Pennants Update: Women’s Div 4 bring home the flag! & Men’s round 2
Published on 21st June 2023Women’s Division 4
Congratulations to the Women’s Division 4 Pennant Flag Winners!
With a final score of 10 points on the table, Royal Fremantle took the victory with 5 total matches won against Lake Karrinyup on Monday.
Men’s Division 1
Final result was a win to RFGC 5 matches to 2
On a magnificent winter’s day at Cottesloe Golf Club, RFGC overcame a newly promoted Royal Perth Div 1 Team to secure a solid victory 5/2. It was great to get a positive result over an old enemy and put us ahead of the curve in this ancient rivalry. The result was much closer than the final number but our boys ground out a solid win which really featured our youngsters, Alex Maxwell, Mandeep Singh and Rocco Cucchiara who bounced back from a tough debut last week against Karrinyup.
Last week’s debutant, Mandeep continued his solid form to remain our only undefeated player after two rounds.
In probably the tightest match of the round, Alex playing at No 2 ground out a superb 2/1 victory over a lively Corley McVernon playing his first match of the season.
Zach playing number one against Georgia State freshman and Royal Perth No 1. Jordan Jung, struggled early with his game and was quickly a few holes down, but as we all know, Zach is rarely beaten along the way and fought back to finally succumb to Jordan 2/1.
Adam, a declared absentee this season, thankfully made himself available this week to cover for the injured Andrei Ezergailis and racked up yet another significant victory for our club. Hatchy, playing against his old club and RPGC stalwart Peter Bennett, he ploughed on to a significant win albeit with a mixture of birdies and bogies which fortunately allowed him to come out on the positive side of the ledger 4/3.
Scottie Baker, playing again at No 6 started pretty well but like most of us, left his game on the range. Scottie struggled all day after his shaky start but hung in for many holes maintaining the same differential unit he finally ran out of holes and went down 4/2 to seasoned Royal Perth veteran Andrew Monk.
Rocco had an outstanding match against young Aiden Hassan and was in front pretty much all day. Both players regularly bombed their tee shots with little hold back, reminding me of “Gossy. Min and Haydos” in their prime. Fortunately our man came through in the end to win really quite comfortably 2/1.
Connor played a really tough match early and the score see sawed as Connor’s matches usually do. However, he finally overpowered his mate Andrew P Brown to win 4/3.
Again, our successful debutant from last week, Mandeep banked another excellent win against promising RPGC junior Spencer Harrison. Mandeep won 3/2 but had several opportunities to close out the contest a few holes earlier but for spirited opposition and fierce competitiveness from his mate. Mandeep, with dad Narinda on the bag showed a calmness and great skill to close out his match in the end.
Next week RFGC will be tested by Bunbury at their home course at Bunbury in what should be a fascinating fixture.
We look forward to any support from our members and if anyone requires a ride down to support our great club, please call me on 0410644337.
Wayne Murray
Div 1 Team Manager
Men’s Division 4
Week 2 of pennants and Division Four travelled east to Hartfield for a clash against Rockingham.
Captain Brett Roberts was first up and much to his chagrin, his opponent showed up this week. A little rusty as the first drive found the bush however it was the putter that wasn’t quite working. A fight back was snuffed out later in the round and Wristy fell 3/1
Next up was Andrew Langdon and there were some interesting shots and locations visited during the round by both players. Andrew was able to win a few holes in a row on his front nine (including a nice chip in for par on the 15th) and held the lead all the way and ended up winning 2/1.
Darren Goss was off next and let’s just say his chipping and putting was on song. Darren manoeuvred his way around Hartfield very nicely indeed “governor” and took home a 3/2 win.
Off next was Stephen Dark, fresh off a 20 point return in Saturday’s comp (although coming off a few hours sleep after night shift). Stephen played some inspired golf and never gave his opponent a sniff with 3 birdies in his short sojourn on the course. Stephen closed his game swiftly winning 9/8.
Kloden Brown hit off at number two and was just not able to get it going. The putter wasn’t doing what it was meant to do on the tricky Hartfield greens. Kloden fought hard but alas fell 6/5.
So that left us leading 3-2 with 2 games to go.
Alan Becker was struggling a little with his game and was 2 down with 5 to go. He dug deep to win 3 in a row to be 1up going down the 8th hole (his 17th) – just short of the green and his opponent a few feet away for par, Boris decided to try a stinger wedge and the result was outstanding as it cannoned into the flag and ended up only a foot away. A well played birdie on the last secured a 2up victory.
Last off was Patrick Sevilla and we picked him up deep in the bushes on the 7th attempting to locate his second shot. Alas, it was not found and he was 1up playing his 17th. A tidy up n down kept him 1 up playing the last. After a booming drive he was in a perfect spot to have a crack at the green while his opponent was having some tree trouble. Alas, The Thrilla then found his own tree trouble and was not able to the scrape out a par – it ended all square.
The team took home a hardworking 4.5/2.5 win to be undefeated through the first 2 rounds.
Next up is a top of the table clash against Bunbury at Royal Perth.
Brett Roberts,
Men’s Div 4 Captain
Men’s Division 5
After starting the season with a strong win at home, we ventured down the road to play at Bunbury against Kwinana. We knew the course would be tricky and greens fast after the southwest open was played a few weeks earlier.
