AN ABSOLUTE BELTER

YOU don’t need to be mad about golf to appreciate the excellence of the Melbourne Sandbelt. But the excellence of the Melbourne Sandbelt can certainly make you mad about golf …

I remember dragging my younger brother along to watch the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne in 2011.

At first I thought he was just feigning interest, but I’ll never forget what he said during the car ride home: “I reckon I might tag along next time you have a hit.”

Where was this coming from?! I’d been inviting him for years to the local course or the driving range and he had always knocked me back.

When I asked him why, he didn’t mention being inspired by the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson or Ernie Els. Instead, he smiled and said: “I want to play Royal Melbourne one day and I don’t want to look stupid.”

One day on the Sandbelt and he was immediately hooked on the game. Seven years later, he’s the one asking me away on golf trips.

Anyway, my point is, I’m not sure we’re utilising the courses on the Sandbelt enough …

Sure, Metropolitan is set to welcome the World Cup of Golf later this month and the Presidents Cup will return to Royal Melbourne in 2019. Then the Australian Open will move to Kingston Heath in 2020 after an 18-year hiatus on the Sandbelt.

But why isn’t there an annual event in place to showcase the Sandbelt to the world – and would it be feasible to create an Australian equivalent of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship?

Imagine the likes of Royal Melbourne, Kingston Heath and Victoria teaming up to welcome professionals and celebrity amateurs alike. Think Shane Warne partnering Adam Scott, while Cameron Smith, the rugby league version, teams up with his golfing namesake ... Ricky Ponting could rekindle his combination with Jordan Spieth. The trophy could even be a belt …

It would certainly strengthen the Australian summer of golf – especially if co-sanctioned by the European Tour – and could be played the week prior to the World Super 6.

The Australian circuit has already welcomed innovative tournaments to its schedule (see above and the newly co-sanctioned Vic Open). An annual Pro-Am across three Sandbelt courses would only help to grow the game in this country.

Something to think about.