Pike, Roberts progress to QLD Amateur final
IN: News | Queensland Mens | Queensland Amateur Championship (2005) | Round Four | 05 May 2005
Pacific's Nathan Roberts, who originally hails from Central Queensland, has emulated last year's feat of two other Rockhampton products, Jason Day and Justin Maker, by earning the right to contest the final of the Queensland Amateur Championship.
Roberts was 5 under par in this afternoon's semi-final match at Redcliffe Golf Club, but was pushed all the way to the 18th by NSW State Squad member Grant Scott from Nelson Bay (near Newcastle).
In the other semi-final between two clubmates from Indooroopilly, Aaron Pike overcame a slow start to beat last year's Queensland Medallist Paul Donahoo 4 & 3. Donahoo was 2 up through eight holes, but Pike won 6 of the next 7 holes.
For Donahoo, who hails from the Gold Coast but spent a few years living in Victoria to improve his game, the semi-final showing here confirms that his Medal win last year was not a one-off.
Pike, who until a couple of years ago lived in the Northern Territory, has moved through the top half of the draw with a minimum of fuss. In the earlier rounds he accounted for two New South Welshman, and a Kiwi that has just relocated to the Gold Coast. It was not until today's semi-final that he met an opponent that is familiar to most in Queensland.
For the second time in three years, the final of the Queensland Amateur Championship will be contested by two Queensland Academy of Sport scholarship holders. In 2003, Gavin Flint (who won a Von Nida Tour event recently) defeated Bronson LaCassie, who is currently on a golf scholarship in Minnesota.
Tomorrow's 36-hole final, which commences at 7:45 am, is sure to be a laid-back affair between two players of vastly different personalities and playing styles. The affable Pike is as talkative as Roberts is reserved.
The Queensland Amateur Championship will conclude with a 36 hole final tomorrow at the Redcliffe Golf Club. Spectators are most welcome.
Source - QGU
