Kaylene grabs golf gold despite twist

A MILDURA golfer will compete at the international level after her stunning success at the Australian Deaf Games, overcoming a last-minute twist with rules.

Teeing off at the Waratah Golf Club in New South Wales, Kaylene Geddes arrived home with two gold medals, the ambrose event, which she won playing for Victoria, and ladies gross, which was an individual honour.

Geddes also won the net but was ineligible due to winning the gross.

While on paper it looked like a comprehensive win, Geddes said some late information given to her was significant but fortunately she was able to overcome it.

“I was told I wasn’t allowed to wear a cochlear or hearing aid while I was playing,” she said.

“That was the first time in my entire life that I had to play without one.”

Because she knew limited sign language, Geddes said it made for funny interactions on the course.

“There were lots of interpreters out on the course just in case a ball was hit our way and to make sure we were okay,” she said.

A right-hander, Geddes has played since 2015 and believed her hockey background had been a strong influence on her playing style.

“Some sessions with my trainer, Michael, helped me work on my chipping before going to Newcastle but driving is definitely my strength,” she said.

In the first round, Geddes scored 110, followed by 107 in the second.

The bakery worker will now travel to Gold Coast in August, where she will play against competitors from around the world at the Royal Pines golf course.