<image="1" align="right" />
Mark Corradan (Cobram-Barooga, 25 points), Herbie McCandless (Yering Meadows, 19 points), Lynne Turner (Beaufort, 23 points) and Matyke Scott (Mt Martha, 23 points) have claimed the top spots at the 2018 Victorian Play 9 State Final played yesterday over the magnificent West course at Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
The quartet will now travel to Sydney to Play 9 at the Emirates Australian Open at The Lakes Golf Club.
One hundred and three players from 57 different clubs, including 40 country clubs, teed it up at Royal Melbourne on a near perfect sunny Spring late afternoon to conclude the Victorian Play 9 Championship.
Click here for all scores from the 2018 Victorian Play 9 State Final.
Since July, nine-hole qualifying competitions have taken place at numerous clubs both in Melbourne and regional Victoria to determine the finalists that progressed through to Royal Melbourne. Corradan, McCandless, Turner and Scott are now set to join representatives from other states to Play 9 at the Emirates Australian at The Lakes Golf Club on Saturday 17 November.
And they couldn’t be more pleased.
“I just had the round of my life,” said two-marker Corradan, who fired a bogey free five-under 31 around the back nine of the West course.
‘I started with three birdies in a row and it just went on from there. Just a fantastic experience,’ he concluded.
Similarly, 36-marker Lynne Turner from the central Victorian town of Beaufort was equally as excited.
“It’s just been the best day, I had lovely playing partners and to play well here was just so special,” she added.
The Play 9 Championship was established in 2017 as part of an industry-wide promotion of nine-hole golf as a fast, fun and enjoyable playing option that can fit into busy lives.
The winners’ prize to the national event includes nine holes on the tournament Saturday following the conclusion of play, a weekend pass for the 2018 Emirates Australian Open, return flights to Sydney, two nights’ accommodation, transfers and all meals in Sydney, tickets to the Emirates Australian Open champion’s cocktail party on Sunday evening and a player gift pack.
Golf Australia has further announced that, in 2019, two Australian golfers (leading man and leading woman from the 2018 Australian Final) will fly to Northern Ireland to compete in the R&A's nine-hole championship final at Royal Portrush – the venue for the 148th Open – the day before championship week begins.Full details of this exciting opportunity can be found via the following link: https://www.golf.org.au/newsdisplay/nine-holes-from-northern-ireland/101183
Golf Australia expresses its sincere appreciation to Royal Melbourne and all clubs who hosted 2018 qualifying competitions for being involved in the event to promote nine-hole golf.