Over the weekend of the 19th and 20th of October the first two rounds of the Men’s Club Championships were decided with perfect golfing weather on both days.
All top seeds progressed through to the semi-finals. In the “C” Grade the top 4 progressed.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
The Pascoe Cup winner Tristan Geerlings won a hard fought battle with Matt Dumble, ultimately winning at the 16th hole.
James Pluske prevailed in a see sawing contest against Dylan Morgan – 1 up.
Matt and Dylan will play one another in the Semi Finals of the Minor Championship.
John Samuels, at his effervescent best, went down to John McKay 2/1 – not even HIS best up and down EVER on the 17th could save him.
The battle of the Jones boys was won by Brendan Jones – 5/4.
John and Joe Jones will play off in the other semi-final of the Minor Championship.
So, the Club Championship semi-finalists have been decided and will do battle next Saturday morning.
CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS – SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER
8.00am (1) Tristan Geerlings vs (5) James Pluske
8.07am (7) John McKay vs (3) Brendan Jones
MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP
MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS – SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER
8.14am (8) Matt Dumble vs (4) Dylan Morgan
8.21am (2) John Samuels vs (6) Joe Jones
“A” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2023 CG Dudley Champion and “B” Grade Champion, Luke Bai and graduated to “A” Grade this year where he qualified no 4. He progressed to the semis with a hard fought one up win over Brayden Blackham who unfortunately 3 putted the last hole.
The number 1 seed and favourite to take out the title, James Russ, overcame Callum White in the first round 4/2 and then a hapless George Gelavis 9/7 to book his place in the semis.
George had overcome the 2021 “B” Gade Champion Wilfred Ong in round one – a shellacking 5 and 4.
The defending Champion, Ian MacDonald had an interesting tussle with Calum Lindsay before running out a 4/2 victor.
On the other hand, Greg Polla took until the 20th hole to overcome another Junior Noah Keren. Next year Noah.
So, Ian would now take on Greg Polla – a promoter’s dream that turned out to be a fizzer. Talk about Wilfred’s shellacking this was a real shellacking – 9/7 to Greg Polla.
Footnote – I bet that gets a mention in The Gallery’s Prize giving.
Gus Elliot and the President Damon Watkins had an evenly matched tussle with Gus “outchipping” his opponent to prevail 2 up.
Gus then faced first round winner Grant Evans who was relentless in his demolition of Andrew Frazer – winning 8/6. Gus Elliot was then relentless in beating Grant in the second round – 7/5.
Another chipping match in the semis – Elliot vs Polla
Two mouth-watering semi- finals await us.
TIP Russ vs Elliot final
“A” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS – SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER
8.28am (1) James Russ (9 H’cap) vs (4) Luke Bai (11 H’cap)
8.35am (10) Greg Polla (12 H’Cap) vs (3) Gus Elliot (8 H’Cap)
“B” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP
It was going to be interesting to follow the progress of 3 Junior Members playing in their first Club Championship Match Play – Harry Alcock, Theo Grobler and Ollie Wright
Disappointingly walkovers spoilt this division – 4 in all.
The in form Sam Gelavis was no match for Ufaq Qazi and Ufaq prevailed 6/5.
Ufaq then faced number one qualifier, Oliver Bisschops, in the quarters and this was another match that could have gone either way. Ufaq had a chance on the 18th to take the match into overtime but could not convert a 3 metre putt – result Oliver Bisschops 1 up.
Juniors Harry Alcock and Ollie Wright were paired together and Harry, after a few scares, ran out the winner at the 17th – 2/1.
Jack Raynor did not have his best day and Theo Grobler progressed to the quarter finals – 5/4
A quarter final between 2 juniors. Harry Alcock and Theo Grobler. Who would progress? Theo did not have his “A” Game and Harry played solid golf and earned his 6/5 victory to book a semi-final spot against the number one qualifier, Oliver Bisschops.
Don O’Brien progressed to the quarters with a solid victory against the number 2 qualifier Tim Song – 4/3.
One of the walkovers in this Division saw Don automatically get into the Semi-Finals where he would play John Sheridan.
John took care of his Senior Pennants partner, Jeff Lane, 4/2, and then moved to the quarters against another Senior Pennants teammate, Ted Mangan, who had a walkover in round one.
This went down to the wire with John Sheridan winning at the 20th hole where he received a stroke from his opponent.
Footnote – John Sheridan is the one to beat
“B” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS – SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER
8.42 am (1) Oliver Bisschops (17 H’Cap) vs (12) Harry Alcock (20 H’Cap)
8.49am (15) Don O’Brien (15 H’Cap) vs John Sheridan (19 H’Cap)
“C” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP
The quarter – finals were held on Sunday and the top 4 seeds made it through to the semi-finals
First time “C” Grader, Tony Cowan, prevailed over Scottish compatriot Ed Herron 5/4.
Perpetual finalist, Angus Johnson, once again progressed to the semis with a hard fought win over another first time “C” Grader, Greg Paddon – but it took him until the final hole.
Ron Edenburg prevailed over Michael Giudici in another seesawing affair with Ron winning the final 3 holes to prevail – 2 up.
John Clarkson took on Peter Glass and he also prevailed in a hard fought win – winning the 15th and 16th to win 3/2.
“C” GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINALS – SATURDAY 26TH OCTOBER
8.56am (1) Tony Cowan (22 H’Cap) vs (4) Angus Johnson (36 H’cap).
9.03am (2) Ron Edenburg (22 H’Cap) vs (3) John Clarkson (30 H’Cap)
THE FINALS
In a big weekend of golf. the finalists for the men will be decided on Saturday 26th October and the Club Championship Finals will be held on Sunday 27th October So for those not playing put those dates in your calendar and come up and support the finalists.
Presentations will take place after play – around 5.00pm.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL SEMI-FINALISTS
From – Greg Fitzhardinge
