Paddison announced as Australian PGA Rookie of the Year
BY iseekgolf.com | 09 Dec 2002
New Zealand golfer Gareth Paddison has been awarded the 2002 Norman Van Nida Australasian PGA Tour Rookie of the Year.
Paddison, who finished in a tie for 39th at the Australian Mastercard Masters in Melbourne yesterday, will turn his attentions to a bigger and brighter 2003, starting with the Holden New Zealand Open in Auckland next month.
The left hander has enjoyed a remarkable first year as a professional, following a highly successful international amateur career.
He qualified for the Australasian PGA Tour after finishing third in the Qualifying School and immediately showed his enormous potential by finishing third in 2001 Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland in his first tournament as a professional.
In March Paddison recorded his first professional victory at the Dunedin Classic, led by a superb final round of 64.
His impressive form over the season saw him finish 22nd on the Australasian Order of Merit. He received his award at the MasterCard Masters in Melbourne yesterday, where he finished in a tie for 39th place at five-over par for the tournament. Paddison played the final round at Huntingdale with eight time major champion, Tom Watson.
He also competed in eight tournaments on the Challenge Tour in Europe finishing third in the Challenge of Spain and 19th in the Austrian Open. Paddison, who will play the Australasian PGA Tour, is set to compete in the full Challenge Tour next year.
His prizemoney earnings have topped approximately NZ$ 160,000 in his first year.
“I am honoured to have been named as the Rookie of the Year. It was one of the goals I set for myself at the start of the year,” Paddison said.
“It would not have been possible without the support of my family and my coach, Mal Tongue.
“I have really enjoyed my first year as a professional but I know there is still a lot of work to be done. I am looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.”
Paddison will begin his 2003 schedule at the Holden New Zealand Open at Auckland Golf Club from 16-19 January.
Source – NZGA
