At a superbly presented Kooyonga on Mon 20 November, on a hot and humid day, Tea Tree Gully won yet another SA Senior Pennant final over The Grange, 4&3. This was a rematch of last year’s finalists, but this year Tea Tree Gully got a real fright, with Grange taking it right up to Tea Tree Gully and looking likely winners at various stages with the result coming down to the 18th with Grange having a chance in the deciding last match.
Everything was even after nine with each side leading in three matches and one tied. Grange got their bottom three players home but John Davey, again in super form, accounted for Grange number 1, Eric Lane, to claw one back for the defending champions. The reliable Chris Everett won his match and it looked like the result would hinge on the number four match between Jim Richards from TTG and Grange’s Peter Sossic. They were square through nine but then Richards (coming in under a slight injury cloud) played some inspired golf, making birdie on the short 14th after a tee shot that trickled back very close to the hole and a magnificent bunker shot to millimetres from the hole at 15. Richards was now 3 up and won 16 to claim the win 4&2.
But the result was far from over; with the pressure mounting and being reflected in the play, in the only live match left, Norm Cordina from TTG had been leading Kym Meyer comfortably 4up after 12, but struck some real troubles over the next few holes and all of a sudden on the 16th tee he was 1up. Cordina won the 16th but then found the deep bunker left of the fairway off the tee at 17; then the greenside water hazard to lose the hole.
A crowd had gathered on the 18th hole sensing a possible upset. Meyer hit a good drive down the left side of the fairway. Cordina hit what was his worst drive for years, failing to make the fairway. His second was a terrific recovery to finish just short of the green. Meyer caught one of the green side bunkers. Cordina played a great pitch to a little over a metre from the hole. The pressure was really on Meyer to make par and leave Cordina to hole his shortish putt for the half but unfortunately he failed to clear the lip of the bunker and it was all over as Cordina was 1 up and TTG had escaped with a hard fought win 4 matches to 3.
Tea Tree Gully have now been winners in all 11 years that Senior Pennants have been played in SA which is a remarkable feat for this strong and close knit club and an ongoing challenge for all the others.
Again, the competition had the sponsorship of Paradise Motors Mazda, who were represented by Mr Kevin Bew at the Presentation Dinner, and all SA senior golfers who participate are most grateful for their generous support.
Tea Tree Gully 4 v The Grange 3
|
Tea Tree Gully |
The Grange |
Result |
|
John Davey (w) |
Eric Lane |
6&5 |
|
Norm Cordina (w) |
Kym Meyer |
2up |
|
Chris Everett (w) |
Bill Winslow |
5&4 |
|
Jim Richards (w) |
Peter Sossic |
4&2 |
|
Marty Miller |
Daryl Nathan (w) |
7&6 |
|
Ian Alexander |
Mark Griffiths (w) |
2&1 |
|
Michael Richardson |
Shane Armor (w) |
6&5 |
The Paradise Motors Mazda Plate winner was Thaxted Park.