Denmark Country Club’s Marion Nelson completed a remarkable Provincial Cup hat-trick with a three-stroke victory at this year’s contest at Dongara.
It is the 40th edition of the GolfWA tournament, which brings both country and metro women together at a regional club for 18 holes of Canadian Foursomes and a 36-hole stroke play tournament. Three days of stunning, warm weather in the north provided 124 golfers split into two fields with a perfect winter golfing experience.
Nestled in amongst the Coral Coast sand dunes, the Dongara GC provided a stern challenge for many but Nelson was right in the mix from day one, her round of 81 leaving her trailing overnight leader Helen Oliver (Harvey GC) by two strokes.
Nelson’s experience and nous came to the fore on day two, however, as she fired a best-of-the-day 80 to Oliver’s 85 to record a three-stroke win, a third successive title and four Provincial Cup wins from the last five stagings of the event.
Indeed, such is Nelson’s dominance of the championship that the only player to deny her in the past five years was Kirsten Rudgeley – now a pro on the Ladies’ European Tour – who claimed the title at Kattaning in 2020.
“The key to my success in this event, I believe, is that I try to enjoy each moment,” Nelson told GolfWA. “I feel like I’ve been able to focus on each shot by just trying to enjoy it.
“It’s lovely to come and see, play with and catch up with people I haven’t seen for a year. That’s why I’m so thrilled to have won this again,” Nelson said.
Fireworks across the field
Serena Parr celebrates her hole-in-one on day two
As well as the thrilling contest at the top of the leaderboard, there were plenty of talking points served up by the rest of the field – including two holes-in-one on consecutive days!
Carol Garland from Spalding Park got the first one, holing out on the downhill 14th during the Canadian Foursomes. Serena Parr matched her achievement the next day, holing a five iron on the uphill 11th. These were awesome feats considering there had only been two other hole-in-ones in the 40 years of the event.
Things were just as memorable off the course, with the Christmas in July-themed Saturday night dinner enthusiastically supported. Our thanks to all at Dongara Golf Club, in particular to Robyn Parsons and her team for three days of great hospitality. Next year’s Provincial will take place at Augusta Golf Club.
You can view all the results from the Provincial Cup here.
