VGA Pennant
Published on 6th March 2023 in Uncategorized
Last week saw the VGA Pennant kick off as we burst onto the scene in Division 5.
Round 1 was a tough initiation with some close losses against a strong The Heritage side that had recruited well during the off season.
Brock came from 5 down after 9 to win on the 19th and Imran had a solid 1st up win. Jas went to the 20th hole and was unlucky, and while the other lads had chances, The Heritage played the key moments that little bit better and took the chocolates 5-2.
Round 2 was out at Gisborne, and with passports stamped and the Melway and a cut lunch prepared, we ventured into the wild north west, eager to get a win on the board. Playing the unknown Berwick Montuna, the guys dug deep – it was tough out there, a blustery hot day with a 40km/h northerly and concrete fairways and even harder greens. It would’ve been easier to stop a ball on an ice rink than some of the greens! Great to see Captain Joe Caruana and Sammy Saykan there and Mick Wilson who also came out to support, and he stepped in to carry Skipper Matty Allen’s bag. The 2 players unlucky not to get a start this week, Jack Leonello and Alexi Rachkovskiii, both stepped in to carry Aaron and Daniel Saykan’s bags and both did a great job, with Aaron getting up in a close finish and Daniel just getting stiffed on 18. Jas couldn’t get it going at the start but fought all the way again, just falling 2&1.
Paul ‘Sarge’ Murtagh caddied for Imran and Ash ‘The Manager’ Crawford was Darren Kershaw’s loop. Pete Naismith was on hand to guide Jas Kooner around the pine tree lined runways, whilst I steered Brock’s bag as he gave his opponent a lesson – both in match play and an actual lesson (such a giving guy!) and
Darren banked a big 6&4 win and Brock finally knuckled down and stopped enjoying the chat to finish 4&3 up. Matty held on to his lead after his opponent threw caution to the wind and started holing shots from everywhere, closing it out 2&1 and Imran, battling a rib injury, brought it home with a clutch 20′ par putt on 17 to stay square before striping it down the middle and taking the 18th to win 1 up.
The win balanced our books and moved us up into the top 4.
Yarrambat’s first win in Division 5!! After a week off we head to Mt Derrimut to take on Gisborne on the 19th March (12:10 pm start). It would be great to see a YGC crowd there in support!