A Hole in One, a New Course Record and the Winners of the Avondale Amateur Crowned

Avondale’s 19 year old Grace Kim has held off rivals in a competitive day to win the Avondale Bowl. Kim shot two-under-par 70 to finish the tournament at 11-under-par and has lead the competition at the end of each day of play.

This was just enough to keep Japanese golfer Tsubasa Kajitani in second place who had an impressive round on the final day with 4-under-par for a score of 68, completing the four days at 10-under-par. Kajitani took the lead around the turn after a string of birdies.

The top three were rounded out by Fiona Xu from Akarana Golf Club in New Zealand. Xu shot two-under-par 70 including four birdies.

Shuri Sakumi from the Japanese Golf Association improved her position by six on the ladder with an impressive hole in one on the 8th.

Top three players in the Women’s field:

1. Grace Kim, Avondale Golf Club   -11

2. Tsubasa Kajitani, Japanese Golf Association   -10

3. Fiona Xi, Akarana Golf Club, New Zealand   -8

Monash Country Club player, Nathan Barbieri has taken out the Avondale Medal by three strokes after scoring seven birdies today. Barbieri held onto the lead during the final day with five-under-par 66, finishing the tournament at 16-under-par.

Barbieri managed to keep at bay the young 17 year old Englishmen Ben Schmidt who has been impressive over the past four days off the back of his win at the NSW Amateur Championships last week. Today Schmidt finished at two-under-par for a score of 69 which included an eagle on the 7th.

Andre Lautee of Kingston Health Golf Club and Ren Yonezawa from the Japanese Golf Association finished equal third. Lautee improved his position by eight in the final day, finishing three-under-par 68 today and 10-under-par overall. Yonezawa finished on par today and also 10-under-par overall.

Following Japanese golfer Taichei Kimura’s new course record yesterday, Louis Dobbelaar went one better with a score of 62 which included nine birdies which rocketed him 25 places up the ladder to finish 8th. 

Top three places in the Men’s Field

1. Nathan Barbieri, Monash Country Club   -16

2. Ben Schmidt,  Rotherham Golf Club, England   -13

=3. Andre Lautee, Kingston Health Golf Club   -10

=3. Ren Yonezawa, Japanese Golf Association   -10

The four days of play at Avondale Golf Club could not run without the 175 volunteers who support this event. Large crowds enjoyed the competitive play with golfers from ten nations represented in the field, and we now look forward to Avondale Amateur 2021.