They came from near and far but when it mattered the team representing Orange’s Wentworth Golf Club were the perfect combination.
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Wentworth professional Todd Brakenridge joined amateur golfers Chris and Shannon Bush and Adam Honeysett from Coolah, Matthew Stanley from Mudgee and PGA professional Scott Laycock from Melbourne to win the national final of the Holden Scramble in Queensland on November 28.
They claimed the historic victory, the first by a team from Orange, by four shots after leading for much of the three days of the event.
The amateur players’ victory path started at Wentworth earlier this year.
Brakenridge joined them for the next event, the regional final, and then Laycock was randomly selected to join them in the national final.
Brakenridge said the team had gelled well, scoring rounds of 51, 50 and 49.
“We were tied for the lead with Deniliquin after the first round and we led outright after the second round.
“We ended up winning by four shots, but it wasn’t as comfortable a win as it seems,” he said.
“We just managed to hole some great putts which is vital in this format.”
He said the amateur players had to adjust to having live scores as they played each hole and hundreds of spectators.
“It was a good experience for the amateurs. It was a good eye opener.”
After the first two rounds the top 15 of the 30 finalists made the cut and were each given a PGA professional player to join them for the final round.
“You don’t know who you are going to get. But the opportunity to play with one of these guys is amazing. You are lucky to be playing with them.”
And he said Laycock didn’t let them down.
“It just seemed that when he needed to hit a good shot he did. That comes from being a professional and playing for money.”
Brakenridge said a total of 30,000 golfers around Australia had played throughout the qualifying events and finals.
He said Wentworth last made the final in 2005, finishing tenth but now they had created history.
“I think it is the first time anyone in the Central West has every won it.”
But, they won’t get the chance for back-to-back victories next year.
“The Holden Scramble has a rule that if you win you can’t play together again.”
Only two of the players are allowed to back-up together.
As the club professional Brakenridge will again join whoever wins the Wentworth Holden Scramble event next year to contest the regional round.