Dodt well positioned at Riversdale Cup
BY Anthony Powter | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2007 Riversdale Cup | 09 Mar 2007
Andrew Dodt’s opening 5 under 67 has given the Queenslander a one shot lead at the 2007 Riversdale Cup and positioned the 21 year old well to add to his 2006 Malaysian Amateur title. Western Australian Michael Foster, another National Squad member is hot on Dodt’s tail at 4 under, followed by Scotland’s Paul O’Hara.
Dodt this week is bunking with Aaron Pike and the two were busily planning their British and American schedules, finalising events that will see both playing the major amateur events. Both feel confident this week going into the Riversdale Cup, seen by many as a “major” of Australian amateur golf. Pike is eyeing off European Tour School later in the year, Dodt is yet to consider that.
With the Australian Amateur to be played at NSW Golf Club later this month, this week’s Riversdale Cup becomes the last main event to get your game in swing and includes a strong field of internationals.
Jason Palmer, the 2006 Italian International Amateur Champion and fellow English team mate Stephen Lewton, the NSW Medal Champion, spearhead an international lineup which includes players from the USA, South Korea, New Zealand and the Philippines.
Dodt’s opening round will undoubtedly give him plenty of confidence this week. At 49th in the R&A World Amateur rankings, Dodt currently is the 4th ranked Australian, behind Bronson LaCassie (13th), Tim Stewart (20th) and Rick Kulacz (31st) who was runner-up in this event to Steve Dartnall.
Both Stewart and Kulacz are playing at Riversdale. LaCassie has returned to the US to resume his collegiate studies at the University of Minnesota, Dartnell has turned professional.
A strong performance will certainly elevate a player’s world amateur ranking given the breadth of the field this week at Riversdale. Stewart, the 2006 Australian Amateur Champion opened five shots behind Dodt with a 2 under 70, Kulacz the 2006 Federal Amateur and NSW Open Champion, will be looking to improve on his opening 73. Both Stewart and Kulacz are capable of winning. Another is Rohan Blizard.
Blizard, who last month claimed the Tasmanian Open with a 15 under par score (jumping thirteen spots to 59th in the world) is within striking distance of Dodt, two shots behind at 69. Blizard’s form of late is impressive and the quietly spoken New South Welshman is sure to be a real threat at this championship.
With national team selection for both the Asian Pacific and Eisenhower team events on the table, this week’s championship, like all national selection events, takes on a different perspective. Most have their sights set on the Australian Amateur, but then again you would not discount winning the Riversdale Cup. Robert Allenby did it twice and we know where he currently stands on the world golfing stage. Many this week have the same aspirations.
Photo – Anthony Powter
