Our 2019 journey has come to an end at the hands of The Lakes Golf Club for the second year running. But before I detail this report and would like to express thanks to Monash Golf Club who permitted us to play a practice round as a courtesy. They were also very hospitable during the day of the match.

 

The Monash course played well. The course was in excellent condition and the greens had a superb surface running at around 11 feet. They were also very tricky indeed.

 

The two teams were very well matched with on aggregate a GA difference in handicap of 2. The Lakes being the marginally stronger side on paper.

 

After 3 holes, very early in the peace, things were not looking promising. We were down one hole in 6 matches, down 3 holes in one match and up 1 hole in one match.

 

By the sixth hole we were still down in 6 games with 3 matches deteriorating to two down and Steve Thomlinson recovering from 3 to 2 down. Two matches halved and none in the plus column. Time for a strong drink!

 

By the 16th there was little prospect of the match turning in our favour. Kevin Aitken was up 3. Steve Thomlinson still down 2 and both Michael Burke and John Erikson down 1. John Erikson had not been ahead at any time and I felt that our “bankers” we’re doomed.

 

The guys kept plugging away. By the 18th and the first four matches concluded, both Kevin and Michael Burke had victories 4/3 and one up respectively. John Erikson and Steve Thomlinson rescued a half which meant that with 4 games concluded we stood 3/1 up.

 

Richard Greville and John O’Keefe were our top pair and had two experienced and excellent opposition. Richard’s opponent was playing off scratch and secured a 4/3 victory. John’s match concluded 3/2 down. 

 

We were now 3/3 with two matches undecided. Barry Henwood and Michael Gray had fought back from a deficit to be level on the 18th tee which provided a very tense conclusion. Both players were aware of the situation. The 18th green was surrounded by about 16 players and supporters. Sadly we lost both those games and the match 5/3 which sounds like an easy victory which belies the truth. The match could have gone either way on the last hole.

 

The entire team should be congratulated for a very strong effort.

 

In conclusion, I would like to thank all those members who made themselves available during the campaign but we’re not selected to play, and all those who did play and who have kept the Magenta team as a force to be reckoned  with. Thanks go also to David Hooper who did get one game but who travelled to our last encounters as a reserve. Just in case!

 

Ian Genders

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