Another week, another great amateur golf tale emerges.
Gold Coaster Becky Kay qualified for the Australian Ladies Masters this week, winning qualifying at host club Royal Pines on Monday.
Kay, 16, will make her second appearance in the Masters – her only professional events to date – after firing a two-under-par round to lead home 70 aspirants to compete in the co-sanctioned ALPG and LET event.
It’s another important step in the Coolangatta-Tweed Golf Club youngster’s progression – of which there have been many this summer.
“I didn’t think I’d get through, so I was really excited to get another chance to play in the Masters,” Kay said.
“But I’ve been playing well for a while … and it’s great to get reward for all the hard work I’m putting in on my game.”
Kay, playing primarily at No.3, was a key member of Australia’s winning Astor Trophy team at The Grange in Adelaide in mid-January, winning 4.5 of seven possible points as the hosts regained the Commonwealth teams trophy.
That followed on from her outstanding second place behind Golf Australia national squad member Shelly Shin in the Lake Macquarie Amateur.
“I was really happy with the way I played there – that’s probably my best result so far,” Kay said.
“(Then) to be involved with the (Australian) team in Adelaide was fantastic. We had a great team bond and … it was good to know my game stacked up against the girls from the other countries.”
Kay’s progress was further evidenced when she reached the semi-finals of the Australian Amateur Championship at The Australian when she was narrowly beaten 3-&-2 by eventual champion Shin.
Queensland Academy of Sport head coach Tony Meyer said Kay had developed nicely in the past two years, particularly her physical training.
“She’s always been a good golfer, but she’s beginning to get stronger through her work at the QAS and you can see how her game has come along with it,” Meyer said.
“If she continues to work hard in all areas of her personal development, Becky could become a really good amateur and hopefully have a good professional career.”
Kay herself is keeping her goals on the realistic side, despite the increased expectations of many who’ve seen her take such huge strides.
“I just want to make the cut this week – if I can do that, I’ll be happy,” she said.