Posted on: 3 June
On Tour with Michael Long
Five months away from tournament golf – a chance to sleep in my own bed and a welcomed break from skipping from time zone to time zone. I feel refreshed and ready to start what is going to be a busy year playing the European Legends Tour.
But before I head to Europe for the next 6 months I have the chance to play some events here in WA which will be a great warm up for what’s ahead.
My first Australian Tour event for the year was the WA PGA Championship held in Kalgoorlie on April 21 – 24. It is a visually stunning golf course with the green fairways providing a stark contrast to the red dirt of the outback. The longest course in Australia is always a great pace to test your game. Having won the WA PGA at this course a few years ago I always look forward to the challenge it presents. However, this year was not my best and I missed the cut but it was a great opportunity to shake off a little rust and prepare for the year ahead.
Back to Perth and on the 26th April I was invited to play in golf’s shortish version of a tournament at the WA Golf Club. Called Blitz Golf – think 20/20 cricket. It starts with 32 players playing 6-holes before half the field is cut. Then 3-holes are played where four advance to the final which is played on just one hole. Nearest the pins are used as tie breakers at the end of each round – which knocked me out in the first round. A fun and exciting format.
That same week the WA Open was played at Royal Fremantle GC from the 28th April – 1st May. A little bit of rain before the event and beautiful autumn days all week meant the greens were very receptive. But the greens are small and quick so precise iron play was still at a premium. I hit a lot of nice shots, finished middle of the field and started to feel like my game is getting into shape.
Immediately after the finish of WA Open it was home to pack my bags and enjoy a home cooked meal before I headed to the airport for my 10pm flight to Vienna. The Riegler and Partner Senior Austrian Open, 6-8 May, was the first event on the European Legends Tour schedule. There is a month break between this first event and the second event so it is a quick trip to Vienna and then back on the plane to Perth 7 days later. Sometimes the scheduling throws a curve ball at you but after 33 years on tour I’m used to it. The weather is a little iffy at this time of year in Austria but the hospitality at this event is second to none and I wouldn’t dream of missing it.
I arrived back in Perth on Tuesday night (11th May) giving myself just enough time to recover from jet lag and get myself ready for the Cottesloe Open and Senior Cottesloe Open held at Cottesloe GC held on 14-15 May. This is a unique event for the senior golfers as we play in the Cottesloe Open as well as the Senior Cottesloe Invitational where we compete for the Lyndsay Stephen Memorial Trophy. I was fortunate enough to lift the trophy for the third year in a row.
It’s been a whirlwind last month and there is still 2 more weeks of golf in WA for me before I head over to Europe for an extended period. I look forward to keeping you posted on my upcoming travels.
