Newsmaker of the month: Adam Scott
He would prefer to exist in golf’s political periphery, yet Adam Scott made two significant decisions in January that makes clear where his loyalties lie. Now in his 20th year on the PGA Tour, Scott joined the 16-man Players Advisory Council (PAC) with a view to using his experience and profile to help move the tour forward.
The PAC acts as the first step towards consulting the PGA Tour board and commissioner Jay Monahan on issues affecting the circuit and Scott said that given golf’s recent upheaval, it was time he contributed.
“It’s an important time for our tour to map out the next decade and beyond for what playing the PGA Tour is working towards, and what that looks like,” Scott said. “It’s just a time of change. Big decisions are going to be made. They need to be the right ones.”
Widely touted as one of LIV Golf’s earliest targets, Scott also signed on to play the Tiger Woods/Rory McIlroy-backed TGL in January 2024, a stadium-inspired virtual tournament that will be comprised of six teams of three PGA Tour players competing in 15 regular-season matches on Monday nights.
Headliners
Jack Thompson: The South Australian topped the final stage of Asian Tour Qualifying School to secure a full card for the 2023 season. John Lyras, Doug Klein, Jack Murdoch and Tom Power Horan also secured status with top-35 finishes.
Sarah Jane Smith: Broke a 15-year winning drought with a five-stroke victory at TPS Murray River, joining Hannah Green as successive female winners at Cobram Barooga.
Cameron Pollard: Continued his dominance of the domestic All Abilities scene with a 13-stroke victory at TPS Victoria, the first time a Webex Players Series event incorporated an All Abilities field. He backed that up with a second win at TPS Murray River.
Rosebud Country Club: Confirmed as the host venue for TPS Victoria for at least the next three years.
Kelsey Bennett: Earned medallist honours at the WPGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School played at Coolangatta Tweed Heads Golf Club.
Cassie Porter: Won on the fourth hole of a thrilling playoff against close friend Kelsey Bennett to secure the 2023 Drummond Golf Melbourne International at Latrobe Golf Club.
Justice Bosio and Jeneath Wong: Two of the best female amateurs in the country received the invitation of a lifetime to play the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, the final round of which will be played at Augusta National on Saturday, April 1.
Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific: Justice Bosio, Caitlin Peirce, Sarah Hammett, Keeley Marx, Jazy Roberts and Abbie Teasdale will represent Australia at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific at Singapore Island Golf Club from March 9-12.
Abel Eduard and Shyla Singh: Eduard (Kingston Heath) defeated defending champion Harrison Crowe 2&1 as Singh accounted for fellow Gold Coaster Godiva Kim 4&3 to claim the New South Wales Amateur crowns at Pennant Hills Golf Club.
Josh Armstrong: The Canberra professional was the beneficiary of a two-shot swing on the final hole to secure a one-stroke victory at the Western Open in Dubbo, his second
NSW Regional Open Series title.
Golf NSW: Scored a significant coup by receiving government support to host a bumper schedule of major events throughout regional NSW between 2024 and 2026, including the showpiece men’s and women’s NSW Open championships.
They did what?
Three wonderful contributors to Australian golf were honoured by being named Order of Australia Medal recipients in the Australia Day honour’s list. The late Bob Shearer, legendary coach Alex Mercer and long-time Victorian administrator Annette Court were all recognised for their extensive service to golf.
