Bribie Island plays host to Australian Senior Amateur Championship

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Image Credit: Golf Australia  

By Chase Christensen  

Just months after successfully hosting the Queensland Senior Amateur Championship, Bribie Island Golf Club welcomed some of the best senior amateur golfers from across the world for another major event. The Australian Senior Amateur Championship brought together talented players from across Australia and overseas, with competitors travelling from countries including Canada, Japan and the United States to experience the beauty of Bribie Island and compete for one of the sport's most prestigious titles.  

Despite the Island's reputation for its beautiful weather, conditions throughout the week were far from ideal. Strong winds and heavy rain made life difficult for competitors, with the weather during the practice round setting the tone for what would be three challenging days of championship golf. Winds were howling and rain was pouring sideways, creating conditions that tested even the most experienced players. It was certainly not the weather many competitors would have expected when travelling to the traditionally sunny Bribie Island. 

The men's competition featured some familiar faces, including recent Queensland Senior Amateur Champion Graham Hourn. Having dominated the field during his previous visit to Bribie Island, Hourn entered the championship as one of the players to watch. However, unlike the Queensland event, the men's leaderboard remained incredibly tight throughout the week, with the lead changing hands regularly as competitors battled through the difficult conditions.  

As the championship reached its final day, the competition developed into a two-horse race between Australians Gregory Rhodes and Michael Lewis. Both players remained firmly in contention as the pressure continued to build, with the title ultimately coming down to the final round. Rhodes managed to hold off Lewis, finishing the championship at even-par after producing an equally impressive even-par final round to secure the Australian Senior Amateur title.  

Speaking to Golf Australia following his victory, Rhodes was full of praise for the course and the competition he had experienced throughout the week.  

"It was fantastic. Great course, fantastic company. Golf was pretty good too, and tight all the way. Really a great day out," Rhodes said. 

The victory was particularly special for Rhodes, who admitted he had not expected to win the championship on his third attempt.  

"I certainly didn't expect to get it on the third time. I was actually thinking this would be my last time I'd come," he said.  

Rhodes also took the opportunity to recognise the contribution of fellow competitor Ian Frost, who finished tied for 33rd in the championship. Frost had played his own 18 holes earlier that morning before returning to the course to caddie for Rhodes during the final round. His support proved valuable as Rhodes navigated the pressure of the final afternoon.  

"I do need to pay homage to Ian Frost, who played 18 holes this morning, shot two-over-par, and then came out and caddied for me this afternoon. I reckon he saved me a few shots as well," Rhodes said.  

The women's competition delivered an equally exciting finish, with Victorian golfers Kim Morris and Nadene Gole battling for the championship on the final day. Morris, representing Shepparton Golf Club, produced one of the most remarkable performances of the tournament to claim the title after entering the final roundfour shots behind the leaders.  

After opening rounds of 79 and 80, Morris appeared to have a difficult task ahead of her. However, the 54-year-old produced an outstanding final round, carding three-under-par 71 to finish the championship at eight-over-par. Her performance was the lowest round of the entire tournament and allowed her to overcome a four-shot deficit and claim victory by a single stroke.  

Gole finished runner-up after recording a final-round 76, while defending champion Sue Wooster finished third at 13-over-par following a closing round of 80. Morris' victory also lifted her to second on the National Order of Merit, adding another significant achievement to an already memorable week.  

Speaking after her win, Morris described the final round as one of the best performances of her golfing career.  

"I played the best round of my life really. Just managed to keep it together, putts rolled in, the approaches were well close. It was really good," Morris said.  

The Australian Senior Amateur Championship provided another fantastic opportunity for Bribie Island Golf Club to showcase its course and facilities to competitors from across the country and around the world. Despite the challenging weather, the standard of golf and the exciting finishes across both competitions made for a memorable week at the club.  

Following the successful hosting of two major senior amateur championships in recent months, Bribie Island continues to demonstrate its ability to attract high-quality golfing events and welcome some of the sport’s most experienced competitors to the Island.