Stuart Appleby lists Aussie pad to make US home

AUSTRALIAN golfing legend Stuart Appleby is packing his clubs and teeing off to a more permanent home in the US.

Appleby

AUSTRALIAN golfing legend Stuart Appleby is packing his clubs and teeing off to a more permanent home in the US.

The 42-year-old champ is selling his luxury Brighton house.

Castran Gilbert chief executive Paul Castran is handling the sale and said clashes between Australian and US tour dates were part of Appleby’s reason to sell.

"The issue for him is that they have changed the tour dates and his tours in the States clash with those here,'' Mr Castran said.

"He just doesn't need this one (the house) anymore.''

Appleby bought the home in 2007 and has used it as a base while playing Australian tours, but now spends most of his home time in a gated community in Florida - where on-course rival Tiger Woods is a neighbour.

Family is also playing a part in the sale, with the Australian champ finding it increasingly difficult to travel back home to Victoria with four youngsters in tow.

"It's just too hard for him to come out here and live here,'' Mr Castran said.

The stunning double-storey house is a pitching wedge away from the Brighton Golf Course.

And while Appleby is renowned as one of only five golfers to ever play a 59-shot round, to win the 2010 Greenbrier Classic in the US, he will be hoping for a much larger score from the June 15 auction of the impressive modern home.

In one of Melbourne's most illustrious postcodes, it is expected to sell for more than $2 million, according to Mr Castran.

"I'm sure everyone would love to own property that has had such a magnificent sports person living in it,'' he said.

If it sells with the multi-million dollar price tag it will likely double Appleby's winnings, $1.08 million, from the 2010 Greenbrier Classic - the most recent of his nine PGA tour victories.

The house has an open-plan living zone big enough to test long-range putting skills and a kitchen with stainless steel Ilve appliances and a butler’s pantry, as well as a family room.

Upstairs Appleby's main bedroom is replete with a walk-in-wardrobe, spa en suite and a chance to spy on the competition with impressive golf course views. There are a further three double bedrooms, a bathroom and casual living space.

A marketing campaign to sell the home began on Saturday.