Date: January 12, 2018
Author: Golf Victoria

Thrilling finish to Southern Junior Classic

 

It was an exciting finale to the Southern Junior Classic this morning after a sudden death playoff was needed to sperate Kai Shipp and Keeley Marx for the overall girls title. Both players started the day at three over-par and then carded rounds of 76 apiece to be tied at the top of the leaderbaord after 36-holes. With the storm front approaching the course it was a race against time.

Playing the par 4 18th hole, both players missed their approach shots to the green but incredible short game skills by both Shipp and Marx saw the duo tie with pars and head back up 18 for another playoff hole. For the second time both girls missed the green with their approach however 13-year old Marx had the advantage after chipping onto the green to about 5 feet while Shipp had a solid 15-feet to save par. Shipp’s par attempt narrowly brushed passed the low side of the hole. With a number of onlookers eagerly watching the battle unfold and the lightening only minutes away, Marx stood over her 5-footer for par and victory and nailed it.

Meanwhile in the boys section round one leader Jasper Stubbs held on to take home the 2018 Sothern Junior Classic title. Through 27-holes Stubbs extended his overnight lead over Phoenix Campbell to six with only 9-holes left to play. An eagle by Campbell on the par 5 11th kept the door open and reduced the deficit to four. A triple bogey by Stubbs on the 13th hole saw his lead diminish to only one but then a bogey by Campbell on the following hole gave the 16-year-old Stubbs a two-shot buffer with a handful of holes remaining. After a valiant effort by Campbell the lead would prove too great in favour of Stubbs with the Huntingdale member prevailing.   

It was a three-way tie in the overall nett section with Ben Doherty, Ella Rogers and Nicholas Rossato breaking their handicap by four shots. In the end Doherty round of 68 from his 17 handicap was enough to capture victory on a countback.

Final results