Riverina events in full swing - PGA of Australia

Riverina events in full swing


Luke Henwood has taken out the 2015 SUNRICE Leeton Pro-Am shooting a final round 3-under 69 on Sunday afternoon in the NSW Riverina region.

Luke Henwood has taken out the 2015 SUNRICE Leeton Pro-Am shooting a final round 3-under 69 on Sunday afternoon in the NSW Riverina region.

"AndrewFollowing an opening round 7-under 65, Henwood entered the final round tied for the lead with David Van Raale who hails from Morisset Country Club on the New South Wales Central Coast.

Henwood finished three shots ahead of Troy Cox who carded rounds of 70 and 67 on Sunday which catapulted Cox into outright second.

The right-hander from Yamba on the New South Wales Far North Coast travelled 14 hours by car earlier in the week ahead of the Riverina swing of events and says it is always one of the most enjoyable pro-am circuits.

"I love coming out to this part of the country," said Henwood.

"The hospitality shown is second to none and the golf courses are great."

Henwood has been riddled with injury and illness in recent years and the win comes in only his second Professional start in over 15 months after the Griffith pro-am last week.

"This event is a major part of our community and is one of the biggest events we have all year so it’s great to have the Professionals come to town and enjoy the weekend," said Leeton Head Professional and organiser Jason Mimmo.

"Sunrice has been a huge supporter of the club and the event for many years and without their support, we couldn’t have this event," added Mimmo who himself posted impressive rounds of 70 and 73 to finish in the top-10.

It was an exciting finish at the Griffith City Volkswagen Pro-Am on Friday where three Professionals tied for the victory including New South Welshman Andrew Campbell.

Joining Campbell was Victorian duo Chris Gaunt and big hitting left-hander from Howlong Country Club Travis Merritt.

"I played well but honestly felt someone would shoot better than 68," said Gaunt.

"It’s a great country golf course with some fun holes so it was nice to play well."

Gaunt will be hoping to continue his good form this weekend and on Monday at Yenda where he won the event in 2013. 

The Griffith pro-am is a new event on the 2015 circuit and the club was delighted to see the PGA Professionals return for the first time since 2010.

"It was a great day today and we are extremely happy to have a pro-am back in Griffith and with the support of Griffith City Volkswagen and associated sponsors, we hope to build on this event in the future," said tournament organiser and Griffith Teaching Professional Wayne Rostron who along with Head Professional Brett Dwyer, delivered a great event.

Andrew Evans took out the ORORA Yenda Pro-Am on Monday with a 3-under round and was able to maintain a blemish free score card as the Sydney based Pro enjoyed his second win of the year.

"It’s a fun golf course and simply amazing what they are able to achieve here relying on volunteers to maintain the golf course," said Evans.

Yenda Golf Club is one of the more unique pro-am events in Australia. The course itself is only 12 holes and is maintained by a very small group of dedicated volunteers. Situated only 15 minutes drive from Griffith, Yenda is home to one of the world’s premier wine companies Casella.   

The Riverina swing of events finishes later in the week at the annual Ron Crouch Transport Wagga Pro-Am which begins on Thursday and will play host to some of the inform Professionals in Australian golf including recent Holden NZ Open Champion Matt Millar, Steve Jeffress, Craig Parry, Peter O’Malley and Dave Bransdon who came agonisingly close at the BMW NZ Open last week finishing one shot behind in second place.


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