Simpson Cup Pennant Report

03rd July 2022

Glenelg v Kooyonga

Won by: Kooyonga – 4.5 matches to 2.5

26th June 2022

Glenelg v Southern

Won by: Glenelg – 4 matches to 3.

This was the final match of the minor round and we went in sitting in 4^th position with a simple equation – win and we would play in the semi- finals.  A half or loss would mean we would be reliant on other results going our way.  Southern were the bottom ranked team but were desperate for a half or win to avoid relegation.  They were not to be taken lightly and in the wash up they took it right down to the wire.  Around the turn they had the edge on us leading 5-2 but our boys knuckled down on the back nine and ultimately recorded a nail biting win 4-3.

At no.7 Kade Bryant got off to an unusually fast start winning the first two holes but his lead evaporated and he was 2 down after 10.  This jolted him into action winning the next three holes taking him to 1 up which remained the score going down the last.  A dramatic final hole ensued with his opponent losing his ball off the tee whilst Kade was bunkered.  His opponent went back to the tee and hit two good shots with a 5 likely.  Kade was well past the pin for 3 but calmly two putted to win a hard fought match.

Ben Winton had a tough match on his hands getting to 2 up early but finding himself 1 down after 15.  A win on the 17^th got him back to square.  Two good shots on 18 gave him a good look at birdie whilst his opponent had missed the green left.  However his opponent sensationally holed his long putt from off the green for birdie leaving Ben to try and hole his putt for a half.  Unfortunately the putt slid past the hole for a very unlucky 1 down loss.

Henry Duregon got off to a slow start being 3 down after 7.  The 8^th was halved but from then on Henry won the next 7 holes in a row for a fantastic 4/3 win!  One of the best comebacks of the season and a real confidence booster ahead of the finals.

Nick Wake maintained what seemed to be the theme for the day and was 3 down after 10.  He was still 3 down after 12 but managed to win 3 of the next 4 holes to get back to square after 16.  The last two holes were halved and the match was squared.  Another great comeback.

Michael Munn toiled away manfully but couldn’t recover after getting two down early finally losing 3/2.

Jumping to the no. 1 match Harry Burner got off to a fast start and was 4 up after 6.  His opponent fought back winning 2 of the next 3 holes but Harry was able to steady the ship winning 4/3. 

So at this stage we are leading 3.5 to 2.5 with Zac Bray our last player on course playing against the experienced Phil Chapman.  The match was tight all day with never more than 1 hole in it.  Zac reached the 18^th tee all square.  Neither player hit a good tee shot with Zac out to the right and Phil in the fairway bunker and unable to reach the green in regulation.  Zac was in a greenside bunker for 2 and his opponent hit a good third shot that gave him a good chance to save par from about 10 feet.  Zac’s bunker shot was good but he was putting first.  He hit a good putt but it failed to drop.  This left Phil with a putt to win the match, secure a half for his team and avoid relegation for Southern.  So no pressure!  Fortunately for us the putt slid past on the right securing Zac a well- deserved half.

Overall this was a match that could have gone either way.  Four of our players found themselves behind at one stage before fighting back to secure a win or half which proved to be the difference. This shows the character we love to see in match play because it’s never over ‘til it’s over!  That must be our mindset going into finals.

Thanks to the caddies and supporters who came out on a damp day to support us.

We have retained 4^th position just behind Grange on individual matches.  In next weeks semi-final we will play the top team Kooyonga at Grange West from 11.15 am.   We would love to see as many members as possible come out to support us.  The players really do appreciate it being able to see a friendly face in black and gold!

Steve Weeks and Gary Thompson

Managers

19th June 2022

Glenelg v Royal Adelaide

Won by: Glenelg – 4 matches to 3.

This was the penultimate match of the minor round and it was vital that we got the win over top placed and unbeaten Royal Adelaide to keep our finals chances alive.  We were without Josh Hayes and Matt Uebergang with Henry Duregon and Ben Winton coming back in to the team.  We were also sweating on the availability of Zac Bray who was anxiously awaiting the birth of his first child.  Fortunately for us little Hudson was born in the early hours of Saturday morning and he was good to go.  The players responded to the challenge magnificently in recording a 4-3 win.

Kade Bryant was first up at no. 7.  He fell behind early but battled away manfully before losing 2/1.  Ben Winton had his hands full from the start against former Glenelg player Anthony Olsen in his 6/5 loss.  Henry Duregon played solidly all day to win 2/1 in what was a decisive result for the team.  Nick Wake got off to a solid start but his opponent was able to pull away through the middle of the round defeating Nick 4/2.  This left it up to the top of the order to bring home the bacon.  At no.1 Harry Burner had a day to remember recording a huge 7/6 win over state player Billy Cawthorne.  Harry sensationally started eagle – eagle and never let up the pressure being 6 up (and 6 under the card) at the turn! New father Zac was similarly impressive racing to 5 up after 9 before closing out his match 4/3.  The match was now tied 3 all with Michael Munn in the last group on the course.  The contest was tight early but Michael was able to pull away on the back nine recording the winning point on the 16^th green in a 3/2 win.

Thanks to the caddies and supporters who came out on a cold but fine day to support us.

We go into the last round next week against last-placed Southern at Royal Adelaide sitting in 4^th position, half a point clear of Tea Tree Gully and one point ahead of The Vines.  We won’t be taking Southern for granted but the equation is simple – win and we will play in the semi-finals.

Steve Weeks and Gary Thompson

05th June 2022

Glenelg v The Vines

Match halved. Match abandoned due to weather. 3.5 matches to 3.5

29th May 2022

Glenelg v Flagstaff Hill

Won by: Glenelg – 5 1/2 matches to 1 1/2.

