Editor’s note – new photo to follow
The Spring Cup was played over the weekend of the 14th and 15th of September and was sponsored by HERBALIFE – courtesy of Gavin Morgan. Special thanks to Gavin for his support of the Club’s oldest Championship.
The Spring Cup was first played in 1935 and 2024 was the 89th year it had been played. This year a field of 89 players participated in their quest for victory.
Previous winners of the Spring Cup who played over the weekend were –Angus Johnson (2008), Gavin Furness (2017 and 2021), Michael du Pont (2022) and the defending Champion Tony Cowan.
ROUND ONE
Saturday was a fine Spring Day with light winds and one expected some good scores to be posted.
However, that was not the case with only five players bettering 36 points – three from the morning and two from the afternoon.
The morning belonged to Peter Miller (11 H’Cap) who starting from the 3rd hole played steadily all day and his two nines saw 19 points come from each – for a total pf 38 points. And not a “wipe” on the card.
Next on 37 points was Gerhard Saueracker (35 H’Cap) who after starting from the 2nd hole, managed an average 15 points from his front nine (including two “wipes”). But then he exploded into action with 22 from the back nine – an excellent effort – 37 points.
And then of course we had the “effervescent” John Samuels (7 H’Cap) who started from the first hole in the Sponsor’s “marquee group”. After starting with a birdie he played steadily on the first nine finishing with 20 points. Things were going well on the back nine until the 15th where an untimely “wipe” stopped his momentum. He regrouped and his final 3 holes saw him have 7 points and a final score of 37 points.
The afternoon belonged to two of our young players, 20-year-old James Russ (11 H’Cap) and 15-year-old Noah Keren (15 H’Cap) who lead the way with 40 points and 38 points respectively.
Starting from the 3rd James completed his first nine with 17 points. The next 6 holes included five 3 pointers and a final 3 pointer on his last hole, the 2nd, saw him come home in 23 points and the overall lead with 40 points – an outstanding effort.
Noah, starting from the 4th, had 1 point after two holes but then his next 10 holes saw him amass 25 points, including 7×3 pointers – amazing. His run was stopped with a “wipe” on the next hole but then a further 2×3 pointers gave him 38 points with his last hole to negotiate. Unfortunately, no points and he signed for 38 points.
At he end of round one the leaderboard looked like this-;
40 points James Russ (11 H’Cap)
38 points Noah Keren (15 H’Cap), Peter Miller (11 H’Cap)
37 points Gerhard Saueracker (35 H’Cap) John Samuels (7 H’Cap)
36 points a further 6 players
35 points a further 7 players
So, with 18 players within 5 points of one another it appeared as though the 2024 winner would come from this group – but one never knows.
Best Gross was Alister Miles with 37 points followed by Callum White 33 points and Brendan Jones 32 points.
Best former Champion was Gavin Furness with 33 points with the defending Champion, Tony Cowan having a day to forget.
ROUND TWO
A fine and warm Spring Day greeted all players for round two. What target would the morning players set for the afternoon?
After having 38 points on Saturday, Peter Miller got off to a shocking start and was out of contention after his first 6 holes.
After 35 points on Saturday, Callum White (2 H’Cap) played consistent golf with 18 points on each nine. – total 71 points. His gross score of 34 coupled with 33 on Saturday gave Alister and Brendan something to chase.
Gerhard Saueracker (35 H’Cap) turned for home with 16 points under his belt and needed something special over his final 9 holes. Another 16 points after the first 7 holes saw him in the mix. His good work was undone with only 2 points over the last 2 holes – 34 points and a total of 71 points. A good weekend but probably not enough to win
Gavin Parker (5 H’Cap) after an average (for him) 33 points on Saturday was not faring well over his first 9 holes after starting from the 8th hole – 15 points. Then he switched on with 23 points on his final 9 which included two birdies and an eagle on the 4th – 38 points and a total of 71 points.
