Kim Burke has been crowned the New Zealand Women’s Senior Champion for 2017 after a stunning performance at Waihi Golf Club in the Bay of Plenty on the Country’s North Island.
The Magenta Shores golfer had to battle hard in every match, needing extra holes in her final three games before being able to lift the title.
Burke defeated New Zealander Robyn Fellow in the first round 5&4, Perth’s Sharon Dawson in the quarter-finals at 19th hole , Monash Country Club’s Jacqui Morgan in semi-finals at 19th, and Victorian Helen Pascoe in the final at 21st.
“I had a very tough draw,” Burke said. “I played a former NZ Champion in the first round and then had to face Sharon (Dawson) who was the defending champ, and who beat me in the finals of the Australian Senior in 2015.”
“I played the legendary Jacqui Morgan in the semi-final and then my Australian team mate in Helen Pascoe in the final,”
“II was three or four down after nine holes in every match but I won them all in sudden-death, the golfing gods were on my side,” she laughed.
Burke believes it was her decision to take part in the NSW Amateur Championship earlier this month in readiness for the Championship that gave her a competitive edge over her rivals.
“I played the NSW Amateur last month at Terrey Hills and Killara purely as my tournament preparation for this event,
"I hadn’t played them for years as I ‘m not all that competitive against the younger girls anymore, but I thought playing with the young guns would be a good way of playing under pressure,
“It was a thrill to play the qualifying rounds with Somi Lee, the champion too,” she added.
Burke was part of a four-member squad that was chosen to represent Australia courtesy of her top four finish in last year’s Australian Women’s Senior Championship.
“I am just so proud to be representing Australia and to become NZ Senior Champion against such a quality field feels wonderful,” she smiled.