Holding Cort at Futures

2011 PGA National Futures Champion - Matthew Cort

Reigning British PGA Trainee champion, Matthew Cort secured a two shot victory today at the 2011 PGA National Futures Championship. Cort played a simple and methodical game around the ClubCatalina Country Club layout to finish the championship with a ten-under par total following a final round of sixty-nine.

In challenging final-round conditions that included rain, hail, shine and wind, Cort won by two shots over Victorian trainee Quinton Howe. Howe, who held the overnight lead with pre-tournament favorite Paul Hayden and New Zealand Trainee Champion, Sean Riordan, could only manage an even-par round of seventy-two to finish the tournament at eight-under overall.

The final round lead fluctuated between Riordan, Howe, Hayden and Cort numerous times over the championship back-nine, but Cort held his nerve as the others stumbled with bogeys on the tight fairways of the ClubCatalina Country Club layout. Hayden and Riordan both had what might be considered disappointing final-round scores of one-over seventy-three to finish three shots back of the winner, but both played some great golf throughout the week to put themselves in contention. Cort's final round was great tee-to-green golf, securing three birdies and remaining bogey-free.

Other highlights of the week included South Australian trainee, John Corbett's hole-in-one on the seventh hole and the setting of a new course record on the remodelled ClubCatalina Country Club layout. Howe and Riordan both had first-round scores of sixty-six to share the $500 that was up for grabs for a new record.

ClubCatalina Coutry Club was again presented in magnificent conditions for the championship with the smooth-rolling greens considered some of the finest on the New South Wales south coast. In his victory speech Cort thanked both the members of ClubCatalina and the whole community of Batemans Bay, who each year welcome PGA Trainees from both around Australia and around the world to the championship. Cort not only takes home the championship title and trophy, but first place prizemoney of $10,027. With the tournament set to continue at ClubCatalina for at least another two years, future championships promise to also be enthralling battles.