IN CASE YOU M ISSED I T

AN idea that was rejected by a golf industry stalwart as the “the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard” has been awarded the 2019 Telstra Business Award. FUTURE GOLF was launched in 2014 with a simple Facebook post and $100 website. Today, the member and partner-driven movement – which offers rounds and events at partner courses and links would-be golfers with a youth-driven community – has already injected more than $5 million into Australian golf economy and more than 700 Future Golf members have gone on to become members of clubs.

The PGA Tour’s longest hitter, CAMERON CHAMP, (pictured below) won his second Tour title at The Safeway Open. He dedicated the victory to his grandfather, who is battling stomach cancer. It was his grandfather, Mack, who introduced him to golf at a young age.

Queensland’s ROD PAMPLING made his debut on the PGA Tour Champions, finishing T16 and six shots from the lead at the Pure Insurance Championship.

WHITNEY HILLIER had her best finish of the Ladies European Tour season with a T7 in the Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open, which included a second-round ace.

SERGIO GARCIA (pictured above) and C.T PAN were added to the field for the Emirates Australian Open to be played from December 5 to 8. The pair add to an increasing list of star power for the championship including JASON DAY, MARC LEISHMAN, CAMERON SMITH, ERNIE ELS, LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN and PAUL CASEY.

Final approval has been granted for a 36hole seaside course to be built in South Australia’s south-east, near Robe. The NORA CREINA GOLF RESORT will feature two 18-hole public access courses laid out in the sand dunes behind a long stretch of beach. Acclaimed course architect Bob Harrison has been linked to the project.

Top Australian amateurs DAVID MICHELUZZI and BLAKE WINDRED turned professional after competing in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) in China, won by local hero YUXIN LIN in a play-off.

Speaking of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship; the event will return to ROYAL MELBOURNE GOLF CLUB in 2020. The championship, which was last played across the Sandbelt course in 2014, will be contested from October 29 to November 1.

Victoria’s LUKAS MICHEL has booked himself a start in the 2020 Masters and US Open after becoming the first Australian to win the US Mid-Amateur Championship. Michel, 25, took two weeks off from his job at the Melbourne Golf Academy to compete in the prestigious over-25s tournament and claimed the title 2 and 1 over American Joseph Deraney. Michel bagged four birdies in the last eight holes of the match to win.