Klein's 'fairy-tale finish' to Redcliffe's $60,000 pro-am

Published 3:00pm 20 July 2021

Doug Klein produced a “fairy-tale” finish to win the $60,000 Hutchinson Builders Redcliffe Pro-Am - which is already on the radar for many players next year.

Klein, who works at Redcliffe Golf Club’s pro shop, beat Nathan Barbieri by one shot to win $10,788, the biggest payday of his career.

The 23-year-old shot a superb first round 63 to lead by two strokes on his home course and in windy conditions on day two went round in 68 for a 131 total.

Barbieri’s superb second day 64 closed the gap to one shot, but the man from Monash Country Club, Sydney could not find another birdie over the last five holes.

Doug's hat-trick

That gave Klein his second win in four tournaments and third of the year having also won the Virginia Pro-Am in April and Tin Can Bay Pro-Am on July 6.

It was also against the best quality field every assembled for a tournament at Redcliffe.

“I had no idea of the scores (in the final round),” said Klein, “I wasn’t trying to birdie every hole, just concentrating on doing my thing.

“I found out I won when walked off the last. I was more stoked for everyone supporting me, than for myself. We’re a close-knit club. A win for me is a win for them.”

Doug Klein, left, with Redcliffe Golf Club's Director of Golf Chris Adnams after the Hutchinson Builders Redcliffe Pro-Am

Annual event

Chris Adnams, Redcliffe’s Director of Golf, described it as “a fairy-tale finish to the week. The local hope, members’ favourite winning … stuff made in heaven!

“100 per cent this is an annual event going forward. The feedback has been excellent. The sponsors had two great days and people were saying they’ll be back next year.”

The 2021 Hutchinson Builders Redcliffe Pro-Am, first held in 2019 but cancelled last year due to COVID, had the biggest prize fund on the national Adidas PGA Pro-Am Series this year.

Klein's next major tournament will be the Northern Territory PGA Championship at Palmerston Golf Club on August 19-22.