Controversial Bennett powers to victory
IN: News | Australian Ladies Amateur | Australian Women's Amateur Championship (2007) | by | 28 Mar 2007
Victoria’s Emma Bennett justified her controversial inclusion into the Australian Women’s Amateur Championship with an emphatic 4 and 2 victory over title-holder Helen Oh in the semi-finals at New South Wales Golf Club today.
Bennett was in the Philippines representing Australia in the Queen Sirikit Cup last week, so Golf Australia granted her automatic entry into the main draw, along with fellow National Squad members, Stephanie Na and Kristie Smith. This decision did not sit well with some of the fellow competitors with many complaining the girls should have had to play in the qualifying rounds.
“Hopefully my win today has justified Golf Australia’s decision,” the 22 year-old said.
“I was prepared to play in the Queen Sirikit Cup and not play in these Championships, but the organisers decided to let us play. I think the fact that I have made the finals and Steph has made the semis has made the decision okay.”
Golf Australia said the girls were given direct entry because the Queen Sirikit Cup had been unexpectedly delayed.
Bennett, the number two seed, is now looking forward to putting the controversy behind her and concentrating on tomorrows 36-hole challenge against 21-year-old Sunny Park who had a comprehensive 4 and 3 win over Na.
“It will be a game of patience out there and I think if I can set realistic targets for myself I should do well,” she said.
Bennett, a member of Melbourne’s Kingston Heath Club said the links style nature of NSW Golf Club reminded her of her home course.
“In a lot of ways it is quite similar so I felt pretty comfortable out there, except Kingston is not quite so hilly.” Her exhausted caddy could only groan in agreement after carrying the bag up hill and down dale for 36 holes today.
Bennett believes her great win can be put down to one simple fact.
“I’ve got a new coach, Ian Triggs and we have been working a lot on my pre âÄ“shot routine and getting my mind away from my swing, which I think has really helped my game. We are just continuing to work on the same thing and I think I have benefited from that. I was really happy with my win today but I am going to have to play well tomorrow because Sunny Park has really improved over the last year.”
Park agrees.
“I was just hitting the right shots today, especially my putting, it has definitely improved,” she said. “I think Stephanie played pretty solid but a lot of the girls struggled on the greens, I did on the first two days but it has just got better as the week has gone on.”
Park says the key to victory for her tomorrow is to stay patient.
“It can really test you out there, so I just have to play my own game, not get ahead of myself.”
As for the defeated defending champ, Helen Oh, she has been left to rue what might have been.
“I left so many shots out there,” a disappointed Oh said. “I never got it to the hole; I played defensive golf when I need to be more aggressive.”
Oh said it is now back to the chipping green to regain some confidence with her short game.
“I have a month’s break now so I have plenty of time to practice, but really all credit to Emma, she played really well. While I would have liked to have made the finals and have a chance at defending my title I am pretty happy with the way I played, it is better than losing in the quarter finals or even worse not qualifying.”
17-year-old South Australian Stephanie Na was also disappointed with her semi-final loss. She said after missing a short putt on the par four first to halve the hole, she never really felt confident on the short grass.
“Sunny putted really well, and I just didn’t. I lost playing really bad golf, a lot of the holes were won with bogeys which wasn’t very good golf. Some were even squared with bogeys, so it wasn’t great out there.”
Na said she has been fighting back from losing positions all week but she just wasn’t able to get it done today.
“All of the matches have been pretty tight and I have been able to get through but today I was not able to make any ups and downs so I really struggled.”
For tomorrow’s finalists both are eyeing futures overseas and are hoping a title tomorrow will springboard their careers.
“A lot can happen between now and the end of the year but a win here would definitely help my decision making,” Bennett said. “It’s only March and you could get injured but I am definitely thinking about turning pro later this year.”
Park too is hoping to leave our shores later this year.
“There’s not much more to do here, but I would like to add this to my list for sure.”
Photo – Anthony Powter
