Decades on, Frank still has the power
GOLF A QUARTER of a century on, Cairns golfer Frank Power has returned to the scene of his first notable career win with a bang.
As a fresh-faced teenager, Power claimed the 1993 Far North Queensland Open at Gordonvale and on Sunday afternoon, he beat out a strong field of locals and visitors to lift the title again.
Power has triumphed at the annual event a few times since 1993, he is not quite sure of the exact number, and Sunday’s victory hands him direct entry into the Queensland Open later this year.
“That was the first big tournament I had ever won, that was at Gordonvale as well in 1993,” Power said.
“I was 19 back then and I have been lucky enough to win it a few times since. It was good to come back 25 years later and win it at the same venue.”
Power, who is a member of Cairns Golf Club, shot threeunder across the two days of competition to beat local upand-comer Will Florimo, from Half Moon Bay Golf Club, by one stroke.
Overnight leader Oliver Duncan, who shot an opening round four-under 66, faded on the second day to shoot fourover 74 to be three shots back from Power.
The capacity 172 players battled windy conditions on Sunday that caused plenty of trouble on the back nine.
Earlier this year, Power marked the FNQ Golf Championships in his calender to give himself the opportunity to take on the professionals at the Queensland Open, to be played from November 1-4 at The Brisbane Golf Club.
“I have never played in the Queensland Open before so I will be going down to that one for sure,” Power said.
“I always try to play in the FNQ Golf Championships anyway but to have the qualifying spot up for grabs as well, it was a huge bonus.
“I set a goal earlier in the year to do well in this event and I had been doing a bit of practise down at Gordonvale.”
In other results’s from the weekend, Florimo took out the FNQ Close Championships, Warwick Howarth from Millaa Millaa Golf Club won B Grade Gross while Darren Cripps from Half Moon Bay Golf Club claimed the C Grade.