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Aggression off the tee and a simple strategy on the greens has seen Ethan Chambers take a one-stroke lead at the halfway mark of the PGA Associate National Championship at Cobram Barooga Golf Club.
A First Year Associate at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney, Chambers matched the low round of the tournament on day two, his 7-under 65 giving him a 36-hole total of 11-under and a one shot buffer from Round 1 co-leader Zach Ion (69).
Those in the morning wave were greeted by perfect conditions at Cobram Barooga’s West Course, conditions that changed markedly for the afternoon groups.
A thunderstorm rolled through mid afternoon that caused a delay of one hour, the wind whipping up and heavy rain leaving casual water in some of the bunkers.
Chambers and Ion were both safely tucked away in the clubhouse by the storm hit, Chambers playing the four par-5s in 4-under par to surge to the top of the leaderboard.
“I’d definitely say I’m more an aggressive player,” said Chambers.
“I’ve been trying to take driver where I can, but then I understand some holes I’ve got to take my medicine.
“Just been poking it around with 2-iron and 3-iron so I’ve got in the bag this week.
“A lot depends on the wind, where the wind’s at. But I’ll keep sticking to it.”
Four-under and bogey three through nine holes, Chambers dropped a shot at the par-4 10th but hit back with birdies at 11 and 12 and then an eagle at the par-5 14th.
With the West Course greens nudging 12 on the Stimpmeter, Chambers said controlling the trajectory of his approach shots was crucial.
“Really just going to keep doing what I’m doing, keeping it below the hole,” Chambers added.
“It’s a big part of my game-plan this week given the greens are so good.
“I’m just going to keep it the same and see how we go.”
Ion followed up his 65 on day one with a 3-under round on Wednesday, the tall left-hander from Virginia Golf Club in Brisbane coming home in 3-under 33 to sit just one off the lead.
“What I’m doing is working,” Ion said of his game-plan for the final two rounds.
“A couple of holes today the game-plan didn’t work as well, but that was just due to poor swings.
“It’ll just be keeping my head nice and calm, keep my breathing going and try and go low again tomorrow.”
First Year Associate at Gold Creek Country Club in the ACT, Lachlan Chamberlain, sits in third spot four strokes off the lead thanks to a round of 4-under 68 featuring five birdies and one bogey.
Round 1 co-leader Linus Yip (Avondale Golf Club) is in a share of fourth after a round of 1-over 73 in the afternoon, joined at 6-under by Joseph Hodgson (70) from Mount Osmond Golf Club in Adelaide.
As a winner on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR and most recently part of the victorious Ripper GC LIV Golf, the fairways of regional Australian golf courses are a far cry from what Lucas Herbert has become accustomed to.
However those venues, like Murray Downs Golf and Country Club host of this week’s Ford NSW Open, are exactly the places he cut his teeth as a professional golfer.
Excited to be back in regional Australia, having grown up in Bendigo, Herbert has fond memories of the NSW Opens he has played, even if it has been a few years since he last teed it up in one.
With an elevated prize-purse of $800,000 and double Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit points on offer, this year’s NSW Open has attracted increased player interest, yet it has always been an important event for Herbert.
As a budding 21-year-old, grinding away in his first few seasons on Tour, Herbert’s career made a significant leap after his runner-up finish at the 2017 NSW Open at Twin Creeks Golf & Country Club Resort.
Despite Jason Scrivener running away with the Kel Nagle Cup that week by six-shots, Herbert describes his playing that week, and the two weeks that followed as an extremely pivotal moment.
“I remember that being a bit of a moment in my career where I sort of probably took a next step up,” Herbert said Wednesday.
“The following two weeks we played the Aussie Open and the Aussie PGA, and I played with Jason Day at the Aussie Open on the weekend and Sergio (Garcia) at the Aussie PGA.
“Within my team, we probably talk about the fact I probably grew up two years in those three weekends.”
