The Spring Ridge resident secured her 14^th crown this year which the modest golfer attributes partly towards the number of players competing for the title.

“I think it’s a lot easier now to win over a longer period,” Toppin said.

“Betty Brown – who I think held the record before with nine wins – there were 80-90 people playing then and we're down to 30 now.

“It’s a lot easier now than it was in the past and I think there’s less young people taking up golf now.

“It’s very disappointing. It makes you wonder where the future of women's golf is in Australia.

“Most of the women playing here and at other clubs are around about my age – not much younger than 50 – so in 20 years time – what’s going to happen?”

Toppin said “it’d be terrific” to see more young women and girls start playing the game of golf.

The gun golfer said there was plenty to gain from people taking up the game.

Toppin herself started playing some 40 years ago and has been hooked since.

“I just love it. I love the sport, I love the challenge and I like the friendship. I like the exercise – I just really enjoy it,” Toppin said.

As far as winning more championships goes, Toppin said her run might be close to coming to an end.

“There’s got to be a limit. [I’d like] as many as possible but I think the writing’s on the wall. Natural attrition – but who knows,” she said.

Not that she’s slowing down out on the greens.

Consistency has been the golfer’s friend and Toppin said she hasn’t had to change her game over her 40-odd years of playing the sport.

“Not really. For men it might be a little different but I don’t think I’ve changed my game,” she said.

“I’ve never been a big hitter so I suppose if you're a big hitter when you’re younger it might be different.”