From the battle for Presidents Cup supremacy to the enduring appeal of the Australian Open, this issue celebrates the people, places and stories shaping the game at home and around the world.

We begin with one of golf’s great rivalries, and a Presidents Cup that could mark a changing of the guard. After nearly three decades of US supremacy, International captain Geoff Ogilvy believes the balance is shifting, and he is not alone in thinking this could be the year the Internationals finally break through.

In exclusive interviews, both captains explain to our Senior Writer Russell Gould why Medinah Country Club could provide the setting for a long-awaited International victory. Russell goes behind the scenes to explore what is driving both teams as they prepare for one of golf’s most compelling team contests.

We also turn our attention to one of Australia’s great golfing treasures, with Brendan James’ course review of Links Lady Bay. Firm fairways, coastal breezes and creative shot-making are all part of the experience at this spectacular South Australian layout, where the timeless links philosophy of Peter Thomson continues to influence the way the course plays.

Rory McIlroy’s relationship with Australia and the Australian Open has never faded, and in an exclusive story, John Huggan explores the Masters champion’s affection for one of the game’s oldest championships. McIlroy wants to see the Australian Open elevated back among the biggest events in golf, and his enduring connection with the tournament provides a fascinating insight into what it means to players of his generation.

The Open Championship is another major focus of the issue, with Callum Hill taking readers inside a week which embraced its surroundings like few other major championships can. From the famous links of Royal Birkdale to the streets and atmosphere of Southport and Liverpool, the region provided the stage for a championship that will live in golf history. Callum was on the course throughout the week to capture the atmosphere, drama and spectacle of one of the game's great events.

Closer to home, Russell Gould visits Mallacoota Golf Club; a remarkable story of devastation and renewal. The club was transformed by the devastating 2019 fires, but a determined group of volunteers has helped rebuild a course which now combines spectacular ocean views, recovering heathland and fascinating remnants of the region’s wartime history. It is a story not just about golf, but about community, resilience and the people who refused to let their course disappear.

What separates good golfers from great ones is often as much about what happens away from the course as it is about what happens during a round. Garrett Johnston explores the preparation behind some of the game's best performers, with Jason Day, Cameron Smith and other elite players revealing the routines and rituals that help them perform at their best.

Women’s golf takes centre stage as Callum reports from Royal Lytham & St Annes, which hosted a landmark 50th AIG Women’s Open. Record crowds, testing conditions and a thrilling finale combined to produce another memorable championship and provided further evidence of the remarkable growth of women’s golf. With Callum on site, readers get a front-row view of an event that showcased both the history of the championship and the strength of the modern women’s game.

If the thought of hitting the road in search of good golf appeals, James Smith takes readers on a journey through central western NSW. Combining character-filled layouts, regional hospitality and stunning surrounds, the courses featured in the story make for ideal stops on a golf road trip. It is a part-golf, part-travel adventure that highlights the variety and charm to be found beyond the major metropolitan courses.

And with Father’s Day just around the corner, we have rounded up plenty of inspiration for the golfer in your life. Every golfer has a wish list, even if they don’t always admit it, so our Father’s Day Gift Guide searches through the latest offerings from some of golf’s biggest brands.

So whether you are interested in the biggest stories in world golf, want to discover your next favourite course, are planning a road trip or simply looking for some inspiration, the September issue of Golf Australia magazine has plenty to keep you reading. From Medinah to Mallacoota, Royal Birkdale to Royal Lytham, it is another celebration of the game we love and the people and places that make it special.