Gallant effort from Bonnar boys falls just short

Report by Wayne Humphries (Team Manager)

At last, with much anticipation THE day finally arrives – the Bonnar Cup Final. Regrettably it is cold, wet and windy. However our boys are well prepared and ready to give it their best shot.

We are up against a strong Grange side that has won every match through the season and only lost 4 individual games – to everyone else they are the red hot favourites. This was a similar situation to last year when the Glenelg boys triumphed in the Final over the more favoured Grange side at the same course – could history repeat itself?

Our boys were certainly not intimidated by the task ahead and were keen and confident they could once again spoil the Grange party.

It proved to be a tight contest all day – after seven holes we were ahead in three games and behind in four – and that was the final scoreline – with every player that was leading after seven going on to win their game.

Jackson Kalz at No.7 was 1 down after seven, but then lost four of the next five holes to be 5 down after 12, but in typical Jackson style fought out his game to take the match to the 16th to go down 4/2. Jackson is only 15 years old and had a very successful debut men’s pennant season winning five of his eight games – he will benefit from the experience gained this year.

Ben Magi at No.6 had a tight tussle all day. He was 1up after seven but then lost both 8 and 9 to birdies to turn 1 down – Ben maintained his composure and played steady golf to wrestle back the lead to be 1 up again after 15 – he maintained that advantage through 16 and 17 to be still 1 up playing the last hole which he won to take his game 2 up. A great effort from Ben who had a strong finish to the season – winning his last 3 games and also winning his game last year in the Bonnar Cup Final.

The sensational Ben Layton (aged 16) at No.5 continued his winning form – Ben was 2 up after seven, stretched that out to 3 up after eleven and looked set for a comfortable win. However his opponent had other ideas and won three of the next four holes to square their game – but, as he has done all season Ben finished strongly to birdie 17 and take a 1 up lead down the last – a safe half on 18 gave him the game 1 up. This gave Ben seven wins from eight games in his debut season with Glenelg – a fantastic effort which saw Ben awarded the Bob McLuckie Trophy for the outstanding Junior Pennant Player for the Year.

Henry Duregon at No.4 adapted to the conditions really well and went to an early 3 up lead after seven – he continued to play well and maintained the pressure on his opponent to record a very solid 2/1 victory – this was the first loss of the season for his opponent. Henry also finished the season strongly to win his last four games.

So, that gave us three wins at that stage – but needing a small miracle to win that vital 4th game. We were trailing in the three games still playing out.

Braeden Kelly at No. 3 was playing well against an opponent who just kept on making birdies at vital times or holing crucial putts – Braeden was trailing for most of the day, but hanging in – he was 1 down after six, won 11 to get back to 1 down, won 14 to again get back to 1 down but then lost 15 and 16 to lose 3/2 – it was a closer game than the final scoreline suggests. His opponent was unbeaten in Bonnar Cup through the season. Braeden also had a very good season with five wins, including a debut win in Simpson Cup in Round 5.

Luke Bashford at No.2 had a tough contract in playing Scott Webb, who was mainly playing Simpson Cup for Grange towards the end of the season. Scott was just too relentless and kept the pressure on Luke throughout the day – Luke tried valiantly to recover from 2 down after seven, but could not bridge the gap – he was 3 down after 10 and still 3 down playing 16 – the match finished when his opponent holed his birdie putt. Luke had a solid year winning four games, playing No.1 in Bonnar and two games in Simpson Cup for one halved game.

So, now it was three games all – with James McDonald at No.1 still on the course. James had a titanic battle on the front nine to turn all square playing against Mark Demasi, who had played every match in Simpson Cup this year.  However, Mark won three of the first six holes on the back nine to be 3 up after 15 – so we were definitely looking for that minor miracle. On 16, James virtually drives the par four green to win that hole and be 2 down playing 17 and giving us some hope – however that hope was gone when James’ birdie putt on 17 just slides past the hole after looking a definite chance and Mark calmly two-putted for his par and a 2/1 victory for Grange that gave them the vital 4th win.

So close, yet so far – but a valiant effort from the Glenelg boys and congratulations on a very good season.

Thank you to the caddies – Brenton Kalz, Liam Kennewell, Will Starkey, Josh Hayes, Campbell Rawson, Josh Hodgson and Mark McDonald. In the conditions their support was invaluable. Thanks also to those members that ventured out in the freezing conditions to support the team. Your presence out there was certainly appreciated by all the boys.

The challenge is there now for next season to go that one better – certainly with the depth coming through the Junior ranks, the natural progression from the more experienced players and the continuing tuition from the coaching staff – the future definitely looks positive.

Thanks to all concerned for their support to the Bonnar Cup side this season – Club Management, sponsors, coaching staff, caddies, supporters and Paul Grosvenor as assistant Team Manager.

Results

The Grange (4) defeated Glenelg (3)