Shelly Beach’s Kim Burke has snared her second Hunter River District Golf Association (HRDGA) Championship at the Hunter Valley Golf & Country Club.
Burke, who also plays at Magenta Shores, got off to a steady start but it was two birdies on the back nine that saw her turn in a 1 over 73 to take the title from Shelly Beach’s Jude Tarran.
On hand to present Burke with her trophy was the recent Order of Australia Medal recipient, the inspirational 90-year-old Beryl Tobin.
Beryl served on the Newcastle Hunter District Association committee for over 30 years and has won numerous district and club championships.
“It was an honour to receive the trophy from Beryl,” Kim said.
“Her contribution to the game has been amazing.”
Toy Martin from The Vintage claimed the net prize with a brilliant score of 64, eight shots better than her handicap of 24.
The annual Hunter River District Championship is a three-day event with day two featuring a Foursomes championship.
Foursomes Champions Crowned
This year the Champions were promising young junior, Singleton’s Jasmine Vesper and the Vintage’s Liz White, who combined for a 10 over 82 on the long and trying Cypress Lakes layout.
Runner up was Newcastle duo, Jenny Bellamy and Elise Fisher with 84.
It was the first big win for Vesper and she was very excited.
“I didn’t tell Dad that I won, and when he got home, he asked me how I played and I just said “okay” but then I went to my bedroom and brought out the trophy, he was really happy,” she laughed.
Vesper’s father, Chad, is a solid golfer himself, and with wife Melanie, they volunteer their services to run monthly tournaments for juniors across the Hunter district.
Interdistrict Challenge a Thriller
Day three of the Championships featured the annual match play competition between the Central Coast Women’s Golf Association and the Hunter River District Golf Assocition teams.
16 pairs contested the battle at the Hunter Valley Golf & Country Club, and the Coast squad was quietly confident of making it back-to-back, victories, having beaten the HRDGA soundly last year.
It wasn’t easy going for the Central Coast unit, however, and with just three matches remaining the result was still in the balance.
With all contests going to the 18th, it was a very exciting finish, but ultimately the Coast won their second title, nine matches to 7.
HRDGA Lady Captain, Melita Watson was thrilled with the event as it hosted women from clubs as far north as Guyra and as far south as Cronulla.
“I now feel quite sad that our week of district golf is finished,” she said.
“We had a full field for both our Championship days, so it was great that we were so well supported. I hope we can achieve the same success next year.”