Golf-Hotel-Resorts AND CASINO News: Golf Victoria: June Newsletter

Golf Victoria June Newsletter

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Seven and Australian golf sign long-term deal

Australian golf's premier events will be broadcast by the Seven Network this summer and beyond.

Seven, Australia's most-watched broadcast television platform, the PGA of Australia and Golf Australia recently confirmed a new long-term agreement to broadcast the Emirates Australian Open and Australian PGA Championship. Read more...

Olympic golf returns for 2024

Golf will remain in the Olympic Games through at least 2024 with the International Olympic Committee announcing that all 28 sports from the 2016 Rio Games will return in 2024.

Golf made its return to the Olympics in 2016 for the first time since 1904. Read more...

Victorian Government tees off course strategy

The Victorian Government kicked off their planning strategy for the golf industry last week by releasing Planning for Golf in Victoria, a strategy to promote the growth and sustainability of golf for recreation and tourism purposes while addressing future land use impacts. Read more...

Par-3 champions crowned

Commonwealth's Cameron John was the one to catch at the half way point of the Victorian Par-3 Championship, having carded an even par 108 over the opening two rounds.

Entering the final day with a three shot lead over Royal Melbourne's Matias Sanchez, John held solid to finish two shots clear of his fellow state team member. Read more...

Sitting in third place after the opening round, Jess Pickwick had some work to do if she wanted to claim her fourth Victorian Par-3 win.

With 18 holes to play, Pickwick reeled in overnight leader Jo Flaherty with a final round 57 to claim a one-stroke victory and equal Catherine Odgers' record of four Par-3 titles. Read more...

Golf Victoria Magazine Feature:
Sooner or Later, Julienne to Star

In her first 18-hole round of golf, Julienne Soo, at 11 years of age, shot nine over par and had 58 stableford points.

Now, almost a decade on, she is one of the leading players in the pressure-cooker world of American college golf where she attends the University of Oklahoma. Read article...

CLAYTS REVEALS VICTORIA'S BEST
For Inside The Ropes, Mike Clayton reveals his favourite holes in the State and five hidden gems. What do you think? Listen now...

SHOT TO WATCH
We've all seen it. But why not watch it again? Jordan Spieth holes out to win the Travellers on the first playoff hole. Watch...

Q&A with Jess Pickwick
Four-time Victorian Women's Par-3 champion

Firstly, how did you first get into golf?
I first got into golf from my mum. She plays up at Kilmore, where I play at the moment, and I just started through junior clinics there with Taylor Murphy in the pro shop.

Do you remember when your handicap hit single figures?
Not really! It's a fair while ago now but probably around 2008-2009.

In 2011 you headed to Texas for college - Western Texas and then Tarlton. What lead you to that decision?
I didn't want to finish playing golf after high school. I was planning on going to TAFE or University, I hadn't decided yet, but I wanted to keep pursuing my golf so I thought college was a great opportunity to do both.

We see a lot of golfers return from the States and give up the game, what's kept the fire in your belly since returning?
When I finished playing at college I was playing well but I knew there was a lot more I could achieve so I wanted to see how far I could go.

Have you been in touch with any other Aussies who have headed to college?
Yeah, Casey Wild who actually went to my school (Tarlton). I keep in touch with her quite a bit and follow her progress through my old coach. She played really well last year so that was pretty cool - getting to watch her play Nationals and rooting for her to do well while not actually being over there.

So now you're back in Australia. You're working three jobs yet still dominating the Victorian tournament circuit. You've won the Spring Tournament twice, Country Champs, Champion of Champions, Westcoast Open Amateur and now four Par-3 titles. Is that the most par-3 titles in history?
I know one other, Catherine Odgers.

Would you be looking to claim that record outright next year?
I've never really thought about it, but that would be great!

What is it about your game that works so well on the shorter holes?
I have a strong iron game so that helps quite a bit up there (Kyabram Parkland GC), especially with the shorter par-3s. With the longer par-3s I just try and get it around the green and make up and down. That was pretty much the goal being such a hard course. Not being able to chip and run it up to the green, you've just got to fly it to most of the greens just to get it to hold.

So what's next? There's a chance you'll tee it up in the Oates Vic Open after your win at the Westcoast Open Amateur. Have you got any goals in mind or just enjoying your golf?
At the moment I'm taking a bit of time off just to get injuries and things sorted out. Then hopefully keep playing amateur tournaments until the Oates Vic Open and see how I go after that.