McCarthy wins Tasmanian Amateur

BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2011 Tasmanian Amateur | Round Four | 05 Apr 2009

Ryan McCarthy has won the Tasmanian Amateur Championship for the second consecutive year after defeating Craig Hancock, 6&4, at the Country Club Tasmania in Launceston yesterday.

McCarthy also took out the medalist honours, finishing the 36-hole stroke series at 10-under-par with rounds of 68-64, five ahead of nearest rival, Craig Hancock at 5-under-par, whilst Kalem Richardson finished third at 3-under-par.

“It’s great to go back to back and win another state title,” remarked McCarthy, who is currently both the Tasmanian Open and Tasmanian Amateur Champion.

“The Tasmanian Open win was a little unexpected and to play into another opportunity to win an event is reassuring that my game is improving and going in the right direction.”

In February, McCarthy won the Tasmanian Open with a 14-under-par total at Launceston Golf Club, six strokes from his nearest rival and fellow Tasmanian, Kalem Richardson. It was McCarthy’s first National Trial win and confirmed his standing within the main Australian amateur ranks.

McCarthy, 19, is another emerging amateur like Jason Scrivener, Daniel Nisbet and Bryden Macpherson to recently break through the junior ranks and quickly establish themselves on the main amateur tour.

In his first proper season McCarthy secured runner-up finishes at the 2008 Victorian State Amateur and 2008 Keperra Bowl. McCarthy also collected the Tasmanian Amateur, was undefeated during the Australian Interstate Series with match-pay wins over more seasoned and higher ranked amateurs at the time, like Rohan Blizard and Matthew Griffin.

Earlier this year McCarthy came within a stroke of making a three-way play-off at the Asia-Pacific Open Amateur Golf Championship in Mission Hills, China. It was his first international taste of representative competition and McCarthy is eager for more.

“I cannot get enough of it and are looking forward to playing in America later in the year,” remarks McCarthy.

Recent selection into the National squad has resulted in McCarthy moving from Seabrook, in north western Tasmania, to Melbourne to be based at the Victoria Golf Club along with Daniel Nisbet and Kalem Richardson. The move was deliberate so as to gain exposure with one of Melbourne’s most prominent clubs.

“Playing Victorian Pennants is like playing interstate matches every week,” he says.

“I’m enjoying all the solid golf and my game’s improving with the move. In a few weeks I’m off to New Zealand to play their national amateur and hopefully will continue with my recent form there.”

McCarthy this week will have some work done on a ganglion on his right wrist. It’s noting serious and McCarthy is optimistic the injury will not become an issue.

“It’s not affecting my swing but we want to have a look at it and if needed, get it treated. We’re confident that it will be right for New Zealand and it’s not affecting my preparation.”

Another title has fallen McCarthy’s direction and he approaches the remainder of the season optimistic there will be more to come.

“With my new base in Melbourne, I’m getting better exposure and playing tougher matches. It’s developing both my game and confidence and with New Zealand in a few weeks, and then hopefully the US later in the year, it should be a solid year for me.”

With two wins already, you could say that’s it’s already been a solid year for McCarthy, as he continues to make his mark as another promising player on the Australian amateur scene.