BENDIGO golf ace Kristi Bilkey engineered a remarkable comeback to be crowned Commonwealth Golf Club women's champion.
Bilkey - a member at both Bendigo and Neangar Park golf clubs - came from four down after 18 holes to win the championship four and three.
The win adds to a growing list of achievements for Bilkey, who earlier this year carded a two-under par 70 off the stick to set a new women's course record at Neangar Park.
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Bilkey - a staple of Golf Central Victoria representative teams over the past four years - hailed the win as a great way to end the year.
"Being four down after 18 and ending up winning by four was a tough way to do it," the 22-year-old said.
"We had a big break at the end of 18, so I did a little bit of practice and had some words with my caddy, who gave me some good advice.
"I was a little bit down after 18, but he had me looking forward rather than dwelling on what I had done in the first 18.
"I kind of came out blazing on the second 18."
Bilkey, who followed her parents David and Jenni into the sport and started playing at age seven, said she had played less in 2019 than in previous years, with work taking precedence over golf.
She is now eagerly looking forward to the start of the division one pennant season with Commonwealth Golf Club.
"The plan is to move to Melbourne next year, so there will be a lot more golf focus," Bilkey said.
"I'll be able to play at Commonwealth a lot more. I'm sure I'll be putting in the hard yards next year to defend this championship.
"With the pennant season starting in February, I've already started training and have quite a few practice rounds scheduled for early next year."
Located in Melbourne's sandbelt, Commonwealth Golf Club will celebrate its centenary in 2020.
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