Bonnie Doon will square off against Concord Golf Club for the Division 1 Srixon Metropolitan Major Pennant Championship for 2016 after a dramatic semi-final day at Glenmore Heritage Valley Golf Club.
While Bonnie Doon disposed of Moore Park in their semi-final contest 5 matches to 2, the clash between Concord and Castle Hill went right to the line. The match between Mark Thomson of Castle Hill and James Gleeson of Concord decided the result after Gleeson made a 5ft birdie putt on the 20th hole to take the win and the match for the inner Western Suburbs club, 4 matches to 3.
Concord’s other winners were Joshua Gadd 4&3 over Patrick Idquival, Brandan Biddle 2&1 over Rodney McDonald and Jac Delaney 5&4 over Stephan Bevan, while Namchul Kim, Sam Nasharr and Daniel Gale all had wins for Castle Hill.
A relieved Concord Manager Ray Younan was over the moon with the performance.
“We’ve had some really tough opponents through the sectional matches. It’s been just one putt here and there. They’re a team with all heart. What Can I say!”
Concord lifted the Eric Apperley Shield last year with a team similar to this, and now they’re in the club’s first Major Pennant final for a number of years. The commitment to one another drew praise from Younan.
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“These boys have just gelled so well. They’re from all over the state, Dubbo, Penrith, Woy Woy, they’re so cohesive, it’s great to see them growing up, showing maturity and team spirit. It’s fabulous.”
The feeling of the members at Concord is sky high, and the team is expecting plenty of support in the final at Terrey Hills in two-week's time.
“I’ll guarantee we’ll have a big turn out for the finals,” Younan Laughed.
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Bonnie Doon made easy work of a gallant Moore Park in their semi-final with a 5 matches to 2 result.
The Eastern Suburbs club were out of the blocks very quickly against their near neighbours with the lower order of Greg Bell, Kurt Burns, Jack McLeod and James Greirson all winning in a comfortable manner.
Clancy Bowe grabbed a win for Moore Park in his match against Mitchell Gannon, while the remaining matches of Troy Moses against John Betland, and Austin Bautista against Hayden Gulliver were halved.
Bonnie Doon seem intent on making 2016 their year after coming away empty-handed in the finals over the last three years.
Bonnie Doon Team Manager Kevin Dart was happy with the win but also conscious that there was still a match to be played.
“They know what it feels like to be beaten in a final. We wanted a result like this today. It sets a benchmark. It was pretty good.”
Dart is happy too that they have strength from top to bottom in the team.
“We’re really strong down the bottom of the order. Guys like Greg Bell, he’s 55 and I can’t remember the last time he was beaten in a pennant match, and we’ve got a couple of 16 year-olds as well.”
The feeling around Bonnie Doon towards the team and its achievements is growing every day too according to Dart. He’s expecting plenty of members will make the trek to Terrey Hills to support them in a fortnight.
“A bus is being organised to take the supporters up. It’s the first time we’ve done that.”
“There’s a lot more spirit with the members and these guys. They play there every week. It makes a big difference.”
As for the challenge of the final and his team’s confidence, Dart just smiled and said, “I think its our turn, but you never know.”
Division 2
Macquarie Links will take on Pennant Hills for the Division 2 Metropolitan Pennant title after the links caused a big upset by toppling the previously undefeated Monash Country Club 4½ matches to 2½, while Pennant Hills ousted The Lakes by the same margin at Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club.
Winners for Macquarie Links were Luke Arthur, Rodd Hayward, Jason Web and Darren Cummins. While for Pennant Hills Gabriel Ormaechea, Murray Fogarty, Andrew Richards and Jye Forrester picked up wins to book their place in the final in two weeks’ time.
Division 3
Twin Creeks and Cromer will face off in Division 3 after Twin Creeks Routed Dunheved 6 matches to 1 and Cromer accounted for Penrith 4½ to 2½ at Riverside Oaks Golf Resort.
Winners for Twin Creeks were Denis Dale, Christopher Johnston, Kris Hellier,Nicholas Cochrane and Gregory Corban. Winners for Cromer were Shane Floyd, Chris Neville, and James Ponder, with Matthew Grenot grabbing a 19th hole win to seal the win for the Peninsula based club.
Division 4
Eastlake will face Richmond in the Division 4 final after Eastlake defeated Roseville 4½ to 2½ and Richmond defeated Marrickville 5½ to 1½. winners for Eastlake were Robert Farrugia, Joshua Freeman, Andres Michelsen and Kieran Birchall. Winners for Richmond were Mark Drady, Glenn Reynolds, Jason Moss, and Zachary Kirk.
DIvision 5
Bardwell Valley will face Palm Beach in the Divison 5 final. Bardwell Valley accounted for Strathfield 5 matches to 2, while Palm Beach defeated Randwick 4 Matches to 3. Winners for Bardwell Valley were NIcholas Katholos, Joel Dunn,Ian Elliott, and Adrian Adam. Winners for Palm Beach were Mark Upton, Oliver Hugill, Matthew Gordon and Scott Ebsary.
Srixon Women's Major Metropolitan Pennant
NSW Golf Club will play The Australian in the Women’s Division 1 final of the Srixon Women’s Major Metropolitan Pennant final.
NSW easily accounted for Concord in the semi-final played at Riverside Oaks Golf Resort. The highlight for a buoyant NSW team was the return to form of number one player Olivia Wilson, who had a big 5 & 4 win for the La Perouse squad. Other winners were Jihye Park, Dana Barriball and Gemma Dooley.
The Australian scraped through a tight tussle against a gallant Lakes outfit. Claudia Lim proved the difference with her one-up win over Xanthe Macklinshaw. Kirstin Convoy and Jessica Lasky both had 4 and 3 wins for the Kensington team to ensure the win.
Castle Hill will play North Ryde in the Women’s Division 2 final after the Hills team accounted for Ryde-Parramatta 3½ to 1½, and North Ryde accounted for Stonecutters Ridge 3 matches to 2 .
Winners for Castle Hill were Lucy Harris, Karen Romer and Vicki Gale, while for North Ryde, Fiona Montgomery Marlene Meynert and Diedre Davis notched wins.