Newsletter 3 – 20th May 2022

SIMPSON CUP WEEK 2 

Last Sunday was the Simpson Cup Round 2 – A tough day at the office; unfortunately the office this week was the host course and our opposition Tea Tree Gully.

On a cold windy start that threatened rain all day, the boys started well keeping in touch with their opponents within a hole or two for most of the first half of their matches.  All commented on the difficulty of reading the greens.

Newcomer to Simpson Cup Elliot Willgoose played his heart out but found it a little overwhelming towards the end and went down 5/4.

New starter Hayden Massey kept pace well pretty much all day but succumbed eventually to lose 4/3 while Matt McDonald playing at 5 found little luck going his way falling away at the end 2/1.

Jackson Arthur got off to a good start but came tumbling down with missed putts and lack of local knowledge which led to a 5/3 loss. Jack was frustrated by not knowing which side of the fairway to favour. He would hit fairways with a little draw that would bounce off into the trees while his opponent was spraying it onto the other side of fairways and having clear shots coming in, over or through trees.

Another new member to the squad, Jase Hyland, led by a couple of holes most of the round but for some solid opposition by his playing partner who fought back to hold a one hole lead going down 18th.  Jase toughed it out and managed to win the hole and square the match for the team’s only non-loss.

Steve Williams (pictured) was thrown to the wolves at #2 against quality opposition and ex State player Chris Austen, but stayed with him valiantly eventually going down 5/4.

Captain David Ling had an epic battle with TTG’s #1 Sean Park frustratingly missing out 1 down. He regrets missing 4 10 foot putts on the last four holes which might have given him the win.

Simpson Cup Southern Team List for 22 May 2022 vs Kooyonga

Glenelg GC – 1st  Tee  10.15 am

1          David Ling     (Captain)
2          Jamie Burt
3          Phil Chapman
4          Matt McDonald
5          Jackson Arthur
6          Steve Williams
7          Hayden Massey
Res.    Matt Hage

JUNIOR S.A. PENNANT – Division 2 results

There are two Combined Districts Junior teams competing in the Golf Australia S.A. Pennant competition which are ably managed by Helen Schulz, a long-time member at Willunga and Junior Coordinator for the SGG.  Seven out of the twenty players in the squad are members of SGG Clubs.

All 5 players in the CDJ Division 2 team that played at The Vines on Sunday are members of SGG clubs. Ironically, their opponent, Royal Adelaide, fielded two players originally/also from SGG clubs. The wind was tough all day and a large cloudburst of rain in the closing holes made play difficult for all. Although the Div. 2 team lost 4 1/2 to 0 1/2, every match on the day was keenly contested, with all games finishing on either the 17th or 18th holes.

Robbie Hill (Aston Hills GC) started well but was eventually outplayed due to the excellent short game of his opponent, Isabelle Watson (also a member of Victor Harbor GC).  Robbie unfortunately went 1 down on the 18th hole.

Gabriel Aitken (Aston Hills) and his opponent swapped the lead all day, but with 3 holes to play Gabe found himself 2 down. Wins on the 16th and 17th holes set up an interesting finish, but he could only manage to halve the hole and therefore the match.

Lily Harris (Victor Harbor GC) lost to Mitchell Zander (ex Aston Hills GC) 3 and 1. Lily & Mitchell had a tight round. She never let him get any more than 2 up until unfortunately the 17th hole which determined the end of play. Considering Mitchell had the lower handicap it was tough but a good learning experience and both enjoyed the competition. Both players played very well considering the weather conditions, displayed great sportsmanship towards each other and admirably represented their home clubs.

Sam White (Victor Harbor GC) lost the final hole to finish 1 down after a close match all day.

 Oliver Riggs (Victor Harbor GC) lost the 17th hole to finish 2 and 1 down. Ollie matched his opponent shot for shot most of the day, but ultimately was let down by a misfiring putter.

 JUNIORS S.A. PENNANT – Sharp Cup and Division 2 matches

 Next Sunday both CDJ teams are playing at The Grange West course.

The Sharp Cup team is drawn to play Kooyonga.  Representing SGG clubs are Robbie Hill (Aston Hills GC), Charley Moseley (Aston Hills) and Lily Harris (Victor Harbor GC).

Gabriel Aitken (Aston Hills) and Oliver Riggs (Victor Harbor GC) are both playing in the Division 2 team which will be playing against the Mid North.

2022 Men’s Pennant Champions 

C2 GRADE PENNANT – Normally in such an important competition as the SGG Pennant, you would expect the A grade premiers to be the main feature.

This year however, at least for this newsletter, last becomes first and so that honour belongs to the Yankalilla C2 team, for reasons which will become apparent.

In most Pennant handicap matches, the lowest handicapped pair in each team tees off last (seventh), and the highest tees off first. The idea is that the best player in each team should be the one to bear the burden if the seventh match will determine which team wins.

However, on this day the number seven Echunga player rang to say he was delayed.

Rather than accept a forfeit, the Yankalilla team were adamant that they would wait for however long was necessary, they would prefer to play the match out. As it is, the Echunga player arrived late but within the allowed period, so the match proceeded with the number sevens playing as the last group.

As usual at McCracken, the teams battled wind and water all day and after the first 6 matches were completed, scores were tied 3 all. So, it came down to the number sevens, where Colin Green eventually triumphed 3 and 2.

