Bargara Golf Club has won the mixed 2018/19 Volkswagen Scramble Championship Final in a playoff against South Lakes Golf Club while Riverlakes Golf Club took the women’s victory at Twin Waters Golf Club on the Sunshine Coast.

In fading light a birdie putt by Bargara Golf Club Head Professional Phil Curd sealed the victory for the Queensland team of Tim Russell, Matthew Zillman, Shaun Allen and Jeremy Zahl.

“We were running fourth coming into the last day and really didn’t know what to expect,” said Curd. “We thought we’d just go out and do the best that we could do and we had a good day.”

“We played solid and shot 13-under and then got into the clubhouse and thought we’d still be one or two short.

“As it turned out we finished up in a playoff and we all went a bit crazy after that and then we won the playoff so it’s fantastic.”

A 26-year participant in the Scramble, 2019 marked Curd’s first appearance at the Volkswagen Scramble Championship Final.

“It’s amazing, 26 years I’ve been going to the Regional Finals and the first time I make the National Final we get up,” Curd added.

“It’s a bit surreal really. It’s been an awesome week, all of my mates who have made the National Final have always told me what a great week it is and I thought at my age, I’m sort of getting on a bit, I’d never get to do it but I did and we won.”

After a big night of celebrations at Sunday night’s Volkswagen Scramble Cut Party, the team impressed throughout the day with their big-hitting team able to take advantage on the playoff hole, the 18^th.

“My boys they’re pretty strong lads and they can give it a fair hit,” continued Curd.

“We got some nice drives away and it gave us the opportunity to reach the green easily in two, being a par-5.

“The other team were a fair bit shorter than us and couldn’t reach the green which meant they had to chip and putt to make birdie.

“We were on the green for two and hit a pretty tough putt and didn’t make it but we left ourselves in a good position to make a birdie; the other boys missed and it fell into our lap and we got it.

“I’d like to thank Volkswagen and all of the other sponsors for their involvement. We can’t have these events and enjoy it with our members without them,” Curd concluded.

The leaderboard changed throughout the day with Bargara Golf Club, Everglades Golf Club, South Lakes Golf Club, Esperance Golf Club and Warwick Golf Club all leading at one point throughout the final round.

South Lakes Golf Club took home second place, while first and second round leaders Warwick completed the tournament in third place with a total of 161.3, just .2 behind the leaders. Esperance Golf Club and Everglades Country Club rounded out the top five.

Riverlakes Golf Club has lead the Women’s Volkswagen Scramble Championship Final wire-to-wire in the team’s first appearance at Twin Waters Golf Club.

Forming their team ahead of the 2018/19 Scramble season, the Riverlakes team held an overnight lead of 4.4 before completing the tournament with a total of 171.4 and a lead of 3.6.

“I’m elated and so happy for the ladies,” said Mark Poelstra, Head Professional at Riverlakes Golf Club.

“I’m excited and emotional and I got a bit choked up on the 18^th but I’m ecstatic.”

“We got off to a really good start. We birdied the first two holes then had a couple of pars and a couple of birdies. The front-9 was very good to us again.”

Sitting on 5-under through the front-9 the team of Ruth McConnell, Dianne Schleemann, Heidi McCulkin and Lorraine Freeth managed to hold their nerve on the back-9 and in his second appearance at the Final Poelstra was thrilled to take home the win.

“I was here last year as an adopt-a-pro but we’ve come this year with a group of ladies from my home club,” added Poelstra.

“Just getting here to the Final with all of the activities that the PGA and Volkswagen put on, it’s not just about the golf. You’re non-stop with the activities and playing golf so it’s an event everyone should try and get to.”

A member of the team from Riverlakes Golf Club, Heidi McCulkin, echoed Poelstra’s thoughts.

“It’s been fantastic; we’ve had such a great week,” said McCulkin.

“We’ve had a mantra of F U N, Fun, and we’ve certainly done that. The course was great, the event was run really well, Mark our Pro has looked after us so well and really got us over the line.”

The 2019/20 Volkswagen Scramble season kicks off in August. For more information visit www.vwscramble.com.au.