Golf Vic Vol 60 No 3 2019

tournament by Karen Harding Masterful Mitch If setting high achievement goals is the mark of someone on a successful path in their chosen field, then Mitchell Crabbe is on his way in golf. The 17-year-old took out the Victorian Men’s Country Championship, the Boys Country Championship and the Cobram Barooga Open Amateur, all played concurrently at Cobram Barooga in May. He also led the South Western Region to victory in the Junior Country Regions event. Asked afterwards if this was his biggest highlight in golf, Crabbe hesitated before replying, ”one of them”. The thing is, he’s won the last two club championships at Commonwealth Golf Club and is looking for a third in November. If winning two is already vying with his Cobram Barooga achievements, then a third would make an even tougher call. Crabbe finished on six-under par (68,70) over the two days to win the men’s event by one shot from a charging Darcy Brereton, who shot par the first day followed by 67 on the second to finish at five-under. In the Junior Country Regions, where teams of up to nine players are assessed on the six best scores each day, South Western won its fourth title in a row, 27 shots clear of second-placed Golf Peninsula. Crabbe is the only player to have competed in each of the four winning teams. One of the most impressive things about his feats at Cobram Barooga was the quality of the field, which included some of the top amateur players, led by Victorian state player Brereton. “It was definitely a confidence builder,” said Crabbe. “It’s always good to go up against some of the better players and see how you go, and I was lucky to come out on top.” A member of the golf program at Barwon Sports Academy in Geelong for the past six years, Crabbe has been exposed to a holistic program in golf – overseen by his father Chris – which includes training sessions, teaching clinics, a strength and conditioning program, nutrition, psychology and time-management. “It doesn’t just give you opportunities in your sport, it also helps build you as a person as well as an athlete,” said Crabbe. A junior state team member this year, Crabbe hopes to break into the strong men’s team in the next couple of years and has applied for the VIS High Performance Program, members of which will be announced in a couple of months. And even longer term? “I’d like to turn pro at some stage but whether that’s a traineeship or whatever path it takes me on, as long as I’m involved in the golf industry I’m happy.” The Colts Country Championship for players between the ages 18-23 was won by Toby Walker from Heidelberg. Warrnambool’s 14-year old Tayne Perry dominated the nett divisions, claiming handicap prizes for the Cobram Barooga Open Amateur, Men’s Country Championship and Boys Country Championship. North Eastern took out the Junior Country Regions handicap event with an aggregate score of nett +44. Mitchell Crabbe (right) has his hands full with the Victorian Men’s and Boys Country championship trophies, pictured with Colts winner Toby Walker. Rising young star Mitchell Crabbe left the Victorian Men’s Country Championship with a swag of trophies. KAREN HARDING reports. Golf Victoria 33