Top amateurs boost the field at NSW Open

BY iseekgolf.com | Australasian PGA Tour | 2002 New South Wales Open | Preview | 09 Oct 2002

Australia’s next batch of exciting golfers will be on show during the NSW Open to be held at Horizons Golf Resort from 7 to 10 November 2002.

Amateur golfers who have been invited to play for the NSW Open trophy include the current Australian Amateur Champion, Kurt Barnes, current NSW Amateur Champion, Richard Swift, leading amateurs at last year’s Australian Open, Chris Campbell and James Nitties and Australia’s Eisenhower Cup team members for 2002, Adam Groom, Marcus Fraser and Andrew Buckle.

“Amateur golf in Australia is at a level as high as it has ever been” said NSW Golf Association Executive Director, David Allen, “and we really do have the cream of the crop coming to Horizons to contest this event with the large field of Professional golfers. In addition to these top amateurs, the entire successful NSW State and Colts State teams have been invited to play, as have the six male members of the NSW Institute of Sport Golf Programme. We have also invited the NSW Amateur Country Champion and the 2001 Vardon Trophy Winner, Richard Lee. We have also extended a special invitation to last year’s NSW Amateur Champion, Robert Payne and one of New South Wales’ most decorated golfers, Lester Peterson” Allen added.

When asked how he thought this batch of amateurs would perform against the seasoned professionals who play for pay, Allen said, “Don’t be surprised if an amateur finds himself in serious contention come Sunday afternoon” were Allen’s words of warning. “These guys can really play and it would be no surprise to see one of them match Jim Ferrier, Owen Beldham or Tony Gresham as amateurs to win the NSW Open”.