Local golf fans loved hearing the message at the popular Sportsman’s Dinner last Thursday night from PGA Legends Tour Chairman Terry Price.
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Speaking to about 230 diners at YMGCR, he praised everything about the two golf championships, at Black Bull and YMGCR, the great working relationships, the organisation and carrying out of the two, two-day events, superb golf courses and the warm hospitality.
“The culture we’ve created here gets better and better every year and it’s because of your leadership,” Price, who was Master of Ceremonies, said.
“It’s a great deal of credit to you which means we’ll keep coming back.”
There have always been high quality golfers on the PGA Legends Tour by the 50-year-plus professionals according to the tour’s co-ordinator Andy Rogers. “But the depth of that quality has increased a lot; 19 players broke par yesterday (at Black Bull; 22 on YMGCR’s Lake Course today).”
The masterful MC obtained insights into overseas golf with Canadian professional Ken Tarling saying Canadian professionals had to play overseas six months of the year because of home snow.
Observations or comparisons he made with Australia included: “Australia’s a competitive country. There are a lot more competitions than we have. There are a lot more distractions with the younger people and golfers today with social media.”
The late and great Canadian professional Murray (Moe) Norman was discussed, whose accuracy and ability to hit shot after shot perfectly straight have him the nickname ‘Pipeline Moe’.
“Moe would just practise and practise. He hit so straight, there was no side spin,” Tarling said of the man dubbed ‘God’s gift to golf’ by Fijian great Vijay Singh and who died at age 75-years.
Legends Tour professional Steve Conroy commented about his 19 years playing the Japan Tour and how there seems to be less encouragement for overseas golfers. “I understand that, how they want to look after their own,” the Orange, NSW professional said.
In breaking news, Price pondered about the next big name to join the Legends Tour and said: “That could be our mystery guest tonight, Evan Droop.”
Price and Droop have fond memories of the 1993 Malaysian Open when they were playing partners. Going into the fourth round, Droop was leading but stumbled at the 11th hour. The more senior golfer then looked after a young Droop.
“Pressured’ into a commitment about joining the Legends Tour upon turning 50-years-of-age in October this year, the approaching half-centurion responded: “I probably would – you’re a great bunch of guys.”
Before the masterful MC took centre stage, YMGC President Gil Cunningham thanked tournament director Evan Droop and the Pro Shop team on “a fantastic job”, and course superintendent Chris Burgess and his team on “an absolutely sensational job”.
“I also thank all our volunteers for your help. You are the salt of the earth, none of them are under 70.”
Professional golfer from Goulburn way, Mike Ziko praised the Black Bull and YMGCR courses. “The presentation of the courses was absolutely superb, particularly considering the hot and harsh weather conditions,” he said.
It was wonderful teamwork by all, including the PGA Legends Tour management, sponsors and the two dynamic local tournament directors James McCully and Evan Droop.
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