Congratulations to the WHC Green team, the ‘Cowpats’, who will represent our club on grand final day to defend the Cup. It was a very exciting semi-final and nothing separated the two teams after the regulation 18 holes. Only a sudden death playoff could decide who would go through to the grand final.
Green team Progress
An excited captain Col Booth writes:
“You’re a Cowpat”
If you find yourself behind, you find a way to get in front.
Simple but great motivation, “You’re a COWPAT”.
A unique team of brothers walked behind the most feared player in the history of the WHC, Scotty, “The Golden Cowpat”, at the end of the day to determine the finalist and who would represent Jamberoo as each team had recorded a three all draw. After two holes the positive energy of the CP transformed the win.
Both Jamberoo teams did themselves proud on the day with at one stage the Cowpats well behind after ten holes. The Skip had already collected at the TAB.
Larry [Poppa] was 4 down after ten holes but found a Cowpat way to win [apparently the stretch limo he arrived in from Ballina prepared him for the task].
Our ‘Bronze Cowpat’, Mark, had all Illawarra Officials in carts monitoring his slow play but the strategy prevailed on the day.
We all look forward to an exciting final at Shoalhaven Heads on Sunday.
Well Played “COWPATS”!
Red team almost pull off upset victory
It was close, very close. Two exceptionally talented teams representing the club after both won their divisions. I thought the Reds were almost there after 12, but the Greens just would not lie down and surrender. Congratulations go to them and well played as well.
The mind games were well and truly in play in the week leading up to the match, both teams sending out false signals as to the composition of their respective teams. We had a suspicion that the ‘saint’ would pull a selection surprise on the day and so it turned out. Matt Tedeschi back from injury and ready to go. Even more of a surprise was the arrival of Larry in a stretch Limo straight from the airport after his week of refereeing the national Touch Footy in Ballina. We had our own trick as well with Arthur fit and rearing to go after his customary warm-up.
The Reds started strongly and led all but one match after 6 holes. Worriedly, Scott Hainsworth was on fire in his number one match-up against Arthur who could do little to stop the Scott ‘juggernaut’ despite playing solidly. Was this a foretaste of what was to transpire later in the day?
Ken Bradley was having a great day himself and eventually overcame Matt T 3/2. Steve Jackson played his best match of the year to register our first win when he accounted for the Saint 5/4. Peter Francis maintained his unbeaten season accounting for the highly tenacious Brian O’Hare 1 up. Brad Jackson had Larry 4 down at the turn and I thought he was home. I didn’t allow for the pugnacious and resilient Larry finding that little bit extra on the difficult closing holes to close out his match 1 up in a clear turning point.
With Scotty beating Arthur it came down to the experienced Mark Cassal against our in-form Andrew Ball. Andrew had played an exceptional match to stay with Mark all the way with both trading birdies galore. All square on the 18th tee and Andrew, unused to the slippery cave-like tee, slipped as he swung his driver, to have it advance into trouble. Mark didn’t fare much better, firing through the fairway into trees.
Both played great recoveries and it came down to a final putt from Andrew to square the hole and his match. Achingly his 2 metre putt lipped around the hole giving Mark the victory and a 3-3 result in the match.
Meanwhile, a consultation of the pennant rules did not indicate who would win the match. A discussion arose with the president of Golf Illawarra on what would happen if it was tied 3-3 after regulation play. President Ron then consulted by phone with the captain of Golf Illawarra and it was decided that last year’s procedure of the number 1’s playing a tie breaker would decide the issue.
It was a very nerve wracking situation for both Arthur and Scott. Despite this, they were the best credentialed to decide the issue and must be praised for their sportsmanship, resilience and camaraderie. Scott was successful on the second green in front of both teams and warmly commiserated his fellow opponent.
Two great teams that could only just be separated by the barest margin. It was indeed a red-letter day for the club!
Well down to the Green team. Play great next week and bring back the flag!
Dave Ransom
C Pennant lose close Match
Sadly the C Pennant team went down to Wollongong 3-2 in a very close semi-final to again finish in the top 4 of the clubs in the Pennant. Another terrific season for our team, well led by Chris Leckey.
Semi Final
Jamberoo 2 V Wollongong 3
This year’s charge has come to an end!
The ‘Cs’ have missed making the final by the closest of margins with the final game having to go to the 19th hole to be decided.
Tim, Tom, Tony, Wayne and Greg had the task today and at stages they all had the lead in close matches.
It was Greg that ended up feeling the pressure of winning his game for us to get through. That was looking unlikely as he was 4 down with 5 to play! The team had gathered to see the predicament on the 14th hole…..Greg had to sink his 20 footer and hope his talkative opponent would 3 putt!! He did! Game on 3 down with 4 to go, can he do it we thought.
Greg’s late rally nearly got us home as he squared the match and was sent out to play the 1st hole again. Greg has been a great inclusion to the team and will be back next year to try to get that elusive pennant.
Well done to the boys for another outstanding year playing for our great club Royal Jamberoo.
Chris Leckey