Ashcroft wins Queensland Order of Merit
IN: News | 10 Oct 2008
New South Welshman Jason Ashcroft has accomplished his number one goal for 2008 – winning the Queensland Sunshine Tour Callaway Order of Merit. Over the last month the man from Tura Beach has engaged in an epic battle with Irishman Eddie Barr, but Ashcroft claimed a narrow five point victory after he carded an even par round of 71 in the final event of the season, the Howeston Pro-Am.
The Callaway Order of Merit runs from 1st November to 31st October every year and is decided on points accumulated during the season. The professional(s) with the lowest round each day of every tournament is awarded 10 points and for every shot higher, players receive one less point (ie if 65 is the low round of the day, the player(s) score 10 pts, 70 = 5 points, 72 = 3 points, 75+ = 0pts).
Ashcroft lead Barr – the 2004 winner, by just one point with three rounds to go. In discussing the title, Ashcroft said, “The Order of Merit is all about consistency. It requires a player that plays a majority of the events and ensuring that if you aren’t playing very well on any given day, you can still get the ball around to shoot a decent number.”
Ashcroft’s year reflected his comments as he finished the year with two victories and 20 top 10 finishes including being runner up five times. His biggest pay cheque for the year was at the $20,000 Rowes Bay Pro-Am where he won by two shots from a first class field. The $3,600 win helped him to take home $33.738.54 for the 2008 season.
Gracious in defeat, Eddie Barr said “I won my Order of Merit title by a large amount in ‘04 and in some ways the win felt a bit shallow, so I hope Jason becomes a better player from the competition I provided him, and that he uses this to springboard his career overseas.”
Courtesy of Callaway Golf, Ashcroft receives two return airfares to Los Angeles, with transport to visit the Callaway factory in Carlsbad, California. Meals and accommodation at the Hilton Garden Inn in Carlsbad are also included. During his stay Jason will be personally fitted with a set of Callaway Golf Clubs including 3 woods and 9 irons, a personalised Staff Bag and an Odyssey Putter.
“I am really looking forward to the opportunity to go to the US and am excited in the prospect of using the trip not only to go to the Callaway factory, but also to play some tournaments whilst I am there” Ashcroft explained.
Along with a number of other QLD Sunshine Tour professionals, Jason will be heading to Asian Tour School in January, looking to secure a card on an overseas tour.
Queensland PGA Executive Officer Ian Hepburn said “Jason is a very worthy recipient of this prestigious Order of Merit title.
“It is great for players like Jason to play well here in Australia, and when he competes internationally, his successes will be shared with the many amateur Pro-Am partners with whom he has played with this year.”
“The QLD Sunshine Tour is a stepping stone for a professional’s careers and we look forward to seeing former Sunshine Tour players blossom overseas when given the opportunity.”
The professionals will now have a short break before the inaugural Professional Investment Services Players’ Championship at Royal Pines on November 1-2. The top 30 players from the 2008 QLD Sunshine Tour ‘Money List’ will play for a large purse which will see the winner receive more than $9,000 in prizemoney.
Source – PGA Australia
