The host venue is one of the crucial elements of tournament golf that if done well can go unnoticed. But in the case of the Sandbelt Invitational is one of the key tenets for the Geoff Ogilvy/Mike Clayton shared vision.
Using some of the best courses in the country is key to concept that pits amateurs and pros, men and women, up against each other.
And while all four venues do a great job across the week, Royal Melbourne, host of Tuesday’s second round, proved again today that it simply gets the role of being a tournament venue like few other courses, not just in Australia, but around the world. It isn’t by accident mind you.
“In the rules of the club and under the purposes, one of the purposes is the holding of golf tournaments for the advancement of the game,” Royal Melbourne Captain Tony Rule told this reporter back in October. “So that is part of the club’s culture, and it is as simple as that.”
One of the many moving parts that proved that point again today was Rule himself standing by the 1st tee as part of the small army of volunteers prepared to do any required job, be it marshalling the spectators, scoring or whatever else may be needed.
Rule was joined by his predecessor Andrew Kirby on the tee ready to do the same.
These aren’t members of any course don’t forget. This is the No.1 course in the country and one of the best in the world.
Few other tournament venues, let alone highly ranked courses, beyond perhaps Augusta National with its members in their identifying green jackets, see those in important roles among the membership and more often than not titans in their chosen professional field doing whatever menial task they are given.
Then there are the members who came to watch. Many with young children, be it their own or grandchildren, following along in tow and watching the likes of Ogilvy, leader Cam Davis, Jed Morgan, Momoka Kobori and the rest with excited eyes.
Perhaps most of all it is the staff doing whatever they can to ensure the day goes smoothly and that all and sundry have the best day possible on the grounds.
"Practise is part of it, but a stated mission plus complete buy in from every part of the club, then delivering each and every time a tournament comes to Black Rock is something to be admired." - Jimmy Emanuel.
Be it the bar staff, course crew or Director of Golf Ben Jarvis showing two members of the Firepit Collective around the clubhouse and the walls of clubs from members, history and significant golfers, including Adam Scott’s set from the 2013 Masters, or explaining that the brilliant par-3 5th was the only hole Alister Mackenzie saw to completion.
The course itself is always a star and once again proved a fair but potentially fiery test during round two when Davis’ 66 was the best of the day, while those members still keen on a hit were out on the adjoining East Course. A layout that likely suffers in terms of reputation purely because of the property it finds itself on.
Like so many things in golf, the standout performance of Royal as a tournament host is the sum of all its parts, and to impress those of us who see a new 18 holes and associated club fill the role nearly every week is no mean feat.
“They’ve done it more than anyone else maybe, is probably the actual answer. I know they love it too,” Ogilvy pondered when asked why the club does it better than most. “They really love showcasing what they have and they have had a lot of practise.”
Practise is part of it, but a stated mission plus complete buy in from every part of the club, then delivering each and every time a tournament comes to Black Rock is something to be admired.
Simply put, Royal Melbourne as a collective just gets it.
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