2012 Mitsubishi Electric PGA National Futures Champion, Sean Riordan with father and caddy Geoff

Sean Riordan secured a six stroke victory at the 2012 Mitsubishi Electric PGA National Futures Championship. Riordan blew away the rest of the field by playing a consistent game around the tight ClubCatalina Country Club layout to finish the championship with a nine-under par total.

With spectacular golfing conditions for the final field of fifty-six, Riordan, who is the current New Zealand Trainee Champion, won by six-strokes over New South Welshman, Alex Edge and defending champion Matthew Cort. Riodan, second year Trainee from Nelson Golf Club, final for the tournament included three birdies and two bogeys which resulted in another subpar round of one-under seventy-one. Edge made a late surge up the leader board from tied fifth to tie second with a round of two under-par seventy to finish six strokes behind Riordan. Cort however had a difficult round and was unable to catch Riordan with a three-over par seventy-five.

The lowest score for the final round was by third year trainee Quinton Howe from the Kew Golf Club in Victoria. Howe who is the current Rich River and Southern Division Trainee Champion carded a six-under par round of sixty-six to finish off the tournament. The round consisted of eight birdies and two bogeys which moved him sixteen places up the leader board to finish the tournament one-under par and tie for fifth place. The best placed female for the event was first year trainee Elissa Orr from Eastwood Golf Club. Orr’s final round of two-under par seventy placed her tied sixteenth on six-over par for the tournament.

In his victory speech Riordan thanked both the members of ClubCatalina and community of Batemans Bay who each year welcome Trainees from around Australia and around the world to the championship. Riordan is keen to win the New Zealand Trainee Championship next year so he can return to ClubCatalina Country Club to defend his title. Riordan not only takes home the championship title and trophy, but first place prize money of $9,948.

ClubCatalina was again presented in magnificent conditions for the championship with the smooth rolling greens considered some of the finest on the New South Wales south coast. With the tournament returning to ClubCatalina next year it promises to be an enthralling battle as always among the future professionals of golf.

Click here to view the final results