Fletcher, Kang and Smith win Gary Player
IN: News | Queensland Mens | Gary Player Classic (2008) | Round Four | 04 Oct 2008
Overnight leaders Ben Fletcher (Virginia), Bobin Kang (Arundel Hills) and Cameron Smith (Wantima) have hung on to win their respective age divisions in the 2008 Gary Player Classic at Pacific Golf Club.
Played in perfect conditions all week, the three players took out their biggest tournament wins to date in adding their names to the Gary Player trophies alongside some of Australia’s finest golfers.
Fletcher was the dominant player in the older age division for players 18 to 20 years. Beginning with an opening round of 69 (-2), he consolidated his position at the top of the table with rounds of 70, 69, and 72 on the par 71 layout for a 4-under total of 280.
In second place, finishing 6 shots behind Fletcher was Hills International member Drew McLellan, who closed today with a 74 (+3). In third place after a disappointing last round 79 (+8) was Josh Preston.
17-year-old Bobin Kang won the 16 to 17 years division in a close contest, finishing just one stroke in front of another promising youngster Taylor MacDonald (Redcliffe). MacDonald will be disappointed with his bogey on the par 3, 17th which left him one stroke behind heading into the last hole where he was unable to make up the deficit, registering a par 5 on the last.
Do Eun An (Pacific) and Chris Wood (Wynnum) also contended on the last day, finishing a further one and two strokes back respectively.
In the 15 years and under division Cameron Smith played steady golf throughout the last round to register a four over par 75 for a total of 286 (+2). Smith took the division title by 4 shots from Maverick Antcliff (Hills). Smith, a member of the Queensland Boys Development Team this year has improved immensely over the last 12 months and will be one player to watch over the coming years.
Viraat Badhwar (Indooroopilly), at just 13 years of age finished in third place in the youngest age division. Originally from Delhi, Badhwar now resides in Brisbane and attends the Kelvin Grove State College School of Excellence for Golf.
Pacific Golf Club was presented in great condition throughout the week, with all credit going to course Superintendent Graeme Sims who continues to make excellent improvements to the course layout.
The Gary Player Classic dates back to 1972 and has been supported by Mr Gary Player since its inception. His support of junior golf in Queensland is appreciated by Golf Queensland with the tournament continuing to attract huge fields. A record 246 entries were received this year for the starting field of 208 players.
As has become the tradition for the Gary Player Classic over the last 25 years, long time tournament supporters Adina Watches presented the winners and runners up in each division with prize watches at this afternoon’s presentation ceremony.
