Deb Percey from Kooyonga Golf Club and Mark Boulton from the Phillip Island Golf Club have claimed the Women’s and Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship.
The event in its fourth year, played at the Links Lady Bay Golf Course over 36 holes attracted its strongest field of 64 men and 5 women.
Conditions were perfect for the opening round and low scoring was predicted when the players teed off from 8am.
Adrian Alzino from Twin Waters Golf Club was the overnight leader in the Men’s Championship, leading by one stroke, with a one under round of 71, ahead of Mat Crandell from Byron Bay (72), followed by West Lakes Patrick Mentzel (73).
Defending champion Sudeera Botejue (The Grange) was one shot further back at two over.
In the Women’s Championship, Kooyonga Members Deb Percey and Jodie Deacon opened with rounds of 83 and 84 respectively to be the leaders in the Women’s Championship after 18 holes.
It was overcast early on day two, but by the time the final groups had teed off, the sun was shining and conditions were again well suited to low scoring.
Playing in the third last group off the 1st tee, Boulton signed for a 3-under (69) to go with his opening round 75, to be club house leader at even par.
In the second last group, Sundeera Botejue let slip, making bogey on the last, to sign for a one-under 71, to sit in second position at 1-over.
In the final group, Matt Crandell had a long birdie putt on the 18th to win the Championship but missed by inches to post an even par 72 and force a play-off with Boulton.
Playing the 9th hole for the second time after both players made par, Boulton drained his birdie putt to claim the Championship.
Tied fifth after round one, Boulton, knew he had to post a low score to give himself a chance to win the title and he proceeded to fire four birdies in his 69.
“The plan was to try and hit four under to get into contention; it all sort of rolled along.” Boulton said.
“In the playoff, I just tried to keep steady and stick to the same plan, hit to the right spots and you should be okay. It all came good”
“The course was really fantastic, awesome, you just have to keep it in play and have good positioning around here”. Boulton added.
The 42 year old, is in a rich vein of form, currently holding both the New Zealand and Victorian Mid-Amateur Championship titles and was runner up in Queensland last month.
“It was a bit of a ploy to play these events this year through recommendations from a few other guys and I’m soon up to Queensland again to play the Australian Mid Amateur.”
“I’m ecstatic to win, I only came across this event at the last minute when entering the Aussie Amateur. I was really happy with today, I left a few out there yesterday, but today I capitalised. I still left a couple out there but it was good enough to get to the important part of it. I’m very happy.”
Deb Percey was crowned the Women’s Mid-Amateur Champion for the second time with rounds of (83,85) to finish 11 strokes ahead of 2014 Champion Jodie Deacon.
“The course was challenging, but I held it together quite well, I’m most happy about just playing solid coming through the back nine without putting any big scores on there.” Percey said.
“It wasn’t like last year when there was only a shot or two in it, so the pressure was off a little, and it became a bit like match play.”
“It’s been a big year for me, so I’m very happy with the win. This is a great event and to win again, yeah I’m very excited.”
In the Men’s teams event Gross winners were the interstate combination of: Mat Crandell (Byron Bay), Mark Boulton (Phillip Island), Adrian Alzino (Twin Waters) and William Raynes (Long Island) with a combined score of 436. The best three scores each day were included.
Nett Winners on countback were the mixed club team of Sudeera Botejue, Patrick Mentzel, Simon Wong and Matthew Chesterman with a combined nett score of 441.
Next year’s event will again be hosted by Links Lady Bay Resort & Golf Course and is scheduled for Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th November 2016.
Links Lady Bay Manager Simon Norris said he was happy again to host the event and build its profile.
“It was a good turn out again and it was great to see some interstaters come over, particularly some of the better players who are on their way to the Australian Mid-Amateur. We’re looking forward to hosting again next year and then welcome the Australian Mid-Amateur to Lady Bay in 2017.” Norris said.
“Our course was prepared fantastically by Superintendent Tim Warren and the fairways are improving every year.” Norris added.
For all scores and leaderboards from the 2015 Golf SA Mid-Amateur Championship, CLICK HERE to visit the championship event page.
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