Now 28, Herbert’s career has been on a steady upwards trajectory since that summer, and while the belief in his game was always there, getting the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the sports’ greatest enabled him to confirm that belief.
“I learned so much and probably learned that my game was on the right track in a way,” he said.
“I really benefited from seeing how J Day played and then how Sergio played, to be able to stack my game up against him and sort of go, ‘okay, look, I’m not there, but I’m on the right track’, and I could see how I can potentially get that good.”
That experience has stuck with the Victorian throughout his career and played a big part in his decision to extend his summer schedule, similar to 2022 Open Champion Cameron Smith.
Herbert added this week along with the Webex Players Series Murray River in early 2025 to the ISPS HANDA Australian Open and BMW Australian PGA Championship he had pencilled in his calendar already.
Herbert and Smith got out earlier this week for a practice round with Tour winners from this season Jack Buchanan and Elvis Smylie, imparting some of the wisdom he has picked up over the years.
“Some of these kids probably haven’t played with players at the top level to really compare and see where their game matches up,” he said.
“We all show an interest in the next kids that are coming through because we want to do everything we can to help them out.
“It was very nice and hopefully we get to do it a little bit more over the next couple of weeks too.”
Self-described as “too competitive to not care”, Herbert is certainly at Murray Downs to compete this week, the memories of getting so close in 2017 potentially providing that extra motivation and hunger.
While that result may still sting, Herbert looks back fondly on 2017, even if his humble lodgings that week likely bears little resemblance to where he is staying this year.
“There was about five of us all staying in an apartment above a car garage where you take your car in to get service sort of thing,” he laughed fondly.
“All sorts of noises going on through the night. I reckon someone slept on a couch, but it was back when that was fun.
“Everyone will tell you those early years on Tour when you were doing that kind of stuff was some of your fondest memories though.
“I’ve got a lot of good memories from those three weeks, but yeah, in particular the 2017 New South Wales Open.”
As for his chances this week, Herbert says his game is not quite where he would like it, but he has been putting in the work over the off season.
“It’s been a little rusty,” he said. “It’s been a good bit of time off since my last event in Dallas, so yeah, just trying to get my body right again.
“The course is in great shape. I think it’s going to be a really good tournament venue this week.
“It looks like it’s going to be warm through the weekend, so it’ll firm everything up and should play like a true country golf course.”
Photo: Golf NSW
Harry Higgs is heading to Melbourne this week for some swotting up on the Sandbelt before he gets to Brisbane for the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland next week.
Higgs, the genial American who is one of the internationals in the fields for both the PGA Championship and the ISPS HANDA Australian Open the following week at Kingston Heath and The Victoria Golf Club, is excited to be here for the first time.
“My thought was that with the Aussie Open being on two different courses, in a perfect world to play them both before the tournament week to at least get a little bit more familiar with them, or at least sneak over and do one of them,” he said.
“I’m super-excited. I’ve never been to Australia. I’ve heard some unbelievable things about the golf, but also the people, the country itself. Apparently Melbourne has some of the best food you’ll ever have in the world, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the beaches, we’re really looking forward to it.
“We’re very fortunate that golf takes us all around the world. Pretty much anywhere I’ve gone is because of golf. I’m super-thrilled.”
A recent chat with Jordan Spieth only added to his sense of expectation, with multiple major-winner Spieth rating Kingston Heath, in particular, very highly.
“He (Spieth) was raving about it,” said Higgs. “He said Kingston Heath is in his top three (courses) of all time. Royal Melbourne is awesome with the history and everything, but he said if you had to pick for fun, and some of the shots you had to hit, that he had to give Kingston Heath the edge.”
Higgs, 32, won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024 and has earned his playing rights for the PGA TOUR in 2025. But first, he is going to enjoy his time Down Under.
“From what I’ve heard, Royal Queensland is maybe similar to a Florida golf course. It wouldn’t be something that I have never totally seen before, but then the two on the sandbelt could be a little tricky.”
