left) had a record five wins to his credit when Arnold Palmer(above) challenged him at the 1968 PGA title at The Metropolitan in Melbourne. After 72holes Nagle shot a record 20 under par-winning total that not only beat Palmer by 17 shots,but also blew away Jack Nicklaus (far left) and Gary Player as well.

Sam Torrance –the PGA his greatest win

The 27-year-old Torrance,renowned as a doughty andfearless competitor, wasunashamedly tearful with joy ashe repeatedly told his mother: “I am over the moon, I am overthe moon . . . This is the biggestvictory of my career . . . I can’tbelieve it. Isn’t it just bloody great?”

Torrance later admitted that“twitching on putts” was provinga problem in his game and thathe had “twitch three-putted”three times in his final round of 69. He became more famousabout a decade later when heovercame his “twitch puttingproblems” by becoming a trailblazer in using the“broomstick” or “pole” long putter.

THERE WERE FEW MORE EMOTIONAL WINS THAN THAT IN 1980BY SCOTLAND’S SAM TORRANCE WHO, AFTER SHOOTING A SIXUNDER PAR 282 TOTAL WITH ROUNDS OF 71 72 69 AND 70 ATROYAL MELBOURNE TO PIP SEVE BALLESTEROS BY TWO, MADEA TEARFUL TELEPHONE CALL HOME TO HIS PARENTS.

It certainly prolonged hisdistinguished career and by early 2005, and still playing, he held the record for the mosttournament appearances on theEuropean PGA Tour with anincredible tally of 691 events.

Following his Australian PGAChampionship success, Torrancewent on to win another 24events on the European Tour.

However, as he recently noted, the Australian PGAChampionship is still the win he views as his most important.

Sam Torrance kisses the Kirkwood Cup in celebration of what he still calls his greatest win.

25

INTERNATIONAL ERA 1965-1995

FINAL-ROUND LEADER PENALISED FOR SLOW PLAY A COSTLY PENALTY CALLED ON A PLAYER WAS THE EXTRA TWO SHOTSSCOTLAND’S KEN BROWN, WHO LED GOING INTO THE FINAL ROUND,HAD TO ADD TO HIS FINAL SCORE IN 1980 FOR PLAYING TOO SLOWLY.

To add to Brown’s misery itcame at the end of a disastrousday. He teed off leading thePGA championship at sevenunder par and was still in frontwith just nine to go. Howeverhe dropped five shots in fourholes resulting in a closingeffort of 79 after being informedof his penalty for slow play.

WHEN JACK NEWTONPULLED THE WRONG REINTHE UNPRECEDENTED BARRING OF JACK NEWTON FROM THE PGACHAMPIONSHIP IN 1981 CAME ABOUT BECAUSE HE WENT TO THEMELBOURNE CUP RACES.

Not that there was anythingwrong with that – it was thefirst time the 31-year-old Newtonhad attended the famous event– but he had failed to registerfor the 1981 event with PGAofficials, believing that thetournament deadline was notuntil the next day.

The officials had a strong case as Brown’s group, whichincluded Greg Norman andAmerican Dave Eichelberger, wasat one stage three holes behindthe field. Brown had been finedregularly in Europe for slowplay and noted commentatorPeter Allis once wrote thatBrown was “supposed to be the slowest player in Britain, if not the world”.

CLAYTON’S RUN-INWITH POLICEMELBOURNE PROFESSIONALMIKE CLAYTON, A STAR PLAYEROF THE 1980S WHO WAS NOTEDFOR SPEAKING HIS MIND (WHICHLED TO AN EXPANDED CAREER AS A COMMENTATOR ANDJOURNALIST), DIDN’T MINCE HISWORDS WHEN CONFRONTED BYA POLICE OFFICER DURING THEFINAL ROUND OF THE 1983 PGACHAMPIONSHIP.

Clayton, playing in one of the leading final groups, wasjustifiably upset when apoliceman, involved incontrolling the huge crowd,yelled at him to “freeze” whenhe spotted him running across a road from the 15th green tothe 16th tee.

Golf writer Tom Ramseyreported the incident in TheAustralian newspaper: “Claytonhalted and the policeman,obviously in a case of mistakenidentity in crowd control, said:‘Get back here’.

“Clayton pulled the putter out ofhis bag and said: ‘**** off, I’mplaying golf’.”

The incident clearly upsetClayton, but not as much as atwo-stroke penalty he incurredminutes later on the 16th holeafter he wrongly took a “free drop”away from a water system cover.

