Women’s A2s lose final in down-to-the-wire thriller

Despite a gallant effort, Glenelg’s Women’s A2 girls went down to The Grange in a thrilling final played at West Lakes today, 3 matches to 2.

With both teams finishing the season on six contests a-piece and only half a match seperating them, the A2 finals was always going to be a tight contest.

Results were close throughout the day with Glenelg’s players taking the early advantage with three matches 1 up through six holes, however Grange clawed their way back to see the contest evenly poised through 15 holes.

Sue Raggatt, playing in the number four position, gave Glenelg the early lead, defeating The Grange’s Louise Dearing 4/3.  The Grange took back the lead with wins to Remiko King and Alison Jones over Glenelg’s Jill Gehling and Bec Hughes respectively.

With Glenelg’s Sam White 3 up with three holes to play, the final result was likely to come down to the number two match with Glenelg’s Louise Pike and The Grange’s Alicia Smith.  Up the par 4 18th hole, Louise played solid golf to claw her way back from 1 down and win the hole and force the match into overtime.  At the same time, Sam White took her match on the 17th hole – the result now two contests apiece.

Down the 19th hole, both players hit good drives,although Louise, tucked down the left side, was unlucky to strike an overhanging branch on her second shot .  A miss-struck shot from Alicia brought Louise back into play but when Alicia found herself pin high left for three, and Louise still 30 feet away for four, the result seemed inevitable to the gathering crowd.  A good chip to 15 feet by Alicia should have put the result in no doubt with Louise in for seven, but an overly aggressive first putt by Alicia put her a nail-biting two feet past the hole, and when the short putt rolled over the edge of the hole, the 20th was beckoning.

Two good drives from both players on the 20th put them within easy reach of the green – Louise’s second shot caught the greenside trap whilst Alicia played a solid approach onto the green finishing 20 feet from the hole.  A good bunker shot from Louise left her a 15 footer up hill which she rolled within gimme range – in for five.  Alicia rolled her first put four feet past the hole, but with relative ease, she casually holed her four footer to make par and claim the pennant.

Whilst disappointing, the result highlighted the closeness of the contests all year.  The team, which remained a close knit group all season, played extremely well all season and were outstanding ambassadors for our Club.  Congratulations to all the girls on a great season, and we look forward to bigger and better results next season.

FINAL

West Lakes Golf Club
Monday, 6th July 2015

Glenelg (2) lost to The Grange (3)