McMillan Shield – Round 7
Glenelg Golf Club vs The Vines Golf Club
Grange Gold team take out McMillan Shield for 2014 as Glenelg play out a dramatic draw to end to the season.
Captain of Grange, Rick Kinnear presented Grange Gold the McMillan Shield for 2014 in a short presentation upon the conclusion of the final round played this week.
Glenelg needed to win their final game against The Vines to claim second spot but fell agonisingly short with a dramatic final hole to finish off the 2014 season with a draw.
Teeing off from the 10th hole, Liam and Jackson kicked off their rounds with wins on the opening hole with Jackson doubling his lead with a 20 foot birdie putt on the 11th. After 9 holes, the boys were up +2 and +3. Liam started to strike the ball well comfortably winning 5/4. Jackson’s lead increased to +4 after 11th holes. Despite paring the two longest and most difficult holes on the front 9, the holes were lost on handicap which reduced the lead to +2 but that was as close as it got.
Josh Hodgson and Jack Tanner’s matches were tracking in opposite directions. Josh, despite finding most fairways with booming drives, did not have a great day with his irons and having to give away too many strokes on handicap found his opponent too consistent to be -2 after 9 eventually going down 4/3. Jack Tanner continued his good form surging from +2 after 9 to win comfortably 5/4 for his fourth win of the season and a great start in his first season at Glenelg.
Both Lachie Roberts and Jack Wheare found the going tough in the conditions and never really were able to turn around their slow starts finishing their matches early. Over the last 7 weeks, both Lachie’s and Jack’s golf has improved considerably. Lachie’s handicap has plummeted from 34 to 22 and I’m sure Jack W’s will too in the very near future! Join him up!
With Glenelg leading 3 matches to 2, Aaron and Jack Buchanan pairing took the match to the wire with a tough match-ups giving away almost a stroke on handicap each hole. By the turn, Jack was -2 and Aaron -4. Jack slipped to be dormie 5 but as Jack does, fought to the death winning the next three holes and was seriously unlucky not to have taken the match to the 18th. Aaron however, managed to turn his match on its head winning a string of holes to be +1 with two to play and then square heading down the last.
Now at 3 matches each, Glenelg needed to win the final hole to overtake the Vines and finish 2nd on the ladder, the tension was building as both teams and supporters followed the final pairing down the 18th.
The Vines player, again with a stroke in hand was on the green in 4, still 12 meters from the hole. Aaron found the greenside bunker with his 3rd needing a massive 25m up and down and hoping that the Vines would 3 putt…. Aaron to play next.
Jack Tanner, now caddying for Aaron, follows him into the bunker to remove the rake. Jack proceeds to repair some footmarks 5-6 meters from where Aaron is preparing for his shot. Oh no! The Vines manager is declaring loss of hole! Testing the bunker!! Play is halted as the two managers discuss the situation. The decision is to play out the hole and seek guidance from the clubhouse after the match.
Aaron, shaken, but not stirred, plays a great bunker shot to finish 10 foot under the hole. We’re in with a chance! However, the Vines player held her nerve leaving her putt 1 foot above the hole. Aaron showed great poise and sportsmanship by calmly sinking his 10 foot putt and then conceding the 1 foot putt to his opposition squaring the hole, his match and the game 3 ½ matches each.
An over-all great McMillan cup season for Glenelg. Over the 6 weeks of competition we gave away literally hundreds of strokes to our opposition, most of the time a lot of height and distance off of the tee as well. Our lads have shown strength, patience, consistency and resolve. Their demeanour on and off the course was excellent both in victory and defeat. The future of Glenelg Junior Golf is bright.
A special mention to Josh Hodgson for playing big brother to the younger lads. Josh finishes his ‘junior golf’ career as he will be turning 18 in a week’s time.
For the record, the caddie (without the players knowledge) can rake the foot prints without penalty providing that smoothing the sand does not improve the player’s lie, or assist the player in his subsequent stroke or strokes on that hole.
Glenelg 3.5 halved with The Vines 3.5
Liam Kennewell Won 5/4
Jackson Kalz Won 2/1
Jack Buchanan Lost 2/1
Aaron Buchanan Square
Josh Hodgson Lost 4/3
Jack Tanner Won 5/4
Lachie Roberts Lost 7/5
Jack Wheare Lost 6/4 (reserve)
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