01 Oct 2021 | Amateur golf |
Wilson, Buttress take SA Amateurs
by Martin Blake
Teenager Joseph Buttress from Western Australian secured his first open-age state title and Queenslander Sarah Wilson atoned for her defeat in the final last year as the South Australian Amateur concluded at Mt Osmond Golf Club in Adelaide today.
Buttress, who plays out of Western Australian Golf Club in Perth, defeated Jordan Percey of the Vines Club of Reynella 5 & 3 in the 18-hole final, the match being reduced from 36 holes to 18 because of weather interruptions during the week.
Meanwhile Wilson, 20, from Pelican Waters on the Sunshine Coast, won the women’s final against Matilda Miels of Kooyonga 6 & 4 in her second consecutive appearance in the final. She lost to Charley Jacobs at the same venue in 2020.
Buttress has just turned 16 and is studying year 10 at the Australian Christian College in Perth. He has not yet represented WA at senior level.
But he dominated the final, going three up after six holes and holding the momentum for the rest of the day. At the par-five 14th he virtually sealed the deal, almost chipping in for eagle and then tapping in for birdie, so that at the 15th, where Percey found the trees, the Western Australian was able to close it out with a regulation par.
“I was surprised,” said Buttress. “It feels good to finally get one. I think the course suited me being shorter and narrower.”
Wilson said she felt a measure of revenge in her win in the final having lost heavily in last year's final. She started strongly in the final, turning at three under, and never relented, ultimately carding five birdies for 14 holes to finish it.
“I was nervous, but a good nervous,” she said. “I was just so happy to back competing again. After round one, I just thought to myself: ‘All the work is for these moments’.’’
Wilson won the stroke play section of the SA Amateur last year but her best-ever result came at the 2020 Queensland Open where she qualified to play against the men.
“It’s a long time since I’ve had a win,” she said.
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