Mark Boulton (Phillip Island) and Sue Wooster (The National) recreated the champions’ photo from 2015 by claiming the Victorian Men’s & Women’s Mid-Amateur titles today at The National GC (Long Island).
In an exciting finish to the men’s field, a four-way count-back was required to determine an eventual champion. After 36-holes, Boulton, Harry Smiles (Peninsula-Kingswood), Peter O’Dwyer (The National) and Keith Shepherd (Antill Park NSW) all tied on 3 over par 147. A sudden death play-off involving the four players up the first resulted in 2015 champion Boulton sealing the deal with a solid birdie.
The place getters were determined on 36-hole count-back, with Smiles taking out runner-up position, O’Dwyer in third and Shepherd rounding out the fourth. The National’s Daniel Millman carded the best 36-hole nett total in A-grade with a nett 144.
Sue Wooster has etched her name on the women’s Mid-Amateur trophy for the fourth consecutive year. Wooster carded a 73 today for a total of 152 to win by 8 shots from runner-up Kate Caridakis of Woodlands. The National member was excited with her title defence and hopes to see the number of female competitors continue to increase in the coming years. Finishing in third place was Yarrawonga’s Sue Dawes on 164. The best nett trophy went to Meko Nathan from Huntingdale with a nett 149.
The Men’s B-grade competitors gathered at the beautifully manicured Cranbourne Golf Club under grey skies as the weathered threatened early on. As the sun began to shine through, it was Fraser Gough (The SGA) who shone brightest as his second round of 75 gave him an overall total of 12-over for the tournament and a 4 shot victory. In second place was Torsten Riedel (Cranbourne) who used his local knowledge to post a 78 and claim outright second position. In the nett section, Tim Schramm (Qantas) had a 74 to go with his 67 yesterday to see him take out the title. A shot back was the scratch winner Fraser Gough but as players cannot win two prizes, Barry Grazules (Phillip Island) would claim the prize with his consistent nett scores of 73 and 72.
Thank you to both Cranbourne and The National golf clubs for their hospitality over the past two days and to all players for participating. A new event, the Victorian Mid-Amateur Masters, will take place at Yarrawonga Mulwala and Black Bull golf clubs in August with details to be posted later in the year.
Click here for full results and photos.
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