The Lakes started of their Interclub challenge for 2019 against Elanora at home on Sunday 5th May, 2019.
The task of playing a team at home is never easy so it was very pleasing to get a 5-3 victory to start the season.
James Hawkes kicked us off for the season at number 8. He knew he was in for tricky day when the first thing he did of note was to reverse into a boulder in the Elanora car park in the darkness…He then preceded to lose the first 4 holes to an opponent that defied his position in the team at 8 with an absolute clinic of ball striking and was 4 down after 9. James hung around but pars weren’t good enough to make a dent or unsettle his opponent. A rally on the back 9 was short-lived as he went dormie 3 down after losing to a great par on 15. James then won 16 & 17 to take it down 18 where 2 great shots from his opposite number enabled him to get his par and close out the match 1up.
Michael Smith made his debut for the club this weekend. Never having played the course and disregarding course notes provided, Michael decided to take driver on the first. “This decision didn’t go my way and was duly noted”.
The match proceeded in a win or lose type fashion with the first halve coming on the 8th. After clawing back some dominated stroke play from his opponent he managed to make the turn at 1 up. Michael went on to post 3 pars and a birdie leaving the match at 3 up with 4 to play. Feeling the pressure of closing out in his first match, Michael went on to lose 15,16 and 17. Michael held his composure though and managed to win the tough 18th finishing hole to go 1up. Well done Michael.
At No.6, Marc O’Brien was a little worried when he was flushing shots on the range. “This is usually a bad sign!”. Marc decided to leave the driver in the car but still had no problems finding the trees on the first, and some solid play by his opponent quickly saw him 2 down through 2. The match remained close with a bit of back and forward and they found themselves all square going down 18. With a 6 foot putt for the win, Marc was walking it in, however it shaved the hole and the match was halved.
Shane was another player making his debut for the club this week at number 5. Shane found himself a couple down early on but hung around never giving up. Unfortunately his opponent was too good finishing the match 2 and 1.
At number 4 my match was tightly contested all day. Birdie at 8 and a scrambling par at the 9th saw me turn 1 up. My opponent made birdie at the 12th to get it back to square with my birdie putt narrowly missing. My opponent took the lead on the next hole after a poor bogey from me. I managed to hit it stiff on 14, which allowed me to get it back to square. My opponent won the 15th with the most unlikely up and down holing a 10 foot down hill slider. Fortunately I was able to win 16, square 17 and win 18 with a pretty solid par to win the match 1up.
Mark had the very unusual situation where his opponent didn’t turn up. The easiest win he will have all season!
Nick Happell was playing Number 2 this week. Nick’s opponent took a little time to get going – he arrived at the course when the group started the walk down the first fairway – with this Nick got off to a fast start, making his way to 3 up after 6 holes. Standing on the 17th tee, Nick held a 1 up lead which was maintained after the hole was halved in birdies. A severely plugged ball at the base of the green side bunker left an impossible up and down for Nick, his opponent went on to make his par securing a halved match.
Tony O’Rourke started the day in typical Tony fashion with his 3m chips next to the green and one legged squats with foot to knee. I was always confident in Tony getting the win today as he told me “my stretching went well this morning”.
Tony’s match was close on the front 9 which saw him turn 1 down after some dodgy putting. He managed to settle in on the back 9 with 6 pars and a birdie to close him out 3/2. Well done Tony.
We take on Bonnie Doon in two weeks at Kogarah golf course on Sunday 19 May, 2019.
Daniel Deverich
Team Manager