Hill Top Win Pennant
Posted on: 16 February
In what might seem like some form of contradiction, the final of the District Fourball Sunday Summer Pennant was played on one of the coldest February days on record!
Hill Top Tatura hosted the final (decided at start of the season) and some pundits think that home track is an advantage, although history shows that they have lost finals at home on previous occasions. However, big thanks to Hill Top for preparation of the course with bunkers raked, greens mowed, and large wind-blown debris cleared before the start of play.
The Merrigum-Rushworth (M-R) team were keen early starters and in good form after their win in the semi-final over Mooroopna. Hill Top (HT) were a bit more subdued, thinking they were lucky to be there after a close win over Valley View in the semi.
The first group off saw Gary Eden/Bill Bray (M-R) take on Josie De Isio/Mike Keen (HT) and this turned out to be a marathon match going to the 22nd hole before the HT pair managed to register a win.
Perhaps this long match set the scene for those who followed as every match went to the 18th.
Julie Donaldson/Col Barlow (HT) clenched the next win 2 up over Bruce Brown/Tony Ladhams (M-R) Geoff Kirk/Rob Geisler (M-R) battled strongly after being 3 down at the turn to only go one down on 18 to Glenn Newton/Bec Jeffers (HT). Similar with the next group with young Tanz Deller (HT) hitting a great shot to the green on 18 to allow him to two putt for par and gain a one up win for he and Darryl Phillips over Tony Geisler/Ian Rathjen (M-R)
The final group somewhat shocked the organisers and onlookers as Rob Young/Gavin Thomas (HT) were four down after ten holes and thoughts were that their match would be over early. However, a great last eight holes saw them gain a one up win over Kelly Cheong/Jeff Perry (M-R).
Incredible that in such close and tight matches that HT recorded a 5/0 team win.
Glenn Newton, Josie De Isio, Col Barlow, Mike Keen, Rob Young, Julie Donaldson, Bec Jeffers, Gavin Thomas, Tanz Dellar (abs Darryl Phillips)
At presentations, GMGA Secretary David Roberts thanked both teams for their cooperation and commented on the fact that in the spirit of the game and trying to get all District club members to participate in pennant that the combined Merrigum-Rushworth team and mixed (men and women) Hill Top team both showed what could be done to have players enjoying pennant.
As the pennant and individual player prizes were presented both team Captains Ash Sanders (M-R) and Glenn Newton (HT) thanked their players and thanked GMGA organisers, especially Barry Cryer and David Love for their assistance. In addition, special thanks for given to James Bray the HT chef for the lunch and bar staff for their hospitality and the HT Captain thanked all the HT members who came out to follow and support the team.
As a postscript to the competition Bec Jeffers spoke on behalf of the Hill Top women players to say how well they were accepted in all the pennant matches throughout the season, which easily overcame their original concerns of playing against the men. Perhaps this is a message that other clubs could seriously consider for next season.
We can all now look forward to the GMGA individual pennant coming soon.