Christmas wishes to all
May I wish all readers a wonderful Christmas with your families, and may the new year bring you good health and an abundance of reasons to laugh every day.
A good dose of laughter with family and friends can often be the best medicine ever prescribed.
Now I have said that, I will have to come up with some laughter tonic for you all in 2025.
I will see what I can do. Happy holidays everyone!
Golf Speedsters coming to play in 2025
Speed Golf is relatively new to golfers in the region and thanks to Club Tocumwal golf professional James McMaster, the club will draw attention to the sport by hosting the Australian National Titles on May 3 and 4, 2025.
Founded in Australia, in 2013 by Virginia Deigan, James and his wife Claire have taken over Speed Golf Australia from Virginia, who believed they had the ability and time to drive the game further.
Claire, while not a golfer, is involved in communications and marketing with NCN Health, and together with James and his golfing knowledge, they are a perfect combination to organise and conduct events.
This is the first Australian title event to be played since 2018 and interest continues to snowball worldwide with events held in Japan, the UK, New Zealand and the USA .
James and Reuben Hayley, a teenager from Tocumwal, competed in Japan during the year, with James finishing in 22nd position from 60 competitors while Reuben finished 27th in his group. This is a good result as many players from other countries had far more experience.
“Speed Golf is something a bit different and we are hopeful that we can attract 40 entries or more,” James said.
“It’s lots of fun, yet challenges players. You need to hit well and maintain your speed and energy as you run between shots.
“You just need to hit the ball well and then you are off and running.”
There are different divisions: beginners, juniors (15-and-under) and 16-18 years, who play nine holes over a distance of 3.5km.
Women’s and men’s events are played over 18 holes each day of the two-day event.
“Most Speed Golfers play for the love of the sport and the glory of winning. Prize money is not like professional golf, yet the glory is almost as good,” James said.
James has secured the services of a running coach who is working on improving his athletic ability.
A golf professional at Tocumwal for the past two years, James’ handicap is square with the card.
He is always keen to challenge himself, and with Speed Golf it is about hitting the ball well, carrying your clubs and running for your life with clubs such as a three wood, seven iron, a 50-degree wedge and a putter in your hand.
It’s primarily about the number of shots you have and the time it takes to complete the distance.
Players can use up to seven clubs, using a light bag, yet James prefers to use a clip to carry his four or five clubs.
Recently the 40-year-old professional played a Speed Golf Marathon at Tocumwal to raise funds for the Cancer Council, where he played 97 holes in six hours over a distance of 42km.
To ask if he was tired after that effort would undeniably produce a yes. But he was proud of his efforts, as more than $3000 was raised for the cause.
James grew up in Barooga, and while he has spent time in Canberra and Melbourne, he has remained determined to return home one day with his family.
Sons Cam, 13, and Hunter, 8, are keen soccer players like their dad, who plays for Cobram Roar in the over-35s.
Hunter however is finding Speed Golf to his liking and has played in several competitions, recently completing nine holes in 31 minutes.
From the sidelines it appears that young golfers will embrace the concept, after all they just want to go out and hit the ball.
With Speed Golf they get to run from shot to shot, at the same time, and improve their overall fitness.
The golf club will be hosting Speed Golf every Tuesday night in the new year for those who love to challenge themselves and are keen to try something new.
If you are interested, please contact James McMaster at Club Tocumwal.
Footnote:
It’s Interesting to note that at this year’s Speed Golf World Championships, New Zealand fielded the largest team, despite being one of the smallest countries. The game began in California, USA in 1979 when champion miler Steve Scott ran around the golf course in 29 minutes and 33 seconds while shooting a 95, using just one club, a three iron. Today the USA has the largest number of speed golfers amongst the 10 member countries.