Poor putting derails Hawkes’ Open push

TASMANIAN touring professional Simon Hawkes came close to qualifying for the 147th staging of The Open last week.

The 29-year-old Victorian Open champion teed up at St Anne’s Old Links on the north-west coast of England alongside 72 other hopefuls.

The Royal Hobart Golf Club member carded two rounds of 73 for a two-over-par 146 total to finish tied in 34th place with four Englishmen.

Hawkes carded five birdies, three bogeys and two double bogeys for his two rounds.

“Poor putting never really had me in contention to shoot the required score to qualify,” he said.

Hawkes was the leading Australian during final qualify- ing at St Anne’s, with Victoria’s Richard Green disqualified in the second round.

Hawkes will return to Hobart to prepare for the Fiji International at the Natadola Bay Golf Course, Sigatoka, Fiji from August 2-5. TWO of Australia’s most famous tournament venues have won the rights to host the 2020 and 2022 editions of the Australian Open.

A strong field of contenders from Melbourne’s famous sandbelt put their credentials to Golf Australia to fill the “release years” from the eightyear contract with Sydney.

GA chief Stephen Pitt announced Kingston Heath Golf Club would host in 2020 and Victoria Golf Club in 2022.

Kingston Heath will host its eighth Australian Open, while Victoria GC will host its fourth.

The 2018 Australian Open will be played at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney from November 15-18.

The Australian Golf Club, also in Sydney, will host the 2019, 2021 and 2023 editions. GOLF Tasmania will present, in conjunction with Golf Australia, a level-two R & A approved rules and competition management school at Riverside Golf Club next Sunday and Monday. Presenters will be nationally accredited level-three referees Brian Hill from Victoria and Bob Crosby from South Australia.

Golf Tasmania will also be running a series of level-one rules workshops and exams.

These workshops will focus on the major changes for 2019, in addition to how the rules are written and presented, a reorganisation of the rules and the introduction of a “player’s edition” of the rules.

Further information, dates and venues can be obtained by visiting www.golftasmania.org.au