Aussies attracted to Rice Planters
IN: News | US Mens Amateur | Rice Planters Amateur (2008) | Preview | by Anthony Powter | 02 Jul 2008
There must be an attraction between Australians and the annual Rice Planters Amateur tournament, played at Snee Farm Country Club in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina.
Four years ago Australians claimed the top three spots when Aron Price, currently on the Nationwide Tour, outlasted Marc Leishman to post a tournament record 17-under-par to claim the title, whilst Andrew McKenzie finished outright third.
Asian Tour player Tristan Lambert won the event in 2005, Tim Stewart was runner-up in 2006 and Michael Foster won last year in a two-hole playoff with fellow Aussie, Josh Younger, after both finished the tournament at 12-under-par 276, and a shot ahead of another Australian, Matthew Griffin.
This year a full Australian contingent has returned to the tournament including Ray Beaufils, Daniel Beckmann, Matt Griffin, Rhys McGovern, Brett Rankin, Michael Raseta, Justin Roach, Scott Grant and Josh Younger. Tim Stewart has elected to have a week off, following his hectic UK schedule, and to prepare for the Southern Amateur, starting 16 July.
Michael Foster has also returned this week to defend his title and is optimistic of another strong performance.
“It’s a golf course that you can attack and I’m back with memories of a great win last year over Josh [Younger], so I’m keen to get out there and see if I can repeat the performance.”
Matt Griffin is another that should do well this week, after having the opportunity to get his game into gear since arriving in the US at last week’s Dogwood Invitational.
“It was a slow start for me last week at the Dogwood,” said Griffin yesterday following his practice round at Snee Farm.
“My last three rounds there were better, and this week I’m ready to seriously challenge. The course is relatively short, but with some out-of-bounds along the fairways, it can also be tricky.”
The Rice Planters is a 72-hole invitational event with a 54-hole cut coming into effect for the low 60 and ties after the third round. With the majority of the Australian contingent being based in the US for the past three weeks, they’ve had the opportunity to get accustom to the conditions and to the fields. We should see a solid performance from them all this week.
History shows the Rice Planter Amateur has been kind to the Australians and with the strength of the Australian contingent playing in this week’s tournament, there’s every chance that history might repeat itself with another Australian holding the trophy on Saturday.
