Hammond wins 10th championship at Drouin

Ryan Hammond’s golfing journey has come full circle. 

From learning the game caddying for his father Rod, to crossing paths in the locker room with Tiger Woods and taking up a job back where it all began, it’s been an adventure for the 37-year-old.

Hammond grew up in Drouin, spending his childhood playing basketball, tennis, cricket and golf. It wasn't until he was 14 that he realised golf was the only thing he really cared about. 

“During my school years and VCE years, I was wagging school and playing golf,” he laughed.

The individuality of the sport appealed to him, he didn’t have to rely on teammates and he controlled the end result. 

All he wanted to do was be a golf pro. With posters of Tiger Woods on his wall, Hammond watched his hero in events, hoping to one day follow in his footsteps. 

His game began to develop, and he took up a golf apprenticeship which allowed him to not only play but teach others, while working full time in a golf shop at Waverly Golf Club. 

At 22, he went to qualifying school in 2003 to obtain his tour card. With the top 25 being granted access to the events he sought, he finished 16th and was on his way. 

He played pro-am events and followed the tour from Victoria to South Australia and then on to Queensland in the Troppo Tour.

“It’s an awesome experience, but it’s a grind. You’re basically playing pro am’s every day non-stop, it’s tough, especially if you go through a patch where you’re not playing as well, you’re on the road, so you don’t get to settle much,” Hammond said.

His game improved and he was able to participate in some of the biggest competitions in the country, including one event he’ll never forget.

At the Australian Masters in 2009, he had the opportunity to go up against his idol, Tiger Woods. Tiger won the event, but Hammond had a moment with the golfing superstar in the locker room.

“I barely knew how to say a word to him when he came towards me, he’s my idol, I just said g’day to him, I can’t really remember what he said back, but I can say I crossed paths with him.

“What he brought to the actual event, it was incredible, since that tournament we haven’t seen crowds like that, it’s all because of him,” he said.

He decided to head to America for the season and play tournaments which cost up to $1000 to enter, meaning he was backing himself in to succeed, and the pressure was on.

Hammond said his expenses each week were up to $3000, so he had to be playing good golf to just breakeven. 

“The fact you are forking out that money, it’s not cheap, so you really do have to back yourself and do well and I did reasonably well, but that’s when it actually became tough,” he said.

He played 14 events and made the cut in 10, finishing in the top five a few times as well, but at the end of it all, he returned home even on the bank balance. It was an eye opener.

After some strong results back in Australia, Hammond found himself being able to travel better, but realised when he did this, the expenses went up, and so did the pressure to perform.

“I went through a bit of a slump in my game and that’s where it got hard. It’s a lonely sport, I really started to battle,” he said.

The game became a chore for him. He hadn’t lost the passion to play, but the tours, travelling and being away from home took their toll.

He remembers the day he decided he not to play as a professional anymore.

“I was playing in the Australian Masters in 2011 and driving to the course, I remember the thinking, what am I doing here, and just didn’t want to be there,” he said.

Wondering what might be next, the country boy from Drouin was drawn back home and when a part time job came up at the Drouin Golf Club, he jumped at it.

Still playing golf, Hammond took the job as a greenskeeper and found he loved it. He took on an apprenticeship at age 29 and spent four years honing his craft in turf management. 

Moving into the two IC role, Hammond began to look around at other jobs to further his career, before his phone rang.

His boss at Drouin was on the line telling him he was moving on and that he had recommended Hammond to move into the superintendent role.

"I thought about it and spoke to my wife Ally and decided I would do it and here we are, two years later and I love it. Growing up here, I’ve got such a passion for the club and I come in to work and just love the place, it’s a really exciting time here as well with the new holes and estate,” he said.

While not playing professionally anymore, Hammond still plays golf at a high level. His handicap is currently plus four and last week he won his 10th championship at Drouin. 

“I won the first one when I was 15, so it’s been 22 years in between. Shane Dwyer who is a legend at the club has won 11, so I am chasing the elusive 12 to get in front of him,” he laughed. 

He now hopes to see others and especially kids take up the sport, with the game struggling in bringing in younger players.

“The answer to that, I don’t know. I do think it’s a really tough game, so people maybe give up before they really give it a chance. It’s hard to get people into it, but once you’re into it you can get hooked on it, so I hope more do,” he said.