Date: September 05, 2019
Author: Golf Australia

Leech claims fifth title at Sand Greens

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Helen Leech has claimed her fifth Trimax Victorian Women’s Sand Greens Championship at Avoca GC today.

Leech was thrilled to come away with a come-from-behind victory after the disappointment of losing in a playoff at last year’s championship.

After round one, Leech trailed Jo Watts by a considerable margin of eight shots but never lost hope of bridging that gap in round two today.

By the ninth hole, Leech had drawn level with Watts and surged to victory with a steady back-nine of 38 that was highlighted with a birdie on the par-four 13th hole.

The win means that Leech, a previous winner in 2006, 2007, 2014, and 2016 has now tied the record with five Victorian Sand Greens titles.

Watts was clearly disappointed but very humble in defeat.

“That’s golf,” she claimed when describing her contrasting first and second rounds.

Despite falling just short in the overall championship, Watts managed to take home the runner-up prize and the A division best round one net prize.

In B division, Dianne Stewart (Beechworth) took out the gross prize with her total of 185 and the net prize went to Tanya Niven (Elmore) with a very impressive score of 142.

In C Division, Joanne Donnelly (Dimboola) clinched victory in the gross section on a countback to Pat Collins (Belvoir Park) with a score of 211, whilst Sue Lamb (Inverleigh) came out on top in the net with her total of 148.

Overwhelming praise for Avoca GC resonated in the packed clubhouse during the afternoon presentation speeches, which is a credit to the outstanding preparation and hospitality provided by all the volunteers at Avoca.

The support from naming rights sponsor Trimax and a raft of other local sponsors was also well received and greatly appreciated.

The club will open their doors again tomorrow for a social competition before the men’s championship kicks off on Saturday.

Click here for full results.

Click here for tournament photo gallery.