Pacific Dunes Port Stephens - Resort Style Living

Pacific Golfer

He’s been there since Pacific Dunes opened and club professional Mark Ingrey is the first to admit he has been stunned by the way the Medowie Course near Newcastle has quickly established itself as one of the most popular courses in the state.

The former Victorian has worked hard and is proud of the fact that Pacific Dunes is already rated the no.29 public access course in Australia, up from 33 in 2007 – and moving steadily up through the ranks.  Ingrey shares some of his thoughts and hopes with the Golfer Pacific:

The Golfer Pacific: Your home club?

Mark Ingrey : Pacific Dunes Golf Club.

GP: How long have you been head Pro there?

MI: Since it opened in April, 2005.

GP: Where did you train?

MI: Warrnambool and Yarra Yarra Golf Clubs in Melbourne.

GP: Your favourite course (outside of your own)?

MI: Metropolitan Golf Club, Melbourne.

GP: Best golfer you’ve seen?

MI: Obviously Tiger Woods, but like a lot of others I grew up idolising Greg Norman.

GP: What’s the best round of golf you’ve ever played?

MI: A 66 – with six birdies in a row.

GP: Who is the best golfer you have shared a round with?

 MI: Geoff Ogilvy.

GP: What is the most frustrating part of your job?

MI: Needing to be every where at once.

GP: Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?

MI: My pop taught me to play and educated me about life along the way.

GP: What’s the biggest tournament you have played in?

MI: The Victorian Open.

GP: If you had the chance to play a major which would it be and name your three ideal playing partners?

MI: The open championship alongside of Greg Norman, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els.

GP: Who will be the next Australian to win a major?

MI: Adam Scott

GP: If you hadn’t become a professional golfer, what career path would you have chosen?

MI: A commercial or RAAF pilot.

GP: If you could change one thing for the better at club level what would it be?

MI: Juniors being encouraged to play rather than discouraged by community by-laws.

GP: If you had a magic wand how would you use it to change the professional scene in Australia?

MI: I definitely feel greater corporation support would be the wish I’d make.

GP: If you could change or scrap one rule of golf, what would it be?

MI: Removing loose impediments from the bunkers.

GP: What was your greatest achievement as a player?

MI: I’d like to think I have a few but nothing beats being asked to play with HRH Prince Andrew in Dubai.

GP: What’s the best part of your job?

MI: The opportunities and versatility it creates world wide.