Newsmaker of the month: Richard Green (pictured above)
The world going into lockdown delayed Richard Green’s entry onto the European Legends Tour.
A three-time winner on the European Tour, Green turned 50 in February 2021 but was quick to make up for lost time, winning the Jersey Legends tournament in his Legends Tour debut. But it didn’t come easy.
The Victorian left-hander had to go extra holes with 1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie, edging the Scotsman with a par on the third playoff hole at La Moye Golf Club.
Working in his mate’s pool maintenance business during the COVID lockdowns, Green questioned whether he would return to tour life, so he was ecstatic to triumph against such strong competition.
“I was about as nervous as it gets,” Green admitted. “To play against Paul in the heat of the battle is a tough exercise, which meant I had to play my best golf to win. He has had a great career and won many tournaments and won The Open and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.
“I haven’t been there for a while. I’ve put myself in some situations over the years which has been very testing, but it’s just nice to come out on top. I felt really nervous but I’m really pleased that I managed to pull the shots off that I needed to.”
Headliners
Kristalle Blum: The South Australian [above] took an important step towards promotion to the Ladies European Tour in 2023 with a breakthrough victory at the LET Access Series Golf Vlaanderen LETAS Trophy in Belgium.
Adam Scott: Australia’s only Masters champion was recognised for his significant service to golf at the elite level, made a Member of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Four-time winner of the Australian Women’s Amateur championship Sandra McCaw was also made a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to golf at the elite level.
D.J. Loypur: The Victorian all but secured his place in the summer’s biggest events by winning the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School at Moonah Links by three strokes.
Lucas Herbert: A winner on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour in 2021, Herbert has joined Minjee Lee in contributing to Golf Australia’s Give Back initiative, donating the entirety of his obligations.
Glenelg Golf Club: Course superintendent Tim Warren and biodiversity manager Monina Gilbey received the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association’s Claude Crockford Sustainability and Environmental Award, the first South Australians to receive the honour.
World Amateur Teams: Kirsten Rudgeley (WA), Kelsey Bennett (NSW) and Maddison Hinson-Tolchard (WA) will represent Australia at the Espirito Santo Trophy in Paris from August 24-27, while Connor McKinney (WA), Harrison Crowe (NSW) and Hayden Hopewell (WA) will play for the Eisenhower Trophy from August 31 to September 3.
Karl Vilips: The US-based West Australian claimed medallist honours at the prestigious North & South Amateur at Pinehurst in North Carolina. He lost in the second round of matchplay to eventual champion Luke Clanton.
He said what?
“Golf has always been my life to an obsession and, as much as I like competing, there’s way too many obstacles I just can’t and don’t want to deal with anymore.”
Top-10 in consecutive senior Majors, Mark Hensby announced during the US Senior Open that 2022 will be his last year on tour.
