THE 2014/15 edition of the Golf Link Race to Bonville has been a resounding success so far.
So far in 2014, the Race series has seen 14 events played with 705 individual golfers teeing it up across six states. There are still 12 qualifying events and 6 state finals left to be played in 2015 as players in each state battle to make their way to Bonville.
As we head into the Christmas break, let’s take a look back at the some of the highlights and statistics from the 2014 events.
Undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights was a hole in one to Victorian Michael Macnamara on the 11th hole at Woodlands GC in the third Victorian qualifying event. Michael was our first $1,000 hole in one winner in the 2014/15 Race Series and was thrilled with his efforts and his timely Christmas bonus.
“It was a fantastic result," said Michael. "I hit an 8-iron with a bit of a fade, it took a couple of bounces and then the guys on the green saw it go in.
"I knew it was going to be close but didn’t actually see it go in. It wasn’t my first hole in one.
"I had one a couple of years ago but this was my first ever Race event and I certainly will enjoy playing some more in the future. It was great and thank you very much to Golf Link."
Across the 14 events, there have been 18 players that have managed to score 40 points or more. The best of these was a superb 46 points (2-under par off the stick) by Renan White at Links Hope Island in the third Queensland qualifying event, which is the highest score so far in the 2014/15 Race Series.
The Race to Bonville has seen the introduction of social players, which has helped increase the field size across all states. There have been Race records broken with the biggest fields ever assembled in NSW (124 players at Oatlands GC), QLD (100 players at Pacific Harbour G&CC) and SA (68 players at Links Lady Bay).
Records also look set to be broken in this year’s Cobra Puma Go Looong Challenge competition with two players already putting drives on the board past 300 metres. A monster 318 metre drive by New South Welshman Simon Cowan on the 17th hole at Oatlands GC leads the men’s competition, while in the women’s competition, it is Ria Livanas who is trying to defend her title and currently leads with her drive of 205 metres.
In the Golf Buddy Nearest The Pin Challenge it is Queenslander Michael Brown’s approach to 94cm on the 7th hole at Pacific Harbour G&CC which currently sits atop the national leader board. Michael has continued to prove his skill with the iron in hand by also taking out a second nearest to pin at North Lakes GC.
We would like to welcome our first two national finalists who have booked their place at Bonville in May 2015. Following the first state final at Tasmania Golf Club, Team Tasmania welcomes Gary Jones and Peter Sanger who are both on their way to the national final.
Golf Link would like to thank all the sponsors for their support of the 2014/15 Race to Bonville and thank all of the host courses so far for providing the Race with such wonderfully presented venues.
Golf Link would like to congratulate all winners to date and wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. Thank you all for your continued support of the Race Series.
With a host of fantastic courses lined up in 2015, we hope to see you again in the New Year as the 2014/15 Race to Bonville continues to what will be a thrilling finale.