Sunday 14 July 2024 arrived swiftly on the golfing calendar. After celebrating our 10th Anniversary last year, this year’s Sanctuary Cove Ladies’ Golf Classic aimed to be bigger and better than ever. A full field of 132 ladies participated, marking the largest turnout in many years. Despite a chilly winter weekend forecast, the Gold Coast lived up to its expectations.

Sunday morning kicked off the tournament with a Four-Ball Ambrose, getting the ladies into the swing of things. They were greeted with a light bite to eat, and each player collected their welcome bags filled with over $200 worth of sponsored products. Ladies enjoyed a glass of bubbles to calm their nerves while PGA Tour of Australasia Professional Kade McBride hit tee shots on the 13th hole of The Pines golf course, raising $706 for Zephyr Education. Congratulations to the winners, the team of Sanctuary Cove members Jane Mullings, Janice Wright, Loryn Van Den Berg, and Sam Bacon, who scored 61 nett, winning on a count back from fellow members Sally Massey, Kylie Wharington, Vee Chambers, and Chris Lynam.

The first night’s function featured a carefully curated three-course alternate drop menu designed by our Head Chef Darren Morgan, accompanied by a glass of Rameau d’Or Provence Rosé on arrival, kindly sponsored by Joval Wines. After dinner, Danny FaiFai performed all the favourites, getting the ladies out of their seats, dancing and singing the night away.

Day two began with round one of the singles events, showcasing another beautiful winter’s morning at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club. Local knowledge of The Palms golf course proved crucial, but an Emerald Lakes local shone through and held a 5-shot lead going into day two. The ladies enjoyed a refreshing Papa Salt Coastal Gin and soda on the 16th hole, kindly sponsored by Iconic Beverages. The excitement on this hole was coupled with our hole-in-one challenge, which offered an extravagant 12-day trip to South Africa worth $9,500 thanks to Ria from On The Tee Travel. Despite valiant efforts, unfortunately no hole in one was recorded.

Lorraine Romeril led the way in round one with a remarkable score of 45 points, 5 shots clear of the nearest rivals. Division 1 was led by Samantha Shreer from Future Golf with 37 points, division 2 by Sharon Easten from Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club with 37 points, and division 3 by Lorraine Romeril.

After golf, the ladies enjoyed a leisurely afternoon before returning to the Club at nightfall. A Papa Salt Coastal Gin cocktail, Blue Breeze, kicked off the shared family-style dinner menu perfectly. After dinner, Runes Duo captivated the audience with their unique sound and incredible energy.

Day three, the final day of the event, was played on The Pines golf course. The late morning shotgun start was welcomed as the chilly Gold Coast winter morning was not to everyone’s liking. The ladies gathered for the annual team photo in their 2024 Ladies’ Golf Classic shirts before starting the final round of the tournament. Despite Emerald Lakes member Lorraine Romeril’s 5-shot lead, scores were tight halfway through the round, with several players within one Stableford point of each other. To ease the tension, ladies enjoyed a tasting of Champagne Pommery on the 1st hole, kindly donated and served by Jeff Butler. After 15 holes live scoring was hidden, building suspense to see who would win the coveted diamond putter.

Following the round, players enjoyed another glass of Champagne Pommery to toast the end of three fantastic days of golf and celebrations.

Local knowledge proved crucial for scoring well on The Pines golf course on the second day of the singles event. The daily winner for division 1 was Margie Hay from Sanctuary Cove with an impressive score of 38 points. Division 2 was won by Fiona Armstrong from Sanctuary Cove with 31 points, and Kylie Wharington from Sanctuary Cove with 37 points, winning division 3.

The two-day division winners were Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club members Silvana Phillips in division 1 with a score of 64 points, Fiona Armstrong with 65 points in division 2, and Caz Game in division 3 with 64 points.

Our overall Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club winner for the two-day event was Kylie Wharington with 67 points and our guest winner was Sonia Kirkman from Yarra Yarra with 63 points.

This year, we also had a new prize for the Sanctuary Cove Putting Champion, awarded for the lowest putting score over the two-day singles event. The winner received four entries into the 2025 Sanctuary Cove Ladies’ Golf Classic and two nights’ accommodation at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, worth $3,100. Denise Semple claimed the title with an impressive score of 56 putts over two days.

With a remarkable score of 73 points over the two days, the 2024 Sanctuary Cove Ladies’ Golf Classic Winner is Club member Margie Hay, who successfully defended her title after winning in 2023, and narrowly defeated Emerald Lakes member Lorraine Romeril on a countback.

The Club has great pleasure in announcing that $8,591 was raised for Zephyr during the event, by way of raffles and Kade McBride’s talents on hole 13 of The Pines golf course. Thank you to all for your generosity.

With ladies travelling to play in the event from 42 different clubs nationwide, we would like to sincerely thank everyone for entering and participating in the 11th Anniversary Sanctuary Cove Ladies’ Golf Classic. We also wish to acknowledge our sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible.  

Please provide any feedback to Ashleigh regarding the event to help make the 2025 Sanctuary Cove Ladies’ Golf Classic even greater and grander. All results and photos from the tournament have been uploaded to the event portal and can be found by clicking here.

We look forward to welcoming all ladies back for a spectacular 2025 Sanctuary Cove Ladies’ Golf Classic. A special invitation will go out to all 2024 participants regarding next year’s event to secure your place.