Roddy's record breaking run as course best beaten

Margaret River golfer Sarah Roddy says there’s nothing like the feeling of hitting her personal best – and in this case, she also smashed the Margaret River Golf Club’s Ladies course record, when she played a huge round of 67 on Wednesday, October 16.

“One of my lifetime goals has been to shoot a round of 69,” Sarah told the Mail this week.

“I’ve had this goal for many many years and I’ve never managed to achieve it, 70 being my closest.

“So to shoot 67 and to also beat the course record was such an incredible feeling. It was absolute elation and relief combined!”

Amongst a group of passionate golfers and genuine local legends, Sarah said the club members were quick to jump onboard to support her.

“What was truly awesome to learn was that whilst I was out on the course, word had spread that I was having a good round and members had jumped onto the MyScore App to watch what I was scoring as each hole was completed.

“Even my parents were being contacted in New Zealand and were apparently on the edge of their seats waiting for each update to see if I would achieve my goal.

“To have that kind of support going on in the background was just amazing.”

Club general manager and PGA professional, Andrew MacAuslan, said Sarah set the new record during the second round of the Ladies Club Championships.

“The previous course record of 69 was held by Lee Ann Pace and Abbie Teasdale,” he explained.

“Lee Anne is a South African golf professional with 23 career victories across the Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour.

“Abbie is a State and Australian golfing representative, who has won many amateur events across the country and globe.”

Sarah went on to take out the latest Ladies Championship on Sunday, and put her latest streak of success down to a stronger focus on her game, as well as some good vibes from her fellow players.

“I had been playing a bit more golf leading up to that day in preparation for the qualifying of the Club Championships.

“I had a fantastic start to the round with four birdies in a row.

“It was one of those rare and magic rounds when you are hitting the ball well, your short game is working and you feel like you can’t miss!

“I was also playing with a great group of ladies.

“They were dishing out a bit of lighthearted banter about the birdies I was having which kept me relaxed. They also knew when to let me focus, particularly over the last few holes when I was getting nervous.

“I was grateful to have them with me on the day.”

After setting the record last week, Sarah said the pressure was on to perform in the final round of the championships.

“I had a very close semi final battle against steady player Penny Foy in the morning, just managing to win it on the 17th.

“Unfortunately, bad weather came into play for the finals round against Roz Cummings, who hits a great ball but neither of us played as well as we would have liked and we were happy to get out of the rain at the end of the match and celebrate everyone’s achievements.”

As well as her latest victory, Sarah has also claimed six previous Margaret River Ladies Club Championships and two Ladies South West Championships, in 2018 and 2021.

She said the Margaret River course and club were pivotal to her ongoing success.

“It’s one of the nicest golf courses I’ve ever played on,” she said.

“The members are a great bunch of people, some I’ve made lifelong friendships with and we are so lucky to have such fantastic hardworking staff, committee members and volunteers making MRGC such a great club to be a part of.”