Shepparton's Bailey Goodall won his match to clinch the coveted VGA Division 1 flag.
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Golf Australia Vic
Shepparton golf star Bailey Goodall clinched victory for Victoria in dramatic circumstances, edging out a thrilling match to secure the Division 1 Men’s Pennant for his team.
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Pitted against Metropolitan’s Jack Chrystie, the prospect from the Goulburn Valley produced some heroics that will live long in the memory as his side prevailed 4-3 following a hard-fought showpiece contest.
During the closing stages of the Sunday Finals at Ranfurlie Golf Club, everything was at stake when Goodall took to the fairway on the famous course at Cranbourne - which had been extended to 21 holes.
In a winner-takes-all war of attrition, it was eventually the Shepparton talent who demonstrated the most mettle as he snatched the spoils on the third extra hole with an impressive birdie.
Sealing the deal in just two strokes, Goodall’s first shot landed just three feet short of the hole before he successfully executed the corresponding putt in a standout moment, as the sun started to set on an eventful day down at Ranfurlie.
Reflecting on what proved to be a jubilant outing, the Shepparton Golf Club stalwart’s pride was palpable when he spoke with the News.
“It’s not something that I’ve ever really experienced, winning for a team, I’ve not had that sort of pressure before,” Goodall said.
“It was certainly something very different and it definitely adds a different kind of pressure when it means so much to other people too.
“I’d been playing well all day and felt fairly comfortable and I just really committed to (the final birdie).
Bailey Goodall demonstrated his talents on the fairway once again at Ranfurlie Golf Club.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“I think the first two holes were probably the most nerve-racking and by the third I was able to get into it.
“I felt as comfortable as I could have been with pretty much the whole year on the line for the club I guess - I knew I was playing well and if I committed to my shots, I was confident that I would be okay.
“We won a few years ago, but we’ve been close the past couple of years and couldn’t quite get it over the line.
“The mix between the same group of guys and the new guys was good.”
The golfer has earned a strong reputation for his exploits on the green in the past, appearing at the Victorian Open alongside fellow Shepparton player Kyle Michel back in January.
A prodigy from a young age, the 20-year-old won the Boys Overall Best Scratch title at the 2023 Victorian Junior Open, also winning three consecutive titles at the Victorian Junior Country Regions championships as a teenager.
Following on from his heroics in the VGA Division 1 decider, the boy wonder is focused on delivering at the 2026 Australian Interstate Series at Glenelg Golf Club, which he is currently midway through competing in down in Adelaide.
In terms of what is next for him in his burgeoning career, he will have a couple of months away from the green before planning for more tournament appearances during the Spring.
“I’d just like to thank everybody at Shepparton Golf Club for letting me play there and I really appreciate all of their help,” he said.
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