Tom Bond in action during the 2012 Golf SA Amateur Classic When Tom Bond finished the 2011 amateur season as joint winner of the SA Vardon Trophy with a stroke average of 69.81 from 29 rounds, it was evident he was nearly ready to test his game at the next level. However, Bond remained amateur throughout 2012 and was dually rewarded with State Captaincy. The four times state player, completed the 2012 season consistently, averaging 70.12 strokes from 28 rounds, confirming in Bond s mind, now was the time to progress from an Amateur to full time golfer. 2013 has been Bond s inaugural season as a professional golfer. The biggest difference in pro ranks is the depth. At a big Amateur event there are generally 5 or 6 who can win, at pro level there s 70 or so who are capable of having a big week and winning . Bond said. Also trying to adjust to living out of a suitcase and the money spent on flights and accommodation is a challenge . Bond added. Bond s best result to date has been a 9th place finish in the Queensland PGA Championship in February, carding rounds of 65-67-62-67 (11-under). I had a good week I guess, that s definitely my best result so far . Bond said. Open week couldn’t come soon enough for Bond who has tried to qualify for the national championship a few times . I can t wait for the Australian Open. This is the one tournament I ve been looking forward to since I got my full card in January. I used to watch it on TV as a kid and have always dreamt of playing. It’s been a long year, a long wait and it s finally here. I feel I m on the verge of playing good golf, my scores aren t reflecting how I m feeling, I m just not making as many birdies as I normally do, but I feel I can turn it around this week. Bond said Bond has missed the cut in his last three events, the PGA Championship, Australian Masters and NSW Open but believes he is playing well enough to make it to the weekend. I made a couple of soft mistakes and didn t take any birdie chances in those events. I ve never played Royal Sydney before so I m really looking forward to seeing the course. Bond rates Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson as his current favourite players. It’s great to see Adam playing and supporting our summer of events and Australian golf in general, he’s been doing amazingly well. “I stayed with Nathan Holman during the NSW Open, Nathan was drawn with Adam in the third round of the Masters, so speaking with Nathan I ve got some pretty good insights into what it s like out there in the leading group. Bond said. Currently ranked 63 on the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, a strong showing at the Open should see Bond gain full status on the Australian Tour and entry to a few events in OneAsia in 2014. I would really like to finish top 20 this week and top 60 on the order of merit, that s my aim. Bond has been working with coach Gareth Jones for the past few years and will be working on his game right until Thursday s tee off. It’s been a long process, but I ve been working on trying to get my takeaway right, it s all slowly coming together, which is nice. Bond added. Also supporting Bond in Sydney is first time caddy and good mate Justin Crowder. A decent player himself, Crowder is also a physio and will act in the dual role of caddy/trainer for Bond this week. Hailing from the biggest club in South Australia, The Grange, there is no doubt that its 1,500 plus members will be right behind Bond this week as he fulfils his dream, competing in the Australian Open. For all news including live scoring throughout The Emirates Australian Open click here – for the Official website
Author: Christian Puccini / Golf SA