Following the grouping of young Victorian Amateur Todd Sinnott, Australian golf veteran Bradley Hughes and 2007 Champion Kim Felton, Golf Victoria contributor Simone McInnes reports on a tough day one at the 2014 Oates Vic Open.
Unfavourable conditions kept scores high on the first day of the Oates Victorian Open at Thirteenth Beach Golf Links. With the current leader Aaron Townsend sitting at three under par, winds in excess 40 km per hour made scoring a hard task.
Despite the weather a number of previous winners teed up to battle it out for the prestigious title. 2007 champion Kim Felton spoke of the testing conditions.
“Compared to normal, the playing conditions were massively difficult – up to four and five clubs difference at times,” says Felton.
“Obviously it was a totally different course [Woodlands G.C. 2007] but it’s always nice to come back to a tournament that you’ve won before and they announce it on the tee. It’s probably too long ago to draw from it but it’s on the resume and you know they won’t take it off.”
Playing alongside Hughes and Sinnott, Felton started the day off solidly with a birdie on the first and consistent putting saw him finish two over and in 40th position on the overall leaderboard.
“It was tough but I kind of don’t mind it. You know that it’s going to be difficult at the start of the day so you keep your head on a bit more compared to when it’s not as hard – you hit a couple of bad shots but you know everyone’s doing it so it makes it easier in a way.”
Felton said that the rejuvenated format is a welcome addition to the tournament.
“I think it’s [new format] good. I think whatever it takes. Whatever they want to do is great. It’s not as easy to get sponsorship money these days and having the women here brings a far bigger audience.”
Felton is hoping for better weather tomorrow when he tees it up at 7:40am on the Beach Course.
“I will go home tonight, have some dinner and hang out – and just forget about it really. Hopefully it’s not the same tomorrow and if it is, at least we have some idea from today about what it’s going to be like and if not, it’s a new day and a totally different course,” said Felton.
By: Simone McInnes (Golf Victoria Media)