Lee hangs on to win 2007 QLD Medal
IN: News | Queensland Mens | Queensland Medal (2007) | by Bruce Young : iseekgolf.com | 04 May 2007
Kevin Lee (Oxley) has won the 2007 Queensland Medal in a thrilling finish at Bribie Island Golf Club, taking the title by just one shot over Rika Batibasaga (Indooroopilly) and Ray Beaufils (Surfers Paradise). It was a dramatic climax to what was a fantastic week of golf at Bribie with the golf course and weather absolutely perfect for the entire three days.
Lee took a five shot lead into the final round this afternoon, and had looked quite impressive as he reached 16 under par through the first 54 holes. His second round 64 (-8) is a course record and was the highlight of the week. He struggled a little through his final round this afternoon however, after a double bogey on the 2nd which saw the contenders draw close. While the challengers drew close and even caught Lee at one stage, he found something special on the par 5 12th hole, when he managed an eagle after a 3 wood approach to five metres and then holed the putt.
Batibasaga at one stage got to 15 under par through 12 holes, however gave one back on the par 3, 14th. He would par each hole on the way in to post a 14 under total.
Beaufils played well all day and playing with Lee, he obviously kept the pressure on Lee during the final round as he stayed in touch with the leader. He tried to the end and amazingly holed a bunker shot on the 17th hole for birdie to get to 14 under par and importantly within one of Lee. But both players would par the last and Lee would be victorious.
Other notable performances were from Daniel Nisbet (Caboolture), who at just 16 years of age continues to impress and will certainly be a player of the future. The current Australian Junior Order of Merit holder fired rounds of 67.70.69.69 for a total of 275 (-13). An unfortunate bogey on the 17th proved costly on a hole he would certainly have been looking at birdie and a share of the lead.
Aaron Pike (Indooroopilly) played in the last group today and managed a 70 (-2) to finish at 278 (-10) and a very creditable performance. His opening 66 (-6) really set the standard for the week and he will go into next week’s Match Play feeling quietly confident as a previous Queensland Amateur winner in 2005.
All in all the 2007 Queensland Medal was a great success and the Bribie Island Golf Club should be very proud of their achievement in hosting the event. Many had not seen the course in better condition and the players regularly commented that the greens were the best they had played on in years. The Greens Superintendent Sean O’Leary and his staff should take a bow for their efforts in delivering such a fine Championship course.
A playoff was required to determine the 16th position to qualify for the Queensland Amateur Championship. Kevin Marques (Indooroopilly) took the last position when he outlasted four other players on the fourth playoff hole. He will take on Lee next week in the first round with some outstanding talent likely to produce some great golf at Indooroopilly Golf Club.
The Queensland Amateur Championship is 107 years old and the 16 players that have qualified will no doubt be keen to add their name to the beautiful trophy that was introduced in 1902.
Source – QGU
