Associate pros meet the Challenge

***Kieser Australia representatives, Josh Bird and Steven Ooi, with the oversize cheque.***

GOLFERS braved a windswept St Andrews Beach golf course on the Mornington Peninsula for a very good cause recently.

The occasion was the Kieser Australia St Andrews Beach Pro-Am organised by St Andrews Beach PGA associate professional James Bowen, who was determined to raise much-needed funds for Challenge – supporting kids with cancer.

The day turned out to be a huge success with more than $1770 raised for Challenge.

“Every PGA associate that successfully hit the 143m par-3 11th green in regulation, Kieser Australia kindly donated $50 to Challenge,” Bowen explained.

“With a strong right-to-left wind and a bunker carry, 25 of the 46 associates successfully hit the green and raised $1250 for Challenge.

“With the addition of a raffle at the presentation held at St Andrews Beach Brewery, the total amount raised was $1,777.60.”

The day was about raising money for Challenge, but the players were also keen to test themselves against the renowned Tom Doak-designed St Andrews Beach golf course where 50km/h winds added to the challenge.

“The PGA professionals played a stroke event under tournament conditions whilst amateurs contested their own stableford event,” Bowen added.

“This was accompanied by a teams’ event where professionals and amateurs joined forces in an aggregate stableford event with the professionals playing off scratch.”

The National Golf Club’s associate Sheradyn Johnson handled the conditions best to shoot a fantastic four-under par (66) – five clear of Tim Walker and Cameron Kelly.

“With the support of the event sponsors, there were plenty of great prizes up for grabs,” Bowen added.

For the amateurs, Steve Krompton returned 40 points to win the major prize while Michelle Marshall (34 points) took out the women’s event.

Professional Lachlan Aylen led his team of amateurs – Josh Bird, Chris Hasenkam and Steven Ooi – to victory in the teams’ event. The quartet won the day with a score of 86 points.

“St Andrews Beach Golf Course and the PGA of Australia would like to thank all associate professionals, sponsors and amateur golfers who supported the event and made it such a memorable day,” Bowen concluded.