The big question at Royal Queensland next week might well be his sartorial state, with the Dabble Party Hole at No. 17 coming into play. Higgs (and Joel Dahmen) both went shirtless at Scottsdale’s famous party hole in 2022, and he has heard about the atmosphere at RQ’s par-3 already.
Higgs intends remaining clothed at RQ, but admits that in some circumstances, that could change, especially if he produces a hole-in-one that gifts one million dollars to the assembled audience on Saturday afternoon.
“You’ve got guys getting booed, you’ve got guys betting cheered, it seems like a lot of cold beer is flowing. You get there, and your legs are shaking, and your heart is pounding, and you get over the ball and all you’re saying is ‘please hit the green, please hit the green’.
“It’ll be pretty similar on 17 at Royal Queensland. (With) a hole-in-one, there’s no telling what happens … I might take an article of clothing off!”
The 2024 ISPS HANDA Australian Open and BMW Australian PGA Championship will be broadcast on Fox Sports and Kayo, as well as the NINE Network/9NOW.
For BMW Australian PGA Championship tickets, go to ticketek.com.au
Tickets for the ISPS HANDA Australian Open are available now via Ticketek
The Australian PGA Championship is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland’s Major Events Program and Brisbane City Council, through Brisbane Economic Development Agency.
PHOTO: Harry Higgs won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024. Image: Getty
The big names came out to play and it was Victorian David McKenzie who emerged triumphant at the $60,000 The Australian Golf Club Legends Pro-Am.
Recent additions to the PGA Legends Tour such as Brad Kennedy and Mathew Goggin loomed large but it was McKenzie’s putting that proved the difference.
He had a total of 10 one-putts in his round of 5-under 67 to finish one clear of Peter Lonard (68) as Australian PGA Senior champion Andre Stolz (69) and Kennedy (69) shared third.
HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED
A par at the difficult par-3 second was a steady start to McKenzie’s round.
He traded a birdie at three with a bogey at the par-3 fourth before the putter got hot.
McKenzie birdied three on the trot from the par-5 fifth and then made four pars around the turn to be well positioned at 3-under par.
He went back-to-back with birdies at 12 and 13 and after a dropped shot at the par-4 17th, hit the par-5 18th in two for the final birdie that would ultimately prove the difference.
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
1 David McKenzie 67
2 Peter Lonard 68
T3 Andre Stolz 69
T3 Brad Kennedy 69
5 Mathew Goggin 70
T6 Adam Henwood 71
T6 Chris Taylor 71
NEXT UP
The PGA Legends Tour is on the Central Coast on Wednesday for the Kooindah Waters Legends Pro-Am before returning to Sydney for the $80,000 David Mercer Senior Classic at Killara Golf Club.
Avondale Golf Club Associate Linus Yip has shrugged off indifferent form and rid himself of last year’s scar tissue to make a blistering start to the PGA Associate National Championship at Cobram Barooga Golf Club.
Yip and Third Year Virginia Golf Club Associate Zach Ion both took full advantage of perfect conditions and pure putting surfaces to post rounds of 7-under 65 on day one at Cobram Barooga’s West Course.
They sit three strokes clear of a group of seven players at 4-under-par with an additional four players just one shot further back at 3-under.
Admitting that his form in 2024 hasn’t quite matched the results he delivered in his first year of the Membership Pathway Program, Yip was thrilled to turn a brilliant start to his round into a complete performance.
“I’ve actually been struggling this year results-wise,” said Yip.
“Had a really good year last year, had a fair few wins. The only thing that was lacking was a four-day win under my belt.
“It’s good to get this kind of monkey off my back, being able to just finish off a good round.
“Last year I actually had a pretty good round going in the third round and wasn’t able to finish it off.
“Mentally, it was good just to get over that scar tissue coming in today.”
Yip began the championship with an eagle at the par-5 first and then followed it up with an approach to two feet at the par-4 second to be 3-under in no time.
