Inside Golf, Australia. July 2014 | Page 71

golf queensland Amateurs to take on Brookwater in Isuzu Queensland Open Aaron Wilkin at the Isuzu Qld Open in 2013 With the countdown to the 2014 Isuzu Queensland Open now on, it’s not just the professionals gearing up to take on the challenging Brookwater Golf and Country Club layout. The amateur component has long been an important part of the Queensland Open, with Sydney amateur Harry Sinclair the first winner in 1925, and a number of amateurs also claiming the T.B. Hunter Cup since. In 2014, a selection of amateurs will take to the course against an impressive field of professional golfers from 28-31 August. Current top notable Queensland amateurs such as Taylor Macdonald, Aaron Wilkin, Jake McLeod and Cory Crawford will be teeing it up. Queensland Head Coach Tony Meyer, said the Isuzu Queensland Open is an important part of the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Squad members development. “The opportunity to play in a professional event is a great experience for the QAS players, to access and compare their games against some of the best,” Mr Meyer said “As all the QAS players are planning to go on and play professionally, this event is an important step in their development.” In addition to the 10 exempt amateur players who automatically qualify for this year’s event, amateurs can also attempt to gain a start to the Isuzu Queensland open through the prequalifying. A minimum of 10 positions will be available at this year’s pre-qualifying on Monday 25th August at Virginia Golf Club and Keperra Golf and Country Club. Entries are open now at www.golfqueensland.org.au • Sinclair wins Women’s Country championship City and Toowoomba Golf Clubs played host to the 2014 Women’s Country Week Championships from Monday 19 May - Wednesday 21 May. away with the Silver Championship with a final round 80 securing an eight-shot victory over Paige Large from Gatton and Foley finishing in third place. Almost 350 players from 50 clubs made their way to Toowoomba for a great week of golf, starting with the Foursomes Championship on Monday and concluding with the individual Championships on alternating courses on Tuesday and Wednesday. On the demanding City layout, Mount Coolum visitor Sue Douglass returned 26 points to snatch the Bronze II Championship on countback from overnight leader and fellow Mount Coolum member Munro. Round two of the Bronze I Championship concluded at Toowoomba, where City members Gail Weedon and Cheryl Francis quinnelled the placings with Weedon a two-shot victor after rounds of 102 and 96. In Division 2 of Bronze I, Jenny Jenner (City) finished on a two round total of 209 and claim a three-shot win over Lesley Brady (Tamborine Mountain). Toowoomba hosted the first round of the Silver and Bronze II Championships, with 2013 champion Samantha Foley (RACV Royal Pines) leading the way with a 77 to set up a 2-shot lead over her nearest rival, Hollie Sinclair from Beerwah. In the Bronze II Championship, Karen Munro (Mount Hollie Sinclair Two Aces were recorded throughout the tournament Coolum) set the early pace as she was the only player - Jean Bury-Porter on the 15th at City Golf Club on Wednesday and to break handicap on the demanding Toowoomba layout with 38 Cathy Roberts on the 14th at Toowoomba on Tuesday. points. Congratulations must go to City and Toowoomba Golf Clubs who hosted a fantastic event, with special mention to both clubs’ ladies committees who put in hours of work to coordinate the smooth running of another successful Women’s Country Week. At City Golf Club, Pacific Harbour member Nance Flohr (99) led a large field of 165 players, with local Cheryl Francie (City) only two shots behind. Perfect conditions greeted the players for the second round, with Silver and Bronze II heading to City and Bronze I players to Toowoomba. In 2015 the Women’s Country Week heads north to Far North Queensland, with Cairns and Half Moon Bay Golf Clubs looking forward to hosting the tournament. Sinclair placed early pressure on overnight leader Foley and ran Ladies, Let’s Golf! In 2014, over 150 ladies have been introduced to the game through Golf Queensland’s Ladies, Let’s Golf program. Ladies Let’s Golf encourages ladies of all ages to experience golf either for the first time or as returning golfer looking to relearn their skills. Ladies, Let’s Golf delivers golf instruction in a fun, creative, interactive and friendly environment. The emphasis on participation and fun rather than technique and rules sets this program apart from the others. Host venues Redland Bay, Oxley, Nudgee, Brisbane, Keperra, Virginia, Indooroopilly, Toowoomba, Gailes and City Golf Clubs will be delivering free introduction sessions during July and August. Golf Queensland is engaging three new clubs each quarter