WEST Australian Brody Martin and Sydneysider Scott Arnold finished joint winners of a rain-marred Morisset Golf Pro-Am at the weekend.
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Martin shot rounds of 69 and 68 to match Arnold’s 67 and 70 for 7-under totals of 137 in testing conditions.
Each pocketed $3720 for the win.
Alex Edge was third, one stroke back, with a two-round total of 138. He collected a cheque for $1696.
It was a big weekend for Arnold, the former world No 1 amateur in 2009, and winner of the Victorian Open in 2012.
On Sunday, Arnold also won the professional’s shoot out (nearest the pin) after hitting his ball to 41cm from the hole on the 18th.
Morisset Golf and Country Club head professional David Stretton said the weather necessitated some changes and rescheduling, but ultimately the professionals were able to complete their two rounds.
“All in all, we were lucky, and it was a really good event,” Stretton said.
About $10,000 was raised on the Friday for the family of former golfer Jarrod Lyle who passed away in August.
Rain on Friday enabled only seven holes to be played in the sponsors’ event, Stretton said.
The players retired to the clubhouse where they enjoyed four or five hours of socialising, he said.
“Matt Millar got up and interviewed a few of the players, which was really good,” Stretton said.
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“He interviewed Nathan Green, James Nitties and Peter O’Malley and then Gavin Kirkman, the CEO of the PGA of Australia, so that was a nice little sideline.”
On Saturday, the decision was made to allow only the professionals onto the course.
Play was washed out in the morning session, but a break in the weather allowed the professionals to play in the afternoon.
“With all of the professionals who were drawn to play in the morning, we couldn’t fit them into the afternoon session with the amateurs,” Stretton said.
“So the pros played in groups of three, and they all got around on the Saturday.”
The course was wet, however, and playing conditions were modified to permit preferred lies through the green, Stretton said.
Club members went out onto the course, as spectators, and followed their favourite players around.
On Sunday, sponsors were readmitted to playing alongside the professionals.
Stretton said conditions were challenging on Sunday.
“It was blowing a gale and we had rain on and off, not heavy, just nuisance rain,” he said.
Stretton said he was “saying a few prayers” at various times over the weekend during some anxious moments when rain threatened to prevent the professionals from completing their rounds.
“But in the end, everyone walked away with a smile on their face, so happy days,” he said.
The presentation was a success, and the event’s major sponsor, Affordable Wardrobes, were very happy, Stretton said.