A scratch golfer at The National Golf Club at just 13 years of age, Page won the Dunes Medal late last year and then secured his PGA Tour of Australasia card at Qualifying School at Moonah Links in April.

He chose to stay amateur and play the Australian Interstate Teams Matches in May before turning professional and joining the Queensland swing of the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series.

He was tied for third at the Pioneer Valley Pro-Am but put it all together in a round of 9-under 62 at Virginia to upstage some of the biggest names on the Australasian Tour.

Coached by Tim Wood, the 20-year-old finished three clear of Jake McLeod (65) and Andrew Campbell (65) followed by Will Bruyeres (66) in fourth and Michael Sim (67), Jack Munro (67), Ryan Peake (67), Chris Wood (67) and James Grierson (67) sharing fifth.

“I feel like my game has been there but I just haven’t gotten the results. All the putts dropped today and everything kind of went my way which was nice. I feel like I was due so it was nice,” said Page, who banked $4,939 for his victory.

Even par through his first five holes, it was an extraordinary run of birdies once Page got going.

Starting with a two at the par-3 12th, Page made six birdies in the space of eight holes before finishing with three straight to secure the win, crediting an early par save for the momentum he carried through the rest of his round.

“On my fourth hole, which was the 10th, I drained a 20-footer for par to stay even,” Page revealed.

“After that I got it going a little bit. That was the best save of the day and I had to drain a lot of putts to shoot 9-under so all of those ones kept the momentum going as well.

“There are still definitely some areas in my game I need to work on. I’ll get to that and hopefully get my game right. This 5k will definitely help me to get to those tournaments and be able to compete. Super grateful.”

Although he had to settle for a share of second, Andrew Campbell delivered one of the day’s highlights, holing his second shot for an albatross at the 444-metre par-5 13th.

The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series remains in Brisbane for the inaugural Brisbane Pro-Am at The Brisbane Golf Club on Monday, leading up to the $70,000 Optilease Redcliffe Pro-Am starting Thursday.

Final scores and prizemoney

Little more than an hour from his home club in Hervey Bay, Wood had five birdies and an eagle in his round of 6-under 66 to win by a single stroke and become the first All Abilities-category player to win on the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series.

The field boasted players of the calibre of Chris Wood (2020 Vic PGA champion) and Tim Hart (reigning Pro-Am Series Order of Merit winner) but none could match Wood’s 6-under total, Jose De Sousa, Toby Walker, James Conran and Nathan Page sharing second with rounds of 67.

A four-time winner in All Abilities events throughout Australia this year, Wood was tied for eighth at the inaugural G4D Open at Woburn Golf Club and a week ago finished seventh in his G4D Tour debut at the G4D Tour @ Betfred British Masters at The Belfry.

He returned home to Queensland only two days prior to teeing it up at Tin Can Bay and said his preparation for the British Masters carried through into his maiden pro-am win.

“I did a lot of preparation leading up to The Belfry British Masters. I didn’t play my best there so obviously this is a little big of lag-over,” Wood explained.

“The opportunity to play at such a high level in the All Abilities events has definitely helped relax me in these events and given me the comfort to come back to these and not build it up as much in my head.”

Despite being based less than 90 minutes north, Wood only played Tin Can Bay for the first time on a reconnaissance mission on Sunday and was blown away.

“I came out on Sunday for a look for the first time and I was so shocked that I’d never been out here,” Wood added.

“It’s such a great little track. I messaged James (Taylor, PGA Professional) straight away and said, ‘Mate, you’re sitting on a gold mine here. This place is amazing. How have I never heard of it?’

“Definitely hope that a lot more people discover it.”

Wood’s victory at Tin Can Bay adds to his previous wins at the Victorian Inclusive Championship, Queensland All Inclusive Championship, the New Zealand All Abilities Championship and TPS Hunter Valley All Abilities.

In his first year of the PGA’s Membership Pathway Program, Wood intends to use his winner’s prize money to again play against the world’s best.

“That will get me to a lot more events,” Wood said. “I’m hoping to play a few more international events this year and definitely next year.”

The adidas PGA Pro-Am Series now moves to Brisbane for the Breakas Beach Resort Vanuatu Virginia Pro-Am at Virginia Golf Club on Friday.

Final scores and prize money

A field laden with PGA Tour of Australasia stars took to the undulating Emu Park Golf Club layout in preparation for the $60,000 Ian Weigh Toyota Rockhampton Pro-Am starting Friday.

While the likes of Lincoln Tighe (66), Doug Klein (67), David Bransdon (67) and Deyen Lawson (67) were all in contention late, it was Walker (7-under 65) who made a late surge to beat Tighe by one.

Beginning his round at Emu Park from the 10th tee, Walker opened with five straight pars before the making the first of two eagles at the par-5 15th.

