Gold Coast based Professional Tod Power has topped a strong field to be the leading qualifier at the South East Queensland Qualifying for the PGA Professionals Championship.
Staged at the home of the Queensland PGA, The Palms course at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club tested the players with Power’s even par score of 70 a reflection on the challenging layout. Birdies were hard to come by on the new Ross Watson design, though Power got off to a flyer, birdying his opening three holes. As many did on the undulating greens, Power failed to keep the bogies off the card, though was very content with his efforts.
“I don’t get that much of an opportunity to play these days and a back injury has certainly stopped me from playing competitively in recent years, making this win even more rewarding”.
“I have had a strong affiliation with Sanctuary Cove during my career and to see the changes that Ross Watson and the Sanctuary Cove Board have implemented, I believe it is one of the toughest courses in Queensland”.
Power, who is based at Tallai Golf Club in the Gold Coast hinterland, shares his time at the club being both club professional and greenkeeper.
“I quite enjoy it actually. It certainly adds variety knowing that one day I’ll be organising the competition for the members then the next morning I’ll be on the machinery to get the course playing its best.”
Finishing only a shot behind Power was Brisbane Golf Club Teaching Professional Murray Lott who talked about playing competitively.
“I stand on the lesson tee for most of the week and therefore it was great to be out there in the heat of battle getting the competitive juices flowing. I came out for a practice round during the week and was thankful because I am not too sure if I could have shot the score I did without doing so”.
Both Power and Lott will join 47 others from around the country who will qualify for the National Final of the PGA Professionals Championship at the majestic Hamilton Island Golf Club. The National Final staged from 14th – 16th November will bring together Professionals from all around the country and QLD PGA Executive Officer Broc Greenhalgh talked about the variety of roles Professionals are holding within the industry.
“If we just look at the field, we had Club Professionals, Teaching Professionals, Directors of Golf, Golf Operations Manager, Administrators, Golf Manufacturers and General Managers just to name a few. It highlights that PGA Professionals play a strong part in every area of the industry and it is great for them to show their diversity by still being able to play at a very high level”.
With Hamilton Island Golf Club as the venue sponsor of the National Championship, the PGA Professionals Championship is brought to life with the support of presenting sponsors Acushnet and Club Car, alongside major partner Coca-Cola Amatil and support sponsor MGI Sureshot. A total of nine qualifiers from the South East Queensland Qualifying will represent the Sunshine State in mid November with the next of the qualifying rounds to be staged in Western Australia at Royal Fremantle Golf Club during August.
Nine (9) Qualifiers – South East Queensland
Tod Power (Tallai Golf Club)
Murray Lott (Brisbane Golf Club)
Shayne Hayman (Jindalee Golf Club)
Wayne Rostron (Peregian Springs Golf Club)
Gary Burmester (Mt Warren Park Golf Club)
Josh Madden (PGA International Golf Institute)
Peter Shaw (Robin Woods Driving Range)
Shaun Piper (Mt Coolum Golf Club)
Ossie Moore (The Grand Golf Club)
See full results here