A strong field took the course for the Wimmera District Golf Association Championships at the weekend.

In the men's division, Horsham's Lewis Gebert won his first championship, while the familiar face of Nhill's Libby Lacey won the title for an incredible 14th time.

In the boys' division, Nhill's Heath Braybrook went back-to-back.

READ MORE:

Gebert had 72 off the stick in his first round before finishing strongly with 70 in the second for 142 all up.

Horsham's Casey Schmidt was just one shot behind with 143 (68 and 75) from 36 holes.

Gebert said he felt "pretty good" after the win.

"It's my first time winning it so it's just good to get a win, I haven't played a lot of golf lately," Gebert said.

Schmidt had a four-shot lead after the first round, with Gebert admitting that up until that point, he was "hitting it pretty solid" but had just made "a few silly mistakes".

"I kept myself in it and was chasing Casey the whole day and then second round I played a little bit better," he said.

"He was playing really solid and then I just got lucky over the last couple of holes to make a couple of birdies and beat him by one."

In such a tight contest, many a golfer has been victim to their mind and failed to hold their nerve. Gebert, said he and Casey were "feeling the nerves".

"We were playing together in the same group and it's not often your in that position when you're playing golf," he said. "It was a lot of fun, I enjoyed doing it."

In the Women's division, Lacey for her 14th title scored 162 from both rounds (78 and 84).

Runner up was Horsham's Julie Wirth, eight shots back with 170 (90 and 80).

Lacey was pleased with the win and told the Mail-Times that "it's always an honour" to win events at that level.

"It was a shame that Jenny (McRae) couldn't play but you just have to beat the ones that are there on the day really," Lacey said.

The conditions weren't easy on Sunday, with the warmer weather taking its toll. Lacey admitted to being fatigued for the last nine.

"I don't think my focus was really good," she laughed.

"I played three really good nines but I got a bit tired towards the end. The last nine I didn't play as well, I had a few tired swings. I walked in the morning and had a cart in the afternoon, so that really did help."

Lacey said she was "surprised" to find out that she had now won the event 14 times.

MORE NEWS:

"I knew I'd won it a couple of times but I didn't know that until we actually had a look at the board," she said.

"The first time was in 1997, so it's a little while ago."

Lacey's focus now turns to the weekend's Seniors event in Horsham.

"At this stage I'm entered so I'm hoping that I'll be able to get down and play in my first seniors event," she said.

Gebert was also full of praise for the condition of his home course.

"The course was fantastic," he said. "... It looks really nice and luscious. All the rain we've had lately has certainly helped out."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: