Elvis shining through at Rosebud!
Posted on: 31 January
On Friday afternoon at Rosebud in Victoria, our own Elvis Smylie showed his true mettle. After a difficult first round, he parred the front nine in the second round and on the back nine hit five birdies to come in with a 67 to make the cut. On Saturday he continued his charge, posting a 63. Today was a hotly contested final day, seeing Elvis take a share of the lead at times, finishing 16 under par in a possible shared first place with another round of 63, to finally be knocked off when Brad Kennedy dropped in a birdie putt on the 72nd hole. What an awesome tournament performance from Elvis!
What makes him tick?
Where it all began: I started at Southport as a 10 year-old on a handicap of 21 and joined the Junior Program. I had come down to Scratch by the time I was 13. I am 18 now. Coming from a tennis family, I had a very competitive nature and was hooked as soon as I started!
Coaches: Ian Triggs (swing coach) Sean Lynch (mind coach) … and my parents for constant support and the mental game too!
Special golf achievements:
2019: The Australian Boys Championship win at my home club has been a highlight. I also went to Japan in June 2019 for the Junior Golf World Cup, a great experience. Following that, I spent some time in USA, playing at Toledo, Seattle & Alberquerque. This was all great experience for the future. The win at the Boys’ champs gave me entry to the NSW Open at Concorde in Sydney. Another great experience.
2020: The highlight in a very difficult year at the start of my planned career was the win in the Keperra Bowl. I am proud of that achievement in a year with very little tournament opportunity. I also won the Queensland Amateur Stroke Championship.
Favourite club brand: Sponsored by Titleist & Footjoy
Favourite club in your bag: 58° lob wedge
Favourite hole at Southport: First. It’s a short par 5, so with a drive and 7 iron approach I can put it close and putt for an eagle. This puts me in a positive mindset and sets me to attack and build the round.
Toughest hole for you at Southport: 17th. It is hard into the wind. The fairway is quite narrow between water on left and fairway bunkers on right. I use a 3 iron and 6 iron usually. The green is quite deceptive … it looks deep, but seen from above it is actually quite shallow and very wide. The surface undulations are quite tricky too.
Favourite pro golfers: Adam Scott & Rory McIlroy. In 2020, I was able to spend some time playing with Adam at Noosa Springs & Pelican Waters during the COVID closedown of the PGA Tour. I was able to see his demeanour on the course. He is very chilled and calm. I hope to be like him in my career. It’s the approach I like to use and hope to develop further.
Favourite course away from Southport: Victoria Golf Club, Cheltenham, Melbourne. It has fast greens, pristine bunkers and it is a very attractive visual experience. It is very challenging for distance and placements and the greens are very tricky!
Flag in or flag out: (when you can choose!) Out
Music to practise with: Random new stuff
Favourite snacks on the course: Bananas, nut bars, peanut butter sandwiches and lots of water!
Favourite food: Japanese
Goals for coming years:
2021: In January I will play in The Geoff Ogilvy Players Series Victoria at Rosebud Country Club. This event has a mix of amateurs and professionals, so will be another interesting experience. My big focus for 2021 is the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne GC in October. A win there would give me entry into The Masters and The Open! My plan for coming years is to go through the Rookie Pro Circuit in Europe and see where that takes me!
“I want to say that I love how the members at Southport are so supportive of members who do great things. They are always there for me. I feel honoured to be a member of Southport Golf Club and to be able to represent them in the National arena and hopefully in the Professional arena in the future.”
