Bonnar Cup 2019 Pennant Winners

At last, it was The Final – the day that the boys had worked so hard to be a part of.

We face a strong and determined side in Grange – the current Bonnar Champs.

We know it is not going to be easy – we are at The Vines, it is cold, it is wet – the team that can stay positive and confident in their golf is likely to win the day. Getting off to a good start was paramount.

There were no easy games – and credit to both sides, all players performed well and worthy of the Final.

It was a tight contest early – after 5 holes the contest was even with Glenelg ahead in 3 games, Grange ahead in 3 games and one game all square. The contest turned in Glenelg’s favour over the next few holes. As Henry Duregon at No.7 went from 1 up after 8 to 3 up after 12, the boys at the top order all put the foot down. David Hiern at No.3 went from 1up after 7 to be 2up after 13, Anthony Olsen at No.2 went from 2up after 5 to be 5up after 10 and Michael Munn at No.1 went from square after 4 to be 4up after 8. Anything can happen in Pennant golf and we couldn’t bank these games as over, but these games certainly gave Glenelg the edge.

Meanwhile Ben Magi at No.6 was having a tight game with some quality golf being played. Ben was 1 down mostly through the front 9, but got the match back to square at the turn and still square after 14, but his opponent maintained his solid golf to win 15 and then 17 to close the match out 2 & 1.

Simon Gallie at No. 5 was also in for a tough game – he was 2 down early and couldn’t bridge the gap against an opponent who was playing superbly – still 2 down after 12, his opponent finished with 3 birdies in a row to win the match 4 & 3.

At No. 4 Michael Ratajewski (after the birth of his first child on Thursday) came in to play when Will Starkey pulled out due to some surgery on Friday – Will is quite ok, but was not able to walk the course. Michael started strongly to be square after 5 but his opponent played solidly over the next few holes to be 3 up after 14 – a determined fight back by Rat saw him playing the last just 1 down and in with a chance – but a wayward drive cost him a chance to square the match, finishing with a 1 down result.

Earlier Henry Duregon had closed his match out with a 3 & 2 win and the top order boys still remained in control.

David Hiern also won 14 and 15 to win his match 4 & 3, whilst Anthony Olsen maintained control and won his match 5 & 4.

Michael Munn was 4 up after 13, but lost 14 to a birdie, then lost 15 to be “only” 2 up – and the outcome, all of a sudden, was tightening up – certainly the Grange team found a spring in their step as “the crowd” moved towards the 16^th green. Munny had short sighted himself with his approach shot, leaving him a delicate bunker shot with no green to work with, whilst his Grange opponent had hit the green with a 20 foot putt for birdie. As Munny was preparing to hit his bunker shot, I was just thinking “C’mon Munny, hit it close!” – he not only hits it close – he holes it!!! And after Colin from Grange misses his birdie putt the Bonnar Cup is ours. You little beauty.

It was an outstanding season by the Bonnar Squad and I would like to thank all those that played in the Final plus those that missed out – namely Will Starkey, James Bridgen, Harry Burner, Andy Humphries, Luke Bashford and Josh Hodgson – for their commitment and support to each other and for representing the club in such fine fashion as we chased the ultimate prize.      

Thanks to all the caddies in the Final – a great help in those wet conditions and the handful of club members for their support and encouragement to the team.

Congrats to all teams that represented Glenelg this season and particularly the winning A3 Girls, the Sanderson Cup Girls and the Simpson Cup boys – a great Pennant year for the Club.

These results just don’t happen – a special thanks to the Pennant Sponsors, the Golf Ops team and the Committee Of Management for their support and encouragement through the season.

Wayne Humphries,
“B” Pennant Team Manager