2012 Australian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships to kick off from Jan 17-22
More than 50 amateur players from all over the world are coming to Melbourne this week to compete against the best Australians in the 2012 Australian Men’s and Women’s Amateur Championships.
The event will be played from January 17 to 22. The first two rounds will involve 36 holes. Players who manage to make the cut, will make it to the knock-out phase.
The new format of the game, presented this year, shows that 64 men and 32 women will clear for the rest of the tournament after the second round finishes.
All of the players will then compete against each other in the elimination matches till the end of the tournament, at the Melbourne’s sаndbelt at Woodlands and Huntingdаle Golf Clubs.
In the women’s event, the world’s number 1, Lydia Ko from New Zealand, Victorian Amateur winner, Charlotte Thomas from Singapore, and World’s Number 3, Cecilia Cho, are the favourites for the win this year.
All these players had great seasons in 2011, recording several wins in different tournaments they played.
The 2011 women’s champion, Ashlee Dewhurst, will also be back to defend her title.
On the other hand, Ben Campbell from New Zealand is aiming to win the event this year after two runner-up positions in 2010 and 2011.
She said prior to the tournament that she was tired of placing herself on the runner-up position and wanted to win this time.
The men’s field is more attractive, as it features prominent faces in golf. The 2011 Australian Stroke Play and Junior Champion, Cameron Smith, and Jake Higginbottom have confirmed to participate in the event.
Higginbottom, who capped off a successful 2011 season, looks ready to make his rivals feel his presence in the Australian Men’s Amateur Championship.
Matt Stieger from New South Wales will be defending his title in the men’s event. The event will also be featuring 13-year-old Ryan Ruffels from Victoria Golf Club, the youngest among all the participants.
Moreover, the oldest on the field will be 49-year-old Russell O’Cаllgаhan from Mount Lаwley Golf Club in WA.
Both the men’s and women’s events will be interesting to watch as several top rated players are coming to Australia to participate in the Championship.
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