Date: March 14, 2007
Author: Alistair Hogg

Stewart claims Riversdale Cup

By Alistair Hogg Reigning Australian Amateur Champion Tim Stewart has taken out the 2007 Riversdale Cup by one stroke from National Squad team mate Andrew Dodt. Despite shooting a final round 75, Stewart made clutch birdies on the last two holes to edge himself past Dodt and take the championship by the barest of margins. Blustery conditions made it tough for competitors, but Dodt was determined to give it his all in a bid to wrest the title from Stewart. The Queenslander shot a superb four-under 68 to finish on eight-under as he watched the remaining competitors finish their rounds. Stewart faltered with a bogey at the fifteenth before regrouping to make a critical two metre putt to birdie the par three seventeenth leaving the pair deadlocked at the top of the leader board. It was on the eighteenth tee that Stewart learned of the fact that he and Dodt were tied for the lead. The 22-year old, who had been driving well all week decided to &aposgive it a go&apos but his tee shot clipped a pine tree about 50 metres short of the green. Not letting it faze him, Stewart chipped on to within three metres of the pin and drained a tense putt to hand the amateur the 2007 Riversdale Cup. His win also ensured that he and team mate Richie Gallichan would take the International Team Championship by five strokes from West Australian duo Rick Kulacz and Michael Foster. Stewart led for the majority of the tournament but said his final round was played under “extreme pressure.” Dodt&aposs blistering round included consecutive birdies on seven and eight and also on 12 and 13 but it was not enough to reel in the rampant Stewart. “Today was the best I&aposve played all week,” a humble Dodt said. “A number of putts just missed the cup, so I could have had anything for the round.” As it turned out, the Queenslander shot a 68 – one stroke shy of the day&aposs best round. But had his penultimate putt dropped instead of lipping out, Dodt would have not only tied the day&aposs best round, set by Matt Jager, but also forced Stewart to a play-off. But alas, it wasn&apost to be as Stewart stormed home to collect the 2007 Riversdale Cup which will be a massive confidence boost before he heads up to Sydney next week to defend his national amateur crown. Final score board after the final round of the Riversdale Cup (par 72): 279: Tim Stewart (NSW) 70 66 68 75 280: Andrew Dodt (QLD) 67 69 76 68 282: Rohan Blizard (NSW) 69 71 72 70, Matthew Griffin 71 69 74 68 283: Michael Foster (WA) 68 70 71 74, Matt Jager (WA) 71 74 71 67, Rick Kulacz (WA) 73 71 69 70, Ray Beaufils (SA) 71 70 72 70, Boyd Watts 72 70 67 74 Click here for a full score board Click here for an alphabetical score board