The Tasmanian Pro-Am series made its way to the north west of Tasmania today for the Stanley Seaview Inn Pro-Am. With windy conditions all day the elements were certainly trying to assist the course in beating the professionals that had made their way from all states of Australia to play this event.
The now traditional Pro-Am eve sponsors dinner was again held at the Stanley Seaview Inn with OneAsia tour professionals Clint Rice and Craig Hancock entertaining the guests with stories of life on the professional golf tour.
Fellow OneAsia player Kalem Richardson was the clubhouse leader after the morning round with a fine two under par 64 in windy conditions. Richardson whilst happy with his round was disappointed that he dropped two shots in his last two holes. With the wind showing no sign of abating, Richardson would have to wait for the afternoon players to return to know whether he would hold the winning score.
With the added incentive of a helicopter ride, courtesy of Osborne Aviation and Stanley Fish, for the winning professional and amateur player the afternoon players headed onto the course.
With conditions easing slightly the afternoon players were up to the challenge o the beautifully presented Stanley layout.
Launceston Club Professional Jason Russell turned back the clock and was the first player in to better Richardson’s round. Russell returned a three under par round of 63 that contained one eagle and three birdies. Russell was soon joined by Nathan Uebergang as joint clubhouse leader. Uebergang who was a joint winner at the recent Country Club Pro-Am and looked like a winner late in his round after getting to four under par with two to play including the downwind par 5 first hole. However a bogey on the ninth hole and a par on the first left him in a share of second place with Russell.
Victorian Chris Hynes had the round of the day. Hynes who mixes his personal training business with professional golf finished the day on four under par 62. With a round containing 5 birdies and a solitary bogey Hynes was able to tame the conditions to come out in front.
“I was able to hit all 18 greens today which made the job easier. I certainly left a few shots out there and had set up many opportunities for birdie today,” said Hynes.
“I haven’t played a lot of golf in the last three years, but when I saw Stanley on the circuit I had to come back and play. I think this is the best nine hole course in the country”
One of the fittest professionals on the circuit, Hynes warmed up for the event with a quick run up the Nut the night before.
With a helicopter ride under his belt before the presentations Hynes thanked the major sponsors and the Club for his experience of a lifetime.
Craig Hancock finished in a tie for 4th place with Richardson on 2 under par and Clint Rice finished tied 10th on one over 67.
Clint Walker from the Stanley Seaview Inn announced that there naming rights sponsorship of the events would extend for a further year.
“We are delighted to be involved with the event and see it as an important sporting event on the local calendar. We look forward to continuing to support the event in 2013”, commented Walker.
The final event on the Tasmanian swing of Southern Tour plays out tomorrow at the James Boag Port Sorrell Pro-Am, spectators are welcome to attend. There are eight events on the Tasmanian Pro-Am schedule in 2012 with prizemoney in excess of $50,000.