Nitties, Flint to make pro debuts at QLD PGA
BY Bruce Young | Von Nida Tour | 2004 Queensland PGA | General | 03 Nov 2004
Already shaping as one of the most exciting Queensland PGA Championships in the tournament’s nearly 80 year history, the Toyota Queensland PGA Championship, was today given yet another boost with the confirmation that two of Australia’s most successful amateur golfers in recent years, James Nitties and Gavin Flint, will make their professional debuts at the Emerald Lakes Golf Club from Nov 11th to 14th.
The leading Australian at the recent Eisenhower Trophy, New South Welshman Nitties will tee it up in the event along with Queenslander Flint, whose record in amateur golf will be talked about for years.
Nitties has already played in several professional events including last year’s MasterCard Masters where he finished a brilliant 8th and the 2001 and 2003 Australian Opens where he was the leading amateur on both occasions.
“I’m thrilled to finally get the chance to play for money,” he said from Sydney airport on his way back from Puerto Rico. “The timing of the Toyota Queensland PGA Championship is perfect as I will have a chance to recover from my trip back from the Eisenhower and be ready to go next week. Honestly I can’t wait.”
Flint is the current New Zealand, New South Wales and Victorian Amateur Champion and at one stage earlier this year, held these titles and the Queensland Amateur Championship he won in mid-2003. Gavin narrowly missed graduating to stage two at the recent USPGA Tour School.
Toyota Car Giveaways
The Toyota Queensland PGA Championship has been given extra flavour this year with the introduction of three car give-ways during tournament week. One Toyota Echo will go to a member of the public who attends the Championship at Emerald Lakes during tournament week, one to the winner of the Toyota Queensland PGA Championship and one to the winner of the Daikin Night Golf Shootout on Monday November 8th.
The week’s events start with the Daikin Night Golf Shootout at 6.30 pm on Monday November 8th, with the Toyota Queensland PGA Championship to start on Thursday November 11th.
Daikin Night Golf Shootout
The final field for the Daikin Night Golf Shootout has been confirmed and the following players will line up over nine holes under lights for the $10,000 purse of which $5000 and a Toyota Echo car will go to the winner.
The field is:
Peter Senior
Scott Hend
Terry Price
Scott Gardiner
Nathan Green
David Diaz
Shane Tait
Andrew Bonhomme
Nicole Lowien
Eddie Barr
The ladies will be represented in the Daikin Night Golf Shootout by Nicole Lowien, who is resurrecting her career after a break from competitive golf. She recently advanced to the final stage of USLPGA qualifying and will be looking to emulate or better the five holes which local golfer Jenny Sevil lasted against the men here last year.
Yamaha sponsor Hole-in-One Prize
Also on offer during the Toyota Queensland PGA Championship will be a $10,000 Home Theatre System. Yamaha have sponsored the prize which will go to the first person to ace the par three 17th hole at Emerald Lakes.
