Congratulations to Kathryn Norris (MCC) and Quinton Crocker (QLD) Winners of The Steelscene Mandurah Amateur Open 2022
Over the past three days the MCC hosted the 28th Mandurah Amateur Open with talented players from all around Australia including WA and several MCC members. A big thanks to tournament sponsors Gary and Jonnine James from Steelscene, long-term supporters of the club and this event. Tournaments such as this are so crucial to the development of future champions providing invaluable experience and a great sense of camaraderie amongst the players. Their sponsorship provides opportunity for young aspiring golfers, and I know both Gary and Jonnine support this tournament for purely altruistic reasons.
A 72-hole tournament of this calibre requires a lot of planning and dedicated people to make it happen. Accordingly, on behalf of the MCC, I’d like to thank and congratulate all who gave their assistance, in particular:
- Members for allowing the hosting of the event which is renowned throughout Australia for being one of the best Amateur Golf events. This is an important demonstration that we are a strong golfing club keen to promote opportunities for young women and men.
- Life member Graeme Parsons as Tournament Chair ably assisted by long-term valued member Jim Mahoney.
- Club Captain John Benbow (in addition to his tireless efforts also took on the additional responsibility of guarding competitors golf bags from our larcenous MCC ‘crows’ – you need to ask John).
- All course volunteers.
- A special thanks to Roz and Peter Sutton, Des Brown and Grant Shortland-Jones who generously billeted players from around the country and looked after them over the past few days. Many of the players are quite young and it must be very comforting for their families to know they are being well cared for.
- Golf Manager Barry Price for his unflagging efforts.
- The Mandurah Sebel Hotel for their assistance with accommodation.
- Golf WA for their collective work to host the event.
I’d like to make special mention of MCC General Manager Grant Shortland-Jones. When talking with players, families, and officials over the past few days his name was constantly mentioned in relation to his professionalism, enthusiasm and generous spirit that made such a positive difference to this event. In addition to a myriad of managerial responsibilities, he took on so much more and is a terrific ambassador for our club.
Our course was in great condition so well done to Neil and his team who once again had to deal with inclement weather. The comments from players were so complimentary and when you consider these are some of the best players from renowned golf clubs throughout Australia, their comments are high praise indeed – including:
- The Course condition is excellent, and the Greens are some of the best they have putted on.
- It is so tough with narrow fairways but still fair.
- Brutal, the course doesn’t give you one easy shot and if you miss one you get punished.
- Does not look tough but it gets you.
In a field of over 100 with over 50% on a scratch handicap or better, only 3 players managed to complete the 72-hole tournament under par (I bet that makes quite a few members feel somewhat better about their own game).
We are very proud that this was also the inaugural women’s event to be held in conjunction with the men. This format is so interesting to watch as the styles and approach of the respective players are so different and without intending to upset my male colleagues, I thought the women adapted their game far better to the challenging weather conditions on the first day of competition. This type of tournament will continue to flourish and be the impetus for future positive change.
To win a 72-hole tournament of this calibre requires far more than skill and ability. Over the past three days I saw many players who could hit the ball out of sight (literally) and then follow up with a deft touch to get up and down out of a difficult bunker. We witnessed so many great shots and importantly, so many promising talents who enjoyed each other’s company and conducted themselves admirably.
That brings me to the winners – so pleasing that our own Kathryn Norris won the inaugural women’s competition by 2 strokes after shooting 282 (-2 under) over the 72-holes. With my wife Karen, I followed Kathryn over the 3 days, and it goes without saying that her golfing ability is unquestionable but what stood out for me means far more than ability. She remained unflappable under pressure, always professional in her demeanour with a steely determination to succeed and not ‘let down’ her family, supporters and the MCC. A terrific and well-deserved win considering Kathryn gave her practice days to work in the pro-shop during staff shortages.
On the men’s side Quinton Crocker from Queensland (who also won the team’s event) won with a 5 under par 279. A talented personable young man who has a great temperament (and game) and a deserving winner amongst a gifted field. I spoke with his parents several times over the three days, and they thoroughly enjoyed their time in WA supporting their son and were very complimentary of our club (but not the weather). Our own Ben Sheehan was the best of the MCC men with a credible 12th position and will be ruing a few critical misses that could have put him in contention.
In closing, a long and arduous 72-hole event culminating with 36 holes on the Monday with players starting early in the morning and not finishing until late afternoon. A great opportunity to showcase our club to many of the best up and coming golfers in the country and a great opportunity to demonstrate the excellent planning and coordination skills of those involved – well done to everyone.
Kind Regards
Ian Johnson, President
For more all results click on the Golf WA link below:
