Forbes Advocate: Grierson to Lead NSW Golf Team: 5 May→

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Forbes Advocate: Grierson to Lead NSW Golf Team: 5 May

Forbes’ James Grierson is ready to take his place alongside the best male golfers in NSW at next week’s Australian Interstate Teams Matches in Adelaide, South Australia.

It’s the second appearance for the 25-year old in the Blues’ colours, and in a nod from his team-mates to the level of respect he holds amongst the playing group, Grierson was elected unanimously as the team captain.

Grierson’s selection and nomination as team captain is an achievement he is justifiably proud of.

“It was a goal of mine to be selected to play for NSW, and now to be chosen as the captain by my mates on the team is unbelievable,” Grierson said.

“To lead my state in my chosen sport is a dream come true.”

Grierson will lead a team of eight players in the week-long event which begins on Tuesday at The Grange Golf Club. 

The format will see NSW take on each State in matchplay in a round robin format, with the top two teams then meeting again for the crown of Australia Interstate team champions.

Grierson was a member of the team that fell just short of the title last year, going down in the final against Victoria in Perth by four matches to three.

With a host of new faces joining the team this year, Grierson is hoping the men can go one better.

“These guys are a very talented group,” Grierson said.

“Two of them (Jordie Garner and Josh Gadd) were part of the team that shared the Boy’s interstate series in 2016, while Big Josh Armstrong was part of the Junior President’s Cup team last year.

“They know what it takes to win, and to be able to lead them is definitely an honour.”

The NSW Men’s team is: James Grierson ( Forbes - Captain), Josh Armstrong ( ACT), Nathan Barbieri (Ryde), Harrison Crowe ( Bexley), Andrew Richards ( Cherrybrook), Blake Windred ( Newcastle), Joshua Gadd ( Penrith), Jordie Garner (Shelly Beach).


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Beck Equals Course Record: Coca Cola QLD PGA

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Beck Equals Course Record: Coca Cola QLD PGA

15 February 2018

Jack Lucas

PGA Media

New South Welshman Darren Beck shot course record equaling round to grab the outright lead on the opening day of the Coca-Cola QLD PGA Championship presented by Wippells Volkswagen.

Beck finished his round before play was suspended due to lightning and came home in a hurry recording  eagles on the 12th and 17th holes to post his 9-under 61, equaling Tim Hart’s course record set in 2016.

“I played quite nicely today, I didn’t get in to too much trouble all day which was nice,” said Beck who was also bogey free today.
“I gave myself a lot of birdie putts and the back-9 I holed a couple of really long ones, it was just a great day for scoring.
“It definitely feels good to shoot 61, that’s my lowest score in quite a while in a tournament round.”

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Beck birdies his way to Pro-Am win→

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Beck birdies his way to Pro-Am win

The JSA Financial Group Merewether Pro-Am has been a regular event on the Ladbrokes PGA NSW/ACT Pro-Am Series.

Head Professional Peter Johnston took over the Merewether Pro Shop 24 years ago and the event is in its 23rd year.

Morning player Darren Beck would shoot a sizzling 6-under par 64 that included 7 birdies. This would prove to be the winning score by 2 shots.

Beck currently sits 35th on the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit and will be looking to continue this form into the WA Open next week.

“It’s great to be able to play events like this leading into next weeks WA Open. I birdied all the par fives today which really helped my scorecard.”

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Renewed focus paying off for Amateur Travis Smyth

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February 18 Golf Grinder: Anthony Powter

Travis Smyth has changed a lot over the last twelve months.A new approach and commitment towards his game has seen the 21-year-old bag an impressive list of recent results, including a win at the Riversdale Cup and making the final at the Australian Amateur.With a current R&A World Amateur ranking just outside the top-100, Smyth is set to embark on another challenging period as he prepares for his second tour of the US in a few months – this time being more experienced and ready to compete against the world’s best.“After winning the Riversdale Cup last year I knew I could win the bigger events and it motivated me to work harder to get another,” says Smyth.“I’m practicing with more focus, which was something I lacked before. I enjoy the hard work and I’m amongst a good fabric of mentors and mates and we push each other. I’m in a good space at present and that’s flowing onto my game.”Having known Smyth and watched his development since 2012, the change is noticeable with his level of commitment and intensity towards achieving his goals. It sets him apart from two years ago when he won the Queensland Amateur title and was sitting on a R&A World ranking of outside 300. He’s a totally different player.Smyth has also been fortunate to have one of the best coaching teams supporting him with John Serhan and Dean Kinney guiding him through the peaks and troughs of amateur golf. The pair have been there from the days when Smyth was competing in local Vardon events right through to the tough US Amateur circuit.“John and Dean are always there supporting and guiding me,” says Smyth.“Working with them has seen me become more structured and it’s very different to when I was practicing by myself. I didn’t really know what to do and what I needed to do to compete at the elite amateur level. They have shown me the difference between playing good golf to playing elite amateur golf.”Serhan and Kinney work hard as each other and want Smyth to be one of the world’s best amateurs at year’s end. Elite amateur golf has become extremely competitive and comes down to a handful of moments in a season where a player can make their mark.This year Smyth wants to make his mark in the US and from there evaluate his position, with a probable move to the professional ranks. With a new mindset and a dedicated support team, Smyth has become a force to deal with.“I’m not trying to associate myself with any particular results right now but rather I’m staying in the moment,” says Smyth.“The US this season is important to me and I know that I can compete there. I’ll be aiming to always try and get myself into contention and feel the pressure. I did that at the Australian Amateur and I just love being in the hunt come the final day.”

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Surgical Smyth storms into quarters 18 August 2017 US Amateur

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18 August 2017

Surgical Smyth storms into quarters 18 August 2017 US Amateur SBS NEWS Travis still a big winnerwww.golf.org.au/newsdisplay/smyth-still-a-big-winner/9191917 January/ Mark Hayes

The powerhouse 21-year-old, resplendent with his trademark “manbun”, fought tooth and nail with high-class Scotsman Connor Syme, who eventually prevailed 3&2 after an epic match.“He’s just a quality golfer, a good bloke and he played really well,” Smyth said of Syme, who was exemplary in making just two bogeys on a challenging Metropolitan layout.“But I won’t beat myself up. I’m really happy with the way I played and … that’s a good sign for the future to do well in a pressure situation.“I was really happy with the way I fought late … making three birdies on the trot there (from the 12th hole) when he got it to 5-up – and even the par save I made on the 11th just to keep the heat on him when I could have dropped off.”The reigning Riversdale Cup champion said he’d be excited to see his world amateur ranking climb again this week from its current 227.“That will be good to see and it’s great to know that when you’re in this sort of situation now, your game can stand up,” he said.“It’s one thing to improve and think you’re playing well, but when you get a chance to test yourself at a big event like this, it’s a great boost (mentally) to know it all hangs together.”The St Michael’s ace held his nerve early in the first round today when Syme was peppering the pins. He calmly knocked in several hole-halving putts from knee-knocking range and finally had a moment in the sun with a spectacular long-range bunker shot that set up a winning birdie on the 8th hole.Another on the 9th had the New South Wales state team player square again and he put his nose in front for the first time with a solid par on the 11th.But typifying the match, Syme hit back hard late in the opening round with wins on the 12th, 15th, 16th and 17th holes to turn 3-up.“He was great in that little stretch there and, in the end, that was the difference,” said Smyth who was unofficially one under par when the match ended.“But I played some great shots today, probably a couple too many from the rough, but even then I didn’t get down on myself.“I’d love to have won, but I think I’m happy that my game held up well under pressure.”The New South Welshman wasn’t even in the team that won the Ross Herbert National Teams Trophy, with his state colleagues Liz Elmassian, Celina Yuan, Austin Bautista and Harrison Endycott wrapping up that domestic trophy after a stellar week by the Sydneysiders.

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