Gritty Win by Bonnar Boys

Round 5, 16 June

Another “must win” contest – playing Kooyonga at Regency Park with several regular players not available. We welcomed James Bridgen in to the team for his first match this season and also Josh Hodgson making his Pennant debut for the club after many years of caddying and supporting pennant golf at Glenelg.

Regency Park presented well, but several tight pin spots provided some challenging shots and tested the mental strength of the players – it was a tight match all day and it was pleasing to see the Glenelg boys adapt better to the conditions and come out with a well-earned victory.

After 9 holes we were only ahead in 2 games, but the contest turned in our favour over the second nine.

In his pennant debut match Josh Hodgson at No. 7 hung in early against an opponent who was playing some pure golf. Josh was one down after 7 but got back to square after 9, and then won 4 of the next 6 holes to record a fabulous 4 & 3 win – and well caddied Luke. 

At No. 6 James Bridgen was very solid all day. He shot out to 1 up early, was pegged back to all square after 7, but won 8 and 9 to turn 2 up. He stretched that out to 3 up after 13, but lost 14 and 15 to be only 1 up after 15, but a nice win on 17 saw him take the match 2 & 1.

Ben Magi at No. 5 was having a tight game all day against a competitive young fellow. Ben was 2 up after 5, but his opponent fought back to square the match at the turn – it then became a real arm wrestle with only one hole separating them over the back 9. Their game was all square playing the last and the match contest was in the balance, and Ben heroically holes a 40 foot putt for birdie to win the hole and his game 1 up to give Glenelg a vital edge. 

At No. 4 Michael Ratajewski overcame a slow start – he was 1 down early and still 1 down after 9 – to win several holes on the back 9 and fight out a convincing 3 & 2 win.

Henry Duregon at No.3 encountered an opponent who was on fire early shooting several birdies to grab a 4 up lead after 4 holes which stretched out to Henry being 5 down after 7. Henry recovered a little and got to within 3 down a couple of times through the second 9, but his opponent steadied to win 4 & 2.

Simon Gallie at No. 2 played solid golf on the first 9 to be 3 up at the turn, but his opponent kept at his task to have the match all square after 16. Simon won 17 but lost the last hole for a squared match.

At No.1 Michael Munn was having a tough match early against a very good player – Michael recovered from 3 down after 6 to turn 2 down, but he kept at it and by 14 had squared the match, only to miss a short putt on the ridiculously placed hole on the 15^th green to go 1 down again. He won 16 to be all square again, but lost 17 and his birdie putt on the last hole looked in all the way but refused to drop giving in a 1 down result. 

This team win now places us in second spot and looking solid for a Semi Final spot.

This Sunday we play at Glenelg from 11.15am against the 3^rd placed North Adelaide team, so it will again be critical to maintain focus on the processes and not rely on any perceived home course advantage to sure up our Finals spot.

 Wayne Humphries
“B” Pennant Team Manager