Club Championship Final Results
Posted on: 19 May
Congratulations to all of the 2024 Club Champions, all matches were played in great spirit with some wonderful golf seen by the members who came out to watch.
MEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP – Max Moring defeated Jarrod Harris 5/4
Jarrod starting birdie, birdie to an early 2up lead in defense of his win last year however Max quickly getting back to square after 4. Solid consistent golf from both players and we were seeing a close match unfold with Jarrod being a little steadier and 2up after 9 holes. Max put his drive to 15 feet on the 10th for a win and another win on 11 we are square again, however Jarrod responded with a very good birdie on 12 to maintain the lead. The pattern was the same for the 2nd nine – a tight competitive match with good shot making and Jarrod a little steadier over 17 and 18 taking a 2up lead to lunch after 18.
Max replicated Jarrod’s morning start with 2 opening birdies and with Jarrod unfortunately have his putter go cold over the 4th and 5th holes we saw a large turnaround in the match and Max’s 2 deficit turn to 2 up after 23 holes. Max consolidated on the next to go 3 up and on this nine was the steadier closing out on the 27th with a birdie 4 to go 4 up. Jarrod responded with birdie 3 win on 10 and fought hard to maintain in touch however Max with a great birdie in our 13th their 31st saw him able to close out the match on the next hole winning 5 and 4. Thank you to both caddies Peter and Riley who did a great job for their players over a long, cool and sometimes moist day.
Jarrod can be very proud to make the final in consecutive years and defended last years win very well.
Congratulations to Max on an outstanding win and you are a very worthy Yarra Yarra Club Champion which you were able to enjoy with your mother and sister watching – well done.
I am sure all at YYGC wish you well with your golfing career and will be following with great interest.
WOMEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP – Amelia Harris defeated Charlotte Fraser 5/4
Amelia got off to a flying start, with 2 birdies in succession. Amelia’s approach to the first green was 1/2 foot away from holing in for eagle. Four pars in the following 5 holes saw the match at 6 up to Amelia after 7 holes. Charlotte would par the 8th and 9th but Amelia continued her fine form with 2 birdies to lead the match 8 up after 9 holes.
Charlotte won the 10th hole with a magnificent drive to set up an easy par and held her ground for the next 3 holes to stay at 7 down after 12. Charlotte kept the match tight all the way to finish 8 down after 18.
Following a nice lunch break it was Charlotte’s turn to get off to a flying start with a birdie on the 19th (1st hole ) and 6 pars to reduce the deficit to 5 down after 27 holes. Charlotte played courageously to the end, with a magnificent birdie on the 12th hole and par on 13th to remain 5 down after 31 holes. The match was dormie on the 14th and a steady par by Amelia was enough to secure the match 5/4.
Both players showcased great golf. Amelia was 3 under par after the first 9 holes creating a daunting lead for most. But Charlotte was not intimidated, matching Amelia in her drives and approaches, unfortunately the putter was not firing for Charlotte.
Congratulations to Amelia for a great win and well done to Charlotte for showing such fighting spirit.
MEN’S A GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP – Alex Hart defeated David Zhu 3/2
The A grade championship was contested between 2 of our very best younger members, David Zhu and Alex Hart.
It was played in very cool and damp conditions with some very good shots played by both and of course played in the very best of spirit.
Alex took an early lead but was pegged back by David. Alex was again in the lead after the first 9 and went on to win the match 3 and 2.
We will see a lot more of both of these players in the future.
WOMEN’S A GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP – Meg Thorley defeated Sue Simon 4/2
The final of the first A grade Women’s Championship drew two excellent players. To align with the Men’s competition and give women players in the handicap range 10 to 16 a meaningful chance at a championship, the A grade women’s championship has been introduced this year. Sue Simon and women’s captain Meg Thorley competed on Sunday.
Sue had the honour, and in an excellent match to follow, both players hit long and straight on the fairways. Meg hit most of the early greens in regulation, but Sue’s approach shots were impressive. The fast greens were handled better by Meg, who went to +5 after 7 holes. This included a win with a 4 putt on the 4th.
Light rain started on the 6th, but when the rain pants were needed on the 8th, Sue steadied. Both the caddies, Sally and Birgit explained they had to impart “encouraging words” for their player. First Sue halved or won the next six holes with better putting and consistent long shots. It seemed the momentum had changed. But then Meg won the 14th, Sue the 15th and then finally Meg won the 16th to have a 4 and 2 win for the championship.
