BRENDAN JAMES: “The saviour of these dual Australian Opens and the All Abilities Championship was the golf”

There was plenty to love about the Australian Open’s held at Victoria Golf Club and Kington Heath over the weekend. Unfortunately, there were a few problems that could easily have been fixed.

Golf Australia Magazine’s Brendan James wrote an interesting, slightly alarming piece on managing the double Australian Open and All abilities Championship over the weekend.

The logistics for hosting such an event over two golf courses were always going to be a difficult task, but it seems like some of the problems could easily have been resolved.

The second Saturday cut was a major talking point across the weekend, as was the treatment of some of Australia’s best golfers.

Obvious things, common at most tournaments around the world, were either simply overlooked or seemingly deemed not important enough to warrant any further investment, which might affect Golf Australia’s bottom line.

For example, a courtesy car was not booked to pick up 54-hole leader and overwhelming local favourite Adam Scott from his city hotel to take him to Victoria Golf Club for the final round. He still made it to the course in time, but it’s the one-percenters…

This was far from ideal “player relations” from the tournament host who earlier in the week refused Scott’s request for four passes, allowing his guests clubhouse access. Similar requests from marquee players including Cam Smith, Marc Leishman, Minjee Lee and Min Woo Lee – all of whom haven’t played in Melbourne for years and were looking to host close family and friends during the Open – were also refused.

Check out the full story – Thankfully, the golf was great.