The rain held off and we were fortunate to have a perfect autumn day for our match against Flagstaff Hill.  The Victor course was in good condition especially the greens.  We were without Harry Burner and Matt Uebergang who were both playing in the NT Amateur.  Ben Winton and Henry Duregon came back into the team.  With just one win from our first 3 matches it was important that we got a good win.  The players responded to the challenge well and we came away with a very well deserved 5 ½ to 1 ½ win.

Kade Bryant recorded his first Simpson Cup win 4/3 and the evergreen Ben Winton followed him in with a strong 5/4 win.  Henry Duregon found himself in a spot of bother at 3 down at one stage but fought back hard to halve his match.  A brilliant chip at the last almost went in that would have given him the victory.  Nick Wake was in control of his match for most of the day winning 2 up.  Michael Munn was never troubled winning 6/5.  Zac Bray playing against his former club recorded his first win for Glenelg 4/3.  Josh Hayes playing at no.1 against Brad Manton had his hands full eventually losing 4/3.

This was just the result we needed to square our results 2-2.  Next week we are at The Vines against the home team from 11.15 in what shapes as a pivotal match for our finals chances.   We are in 6^th position tied with The Vines who are 5^th on a countback and are just half a point behind Tea Tree Gully in fourth.

Thanks to the caddies and spectators who made the long trek to support us.  It really is appreciated. 

Steve Weeks and Gary Thompson

Managers

22nd May 2022

Glenelg v Tea Tree Gully

Won by: Glenelg – 4 matches to 3.

The third round of Simpson Cup was held at Glenelg on Sunday, and on what was a perfect sunny day, the course was widely praised in the way it was presented.

Our team was up against an inform Tea Tree Gully team that played some very good golf and took the game right down to the wire, with Glenelg securing a

4 to 3 victory.

Our team welcomed Nick Wake back from Covid, and also had Zac Bray and Kade Bryant playing their debut Simpson Cup games.

Harry Burner, Matt Uebergang and Michael Munn had very good wins for us, Kade Bryant and Josh Hayes both held their nerve down the last hole to secure very valuable halves to give us the winning number.

Nick Wake and Zac Bray both went down in very close encounters.

The win gets us back on track and next week we venture down south to Victor to take on Flagstaff Hill.

A special thanks to our caddies and to all the wonderful spectators who braved the cold early morning start to give our boys a lift.

Gary Thompson & Steve Weeks

Team Managers

15th May 2022

Kooyonga v Glenelg

Match won by Kooyonga 4 1/2 matches to 2 1/2

The match up against Kooyonga was always going to be a tough one as they were one of the pre-season favourites.  We were without Nick Wake due to covid health and safety protocols.  However we welcomed Jack Buchanan back from leading the SA men’s team to victory in the Interstate Series.  We acquitted ourselves well but ultimately went down 2 ½ to 4 ½.

Last start winner Ben Winton couldn’t get into his match at all losing 5/3.  Henry Duregon had a tight tussle with young Josh Grundel and got to two up at one stage.  However Josh fought back and Henry was beaten 2/1 when Josh hit a sensational tee shot to 30 cm on the par 3 8^th hole.  Michael Munn fought hard all day to grind out a very well deserved win 1 up.  Josh Hayes was involved in a very tight match with no more than 1 hole in it all day and eventually the match was halved.  In the next match Matt Uebergang was no match for the experienced Heath Riches going down 6/4.  Harry Burner tried hard all day but couldn’t get his nose in front eventually losing 3/2.  At the no. 1 position, Jack Buchanan took on his state team mate Kyle Hater and in a high quality match Jack prevailed 1 up.

We won’t have Jack’s services for the rest of the season as this week he heads to Europe to further his golf and we wish him well.

Thanks to the caddies and spectators who made the long trek to support us.  It really is appreciated.  Next week we are at home against Tea Tree Gully teeing off at 7.30 am.  It’s an early start but we would love to see as many members out as possible.  Our Sanderson Cup team will also be at Glenelg teeing off at 11.15 am.

Steve Weeks and Gary Thompson

Managers

8th May 2022

Glenelg v Grange at Flagstaff Hill

Won by Grange 4 Matches to 3

Simpson Cup Report Round 1 –  8th May 2022 Glenelg v Grange at Flagstaff Hill

In perfect autumn weather we ventured to Flagstaff Hill for the opening match of the season.  Nick Wake was making his debut for Glenelg having transferred from Blackwood and Matt Uebergang made his Simpson Cup debut having played Bonnar Cup last year.  Jack Buchanan will miss most of the season with interstate duty this week and he will then be heading overseas to further his career in golf.

Unfortunately it was not the start we were hoping for as we went down 4 – 3 against Grange to open the pennant season.  The individual matches were generally close all day and the rubber was tied at 2.5 each with two matches left on course that could have gone either way.

The lower order players all did well with the evergreen Nick Wake at no. 5 recording a strong 5/4 victory.  At no. 7 Ben Winton followed him in winning

2/1 to get us off to a good start.  Henry Duregon secured a half in his match at no. 6.  Josh Hayes and Michael Munn couldn’t get past their opponents at 3 and 4 respectively.  This left Matt Uebergang 1 down and Harry Burner 2 down on the course with two to play both engaged in tight matches. We needed at least a win and a half to secure victory.  Matt won 17 to get back to square.  Matt and his opponent were both on the 18th green in regulation with short birdie putts but neither could convert the opportunity and the match was halved.  Meanwhile back on 17 Harry needed to win the hole to take it down the last but the hole was halved and the match lost 2/1.

Thanks to the caddies and spectators who came out to support us.  Next week we are at Tea Tree Gully against Kooyonga.

Steve Weeks and Gary Thompson

Managers