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A PNG Aenture
I know it has been a while since my last adventure, but trust me; this was worth the wait……
Last week I attended the New Britain Open in PNG. It is a pro-am type event, with male and female professionals from Australia flying over to compete against each other, provide clinics for the local juniors, and basically have a bit of a holiday.
I flew out last Monday to Port Moresby, where I met up with a few of the Aussie pros. After spending an hour in customs trying to prove we weren’t there to sell our golf equipment and steal money from the local economy, they let us in. After two more flights we finally arrived in Rabaul, the capital of East New Britain. Although the airport was called Rabaul, it had actually been moved across the harbour to neighbouring Kokopo, as in 1994 a couple of volcanos erupted and flattened the entire town with layers of ash. The whole region is teeming with history, and we were lucky enough to have one of the locals guys take us all over the place showing us different war cemeteries, Japanese submarine tunnels and telling us stuff we really should have been taught in school about one of our closest neighbours. For instance, the first Australian solider to die in WW1 wasn’t killed in Gallipoli, but by a German bullet on the shores of Kokopo.
The week started fairly lazy for most of us. On Tuesday I got a massage, then a few of us headed to the resort where we spent all afternoon in the pool which may or may not have had a floating bar. Wednesday consisted of heading out on a 40-foot cruiser for the day, stopping at the Duke of York Islands for a bit of lunch and swim with the local kids. Just in case you’re interested, the water temperature was a beautiful 28’C. Hard to take, I know!
Thursday saw us head up into the highlands to the small village of Keravat for a Pro-Am. This course is not like anything you’ve seen before. The second hole is a 155m par 3, but there is a 300 foot tree in the middle of the fairway. No way you can go over it, under it is a tough ask because of the long grass, so the plan is to hit it as hard as you can at the tree and try your luck. I actually managed to get it through the ridiculous branches onto the green….a sign of things to come later in the week?? The greens were buffalo grass, which was pretty much like putting on the grass in your backyard. Needless to say, the scores weren’t great, but a fun time was had by all.
After we got back to Kokopo, I thought it might be wise to have a little look at the course. I told my billet I was heading to the course, and he walked me out of our secure compound across the road to the course (we were not allowed to walk anywhere on our own). It wasn’t until I finished walking my first hole that I realised someone was following me. I headed to the next hole, and saw my follower continue behind in the trees. I started getting a tad worried, then saw an exceptionally large local man approaching me from the opposite direction. I thought I might be in real trouble now, and only had a wedge and putter to defend myself. It was then I heard shouting, and realised that the first guy following me was in fact my bodyguard and he was politely telling the other guy to get lost! A first for me….practice round with a bodyguard!
Finally the tournament began, and I had a bit of a rough start. The first hole is a short par-4, and I managed to hit it slightly long into the ocean. Oops! Luckily, it wasn’t out of bounds, so I took a penalty drop and tried to play a little punch shot under a palm tree to the green. It wasn’t my best shot, and it was going a little sideways until it hit a coconut, bounced onto the green and nearly in the hole. Tap in par, nice. A sign of things to come??? Well, not that day. The rest of the round was less then exciting, ball striking was good, but couldn’t get used to the trampoline type greens. Excitement did come later in the day, as the volcano across the harbour erupted! It was fantastic!! Well, not if you’re a local of Rabaul, which is where the ash was falling again. Our local driver took us for a drive around to Rabaul to check it out, and I was shocked by what I saw. It looked like the footage you see of Iraq, but with ash instead of sand. It was everywhere and had destroyed everything. It is so corrosive it eats though metal, and if doesn’t eat through something, it becomes too heavy for the structure and makes it collapse. The rest of the afternoon was spent at the pool again, then off to the club for the calcutta, where we all may or may not have had a few drinks while watching the lava explode from the volcano.
Saturday consisted of a sleep in, a big brekkie then some golf. It was much the same day for me on the course. I hit it into the ocean again on the first, but played it from there and still got away with my par. By the end of the round, I was tied for the lead which was a pleasant surprise. A few quiet vodkas and socialising with the local members were all we managed for the remainder of the afternoon.
Sunday was the final round, and after a shaky start where I dropped to two behind after the first hole (and no, I didn’t hit it in the ocean this time), I managed to battle my way around and eventually came out on top. I won! My first professional victory! I was pretty excited, and relieved that I wouldn’t have to face that first hole again. The men’s winner and I took home some nice loot including crystal wine glasses, and we celebrated through the night and into the next morning. 
