GOLF
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THE decision to head across the Blue Mountains to contest his first Bathurst Open paid handsome dividends on Sunday for Cabramatta player Troy Norris as he claimed a one-shot victory in his debut appearance.
The right-hander plays alongside Bathurst’s Paul Bright at the Cabramatta club which in turn led to his decision to contest the open.
He defeated Orange’s Andy Campbell by a single shot with Bathurst junior Scott Matheson a further shot back in third.
Norris shot a 75 to open the tournament, leaving him two shots behind joint leaders James Brownlow and two-time champion John Betland on Saturday
evening.
However, they both faded in the second round as Norris found his range.
The opening day of reconnaissance set him up for his Sunday charge and an even-par 71 was enough for him to claim the victory.
Campbell managed a 71 himself to miss out by the barest of margins.
Norris explained that his last four holes effectively made the difference.
“I went birdie-bogey-birdie-bogey in the early holes and was hitting it okay. At the par-five 15th I took a three wood off the tee to take that water out of play down the left hand side,” he said.
“I hit another three wood to the green and two-putted for a birdie. I picked up another birdie on the 17th that put me in front, and then managed a good up-and-down from the front of the 18th green and ultimately that was what won it for me.
“I didn’t play as well on Saturday, but it was the first time I’d played 18 holes here and I learned a bit about the course and was able to use that in the second round.
“In the past I’ve played here a couple of times, but just nine holes very occasionally when I’ve had to come to Bathurst for work. This was the first full round and first competition I’d played here.”
Betland and Brownlow each shot a 73 on Saturday to put themselves in contention while Jarryd Bird was a shot behind to lead the way for Bathurst.
Pre-tournament favourite Bright opened with a 77.
That first day experience though was enough for Norris, who is already talking about the possibility of defending his crown in 12 months.
“It was a nice way to start off, winning at my first go here, so I can’t really complain can I?” he said.
“At this stage I’ll be more than happy to come back and try and win it again next year.
“We’ve been playing with Paul Bright down in Sydney, so a handful of us thought it would be a good idea to drive up and give it a go. It is a tough test here, the greens played quite tough and it was a real challenge.”
In B grade Bathurst pair Peter Moase and John Fagan were tied on 164 after two rounds and it took five play-off holes to separate them.
Moase eventually took the title.
In C grade, Aaron McDonald did enough to pip Dave Curran by a single shot after firing 185 across his two rounds.