Aussies swinging for gold

AFTER a successful effort at the 2009 Maccabiah Games that saw the golf team win five medals – including a gold – the open, masters and Stableford sides will be out for a repeat effort at next month’s Games in Israel.

Veteran Roy Vandersluis, who was recently crowned the National Seniors Masters Champion, will be looking to achieve back-to-back masters medals when he ventures to his 10th Maccabiah, the most of any Australian athlete.

He’ll be accompanied by fellow 2009 medallist Keith Robertson, previous Stableford competitor Giora Friede, and debutants Andrew Hurwitz and Brian Harrisberg.

“On paper, this team is very strong and it’s got good depth,” masters manager Rob Wallhausen told The AJN.

“But golf is one of those things where it depends how well you play on the day, so I’m confident with the guys we’ve got that we’ll come up with a medal.”

The open team has never had a place-getter at the Games, but manager Stephen Wagen believes that record could be broken in 2013.

Jason Rubenstein and Oren Golvan will embark on their third trips to Israel and despite both being under the age of 30, they bring valuable experience to the side.

Jason Odze and Gary Berkel will also look to record Australia’s first medal in the golf event, with Wagen describing both as solid players every side needs.

Noah Warren and Zac Winograd will be hoping to continue their good form from the trials.

“I’ve seen that we fall down based on the pressure of the Games,” Wagen said.

“So we are going to make sure we are adequately prepared and I’m quietly confident that we can get an excellent result.”

Wagen will also be part of the Stableford event, which comes under the Maccabiah umbrella, but is not played for a medal.

Nonetheless, Australia is sending a six-man Stableford team, including Wagen, Dixie Diamond, Ashley Kausman, Stephen Ehrenreich, Colin Goldman and Jeff Rubenstein.

Ashley Shenker

Photo: Peter Haskin