(10 March 2011)
rn
Queenslander Katherine Hull was rewarded for her loyalty and great play when she topped the points table and claimed first place in the bonus pool when the 2010-11 Club Car Series was completed recently.
rn
rnFollowing a stellar 2010 during in which she captured her second LPGA title at the LPGA Navistar Classic and finished runner-up in the 2010 Ricoh Women’s British Open, Hull impressed all parties when she committed to the early-January Club Car Series Pro-Ams as well as the Bing Lee/Samsung NSW Women’s Open and ActewAGL Royal Canberra Ladies Classic.
rn
Hull’s strong performances in the Pro-Ams set up a commanding lead on the Club Car points table. Commencing her assault at the home club of her coach, Steve McRae, Hull placed third at the NRE Gujurat Russell Vale Short Course Challenge before posting back-to-back wins in the NSW Southern Highlands at the Moss Vale Golf Club Ladies Classic and the Mount Broughton Ladies Classic. Posting a two round total of 11-under par at Moss Vale, and backing that up with a two day score of 10-under at the inaugural Mt Broughton event, Hull impressed sponsors, amateur playing partners and galleries with her quality play.
rn
rnHeading into the next Club Car Series event, with double points on offer at the Bing Lee/Samsung NSW Women’s Open, Hull had established a sizable lead over next best placed, Sarah-Jane Smith who had already posted four Top-5 finishes. A 4th place for Hull added further points and saw her 400 points clear of Smith, along with Adelaide’s Stephanie Na, whose runner-up finish at Oatlands, gave her the maximum points with the winner, Sweden&aposs Caroline Hedwall, ineligible for the Series.
rn
rnWith such a commanding lead, it seemed the following week’s Royal Canberra Classic could see the winner determined despite there being another event to follow. When Hull recorded a 7th place result, ahead of both Smith and Na, she had established an unassailable lead and the remaining six placegetters would be determined following the Lady Anne Funerals Ryde-Parramatta Pro-am in late February.
rn
rnAs it turned out, Na held on to 2nd place ($3,000) and Sarah-Jane Smith took 3rd place ($2,000), and her share of the bonus pool. Sarah Kemp’s win at Ryde Parramatta elevated her to 4th place ($1,500) on the points table, followed by Sarah Oh (whom Kemp beat in a playoff- $1,000) then Kristie Smith (6th – $500) and Rachel Bailey ($500) claimed the final spot which offered a share of the pool.
rn
rn
Hull accepted her Club Car Series Winner Trophy and $6,000 cheque from Kevin Gates – Vice President, Club Car Asia Pacific, and said she had enjoyed all events, and was happy to win her first Club Car Series. “I really am happy to come and play these events and support the ALPG Tour. It is fun, and I like playing the regional courses, there are some great courses and I enjoy playing the Pro-Am format. I think it’s a great concept (the Club Car Series) which attracts some very strong fields for these one and two day events. I’d just like to thank Kevin for his ongoing support of the ALPG Tour, I think this is the fifth Club Car Series, we really do appreciate it.”
rn
rnGates said Club Car is proud to be aligned with the ALPG Tour, saying, “We see the ALPG Tour as a great product and a perfect fit for our brand. The Club Car Series events are played throughout regional and metropolitan areas generating great exposure for us, together with the extensive media coverage the Tour generates. It is fantastic to have Katherine as our winner this year. She is great for the game and her participation in these events adds so much to the profile of the Series.”
rn
rnALPG Tour CEO Warren Sevil said Hull’s Club Car Series win was due reward, commenting, “There’s no doubt Katherine is world class and has proven that, with her positioning in the Top-20 on the Rolex rankings these past two years. What is even more impressive about Katherine is, firstly the fact that she comes out and plays in our smaller regional events, but whilst there she offers more than is expected in terms of the time she spends with sponsors and how much she gives to her amateur playing partners. Every time I snuck out on course to watch some golf, I saw Katherine reading putts and conveying yardages to each of her playing partners. That is rare but that is the kind of person she is. Australian golf is fortunate to have such a wonderful ambassador and role model.”
rn
rn
The final Club Car Series Points Table can be viewed by clicking here.
rn
ABOUT THE CLUB CAR SERIES
rn
rnA Bonus Pool of $15,000 will be distributed among the leading 7 (seven) players following the Lady Anne Funerals Ryde-Parramatta Pro-Am on Thursday 24 February, 2011. The player who, having met the eligibility criteria, has accumulated the most points will be declared the 2010/11 CLUB CAR Series Bonus Pool Winner.
rn
rnTo be eligible for the CLUB CAR Series Bonus Pool, a player must:
rn1.Be a member of Australian Ladies Professional Golf Incorporated (ALPG Tour); and
rn
rn2.Must play a minimum of five (5) of the eight (8) events which have been classified as part of the CLUB CAR Series.
rn
rn