The winners have raced across the finish line at the Women’s Country Teams’ Matches with contests taking place at Victoria GC for Divisions 1 & 2 and Peninsula-Kingswood CGC (Peninsula Site) for Division 3. Milder conditions this morning saw players teeing it up for battle and their final chance to take the trio of Alice Coltman Cups back to their respective districts.
In Division 1, it was a nail biting head to head between the Western and South Western districts. Western were perched ahead of the reigning champions after round 4 and needed at least a halved contest today to secure victory. However South Western came out firing today, managing to sneak across the line with a 4 and 3 victory over their neighbouring district to be crowned Division 1 champions and complete the hat-trick. Undefeated players were Joanna Flaherty & Debbie Rix from Western, Kristi Bilkey and Helen Leech of Golf Central, and South Western’s Emma Zahl.
Ballarat were able to enjoy an early celebration last night following their undefeated win in Division 2 yesterday with a bye this morning. The team dedicated their victory to the late Gale Orford, who was the Team Manager in previous years, a huge contributor to the district, and also an active member of the Women’s Advisory Group for Golf Victoria. Closely behind in second place was the Dalhousie team with their only loss at the hands of Ballarat. Bonnie Chignell (East Gippsland), Sari Saly & Jessica Pickwick (Dalhousie), and Amy Leeson & Rhonda Cator (Ballarat) all went undefeated in their matches.
In Division 3, a final round showdown between Murray Darling & Wimmera at the Peninsula-Kingswood Country Golf Club was ultimately going to decide who took home the Division 3 Alice Coltman Cup. The strength of the Murray Darling district overpowered Wimmera winning the match 7 & 0. Amazingly five of the Murray Darling players went undefeated, which included Lisa Garioch, Marg Lampard, Marg McGlashan, Sophie Crouch & 15 year old Tarsha Hawley.
The passion, friendship and comradery displayed across the week was strongly highlighted during presentation speeches and all districts are to be commended for the manner in which all contests were played. A huge thank you also to Rossdale, Spring Valley, Woodlands, Settlers Run, Peninsula-Kingswood, and Victoria golf clubs for their outstanding support and hospitality throughout the week.