Report by Geoff Attenborough (Team Manager)
On a beautiful autumn day with plenty of sunshine, very little wind, and really perfect golf conditions, the Simpson Cup Pennant Team ventured to Highercombe Golf Club to start the 2014 season to play The Stirling. Unfortunately we did not come home with the result we were looking for losing 4 matches to 3.
The matches commenced with James Bridgen playing at number seven. This was James’ first Simpson Cup match and he acquitted himself well playing an experienced opponent but eventually losing 2/1. James had a couple of chances late in his match to be in a strong winning position but it was a lack of experience in tight situations that probably cost him a win. After his first top grade pennant match, I feel James will be hungry for success.
Henry Duregon, playing six, did not get off to a great start being three holes down after five. He was then playing catch up golf after an untidy start but didn’t throw in the towel getting back to 2 down at 15. Unfortunately he could not quite get any closer eventually losing 3/2. Henry playing only his second Simpson Cup match will, much like James, be better for the experience.
At number five, Leigh Attenborough showed all his experience to win a very tight contest 1 up. Leigh got off to a flying start and was 3 up after five holes. His opponent made a couple of birdies and then Leigh lost a ball on the 10th hole which brought the match back to a very tight contest. Leigh fell back to 1 down after 14 holes but rallied to win the 16th and 17th to go 1 up. With a very good up and down at 18, he prevailed to complete the win.
Our number four, Matt Overall, played an outstanding match winning 6/5 against Phil Roberts, a veteran of probably 200 plus Simpson Cup matches. Matt started slowly losing the first two holes but then got into gear winning eight of the next eleven holes to go on and win 6/5. Matt showed the form he has always been capable of and should have a great season.
David Hiern, at number three, was our other standout winning 5/4. His opponent must have wondered what had struck him after David holed a 20 foot putt at the first to win that hole, holing out from 40 metres on the 2nd, then making birdie at the next to go 3 up after three holes. David’s opponent was never able to make any ground up after being 4 down after nine with the match being closed out 5/4. Well done David.
Josh Hayes, playing at two, had a real battle all afternoon never being in front at any stage. This is only Josh’s second season at this level and to be thrust into the number two position, he was simply overshadowed by an experienced opponent losing 2/1. Josh is now becoming one of our senior players and will be keen to redeem himself next week against a strong Kooyong team.
Campbell Rawson, at the top of the order, had a tough day with an opponent holing putt after putt. getting up and down from tough positions and generally just being too good on the day. Campbell is a proud and confident player and he also will be very keen to bounce back next week with a win.
Although it was a disappointing start to the season, the team will regroup to turn our fortunes around next week against a quality opponent in Kooyonga at Tea Tree Gully. Thanks to all the supporters that made the long trip out to Highercombe. We as a team certainly appreciate the support.
Round 1 Results
| # | The Stirling (4) | defeated | Glenelg (3) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turnbull, Tyron | defeated | Rawson, Campbell | 4 and 2 |
| 2 | Atze, Tim | defeated | Hayes, Josh | 2 and 1 |
| 3 | Henshaw, David | lost to | Hiern, David | 5 and 4 |
| 4 | Roberts, Phil | lost to | Overall, Matt | 6 and 5 |
| 5 | Thorne, Ramon | lost to | Attenborough, Leigh | 1 down |
| 6 | Altmann, Brad | defeated | Duregon, Henry | 3 and 2 |
| 7 | Rivett, Kym | defeated | Bridgen, James | 2 and 1 |
Simpson Cup Table after Round 1
| Pos | Team | Played | ————- Contests ————- | ————— Matches ————— | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Halved | Lost | Total | For | Halved | Against | Total | |||
| 1 | Highercombe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5.5 |
| 1 | The Grange | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5.5 |
| 1 | Royal Adelaide | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 5.5 |
| 4 | The Stirling | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | Glenelg | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 6 | Tea Tree Gully | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1.5 |
| 6 | Kooyonga | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1.5 |
| 6 | Blackwood | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1.5 |
For all the 2014 pennant draws and results, visit the Golf SA Website.
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