Berwick Montuna’s Ashley Hall won the Victorian PGA championship at Sanctuary Lakes on Sunday. The event was the 23-year-old’s third as a professional, after debuting at the Australian Open in November.By Paul Pickering
BERWICK-Montuna golfer Ashley Hall has claimed victory in just his third event as a professional, winning the Victorian PGA title to put an exclamation point on his triumphant rookie season.
The 23-year-old began Sunday’s final round seven shots off the pace, but held his nerve while others faltered on the wind-blown Sanctuary Lakes layout.
“I saw the leader board coming down the 10th and I thought I had no chance,” he said.
Hall’s 4-under par 68 was the best score of the day, and good enough to earn him a place in a sudden-death play-off with Sydney’s Tristan Lambert.
After the pair halved the first play-off hole with bogeys, Hall rifled a five-iron to eight metres on the second and two-putted his way to victory.
The Hampton Park resident paid tribute to his father – and caddie – Geoff for his calming influence during the tense final holes.
“It was quite relaxing to have Dad caddying. He knows when I’m annoyed and when I get a bit nervous,” Hall said.
It was Geoff who introduced his son to golf on the fairways of Berwick-Montuna as a five-year-old.
While Hall has gone on to captain the Huntingdale pennant team, he appreciates the support of the club at which he fell in love with the game, and remains a member.
“I was a full member there before I was 11,” he said.
“Not many clubs would allow that back then. They were really encouraging.”
It is the future, however, that most excites Hall.
After finishing tied for 24th in his professional debut at the Australian Open in November, strong performances in the Australasian and Asian Tour qualifying schools have secured his immediate playing future.
In Manilla this weekend for the Philippines Open, Hall is resisting the temptation to get ahead of himself.
“My goal for this year is just to play as much as I can, learn from my mistakes, and play well enough that I still have a job for next year,” he said.
Despite the busy schedule that confronts him, it is an impending homecoming to which Hall is most looking forward.
“I’m playing in the Berwick Montuna Pro-Am on 1 March,” he said. “That’ll be my first round there as a pro.
“I can’t wait.”
