Jan. 18, 2005 – Were you there when the most exciting young golfer in Australia went head to head with 84 top amateurs and some of our big name pros in one of the most talked about events on the Australian golfing calendar?
If you love golf or just like to see new champions in the making, be at Yarra Yarra Golf Club on Monday, January 24 when teenage sensation Jason Day tees off in the opening round of the 2005 NEC Master of the Amateurs and admission is free.
Jason, who is just 17 is the reigning World Junior Champion. Other titles the young Queenslander collected in 2004 included the Queensland Amateur Championship, Australian Junior Championship, Australian Junior Order of Merit, New Zealand Boys U19 Championship, Trans Tasman School Teams Challenge (individual), Gary Player Classic 16-17 years and Overall Queensland Schools Sport Golf Championship.
As well Jason finished five shots better than any other amateur at the 2004 Australian Open.
Now he is honoring his commitment to play in the 2005 NEC Master of the Amateurs. It is a commitment that's seen the young golfing sensation suspended by the Australian Golf Union from playing in four national team events because of a clash with a national selection event. Disappointed by the suspension, Jason said he committed to the NEC Master of the Amateurs before he was named in the national squad, and wasn't going back on his word.
As well as the leading amateurs, Monday's opening round, the TaylorMade Am Pro, sees some of our top touring professionals including 2003 Australian PGA Champion Peter Senior, Chris Downes and Peter Fowler join the fray. Then it is over to the amateurs for the final three rounds culminating in the presentation of the Green Jacket to the 2005 NEC Master of the Amateurs.
On the eve of the eighth Master of the Amateurs, Tournament Director Peter Mann said this was the strongest field yet.
"For the first time qualifying rounds were held in three States in the lead up to this year's event. It is another innovation to give the very best amateur golfers a taste of the pressure and prestige of a 72-hole event at a championship course on Melbourne's famous sand belt. And it is very exciting to have Jason Day in the field, but he will have to be right on his game to take the Green Jacket," Mr Mann said.
Join us at Yarra Yarra on Monday to see close-up this young golfing prodigy take on his peers and the pros in the opening round of the 2005 NEC Master of the Amateurs. Tee off is from 7.30am - World Junior Champion Jason Day tees off at 12.30pm from the 1st tee, the public is welcome and admission is free.
Source: NEC Masters of the Amateurs