Both players demonstrated good sportsmanship and their A grade skills. Congratulations to both.
MEN’S B GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP – Adam Pai defeated Oliver Drury 4/3
WOMEN’S B GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP – Anne Gibbon defeated Andrea Walter 5/3
Anne Gibbon and Andrea Walter teed off in what can only be described as a cold Melbourne morning, however the weather wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of the two finalists.
Anne was quick out of the blocks winning the first two holes. Andrea was settling into the match and quickly reclaimed the two holes back winning 3 and 4. The first of only two squared holes for the match occurred on the 6th. Andrea was under pressure with Anne winning 5, 7, 8 and 9 taking her to 4 up at the turn. After going to 6 down, Andrea rallied and won 12 with a lovely par followed by 13. With 14 being squared it felt like the momentum was shifting with pressure now on Anne to win the match.
Andrea played a strategic lay up on the 15th with her tee shot and Anne was going for it and landed in the left green side bunker. Andrea played a good chip which unfortunately rolled off the back of the green. This left her with a very tricky up hill-downhill shot – too much pace could see the ball roll down to the bottom of the green, not enough and the ball would be back at her feet. It took a couple of attempts to get it right. Anne played her bunker shot without any further complications winning the hole and the match.
Well done to both players and caddy’s Jerry Ezzat and Elaine Fitt.
MEN’S C GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP – Sid Verma defeated David Hampton 4/3
Men’s C Grade final was contested between Sid Verma and David Hampton. Sid had a mate from Metro, Trevor Gin, as his caddy for the day, whilst David commenced the match hoofing his own bag but then picked up the services of Martin Blake after the first two holes.
First bit of brilliance came from Sid whose fabulous flop shots from close range (perhaps he has been taking lessons from Jasmine ?) helped him win holes 3 and 4 to go 2 up. Steady play from David squared the match after 7 but then Sid won 8 with a strongly played hole. David had the opportunity to win 9 but took 5 to get down from short range after falling victim to that green’s steep false front. With that hole halved Sid was 1up at the turn. Sid won the 12th thanks to some short game woes for David, who then holed a wonderful downhill 12 footer on the 13th to halve that hole. 2 up with 5 to play, Sid then proceeded to win 14 and 15 to close out the match 4&3. Match was played in terrific spirit and both Sid and David are to be congratulated – well played gents!
WOMEN’S C GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP – Cathy Townsend defeated Cheryl Rogers 2/1
The C Grade final was played between Cheryl Rogers and Cathy Townsend. Cathy is a fairly new member and Cheryl has played in the final before. The first hole showed some nerves but Cathy nailed a 15 metre putt to win the hole.
The greens were tricky and bunkers caused some issues, but the 7th was a good hole for Cheryl who played it as many members would. While Cathy was 2 up early Cheryl fought her way back and it was all square at the turn.
Cathy jumped ahead on the back nine and was 3 up after playing a super approach shot into 13. But Cheryl was not going to give in easily and won 14 and 15. Cathy won the 16th and sealed her victory on the 17th. Congratulations Cathy.
Well done ladies on coping with the challenging conditions and thanks to caddies Megan Gleeson and Lyn Entwistle for supporting your players so well.
MEN’S D GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP – Sean Mason defeated Ben Quist 4/3
Congratulations to Sean and Ben for playing the D Grade fianal in a friendly and courteous manner.
Both player hit their drives at a distance as if they were in A grade.
The match varied with Ben in front then Sean, then Ben and then Sean to win 4 up with 3 to go.
As to be expected the day was enjoyed in the bar afterwoods.
SUNDAY PLATE – Greg Downes defeated Yaakov Belfer 4/3
Yaakov’s second shot to 1 metre on the first hole saw him take an early lead. Greg played steadier golf over the next few holes and the match swung to him with wins on 2, 4 and 5 for a 2up lead. A wonderful second shot to the 7th hole gave Yaakov a conceded birdie, tightening the match up again.
A turning point in the match came on the 10th hole where Greg’s third shot from the thick rough next to the 11th tee was beautifully played up onto the difficult 10th green. Yaakov struggled to get his ball on to the green after a good drive and Greg took a handy 3up lead.
Consistent golf saw Greg maintain his lead through the next few holes. A win on the 14th hole allowing Greg to close out the match with a half on the 15th and a 4 and 3 win.
Thanks to Yaakov and Greg who played the match in good spirits. Congratulations to Greg for his win in the Sunday Plate!
Thank you to all of the referees, without you the day would not be the success it is.