THE CHRISTMAS ISLAND golf course is situated 2600 kms northwest of Perth. Cooled by the south east trade winds the 9 hole, par 64 course is run entirely by volunteers.
Every November they have a few visitors. Red crabs. Native to Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean, millions of these crabs emerge from the rainforest and, triggered by the start of the rainy season, scuttle to the coast to breed. The result is disruption on the roads and unusual hazards on the golf course, where gant robber crabs have been known to grab and even break golf clubs.
They also carry off golf balls, the rule being that players let the crab keep the ball if it’s going in the right direction. Golfers come to the island just for the experience, and are advised to either check the hole before retrieving their ball or count their fingers afterwards.
QUIZ QUESTION: Who played with Justin Rose in the fourth round of this
Year’s Masters? Rose made a sensational 10-birdie 66 resulting in a playoff with Rory McIlroy, but who was his playing partner that day?
It was…Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner. Johnson shot a one-under 71 and tied in 8th place. But in fact 49 yr old Johnson’s fifth-from-final group tee time on Masters Sunday was an accomplishment in itself. Length has become
a problem. His 284.8-yd driving distance average this season is about 16 yards behind the Tour average, meaning every time he tees it up he has needed to be highly tactical about where and how he plays. That’s how you stay afloat in a league where some of the competition is half your age and also 40 yards ahead of you. “My game needs to be solid to compensate for length,” says Johnson. “It’s boring, but I’m good at being boring.”
After five missed cuts he’s had just three top-25 finishes in 2025 but he’s 103rd in the FedEx standings and still in the top 200 in the world ranking, which is more than can said of three other 49-year-olds whose names could ring a bell: Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson and – Tiger Woods.
AT THE WORLD GOLF AWARDS, held in sunny Madeira (why is it never Skegness?) the winner of the Worlds Best Golf Course was Trump International New Course, Scotland, which should please The Donald.
Poor old Spain didn’t figure much this year, Portugal swept the board in Europe, winning Europe’s Best Golf Venue, Europe’s best new course, Europe’s best 9 hole course and even Europe’s best Clubhouse. The winner of Spain’s best golf course was Son Muntaner, on Mallorca, the best hotel La Cala resort, Marbella. Must try harder.
A TIP to make practice less boring. After warming up imagine you are playing each hole of your next round. This will use all the clubs in the bag and prepare you for your next game in a more useful way. (If it’s La Serena imagine a ball retriever as well.)
MATT FITZPATRICK, now 30, turned professional at 19. The first amateur golfer since Bobby Jones in 1930 to simultaneously hold the low amateur honours at both the US Open and the Open, he won his first professional tournament at the 2015 British Masters and his first major championship at the 2022 U.S. Open.
A difficult year in 2024 resulted in a split with his long-time coach/caddie team, but with a new coach who tweaked his swing, and a new caddie, Matt regained his form, his bogie- free 66 at Jumeirah Golf Estates earning him a place in the playoff against Rory McIlroy and his third DP World Tour Championship title.
His opponent didn’t begrudge him, after a career grand slam in 2025, the Players and help with the Ryder cup, not forgetting the Irish Open, Rory can still afford to treat his wife to a new kitchen. (whoops, can’t say that.)
“The rest of the field.” Roger Maltbie, on being asked what he had to shoot to win the 1987 Masters.
Until next time: Happy Golfing.
Contact Mick for regripping and repairs. Tel. 638 859 475.
