Golf, by TourMiss

Moure’s Reeve Whitson muscled his way into the match-play stage of the Australian Amateur championship in Melbourne. Whitson posted a second qualifying round of 71 on the Woodlands course, and one of Melbourne’s famed ‘Sandbelt’ gems to grab 16th place in the top 64. Joining Whitson was West Waterford’s Gary Hurley (75) and Muskerry’s Nial Gorey (76) who shared 52nd place. The only Irish casualty was Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy who added a 78 to his opening ...

Reigning Masters champion, Charl Schwartzel has a surprise install for his fellow Augusta National winning heroes at this year’s traditional Tuesday evening ‘Champions Dinner’. It’s customary for the current Masters winner to select the menu for the evening. In 2001, then Master champion Vijay Singh selected a Thai based meal and arranged for the staff of his favourtie Thai restaurant in Atlanta to travel south-east to Augusta to prepare the meal within the clubhouse of ...

New South Wales born Matthew Wittenberg and South Australia’s Ben Hollis showed their rivals a clean pair of heels to lead by two strokes after day one of qualifying for the Australian Men’s Amateur Championship. The pair recorded three under par 69s at Woodlands course in Melbourne to enjoy a two stroke lead over Australian National Squad member Jake Higginbottom (NSW) who shot a 1-under par 71 at Huntingdale Golf Club. Fellow National Squad member Ryan McCarthy leads a group of five players ...

The Irish amateur foursome of Reeve Whitson, Niall Gorey, Gary Hurley and Dermot McElroy struggled on the opening day of qualifying for the prestigious Australian Amateur Championship in Melbourne. Whitson (Mourne) posted a four-over par 76 on the long-time Australian Masters host venue at Huntingdale, and one of Melbourne’s renowned Sandbelt courses.  Qualifying is taking place both at Huntingdale and Woodlands and the Irish four will need to be among the top-64 after two rounds to advance ...

The Dunluce course at Royal Portrush and Jack Nicklaus designed Mount Juliet have been voted Ireland’s top links and parkland courses respectively by a panel of 55 experienced golfers in BACKSPIN magazine’s 3rd biennial Course Rankings poll. Visit http://www.backspingolfmagazine.com and click the yellow ‘Read our latest issue’ button on the home page to view the essential guide to Irish golf course rankings. The Dunluce course, venue of the 1951 Open Championship and this ...

Scottish golf reporting legend Jock MacVicar has been rightfully honoured with the presentation of a Scottish PGA Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of a career spanning more than 50 years. Jock is one of golf’s special gentleman, and Fatiha and myself here at www.golfbytourmiss.com is proud to be among those to congratulate the Dunaverty Golf Club doyen. Jock is also one of the most respected and intellectual of the golf reporters covering the European Tour and there’s nothing ...

Damien McGrane defied the skeptics to shoot an eight-under par 63 on the opening day of weather affected Joburg Open in South Africa. The Irishman recorded seven birdies and a 16th hole eagle but could have ended with a 62, and a career-best score, had it not been for a bogey at the par four 18th at altitude on the par 71 West Course of the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club course. Nevertheless, his 63 was McGrane’s lowest-ever starting round and one better than a 64 he shot ...