OLIVE Spitty has claimed her third consecutive Murray Downs Golf & Country Club ladies’ championship, another triumph in her long list of achievements in the past year.
The 14-year-old prodigy was victorious with scores of 73, 80 and 79, which pipped runner-up Lynne Bishop by 17 shots after play was wrapped up on Wednesday morning.
It’s been a whirlwind year for Spitty, who was a key part of Commonwealth Golf Club’s victorious season of Victorian Pennant women’s side that went undefeated in their seven matches.
Spitty set course records across the state, at Murray Downs, Kerang and Point Lonsdale’s Lonsdale Links.
She claimed club champion at Commonwealth Golf Club and Kerang Golf Club.
Spitty’s past year also included top-three finishes at the Victorian Junior Amateur Championships, the Tasmanian Women’s Amateur Championships and the Victorian Junior Open.
Murray Downs Golf & Country Club ladies golf captain Pam Austerberry described Spitty as “just amazing”.
“It’s incredible to have such stats and achievements against her name already by the age of 14,” Austerberry said.
“Olive’s concentration level, especially for a young person, is just extraordinary – once she is on the course, it’s complete focus on the match.
“The ladies here at Murray Downs are quite awestruck when they get to play alongside Olive.”
Olive wasn’t the only Spitty who won on Wednesday night, with her 11-year-old sister Mabel claiming net A Grade honours.
Austerberry said the two sisters were much-valued members of Murray Downs Golf & Country Club.
“Mabel is coming along fantastically as well,” she said.
“She’s only 11 years old, and she has really dropped that handicap quite a lot – she’s doing incredibly as well.
“The way both sisters hit the ball is just effortless.
“They’re such natural golfers, but they’re also great basketballers and they’re very talented in their sporting endeavours.
“I’m not sure how much longer we will have them here playing at Murray Downs, but I do really hope they fondly remember their time playing here.
“It’s certainly a beautiful course and learning to play golf here is such a treat.”
Shelley Wilkins claimed the Hazel Holt Memorial Trophy as she secured B Grade champion, while mother-and-daughter pairing Jenny Lynas and Tamika Hogan took out C and D Grade champions respectively.
Austerberry said the presentation was always a great chance to celebrate the women who made up the golf club.
“It’s fantastic for so many women to come along and celebrate one another, and even though it might not be them, to celebrate someone winning,” she said.
“The chance to celebrate together as a club and have such unity within the club is a beautiful thing.”
