Victorian PGA Championship

Australian golf tournament From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Victorian PGA Championship is a golf tournament played in Victoria, Australia. It has been part of the PGA Tour of Australasia each season since 2009.[1] It is the oldest of the state professional championships, having been first held in 1922.

Quick Facts Tournament information, Location ...
Victorian PGA Championship
Tournament information
LocationFingal, Victoria, Australia
Established1922
Course(s)Moonah Links
(Open and Legends Courses)
Par72 (O)
71 (L)
Length7,370 yards (6,740 m) (O)
6,858 yards (6,271 m) (L)
Tour(s)PGA Tour of Australasia
Von Nida Tour
Australasian Development Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fundA$250,000
Month playedDecember
Tournament record score
Aggregate266 Alistair Presnell (2010)
To par−22 as above
Score12 and 11 Peter Thomson (1953)
Current champion
Cory Crawford
Location map
Thumb
Moonah Links
Moonah Links
Location in Australia
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Moonah Links
Moonah Links
Location in Victoria
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History

Summarize
Perspective

The first Victorian Professional Championship was held in November 1922 and was open to any professional in Australia and New Zealand.[2][3] It was a 72-hole stroke-play event with 36 holes played at Royal Melbourne on 6 November and 36 holes played at Victoria Golf Club two day later. It attracted a number of New South Wales players as well as the professionals from Victoria.[4] Billy Iles and Dan Soutar, one of the NSW players, were tied on 158 after the first day's play.[4] Soutar won after the second day with a score of 313, a stroke ahead of Tom Howard, another NSW professional, with Iles dropping back to third place.[5]

The 1923 championship followed the same format as in 1922. Arthur Le Fevre, the Royal Melbourne professional. led by 3 strokes after the first day but, with two rounds of 74 of the second day, pulled away and won by 14 strokes. Rowley Banks and Charlie Campbell, from NSW, tied for second place.[6] The only change in format in 1924 was the order of the courses, with the Victoria course played first. A number of NSW players were expected but none appeared.[7] Rowley Banks won by a stroke, with a score of 310.[8] In 1925, the first day's play was at Kingston Heath Golf Club, with the second day at Royal Melbourne. Ted Smith, from Tasmania, trailed after the first day, but with rounds of 73 and 76 at Royal Melbourne, won by 8 strokes.[9]

From 1926 the championship was played at a single venue. Ted Smith, now a Victorian professional, won again in 1926, at Royal Melbourne, with some good scoring in difficult conditions on the second day.[10] Smith was in the United States at the time of the 1927 championship and didn't defend his title at Metropolitan Golf Club. Horace Boorer won the title by two strokes.[11] The 1928 championship at Kingston Heath was won by Rufus Stewart from South Australia in a close contest with Billy Bolger from New South Wales.[12]

The championship became a match-play event in 1929. There was a 36-hole stroke-play qualifying day after which the leading 8 played 36-hole match-play. From 1933 the number of qualifiers was increased to 16, extending the event to 5 days. Defending champion, Rufus Stewart, reached final in 1929, but lost 6&5 to Reg Jupp.[13] There were a number of two-time winners in the 1930s. George Naismith won in 1932 and 1934 beating Horace Boorer both times, Boorer losing three finals in a row.[14] Ted Naismith won in 1935 and 1936, while Charlie Connors won in 1937 and 1938.[15][16] Ted Naismith reached his third successive final in 1937, losing to Connors.[17] In 1939, Connors himself reached his third final in a row, but lost to Martin Smith.[18]

