Quattro Cup World Final 2017

Australian’s Nestor Chan and Don Ho put in a
strong performance on the stunning Mexico layout.

A strong showing from Australia in the 2017 quattro Cup International final caps off another tremendously success golfing year in the Audi quattro Cup.

AUDI AG and courtesy Nestor Chan

13 December, 2017


A successful Audi quattro Cup World Final for 2017 has seen the Australian pair of Nestor Chan and Don Ho continue a proud tradition for the country, placing equal 12th in the final at the stunning Quivira Golf Club in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Having won the Australian quattro Cup Final in September, Nestor Chan and playing partner Don Ho prepared to take on the rest of the world in the final, with 50 teams from their respective domestic competitions descending on the picturesque course in Mexico to decide this year’s international champions.

For Nestor, it was ‘the trip of a lifetime’, playing on what he described as one of the best course he’d ever played.

“The Quivira course was spectacular,” he said on his return to Australia. “Very challenging and a lot of dangers, and if you went off the fairway you were in trouble.”

“But it is one of the best courses I’ve ever played, in terms of the layout and the difficulty and there are some really spectacular holes… particularly some amazing holes overlooking the ocean.”

That deceivingly treacherous rough would prove a major stumbling block for many of the teams.

 

"It is one of the best courses I’ve ever played, in terms of the layout and the difficulty and there are some really spectacular holes… particularly some amazing holes overlooking the ocean."

"The scenery belied the difficulty and the many hidden traps waiting for the slightest mistake."

Nestled on the rugged coastline overlooking Baja Peninsula, the Quivira Golf Club is internationally recognised for its championship layout, and although the location is breathtaking, as Nestor said, the scenery belied the difficulty and the many hidden traps waiting for the slightest mistake.

Of course it was not all fierce competition, with the competitors from around the world enjoying the hospitality on arriving while they became acclimatised. Dinner overlooking the ocean, the chance for partners to get out on the water and relax and of course the chance to recharge at the resort before heading out to the course all made the Cup event one to remember.

“We played with a team from Germany on the Saturday in a practise round,” says Nestor, “which gave us a chance to get ready for the competition.”

While the players readied for the tournament ahead though, the players’ partners took things easy, enjoying a number of ‘non-golf’ activities. From immersing themselves in an authentic Mexican cooking class, to relaxing cruising off the coast, Mexico and Audi turned on the hospitality to ensure all enjoyed the event.

Even over the course of the two day tournament, the atmosphere was friendly despite the rivalry, with the Australian duo playing on the first day with the second team from Germany and on the second day with the national champions from Finland.

Ultimately, the Australians came in at equal 12th, with the positions for first, 6th and 9th also tied.

“We did our best, but the leaders really got away,” says Nestor. The handicapping too played a part at the end, but it was that course that really thew up the challenges.

“It was like a desert if you missed the fairway,” Nestor said. “It was practically impossible to hit out of, so keeping out of trouble was the only way to go.”

Nevertheless, the overwhelming verdict was a great success. In fact, if there was one highlight for Nestor in a collection of outstanding events, it was the chance to meet LPGA touring pro, Paula Creamer (pictured) who was on hand as a presenter during the event.

“A world class golf course with world class hospitality … every detail of the trip was carefully planned and we were very well looked after,” says Nestor of the whole experience.

“We had a great time and you can’t fault what Audi has done in terms of the event and the hospitality,” says Nestor. “It makes me proud as an Audi owner and it also make me determined to try again in three years time and see if we can improve on the final result.”

Congratulations to Nestor and Don on their performance and to all of the other national champions who competed in Mexico. Roll on 2018!

"We had a great time and you can’t fault what Audi has done in terms of the event and the hospitality."