He had six additional birdies to go with two bogeys but had company at the top of the leaderboard by day’s end.
Ion himself was 4-under through six holes on Tuesday but dropped a shot at the par-3 eighth.
With birdies at 10, 11, 14, 15 and 16 Ion sat one clear at 8-under but made a final bogey at the par-4 17th to sit alongside Yip at 7-under.
Playing in his third National Championship, Ion enjoyed being back on the Cobram Barooga greens but credited his driver with opening so many birdie opportunities during the round.
“Really good with driver today, leaving myself in good spots,” was Ion’s assessment.
“When I needed to lay up, I left myself a good number and with the greens as good as these are, it’s good to be able to fly behind the pin and spin it back, which is different to what I’m used to.
“Made a couple of longer putts too which really helped the score.”
Round 2 starts at 7:30am AEST on Wednesday morning with the afternoon wave to commence at 11:20am.
After a six-event qualifying series around the state, all roads lead to Swan Hill, with one of the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia’s biggest prize purses on offer this week as the Ford NSW Open heads to Murray Downs Golf & Country Club.
Last played in March 2023, after not featuring last season on Tour due to a change in scheduling, David Micheluzzi was the most recent winner of the Kel Nagle Cup, triumphing on his way to securing that season’s Order of Merit.
With an increased prize fund of $800,000, the return of the NSW Open has seen significant player interest, with star Aussies Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert making the trip out to the Murray River region, as well as 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.
Among the other headliners in the field are all four winners from Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia this year, Phoenix Campbell, Jack Buchanan, Elvis Smylie and Will Bruyeres.
Kicking off a huge three-week stretch, the NSW Open provides a sensational prelude for the BMW Australian PGA Championship and the ISPS HANDA Australian Open.
2023 CHAMPION: David Micheluzzi (Victoria)
PRIZEMONEY: $800,000
LIVE SCORES: www.pga.org.au
TV COVERAGE: The NSW Open will be broadcast live on 7plus and 7two.
*All times AEDT.
Round 2: Friday, 12pm (7plus)
Round 3: Saturday, 12pm (7plus)
Final Round: Sunday, 12pm (7plus and 7two)
THE COURSE
Consistently ranked inside the best 100 courses in the country, Murray Downs is a favourite among the abundance of layouts dotted along the famous Murray River that sits on the border of New South Wales and Victoria.
Once a sprawling sheep station, design duo Geoff and Ted Parslow took to transforming the former farmland in 1991 and produced a magnificent par-71 course stretching to 6,276 metres, which was updated by the brothers in 2009.
Featuring Wintergreen couch fairways, and large Penncross bentgrass greens, the immaculate conditioning at Murray Downs is often a talking point, along with the red sand that fills the large and significant bunkering.
Several forced carries are also synonymous with Murray Downs, none more so than the long par-3 fifth, which, off the tips, can be stretched out to over 200 metres.
Players are afforded plenty of width off the tee, and huge landing areas on the large greens, but with that openness also comes wind, and the abundance of water and sand come into play.
With hot weather predicted in Swan Hill this week, the Murray Downs greens will be rolling fast, just how the Parslow brothers intended the course to be played
HEADLINERS
Cameron Smith — 2022 Open Champion, captain of the 2024 season winning Ripper GC team on the LIV Golf League
Lucas Herbert — PGA TOUR and DP World Tour winner, member of the 2024 season winning Ripper GC team on the LIV Golf League
Geoff Ogilvy — 2006 US Open champion, 2008 BMW Australian PGA champion and 2010 ISPS HANDA Australian Open champion
Phoenix Campbell — 2023 and 2024 Qld PGA champion
Jack Buchanan — Winner of the 2024 CKB WA PGA presented by TX Civil & Logistics and Webex Players Series South Australia
Elvis Smylie — 2024 Bowra & O’Dea Nexus Advisernet WA Open champion
Jak Carter — Two-time runner-up this season and fourth on the Order of Merit
Curtis Luck — 2016 WA Open champion, and Korn Ferry Tour player
Golf NSW and Jack Newton Junior Golf, alongside industry partners Golf Management Australia (GMA), the PGA of Australia (NSW) and the NSW Golf Course Superintendents Association (NSWGCSA) have celebrated an incredible year of outstanding achievements across the state.
