Beckmann wins testing Federal Amateur
BY iseekgolf.com | Australian Mens Amateur Tour | 2007 Federal Amateur Open Championship | Round Four | 01 Oct 2007
Daniel Beckmann secured his first major amateur championship at the 2007 Federal Amateur Open today following a four round total of six under, to finish four strokes ahead of Englishman, Dale Whitnell.
Beckmann blasted out of the blocks early in the morning, at one stage moving to four under through six holes and never looked in doubt for the title, as the majority of the field fell away in the windy and extremely testing conditions.
Matthew Baldwin, from England finished tied third, at plus four along with South Australia’s, Andre Na.
Today’s win is Beckmann’s second main amateur title in as many months. He claimed the Portsea Open Amateur by nine shots over Josh Younger last month.
“Yeh, this is my biggest win to date. I take this win as it was mighty difficult out there with the wind and keeping it straight on the fairways,” remarked Beckmann.
At Canberra this afternoon, Beckmann showed similar resolve to that which he exhibited in Portsea, never letting any rival competitor close, let alone providing them with the opportunity to challenge.
The closest call at Federal Golf Club this afternoon was when Whitnell, who was paired with Beckman and Pymble’s Brendan Smith in the final group, moved to four behind going through the fifteenth hole, however, it was to be short lived.
Beckmann simply played controlled golf this afternoon, driving the ball well and sinking critical putts at the right time, no more so that from off the green on 15 for a birdie, whilst Whitnell was unable to get up and down from the greenside bunker. The Englishman carded a bogey. It was a two shot swing and effectively closed out the Championship for Beckmann.
“The birdie on the 15th, with that putt was a one in a hundred chance of going in as I had to hit through a swale and it was down hill all the way,” remarked Beckmann.
“From about four feet it was tracking well and it dropped. That was really the sealer. Going through the last three holes, I thought ’if I can hold this, then I’ll pull this off’ and lucky I did.”
“At the start of the day I said that I was even with everyone, and said to myself ’do what you’ve done all week’. This is simply amazing to win this event in my first attempt here in Canberra.”
On the final day, only four players were par or less, with Beckmann and Whitnell the only players to finished the Championship under par.
With major American amateur events being eyed off next year, Beckmann’s win today will not harm his chances in invitational events, in what will be his maiden tour to America. Presently, he’ll work with the Victorian Institute of Sport, both on the physical and mental state of the game.
“The work that we do at the VIS is fantastic. I thought about going to college in America, but the program in Melbourne is really good.”
At only 19, Beckmann becomes what is believed to be the youngest player to win the Federal Amateur. He promises to be a future talent of Australian golf, no more displayed by the manner he captured this Championship.
Finishing outright 5th today was Brendan Smith at five over, with Matt Jager in 6th position, followed by a cluster of players in T7th at eight over.
Beckmann joins previous recent winners of the Open including Rick Kulacz (2006), Andrew Martin (2005), Gavin Flint (2004), Nick Flanagan (2003) and Andrew McKenzie (2002). Most of the former winners have now had the opportunity to turn professional and have played a variety of golfing circuits around the world.
The winner today receives an invitation to play in the 2008 British Amateur Open and the champion was presented with a superb cut glass trophy and a $1000 Qantas travel voucher.
