A much needed birdie and a par saving chip in has helped Helen Haynes take the Hunter River District Championship title by two shots over local Tania Hutchins at the Vintage Golf Club today.
After a tough start, where the Hawks Nest member was six over through just five holes, Haynes steadied the ship with a birdie on the par three fifth and a very welcome chip in for par on the par five seventh.
“I had a few dodgy holes but I hung in there like a proper golfer,” she laughed.
After the rocky beginning, Haynes completed the remaining 13 holes in 8 over to finish her round on 13 over 84, defeating Hunter Valley member, Tania Hutchins who ground it out in the tough going for an 86. Hutchins however did not go home empty handed, taking out the Closed event _ a title open to HRDGA members only, pipping the Vintage’s Mel Reid who fired off an 88.
Despite the very heavy going on the wet Vintage track, Haynes had nothing but praise for the course.
“It was fantastic, I enjoyed the course, it was in fabulous condition considering the weather and the wet.”
In fact the conditions were so bad, Division Two Champion Tania Davis was almost a late scratching.
“I was actually considering pulling out because it was carts on path and I have a sore foot, (so) I think I did pretty well,” the delighted Viintage Golf Club member said.
“I played the best golf I have played in a while I think.”
Davis is a perennial winner at the HRDGA Championships and her fabulous round meant she won the best nett score(Closed) for the day and the Divsion Two Open and Closed event. Today was the third time Davis has scooped a best nett award.
While Davis was left to celebrate another successful tournament, in Division Three it was all smiles for some District Championship newbies.
Despite having never played the course before, Shelly Beach’s Kate Song took out the Division Three stableford event with 31 points, two ahead of Vintage Club local and fellow golfing novice, Alisa Goodyear.
It was Song’s third competition and she only took up the game so she could play with her husband. Division Three Closed Champion and overall Runner up Alisa Goodyear has a similar story.
“I have never played sport before in my life,” she said. “This is my first sport so this is a bit daunting for me but quite fun.”
Admitting she had her arm twisted to play in the event, Goodyear said she was glad to be pushed out of her comfort zone.
“I was really nervous, ” she said.
“Today I was more consistent than I normally am and not as many wipes as I normally have and I was just slow and steady, forward and safe.”
Already sounding like a seasoned veteran, Goodyear is looking forward to seeing where her game can take her after just three years in the sport.
“I do need to challenge myself,” she said.
Below from L_R Champions Helen Haynes, Alisa Goodyear, Kate Song and Tania Davis.
Division One Open Champion Helen Haynes
Division Two Open and Closed Champion and Closed Nett Winner Tania Davis
BELOW _ Divsion Three Closed Champion Alisa Goodyear
