Semi Final 1 – Sammy Saykan was giving up 3 strokes against Gilbert Lamoureux – (it would be hard to determine who of these two spent more time at the course each week). Gilbert was bringing a run of solid form into the semi, and had been putting particularly well with his new Scotty Cameron. Sammy was coming into a rich vein of form, taking a beer from anyone that chose to challenge him to a round, and both were coming into the match with some solid Senior Pennant match play under their belts.

 

Semi Final 2 – Michelle Marshall was taking 7 strokes against Stuart Thompson – this was predicted to be a tough challenge for the Prez. Michelle was at the club every evening, practicing her short game, and putting in the hard work required to improve, and Stuart was down at the range on Friday evening looking to straighten out his “power-fade”.

 

Semi Final 1 turned out to be a bit one-sided, with Gilbert unable to capture the form that had carried him to the final, Sammy turning 2 up and then winning 10, 11 & 12 to go 5 up. Gilbert won the 13th to hang in, but then Sammy birdied 14 to close it out 5&4. 

 

Semi Final 2 turned out to be a see sawing, ding dong, drag out battle. After halving the 1st in par, Stuart won 2 & 3, but Michelle fought back taking 4 & 5 the square it up again. Stuart worked out to a 2 hole lead winning 6 & 7, but Michelle again fought back to win 8 & 9 with some solid golf. Michelle took 10 after both parred the hole, and Stuart came back to win 11 and then halve 12. At this point Michelle played 3 solid holes to win 13, 14 and 15 to go 3 up with 3 to play. Dormie. 

 

Stuart was staring down the barrel, but fought back to win 16 and 17, but was still one down, needing to win 18 to force the match to extra holes. Michelle, as she had been all day, was solid off the tee and when Stuart put his second into the trees right of the green, she could sense victory. A solid second shot form Michelle, just short o the green saw Stuart in real trouble, and after dunking his shot out of the trees into the nearside bunker, he needed to hole his fourth for any chance. The shot from the sand pitched hole high and maybe 2 inches right, but missed, and released 15 feet passed the hole. Michelle had chipped onto the green, about 10 ft from the hole and had two putts for the half and the win. Stuart missed the return putt and it was all over – Michelle’s consistency and short game were remarkable taking her to a 2 up victory.

 

The final match was now set.

 

 

On her road to the final Michelle had taken out Brian Hou, Club Champion Calvin Plowright, last year’s President’s Cup winner Dale Sudborough and the President.  

Sammy had seen off Sean Connell, Carlo Bigaran, John Ward and Gilbert Lamoureux and was determined not to join the illustrious group that had fallen to Michelle.

 

Sammy was out of the blocks early,  winning the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th & 9th and halving 2, 4, 6 & 7 to turn 5 up and unfortunately Michelle was unable to repeat her remarkable form of the previous rounds. Sam gave no openings or opportunities, playing solid golf to ensure the pressure was firmly on, halving 10 before winning 11 & 12 to finish the match 7&6. 

 

Commiserations to Michelle. A great effort to get to the final after cutting a swathe through the field. (Paul feels much better now!)