The Major pennants team travelled to Wakehurst who are still the current No.1 team in our section. The weather was good, and they have a beautiful course situated next to Manly Dam. The course looked in good order with a large club built overlooking the course.
This was the last game of the season and the team was fully pumped to do well, after beating them on home soil last week. Hurstville and Asquith only managed a single win out of a total 14 games between them here, so we knew it would not be easy.
A big thank you to Merv, Conrad, Oliver, and Wayne, stepping down to allow others to play today, making selection easier. As a manager I could not have been prouder to see the way this team was selfless all season and performed well on the day. Matchplay is all about “moments” on the day and we had our share. Coming down to the last few holes we were seriously looking at a victory overall, but like our last three “championship” holes at The Coast, there were still surprises ahead, with the Coast dealt a Loss 5 to 2.
7 – Gary Kennedy (caddy Bruce Dominish) – Gary started quickly out of the blocks with 2 birdies, remaining 2 under after 9 holes. Proof that hard work pays off he went on to Win 4&3. This was his first game for “points”, well done Gary!
6 – Paddy Kelly (caddy Doug Wesney) – Paddy was hitting the ball well, with this contest tight all day before finishing on the 17th with a Loss 2&1.
5 – Kevin Isch (caddy Glenn Hetherington) – Kevin got a late call-up after dropping himself but stepped up replace an injured Oliver Young. Kevin did not want to give away any early holes, being all square at 16 before recording a brutal Loss 2 Down.
4 – Tony Podvorec (caddy Wayne Smyth) – Tony had that steely look in his eye. This game see-sawed all day with few squares to be seen. He took this contest to 18 where both combatants faced difficult birdie putts. Tony suffered a dramatic Loss 1 Down.
3 – Simon Laird (caddy Merv Danne) – Simon played the front 9 well but unfortunately the testing back nine punished him before receiving a Loss 4&3.
2 – Peter Baigent (caddy Jason Eccleston) – Pete looked in control early, playing the ex-Wakehurst professional. Pete’s chipping and putting game was strong again, taking an early lead before finding himself on the 18th green and sinking the pressure putt for a well-earned Win 1Up.
Pete took his total to 5 wins from 5 games. Well done on a great first season for you Pete! The Europeans are looking to poach you for Bonville! Baigent sure sounds French to me, Mon Ami!
1 – Cooper Smith (caddy Noah Simpkins) – It was Cooper’s turn to face Wakehurst’s solid, unbeaten plus 4 marker. Coops fought hard but was down early and continued to struggle before finally receiving a Loss 6&5.
Thank you again to all our Caddies, all season! We had a record number of caddies carry the bags of our players this season. The team appreciates your efforts. You add to the “experience and enjoyment” of the Majors’ team environment. We trust you enjoyed it.
Mixed team – Congratulations on a fine season, going unbeaten. That is not easy to do. It was a pleasure to have the Majors team get around, support, and watch you get home over Cronulla. We truly have an awesome club!
Finally, I will be handing over team management duties for the Majors next year to Paddy Kelly. He has been an integral part of this team for over ten years, and I know he is a great fit for this role.
Cooper and Kev, you led the team well this year. Results do not always go our way to reward the amount of hard work that goes into a Majors season.
Thank you to the club, players, caddies, and members for your ongoing support of me, and especially this team.
Maurie Rivett – Team Manager 2024, signing off!
Major Pennants update – Round 5 – HOME Win 4.5 to 2.5
The Major pennants team hosted Wakehurst, the current No.1 team in our section. Again, the weather conditions were benign and overcast, and we enjoyed the support of another large crowd at the Coast. We made the visitors feel welcome, before sending them home with their first loss of the season.
Next week we play Wakehurst at Wakehurst from 7am. It will be a good Sunday for spectators – Support the Majors at Wakehurst from 7am, then zip back to the Coast to cheer home The Mixed team at 11am. You are all invited and welcome!
7 – Wayne Smyth (caddy Peter Woodward) – Wayne was hitting solid balls all day. He snuck away to 2 shot lead at the 8th, before his opponent got him back to Even across the back 9. With the match even teeing off the 18th, Wayne landed on the green in one shot, his opponent found the fairway. Two birdies were delivered with the match ending All Square. Welcome to Peter Woodward who answered an SOS for a caddy the night before.
6 – Simon Laird (caddy Paddy Kelly) – Simon won this spot in a playoff with Paddy the day before after Merv was ruled out on medical grounds. Paddy offered himself immediately for caddy duty. Well done boys, it speaks to the spirit of this team. This game was Simon’s early, going 5up at the turn, and finishing on the 12th green with a dominant Win 7&6. Don’t mess with the Irish Mafia!
