MIXING with the big timers at the Australian Open has rubbed off on Victorian Jason Perry, helping him claim the Australian Men’s Mid-Amateur Golf Championships for the second year running.
Perry battled fierce winds on the third and final day of the championship to take the title by two strokes at The National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula.
Perry, who was one stroke behind overnight leaders John Beveridge and Kim Olsen at the start of play, made a solid fist of the challenging conditions to hold off New Zealand’s Kim Johnson who finished second. Victorian Jason Schulz was third.
The final round was played Thursday on the Peter Thompson-designed Ocean Course.
Perry shot rounds of 73, 72 and 74 over the three days of the championship, with competitors playing all three of The National’s courses.
“It’s been a crazy two months since the Australian Open which was a fantastic experience,” Perry said.
“It’s great having my wife and kids here and I’d like to thank my caddy and parents as well.”
As the winner, Perry receives a consecutive exemption into the Australian Open at the New South Wales Golf Club later this year.
Mid Amateur Round 2
STRONG winds are expected to provide a challenging final day for competitors in the Australian Men’s Mid Amateur Golf Championship at the National Golf Club in Victoria.
The second round on Wednesday saw perfect conditions for scoring on the Greg Norman designed Moonah Course, with a number of players in contention to take the title on day three.
Unfortunately, first round leader Kym Olsen (Vic), who shot a second round 76 to accompany his initial 70, is unlikely to compete in the final round because of an injury that flared during play.
Leading overnight were John Beveridge (Vic), who played consistent golf to shoot a one under par round of 71 to be joint leader on even par with Peter Woodward (Vic) who has carded two even par rounds to date.
Kim Johnson (NZ) fired a 2 under par round of 70 around the long Moonah layout to move into tie for third with National GC member Jarrod Schulz.
Also tied for third is defending champion Jason Perry (Vic) who will have the benefit of being in a similar position last year in his come from behind victory.
The final round of the 2009 Australian Men’s Mid Amateur Championship will be played on the Peter Thompson designed Ocean course.
Olsen leads first round
VICTORIAN Kim Olsen leads the Australian Men’s Mid Amateur Golf Championship after posting a two under par 70 at the National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula.
Olsen leads fellow National GC member Jarrod Schulz and Peter Woodward (Vic).
The Mid Amateur title, being held for the third time, is for men aged between 30 and 54.The winner gains a full exemption to the Australian Open.
Defending champion Jason Perry (Vic), who recently returned from Royal Sydney where he played alongside his idols in the 2008 Australian Open, played steady golf to finish tied fourth, three shots behind the leader in a group of four other players.
The championship began Tuesday morning with the title for the first time being contested in a unique format across all three courses at the National.
The day’s play commenced with moderate hot northerly winds making conditions for scoring on the Old Course very challenging.
Players faced changing conditions mid way through the day, with the wind switching to the south. Players were challenged with a moderate southerly breeze during the afternoon.
Competitors will now face the Greg Norman designed Moonah course for Round 2.
This year’s champion will gain a full exemption to the 2009 Men’s Australian Open at New South Wales Golf Club.