And now to the story of the weekend – Jeff Lane (17 H’Cap). Jeff had 35 points on Saturday and was in contention. Starting from the 8th hole he had a commendable 18 points on his first nine and slipped to one behind 2’s after 2 holes of his last nine. He needed something to happen over his concluding 7 holes – and wow did it happen.
4 points, 2 points, 3 points, 3 points, 3 points – 15 points. And then the 6th where it all came undone – no points after his tee shot went OOB. The final hole was left for him to negotiate and he did that in spades – 2 for 4 – total 40 points and 75 overall. His front nine score card was 23 points with a “wipe”!!! And that deserved a Bowen!
So, would Jeff Lane’s total of 75 points stand the test of time? Time would tell.
After the Morning Field had finished the Leaders were-;
75 points Jeff Lane (17’Hcap)
71 points Gavin Parker (5 H’Cap) Callum White (2 H’Cap)
Gerhard Saueracker (35 H’Cap)
In the afternoon there appeared to be several chances but one by one they fell down the leaderboard.
Those still in contention after 31 holes were-;
James Russ (11 H’Cap) turned for home with 17 points and 3 three pointers started his final 9. And then trouble on the 15th with 0 points and only 1 point on the 16th. So, with 5 holes to play he had 27 points and 67 overall.
Noah Keren (15 H’Cap) did not start his quest for victory the way he had wished for – 0 points on the 4th. He struggled to recover and found himself with 23 points and 61 overall with 5 holes to play and out of winning contention.
John Samuels tried valiantly from his 7 Handicap but could not make any inroads and with 5 holes left was sitting on 26 points and 63 overall.
After 36 points on Saturday, Brett Thomson (11 H’Cap) was going along nicely and with 5 holes left he had 29 points and 65 overall.
Rob Kneale (14 H’Cap) starting from the second jumped out of the blocks early and with 9 points after 3 was right in it. He gave them all back plus some but held on to record 33 points and a total of 69 points.
Enter Steve Forgan (16 H’Cap) who had 36 points on Saturday. Starting from the 7th he started slowly with 5 points after 3 holes and then he let loose – 22 points in the next 8 holes. A blemish on the 9th with one point saw his back nine on the card 23 points. 3 points followed and with 5 holes to play he was 31 points and 67 overall. Could the former Lakelands member hang on for victory?
Leaderboard after 31 holes of the PM Players
67 points Steve Forgan and James Russ
65 points Brett Thomson
63 points John Samuels
76 points was the mark and whilst Brett and John tried valiantly over the concluding 5 holes, it was left to Steve Forgan and James Russ to fight it out but eventually Steve Forgan prevailed and, on his birthday, celebrated his maiden Nedlands victory – an Honour Board event.
Runner-up Jeff Lane will rue the OOB on his penultimate hole – the 6th. That’s golf.
Final Leaderboard
Steve Forgan 36/40 76 points
Jeff Lane 35/40 75 points
James Russ 40/35 75 points
John Samuels 37/36 73 points
Brett Thomson 36/36 72 points
Michael du Pont 32/39 71 points best former champion
Gavin Parker 33/38 71 points
Callum White 35/36 71 points
Gerhard Saueracker 37/34 73 points
Noah Keren 38/33 71 points
Gross Results
Alister Miles 37/37 74 points
Callum White 33/34 67 points
Brendan Jones 32/28 60 points
The defending champion, Tony Cowan, did not play his best golf over the weekend finishing well down the list.
As we have come to expect the Course Staff, House Staff and Pro Shop Staff did their part in making the weekend a success.
Finally, acknowledgement must be made of the sponsor of this year’s Spring Cup – HERBALIFE – unfortunately, Gav Morgan did not have his best day score wise but to his amusement was also caught up in a bit of “Ken Hinkley” crossfire!!!
CONGRATULATIONS
2024 SPRING CUP CHAMPION – STEVE FORGAN
From – Greg Fitzhardinge