5 – Cooper Smith (caddy Gary Kennedy) – This player/caddy combo was out to extract revenge after last week. Poor Wakehurst. Cooper got out to be 3up at the turn and cruised along taking out the game to Win 4&2
4 – Pete Baigent (caddy Jason Eccleston) – Pete was beating opponents and changing his caddy every week. Today would prove to be no different. He played solidly through the front 9, leading by 2 after 8 holes. Across the back he had had enough, winning 13, 14 and 15 to end the contest with a Win 5&3. Will Jason survive till next week, grab your popcorn!
3 – Conrad Weber (caddy John Wachman) – This team was in winning form. Conrad got to an early lead before being brought back to even on 13, then winning the next three holes, finishing on the 16th green with a Win 3&2.
2 – Kevin Isch (caddy Glen Hetherington) – Kevin was under strain early in this game, despite spending several couch sessions with his trusty dog, Hugo, as his psychologist. He fought back as usual before finally ending with a Loss 3&2.
1 – Tony Podvorec (caddy Anthony Ragusa) – It has been a little while since we have seen Tony in the No.1 position, but he accepted the role gladly, knowing he had a fellow Rooster on his bag. Tony capitalised on his opponent’s mistakes early with some solid chipping to be down 2 at the turn. He was grinding well before finally ending with a Loss 4&3.
Thank you to all our Caddies above, and Spectators: Bruce Jennings, Ray Macey, CaptNoFun, Steve O’Leary, Ben O’neill, Sebastian and Gabriel, Trevor, Gary Peppard, Merv, Phil Hogg and dog, Jason, Freddie, The Snake on Hole 7, Hamish McCarthy and Gums.
Sunday 10th March we play Wakehurst at Wakehurst, teeing off at 7.00am
Major Pennants update – Round 4 – AWAY Loss 4 to 3
The Major pennants team travelled to Hurstville on Sunday 25th February 2024. Conditions were barely OK, but with tree roots everywhere, little breeze and their greens in poor condition, change that to “bad”! This was a tough day at the office with a 3-All scoreline late in the day. The last pairing was All-Square with only the 18th to play. Hurstville sank the birdie putt to finish off leaving us to lament a 4-3 loss.
That’s the “joy” of Majors golf, six of the seven games going to 17 and 18. We have a good team and so does everybody else. On to next week – we play Wakehurst who are undefeated in this section, at The Coast. Let’s have a big crowd out there to get our boys a WIN!
7 – Pete Baigent (caddy Glenn F Grainger) – Pete has been shuffled up and down the order and has delivered every time. He was playing steady all day being in front for most of the back 9, coming back to Even after 16 holes but keeping his “grandstand finish record” intact on the 18th, Win 1Up
6 – Simon Laird (caddy Ray Macey) – Simon was the only player all day to never be down in his match. And that’s despite landing on a greenside sprinkler head next to the 16th green and nearly bouncing OOB. After a quick re-order of the twigs around his ball, he carried his Rabbitohs water bottle on to Win 2&1
5 – Wayne Smyth (caddy Oliver Young) – After getting off to a good and being up by 2 early he struggled with the “middle 6 holes”, like most of our players. He held on till the 17th before finally ending with a Loss 2&1. There was some good chemistry with this player/caddy combination.
4 – Paddy Kelly (caddy Doug Wesney) – This was the tightest match of the day with half after half, but the bubble burst on 16 and 17 with Paddy recording a Loss 2&1
3 – Conrad Weber (caddy John Wachman) – Conrad got off to a good start being up 2 early but the tough 7th 8th and 9th holes brought him back, with his shocked caddy witnessing shots he had never seen from Conrad before. The dog fight was brough to an end with a Win 2&1
2 – Kevin Isch (caddy Glen Hetherington) – Kevin showed up and was ready to play. He has a recent trait of going down several holes before a miraculous recovery. However, this one continued to spiral ending in to an 8&6 Loss. Can someone recommend a good psychologist, a couch, and a lie down please?
