2018 Men’s Club Championship Winners
Published on 5th May 2018 in Club Events, Guests News, Latest News, Public Latest NewsThe greens were rolling fast and true for the Finals of the 2018 Men’s Club Championships allowing for some fantastic performances along with some exciting finishes. The Club Grade Final teed off first group setting out for the 36 hole final, it was Scott Hooper who took an early lead through 9 holes and finished the morning round 6 up. Simon Ellis managed to finish off the morning round with momentum which flowed into the early part of the final 18 holes reducing the lead down to only 4, however Scott Hooper was able to regather to finish off the match strongly with a 8/6 win. Well done to Scott who adds the 2018 title to go alongside his win in 2016.
Please see below report from Damian Willcox who was the Match Referee on the Day.
The club Championships between Scott Hooper and Simon Ellis began with Simon missing the fairway and Scott getting a regulation 4 to win the first. Both players halved the second after great drives.The 3rd found Simon in the trap and Scott on the green. Scott 2up. After both players having long drives on the 4th Simon found the left trap and Scott closed it out with a regulation par. Scott 3up. The 5th saw Simon claw one back when Scott couldn’t get up from the fringe. Scott now 2 up
On the 6th both players did good shots over the bunkers and halved in regulation. On the 7th Scott’s birdie was enough to win the hole. Scott 3 up. Another birdie on 8 for Scott saw him win over Simon’s par. Scott 4 up. Scott’s 4 on 9 to Simon’s 5 had Scott 5up. Both players reached the green on 10 and the hole was halved in 3s
Scott won 11 with a par and went 6 up.The twelfth hole was halved in pars. Simon clawed one back on 13 with a par after Scott found the bunker on his approach. However Scott got that hole back on 14 with a par after Simon found the left pot. Scott back to 6 up. On 15 Scott was down the middle and approached short right. However Simon chipped out of the tree-line but his third went into the trees left and he conceded. Scott 7 up. 16 and 17 were halved in regulation pars. Scott still 7 up
The 18 saw Simon score a par to win after both players drove a bit far left. Scott now 6 up.The second 18 saw Simon jump out of the blocks and fight back with 2 pars and getting 2 holes back on Scott. Now Scott was only 4 up. However Scott put his tee shot within 6 foot and his birdie was enough for a win Scott 5 up. 4th 5th 6th and 7th were halved in regulation pars. Scott’s pars on 8 and 9 was enough to send him to 7 up. When Simon 3 putted 10 to Scott’s par Scott went 8 up.
The drives up 11 saw Scott on the fairway and Simon on the middle of the 18th fairway. He did a lofted shot to the green and canned a snake to win the hole with a birdie. Scott now 7 up. The 12th saw both players on in regulation but when Simon charged the hole for a desperate birdie and went too far past he conceded.Scott won 8 and 6
Congratulations to both players making the final and well done in a well fought match in excellent spirit.
The A Grade Final was sure to be a close contest with two heavy hitters in 2017 Champion Blake Sorensen set to take on Robert Loft. It was a close contest all day however it was Blake Sorensen who managed to dig deep after finding himself 1 down on the back nine winning 16, 17 & 18 to close out the match 2 up. Well done Blake, back to back A Grade Champion!
Please see below report from Steve Ellis who was the Match Referee for the Day.
The A grade final was between the current 2017 Champ Blake Sorensen and the inform Rob Loft.
The 1st was halved in pars, Rob struck bunker problems on 2, Blake had another par to go 1 up.
Rob came back with a par on 3 to square the match then won 4 with bogey to go 1 up.
The 5th and 6th were halved in pars then Blake rallied with birdies on 7 and 8 to take back the lead 1 up.
9 was halved in pars, off to the tenth where Rob hit the green but Blake got up and down to halve in 3.
Blake went 2 up with par on 11, but Rob wasn’t finished yet, he parred 12 and 13 to tie the match again.
14 was halved in 3’s then Rob went 1 up on 15 with a 4.
Blake parred 16 to tie it up again then birdied 17 to go 1 up.
Rob’s wayward tee shot on 18 took the pressure off Blake who parred 18 to win the very tight and interesting contest.Blake was 5 over and Rob 7 over at the end.
Congratulations to Blake on his second title, well done to both players for a match played in very good spirit.
B Grade also went the full distance with Geoff Cadwallader & Simon Richards requiring extra holes to decide a winner, both players had their chances to close out the match however it was Geoff Cadwallader who was able to hold his nerve to win on the 20th hole. Congratulations Geoff!
Please see below report from Steven Blackburn who was the Match Referee for the day.
The B grade final was a closely fought match between Geoff Cadwallader and Simon Richards, both players experienced a nervous start to the match but both soon got into the swing of things. The match can best be described as a “seesaw” with Geoff and Simon both hitting the front multiple times during the game, neither one had a lead of more than 1 up.
At the turn Simon held the lead (1 up) over Geoff but Geoff remedied that on the 10th and the seesawing continued. The lead changed hands several more times and at the 18th things were back where they started with the match all square.
