Three new champions have emerged after a dramatic and historic final round of the club championships at Portarlington on Sunday.

In front of large and generous crowds, club newcomer Alicia Clark almost squandered the “unlosable” lead before holing a clutch putt to win the women’s A Grade crown by one stroke.

Murray Weiley became the first person to simultaneously win the men’s A Grade and veterans’ crowns when he held off an array of challengers with his third consecutive outstanding round.

And the junior championship was well supported as it returned to the club calendar, with Jackson McGrath and Matteo Surace taking out the two titles on offer in another tight battle among eight young mates.

Clark had started the final day nine shots clear of six-time champ Jenny Edmanson and looked to have the cup in her keeping after nine holes, having added one shot to her cushion.

But a wayward drive out of bounds into the maintenance sheds right of the 10th fairway triggered a triple-bogey and two dramatic hours.

“I’m absolutely thrilled … I’m not really sure what happened out there, but I’m really excited to get my first club championship,” said Clark, who required a 10-foot bogey putt on the final hole to ensure a one-shot victory.
“I had no idea what the scores were, but I was super relieved when somebody told me I’d won,” said Clark, also a member of the club’s hospitality staff.

“Jenny’s obviously a great player and has been there before and was probably a bit calmer than I was, but thankfully I’d done enough in the first two rounds.
“I didn’t have my best stuff out there today … but in the end it doesn’t really matter.”
Weiley proved that consistency pays.

The wily veteran was even par for his final round through 15 holes and, despite three closing bogeys, his 75 was enough for his first club crown.
His 227 total over the rain-shortened three-round championship was too much for Gavin Whyley and Brendan Larkins to run down.
But the tightness of the contest shone through with no fewer than eight players better than 240.
McGrath topped his mates in a great battle for the junior crown, too.

His closing 90 set up a 10-shot margin the gross division, while Surace was rewarded for his consistency with consecutive 74s enough for the nett title.

The women’s veterans’ division was by Jan Cogger, who provided the day’s highlight, nailing the perfect 7-iron for an eagle three on the 14th hole.

Members can read the full stories and learn all the category winners in the member section of the club’s new website.