Canberra to host Challenge
April 17th, 2006 by Doogs
The golfing world turns to Canberra this weekend for the King Challenge Canberra 2006. Reigning title holder Mike Hauser will join fellow tour stalwart Steve DaCosta and past champion Rich Bondietti in a 36 hole event. Kel ‘The Jones Boy’ Jones is also rumoured to be making an appearance, especially as he plays his best golf in the Australian capital.
The event will tee off at Murrumbidgee Country Club, ‘the bidge’ has previously hosted rounds of the King Challenge including the Capital Challenge in 1999, and is the home course for Rich giving him a distinct home ground advantage! The final round will be held on the hallowed turf of Royal Canberra , ‘Australia’s Augusta’ is a classic course, rated 12th in the country. Most of the course is played down corridors of pine trees to slick greens well gaurded by large bunkers and contours.
In 1999 Royal Canberra was scene to one of the most dramatic rounds in King Challenge history. Here is an extract from the King Challenge website:
Mike Hauser held a 10 shot lead going into the final round at Royal. Whether it was the rushed start, too many Guinnesses or bad karma no-one will ever know but after 36 holes with 13 pars and nothing worse than a double bogey, Mike started with three triple bogeys. Steve DaCosta settled early while Rich Bonietti’s putter was on fire and a par on the 2nd showed he was ready to play ball. Mikes short game caved in taking a shocking 22 putts on the front nine including four 3 putt greens! A par on the tough 6th for Steve bought the lead within grasp but Mike consolidated and parred 7th. Steve immediately hit back with a great birdie two on the 8th. After nine holes the lead was cut to just 2 shots!
Rich started with a par on the 10th and was eyeing the purple jacket. And when Steve took a triple bogey on the 11th it was anyones game. But Mikes game caved in again on the next 5 holes, dropping 13 shots and the lead to Steve. On the tee at the 16th Steves tee shot went way left, hit a tree and bounced back into play. That was the ball game folks, Mikes reply sailed way right onto the adjoining 15th fairway. Steve walked up the 18th fairway to the cheers of the crowd, the purple jacket was his. Mike was left to ponder what might have been. Richard soaked up the atmosphere and sunk a telling putt on the final green to take the putting trophy from Steve on countback.
Steve at the presentation ceremony looking good in purple