Australia-Part I: Melbourne
Hello from down unda!!! I'm wrapping up the first couple weeks here in Australia and it has gotten off to a great start! I will be out here for an entire month and a half, competing on the Australia Ladies Professional Golf Tour. The ALPG hosts a number of great pro-ams and co-sanctions four events with the Ladies European Tour, and we play all over the country from Melbourne, to Canberra, to Coffs Harbor and more. You can check out the full schedule here! These are some great tournaments and stiff competition, and I am excited to be kicking off my season here!
This is my first time in Australia and I am so happy to be here for more than just one week. On tour, we typically only get to be in a country for a few days, but because I am here playing 8+ events I actually get to see and do more. It is going to be great to get to explore and experience different parts of the country. It's cool because we play in small and big cites, coastal and inland, so we get a little taste of everything the country/continent has to offer. The timing also works out perfectly because I will be here until my first Symetra tour event in Florida. So, let's start at week 1 with the Vic Open and Melbourne!
Location: Barwon Heads, Victoria, Australia
Course: 13th Beach Golf Club
Oates Vic Open Tournament Recap:
This was my first full tournament back of the year and what a wonderful place to start. Held at 13th Beach Golf Club in the Bellarine Peninsula, it was not only a great venue, but a unique setting were we played alongside the PGA Australia men as well. We played on two courses, with two cuts after round 2 and 3 for the same purse. However, despite the world class course and great tournament format my performance was not quite as stellar.
I opened with a 1 over par 73, which put me in a decent position, but a rollercoaster round 2 with a slew of birdies but some big numbers as well led me to miss the cut by 1. I struck the ball quite well, however the wind was gusting, and a couple poor club selections and course management decisions really cost me.
PC: Tristan Jones
It was a tough week and not the way I wanted to start out the season, but I leave the Vic Open having learned a lot! I would be lying if I said I wasn't extremely frustrated missing the cut by one. But this week taught me to better trust my shot, my targets, and my ability to execute in tough wind conditions. The wind made decisions more difficult and committing fully would have served me well. Focusing on specifics like this, instead of the dozens of shots I wish I could take back, has helped me center my mind and move forward more quickly.
Sunrise during our Round 1 warm up
This week was not just special because we were competing alongside the men, but also because we got some of the best accommodations! Jenny, Anne, and I had the pleasure of staying with the Wheatley's in their beach bungalow style home on the 5th hole on the course. The Wheatley's have been hosting and caddying for players the last 6 years, so we had big group dinners with other players almost every night! I even organized a dumpling making night where I taught everyone how to wrap dumplings and cook Chinese food! It was fantastic to be right on the course in such a fun house with Jenny and Anne Van Dam, who you will meet later! I am so grateful for the Wheatleys and the geat atmosphere they created in their home!
Glenn (my caddy), Ian (host dad), Archie (cute pup) and Jenny (you know her)
Barwon Heads
13th Beach is located in Barwon Heads, a coastal township on the Bellarine Peninsula and it is absolutely stunning. It is a cozy seaside town with cute shops and restaurants, beautiful look out points and a nice sandy shoreline to wind surf, fish, or just relax. There are a number of other great walking paths, jettys (aka "pier" in Australia) and rocky outcrops in the area as well! My host mom, Faye, also took me on a nice drive to nearby Queenscliff, where ships enter Port Phillip Bay into Melbourne; Points Lonsdale, another cute seaside town; and up to the Barwon Heads Bluff lookout. The Australian coastline is breathtaking and I'm so excited for all the other amazing beaches and waters that I am going to see!
After the tournament ended, my house mate Anne had the idea of having a two club match! We went out right as the sun was setting with a 7 iron and putter and had a blast shooting it around during a breathtaking sunset. Anne was the champion this year, but I'm not so happy with the outcome, and I think we are going to have to make this an annual tradition!
Also, meet Anne! She is from the Netherlands and this was my first trip staying with her. Though she probably won't admit it, it took her a couple days to warm up to me. She probably thought I was a bit weird, but I think we would both agree now that she is the Eucalyptus tree to my koala. She kills it on the course and will also be playing in the states more this year, so I can't wait to hang out with her more! She will likely be making more appearance in future posts so get used to her!
Melbourne
On my first and last days in Victoria I got the chance to spend a little time in Melbourne. And when I say I spend time, I mean eating of course! If you've read my bio, you know how much I love avocado toast and coffee, and the good thing is that those two food groups are everywhere! Our first stop in the city was Seven Seeds and I got a flat white and smashed avocado and egg on toast with Vegemite dust! Melbourne is a cool, cosmopolitan city full of life, character and incredible food and coffee. It also has a ton of different unique districts, making it a great place to explore!
During my last day in town, my friend Colin, who I actually met at the tournament, took me around of the city! He grew up here in Melbourne, so I got the local's tour! We went to little Vietnam for some amazing Thai food, went to another cafe (of course), and wandered about the hipster area of Fitroyz. Fitzroy is Melbourne's creative, edgy, vintage area, full of street art, records stores, cool clothing stores and of course food and drink! My time in Melbourne was well spent, but I barely scratched the surface, and I can't wait to go back again to see even more next year!
It's week two and I've already made unforgettable memories and met so many amazing people! From Pat, my seat buddy, who entertained me with great conversation on the plane, to the Wheatley's who hosted us at 13th Beach and are actually here in Canberra this week caddying for me, to Colin who agreed on a whim to show me around Melbourne--thank you ALL for a great first week Australia. I am so excited for the rest of my weeks here--Canberra, Adelaide, Bonville, Coffs Harbor, Gold Coast and Sydney here I come! Stay Tuned!
PS: Im so sorry in advance for the large quantity of writing and pictures of cafes that I will be doing. There are so many and you all know how much joy a cute cafe, a nice coffee and a pretty view brings me.
Loves of Love,
Dre
Next Stop--> More Australia