26th April 2021
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26th April 2021
In the latest edition of From The Captains’ Desk, Ray gives an update on the course leading into winter, our recent winners, upcoming events, how we are becoming the Hole In One capital of Melbourne and the latest from the Rules Guru!
19th April 2021
For the final match of the season our team travelled back to the Cranbourne area to take on Keysborough at Settlers Run Golf Club. Keysborough have strong pennant squad, with both Men’s and Colts Team sitting at the top of their respective ladders.
Undaunted by the Keysborough ladder position our team acquitted itself well and were again only a few holes or a few shot away from claiming what would have been a most rewarding victory. Five of the 7 matches went to the 17th hole, at least. In the final washup our team went down 2 – 5.
We did not get the start we would have liked, with Dale Edwards losing 5 & 4 and Andrew Roberts losing 6 & 5.
The next 3 matches were very tight and could well have gone our way, but as has happened a few times this season we got close but were not able to secure the victories. Shane Densley and Jeremy Derix both lost 2 down, while Paul Thompson lost 1 down.
At the top of the order a couple of great performances to record hard fought wins. Our skipper, Brenton Derix won by the narrowest of margins – 1 up. Russell Hughes, fresh of his Match Play Championship the day before, took on professional Mike Isherwood, who is a regular competitor on the pro-am circuit. In an arm wrestle, Russell claimed his victory on the 22nd hole, in front of both teams, their caddies and supporters.
With two wins, and some close losses, our team finished in 6th place.
Next season, Keysborough and Settlers Run move up to 4th division and Cheltenham and Bacchus Marsh move down.
A little less travel next year with Churchill – Waverley and Heritage (moving down) and Mt Derrimut and Yering Meadows (moving up) to join us in Division 5.
Thank you to all the players for their hard work and commitment to representing the club. Pennant golf is a very tough competition, but we are optimistic that with a bit more development we can look forward to some upward movement before too long.
Thank you also to Nunz Mantini who in his first outing as Team Manager did a grand job – a job which is his again next year, we hope! Our caddies and a few hardy supporters, including Barbara, were there each week to support the team.
Finals Hosting: 2 May
To close off the 2021 season we are hosting some finals (divisions / teams to be advised soon) on Sunday 2 May. If you are not watching your footy team, you will be most welcome to head down to GR to see some pennant finals. Hopefully, our teams will be there competing on the last week of pennant next year.
The Colts team were also matched against the formidable Keysborough – on the tricky Patterson River layout. A bit of a home ground advantage for Keysborough who only had to travel about 10 klms to the south to a course not too dissimilar than their own.
The Keysborough lads, whose handicaps ranged from scratch to 6, were just too accomplished and experienced for our developing team, winning 5 – 0.
Will Chester, our least experienced player, a strong opponent and went down 10 & 8.
Zac Horsey started slowly and found himself 5 down before rallying, and ultimately running out of holes to lose 4 & 2.
Jordan Irish played the son of professional and the Men’s #1 player, and lost 6 & 5.
Our skipper Charley Smith has had plenty of tough matches, playing #1 most rounds, tried valiantly but could not overcome a strong opponent – losing 4 & 3.
Dan Scholz lost 6 & 5 – the morning after his 21st Birthday celebrations.
The Colts Divisions appear to be reasonably even, with a great dept of talent. The top 2 teams in Division 4 will move up – to be replaced by Kooringal and Mt Derrimut.
This was only the first full season for the Colts since we have been at Gardiners Run. While our team finished in 8th place, we saw enough potential to be positive about the future. Match Play is a very different game – to the weekly diet of stroke, stableford and par competitions – and most of our team have only played a handful of matches. With this year’s experience plus some maturing we look forward to 2022.
Thank you and well done to all the boys for representing the Club and exhibiting admirable sportsmanship, even when pitted against more experienced players.
Team manager, Rob Scholz, used all his knowledge and experience – as a secondary school teacher – to help recruit, organize and guide the team through the season. Thank you for a job well done!
Ray Seddon
Golf Captain
19th April 2021
The Match Play Championships have now been completed. All matches were great contests.
In A grade, Russell Hughes defeated Todd Patton 3&2, in B grade, Scott Smith defeated Theo Kyriacopoulos 3&2, and in C grade, Phoenix Goozee defeated Tom Gammell 2/1.
Congratulations to those who made the finals in each grade.
