2004 Von Nida Tour resumes at Queensland Open
BY iseekgolf.com | Von Nida Tour | 2004 Queensland Open | Preview | 03 Nov 2004
Peter Senior, Paul Gow, Peter Lonard, Euan Walters, Nick Flanagan and World Junior Champion Jason Day are just some of the names who will take part in the Von Nida Tour, showcasing the depth of talent on the PGA Tour of Australasia this summer.
In just its second year, the Von Nida Tour has proven to be an important vehicle in the growth of young golfers, by giving them the opportunity to gain experience and opportunities to play against the top players and ultimately move up into the elite ranks of the PGA Tour. Just this year, Scott Hend, last years leading Money Winner, lined up in the US Open.
There are three events remaining in 2004, the QLD Group Queensland Open (Nov 4-7), the Toyota Queensland PGA Championship (Nov 11-14) and the NSW Open Championship (Nov 18-21).
The three 2003 tournament champions will return to this years events. Scott Hend will be back to defend his Queensland Open title this week, as will the Queensland PGA defending Champion David Diaz when the event starts on November 11 and Craig Carmichael, the NSW Open champion, who will be at Liverpool Golf Club to take on a tough field on November 18.
The 2004 Von Nida Tour resumes tomorrow with the QLD Group Queensland Open, starting at the Ipswich Golf Club.
Hend will take on a field including current Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Champion Peter Senior, World Junior Champion Jason Day, Lucas Parsons, Adam LeVesconte, Andrew Bonhomme and former tennis player Scott Draper, in the 68th Queensland Open, sponsored by The QLD Group, developers of one of Ipswich’s largest residential estates.
In its third consecutive year at the Ipswich Golf Club, the event has become a big part of the regional centre’s sporting calendar alongside the Queensland 300 (premier touring car event) and the biggest drag racing event, the Winter Nationals at Willowbank Raceway. One person usually found at Willowbank, but swapping the wheels for clubs is reigning V8 Supercar champion Marcus Ambrose. Ambrose, a keen golfer is expected to caddie for good friend Chris Travers. They played together at this years Queensland Masters Pro-Am in Townsville.
Wayne Grady entered the event but had to pull out after he broke his hand. Past winners of the Queensland Open include: Norman Von Nida (1935,36,37,40,49,53 & 61), Greg Norman (1983, 86), Peter Senior (1984) David Graham (1985, 87) Brett Ogle (1989), Stuart Appleby (1991) and Terry Price (1993).
Kim Felton, the current leader on the Von Nida Tour Order of Merit and winner of three events on the Tour this year, will not be playing this week. Felton is a prime example of how success on the Von Nida Tour can ensure security for players on the PGA Tour of Australasia and in doing so provide opportunities and the confidence for them to pursue success on the international Tours.
Felton whose success has earned him exemption on the PGA Tour of Australasia for 2005, will instead be taking part in the second stage of the USPGA Tour Qualifying School in mid-November, in pursuit of a coveted 2005 USPGA Tour Card.
2004 Von Nida Tour Winners
Gareth Paddison (NZ) – Mitsubishi Motors Victorian Open Championship
Mahal Pearce (NZ) – Dunedin Classic
Matthew Ecob (NSW) – Bega Cheese NSW PGA Championship
Brad McIntosh (NSW) – Toyota Southern Classic at Woolooware
Martin Doyle (Vic) – Schweppes South Australian PGA Championship
Kim Felton (WA) – Western Australian PGA Championship
Kim Felton (WA) – Queensland Masters
Kim Felton (WA) – Cairns Classic
The first event for the Von Nida Tour in 2005 is the Mitsubishi Motors Victorian Open Championship at Woodlands Golf Club, Mordialloc, from Januart 28-30.
Source – PGA Tour
