Underdogs NSW win Interstate Series
IN: News | Australian Ladies Amateur | Australian Women's Interstate Teams Matches (2008) | Round Five | by Liz White | 05 Sep 2008
Unfancied New South Wales has won the Gladys Hay interstate series at a wet and windy Pymble Golf Course in Sydney today.
The team only boasted two experienced players in Julia Boland and Rebecca Flood after Julie Swanson withdrew with a neck injury late last week.
Going in as the underdogs benefitted the team according to Rebecca Flood.
“It was a good feeling coming in probably not being the pick of the bunch, coming in as the underdogs is probably a better feeling than coming in as expected to win,” she said.
“We snuck through there and did what we had to do to win.”
After heavy overnight rain there was serious doubt as to whether today’s final round would get underway.
Play was delayed for over an hour while ground staff worked furiously to ensure the series could be decided by golf rather than poor weather.
NSW went into the final day on 20 points, just one and half points ahead of defending champions Queensland and South Australia a further half a point behind on 18.
Officials decided to reverse the playing order and send the girls out for the singles matches first in the hope that they could get as much play in as possible under the threatening clouds.
NSW came in with a solid 3.5 to 1.5 victory over South Australia and, believing no foursomes were to be played, thought they had won the series.
“When I finished my match I certainly thought the series was over so we sort of had an early celebration,” said team captain Julia Boland.
“We were then told we had to go back out for the foursomes, so we had to refocus, we only had five minutes over lunch but I guess we had one goal this week and that was to play as a team and we knew if we did that we would win or at least give it a good shake.”
As the girls headed out for the foursomes New South Wales were well in front and only needed to win one of the three matches to claim the series. After rain continued to pour down the greens became unplayable, leaving officials no option but to cancel the foursomes matches after an hour of contest.
“It would have been nice to finish right through and get the foursomes in that we know we needed but you know winners are winners and realistically they had no choice,” Rebecca Flood said.
“You can’t do much about it unfortunately.”
Queensland, led by Bree Arthur put in a great defence of their title and finished second on 22 points, with South Australia third on 19.5 points.
While Julia Boland was pleased with her own effort this week, she was quick to praise the newcomers, Allyce Watkinson, Justine Lee, Rebecca Blain and Laura Holdsworth.
“It was disappointing that Julie couldn’t play because she has been such a great player for so long, but the other girls each came into their own, each time when Bec and I weren’t able to perform they came and helped us out a lot”
For the New South Wales newbloods this week has been a terrific experience.
“The beginning of the week I was a bit nervy but then I settled in to it and it was awesome,” said 22year-old Rebecca Blain.
“Playing with Julia all week was awesome. I learnt a lot about mental toughness out there because you can go down pretty quick and you have to grind it out and get it back so I learnt a lot about how mentally strong she is.”
At just 16, Bankstown’s Justine Lee was the baby of the team, but her play all week has belied her age.
Today she got the New South Wales team off to a great start, winning her singles match with a comprehensive 4 & 3 win over South Australia’s Cara Guest.
“It was a great experience, I loved every bit of it, the pressure was a great experience and learning process and I think I handled it,” she said.
“I now think I can handle anything under any conditions. I have learnt to stay calm and don’t freak out,” she laughed.
And while the other NSW girls may laugh with her, Victoria would certainly not be smiling. The pre tournament favourites, boasting Australia’s number two and three ranked amateurs in Claire Choi and Stacey Keating had a disappointing week, losing several tight matches to finish in fifth.
