Australian men begin World Amateur bid
IN: News | Amateur Golf | World Amateur Team Championships (2006) | Preview | by Anthony Powter | 26 Oct 2006
It will be undoubtedly a test of egos, power hitting and putting as the Men's World Amateur Team Championship fires off tomorrow at The De Zalze Golf Club, Stellembosh, South Africa. A record 71 entrants will battle for the Eisenhower Trophy, reflecting the enormity of the event since the inaugural championship at St Andrews in 1958 when 32 nations competed.
In that year Australia withstood a US challenge, to become the first country to hold the Eisenhower Trophy following an 18 hole playoff on the Monday, after the Old Course dished out its traditional punishment the previous week where players struggled to break 80.
In 1996, the Australian team of Brett Partridge, Jarrod Moseley and David Gleeson secured an eleven shot victory, one of the greatest winning margins in the championship. It was Australia's third and last championship to date, the second was in 1996, again over the Americans in Mexico.
In the last five World Amateur Men's Championships, Australia has claimed a podium finish in four occasions, being runners up in 1998 and third in 2000 and 2004. It's understandable then expectations upon the current team members of Andrew Tampion, Stephen Dartnall and Won Joon Lee are high, especially given their individual talents and recent successes, both home and abroad.
With no real standout player within the team, all have achieved considerable success, both in amateur and professional events, making the Aussie team extremely experienced, comparative to other teams at the World Amateur.
Tampion was the best placed amateur in last year's MFS Australian Open, Lee recently played well in the Japan Open and Dartnell's results in the UK in the St Andrews Links Trophy as well as the American major amateur events were impressive. It's this international experience, with all players having either played in the States, Asia and/or Europe that gives the Aussies the edge. Another notable feature is their scoring capacity.
All three Australians can score sub 70 rounds; the objective during the World Amateur. With potential sponsors, promoters and managers keeping surveillance on individual scores, players are acutely aware of the ability to score in the 60's is used as the litmus test for progression into the professional ranks, the ultimate objective of the vast majority of the playing field this week in South Africa.
Tampion has progressed to second stage in European Q-School after finishing 7th in the first stage with an 11 under par score, Dartnall is keeping his options open, yet he feels there is still more he would like to achieve within the amateur ranks. As for Lee, it's anyone guess, but as sure as day follows night you'll expect a transition to the professional ranks; only Lee knows when.
Players also do not want to become lost in the ashes of time either with a poor performance this week. There're aware there're playing not only for their country, but also for personal credibility, and they'll be judged against the best amateurs currently in the world, playing the same venue, under the same conditions and pressures. A unique repertoire of circumstances, that enables examination as to who has the game and capacity to progress into the professional ranks and how the vast majority of players have done such.
Previous World Amateur players include the cream of the USPGA Tour; Vijay Singh (1980), Robert Allenby (1990), Phil Mickelson (1990), Michael Campbell (1992), Justin Leonard (1992), Tiger Woods (1994), Sergio Garcia (1996-98) and the list continues. Looking at the past notable players list, it's easy to see the enormity and importance of the World Amateur.
Tampion recognises the importance of the World Amateur and how doors can open later in kick starting a professional career where starts in events are limited.
"The Eisenhower Trophy is the elite of amateur golf, we have a really good team and we'll be up against the best amateur players in the world. I want to do well there and then go professional at the end of the year."
"A good performance at the World Amateur opens up doors as you move forward as a professional. With the best three amateurs from major countries in the world competing, everyone is watching how you play and the way you score. If you have a good performance in the individual, it differently helps as you get known."
Dartnall is like minded of the importance attached to the World Amateur championship.
"This is a springboard into playing more international golf as well as getting more experience. Making the Eisenhower side also helps you getting into professional events this summer in Australia. Obviously you want to do well for Australia and we have a strong team that should do well."
The Americans, however, may have a say in that. The Eisenhower Trophy has fallen into American hands for the last three championships running; on that statistic alone there's no sign of them loosening their grip on a trophy aptly named after a former American President.
Photo - Anthony Powter
