AFL golfers Jaxon Prior and Oliver Hollands take on Jon Ralph in Code Sports Classic
It was a throwaway comment from Essendon's Jaxon Prior that perfectly captured the golfing form during the inaugural Code Sports Classic.
'I think you'd find there are a lot of people, especially other AFL players, that can do exactly what we're doing right now – which is hacking it around.'
The three-hole competition was held for the first time at Spring Valley Golf Club, starring Prior, Carlton youngster Ollie Hollands and Code Sports footy reporter Jon Ralph.
WATCH THE FULL CODE SPORTS CLASSIC VIDEO AT CODE SPORTS
AFL journalist Jon Ralph with Bomber Jaxon Prior and Carlton's Oliver Hollands at the Code Sports Classic. Picture: Jason Edwards
Hollands is one of the AFL's best golfers, slotting in at No.3 of Code Sports top 50 list, while Prior rounds out the top 10.
But while there were thrilling moments, like a converted eagle, that showed signs of a future golfing career, there were also others, like one player chipping the ball directly into his cart, that proved footy was the right choice.
'We didn't pay, but we're getting our money's worth for the amount of shots we're having,' the player said after hitting his cart.
'Can I go home?'
WATCH THE FULL CODE SPORTS CLASSIC VIDEO AT CODE SPORTS
But not long after conceding the par 4 hole to Ralph, the footy star teed off on the par 5 with a stunning 270m drive.
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He then followed it up with a gorgeous iron shot that landed the ball within 10 feet, and then he promptly nailed the putt to secure an eagle and send the competition to overtime.
Hollands and Prior are used to playing in front of 80,000 screaming fans at the MCG, but it was a different nerves-inducing experience at the course.
It was watching a six-foot putt by Ralph on the sudden-death hole, which would have seen him win the inaugural Code Sports Classic.
Highlights from the Code Sports Classic
- Hollands (0.9 handicap) reveals he is the best golfer in his family; ahead of Elijah (6 handicap) and his dad Ben (2 handicap)
- Prior says Sam Durham, who plays off an 8 handicap, could be a scratch golfer
- Hollands accuses Mitch McGovern of being a much better player than his suggested handicap of 14
- Prior's handicap (currently 3.9) got down to 3 as his personal best
- Hollands says Jack Silvagni "is a bit wayward, hits a very long ball. It sort of goes right, goes left, not very straight".
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