The Major pennants team travelled to Wakehurst who are still the current No.1 team in our section.\u00a0 The weather was good, and they have a beautiful course situated next to Manly Dam. The course looked in good order with a large club built overlooking the course.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>This was the last game of the season and the team was fully pumped to do well, after beating them on home soil last week.\u00a0 Hurstville and Asquith only managed a single win out of a total 14 games between them here, so we knew it would not be easy.<\/p>\n A big thank you to Merv, Conrad, Oliver, and Wayne, stepping down to allow others to play today, making selection easier.\u00a0 As a manager I could not have been prouder to see the way this team was selfless all season and performed well on the day.\u00a0 Matchplay is all about \u201cmoments\u201d on the day and we had our share. Coming down to the last few holes we were seriously looking at a victory overall<\/em>, but like our last three \u201cchampionship\u201d holes at The Coast, there were still surprises ahead, with the Coast dealt a Loss 5 to 2<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 7 \u2013 Gary Kennedy<\/strong> (caddy Bruce Dominish) \u2013 Gary started quickly out of the blocks with 2 birdies, remaining 2 under after 9 holes.\u00a0 Proof that hard work pays off he went on to Win 4&3.<\/strong> This was his first game for \u201cpoints\u201d, well done Gary!<\/p>\n 6 \u2013 Paddy Kelly<\/strong> (caddy Doug Wesney) \u2013 Paddy was hitting the ball well, with this contest tight all day before finishing on the 17th<\/sup> with a Loss 2&1.<\/strong><\/p>\n 5 \u2013 Kevin Isch <\/strong>(caddy Glenn Hetherington) \u2013 Kevin got a late call-up after dropping himself but stepped up replace an injured Oliver Young. Kevin did not want to give away any early holes, being all square at 16 before recording a brutal Loss 2 Down<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 4 \u2013 Tony Podvorec <\/strong>(caddy Wayne Smyth) \u2013 Tony had that steely look in his eye.\u00a0 This game see-sawed all day with few squares to be seen.\u00a0 He took this contest to 18 where both combatants faced difficult birdie putts.\u00a0 Tony suffered a dramatic Loss 1 Down<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 3 \u2013 Simon Laird <\/strong>(caddy Merv Danne) \u2013 Simon played the front 9 well but unfortunately the testing back nine punished him before receiving a Loss 4&3<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 2 \u2013 Peter Baigent <\/strong>(caddy Jason Eccleston) \u2013 Pete looked in control early, playing the ex-Wakehurst professional.\u00a0 Pete\u2019s chipping and putting game was strong again, taking an early lead before finding himself on the 18th<\/sup> green and sinking the pressure putt for a well-earned Win 1Up<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Pete took his total to 5 wins from 5 games<\/strong>. Well done on a great first season for you Pete!\u00a0 The Europeans are looking to poach you for Bonville! Baigent sure sounds French to me, Mon Ami!<\/p>\n 1 \u2013 Cooper Smith<\/strong> (caddy Noah Simpkins) \u2013 It was Cooper\u2019s turn to face Wakehurst\u2019s solid, unbeaten plus 4 marker.\u00a0 Coops fought hard but was down early and continued to struggle before finally receiving a Loss 6&5<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Thank you again to all our Caddies, all season!\u00a0 <\/strong>We had a record number of caddies carry the bags of our players this season.\u00a0 The team appreciates your efforts.\u00a0 You add to the \u201cexperience and enjoyment\u201d of the Majors\u2019 team environment. We trust you enjoyed it.<\/p>\n Mixed team – Congratulations on a fine season, going unbeaten.<\/strong> That is not easy to do.\u00a0 It was a pleasure to have the Majors team get around, support, and watch you get home over Cronulla. We truly have an awesome club!<\/p>\n Finally,<\/strong> I will be handing over team management duties for the Majors next year to Paddy Kelly. He has been an integral part of this team for over ten years, and I know he is a great fit for this role.