TEAM GB SURVIVE DISQUALIFICATION MOVE AT AUSSIE YOUTH OLYMPICS

TEGWEN MATTHEWS REPORTS

Australian Youth Olympic Festival - Day 3

“Super Saturday”, as traditionally referred to in the Olympics, very nearly turned into “Shocking Saturday” for TeamGB, on the third day of play at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club, Sydney.

A group, including TeamGB members Ewan Scott and Bradley Neil, who are two of the four nominated players for the team award, teed off from an incorrect teeing ground at the short sixth hole. The tee had been moved some 30 yards left of its previous position and the group had not been advised of the change of tee or yardage.

Under the R&A rules of golf, the penalty is disqualification.

Following an appeal, the committee reviewed the decison and, following discussion with R&A representatives, the disqualification was waived under “exceptional circumstances”, having found precedent from a simiar incident in an International qualifying event. 

The group of three, which included an Australian player, were asked to replay that hole from the correct tee - the score recorded for the hole, to stand as the correct score for the re-instated players.

Everyone concerned was entirely grateful, most especially TeamGB, and I think we can safely say, that every teeing ground will now be examined with extreme diligence! 

It had been a turbulent day all round for TeamGB performance, as five players still had to complete their second rounds following the suspension of play for the extreme heat on Day 2.

Teeing off at an earlier start of 6.45 am, Lauren Whyte posted a superb 5 under par 67, holing a 15 footer on the last, to loud cheers from her team-mates. 

Ashton Turner finished on 4 under par 68, to continue in pole position for the boys individual event.

Play for the third  round commenced at the later time of 8.45am and in very different conditions to that of Day 2. Temperatures were halved to 23 degrees, accompanied by showers and a challenging breeze. 

Georgia Hall discarded the frustrations of her first two rounds and posted a fine 4 under par 68. Going into the final day, Georgia leads the girls' individual event by three shots from Australia, with TeamGB member,Gabriella Cowley, shooting a 73, placing her in bronze position.

Both Chloe Williams and Lauren Whyte, struggled to repeat their form of round 2, but are well placed to maximise their performance in the final round and rise to medal places.

Amber Ratcliffe fired her tournament best of 70 and will be looking to improve on that again on the final day.

Ashton Turner was disappointed with his 74, which dropped him into bronze position, behind Australia and China, but will no doubt be firing on all cylinders tomorrow and hunting for gold.

Fellow TeamGB team mates Jack Singh Brar and Harry Ellis, shot their first sub par rounds of the tournament, with 67 and 70 respectively.

With Ewan Scott and Bradley Neil, re-instated from disqualification, Team GB lead the team event by four strokes from Australia. Bradley Neil posting another sub par round of 69 and Ewan Scott a level par 72.

TeamGB spirits were revived following the boys' re-instatement and everyone is in exactly the right frame of mind to maximise their performance tomorrow and contribute to the ever growing haul of medals from all the other TeamGB atheletes.

Lets make it “Super Sunday” for TeamGB Golf!