Simpson Cup boys lose to Kooyonga in final match

Report by Geoff Attenborough

Glenelg’s Simpson Cup team ventured to Royal Adelaide Golf Club with a chance to finish the season on a strong and positive note with our final match against the undefeated Kooyonga.

Unfortunately, the end result of losing 5 matches to 2 soured our day. Kooyonga’s players appeared to have more to play for with the team already finals bound next week and, after most matches being close for the first nine holes, they played much better golf over the back nine to win convincingly.

Our first match to play was James McDonald at no 7. This contest was extremely tight throughout with the biggest advantage to either player being only 1 up. this continued for the whole match and standing on the 18th tee it was all square. James, after a somewhat errant drive, low and short gave the advantage to his opponent and after hitting his second into heavy rough could not get up and down to lose the hole and his match 1 down.

Next out at 6 was Anthony Olsen.  Mr Reliable completed an outstanding Pennant season with a convincing win.  After his match was tight for the first six holes, Anthony pushed home his advantage to be 3 up after seven holes to eventually win 4/3. This has been a fantastic effort from Anthony, who was unbeaten for the season and after missing last year with a knee reconstruction, always gave the team a solid platform at the low end of the order.

David Hiern at no 5 had an indifferent day. After getting off to a solid start winning the first two holes, the wheels came off with David being 4 down after 11 holes. The contest did not improve with the final score being a loss 5/4.

At no 4, Josh Hayes, with what seemed to become a common trend for the day, was off to slow start being 2 down after four holes. With Josh seeming to be struggling with his game and lacking concentration, eventually succumbed to lose 5/4.

Will Starkey, after a solid Simpson Cup season, had a day he would rather forget. After being only 1 down after six holes, Will’s game fell apart to be 3 down after ten holes. Then, losing three of the next four holes, this match was over with a minus 6/4 result.

Lachlan Barker at no 2 was, with Anthony Olsen, the only shining light. Lachy, after a solid week playing the NSW Junior Amateur Championship, continued his very good pennant season with a solid 6/5 win. Lachlan shows experience beyond his 16 years of age and with strength and more natural progression is going to be a fine player for Glenelg in the years to come.

Ben Hallam, at the the top of the order, had tough day. After six holes, Ben was 2 down and battling to stay in his match. To then be 4 down after ten holes and with his opponent seeming to be in control, Ben continued to battle out this match to get back to 2 down with two to play. After being a little unlucky to be in the heavy rough through the fairway on the17th,and then only being able to hack his ball out and making a bogey five, Ben finally finished with a 3/1 loss.

For this team to come together, especially after losing four quality players from last year, puts the Club in a strong position going forward with some quality juniors in the ranks. The future of the Glenelg’s male pennant teams is very positive.

Well done to the Women’s A1 and A2 teams, along with the Bonnar Cup and Sharp Cup teams, on reaching the final in their respective grades. We hope members can take an interest and come out and support these teams in their quest to win their pennant titles.

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