Brendan Jones, Keedan Nelles, Callum White, Mark Mathews and Anthony Joseph
The Finals of Men’s Pennants were held on Sunday July 28 at Wanneroo Golf Club and after topping the table in qualifying Nedlands were pitted against Sun City in the 36-hole decider, a team they had convincingly beaten the week before at SUN CITY. So, Nedlands were installed as favorites to take home the flag and earn promotion to Division 2 in 2025 – last played in 2022.
It was an early start for the team as the bus left Nedlands at 6.00 am for a 7.15 start from the 15th tee. Rain was forecast throughout the day and fortunately the promised drenching did not eventuate and play was uninterrupted.
Fast and tricky but true greens faced all players.
In what can best be described as a see-sawing contest the final outcome came down to the 36th hole in 5 out of the 7 matches – with Nedlands winning 2 and Sun City 3. In the end Nedlands prevailed 4/3.
There is no doubt that Keedan Nelles was player of the match with Captain. Alister Miles earning second votes – but more about that later
Here is how the day went for each player
NO 7 – Brendan Jones – (Caddy Sam Gelavis)
Not the start he wanted and was 3 down after 9 holes. At the lunch break he was still 3 down and reduced the deficit by one heading for home.
He rallied over the last 9 and was 1 down with one hole left. After his opponent put his second into a greenside bunker Brendan “drilled” his approach through the green into an awkward lie which proved too much for him and he lost the hole.
A valiant effort coming from so far back
NO 6 – Gavin Parker – (Caddy Greg Parker)
Brought into the team with two rounds to go and won both of those in style, The 1985 Club Champion with the 1989 Club Champion, cousin Greg on the bag proved to be a formidable combination and jumped out of the blocks – 5 up after 9 holes. Took his foot off the pedal and was 2 up at lunch.
Continued to be 2 or 3 up throughout the afternoon and was an impressive 3/1 winner. What a comeback year. Next year Gavin???
No 5 -Callum White – (Caddy Don O’Brien)
There was never much in this all day and after 9 holes he was all square and at the turn he was 1 down
Continued to fight and turned for home with a 2-hole advantage He surrendered the lead late in the last nine and had to win the final hole to send the match into overtime. Unable to do so he went down – 1 down
No 4 – Keedan Nelles– (Caddy Joe Jones)
Undoubtedly the hero of the day and after a slow start – 4 down after 9 holes – 5 down after 18 – went even further behind throughout the day and with 9 holes to play he was still 3 behind. On the 16th hole an errant drive led to him playing a provisional. With the original ball found his opponent played Keedan’s provisional – a wrong ball and loss of hole. Match all square. It would be fair to say his opponent became flustered and made a mess of the penultimate hole– Keedan 1 up. Keedan found the edge of the green with his second and his opponent was 30 metres to the right of the green – a chip to 4 metres for 3. Keedan putted up to gimme length and the match was his – an amazing comeback.
No 3 – Anthony Joseph (Caddy Stewart Wharton)
2 down after 9 holes, Anthony clawed his way back to be 1 up at the break, a lead he held onto through 27 holes. A dour struggle over the final 9 saw Anthony hang on for a well-earned win at the 18th – 1 up.
No 2 – Alister Miles – (Caddy Luke Bai)
Alister was looking to continue his unbeaten record and lead the team to Division 2 in 2025 – and that he did in spades. 4 up after 9 turned into 5 up after 18, A slight lapse saw his lead reduced to 3 with 9 holes left. He then put his foot down and won 3 out of the next 4 holes and a comfortable 6/5 winner.
No 1 – Tristan Geerlings – (Caddy Calum Lindsay)
The current Club Champion was looking to win his match and help the team live the dream of reaping the rewards of elevation to Division 2 in what could well be his last game for the club.
This again was a very tight contest and after 9 holes it was all square and at lunch Tristan was 1 down which increased to 4 down early on in the afternoon, A late rally saw him turn for home 2 down still with work to be done.
He continued that rally and was one down going to the 36th hole. Whilst the scores were 4 games to 2 in Nedlands favour, Tristan wanted to make it 4.5 to 2.5 but could only halve the hole – losing 1 down.
A very good season however – winning 4 of his matches.
In summary –
AFTER 9 HOLES Sun City 4 Nedlands 3
AFTER 18 HOLES Sun City 4 Nedlands 3
AFTER 27 HOLES Nedlands 4 Sun City 3
AFTER 36 HOLES Nedlands 4 Sun City 3
All credit to all of the players and in particular Keedan, and Tristan who came from 3 down and 2 down respectively after 27 holes to win at the final hole.
Celebrations all round and back to the club for more!!
Pennant Manager John Sheridan said after the game “I was more nervous watching the final than I was playing my own golf in Senior Pennants – our mantra was ONE CLUB, ONE GOAL ONE PENNANT”
A special thanks go to the following-
Our Sponsors Cooper and Lourie, Herbalife, IAC, Hermes & Soteria, Dave Bennett and Jon Nicol
A solid core of members ventured to Wanneroo to support the team and Loic de Verteuil will be ecstatic with the win.
A big thanks to all the caddies over the year. The players should certainly buy you all a beer or two!!
Well done to Team Captain Alister Miles (4 wins and one half – undefeated)
And not forgetting the Division 5 team ably led by Scott van Heurck, who finished 3rd. So close and yet so far. There is always next year.
2025 will be a big year for the new Division 2 team and who knows Division One could be on the cards in 2026 or 2027
From – Greg Fitzhardinge and John Sheridan
