Beaufils, Lee lead Gary Player Classic
BY iseekgolf.com | Queensland Mens Tour | 2006 Gary Player Classic | Round One | 03 Oct 2006
The prestigious Gary Player Classic, teed off this morning in excellent conditions at Pacific Golf Club. Out early, Kevin Lee (Oxley) shot the morning’s lowest round of 67 (-5) which was later equalled by another promising young golfer Ray Beaufils (Surfers Paradise). Lee and Beaufils lead the 18 – 20 years division by 4 shots with Ray Harris (Pacific) their nearest rival at 71 (-1). Daniel McGraw (Gailes) and Mitchell Early (Club Pelican) are a further shot back on even par 72.
Beaufils fired an impressive 7 birdies in his round with a disappointing double bogey on the long par 4 4th hole. Lee was just as impressive with 6 birdies in his round and a solitary bogey.
All players in the 16 – 17 years division, completed their rounds this morning and Australian junior representative Tarquin MacManus played solid golf, carding a 68 (-4). He leads by 4 shots over fellow Australian junior teammate Daniel Nisbet (Caboolture) and Lachlan Wall (Surfers Paradise) who shot 72s.
MacManus round consisted of an eagle on the par 5 9th and birdies on the 4th, 11th and 13th holes. A bogey on the short par 4 16th tarnished an otherwise excellent round.
MacManus, Nisbet and Boyd Watts (Yeppoon) have just returned from a successful campaign representing Australia (Junior Team) at the Clare Higson trophy in New Zealand.
Jackson Park (Nudgee) leads the 15 Years and Under division with a 75 ( 3) with Chris Wood (Wynnum) and Nathan Kinch (Surfers Paradise) the next best returned at 76 ( 4).
The Gary Player Classic is a 72 hole Championship with the players under 18 years vying for the all important Australian Junior Order of Merit (AJOM) points. The winner of the AJOM will receive an exemption into the MFS Australian Open. The last round will be held on Friday morning with the field cut to the top 25 players (plus ties) in each age division after 54 holes.
Gary Player is again the major sponsor of this event which is in its 35th year. The event has been a stepping stone for many great golfers including Greg Norman and more recently Jason Day who won this event last year (16 – 17 Years).
Source – QGU
