Course record falls in Ballina pro-am
A round of six-under par 66 gave Queensland professional golfer Darren Kapusi victory in the $10,000 Ramada Ballina Pro Am at Ballina Golf Club last Saturday.
The score also gave Kapusi the Ballina course record, beating amateur player Phil Blake’s round of 67 during the NRDGA Classic in August.
Ballina club pro Trevor Russell said Kapusi, 28, was in only his second year on the professional circuit.
“He’s a bit of a late bloomer,” Russell said.
Another Queenslander, Peter Martin, finished a shot back in second place.
Four professionals shot rounds of 68 to tie for third.
Tournament drawcard Rodger Davis finished equal ninth after recording a two-under par 70.
The event was played in perfect conditions.
“The conditions were A1,” Russell said.
“The players were too good not to score well when the conditions were this good.
“All the pros said the greens were as good as they’d played on this year.
“The weather conditions perfect also. There was hardly any wind.”
Indicative of the high-scoring nature of the pro-am was former leading pro Ossie Moore. He shot a round of five-over 77, but could only manage to finish in 50th place.
In the amateur event, a single stableford was played.
The men’s winner was Doug Norrie, who finished with 41 points. In the ladies’ section, Carol Hocking returned 37 points to win.
This year’s pro-am marked a resumption of the event after a break of a couple of years.
Ballina Golf Club now is gearing up to celebrate its centenary next year. A week of golf and social activities are being planned, and a commemorative booklet also will be published.
