After the wintery, unpleasant conditions of 2021, a cool but fine day greeted the 30 pairs on Sunday 28th August to compete in the Club Foursomes Championship over eighteen holes, with the Gross winners being presented with the R. L. Newman Tray and the Nett winners also recognised with the Nett Championship Trophy.

The Club Foursomes Championship was first played in 1969 and after a break of three years recommenced in 1973 when club stalwart Bob Newman presented the perpetual trophy to the club. Bob was best known as Tournament Director of the Nedlands Masters over many years and an “A” Grade Pennant player.

This year’s event was once again sponsored by Past President Ian Macdonald (APC Group) and we thank Ian for the fantastic contribution he makes to the club each year not only for this event but other events and Senior Pennants. Unfortunately, Ian was unable to play this year due to a prior commitment but took the time to present the winners with their trophies.

So, who would be the 2022 Champions?

GROSS CHAMPIONSHIP – R. L. NEWMAN TRAY

Before the day started, and in the absence of the defending Champions Anthony Joseph and Ken Hall, the favoured pairings were Ben Cullinan/David Rees (2 H’Cap), Captain Stewart Wharton/Andrew Ogilvie (4.5 H’Cap) and Dave Southam/Shane Maloney (7 H’Cap.) But as we saw in 2021, favourites do not always come out on top in Foursomes – such is the nature of the game.

Ben Cullinan and David Rees started from the first. After turning 3 over they bogeyed the 12th and 13th and a par on the 14th saw them 5 over with four holes to play. With a birdie opportunity awaiting on the 15th disaster struck and the resultant triple bogey seven saw them slip to 8 over with three holes to play. A birdie on seventeen and par on eighteen followed and they finished the day 7 over the card – 79.

All they could do now was sit and wait.

Stewart Wharton and the effervescent Andrew Ogilvie started their newly formed partnership from the first with a double bogey. A further three bogeys followed in the next 4 holes and they were 5 over after 6, and not looking good. Looked like curtains for this pairing.

They settled down and with 5 holes left they were 6 over. Then as happens in foursomes a triple bogey from nowhere. Now 9 over with 4 holes left. Four pars followed and they signed for 81.

Playing alongside them were Dave Southam and Shane Maloney. After their first nine they were 4 over the card and in with a chance. Three bogeys over the next 6 holes, and they also were 7 over. A par, followed by a double on their penultimate hole and a par at the last resulted in a score the same as their playing partners. – 81.

So, what was the rest of the field doing?

Damon Watkins and Andrew Frazer put together equal nines of 41 for an overall 82.

Finally, there were the Dumbles – Matt and Steve (H’Cap 8.5) who were considered an outside chance at the beginning of the day.

Starting from the eighth, they too were 3 over after 9 holes. Four bogeys over the next 7 holes saw them slip to 7 over the card with the 6th and 7th to negotiate. A birdie on the 6th got them back to 6 over. A par at the final hole – the 7th – would have sealed victory. A bogey was the result and now they were tied for the lead at 7 over.

A countback was now necessary to separate Matt and Steve Dumble from Ben Cullinan and David Rees. The countback went in favour of Matt and Steve and they were crowned the Foursomes Champions for 2022.

LEADERBOARD

Matt and Steve Dumble                                  40.39 = 79

Ben Cullinan and David Rees                         39.40 = 79

Dave Southam and Shane Maloney                40.41 = 81

Stewart Wharton and Andrew Ogilvie           41.40 = 81

Damon Watkins and Andrew Frazer              41.41 = 82

So, after a very closely run affair congratulations to our newly crowned Foursomes Champions-

Matt and Steve Dumble – a well-deserved victory.

 

 

NETT FOURSOMES CHAMPIONSHIP

The defending champions were Cory Mann/Andy Roberts (16 H’Cap) and they were joined by previous winners in the field including Martin/Brady Morris (2016 and 11 H’Cap) and Dave South Southam/ Shane Maloney (2019 and 7 H’Cap).

Suffice it to say that the Morris combination and the defending champions had a day they would prefer to forget. If you wish to know their scores, they are available on the Golf Club Website.

On the other hand, Dave Southam and Shane Maloney were the best of the previous winners with 74 and in 9th position overall.

It was nice to sees some new members playing in the Foursomes Championship – and even better it was good to see they enjoyed the day and scored well.

Enthusiastic members Rob Kneale and Carlo Bevilacqua (16.5 H’Cap) led early in the piece with 71.5. They led on a countback from evergreens Joe Alexander and Ron Parkin (16.5 H’Cap) and relatively new members Ross Williams and Theodore Wilson (24.5 H’Cap). Amy Katz and Scott van Heurck (13.5 H’Cap) were next on 72.5.

And then came along one of the last cards submitted to knock Rob and Carl out of the gold medal position – 66.5 by Peter Morgan and Stuart Gicquel (H’Cap 18.5).

Save for the 3rd and 12th holes, which were not to their liking (2 double bogeys), they showed the rest of the field a clean pair of heels winning by 6 shots – a remarkable effort. That is how you play foursomes!!

LEADERBOARD

Peter Morgan and Stuart Gicquel                   32.75 and 32.75 = 65.5

Rob Kneale and Carlo Bevilacqua                  37.75 and 33.75 = 71.5

Joe Alexander and Ron Parkin                       37.75 and 33.75 = 71.5

Ross Williams and Theodore Wilson             32.75 and 37.75 = 71.5

Amy Katz and Scott van Heurck                    34.25 and 38.25 = 72.5

NOTE – Matt Dumble and Steve Dumble had 71 nett.

Congratulations to the 2022 Nett Foursomes Champions Peter Morgan and Stuart Gicquel

Appreciation once again is extended to our Sponsor APC Group and Ian Macdonald, the course staff, pro shop staff and house staff for making the day a success for the 58 players in this year’s Foursomes Championship.

Roving reporter’s observations-;

 Stats from the cards of the top 5 gross and nett pairings show-

 GROSS     4 Birdies   47 Pars            34 Bogeys        3 Double Bogeys        2 Triple Bogeys

 NETT…  3 Birdies     28 Pars            36 Bogeys        20 Double Bogeys      3 Triple Bogeys

 Make what you may of those stats but they show one thing – Foursomes is a difficult game – but fun if the “sorry” word does not get a mention.

Once again congratulations to all who played and in particular to our Champions. Special commiserations to the Gross Runners Up, Ben and David who must rue the triple bogey on the 15th.

From – Greg Fitzhardinge