1 – Cooper Smith (caddy Gary Kennedy) – This was probably the match of the day. The struggle was real, with Cooper up several holes early before a tough grind and many close putts left on the rim. This was a birdie-fest with great golf witnessed. Cooper birdied 16 to go 1up, but his opponent had other ideas, finishing birdie-birdie to deliver a Coast team hammer blow and a Loss 1 Down
Thank you to all our Caddies and Spectators: Thanks to Mick Kent, Tony Podvorec and Mark Sheedy (who seemed more intent on recruiting for the Masters and looking for golf balls on his local course). And Gums …
Next Sunday we play Wakehurst at The Coast, teeing off at 7.00am
Maurie Rivett – Team Manager 2024
Major Pennant Round 3 – HOME Win 6 to 1
The Major pennants team hosted Hurstville at home on Sunday 18th February 2024. Conditions were very placid again week, and caddies were nervous. There had been a major purge of caddies from last week. Everyone knows that caddies are blamed for mishits, chunked shots and missed putts. Unfair, but that’s life 😉!
Most of our players got off to a good start and went on to good victories, with the contest over by 10.30am. We had a good crowd of spectators who stayed on to watch us get the “W”. Only one match went up 18. The Coast went on to record a solid Win of 6 to 1. We are back in the game!
7 – Wayne Smyth (caddy Paddy Kelly) – Wayne was striking the ball and playing well early, being up by 5 through 9 holes. Wayne was in a hurry to get the job done. He Won 6&5.
6 – Tony Podvorec (caddy Anthony Ragusa) – Tony was glad to have a fellow rooster supporter on his bag this week. He was in a solid fight across the front 9, being down 2 after 9 holes. But the magic finally surfaced, winning a string of 5 holes before his opponent inexplicably shook hands on 16. Match Won 3&2.
5 – Pete Baigent (caddy Simon Laird) – Speaking of people in a hurry, Pete was up by 6 at the halfway mark. It was all over by 12 with a Win of 8&6. That is 2 wins for his first two appearances for this team.
4 – Oliver Young (caddy Gary Kennedy) – Oliver arrived fresh and ready to play but struggled on a tough day for him. He lost some key holes across his middle six holes to finally have a Loss 5&4.
3 – Kevin “Clutch” Isch (caddy Glen Hetherington) – Kevin sacked two of his caddies from last week, and for a while looked like it wasn’t paying dividends. Being 4 down after 8 holes it did not look good. His opponent showed some weakness and Kevin took full advantage winning 5 holes in a row to be 1 up on hole 16. A big crowd had gathered to follow him up 17 & 18. He sunk his par putt on 18 and received thunderous applause that shook the glasses inside the bar area. He Won 1Up.
2 – Merv “Rocky” Danne (caddy John Wachman) – Merv had his favourite towel draped across his shoulders. He played steady golf early to see him in front by 3 at the halfway mark, and went on to Win 4&3. A strong win.
1 – Cooper Smith (caddy Scott Knowles) – Cooper shook hands with his opponent on the 1st tee, and that was about as close as they were all day. Coops absolutely punished someone that had had a “big night”, who walked off before finishing the 12th hole to catch an Uber home, delivering a Win 8&6
Thank you to all our caddies again. You do a great job every week. Its always great to have more caddies than we need. We appreciate each and everyone of you! We also saw a large crowd of spectators out again. The boys love it!
Spectators: Tony and Deb deK, Scott Haywood, Gums, Bruce Jennings, Deb and Steve McDermott, Mark Millican, Gary Peppard, Ben O’Neill and Sebastian, Daniel McNeill, Doug Wesney and apologies to anyone I missed.
Next week we play Hurstville at Hurstville GC, teeing off at 11.00am
Maurie Rivett
Major Pennant Round 2 – HOME Loss 4 to 3
The Major pennants team hosted Asquith at home on Sunday 11th February 2024. Conditions were as near perfect as you get at The Coast, which was a pity. We always look forward to freaking out our opposition with the help of our coastal breezes.
We had a large crowd of spectators, but even that wasn’t enough to get the “W”. All matches were close with two groups going up 18, splitting those results, with Asquith prevailing on the day handing us a Loss of 4 to 3.
Reserve – Wayne Smyth (caddy Glenn F Grainger) – Wayne was 1up through 9 and ground his opponent to a WIN 4&2. A pity we didn’t get see more of this game
7 – Paddy Kelly (caddy Doug Wesney) – Paddy played Asquith’s captain again this week had a job to contain him, being -2 through 8 holes and ended with a Loss 3&2
6 – Pete Baigent (caddy Jarrod Sharrock) – This was Pete’s first game and used an “import” as his caddy. He was 1 down through 8 holes, and steadied the ship to Win 2Up. He finished with a birdie, which earned him the point and a “team fine” for showing off in front of the clubhouse. Welcome to the team, Pete!
