Terry Price and his extraordinary golfing life
with Matt“ Duck Man” Austin
Australia has produced its share of remarkable golfers, and Terry Price is certainly among them. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with him ahead of the Sharp EIT Solutions PGA Seniors Championship held in Richmond in November. A respected figure and pioneer in Australian golf, Terry began his professional journey in 1978 at just 17 years of age.
Although now a Hope Island resident with 12 professional wins around the world, Terry grew up in Rockhampton and never intended golf to be his first sporting path. Rugby league was his focus, and he initially travelled to Brisbane to pursue it. Golf, however, was always close by. As
Terry Price Winning the Pon Senior Open. Credit PGA of Australia a teenager he caddied simply to earn a few dollars, and it was during those early days that he absorbed the game, learned quickly and developed his foundation without pressure.
Terry joined the PGA Tour of Australasia in 1986 and claimed his first tournament victory in 1988 at the Queensland PGSA Championship. Since then, he has collected five official wins on the tour, along with several other triumphs both in Australia and internationally. He also spent time on the European Tour, playing three seasons in the early 1990s before returning again in 2003 via Qualifying School. His career-best finish on the European Tour Order of Merit was 53rd in 2004. Injury curtailed his 2006 season and he eventually lost his card in 2007. Terry describes the Sharp EIT Solutions PGA Seniors Championship at Richmond as the flagship event of around 80 tournaments on the senior circuit in Australia.
He notes that becoming a professional golfer today requires enormous commitment, with players working 12 – 14 hours a day, hitting the gym and concentrating on nutrition. With golf now truly global, Terry says the standard is“ quite extraordinary”, and senior tournaments are full of talent, experience and tactical nous.“ There are some extremely good players in the tournament, including five Australian PGA champions,” he said during our chat on the Weekend Sports Wrap on Pulse FM 89.9.
Equipment advances have been a major factor in the sport’ s evolution and have helped bring many new players into the game. Terry says modern gear allows even golfers with a 15 handicap to be competitive. Relaxed dress standards have also removed barriers for people wanting to give golf a try.
While each of his wins means something different, Terry considers his European Seniors victory at the Pon Senior Open in 2012 played alongside Bernhard Langer shortly after recovering from a serious leg injury as his career highlight. He also credits Tiger Woods with transforming the global profile of the game and expanding its appeal.
Terry Price drives a shot down the fairway. Credit PGA of Australia
Looking ahead, Terry is excited about the upcoming summer of senior golf and the prospect of seeing Rory McIlroy competing at the Australian Open.
Reflecting on his journey, Terry says he’ s been privileged to compete with outstanding players, experience some of the world’ s greatest golf courses, and share those moments with fans.
Terry Price has indeed enjoyed an extraordinary career in the sport he grew to love.
Western Sydney Rollers bumping their way to the top
with Matt“ Duck Man” Austin
Who remembers heading down to Skatel in Windsor during the 80s and 90s? If you’ ve never tried roller derby, watching the Western Sydney Rollers in action is certainly an eye-opening experience. One thing becomes clear very quickly – everyone has a cool derby nickname, and no-one shies away from a hit!
I spoke to Dobie One Kenobie, organiser of Western Sydney Rollers, who first discovered the club on Facebook. Looking for somewhere to skate around Penrith, she eventually joined Hawkesbury / Hills Area Roller Derby( known as HARD) in 2011. Dobie was inspired to try the sport after watching the
Western Sydney Rollers ready for action. movie Whip It, starring Drew Barrymore. She now competes alongside her sister and has played in South Australia and Canberra.
The club has around 15 – 18 members plus two juniors who travel all the way from Watsons Bay.
One of the skaters, Pixiematosis, works as an Environmental Scientist with Transport for NSW. She started in 2011 after skating at Peachtree as a kid and watching a friend compete.
Western Sydney Rollers welcome everyone, from complete beginners to experienced competitors, and they’ re always looking for new members. New skaters are called“ fresh meat” or“ freshies”. After the beginner stage, participants progress to Learn to Derby. Competitors wear helmets with different coloured stickers to indicate their level of experience.
Because roller derby is full contact, new skaters usually spend about 12 weeks preparing before progressing to Learn to Derby, which takes around 16 weeks. Moving into fullcontact competition generally takes about three months for highly motivated skaters. There is also a junior league for ages 9 – 15. Seniors start from 16( with parental permission) or 18 unrestricted, and there are competitors in their 60s and 70s. The average age of competitors ranges from 30 – 40.
Some skaters specialise in scoring while others block. Pixiematosis describes roller derby as“ playing chess while people throw bricks at you”. The game requires a mix of attack, defence, strength and fitness. Games are played in two 30-minute halves with four blockers and one jammer on the track for each team. The blockers help their jammer get through the pack. Jammers earn points by passing opposing skaters, and the first jammer out becomes“ lead jammer”.
Teams have between seven and
Bumping and blocking with Western Sydney Rollers
fourteen players during a bout. The“ engagement zone” is the only area where blockers are allowed to hit. Knocking players out of bounds earns points and is jokingly referred to as“ grabbing a snack”.
Skater Sonic Bash earned her nickname due to her endless energy. At just 16, she is the youngest senior outside of the junior division. She mainly plays as an outside blocker or in a backwards position. Sonic would like to see the sport continue to grow so more players can get involved.
Roller derby includes a Women’ s Flat Track Roller Derby Association, which inspired the phrase“ flat track bullies”. There’ s even a Roller Derby World Cup, with Australia fielding a national team.
Above all, roller derby is celebrated for welcoming all body types and for being proudly gender-inclusive.
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 188 // JANUARY 2026 29