Geraldton Golf Club’s Yen Pover produced a sublime second day’s golf to clinch the GolfWA Rural Bronze title at Northam Country Club.
On a crisp and sunny day at the western Wheatbelt sand greens course, 31-handicapper Pover returned a majestic 43 Stableford points to turn a narrow overnight deficit into a fine victory.
After carding 38 points on day one, Pover trailed first-round leader Robyn Richards (Quairading GC) by just one point after an icy day in which only a handful of golfers matched or bettered their handicaps.
Warmer conditions on day two were conducive to better scoring across the field, with several players posting big hauls as they flew up the leaderboard.
Richards continued her rock-solid form on her way to a second consecutive 39-pointer, but Pover dug deep on her back nine, carding 23 points to Richards’ 19 to take the title by three points.
Buoyed by a best-of-the-day 46 points, Gingin GC’s Bev Moxham claimed third place on 77 points, just one shy of Richards’ runner-up total.
Pover became only the second Geraldton GC member to win the event in its 34-year history and said afterwards: “I’m so happy to win this event and thank you to all the ladies for a really lovely weekend.”
Amongst other highlights of the three-day event was a French-themed celebration dinner and a Canadian Foursomes championship won by Jude Marriott and Lynn Harding (Moora Lakeview GC) on a countback from Joanne Hirsch and Tracy McAlpine (Latham GC).
Robyn Richards didn’t go home empty-handed as she and Quairading GC teammate Kelli Brown claimed the Gladys Hawkes Shield for best nett aggregate. You can view the final standings and full list of prizewinners here.
Quairading GC’s Robyn Richards and Kelli Brown won the team nett prize
With more than 80 competitors from as far afield as Geraldton and Albany, the Rural Bronze was hailed as a great success by GolfWA Events Manager Suzanne Blay-Martin.
“This event is always lots of fun and 2024 was no exception,” she said. “Our thanks to everyone at Northam Country Club for their hospitality. They are an example to all clubs in how the men and women members banded together to create a fun and welcoming environment for the travelling participants.”
The 2025 Rural Bronze will take place at Dongara Golf Club from June 27-29.
