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The
Driven One
While the golfing world was looking to the likes of Ernie Els and Phil
Mickelson to steal Tiger Woods’ No.1 crown, Vijay Singh quietly
set in motion his plan for world supremacy. BRENDAN JAMES reports.
Vijay Singh swaggered
into another pre-tournament press conference with all the confidence
of a man with the world at his feet. Renowned for avoiding the media
as some would bypass trips to the dentist, the big Fijian’s face
beamed with a toothy smile when he was introduced: “Ladies and
gentleman, World No. 1 Vijay Singh”.
It may have seemed surreal for the 41-year-old to hear these words,
given where he has come from, past controversies and the fact it has
taken 22 years to achieve his life dream.
Australian
Open Memories Craig
Parry recalls
By Jim Webster
In the golfing world, he has always been considered the quintessential
Aussie. Raised in working-class surroundings, despite later success
still lives in a middle-class suburb, adores footy and cricket, spends
any spare time bobbing around Sydney Harbour on his boat, tinkers with
his laptop, is genuinely friendly but straightforward and doesn’t
lose any sleep over fitness issues.
That whole knockabout image is squeezed into just 168cm. Physically,
his most imposing feature is his well-developed forearms, which have
earned him the nickname “Popeye”, though he’s Paz
to his mates.
You always get the impression that had Craig Parry’s life taken
him into a field where he didn’t make much money he wouldn’t
have cared one iota. He’d still have been happy, just so long
as he had Jenny and the kids.
Yet he developed into an exceptionally talented golfer, moving from
schoolboy golf in Melbourne to junior and amateur golf in Perth (twice
WA champion) and from 1985 into the professional ranks.
Golf
Australia’s Greatest Australian Golf Holes:
Tasmania -
Compiled by Brendan James
1.
Tasmania GC 527-metre, par-5 3rd
The hole follows the gradual curving foreshore of Barilla Bay to the
left in a manner reminiscent of the famous 18th at Pebble Beach. This
offers an option of shortening the hole by cutting off the corner with
your drive. But there is the danger of your ball finishing in the water
or on the beach some 60 metres below.
Tom Ramsey says: “This is the most spectacular hole on the course.
Beautiful views of Barilla Bay and the surrounding countryside greet
you on the elevated tee.”
Mathew Goggin says: “Probably the most photographed hole in Tassie
… and for good reason. With a tee set high up on the cliff and
the fairway laid out before you, it is a memorable hole.”
John Fennell says: “Fortune favours the brave on this par-5.”
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