Thrilling finale as Tony McFadyean clinches Aglime Sand Greens Championship of WA at Katanning Country Club

Katanning’s big golfing jamboree was a hit from tee to green, culminating in a scintillating finale to the Sand Greens Championship of WA on Sunday.

The four-day extravaganza at the Katanning Country Club culminated in a two-day showdown between the WA’s best sand green golfers with a play-off needed to split the final two.

In the end, Tony McFadyean, of Greenbushes Golf Club near Boyup Brook, took the honours defeating six-time winner Adam Davey, of the Perth Golf Network, at the second extra hole.

Events at the club kicked off with 188 players signing up for the two-person Ambrose competition last Thursday and there were 190 on the course the following day for a four-ball-better-ball.

The Ambrose champions were Daniel Negus and Jay Motzel, of Hartfield Country Club, while home advantage proved key in the 4BBB as Tuhiwai McRoberts and Donald Jones teamed up to take the honours with 49 points.

They finished three points clear of Christopher Rawes and David Cliff.

That set the scene for the main event which attracted another full field of 180, with a two-tee start over Saturday and Sunday.

McFadyean and Davey each carded rounds of 73 and 69 for two-under par, 36-hole totals of 142.

The eventual champion should probably have won without the need for a shoot-out as he had a two-shot lead as he stood on the 18th tee.

However, a double-bogey six left the door open for Davey whose final-hole par was sufficient to draw level.

The first play-off hole was the short, par-four first where Davey had the advantage when he chipped from the rough to five feet.

McFadyean, meanwhile had gone from the bunker to well short of the pin and his birdie putt stayed up.

However, Davey’s potential match-ending effort caught the right edge and extended the contest to the second extra hole.

They then went to the 18th with both missing the fairway to the left.

McFadyean then produced a super iron to avoid tangling with low branches and end up a few feet shy of the hole.

Davey, in contrast, left his approach well short, giving McFadyean two shots for the title.

Putting for a birdie as well as the win, he needed just the one.

Golfers from all over the State competed and the field included Albany’s young Wittenoom Cup winner Katana Webb, who finished 93rd with a two-round total of 173.

Doug Smith, of Katanning, took out the seniors’ gross prize with his tally of 151 earning him a share of 14th.

Katanning’s Ryan Flugge was 14th on 151 and Troy Flugge 34th on 158.

Katanning Country Club golf president Matt Kerin said hosting the tournament had been a huge success with 50 people camping and about 200 people spending four days in the town.

“All four of the country club sports rallied around to help and the bar did very well,” he said.

“It all went smoothly and it was great that so many people spent time in the town.

“Everyone was extremely complimentary about the course.”