The penalty, which was imposedafter his round, cost Claytondearly, dropping him from fiveover par overall to seven overand from seventh place to 10thon the final prize money list.Newton was told at the

Flemington racecourse when the oversight was realised. Hecontacted officials by telephone,but his appeal was to no avail.The PGA’s highly regarded TourCommissioner Jim Moran said:“I deeply regret having to dothis, but we cannot bend therules for anyone.”

Seve’s PGA winat Royal Melbourne

The 24-year-old Spanishsuperstar shot 74 73 66 and 69 to win by three from BillyDunk, with the huge crowdoften breaking into chants of “Seve, Seve” – unprecedented in an Australian tournament.

Leading golf writer Jim Websterreported in the Sydney MorningHerald, that the PGA win wasconsidered by Ballesteros to“occupy an important place in my career”.

IT WAS THIRD-TIME LUCKY FOR SEVE BALLESTEROS WHEN HE WON THE 1981 AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP HAVING FINISHED THIRDBEHIND HALE IRWIN IN 1978 AND SECOND TO SAM TORRANCE IN 1980.

“Australia was one of the fewplaces in the world I had neverwon,’ said Ballesteros, whoalready had captured the 1979British Open and the 1980 USMasters. ‘Now I have won hereand the only places I must nowwin are South Africa, Italy,Ireland and Russia,’ he laughed.”

The crowd was right behind Seve Ballesteros in his 1980 win.

27

INTERNATIONAL ERA 1965-1995

ROYAL MELBOURNEPRODUCES A ‘GOLDENERA’’ FOR THE PGANO DOUBT A GOLDEN PERIOD OF THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP’S HISTORYWAS WHEN IT WAS PLAYED ON AUSTRALIA’S BEST COURSE, ROYALMELBOURNE FOR SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS FROM 1978 TO 1983 .

It was a time which saw the event gain increasedinternational prominenceattracting many of the world’sbest players from Europe andthe US as competitors.

Not only did the “RoyalMelbourne PGAs” produce thefirst overseas winner for morethan 20 years in US star Hale Irwin, it introduced the greatSpaniard Seve Ballesteros to theAustralian public, along withworld-class players Johnny Miller,Ben Crenshaw and Sam Torrance.

It was to herald anunprecedented boom period for Australian golf with theemerging talent of Greg Norman,already an international name,looming larger at home.

There were champagneperformances for Australian golf followers to enjoy and theclashes between the cream ofAustralia’s PGA talent such asGreg Norman, David Graham,Bill Dunk, Bob Shearer, JackNewton, Rodger Davis, StewartGinn and Graham Marsh andthe overseas aces proved to be a heady mix.

Irwin’s win in 1978 was a highlight. He celebrated the return of the PGAChampionship to RoyalMelbourne for the first time in25 years with a plundering ofthe course. Irwin opened with a composite course record 64 –knocking a shot off the 65 figureshared by Sam Snead and BobShearer – scoring a runaway winfrom Aussie Graham Marsh withfollowing rounds of 75 70 and 69.

Hale Irwin receives the Joe Kirkwood Cup from Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser in 1978.

Unsung Harwood haltsamazing Shark run

He came home to waltz awaywith the NSW Open, theQueensland Open, the SouthAustralian Open and the WestAustralian Open. So Normanwas unbackable to win the PGAChampionship being played atCastle Hill in Sydney’s north west.

To top off his prospects he hadan impressive score of 273, 15 under par, to win on thesame course the previous year.

GREG NORMAN, LOOKED TO BE ALMOST UNBEATABLE IN 1986 WHEN HE RETURNED TO AUSTRALIA AFTER AN AMAZING YEAR. HE HAD WONTHE BRITISH OPEN AFTER LEADING EACH OF THE WORLD MAJORS INTOTHE FINAL ROUND THAT YEAR AND HAD WON TWICE IN THE US ANDFOUR TIMES IN EUROPE.

However Mike Harwood, fromMelbourne, who had never wonin Australia but had won on theEuropean Tour in Sweden thatyear, was to pull off the biggestupset in years in the PGAshooting 13 under par toupstage Norman.

Mike Harwood with a big cheque and a big kiss after his upset victory in 1986.

29

INTERNATIONAL ERA 1965-1995

RECORD-BREAKERPARRY’S HIGHS AND LOWSTHE AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP HAS PROVIDED CRAIG PARRY WITH TWO OF THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF HIS CAREER –ONE ENDING IN TRIUMPH AND THE OTHER IN DESPAIR.

The undoubted highlight forParry was his record-breakingwin at Concord in 1992 wherewith a score of 269 he shot thelowest total to win an AustralianPGA Championship.

The win by three shots from PeterMcWhinney was particularlysatisfying for Parry as ConcordGolf Club for many years hasbeen his playing base in Sydneysince moving from Perth.

