suffering from post-presidents cup prime-time viewing
withdrawal? do not despair, as greg chalmers attempts
to sweep the triple crown of down under golf by win-
ning this week’s Jbwere australian masters. played
at victoria gc on melbourne’s sandbelt, the alister
mackenzie-influenced design dates to 1927 and fea-
tures many of the same ingenious qualities showcased
by next-door neighbor royal melbourne. there are four
world-class par 3s, two risk-reward short par 4s (includ-
ing the wonderfully bizarre 255-yard opening hole and
no. 15, shown), a back-to-back par- 5 finish and preci-
sion-rewarding green complexes as only mackenzie and
associates could mastermind. as if the strategic fun was
not enough, victoria’s visually stunning waste areas and
some of the best only-in-australia bunkering should
make wrapping presents a little easier this week. victo-
ria was the boyhood home course of geoff ogilvy, mak-
ing the former u.s. open champion this week’s favorite
even though chalmers has won the australian open
and pga (the first player to do so since robert allenby
in 2005). oh yes, the mercurial allenby is in the field,
and it’s the first time he’ll encounter presidents cup
teammate ogilvy since their australian pga kerfuffle.
throw in world no. 1 luke donald along with defend-
ing champion stuart appleby, and golf fans are in for
an early christmas gift. golf channel coverage begins
wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. et. —Geoff Shackelford
more;fun
down;under 08
geoff shackelford
cover // contents // 10 things // european tour // pga tour //eQuipment // tim rosaforte
