Drewitt wins Pacific Northwest Amateur

BY Anthony Powter | US Mens Amateur Tour | 2010 Pacific Northwest Amateur | Grand Final | 19 Jul 2010

Brett Drewitt has won the 109th Pacific Northwest Amateur Championship held at Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, British Columbia with a 4&3 victory over American, Cory Renfrew.

It was an impressive tournament for Drewitt, 19, as in all six of his matches he never trailed an opponent once. The victory is Drewitt’s first main international title.

Displaying his trademark aggressive style of golf, Drewitt was able to take command early of today’s final to gain the upper hand in his match over Renfrew.

“I played solid in the first 18 holes to build a 3-up lead,” said Drewitt, who recently was offered an opportunity to play at Texas Tech University and was the equivalent of 3-under after the morning session of the final.

“The afternoon match was then more about consolidating the morning’s buffer and getting the job done. I was able to get some pressure on Cory and force him to make some mistakes during important stages of the match, which is what happened.”

Drewitt was still coming to terms with his achievement in winning his first international title in the US from just two starts. The enormity of his achievement was also compounded by the fact that a few months back he wasn’t even planning to play in the US this season and today’s win was one that he owes so much to others.

The members of Drewitt’s Sydney Club, Long Reef, had held a raffle to raise funds to send Drewitt to North America to play in several top amateur tournaments. The NSW Golf Association had also provided their assistance to see their State player make his way across the Atlantic.

Drewitt’s win today certainly gives them value for the buck and Drewitt was quick to highlight those who’d enabled him to be in the US.

“This win means a lot to me and I wouldn’t have been able to it with out the support of the Long Reef members and the New South Wales Golf Association. It’s a tremendous boost to my tour and hopefully I can continue with the results in upcoming events.”

Drewitt entered the match-play segment at the Pacific Northwest Championship as the 15th seed with rounds of 73-72 following the 36-hole stroke qualification, six strokes behind top seeds, fellow Australian, Matthew Stieger and Mitchell Evanecz, who both finished at 1-under-par.

Stieger’s rounds of 70-69 to take joint medalist honours at the Northwest Amateur Championship was also his first main amateur victory in the US.

Stieger has featured strongly in National Trial events this season in Australia with a tied 3rd at the Lake Macquarie Amateur in January, followed with a runner-up finish behind Jason Scrivener at the Mandurah Easter Amateur in April. His victory this week in the US will certainly give him plenty of confidence moving forward as he sets his sights other main events in the US.

Drewitt on his way to today’s final accounted for Janssen Todd, 3&2 in the first round, Bryan Scott 2&1, Mitchell Evanecz 2&1, fellow Australian Rory Bourke, 6&4, in the Quarter-final and Scott Stiles 4&3 in yesterday’s Semi-final.

Drewitt attributes the victory primarily to his good driving and putting throughout the tournament

“My putting and driving of the golf ball was definitely my strength for the last few days,” said Drewitt.

“I was able to keep the pressure on my opponents and then take opportunities when they arise. It’s been a great week for me, playing different players and experiencing what it is like to play here in the US.”

Drewitt’s first major amateur victory came in May at the Queensland Amateur Championship. Since then he’s gone from strength to strength.

The Stieger-Drewitt winning combination certainly marks a tremendous week for Australian amateur golf in the US and sets the stage for the next wave of young talent coming through the world amateur stage.

Stieger is another to closely watch this season in the US and it’s only a matter of time before he also collects an international title like Drewitt. Both are making their progression from the junior ranks to the main world amateur circuit in style.

At present all eyes are upon Drewitt. Doors are opening for him as he continues to attract attention of US college scouts with his aggressive play and keenness for match play.

This season back in Australia Drewitt was runner-up to Kieran Pratt at the 2009 Dunes Medal, won the Avondale Amateur in January, was a quarter-finalist at the 2010 NSW Amateur in March and also qualified for the Australian Amateur match-play.

These achievements were all in what can be considered Drewitt’s “rookie” year in major amateur golf.

He’s currently considering whether to turn pro and go to Asian Tour school and try and play on the Asian Tour next season or go the US scholarship route. This is a decision he can make later in the year and nether is a certain.

Today’s win at the Pacific Northwest Amateur Championship was a classic illustration as to what Drewitt’s capable of doing.

Drewitt feels the pressure is off and he can go about improving his game knowing that he’s got the first main international win under his belt. This not only has built confidence, it’s delivered an easy baptism into what are ofter unchartered and dangerous waters for any emerging player.

The win also will certainly bring a few smiles back home in Australia, particularly at Long Reef Golf Club on Sydney’s northern beaches.