Golfer Sally Geary has a new attitude to the game. She's older and wiser, she explained, and that's made a difference.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"I don't take my golf as seriously now,'' the recently-turned-46-year-old said.
"I don't stress about it - I just go out there and enjoy myself.''
This newfound nirvana seems to be working, for Geary has just won her eighth women's club championship at Taree.
She did it with relative ease as well, leading from the first round to eventually finish some 14 shots ahead of the runner up, Cindy Googh.
Geary is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
Eight titles brings her level with Kay Woolcock for the most number of championships.
"I think Beryl Avery has won the most,'' Geary said.
"But I'm not sure how many that is.''
Geary missed last year's event due to work commitments. Perhaps ironically, she was working at the club's pro shop.
"I just didn't have the time. It was pretty busy, because I had to run everything,'' she said.
"But now we have a new head professional and it's his job to stress out about those things.''
However, Geary said she wasn't hellbent on winning the crown.
"It was just good to be having a game again, especially in the championships,'' she said.
She won three successive championships from 2017-19 before her enforced break in 2020.
Experience has taught her that consistency is the key to success.
RELATED:
"If you shoot three rounds around 85 you'll usually win at Taree,'' she said.
Geary started with an 84 and was never seriously challenged from there.
"I had a couple of double bogeys in the last round, but otherwise it was all pretty relaxed,'' she explained.
Work also precluded Geary from playing in the mixed foursomes of the women's foursomes last year.
She's not sure if she'll play one or both this time around.
"I usually play with Jo (Stinson) in the women's foursomes. If she wants to have a game with me again this year, then I will,'' Geary said.
"But I haven't thought about it too much.''
Geary now works part-time at the pro shop, meaning she can usually get on the course at least once a week. Her handicap is currently 6 and it's been as down to five.
"Even though I don't take it as seriously, I can still improve my game,'' she said.
She was once an A-grade hockey player while she had success as a player and coach in women's football.
However, they've gone by the wayside.
"Golf and a bit of fishing. That's me now,'' she smiled.