Q Golf - Official online magazine for Golf Queensland Autumn 2014 | Page 16

Amateurs make most of
QLD PGA experience
By Bruce Young
The thought of amateurs playing in a
PGA championship of any description
was, until more recent years, a gesture
that professional golf associations would
generally not encourage but, of late,
more and more amateurs are getting a
taste of professional tournament golf
through invitations to events such as the
recent Queensland PGA Championship at
the City Golf Club in Toowoomba.
The most notable example in more
recent times was in 2005 when Scott
Gardiner defeated Jason Day at the
fourth extra hole of a playoff to win
the event at Emerald Lakes on the Gold
Coast. We all know the level Jason Day
has reached in world golf since and
although it would appear obvious he
would have reached those heights either
way, the experience he gained that
week was no doubt a great source of
encouragement.
There was much discussion involved in
even getting the talented youngster a
start that particular week but he played
his part in what was a memorable event
and the tournament will forever be able

claim Day as part of its history. It proved
therefore to be a win/win situation for
tournament organisers and Day himself.
Whether that was the catalyst for similar
invitations to be given out in subsequent
years or whether attitudes were changing
in any case, the opportunities for leading
amateurs to play Queensland PGA
Championships over recent years have
increased, their involvement adding not
only to their own experience but to the
flavour of the event also.
Last year, in Toowoomba, arguably
Australia’s leading amateur at the time,
Cameron Smith, finished fourth after
recording a second round of 60 and other
Queenslanders performed well with
Kevin Marques, Taylor Macdonald and
Jake McLeod making the cut. McLeod
was another to shoot 60 during round
two that week.
During the recent Queensland PGA
Championship, again at the City Golf
Club and won in such dramatic style
by the New South Welshman, Anthony
Summers, several amateurs also earned
starts.
Courtesy of the two invites granted
to Golf Australia selections, two
from Golf Queensland and two
allocated to the City Golf Club
in recognition of hosting the
event, six amateurs teed it
up in 2014.
The current leading
ranked Australian
amateur, Victo