Date: February 05, 2016
Author: Alex Tigani

Amateurs cruise on the creek

Yesterday’s leading male amateur Curtis Luck continued his impressive Oates Vic Open campaign thanks to a top ten finish this morning.

The 19-year-old finished two strokes under par for the second consecutive dayregister four birdies on the front nine of the creek course.

While his final ranking is subject to change, based on this afternoon’s movements, the West Australian talent looks to emulate the success of previous tournament amateurs such as Ryan Ruffles and Ben Eccles who is currently 5-under par.

Travis Smyth from New South Wales also managed to finish on par for the second straight round and is every chance to make this evening’s tournament cut.

The 20-year-old looked on the rise when capturing three birdies on the front nine; however they would be cancelled out by three bogeys as the wind speed increased later in the morning.

Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Yu-Sang Hou impressed many of her spectators including her sister, and fellow amateur, Yu-Chiang Hou (2016 Sportscover Victorian Junior Masters champion) when she entered the final hole of the creek course.

The 16-year-old Miramar Golf Club member recorded six bogeys and double-bogey on the beach course yesterday to finish six strokes over par.

However all was resurrected this morning when the reigning Tasmania Junior Masters champion carded five birdies on the creek course.

“My performance was much better than yesterday, no doubt,” said Hou.

“My second shots were more satisfying and I also improve on my field putting which was good.”

She added, “Today the wind was not as strong around the field.”

Though the teenager would final concede her first bogey on the final hole; her turnaround was credited to the advice she was given by a few experts.

“Karrie Webb and Su Oh are my heroes, they really are,” said Hou.

“I’ve talked to Su a few times and she has told us to enjoy it so that’s what I did today.”

Unfortunately yesterday’s women’s leader in the amateur category, Kristalle Blum, could not say the same.

The 18-year-old registered eight bogeys and an unfortunate sextuple bogey on the 6th hole of the creek course; whereby she recorded nine strokes on the 121m par-3 challenge.