Inside Golf, Australia. July 2014 | Page 38

Holden Scramble Aussies draw closer to China N othing could separate Team Australia and Team China following 36 holes in the International Champions Tour, played at the prestigious Agile Mickleson International Golf Club on the outskirts of Shanghai, China. Richmond to host Seniors Championship The Australian PGA Seniors Championship will be played for the second year at the Richmond Golf Club from the 29th October to 1st November 2014. A part of the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour the Australian PGA Seniors Championship is expected to attract a strong field as the competitors vie for a prize purse of AU$70,000. Travelling to China, representing Australia were the 2013 Holden Scramble Championship Final Champions who were joined by a further seven PGA Professionals from across the country teeing it up against the top three teams from China’s respective China Golf Club League. “We are pleased to be returning to the Richmond Golf Club for one of the most prestigious events on the E-Z-GO PGA Legends Tour,” said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA. After failing to record a victory in the event’s three-year history, Australia came agonisingly close at Pelican Waters Golf Club, losing by six stableford points when the PGA hosted the first round back in March, and were determined to turn the tables on foreign soil. Being played at the Richmond Golf Club for the second time in the Championship’s 28 year history, the Club is looking forward to welcoming some of Australia’s best over 50’s tournament Professionals back to their course. The format for the competition was a modified stableford, much like the PGA Tour’s Reno-Tahoe Open, whereby there was even greater risk-reward for players either playing aggressively or conservatively on each hole with points deducted from the scorecard if a hole is wiped. The Chinese and Australian teams share in the spoils “Although the Australian team did not win, all 12 players felt like champions having made it to this competition and celebrated with the Chinese team following the event,” said Michael Chard, National Events Manager, for the PGA of Australia The Australians started strongly in the 4BBB combining well in the opening round to hold an early six-point lead heading into the final single stableford round. “This event is a fantastic way for the PGA to continue to strengthen the existing relationship with the China Golf Association and provides great playing opportunities for amateurs and PGA Professionals involved in the Holden Scramble and as a result we are committed to working with the CGA to ensure its continued success.” With the best 10 out of the 12 scores in the single stableford final round counting towards the overall team’s total, the event came down to the final group to determine the champions. A victory, however, did not eventuate with the final scorecards resulting in a drawn competition after both teams finished on a combined total of 306 points each. The Australians’ overall adventure will be something they will re Y[X