The 2015 Monash Cup and Joan Fisher Plate concluded this afternoon at Huntingdale Golf Club. The sixty six strong field made up of fifty six men and ten ladies took to Huntingdale Golf Club for the final thirty six holes after completing the opening two rounds at The Metropolitan Golf Club on Wednesday.
Pleasant conditions greeted the field at the commencement of round three with the wind strengthening throughout the day ensuring a stern test of golf for all players.
With The Metropolitan hosting The Australian Masters & Huntingdale hosting the Victorian PGA within the past five months, players have had the opportunity in this R&A World Amateur Rankings event to tackle two of the country’s top ranked courses.
After the completion of the third round this morning, the scene was set for a thrilling finish in both The Monash Cup & Joan Fisher Plate.
Defending champion James Bannan (Rosanna) had assumed a familiar position at the top of the leaderboard after a third round one over par 73 to sit on a three round total of 222. Bannan led by two strokes from The Metropolitan local Lukas Michel and Commonwealth member Cameron John who both sat on a three round total of 224.
In the Joan Fisher Plate it was Grace Daniell (The Metropolitan) who led the way after round three. Daniell shot a fine one under par 73 in the morning round to finish with a three round total of 223 to lead the way from defending champion Kono Matsumoto (Victoria) who was hot on Daniell’s heels sitting five shots adrift on 228. Julienne Soo (Woodlands) finished round three in third place on 238.
As the final round progressed it was Cameron John (Commonwealth) who applied the pressure to the round three leader James Bannan (Rosanna) firing an outward nine of one under par 35. With his strong start to round four, John took the lead by a single stroke heading into the back nine which he maintained over the next eight holes before calmy holing a clutch par putt on the 72nd hole to keep Bannan at bay by the slimmest of margins to finish on a total score of 297 and claim this year’s Monash Cup.
Bannan who was aiming for back to back titles finished outright second with a four round total of 298 with Lukas Michel (The Metropolitan) finishing a further two shots back in third place with a total score of 300 after four rounds.
In the Joan Fisher Plate, Grace Daniell proved far too strong for the field firing a final round one over par 75 for a four round total of 298 to take the title by 13 strokes from last year’s champion Kono Matsumoto (Victoria) who finished on a four round total of 311.
Daniell played extremely consistent throughout the event finishing the last thirty six holes at Huntingdale at even par 148 as many of the field struggled on the slick greens. Julienne Soo (Woodlands) rounded out the top three placings finishing in third on a total score of 313.
Both courses were presented in immaculate condition with all players and officials greatly appreciating the commitment of the members, the committee and the club and ground staff.
For final results, click on the following links.
2015 Monash Cup Leaderboard 2015 Joan Fisher Plate Leaderboard
Full Results– Monash Cup Full Results– Joan Fisher Plate.