Sandy Creek Golf Club professional Brayden Wauchope is excited about the club hosting the Golf Australia South Australian Women’s 75th Country Week. PHOTO: Oliver Brown
SANDY Creek Golf Club is hosting the Golf Australia South Australian Women’s 75th Country Week presently, the first time it has done so since 2012.
The event rotates around country clubs across the state each year, and Sandy Creek club professional Brayden Wauchope said he’s delighted the event has returned to the Barossa-based club.
“It’s a full week of events where they have an opening night dinner and then the next day they play 18 holes of stroke play, and the day after that another day of 18 stroke play, and then the Bronze Shield is awarded,” he said.
The Silver Shield is contested in Whyalla this year, while the Bronze Salver is in Lucindale and the Bronze Plate in Lake Albert.
Wauchope added it’s something all country clubs want to be a part of.
“The last time the club hosted the Country Week was in 2012, it’s very rare the club gets it in five to 10 year periods,” he said.
“The field is 61 for the number of players each day for those three days.
“For ladies’ golf, that’s fairly busy.
“It’s big for the club, we’re getting everyone from Royal Adelaide, Kooyonga, Grange, all the metro clubs that rarely venture outside the metro area.
“It’s great for us.”
Today is the second day of stroke play, with tomorrow featuring foursome games and lunch.
Club to host Australian first
SANDY Creek Golf Club will partake in an Australian first this September as it, along with three other South Australian clubs, host the ‘US Kids Golf’ tournament.
The competition involves kids of multiple age groups pitching and putting, with the best qualifying for both regional and international tournaments.
Sandy Creek golf professional Brayden Wauchope said it’s great for the club to continue its junior focus.
“It’s like the movie ‘Shortgame’,” he said.
“It’s like a pro circuit, it’s a real big thing, and it’s the first time it’s come to Australia.
“We’re one of four clubs hosting, along with Glenelg, Thaxted Park and another club down south.
“A lot of our focus is based around junior golf.”
Wauchope added the club’s junior numbers are impressive considering its location in a rural, country setting.
“For our size of club we have 19 under 18s, and in the membership category from 18-30 we have another 20,” he said.
“We always aim to help grow the beginner golfer.”
