Before moving on to the final the semi-finals of the Men’s Club Championships were played on Saturday 28th of October with the following results
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP – SEMIS
The number 1 seed Alister Miles defeated the number 4 seed Anthony Joseph 1 up.
Alister had nearly recovered from a hand injury he suffered during the week and bounced out of the blocks – 4up after 5. Anthony made a spirited comeback and was in prime position to force the match into overtime save for a 15 foot par putt made on the final hole by Alister to win by the barest of margins.
The number 2 seed and former Champion Tristan Geerlings put paid to Ajay Dhadli’s dream of making the final for the first time with a clinical 7/5 victory.
So, it’s 1 vs 2 in the Final.
MNOR CHAMPIONSHIP
David Southam probably installed his place as favourite in the Minor Championship with a convincing win over Ludwig Esterhuysen.
Aidan Cooper overcame his pennant team mate Andrew Ogilvie in the other semi-final at the 17th.
“A” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP – SEMIS
Stewart Wharton was too good for Paul Baster winning 7/6 and Ian MacDonald overcame Tim Bryant – 6/5.
A tantalising final awaits us and whoever misses the least 3-4 footers should win!
“B” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP – SEMIS
Luke Bai, the CG Dudley Cup Champion, was marching towards his goal of making it a double and emulating his brother James’s performance in 2022 when he was the “B” Grade Champion. Luke also had a convincing win over Dave Bennett – 7/5.
His opponent would be Joe Alexander who overcame Oliver Bisschops 2/1 – it has to be said that Oliver will rue missed opportunities over the last 5 holes.
“C” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP – SEMIS
Chris Glynn finished strongly for his 3/2 victory over Ben Fitzgerald to set up a clash with Ray Badnall who defeated Peter Glass at the 17th.
THE FINAL DAY
The Women’s and Men’s Club Championships Finals were once again played on the same day. Sunday October 29 saw 5 Men’s Finals and 3 Women’s Finals played on a perfect day for golf.
As with the CG DUDLEY the Men’s Club Championship was sponsored by MORGAN STANLEY courtesy of Mark Palmer and Stuart Beattie.
Whilst these articles are normally written embracing Men’s results it would first be appropriate to mention the Women’s Club Championships which were sponsored for the fourth year by LEADERPRESS, courtesy of Bruce and Judith Drummond.
The results were as follows;
WOMEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
Cath Bellemore, seeking her 16th Championship victory returned to the same place as last year – a final against Rhonda Moore in the 36-hole final. Rhonda was out for revenge after last year’s disappointing result. (Quote from last year’s article – Well done Rhonda for making the final and who knows what might happen next year)
Rhonda started well and was square late on the first nine and then a few errant shots early on the back nine gave the defending Champion the ascendancy and at the turn Cath was 3 up.
Rhonda could not make up any ground and Cath played steady golf throughout the afternoon to eventually seal victory at the 30th hole.
Well done Cath in winning her 16th Club Championship.
Other Champions on the day were-;
“B” Grade Championship
Judith Paterson defeated a spirited Nikki Bellemore-Thomas 4/3 to win her first Championship title.
“B” Grade Minor Championship
Mandy Sudlow- Brown overcame her opponent, Anne -Marie McNaughton 2/1. Anne- Marie was runner-up in last year’s “B” Grade Championship.
Well done Mandy and your turn next year Anne- Marie.
Disappointingly the 9-hole Championship was not played. Hopefully in 2024 members will support the event.
Other Finals to be played include the Minor Championship and the ‘C’ Grade Championship.
Congratulations to all Champions and Runners up and thanks to LEADERPRESS for their support.
MEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
The leading qualifier Alister Miles in his first year back at the club was looking to win his first Club Championship after finishing runner up on three previous occasions to Darren Tan, Fletcher Tully and Vernon Sexton- Finck.
On the other hand, Tristan Geerlings was looking for his third title in the last four years.
It was close all day and there was never more than one hole in it at any stage.
With three holes left to play in the 36-hole final Alister was 1 up. On the penultimate hole, disaster for Alister. A wayward tee shot ended up in one of the worst lies you would ever see – unplayable. Tristan then hit his second into the right had greenside bunker. Alister was still a chance
Alister’s 159 metre third shot covered the pin but flew over the back and ended up OOB – hole conceded to Tristan – all square.
