Tuesday 5 February
18-year-old Victorian Ben Eccles has held on to win the 2013 New South Wales Amateur Championship after defeating Bonnie Doon’s Troy Moses 2/1 in the final today at Royal Sydney GC.
In a hotly contested 36-hole final Eccles jumped out to an early lead, at one stage leading 3up, before Moses mounted a challenge reducing the lead to just one through 27 holes. Both players showed their class and displayed a maturity beyond their years coming down the stretch, in the end the early lead proved decisive as Eccles triumphed 2/1 on the 35th hole. The win topped an excellent few days for Eccles as he defeated the 2012 NSW Amateur Champion, Brett Drewitt and Canadian David Rose on his way to the final after qualifying in 11th place following the stroke rounds.
Despite the loss Moses will take a lot of confidence out of the event having finished the stroke rounds in 16th and defeating several representative players to make the final. At just 20 years of age he is sure to have a bright future in the game.
Eccles victory in the Amateur came after is fellow statesman Thomas Horan won the NSW Medal ensuring that not only both pieces of silverware, but also bragging rights, reside in Victoria for the moment.
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Monday 4 February
Bonnie Doon's Troy Moses will play Victoria's Ben Eccles in tomorrow's NSW Amateur Final, over 36 holes.
Moses won a thrilling semi-final against Stonecutters Ridge member Adam Downton. Moses took an early lead, being 3 up after 3 holes, and still 3 up after 12 holes. A great birdie three at the last pushed the semi-final into extra holes, but a birdie at the first extra hole saw Moses win the match and be the first player into the final.
In the second semi-final, Victoria's Ben Eccles held a narrow lead all the way through the match against Canadian David Rose. The result was sealed at the last with a tap in birdie.
Quarter and Semi Finals are being played today in the 2013 Men's NSW Amateur Championship at The Royal Sydney Golf Club.
Semi Finals – Progress Scores:
Troy Moses def Adam Downton at 19th
David Rose lost to Ben Eccles 2 up
Completed Quarter Finals Matches:
Adam Downton def Garrick Porteous 5/4
Troy Moses def Ruben Sondjaja 3/1
Ben Eccles def Brett Drewitt 4/2
David Rose def Neil Raymond 1up
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Sunday 3 February
The top 32 place getters in the NSW Medal, played earlier this week, took to The Royal Sydney Golf Club today for the 2013 Men's NSW Amateur Championship.
The morning round of 32 kicked off at 7.00am, with some surprising results. In a big upset the number one seed Thomas Horan (VIC) was beaten by number 32 seed Luke Humphries (NSW) 2/1. Further upsets were number 24 Cameron Davis (NSW) defeating number nine seed Taylor McDonald (QLD) 1up, and number 30 Steven Vail (NSW) accounting for number three Jordan Zunic (NSW) 1up. Englishmen Neil Raymond and Nathan Kimsey had strong victories, while Canadian David Rose also won convincingly. The interstate competitors to progress through were Queensland’s Jake McLeod and Aaron Wilkin, and Victoria’s Ben Eccles who won his match on the 19th.
The afternoon round of 16 saw some great matches. Troy Moses (NSW) knocked off Luke Humphries (NSW) in the first match, 3/2. Ruben Sondjaja (NSW) continued his good form, beating Cameron Davis (NSW) 2/1. Last year’s runner-up Michael Lambert (NSW) went down to Englishman Garrick Porteous 2/1. Adam Downton (NSW) accounted for Jake McLeod (QLD) 2/1. In the battle of the internationals it was Canadian David Rose who came out on top, winning his match against Englishman Nathan Kimsey 1up. Fellow countryman Neil Raymond (ENG) won his match against Queenslander Aaron Wilkin 1up. 2012 Amateur Champion Brett Drewitt (NSW) continued his run for back to back titles, defeating Steven Vail (NSW) 2/1. The final match of the day went down the 19th, Ben Eccles (VIC) eventually taking the match from Daniel Gale (NSW).
The Quarter Finals (round of 8) will take place tomorrow morning, followed by the Semi-Finals in the afternoon.
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For further information, please contact Christy Collier on:
Phone: + 61 2 9505 9105
E-mail: christy.collier@golfnsw.org