MOREE golfers Kevin Moore and Gus Baillie last week played their way to a top-five position in the KENO Let’s Play Ambrose State Final at Bonville Golf Resort, Coffs Harbour from an original field numbering more than 6000 pairs.

Competitors played in club qualifying rounds and regional finals across New South Wales over several months to make the final round – 36 pairs in three divisions.

After winning the Moree qualifying round, Moore and Baillie made the cut at Grafton on November 10, scoring a 62.75 net when beating Matthew Cook and Jacob Sheridan from Wauchope.

A total of 188 golf clubs held qualifying tournaments, with 6230 pairs across New South Wales competing.

At Bonville, Moore and Bailey finished fifth overall after two rounds, behind joint winners Matthew Woodbridge and Tom Warren from Dubbo and Andrew Harwood and Guy Boardman from Pambula-Merimbula.

Moore and Baillie, sponsored by Moree Services Club, hit the links running at Bonville, and led the field early.

Moore, better-known as “K-Dog”, or “Doggie”, said the two rounds of golf against the best players in New South Wales was an experience of a lifetime.

“We couldn’t believe it, even when we won at Grafton,” Moore said.

“We weren’t that confident (at Grafton), but we thought, ‘we’re here, we may as well have a go’, and just played our normal game.

“When we shot six-under, we thought ‘that’s not too bad’, and we ended up winning by two-and-a-half shots.

“We were happy enough to win at Grafton to get to Bonville, and thought, ‘holy hell, it’s getting serious now’,” he laughed.

Kevin Moore (left) and Gus Baillie finished fifth in the KENO Let’s Play Ambrose State Final at Bonville Golf Resort, Coffs Harbour from an original field numbering more than 6000 pairs.

The Grafton win set up a few big days at Coffs Harbour, an 18-hole, par-72, championship course rated one of the best in Australia.

All players received a championship shirt and hat, two rounds of golf at Bonville Golf Resort, accommodation and breakfast for the duration of the carnival, as well as tickets to a cocktail welcome function and presentation dinner.

“It was unreal. We were stoked just to make the final, let alone play there and be a part of it,” Moore said.

“We were clubhouse leaders at one point on Monday, and got pushed back to second at the end of the first day.

“Our handicap wasn’t much, and the boys that won were off double our handicap – their win was well-deserved.

“We finished about four-and-a-quarter shots off the pace – first to fifth – and the competition ended with dual winners. When the rain set in, they didn’t have a play-off.

“It was a huge couple of days and the Moree Services Club helped us out by sponsoring a couple of shirts. I can’t thank them enough,” Moore said.

Words: Bill Poulos

Image: Supplied