The Golf Australia team has defeated the Australian Defence Force Golf Association in its annual Ryder Cup-style match at The National Golf Club.
The GA team won the first morning’s fourball matches by 4 matches to 2 and followed that up in the afternoon foursomes matches by the same margin.
With an 8-4 lead going into the second day’s 12 singles matches, it was 'nip and tuck' all day and the matches were squared 6 a piece, giving the GA team a comfortable victory.
The GA team featured nine of Australia’s leading senior male players – Mike Peeck (Captain) (Qld), Mark Aberayatne (Vic), Wayne Buick (ACT), Tim Deakin (Qld), Greg Ellis (NSW), Chris Everett (SA), Mark Gatty (WA), Tom Harold (NT) and Bruce Lindner (SA), as well as Australia’s men’s and women’s Mid Amateur Champions, Mark Boulton (Vic) and Louise Mullard (NSW), and Australia’s number one ranked women’s senior golfer Kim Burke (NSW).
The annual event is highly regarded by the ADF personnel, and at a formal dinner after the first day’s play, the GA team gains a greater understanding of the challenges faced by our ADF personnel. Friendships are forged with the ADF opponents and the GA team was treated to some of their personal stories which left teh team in no doubt that it was playing against very brave and special people.
Both teams played their matches in a competitive and friendly manner with every player giving their very best, and everyone agreeing that sometimes the result comes in a distant second when compared to the significance and enjoyment of this special event.
Non-playing vice-captain Adrian Barr and The National Golf Club are to be congratulated on a superb event.