Tim Stewart wins 2006 Australian Amateur
IN: News | Australian Mens Amateur | Australian Amateur Championship (2006) | Wrap | 29 Mar 2006
21-year-old Tim Stewart, from Monash Country Club in New South Wales, captured the 2006 Australian Amateur Championship defeating his more highly ranked State compatriot Mitchell Brown 1 up in the 36-hole final.
In what proved to be an enthralling final played at Royal Hobart Golf Club, both players recorded a total of fifteen birdies and one eagle between them. Stewart's decisive move occurred on the par 5 30th with a birdie, followed by another on the 31st and a par on the 32nd. This gave him a two up lead with 4 to play and despite a birdie 2 by Brown on the 33rd he was not able to get back to level terms.
On his way to the final Stewart defeated a number of highly ranked players with victories over Golf Australia National Squad Members Mitchell Brown, Jamie Arnold and Stephen Dartnall combined with wins over Stephen Speirs and Michael Choi. This victory confirms Stewart as one of the best match play golfers in Australia. In 2005 he was undefeated representing NSW in the Interstate Colts Series.
For Brown his efforts to join the history books were all so close. He is the current New Zealand Amateur Champion (a Championship he defends next week) and a victory in the Australian Championship would have meant he was the only person to hold both titles since Lucas Parsons in 1991.
Tim Stewart will now join the field of the 2006 MFS Australian Open at Royal Sydney in November and will add his name to an illustrious list on the Challenge Trophy including Brendan Jones, Brett Rumford, Mathew Goggin, Greg Chalmers, Michael Campbell, Bob Shearer and Roger Mackay. We are sure to hear more of Tim, who has been described as an Australian version of Ernie Els due to his height and swing.
The Australian Amateur is the pinnacle of amateur golf in Australia and a key component of Golf Australia's elite development pathway.
Source - Golf Australia
Photo - Richard Parkinson