By Kass Rogan
The 2024 NSW Golf Industry Awards took centre stage at the illustrious Crown Barangaroo last night, celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals, clubs, and professionals over the past year.
Eighteen prestigious awards were presented, spanning playing performance, volunteer service, coaching, and club management.
Among the honourees were Ella Scaysbrook and Declan O’Donovan, who were named the 2024 Golf NSW Male and Female Players of the Year, respectively, while Massey Park and Mollymook took home top honours as the Metropolitan and Country Clubs of the Year for their exceptional impact on the sport in their respective communities.
Rising Stars: Declan O’Donovan and Ella Scaysbrook, the Golf NSW Male and Female Athletes of the Year
Declan O’Donovan from Avondale Golf Club continued his impressive trajectory, earning the Male Player of the Year award after an outstanding year, including wins in the NSW and Avondale Amateurs.
O’Donovan topped his year off by representing Australia in October in the Nomura Cup in Vietnam.
Ella Scaysbrook from the Australian Golf Club lived up to her reputation as one of Australia’s brightest golf talents by picking up several victories throughout the year, including a WPGA Tour win at Bathurst, the Rene Erichsen Salver and the Bowra & O’Dea Women’s 72-hole classic in Western Australia.
A highlight of Scaysbrook’s year was being selected for the first-ever Australian Junior team to take on the USGA in Wisconsin in June
Volunteer of the Year: Bruce McMullen Of Uralla Golf Club
Bruce McMullen has been a cornerstone of Uralla Golf Club for almost 30 years.
Elected to the Board of Directors in 2001, Bruce served for 10 years, including six as Vice Captain and two as Vice President. His passion for growing the club, mainly through youth engagement, led him to launch junior coaching clinics in 2003, a program that continues to thrive today.
Bruce’s background as a teacher and his commitment to continuous learning earned him PGA Professional coaching status. His Sunday morning clinics attract both young and old, fostering a multigenerational connection within the club. His dedication to junior development has extended beyond Uralla, as he regularly takes groups to tournaments across New South Wales, often at his own expense.
Bruce’s influence is evident in the increasing number of juniors who return to the club as adults. He has inspired young and senior golfers alike, fostering a love for the game that spans generationsand ensuring the ongoing growth and sustainability of Uralla Golf Club.
Service to Golf in NSW Award: Greg Hohnen of Killara Golf Club
Greg Hohnen’s 50-year career at Killara Golf Club is a testament to his dedication and influence. Starting as an Assistant Professional in 1973, Greg became Head Professional in 1995.
Hohnen’s mentorship has shaped the careers of many aspiring PGA professionals, with his guidance extending beyond technical skills to professional ethics and personal growth. His approachable teaching style has helped countless golfers improve their game, from beginners to seasoned players, earning him a beloved reputation at Killara.
Greg’s contributions to golf in NSW have inspired future generations and left a lasting legacy on the golfing community.
Metropolitan Club of the Year- Sponsored By Australian Super: Massey Park Golf Club
Massey Park Golf Club, known for its inclusive environment and financial performance, received the 2024 Metropolitan Club of the Year award. The club reported a significant profit increase, installed a 70kW solar system to boost sustainability, and introduced a range of successful participation programs for juniors and women.
Country Club of the Year: Mollymook Golf Club
Mollymook Golf Club secured the Country Club of the Year award for its financial and membership growth. The club also completed an $8 million renovation of its Beachside Clubhouse and set a record for rounds played.
Future is Bright: Celebrating Excellence Across All Categories
Other winners on the night included the Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) Junior Club of the Year, The Rock Golf Club, which was lauded for its extensive junior development programs.
