A star is born at Belmont Hills

The Gosling’s Invitational unearthed a precious gem in son-of-the-soil Terrance Daniels.

Playing in his first Invitational, the 22-year-old Grand Canyon University graduate ran away with the amateur division by a commanding 15 shots and with more clinical putting may have won it all.

Daniels closed with a three over par 73 yesterday for a four-day total of 277 that left him one shot shy of a joining Bill Walsh, Kirk Hanefeld and Zoltan Veress in a sudden-death playoff to decide the overall winner.

Reflecting upon his sensational Gosling’s Invitational debut, the Bermudian said: “I’m proud of the way I played. I came into the tournament not playing that good but finished well. I would’ve liked to have won… but I did my best and so I’m happy with that.

Excited

“The course played a little tougher than I thought it was going to play and the competition was good. This was the first time that I have played in this tournament — I was so excited.

“My ball striking was good enough where I could still keep good scores, but my putting was definitely way off par. This was the worst that I have ever putted in a tournament.”

Daniels shot a three under par 67 during the opening round and went one better during the penultimate round to keep pace with the lead pack.

With top acts such as past U.S. PGA Tour player Mike Donald (283) in the field, Daniels felt he had a point to prove.

He added: “I wanted to prove that I could play just as good as a lot of these top players — and I think I did that.  I think I proved that to a lot of people.”

Already, Daniels is looking at broadening his golf horizons.

He said: “I think I am going to turn pro next summer so this will definitely look good on my resume’. I am very happy with that. This performance gives me a little bit more exposure. I came into this tournament to win the whole thing, but at least I got one victory.”

Claiming overall honours was U.S PGA player Walsh who saved par on the third and final playoff hole to pocket the $12,000 winner’s purse after Veress made bogey.

Defending Gosling’s Invitational champion Hanefeld, who blazed his way to a course record eight under par 62 during Wednesday’s third round, was eliminated on the first playoff hole after carding a disappointing bogey.

Bermuda’s Jeffrey Lindo, as expected, captured a fourth consecutive senior amateur crown by a commanding 13 shots.