Men’s Pennant Results – Round 4

Simpson Cup – Round 4

Sunday, 3rd June 2012
Glenelg vs Blackwood at Blackwood Golf Club

Glenelg 4 defeated Blackwood 3

Report by Michael Noble (Team Manager)

A very grey, cold, wet and windy day greeted players on arrival at Blackwood Golf Club on Sunday.

The result of this match was very important for both Clubs, with relegation a real threat for the loser.

We were also a team member down with Campbell McLuckie having to withdraw with an ear infection. His help as a caddie however was invaluable. Mitch Nash was called up from the Bonnar Cup side as his replacement.

The match was so important, we decided to juggle the line-up for some strength at the bottom of the order.

Anthony Olsen led us out and performed very well. Very good golf was the order of the day. His opponent made some early birdies to go three up through seven holes. Anthony fought hard to go all square through 15 holes when an untimely bogey at the 16th left him one down. Two pars from both players to finish allowed the Blackwood member to take the match 1up and take an early lead around their home track.

Campbell Rawson followed and started very well. Three up after six holes, he maintained this lead throughout the day to record a comfortable 3/2 victory. Unfortunately work commitments will be taking Campbell to the USA for the remainder of the season and we thank him for this efforts over the first four games.

Lachlan Booth is growing in confidence at number 5 and again played well. Lots of birdies in this match and after falling two down after eleven holes, Lachlan birdied the 12th for a win. The 13th was halved in birdies while a win at the 14th brought the match back to all square. The game stayed this way until the 18th, where Lachlan hit his approach shot into 8 feet. His opponent also with a birdie putt from 15 feet narrowly missed, while Lachlan calmly holed his birdie putt taking the vital match 1up.

Andrew Grzybowski ran into a hot player and went 3 down after 9 holes. He recovered well and was only 1 down after 13. Unfortunately a bogey at the next meant a 2 down deficit. In the end Andrew was defeated 3/2 despite his best efforts.

Matt McGowan was on fire early and leapt out to be 5 up after 11 holes against Blackwood’s main hope Nick Wake. Nick fought back to be only two down after 15 but Matt was too strong, closing out for a 3/2 victory.

Ben Magi also ran into a hot opponent. Ben Leske was four under par after 15 holes to win 5/3. Ben was only two over par through 15 holes, but these things happen in pennant golf.

The match was now three games each. Mitch Nash had a slow start and was two down after two holes. Over the next 14 holes he played even par and stood on the 16th tee 1up. A strong par here and he remained 1 up. The team had congregated around the 17th green to spur Mitch on, with two solid pars from both players. Both players hit good drives but their second shots missed the fairway. Mitch played first and came up just short while his opponent did the same. Andy Humphries pitched to 10 feet, as Mitch calmly chipped to a foot securing victory and his team’s 4-3 triumph.

Well done to all of the team who can look forward to the last three matches with confidence.

Also thanks to the intrepid caddies and supporters.

Bonnar Cup – Round 4

Sunday, 3rd June 2012
Glenelg vs North Adelaide at Tea Tree Gully Golf Club

Glenelg 5 defeated North Adelaide 2

Report by Wayne Humphries (Team Manager)

A make or break game for the boys – win and stay in contention or lose and join in the battle to avoid relegation.

It was a cold day with passing showers and a swirling breeze broken up with some nice sunny patches.

We were favoured to win and the boys knew the job had to get done. An emphasis was placed on playing smart golf, getting a good start and then consolidating on that.

The 5/2 victory was a solid result and has put the team in 4^th spot – the challenge is still there to win all remaining matches to stay in contention for a finals berth. A tough but achievable task.

Henry Duregon (at No 7) had an amazing game. A little out of sorts early with some loose shots, Henry was 4 down after just 5 holes. A spirited fight back saw him draw level after 12 and precise approach shots to 15 and 16 saw him take a 2up lead with 2 to play eventually winning his game 1up – well done Henry, a great fightback and a match we needed to win.

Another strong performance from John Noble (at No 6) – played really well all day – 3 up after 8 and went on to win 6/4 – all went according to plan, a solid win, well done John.

Marty Ardill (at No 5) struggled early, 4 down after 8, but got himself back in the game to be only 1 down after 16 but lost 17 to lose 2/1 – Marty was disappointed to miss a couple of shortish putts late in the game which could have changed the final result – all good experience for Marty.

Sam Laslett (at No 4) was reasonably in control of his match all day. Sam jumped to a 2up lead after 5, was still 2 up after 8, survived a mini comeback from his opponent who got to only 1 down after 11, but then in typical captain’s fashion Sam holed some clutch putts and went on to win 4/2.

Mark McDonald (at No 3) played really well all day – he took an early lead to be 3 up after 8 and then to be 4 up after 11. His opponent (who normally plays at No 1) rallied somewhat with some good golf to challenge but Mark held on to win a good quality match 2/1. This was a great result for Mark in only his second pennant match this year – congratulations Mark.

What can I say about Sam Hynes? Last week he won 7/6 and played sub-par golf. This week, promoted to No 2, he is 5 up after 5 holes. (His brother Jack won 10/8 last week in Junior Pennant and I think Sam was inspired by that effort and trying to achieve it himself). Obviously not an easy task, but Sam gave it his best shot – he continued to play par golf, holing some nice putts along the way and ran out a 7/6 winner – against North Adelaide’s current Club Champion – a great effort Sam.

And what can I say about James Brown (at No 1)? He played the 9^th hole really well! James didn’t have the best of days and certainly played without any luck (or good luck anyway!). James couldn’t get in to his match and after being 5 down after 7, succumbed 7/6. This type of result can happen in Pennant Golf and it was “just one of those days” for James – he also will learn from it.

Thank you again to all the caddies for their support to their players and to the family and friends who were present to urge the Glenelg players on – that support continues to be greatly appreciated.