2023 MEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROUNDS ONE AND TWO
Over the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of October the first two rounds of the Men’s Club Championships were decided with a perfect day on Saturday and cool conditions on Sunday.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
The Pascoe Cup winner, Alister Miles, continued his good form and went on a “Birdie Blitz” against Ludwig Esterhuysen and moved through to the Semi-Finals where he will be up against the number 4 seed Anthony Joseph who had a hard fought victory against the tenacious David Southam.
Ludwig and Dave will play one another in the Semi Finals of the Minor Championship.
On the other side of the draw the 2022 Pascoe Cup winner (and no 2 seed) Tristan Geerlings did not have things all his own way against the enigmatic Andrew Ogilvie. A comedy of errors on the 17th saw the match remain 1 up in favour of Andrew. Tristan won the last and was too good on the first hole of overtime.
He will now face the number 3 seed Ajay Dhadli who overcame Aidan Cooper 3/2.
Andrew and Aidan will now meet one another in the Semi-Finals of the Minor Championship.
So, the Club Championship semi-finalists have been decided and will do battle next Saturday morning. For the first time in a while the top four seeds will play off for positions in the Final.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS – SATURDAY 28TH OCTOBER
8.00am (1) Alister Miles vs (4) Anthony Joseph
8.07am (2) Tristan Geerlings vs (3) Ajay Dhadli
MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP
MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS – SATURDAY 28TH OCTOBER
8.14am (8) Ludwig Esterhuysen vs (5) Dave Southam
8.21am (6) Andrew Ogilvie vs (7) Aidan Cooper
“A” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP
It was good to see a few new faces playing off in the “A” Grade Championship. Brendan Jones, Keedan Nelles, Brayden Blackham, and Mark Matthews.
In the first round Steve Noske overcame Brendan Jones 4/3 and met Paul Baster in the second round. In a very close run affair Paul won on the 20th hole
Stewart Wharton was taken to the 19th by Grant Evans and moved into the second round where he faced Callum White who had beaten Keedan Nelles on the last hole – 2up.
In a seesawing affair it was left to Stewart to overcome his disappointment of 2022 to move into the semi- finals where he will face Paul Baster.
The evergreen Ian MacDonald played outstanding golf to beat the effervescent John Samuels in the first round and played newcomer Brayden Blackham in the second round who had put paid to Mark Matthew’s chances with a convincing 6/5 victory.
Ian was too solid and after a good fightback by Brayden, Ian prevailed 2/1.
Rehan Alikhan was up against his good friend Gary Hing in the first round and “snatched victory from the jaws of defeat” – 1 up.
His opponent in the second round was Tim Bryant who had a 1 up victory over John Venner in the first round. The six shots he received proved crucial.
Rehan had it in the bag when he was dormie 3, but a 3 putt on the 16th hole saw Tim still in the game. Tim won the last two holes for the match to go into overtime with Tim prevailing on the 20th after Rehan had made a meal of it.
So, would it be Tim Bryant or Ian MacDonald who would proceed to the Final? A mouthwatering encounter.
“A” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS – SATURDAY 28TH OCTOBER
8.28am (1) Paul Baster (13 H’cap) vs (4) Stewart Wharton (8 H’cap)
8.35am (15) Ian Mac Donald (12 H’Cap) vs (11) Tim Bryant (12 H’Cap)
“B” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP
After a convincing win on Saturday against Bevan Lawrence, the number one qualifier and CG Dudley Cup Winner, Luke Bai, came up against Brian Stuart who had been a regular qualifier in recent years. In a close affair young Luke came out the winner.
Luke will now play Dave Bennett who after a first round win against Tony Cowan received a walkover in round two from Bruce A. Palmer who had fallen ill overnight.
The 2022 Runner – up, John Sheridan won his first round match against Jimmy Smith but went down to a very much in form Joe Alexander in round two.
Newcomer Oliver Bisschops moved confidently into the semi-finals with two good wins over Ako Futaesuko and Greg Paddon and will now play Joe Alexander in the other semi-final.
WARNING – Look out Joe!!
“B” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS – SATURDAY 28TH OCTOBER
8.42 am (1) Luke Bai (20 H’Cap) vs (12) Dave Bennett (20 H’Cap)
8.49am (10) Oliver Bisschops (20 H’Cap) vs (3) Joe Alexander (16 H’Cap)
“C” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP
The quarter – finals were held on Sunday and first time qualifier Benjamin Fitzgerald was taken to the last hole by another new face Oliver Chappell.
Benjamin will face Chris Glynn after Chris defeated the “Money Chairman”, John Mitchell 3/2.
Perpetual finalist, Angus Johnson, took Peter Glass to the 17th but could not proceed any further. Peter Glass – 3/1.
And then the match of the day was ultimately won by Ray Badnall when his opponent, Wayne Trumble, unfortunately made a mess of the final hole.
So, it is Glass versus Badnall in the second semi-final.
“C” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS – SATURDAY 28TH OCTOBER
8.56am (1) Benjamin Fitzgerald (24 H’cap) vs (4) Chris Glynn (25 H’cap).
9.03am (2) Peter Glass (24 H’Cap) vs (6) Ray Badnall (22 H’Cap)
THE FINALS
In a big weekend of golf. the finalists for the men will be decided on Saturday 28th October and the Club Championship Finals for both men and women will be held on Sunday 29th October and we hope that all members will come up and support the finalists, both Men and Women.
Presentations will take place after play – around 5.00pm.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL SEMI-FINALISTS
Editor’s Note – Only one of the Semi-finalists from 2022 will play in this year’s Semi-Finals – Dave Bennett who was in “C” Grade last year and is now in “B” Grade.
From – Greg Fitzhardinge