For its continued success, the PSC Insurance Brokers Wagga Wagga Pro-Am was named PGA NSW/ACT Tournament of the Year for 2024.
David Sommerville of Bankstown Golf Club received the NSWGCSA Superintendent of the Year Award.
Stuart Fraser, CEO of Golf NSW, said the awards night was a resounding success and highlighted the level of excellence found in our sport across the entire State.
“These awards honour the very best of our golf community.
“We are deeply grateful for their contributions which ensure that golf in our state continues to grow, innovate, and inspire future generations.
“Each of these honourees has not only excelled individually but has also played a pivotal role in strengthening the fabric of our sport across NSW.
“The dedication displayed by not only the winners but all of the finalists sets a standard that others can aspire to, and we are fortunate to have such passionate people building the future of our great game,” Mr Fraser said.
The complete list of winners is:
PGA NSW Awards:
GMA NSW:
NSWGCSA:
JNJG:
Junior Club of the Year: The Rock Golf Club
A full photo gallery of all award winners is available to view here
Two late eagles transformed a day of frustration into a three-stroke win for David Bransdon at the $30,000 Pymble GC Centenary Legends Pro-Am at Pymble Golf Club.
On the back of a week at the Australian PGA Senior Championship where his putting failed to match his ball-striking, Bransdon again failed to hole putts early at Pymble on Monday.
Four-under through 14 holes, Bransdon removed the putter from the equation with a brilliant 6-iron into three feet at the par-5 seventh and then holed a gap wedge from 86 metres at the par-4 ninth for a second eagle in three holes.
“Obviously if you have an eagle with a three-footer on a par 5 and then you hole a sand iron for two on a par 4, that certainly helps your score,” said Bransdon.
“Otherwise, it was going to be a frustrating day before that.”
His round of 8-under 64 was three to the better of Adam Henwood (67) as Scott Laycock (68) and Mark Boulton (68) shared third place.
HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED
With birdies at each of his opening two holes after starting from the short par-3 11th, Bransdon set an ominous tone.
He added a third at the par-4 16th but made his only bogey of the day at the par-4 17th.
He kept pace with the top of the leaderboard with a fourth birdie at the par-5 first and added another at the par-4 fifth before closing with two eagles in his final four holes.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“It was pretty good ball-striking,” said Bransdon.
“I’ve done it all last week and then again today and it’s actually good. But if I do hole some putts it’ll be a bit scary. It’ll be dangerous.
“It was a good day. Very good day, actually.
“I played really good last week and didn’t make a hell of a lot with the putter. And then today I made some, but I still left a lot on the table out there.
“But anytime you shoot 8-under is pretty good.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
1 David Bransdon 64
2 Adam Henwood 67
T3 Scott Laycock 68
T3 Mark Boulton 68
T5 Simon Tooman 69
T5 Euan Walters 69
NEXT UP
The PGA Legends Tour’s week in Sydney continues on Tuesday with the $60,000 The Australian Golf Club Legends Pro-Am at The Australian Golf Club before heading north to the Central Coast on Wednesday for the Kooindah Waters Legends Pro-Am.
Queensland Associate champion Jack Wright hopes to use a week in the company of Cameron Smith to push for national honours at this week’s PGA Associate National Championship at Cobram Barooga Golf Club.
Wright is one of six state champions in the field of 130 who will play four rounds on the West Course at Cobram Barooga, William Bayliss (NSW), Daniel Gill (VIC), Joseph Hodgson (SA), Azer-Benjiman Pehlic (WA) and Aaron Mackay (TAS) also hoping to complete the state-national double.
The NSW/ACT PGA champion in 2023, Wright’s recent victory at Windaroo Lakes Golf Club paved the way for the Coolangatta Tweed Heads second-year associate to tee it up at the Queensland PGA Championship at Nudgee Golf Club.
