The Hose Power Pro-Am at Palmerston Golf and Country Club has capped off a great week of golf in the Territory with Matthew Docking claiming the title with a dominant performance firing 68 to win by 3 shots.
Docking was the only player to break par around the tricky Palmerston layout with Gary Simpson (SA), Brad Baker (NT) and Adam Porker (Vic) tied for second with level par 71s.
The second place for Porker capped of a successful first trip to the Territory adding to the win he shared with Max McCrdle two days earlier.
Darwin Golf Club, hosting a Pro-Am for the 6th year, again put on a fantastic 36 hole event with great support form the community including this year's naming sponsor NT Automotive Group. Winners Adam Porker and Max McCardle tied with a two round total of 7 under par around the immaculately presented Darwin layout.
McCardle, in his rookie season as a professional, led Porker by three after the first round with an impressive 5 under 67. Poker’s 70 was the only other round under par as the rest of the field struggled to adapt to the tropical conditions.
The second round saw a number of better performances and eventually saw 10 of the 36 professionals break par. The best rounds were a 67 from Gary Simpson, a co winner of this event in 2010, and 68’s from David McKendrick and Matthew Docking. A three under 69 by John Martino, another first year professional, added to his first round 73 to claim outright 3rd place on 2 under.
As the day progressed it became apparent it was a fight between McCardle and Porker for the title. Porker signalled his intentions with a three under front nine yet McCardle was holding solid with a two under outward half of his own to maintain a two shot lead with nine to play.
Porker, whose precision iron play was a highlight of the tournament, continued to set up opportunities and picked up two more shots to post a 7 under total with a final round 67. McCardle finishing on the par five 14th was unable to make the birdie he needed and had to settle for the tile with Porker and a closing 70.
At the presentation Poker and McCardle, both playing the event for the first time, thanked the great support from sponsors and members of the club and commented on the hospitality and friendly atmosphere they had enjoyed in the Northern Territory.
Host professional Nathan Campfield and club President Bruce Sampson thanked the professionals for coming from around the country to support the event and said how much the members enjoy the experience then went on to add the club hopes to continue growing the event in the future.
On Friday between the two Pro-Ams the professionals gathered at the Flight Path driving range for a long drive competiton that also gave local amateurs the chance to challenged the pros. Later in the evening the professionals gave demonstrations and tips to the local golfers who attended.
The competition for the long drive title was fierce as players fought a right to left headwind. After a qualifying round Justin Nikolich, Aaron Shaw and James Carr fought out the final for the three prizes.
With only a 30m wide fairway to hit all three players missed with one of their two drives before registering a drive to count. Carr would set the unbeaten mark of 281 meters to win from Nikolich who equalled his qualifying distance of 268m. Michael Watkins won the amateur section with an impressive 254m blow.
The golfing community of the Territory again welcomed the PGA members and all events were a success and showed the enthusiasm for the game accross the top end. Many of the professionals return every year to enjoy the unique hospitality, tropical golf courses and great weather that characterises the northern dry season.