Both captains were complimentary about the good sportsmanship demonstrated by both teams and were grateful to McCracken GC in presenting the course in great condition.

It had been 29 years since the last occasion Yankalilla had won the Bruce Newman shield, so the team managed to put down their beers long enough for their photo to be taken.

A1 GRADE PENNANT

Report courtesy of Rob Zinnoeger, Zone Coordinator :-

The Men’s A1 Pennant final between Willunga GC & Aston Hills was held at the Links Lady Bay golf course which was in pristine condition.

With the wind up around 20kph the test was going to be challenging for the best 2 teams in the SGG for 2022.

Aston Hills are no strangers to the finals over recent years with a great record of success, while Willunga on the other hand had not held the trophy aloft for 14 years.

Whilst a couple of matches looked like being decided early neither side was in a dominant position throughout the contest, until, with the score at 3-3 it was left to youngest members from both teams to decide the result.

Aston Hills 2 up with 3 to play.

Aston Hills 1up with 2 to play.

All square going to the 18th.

Willunga had a very long putt for eagle but would have to eventually settle for par.

Aston Hills made a bold attempt at birdie which caught the edge of the cup leaving a 3-4ft putt above the hole.

Sadly, the return putt to halve the hole and extend the match was not made, and Willunga finally got their hands on that shield after 14 years.

Personally, I would like to congratulate and commend both teams for the level of play they produced and the spirit in which the contest was played. I found it thoroughly entertaining and would urge everyone to go and watch a pennant final in 2023 if they can.

A2 GRADE PENNANT

South Lakes defeated Oakbank 4 ½ to 2 ½ at Victor Harbor Golf Club to claim the 2022 trophy.

Matt McDonald (#1 – 3 and 2), David Smelt (#2 – 6 and 4), Nick Talbot (#3 – 4 and 2) and David Raymond (#6 – 7 and 6) all won their matches. Chris Smith (#5) finished square, while Tom Longbottom (#4) and Travis Roach (#7) lost.

The South Lakes Team was subdued after their win, having lost long-time colleague and Pennant stalwart Steve Ross only two days before the first Pennant Match. Although the win itself seemed somewhat anticlimactic on the day, Matt McDonald felt it was a fitting tribute to Steve Ross and his legacy.

Captain David Raymond was grateful to the Victor Harbor golf club for the excellent condition of the course and sympathised with their Covid-ravaged opponent, Oakbank, who were forced to play two of their B1players in the higher grade. He said the result felt much closer during the match than the scores indicated.

The Oakbank Pennant Captain Scott Schulz thanked South Lakes for the spirit in which the game was played, and paid tribute to Club Captain John McInnes (retiring from Pennant with a win) and Matt Steinbeck (felt like cannon fodder) and Grant Parker who both were upgraded from the B1 team and aquitted themselves admirably.

JUNIOR COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS & BRETT OGLE CUP
(Boys and Girls)

Junior members of Golf Australia affiliated Clubs (17 or under on 18^th of July 2022) are invited to register their interest in nominating for this event.   Any eligible junior can play in this two-day event, for more information follow this link :-

https://www.golf.org.au/events#/competition/3167645/info

(Online registration is essential and will be available on the 23^rd of May)

Players must be accompanied by a responsible adult and must have a GA handicap.

G.A. Handicaps 17.9 or better will play Stroke, 18.0 plus will play Stableford

Event 1 – Country Championships at Loxton Golf Club

• Sunday 17^th July is available for a practice round at Loxton
• Monday 18^th July – Round 1 – 18 holes Stroke or Stableford based on handicap
• Tuesday 19^th July – Round 2 – 18 holes Stroke or Stableford based on handicap and Presentation
• Results in this event determine District Team standings for the Brett Ogle Cup (Match Play)

The Southern Golf Group is entering a team of 5 players and 2 reserves for the Brett Ogle Cup which will be held at Barmera following on from the Country Championships. All players must compete in the Country Championship event at Berri. Maximum handicap G.A. 50

Event 2 – Brett Ogle Cup at Berri Golf Club – Two divisions, based on G.A. handicap 17.9

• Wednesday 20^th July
  • Round 1 – 18 holes match play (Div 1 off-the-stick, Div 2 handicap)
  • Round 2 – 18 holes match play (Div 1 off-the-stick, Div 2 handicap
• Thursday 21^st July
  • Round 3 – 18 holes match play (Div 1 off-the-stick, Div 2 handicap
  • Presentation

There will be one or two team selection/practice events for the Brett Ogle Cup Squad in late June, venues and times will be advised in coming newsletters.

FOR INFORMATION on both events email here :- SGG.JuniorCoordinator@gmail.com

JUNIOR SAND GREEN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Peterborough 11th and 12th June This is a GolfSA event for individuals.  Refer https://www.golf.org.au/events#/competition/3200815/info for entry details

Peterborough Junior Open & SA Junior Sand Greens Championship

Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th June at Peterborough Golf Club

Open to boys & girls who are aged 17 years and under as at 11th June 2022.

The event, conducted by Peterborough GC & Northern District Golf Group, will include:

• SA Junior Sand Greens Championship – 36 holes
• Peterborough Junior Open – 18 holes
• Peterborough Sub Junior Events (no handicap required)

For event information & entry form – Click Here