<\/p>\n Cooper and Kev<\/strong>, you led the team well this year.\u00a0 Results do not always go our way to reward the amount of hard work that goes into a Majors season.<\/p>\n Thank you<\/strong> to the club, players, caddies, and members for your ongoing support of me, and especially this team.<\/p>\n Maurie Rivett \u2013 Team Manager 2024, signing off!<\/p>\n Major Pennants update \u2013 Round 5 \u2013 HOME Win 4.5 to 2.5<\/strong><\/p>\n The Major pennants team hosted Wakehurst, the current No.1 team in our section.\u00a0 Again, the weather conditions were benign and overcast, and we enjoyed the support of another large crowd at the Coast. We made the visitors feel welcome, before sending them home with their first loss of the season.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n Next week we play Wakehurst at Wakehurst from 7am.\u00a0 It will be a good Sunday for spectators \u2013 Support the Majors at Wakehurst from 7am, then zip back to the Coast to cheer home The Mixed team at 11am.<\/em> You are all invited and welcome!<\/p>\n 7 \u2013 Wayne Smyth<\/strong> (caddy Peter Woodward) \u2013 Wayne was hitting solid balls all day.\u00a0 He snuck away to 2 shot lead at the 8th<\/sup>, before his opponent got him back to Even across the back 9.\u00a0 With the match even teeing off the 18th<\/sup>, Wayne landed on the green in one shot, his opponent found the fairway.\u00a0 Two birdies were delivered with the match ending All Square. <\/strong>Welcome to Peter Woodward who answered an SOS for a caddy the night before.<\/p>\n 6 \u2013 Simon Laird<\/strong> (caddy Paddy Kelly) \u2013 Simon won this spot in a playoff with Paddy the day before after Merv was ruled out on medical grounds. Paddy offered himself immediately for caddy duty.\u00a0 Well done boys, it speaks to the spirit of this team.\u00a0 This game was Simon\u2019s early, going 5up at the turn, and finishing on the 12th<\/sup> green with a dominant Win 7&6. <\/strong>Don\u2019t mess with the Irish Mafia!<\/p>\n 5 \u2013 Cooper Smith <\/strong>(caddy Gary Kennedy) \u2013 This player\/caddy combo was out to extract revenge after last week.\u00a0 Poor Wakehurst.\u00a0 Cooper got out to be 3up at the turn and cruised along taking out the game to Win 4&2<\/strong><\/p>\n 4 \u2013 Pete Baigent <\/strong>(caddy Jason Eccleston) \u2013 Pete was beating opponents and changing his caddy every week.\u00a0 Today would prove to be no different.\u00a0 He played solidly through the front 9, leading by 2 after 8 holes.\u00a0 Across the back he had had enough, winning 13, 14 and 15 to end the contest with a Win 5&3.\u00a0 <\/strong>Will Jason survive till next week, grab your popcorn!<\/p>\n 3 \u2013 Conrad Weber <\/strong>(caddy John Wachman) \u2013 This team was in winning form.\u00a0 Conrad got to an early lead before being brought back to even on 13, then winning the next three holes, finishing on the 16th<\/sup> green with a Win 3&2.<\/strong><\/p>\n 2 \u2013 Kevin Isch <\/strong>(caddy Glen Hetherington) \u2013 Kevin was under strain early in this game, despite spending several couch sessions with his trusty dog, Hugo, as his psychologist.\u00a0 He fought back as usual before finally ending with a Loss 3&2<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 1 \u2013 Tony Podvorec<\/strong> (caddy Anthony Ragusa) \u2013 It has been a little while since we have seen Tony in the No.1 position, but he accepted the role gladly, knowing he had a fellow Rooster on his bag.\u00a0 Tony capitalised on his opponent\u2019s mistakes early with some solid chipping to be down 2 at the turn.\u00a0 He was grinding well before finally ending with a Loss 4&3.<\/strong><\/p>\n Thank you to all our Caddies above, and Spectators: <\/strong>Bruce Jennings, Ray Macey, CaptNoFun, Steve O\u2019Leary, Ben O\u2019neill, Sebastian and Gabriel, Trevor, Gary Peppard, Merv, Phil Hogg and dog, Jason, Freddie, The Snake on Hole 7, Hamish McCarthy and Gums.