Junior pennant squad visit 13th Beach & Sorrento Golf Clubs

Report by Jack Hynes

On Monday 13th April, the majority of the Glenelg Golf Club junior pennant squad grouped up in the western car park and were briefed by Paul Duregon on our behaviour and expectations for the trip ahead. We all huddled into cars driven by David Brand, Byron Williams, Jack Starkey and Mark Roberts – a tight squeeze with 18 sets of clubs and 18+ luggage bags – but a big thanks to Mark for offering his trailer. The clock ticked over to 6:30am and we hit the road towards 13th Beach Golf Club in Victoria.

The road trip was long, but with uploading the US Masters leaderboard every two minutes, we noticed Adam Scott making a quick move to the top. None of us wanted to miss the first Australian to win the Masters, so we stopped off at a Tailem Bend truck stop to witness history in the making. Sitting down, biting our finger nails, our hearts were beating, but the truck stop was on its feet and high fives were everywhere when Scotty binned the immaculate 15 footer to be the first Australian to win the US Masters. An hour and half behind schedule, we hit the road again.

Arriving at the 13th Beach Bunker, where our accommodation was booked, we unpacked and dressed up to have dinner at the Barwon Heads pub After gobbling down what was an amazing schnitzel, everyone was tired and needed a good night sleep.

Paul Duregon came running into rooms at 6:00am, Tuesday morning, for a 7:30am tee time. A very breezy and chilly morning did not stop us from getting out of bed as we hit off on the Creek Course for the morning’s round. The competition was stableford and the course playing it’s hardest, as the greenkeepers had tucked the pins away for a US Masters competition the day before. Average to okay scores came in – Jack Hynes topped the field with 32 points, followed by Will Starkey on 31 points.

Tuesday afternoon was matchplay for the juniors. The Beach course was playing a little bit easier but the wind did not help, bringing some close and tough battles.

Round 1 Matchplay Results

Sam Raschella def. Lachy Roberts 5/3
Jack Hynes def. Sam Williams 3/2
Will Starkey def. Jackson Kalz 4/3
Josh Hodgson def. Haydn Booth 1up
Todd Williams def. Liam Kennewell 1up

After another tiring day on the golf course, another pub meal was warranted and we were lucky enough to have Ben Jarvis, the Golf Operations Manager from 13th Beach, join us for dinner. Walking through the front door of the Bunker after dinner, most of the juniors jumped into the warm outside spa whilst the parents kept themselves occupied with a friendly game of poker.

Another early morning wake up at 6:00am on Wednesday brought another cold morning but we were all excited to head over to Sorrento Golf Club. A pre-booked, 45 minute ferry ride was the highlight of the day, as most of us enjoyed a coffee and sat back until we arrived, with a quick photo shoot on the top deck for the group. The two minute drive from the ferry to Sorrento Golf Club was quick, but once we got out the car and saw the golf course, nearly every jaw dropped. An amazing view and facility was put on the line for us – it was ‘extraordinary’. We all thought Mt Lofty Golf Club was hard to walk, but Sorrento topped it. A $10 entry fee was paid up by each junior for a winner takes all prize, with everyone trying their hardest to win. Scores of 38 points from Will Starkey and Liam Kennewell were posted and the money was split both ways. Another pub meal at the Sorrento pub for lunch was tasty for everyone, and many thanks to Mark Roberts for his kind donation towards the bill.

The ferry ride home was even more comfortable with everyone having a go on a massage chairs and once again, the adults and juniors were in need of another coffee. Jumping back into cars and heading back to the Bunker, we all jumped into the spa and relaxed. Pizza was delivered that night and we were more than happy to share it with special guest, Glenelg’s Course Superintendent, Daryl Sellar, who was in the area on business.

Thursday morning brought more cold weather to the trip with wind blowing a gale and rain hitting hard. The morning round was matchplay on the Creek Course, this time playing much easier. Close games and immaculate plays were in store for most.

Round 2 Matchplay Results

Todd Williams def. Jackson Kalz 4/2
Haydn Booth def. Will Starkey 4/3
Jack Hynes def. Sam Raschella 4/3
Sam Williams def. Liam Kennewell 3/2
Josh Hodgson def. Lachy Roberts 2/1

In the afternoon, we played stableford on the Beach Course and another $10 entry was required. Pin positions had not moved from Tuesday, but the wind was hitting us like a ton of bricks. Scores varied but Todd Williams came in with 32 points to knock off Jack Hynes, Sam Raschella and Will Starkey, all on 31 points. No one was happy handing over their money to Todd.

One final visit to the Barwon Heads pub for dinner and a hot spa was ready for us afterwards. A few tired juniors floated around the Bunker as most huddled in for a game of 8 Ball, before calling it a night and readying ourselves for the long trip home the next morning.

Waking up early for the road trip home, we hit the Western Highway once again, stopping at the occasional Maccas for a bite to eat and rest the legs. Once back at the western car park, where it all began only five days earlier, with parents awaiting our arrival, Adrian Wickstein handed out the prizes for the week.

Congratulations to Will Starkey for winning the overall stableford competition, but only by a fingernail with Todd Williams and Liam Kennewell just couple of points behind. Congratulations also to Jack Hynes for winning the overall matchplay event by 2 holes, in front of Todd Williams and Haydn Booth.

A big thank you goes out to the adults, Mark Roberts, Jack Starkey, Byron Williams, Paul Kennewell, Brenton Kalz for giving up their time to assist on the trip. On behalf of the Glenelg Golf Club juniors, I would also like to thank David Brand, Paul Duregon and Adrian Wickstein for the hard work they put in to making the junior trip so successful. Also a big thankyou to the Barwon Heads pub for supplying such great meals, the 13th Beach Bunker and Brynwaen House for our accommodation, and 13th Beach and Sorrento Golf Clubs for offering their golf courses for the week. And finally, thanks to everyone who has supported the Glenelg Golf Club Foundation over the years – without your support, trips like these could not happen without the funding assistance provided by the Foundation.

Good luck to all pennant players for the 2013 season.