Report by Wayne Humphries
(Team Manager)
A reasonable result for the Bonnar Cup team against a very strong Grange team – albeit a win would have been that much sweeter! But in the end a drawn result leaves us in a good position to keep in contention for the Bonnar Cup Final.
It was a perfect day for golf with overcast skies and a gentle breeze but some fast tricky greens to test the players out.
It was a tight match all day – the match was tied away at 3.5 games each after 9 holes, then still that way after 12 holes, still that way after 15 holes and then the final result of a draw. However it was not without some drama over the last few holes.
Michael Ratajewski at No 7 had an absorbing tussle all day – he halved the first hole with a birdie and that set the tone for his game – Rat did get to one up at one stage of his game but pretty much all day his game was all square. Then playing 17 (game all square) his opponent (Pete Davis) holed a 15 footer leaving Rat with a nine footer for the half – and Rat calmly slots it – still all square. At this stage it was likely the match result would hinge on this game. On 18 however, Grange took the advantage when Pete Davis hit his second to the middle of the green about 25 feet away. Meanwhile Rat had some tree trouble with his second shot and had pitched his approach shot for three on to the front edge about 18 feet from the hole – after watching the Grange putt slide past the hole Rat knew he had to hole his for the half. The ball took forever to get up the hill and get near the hole and then all of a sudden it disappeared into the hole – an almighty cheer went up from the Glenelg contingent watching. Well done Rat – it really highlighted the benefit of the pressure putts faced during the practice sessions with the coaching staff.
At this stage, a draw seemed the likely outcome but the Grange’s number three (Corey Baker) against Luke Bashford was making a strong comeback. Luke was four up after 12 but lost 13 and 14 to still be two up and then holed a monster on 16 for half to maintain the two up advantage. However, Corey birdied 17 with a 30 foot putt to force the game down 18. Both lads hit really good drives and both hit the green with Luke about 25 feet away and Corey in a good position for birdie from about 14 feet – Luke knocked his about 3 feet past the hole and Corey’s putt looked a real chance only to rim the edge but stayed out – now Luke has to hole his to win a hard fought match against a very formidable opponent – but spurred on by Rat’s earlier heroics, Luke calmly holed the putt very confidently to win the match and secure a halved team result. Good stuff Bash.
Congratulations and special mention to:
- Lee Cole at No 5 – winning 3/2. Following on from his debut win the previous week, Lee once again hit the ball solidly all day. He was 5 up after 12 and fought off a mini comeback to win at the 16th. Well played Lee.
- Will Starkey at No 6 – winning 5/4. Will also backed up his impressive debut win last week with another very solid performance. Will’s second shot on the par 5, 5th hole to 15 feet was just typical of how well he was striking the ball and combined with a consistent putting stroke enabled him to control his game throughout. Will was 5 up after nine (a Team Manager’s dream!) and his result was never in doubt – well done again Will.
David Hiern at No 1 had a tough game (against Scott Webb) but was competitive throughout his game, turning 1 down after nine to eventually lose 2/1 with both players only one or two over the card.
Matt Mudford at No 2 also had a tough game (against Rudy Du Plooy) a seasoned Simpson Cup player. Rudy played really well and never allowed Matt to get in the game – Matt losing 5/4.
James Brown at No 4 probably had the toughest opponent on the day (Andre Na). Andre also played really well whilst James (from his own admission) struggled a little – just too many bogies going down 7/6.
Thank you to all caddies, other pennant squad members and family for their support to the players.
The challenge continues!…………..next Sunday we play The Vines at Royal Adelaide from 12.10pm. If we are to continue our serious challenge for the Bonnar Cup, we need a convincing win with lots of holes won to increase our percentage on the Bonnar Cup table.
Results
Glenelg (3.5) halved with The Grange (3.5)
(1) David Hiern lost to Scott Webb 2/1
(2) Matt Mudford lost to Rudi du Plooy 5/4
(3) Luke Bashford def. Corey Baker 1up
(4) James Brown lost to Andre Na 7/6
(5) Lee Cole def. Colin Coleman 3/2
(6) Will Starkey def. Jay Gilbertson 5/4
(7) Michael Ratajewski halved with Pete Davis
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