Terrey Hills turns on drama for Women's Amateur
IN: News | Australian Ladies Amateur | Australian Women's Amateur Championship (2007) | by | 25 Mar 2007
It was a day of high drama and the bizarre in the second, and final, round of the Women's Australian Amateur Championship qualifying event played at Terrey Hills today. Under wet and windy conditions, Australia's Michelle Coetzee and Ashley Dewhurst along with Korea's Ellie Na all finished equal 32nd with a two round total of 11 (155).
With only 32 spots up for grabs in the Australian Amateur Match Play tournament, starting tomorrow, the trio was forced to fight it out in virtual darkness for the final position. The dramatic play-off finished under floodlights on the 18th with a determined Ellie Na holding off Tasmania's Dewhurst to grab the final position. A tearful Dewhurst was drained after coming so close yet so far.
"I almost did it," she said. "I can't believe it finished this way, it just means I'll have to come back again next year."
But as if that wasn't enough, for the first time in the tournament's history, four girls finished on a one under total of 143. And in one of those strange R & A golf rulings, it was a case of the first player in with the winning score grabs the number one qualifying spot. In this case it was the ever consistent Sarah Oh winning the clubhouse dash.
"I am happy to qualify but I should have done better but what can you say," she said. "I found it pretty tough today with club selection and the wind and the rain.".
The next player into the clubhouse with 143, Queensland's Sheree Hasson was delighted and surprised to finish so well.
"It was not what I expected I was just hoping to qualify and yesterday just went right," she said. "Today was a struggle out there, the last two holes I went bogey, bogey, it got very cold out there, it was just hard work," the 19-year-old said.
Despite finishing equal first today Sheree will qualify third. That's because three National Squad Members unable to compete this weekend, were given qualifying spots, 2, 4 and 6.
"Kristie Smith, Emma Bennett and Stephanie Na are in the Phillippines competing in the Queen Sirikit Cup," Golf Australia's new championship manager Therese Ritter explained. "The competition was delayed and they were unable to get back in time for this event so it was decided they would get those positions."
While it is still to be determined in which order the girls will be placed, Melbourne's Stacey Keating isn't too fussed about qualifying fifth. Despite having the best round of the day, shooting a stunning 69, the 20-year-old is excited about her prospects at the NSW Golf Club.
"I have never played in this before, so I am thrilled. Matchplay is a totally different event, so you never know what will happen."
17-year-old Bianca Mathiou is also looking forward to tomorrow after also finishing with a one-under 143.
"I am very pleased, everything worked today I was just relaxed out on the golf course, everything came off it was just great," the Queenslander said. "Hopefully I can play like that again in the next couple of days."
One player also just happy to qualify was defending champ, Concord Golf Club's 18-year-old Helen Oh.
"I had a car accident last Thursday on my way to NSW Golf Club to practice," she said."The car is a write off and I was very badly bruised. When I stood on the tee yesterday I was shaking I had no idea how I was going to play, so just to make it is great."
Helen shot a 9 over 151 for the two rounds and qualified in 22nd position.
"I am not worried what position I finished, anything can happen in match play, and hopefully it will all be good."
Other notable qualifiers include National Squad members Kate Combes and Frances Bondad, Bree Arthur and one definitely to watch in the future, New South Wales' 15-year-old Jenny Lee. Finishing with a four over total of 146 it should be fascinating to see her handle the pressure of match play, particularly on the demanding New South Wales Golf Club layout.
Photo - Liz White
