The Australian Golf Club’s Justin Warren, fresh back from College in the United States, was merciless in his 7&6 victory over Castle Hill’s Namchul Kim, as the Australian demolished Castle Hill in round three of Metropolitan Major Pennant.
Castle Hill, semi-finalists last year had few answers against the Kensington powerhouse. WIns came from Zach Mullins who had a strong 5&4 win over his opponent, Andrew McIntosh, Isaac Noh, Blake Windred and Kevin Yuan.
In Pool One, Bonnie Doon’s defence of their 2016 Metropolitan Pennant crown looks to be over after the Pagewood club lost at home four matches to 3 to Macquarie Links despite a dominant win by newly selected state team member James Grierson 6&5 over Alan Kelly.
The Links Andrew Carter, Lee Zelesco, Darren Cummins and Arthur Luke all posted handy wins to grab the point for the western Sydney visitors.
St.Michaels had little trouble at home against Mona Vale, with a 5 1/2 to 1 1/2 win. Travis Smyth, John Lyras and Jake Baker look like a formidable duo at the top of the team for the Eastern Suburbs club, with comfortable wins.
In Pool Two, 2016 finalists Concord kept on their winning way, with a 4 1/2 to 2 1/2 win at Liverpool. Kenneth Brewer got the team off to a great start with a big 7&5 win to set the tone for the rest of the match.
Pymble bounced back from last weeks’ loss to Liverpool with five games to 2 win over neighbours, Pennant Hills. Craig Green for Pymble led the way with a big 8&7 win. Joining him on the winner's list were Reid Brown, James Conran, Harry Waddington, and Corey Jones.
Pool Four is shaping up as the tightest group in the competition after Long Reef and Avondale both grabbed home course wins.
Long Reef did it hard against a well credentialed Moore Park, coming away with a four to 3 win. Anthony Stocking, Clayton Small, and Mark Cruise all had nice 3&2 wins for the Peninsula side.
Avondale managed to leapfrog Moore Park by 1/2 a match on the table after their five matches to 2 win at home over NSW. Jefferson Fan and his brother Christopher got the North Shore team away with handy 6&5 and 5&3 wins respectively while Matthew Wittenberg had an excellent 4&3 win.
Division Two
Pool 1: Twin Creeks and Stonecutters Ridge are operated by a solitary point from three rounds after both teams recorded wins at home.
Stonecutters had a nice 4 1/2 to 2 1/2 win over North Ryde, with Justin Field the standout with a 6&5 win, while Twin Creeks did it easy against Royal Sydney with a 5 1/2 to 1 1/2 win. Best for Twin Creeks was Nicholas Cochrane with a 5&4 result.
Pool 2: Cromer still holds the lead in pool two despite a 5 to 2 loss to Fox Hills. Jayden Skeet was the pick of the winners for Fox Hills with a 6&5 win.
Muirfield grabbed their first points after a 3 1/2 all draw away from home against Cabramatta. With three of the matches finishing in halves, it was Muirfield’s Damien Crangle who grabbed the win of the day with a 5&4 result. Word is the Muirfield team were pretty thrilled to be able to celebrate their first score with a few Resch’s in the Cabramatta clubhouse afterwards.
Pool 3: Killara sits on top of pool three after a 4 1/2 to 2 1/2 win at home over Monash. Anthony Wray had the win of the day for Killara with a 5&4 result. Bayview was too strong for Lynwood at home, with Robert Jones grabbing a big 7&6 win.
Pool 4: The Lakes didn’t have the easiest of matches at home against Antill Park, only coming away with a 4 to 3 win against the team from Picton. Evan Kargas and James Rayner got the home team off to a good start with 4&3 wins, but it was left to State Team representative Josh Armstrong to deliver the point for the Botany side with his 3&2 win.
Oatlands defeated Cronulla 4 to 3 in a match that featured some dominant wins. Young Park and Bradley Doherty the pick for the home team with 5&3 and 5&4 wins.
Division Three
Pool 1: Manly were too strong for Kogarah 6/1 with Paul Bardetta the biggest winner, 6&4. New Brighton did it easy over Carnarvon 5/2, with New Brighton’s David Horton leading the way with a4&3 win.
Pool 2: Lakeside defeated Cumberland 5/2 while Wallacia were too strong for Wakehurst by the same margin. Lakeside’s Matthew Brinkworth had a 5&4 win, while Wallacia’s John Pagett grabbed a 7&5 result.
Pool 3: Massey Park were too strong for Richmond winning 5/2 despite four games going to the 18th hole, while Camden had no trouble at home against Penrith winning by the same margin. Camden’s Daniel Meldrum the big winner at Studley Park with a 7&6 result.
Pool 4: Dunheved kept their perfect start to the year intact with a 4 to 3 win, with Craig Williams grabbing another 4&3 win. Glenmore Heritage had no answer for Eastlakes away from home. Andres Michelson got the eastern suburbs side off to the best possible start with a 6&5 win.
Division Four
Pool 1: Palm Beach defeated Riverside Oaks with Scott Ebsary and Tom Clinton recording 3&2 wins, while Leonay defeated Roseville 4/3 with Daniel Worthy scoring a 6&5 result.
Pool 2: Jay Mackenzie managed his first game for the year in Northbridge’s 7-nil route of Beverley Park.
Pool 3: Asquith defeated Cammeray 4 1/2 to 2 1/2 James Glendinning and Simon Easton flying the flag for Asquith with 6&5 and 6&4 wins. Bardwell Valley was too strong for Marrickville at home, with Nicholas Katholos leading the way for the Valley with another big win, 8&6.
Pool 4: Warringah trounced Windsor 6/1 with Sam Matheson the pick for the North Shore club with a 6&5 win. Bexley defeated the Coast by the same margin. Bexley’s Wayne Matthews the pick for the inner South West club with a 5&4 win.
Division 5:
In division five, Gordon leads the group after a 5 1/2 to 1 1/2 win over Georges River. Randwick sits 1/2 a game behind them after a 5/2 win over Chatswood. Other winners were Kareela, Strathfield, and Hurstville.