2007 - The Year in Photos
BY Anthony Powter | 07 Jan 2008
With 2007 passed and 2008 upon us, iseekgolf.com, takes a look at some of the year’s highlights in the world of golf, captured by our photographers out in the field.
The images reflect the passion, achievements and mishaps that occurred on the world’s tours, from local amateur achievements, the Von Nida and Australasian Tour, right up to Tiger Woods’ continued dominance on the PGA Tour.
On the male amateur front, Tim Stewart’s effort in June at the British Amateur, in becoming the first Australian in over fifty years to make the final, arguably rates as the finest amateur achievement of the year. It’s followed closely by Rick Kulacz’s win in August at the Scratch Players championship, and Michael Foster’s win, at the Rice Planters, both main American amateur titles.
Rohan Blizard claimed the honours as our top world-ranked amateur, finishing the year at No.6, following strong performances locally and internationally, in winning the Australian Amateur title in March, as well as being the only amateur to make the cut at the Australian Open in December, and finishing 4th in the US at The Players Amateur in July.
Scott Arnold established himself as one of our top amateurs, with runner up finishes at the Australian Amateur Stroke Play championship in March and the Links Trophy, in St Andrews, Scotland in June.
Sunny Park made amends to her runners up finish in 2005, by fighting back against Emma Bennett to take the Australian Amateur title along with Rohan Blizard in March, when both the male and female titles were played simultaneously at New South Wales Golf Club, in a new initiative by Golf Australia.
Golf Australia’s, Paul McNammee, was instrumental throughout the year introducing new innovations to both the Australian Opens, in an attempt to get more “exposure” and “spice up” the game. They ranged from the successful introduction of “Go Zones” and “The Pub” hole, to the not so successful new scoring system at the men’s Australian Open in November, which was won by Craig Parry.
During the 2007 Von Nida Tour, Darren Beck had chances to secure his maiden win, taking the lead into the final day in both the Queensland PGA and New Open championships, only to let them slip. Jason Norris, in contrast, claimed two Von Nida Tour titles during 2007, the NSW Open and the WA PGA, whilst Andrew Bonhomme took out the Von Nida Order of Merit.
Nikki Garrett won twice on the Ladies European Tour, whilst Sarah Kemp in December, realised her lifetime dream, and secured her card to play the LPGA Tour for 2008.
After three wins in 2007, Newcastle’s Nick Flanagan, was named Nationwide Tour Player of the Year, and graduated to the PGA Tour. Jason Day also graduated to the PGA Tour in November, and boldly indicated upon his return to Australia in December, that he wanted to take the No.1 world ranking from Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods may have won only one of the four Majors during 2007, but he finished runner up in two and won six times on the PGA Tour. Aaron Baddeley continued to make numerous references throughout the year to his savior, as he became arguably our best male performer during 2007, in winning the FBR Open on the PGA Tour and the Australian Masters, back home in December.
Adam Scott remained winless at home, whilst Peter Lonard claimed his third Australian PGA championship title in December.
Karrie Webb dominated the 2007 Australian Ladies Tour season, winning both the Australian Open at Royal Sydney and ANZ Ladies Masters at Royal Pines, confirming her status as one of the greats of the game.
It was a year full of achievements, as well as the odd surprise, and it sets the stage for another great year for Australian golfers, both at home and abroad.
