Ballard and Epstein Kings of Rockhampton

A dramatic week of golf at the Rockhampton Golf Club has ended with Henry Epstein and Overnight leader Matthew Ballard crowned as joint winners of the 2010 Ian Weigh Motors Rockhampton Pro Am. Darkness unfortunately meant that a playoff could not be played out and joint winners were declared.

The lead was held by both Epstein and Ballard throughout the final round. Epstein got off to a hot start in his final round and through 11 holes found himself five under for the day and tied for the lead with Ballard. They then matched birdies Ballard at the 12th and Epstein at the 15th. An errant second shot from Ballard went through the back of the green on the 16th and when he went on to make bogey and falling one shot behind Epstein. Playing the final hole Epstein found the green in regulation to make par and sign for the day’s best round of 66 and posting a four round total of 15 under 273. Knowing this Ballard needed to make birdie at the last to force a tie. From 120 metres, Ballard calmly knocked his wedge to within two feet and converted the putt to force the tie with Epstein after shooting a round of 70.

For Epstein it’s the biggest win of his career. “To finally win a four round event is great and to be able to handle the pressure the way I did down the stretch puts me in a good frame of mind heading into the busy section of the year. It wonderful to be in contention but it’s even sweeter to get the job done” Epstein said at the completion of his round.
For Ballard it was a little bitter sweet after holding the lead for most part of the Final Round. After the presentation Ballard said “It’s great to get a win but it would have been nice to be the champion outright. I played great all week and with limited preparation leading into the event after becoming a father for the first time in June it’s great to be back”.

Tieing for third place two shots behind Epstein and Ballard were Victorians David Bransdon and second round co leader Tony McNaughtan. The pair both finished on a four round total of 13 under par 285.
Unfortunately for McNaughtan, he could not get going in the final round and had to settle for a round of 71.

It was a terrific end to what had been a dramatic week with fog disrupting play on the last three mornings.

The players now head down to the $18,000 Bargara Pro Am which starts on Tuesday, where Callaway Order of Merit Leader Sam Brazel will look to extend his lead at the top.