The Battle that ends 2026 Women's Pennant Season

The Women’s Division 1 Final was played today at Portarlington GC to complete the SWGA Womens 2026 pennant season.

Weather conditions & course conditions were perfect for the final countdown between 13^th Beach GC & last years winners Torquay GC.  13^th Beach GC had been perched at the top of the ladder all season, just able to keep challengers at bay. After narrowly edging the Curlewis team out of the final last week, Torquay smelt a win & fancied their chances to go all the way again. A good number of spectators turned out to witness the hard-fought contest.

Great drives, excellent approach shots, numbingly long putts were part of both teams highlight package. But it was pennant golf & yes there were scuffed chips, awful sand shots & splashes all at critical times in each match.

Torquay’s tail of Lyn Moore (7) & Kathy Simson (6) put wins on the board early.

Meg Wall (6) had a decisive 5/4 win & Sam Breguet 13^th Beach (5) won well which I’m sure amused her parents, long term Torquay members who were watching on.  With 2 wins a piece it was SWGA life member & Torquay legend Mandy Buckley whose short game was too strong for impressive 14 year-old Ele Willis- Wu.

Sue Horne, 13^th Beach (2) had a see-saw match with Sarah Jenkins all day but was able to get the win on the 17^th hole after a fine shot to the 3 par.

 At 3 all, it was down to Kerin Biddle 13^th Beach & Kathy Naoumidis Torquay. The crowds had gathered wanting to see the outcome of the season & the day. Kerin was off to a good start when she birdied hole 1.  Many holes were halved as the players battled each & every hole It wasn’t until the 17^th where Kathy had a great par to erase the deficit & return the match to square. So down the last they went with nothing separating both teams, something needed to happen to produce a winner but it wasn’t going to be straight forward.

Kerin’s drive fell victim to a gum tree & Kathy’s shot to the green was caught in the side wind & fell victim to the greenside water feature. Kerin was able to chip to a kick in & Kathy’s putt missed its target by the narrowest margin to give 13^th Beach the win.

A great contest by all players on a great course. Thankyou to Portarlington GC for hosting this special event on the SWGA calendar.