ABERDEEN’S Tom Bateman secured his place in this year’s NSW Open at the Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club after firing a two-under par 67 at the Nambucca Heads Island Golf Club over the long weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Bateman, who represented the Long Reef Golf Club at the event, held on by a shot to take the coveted spot in November’s championship from Ballina’s Jay Mackenzie and Mudgee’s Mark Hale.
For Hale, it was another case of so close yet so far after his second place finish in the NSW Mid-Amateur Championship at Bathurst last month, while Mackenzie, who qualified for last year’s Emirates Australian Open, was left rueing a couple of missed opportunities.
Bateman, the son of local couple Julie and Ben, said he was thrilled to finally qualify for his first major professional event.
“I’m excited as hell, it should be good,” he grinned.
“I’ve been close a few times.
“It’s easily the highlight of Tom’s career so far,” his parents added.
The 24-year-old electrician has been playing golf seriously for less than eight seasons.
A committed rugby league player in his youth, the game became his passion just after he turned 18.
“I played league all my life, but kept getting hurt being bashed around in the Newcastle competition,” the former St Joseph’s High School, Aberdeen, student explained.
“So, I gave it away to concentrate on my golf.”
The Aberdeen Golf Club member will have plenty of company at November’s championship.
He practices a lot with Hayden Gulliver, who qualified for the open at Thurgoona last month.
The pair is coached by Jason Laws, who also mentors the US-based Novacastrian James Nitties.
“Jason is really excited about both of us qualifying,” Bateman said.
“He has got three players lining up now.
“And, he’s already planning a practice schedule for us.”
