Local knowledge came to the fore last week as the Golf East Gippsland Ladies Championships took place over two competitive days at the Sale Golf Club.
The major district event featured the foursomes championship on day one, followed by a highly competitive Singles tournament on day two. Competitors from across the region were greeted by immaculate course conditions and perfect winter weather, with the clear highlight being Sale star Jo Ballinger securing her 13th Singles Championship title.
Ballinger claimed the crown with an impressive gross score of 80, while simultaneously taking out the Veterans event.
The “A” grade handicap honour went to Bairnsdale’s Chrissy Fisher, who finished with a strong 74 nett.
In “B” grade, Sale’s Melanie Schaper claimed victory after a thrilling playoff against Bairnsdale’s Wendy Martin. Martin did not go home empty-handed, however, bouncing back to win the handicap section with a tidy 73 nett.
Sale’s Sandra Kilpatrick thoroughly dominated “C” grade, capturing the stroke section with 104 off the stick alongside the handicap division title with 72 nett. In “D” grade, Newry’s Jacinta Duncan claimed top honours with 39 points, leaving Sale’s Viv Reiner in the runner-up position. Duncan capped off a fine tournament by also claiming the Veterans handicap title with 69 nett.
Day one’s foursomes championship was won by the Sale pairing of Jo Ballinger and Karin Manze, but they were made to work for it.
The duo won an intense playoff against Bairnsdale’s Nadine Martin and emerging young gun Maddison Kelly after both pairings carded identical scores of 87.
The foursomes handicap event was won by Maffra duo Robyn Walker and Monique Day with a 74.5 nett score.
In “B” grade foursomes action, Melanie Schaper combined with her mother, Pam Schaper, to secure the championship with a gross score of 90, while also cleaning up in the handicap event with 70.5 nett.
Sale completely dominated the “C” grade foursomes, with Angela Cotton and Helen Angel winning the scratch event, while clubmates Heather Ireland and Helen Harrap took home the handicap trophy with 74 nett.
In the coveted team events, Bairnsdale enjoyed a highly successful tournament, taking out both the Ford Russell Cup (three-player team) and the A’Beckett Cup (five-player team).
The official Coltman Cup team was also announced at the conclusion of the event. The squad will represent Golf East Gippsland at the prestigious Country Championships, to be played in Ballarat this September.
Golf East Gippsland Coltman Cup Team: Jo Ballinger (Sale), Robyn Walker, Carmel Cameron (Newry), Johanna Wyllie (Tambo Valley), Maddison Kelly, Sue Wood, Nadine Martin, Chrissy Fisher (Bairnsdale), Lucy Haussegger, and Tania Holmes (South Pines).
