Inside Golf, Australia. August 2014 | Page 63

golf qld Cullen to defend his crown I n 2013 Nick Cullen held his nerve to defeat marquee player Peter O’Malley and win the Isuzu Queensland Open’s T.B. Hunter Cup at Brookwater Golf and Country Club. Golf Queensland releases video resource suite The videos cover basic Golf Queensland has released a suite of Rules of Golf and Golf Etiquette videos aimed to educate and inform new and current golfers.  The etiquette suite includes pace of play, raking of bunkers and repairing divots; while the rules videos comprise of, out of bounds, water hazards and loose impediments plus many more. Golf Operations Manager Luke Bates said it was important for Golf Queensland to provide innovative ways of providing information to Queensland golfers. He finished with a fantastic total of 9-under (279), set up after a third round course record of 7-under par 65. Golf Etiquette and the Rules of Golf and we hope they will help people with their understanding of these aspects of the game. “In addition to individuals viewing the videos, Golf Queensland encourages clubs to use this free resource to assist in the education of their members.” The win was Cullen’s second as a professional golfer, after winning on the OneAsia Tour in 2012. “With the ever expanding digital space, people are looking to the internet for information and answers to their questions and it is important for Golf Queensland to provide this accurately,” Bates said. Golf Queensland’s Golf Operations Officer, Matt Field who fronts the videos, recently returned from the Golf Australia Advanced State Level Rules Seminar in Auckland which included presenters from the R&A and Australasian PGA Tour.  “It felt great to have my second win. I think the second win is harder than the first one, now I’m looking for my third which seems to be even harder!” “The videos are a fantastic learning tool and another way we are able to effectively improve engagement with golf clubs, members and potential members. Matt presently conducts Rules of Golf Seminars across Queensland and answers hundreds of questions relating to the rules of golf in his role.  “Each year Golf Queensland receives over 1000 enquiries relating to the Rules of Golf. To view the suite of videos, visit www.youtube.com/golfqueensland It’s been a difficult year for the South Australian, having to pull out of the Australian Open late last year due to health problems. “I’m going well now, physically I feel good again but I’ve been struggling to get my golf back to the level I was at during the end of last year,” Cullen said. Cullen will be back at Brookwater Golf and Country Club this month to defend his crown and is looking forward to getting back on track. “I’m really excited to be back. I love the course and I’ve obviously got some really great memories from last year so I’m hoping I can put up a good title defence,” he said. “Knowing the course and having confidence in my strategy will definitely be a benefit.” The Championship will be played 28-31 August 2014 at Brookwater Golf and Country Club. Spectators are welcome and entry is free. Bring the kids along to the MyGolf junior activity zone to be held over the weekend of 30-31 August. QUICK 5 WITH NICK CULLEN: Q: Future Plans? A:  o play on the US PGA Tour. That’s T where the best players are and where I want to be. Q: Golfing Idol? A:  dam Scott – His swing, attitude and A professionalism are something every golfer should aspire to be. Q: Favourite course? R A:  oyal Melbourne, Kingston Heath and Carnoustie. They are all amazing courses and I can’t separate them! Q: Best ever round? A:  hird round at the 2013 Isuzu T Queensland Open. I’ve had lower scores before but -7 at Brookwater is something I didn’t think was possible at the start of the week. Q: Favourite golf club in the bag? A: Putter. I love putting! MyGolf fun in regional Queensland During the June/July school holidays, Golf Queensland held three Junior MYGolf Camps designed to introduce and engage juniors of all experience levels to the MYGolf Program. The program focuses on skills development of juniors through games based activities in an environment that is fun and junior friendly. The camps were held at Capricorn Resort, Charters Towers and Emerald Golf Club, with over 130 participants involved ranging in age from 4-15 years old. A structured program was delivered over the three days, consisting of warm up games and activities, skills sessions, putting, chipping and long game, rules and on-course play. Golf Queensland’s Participation Development Manager Adrian Hewat said the camps have become a popular addition to Golf Queensland’s junior development program since its inception last year. “This year’s camps have been fantastic and their popularity really highlights just how important these visits to the regional areas are,” Hewat said. “It’s great to see the juniors not only learning about golf on and off the course but also making new friends, learning life skills and most importantly having fun in a safe environment. “Golf Queensland Development Officer and PGA and ALPG Professional Lee Harrington has been instrumental in the development and delivery of these camps.” Thanks to the assistance of local PGA Professionals Nick Webber (Capricorn Resort), Josh Tindale (Charters Towers) and Dave Delahunty (Emerald), Golf Queensland was able to ensure a smooth delivery of each camp. More: www.golfqueensland.org.au. Queensland Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship Sunday 7 – Tuesday 9 September Entries close Monday 25 August. ww ܹ