Who will book a place in the 2018 NSW Open at Twin Creeks or the 2019 Women’s NSW Open at Queanbeyan?
This weekend is shaping up as the ideal chance for two men and one woman to seal their spot in their respective NSW Open Championships.
A field of over 125 men will tee it up on Saturday in this year's third regional qualifier in the Camden Cup on the historic Studley Park course with a place in the 2018 NSW Open at Twin creeks on offer for the winner.
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Last year’s winner Jason Webb of Macquarie Links is back to defend, while 2016 qualifier John Lyras of St. Michael’s Golf Club is also making the trip out.
Other names taking part include Justin Warren and Isaac Noh of the Australian Golf Club, who are both just back from college in the United States.
NSW Junior teammates Corey Lamb and Thomas Heaton are also in the field vying for the victory and should be in good form. Lamb went through the recent Boys Interstate Series undefeated, while Heaton, who had a hole-in-one in last years NSW Open, has just picked up his second straight club championship at Wollongong Golf Club.
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For the over 30’s there is another guaranteed place in the 2018 NSW Open for men and the 2019 Women’s NSW Open at Queanbeyan GC on offer for the winners of the NSW Mid-Amateur Golf Championships which get underway at Bathurst Golf Club on Sunday.
Over 150 competitors from across NSW, Queensland and Victoria are descending on the famous central-west course for the 54-hole championship.
Defending champions Mark Boulton of Phillip Island, Victoria and Jan Crichton of Killara Golf Club (women) will face stiff opposition from perhaps the strongest field ever assembled in the tournament’s history, with no less than 20 competitors on handicaps of scratch or better.
The men’s field boasts three former champions including the two-time winner, Andrew Tharle of Royal Canberra, and 2016 Champion, Logan Toms of Woolgoolga.
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Other chances include Danny Nesbitt of Shellharbour, Gavin Fitzgerald of Moruya, Nicholas Crews of The Australian GC, and local hope, the 2017 Bathurst Open Champion, Mark Hale from Mudgee Golf Club.
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In the Women’s division, Gungahlin Lakes (ACT) golfer Adele Douglas is the lowest handicapper at +1 and should be hard to beat. Back-to-back champion Crichton will be keen to make it three in a row, while four-time champion Gemma Dooley of NSW GC could figure prominently in the final round.