China has maintained its advantage over Australia winning the first leg of the 2015 International

Challenge at Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast.

China lead the way with 144 points to Australia’s 142.5 following round one.

Australia, who were hoping to taste victory for the first time, dug deep shooting a competitive score of

327 points but China, with a score of 351 points, proved too strong.

The day was highlighted by some amazing shots, including Shaun Piper of South West Rocks

Country Club who eagled the 3rd hole.

Jake Nagle, grandson of the late Kel Nagle and PGA Professional at Queanbeyan Golf Club, scored

an eagle on the 8th only to be outdone by his playing partner, Hou Jianhong, who scored a hole-in-

one from 210 metres.

Australia’s Stephen Hogg was the leading individual for the tournament, however the consistency of

the entire Chinese team was enough for a victory that saw seven of 12 Chinese players beating their

handicaps.

Matt Kiernan from Palm Meadows Golf Club was the leading Professional with a total of 32.5 points

for two rounds and playing off scratch.

“The teams bonded really well and it was great to meet the Chinese players,” said Kiernan.

“Pelican Waters Golf Club was a great venue and now we can look forward to heading to China,

which I’m sure will be another amazing experience.”

The tournament is played using a modified stableford format with 1 point awarded for a net par, two

points for a net birdie and so on.

Monday saw a 4BBB round and Tuesday was a single stableford round.

The International Challenge pits two 12-player squads from China and Australia in a friendly

competition designed to give participants from the China Golf Club League (sponsored by Buick) and

the Holden Scramble the opportunity to play in an international tournament.

This year the winning team from the 2014 Holden Scramble Championship Final, Palm Meadows,

were joined by a further seven PGA Professionals from across the country teeing it up against the top

three teams from China’s respective teams golf championship.

The second leg of the 2015 International Challenge will take place from the 13-17 July at in Beijing.