The Pollock Final was held at Harewood on Sunday 7 November on a breezy cool day where it didn’t reach the expected 18 degrees. This was a final where the golf was of a very high calibre and the two clubs Christchurch and Clearwater had many supporters out to witness many quality golf shots. With Christchurch keen to lose the ‘bridesmaid’ title for the last five years, and Clearwater very keen to win it allowed for some very close matches and almost ‘down to the wire’ finish.
Jo Kent was the first match in with a solid win over Nicki Webb 6/4 but the remaining matches were all tight finishes. The putting proved to be the decider on many matches with the undulating Harewood greens making for some tricky putts. Late stage come-backs for Mel Newburn and Mel Brew were clinches for Christchurch with Mel Newburn finishing two up over Virginia Faass and Mel Brew halving her match with Lynda Vieceli.
The shot of the day, and there were many, had to be Olive Tapu’s second into 18, (Par 5). Olive was playing a very determined Rachel Eder who had fought back from two down to square the match playing the last hole. Both had solid drives but Rachel’s second was pulled into the long grass left, while Olive pulled out a 4 iron and drove a missile into the green less than two meters from the pin. Rachel hit another into the rough, her fourth onto the green and sunk the putt for a par 5. However, Olive managed to secure the win with a birdie.
The two Catherine’s had solid wins with Catherine Knight winning 2/1 over Monica Tulisi and Catherine Bell beating Maddie May 4/2 with many fine and skilled golf shots coming from all four players.
Christchurch beat Clearwater 3.5 to 2.5 - a great final to watch.
