Nothing could separate Team Australia and Team China following 36 holes in the International Champions Tour, played at the prestigious Agile Mickleson International Golf Club on the outskirts of Shanghai, China.
Travelling to China, representing Australia were the 2013 Holden Scramble Championship Final Champions who were joined by a further seven PGA Professionals from across the country teeing it up against the top three teams from China’s respective China Golf Club League.
After failing to record a victory in the event’s three-year history, Australia came agonisingly close at Pelican Waters Golf Club, losing by six stableford points when the PGA hosted the first round back in March, and were determined to turn the tables on foreign soil.
The format for the competition was a modified stableford, much like the PGA Tour’s Reno-Tahoe Open, whereby there was even greater risk-reward for players either playing aggressively or conservatively on each hole with the minus points deducted from scorecard if a hole is wiped.
The Australians started strongly in the 4BBB combining well in the opening round to hold an early six-point lead heading into the final single stableford round.
With the best 10 out of the 12 scores in the single stableford final round counting towards the overall team’s total, the event came down to the final group to determine the champions. A victory, however, did not eventuate with the final scorecards resulting in a drawn competition after both teams finished on a combined total of 306 points each.
“Although the Australian team did not win, all 12 players felt like champions having made it to this competition and celebrated with the Chinese team following the event,” said Michael Chard, National Events Manager, for the PGA of Australia
“This event is a fantastic way for the PGA to continue to strengthen the existing relationship with the China Golf Association and provides great playing opportunities for amateurs and PGA Professionals involved in the Holden Scramble and as a result we are committed to working with the CGA to ensure its continued success.”
The Australians’ overall adventure will be something they will remember for a lifetime, experiencing a world-class golf course including caddies which something that the amateur players in particular could only dream of.
Adding to the overall experience the Australians sampled local cuisines, and learnt a word sure to be remembered by all: ‘Gaan bay‘; which is ‘cheers’ in Chinese. It could be heard throughout the room at official functions shots of rice wine were consumed.
The PGA is now on the hunt for the 2015 Australian team, which will be determined when the final putt is sunk at the 2014 Holden Scramble Championship Final.
For more information on the Holden Scramble, contact the PGA events division on 03 8320 1999.
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