Ben Jackson triumphs at Bribie Island

England’s Ben Jackson has won the Bribie Island Legends Pro-Am with an outstanding round of 3-under 69 to finish one shot clear of the Ladbrokes Legends Tour field.

A total of 63 senior professionals including PGA Chairman Rodger Davis and Women’s PGA Cup team member Gillian Rae teed it up at Bribie Island Golf Club for one of two events played in the Moreton Bay Regional Council area.

Cool weather and light breezes greeted players in the morning field where Twin Waters Golf Club General Manager and PGA of Australia Board Member Steve Hutchison took hold of the lead with a round of 1-under 71.

Jackson came out firing in the afternoon, however, overtaking Hutchison with four birdies and a single bogey on the 165 par-3 4^th hole.

“I had a really solid round out there today,” said Jackson.

“The course conditions were excellent and I was really accurate with my driver which helped immensely.”

Ladbrokes Legends Tour order of merit leader Michael Harwood completed the event in second place at 2-under the card.

Hutchison was eventually joined in third place by Brad Burns, David Merriman and Darren Rix.

The Ladbrokes Legends Tour will once again be heading to Tropical North Queensland later this month, with the Mercedes-Benz Cairns Classic being staged at Paradise Palms.

This will be the third consecutive year that the Cairns Classic will be staged, and although the event will only play host to the PGA Legends Professionals this time around, it will still create wide interest within the local golf industry.

Defending champion Tim Elliott is set to return, though it will no doubt be in form player and current Legends Tour Order of Merit leader, Brad Burns as the one to watch off the back of winning five of his last seven events.

“Paradise Palms is a tough course and one that you need to give a lot of respect to,” said Burns.

“The form has been really good of late and with so many tournaments going on at the moment, I couldn’t think of a better place than Paradise Palms to end our midyear swing here in Queensland.”

With the Cairns Classic offering the Tropical North Queensland local community an up close and personal experience with the Professional golfers, the tournament is seen as a great promotion for the game of golf.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning welcomed the return of the Tour to the Far North and said it provided the opportunity to showcase Cairns at its best.

“Paradise Palms offers the perfect backdrop for this championship event, with glimpses of the Coral Sea on one side and a backdrop of rainforest on the other,” Cr Manning said.

“It is important these events come to our region as it provides fans an opportunity to watch the professionals in action.

“Each time a tournament of this type is hosted by our region, it brings a new people to our region and allows them to explore our fantastic natural attractions.

“I wish all players the very best of luck for the tournament."

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz Cairns Classic will be played at Paradise Palms on Friday 24 August, with free admission for spectators.

Wynnum Golf Club Head Professional Matthew King has claimed his first win on the Ladbrokes Legends Tour taking out the GemLife Bribie Island Legends Pro-Am.

King scorched his way around the course early this morning, firing a 5-under 67 for a two-shot victory over Richard Backwell.

This is the first time Bribie Island has held a PGA Pro-Am since 2011, and King was very complimentary as to the condition of the course.

“The course was unbelievable out there today. You really couldn’t fault it in anyway,” said King.

“To be honest, I really haven’t been playing that much, so today’s round is very much a surprise.

“It’s a big turnaround from my last round at City Legends Pro-Am last week, and it was nice to feel some good shots come off the clubface. Wynnum is again hosting the QLD Senior PGA Championship in a few weeks, so hopefully I can continue this form heading into my home event.”

Professionals will remain in the Moreton Bay region overnight with the Pacific Harbour Legends Pro-Am teeing off tomorrow at 11:00am.

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