Dylan Parish of Capricorn Resort will head south for the 2018 Isuzu Queensland Open in November after securing the first regional qualifier spot at the City of Rockhampton Open played on the weekend.
Parish set the pace early Sunday morning with a 5-under 67 after an opening 72, and was able to fend off a defiant Ricky Gunzler who led after day one with an opening 69.
The 28-year-old ventured home to wait for final scores, hoping to hold off a challenging Gunzler or at least make a playoff.
Gunzler recorded a crop of birdies and headed to the 18th tee (163m par-3) at 6-under the card, with a one-shot advantage. An unfortunate double bogey plagued Gunzler leaving Parish the victor, earning him an amateur exemption into the 2018 Isuzu Queensland Open.
“I had a good feel for the speed of the greens today, that’s where it lacked yesterday which led to a few three-putts,” Parish said after his round.
“Today I was really dialled in and even left three or four birdies out there which was pretty scary.”
Parish recently returned to the region after three years in Melbourne honing his game in an attempt to turn professional, a feat he narrowly missed after a playoff loss at the 2017 Australasian PGA Tour School.
“I was unfortunate to miss out in a four-way playoff at Noosa. I’ve been in playoffs in the first two local Open’s up here and lost both of them but If you come second all year you’re still playing good golf.”
It is this experience that enamours Parish with the belief he can contend when he sets foot on the 1st tee of The Brisbane Golf Club in November.
“It’s what I want to do. I’m not getting any younger and I want to take full advantage of the opportunities that come along. I can’t wait to get down to Brisbane!”
The City of Rockhampton Open is the first of three regional qualifiers with two more exemptions on offer at the Golf North Queensland Open to be contested at Mackay Golf Club from 16 – 17 June, and the Far North Queensland Open at Gordonvale Golf Club from 7 – 8 July.
Each of the regional qualifiers are open events and offer a great opportunity for golfers from all over Australia to take a trip with mates and attempt to qualify for Queensland’s state open.
The 2018 Isuzu Queensland Open will be played at The Brisbane Golf Club from 1 – 4 November.