• MEN’S GOLF NEWS WEEK ENDING 22nd May, 2022

  • A wonderful week of golf and a wonderful week for Golf. See the separate article for the Pennant finals summary.

    Tuesday Par event

    1st – Bob Cullen +4 (h/c 14)

    2nd – Shane O’Brien +1 (h/c 13)

    3rd – Jim Sullivan even, 0 (h/c 17)

    A very good day out for Bobby +4 is an excellent score in the damp conditions and a low teens’ handicap. Therefore, he played to a 10 handicap. Shane the only other player to be on the positive side of the ledger this day also was a star and a regular in the winner’s list. Jim another good result from a consistent performer, albeit, he did mention that he left a lot of shots out there on the course, obviously not as many as the rest of us.

    Thursday Stableford.

    A Grade

    1st – Steve Daykin 39 pts (12 h/c)

    2nd – Alan Eustace 37 pts (13 h/c)

    3rs – Geoff Morris 34 pts (14 h/c)

    Another outstanding performance by Steve, he is regularly taking home winnings. One of the really early people who go out in the wettest and most difficult conditions of the day. He played to single figures, very satisfying.

    A very good score for Alan who is always a solid performer particularly as he has the distraction of playing with Bob Speed. Geoff Morris, another good round, his game basically relies on whether his putter is working or not. He is very strong down the fairway.

    Bob Speed with mentor Fred Rogers watching on, heads for another victory

    B Grade

    1st – Bob Speed 36 pts (h/c 21)

    2nd – Tony Tehan 35 pts (h/c 30)

    3rd – Ray Findlay 31 pts (h/c 23)

    Good job Bob, obviously the slanging match with Alan didn’t do you any harm. I have to be careful with Bob because every time I put something disparaging about him I am told that his lawyer will contact me Monday. As much as Bob won, the true winner was Tony Tehan who has not played properly for eight months due to a shoulder issue. I was fortunate enough to play with this charming man, he played seriously well, considering his long lay off. Ray, another prize for you, this is not an isolated win. Playing very consistently.

    Saturday – Stableford

    A Grade

    1st – Jarrod Heath 39 pts (h/c 8)

    2nd – Alex Scherini 37 pts (h/c 7)

    3rd – Maurie Walsh 36 pts (h/c 9)

    Another outstanding day for Jarrod playing to a 5 handicap. 39 pts is excellent, we do not expect to see many 40 pointers until after winter, this is certainly more than equal to that. Ah, Alex, what to say…. another sterling round with your ever declining handicap. Another nearest the pin also, a very regular occurrence (although he does say that I put the ‘jinx’ on him each time I mention this).

    Maurie Walsh back in the winners circle after a short and surprising absence from the dais. Perhaps, just taking a ‘spell’ like his beloved horses do.

    B Grade

    1st Chris Kerr 37 pts (h/c 21)

    2nd Rob Healy 36 pts C/B (h/c 15)

    3rd Bob Speed 36 pts (h/c 21)

    Chris Kerr is continuing his stellar form following his inspiring win in the Pennant final. Congratulations. Well done to Rob who has recently returned after many months following a hip replacement and back walking eighteen holes. Bob, another good score during several weeks of success.

    Pennant Finals Summary

    The scene is set, Pennant Grand finals at Wodonga last Sunday. Our scratch team plays Albury with the handicap team playing Corowa.

    It is 0730 hrs, a calm and cool morning, as the players load the Commercial Courtesy Bus at the club for their two our drive.

    It was quiet, introspective, a time of calmness and inner thinking of the challenge following, unaware of the soon unknown events unfolding. Historic events.

    Pre final competition observations: –

    • Both teams finished top.
    • The scratch team was unbeaten.
    • The handicap team only had a loss in their first match.
    • Both teams had 4:1 wins which is a huge boost in percentage, welcomed in all sports. Often worth a winning game.
    • MORE importantly – motivation – our two ladies Pennant teams who played in the finals last week both won. More History! I believe that the men and ladies are a close unit and share the happiness of each other’s successes.

    The day was a very tight affair which I was privileged to watch along with Phil Conway (the Nth East El Presidante} and Mark Bettany (more later).

    Without further ado, you can guess, both teams won in the last momentous, precipice moments of the matches with the too’s and fro’s that occur in match play, up one minute and down the next, exciting and scary.

    The climax being that both matches were won on the last hole of the day with all teams locked in at two wins each. I would generally not single out events as it is a team competition. On this occasion it is well worthwhile. For the Stroke team Paul Cougle was on the 18th fairway, neck and neck with a challenging opponent, a wayward second shot by Paul was hidden in trees on the right of the fairway about 80m from the green, his opposition straight down the centre and pitched to about 2m. Out of view was Paul peering through maple leaves and  trees getting rid of their autumn leaves. A calculated skillful shot put him to the front of the green, a splendid chip to about 1.5m and an also immaculate putt. The poor other lad, missed putt, GAME OVER! Season over.

    An equally exciting and dangerous assignment for the handicap team in the dying moments was to one of our newest and least experienced players, Chris Kerr – who came into the team as a fill-in after week one and did not lose a match from then on. It was looking very precarious being two down with three to play. What a challenge, what a guy. He levelled on the last and a playoff was imminent. By this stage the Pennant champions had finished and were there to walk down the 19th fairway with him. He played the perfect hole, straight drive, excellent second hit, chip over bunker to about 1.5m and then down. GAME OVER!

    What does this mean?

    • The third win for the handicap team in four years after losing two seasons through covid. The previous two wins were all under the guidance of Phil. Prior to that Rob Fankhauser led the team, so many times, so close….
    • The first win for the scratch team since 1971. That sums up how special.

    Just a few more observations: –

    I believe that it was the comradeships that assisted our teams that got us through, besides our immense talent. We played against towns/cities which, population wise were Goliaths and us the minnows. I spoke to Rod Sargent, captain of the team and club vice-captain very early this year as we were both new to our positions. “What do you think Rod”? Hey, mate I think we are in with a big chance, we have more than a very good team. GAME OVER. (now). After that final Rod and Sheryl (Ladies capt.) drove to Mildura so that he could defend his Tri-state title from last year. Dedication we all think! Back to the final. Mark Bettany accompanied the team to the NSW border to support them. Mark has played pennant for five decades and graciously gave up his position this year, albeit still playing to a very low single figure handicap and could have still been there. He now has another skill he is perfecting, lawn bowls. The team unanimously impressed on me the importance of him being there. Our team were often surrounded by Albury personnel who could well have been hecklers. Glad Mark was there! Greg our GM graciously plied our lads with complimentary drinks and food. Again thank you Greg for your support. A little whisper had it that the celebrations continued in a nearby house??

    Scratch Pennant Champions, L-R Paul Cougle, Rod Sargent (Capt), Mark Jones, Kyle Bridgeman and Ollie Shaw

    Handicap Pennant Champions L-R Steve Chisholm, Peter Valance, Brad Grant (Capt) Geoff Brown and Chris Kerr

    WOW and WOW again. The town is so proud…..

    Keep watching for more good news next week……

    Keep well, stay happy

    Laurie Harcus