Timely win for Simpson Cup boys against TTG

Report by Geoff Attenborough

On a perfect day for golf, Glenelg’s Simpson Cup team traveled to The Grange Golf Club for a must win contest against the previously unbeaten Tea Tree Gully team.

Our players proved they were up for the challenge with a convincing 5 matches to 2 win and keep our season on track. This young group know that they can match it with all the other teams in the competition and with the self belief and ability shown will be close around the finals time.

Our first match to play was Luke Bashford at no7. Luke did not get off to a very good start being 2 holes down after two.  Luke made ground to be square at nine only to lose the next two holes to go back to 2 down. After being only 1 down at the 16th hole Luke could not gain the upper hand to lose 2/1.

Next to play was Anthony Olsen who got off to a strong start being 2 up after six and continued his good play to be 5 up at the 11th hole. This match seemed to be a mere formality but at this level of golf nothing is a certainty. From the 12th to the 16th holes Anthony lost three holes and the momentum to be only 2 up with two to play.  After his opponent won the 17th hole with a birdie, a probable big win turned into a possible half.  Fortunately, Anthony won the 18th hole to record a deserving 2 up win.

David Hiern played at no. 5 and seemed to be in control for most of his match. After an ordinary first three matches of the season, David’s game was on song and apart from a couple of errant shots, his ball striking was exceptional and was always having his opponent under pressure.  With a two hole advantage after ten, then being 3 up at the 12th, David eventually closed out his match 3/2.

Will Starkey at no. 4 was another who also seemed to be in control for all of his match. Being 2 up after five, Will improved his advantage to be 4 up after 11 holes.  A loss at the 12th kept this match very much alive but Will showed great composure to finish his match at the 16th, winning 4/2.

Josh Hayes at no. 3 played his best game of the season from tee to green. If only his putter had been working this match could have been over very early.  With his Tea Tree Gully opponent holing some big putts just to keep him in the game, Josh pressed home his advantage to be 3 up at eight, then 4 up at ten. After losing two holes and being only 2 up after 16 holes, a great chip on the 17th hole to make par gave Josh a well deserved 2/1 win.

Lachlan Barker playing at no. 2 could not quite get over the line losing his match 2/1. This match was of a very good standard with two young players going shot for shot the whole match.  The biggest advantage was two holes up with Sam Burton from Tea Tree Gully being 2 up after 10.  Lachlan trimmed this back to be only 1 down after 16 but could not quite get to square eventually losing the 17th hole to lose 2/1.

Ben Hallam at no. 1 had his first win of the season and what a very good win it was. This was a high quality match with only a one hole advantage to either player for the first nine holes. Ben gained a crucial win on the 10th hole to go 2 up and never gave up this advantage to keep applying pressure to eventually win 3/2. For Ben, this will give him great satisfaction after several years away from the Glenelg pennant scene.

With the Pennant season now just beyond half way, all of the Club’s pennant teams are well placed for a strong finish with the Women’s Grade 1, Bonnar Cup and Juniors looking to be in another final.

From the players point of view, it would be greatly appreciated to see some club members out supporting our teams. Not only would it give them a lift, but you can also see some high quality golf.

Results