Simpson Cup team finish top and qualify for Final

_DB_5238 Report by Geoff Attenborough (Team Manager)

Playing at home the Glenelg Simpson Cup team overcame a determined Vines of Reynella team to finish the minor round undefeated and in top position.

The Vines team with a possibility of facing relegation gave our boys a tough fight but with home course advantage Glenelg came out on top.

Ben Hallam playing at no. 7 found his best form of the season to have a convincing 5/3 win. After starting slowly Ben built a good lead to be 3 up after 9 eventually winning at the 15th hole.

James Bridgen coming into the team replacing Lachlan Barker playing overseas had a tough battle but gave his all, but unfortunately lost his match 3/2.

Our captain Anthony Olsen, struggling with a heavy cold showed real leadership with a no nonsense tough performance completing a 4/2 win. Anthony has led the team this season with this typical attitude and with next weeks final looming the whole team can follow his lead.

Jackson Kalz over the last couple of weeks has had a slight lapse of form. After getting off to an unusually slow start losing the first 2 holes, then winning the 3rd Jackson slipped to be 3 down after 9. Showing his fight to get back to square after 15 holes Jackson will probably admit he made a poor shot selection at the 16th costing him the hole. Halving the last 2 holes Jackson eventually finished 1 down. With Jackson playing the New South Wales Junior Amateur this week, the club wishes him good luck and play well.

Josh Hayes, like Ben Hallam, has found some good form over the last couple of weeks. After a slow start being 2 down after 2 Josh then made a great up and down par at the third to get back to 1 down. With both players finding it tough playing into a cold north wind Josh gained a 1 hole advantage after 9 holes. The score extended with Josh being 2up after 14 holes. After losing the 15th then halving the 16th hole to remain 1 up the match was tight. After then halving the 17th, Josh with a great approach shot on the 18th made birdie to complete a tough 2 up win.

Ben Layton playing at no. 2 like Jackson Kalz has had a slight downturn in form, but fought hard to have a halved result against his determined Vines opponent. With no real clear advantage to either player the match finished all square, which in the end was probably a fair result.

Sam Earl playing in the no. 1 position was another of our team who could not shake off a tough opposition player. After gaining a 1 hole advantage after 9 holes, and getting out to 2up after 15, Sam eventually closed this match out 3/1.

With the team playing the final against The Grange at Glenelg next Sunday, our focus as it has been all pennant season is 1 week at a time. It is an exciting time for the Glenelg Golf Club with the Simpson Cup, Bonnar Cup and the Sharp Cup teams in the final. As a club it would be fantastic to have as many members as possible out supporting all teams in their quest to win the Pennant for 2016. Let’s go Glenelg!

Again thanks to all caddies and supporters for coming out and helping our boys get across the line week after week.