Australia vs Norway in Amateur final
IN: News | Australian Mens Amateur | Australian Amateur Championship (2008) | Semi-Finals | by Anthony Powter | 19 Apr 2008
Less than a fortnight ago, Michael Foster won his second consecutive state amateur title in Western Australia. Tomorrow he’ll contest what’s ultimately his biggest challenge, the grand final of the Australian Amateur championship.
Foster’s opponent, the talented 17-year-old and World Junior Champion, Anders Kristiansen from Norway.
Kristiansen had played one of the matches of his life to make the final in disposing tournament favorite, Danny Lee, 1-up.
“I do not know of him,” said the Norwegian Kristiansen, who’s primarily played junior golf in Europe and America.
“I hear he’s won a few tournaments and is well regarded. It was certainly a tough battle, as I was 3-down after he went birdie-eagle-birdie.”
Kristiansen was able to hold his nerve and went onto to take full advantage on the 13th hole with a birdie, after Lee faulted.
“My approach into the 13th was one of the best I’ve hit this week. The putt sank and that’s when the match turned.”
Controlling nerves under pressure appears to be the secret this week at Royal Adelaide. Foster has managed just that. He was tested all day in both matches against fellow Western Australian, Shaun Malone.
“It’s been a tough day on one of the toughest layouts you can play,” commented the 2007 US Rice Planters champion.
“I’m shattered and not even thinking about how I’ll play tomorrow’s final. You play the course at Royal Adelaide, not the player. You have to think your way around this layout and not worry about the other player. Any lapse of judgement and you’ll rack up a big number.”
Kristiansen hails from Sarpsborg, south of Oslo in Norway. Golf is in his blood, his father, a green keeper at Borregaard Golf Club and was insturmental in his son’s development, highlighting the importance of course management and being patient.
“I’ve never played courses like this before,” remarked the Norwegian in perfect English.
“Back home you just bomb it with the driver and wedge it in. Here you have to think about your shot, place the driver and be creative around the greens. It’s totally different but my Dad taught me that you have to think about your game, not just bomb it.”
Royal Adelaide is not the style of course where you can just “bomb it”. In Foster’s mind success will come to the player willing to be patient.
“The opening three holes is where you have to take your risks,” says Foster.
“In the middle you just have to be patient. There are no real holes where you can be aggressive. On the way home there are some opportunities with 15 and 17, other than that, you simply have to be smart.”
Irrespective of tomorrow’s result, Foster has established himself as one of Australia’s emerging talents. Representative team honours have, for some reason, eluded him. Foster’s results this week have spoken volumes and tomorrow, Foster is sure to let his clubs do the talking.
