It was a special return to Australia earlier this week for renowned caddy, John ‘Ronnie’ Roberts.
‘Ronnie’, as he is more affectionately known, travelled to Perth for this week’s ISPS Handa Perth International being staged on the famed Lake Karrinyup Club in the Western Australia capital.
Lake Karrinyup played host to the 2002 and 2003 Johnnie Walker Classic and where in 2003 South African Ernie Els recorded a European Tour low of a four round total of 259 and 29-under par.
John ‘Ronnie’ Roberts caddying for Shiv Kapur earlier this year at the Maderia Islands Open and when Kupur recorded the longest-ever drive in the 40-year history of the European Tour. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
It’s the first visit ‘Down Under’ for Ronnie since he and England’s Steve Webster went within a whisker of coming out on top in the 2004 ANZ Championship staged that year on the Horizons Resort course at Nelsons Bay, and about a 90-minute drive north of Sydney.Ronnie had been staying the week at a beach cottage rented by Bernie of www.golfbytourmiss.com, and joining them was top Aussie golf jouralist, Michael Court and the late, and very sadly missed, Dougie Lowe who was working for the Scottish Herald.
The four had a great time firing up the ‘barbie’ each night and then just sitting around on the wooden deck of the rented house savouring a few VBs and enjoying a bottle of red or two.
Dougie, I’m told, would be surfing at the nearby beach every morning and then head off to the golf course to cover the tournament and with sand still between his toes.
In fact, the tournament was put on the golfing map as Britain’s great Laura Davies teed-up in the modified stableford event and playind the first two rounds with Frenchman Jean Van de Velde and Australia’s Peter Senior.
Ronnie got Webster right into contention over the last round before the disappointing mishap of driving out-of-bounds down the left side of the final hole to allow fellow England golfer, Brian Davis to capture the title.
“We had a fabulous time that week and it’s a week that I will never forget,” said Ronnie.
“It was great location just minutes from the surf with the weather and the atomsphere superb.
“Of course, it would have been great if ‘Webby’ had of won but then that’s golf. So it’s special to be returning to Australia for a first time since that ANZ Championship and exta special also to again be cadding for Webby.
“Hopefully, we can go one better than our last visit.”
Webster will play the first two rounds in the company of Aussies Kim Felton and Andrew Dodt.
