Commentator talks predictions, life lessons from game he loves

By Julie Iles 02 July 2016, 12:00AM

Australian golf commentator, Ossie Moore, says dry weather and tidier greens mean better scores for the players of the S.I.F.A Samoan Open, which ends today.

Speaking to the Weekend Observer, Moore predicts the winner will score 15 under par, while last year’s winner, Australian Michael A. Brown will hit 12 under par. 

Moore has been a sports commentator since 1998 after he ended a 16-year career as a professional golfer. He is a commentator for most of the golf events in Australia and has been contracted for the World Cup in Melbourne later this year. 

When he isn’t golfing, he coordinates tournaments at a private club on the Gold Coast in Australia.  He says coming to tournaments like this helps his commentary because he gets to know players assets. “Generally that’s one of the reasons I do play these opens for is to have a look at the young guys and see what they’re doing... it’s really important because you’re telling people things that they can’t see on the screen, no use repeating that,” says Moore. 

Events like this foster the game in Samoa as well because young kids who come out to play and be involved in golf will see name players who may go on to win larger championships.

“Chances are one of the players here that plays well in the Open is a player that you will see on the world scene in four or five years time because it’s an avenue for them.”

When watching the game from the sidelines Moore has practised visualising the shots that professionals will take before they step up to the tee. He says this has helped his mental attitude in games a lot. 

“When you play yourself and you haven’t been playing a lot, you’ll hit some poor shots and you’ll get down on yourself about it but when you’re visualizing those shots as if you’re hitting them you get quite a good attitude.”

Younger players also get opportunities to learn from the older players.  In business and in life, Moore says that golf teaches you to focus on where you can be successful, and not where you can fail.  He says there are lots of internal out-of-bounds portions of the course, which will help players develop skills they may not practise on other greens.  “It’s a tight-driving golf course... you have to drive it quite straight because it’s out of bounds if you don’t drive it straight.” 

The past month’s dry conditions makes the ball easier to control, and allow players to hit the ball farther. While this is an overall scoring advantage, players will need to be cautious of going too far.   “This year the fairways are nice and tight, the greens are smooth, last year there were a couple of iffy greens this year the course is quite good...though you’ll have to watch out for tee-shots,  they go a bit further than they used to go, which sometimes gets you in trouble” says Moore. 

Though after the rain on Tuesday night, the course may not be as dry as it was when players were scouting out the greens.


By Julie Iles 02 July 2016, 12:00AM

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