24th February 2021
Pennant Round 1 Results.

Men’s Pennant 2021 – Round 1: February 21 – versus Settlers Run at Green Acres Golf Club
The timing of the start of the 2021 season was perfect – avoiding the snap lock-down of the week before. So, with a long list of COVID “Do’s and Don’ts” the Men’s Pennant Team found themselves back at the picturesque Green Acres Golf Club in East Kew.
Our new Team Manager, Nunz Mantini dealt with all the red tape and managed to get all the players and caddies organized and at the course ready for the start of the season. Our opponent was again Settlers Run who have a very experienced squad.
Unfortunately, we did not get the “W”, but not without a mighty effort – going down 3 to 4, with the deciding
match going to the 18th hole. The post-match review was much different to last year when we did not manage to win a single match.
Well done to the team who can now approach next week with plenty of confidence.

Jeremy Derix recorded our first point of the year with a very solid 4 & 2 win playing at the number 5 spot. He has been in good form during the pre-season and took that form into Sunday’s match.
Despite a slow start, thanks to a couple of ordinary lies, Paul Thompson did not take long to bounce back and was 1 up at the turn. Winning 3 holes in a row early in the second 9 gave him a handy buffer, enabling him to
control the match for a 4 and 2 win in the tough #3 spot.
Also recording a gutsy win, in the #1 spot was Russell Hughes who used plenty of guile and skill to keep the pressure on his opponent. The 17th hole (8th on the card) has a natural grandstand, and Russell had plenty of eyes on him to record a gutsy par to seal the match.
Our debutants, Dale Edwards and Jack Briggs faced a couple of red-hot opponents who both had a day out, recording below par scores. A tough initiation on their first matches for Gardiners Run, on a trickly layout.
Shane Densley played solidly but did not get the breaks when he needed them. As you all know, in MatchPlay the difference between the players can come done to just a couple of good bounces and a bit of lady luck.
Thanks to Jonathan Baker and Andrew Roberts, the unlucky squad members not in the round one team, for caddying for their teammates. Thanks also to the caddies, Barbara, John T and Wardy for coming out to support the team.
Next Match: Sunday 28 February – 11:40 am at Cheltenham Golf Club versus Bacchus Marsh GC.
Colt’s Pennant 2021 – Round 1: February 21 – versus Rossdale at Heritage Golf Club
For just the second time at Gardiners Run, we are fielding a Colts (under 24) Pennant Team. Round 1 saw the team take a quick trip to our, almost, neighbours – the Heritage Golf Club.
Team Manager, Rob Scholz has done a great job putting together the team, a tricky proposition given the commitments to cricket and other sports for several of the squad members.

In a score-line to be near repeated in the Men’s Competition they again fell short by one match, which went to the 18th hole. The final score line was a narrow loss 2 to 3.
Zac Horsey, in the first group recorded a very impressive 4 & 3 win to get the first point of the year for his team.
Playing at the #2 spot, Dan Scholz continued his big weekend in sport with a 3 & 1 win after a tight match. The day before he scored 105 not out playing for Richmond in Premier Cricket. Given that he is young and fit he probably went for a run after his match on Sunday?

In the other matches Nathan Lester and Jordan Irish fought gamely all day to record narrow losses, while skipper Charley Smith at #1 spot came across a tough opponent.
It was great to see some Dad’s out supporting their sons, some travelling quite a distance from home to the Heritage.
Any members not playing on Sunday would be welcome to support our team across at Eastwood.
Next Match: Sunday 28 February – 7:30 am at Eastwood Golf Club versus Settlers Run GC
Ray Seddon
Golf Captain