Alison Murdoch will once again be the player to beat when the annual Zone 5 Women's Championship gets rolling tomorrow at Duncan Meadows Golf Club.
It marks the 90th time the amateur section has been played at the two-day golf event, which concludes Tuesday at Gorge Vale and also includes senior and handicap divisions.
Zone 5 comprises most of Vancouver Island south of the Duncan area. Duncan Meadows is its northernmost course.
Murdoch is going after her sixth win in a row in the amateur division and an astounding 10th consecutive top finish among the seniors.
Her connection to local golf began in 1998 when she moved west to Vancouver for a job opportunity. She became a member of the Victoria Golf Club as part of a long-term retirement plan and now lives in the capital region.
The golfing resume she brought with her is impressive, and it now includes participation in every Canadian seniors championship since 2000, with wins in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007. She is one of only three four-time champions, and was named Sport ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Master Athlete of the Year after her 2007 victory.
Murdoch, who joined the seniors' circuit in 2000 after reaching reaching eligibility as a 50-year-old, said she is well-aware she won't be on the leader board forever.
"One of these days it will come crashing to a halt," she said, smiling. "But while I'm playing in it I like to play my best and do what I can to present myself well."
There's nothing like putting everything together when it counts, said Murdoch, who has a one handicap.
"Winning never gets old."
Murdoch has also tasted victory in Ireland and England where she travels once a year for senior-championship play.
Back home, she keeps her game sharp by playing six times a week when she's not venturing to tournaments from spring to fall. She also keeps an eye on who she'll be up against.
"I know my competition and try to keep track a little bit of who's turning 50, just to know if there's another competitive element to be thought about and recognized."
Murdoch said she is also impressed with some of the youth advancing in the game.
"There are some younger ones coming ahead in this area and it will interesting to see how they do, people in their early 20s."
She said she has no problem heading into the upcoming tournament with a win streak.
"I just try to play my own game. I try to be sportsperson-like and respectful of my fellow competitors."
After the zone event, the top golfers can move on, Murdoch said.
"From the zone, two two-person teams are picked, one senior team and one amateur team, and those people represent the zone at the provincials."
The provincials will be played in Summerland in mid-June. Following that, two teams of four -- one senior and one amateur -- will go to national competition. The Royale Cup Canadian Women's Senior Championship takes place Aug. 23-26 at Parksville's Morningstar Golf Course.
