Inside Golf - September 2010

36
September 2010

www.insidegolf.com.au PEOPLE ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Craig Spence: The Shark tamer
RichardFellner

I T was the type of shot that most golfers dream about: 72nd hole at the Australian Masters... playing with Greg Norman...the tournament on the line... hitting a 6-iron approach and watching it land two feet from the hole ... then draining the putt to win one of Australia’s largest golf tournaments by a single stroke over The Shark himself.

For one man, that dream became a reality.
With his victory at the 1999 Australian Masters,
Craig Spence became known as the man who
made “The Shot” that beat “The Shark.”
“I am amazed at how many people still ask me
about that tournament,” Spence told Inside Golf.

“It is definitely the highlight of my career and
I remember everything about it.”
“Before that last round was the hardest
morning of my life! I was feeling so nervous
and had no appetite, and I just couldn’t stand
the waiting for my 2pm tee off. I went for a
bike ride and did anything to occupy my mind.
I had my mental routines in place and was
basically ready to go and face the biggest test
of my life,” he said.

So what goes through the mind of a player on the first tee of the final round of a big tournament like that? For Spence, it was a combination of nerves and relief.

“I felt very nervous on the first tee; I had all the symptoms of shaking hands and pounding heart. But I was also relieved that I could finally tee off. Once I got started, I knew I would play well because my mental routines were so good — I was able to deflect the pressure and focus on my shots properly. And then, of course, after the tournament was over, I was just in shock and relief that I was able to accomplish what I did. And then we went and had a great big party!” While his overseas touring days are now behind him – he spent 14 years competing internationally– Spence is still going strong in the Australian golf industry.

Having completed his ‘Bridging’ course with the PGA, Spence has recently begun teaching at the PGA Learning Centre at Melbourne’s Sandhurst Golf Club.

While he offers private one-on-one lessons to golfers of all abilities and ages, a significant part of his teaching is with Junior Development programs, including the Rowville school golf program and the China golf program.

Known for “The Shot” that beat Greg Norman at the 1999 Australian Masters, Craig Spence is still going strong in Australian golf. (Photo courtesy of Geelong Advertiser)

“I am very passionate about helping kids get to the next level — by sharing my experiences, and helping them to prepare better, debrief, compete and just get the best out of themselves,” he says.

In addition to teaching, Spence participates in Corporate Golf days at Sandhurst, giving clinics and on-course tips as well as helping to provide a great day for all clients.

“I have had plenty of experience with Corporate
days — from my days on tour and attending all
kinds of corporate outings and Charity events — so
I am very comfortable meeting people. I really enjoy
relating to different people and learning about new
things. Also, sharing my experiences on the US Tour
and The Masters win makes for a lot to talk about.”
As for competitive golf, Spence still plays on
occasion, but he currently has his sights on matters
closer to home.

Craig Spence is a former player on the US PGA Tour, European Tour and Australasian Tour. He is an A-rated PGA golf professional teaching at the PGA Learning Centre at the Sandhurst Golf Club. He is also launching junior programs through the holidays, as well as after school groups for next term.

To book lessons with Craig, or to find out more about the junior programs that Craig is running, call the Sandhurst Golf Shop on (03) 8787 7022

Coaching Quick Tips

WOOD GAME TIP

Many people complain about not being able
to hit the ball well with their woods (or metals),
and in particular their driver. From what I’ve
seen, poor quality contact is a major problem
for many of these players.
Put a tee in the ground (without a ball) sticking
up approximately 1 to 1.5 inches. You should
be able to strike the tee consistently without
hitting, or even brushing, the ground at all.

If you miss the tee, or touch the ground in any way, don’t wonder any longer why you can’t hit your driver. Remember -- the longer the club, the more precision required. Practice this exercise until you can consistently clip the tee without touching the ground (or even the grass). Once you get quality contact established, the feedback you get from your shots becomes meaningful. Then you can work on directional control.