Two Victorians have sealed victory at the 2026 Srixon NSW Mid-Amateur Championship, with Christopher Thomson claiming a dramatic men’s title and Geraldine O’Callaghan cruising to a commanding women’s win at Howlong Golf Resort.
Thomson finished the tournament on three-under-par after rounds of 69, 68 and 70, while O’Callaghan capped a dominant week with rounds of 76, 76 and 74 to finish on ten-over-par and win by six shots.
Thomson’s win was anything but straightforward. Standing on the 18th tee, one shot behind Horizon’s Steven Slappendel, it looked as though the title would slip away, until Slappendel’s tournament unravelled with a wayward tee shot and a double bogey, leaving Thomson to seal the deal with par.
“It was an interesting win. It was pretty close all day until the last three holes,” Thomson said.
“I was actually one behind playing the last, so I wasn’t in the best position, and then it was mayhem on the last.”
Cool under pressure, Thomson converted the up and down he needed.
“I had to make it up and down, which is something I’ve been doing for three rounds. It comes down to a simple up and down, makes it in the end. A little bit shocked, I guess.”
He was full of praise for the patience that carried him through the week.
“All the wins and losses before, I just stayed patient, and it’s funny how it turns out. All the experience was helping.”
By his side throughout was caddy and father Steve Thomson, making the win all the more special.
“He kept me steady and kept an eye on the scores. It’s good to have someone keeping track because with three blokes, there are lots of ups and downs. We knew where we stood on the last, one behind; we knew what we had to do. He was a big help.”
Thomson grinned when asked about the celebrations.
“Buy him (Steve) a slab of beer. That’s probably about it.”
Slappendel finished runner-up on two-under-par, with Charlestown’s Timothy Meek in third on even par.
2026 Srixon NSW Mid-Amateur Championship – Leaderboard
In the women’s competition, O’Callaghan entered the final round with a five-shot cushion and never let it slip, playing controlled, patient golf from start to finish.
“It was a lot of boring golf, on the green, two putts. It was nice to be out there,” she said.
The key to her week, she reflected, was keeping the ball in play off the tee.
“I drove the ball really well. This being a tighter course, the course management off the tee really helped me set up those shots into the green. I hit a lot of greens in regulation and didn’t hit many bunkers, which was great.”
Despite her lead, O’Callaghan said she never took the result for granted.
“I knew she (Su Ah Kim) would come hard at me at some point. So I just went out, played steady, thought about where I was hitting it off the tee and didn’t get ahead of myself. I think that was the big thing today, stayed in each shot, one at a time.”
Coming down the final holes with the title in hand, she allowed herself to take it all in.
“The final two holes, I could kind of breathe a sigh of relief and just take it in. Sometimes that gets overlooked a little bit. When you don’t win too many things, that feeling of ‘I think I’ve got it’ and walking up that last hole and making a good par with everybody celebrating. That’s what it’s all about.”
For O’Callaghan, a Victorian claiming a NSW state title carries extra meaning.
“This one’s actually pretty cool because it’s a state title, and for a Victorian to come and win a New South Wales event, pretty cool. Anytime you can win, and you’re playing good golf, that’s something special.”
Celebrations were already in the works.
“There’ll be a few beers. A couple of us are going out for dinner back in Albury, and my phone hasn’t stopped already. There’ll be a few phone calls and celebrate a bit later on.”
Su Ah Kim claimed second place in the women’s field on 16-over-par.
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