A birdie at the par-3 17th saw him head to the front nine 3-under but again it took until later in the nine to advance further up the leaderboard.

A birdie at the short par-4 fourth was followed by another at the par-5 seventh yet it would be the eagle at the 283-metre par-4 eighth that would ultimately prove the difference.

Unaware of his position on the leaderboard until leaving the eighth green, Walker conceded that he had to overcome somewhat of a negative mindset as he stood on the ninth tee.

“Don’t snap hook it on the next,” was Walker’s first thought.

“It was nice to know that I looked like I had a two-shot buffer going up the last. Played it safe and got away with it and here we are.

“It feels great. Whenever you win an event, whether it’s big or small, it’s a good achievement. It’s awesome.”

Winner of the Tasmanian Open as an amateur in February, Walker joined the pro ranks little over a month ago and has transitioned seamlessly.

He has been tapping into the experience of prolific pro-am winners such as Brett Rankin and Tim Hart and is now feeling more at home heading to one of the biggest events of the season.

“It’s just another great opportunity to see where you’re at,” Walker said of the even stronger field expected to converge on Rockhampton Golf Club later this week.

“See if the golf is trending in the right direction and where you want it. I’m excited to tee it up there.

“I’ve been able to mix with a couple of the players that I haven’t been able to mix with, guys like Brett Rankin and Tim Hart. I’ve been able to talk to them and pick their brains a little bit so I feel a little bit more comfortable out here.”

Tighe had the one eagle at the par-5 seventh in his round of 6-under 66 that secured outright second, Klein, Bransdon and Lawson finishing in an eight-way tie for third with Ryley Martin, Konrad Ciupek, Brad Hallam, Zach Maxwell and Gavin Fairfax.

The next stop on the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series schedule is the 54-hole Ian Weigh Toyota Rockhampton Pro-Am starting Friday.

Final scores and prize money

Big-hitting left-hander Ryan Peake has completed a clean sweep of WA’s north-west swing of the addias PGA Pro-Am Series with a two-stroke win at the Broome Furnishings – Carpet, Paint and Tile Pro-Am.

The picture-perfect setting and 30-degree temperatures welcomed players to Broome Golf Club in Round 1, the small greens and challenging pin positions keeping scoring in check on day one.

A 3-under par round of 69 gave Rick Kulacz a one-stroke lead heading into the second round, Peake in position for a third straight victory just three shots off the lead.

On the back of wins at Karratha and Port Hedland, Peake wasted little time in reining in the leaders.

Starting from the seventh hole, Peake raced out to be 5-under through his first six holes, a bogey on 14 momentarily slowing his progress.

At that point he was tied for the lead with Kulacz and defending champion Scott Strange, Strange edging one clear when he made birdie to move to 5-under.

Two late bogeys quelled Strange’s quest for a successful title defence as Peake made birdie at the par-5 fourth to complete a round of 6-under 66 and finish two clear of Kulacz (71), Strange (70), Braden Becker (70) and Cooper Geddes (69).

Without a win on the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series until his breakthrough at Karratha, Peake’s third victory elevated him to a comfortable lead in the WA Pro-Am Order of Merit standings and first on the National Pro-Am Order of Merit.

“The way I have been playing I know that I’ve got a score out there no matter what the course is so that gave me a lot of confidence going into today,” Peake said of his six-shot turnaround.

“I’m just very happy with where everything’s at at the moment and was very confident within myself that I could go out there and get it done.

“I’ve enjoyed this stint so much that I’m heading over to Queensland next week to join their pro-am swing.

“I’ve been lucky enough in my life, growing up through golf, where I’ve been given lots of opportunities so to go out there and showcase your ability to the normal working guy who just plays golf for fun, it’s great to be able to give back and give them that insight.”

Dating back to the Cottesloe Open in mid-May, players competed for $330,000 across the WA swing, PGA of Australia Membership Manager in WA Brendon Allanby hailing to the support of host clubs and sponsors.

“We have been thrilled with the support received from WA clubs and facilities this season,” Allanby said.

“A healthy increase in total prize money has resulted in very strong fields competing throughout the WA Swing.

“The golf on display has been world class and we are keen to increase playing opportunities for local and interstate professionals in 2024.”

Attention for the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series now turns to Queensland for the Manuplex Emu Park Pro-Am on Tuesday followed by the $60,000 Ian Weigh Toyota Rockhampton Pro-Am starting Friday.

Final scores and prize money

Hart’s magical shot came on the 525m par-five sixth hole where he holed out a four-iron from 207 metres on the way to a 10-under-par 60, one shot off the Emerald Golf Club course record.

His 14-under total of 126 was an Emerald Pro-Am record and gave Hart a five-shot victory over James Grierson (64-67).

In the Onsite Mining Towns Series contested over six events, Hart smashed the field with a 57-under-par total to win the title, and its $4500 bonus prize, for the fifth time, the last four coming in consecutive years.

After starting the final round tied for the series lead, Clermont Pro-Am winner Doug Klein ended up 13 shots behind in second place, earning a $1500 bonus, after closing with a 73 to Hart’s brilliant 60.

Hart had started Sunday two shots from the lead in the Emerald Pro-Am, shooting a 66 to trail overnight leaders James Grierson and Michael Wright.

Darcy Boyd provided the day one highlight with a hole-in-one on the 165m fifth hole.

HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED

As well as his albatross, Hart had nine birdies and two bogeys in his round of 60. Starting from the second tee, he was seven-under after nine and had another run of four birdies in five holes on the back nine.

WHAT THE CLUB HAD TO SAY

Emerald professional Matt Victorsen: “It’s wonderful to see the pros supporting our event. We usually get around 30 pros for our Pro-Am in previous years, and it’s great to see a field of 57 this year It makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN

-14: Tim Hart (66-60)

-9: James Grierson (64-67)

-6: Michael Wright (64-70); Nathan Page (70-64)

NEXT UP

The next Queensland event in the adidas Pro-Am Series will be at Emu Park tomorrow followed by the $60,000 Rockhampton Pro-Am (June 30-July 2)

Photo: Tim Hart with Emerald professional Matt Victorsen

As well as being a golf professional, Smith has a second working life, not far from Blackwater at the Oaky Creek coal mine in Queensland’s Central Highlands.

The former Jack Newton Celebrity Classic winner matched Tim Hart’s course record at Blackwater Country Club with a second-round 62 propelling him to one-shot victory.

Smith started the day six shots behind overnight leader Steven Oh, who shot an eight-under-par 64 on the opening day.

But while Oh struggled in the windier conditions on day two, posting a one-under-par 71 to drop to fifth, Smith came through the pack with seven birdies and two eagles in his record-equalling 10-under-par round to seize the victory by a shot from Gavin Fairfax (65-68) and Michael Wright (67-66).

Despite only receiving 3mm of rain since March, the Blackwater layout was in excellent condition with 26 professionals breaking par on day one and 23 on day two.

HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED

There was only one five in Smith’s 62 – his only bogey of the day on the 399m par four 13^th hole. He was five-under-par in a four-hole stretch on the front nine, shooting 31 on both nines.

LEADERBOARD RUNDOWN

12 under: Brendan Smith (70-62)

11 under: Gavin Fairfax (65-68); Michael Wright (67-66)

10 under: Aaron Pike (68-66)

9 under: Steven Oh (64-71)

8 under: Tom Power Horan (65-71); William Bruyeres (68-68)

Final results and prizemoney: https://pga.org.au/report/?tourn=4108&report=tmresult~season=2023~result=PF~&class=qld

ONSITE GROUP MINING TOWN SERIES LEADERBOARD

-48: Douglas Klein

-43: Tim Hart

-39: Shae Wools-Cobb

NEXT UP

The Onsite Mining Town Series continues with Emerald Golf Club hosting the final event, the Lunar Mining Emerald Pro-am, over 36 holes this weekend.

When he left, he was the 2023 Clermont Pro-Am champion after shooting an impressive 10-under-par 61 to finish two shots ahead of Shae Wools-Cobb.

It was Klein’s second win in just a few days after sharing top spot in the Tieri Pro-Am with Tim Hart and Brett Rankin after rounds of 67-66.

The 61, which featured nine birdies and an eagle, also moved Klein into the lead in the Onsite Rental Mining Towns Series at 40-under-par, two shots ahead of Tim Hart with Shae Wools-Cobb third on 36-under. Four rounds remain to determine the series champion.

Clermont was a welcome returnee to the adidas PGA Pro-Am Series schedule, last hosting a Pro-Am in 1998.

Wools-Cobb went bogey-free in his round of 63.

HOW THE WINNING ROUND UNFOLDED

Klein’s day got off to a slow start with a bogey on his first hole, the par-three third, but it was a birdie and eagle barrage from then on, including a run of five straight birdies from the 14^th to 18^th.

WHAT THE WINNER SAID

“I’d heard a lot of good things about the course and heard that the greens were nice which set the course up for some low scoring,” Klein said.

“I was in good company today with the Onsite guys who are major sponsors of the series.

“I had a good day and it’s going to be nice to be back here next year.”

TOP FINISHERS

61 (-10): Douglas Klein

63 (-8): Shae Wools-Cobb

64 (-7): Tim Hart, David Bransdon

Scores and prizemoney: bit.ly/3JnSgo9

NEXT UP

The Onsite Rental Mining Towns Series now moves on to the Blackwater Country Club for the 36-hole Blackwater Pro-Am on Wednesday-Thursday this week.

The only event on the WA swing played on sand greens, 29 players teed it up at the picturesque Port Hedland layout vying for their share of the $30,000 in prize money.

