Murrumbidgee Teaching Professional Matthew Docking has won the 2014 PGA Professionals Championship at Hamilton Island.

Playing in near perfect conditions, Docking’s final round of 6-under 65 set a new course record and also ensured he eclipsed the field by 10 shots.
 
With scores of 73, 71, 65, Docking’s 4-under 209 becomes the lowest three round total in the tournament’s three year history at Hamilton Island.

Starting the day one shot behind overnight leader Nathan King, Docking made birdies on the 1st, 2nd and 4th holes before an eagle on the 5th had him turning at 5-under the card.

Docking then holed a chip shot on the par-4 10th to move to 6-under for the day.

Holing an eight foot putt on the last, Docking became the first player to record a bogey free round at Hamilton Island Golf Club during the PGA Professionals Championship.

"I off to a hot start this morning holing a 30 foot putt on my opening hole and I never really looked back," said Docking.

"I had an eight shot lead with nine holes to play a few years ago, but couldn’t get the job done."

"Today, I really focused to plot my way around the back nine and keep the bogeys off my scorecard."

Courtesy of his victory Docking has earned a start at the Australian PGA Championship to be played at RACV Royal Pines Resort from 11-13 December where Adam Scott will defend his title.

"I have never played a top level tournament on the PGA Tour of Australasia before and I certainly haven’t played our national championship so I am extremely excited," added Docking.

"I am actually going to be in Queensland the week prior playing in the Holden Scramble Championship Final so it should be an amazing couple of weeks in December."

"I hope all the members at Murrumbidgee are proud of me. They are a great group of people to work with so I am certain they will be there to support me again in December."

Also winning his way to the Australian PGA Championship is Newcastle Golf Club’s Mark Gilson who beat Victorian Michael Faraone in a two hole play-off for the final position.

The pair finished runner-up on 6-over the card for the tournament.

"I feel for Michael, he has been so close to winning his way to the Australian PGA Championship over recent years but it has been a while since I played one as well so I am really pumped to get another opportunity," said Gilson.   

Played in conjunction with the PGA Professionals Championship, the Hamilton Island Amateur Golf Championship boasted the largest field in the tournament’s history.

New South Wales Golf Club Member Debra Stuart won the tournament over Jason Roberts and receives two nights’ stay at the exclusive Qualia, Hamilton Island’s six star accommodation, for her victory.

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