COBDEN’S Debbie Rix says golf in the south-west is starting to see a rise in the quality and quantity of players travelling to play its courses.
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The 58-year-old, who is a member of both Warrnambool and Cobden golf clubs, secured overall victory in the women’s scratch stableford at a Golf Victoria senior amateur at Warrnambool on Wednesday.
The two-day senior tournament attracted 91 players (18 more than last year) to the south-west on Tuesday and Wednesday and the Shipwreck Coast Golf Classic had over 190 golfers attend on Saturday and Sunday.
Rix, who will miss the second senior amateur at Port Fairy on Thursday and Friday, said the region was heading in the right direction for attracting golfers of all skill levels and ages form across the state.
“I did play Port Fairy last year and it was closed before I could get in this year, which is great because it means there is a lot of people interested in coming to play here,” she said. “It’s a credit to both clubs and the area. It’s fantastic and means we now have to get in quick to play in these tournaments.
“The word is getting out and we have been a nice little secret area that no one has known about. The guys (visiting) were saying it was a wonderful course and that they will be back. That’s great for the area to have a week of golf. They had the Shipwreck Coast on the weekend so it’s six days of golf and it would be fantastic if they can bring more people back to this area.”
Rosedale’s Geoff Charnley, who claimed the men’s gross victory shooting rounds of 75 and 74, enjoyed playing in the south-west for the first time this week.
“It is the first time I have ever been in the area and people told me about it and that I had to come,” the 57-year-old said.
“It’s just great. I love the area already and the course is fantastic and I’ll be back here next year for sure. I can’t wait to play tomorrow at Port Fairy.”
Rix was not the only south-west resident to taste success with Warrnambool clubmate Sue Rae (59) claiming victory in the women’s stableford just ahead of another WGC member Di Robinson (55).
Keysborough’s Craig Lonsdale (141) edged out Ballarat’s Stephen Day (146) for the men’s nett victory on Wednesday.