Golf SA Pennant Grand Final Previews
Simpson Cup (Men's A1) & Sanderson Cup (Women's A1)
The 2018 Golf SA top grade Metropolitan Pennant finals will be held on Sunday 15 July at The Grange Golf Club.
> Full Schedule for finals at The Grange here
For the tenth 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 competition, Sunday's play will also feature finals for Women’s A2 (Pike Cup) 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 2018 Metropolitan Pennant season.
In the Simpson Cup final, Glenelg will play The Grange in what promises to be an enthralling contest.
Glenelg is chasing a three-peat, trying to emulate Tea Tree Gullies run from 2010-12 and The Grange 2007-2009.
They will be looking for their 12th title and after finishing third in 2015, haven't been beaten since, undefeated in their past 23 matches and dominating the competition.
The door has been left slightly agar for The Grange, as Glenelg will be without undefeated star players Jack Tanner and Jack Buchanan who are both in the US competing in the IMG Academy Junior World Championships.
The Glenelg final seven will be chosen from the following players; Jackson Kalz, Josh Hayes, Frank Vucic, Ben Layton, Harry Burner, Anthony Olsen, Michael Munn, Simon Gallie.
After toiling so hard to reach this seasons Simpson Cup Final, The Glenelg team is ready and looking forward to the challenge. This should be a quality match given the playing talent from both sides, and while we have enjoyed a successful season thus far, our respect for the Grange team is very strong. We will be striving to retain the Cup, and expect a really tight contest.” said Team Manager Gary Thompson.
The Grange, champions in 2014, are gunning for their 23rd title and after finishing third last season, have won five matches and halved another from the seven rounds.
Nick Thompson has been the team’s best performer winning six from six, while Liam Georgiadis with five wins and a loss, has also been a key contributor this season.
The Grange final team will be chosen from the following players; Jack Thompson, Liam Georgiadis, Colin Coleman, Nick Thompson, Riley Marshall, Brad Stenner, Mark Demasi and Alex Hendrick.
“The Grange team is looking forward to playing Glenelg in the 2018 Simpson Cup final on the East Course of the Grange Golf Club. Our team is at full strength and all players are in good form. We are confident that we will match up well against the equally strong Glenelg line-up. The East Course will be in great condition and will provide a good test for all players. We expect that the final will be played in the right spirit and that it will be a tight contest.” said Grange Team Manager John Windsor.
When the sides met in round three, Glenelg triumphed 7-0, but the make-up of both sides is markedly different. It should be an epic final.
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In the Women's A1 final, The Grange plays Glenelg for the Sanderson Cup in what is expected to be a gripping final.
The Grange will be gunning for its fourth title in a row and eighth premiership overall.
In the past six seasons, The Grange has won 31 matches, halved one and lost four, they are a formidable outfit.
The Grange team has won all of its six contests this season 4-1 and despite being without number one player Jin-young Yun, who is competing in the US, they will field a strong team.
The likely line-up being; Caitlin Roberts, Cassidy Evreniadis, Louise Glennon, Jean Foo, Amelia Whinney.
“The Grange Sanderson Cup team has again had a very successful season being the only side that has won all 5 rounds as well as winning the Semi Finals to go forward into the Finals this coming Sunday at Grange. These wins do allow us to feel confident but also very respectful of the Glenelg team that are always tough competitors. The team led by Captain Jean Wei Foo is looking forward to a great challenge with confidence that we can with the title once again.” Team Manger, Kris Tapp said
Glenelg will be looking to claim its 22nd title and first since victory in 2014 when it won three in a row. Glenelg won three matches this season 5-0 so when all players are up and firing they are hard to beat.
Glenelg’s team of five will come from the following players; Charley Jacobs, Elysia Yap, Sarah Crocker, Shakira-Ann Kuys, Josie Gale and Matilda Wheare.
“Glenelg will be trying so hard on Sunday to stop Grange’s run of recent titles. We know it will be a great battle and believe we can do it this year with all our girls playing great golf at the right time of the season. The girls are hungry for the win and very committed and focussed to make it our turn in 2018. It should be a great contest.” Team Manager Jill Hodge said.
When the sides met in round two, The Grange triumphed 4-1 with four matches decided on the 17th and one going the distance. With the winner only requiring three wins to claim the title, this could go either way.
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Spectators are welcome at The Grange Golf Club throughout the day on Sunday to support their respective club sides with the Members Bar & Bistro open for drinks, snacks and meals.
One presentation will be held at the conclusion of all matches in the Grange Room
Car Parking can be accessed from White Sands Drive but will be at a premium, so spectators are encouraged to carpool
Periodic score updates available throughout the day via:
> Golf SA Website Pennant page
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The remaining Golf SA Pennant Finals on Sunday 15 July will be held at Flagstaff Hill Golf Club.
> Full Schedule for finals at Flagstaff Hill here
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Team of Year
For the second year in a row, in conjunction with News Corp, Golf SA will be naming the 'TEAM OF THE YEAR' for the Sanderson Cup (5 players + res) and Simpson Cup (7 players + res) to be published in this weekends Sunday Mail – Sun 15 July and via Golf SA Social Media.