NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia (Feb. 3, 2012) -- Congratulations to Englishman Neil Raymond who defeated Brett Drewitt of Long Reef GC this morning in a play-off to determine the 2012 NSW Medal Winner. Both players finished their 36-holes yesterday on 144, and with no further play today a playoff was required for a result.
Neil Raymond ensured that England again kept the NSW Stroke Play silverware, defeating Long Reef's Brett Drewitt at the first play-off hole. The play-off was held on Mona Vale's par 3 6th hole. Drewitt held the upper hand after their tee shots, landing safely on the green, while Raymond pulled his shot to the left, before chipping up to 15 feet. Drewitt feeling like a two putt would be good enough to take the title tried to lag his first putt to the hole, but unfortunately left himself six feet away after his first putt. The Englishman calmly rolled in his par putt leaving Drewitt a putt to halve the hole, which he failed to make.
The first round of matches sees some very interesting contests, with Raymond up against 32nd qualifier, 2011 Australian Amateur Champion, Matt Stieger, who himself survived a play-off to make the match play component of the NSW Amateur.
Many compatriots also face up in the first round, with NSW GC's Michael Bell and Michael Lambert up against each other, as are highly fancied Interstate rivals Brady Watt (WA) and Rory Bourke (Vic). NSW Elite Squad members, Ricky Kato and Daniel Bringolf, should be a great contest and a lot of interest will surround the matches at the bottom of the draw with New Zealanders Tim Leonard and Fraser Wilkin up against each other, as are Ireland's Reeve Whitson and England's Ashley Chesters.
The Irish performed well in the wet weather, with all four visitors through to the match play.
The match play portion of the event will begin on Monday
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