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England’s Charlotte Thompson isn’t the only golfer who’d be happy to play Bonville golf course every week but she might have the best reason of any who share the sentiment
After posting a career-best T9 finish at the Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville in 2018 courtesy of an eagle on the 72nd hole, she went one better in practice Tuesday with a first career albatross.
The 26-year-old from Essex had 148 yards (134 metres) from light rough after a long drive on the par-5 seventh hole and had a lengthy discussion with her caddie about what club to hit.
“We were between a soft 8-iron and full 9-iron, but the wind was hurting a little bit so we decided on the eight because anything short would run right back down the hill,” she said.
“I was pleased with how I hit it, and it looked great in the air but I thought it might pitch and release a bit past the flag so I was clicking my fingers madly to try and stop it.
“And then it disappeared!”
She said she has had close calls in the past on longer par-5’s but felt the key to today’s effort was a long tee shot.
“If I hit a good drive there is a hill there that I can get over, and it runs down quite a bit. A lot of the players can’t reach it, so they don’t get the extra kick, but the hole sets up really well for me.”
She said she was pleased to have had the albatross at Bonville, one of her favourite golf courses on the Ladies European Tour.
“I just love it here,” she said. “I love Australia and always look forward to coming down here but this course especially…I just feel it suits me.
“The finish last year was such a highlight for me, and I’m feeling good with my game heading into the week, so I’m looking forward to getting started Thursday.”
The Pacific Bay Resort Australian Ladies Classic – Bonville tees off Thursday, February 21 featuring some of the best women players in the world.