Report by Bruce Nairn, Golf NSW Selector
The City of Sydney Amateur International 2013 was granted international status by the R&A and attracted a strong field with a number of interstate players. For the first time in recent years the Championship was played over 72 holes. The Moore Park Course was in the best condition I have seen and was a credit to course Superintendent Mal Durkin and his staff. I was only able to watch the final 36 holes, as I had attended the Srixon Junior International at Maitland which concluded on Friday the 4th of October. DAY 1 The first round leader was Alexander McCoy (Royal Queensland). He had an excellent round at 62, which was an equal course record for Moore Park Golf Club. Dale Brandt-Richards (Mona Vale) was next with a five under par 65 followed by Kris Hellier, also from Mona Vale, on 66. Jake Baker (St. Michaels) and Troy Moses (Bonnie Doon) were next on 68. DAY 2 Dale Brandt-Richards added a 68 to his first round 65 for a seven under par total of 133 to lead by one shot to fellow Mona Vale player Kris Hellier 66-68 (134). Alexander McCoy followed his first round 62 with a three over par 73, to a total of 135. The cut was made at 152 and 46 players qualified for the final two rounds. The two rounds on Sunday saw some spectacular play. Local member Paul Buckley, after a very mediocre opening 76-75, shot 67-65 for the day s best total of 132. Jake Baker (St. Michaels) played extremely well for his 65-69 (134) ending on a total of 277. Dale Brandt-Richards was unable to maintain his good form of the first two days and produced scores of 70-71 to finish equal second with Kris Hellier who shot 66-68-71-69 to total 274. The winner Alexander McCoy had 68 and 69 to add to his 135 and was a very deserving winner by two strokes on eight under par to finish on 272.
Zac Mullins (The Australian) shot 69-69-66-71 to total 275 which tied him with Troy Moses to finish equal fourth. Cameron Davis (Roseville), who has been selected in the Australian Team to play the Asia Pacific Tournament, was sixth with scores of 69-68-70-69 to total 276. Thirteen players finished on scores of even par 280 or better. There were 47 sub-par rounds produced during the tournament, a tribute to the excellent condition of the Moore Park Course. The Club had spotters on most of the holes which helped the tournament run very smoothly.
The 2013 Women’s Championship was played over 36 holes for the very first time. There were only 17 competitors which was most disappointing. The Club President Peter Goddard expressed his frustration at the small entry. Celina Yuan (Bankstown) was her usual consistent self with scores of 73-73 (146) to win by three strokes from Jessica Lasky (The Australian) with 76-73 (149). Nicha Jomjaturong (North Ryde) who has been steadily improving was third with scores of 77-73 (150). NSW representative Aliza Huff (Pennant Hills) produced the best round of the championship with a 72 for fourth place on a total of 79-72 (151). To view full results visit: www.mooreparkgolf.com.au or [click here].