New course record sets the pace in Tocumwal - PGA of Australia

New course record sets the pace in Tocumwal


Beautiful weather greeted the field of 102 Trainees today at the Tocumwal Golf and Bowls Club for the first round of the 2018 Vic/Tas/SA Trainee Championships.

Beautiful weather greeted the field of 102 Trainees today at the Tocumwal Golf and Bowls Club for the first round of the 2018 Vic/Tas/SA Trainee Championships.

Clear skies and only a very slight breeze meant low scores were expected and the players did not disappoint around the President’s course.

Jason Perkin, a Year two Trainee based at the Brighton Lakes Golf Club in Sydney, shot a new course record 7-under 65 to lead by two strokes.

Starting from the 10th tee, Perkins’ lone bogey came after a three putt on his first hole but he recovered quickly making birdie at the 11th and 13th.

He caught fire on his back nine by chipping in for eagle on the 3rd hole, birdied the 4th then closed with three straight birdies.

“I love coming to Tocumwal, the courses are great and the tournament here is really great to play,” said Perkin who had a top-10 finish here in 2017.

In second place is Zak Fuller, a Year three Trainee based at the Sandy Creek Golf Club in South Australia. His 5-under 67 included an eagle on the 5th hole, four birdies and one solitary bogey.

Four players sit third after opening with 4-under 68. This group includes 2018 Rich River Classic Champion Brayden Petersen (Asquith, NSW), 2017 National Futures Champion Frazer Droop (Yarrawonga and Mulwala, Vic), Mitchell Gannon (Kogarah, NSW) and Tom Corker (Kingston Heath, Vic).

Connor Chant (Mt Barker-Hahndorf) was another to break 70 with a 3-under par 69 on a perfect day for scoring with 20 players at par or better.

Earlier in the week, the PGA Trainees hosted a junior clinic for local primary schools. A total of 70 children from four primary schools enjoyed over 1.5 hours of tuition learning the basic skills of golf in fun and interactive games.

Also on Monday was the Championship Pro-Am which saw 150 players consisting of club and tournament sponsors join the Trainees for the ambrose event on another beautiful day.

Later that evening the golf club hosted the welcome dinner for all players in the tournament plus sponsors, members and guests.

The gathering was treated to a wonderful evening which culminated in the inspiring story of guest speaker Baron Grant.

Grant delivered an inspiring speech about how a serious illness to his wife, losing his house and business changed his perspective of the world and the amazing people who have helped his family along the way.

The second round will be played on the Captains course with play beginning from 7.45am.

The forecast is for the sun to keep shining but the wind is expected to get up overnight and into tomorrow.


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