The 2017/18 Holden Scramble Regional Finals are close to completion with the last event being stage on 15 April, played at Paradise Palms Cairns, the winners to fill the final spot on offer in to the Championship Final to be held 18-21 May at Novotel Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast.

So far 29 teams have qualified through to the Championship Final, all with a different story on how they have got to where they are now.

Proving the Holden Scramble is a family affair, the Southern Ladies Regional Final featured a team with a mother-daughter duo, Wendy Hennesy and Georgia Macklan, coming out on top with a score of 51.4.

“It’s great to play with my daughter, we’re best friends,” said Hennesy.

“I’m happy we have made it through to the Championship Final as it may spark a greater interest in Georgia to take golf further.”

The Esperance Golf Club captured an emotional victory in their Regional Final at The Vines Resort and Country Club.

The dedicated team led by led by PGA Professional Matthew Criss, together with Darren Murnane, David Smith, Tracey Frizzell and Carl Johnstone Showed tremendous composure to win as just days before the competition, a close friend of the Esperance Golf Club team had passed away.

“It was an emotional day and I was happy to be adopted as part of the team. You could see the whole team was working hard and playing in honor of their friend,” said Criss.

Another inspiring story came from the Sandhurst Club Regional Final were Phillip Island Golf Club won with a net score of 54.3.

Team member Heath Kolak was involved in a horrendous motor vehicle accident more than a decade ago which resulted in the loss of his left leg above the knee.

“It’s truly great to see a little club like ours make it to the big time. Especially having a person like Heath on our team, he’s an inspirational to us all,” said Phillip Island’s Head Professional Marcus Liberman, who played alongside the team.

Kolak has been working closely with Golf Australia’s National Inclusion Manager and Australian Teaching Professional of the Year in 2017, Christian Hamilton.

“Heath showcases the reality that people with disabilities can play in the mainstream side of our sport. Making it to the Championship Final emphasizes the fact that golf does not discriminate and segregate for people with disabilities,” said Hamilton.

The Phillip Island Golf Club couldn’t be prouder of their charges and Kolak for making it all the way to the big dance in May.

One of the highlights of the Regional Finals was a fantastic shot by Nicholas Wong in the Southern Golf Club Final.

Nicholas aced the 12^th hole on the course helping his team of Chris Wong, Wi-Lu Kim and Gary Chong through to the Championship Final.

“I didn’t have to do too much at all. I could sit back and watch these guys make putt after putt. They smashed it today,” said PGA Professional Michael Light who played with the team from Kew Golf Club.

“The ace was awesome to see! Nicholas is a great young golfer and I’m sure with time he will get even better.”

Next up for the Scramblers is not only the prospect of being crowned Holden Scramble champions for the 2017/2018 season but an exciting week filled with functions often more popular than the golf!

All teams have won just by getting to the final, having beaten many teams at both local level and Regional Final. There will be six women’s teams joining 24 mixed teams at this year’s action packed Final.