A primary school boy, a former prominent tennis player, an unsuspecting golfing mum nominated by her husband and a golf history enthusiast who plays with hickory-shafted clubs.
That is the eclectic mix of golfers who emerged from a field of nearly 150 in the Golf Australia Play 9 event on Sunday to win luxury trips to the Emirates Australian Open in Sydney next month.
The event was open to any member of a Queensland golf club with a GA handicap and players could nominate which nine holes they preferred to play at The Brisbane Golf Club.
Campbell Kerr, a 12-year old student at Marshall Road State School, carded a superb 24-stableford points to be the leading male on the front nine.
Playing off a 13-handicap, Campbell played immaculate golf on his home course.
“I holed a lot of putts and struck the ball cleanly,’’ he said. “There was not a lot of run on the course, but the greens were quite fast.
“I’d like to be a golf pro but don’t really have one favourite player. I like a mixture of them because there are so many great golfers … but I’d like to have Adam Scott’s swing and Jordan Speith’s short game.’’
Campbell joined The Brisbane Golf Club two and a half years ago and plays most Saturdays and Sundays.
He will represent Queensland primary schools in the national championship in Adelaide later this year.
Another Brisbane member, Alan Grieve, had 22-points on the back nine to win on a countback from Lachlan Cook.
Grieve, an eight-marker, plays all his golf with hickory-shafted clubs and is an avid historian of the game.
“The course was excellent today and will be in top condition for the Isuzu Queensland Open this week,’’ he said.
Leading lady on the back nine was TBGC stalwart Robyn Elphinstone who was a prominent tennis player in her youth. A sister of Fay Toyne, a doubles finalist at the 1966 French Championship, Robyn was a good player during her teenage years in the era of Evonne Goolagong.
As a golfer she was a long time single-figure marker and is a former Ladies Captain. She will also be working as a volunteer this week at the Isuzu Queensland Open.
Playing off 15 on Sunday, Robyn scored 17-points to win her section of the event.
Most surprised of the winners was Kellie Drew who also notched 17-points to be leading lady on the front nine.
“It’s very exciting,’’ she said. “I only played because my husband (Steve) booked me in. Now we’re off to Sydney for the Australian Open… it is a big thrill.’’
Kellie started playing golf when she joined the Yeerongpilly course five years ago and usually only plays mid-week.
“I’m normally kept busy with the kids on weekends,’’ she said.
The winners receive air fares and accommodation for two days in Sydney and will play nine holes at the Emirates Australian Open as guests of Golf Australia.
They will also receive tickets to the Open on Saturday and Sunday and invitations to a number of associated social functions.
Pre-qualifying for the Isuzu Queensland Open will be conducted on Monday at Carbrook and Wynnum Golf Clubs. A total of 167 players will vie for 39 positions.
Two state female representatives, Cassie Porter and Rhianna Lewis, will attempt to pre-qualify at Wynnum.
The Isuzu Queensland Open will be played from 26-29 October 2017 at The Brisbane Golf Club. The Championship is a part of an action-packed Australian summer of golf and forms part of the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia. For more information visit www.qldopen.com.au.
Winners
Front 9 Male: Campbell Kerr 24 points
Front 9 Female: Kellie Drew 17 points
Back 9 Male: Alan Grieve 22 points
Back 9 Female: Robyn Elphinstone 17 points