Parry is the only player to break270 in the PGA but his 19under par total was in fact shortof Kel Nagle’s 20 under par towin the Australian PGA at thepar 74 Metropolitan course inMelbourne (with a 276 total).

While the Concord win wasParry’s PGA highlight, the lowpoint came at the 2000 PGAChampionship at Royal Queensland,where he disqualified himself forsigning an incorrect score cardafter the first round.

Parry’s card credited him with a 69, the number he and hismarker Greg Norman had signedoff on, although he had actuallyshot a 70. Parry was only alertedto the error when his wife Jennysaid on the phone that a websiteshowed him shooting 69.

“I told her it must be a mistakebecause I'd had 70,” said Parry.“The eighth hole was the hole. I had two chips from the lefthand side and holed about a 12-foot putt for my bogey buthad a three on my card.”

Greg Norman was Parry'smarker and put him down for a three on the short 129mpar-three, obviously not havingnoticed the duffed chip. But Parrywasn’t blaming Norman for themishap, saying the total scoreresponsibility rested with him.

Norman and Parry probablycould have saved themselves thegrief of a wrong score if theyhad checked with Greg’s mumToini . . . she was the recorderfor the on-course score servicewalking with the group.

Craig Parry has enjoyed the absolute highs and lows of the PGA.

EEAARRLLYY EERRAA11990055--11994455

IINNTTEERRNNAATTIIOONNAALL EERRAA

MMAATTCCHH PPLLAAYY EERRAA11994466--1199664411996655--11999955MMOODDEERRNN EERRAA

BBEEYYOONNDD11999966&&

31

MODERN ERA 1996 & BEYOND

THE PGA TITLE SHINES AGAINAFTER THE CANCELLATION OF THE 1995 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP DUE TOLACK OF SPONSORSHIP FUNDS, THE GOLF INDUSTRY WAS LOOKING FORA SPECIAL EVENT IN 1996 AND THE TOURNAMENT ORGANISERDELIVERED ON SEVERAL FRONTS.

Not only was the PGA played atthe classic world-rated NSWGolf Club at La Perouse on theBotany Bay headland, it alsoproduced a historic winner.

Phil Tataurangi, a 26-year-oldNew Zealander, who had to relyon a sponsor’s invitation fromthe PGA just to tee up becamethe first Kiwi winner in the 90-year history of the AustralianPGA title.

In 1996 Phil Tataurangi became the first New Zealander to win theAustralian PGA at the awesome seaside NSW Golf Club layout.

The exposed NSW Golf Clublayout twice savaged the strongfield with officials having todeclare it unplayable because of wind blowing balls off thegreens – and that was just onthe afternoon of the first round.

Tataurangi was eight shots offthe pace going into the final dayafter rounds of 72 71 69 butswept home with a five under67, despite another stormstoppage, to win by a shot. Andin probably another PGA first,the winner’s wife, Melanie,caddied for him.

Great White Shark becomes PGA White Knight

Norman always has been proudto be associated with and fly thebanner of the PGA since hebegan as a PGA Trainee in 1975.

He excited Australian golf fanswhen he won the AustralianPGA Championship in 1984 atMonash Country Club and in1985 at Castle Hill Country Clubin Sydney.

Surprisingly, in the biggerpicture, many say that Norman’sgreatest contribution to the PGAChampionship has been since2000 although the best he wasable to do on course was sixthin 2000 at four under and sixthat nine under in 2001, bothtimes at his beloved RoyalQueensland Golf Club.

GREG NORMAN, THE FACE OF GOLF IN AUSTRALIA FOR THE PAST 25YEARS, HAS BEEN THE MOST DOMINANT FIGURE IN THE MODERNHISTORY OF THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP ALTHOUGH HE HAS WON THETITLE ONLY TWICE.

However it was off course thathe stuck his most telling blows.Early in 2000 Norman, by wayof his Great White SharkEnterprises company, agreed to be part of a deal with thePGA of Australia.

To say the undertaking has been a glittering success is an understatement. The PGAChampionship currently isenjoying its greatest spectatorsupport and TV ratings.

After two years at RoyalQueensland the PGAChampionship was transferredto the beautiful Hyatt RegencyCoolum resort on the SunshineCoast where it has provided the event and the state ofQueensland with unparalleledworldwide exposure.

The Chief Executive Officer of the PGA of Australia, Max Garske, summed it up well when he said at the time:“The PGA is fortunate that eventhough Greg always was abrilliant golfer he has highregard for the PGA by virtue ofhis PGA Traineeship. He has agreat understanding of, andidentifies with, all levels of thePGA membership.”

