IT’S nine championships under the belt for golfer Ellen Zeunert who claimed Portland Golf Club’s open women’s title on Sunday.

Up against golfing stalwart Sandy Stewart, Zeunert managed to maintain composure and take her chances to win Sunday’s 36-hole play-off by five holes with four to play.

Both players have won their fair share of championship titles with Zeunert earning back-to-back honours after also winning last year, with the experience showing on the course on Sunday.

“It was a really good match and a lot of good golf from both of us,” Zeunert said.

“We both played really steady all day and I think I got a few good breaks that helped but overall it was such a good match to play in.”

Zeunert was solid on the first 16 holes, working her way to be four up before Stewart won the 17th and 18th holes to bring the margin back to two holes at the halfway point.

On the second round of 18 holes Zeunert managed to strike early again and secure a few wins before Stewart pulled herself back into the contest.

In the end the champion pulled away but said there didn’t feel like there was much separating the pair on the course.

“It was steady all around golf, I think we both putted pretty well,” she said.

“At the end of the game I said to Sandy we sank some pretty impressive six and eight foot putts out there.

“I felt like my driving was solid too, I didn’t miss many fairways; I had a couple of breaks on a few holes and in the end that made the difference.”

The cross-code sportswoman said her performance on the course comes down to taking it one shot at a time and not looking too far ahead, or behind.

“Matches can turn so quickly in golf,” she said.

“I’ve been in matches where you think things are going well and then they go awry in the blink of an eye and it’s not until you’re shaking hands after the last putt is in that you’ve got it.

“The real key to it is letting go what you’ve already played and thinking about each hole as it comes – I’m still working really hard on that mindset.

“There was a moment on the 15th hole I think it was where Sandy was closer than I was to putt and I started to think about what happens if she gets it in and what will play out, but a nice breeze came and I reminded myself what a nice day it was to be out on the course, took a breath and sunk a 10-foot putt. You really have to make sure you don’t get ahead of yourself or worry too much because it can really affect your game.”

In the women’s B grade competition Trish Florakx won six holes up with five to play against Jenny Foster.

Robyn Sutherland had a big C grade victory winning nine holes up with seven to play against Maureen Schultz.