The 1946 and 1947 championships were played as 72-hole stroke-play events. Eric Cremin won them both, but my small margins. In 1946 he tied with another New South Wales professional, Norman Von Nida.[19] There was an 18-hole playoff with Cremin winning by 3 strokes, 70 to 73.[20] The following year he won by a stroke from Denis Denehey, having trailed by 3 shots after three rounds.[21] In 1948 the event returned to its pre-war format, with 16 qualifiers on the first day, playing four days of match-play. Cremin did not compete, the event clashing with the New South Wales Close Championship.[22] Ossie Pickworth led the qualifying by 9 strokes and won the championship, beating Sam Walsh 10&9 in the final.[23] Cremin won his third title in 1949, beating Jack Harris in final.[24] Harris had defeated Pickworth in the first match-play round.[25] Harris reached the final again in 1950 beating Pickworth in the final. The match was decided at the 37th hole, the only match-play final that went to extra holes.[26] Martin Smith won his second title in 1951, 12 years after his first.[27] Peter Thomson won the championship in 1952 and 1953. In 1952 he beat Pickworth in a close final, but he won the 1953 final against Denis Denehey by a record score, 12 & 11.[28][29] Pickworth had his second and third wins in 1954 and 1955, beating Harris on both occasions.[30][31]

In 1956 the championship became a 72-hole stroke-play event. Ossie Pickworth won his third successive title and fourth in all, finishing two strokes ahead of Jack Harris.[32] Harris won in 1957 and 1959 but was beaten by Peter Mills in 1958, who won by 6 strokes.[33][34] For some years the prize money on offer had not attracted out-of-state professionals, but in 1960 three local businesses sponsored the event, which had prize money of £1,200, attracting a number of the leading New South Wales professionals.[35] However, Harris retained his title and won the £400 first prize, with Kel Nagle a stroke behind in second place.[36] Prize money dropped to £500 in 1961 but most of the leading Australians played, with the event played on the Monday and Tuesday after the Australian Open, which was played at Victoria Golf Club, finishing on the Saturday. Harris won for the fifth time, two ahead of the Australian Open winner, Frank Phillips.[37] The prize money was maintained at £500 up to 1965. Three New South Wales professionals won this period, Kel Nagle in 1962, Bruce Devlin in 1964 and Alan Murray in 1965, with Harris winning for the sixth time in 1963.[38][39][40][41]

From 1966 to 1976 the championship returned to being a largely domestic event. In 1969, Jack Harris came close to winning his seventh title. He was tied with Geoff Parslow but lost the 18-hole playoff by 8 strokes.[42] In 1977 the championship was incorporated into the Albury-Wodonga Classic, which had prize money of A$15,000. It was won by Vaughan Somers from Queensland.[43] In 1978 and 1979 the event was known as the Garden State Victorian PGA Championship and had prize money of A$50,000. The American Lanny Wadkins won in 1978, with Ian Stanley winning in 1979 after a playoff.[44][45] Loss of sponsorship meant that prize money dropped to A$15,000 in 1980, below the minimum for a tour event.[46] A full tour event was planned for 1981 but dropped because of lack of sponsorship, eventually being replaced by an event at Warrnambool, with smaller prize money.[47][48] The 1982 event was also a non-tour event, reduced to 54 holes with prize money of A$10,000.[49]

An event was planned at Woodlands in 1983 but was cancelled due to lack and sponsorship. The event was moved to Warrnambool, who had already secured enough prize money for a full tour event.[50] The event, which eventually had prize money of A$40,000, was won by Vaughan Somers, his second win in the championship.[51] The event remained at Warrnambool for a further three years. Prize money rose to A$50,000 in 1984, Wayne Riley winning after a playoff against Ian Baker-Finch.[52] Rodger Davis won in 1985, 7 strokes ahead of the field.[53] Prize money doubled to A$100,000 in 1986, with Wayne Smith winning by 2 strokes.[54] The Warrnambool event was cancelled in 1987 because of the lack of TV coverage and the championship was played at the end of December, as part of the 36-hole Carpet Call pro-am.[55] The event returned at Keysborough in January 1989 as a full tour event, with prize money of A$100,000. David Ecob won by a stroke from Peter Senior.[56]

The event was played over 54 holes from 1991 to 1993 before returning to the 72-hole format in 1994 as part of the new second-tier Foundation Tour, Stuart Appleby winning the event after a playoff.[57] The event later became part of the Von Nida Tour before the second-tier events were added to the main tour in 2009. Since 2000 both Gareth Paddison and Ashley Hall have won the championship twice. From 2002 to 2021 total prize money was in the range A$100,000 to A$137,500, but was increased to A$250,000 for the centenary championship in 2022.