There is no doubt Greg Normancan reflect proudly on theachievement that he has helpedrestore the noble event to itsplace as Australia’s foremostprofessional title.

Greg Norman was the dominant figure in reinvigorating the PGA Championship andbringing it to Queensland.

33

PGA PRO-AM A DOUBLE WINNER FOR LONARDTHE HUMBLE PRO-AM EVENT AT THE 2001AUSTRALIAN PGACHAMPIONSHIP AT ROYAL QUEENSLAND WAS TO PROVEPIVOTAL TO PETER LONARD’S GOLF CAREER EVEN THOUGH HE FINISHED 25TH IN THE TOURNAMENT WITH A FINALROUND OF 79, ONE OF HIS WORST-EVER SCORES.

In the pro-am one of hispartners was John Dunlop, theCommercial Operations Managerfor the PGA of Australia, and themarketing man was amazed tolearn from Lonard that he wasactually buying his preferredCallaway golf balls by way of hismate Sean Somers, the club proat the Mornington Golf Club.

A quick telephone call after thepro-am from Dunlop to FrankMcCarthy, the head of Callawayin Australia, and that sameafternoon several hundredvarious model Callaway ballsarrived for Lonard to use.Lonard’s team didn’t win thepro-am but he was heard to say:“What a pro-am partner,” inappreciation of the PGA man’smarketing move.

Somers might have lost a richpro-shop customer, but Callawaygained a prolific winner andsoon after signed Lonard to aperformance contract whichcontinues today and has been ahuge success for both parties.

Also just before the same pro-am, Lonard decided to use abroomstick putter for only thesecond time in 18 months,having won the 2000 Ford South Australian Open and the2001 ANZ Tour Championshipwith short putters. It was toprove a momentous decision by Lonard who began using the heavyweight AustralianPendulum to great effect.

In the following three yearsLonard won two Australian PGA Championships, anAustralian Open, an AustralianMasters and a NSW Open usingthat putter. He since has revertedto a short putter but he still isusing those Callaway golf balls.

Peter Lonard’s linking with the Pendulum long putter and Callaway ball late in 2001 was a huge success.

MODERN ERA 1996 & BEYOND

“On behalf of the State Government of Queensland I extend to all players andspectators of the Australian PGA Championship a very warm welcome.

I am delighted that Queensland is the home of this million dollar event andthat you have the opportunity to experience the best our State has to offer –magnificent weather, friendly locals and of course, unforgettable golf.”

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, 2000

A turning point

In 2000, Queensland’s favourite son Greg Norman brought the Australian PGA Championship to his home state. Tennis ace, Lleyton Hewitt, caddies for Greg Norman in 2003 (right).

35

FONDLY REGARDED AS THE‘CRADLE’ OF MANY OFAUSTRALIA’S GOLFING LEGENDSINCLUDING KARRIE WEBB, ADAMSCOTT, IAN BAKER-FINCH, RODPAMPLING AND OF COURSE THEGREAT WHITE SHARK HIMSELF,QUEENSLAND’S GLITTERINGEASTERN SHORES HAVE OFTENBEEN REFERRED TO AS THE ‘GOLFCOAST’ OF AUSTRALIA.

Boasting some of the world’smost spectacular golf courses,including those designed byGreg Norman and Karrie Webb,resident and visiting golfers andtheir loyal fans are spoiled forchoice in Queensland.

QUEENSLAND: PAR EXCELLENCEIn fact, it is rare to find aQueensland golf course out ofrange of one of the state’sbeautiful cities, which comestandard-equipped with superbdining and shopping options,stunning coastal and mountainscenery, year-round warmweather and even warmer locals.Yet the sport remains anaffordable hobby for leisuregolfers – who often make up thebulk of the spectators at majorevents such as the AustralianPGA Championship.

Certainly any doubts as toQueensland’s suitability as thelocation for a turning point inthe Championship’s reputationand fortunes were soon laid torest. The events in the lead upto, and the success of the 2000tournament at the RoyalQueensland Golf Club inBrisbane were unmistakablemarkers of a bright future.

A LONG-STANDINGRELATIONSHIP HAD BEENFORMED BETWEEN GREAT WHITESHARK ENTERPRISES AND THEQUEENSLAND STATEGOVERNMENT THROUGH ITSAGENCY QUEENSLAND EVENTS INTHE FORMATIVE DAYS.

Charged with boosting theprofile of Queensland throughmajor events, Queensland Eventsalready had one golden featherin its golfing cap – the annualANZ Ladies Masters, one of therichest women’s tournaments inthe southern hemisphere andone of the most watched ontelevision in the world.

