A wire to wire performance has seen the team from Riverlakes Golf Club take out the 2018/19 Women’s Volkswagen Scramble Championship Final by a comfortable margin of 3.6 shots.

The team captained by Riverlakes Golf Club Head Professional Mark Polstra and featuring Ruth McConnell, Dianne Schleeman, Heidi McCulkin and Lorraine Freeth carded an opening round of 7-under 65 gross (55.8 nett) to take a commanding lead on day one at Twin Waters Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast.

Highlighting their opening round, an eagle on the last hole set up the team’s weekend at the Final.

After opting to take the low marker in the group McCulkin’s drive Poelstra was faced with a 230m approach to set up the eagle putt.

We went to the 18^th hole with Heidi, one of our low-marker ladies who hits a very good ball, she put us about 230 metres out, I plonked it on the green and one of our ladies Lorraine sunk the putt for eagle. She hit it beautifully, right where I said, in the right pace and it went in,” said Poelstra.

Round two saw Riverlakes extend their overnight lead with a solid round of 4-under 68 (58.8 nett) by just on half a shot.

“I think we’re up by 4.4 shots so we’ve increased by half a shot from yesterday; I’m happy with that sort of lead going into the last round,” commented Poelstra.

The rain which had soften the course early in the week was now drying up and making the greens play a little firmer and faster than round one.

“They were a little bit quicker today after firming up a bit from yesterday,” said Poelstra.

Taking a comfortable lead into the third and final round didn’t phase the team from Riverlakes who were enjoying everything that comes with the Championship Final.

“We won’t do much different to yesterday. We’ll have a few drinks this afternoon and approach it the same as what we have the last two days, just go out and enjoy it.”

Round three began with a bang for the team, recording birdies on their opening two holes.

“We got off to a really good start. We birdied the first two holes then had a couple of pars and a couple of birdies. The front-9 was very good to us again.”

Riverlakes continued to press their advantage, making the turn at 5-under for the round and well clear of the teams from Spalding Park and the Kew Country Club.

The team held their nerve on the back-9 and eventually secured the title with a regulation par on the last.

“I’m elated and so happy for the ladies,” said Poelstra. “I’m excited and emotional and I got a bit choked up on the 18^th but I’m ecstatic.”

“Just getting here to the Final with all of the activities that the PGA and Volkswagen put on, it’s not just about the golf. You’re non-stop with the activities and playing golf so it’s an event everyone should try and get to.”

Riverlakes Golf Club team member Heidi McCulkin echoed Poelstra’s thoughts.

“It’s been fantastic; we’ve had such a great week,” said McCulkin.

“We’ve had a mantra of F U N, Fun, and we’ve certainly done that. The course was great, the event was run really well, Mark our Pro has looked after us so well and really got us over the line.”