Harrison Crowe has qualified for his maiden national championship after carding a four-under-par 68 in testing conditions at Carnarvon Golf Club today.
Crowe, from St. Michael’s Golf Club, did it the hard way, knocking in a knee-trembling four-footer for birdie on his last hole of the day to grab one of the three spots on offer.
“It feels absolutely amazing. So good,” the 18-year-old beamed after arriving at The Australian Golf Club to register.
After starting in the second group of the day, Crowe got off to a solid start, turning at two under par.
Knowing he was in with a big chance to qualify at four under with three to play, and conditions worsening, Crowe kept attacking, hoping to go really low.
That’s when nerves really hit.
“I missed a 1 1/2 foot putt on my third last hole, then missed a four-foot birdie on the next, but I kept my head on.”
“I came to the ninth (his last) which is a driveable par four, and I knew I had to man-up, so I pulled a three wood and knocked it onto the front of edge of the green.”
The spectacular tee shot wasn’t quite enough, and after chipping it close, but not close enough to tap in, Crowe faced his moment of truth, and he didn’t disappoint.
“The best four-footer I have ever sunk, probably the hardest four-footer I have had to hit as well.”
Being one of the first to finish, Crowe was destined for an agonising wait. If the nerves over the putt weren’t taxing enough, the wait for all of the scores to come in was.
“I had to wait like two and a half hours to find out the scores. I was shivering. I was so nervous.”
Crowe is expecting plenty of support from the members of St. Michael’s and from nearby Bardwell Valley, where he works in the Pro-Shop on weekends when the championship gets underway this Thursday.
“I think there will be a few out here,” he replied when asked about the support back at St. Michael’s.
“It would be nice not to have to work in the Pro-Shop this Saturday either,” he said with a grin.
Avondale’s William Bayliss also made the field after Carding a 71 at Ryde-Parramatta.