More than pride at stake at NSW Open
BY Anthony Powter | Von Nida Tour | 2005 New South Wales Open | Preview | 16 Nov 2005
Every tournament is usually a tournament within itself and this week’s Proton NSW Open at Liverpool Golf Club is no exception. The best players on the Von Nida Order of Merit include some of our most promising young talent, and with the top six in distance of the number one spot, there is a lot at stake.
The depth of the talent is striking. It includes the likes of Adam Bland, Gavin Flint, and Brad McIntosh, all of who have experienced considerable success on the Von Nida Tour this season and have the capacity to shoot low and stay there.
Adam Bland, in his rookie year, secured a victory with the Western Australian PGA Championship; Gavin Flint is coming off two top ten finishes; Nick Flanagan, who currently sits 5th on the money list has been solid but will miss the event as he attends the USPGA Tour Q-School, whilst Brad McIntosh recently shot the lights out with a 59 in The Greater Building Society Queensland PGA at Emerald Lakes Golf Club.
The hard work is paying off for McIntosh with the recent victory in the Roadcon Queensland Open to claim his second Von Nida Tour victory in 18 months. Punters like his form coming into the event and he will be a player to watch, not just this week, but over the whole Australian summer.
To the player finishing on top come Sunday at Liverpool comes the prized 1st placing on the Von Nida Order of Merit and a much needed lift will follow. Sponsors suddenly become more interested and – most importantly – they get a start in the $US5 million HSBC Champions tournament next year in China.
The players are fully aware of what is at stake.
“One of my goals this year is to win the Von Nida Order of Merit, so a win this week in the NSW Open would be nice and give me confidence going into the pre-qualifying for the Aussie Open. I have starts in the Australian PGA and the MasterCard Masters. I then plan to go to the Asian Q-School.”
“This year has been a good year and I am looking to play anywhere in the world which has a four round main tour” commented Gavin Flint after he finished a practice round today.
He is not alone with such an objective.
Adam Bland also has in his sights the top Order of Merit position. In his rookie year Bland has produced some sensational golf and is a force to reckon with at Liverpool.
“A good crack this week and I’ll be close to taking out the Order of Merit and with that I’ll get a big start next year with the HSBC as well as from a marketing point of view it will attract interests from sponsors which will definitely help. I am happy with what I’ve achieved this year in my first year, it has been a good season to get under my belt.”
“There are quality fields out there in the Von Nida events. There will always be about twenty guys who will put a score on the board, so if you are not on your game, you are nowhere near it so it always going to be a good challenge.”
Adam is also focusing on a solid performance this weekend having obtained a sponsors invite to play in the Australian PGA Championship and sees the Proton NSW Open as the perfect platform to spring into what he describes as his first main tour event as a professional.
Whilst last year’s winner and local crowd favorite, Peter Lonard, is not defending his title, the field for the Proton NSW Open is littered with young up and coming talent and promises to be an exciting event as players do battle, starting tomorrow, on one of the best inland layouts in Sydney.
Photo – Anthony Powter
