GOLF – TRARALGON PRO-AM – TOM HAYES
THE weather turned in on for the Traralgon Pro-Am, as hundreds of golfers took to the Traralgon Golf Course last week.
Poor weather threatened rain throughout the week, delaying the Junior Pro-Am that ran on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 13 due to thunderstorms, yet it was sunshine for majority of the two-day competition, running from December 14 to 15.
The Junior Pro-Am was scheduled for nine holes each, but the youngsters could only fit in three before they were told to gather at the clubhouse.
A putting competition was held at the clubhouse, with the pros putting with their opposite hand.
The following day, the Pro-Am was underway and after a full day’s play, Queensland’s Gavin Fairfax held a two-stroke lead at six-under 66.
Two-time Traralgon Pro-Am winner and reigning champ, Matt Millar was three strokes behind at three-under 69.
The 11-year pro, Fairfax, found things tricky on the second day of competition, finding it difficult to back up his six-under 66 from the previous day, opening the door for fellow competitors to slide into contention.
On day two, he shot a one-under 71, bringing fellow Queenslander Will Bruyeres into the fray.
Bruyeres shot a three-under 69 on the opening day of play, before posting a four-under 68 on day two, to tie with Fairfax – forcing a playoff.
Bruyeres fell to as much as five strokes behind after the opening hole on day two, after a double bogey on the first hole, but astonishingly stormed up the leaderboard with six birdies after the hiccup.
Both Fairfax and Bruyeres shot to either side of the fairway on the playoff hole, Fairfax going left and Bruyeres going right into the trees.
“I was just hoping that my ball was going to be ok,” Fairfax said on his playoff tee shot.
With both in a sticky situation, it was Fairfax that made the most amends, hitting onto the green before two-putting for the win.
“Had a fair run at the first putt and left and little bit too much meat on it coming back but managed to make the one coming back to seal it up,” Fairfax said.
Amateur from the Metropolitan Golf Club, Jesse Trembath, went above and beyond, sitting at two under par after the first day, shooting one-over on the second day to take out the Pro-Am Classic with a score of 143.
Winners from in-play competitions and other grades can be found on the Traralgon Golf Club’s Facebook page.
Youngsters: Competitors were hopeful but rain disrupted the Traralgon Junior Pro-Am. Photograph: Tom Hayes
Winner: Queensland’s Gavin Fairfax sinks his putt on the 18th hole. Photograph: Tom Hayes
