On Sunday, June 25, the Winchelsea Golf Club hosted an afternoon tea to celebrate the rare event of the club holding three pennant flags in a calendar year, one for men, one for women and one for juniors.
Pennant players and family members as well as officials from the South Western District Golf Association were invited to attend the presentation of the ladies pennant flag. District officials Sue Hazell and Lyn were happy to attend and said that they had never heard of a club in the district holding three pennant flags in a calendar year. Sue Hazell said they would do some research to see if it has occurred before but even so, to be held by a small club like Winchelsea was truly remarkable.
The junior pennant side won earlier in the year, winning their division in the Trevenen Shield. They then had to play off against the winners of the Westerveld Shield for the Ford Cup. They won that title in a close run match against Barwon Heads 3/2. Both sides played some great golf and in superb spirit for such young competitors. The Winchelsea team was Lockie Bath, Nick Trezise, Cooper Nelson, Holly Kilmartin and Harry Smith.
The Winchelsea ladies side went through the season undefeated and won their flag on game difference from Portarlington. Their flag was presented by Sue and Lyn at the afternoon tea on Sunday. The pennant team for Winchelsea was Elaine Daniels, Carol Stanesby, Sue Cuthbert, Elizabeth Alston, Robyn Vesey, Di Bennett and Chris Thompson.
The men’s pennant side played Queens Park at Geelong Golf Club, they won 5/2. The team was Lockie Bath, who also played junior pennant, Michael Hedger, Andrew Black, Matt Tench, Brent Kahle, Darren Russell and Matt Trezise. Our senior men fielded three pennant sides in 2017 which is quite a feat for a small club like Winchelsea and to secure a pennant win from one of these is remarkable.
President Bernie Perry addressed the gathering, thanking the district officials for attending and presenting the women’s pennant flag, also thanking Michael Hedger and Russell Holmes for their hard work organising and fielding three pennant sides each week. Bernie said it shows what a small club can do with the drive and determination from the members and said the club is heading in the right direction.
A wonderful spread was supplied by the Winchelsea ladies and everyone enjoyed a pleasant afternoon with the pennant players and their family and friends. Sue Hazell said that Winchelsea was a progressive club and was heading into a major program of fairway renovation to improve the condition of the course. This was a great move forward but she said she hoped that we didn’t alter the ‘’quarry’’ hole as she thought it the most unique hole in the district and it always beats her.