Players include Scott Arnold, Ray Beaufils, Daniel Beckmann, Rohan Blizard, Michael Foster, Matthew Griffin, Brett Rankin, Justin Roach and Josh Younger.

The Australian National Squad brings tough competition to the Rice Planters Amateur. They held the top three spots in 2007 (Foster first, Younger second and Griffin third.) In 2007 Arnold won the Jockey Club Rosario in Argentina. Beaufils placed second in the Queensland Medal. Beckmann won the Federal Amateur in 2007.

Griffin won the 2007 Four Nations Cup. Rankin placed second in the 2007 South Australian Invitational. Roach won the 2007 New Zealand Foursomes. Younger won the 2007 Mandurah Easter Amateur.

“Australian players have been very successful in past Rice Planters,” said Bruce Fleming, tournament director. “They bring to Snee Farm not only skill and talent, but a unique golfing perspective having competed in various locations worldwide.”

Michael Foster is returning to defend his 2007 Rice Planters Amateur victory. He will face tough competition against his fellow teammate Rohan Blizard. Blizard is currently ranked No. 1 player in Australia and No. 8 on the Scratch Players World Amateur. (To see rankings of Scratch Players go to <www.scratchplayers.org/world.am.rank.asp>.)

“Since winning the Australian Amateur Championship last year, Rohan has been performing at a consistently high standard,” said Peter Knight, director of the Australian National Elite Development. “He has represented Australia in national teams for the Four Nations Cup, Nomura Cup and Southern Cross Trophy.”

Although Knight has much faith in Blizard, he recognizes the strength of all the Australian players.

“The Australian players competing in the Rice Planters tournament are the best from our country. With a number of them on the cusp of becoming professionals they are looking to add to their playing résumés with good performances at Snee Farm,” Knight said.

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