WITH SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST GOLFERS ON THE COAST, TOM BOSWELL SITS DOWN WITH FOUR LONG-TIME ROYAL PINES MEMBERS TO TALK PGA
Royal Pines had a major redesign in 2014 and 2015. How have you felt about the changes that were made?
Wayne Jones: When they first did the renovation it was so difficult because of the greens. They were so quick and because of the undulation and raised areas you would hit a good shot on but it would just run off.
How did everyone’s handicaps fare afterwards?
Colin Reddrop: I’m definitely a better golfer for playing at Royal Pines even though my handicap doesn’t reflect that. The best thing since it’s been redone is that there are nearly no shots on the course that you don’t have to think about.
Does it get tougher to play the course in the lead-up to the Aussie PGA Championship?
Wayne: Having to keep the carts on the path is the hardest thing. You have to walk over to the ball and then you discover you have got the wrong club with you.
What is one of the biggest challenges the professionals will face this week?
Wayne: We have had some plovers hanging around for the past month or two who have nested on the fringe of some bunkers. Some of the guys have been attacked by them. It’s at the extent where you have to pick your ball up and run to a safe spot where you can hit it while someone stands there waving a club.
What are some of the biggest things you take away from watching the pros play?
Colin: They drive the ball into the next postcode and their long iron shots are great. They hit a four iron from 200m and stop it on the green. We can’t do that, well, John can.
Are there any common traps you see the professionals falling into on the course that you already know about?
Brian Guest: The 18th is really hard and most people say it’s the hardest hole. More often than not the pro players will not even stay on the green. They will hit it and roll off nearly every time.
You must take hope from knowing even the professionals get it wrong?
Wayne: I’m amazed when you see so many players do the wrong thing on their second shot while they are chipping on to the green or even stuff a putt up. It brings it all back to reality a bit.
Do you also take some ideas and tips after watching them tear up the course?
Wayne: We all do that. Even while watching events on TV you take tips out of watching shots. We should go back and practise on the range or greens but we go on the course and do it.
When is the best time of the day to play the course?
John Boe: We usually try to tee off in the first or second group because you get around faster. Any course backs up over the course of the day. It’s a beautiful course but the wind picks up through the day too. Sometimes it can be a disadvantage to tee off too early though because you get a bit of water on the grass.
Has anyone hit a hole-in-one there?
John: My wife has. It added to a really good week for her. Our grandson was born on the Monday, she won the pennants on Tuesday and got the hole-inone on the 16th on the Saturday. I have had three (hole-in-ones) but not at Royal Pines. I remember watching golf journalist Bruce Young put a ball six-feet from the hole on a par three and thought he was going to get the nearest to pin award. Former marathon runner Jeff Hunt put his six inches from the hole and thought the same and then the next bloke put it in.
MONDAY’S BULLETIN FINAL WRAP OF ALL THE PGA ACTION