GOLF
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Colleen Bell marked her return as a Wollongong Golf Club member after 18 years away by winning her first Wollongong ladies championship in a thrilling playoff with club legend Lynne Townsend.
Bell, who won 11 club championships at Port Kembla, claimed her maiden Wollongong crown with a dramatic three-hole playoff win over Townsend, after the pair were tied after four rounds held over two weeks.
Bell led after each of the first three rounds, but Townsend, bidding for her eighth straight club championship, fought back from six shots down after 36 holes to only trail by two shots heading into last Thursday's final round.
Townsend, who has won an amazing 24 Wollongong ladies championships since 1981, had her best round of five-over 76 in round three.
Bell had also had a championship-best round of 76 on day two.
In perfect conditions for the final round, the two ladies delivered a grandstand finish. And Bell's return to Wollongong should ensure a great friendly rivalry at the top of ladies' golf at the City club.
Lyn Smart won the division 2 title by six shots from Lorraine Buckley.
Margot Reid won the division 3 title, and Ros Harding was runner-up.
Pictured: Ruth Clark (left) representing Cleary Bros; Wollongong Golf Club ladies club champions Lyn Smart (division 2), Colleen Bell (club champion) and Margot Reid (division 3); and club president Adam Giddings. Credit: ORLANDO CHIODO