Boland wins by ten at NSW Stroke Play
IN: News | Australian Ladies Amateur | NSW Womens Stroke Play (2008) | Round Four | by Liz White | 23 May 2008
Tamworth’s Julia Boland has streaked to a ten shot victory at the NSW Amateur Stroke Play Championships held at Concord Golf Club today.
Posting a gritty two under 72 for a four round total of eight under 288, Boland defeated Huntingdale’s Claire Choi and Brookwater’s Bree Arthur, who both finished on two over 298.
It was an impressive win for the 22-year-old who led from day one. She admitted her five shot lead over Choi at the start of today’s play, presented a mental battle of its own.
“I was trying to imagine that we were square at the start of the day,” she said.
“I like to be behind, so when I bogeyed the second and she was one ahead of me on the day, I tried to stick at it. I thought if she can make birdies she would probably win and that’s the way it goes.
“I think it is hard to go into the final round with such a big lead because people assume you are going to win and I think there is a lot of pressure – but what can I say? I won and I am really happy.”
Adding to the pressure was the fact that Choi had shot a stunning five under 69 to claim the course record the day before. It was a result not lost on Boland.
“She picked up three shots on me in the third round with five under which made my two under feel not so good. So I think today was just a matter of getting on in regulation and making a few putts,” she said.
Unfortunately for Boland she didn’t make those putts and two three putts early in the round opened the door for the chasing Choi.
But on the fifth Boland was able to claw back some ascendancy with a great sand save for birdie.
“I started with a few three putts early and that probably put me back a little bit but I knew that there were a lot of birdies and a lot of par fives out there so I just tried to stick at that,” Boland said.
“I was happy with the birdie at the fifth because it steadied it for me.”
At the turn, Boland was one over the card and after a bogey on the par three tenth, some nerves appeared.
She pulled her tee shot into deep rough on the par five eleventh but played the hole smart to come up with a solid par. After narrowly missing an eagle putt on the next hole, Boland stepped up a gear and she says it was all thanks to some putts finally dropping.
“I have been struggling with my putting a lot,” she said.
“There were a few putts today where I was starting to pick the ball up out if the hole and they just missed.
“Since coming back from the Australian amateur, I have been focussing on my putting a lot so I think over the last nine holes I played pretty well so it paid off.”
Huntingdale’s Choi was disappointed with her round today after carding a three over 77.
“I was trying to back it up today after yesterday’s effort but I just couldn’t really get anything going,” she said.
“I thought I played alright, I guess I just didn’t give myself too many opportunities and when I did I just didn’t take advantage of them.
“My double on 15 certainly didn’t help.”
Bree Arthur though was smiling.
“I am really happy with my final round,” she said.
“I was five shots behind Claire at the start so to be able to catch her was great. To have started day one with a four over and to end the tournament with a two under was very positive.”
Bree now heads into this weekend’s NSW Amateur Matchplay Championships with plenty of confidence. Courtesy of her round today she now qualifies number one.
“I am looking forward to it and hopefully I can carry that form into the next few days,” she said.
Arthur qualified in first place for the matchplay as Boland and Choi are unavailable.
“I am back to uni because I have some exams,” Boland said.
“I am not prepared but I have three weeks before I have to sit them so I will be a bit busy – I will be putting the golf clubs away for a week or so for sure.”
Choi has national duties, representing Australia in the Queen Sirikit Cup in Japan next week.
“It will be a whole new experience with the culture and I have never been there before,” she said.
“I think we have a great team, with Stephanie Na and Kristie Smith, and I think we should do okay.
“Hopefully I will have a bit more luck than I had today.”
