Simpson Cup team defeat Blackwood in tough contest

Report by Geoff Attenborough (Team Manager)

The Glenelg Simpson Cup team travelled to Tea Tree Gully Golf Club on Sunday for a danger game against Blackwood. The emphasis to our players during the week was to be focused on the task against Blackwood as they upset our season last year when they defeated us at Tea tree Gully. To our teams credit they got the job done with a tough 4/3 win.

Ben Hallam playing at no 7 was off to a fast start winning the first 2 holes and continued to extend his lead being 5up after 9 holes. Ben’s opponent however was up for the fight making birdies on 2 of the next 4 holes to get back to be 3 down with 4 to play, Ben with his experience won the 16th to have a solid 4/2 win.

Anthony Olsen at no6 had a very tough match against a determined opponent with a never give up attitude. After getting out to a 3 hole advantage after 5 holes and seemingly being in control his opposition player thanks to a hot putter cut the deficit back to be square after 13 holes. After gaining a 1 hole advantage at the 17th hole Anthony seemed to be in a winning position, unfortunately he lost the 18th to have a halved match which in the end result was very important.

Jackson Kalz playing at no5 continued on his winning way. Getting off to a quick start being 5up after 7 holes Jackson kept the pressure on to go on and record a comprehensive 6/5 win. Well played.

Josh Hayes at no4 had a tough day against his opponent who was playing good consistent no mistakes golf. After being 3 holes down after going out to be 5 down at the 9th Josh seemed to be in for an early finish, to his credit he got back to 3 down with 5 to play but unfortunately conceded losing 4/3.

Ben Layton playing no3 was another to have a very tough battle against an experienced older campaigner. With neither player having an advantage after 5 holes Ben gained a 2 hole lead after 9 holes. This scored was unchanged for the next 5 holes and Ben seemed to be in control, however after losing 3 holes in succession to be 1 down with 1 to play Ben’s back was against the wall, fortunately winning the 18th gave Ben a half which at the end of the day gave the team the win.

Sam Earl at no2 continued his good form with a solid 5/4 win. After getting off to a good start being 3 up after 5 holes his lead was not extended until the 13th to be 4up. To then go on and win the 14th hole gave Sam a well deserved win.

Lachlan Barker was another to have a very tough match at no1. Playing veteran Blackwood opponent Nick Wake, Lachlan could not get any advantage until the 8th hole going 1up. This lead extended to 2 up after 12 holes but not to be outdone Nick won the next 2 to be square with 4 to play. The score remained the same with 1 hole to play which unfortunately for Lachlan, his opponent made birdie to complete a 1up win.

With the team still remaining unbeaten after Sunday’s win gives our boys an almost certain place in the final. However our 1 week at a time attitude remains and our focus is to win the tough matches which was proven against Blackwood. Our boys knew that this would be a difficult contest and they duly got the job done. With another tough match next week against Kooyonga at The Vines is just the tough match play our team needs with a final in a couple of weeks.

Again thanks to all caddies coming out week after week to assist the players and also the supporters who turn up to support the team.