A perfect sunny day created the 60 strong field for the inaugural GolfWA Public Course Championship hosted by Hartfield Golf Club, with the course immaculate for the contest. Members of affiliated golf clubs teed it up over 18 holes on the testing Forrestfield layout with both stroke and stableford competition subject to handicap limits.
Male and female golfers from 19 different clubs participated in the day with great support from the Fremantle Pirates and Armadale Golf Clubs.
In the female championship section Rosemary Campbell from Scarborough Ladies Golf Club had an uncharacteristically slow start being 6 over after five holes but brought her game back into line to finish consistently over the remaining holes. Campbell carded an 85 against the par of 73 to claim first place from Jo Calvo, from Sapphires and Embers Golf Clubs.
Rosemary Campbell
Following on with the stableford section for females saw Erica Howard from Fremantle Pirates Golf Club record a consistent 34 points scoring on 16 holes out of 18. Erica is new to golf and was an excited winner, and will no doubt continue to improve her handicap.
In the stableford section for the males it was Brian Smith from Armadale Golf Club who, despite a wipe on his last hole the par 5 9th, finished with 20 points on his second nine and a total of 36 points which just pipped Keith Angus from the Fremantle Pirates by a point.
Finally in the male championship section eventual winner Tavis Whitcher from the Armadale Golf Club set up his victory with a solid one over par front nine, including a birdie on the par 3 6th to go with two bogeys, which had him 5 shots in front of his nearest rival. Whitcher did make it a bit closer than he wanted with a string of bogeys on the back nine, but his lead was too much for John Samuels from Perth Golf Network and Michael Taylor Westaviat Golf Club who both finished 3 shots back.
Travis Whitcher
A great day was had by all and we are confident that this event will grow over future years to be one of the highlights of the golfing calendar.
