History has been made at the Astor Trophy with New Zealand claiming its first title after a final showdown with Australia.
The NZ women took care of business at Royal Colwood Golf Club, Canada, clutching victory for the first time since the event’s inception in 1959.
In an ‘All Blacks v Wallabies’ style showdown, the ladies in black sealed the deal with a 3-1 victory in the winner-take-all singles matches on Sunday.
The four-woman team of Kirsty Hodgkins, Stacey White, Emily Mahar and Amelia Grohn finished in a tie for second with South Africa and Great Britain & Ireland.
After the two countries split their two morning foursomes matches, it came down the four singles matches.
Australia would need to win three of four matches to defend their title, last won in 2015 on home soil.
But as the matches unfolded, it wasn’t meant to be for team Australia, with Grohn, of Coffs Harbour, the only victor.
Grohn, currently attending Iowa State University, held the upper hand throughout her match to Carmen Lim, securing her match 4&3 on the 15th.
NZ's Amelia Garvey won the last three holes against Hodgkins to take the match on the 18th green, with Julianne Alvarex later sealing NZ’s victory after with taking down Mahar 3&1.
Wenyung Keh kept her unbeaten record intact with a 3&1 win over Brisbane’s Stacey White.
New Zealand finished the five-country competition with 3.5 points. Australia, South Africa and Great Britain & Ireland all had two points, while Canada finished with a half-point.
Formerly known as the Commonwealth Tournament, the Astor Trophy is contested every four years between teams of female amateur golfers from Great Britain and Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.
The next Astor Trophy will be held in New Zealand in 2023.
Final results:
1st New Zealand
T2 Australia
T2 South Africa
T2 Great Britain & Ireland
5 Canada