Victorian golfer Mark Boulton played a flawless five under par round to win the Deniliquin Golf Club Legends Pro-Am on Tuesday.
Boulton, who only turned professional two years ago, consistently hit greens in regulation and scored five birdies in a bogey-free round.
The Deniliquin golf course was in superb condition for the event, with professional golfers effusive in their praise for greenkeeper Terry Howe and his small team.
Local amateurs joined the professionals, playing a three-person ambrose format on a glorious spring day (results in Off The Tee on page 22).
But the day belonged to Boulton, who won by a shot from former Australian PGA champion and British Open runner-up Mike Harwood, who had the leading ‘over 65s’ score.
They were among only three players to finish under par, the other being South Australian Simon Pope who fired a three under par 69.
It was Boulton’s fourth PGA Legends Tour title this year and a nice confidence boost heading into the $150,000 NSW Senior Open at Thurgoona, which starts today.
It was also a popular local win, with Boulton a friend of Deniliquin golfer Jimmy Poka jnr, the pair having competed together in Mid-Am golf tournaments.
Boulton set the tone early, picking up his first birdie of his day on his second hole, the par-five eighth.
He followed up with birdies at 12 and 14 to move to 3-under before surging clear with back-to-back birdies at the first and second.
Getting through play without many complications, he said: “It was pretty straight-forward regulation golf”.
“I probably did leave a couple out there but it was solid,” he continued.
“I hit lots of greens and made some putts. The course seemed to suit me so it worked out well.”
Boulton also complimented his playing company and experience playing in Deni.
“I had some great amateurs playing with us so it made for a nice day playing golf.”
Tournament coordinator of PGA Australia Heath McLeod said the Legends Tour had high-quality representation and playing numbers for the Pro-Am.
“There were 34 pros from almost every state in Australia, and we’ve also got some international players including Perry Parker from the US.
“And for the amateurs, there was a great turnout with around 22 teams.”
McLeod said the inaugural Deniliquin Legends Pro-Am was a welcome addition to the PGA Legends Tour schedule.
“The weather is always great here in Deniliquin and today is no exception,” he said on Tuesday.
“It fits in quite well as we just had the Griffith Legends Pro-Am on Sunday and then next we’re heading to Thurgoona.”
Four-time PGA Legends Tour Order of Merit winner, Queenslander Brad Burns said the Pro-Am in Deni provided a welcome return to a course from his early playing days.
“I haven’t been here in 30 years; things have changed a fair bit, but the golf course is looking as good as I remember it.”
Burns was keen to continue his good form in Deni having won his second PGA Legends Tour title in October at the previous Legends event, the Griffith Legends Pro-Am.
“I’m looking forward to it, we had a ride around the course last night and the course superintendent has done a great job as usual,” he said before play.
Burns finished in equal ninth place with a one over par 73, producing some high-quality golf to complement his enjoyable time in Deni.
The Deniliquin Legends Pro-Am is the second in a series of three Pro-Am tournaments at Deniliquin Golf Club, presented with support from Edward River Council and a host of local sponsors.
The professional golfers were welcomed at an informal dinner on Monday evening, and a small group participated in a tour of Deniliquin, organised by council staff, on Tuesday morning.