A tournament record of 320 nominations were received for the 2004 Konica Minolta Queensland Medal - to be played at the Royal Queensland and Redcliffe Golf Clubs from Wednesday 28th - Friday 30th April. The draw for round one comprises 312 players, 86 of whom have official handicaps of scratch or better - also a tournament record.

The Konica Minolta Queensland Medal is the stroke play qualifying tournament for the Konica Minolta Amateur Championship of Queensland - which will be played at Oxley Golf Club from Wednesday 5th - Friday 7th May. The top 32 players (available) from the Konica Minolta Queensland Medal will earn the right to play for the State's most prestigious amateur golf trophy.

The Medal itself is played over 72 holes with half the field playing at each venue over the first two days. Following Thursday's second round, the top 60 players (plus ties) will progress to the final 36 holes, which is to be played at Royal Queensland.

The field of 312 players should find both of the courses in use for the Konica Minolta Queensland Medal in excellent condition, following a summer that saw good rainfall.

The field is as strong as has been assembled in Queensland for an amateur event in recent years, due primarily to the reinstatement of the tournament as Queensland's National Selection Trial event. The entire State Squad has nominated for the event, as has the vast majority of the Australian Golf Union's National Squad. Among the leading contenders will be the following players:

Gavin Flint (Qld) - 2003 Queensland Medallist, and current Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian Amateur Champion.
Andrew Martin (Vic) - Current Australian Amateur Champion
Jason Day (Qld) - Current Australian Junior Champion
Jarrod Lyle (Vic) - 2003 & 2004 Lake Macquarie Amateur Champion

Interestingly, a number of competitors have quite impressive credentials as athletes in other sports. Tennis professional Scott Draper (Home Club - Keperra, Handicap - Scratch), former touring car ace Tomas Mezera (The Grand, 4) and former Queensland Reds forward John Stafford (Ashgrove, 4) will all line up in the event for the first time. Draper has contested the Queensland Open and Queensland PGA Championships on sponsors' invitations in the past, and is very committed to his golf. He represented Keperra in First Division Brisbane District Golf Association Pennant competition this season with some success.

The Queensland Medal has been an outstanding springboard to a career in professional golf in recent years. Winners include emerging professionals Geoff Ogilvy (1997 & 1998), Brendan Jones (1999), Wayne Perske (2000) and Andrew Buckle (2002).

Source - QGU

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