Confident after his breakthrough win at Karratha last start, Peake started Round 2 one stroke back of Hayden Hopewell but wasted no time in taking over top spot.

A three-time winner of the WA Sand Greens Championship, Peake (66) picked up birdies at four of his first six holes to move two clear of Hopewell (68).

He kept the foot to the floor and was 8-under on his round through 13 holes to lead by five but a change in mindset almost brought him undone.

Admitting to adopting a less aggressive approach, Peake’s bogey and Hopewell’s birdie saw a two-shot swing on 15, the lead cut to two when Hopewell also made birdie on 16.

The Spalding Park Open champion made a costly bogey on 17 to hand Peake a three-shot advantage with one hole to play yet more drama was to come.

A wayward tee shot forced Peake to take an unplayable lie and opened the door for Hopewell, who applied the pressure with a closing birdie.

It left Peake needing to make a putt from eight feet for bogey to clinch victory, the firmly-struck putt hitting the back of the cup, popping up in the air and momentarily sitting on the lip before dropping in for the win.

“It’s golf; you’re never home and hosed,” Peake said of the thrilling finish.

“A little bit disappointed with myself over those last four holes. Instead of continuing to chase I tried to play smart and just put the ball in play and ended up making some bogeys from getting some flyers from the rough.

“My game is to be aggressive and just keep attacking and I just kind of let that slip a little bit on those last four holes.”

On top of the winner’s cheque, his Port Hedland win should pave the way for Peake to play a larger schedule in Queensland at the completion of the WA swing.

With a strong support network behind him and a renewed love for the game, Peake is beginning to fulfil the potential that made the left-hander a state junior representative.

“It’s more perseverance. I’ve been playing a lot more golf, building more confidence,” Peake said of his back-to-back wins.

“For a long time I’ve never really loved golf but the last few months I actually genuinely love golf now.

“I’ve been in a good head-space, I’ve got some great guys that are backing me and taking all the stress away from golf off me.

“I shoot 74 and can’t wait to get out there the next day and play again.

“The enjoyment that I’m getting from it is putting me in a much better headspace.”

Hopewell’s birdie on 18 ensured he finished outright second at 10-under par, one clear of Brady Watt (68) with Scott Strange (68) and Braden Becker (65) sharing fourth spot.

Players now move seven hours north to Broome Golf Club for the final event of WA’s adidas PGA Pro-Am Series swing, the Broome Furnishings – Carpet, Paint and Tile Broome Pro-Am starting Friday.

Final scores and prize money

Aaron Pike and James Grierson began the second round with a one-stroke lead after matching 7-under 66s in Round 1 but it would take another low round to maintain pace on a hot day of scoring at Tieri Country Club.

Paired together in the final round, Doug Klein and Brett Rankin began the day one stroke off the lead and both shot 7-under 66 to reach 13-under.

Hart was four back at the start of play but produced a customary scorching second round to also reach 13-under.

Starting from the fourth hole, Hart took just two holes to put the hammer down, making four straight birdies from the sixth hole.

He suffered a slight stumble with a bogey at the par-4 10th but made five birdies on the back nine to reach 8-under on his round with three holes to play.

Aware that par on his final hole – the 188-metre par-3 third – would be a good score, Hart added further birdies at one and two to reach 10-under on his round heading to the final hole.

“I just knew that I was going to finish on the third which is probably the toughest hole on the golf course,” said Hart of starting on the fourth hole.

“You’ve got to hit a really good iron shot.

“Got off to a pretty hot start and just knew that I had to go really low today to be any sort of chance.

“Managed to keep making birdies and made a nice par on the last to give myself a chance.

“I thought one of them was going to eagle 18 but it didn’t happen so we were all tied up.”

Playing in the same group, Rankin and Klein went birdie-for-birdie throughout the second round.

Rankin began with a birdie on one but it was Klein who had to hot hand early, starting eagle-birdie and reaching 5-under on his round through six holes.

Despite two double bogeys on the back nine, Klein maintained his aggressive approach, making five birdies in his final seven holes to finish tied at the top.

“Birdies were king out there,” Klein reasoned.

“No one was going to lose it; we had to go out and win it.

“You’ve always got to keep pressing otherwise someone is going to shoot lower than you, it’s as simple as that. Just keep making birdies regardless of what the score was and hopefully win by a margin.

“That was the plan.”

Rankin’s round was a little less volatile than Klein, making eagle at the par-5 sixth and a lone bogey on nine in his round of 7-under 66.

Hart’s stunning second round gives him a one-stroke lead in the Onsite Rental Group Mining Towns Series, a combined 31-under through five rounds with Klein second (30-under) and Shae Wools-Cobb third (28-under).
The Mining Towns Series now moves on to Clermont Golf Club for the inaugural Clermont Golf Club Pro-Am.
Final scores and prize money