Consoli crowned QLD Amateur champion
BY Anthony Powter | Queensland Mens Tour | 2008 Queensland Amateur Championship | Grand Final | 09 May 2008
Jared Consoli has defeated Do Eun An, 3&2, to claim the 2008 Queensland Amateur Championship at Bribie Island Golf Club, north of Brisbane.
Consoli overcame his fellow Pacific Golf Club member in the 36-hole final with a sharp short game, to secure his first amateur championship title.
The 20-year-old Consoli was simply ecstatic with his win.
“It’s great to get the first one under your belt and it’s a massive confidence booster as well. I feel totally different about my game and what I can now achieve.”
It’s been a challenging week for Consoli, his previous best achievement was a victory at the 2005 Australian Individual Schools Championship, and securing the Queensland Amateur is clearly his biggest achievement, since his grandfather introduced him to the game as a 14-year-old.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” commented Consoli this evening amongst a small family celebration.
Consoli was the number six seed entering into the sixteen player elimination match play format, in a final series stacked with fellow team mates from Pacific Golf Club, which included Brett Rankin, Gavin Fairfax, Scott Smith and his final opponent Do Eun [Philip] An.
“The finals were full of guys from Pacific, yet today was the first occasion that I’ve played against Philip [An],” said Consoli.
“I was 2-up after 18, and with a string of birdies managed to go to 4-up after 27. I was just sinking the putts and that’s what made the difference out there.”
An, 16, was hoping to become the youngest ever winner of the Queensland amateur, an honour which Jason Day presently claims. An accounted for Brett Rankin, the winner of the Queensland Medal and top seed in the championship in their second round encounter, 2-up, and was entering the final full of confidenence, however, he was never able to make his mark against Consoli’s red hot putter.
“He was striking the ball really well and getting it close, but I kept on sinking critical putts and that simply wore him down,” said Consoli, who accounted for State representatives, Matthew McBain, 4&3, and Peter Hall, 1-up, on his way to the final
“It’s an unreal feeling and a sense of relief, especially beating two state representatives in the process of claiming this title.”
Consoli moves into this week’s Keperra Bowl and National trial event as a new player. His immediate goals, a top-ten finish this week and hopefully a spot in the Queensland Academy of Sport.
“I have a new coach with Bob Weir at Sanctuary Cove and we’ve been working on a few swing changes. Over the next few months I want to try and make the State team and take my game to the next level, test myself against national players and even eventually go and play amateur events in America.”
Like other promising amateur players on the fringe of team selection, Consoli appreciates there’s considerable competition for those prized team places.
“I love the challenge of golf and what is has to offer and for me. I’m ready to give it a full go and see how far I can go. Making representative teams obviously helps with travel and support, and winning events like State titles, you hope that it will get noticed, but I know I have to keep performing as it’s just so competitive.”
Next week’s Keperra Bowl will offer emerging players like Consoli the opportunity to again prove themselves. With the likes of Tim Stewart, Rohan Blizard and Scott Arnold, already making their base in Europe in preparation for the Northern hemisphere major amateur events, it will make for an interesting finale in Australia’s major amateur schedule.
At the present time, Consoli is savouring the spoils of victory and deservedly so, because there’s a special feeling associated with that maiden win.