Elijah Turrif-Smith came into the side at number 7 to help negate some of the shot giving that we would have to do. Off against the opposing captain, there was plenty of banter early and plenty of bogeys later in that the match was 5 down quickly. Turry had his back to wall and after hitting a tree root jarring his wrist the match was basically over. A strong showing from Kwinana saw Turry fall 6&5.
Dan Waters moved to number 6 after picking up a shot on his handicap from Saturday. Dan had a big task giving 4 shots to his mate. Dan was pretty keen to finish the match before giving all these. A beauty on 10 to close range and another on the par 3 16th that was 2 inches from an ace saw Dan turn 5up. Some solids back 9 golf saw Dan get the job done 6&4.
Michael Ruggerio followed at 5 with a similar task of giving 4 shots to his mate. Some wild golf early including nearly entering the caravan park some 50m long of the 10th green saw Michael start slowly. 2 birdies in quick succession before the turn got the match back to square. A tight tussle on the back kept it close before a birdie on 7 and easy 2 putt par on 8 saw Ruggers close out his match 2&1.
Chris Davenport went off at number 4 this week, also giving 3 shots. This match was one that didn’t see too many halved holes. It was runs of wins for both players that saw the match see-saw from a couple down to a couple up. Eventually the shot giving proved to much before Chris fell late 2&1 in a fighting effort.
After a strong Saturday performance I put Pat Kearney to number 3 with the task of giving 4 shots. Pat was confident that off the back of his efforts yesterday this would be no problem. The match was tight and there seemed to be a lot of provisional balls hit in this pairing. However, when it came down to the crunch Pat was steady holding a 1 up lead through the last 3 holes to get the job done 1up.
Mark Merlino was moved to number 1 this week off the back of some strong golf. Unfortunately for Mark this strong golf seemed to evade him as he was struggling to find fairways or greens. Mark was in deep trouble early 6 down through 7 holes. The turn couldn’t come quick enough. A raspberry vodka cruiser and a few puffs of the vape and Mark was back. He won the first 4 holes of the back 9 to wrestle the match back to 2 down before eventually running out of puff and falling 3&2. A very gallant and fighting effort that RFGC players are known for!
I have saved myself for last. I went off at number 2 but was the last match on course. With the match tied at 3-3 it hinged on me. Our match was tight all day, with neither player taking more a than a 1 up lead at any stage. I was 1 up with 3 holes to go, and giving a shot on the par 5 7th. I was able to find the green in 2 and 2 putt birdie to halve the hole. Standing on the 8th tee with the honour, I got to the top of my swing before the Kwinana player in the pairing behind me decided to slam the flag onto the green causing me to hit the biggest of shanks and cost me the hole. Thanks. All square going down the last my mate was in close for 3. An unlucky putt that lipped out from 15 feet and a failed return putt saw me fall 1 down.
Unfortunately, our Div 5 team lost its first match in 3 seasons falling 4/3 to a Kwinana side that strategically picked players knowing we would give a lot of shots. A gallant effort none the less and we remain focused on returning to the winners list this week at Gosnells. Well done to all the other teams this week.
Marcus
Men’s Div 5 Captain
Men’s Division 6
The Gods were kind to us this week, we were greeted lovely winter weather for out match at Secret Harbour. Having played this course in pouring rain and howling winds previously, the benign conditions were a treat. The course was in great condition as well.
One again we were giving lots of shots, but nothing as unreasonable as round one. The exception being our number six player, Kane Litterick, who gave six shots away. He rose magnificently to the occasions and smoked his opponent 5/3. A shaky first drive was the last mistake of the day. He never missed a fairway after that and finished under the card.
Michael Ingram at number seven started as he did last week, with a beauty straight down the middle. A tight tussle ensued but he managed to keep to one up with one to go. A good rules decision was needed on 18, and Sam Bromwich stepped in with that, leading to a halved hole and our first win.
Our newest member, Stuart Wade also got off to a good start. Giving three shots away, he played some great holes, and some not so great. His opponent took advantage of the soft par 5 shot holes and snuck ahead. Two poor holes by Stu saw him run out of time and he went down 3/1.
Sam Bromwich played his last match for us before he heads off to Europe. With Dad in the cart following, he was hoping for a win. Unfortunately, he struck an inform opponent and with four shots to give, just couldn’t get in front, losing 3/2.
At this point, Pete Pusmuscans, Rob Murrell and Stewart Jarvis decided to get full value out of the green fee, so we all played the full 18 holes. I played well, and then three putted 10, 11 and 13 to go two down. A lost ball, and one in the lake from my opponent saw me back to square. His drive on 18 went into the long grass and it was all over. A 2up win, and we had three matches in.
We had Rob Murrell playing at number two, hoping that his experience from playing his previous home course would benefit us. Rob didn’t disappoint and delivered a great 1up win for the team. With Rob leading the match and coming down the last, his opponent hit his second shot into the penalty area. Despite making unlikely up and down from a drop, Rob held his nerve to halve the hole and get us over the line in a very tightly fought round.
As the light faded, we just need to find Pete and see where he was at. Pete was 3up at the turn, but a strong fight back by his opponent saw them all square coming down the last. Hitting baby cuts all day, Pete managed to pull his final drive of the day, leaving himself an awkward angle for his second. He found the bunker with his second, and when his opponent chipped it dead, he needed to hole a 6 footer for the half. Unfortunately, it slid by and he lost 1 down.
A great team effort from the Div 6 boys, with special mention to John and Tianna for supporting Kane. Next week we take on Secret Harbour at Gosnells Golf Club.
Stewart Jarvis,
Men’s Div 6 Captain