Hartley claims Darwin title
Friday, 20 August 2010
Victoria’s James Hartley has won the 2010 All Tools and Trade Building Supplies Pro-Am in a dramatic four man play off.
The 36 hole event at the tropical Darwin Golf Club attracted a strong field of Professionals from around the country including Jarrod Moseley, Lyndsay Stephen, Mitchell Brown and Steve Collins. The final day’s play was split into two nines allowing for the afternoon field to include an ambrose competition for the event’s many sponsors.
The morning nine saw challengers appear thick and fast with Chris Turk making the biggest move. Turk’s 4 under first nine saw him catch overnight leader Jason Shine who was battling a stomach virus. Shine and Turk were joined at 4 under after 27 holes by Gary Simpson with a steady one under start.
As the afternoon wore on the overnight leaders fell back and new challengers emerged. Richie Caracella, starting 8 shots from the overnight lead, posted the day’s low round of 67 and eventually missed the playoff by a single shot. James Hartley had his round at six under after eagling his 15th hole only to bogie two of the next three finishing with a 4 under 68 and 36 hole total of 140. Having thought he had blown his opportunity Hartley was surprised to find he was tied for the lead. Tony Mills the reigning Australian Club Pro Champion posted 69 to reach 4 under for the tournament and joined Hartley, Gary Simpson (69 71) and Peter Welden (69 71) in a playoff to decide the title.
After Mills and Welden departed on the first and second playoff holes it seemed Simpson and Hartley may never be separated. Simpson thought he had the title when on the fourth hole Hartley faced, and then proceeded to hole, a tricky sidehill 12 footer to keep the playoff alive. Players agreed to a NTP from 100m to decide that title and Hartley shot pipped Simpson by the narrowest of margins.
Hartley in his acceptance speech thanked his friends who had encouraged him to enter the event after he recently receiving the disappointing news that an overseas job opportunity had been cancelled. Hartley decided that playing the tournament and getting out of the dismal Victorian winter would be a good way to take his mind of the fact he had just sold all his belonging and packed up his life for nothing. He now has a winner’s cheque and Divisional Status to help him replan his future.
To complete the week of golf in the Northern Territory players head to Palmerston Golf Club on Saturday for the $15,000 Hose Power NT Palmerston Pro-Am. The tropical climate and NT hospitality make for an enjoyable experience and with the enthusiasm of the local sponsors the future looks bright for tournaments in the Top End.