Winners

More information Year, Tour ...
YearTour[a]WinnerScoreTo parMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-upVenueRef.
Victorian PGA Championship
2024ANZAustralia Cory Crawford273−141 strokeUnited States Tyler McCumberMoonah Links
2023ANZAustralia David Micheluzzi274−141 strokeAustralia Ben EcclesMoonah Links
2022ANZAustralia Andrew Martin279−9PlayoffAustralia Adam Bland
Australia Brett Coletta
Australia Lincoln Tighe
Moonah Links
2021
(Dec)
ANZAustralia Blake Windred276−121 strokeAustralia Brad KennedyMoonah Links[58]
2021
(Feb)
ANZAustralia Christopher Wood268−201 strokeNew Zealand James Anstiss
Australia Michael Sim
Moonah Links[59]
2020ANZCancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2019ANZNew Zealand Campbell Rawson270−101 strokeAustralia Marcus FraserRACV Cape Schanck[60]
2018ANZAustralia Aaron Pike270−101 strokeNew Zealand Ryan ChisnallRACV Cape Schanck[61]
2017ANZAustralia Damien Jordan272−162 strokesAustralia Aron PriceHuntingdale[62]
Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus Victorian PGA Championship
2016ANZAustralia Ashley Hall (2)277−11Playoff[b]Australia David McKenzieHuntingdale[63]
2015ANZAustralia Aaron Townsend275−131 strokeAustralia Scott StrangeHuntingdale[64]
Lexus of Blackburn Victorian PGA Championship
2014ANZNew Zealand Gareth Paddison (2)272−161 strokeNew Zealand Michael HendryHeritage
(St. John)
[65]
Turner Plumbing Victorian PGA Championship
2013ANZAustralia David McKenzie275−132 strokesAustralia Scott LaycockForest Resort Creswick[66]
Adroit Insurance Group Victorian PGA Championship
2012ANZNew Zealand Gareth Paddison277−71 strokeAustralia Leighton LyleForest Resort Creswick[67]
Victorian PGA Championship
2011ANZAustralia James Nitties198−181 strokeAustralia Peter O'MalleySandhurst
(North)
[68]
Cellarbrations Victorian PGA Championship
2010ANZAustralia Alistair Presnell266−221 strokeAustralia Kurt Barnes
Australia David Bransdon
Sandhurst
(North)
[69]
2009ANZAustralia Andre Stolz271−172 strokesAustralia Stuart BouvierSanctuary Lakes[70]
NAB Victorian PGA Championship
2008VNTAustralia Marc Leishman269−191 strokeAustralia Kurt Barnes
Australia Cameron Percy
Sanctuary Lakes[71]
2007VNTAustralia Ashley Hall277−11PlayoffAustralia Tristan LambertSanctuary Lakes
National Australia Bank Victorian PGA Championship
2006VNTAustralia Steven Jeffress272−161 strokeAustralia Marc Leishman
Australia Anthony Painter
Sanctuary Lakes[72]
2005VNTAustralia Cameron Percy273−151 strokeAustralia Steven BowditchSanctuary Lakes[73]
2004: No tournament
Links Group Victorian PGA Championship
2003VNTAustralia Martin Doyle277−112 strokesAustralia Chris DownesKew[74]
Victorian PGA Championship
2002ANZAustralia Craig Carmichael270−10Playoff[c]Australia Craig JonesKew[75]
Crown Victorian PGA Championship
2001ANZDTAustralia Nathan Gatehouse273−151 strokeAustralia Gavin ColesKew[76]
2000ANZDTAustralia Matthew Habgood274−61 strokeAustralia Malcolm Baker
Australia Michael Etherington
Albert Park[77]
Victorian PGA Championship
1999Australia Chris Gaunt202−81 strokeAustralia Aaron Baddeley (a)Albert Park
1998Australia Kevin Booker203−73 strokesAustralia David BransdonAlbert Park
1997Australia Jason DawesKeysborough
