Just before Christmas, Cameron Smith – the golfer, not the future league immortal – teamed up with Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds for a round against Smith’s father, Des, and Corey Oates.
Cam Smith was on the losing team.
Luke Keary, Latrell Mitchell, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jordan Rapana are passionate about golf.Credit: NRL Photos, Instagram
Australia’s best hope at next week’s US Masters in Augusta trained at his beloved Broncos a few times over the summer, and Reynolds was always desperate for a hit.
The halfback played a few rounds with Des, and was delighted when Cameron was ready for a hit at Wantima Country Club.
“It was me and Cam against Des and Corey and, believe it or not, they got the cash,” Reynolds told The Sun-Herald. “Cam gives everyone their handicap, plus four shots. Des is also a bit of a burglar.”
A bit like league players pulling on their favourite NFL jerseys whenever the Super Bowl comes around, it will come as a huge shock how many NRL players are handy golfers and wake up early to watch the US Masters, which starts on Thursday night.
Cameron Smith and (inset) his father Des.Credit: AP, Getty
Cam Smith told Sun-Herald reporter Adam Pengilly, who will head to the US to cover the Masters, about how he lost to Oates, but how impressive Reynolds was with the clubs.
“Reyno is pretty good actually; he kind of plays golf like he plays footy – he just pieces it together meticulously, and he’s got a bit of ability,” Smith said.
The idea of the four best players from every NRL club going at it for charity over the summer has started to generate interest.
Based on the players’ handicaps provided to The Sun-Herald this week, the Warriors would go close to taking the cash. See the photo gallery below for your club’s best golfers.
Lithgow-bred Wayde Egan plays off a handicap of five, just ahead of Dylan Walker (seven), Jackson Ford (nine), Josh Curran (11) and Shaun Johnson (12). The Warriors enjoyed a sponsors’ golf day at home this week.
Reynolds plays off eight, Kotoni Staggs (16), Kurt Capewell (18) and Oates (21). The club’s head of football operations, Ben Ikin, plays off five.
South Sydney have their share of golf enthusiasts, with Latrell Mitchell often posting photos of himself playing. Despite kicking with his left foot, Mitchell is a right-hander. For what it is worth, James Tedesco, a natural right-footer, plays golf left-handed.
Mitchell, a Bonnie Doon regular, plays off eight, ahead of Lachie Ilias (14), Jed Cartwright (15) and Blake Taaffe (21). The real stars at the Rabbitohs are assistant coaches Sam Burgess, who plays off two, and Ben Hornby (one). That handicap is sure to deteriorate if Hornby is cherry-picked by St George Illawarra for a head coaching job.
Mitchell Moses teeing off at the 2020 G9 Stadium Golf at ANZ Stadium.Credit: Getty Images
The Sydney Roosters also have plenty of golfers, led by Luke Keary off six, Jaxson Paulo (nine), Nat Butcher (13) and Tedesco (18).
Canberra’s Jordan Rapana plays off four, Harley Smith-Shields (seven), Josh Papalii (nine) and Tom Starling (12).
The front-rowers at Parramatta, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo, play off eight and 13 respectively, with Clint Gutherson (eight), and Mitchell Moses (11).
Melbourne, like the Warriors, have plenty of sharpshooters on the roster, led by Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster, who are both off nine, with Nick Meaney (10) and Jonah Pezet (12). The Storm media manager, Paul Munnings, is off six.
Newcastle’s media manager Frank Barrett is off 10 and married to professional Nikki Garrett, who has run the Origin Legends Charity Golf Day for two years. Star Knight Kalyn Ponga was gifted with the sticks as a junior and plays off five.
Arguably the best golfer in league is Cronulla’s long-serving media man Rob Willis, who is off plus one and loves telling journalists – repeatedly – about his triumphs at the 1991 Fiji Open and 1995 Dubai Creek Open.
Reuben Garrick (12), Nathan Cleary and Tyrone Peachey (both 12), Jake Averillo (14) and Blake Lawrie and Moses Mbye (both 11) are the best at Manly, Penrith, Canterbury and St George Illawarra respectively.
Adam Doueihi (16) is one of the few players at the Wests Tigers, whose assistant coach Benji Marshall plays off six.
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