News of Brisbane golfer Cameron Smith’s win of The Open in Scotland made media headlines all around the world in recent weeks but did you know that Cam’s coach is one of our own?
Pelican Waters Golf Club Head Coach Grant Field has coached Cameron Smith since he was a junior and was lucky enough to be with him at St Andrews for his most impressive win of The Open – Grant even scoring a drink out of the iconic Claret Jug.
“After coaching Cam for 18 years, it was fantastic to be there and support him,” Grant smiles. “To see him shoot 64 on the Sunday and win – it’s just so rewarding.”
As Cam wrote on Instagram, it was “A day to remember forever. I’m incredibly honoured to be the Champion Golfer of the Year.” Cam thanked his family and his team as well as the amazing crowds at St Andrews, that egged him on. “This win is for everyone!” he wrote.
Grant puts Cam’s success down to “how he practises and what he practises” – which is a timely comment given the reconfigured Pelican Waters Golf Course is about to re-open, with the greater club precinct set to be unveiled in early 2023. It will deliver “some of the best practise facilities in the country, if not the world”, according to Pelican Waters Golf Club’s Head of Golf, Dale Williamson.
From the championship 18-hole course, 275m driving range (all-weather, with a turf tee) and two putting greens, to the indoor fitting and coaching facilities, Dale says the new and improved golfing precinct will offer everything any level of golfer will need.
“What our team members are most excited about is our 10,000sqm short game area,” Dale says. “In my opinion, the short game is where any game is won or lost.”
And Grant agrees.
“Nobody can hit every green all the time, so to have a purpose-built short game practise area is a game changer,” Grant says. “To be able to practise chips and pitches from different lies, slopes and distances will improve anyone’s short game. This short game area could take countless shots off any player’s handicap.”
Dale says having Grant’s coaching expertise available at Pelican Waters Golf Club is simply the cherry on top.
“To say we have the current Queensland and Australia PGA Coach of the Year here is cool, but to say we have a coach at Pelican Waters who has coached a majors champion is really cool,” Dale says. “Grant also coaches our members, so for them to be able to find out first-hand from him just how Cam has become the best putter, with the best short game in the world, is a real advantage.
“Grant Field Golf will be a big part of Pelican Waters Golf Club moving forward and with several different coaching options available, there will be scope for any level of golf enthusiast to be trained by the best.”
Grant will personally oversee all golf coaching and
lessons once the new Pelican Waters Golf Club is open for business – he will even try to produce the next Cam Smith by overseeing our next generation of golfers from Junior clinics to advance development squads. Grant also plans to host information sessions and regular group sessions in the future.
“A world-class coach is not out of reach if you become part of Pelican Waters Golf Club or Palm Lake Resort Pelican Waters,” Dale says.