1996FTAustralia Mike Harwood208−114 strokesAustralia Mark AllenKeysborough
1995FTAustralia David Armstrong (2)281−11Playoff[d]Australia Paul GowKeysborough[78]
1994FTAustralia Stuart Appleby281−11Playoff[e]Australia Anthony EdwardsKeysborough[57]
1993FTAustralia Michael Barry210−91 strokeAustralia Stuart Appleby
Australia Paul Moloney
Keysborough[79]
1992Australia David Armstrong213−63 strokesAustralia Darren ColeKeysborough[80]
1991Australia Andrew Labrooy219E1 strokeAustralia David McKenzieKeysborough[81]
1990: No tournament
Asthma Foundation Victorian PGA Championship
1989ANZAustralia David Ecob279−131 strokeAustralia Peter SeniorKeysborough[56]
1988: No tournament
Carpet Call PGA Championship
1987Australia Peter Senior126−10Playoff[f]Australia Glenn JoynerIvanhoe[82]
Black Magic Victorian PGA Championship
1986ANZAustralia Wayne Smith275−132 strokesAustralia Terry GaleWarrnambool[54]
Victorian PGA Championship
1985ANZAustralia Rodger Davis270−187 strokesAustralia Ossie MooreWarrnambool[53]
1984ANZAustralia Wayne Riley274−14Playoff[g]Australia Ian Baker-FinchWarrnambool[52]
1983ANZAustralia Vaughan Somers (2)280−81 strokeNew Zealand John ListerWarrnambool[51]
1982Australia Trevor McDonald211−55 strokesAustralia Ian StanleyYarrawonga and
Border
[83]
Nescafe Victorian PGA Championship
1981New Zealand Alex Bonnington282−61 strokeUnited States Pat Mateer
Australia Glen McCully
Warrnambool[84]
Victorian PGA Championship
1980Australia Bill Britten280−41 strokeAustralia Mike CahillRosebud[46]
Garden State Victorian PGA Championship
1979ANZAustralia Ian Stanley286−2Playoff[h]Australia Stewart GinnWoodlands[45]
1978ANZUnited States Lanny Wadkins281−73 strokesAustralia Bob ShearerWoodlands[44]
Albury-Wodonga Classic
1977ANZAustralia Vaughan Somers273−111 strokeAustralia Chris WitcherWodonga[43]
Victorian PGA Championship
1976Australia Glenn McCully279−94 strokesAustralia Bill BrittenDonnington Park[85]
1975England Guy Wolstenholme286+23 strokesAustralia Rob McNaughtonLong Island[86]
1974Australia Stewart Ginn285+26 strokesAustralia John DavisLong Island[87]
1973Australia Bruce Green (2)291+7Playoff[i]Australia Rob McNaughtonLong Island[88][89]
1972Australia John Davis297+134 strokesAustralia Charlie OliverLong Island[90]
1971Australia Peter Mills (2)288+43 strokesAustralia Bob JenningsLong Island[91]
1970Australia Bob Jennings
1969Australia Geoff Parslow292+4Playoff[j]Australia Jack HarrisWaverley[42]
1968Australia Alan Heil282−67 strokesAustralia Jack HarrisWaverley[92]
1967Australia Bruce Green284E1 strokeAustralia Alan HeilWaverley[93]
1966Australia Geoff Flanagan289−114 strokesAustralia Brian HuxtableHuntingdale[94]
1965Australia Alan Murray2932 strokesAustralia Jack Harris
Australia Peter Mills
Woodlands[41]
1964Australia Bruce Devlin277−117 strokesAustralia Ted BallLatrobe[40]
1963Australia Jack Harris (6)273−194 strokesUnited States Ron HowellLong Island[39]
1962Australia Kel Nagle286−101 strokeAustralia Frank Phillips
Australia Bob Tuohy
Patterson River[38]
1961Australia Jack Harris (5)276−162 strokesAustralia Frank PhillipsKeysborough[37]
1960Australia Jack Harris (4)2831 strokeAustralia Kel NagleCranbourne[36]
1959Australia Jack Harris (3)285+15 strokesAustralia Bob BrownMedway[34]
