Rookie Stacey Tate became the third consecutive first time winner in as many events, when she captured the Gujurat NRE Cup at the Russell Vale Golf Club this afternoon. The third event in the 2008-09 Club Car Series attracted a quality field of Australian and international players, with the 23-year old New Zealander, Tate, victorious in a play-off against last event winner, Rachel Bailey.
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Tate and Bailey fired rounds of 2-under par 58 on the challenging Russell Vale “short course” which presents a mix of 13 par three holes ranging from 118m to 192 metres, four par fours and just one par five at 487 metres. Both players were part of the afternoon draw and were chasing early joint leaders Sarah-Jane Kenyon and rookie Nicole Montgomery who had posted 1-under par rounds of 59.
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Tate triumphed at the first extra playoff hole after she hit her approach shot at the 119 metre par 3 11th hole to within 8 feet of the hole, and rolled in the heavily breaking putt after Bailey had failed to get up and down following a pulled her tee shot.
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Competing in just her second ALPG Tour event since joining the Tour four weeks ago, Tate was not expecting such a result, so early in her assault on the ALGP Tour. “I am stoked. I really didn’t see this coming because I kind of feel like an unknown, an underdog and was expecting it to take a little longer before I felt I could get a feel for this Tour and challenge realistically,” said Tate, In 2008 she completed her rookie year on the Duramed FUTURES Tour in the USA.
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“My first event last week was OK, I think I finished around 25th, but I did hit the ball well there and then again in the practice round here yesterday, so I knew if I got my putting going, I could do pretty well.” Tate commenced her round on the 10th hole and made birdies on the 12th and 13th holes before a three-putt bogey on 16 moved her back a step. A chip in birdie on the par four 18th hole got the "juices" flowing again and birdies on the 2nd and 4th holes followed, to get her to three under. Bogeys at the 5th and 6th holes disappointed, but a two- putt birdie on the par four 8th put Tate back to 2-under par where she would remain after a final hole par.
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Bailey, winner of the 36-hole St Georges Basin Country Club Pro-am last week, also began her round on the tenth hole. A birdie, birdie start, followed by another at the 14th provided the ideal start as she rode her wave of confidence from the &aposBasin&apos. A lone bogey at the 16th hole put Bailey back to 2-under par where she would remain after carding ten consecutive pars to match Tate’s round of 58.
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For Tate, the win guarantees her a start in the major tournaments in February, and achieves a goal which she said had been in the back of her mind. “To know I can now play the New Zealand Open, ANZ Ladies Masters and Women’s Australian Open is a huge relief.” she said.” I can now enjoy the fun of the ALPG Tour which has been just great the past week.”
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For fifth year professional, Kenyon, who had an outstanding year on the Duramed Futures Tour, securing her second title and a full card for the 2009 LPGA Tour, the tied 3rd place finish was no surprise as she was listed as one of the pre-tournament favourites. Riding a wave of confidence after a successful season which sees her NOT having to enter the LPGA Q-School for the first time in five years, Kenyon is expected to be one of the star performers in ALPG Tour events over the 2008-09 summer.
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The Club Car Series continues at the end of this week as players tee it up at the 36 hole Moss Vale Golf Club Ladies Classic sponsored by Corban Automotive, Wollongong.