Bonnar Cup record narrow win to start season

Report by Wayne Humphries (Team Manager)

The Bonnar Cup team this year has again taken on a very new look – for our Round 1 match this year only Henry Duregon was part of the team to play in last year’s Final. The players this year have prepared well and the challenge is there to come together as a team, to trust their game and be competitive each week at different courses and in differing conditions.

The new look team sees the return of Sam Raschella and young Liam Kennewell (aged 15). In addition we have four new players to the team – Andy Humphries (four time Club Champion from Blackwood) and three young fellows who are still eligible for Junior Pennant – namely, Brodie Whitbread (aged 17), Frank Vucic (aged 14) and Jack Buchanan (aged 14). – So, once again we have a nice blend of experience and youth within the team.

Our expectations for this season are again very high – our first goal is to qualify for the Final to give us a chance to win the Bonnar Cup.

This first round was a really important match for us to win – to gain confidence and winning momentum.

It was a perfect golfing day at Blackwood and from early on our boys took the advantage with Glenelg ahead in five games and square in the other two after six holes – some very encouraging signs. Throughout the day, Glenelg always held the advantage but several games tightened and at one point the contest could have gone either way.

We got two wins in early with Jack Buchanan at No.6 having a convincing 6/4 win over a more experienced opponent – young Jack played really well and holed some nice clutch putts – Congratulations Jack on a great debut. Brodie Whitbread also played very solid golf at No.4 to record a debut 4/3 win – Congratulations Brodie.

Then Flagstaff Hill captured two wins. Whilst Liam Kennewell at No. 7 and Frank Vucic at No. 5 both played well, their opponents really lifted and played some great shots and holed some crucial putts to record narrow wins.

At this stage the other three games were very tight – Sam Raschella at No. 3 recovered from 2 down after nine holes to square his match after 15, then won 16 to go one up and halved the last two holes to win a tight contest 1 up. A much needed win! Well done Sam.

At No.2, Henry Duregon had an enthralling contest – he was 1 up or square for most of his game. He was still one up playing the last hole but lost it to a nice birdie to finish his match all square.

Andy Humphries at No.1 also had an enthralling battle – he too was either one up or square all day and was still one up playing the last, but lost that, to also finish all square.

So a solid start to the season – three wins, two halved games and two close losses for a 4-3 result. It was a tough contest. The Flagstaff Hill team members played some really good golf and we had to play well and fight hard for a well-deserved victory.

Thank you to all the caddies and parents for their support to the players – such quality caddies as Josh Hodgson, James Bridgen, Aaron Buchanan, Harry Burner, Frank Vucic Snr, John Humphries and Will Buchanan certainly gave our players a decided advantage.

Next Sunday we play Blackwood at Glenelg from 11.15am – the home course advantage should give us a little head start but we will still have to stay focused and play some good golf to win.