By Neal Maidment
The average age of the players in Sunday’s WA Amateur Championships finals will be just 17 after a triumphant day for teen golfers at Royal Fremantle.
Fifteen-year-old Ollie Marsh (Wanneroo) is this year’s youngest finalist and he will face off against 19-year-old Tom Addy (Joondalup) in the 36-hole men’s final. In the women’s, Erina Tan, aged 17, of Mount Lawley will play Royal Fremantle’s Abbie Teasdale, who, at 20 years of age, is the comparative veteran of the final four.
Marsh recorded wins over Harry Peterson (NSW) and Jordan Doull (Mount Lawley) in his quarter and semifinal matches today with his renowned short game giving him the advantage over his more experienced opponents.
“I didn’t hit many greens today, but my short game kept me in it,” Marsh told GolfWA. “I holed a lot of key putts, kept the momentum up and I’m proud of how I stuck in there and handled myself.”
Ollie Marsh drains a 15-footer in his semi-final win over Jordan Doull
Addy, who shared the stroke play medallist honours with Doull, came through two extremely stern tests on Saturday to reach his first WA Amateur final. First, he beat the much-fancied Josh Greer 3&2 in their morning quarter-final before edging a close contest with Victorian Charlie Robbins 2&1.
While he’s taking nothing for granted, Addy is quietly confident heading into tomorrow’s showpiece. “If I just keep playing how I’m playing I should be alright,” he said.
Can anyone stop Abbie Teasdale?
In the women’s draw, Abbie Teasdale roared into the final with a 6&4 win over Mount Lawley’s Sophie Williams – her third consecutive emphatic match play victory. By the time the match ended on the 14th green, Teasdale was six under for a round that had included six birdies and an eagle at the par-five 6th.
“My game really came together today,” a beaming Teasdale told GolfWA. “It was one of the best rounds I’ve played here and it gives me great confidence going into the final.”
Abbie Teasdale has been in imperious form throughout the championship
Teasdale – who won the event as a teenager herself back in 2018 – will face Erina Tan in Sunday’s 36-hole title decider after she overcame yesterday’s star performer Kortni Houston (Lakelands CC) 3&2 to reach the biggest final of her career to date.
“I’m really happy to be in the final, although kind of surprised,” Tan laughed. “The past few days weren’t that great for me but today was definitely a lot better. I’m getting used to the course and feeling good about my game.”
While Tan recognises she faces an almighty challenge to best Teasdale on her home course, she remains optimistic about her chances. “The people I’ve been playing against so far have been playing really well, so that’s been a good challenge for me,” she said. “I’m just going to play to my strengths, do my best, and we’ll see what happens.”
All of today’s scores can be viewed here. The men’s final will tee off at 8.30am on Sunday morning, with the women’s following at 8.45am. Spectators are very welcome.
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