There’s something beautifully Australian about a bloke with a mullet captaining a professional golf team whose colours are inspired by the Queensland State of Origin jersey. Yet here I am, watching performer Simone Page Jones command The Ripper House with her operatic prowess, while Alpha Box & Dice’s sommelier keeps the premium South Australian drops flowing, and Adelaide’s finest mixologists craft an endless train of spicy margaritas.
Welcome to golf in 2025, where tradition meets disruption and somehow, it just works. Cam Smith’s RipperGC demonstrated how to elevate a sporting event into a complete entertainment package over three days at LIV Golf Adelaide. Their approach drew inspiration from F1 and the Australian Open, yet maintained something uniquely their own – and distinctly Australian.
During play, the team’s private box at the notorious 12th ‘watering hole’ party hole became the epicentre of a new kind of golf atmosphere. Unlike the mechanical rhythm of F1 or the predictable exchanges of tennis, golf’s natural flow created perfect moments of collective anticipation and release. When Patrick Reed aced the hole on day one, the thunderous response from the stands signalled a definitive shift in Australian golf culture.
The real innovation, however, unfolded after hours. RipperGC transformed a private residence into an entertainment sanctuary merging sport, culture, and a strong dose of glamour.
Acclaimed chef David Moyle crafted an Australiana-inspired menu, with elevated takes on avocado toast and kangaroo schnitzel. Meanwhile Lachlan Gunner – fresh from being named a top 5 finalist in the World Class Bartender of Year – led his team from trap. in creating bespoke cocktails. Their custom bar, modelled after the infamous 12th hole, served as a perfect metaphor for the weekend: familiar golf elements reimagined through a contemporary lens.
The gathering reflected modern Australia’s sporting and cultural landscape. Surfing legend Mick Fanning talked technique with Olympians Scotty James and Michael Klim over Wattleseed ice cream, and Aussie actors Travis Fimmel and Josh Heuston dropped by for a yarn as the weekend went on.
Client Liaison’s Harvey Miller delivered his signature smooth, dance-focused sound before Carla Martinez took over with a sunset set that captured the event’s evolving energy. A rumoured midnight appearance from star Dom Dolla, fresh off playing to a packed crowd of over 30,000 at the conclusion of play on Friday, added an unexpected encore to Saturday’s festivities.
Adelaide’s embrace of LIV Golf, and the reimagined golf culture around it, was emphatic. The three-day 100k+ attendance showcased remarkable diversity – young families sprawled on picnic blankets, fashion-conscious crowds testing the boundaries of traditional golf attire, and music enthusiasts arriving for the post-play performances. Ripper GC merchandise dotted the crowds, suggesting the team has already secured its place in South Australia’s sporting consciousness.
This might be RipperGC’s most significant achievement. They’ve preserved golf’s elevated positioning while stripping away its pretension, creating an environment where opera performances and custom cocktails feel natural alongside passionate sporting discussion. It’s a distinctly Australian interpretation of luxury – sophisticated yet accessible, premium yet playful.
“The Ripper House is where sport, culture, and entertainment collide — it’s the hottest ticket in Australia, and we’re only getting started,” says Nick Adams, General Manager of Ripper GC. Given the team’s trajectory both on and off the course, their ambition seems well-placed.
Like their captain’s infamous mullet – business at the front, party at the back – RipperGC have discovered the perfect balance between prestige and Australian charm. In doing so, they’ve created a template for tournament golf where sporting excellence and entertainment aren’t mutually exclusive – they’re essential playing partners.
This article is presented in partnership with RipperGC. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
Words & tournament photography by William Watt.
