FORMER Scottish Open champion and PGA life member Peter O’Malley has been named the new patron of Nomads Golf Australia.
O’Malley takes over the role from golf legend Jack Newton who sadly passed away in April this year.
Speaking recently from Thurgoona Golf and Country Club where he played in the NSW Senior Open Championship, O’Malley said he was honoured to follow both Newton and Nomads Golf Australia’s inaugural patron Peter Thompson.
“They are both great men, so I hope I can do as good a job,’’ O’Malley said.
“I never played golf with Peter, but I did find that he was always a great person to have a chat with about golf.
“I had a lot to do with Jack. He was a great ambassador for golf, especially junior golf.’’
Each year O’Malley hosts a Junior Masters’ tournament in Bathurst – his home town – under the umbrella of the Jack Newton Junior Golf.
“I grew up in Bathurst and became a greenkeeper at the local club before turning professional,’’ he said.
“I do anything I can to help promote golf and I’m really happy to be involved with Nomads and help out in any way I can.’’
O’Malley, 57, turned professional in 1987. He has won five times on the PGA Tour of Australasia and three times on the European Tour.
His career defining win came in 1992 at the Bells Scottish Open at Gleneagles on the Kings Course when he beat Colin Montgomerie by two shots.
It still ranks as one of the greatest victories by any player at the Scottish Open. Some describe it as the greatest finish ever in professional golf.
O’Malley played the final five holes seven-under-par. That’s right, seven-under-par. He finished eagle, birdie, birdie, birdie, eagle to finish in front of Montgomerie and US Masters winners Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Bernhard Langer.
O’Malley plans to play as much golf as possible with Nomads members during his time as patron.
“From next year, when my tournament schedule eases up, I plan to get out and meet as many Nomads as possible,’’ he said.
“And if any of you happen to be at a tournament I’m playing, please come over and say hello. I love a chat.’’
From 2023, all five Nomads Golf Australia clubs will compete for the Peter O’Malley Knockout competition as part of their regular golf season.
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