Queensland Events’ success insecuring, managing and hostingleading international sportingevents had already seen it createthe largest portfolio of supportedevents in Australia. Operating inthe very competitive globalevents economy, the organisationhad a solid policy of investingin, rather than simply funding,major events.

These investment decisions were,and continue to be, based onthe economic return an eventcould deliver to its host town orcity and to the state’s overalltourism economy.

The chance to play a role in thegrowth of the Australian PGAChampionship was immediatelyrecognised by the forward-thinking agency as an investmentin Queensland’s future.

“Early on Queensland Eventssaw how well the AustralianPGA Championship fitted inwith our strategy of using majorsporting events as economic andtourism drivers for the state,”said Des Power, Chairman ofQueensland Events

“After all, there are few sports inexistence with closer links to thebusiness world than golf.”

“It has fantastic appeal to bothladies and men, to a broadrange of age groups and, mostimportantly, to key markets – tothe decision makers, the leaders,the visionaries, both inQueensland and throughoutSouth-East Asia.”

Indeed, the Australian PGAChampionship pavedQueensland’s way to a greaterprofile among tourism andbusiness markets throughoutSouth-East Asia.

Prime examples includecountries like China and Korea,two of the golfing world’s fastestgrowing nations. (More than 200golf courses have been built inChina since 1984 and another200 or more were already onthe cards for future developmentin 2005.)

With both countries also havingthe distinction of being keybusiness and tourism targets forQueensland, Queensland Eventshas in the Australian PGAChampionship found a naturalally in both business and pleasure.

“In order to drive the value forQueensland home, we’ve builtup and utilised the popularity of the Championship in a verystrategic manner,” said Des Power.

“Typical activities have includedhosting international journalistsduring the tournament andsupporting television coveragewhich has seen Queenslandprofiled across South-East Asiaand the globe.”

“The event has also presentedsome wonderful opportunities tobuild relationships with keybusiness figures from Asia, suchas during 2004 when one ofKorea’s leading businessmenfrom the mining industry playedalongside Greg Norman in thePro-Am.”

A real coup, and just one ofmany aces this winningtournament has driven home forQueensland. All eyes remain onthe ball as the Cadbury SchweppesAustralian PGA Championshipplays on into the future.

BEHIND THE BANNERS

Putt of the year makestied-title history

The pair played brilliantly toshoot 17 under par for 72 holesbut it wasn’t their spectacularshots which has earned them aplace in PGA history. They arethe only joint champions listedin the proud 100 years of theevent.

Lonard, who shot 65 68 70 68and Moseley, 65 66 67 73,shared the honour of winningthe Joe Kirkwood Cup, afterdarkness and travelcommitments the next dayprevented the play-off fromcontinuing after the first hadbeen squared.

The pair was declared jointwinners in a decision thataroused widespread mediacontroversy. In 2002, the VolvoMasters in Europe also ended ina tie. After the Australian PGAtie, even World #1 Tiger Woodswas prompted to wonder aloud“Whose picture do they put onthe program next year?”

THERE HAD BEEN PLAY-OFFS BEFORE IN THE AUSTRALIAN PGACHAMPIONSHIP BUT IT’S SAFE TO SAY THAT THE 2002 DECIDERBETWEEN PETER LONARD AND JARROD MOSELEY IS THE MOSTMEMORABLE – MAINLY BECAUSE IT NEVER ENDED.

However the announcement ofdual winners was cheered andwelcomed by the thousands ofspectators at the Hyatt RegencyCoolum and the millionswatching on TV. They had beenthrilled to witness the drama asMoseley just failed to lead all theway with Lonard catching himon the final hole.

The unusual darkness problemwas brought about by a one-hour-40-minute storm delayearlier in the day and the lack ofdaylight saving in Queensland.So poor was the light thatLonard did not see his “putt ofthe year” on 18 – a 20m uphilland downhill swinger from theright – actually go in the hole.

Lonard had begun the finalround five shots behind Moseleywho had set a blistering pace tobe 18 under after 54 holes withrounds of 65 66 and 67. Lonardhad shot 65 68 and 70 butsaved his best until last to finishwith a 68 against Moseley’s 73.When it came to the final holeMoseley was safely in the middleof the green about eight metresfrom the hole and still oneahead while Lonard was about20m short of the cup. It seemedall Moseley would need was twoputts for a win, but Lonardwasn’t done with.

Lonard’s caddie was his mateMaurie Moses, the club pro atNelson Bay Golf Club, and hetakes up the story: “Pete said aswe looked at the putt in thefading light: ‘It is about five orsix feet right to left, isn’t it? Justsay yes.’ So I did. He hit it spoton and I could tell it was goingin when it was about 15 feet outso I pulled the pin. Pete thencouldn’t see the hole and onlyknew it was in when itdisappeared, although thecrowd’s reaction told him it wasgetting close.”

37

Jarrod Moseley shows his anguish at missing his putt at the last hole (below). Thespectators at Coolum were glued to the action in the exciting closing stages (above),when Peter Lonard, after sinking his 20m putt of the year, forced a play-off (right).Moseley and Lonard share the cup after being declared joint winners in 2002.

MODERN ERA 1996 & BEYOND

THE DAY DALYDROWNED HIS PUTTERSUCH IS THE INTENSE MEDIASPOTLIGHT WHICH IS FOCUSSEDON ELITE SPORTS STARS ON ANDOFF THEIR FIELDS OF ENDEAVOUR,WHEN MOST PEOPLE DISCUSS US TOUR STAR JOHN DALY THEYDON’T ALWAYS REFLECT ON HISBRITISH OPEN AND US PGACHAMPIONSHIP WINS.

Most often they talk about someof the controversial aspects of hislifestyle – concerning hispersonal life.

So, when Daly’s name ismentioned in relation to playingin Australia most people reflecton his sensational “drowning of his putter” and subsequentwalk-off from the 2002Australian PGA title at the Hyatt Regency Coolum.

Few will recall that Daly hadplayed up to his brilliant best to be four under par and withinsight of the leaders with nineholes to play in the secondround of the event.

However after a volatile incidentat the 13th hole where hedisagreed with his playingpartners Greg Norman and Craig Parry as well as a PGAtour official as to where his ball crossed a hazard, Daly self-destructed.

He shot a triple bogey on 13 toslip out of contention and whenhe followed with another sevenat the 18th for 46 home and a78 he drowned his sorrows andhis putter by hurling it into theadjacent lake. He thendisqualified himself by refusingto sign his scorecard and walkedback up the 18th fairway to hisaccommodation.

Tony Roosenburg, President ofSFX Sports Golf (Australia), whohad organised Daly’s appearance,summed it up well when hesaid: “He was four-under afternine holes and going like arocket but there is a fuse in the man and it was lit.We promoted him as the ‘wildthing’ and he proved to be ‘the wild thing’.”

The putter Daly hurled into the lake by the 18th green wasretrieved by a diver and is ondisplay at the Hyatt RegencyCoolum. Daly left his clubs and bag with friend and formerAustralian tour player Brett Ogleand they were raffled for achildren's charity.

The deft putting stroke of John Daly at the 2002 PGA – before the “drowning”.

39

SENIOR UPSTAGES KIDSWITH ‘COMEBACK’ WINTHE WIN BY PETER SENIOR IN THE 2003 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AT HYATTREGENCY COOLUM MARKED NOT ONLY HIS FIRST TOURNAMENT WINFOR SIX YEARS, BUT CONVINCED HIM THAT AT 44 YEARS OF AGE, HEWAS BACK ON TRACK AS A PROFESSIONAL GOLFER.

Not long after winning the 1997Canon Challenge Senior becameso disenchanted with his swingthat he actually contemplatedgiving away tournament golf.

After winning in 2003 he said:“I had a lot of tough timeswhere I wasn’t satisfied with theway I was playing even though I was scoring really well. I wasscared stiff over every shot and I didn’t want to continue that.”

Senior said that is why heconsulted the highly respectedGold Coast coach Gary Edwin“to build a golf swing he wouldbe happy with”.

He and Edwin certainly werehappy with how he wasswinging at Coolum in 2003with Senior leading all of the way with rounds of 64 65 69 73to see off Edwin’s stable star Rod Pampling (65 69 69 69) by a shot.

As if to underscore his veteranstatus Senior had the pleasure of playing the final round withWade Ormsby (the 23-year-oldson of Senior’s good friend PeteOrmsby). The young SouthAustralian had shot up theleaderboard with a brilliant 63 in the third round.

The PGA title win also tookSenior past Greg Norman on theAustralasian Tour career earningslist with a tally of $3,299,467.

Peter Senior on his way to a brilliant win in 2003 (above). The Robert Trent Jones Jrdesign at Hyatt Regency Coolum is a testing layout in idyllic surroundings.

MODERN ERA 1996 & BEYOND

Clockwise from above: England’s DavidHowell, winner in 1998, Scotland’sAndrew Coltart (1994 and 1997) andNew Zealand’s Greg Turner (1999),kept the Aussies at bay in the PGA formost of the 1990s. Robert Allenby (farright) ended the foreign dominationwith his back-to-back wins at RoyalQueensland in 2000 and 2001.

