2007 Queensland Indigenous Championships

This was actually run 23rd to 25th March 2007, however I have only just found the details via the Queensland Golf Union…

Steve Thompson (Oxley) and Kimberley Crawley (Horton Park) have been crowned Inaugural Men’s and Women’s Indigenous Champions of Queensland respectively this afternoon at Murgon Golf Club, about a 3 hour drive north of Brisbane. Both players led from start to finish and were deserving champions and will have the distinction of having their name engraved first on each of the Championship trophies.

Thompson, a one marker from Oxley and Windaroo Golf Clubs in Brisbane played outstanding golf over the 54 hole three day Championship with rounds of 66 (-4), 67(-3) and a closing 68 (-2) today to finish at 201 (-9). It was quite an impressive display from Thompson, who played quality golf throughout the event to win by 8 shots from Hervey Bay golfer Renton Ritchie.

Thompson’s short game was oustanding, with a number of quality recovery shots that finished no more than 50cm on at least 4 occasions on the front nine today.

Ritchie will be somewhat disappointed after a great start on Friday in the first round with a 67 (-3), however was unable to eliminate the bogeys on his card over the next 2 rounds finishing with rounds of 71 and 71 for a 209 (-1). He will surely take away some fond memories of the weekend and will be eager to go one step better next year.

In third place was local golfer Peter Bligh (Murgon) who overtook Scott Ridgeway (Hervey Bay) in the final round with a 79 (+9). Bligh was fortunate to have the club President Murray Sipple caddy for him today which was a great illustration of the close knit relationships at the Murgon Golf Club.

Awarded the 54 hole Nett trophy was Kerry Malone from Murgon who fired 3 sensational rounds of 64, 67 and a 62 today to win by 6 strokes in the Nett division. Also performing well over the 3 days was Wondai golfer Thomas Langton who had rounds of 68.67.64 for a total of 199 to finish runner up to Malone.

The Women’s Championship was relatively tight for most of the three days with Crawley taking out the Championship by 9 shots in the end from Addi Butonac, who is a member of Paradise Palms, just north of Cairns. Begining the day just 4 shots ahead, it was Crawley who played the steadier golf with an excellent display from the 17 year old. She shot rounds of 86.84.84 for a three round total of 254.

The Queensland Golf Union was very pleased with the staging of the Inaugural Championship and acknowledged the support of the State Government via Sport and Recreation Queensland who were the major sponsors.

The Murgon Golf Club was presented in great condition and the players were very complimentary about the greens which were outstanding. The club has had the greens redesigned by course architect David Burrop over the last few years, and they provided a stern but fair challenge for the golfers this week.

The Queensland Golf Union also announced during the Championship Presentation that the 2008 Championship will be held from the 14th - 16th March at Murgon Golf Club again, and is looking forward to an even bigger and more successful event.

For more information on this event or the 2008 Championship contact Scott Wagstaff at the Queensland Golf Union on 3854 1105 or email swagstaff [AT] queenslandgolf [DOT] org [DOT] au