Ewan Porter: The Consummate Gentlemen

BY Anthony Powter | Australasian PGA Tour | 2008 Moonah Classic | Round Four | 24 Feb 2008

Ewan Porter is developing into golf’s consummate gentleman. A bold statement to make, but this week he’s looked and played the part, to retain the lead the Moonah Classic, since his opening round 67. Porter has the opportunity to take his first major professional title and he is ready for it.

Moonah certainly has not disappointed the purists. The wind and driving rain has played havoc with player’s games and their patience. Any wayward drive on this barren, wind swept landscape has been punished. Moonah has generated its own unique form of torture. Course designer, Peter Thompson, probably wanted nothing less. Many of the players, however, think differently.

Only the fittest have survived the Moonah Classic. Porter is, by his very nature, a survivor.

Since turning professional in 2001, the New South Welshman has focused on playing in America, where he feels at home, loves the people and its lifestyle. In 2005, he held full playing status on the Nationwide Tour, yet was unable to keep his tour card.

There are no certainties out there, yet plenty of options for the 25-year-old. Porter tends to create his own options, and that’s no more apparent in qualifying for The Open Championship from his last two attempts.

“I’m realistic about what I now aim for with my golfing career,” said Porter yesterday after his third round at Moonah.

Moonah is certainly not for the faint hearted and Porter has plenty of heart, as he battled both a niggling shoulder injury and the full spectrum of the elements, to finish the round 1-under-par and be 6-under for the tournament. He takes a single stroke lead, over Terry Price and Wayne Perske, into the final round.

“Lately, everything has been falling into place, with qualifying for The Open and playing well here at Moonah. I’ve starts at the Dunhill Links, as well as the final stage of European Tour School and second stage of US Tour School, so there are options out there for me.”

Ewan Porter is on the verge of taking his golfing career to the next level, whether it’s this afternoon’s final Nationwide Tour event in Australasia, at next week’s Johnnie Walker Classic on the European Tour in India, the British Open at Royal Birkdale in July or the Dunhill Links in Scotland, there’s options for Porter. It motivates him and keeps the competitive juices flowing.

“I’m ready to make the move to the next level and this week, I’ve proved that I’ve the game. I’m a big believer that everything happens for a reason, and things will just fall into place, if you approach your challenges with the right frame of mind,” remarks Porter.

Should Porter win the Moonah Classic, life will be different. For a start, he’ll have regained full Nationwide Tour playing rights for the next two seasons, a result he dearly wants, as he’s been venturing to America since 2002 and currently has no status there.

The theme of this week’s tournament is aptly titled, ‘Where Dreams are Made’. At twenty-five and more than five years on tour, Porter, despite his relative young age, has matured into a true golfing professional.

He still has dreams about his future, as have all the players at Moonah. Porter, through life experiences, has become more a realist with life and with his chosen profession. The passion to succeed burns strong, yet he’s learnt to take the rollercoaster life-style associated with professional golf in his stride.

“I love what I do and whilst life has not generally been easy since becoming professional, I’m better from it and you just keep on trying,” says Porter.

Porter is maturing into the consummate gentlemen. Reserved, yet quietly confident and ready to make his statement on the golf course. He looks a million dollars out there, engaging the galleries and showing real emotion with his game. It’s a powerful and potent mix and Porter has won plenty of praise this week with this approach.

The swash-buckling style of bright colours and tight shirts, is attracting the attention of the ladies, as well as generating comments from the galleries. That’s Porter’s style, a unique blend of poise, confidence and letting everyone know that he’s enjoying being out there. There’s nothing wrong with it, in fact is good for the game and it’s obviously been good for Ewan Porter.