5 – Oliver Young (caddy Gary Kennedy) – This game was close all day, being 1up early and going 1down with a poultice of halves across the back before ending with a Loss 1 Down on 18. Welcome to the team Oliver – he hasn’t played Major pennants for 35 years, but he has upgraded his clubs from hickory shafts.
4 – Tony Podvorec (caddy Simon Laird) – This was another close one all day which seesawed both sides of Even all day. His match finished on 17 with a Loss 2&1. An investigation has been opened into the caddy’s “Rabbitohs” water bottle being placed in Tony’s bag. I didn’t see the problem.
3 – Kevin Isch (caddy Glen Hetherington, Freddie plus dog) – Another tight game through the front 9 with Kev improving once he had “three” on his bag. He wasn’t happy losing last week and he pulled away for a solid Win 4&2
2 – Merv Danne (caddy John Wachman) – Merv also managed to shrug off a loss last week, going 2Up early and finishing with a Win 3&2. A strong win.
1 – Cooper Smith (caddy Ray Macey) – Cooper faced off against Asquith’s club champion, who had a win over Conrad the previous week. Unfortunately, Coops was 3 down after 9, and grafted away till eventually heading to Loss 3&2
Thank you to all our caddies again. You do a great job every week. We saw a huge cast of spectators out and about today. Thank you, the boys always appreciate it.
Spectators: Gums, Robert Simpson, Ragu, Steve Day, Capt NoFun, Daniel McNeill, Bruce Jennings, Jason Eccleston, Gary Peppard, Trevor Jay, Deb & Steve McDermott, Carl, Bruce Dominish and apologies to anyone I missed.
Maurie Rivett – Team Manager 2024
Major Pennant Round 1 – Away Loss 4.5 to 2.5
The Major pennants team travelled to Asquith on Sunday 4th February 2024. Conditions were “hot, hotter and humid”. It is a beautiful course. All games were played in good spirit, but Asquith prevailed on the day with a strong team that made the Semis last year, and won the contest 4.5 to 2.5
Reserve – Gary Kennedy (caddy Bruce Dominish) played in the Reserve position for a fighting 2&1 Win, after being 3 down at the turn. He hung in there, played some great golf and got the job done. Welcome to the team, Ranger Gary!
7 – Wayne Smyth (caddy Pete Baigent) Wayne was gone! His towel was wet through after 3 holes and was down 5 after 9 holes. With Pete’s help, I think we witnessed the “2nd Coming”. Some inspired shots saw him claim a Half on the 18th hole.
6 – Paddy Kelly (caddy Doug Wesney) – The old firm of Kelly&Wesney announced they were back in town, and not to be messed with. This was no tired rendition of Piano Man we saw, but a gutsy lead of +2 at halfway, our only player to be in front at this stage. Paddy had that “Eye of the tiger” look in his eye, and a large crowd on 18 which saw him hang in for a solid 1Up victory. It was worth returning home for his golf shoes after all (fine!).
5 – Simon Laird (caddy Eamonn Laird) – Simon had a great tussle all day spurred by an imported Irish caddy on his bag and memories of his first golf Trophy in the cabinet at Ashburn. He was only 1 down at the turn but his opponent went up another gear to hand Simon a Loss 4&2.
4 – Kevin Isch (caddy Glen Hetherington) – Kev struggled in the first 9 holes, being 4 down at the turn. He had a strong opponent and he managed to hold his own for a few more holes before finally going down 5&4
3 – Merv Danne (caddy John Wachman) – Merv did enough sweating for the whole team and ran into a guy that was solid all day. He stayed with him for several holes before slipping a few to be 3 down at the turn, and finally succumbing to a Loss 5&4.
2 – Cooper Smith (caddy Ray Macey) – Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Coops’ opponent was a solid player all day and they were All Square after 8 holes. It was tight all the way down the stretch, Coops being 1 down at 14 … he fought back to be Square at 17, banging balls solidly into the back of the cup on 16 & 17. He found the fairway off the tee on 18, his opponent did not, and went on to Win 1Up to thunderous applause from a big crowd on 18.
1 – Conrad Weber (caddy Glenn F Grainger) – This was a contest of two club champions. The Asquith champ was merciless on the putting greens going 5Up after 7 holes. Conrad steadied the ship for a while but finally went down 6&4. Enjoy your rest next week!
We were treated to a song by the Asquith boys in their Captain’s speech. Cooper is threatening return of serve next week. Thank you to all our caddies on a tough day. It was great to see some travelling spectators – Gums, Robert Simpson, Tony Podvorec and major sponsor, Bruce Jennings.
Maurie Rivett – Team Manager 2024
