Pennant Update – Round 7

Men’s Pennant 2021 – Round 7: 18 April – versus Keysborough GC Cheltenham GC at Settlers Run Golf Club

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 17^th 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 6^th place.

Next season, Keysborough and Settlers Run move up to 4^th 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.

Colt’s Pennant 2021 – Round 7 – versus Keysborough GC at Patterson River Golf Club

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 21^st 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 8^th 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

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Match Play Championships

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.

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Pennant Update – Round 6

Men’s Pennant 2021 – Round 6: 11 April – versus Cheltenham GC at Berwick-Montuna Golf Club

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 10^th 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, 12^th 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 18^th 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.

Colt’s Pennant 2021 – Round 6 – versus Rosanna GC at Eastern Golf Club

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 17^th gave him an opportunity to secure at least a half point.  To his great credit he won the 18^th 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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The Beatlez – Tribute Show & Dinner

**SOLD OUT**

The Beatlez have spent over 10 years building a professional, visually and sonically accurate Beatles experience, making them Australia’s most entertaining Beatles tribute band.

See them Live on the Queens Birthday weekend at the Chirnside Park Country Club, playing Thursday 10th June. Dinner served at 7pm.

Tickets only $45 for club members and $50 for visitors. Tickets can be purchased from reception at the club, or over the phone by calling 9726 7788.

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Pennant Rd 5 Results

Men’s Pennant 2021 – Round 5: 28 March – versus Ranfurlie GC at Keysborough Golf Club

This week, a little closer to home – just down Eastlink to Keysborough Golf Club for round 5.  Our opponents, Ranfurlie are one of the 4 teams at the top of the table and fielded a strong squad.  The Keysborough course has the “look and feel” of some of the sand belt courses, with mature gum trees lining some of the fairways, large undulating greens and deep bunkers.

Again, we had a number of matches that could have gone either way late into the back nine, but we were not able to convert those matches into a win for the team.  The Ranfurlie team steadied to record a 5 – 2 win.  The team is now sitting in 6^th place and needs a win against the bottom team, Cheltenham, next round to keep out of the dreaded relegation zone.

Jonathan Baker, after a close win last round, headed out first.  Unfortunately, he came across an opponent who, according to the Ranfurlie guys, has been in really hot form.  This form continued and he prevailed against Jonathan 5 & 4.

Jeremy Derix also came across an opponent in good form and fought hard before losing 4 & 3.

Andrew Roberts and Paul Thompson both had close matches but were not able to get the breaks they needed and ultimately ran out of holes – both losing 2 & 1. Returning to the team for this round was Shane Densley who recorded his first win for the season with a handy 2 & 1.  It was great to see Shane hold off a late challenge and seal the win.  Master caddy, Hec, was pretty pleased with Shane’s result! Skipper Brenton Derix gave everyone a few anxious moments towards the end of his match but played a top approach to the final green from the right rough to secure his win – 1 up.

In the final match of the day Russell Hughes stood 1 down on the 18^th tee.  After both he and his opponent drove into the right rough it became a “chip-off” to determine if Russell could force the match into extra holes.  Unfortunately, his opponent, putting first sunk his putt for an “up and down” par to secure his win – 1 up.

Thanks again to the Caddies, Team Manager Nunz and Barbara for coming out to support the team.

The vital round # 6 is scheduled for 11 April at Berwick-Montuna.  The squad is planning a few extra practise sessions over the Easter / School holiday break in preparation for their upcoming must win match.

Next Match:  Sunday 11 April – 12:10 pm at Berwick-Montuna Golf Club versus Cheltenham GC.

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Colt’s Pennant 2021 – Round 5 – versus Eastern at Cranbourne Golf Club

The Colts team were again matched against one of the top two squads in the extended 4^th division.  This division was formed by combining division 4 & 5 early last year due to some teams pulling out just before the start of the season.  This has meant that our very inexperienced team has faced some tough opponents this year.

The Eastern Golf Club team was too experienced and strong on the day, defeating our team 5 – 0.

Our boys fought bravely but could not match it with their opponents.  Scores were:

Charley Smith – down 7 & 6

DanScholz – down 4 & 2

Jordan Irish – down 6 & 5

Nathan Lester – down 6 & 5

Will Chester – down 4 & 2

Most players were without a caddy, which does not help when playing courses that they have never visited before.

The next round is on 11 April at Eastern.  The guys would welcome some support from our members.  If you are available to come and watch for a while, please do so.  If you are available to caddy for one of the boys please let the Golf Shop know and they will put you in touch with Team Manager, Rob Scholz.

Even if you don’t know the boys, it would be great to see some support from our members to encourage our team in the penultimate round of the season.  The final round is on 18 April at Patterson River – another opportunity to support / caddy.

Next Match:  Sunday 11 April – 7:45 am at Eastern Golf Club versus Rosanna GC

Ray Seddon

Golf Captain

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