Sport
3 June, 2021
Fired-up Emanuel romps to victory in Woodford Golf Championships
INGRID Emanuel claimed back-to-back titles in the ladies A Grade Gross of the Woodford Golf Club Schweppes Club Championships, while also winning the title Ladies Club Champion for the sixth time.
Therese Zerbst took-out the B Grade gross title while Elva Cumner won C Grade gross, as the ladies championships took place on Wednesdays and Saturdays from May 15 to 26.
Emanuel romped to a 29-stroke victory despite having a self-confessed shocker on the final day.
A regular in the competition for a little over 20 years, Emanuel won a hat-trick of titles from 2004 to 2006 before winning the 2014, 2020 and 2021 titles as well.
Whether being the defending champion put any added pressure on her, Emanuel said: “It does to a certain extent.”
“If I was younger, I’d have been a bit more nervous.
“I focus on one shot at a time, and not worry about the end score.
“It’s just as well I had this approach, because the final round was a shocker for me.”
Emanuel was 26 strokes in front with one day remaining, but even her own form slump on the fourth day wasn’t enough for other competitors to narrow the gap.
“A friend of mine commented that it’s not the score that goes on the honour board, it’s your name,” she said.
Emanuel felt that her form was quite consistent throughout the first three days, and that she was “striking the ball really nicely” on day two in particular.
She said there were some tricky pin placements on day three, which coincided with the men’s final round, and the course was in brilliant condition throughout the championships.
As for whether she would go around again next year and chase a hat-trick of titles for the second time, Emanuel wasn’t thinking too far ahead.
“If I’m around, I’ll be there, defending my title again,” she said.
