Ikin sees clearly now how tough it is BEN CROSSES THE GREAT GOLF DIVIDE
By Tony Durkin
Like many retired sports people who have reached the pinnacle of their chosen career , former rugby league international and NRL 360 TV host Ben Ikin finds it difficult to drop his competitive guard .
And that ’ s why it was an extremely stimulating assignment to caddy for his good mate Matt Guyatt during the recent Queensland and Australian Opens . Ikin , a seven-marker at Indooroopilly Golf Club , had to put in his pocket his burgeoning golf knowledge and the wealth of experience gathered during a decade-long first class footy career .
“ It wasn ’ t exactly a case of me being seen and not heard , but I was well aware of the boundaries ,” he said .
“ I have theories that we both embrace , but I accept Matty has infinitely more knowledge of golf . Having said that , I felt more comfortable in the role during the Australian Open , our second outing together .
“ We agreed on a process that would , ideally , prevail throughout the four days of the tournament . My job was to monitor that process and if he veered away from what we agreed , I would remind him .
“ Our strategy was to stay disciplined to our plan for four days , irrespective of whether the golf was amazing or thereabouts . And the result , I believe , showed we achieved that .” games for the Maroons before injury intervened , and played two Tests for the Kangaroos as well as making 150 NRL appearances for the Gold Coast Seagulls , North Sydney and the Broncos .
But despite that profile Ikin admits to being like a ‘ kid in a lolly shop ’ during the Australian Open played for the 14th time at the prestigious Royal Sydney Golf Club .
“ One morning before play I was standing with Matty near the putting green and a metre from me on one side was Adam Scott and his caddy Steve Williams , while a metre the other side were Jordan Spieth and Michael Greller ,” he recalled .
“ Steve was strategically placing tees in the green as a putting aid for Adam and Michael was doing something equally as important for Jordan , and I was just standing there , in awe of my surroundings . In moments like those I don ’ t think I was much assistance to Matty .”
When asked if there were any definitive ‘ no no ’ s ’ laid down between player and caddy prior to the tournament , Ikin was categorical .
“ Yes , we agreed on a no post-shot commentary rule ,” he said . “ There were no good shots , and there were no bad shots . There were just shots . And the goal over 72 holes was merely to play as few shots as possible .”
But did Ikin feel he was a help to Guyatt , who finished Australia ’ s premier golf tournament tied 28th at four-under par ( 69-74-69-72 )?
“ You ’ d have to ask Matty that , but I think maybe I was ,” he said . Ben Ikin is a big name in rugby league , and a greatlyrespected figure .
He debuted for Queensland at age 18 , and remains the youngest State of Origin player . He went on to play 17 www . golfqueensland . org . au Summer 2016 Q Golf 17