The China Golf Association has been crowned the International Team Challenge Champions after defeating Australia 15 – 9 in the return leg of the series played at the Panshan Golf Club, on the outskirts of Beijing, in the Tianjin Province.
The International Challenge now in its fifth year, adopted a new and unique team's format and Australian team selection process, to take on the top three teams from the 2015 Buick China Golf Club League.
Representing Australia were the top-6 finishers from the 2015 PGA Professionals Championship and six elite amateurs from across Australia selected by their respective state amateur associations based on their performance across 2015.
South Australia’s two team representatives were; Professional Chris Duke and leading Amateur Patric Kroschel from Royal Adelaide Golf Club. Kroschel replaced Jack Williams who played in the first leg on the Gold Coast in December, but turned professional shortly after paving the way for a replacement.
Played over 54 holes with a two man ambrose, 4BBB and singles matchplay format, the Chinese team used their local knowledge to jump to an early lead after the opening ambrose round, only losing one of the six matches of the day.
China extended their lead over the 4BBB second round, leaving the Australians needing to win 9.5 pts from the 12 matches on the final day to retain the International Challenge Cup.
Managing six wins, the Australian Team fell just short to a well deserving Chinese outfit.
The event proved to be a success with the PGA Professionals and Amateurs playing side by side representing Australia in an exciting new format.
> Results
<image="2" align="left" />
Australian Team
PGA Professionals
*Chris Duke (SA)
Matthew Docking (NSW)
Vernon Sexton-Finck (WA)
Robert Kennedy (NSW)
Glen Dick (NSW)
Peter Harrington (Qld)
Amateurs
*Patric Kroschel (SA)
Shea Wools-Cobb (Qld)
Andrew Tharle (ACT)
William Heffernan (Vic)
Greg Longmore (Tas)
Cameron Jones (WA)