Round 3 – away vs palm beach
Palm Beach (5 – 2) The Coast
The team travelled north to the Palm Beach with a chilly fresh breeze to greet us upon arrival. Opponents this week were expected to bring a much more contested match overall after their strong start at home. The line ups proved that our opponents did some homework making a number of changes to try and match our teams great start to the season.
Reserve Match 8 – Pat Thornton’s match was a tale of two 9s, Pat taking an early lead with some fine steady play got him ahead at the turn which then seemed to spur his opponent into action with a string of wins to level the match. Pat slipped behind with holes running out and eventually losing 2&1.
Match 7 – Ray Macey (with Caddy GFG) faced a tough opponent from the beginning, going up against a longer hitter who managed to avoid much of the tree trouble. This allowed Ray to demonstrate his determination and consistent play, keeping the match close. The greens were hard and very fast, creating numerous challenges throughout the game. As they moved into the back 9, the match remained competitive, but unfortunately, Ray ended up losing 2Down on the 18th hole.
Match 6 – Kev Isch (with Caddy Merv) made his season debut against a home player who was also making his Pennant debut. The match was consistently close, with a few fortunate breaks favouring the home team. The greens were particularly challenging for Kev, affecting his approach shots. The battle continued into the final few holes, but ultimately, Kev fell short, losing 2&1.
Match 5 – Pete Baigent (with Caddy Chris) faced a strong start from his opponent, who was eager to dominate their match. Palm Beach quickly took a 3up lead after the first 6 holes. Pete fought back, narrowing the gap to just one shot. However, the opponent’s local knowledge proved advantageous in the following holes, and Pete ultimately lost 4&3.
Match 4 – Conrad Weber (with Caddy Wacho) faced the undefeated Palm Beach no.1, with the home team aiming to unsettle our ever-cool Club Champion also on his own winning streak. The match was very tight, and Conrad took an early lead, surprising the local no.1. This spurred his opponent to make some big shots, reclaiming the lead after the turn and putting Conrad 1 shot behind after 12 holes. However, Conrad devised a plan of attack, making his move on the 14th to regain the lead and holding onto it all the way to the 18th, ultimately winning 1Up. First point of the day secured.
Match 3 – Cooper Smith (with Caddy Wayne) faced the undefeated Palm Beach no.2, making it a highly anticipated match between two in-form players. The match was incredibly close, with only 1 shot separating them through the first 15 holes. Despite some finely executed shots, Cooper’s trusted putter struggled with the fast and slick greens. However, the captain showcased his accuracy in the final holes, securing a 2&1 victory and banking the second point of the day.
Match 2 – Tony Podvorec (with Caddy Rob Simpson) played in a closely contested match where the lead never extended beyond 1 shot. Both players skilfully navigated the tricky tree-lined holes and slick greens, but a few unlucky bounces made the difference. Tony fought hard, taking the match to the 17th hole, but ultimately fell short, losing 2&1.
Match 1 – Jack Hickey, closing out the order at no.1, started off well in a match that remained close throughout. Jack managed to pull back a 2-shot lead, challenging his opponent as they entered the final 5 holes. However, a wayward tee shot on the 16th hole proved costly, leaving his opponent dormie with 2 to play. The 16th was halved after both players made the green, but Palm Beach ultimately secured the win, 2&1.
All our players should be very proud of their effort and overall performance on a very tricky setup on the greens against strong opponents. We are still in a great position heading into next Sunday’s return match at The Coast.
All matches were played in great spirit. Thank you to Palm Beach for being wonderful hosts. Thanks also to our caddies and everyone who supported us from afar with good luck messages.
We hope you can come out this weekend to support the team as we head into the final three games of the season
ROUND 2 – AWAY VS LEONAY
Round 2 took place at the challenging Leonay course. A huge overnight rainstorm dampened the course and the expected heatwave. The team looked very focused on the tasks ahead, and the atmosphere was positive from the start.
Reserve Match 8 – Kevin Isch led the team this week and continued his fine form, dominating early to secure a great 6&4 win.
Match 7 – Ray Macey (+ Caddy GFG) got off to a great start, taking a solid lead at the turn. His opponent then pegged him back to all square after 12 holes. After making a great half on the 13th, Ray pressed hard and finished off with the shot of the day on the 17th from the left treelined side to seal a 2&1 win.
