Men’s Major Pennants – Round 6 vs St. Michaels at St. Michaels GC.
The final round of the regular season was an opportunity for the Lakes’ lads to test themselves in what was expected to be their toughest assignment. Heatwave conditions were forecast and the ocean views did little to provide relief.
The temperature was matched by the hot start from Evan Kargas who dominated the front 9 in an under par performance, making the turn with a 6 hole advantage. He cruised to a 7 and 5 win.
James Rayner was to be the antithesis however, slipping to 5 down after 9. His opponent maintained his conservative, yet effective course management and closed the match out by a 7 and 6 margin.
The number 5 battle was controlled by the St Michael’s youngster, keeping Tristan Berrett at bay by just a 1 or 2 hole deficit into the back 9. Loose shots at 12, 13 and 14 cost Tristan any chance of a comeback and they shook hands at the 16th.
Sam Beck and Adam Coull had similarly poor starts and the writing was on the wall by the midway point of their matches. Sam was denied 4 and 3 whilst Adam succumbed to his long hitting rival, 7 and 6.
Chris Hartas, on the other hand jumped out to be 5 up after 9 but was given cause for concern after losing the 10th, 11th and 12th holes. He steadied the ship from that point and dramatically saved par on the 17th to triumph 2 and 1.
It was an arm wrestle between two State players at the top position as Josh Armstrong sought to improve the scoreboard for us. He was in control until late in the match where a string of birdies from his opponent allowed him to steal victory at the last hole.
The 5-2 loss sees us facing the Division 1 relegation playoff against Bankstown next Sunday at Riverside Oaks Gangurru. Our survival in the top echelon of men’s pennants will only be assured with a victory and we will be well prepared for a dour contest against the western Sydney team.
1 – Josh Armstrong lost to Harrison Crowe 1 down
2 – Chris Hartas def Sam Costa 2/1
3 – Adam Coull lost to John Lyras 7/6
4 – Sam Beck lost to Weilang Wang 4/3
5 – Tristan Berrett lost to Aidan Powter 3/2
6 – James Rayner lost to Mike Hammond 7/6
7 – Evan Kargas def Keiron Ryan 7/5
Tony O’Rourke (Assistant Manager)
Women’s Major Pennants – Round 6 vs NSW at The Lakes GC
An exciting chip in for eagle on 17 by Xanthe Macklinshaw secured a fantastic 3/2 win over New South Wales in the final round of the 2018 Women’s Pennants season played at the Lakes on Sunday.
With both sides holding 2 wins apiece it came down to the final pairing of Macklinshaw and New South Wales’ teenager, Hannah Park. The match was anyone’s for the taking, and after both players smoked their drives greenside on 17, it became a chip-a-thon for the number ones.
Macklinshaw went first and despite admitting to “not quite getting it,” the inspirational team captain hit her chip shot past the back right pin only to see it roll back down the hill and into the hole.
The eagle gave Macklinshaw a 1 up lead with just the 18th to play. A solid 5 iron on to the front pin on 18 all but put the match beyond doubt, and although Park’s birdie putt rolled agonisingly short, Macklinshaw was not to be denied her win, calmly two-putting to give the team an impressive win.
It was a terrific result having been rolled 5-0 the week before at the New South Wales golf Club.
In the second match at the Lakes on Sunday, a coughing and sniffing Julia Bowen fought back from an early 5dn score to eventually lose on the 16th against Olivia Wilson. However, for team number three, Susie Wiggins, what a difference a week makes.
Last week she couldn’t get anything going against Dana Barriball and lost her match 7/6. But this week, playing on her home course, Wiggins was even par through her round in securing an impressive 3/2 win.
In her first season playing Major Pennants, it was a great way for Susie to finish her debut year.
And while Wiggins was able to bounce back from a loss last week, so too was Tracy Davison. Despite a sore left thumb and wrist, Davison was just too solid for Jess Widarma winning 4/3. Unfortunately it was the same score but a different result for the Lakes’ only teenaged team member, Taylah Ellems. Despite being just 1 down after nine, the 15 year old was unable to take a trick and lost the number five match, 4/3 to Zoe Ticehurst.
While The Lakes Women’s Pennants Team fell just short of a place in next week’s semi finals, they have performed admirably given the loss of their number one and three players from 2017. Chizuru Ueda turned professional and Yuka Lin unexpectedly returned home to Taiwan late last year.
Congratulations to all team members for their never say die attitude against much fancier opponents this year. The win on Sunday was a recognition and just reward for the effort displayed over the past six weeks.
It has been a pleasure managing such a professional and committed team.
Liz White
Manager
Ladies Friday Grade Pennants – Round 4 vs Bayview at Cromer GC
The Lakes fielded its strongest team this week as we went up against an in form side, Bayview, at Cromer.
Sadly we lost 3/2. Tarina had a solid 4/3 win and Jane won on the 18th. Viv was unlucky not to square her match after some good golf by both players. Currently we remain in first position but that will change as next week we are hosting the competition. Again we must thank our fabulous caddies, Kim Preston, Glenda Bones and Chris Foote.
Jane Taylor
