Australian team announced for World Amateur
BY iseekgolf.com | Amateur Golf Tour | 2006 World Amateur Team Championships | General | 06 Sep 2006
Golf Australia proudly announced the representatives for both the women’s and men’s World Amateur Teams Championships (WATC) to be held in South Africa during October, 2006.
The WATC is the premier amateur golf teams’ event in the world attracting over 950 participants including players, captains, coaches and various delegates.
Golf Australia named the two team captains and six players to represent Australia in the 2006 WATC as:
Jan Plaisted, Team Captain, WA
- Emma Bennett – Hampton, VIC
- Frances Bondad – Greystanes, NSW
- Kate Combes – Mt Eliza, VIC
Roger Hunt – Team Captain, WA
- Andrew Tampion – Dingley, VIC
- Stephen Dartnall – Mt Pleasant, WA
- Won Joon Lee – Glenwood, NSW
Tony Hallam, Golf Australia’s Chief Executive said, “It is a great honour to play for your country and this is an experience that will stay with each member for the rest of their lives.”
“Each of these players has worked exceptionally hard to achieve selection and they are to be congratulated.”
“Being part of a team is also a great opportunity for their personal development. At Golf Australia it is our responsibility to support and nurture juniors and elite amateurs and to assist them by providing the appropriate experiences and pathways to achieve successful future careers.”
“We’re very proud of our team and wish them the greatest success in South Africa. With 126 teams competing in the WATC, it promises to be an outstanding event,” Hallam stated.
Golfing enthusiasts around the world consider this event as the recognised “Major” for amateur golf.
Previous Australians that have represented their country in the WATC prior to becoming elite professionals, include, Robert Allenby, Aaron Baddeley and Karrie Webb. World superstars including Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Phil Mickleson, Sergio Garcia, Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam were also previous WATC team members.
The WATC is held biennially, with the ladies and men’s team event being staged during two consecutive weeks at the same venues. Australia last hosted the event back in 1968 at Royal Melbourne.
South Australia has won the right to host the World Amateur Team Championships in Adelaide, in October 2008. The championship comprises of the 25th men’s competition, the Eisenhower Trophy and the 22nd women’s competition, the Espirito Santo Trophy.
Bill Spurr, Chief Executive, South Australian Tourism Commission, said, “The opportunity to host the World Amateur Teams Championships win is a great coup for South Australia and a significant addition to the state’s calendar of major events.”
Golf Australia and the South Australian Government would like to wish the 2006 team every success throughout the 2006 championships.
Source – Golf Australia
Photo – Anthony Powter
