Nathan Barbieri readily admits his flying start to 2019 set the tone for a standout year, and he is hopeful 2020 will be just as good.
Back-to-back runners-up finishes in the Australian and New South Wales Amateur Championships marked him as a player to watch. He consolidated it with some impressive performances in the United States during the northern summer, followed by selection in the Australian Squad for the Asia-Pacific Amateur, then amateur Medallist honours at the AVJennings NSW Open.
“It would be really good to make a start like last year,” Barbieri said during practice for the Australian Master of the Amateurs.
“I was on a bit of a high, I reckon. I was riding the wave, to be honest.
“The Aussie Am was a really good week, but at the New South Wales Am, I probably didn’t have my best golf, but I had the confidence to know I could get it done.”
NEW YEAR – FRESH START
2020 is a new scenario for the 22-year-old, and one he acknowledges comes with a much higher level of expectation. With several opportunities, including an Asia-Pacific Amateur in Melbourne as well as direct entry into the US Amateur beckoning, the current world number 57 knows the year will be an important one in determining his future in the sport.
“I will probably have the US Amateur, and the Asia Pacific Am. It could possibly be the only reason why I wouldn’t turn Pro at the end of the year.
“We will take it one step at a time and see where we go though, definitely.”
Barbieri gets his 2020 year underway tomorrow at the Australian Master of the Amateurs at Victoria Golf Club. He is part of an eight-strong New South Wales and ACT contingent, which includes Harry Boulton, Jordan Ayre, Josh Armstrong, Cory Lamb, Jordie Garner, Lucas Higgins and Harrison Crowe.