1958Australia Peter Mills280−46 strokesAustralia Jack HarrisLatrobe[33]
1957Australia Jack Harris (2)278−27 strokesAustralia Bob BrownCroydon[95]
1956Australia Ossie Pickworth (4)2882 strokesAustralia Jack HarrisLong Island[32]
1955Australia Ossie Pickworth (3)2 and 1Australia Jack HarrisAmstel[31]
1954Australia Ossie Pickworth (2)5 and 4Australia Jack HarrisRossdale[30]
1953Australia Peter Thomson (2)12 and 11Australia Denis DeneheyCommonwealth[29]
1952Australia Peter Thomson2 and 1Australia Ossie PickworthVictoria[28]
1951Australia Martin Smith (2)7 and 5Australia Jack BoorerSouthern
(New Brighton)
[27]
1950Australia Jack Harris37 holesAustralia Ossie PickworthKingston Heath[26]
1949Australia Eric Cremin (3)5 and 4Australia Jack HarrisYarra Yarra[24]
1948Australia Ossie Pickworth10 and 9Australia Sam WalshCommonwealth[23]
1947Australia Eric Cremin (2)2901 strokeAustralia Denis DeneheyRiversdale[21]
1946Australia Eric Cremin289Playoff[k]Australia Norman Von NidaVictoria[19][20]
1940–1945: No tournament due to World War II
1939Australia Martin Smith5 and 4Australia Charlie ConnorsCommonwealth[18]
1938Australia Charlie Connors (2)8 and 7Australia Ron HarrisMetropolitan[16]
1937Australia Charlie Connors5 and 4Australia Ted NaismithVictoria[17]
1936Australia Ted Naismith (2)5 and 3Australia Bert FergusonMetropolitan[15]
1935Australia Ted Naismith5 and 4Australia Bill FowlerRiversdale[96]
1934Australia George Naismith (2)9 and 8Australia Horace BoorerKingston Heath[14]
1933Australia Bert Ferguson2 and 1Australia Horace BoorerCommonwealth[97]
1932Australia George Naismith5 and 4Australia Horace BoorerRoyal Melbourne[98]
1931Australia Bill Fowler2 upAustralia Reg JuppVictoria[99]
1930Australia Don Thomson4 and 3Australia Arthur Le FevreKingston Heath[100]
1929Australia Reg Jupp6 and 5Australia Rufus StewartRoyal Melbourne[13]
1928Australia Rufus Stewart3142 strokesAustralia Billy BolgerKingston Heath[12]
1927Australia Horace Boorer3022 strokesAustralia Arthur Le FevreMetropolitan[11]
1926Australia Ted Smith (2)3118 strokesAustralia Arthur Le Fevre
Australia Rufus Stewart
Royal Melbourne[10]
1925Australia Ted Smith3058 strokesAustralia John YoungKingston Heath/
Royal Melbourne
[9]
1924Australia Rowley Banks3101 strokeAustralia John YoungVictoria/
Royal Melbourne
[8]
1923Australia Arthur Le Fevre30414 strokesAustralia Rowley Banks
Australia Charlie Campbell
Royal Melbourne/
Victoria
[6]
1922Australia Dan Soutar3131 strokeAustralia Tom HowardRoyal Melbourne/
Victoria
[5]
Close

Notes

  1. ANZ − PGA Tour of Australasia; ANZDT − Australasian Development Tour; FT − Foundation Tour; VNT − Von Nida Tour.
  2. Hall won at the first extra hole
  3. Carmichael won with birdie on first extra hole
  4. Armstrong won at the fourth extra hole
  5. Appleby won at the first extra hole
  6. Senior won at the first extra hole
  7. Riley won at the second extra hole
  8. Stanley won at the second hole of a sudden-death playoff
  9. Green won the 18-hole playoff by 9 strokes
  10. Parslow won the 18-hole playoff by 8 strokes
  11. Cremin won the 18-hole playoff by 3 strokes

References

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