CAPTURING your first ever hole-in-one is the dream of any prospective golfer.
To achieve the feat at the age of eighteen at the second oldest golf club in Victoria was a special moment for Boat Harbour’s rising star Amy Squires during the recent Riversdale Cup tournament in Melbourne.
Competing in the women’s event, Amy finished a creditable nineteenth after negotiating the tough, tree-lined undulating fairways of a course that dates back to 1862.
A highlight was her maiden hole-in-one on the par three fourteenth hole that she secured on the second day.
With its cross-stone bridges and tranquil lakes the Riversdale course is one of the most picturesque and challenging in the country and a club steeped in history.
“To chalk up my first hole-in-one was a huge thrill and even more special to do it on an historic course like Riversdale,” an elated Amy told News Of The Area.
“Unfortunately my family weren’t down in Melbourne to share the moment but I was able to have a quiet celebration after play with some close friends,” beamed the former Australian All Schools champion.
Amy, who will venture to the United States in September to commence a four year college scholarship with Texas Tech University, was delighted to reach the milestone on the lush green – but tricky – Riversdale fairways and follow in the footsteps of some of Australia’s greatest players.
Incredibly the following day after she recorded her feat the tournament offered a $25,000 prize for sinking a hole-in-one on another hole.
NSW Golf Club’s former Australian Junior champion Ann Jang birdied the first playoff hole to clinch the women’s title – preventing Yarra Yarra’s Amelia Harris from repeating her trophy success in 2023.
Seventeen-year-old Jang carded a final round of 5-under-par 68 in the final round to catch Harris, who had started the day with a six-shot lead, with the duo finishing the 72 holes at two-under.
Amy followed up her Melbourne milestone by helping the Concord Golf Club reach the semi finals of the NSW Ladies Metropolitan Major Pennants, bowing out to eventual champions The Australian Golf Club at Pymble.
The gifted Squires has overcome back injuries to recapture her best form and will tee off at the Next Gen tournament at Newcastle Golf Club on 28-29 April before participating in the Port Phillip Victorian Amateur Open from 15-20 May.
By Chris KARAS