Down the 19th there was the signs of nerves from both players and the hole was halved again. The 20th hole was played with some rain, Geoff’s drive was down on the corner in great shape, unfortunately Simon’s drive found the trees on the left and he required a drop. Geoff managed to secure a great win on the hole winning his first ever Club Championship.
The game was played with great gamesmanship by both players. Congratulations Geoff and I am sure this will not be Simon’s last challenge at the Championships.
C Grade featured Hetal Patel who was up against previous B grade Champion in Kevin Ryan, Hetal Petal was able to put together an extremely strong performance with a number of pars closing out the final 7/5. Hetal’s win sees the Patel family having a stellar year after niece Sia Patel also claimed the 2018 Women’s C Grade Championship.
Please see below report from Mark Dunstan who was the Match Referee for the day.
Hetal’s drive on the 1st was an indication of what was to follow. His extra length meant that Kevin would have to rely on his strong short game. Kevin’s nervous drive (his word) into the right trees made it difficult to catch Hetal’s solid bogey 5 and a win to start.
The match was destined to conclude after 13 holes – none of which was halved. Kevin won the 2nd hole when Hetal fought with trees on the right and left with his drive and second shot. Square after two, but never again.
Kevin’s tee shot on 3 looked good but dipped into the front bunker. Neither player hit the green in two. Both were on for three, but Kevin’s 3 putt from 10 metres gave Hetal a win with two putts from the same distance.
The pin on the 4th was in the difficult back left position. Hetal showed increasing confidence with a strong drive and great second shot onto the green. Kevin looked solid with his second shot 30 metres short. Unfortunately he left his chip well short and three putted to go 2 down.
Hetal then took over proceedings with winning pars on the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th holes. His second shot on the 8th was a highlight. Against the advice of caddie, Max Patel, Hetal hit a short iron off a poor lie left of the fairway, at the flag tucked behind the bunkers on the left. Kevin’s short chip left a 2.5 metre putt which slid past the hole. Six down.
Kevin’s third shot from 120 metres on the 9th gave him a 1 metre putt for par and a much needed win to be five down at the turn. Losses at 10 and 11 had Hetal dormie seven up going to the 12th. Both players had long putts after reaching the 12th in three. An unusual error from Hetal saw him putt off the green from 20 metres while Kevin two putted from 13 metres for a win and it kept the match alive.
Perhaps appropriately, Hetal hit the 13th green in regulation, two putted truly for par and ended the match 7 and 5. While Kevin was disappointed not to produce his best in the final, it would always have been difficult to overcome Hetal’s show of good form.
It was an enjoyable event, played in good spirit with genial caddies, Max Patel and Ken Buckthorpe.
The Longmarkers final was also a showcase match with Barry Gust taking on Peter Lanigan, once again 18 holes was not enough to separate the pair and the match went into extra holes. Barry Gust who’s known for his steadiness in not carrying any woods in his bag was able to close out the match on the 19th. Congratulations Barry!
Please see below report from Alan Frees the Match Referee for the day.
Under an overcast sky, the two finalists gathered on the 1st tee.
The righteous “Righties” were represented by Peter (“Walkthru”) Lanigan & the legendary “Lefties” by Barry (“No Woods”) Gust.
Both players displayed early nerves & the greens were of consternation to both, including a highly out of character 5 putts on the 5th by one of the contestants. On the front nine, only the 4th & 9th holes were halved and, at the turn, Peter stood 1 up.
Sunshine & great golf on the 10th by both players saw a win to Peter with a steady par. Barry bounced back at 11 & the 12th was halved. Two balls in the water by Barry gifted Peter the 13th & a 3 putt bogey on 14 was good enough to give Peter another win. 3 up.
A crucial downhill 5’ putt on 15 saw a win to Barry. 16 was halved in steady 5’s. Two up, Peter, with 2 to play.
Both players played less than good 3rd shots on 17 (put it down to the rain), but Barry’s steady one putt gave him another win with a 6. 1 & 1 on the 18th tee, with the honour to Barry.
A dreadful pulled tee shot into the tree left of the ladies 18th tee, saw Peter take aim & hit a true shot down the middle of the fairway. Barry’s recovery lay near Peter’s drive. The next shots were less than ideal. Barry’s into the left front pot & Peter’s into the rough near the 10th green. Barry successfully out but Peter chopped his third into the left front bunker. 2nd shot from that bunker found the right bunker. A one putt by Barry & a 6 was good enough to have the players venture to the 1st tee again.
Both players hit good tee shots – far superior to their earlier efforts. Both on for 3. A very long putt from the front of the green by Peter pulled up short. Barry’s putt missed, as did Peter’s second attempt. Barry calmly dropped his 3’ putt and the trophy was his!
While neither player played consistently to his best, the competition and spirits were first rate all day & it was a worthy final.
Thanks to caddy, Trevor (for Barry), & gallery (Noel).
AlPal
