Alex Hilliard of Commonwealth has been crowned the 2016 Victorian Women’s Par 3 Champion this afternoon in an exciting play-off against Wodonga’s Casey Wild.
Overnight rain made conditions tough again today at Kyabram Parkland as water struggled to drain from the course. Volunteers were out early pumping away excess water, however the clay based surface was well and truly saturated. The greens maintained their speed and further expected showers laid off as players completed their second and final round today.
Hilliard and Wild found themselves tied yet again after 36-holes, both recording identical rounds of 59 and 61 for a two-round total of 120 and forcing a sudden-death play-off. Heading back up 18, Hilliard won the coin toss and fired first, landing on the front left of the green. Wild followed suit, pulling up slightly short then chipped it up around the pin. Left with a 20 foot putt, Hilliard lined up and rolled it straight into the back of the cup to take home the trophy. 2015 champion Jessica Pickwick enjoyed a brilliant day out, equalling her course record this afternoon of 57 set last year to finish 2 shot behinds the leaders and claim third place.
B-grade gross leader Tina Cowie has bettered her round 1 score of 80 by 2 shots today for a 36-hole total of 158. The Tambo Valley member carded a 78 today to win on a count-back from local member Annette Pell who also finished on 158. A count-back on 160 was required for third place as well and it was Yarrawonga Mulwala’s Doris Ringholt claiming the win from Christine O’Toole of Bandiana Army.
Sharon Matters of Romsey was the best in the A-grade nett section, finishing with a nett 112 to win by a mere shot from Coral Ward of Beechworth. The 14 marker posted nett scores of 59 then a solid one under nett par 53 today. Cowie dominated in the B-grade nett section, returning scores of 52 and 50 for a total of 102, 12 shots clear of runner-up Jan Lang. The Beechworth member finished tied on nett 114 with Euroa’s Pamela Sprunt, carding identical pairs of 57s with the count-back decided on the back 9 holes of today’s round.
The committee members, volunteers and course staff of Kyabram Parkland are to be commended on the fantastic hospitality shown to all players and guests during the championship. The 2017 event will be held at Kyabram Parkland once again on June 7 & 8.
Next on the agenda is the Victorian Men’s Par 3 Championship, kicking off with 36-holes this Saturday at Kyabram Parkland followed by the final round on Sunday morning.
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