For the budding golfers undertaking the trials of amateur tournaments, the rewards may appear quite modest. The glory of victory yields little more than a trophy, perhaps a medal and an advancing step in their pursuit towards the potential wealth that professional golf promises.
Yet, when it comes to the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship, the stakes are remarkably different and significantly higher. Victory here carries with it a prize that is innately coveted, compelling enough to both sharpen focus and distort it.
Within reach at Royal Melbourne this week is an assurance of a spot in the Masters and Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2024. Amid this allure, 13 Australian aspirants are competing, all hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s champion, Harrison Crowe, thereby fulfilling the dream of every golfer.
Australia’s top-ranked player, Jeff Guan, might carry the added advantage of a five-hour chipping masterclass imparted by Cameron Smith in Florida. The opportunity, he said, was enlightening both in terms of golf prowess and event navigation.
The lessons learnt from his travels and the unique methodology adopted by Smith left an indelible impact on Guan. Yet, even with this advantage, he believes that undue pressure would not serve any player, despite the lucrative prize dangling tantalizingly within reach.
In the meantime, Quinn Croker has devised his own strategy to manage the all-consuming gold rush. By immersing himself in professional events back home in Western Australia, he aims to keep his form sharp for the Melbourne event. His participation, however, has come at the cost of increased attention. In his view, the presence of cameras is something he is slowly adapting to.
Then there’s Jack Buchanan, close pal of Crowe who turned professional after his two major tournaments in 2023. Buchanan is using his friend’s success tale as a source of inspiration. He believes it makes the chance of winning seem more tangible.
It should be noted that there have been three previous Australian winners of this event, commencing with Anthony Murdaca in 2014, Curtis Luck in 2016, and Crowe most recently last year. The glinting allure of victory beckons yet again at this championship, instilling a collective drive in these young hopefuls, each bidding to etch their own story into the annals of golf.
