It is an exciting time for the organisers and particularly the naming rights sponsors of the Steelscene Mandurah Amateur Open as they open the event for the first time as a World and National ranking event for Women as it has been for Men for over 10 years.
Leading into the event Gary and Jonnine James from Steelscene commented that “we are pleased to support amateur golfers and give every opportunity for those striving to go to the next level to be able to do so. Especially this year with the inaugural women’s field as we are pleased to be a part of driving more women in golf”.
Fresh from her runner up finish at the Bowra & O’Dea event earlier this week, Queensland team representative Hannah Reeves (Brisbane GC) ,continued her form to set the early lead for the Women with a super solid even par 71 that featured 16 pars, one birdie and one bogey. “It was a solid round and you could say a bit boring but I will take that boring for the next two days” Hannah said.
Hannah was only trumped by Caitlin Peirce (Royal Adelaide GC) representing South Australia who was had an equally solid display of golf playing the back nine in one under and stringing 9 straight pars on her second nine to sign for a one under 70. Caitlin said “it was a good ball striking day in the strong winds but missed a couple of putts out there so I hope I can get the putter going tomorrow”.
Other good scores for the Women were one over 72’s for Mount Lawley’s Amanda Gan and Amelia Harris from Yarra Yarra GC in Victoria, with 73’s for local favourite Kathryn Norris and Isabella Leniartek (Mount Lawley).
For the Men it is a three way tie at the top with 2 under totals of 69 for Joondalup’s George Barclay and Victorian duo Jasper Stubbs (Peninsula GC) and Connor McDade (Royal Melbourne GC). George jumped away to a quick start with birdies at his first two holes and he booked ended his round with a solid 2 under second nine but stumbled slightly mid round. Connor and Jasper were both getting on hot streaks at different stages of their rounds with runs of three birdies each but the testing wind conditions around the Mandurah layout saw a few bogeys bring the scores back to the field.
A trio of Queenslanders Caerwyn Ross (Pelican Waters), Quinnton Croker (Royal Queensland) and Sam Slater (Brisbane) are two shots adrift on even par 71 lead with another trio at one over 72 that include Abel Eduard (Kingston Heath, VIC), Jack Buchanan (Glenelg, SA) and Shaun Cameron (Rockingham).
The wind will be down for the second round and together with a touch of rain it should make for more favourable scoring so let’s see how this quality field tackle the tight and testing Mandurah layout.
Note the field will be cut to the top 45 Men and ties and top 20 Women and ties for the final 36 holes on Monday so follow the scores on the GolfWA website (www.golfwa.org.au ) or see the action live on the course at Mandurah Country Club.
