The Victorian women nudged past New South Wales in a gripping 17th hole encounter to secure the 2017 Interstate Series championship in the final match.
Gabi Ruffels was the saviour for the Victorian outfit, nailing a part putt to spark enthusiastic celebrations with her teammates on the 17th green.
“It was the best feeling. It was so good. That was the most nervous I’ve ever been, so I was really happy with that,” Ruffels said.
“It was so cool to have them (teammates) all run down … such a great thing to experience as a team.
“I love my team – we all are really good friends.”
Captain, Olivia Kline, clawed her way back against Amy Chu after a slow start, with a clutch 2.5m par putt on the final green.
A thrilling victory with an ever so young Victorian squad ensures a bright future for women’s golf within the state.
The Victorian men’s team, clear underdogs against a strong NSW line up that had dominated the qualifying rounds, also managed to steal victory in the final round of the day.
Photo: Golf Victoria
In what came down to an electrifying shootout on the final green to determine the champion, Cameron John’s birdie putt was the difference in a 4.5-3.5 win for the Victorians.
The crucial points secured the second men’s title in three years which completed the double after the women’s team trumped NSW the previous day at Royal Fremantle.