On the final hole another wayward tee shot from Alister proved costly. Tristan’s second was just short of the green and after Alister had made 5, Tristan sank a putt of just over a metre and the championship was his – well done Tristan
Result (2) Tristan Geerlings def (1) Alister Miles – 1up
MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP
The Minor Championship looked to be an evenly matched affair between the consistent Dave Southam and last year’s Club Championship Runner-up, Aidan Cooper
Dave was 3 up after the first five holes and was never headed, running out a comfortable 5 and 4 winner. Dave was probably close to par when the match finished despite a double bogey on the ninth.
Aidan blamed his putter for not making the match closer
Dave will join a host of great club names when his name is added to the B K Bolton Tray.
Result David Southam def Aidan Cooper – 8/6
“A” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP
Now this was billed as the match of the day – Past Captain, Stewart Wharton, versus Past President Ian MacDonald, with “IMAC” to receive 4 shots.
Ian was 2 up after 2 and travelling comfortably until the ninth hole where Stewart played the shot of the day.
Picture this – tee shot left hand side, second shot was meant to be a “snap hook” but turned out to be a “snap slice” onto 5th green!!! Third shot to gimme length, all square.
From then on it was very close with Stewart edging his way to the front late in the day. Going into the final hole the match was all square – 2 excellent drives and a great shot by Ian to back edge of green. Stewart played a poor approach and his pitch was also just off the back.
“IMAC” was away and “rammed” it into the hole for a Birdie and victory -stunning his opponent.
Ian MacDonald, a worthy winner of the John Roberts Trophy.
Result (15) Ian MacDonald (12 H’Cap) def (4) Stewart Wharton (8 H’Cap) – 1up
“B” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP
The number one seed, and CG Dudley Cup Champion, 14-year-old Luke Bai was looking to make it a double and also to emulate the performance of his brother James who was the 2022 Champion.
His opponent was the wily Joe Alexander who had to give up 4 strokes to his opponent.
Joe was seemingly out of it after 5 holes as he was 3 down – but then he won 5 holes on the trot to rattle his younger opponent. Luke fought back but on the 17th hole he looked done and dusted but Joe 3 putted sending the match to the final hole – Joe 1 up.
Once again it looked like Joe was to be the champion and after a 50 metre “Texas wedge “approach onto the green and a putt to within gimme length from around 15 metres it looked as though the J.B Duncan Trophy was his.
Enter Luke Bai, and from almost the same distance he lined it up and without any fear holed it with speed. All square.
Joe kept it alive on the 19th with a “clutch putt” of some 3 metres but the game concluded on the 20th as Joe could not cope with the stroke he had to give his opponent.
Congratulations Luke and well done on winning the “double”.
Result (1) Luke Bai (20 H’Cap) def (3) Jo Alexander (16 H’Cap) – 20th
Roving Reporter’s comment- watch out for Luke – especially his handicap which should fall considerably in the near future
“C” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP
These two stalwarts look very relaxed before entering the fray.
Who was going to come away with The Fred Symons Tray?
Ray Badnall and Chris Glynn fought tenaciously all afternoon with Ray having the upper hand for much of the day. Chris simply could not match Ray’s consistency but got to within one heading to the last.
With the 18th being halved the winner was a deserved Ray Badnall.
Result (4) Ray Badnall (22 H’Cap) def (6) Chris Glynn (25 H’Cap) – 1up
SUMMARY
The Men’s and Women’s Club Championships are over for another year and-;
Luke Bai won both the CG Dudley Cup and “B” Grade Championship.
Cath Bellemore won her 16th club championship and tenth in the last 11 years.
Tristan Geerlings won his 3rd Club Championship in 4 years.
Congratulations to all the winners, both men and women, and also to all of those who made it through to the Match Play.
Appreciation is once again extended to our sponsor MORGAN STANLEY for their continued support of the club.
The course staff did a good job in their preparation of the course for both the Men’s and Women’s Qualifying rounds and the Championships. Andy Gott and the pro shop staff are acknowledged for their assistance over the last three weeks as are the house staff, led by Sean Tobin, and Ben Unbehaun and Karen Wilson in the office.
Their efforts together with the member’s support made for a most successful 2023 Club Championship.
From – Greg Fitzhardinge
