Karratha Golf Club hosts Pro-Am event

Professionals and amateurs teed off against each other on Thursday, June 13 when PGA Australia’s Pro-Am Series came to Karratha.

Blue skies and strong winds greeted the 25 professional players with green fairways and red-sand greens ready to test players around the Karratha Country Club layout.

In the pro event, West Australian Braden Becker, pictured, won the CITIC Pacific Mining Karratha Pro-Am with a round of 4-under 68 and continued to prove himself as a consistent sand-green performer.

After finishing a shot behind the winners at last year’s Ladbrokes Pro-Am Series event, Becker once again relished the opportunity to play on sand.

“We love heading up here to these amazing places; putting on sand is a real art and I feel very confident on them now,” said Becker, referring to his scraping technique.

“It’s great to finally get a win on this year’s swing and I’m looking forward to getting to Port Hedland for another amazing event.”

Andrew Schonewille, Rick Kulacz and Brad Moules all shot 3-under 69 to tie for second place, continuing their consistent form on the WA swing.

Troy Murphy and Bardy Watt posted last year’s winning score of 2-under 70 to tie for fifth.

In the amateur event, Chris Stewart was the champion of the day, winning the gross with 75 strokes and $300 for nearest the pin on 16 in a shoot-out, which he tied with professional Michael Long.

Rick Kulacz had a good day with both best second shot on 18 and nearest the pin on 11.

The other novelty awards were won by just as many amateurs as professionals.

The pro players continued from Karratha to Port Hedland for the two-day $30,000 Roy Hill Port Hedland Classic, which was played on June 15 and 16 at Port Hedland Golf Club.