Handicap West, Division One & Three.
Colac GC were hosts to the final contenders in Handicap West, Div 3 & Div1.
The sun was just out & frost covered the well-groomed fairways. It was super cold for players & the hardy supporters on course for the 8.00am hit off time.
Local member Duane Chilcott did the honours on the tee ably assisted by Carolyn & Fiona running cards & answering players queries.
Handicap West lead the way and Barwon Valley were out to even the head-to-head score with last year’s winners Bannockburn. With early wins on the board for both teams it came down to the grit & strength of Barwon Valley’s middle order who had to perform under the critical gaze of a number of anxious supporters. Whatever it was, Bannockburn were unable to hold the tide back & succumbed. Barwon Valley securing the prize with a very close 3/2 victory.
Division 3 teams of Queenscliff & 13th Beach proved well matched with most matches undecided till the later stages of play. There was fine shot making & much head shaking as the Colac X file greens continually bewildered the visitors & their caddies. A win was never a sure thing until the ball was in the hole, be it after 1,2 or 3 putts. 4 matches were decided on the last 2 holes. It was a narrow but relieved Queenscliff who edged out the challenging 13th Beach team to win the cup 4/3.
The sun was high in the sky for the battle royal in Division 1 between neighbouring clubs & rivals Barwon Heads GC & 13th Beach GC. It was healthy to notice the youth factor representing both clubs. Supporters braved the cold winds urging their players along the way. Barwon Heads got out of the blocks well early on putting on a strong challenge to the table leaders. 13th Beach top players proved their worth scoring good wins but it was the consistency & the edge of the remaining Barwon Heads players who would convincingly grab the trophy after a 50 odd year drought.
Congratulations to all teams for reaching the finals & the way the game was played. For the winners enjoy your spoils!
Thank you to Colac GC for their hospitality & the presentation of the course & the appropriate challenge created for this special day on the Pennant calendar.
Handicap East & Division 5 at St Leonards Golf Club
Lonsdale Links V Clifton Springs - Handicap East
A tight tussle that saw all three of the first three Lonsdale Links players win their matches making it a 3/2 victory for Lonsdale Links. Ted Conroy finished his match with a stirring 2/1 victory, Thomas Donte won 4/2 and Mathew Lenox won 3/2, whist the 2 wins recorded by Clifton Springs finished on the 17th Hole with scores of 2/1 won by Mark Manson and Damien Kavanagh for Clifton Springs. It was a proud victory for Lonsdale Links and the match was played in the spirit of Golf.
Apollo Bay vs Bannockburn - Division 5
A great club victory by Apollo Bay beating a spirited Bannockburn 4.5/2.5.
Brian Spalding from Bannockburn came back to win 2/1 on the 17th and Gavin Divola beat Apollo Bay Captain Patrick Rink on the 18th to record 1 up win. Apollo Bay won matches 3 & 4 with resounding wins. Paul Deer winning 6/5 resulting in Paul Deer and Tod Brewer saluting. Guy Holman from Apollo Bay recording a win 5/4, and Richard Goodwin had big result on the 18th Green winning 1 up securing the win for Apollo Bay. Andrew Hill and Clint Kitchen squared their match on the 18th. Apollo Bay Captain Patrick Rink commented during his acceptance speech on the play quality and respect between the two clubs.
Division 4 & 2.
Division 4 Men's Final took place at Bannockburn on a cool and showery Sunday morning. Lonsdale Links and Colac arrived early for some practice and then set off on their individual matches starting with the downhill Par 3 first.
Most matches were close and with the score 3-3 it was left to Zac Costigan to hold off a push from Micah Robb to have the match go to extra holes. Zac managed to secure victory for himself and Lonsdale Links on the 18th hole.
In Division 2 Colac took on Torquay and there were not many tight tussles. Torquay won three contests fairly comfortably but Colac also won 3 comfortably.
The close match was a 2/1 victory to Andrew Parker from Colac to secure Colac's first win in Division 2 and their name will now go on the trophy for the first time in the trophy's 66 year history.
All Full scores are on the website here
That was the season that was.
Until Next Year.
SWGA Ops & Board
Div 1 - Barwon Heads GC
Div 2 - Torquay GC
Div 3 - Queenscliff GC
Div 4 - Lonsdale Links GC
Div 5 - Apollo Bay GC
Handicap East - Lonsdale Links GC
Handicap West - Barwon Valley GC