Advertisment

Sport

2 February, 2023

Chris Thomson enjoys round of a lifetime

It was the round of golf that had the president of the Ballarat Golf Club in awe. Maryborough’s Chris Thomson took to the Ballarat green on January 29 looking to defend his Men’s District championship that he had won last year, and not only was...

By Michael Thompson

Maryborough local Chris Thomson recently played the round of a lifetime at the Ballarat Golf Club, defending his men’s district title there. Now, plans are afoot to take his golf to the next level, including the upcoming Victorian Open. Photo: 020323 16
Maryborough local Chris Thomson recently played the round of a lifetime at the Ballarat Golf Club, defending his men’s district title there. Now, plans are afoot to take his golf to the next level, including the upcoming Victorian Open. Photo: 020323 16

It was the round of golf that had the president of the Ballarat Golf Club in awe.

Maryborough’s Chris Thomson took to the Ballarat green on January 29 looking to defend his Men’s District championship that he had won last year, and not only was he successful, but he won by an incredible nine shots over his nearest rival.

Thomson had hit eight-under in his last nine holes of the 27-hole competition, leading to Ballarat Golf Club president Cameron Bryce quoted on their Facebook page as saying it was the most amazing nine holes of golf he had ever seen since the course was redesigned.

Thomson chose to be humble in his win, instead raving about playing the best golfers in the district.

“It was good to defend the title, but it was also good to play against the best players in the district. That always improves your game. The course was in really good condition, so I was glad to shoot that score,” he said.

“It was a close match after 18 holes — a really good tussle. Then in the last nine holes, I just went on a run that couldn’t be stopped.

“When it happens, you’re never expecting it yourself. You just play one shot at a time, but I was on a bit of a run regardless. I was three-under after two holes, having hit a birdie and an eagle to start, and then I was chasing the holes a little bit, which never happens, being four-under after four, five-under after five, etc.”

Thomson’s form was such that there was a crowd watching him over the last few holes, which may have been more akin to crowds watching Tiger Woods in his prime, or current golfing star Rory McIlroy.

“With three holes to go, I had an easy hole, and started thinking ahead, which you’re not meant to do. I was thinking ‘if I could make this shot here, I have two holes to go and I’ll be seven-under after seven’. I had a birdie on the eighth as well, and then I was trying to birdie the last hole, as I was chasing a nine-hole record, and I was getting a crowd gathering around to watch and having a great time. They couldn’t believe it themselves,” he said.

“I said in my winning speech that no one could believe the score, but I was always chasing one more to have the perfect nine holes. You don’t often get a chance to do that. The blokes that I was playing with were cheering me on too. We were playing against each other, but they were happy to see that, so the news around the course was that I was playing in such a way. It was an interesting time.”

Thomson says that having recently joined the Ballarat Golf Club, it adds to his philosophy of being able to improve his game by playing all the best courses across Victoria.

“I recently joined up at Ballarat, and the course there is good to learn. It’s a tough course, and the tournament is held off the back nine there, which is at its toughest. I try to go to all the tough courses to play as well as I can, which also takes in Melbourne, such as Kingston Heath and Royal Melbourne. It brings out a higher level of golf, so I play lots of tournaments. It’s good practice to play with good players and good courses, having some tougher shots, but in a way it’s easier with the smoother grass,” he said.

However, it’s Maryborough that is closest to Thomson’s heart — being able to play with his family there on frequent occasions.

“My whole family plays — my dad, my uncle and my Pop. Anytime we’re in Maryborough, we always tend to have a hit. It’s drying out at the moment, so you can hit the ball a long way. I make a bit of meal of the course sometimes, but my dad always enjoys watching, and I have a few rounds with him. It’s good to play everywhere and play with all different types of people. It keeps me going with some handicap stuff for a level playing field,” he said.

For now though, Thomson’s goal is to compete with the best of the best around the state, and points to the upcoming Victorian Open as a competition he would love to compete in.

“My plan now is to go to Curlewis Golf Club for a qualifying event to get into the Vic Open, so this week was a good lead-up to playing at the tough courses and the tricks that they have and knowing what shots to play at the right time. It holds me in good stead,” he said.

Advertisment

Most Popular