A BLISTERING opening round of the Golf Centre Ladies Classic set 17-year-old Annalese McKee on the path towards victory in the event for a second successive year.
McKee’s round of 2-under par 71 on the Coffs Harbour Golf Club’s West Lakes course on Saturday set a new course record. A feat that hadn’t even crossed the winner’s mind when she teed off.
“I wasn’t expecting that but it was a good surprise,” McKee said.
“It was just consistent. I had 15 pars with one birdie, one bogey and an eagle. Very consistent which felt good.”
The hot start earned the Coffs Harbour member a seven-stroke lead at the halfway mark of the 36-hole event.
A lead she stretched to 18 shots by the end, finishing ahead of Adele Dosen from Bonville with fellow Coffs Harbour member a further stroke behind.
One aspect of this win that was different to the previous year for McKee was the fact she consistently found herself 20 to 30 metres further down the fairway than she was 12 months ago.
The result of some hard work off the course.
“I’ve been going to the gym doing a lot of strength training and focusing on gaining strength for my golf game,” she explained.
“It’s definitely helped with the distance.
“And also new clubs as well.”
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