Pros do their homework on Vic Open

THE Vic Open tees off today (Thursday, February 10), and the pros will have been studying the two courses at 13th Beach Golf Links closely.

Marcus Fraser, a long-time player on the PGA European Tour and a top-three finisher at the Vic Open two years ago, said the Beach and Creek courses were “not overly long” but would pose a considerable challenge to both the men’s and women’s fields.

“In spots, it’s quite generous, but if you’ve got the wrong angle to a lot of those greens, you can be in quite a bit of strife.

“There’s a lot of strategy involved relative to different pin positions, especially if the wind blows – like it did the last time I was down there – it completely changes the entire golf course, really.

“So I think a lot of homework’s going to be done before you hit off on the way the course is playing, the weather, and the course setup.

“The field is pretty strong, there’s a lot of mainly Australian players – because of the COVID issues, we’re not getting as many international players – but it will be very strong from an Australian point of view, so it’s pretty much a level playing field once you start there Thursday morning.”

Designed by Tony Cashmore, the Beach course at 13th Beach is consistently ranked in the top 20 best courses in Australia and is a true links style course, offering one of the best collections of par 3s in Australia.

The Creek course is a parkland layout and is co-designed by golfing great Sir Nick Faldo (a six-time Majors winner) and Tony Cashmore.

Today and on Friday, the men and women will play both courses in alternating groups.

On Saturday and Sunday, all players will be on the Beach course only.

“The (courses) have been around for a long time now, nearly 25 years, and both courses are fantastic and very enjoyable to play,” Fraser said.

He has played in the Vic Open several times.

“I grew up in New South Wales but I’ve lived in Melbourne for nearly 25 years now so I’d probably class myself as more of a Victorian than a New South Welshman, and to play in the Vic Open, the state championship, is always a big thrill, that’s for sure,” he said.

Fraser’s best result is a tie for third at the 2020 Vic Open, finishing at 14 under alongside Frenchman Robin Sciot-Siegrist and five strokes behind winner Min Woo Lee, and said coming towards the 18th green with a packed gallery was a great experience.

“I’ve been lucky enough to do that quite a bit over my career, having played in Europe for a long time and being one of the older players and probably more experienced, but any time you get to do that, especially in front of a home crowd, adds a little bit extra to it.

“I did put in a bit of work leading into that Vic Open, and had probably targeted that one to play well, so it was definitely nice to go and play well.”