17th March 2021
Pennant Rd 3 Results
Men’s Pennant 2021 – Round 3: 14 March – versus Green Acres at Ranfurlie Golf Club
After a break for the Labour Day long weekend the Men’s Pennant Team headed into one of the nation’s fastest residential growth corridors to Ranfurlie Golf Club. Situated on a high plain in Cranbourne the course affords a view of the Melbourne Skyline in the distance.
It is a relatively new course, with wide fairways and few trees. A stark contrast to our opponent’s course at Green Acres – where tight, tree-lined fairways are a feature. According to the Ausgolf website, the “Mike Clayton designed championship course opened for play in 2002 and combines elements of traditional links with sand belt style bunkering to produce a true test of golf.”
While a 1 – 6 score line suggests a tough day, the match was still very much alive until very late in the afternoon.
Andrew Roberts in the first match of the day had a close battle with his opponent and was all square at the turn. The back nine continued in the same vein and went to 20 holes before his opponent prevailed. With several close matches still alive and the 20th hole more than a kilometre from the 18th hole Andrew only had his caddy Linton and Barbara to witness his battle.
Playing in his first match of the season Jonathan Baker also played in a very tight match. After turning 1 down, he fought back to stand all square on the 18th tee. His opponent ended the match with a birdie on the last hole to win 1-up.
Brothers Jeremy & Brenton Derix, by their own admission struggled in their matches – each losing 1 & 3. Co-incidentally Green Acres also had a pair of brothers, one of whom was Jeremy’s opponent. With some fine-tuning during the week the boys will be ready to bounce back in round #4.
Paul Thompson, after slow starts in the previous rounds, came out strongly to win the first hole. But his opponent steadied to turn 2-up. On the back nine Paul won 3 of the first 4 holes to get ahead for the first time since the 2nd hole. But in a match of fluctuating fortunes his opponent birdied 3 of the next 4 holes, including a long uphill putt from the front of the 17th green to record a 2 & 1 win.
Playing at #2 this week Dale Edwards was pitted against James Hartley the well-known Yarra Bend teaching professional, who has had a good record against us over the past few years. According to his caddy, Dale played well enough to win against most opponents, but met a very strong opponent this time and went down 4 & 5.
After a strong win last outing and a tight Match Play semi victory on Saturday, our #1, Russell Hughes, came into his match in solid form. After a tight first 9, Russell was ahead leading into the last few holes. His sublime pitch from the rough to within a couple of inches (or centimeters) on the 16th hole – in front of the crowd of players and caddies – clinched a strong 3 & 2 win.
While a disappointing team result, after some good golf against strong opponents, the team is confident of a bounce-back win at Bacchus Marsh next weekend.
Thanks again to the caddies, including squad members Shane Densley & Jack Briggs; Linton Lyle (who can see the course from his home) and Nunz Mantini who did double-duty as caddy and team manager!
Next Match: Sunday 21 March – 12:10 pm at Bacchus Marsh Golf Club versus Berwick Montuna GC.
Colt’s Pennant 2021
The Colts Team had a bye in round #3 and return to action in round #4.
Next Match: Sunday 21 March – 8:20 am at Box Hill Golf Club versus Patterson River GC
Ray Seddon
Golf Captain
