Ben Schmidt (ENG) Defeated – Callum Farr (ENG) – 7&5
Grace Kim (NSW) defeated Kelsey Bennett (NSW) – 3&2
Unstoppable Kim wins women’s Amateur
Grace Kim has claimed some redemption for last year’s loss with an outstanding performance in the final of the NSW Women’s Amateur Championship.
Kim took the crown with a superb 3 & 2 win over Kelsey Bennett in a titanic battle between the state team mates.
The match was anyone’s after the completion of the opening 18, but Kim took control early in the afternoon bracket, jumping out to a telling two hole lead after the 20th.
A tenacious Bennett wasn’t going away however, and fought tooth and nail to stay in the match as the holes went by.
Kim however had other ideas, and in a testament to her experience and quality did what was required to stay in front.
Wins on the 12th and13th holes for Kim were always going to make things difficult for Bennett, however she responded with one of the shots of the day, on the 14th, hitting her approach to about a foot to keep the match within reach.
Kim had a chance to seal the match on the par three 15th, but there her putt slid by. It was enough to go dormie, and from there it was going to be a battle for the Bennett, the St. Michael’s local.
The 16th hole became the decider. After both players hit the green, Kim had her chance to seal it with a long range putt for birdie, it missed, and left Bennett with her chance to keep the contest alive. Sadly for the 20 year old, her 8 footer slid by, and with it the match was Kim’s.
Kim was ecstatic after the victory.
“Second time is a charm,” she grinned. “I was pretty confident I could get it done today.”
” I knew I could compete, Kelsey played good and I knew how good I had to play to beat her.”
The win is Kim’s first State Championship and she was thrilled to know her name joins a list of many of Australia’s finest female players.
” I know Karrie has won this event and she is a hero of mine, so it is exciting to see my name engraved on a trophy with hers.
Schmidt Supreme on his way to amateur crown
Yorkshire’s Ben Schmidt has underlined his reputation as one of England’s finest prospects with a dominant display of golf in the final of the NSW Amateur.
The 17-year-old from Barnsley was never headed in the final against countryman Callan Farr, easily winning 7 & 5.
Schmidt was a very pleased man after the win saying he stuck to his game plan all day.
“Me and Sean, my caddy, had a great game plan and we stuck to it all week.
“I hit some great golf shots and didn’t make many mistakes, and the result shows what happened out there,”
“You’ve got to hit it in the right places out here.
Coming off an impressive 2019 where he recorded wins in the Brabazon and Carris Trophies, Schmidt said the the NSW Amateur win should set his year up nicely.
“I did all right last year,” he smiled. “It’s good to get my first win for this season under my belt.”
“It’s a massive confidence boost.”
Kim by one as Schmidt dominates
Grace Kim is maintaining a slender one hole lead early in the afternoon round of the Women’s NSW Amateur Championship.
Kim and her opponent Kelsey Bennett have halved the opening two holes.
In the men’s Yorkshireman Ben Schmidt extended his lead to 6 up, but struck some trouble on the sixth hole.
Kim, Bennett in a battle Royale
Grace Kim and Kelsey Bennett are locked in a battle royale for the NSW Women’s Amateur Crown.
With the lead not moving more than a hole either way during the morning round, it is Kim who grabbed a late edge as they headed for lunch with a par good enough to win the 18th hole.
Wind, grey skies and the odd rain squall making things interesting for the players with conditions not expected to improve throughout the afternoon.
Schmidt takes big lead into afternoon
Benjamin Schmidt has a handy five hole lead over countryman Callam Farr after the opening 18 holes in the final of the Men’s NSW Amateur.
Schmidt was in a dominant mood all morning and Farr had few answers as the Yorkshireman built a sizeable lead through the front nine.
After turning three up, he quickly grabbed a win on the 10th to go to four up, and despite giving one back on the par three 14th, quickly made amends on the next.
A scintillating approach on the 17th meant another win for Schmidt, before the pair traded pars on the 18th before heading to lunch.
Final underway under grey skies
The Final of the Men’s and Women’s NSW Amateur are underway at St. Michael’s Golf Club.
The skies are grey and there is the chance of some lightning in the area during the day.
It is an all England affair for the second time in three years with Callum Farr and Benjamin Schmidt to meet in the men’s Final.
Farr took out Aussie Amateur Champion Jed Morgan in yesterday afternoon’s semi, while Schmidt accounted for the talented Kiwi Jayden Ford.
NSW State team mates Kelsey Bennett and Grace Kim will battle it out for the women’s title. It is Kim’s second appearance in as many years and she will be keen to make amends for last years loss to Lisa Edgar.