Dawn Dowsett produced the round of the week when it mattered most to secure the GolfWA Rural Bronze title at Dongara Golf Club.
Playing in the first group out on day two of the 36-hole Stableford championship, Dowsett carded 38 points off a 36 handicap to post an early clubhouse target of 70 points.
The Wandering Golf Club member (pictured) then had a long, nervous wait to see if anyone could reel her in but, one by one, her nearest challengers fell just short of matching the total.
Home-club favourite Jess Craig came closest, returning 36 points off her 21 handicap on day two to trail Dowsett home by just two points. Jo-Anne Vergone (Waroona GC) and Petrina King (Busselton GC) shared third on 67 points.
Victory was all the more pleasing for Dowsett after she made a last-minute decision to play having missed the past few stagings of the event.
“To say I’m chuffed at winning is an understatement,” she told GolfWA. “Rural Bronze is such a great event and I’m honoured to become a part of its history.”
Dowsett also paid generous tribute to the condition of the Dongara GC course and the sense of fellowship between the competitors.
“Thank you to all my lovely playing partners for keeping me steady. I’ve met and played with ladies from all over the state in this event, and it was lovely to catch up with many of them again after missing a few years.
“Congratulations to Dongara GC for running such a successful event. The course was presented immaculately and although very challenging, it is also very picturesque.”
Dongara Golf Club was in magnificent condition throughout the event
In total, 113 women from as far afield as Albany and Leinster competed at the event, which also featured an 18-hole Canadian Foursomes competition ahead of the Stableford championship.
This was won by Quaraiding GC’s Kelli Brown and Robyn Richards ahead of Dunsborough & Districts CC duo Vicki Frost and Gwen Bosenberg.
Ninety-year-old Dongara member Merle Dodd was also a very popular winner of the Super Vets category. Merle’s 63-point haul gave her a two-point victory over Geraldton GC’s Cindy Suarez.
View the final leaderboards here.
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