Glenelg wins 2016 Simpson Cup Final

Report by Geoff Attenborough (Team Manager)

The Glenelg Simpson Cup team capped off a great pennant season with a tough final win against a determined Grange team on Sunday at Glenelg.

Ben Hallam at no. 7 had an up and down day getting an early advantage to 4up after 11 holes. Not to be outdone his Grange opponent pegged back the lead to be all square standing on the 18th tee. Unfortunately Ben lost the 18th to give Grange the first match.

Henry Duregon coming into the team for his first match in Simpson Cup this season completed a strong 4/2 win playing at no. 6. This completed a very good pennant season for Henry who was unbeaten in Bonnar and Simpson cup this year. Henry’s win then gave each team a win.

Playing at no. 5 Anthony Olsen had a very tough battle winning his match at the 19th hole. After being 2 up with 2 holes to play and seemingly in a winning position his Grange opponent made birdies at the 17th and 18th holes to level the score. Not to be outdone Anthony birdied the 1st extra hole to win 1up.

Jackson Kalz at no. 4 gave our team the advantage winning his match 3/2 to complete a very solid first Simpson Cup season. Jackson with 6 wins from 8 matches in his first season at this level has been outstanding. This win gave us the advantage of 3 wins and 1 loss and just needing 1 more result in our favour.

Josh Hayes at no. 3 was another of our boys having a tough battle with virtually no advantage to either player for the whole match. Josh had a 1 hole advantage after 16 holes but then lost the 17th to be going down the 18th hole all square. Both Josh and his Grange opponent then made birdie on the 18th to send their match to the 19th.

Ben Layton at no. 2 after being down for most of his match got back to be square after 14 holes. Ben then gained a 1 hole advantage after 16 to then lose the 17th hole and be all square with 1 hole to play. After both players had played safe second shots at the par5 18th Ben’s opponent with his 3rd shot almost went into the water, Ben calmly put his third 20 feet under the hole leaving a tough pitch for his Grange opponent. The resultant pitch shot was left about 6 feet short and with a tough putt. Ben then calmly putted up to 2 feet leaving his opponent with a putt to keep the match alive.

After missing the putt The Grange team were relying on Ben to miss his short putt to win his match and give Glenelg the Simpson Cup. Ben calmly holed the putt and all of the Glenelg players showed their elation of the win.

Sam Earl playing at no. 1 like most of our boys had a tough battle all day again with no advantage to either player. This match was coming down the 18th hole but with our team having the 4 required wins this match and Josh Hayes match which had gone to the 19th were called halved.

This season all of our pennant players both senior and junior have worked very hard and the result have showed with the juniors winning the Sharp Cup the Bonnar Cup team only just being defeated in their Final and the Simpson Cup team being unbeaten this season.

Thanks to the golf operations team for their great input coaching and mentoring the whole squad. Also thanks to my co manager Gary Thompson for his wise knowledge and calm influence on myself and the players. Last but not least the great support given to the team by all the caddies and the supporters who come along every week no matter what the conditions are is much appreciated.

Now that the drought has been broken I am sure all of the players will be keen to have a repeat result next year.