13th April 2021
After the Easter break, with ideal weather conditions, the resumption of the pennant season was marked by very wintery conditions at Berwick – Montuna Golf Club. The committee had recently implemented winter rules, which helped after plenty of rain in the days leading up to Sunday. As reported after round #5 this was a must-win match – with potential relegation at stake.
Our team, with some changes to the line-up and playing order, was ready to face Cheltenham on a shortish, but tricky layout – in cold, wet and windy conditions.
All the planning and preparation was rewarded with a great result – a 7 – 0 victory. The win also secured our position for next season, where we can again look at what is required to move up the table and challenge for a promotion spot. In each division the top two teams move up and the bottom two teams move down a division.
It was great to see the tight matches going our way, with a few of the boys coming from behind to secure their victories.
Dale Edwards was back in the line-up for this round and showed that he had used his school holidays to sharpen his game in readiness for the final two matches of the season. He also came with a plan, leaving the driver in the bag, and leveraged his accuracy and consistent ball striking. His strong 4 & 3 win was a fitting reward for his efforts this season – whether playing or caddying.
Second man out was Andrew Roberts who despite some solid matches this season has been involved in some very close matches. This was another close match but Andrew was able to maintain control to record a satisfying 2 & 1 win.
Two wins on the board was a great start – just 2 more needed to secure the match.
Shane Densley, fresh off an excellent win last round and some practice over the Easter holidays had his game face on early and was in a good position right out of the blocks. Despite a couple of little hiccups, including an unplanned visit into the water (sorry Red Penalty Area) on B-M’s signature 10th hole, he was able to build on his lead to take his match 5 & 4.
Playing at # 4 this round, due to some fine-tuning at the top of the order, Paul Thompson got out to an early lead with some steady play. The match was all square at the turn, but found himself 2-down playing the sole par 5, 12th hole. This turned out to be a pivotal hole. Paul won that hole, thanks to his short game, then rattled off wins on the next 4 holes to secure a 3 & 2 victory.
The selection team made some changes to the top part of the order – a gutsy move that paid off handsomely with 3 / 3 wins.
Russell Hughes at # 3 and Brenton Derix at # 2 both had tight matches before each recording 1 – up wins. As it turned out they were the first 2 members of the team to face the quirky, and very steep, par 3 final hole.
Playing at # 1 was Jeremy Derix who relished the opportunity. In another tight match his determination was obvious to all who watched him over the last few holes. While our match had been secured there was no way that Jeremy was going to walk off without a win. His nerveless up and down on the last secured a memorable victory – 1 up and the team’s 7 – 0 scorecard.
Thanks to the caddies and Barbara who braved the wintery conditions to support the team. Seeing the entire Gardiners Run crew surrounding the 18th hole and watching Jeremy knock in that final putt was one of the season’s highlights.
Next Match: Sunday 18 April – 11:15 am at Settlers Run Golf Club versus Keysborough GC.
The Colts team were just a few km’s down the road at Eastern Golf Club, where the conditions were even worse than those faced by the men’s team in the afternoon. At 7:45 on a cold, wet and windy day is not something the boys would have planned for when preparing for the season in mid-summer!
Team manager, Rob Scholz, decided to mix up the playing order after a couple of tough rounds. This turned out to be an inspired piece of team management and the boys were not daunted by the conditions, nor their opposition to record a strong 4 – 1 victory. Their first win for the season, and a much-needed confidence boost.
Nathan Lester was the first to head out onto the course and gave the team a great start with an impressive 6 & 5 win.
The quietly spoken Jordan Irish, was next out and kept up the momentum with his first even pennant match win. His impressive 6 & 5 victory was a most memorable way to record his maiden win.
Charlie Lawson at # 3 this round really came to play and had a great confidence boosting win – 2 & 1. Charlie is another multi-talented team member, with his footy season just ahead.
Up next was Dan Scholz, fresh off a big cricket season. With 2 holes to play he was 1 down, but a birdie on the 17th gave him an opportunity to secure at least a half point. To his great credit he won the 18th to record a stirring 1 – up victory.
Dan’s great mate, Charley Smith was the last out. Unfortunately, he never really got into his match and lost 5 & 4.
Thanks to those who managed to get out to support the team. They are playing in a very strong division but will have learned a lot from the experience. Barbara was again on hand to support the team before heading up to Berwick for the afternoon’s action.
Next week they face the second top team, Keysborough, at Patterson River. It is a bit of a drive down Eastlink, but any support would be appreciated by the boys.
Next Match: Sunday 18 April – 8:20 am at Patterson River Golf Club versus Keysborough GC
Ray Seddon
Golf Captain
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