Feeling a bit worse for wear on Monday, we dragged ourselves out of bed and down to the resort for a big breakfast, then headed out on a 38-foot Riviera to do some fishing. Luckily it wasn’t too rough, or we all might have been looking a bit green. We trawled out into the big blue ocean, where the men’s winner managed to haul in an 11kg Spanish mackerel. Then it was my turn. I had nearly given up hope of a big catch until my line went crazy, so I jumped into action. After not too much of a struggle I landed a 9kg Barracuda! Not bad for a rookie! I think my new bionic shoulder helped me reel it in with ease. That topped off the trip for me.
I flew home yesterday, and it’s now back to reality in Sydney’s gloomy weather. It’s now time to start planning my next trip, which will be qualifying school for the Ladies European Tour in Spain in late November. Hope you are all well!
Cheers,
Kaz
Posted by Karen Quinn on: Thu Jul 29th at 10:36:21 AM
2010 Season Approaching
(Wednesday 17 February, 2010)
Hi All
I've had a nice break at home, and also a great New Years, however it's soon back to work. This week in fact, in Thailand. I saw Hee-Young in Melbourne, and spent time with her and her coach Steven Bann. It was nice to see what they were working on. I've never felt comfortable teaching the swing, and don't pretend to; I always leave that for a coach. With that said, sometimes players struggle during the year, and it's nice to give them a comment or drill that a coach has used in the past. Most of the time during HY's practice I just make sure she completes all of her drills, and sometimes I try to incorporate a "competition factor"; and she usually wins the lunch or dinner bet that is on offer.
During the Melbourne trip I even learned a few caddie insights, and I'm looking forward to putting the tactics into play. I'll keep you posted on the results. We've got 2 LPGA events in Asia, and then I'm really looking forward to the Australian events. I've played and caddied at Royal Pines for the past 6 years, and love the "grain in the greens". A local Gold Coast professional Marcus Sullivan taught me well, and I use his insight every time I walk onto one of those greens.
After that is the Women's Australian Open at the Commonwealth Golf Course, and I was lucky enough to be able to play 9 holes there recently myself. The course is looking in great shape, and it will be a true test on one of the great Melbourne "sandbelt" courses. There are some great risk/reward Par 5's, and as always it will definitely come down to the best putter. I look forward to seeing everyone very soon.
Cheers, Kylie
Posted by Kylie Pratt on: Wed Feb 17th at 03:03:56 PM
Home Sweet Home
(December 5 2009 - Mackay, Queensland)
I'm home! After a long season on tour I'm finally home in Mackay spending time with family and friends. My last 2 events covered both spectrums. We finished 35th in Mexico, and then finished with a T5 in Houston at the LPGA Tour Championships. After much rain in the area prior to the tournament, and more rain moving in for the week it turned a well drained course into a swamp. The tournament was eventually reduced to 54-holes, and finished on Monday afternoon. It was the first time in my 4 years on tour that I caddied a Monday finish. The last 4 weeks were T15, T2, 35, T5; this finish turned a good season into a great season, and Hee Young finished 20th on the LPGA Money List. With that she earns a 2-year exemption on tour, a start in the February LPGA limited field events, and a start in all of the majors. I'm also happy to let you know she'll play in the 2010 ANZ Masters and 2010 Women's Australian Open.
I know the 2009-2010 Club Car Pro-Am series has started, and I wish all the ALPG players the best of luck. I played that tour for 4 years, and as a young golfer it provided me a launching pad to further my golf that I am very thankful for. I wish everyone a very festive season. Safe travels, and I look forward to seeing everyone at the Australian events in 2010.
Until I pick up the bag again. It's .....Back to the lounge chair,
Kylie
Posted by Kylie Pratt on: Sun Dec 6th at 07:52:14 PM
Travel, a caddies lot!!
(9 November 2009 - Los Angeles International, California)November 9
2 missed cuts, 3 weeks off, a T15, then T2. It's amazing what can happen in 7 weeks. I'm sitting on a plane on my way to Mexico ... let's just say it's been one of my longest travel days ever. Total Travel: 2 hours Japan to South Korea, re-check bags, 4 hour layover, 10 hours South Korea to Los Angeles, re-check bags, 4 hour layover plus a 2 hour delay, and now a 2 hour flight from Los Angeles to Mexico. I've had some long flights and layovers, but I think this one tops it. My player helps me out with my international travel so I was trying to reduce the total cost for her by buying separate "legs". I've become quite good a finding deals, and it just happened that we really did have a lot of territory to cover. I can't complain too much though. The Mizuno tournament in Japan chartered a train from the tournament site to Nagoya. I've certainly had chartered buses before, but the 2 hour and 30 minute train the past 2 years has been a lot of fun. Needless to say, but a few beverages were sipped, and spilled.
