Kulacz sets pace at Federal Amateur

BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2006 Federal Amateur Open Championship | Round Two | 30 Sep 2006

National squad member Rick Kulacz will be aiming for a repeat performance in the 60’s as he moves into the third round of the Federal Amateur Open in Canberra after the National Squad member finished with opening rounds of 69 and 67, to take a two shot lead from Rika Batibasaga.

Scott Arnold from Cronulla was the mover of the day and shot the lights out of the Federal Golf Course with a course record 65. Arnold’s round reflects what talent he is and he is certainly a player of the future to watch. Arnold, like all players this weekend is also acutely aware of the importance of the Federal Amateur and what it will bring to the champion come Monday afternoon.

“I changed putters from yesterday and it worked as I only had 24 putts which was the key thing to my round today.”

“I am just going to keep playing my own game and hopefully made up ground. To get a win on the board would be great as I will be travelling next year in Europe and US, so I need the result so as to get into the events as most events in the US are by invitation.”

The Federal Amateur is the opening major amateur championship in the Australian season and provides an excellent springboard to get a head start on the field, not to mention a walk up start in the British Amateur. Following the completion of the second round the cut came in at 151.

Walking around the practice green this afternoon you could sense the seriousness associated with the event as many players by-passed the AFL Final on the big screen in the Federal Clubhouse and remained on the practice green drilling those three footers; well some did, others simply could not get their card signed fast enough so as to get inside to see the closing moments of the game.

Within striking distance of the leaders is a pack full of emerging talent. Rudi Bezuidenhout, Andrew Dodt, Tristan Lambert, Tim Stewart and our number one ranked amateur Woon Joon Lee are seven shots behind Kulacz.

The problem for these players as well as the rest of the field is whether Kulacz can be caught. Performances earlier this year in America illustrate how well the Western Australian can play under pressure. His 4th place in the Dogwood Invitational reflective of what Kulacz can produce in a major amateur event.

A six shot deficit is a big task for the players in the main pack, but you can be sure there will be no holding back from any of them tomorrow; it’s the nature of the way they play the game.

There is also Scott Arnold who is full of confidence following his course record and eager to claim a major amateur title; then again he is not alone in this department.

Photo – Anthony Powter