Golf SA Pennant Grand Final Previews & Schedule for Simpson Cup (Men's A1) & Sanderson Cup (Women's A1)
The 2016 Golf SA top grade Metropolitan Pennant finals will be held on Sunday 10 July at Glenelg Golf Club.
*Note:the Finals were originally scheduled to be played at Royal Adelaide Golf Club, but due to RAGC being affected by weather conditions earlier this week and with a similar forecast for the weekend the Golf SA Match Committee has decided, in consultation with RAGC, to move the matches to Glenelg GC, who have been less affected.
> Full Schedule for finals at Glenelg > here
> Full Schedule for finals at The Grange > here
For the eighth year running, the state's two premier interclub competitions, the Simpson Cup (Men’s A1) and Sanderson Cup (Women's A1) will be held at the same venue on the same day. In a further celebration of the inter club competitions, Sunday's play will also feature finals for the Pike Cup (Women’s A2) and Men's A2 grades.
In total 24 individual match play contests will be played on the day in what promises to be an exciting culmination of the 2016 Metropolitan Pennant season.
In the Simpson Cup final, Glenelg will play The Grange in what promises to be an enthralling contest.
Third last year, Glenelg finished this season minor premiers and undefeated, notching up six wins and a halve. Glenelg last played in the final in 2009, and on that day went down to The Grange 5-2. Led by undefeated skipper, Anthony Olsen who played in the 09’ final, Glenelg will be looking to secure its 10th title and first flag since 2003.
Their likely team will be; Sam Earl, Ben Layton, Josh Hayes, Jackson Kalz, Anthony Olsen, Ben Hallam and another player up from their Bonnar Cup team to cover spearhead Lachlan Barker (overseas playing commitments).
“The Glenelg Simpson Cup Team have had a very good season winning 6 matches and having a halved match to be unbeaten. Our boys have worked very hard to get to the final and are quietly confident going into Sunday's final against a tough Grange team.” said Glenelg Team Manager Geoff Attenborough
The Grange, champions in 2014, are gunning for their 23rd title. Remarkably Grange has played off in 8 of the past 9 finals for 4 wins and 4 losses and have been a powerhouse team the past decade.
The Grange seven will likely be chosen from the following players; Matthew Lisk, Justin Crowder, Alex Hendrick, Liam Georgiadis, Jack Thompson, Scott Webb, Mark Demasi and Colin Coleman.
“After a slow start to the season the Grange has scraped into the final. Phew! Now that we are there and in good form we are looking forward to taking on the unbeaten minor premiers. Grange Manager Geoff Hendrick said.
This year has been the most even competition in recent memory with so many contests and matches going down to the wire and we expect this final to be yet another cliffhanger!” Hendrick added
When the sides met in round three, Glenelg triumphed 4-3, but in the final without their spearhead Barker, it should result in an even tighter contest.
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In the Women's A1 final, The Grange plays Kooyonga for the Sanderson Cup in what will be a match of youth versus experience.
Defending champions The Grange will be gunning for their 6th title and looking to replicate its 1984-85 seasons when they went back to back.
The Grange will be without number one player Ella Adams due to US playing commitments, but should still field a formidable line-up. The likely team will be Cassidy Evreniadis, Jin-young Yun, Caitlin Roberts, Jean Foo and Louise Glennon.
“The Grange Golf Club Ladies A1 Team had a very impressive line-up of players for 2016 with 3 out of the 6 team players being in the State team. The team has been consistent in their play throughout the season winning all matches bar one which was squared. Team Captain, Jean Foo, is very excited for her team to have made the finals and now looks forward to a very competitive competition on Sunday.” Team Manager Kris Tapp said
Kooyonga will be looking to claim its 37th title and first victory since 2006. Fielding a much more experienced side than their opponents, they will start underdogs but shouldn’t be discounted.
Kooyonga’s team will likely be Lyn McGough, Hayley Hunt, Lisa Brien, Deb Percey and Jodie Deacon.
"Kooyonga's A1 team has played consistent golf this season and is undefeated against Blackwood and Glenelg." said Kooyonga Women’s Captain & Team Manager Merry Frogley
“We are looking forward to the challenge of playing The Grange on Sunday at Glenelg and believe our experience and maturity will assist us as we attempt to win our first flag since 2006". Frogley added
In addition to the final minor round 4-1 win to The Grange, when the sides met in round three, The Grange also triumphed 4.5-0.5. Grange start red hot favourite but anything can happen especially in the middle of winter with tricky conditions scheduled.
Spectators are welcome at Glenelg throughout the day on Sunday to support their respective club sides.
Golf SA will have score boards for each of the four finals, located at the gazebo behind the 9th green. There will also be a sausage sizzle operating at this location with food and drinks available for purchase. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase from the clubhouse Members Bar.
Car parking will be at a premium. We also request that players, caddies, spectators and officials use the Bonython Avenue car park (adjacent the Practice Range) in the first instance, and if full, then utilise the James Melrose Road entry car park. Car park attendants will be on-hand to assist with any overflow parking requirements.
Periodic score updates will be available throughout the day for the top grades via:
Golf SA will also provide updates via the below social media platforms: