MV On Track 2018

28 ON TRACK MAGAZINE THE MVRC AND PGA TOUR TEE OFF ON A NEW PARTNERSHIP T here’s another huge sporting event in Melbourne later this year that will see many in the Victorian racing industry swap the lush surrounds of the racetrack for the pristine fairways of the golf course. The PGA TOUR announced that the 59th edition of the world-renowned World Cup of Golf tournament would return to Melbourne this year, with The Metropolitan Golf Club playing host to 28 two-person teams representing their respective countries on November 21-25. As one of five events co-sanctioned by the International Federation of PGA Tours, the ISPS HANDA Melbourne World Cup of Golf is a truly global and historic event, which has been played 58 times since 1953 in 25 countries, and is the only event that sees the world’s best come together and compete for their countries, outside of the Olympics. The MVRC is delighted to be working in partnership with the PGA TOUR on some exciting new initiatives which will be unveiled closer to the event, with a special World Cup of Golf themed race meeting to be held at The Valley on November 15. The PGA TOUR also announced that the 2019 Presidents Cup will be held on December 9-15, 2019, when it returns to the prestigious Royal Melbourne Golf Club. The return to Victoria will mark the third time in the biennial event’s 25-year history. For many in racing, punters and participants alike, golf is a passion that gets the competitive juices flowing, much like riding home a winner at the track. For someone like Caulfield Cup winning jockey Dwayne Dunn, it’s a release from the day-to-day pressures that come with riding at the elite level, but don’t for a second think that doesn’t mean it isn’t competitive. Playing off a handicap of 13 and often found wandering the fairways of Kingston Heath, Dunn loves nothing more than getting his fellow jocks out for a friendly game. “Damian Oliver is pretty competitive, Glynn Schofield is a very good golfer and Hugh Bowman obviously is exceptionally good at it as well – he gets to ride Winx and is also good at golf, so he has got a pretty good lifestyle,” says Dunn with a wry smile.