Victory for Arnold at Amateur
BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2009 Australian Amateur Championship | Grand Final | 25 Mar 2009
Scott Arnold secured his biggest title in his career to date when he won the Australian Men’s Amateur Championship over Daniel Beckmann 3&1 at Royal Queensland Golf Club this afternoon.
The victory adds to Arnold’s ever growing list of titles that include the 2006 Hong Kong Open Amateur, the 2008 Riversdale Cup and the 2009 Lake Macquarie Amateur. Winning the Australian Amateur crown also solidifies Arnold’s ranking as Australia’s top ranked amateur.
This afternoon at Royal Queensland Arnold was overwhelmed by the enormity of his achievement and it importance.
“Winning the Australian Amateur title is a sweet as,” said an elated Arnold.
“All week I’ve been swing the club smoothly and striking the ball well. I just held it together out there this afternoon and was able to play the right shots at the right time.”
The 2009 Australian Men’s Amateur title is Arnold’s second National Title with the 2006 Hong Kong Open Amateur his first.
Scott Arnold Interview
Scott Arnold is the 2009 Australian Amateur champion after defeating Daniel Beckmann 3&1 in today’s 36-hole Grand Final at Royal Queensland Golf Club in Brisbane
“At the beginning of the year I set my goals wit win another National Title. I’m aiming now for the British Amateur in June as I want to be eventually based on the European Tour.”
Arnold has always been open that he want to play professionally in Europe. Links layouts are his speciality and Arnold thrives on the creativity of playing links style golf.
“You have to think about your shots around the greens. I found Royal Queensland interesting in that way. I loved playing this course. Not because I won here, but it’s a great course for match play with the raised greens and the way you have to think about your second shot.”
The final for the best part of the day was a fierce contest with the lead changing hands on more than eight occasions.
Beckmann maintained the pressure for the best part of the day, rebounding quickly on the two occasions Arnold chipped in, on the 8th hole to halve the hole and then again on the 22nd from off the green. Others may have found the going frustrating as Arnold just would not give up, Beckmann remained focused.
“I’m relatively happy with the way I played the final,” said Beckmann.
“Sure I wanted to win, but overall it’s been a good week for me. I’ll take a lot away from this championship and head back to the USA knowing my game is strong. Scotty played well and full credit to him.”
Arnold has been a strong performer in National Trial events this year. In January he won the Lake Macquarie Amateur over a world class field for his second National Trial event after winning the Riversdale Cup the year before.
With a world ranking following today’s probably sliding inside the world’s top-10, Arnold is poised to take his game to the next level.
“I cannot wait to return to the UK,” said Arnold.
“The British Amateur is the one that I’m after now.”
With the way Arnold held it all together this week at Royal Queensland, few would argue that he possess the game to go the next level. With a trophy cabinet quickly filling and a resume that’s continues to expand, you are sure to be reading a lot more about Arnold this season, not just from local achievements, but hopefully from the UK.