Japan: all in all a great week. We finished second; 2 shots off the champion, but it was great to be in contention. We had an 8-foot putt on the 16th hole to go to 14-under to put a little pressure on the leader who just bogeyed to be 15-under, but we missed. Unfortunately, we dropped a shot at the last to fall into a tie for second, but a second is a second no matter how you look at it, and I was very proud of the way Hee Young played. She made 3 birdies in a row on the back 9 on Sunday, and to me that showed courage. Going after pins, knocking them close, or making an unexpected 30-footer that's exciting. Ok, so I hope that we make them all, but something about a Sunday adds a little extra pressure. Hee Young hasn't been in too many situations like that on the LPGA Tour (sometimes you just need to log the hours like any normal job).
A highlight of the week was a French inspired buffet on the Friday night with local produce. We were practically on the water, and the seafood was outstanding; not to forget about the beef as well. And the pastry chef; wow, that guy can bake. I wouldn't normally order the lobster, or have a seafood soup broth, but when it's presented in this manner it's hard not to try everything and find out what master chefs can whip up. Ok, so I watched Julie and Julia, a cooking themed movie (one of the 10 movies I watched during my long haul flights), and I think I've picked up a bit of the lingo. Also, on the Tuesday before the tournament I was able to sign up for a "Pearl" boat cruise with a few players and caddies, and at the end of the trip we were each able to pick out our own pearl, and then it was set into a small mobile phone chain or loop. The gift was phenomenol, and as far as caddy gifts; it's the best I've ever received.
Speaking of gifts .... Kingmsill was the other tournament that was famous for good, practical gifts. This year in the poker craze we were given a nice case set of Kingsmill logoed playing cards. The year before it was a BBQ set, but it only lasted a week as some thugs saw the box in the back seat of my car and decided to break my window and steal it. Only problem was I also lost another caddy's gift in the break-in, but at the time I was happy they left 2 pair of Oakley Sunglasses under the sun visor. It didn't help that the window cost about $200 to replace. It's not a good feeling when you start out negative for the week, and then have to call your player and tell them you're not coming to the golf course. Luckily for me it occurred on the pro-am day (a practice day for me), and I had help from the local law enforcement to find some mobile repair guys (2 hrs later; everything was back to normal).
Ok, I've just realized I do tend to ramble. I remember stories when prompted, or if I hear a key word. Most of the time the stories seem common to me, but these days I realize
I've traveled and seen things most people wouldn't see in a lifetime. I seem some of these things on a daily basis; that is why it seems common. So here is the challenge to
you. What do you want to hear about?
Back to the bag, thanks for reading,
Kylie
Posted by Kylie Pratt on: Sun Dec 6th at 07:48:13 PM
Mastering Madrid
(5 October 2009 - Madrid, Spain)
Hola everyone
Something quite important was brought to my attention this week.....I am ridiculously unfit! After last weeks hills I thought I was doing ok, but another week of dreaded hills on the course got the better of me.
This week saw us in Madrid for the Madrid Ladies Masters, a limited field event for just those ranked highest on the money list. It had a strange feel to it, as there were only 40 players here. Nearly everyone was staying at the official hotel as the course was out in the sticks. There was not much to do around the hotel either, except for the shopping centre right behind it.
After long days at the course, our nights consisted of wandering aimlessly around the shopping centre, until the restuarants opened at 8. Apart from the first night, we (just about every player and caddy) ate at 'The Wok', an Asian buffet that was €10 for all you can eat. I am not usually a fan of the buffet, but this one was different. Everything fresh....sushi, dumplings, noodles etc, then a selection of raw meat and vegies that you gave to the chef and he wok fried it in front of you. Then, the clincher, dessert! Chocolate mousse, jelly, cake and icecream. Perfect! Lucky the course was hilly I suppose....hopefully I burnt some of it off again.
Apart from eating well again, not a lot else happened this week. I worked for Sophie again, and again her ball striking was excellent. A few more putts dropped this week, and we ended up in a tie for 14th at 7-under par. The course had a lot of birdies to offer, but only if you hit the fairways, which were quite tight. Bad shots usually found a cliff to roll down, long grass to hide in, and the occasional snake to nestle up next to. Thankfully, we managed to avoid most of these, which meant I went injury free for a whole week!!
That has brought an end to my stint on tour this year. I have a weeks holiday now, a few days in Barcelona and then Paris, before heading home again. Catch you all soon.
Adiós amigos!
Quinny
Posted by Karen Quinn on: Tue Oct 6th at 02:59:58 PM
