Valiant effort but no Bonnar Cup

_DB_4763 Report by Wayne Humphries (Team Manager)

Well, the Day finally arrived – the Bonnar Cup Final. The Glenelg boys did a sterling job to qualify for the Final and it was going to be a tough assignment playing Grange at Grange West in cold and windy conditions.

Although we beat them last week on Grange East, both sides had a different look. Grange were strengthened by the inclusion of a player from Simpson Cup the previous week, whilst Glenelg “lost” Henry Duregon to our Simpson Cup team to cover the loss of Lachy Barker. None the less we fancied our chances and the boys certainly all tried their utmost for the club and their team mates.

A good start was critical as it was going to be so difficult to come from behind on their course. Unfortunately the early signs were not all that encouraging. Unlike last week, everywhere I looked it was the Grange boys holing putts and the Glenelg boys having no luck.

After 7 holes, it was very much in Grange’s favour. They were leading in 5 games with the other 2 games square. The Glenelg boys had to rally or face a comprehensive loss.

The Glenelg boys did rally and after 11 holes Glenelg had taken the lead in 3 matches (all one up), with 3 other matches only 1 down and the other match well in Grange’s favour. But it was game on!

Jack Tanner playing at No. 7 had a tight match for most of the day. All square after 8 and then 1 down after 12 his opponent was too steady over the concluding holes to take the game 3 and 2.

Jack Buchanan at No. 6 also had a tight match. Playing some nice shots early and a couple of great up and downs he went from 1 down after 4 to be 1 up after 11. A little bit of bad luck and some good golf from his opponent allowed the Grange player to sneak back in front and take the game 3 and 1.

Grange took the first 2 games and things were looking grim again!

However, hope was in sight. Liam Kennewell at No. 5 was taking control of his match. Liam got off to a nice start to be 2 up after 4 but his opponent (who was unbeaten through the year) came back to square the match after 7. Liam continued to play some strong shots and with lovely touch around the greens won 3 of the next 6 holes to be 3 up after 13. Despite a comeback from his opponent he held on strongly to win his game 2 and 1.

Meanwhile Luke Bashford at No. 4 was having a mighty comeback. Luke was 3 down after 7 but took advantage of some wayward shots from his opponent to get back to square after 13. An “unlucky” loss on 14 stifled his momentum, but Luke played better over the last 4 holes to record a valuable 2 up win.

Whilst all this was going on the No. 1 and No. 3 games were close to finishing – it was 2 games all.

Sam Raschella at No. 3 continued his sterling form to recover from 1 down early to take the lead after 11 and remained solid to record a 3 and 2 win.

Brodie Whitbread at No. 1 had a tough battle all day against a very seasoned pennant player. He was 2 down after 7, but his opponent was not opening the door and maintained some pretty solid golf to record a 4 and 3 win for the Grange side.

Now it was 3 games all.

Andy Humphries at No. 2 was still playing. This was a really tight match all day. Andy was either 1 down or square for most of the day. He won 16 to be only one down playing 17 and had a 5 foot putt on 17 to take the match down 18, but unfortunately the putt just missed and gave his Grange opponent a 2 and 1 win, which gave Grange the 4 team wins and the Bonnar Cup.

So close, yet so far, but a valiant effort from the Glenelg boys and congratulations on a very good season. I would like to thank all the boys that played Bonnar Cup this year – their preparation and commitment to the task was exceptional.

Thank you to the members that came out to support the boys in such cold and wintery conditions. Your presence certainly encouraged the boys.

Thank you also to all the caddies and parents who were there all year and today to help the boys in our quest for the Bonnar Cup. Thanks also to the Club for their support to the Bonnar Cup side this season – Club Management, Sponsors, coaching staff and supporters.

The challenge is there now for next season to go that one better. Certainly with the depth coming through the junior ranks, the natural progression from the more experienced players and the continuing tuition from the coaching staff, the future definitely looks positive.