As is so often the case, last week’s Australian Open delivered multiple storylines and more than a few talking points. From Cam Smith’s controversial pre-event course setup comments to inclement weather and the multi-championship field, there were numerous avenues for a post-tournament analysis to venture emanating from Kingston Heath and Victoria golf clubs.
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We asked our writers and editors to weigh in.
Who was right about the softer-than-usual golf courses last week: Cam Smith alluding to a deliberate softening to cater for the multiple fields, or those who pointed to the pre-tournament rain as the reason?
Rohan Clarke: Apparently, Cam’s comments went down like a lead balloon with the Kingston Heath maintenance crew. He was wrong to say heavy rain wasn’t the cause of the softer conditions. Heavy rain was a cause. But he was right to allude to the fact Kingston Heath was being prepared in a softer manner so as not to humble the women’s field or All Abilities contestants – many of whom would struggle with rock-hard greens because they can’t spin the ball as much as the men. Incidentally, it’s common knowledge on the Melbourne Sandbelt that club members often combat firmer greens than Australian Open competitors.
Steve Keipert: Superficially, it appeared Smith had a point. And in another week – one devoid of such downpours – he probably did. I sensed frustration in his words, frustration that’s grown over much longer than just one week. The players aren’t happy, and it shows. Yet in this instance, you can blame Mother Nature. However, whether she turned ‘firm-ish’ into ‘soft’ or ‘soft’ into ‘softer’ remains open to debate.
Brad Clifton: I think there was an element of truth from both sides, but the greens on both courses looked far too receptive to be a deliberate ploy to tone things down. Images on social media of pitchmarks on the greens at nearby Royal Melbourne – unheard of, normally – back up the inclement weather excuse.
It’s clear after listening to the players and witnessing now three concurrent Australian Opens that the joint format isn’t working. What’s the best solution?
BC: At first, I thought the format was genius. As a spectator, walking the fairways of Victoria Golf Club two years ago and seeing 2013 Masters champ Adam Scott hole a birdie putt, then turning my head to the right to watch Hall of Famer Karrie Webb pure an iron from yesteryear, I thought: There’s real merit in this. Where else can one watch two of our all-time greats – from both the men’s and women’s game – cross paths on the same day, on the same course, in the same tournament? Then, I tuned in to the broadcast and listened to players complain about the logistics of it all. The solution lies in the bargaining power of our esteemed leaders. With Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund still (supposedly) locked in tense negotiations with the PGA Tour over a new-look ‘world’ ecosystem for the sport, Golf Australia/PGA of Australia should be asking what Australia is currently getting out of the Strategic Alliance and – importantly – what we’re going to get at the end of it. If the answer doesn’t include co-sanctioning with the PGA Tour and a meaningful calendar shift, why are we a part of it? It’s time to play hardball.
RC: Play the men’s Open in its current late-November timeslot. Then play the women’s event the next week at the same course with all the infrastructure already in place. That will also prevent a repeat of Australia’s LPGA contingent arriving on tournament eve after competing in the LPGA Tour Championship (which is scheduled for the same week next year). In addition, Golf Australia could potentially sell twice as many corporate packages and spectator tickets given the growing appeal of women’s golf.
SK: Agreed. The model from the 2014 US Open, when the United States Golf Association held its two main national championships at Pinehurst No.2 in consecutive weeks, provides an alternative option. I’d also like to see a 36-hole venue, such as Royal Melbourne or Peninsula Kingswood, given a chance to host – just to see if a single location can alleviate some of the logistical problems.
Is going back to stand-alone championships too much of a concession of defeat that the experiment didn’t work?
RC: No. Golf Australia tried to be fiscally responsible given it loses a lot of money to stage a stand-alone women’s Open.
SK: Far from it. It was ambitious, sure, but reverting to separate stagings is no backwards step. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
BC: Maybe, but you don’t know if you don’t try and a concession of defeat will be a walk in the park compared to the beating they’ll get if the status quo were to remain.
When should future Australian Opens be held?
RC: Until the current impasse between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf resolves itself, we’re stuck in the current window. In an ideal world both men’s and women’s Opens would be held in February.
BC: The consensus has always been February, but it’s clearly not as simple as that. What should be simple, though, is Australia not getting shafted with a Thanksgiving date clash, like it did this year. “Fill your own fields, guys!”… What an insult to a tournament universally regarded by the greats as the “fifth major”. Turkeys!
SK: The global calendar is as murky as ever, so chances are Australia won’t get a complete say anyway. But count me among those who like February. It’s after the main cricket and tennis seasons and before the football codes begin to dominate eyeballs. It feels like a God-given month for tournament golf at an ideal time of year, weather-wise.
If you’re a golf fan outside New South Wales or Victoria, have you lost all hope in seeing the national championship in your home state again?
RC: Yes.
SK: It will take a monumental shift from the current landscape for it to happen, you’d imagine.
BC: If I’m in Adelaide, I haven’t. In fact, I’m suggesting my premier gets on the phone and enquires about taking the national open to Royal Adelaide Golf Club and holding it a week before LIV Golf Adelaide, creating a two-week festival of golf.
What else needs to change with our national championship(s)?
RC: The male professionals want hard, fast-running conditions to test their skill. Allow the host golf club more of a say in the preparation of the course. They prepare it 52 weeks of the year while Golf Australia runs a championship for professionals once a year.
– Get rid of the Wednesday pro-am. Put on a bigger pre-tournament function (or two, or three) and invite the corporate sponsors to play the course on the Monday after the tournament ends.
– Start thinking about a rota of courses to host the Open. Announce a venue at least three years in advance so the host club can sell merchandise.
– Fix the prizemoney anomaly. It’s clearly wrong that 156 men play for a purse of $1.7 million and 84 women play for a purse of $1.7 million.
– Speak to the USGA and the PGA of America to have the Open winner receive a special invitation into the US Open and PGA Championship.
– Pay the top placegetters in gold, silver or platinum. That way the tax office can’t withhold 49 percent of their earnings.
SK: That’s a comprehensive set of suggestions! I can only add: Golf Australia should talk to the players more than they do. Why was Tiger Woods’ tournament next week more alluring for Jason Day than his own national championship? If it’s money and the chase for greater world-ranking points, then OK, but was that really all? And why has he skipped so many Opens in years past? Why did Adam Scott skip this summer? Could we have done more to get him to come home? There’s no such thing as too much communication, and the Australian Open needs to elevate itself to the point that it becomes unmissable for our home-grown talent.
BC: All right, I’ll bite. Find a legend to become the face of the tournament. Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman (if the rumours of his pending LIV Golf departure are, in fact, true)? Run a 12-month campaign: “Don’t Miss The Fifth Major”. It’s cheeky but would be impactful. Work with the tourism bodies to offer ‘famils’ for international players and their families to encourage greater player take-up at a time that’s increasingly hard for them to justify.
What’s the main thing the Australian Open is currently getting right?
RC: The ethical stance Golf Australia made several years ago to stop paying exorbitant appearance fees to international players. Aim to get all the best Australians and Kiwis and anyone else who wants to win a championship with 120 years of history.
BC: Credit where it’s due, ticket prices have always been an appealing part of this event. Starting from just $36 per day, with under-17s getting in for free, there mightn’t be a better value day outdoors with the family.
SK: As a celebration of golf, it’s hard to beat. I see people during Australian Open week I don’t see all year and as a coming-together for the game in this country, there is no equal.
