Country talent shines bright
EACH weekend The Chronicle sport team looks at pressing issues on the Saturday Soapbox.
Q: Gatton golfer Andrew Dodt is contesting the British Open at the moment. How big of an achievement is it just making the field of one of the major tournaments?
Glen McCullough: IT’S a massive achievement and those close to Dodt and others who have followed his career will know hard he has worked to get where he is and how much he deserves any success that comes his way.
Dodt has used every ounce of his talent and mental strength to battle his way up from the junior fairways of Gatton and Toowoomba to now be the world’s number 154 ranked player.
Think about how many players are on the world tour and it really puts his achievement into perspective.
If only some of Australia’s other boofhead sports people could take a leaf out Dodt’s book, the future would be so much brighter for themselves and our sporting reputation.
You are a great ambassador for Australia Andrew, both on and off the golf course. I hope success keeps coming your way.
Ben Drewe: ITISa remarkable achievement and hopefully a sign of more to come.
Dodt has enjoyed a good run of late finishing runner-up at the Australian PGA Championship, was third at the Hong Kong Open and is having a strong season on the European Tour sitting 20th in the order of merit after finishing fourth at the Scottish Open last weekend.
He had a great start to the tournament shooting one-under par in the opening round and was hopefully able to build on that overnight.
The 31-year-old has had to graft away for years, so it would be great if he was reaching the top of his game and enjoyed some success as Dodt has worked hard for it.
Q: Queensland’s male players enjoyed a record run of State of Origin series wins but the state’s female squad enjoyed even more success. Southern Downs talent Stephanie Hancock has been part of that successful squad, and ahead of her final game for Queensland this weekend, how does she compare to the other great players to represent the state?
Ben Drewe: HANCOCK will run out as captain of Queensland for the last time against New South Wales on Sunday and despite being part of the the amazing run of 17-straight series wins, she is determined to win back the series.
That is a sign of her determination and passion.
Hancock has been a mainstay of the Queensland and Australia squad during her career and holds an elite place in the game.
With Johnathan Thurston bowing out from the men’s team this month, you could say Hancock is a bit like with Thurston of the women’s squad.
But given Hancock is a prop, she would probably be happier with a comparison to Petero Civoniceva or fellow Southern Downs product Shane Webcke.
Glen McCullough: JUST like Andrew Dodt, Stephanie is another classic example of what is so good about Australia’s country sport people.
Stephanie too has worked her way from the back blocks to the elite level of her sport.
Her impact in rugby league is only matched by the inspiration she provides to those who follow her.