Aussies talk Eisenhower Trophy
BY Anthony Powter | Amateur Golf Tour | 2008 World Amateur Team Championships | General | 15 Oct 2008
Australia’s Eisenhower team were adding the finishing touches to their games on the range this morning at The Grange Golf Club in preparation for the World Amateur Teams Championships.
The 26th World Amateur Team Championships start tomorrow at Royal Adelaide and The Grange Golf Clubs with a record 72 teams contesting for one of the world’s most prized team championship, the Eisenhower Trophy.
The Australian team includes Matt Griffin, Tim Stewart and Rohan Blizard. All three are ranked inside the world’s top-20 and are experienced international campaigners, having played major amateur championships for the last three years.
“It’s great to be finally here, getting warmed-up and ready for the World Championships,” said Tim Stewart after this morning’s practice round.
“Our preparation has been fine and we are all feeling comfortable leading into tomorrow’s first round. We are as ready as we can be.”
Rohan Blizard has just returned from playing in Europe and was pleased to be back on home soil, eager to get the feel of competing on two of his favourite golf courses in Australia.
“We’ve all got a lot of family and friends with us this week and that will push the team along,” said Blizard, who qualified back in July for The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
“We know the two courses and how to play them, so that should be in our favour.”
Matthew Griffin was to be found at the end of the range at The Grange putting the final touches to his driving. The 25-year-old is one of our most consistent players this season and is appreciative that solid driving is the secret to playing Royal Adelaide well, which is where the Australian Team will start their Eisenhower campaign at 12.51pm tomorrow.
“Royal Adelaide is a type of layout where you have to keep it in play,” said Griffin, ranked 5th in the world.
“We’re all ready to go out there and give it our best. The team is strong and it’s great to be finally wearing the coat of arms and getting amongst the other teams.”
In the fifty-year history of the biannual Championship, Australia has won three World Amateur Team Championships and been runner up on four occasions.
