Kulacz finds form at the Dogwood Invitational
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Dogwood Invitational (2006) | Wrap | by Anthony Powter | 02 Jul 2006
Less than a month ago Rick Kulacz would have been asking what was wrong with his consistency as the former World Junior Champion tried to put together four solid rounds in a tournament. Kulacz had just completed a disappointing last round 80 in the Sunnehanna Amateur, considered to be the highest ranking amateur tournament in America, after an opening 68 and T5th start. He would finish well back in the field, disappointed but not dejected about where his game was going.
Ten days later at the Northeast Amateur Invitational, Kulacz finished T43 after a second round 68, one of the lowest scores for the round. With his consistency improving with each round, things were looking up. Unfortunately mother nature would intervene that week with the weather. It poured and poured and the Northeast Amateur Championship was washed out - reduced to two rounds. For Kulacz it was a case of what could have been.
Things then changed for the Western Australian at the Dogwood Invitational in Alanta over the weekend. His search for consistency had been resolved with four solid rounds of 66-70-69-73 to see him finish in T4th position along with fellow Australian, Tristain Lambert. It was a return to form for Kulacz, reminiscent of a number of top ten finishes back home in Australia in the Tasmanian Open (4th), Riversdale Cup (2nd), and Mandurah Easter Amateur (9th).
At the beginning of the year Kulacz felt that he needed to become more consistent in his game. His 2005 year was, on all accounts, not that bad with wins in the South Australian Invitational, the medal at the Western Australian Amateur Championship and on the international front, the Bay of Plenty Open and the Waikato Winter Strokeplay, both in New Zealand.
"Obviously, I want and try to keep on winning as many times as I can, but I also want to try to be more consistent than I have been in the past."
"It's very competitive, there are so many good players in these events and you have to be playing well just to get into the top 10."
Kulacz's weekend result now gives the National Squad member the momentum to achieve his main aim in the US, qualifying for the US Amateur to be played at Hazeltine National in late August.
Following Kulacz's and Lambert's performances at the Dogwood were a number of other promising Australian amateurs. Won Joon Lee finished T6, Josh Geary T18 along with Rudi Bezuidenhout, who was unable to hold onto his second round lead after a 78 in the third round. Rohan Blizard was the next best Australian at T23rd, whilst Andrew Dodt (T37) and Mitchell Brown (T39) finished well back in the field.
Photo - Anthony Powter
