In a final where the weather turned fierce, and the result could have gone either way, the NSW Women’s team have risen above it all to claim the Gladys Hay Cup with a four matches to two win against Western Australia.
It was always going to be a close affair. The teams couldn’t be split during the round-robin matches, and the final looked for a long time like it wasn’t going to be much different.
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LIVE SCORES: Men's Match
WOMEN'S FINAL PHOTO GALLERY: Go the #Blues
DAY THREE PHOTO GALLERY : All the pics from a freezing Glenelg GC
DAY TWO : The WRAP
DAY ONE: The WRAP
PLAYER PROFILES : 2018 NSW Representatives
The scoring was close for much of the front nine, with most of the matches drifting a hole either way. As the afternoon went on, and the rain squalls came and went, it was Western Australia who recorded the first point when Abbie Teasdale got the better of Sophie Yip. The 13- year-old was naturally disappointed with her loss. She need not worry, however, she will win many, many more titles in what is shaping up as a spectacular golf career.
The ledger was soon back to square when the super consistent Kelsey Bennett grabbed her third win in as many matches with a 4/3 win over Georgia Shears. Bennett is an outstanding talent, and her first taste of interstate golf will not be her last.
Darcy Habgood, enjoying her first year in the Blues, was never headed and when she got to four up after 11 holes, she had the match in her keeping. When Habgood’s opponent conceded the 15th, she too was a 4/3 winner. Nambucca Heads Golf Club has a new star and a woman they can be very proud of.
Stephanie Kyriacou got the better of her opponent, Australian Junior Champion Maddison Hinson-Tolchard 4/3 in the type of dominant display many know she is capable of producing.
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Team Captain Amy Chu looked like joining the party with a strong win, however after a little snafu on the 16th, when she airmailed the green, her match headed to the 17th. When her Western Australian opponent Kathryn Norris failed to make par, Chu had joined the winner's circle with a 2/1 result.
With the contest all over, Doey Choi, playing number one, and with the thought of a compulsory drug test looming as soon as she finished, was unable to keep her clean series record intact, going down two to the WA number one Kristen Rudgeley 3/1.
Team Captain Chu was ecstatic with the performance of her team.
“I’m really proud of the girls, they’ve all done incredibly well this week,”
“We’re like a second family, so everyone really celebrates everyone else’s success … it makes it all even better when you see your mates succeed.
“We’ve done so much in the preparation to get to this point … it’s really nice to see it stand up when it matters.
“And a huge thanks to all involved with the team, our coach Dean (Kinney), our manager Claudia (Lim) and all who’ve helped get us here. It’s a team effort and all the girls are really grateful.
“It’s a special moment. You never know when you get this chance and we’re really glad we took it,” Chu said.
It is the first time since 2008 & 2009, when the Blues won the title back-to-back, that NSW has lifted the Gladys Hay Cup.
Final Scores:
Sophie Yip lost to Abbie Teasdale 4/3, Kelsey Bennett def Georgia Shears 4/3, Darcy Habgood def YEah-Jin Lee 4/3, AMy Chu def Kathryn Norris 2/1, Stephanie Kyriacou def Maddison Hinson Tolchard 4/3, DOey Choi lost to Kirsten Rudgeley 3/1.
Weather battle in store as Women reach final
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The NSW Women’s team will meet Western Australia in the final of the Australian Women's Interstate Teams matches this afternoon after a wild morning on the course at Glenelg.??With winds exceeding 45 km/h at times and the Mercury barely getting into double digits, The Blues were forced to fight all the way by Series Hosts, South Australia.
Sophie Yip once again showed what a considerable talent she is, winning easily 6/5. Darcy Habgood seemingly in control of her match head to battle hard, and eventually overcame her opponent, Sarah Croker on the last.
Doey Choi ensured the NSW team would complete the round robin matches undefeated when she got the better of Jin-Young Yun, 2/1, While Amy Chu made it four games won when she prevailed by one hole over Caitlin Roberts.
Is the time right for Josh?
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Josh Armstrong, by his high standards, has had a quiet Interstate Series to date.
Get ready for that to change in this afternoon’s vital matchup against fierce rivals, Queensland.
Armstrong knows patience is a virtue in this game. He has loads and knows the quality of golf he is capable of is just around the corner.
“I wouldn't say I have had my ‘A Game’ this week, but it will come out eventually.
Signs of the imminent break out we close in Armstrong’s match against his South Australian rival, Jackson Kalz.
“Jacko is a good player. I have a lot of respect for him. All I did yesterday afternoon was play a lot of solid shots. I hung in there and made him hit into trouble.
Armstrong fully expects a tight contest against his likely opponent this afternoon, Charlie Dann. He knows what it will take to win, and his approach to the challenge, unsurprisingly, is quite simple.
“Put more emphasis on my targets. Get a little more precise.
“I know it’s close, and I feel as though I can get it going scary good,” Armstrong smiled.
Will the women lift the Gladys Hay Cup?
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It’s the final day of the Women’s Interstate Teams Matches here at Glenelg Golf Club.
Huey will play his part as the girls get underway this morning. It is a frigid 13 degrees celsius and with the southwesterly winds already increasing towards the predicted 25- 40km/h by early afternoon. A high of only 16 deg C is about as good as it will get today.
While the #Blues men have a bit of a sleep in courtesy of their morning bye, The NSW Women will face hosts South Australia in a game that should cement their place at the top of the points table.
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Interest lies in who could be the Blues opponent in this afternoon’s final, with Western Australia who will face Tasmania and Queensland who face off against Victoria,likely to decide the final placings, and which could come down to a countback on matches won.
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