He made the cut there and believes those competitive reps will hold him in good stead at Cobram Barooga.
“I feel like we’ve played a fair few big events lately,” said Wright.
“Played Queensland Associates and then PGA Champs last week coming off a tough course, tough greens.
“I played nine holes here yesterday and it’s a little bit easier, but the greens are rolling really well.”
Cobram Barooga’s Old Course has received high praise from players who have played the Webex Players Series Murray River tournament in recent years.
Course Superintendent Terry Vogel and his team have been determined to make sure that the West Course can lay claim to similar plaudits.
“We have put a lot of work into the West Course,” said Vogel.
“Both courses now paly the same condition-wise. The greens are running at 12 on the Stimpmeter this week so they should provide a good test for the players.”
Wright has begun to adapt his game to the bent greens of Cobram Barooga from the grainy surfaces Queensland is known for, an adjustment he says is easy to make.
“It’s a much easier adjustment than playing on grain,” he added.
“Lucky to be from Queensland and be used to that, but coming down here it’s pretty much where you aim and hit it, it rolls straight there.
“It’s actually a lot easier.”
It took Levi Sclater three playoff holes to claim the 2023 National Championship in his first year of the Membership Pathway Program at Rossdale Golf Club in Melbourne.
Sclater returns seeking to go back-to-back with the strategy that proved to be so effective 12 months ago.
“I reckon I’m going to stick to a similar plan from last year,” said Sclater.
“It really worked and kind of suited the course. So I’ll probably just stick to that.
“I had a practise round yesterday and hit it around pretty nicely, so it should be a good week.”
Starting Tuesday from 7:30am, the PGA Associate National Championship is played over 72 holes and boasts $60,000 in total prize money.
Other players to watch this week include Bryce Pickin (NSW), Damon Stephenson (Qld), Zach Ion (Qld) and Joel Mitchell (Vic) while George van Vuuren (South Africa) and Alister Balcombe (GB&I) have been granted spots in the field as champions of their respective PGA’s.
Brock Gillard has added to his impressive resume at Hidden Valley Golf and Country Club with a one-stroke win at the Hidden Valley Resort Pro-Am.
A product of Hidden Valley, Gillard won his home event three times before turning professional, overcoming a bout of nerves and expectation to shoot 6-under 67 and finish one clear of Toby Walker (68) and Dean Mulley (68).
It is Gillard’s second adidas PGA Pro-Am Series win in the past three weeks and one that he will certainly savour.
“I don’t recall actually being so nervous playing a round of golf,” said Gillard.
“Being my old home club, learning how to play golf here, a lot of expectations, a lot of fond memories here. A lot of members I haven’t seen in a long time.
“There was definitely an added pressure and it was really nice to have a solid round with the putter finally as well and get away with the win.”
HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED
Despite his extensive course knowledge, Gillard had to wait before his first birdie putt dropped.
Starting his round from the seventh tee, Gillard opened with five consecutive pars before logging back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13.
He made his only bogey of the day at the par-4 14th but responded with consecutive birdies again at 15 and 16.
Pars followed at both 17 and 18 before Gillard peeled off three birdies in four holes for his round of 6-under 67.
WHAT THE WINNER SAID
“You want to perform in front of people that know you,” said Gillard.
“They’ve got these expectations in your mind that you’re really good. And we all know how hard golf is and how hard it is to win.
“It was really nice to overcome all my nerves. I did spend a little bit more time before I hit every shot and every putt. Just wanted to be fully ready and not allow anything else coming into my mind before I hit that shot.
“I really focused hard today.”
LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN
1 Brock Gillard 67
T2 Toby Walker 68
T2 Dean Mulley 68
T4 Alex Edge 69
T4 Ben Ford 69
T4 Mark Panopoulos 69
T4 Peter Vassiliadis 69
NEXT UP
The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series has a week off before resuming with the two-day 2024 Tasmanian PGA Championship from Sunday at Devonport Country Club.