Match 6 – Merv Danne (+ Caddy Wayne) had a rematch with the same Leonay player who edged ahead early and maintained the lead into the back nine, eventually closing out the match with Merv losing 3&2.
Match 5 – Pete Baigent (+ Caddy Pat) traded blows all day in a match that swung up and down by a shot. Pete fought hard, taking it to the 18th but unfortunately lost 2 down.
Match 4 – Conrad Weber (+ Caddy Wacho) provided a masterclass in match play golf against an opponent who spent more time over his ball than Conrad took to play out the entire hole. Conrad got into an early lead and played deadly shots to secure a great 4&3 win.
Match 3 – Cooper Smith © (+ Caddy George) took on Leonay’s 15-year-old left-handed upcoming star. This match was very close from the start and finished on the 18th with Cooper’s crucial up and down to level it, ending the match All Square. This could be a very valuable 0.5 point by the end of the season.
Match 2 – Tony Podvorec was moved up the order this week and faced the Leonay Captain and their #1. Tony’s preparation and practice rounds at Leonay paid off, taking a 2-up lead into the back nine. He made his opponent try shots that just couldn’t happen, finishing with another great 4&3 win.
Match 1 – Jack Hickey was selected as our #1 this week and produced a round to savor. Under par and with 3 wins secured, we needed one more to make it a memorable away trip. Jack showed his class, winning the 15th and 16th, leaving his opponent with all to do. Jack got the halve on the 17th to close out with a 2&1 victory, giving the Coast that elusive away win we set out to achieve.
All matches were played in great spirit. Thank you to Leonay for a great match.
Thanks to our caddies and amazing supporters Dawn, Rob, Maurie, and Bruce, who came out today to help our players. This was a huge part of the win. Shout out to our sponsors for uniforms and balls; this seems to be a great winning combination so far.
Next week, we are away again, taking on Palm Beach.
Paddy Kelly
Team Manager
Round 1 – Home vs Leonay
The new season of Major Pennants kicked off in very still and warm conditions. Once again, the wind machine was not turned on, welcoming our opponents, LEONAY, to Little Bay in perfect conditions.
Reserve Match 8 – Leading the team out for his first taste of Major Pennants in the Reserve match was Pat Thornton, who continued his fine form from Club Champs and Matchplay with a very comfortable and commanding 4&3 win.
Match 7 – Wayne Smyth lost 4&3 to an opponent making his Pennants debut for the visitors, who made the most of the conditions to claim a maiden victory. It was a tough day for Wayne against a very meticulous player.
Match 6 – Mervyn Danne had a solid 3&2 win in a close game on the front nine and used his experience on the back nine to claim his win.
Match 5 – Pete Baigent picked up where he left off last season with a great 3&2 win. His opponent kept him close right into the back nine, but Pete applied the pressure to stay ahead for his victory.
Match 4 – Tony Podvorec, a player in fine form, continued this with a 2up victory. Tony had a hot start, taking a commanding lead into the back nine. He seemed to have let his opponent back in, who pegged him back after 16, making the match all square. Tony proved that his course knowledge would take out the final 2 holes, earning him a hard-earned point.
Match 3 – Jack Hickey lost 1up in a very up-and-down match. The Leonay player, 15 years of age, laid down the challenge from the 1st with a monster drive down the middle. Both players traded blows all the way to the 18th, with Jack falling just short.
Match 2 – Conrad Weber once again proved to be too strong and dialled in a 5&4 win.
Match 1 – Cooper Smith © took on the Leonay captain also their team number 1. This match was contested with scores fairly close all the way. Cooper muscled his way to a 2up victory.
All matches were played in great spirit. Thank you to Leonay for what was a great first match of our season.
Thanks to our caddies who came out today to help our players. It’s a vital part of the team and very much appreciated.
Thank you to our sponsors, club operations team, kitchen team, greens team – the course was perfect, the members who came out to support on the course, and Club Captain Tony & Deb.
This Sunday, Round 2, we are off to Leonay GC. Tee time is 10:00am. If you are available, please feel free to come along and provide support. We look forward to seeing you there.
Paddy Kelly
Team Manager
