South Gippsland District Golf Association Men’s Pennant Rd 7 – Sunday 03 May 2015

The Leongatha Golf Club Men’s Pennant teams are sponsored by:

Division 1  @ Lang Lang GC – Lost 2-5 Vs Meeniyan GC

Match Report by Captain: Peter Rayson

The last round was played against Meeniyan in perfect weather conditions at Lang Lang with the course presented  accordingly. Lang Lang is easily one of the best courses around second only to our own.  As has been the case all season, we were able to push our opposing team to a close finish, unfortunately losing two close matches at the top two positions meant we ended up going down 2-5.

Tom Williamson and myself chalked up  maiden victories  for the season at positions number seven and six respectively. Peter Dowling put his best foot forward for the team playing with an injured back but found the going difficult with his restrictions. President Chris playing at number two pushed his opponent all the way but lost a close one on the last hole with the Meeniyan player showing great touch and leaving his downhill approach putt next to the hole.

Results:

• Tom Sorrell Lost 2&1
• Chris Leaver Lost 1Dn
• Anthony Sparkes Lost 4&3
• Peter Dowling Lost 7&5
• Rod McKenzie Lost 5&3
• Peter Rayson Won 3&2
• Tom Williamson Won 3&2

Division 2 @ Lang Lang GC – Lost 2-5 Vs Foster GC

Match Report by Captain: Dan Poynton

Our Div 2 side fronted up to Foster at Lang Lang on Sunday with a completely different looking side to normal.  A full side of fill-ins, with one exception – me, but still being 1 player short meant we were up against it already 1 match down, it also meant that everyone had to play up the order 1 spot too!

Thank you very much to the guys who put their hands up to play, and thank you to the 43 members that I rang & messaged on Saturday arvo/evening trying to find the elusive 7th player (I counted them all and can verify that 43 people were called!).  If I didn’t call you and you feel aggrieved reading this – I’m sorry but my phone ran out of battery!! Haha.

On the course, it was a very tight match with many of the matches oscillating between being up & down throughout the round – a credit to our guys considering Foster have made the final.

Ben battled away hard, having barely played in the past 12 months & up against a single figure handicapper whilst he’s off 16-  to get to the 16th hole was a great effort.  Ian Murchie also battled on, and although at one stage was well & truly down got some late wins on the board before ultimately running out of holes.  Having only just started playing again since recovering from a broken hand Darryl went awfully close to a win losing on the 17th – a really tough dog leg par 4 to a well bunkered green, Darryl reud a missed opportunity to ultimately lose the hole & match.  In my match my opponent & I both had moments of glory and other moments where we just looked at each other and laughed – however it was very tight.  A few missed putts cost me a few holes leaving me 2 down with 3 to play after being up through the middle of the round.  Thankfully a birdie on our 16th got me back into the match and I managed to take it to the 18th… where I blew it by blading a bunker shot into the scrub over the green.  A disappointing way to finish against an opponent off a handicap off 5ish.

Our saviors for the day were new member Matt Bowey who admirably won on the last hole playing in the #1 position after knocking his tee shot on the par 3 to about 3m.  Glenn Marsham was a big winner comfortably getting up 5&3.  He played a solid match with some great scrambling saving many par’s from some tight positions – I’d love to see you as a regular pennant player Glenn!!

Well done guys, and again, sincere thanks for putting your hand up to play.

Results:

• Matt Bowey Won 1Up
• Darryl Matthews Lost 2&1
• Dan Poynton Lost 2Dn
• Ian Murchie Lost 6&4
• Glenn Marsham Won 5&3
• Ben Farrari-Mela Lost 4&2
• Walk Over – Lost 10&8

Division 3 @ Leongatha GC – Lost 3-4 Vs Wonthaggi GC

Match Report by Captain: Chris Indian

Unfortunately, when the season was on the line we had a few fellas not quite able to seal their matches in must win games.  Very much like last 2 weeks, we went down in a close affair to Wonthaggi 3-4.

We could have clinched victory with one of 2 matches – with Brendan Simon’s opponent being off 5 Brendan managed to take him to 18 and unfortunately lost, we also had Dean Brown going down on 19.

Winners were Bryan McCorkell 5&3, Chris Indian 3&2 and saving the best till last Al Adcock 7&6 who apparently was only 1 over the card after 12 holes, a great effort!

Just before I sign off for this year a big thanks to all the guys who committed and came through for me this year lets hope we can finish our year next season with a pennant.  Best of luck to div4 in 2 weeks bring it home guys. LETS GET THERE and support them!

Results:

• Brendan Simon Lost 1Dn
• Allan Adcock Won 7&6
• Dean Brown Lost 19th
• John Dalton Lost 5&4
• Chris Indian Won 3&2
• Bryan McCorkall Won 5&3
• Colin Bear Lost 4&3

Division 4 @ Woorayl GC – Lost 3-4 Vs Woorayl GC

Match Report by Captain: Andy Bassett

In our last match before the final, the Div 4 team suffered its first loss going down 3-4 to a tough Woorayl team at Woorayl.  This is no disgrace as the home team advantage (I think) at Woorayl is massive considering the speed and shape of the greens and knowing how and where to approach them from.

Mark Boler again anchored our efforts with another win – the only player to compete in every game with a win this year and well done to him. Ryan Thomas again showed why he is called ‘The Rock’ after outplaying his senior opponent on the 19th in a close fought tussle. Ian Barlow also played very tough golf to secure a 2&1 win against a very handy golfer. Ian has now qualified to play for the Div 4 finals team as part of the risk management strategy to ensure a full team for the big game.

Close losses were experienced by Mark Anderson (1 down), Gary Peters (3&1 down) and Peter Jaspers (2&1) and I yoyoed around to finish 5&3 down.  Whilst licking our wounds I know this will encourage us to rethink how we could have played our opponent differently should we have the chance.

In the end though we are playing in the finals in two weeks time on Sunday the 17th May (location as yet unnamed) and we hope to emulate the Div 4 Teams of recent years to bring home the shield.  Win or lose I know we (including Barry and Fred) have already had a great year and have uncovered some future stars of the LGC.  I call on members to come down (wherever that may be) on the 17th and share in the experience of pennant golf and in particular, support the Div 4 team.

Results:

• Peter Jaspers Lost 2&1
• Gary Peters Lost 3&1
• Andy Bassett Lost 5&3
• Ryan Thomas Won 19th
• Mark Anderson Lost 1Dn
• Mark Boler Won 19th
• Ian Barlow Won 2&1

Results of the other matches and division ladders can be found on the South Gippsland District Golf Association website.

The final fixture & venue has been announced, see this here on the South Gippsland District Golf Association Website.