41

Winning Aussies –a proud past andglittering future

Australians not only havedominated in recent years –providing the past six winners –but of the 83 known stagings ofthe Australian PGA Championship(with non-play gaps during thewar years and lapses in resultsrecords) locals have won 66 times.

True there have been periods offoreign domination, notably withScottish pair Dan Soutar andCarnegie Clark sharing the titlebetween them for the first six years.

Then there was another rash ofwins by overseas players in theearly 1980s with American HaleIrwin, Scot Sam Torrance andSpaniard Seve Ballesteros winningit three times in four years.

And as recently as 11 years agoScot Andrew Coltart in 1994began a run of five straightoverseas winners with PhilTataurangi successful in 1996,Coltart again in 1997, England’sDavid Howell in 1998 and KiwiGreg Turner winning in 1999.

However since the start of the2000 millennium every winnerhas been home-grown andamazingly we have done betterthan one a year with PeterLonard and Jarrod Moseley beingdeclared joint winners in 2002,joining Robert Allenby 2000 and2001, Peter Senior in 2003 andLonard again in 2004.

This all-Aussie look to the JoeKirkwood Cup in recent years is no coincidence, as it comes at a time when Australian golfersare second only to US players in the top-100 world rankings.

The PGA of Australia’sforefathers could only havedreamed that the Australian PGA Championship would be celebrating its Centenary just as Australia’s professionalgolfers have come of age on the world stage.

THERE IS MUCH FOR AUSTRALIAN GOLF TO CELEBRATE WHEN THEAUSTRALIAN PGA CENTENARY’S HONOUR ROLL IS DISPLAYED –AUSTRALIA’S FINEST PROFESSIONAL GOLFERS HAVE STOOD PROUD INCOMPETING AGAINST MOST OF THE WORLD’S BEST WHO HAVE COMETO CHALLENGE THEM SINCE 1905.

MODERN ERA 1996 & BEYOND

Almost every aspect of theplaying of the game has beenreflected in the huge variety of winners of the oldestprofessional tournament in Australia.

From the PGA’s foundationmembers, the self-taughtScottish golf pros who not onlyplayed the game at the highestlevel but also worked longhours making clubs andteaching anybody and everybody, to the globaltravelling multi-millionaire jet-set tournament professionals oftoday – they all at some stagebattled for the honour to holdaloft the Joe Kirkwood Cup.

From humble beginnings, as a follow-on match play eventplayed for a small cash prize to the glamorous event at theHyatt Regency Coolum in itsCentenary Year, the PGAchampionship has providedworld-class golf performancesdosed with drama and splashesof humour.

Through its high and lows it has endured as the trophymost cherished by AustralianPGA professionals. Given itscontinuing high standing on theAustralasian PGA Tour Calendar,the PGA Championship canconfidently look forward to another glittering century of success.

1905 D Soutar Royal Melbourne1906 D Soutar Royal Sydney1907 D Soutar Royal Melbourne1908 C Clark The Australian1909 No details1910 D Soutar Glenelg1911 C Campbell Royal Sydney1912-20 No details1921 A Le Fevre1922 C Campbell Royal Sydney1923 F Popplewell Royal Adelaide1924 T Howard Royal Melbourne1925 T Howard The Australian1926 F Eyre The Australian1927-28 No details1929 R Stewart Royal Adelaide1930 J Robertson Metropolitan1931 J D Spence Royal Sydney1932 F McMahon Royal Adelaide1933 S Richardson Royal Melbourne1934 M L Kelly Royal Sydney1935 S Richardson Royal Adelaide1936 W Clifford Oakleigh1937 E Cremin Royal Sydney1938 E Cremin The Australian1939 E Naismith Royal Melbourne1940-45 Not Played1946 N von Nida Manly1947 O Pickworth Royal Melbourne1948 N von Nida Kingston Beach1949 K Nagle Royal Perth1950 N von Nida The Lakes1951 N von Nida Metropolitan1952 W Holder Roseville1953 O Pickworth Royal Melbourne1954 K Nagle Royal Sydney1955 O Pickworth Indooroopilly1956 L Wilson St Michael’s1957 G Player Huntingdale1958 K Nagle Kooyonga1959 K Nagle NSW1960 J Sullivan Royal Fremantle

AA CCEENNTTUURRYYOOFF CCHHAAMMPPIIOONNSS

THE CENTENARY OF THE AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP COMPLETESA SIGNIFICANT AND FASCINATING PERIOD IN THE HISTORY OF GOLF INTHIS COUNTRY.

AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONS

1961 A Murray Rossdale1962 E W Dunk Rossdale1963 C Johnston Oatlands1964 C Johnston Monash 1965 K Nagle Riversdale1966 E W Dunk Royal Sydney1967 P Thomson Metropolitan1968 K Nagle Metropolitan1969 B Devlin Royal Canberra1970 B Devlin Surfers Paradise1971 E W Dunk Surfers Paradise1972 R Vines The Lakes1973 R Vines Bonnie Doon1974 E W Dunk Liverpool1975 V Bennetts Burleigh Heads1976 E W Dunk Rosebud (Vic)1977 M Cahill Yarra Yarra1978 H Irwin Royal Melbourne1979 S Ginn Royal Melbourne1980 S Torrance Royal Melbourne1981 S Ballesteros Royal Melbourne1982 G Marsh Royal Melbourne1983 R Shearer Royal Melbourne1984 G Norman Monash1985 G Norman Castle Hill1986 M Harwood Castle Hill1987 R Mackay The Lakes1988 W Grady Riverside Oaks1989 P Senior Riverside Oaks1990 B Ogle Riverside Oaks1991 W Grady Concord1992 C Parry Concord1993 I Baker-Finch Concord1994 A Coltart NSW1995 Not Played1996 P Tataurangi NSW1997 A Coltart NSW1998 D Howell NSW1999 G Turner Vic2000 R Allenby Royal Queensland2001 R Allenby Royal Queensland2002 P Lonard/J Moseley Hyatt Coolum2003 P Senior Hyatt Coolum2004 P Lonard Hyatt Coolum

YEAR WINNER VENUE

43

A CENTURY OF CHAMPIONS

With the Australian PGAChampionship course on yourdoorstep and the luxury of five-star resort facilities, HyattCoolum is a truly uniquedestination.

Now, as the PGA celebratesanother year of golf on thefamous Hyatt Coolum course,the resort and surrounds arealso entering a new era.

Brought in 2003 by Lend Lease,the Hyatt Regency Coolum isundergoing a transformationfrom a luxury coastal resort to a modern five-star resortcommunity.

Just as golf has evolved, withlonger drives and more accurateputters, Hyatt Coolum is now aplace you will want to stay alittle longer. The refurbishmentof existing accommodation andfacilities, the creation of newexciting golf challenges and theopportunity to live permanentlyat the resort is lifting this specialplace to new heights.

In partnership with resortmanagers Hyatt International,Lend Lease has a vision to createa resort community that honoursthe heritage and unique naturalassets of Hyatt Coolum.

A host of environmental andsocial initiatives have beenidentified for the site, includingthe preservation of coastalrainforest, creation of newexciting events and the creationof new resort communities.

Using timeless, sophisticatedarchitecture, the newcommunities will complementthe existing facilities and blendinto the natural treedsurroundings. The new HyattCoolum will epitomise coastalelegance across a range ofinspiring living options.

To date, two exclusive resortliving options have been created.Visage is a precinct ofarchitecturally designed luxuryresidences nestled between the12th and 17th fairways, whileVantage offered purchasers thechance to create their dreamhome on their own land in thetree-lined streets of HyattCoolum.

For more information about thenew Hyatt Coolum, call LendLease on 1800 688 530.

The ultimategolfing addressTHE CRADLE OF LAND BETWEEN THE GIANT ROCK OF MOUNTCOOLUM AND THE SANDY SHORES OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN ISTHE PERFECT HOME FOR THE HYATT REGENCY COOLUM ANDTHE ULTIMATE GOLFING ADDRESS.

Golf’s Great Walks is proud to have published this collectionof memorable moments from the first 100 years of theAustralian PGA Championship.

True to our goal to deliver the magic of golf to everyonewith a passion for the game, we have many other new andexciting projects under development for release in 2006,including regional golf experiences, quality golf publications,imaginative and stylish golf apparel – and much more.

For more information, visit our website:

www.golfsgreatwalks.com

A Golf’s Great Walks publication by Churchill Press © 2005

Designed and produced by Bonser DesignSuite 17, 336 Churchill Ave, Subiaco, Western Australia 6008T (61 8) 9382 1155

Text by Bill ColhounImages © PGA of Australia Ltd 2005 Photo credits: Sport the Library (22); Newspix (19,24,26,27,28,43);David Kapernick/The Courier-Mail (34)

This book is printed on environmentally friendly paper.

The National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication data:

It's been a great walk : 100 years of the Australian PGAChampionship.

ISBN 0 9758263 0 1.

1. Professional Golfers' Association of Australia - History.2. Golf - Tournaments - Australia - History.

796.3520994

This book has been produced in co-operationwith the PGA of Australia.

www.pga.org.au

. . . delivering the magic of golf to everyone with a passion for the game.