<\/p>\n Sunday 10th<\/sup> March we play Wakehurst at Wakehurst, teeing off at 7.00am<\/p>\n Major Pennants update \u2013 Round 4 \u2013 AWAY Loss 4 to 3<\/strong><\/p>\n The Major pennants team travelled to Hurstville on Sunday 25th<\/sup> February 2024. Conditions were barely OK, but with tree roots everywhere, little breeze and their greens in poor condition, change that to \u201cbad\u201d! This was a tough day at the office with a 3-All scoreline late in the day. The last pairing was All-Square with only the 18th to play.\u00a0 Hurstville sank the birdie putt to finish off leaving us to lament a 4-3 loss<\/strong>.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the \u201cjoy\u201d of Majors golf, six of the seven games going to 17 and 18. We have a good team and so does everybody else. On to next week \u2013 we play Wakehurst who are undefeated in this section, at The Coast.\u00a0 Let\u2019s have a big crowd out there to get our boys a WIN!<\/p>\n 7 \u2013 Pete Baigent<\/strong> (caddy Glenn F Grainger) \u2013 Pete has been shuffled up and down the order and has delivered every time.\u00a0 He was playing steady all day being in front for most of the back 9, coming back to Even after 16 holes but keeping his \u201cgrandstand finish record\u201d intact on the 18th<\/sup>, Win 1Up<\/strong><\/p>\n 6 \u2013 Simon Laird<\/strong> (caddy Ray Macey) \u2013 Simon was the only player all day to never be down in his match.\u00a0 And that\u2019s despite landing on a greenside sprinkler head next to the 16th<\/sup> green and nearly bouncing OOB.\u00a0 After a quick re-order of the twigs around his ball, he carried his Rabbitohs water bottle on to Win 2&1<\/strong><\/p>\n 5 \u2013 Wayne Smyth <\/strong>(caddy Oliver Young) \u2013 After getting off to a good and being up by 2 early he struggled with the \u201cmiddle 6 holes\u201d, like most of our players.\u00a0 He held on till the 17th<\/sup> before finally ending with a Loss 2&1. <\/strong>There was some good chemistry with this player\/caddy combination.<\/p>\n 4 \u2013 Paddy Kelly <\/strong>(caddy Doug Wesney) \u2013 This was the tightest match of the day with half after half, but the bubble burst on 16 and 17 with Paddy recording a Loss 2&1<\/strong><\/p>\n 3 \u2013 Conrad Weber <\/strong>(caddy John Wachman) \u2013 Conrad got off to a good start being up 2 early but the tough 7th<\/sup> 8th<\/sup> and 9th<\/sup> holes brought him back, with his shocked caddy witnessing shots he had never seen from Conrad before. The dog fight was brough to an end with a Win 2&1<\/strong><\/p>\n 2 \u2013 Kevin Isch <\/strong>(caddy Glen Hetherington) \u2013 Kevin showed up and was ready to play. He has a recent trait of going down several holes before a miraculous recovery.\u00a0 However, this one continued to spiral ending in to an 8&6 Loss. <\/strong>Can someone recommend a good psychologist, a couch, and a lie down please?<\/p>\n 1 \u2013 Cooper Smith<\/strong> (caddy Gary Kennedy) \u2013 This was probably the match of the day.\u00a0 The struggle was real, with Cooper up several holes early before a tough grind and many close putts left on the rim.\u00a0 This was a birdie-fest with great golf witnessed. Cooper birdied 16 to go 1up, but his opponent had other ideas, finishing birdie-birdie to deliver a Coast team hammer blow and a Loss 1 Down<\/strong><\/p>\n Thank you to all our Caddies and Spectators: <\/strong>Thanks to Mick Kent, Tony Podvorec and Mark Sheedy (who seemed more intent on recruiting for the Masters and looking for golf balls on his local course). And Gums \u2026<\/p>\n Next Sunday we play Wakehurst at The Coast, teeing off at 7.00am<\/p>\n Maurie Rivett \u2013 Team Manager 2024<\/p>\n Major Pennant Round 3 \u2013 HOME Win 6 to 1<\/strong><\/p>\n The Major pennants team hosted Hurstville at home on Sunday 18th<\/sup> February 2024. Conditions were very placid again week, and caddies were nervous. There had been a major purge of caddies from last week. Everyone knows that caddies are blamed for mishits, chunked shots and missed putts.\u00a0\u00a0 Unfair, but that\u2019s life 😉!<\/p>\n Most of our players got off to a good start and went on to good victories, with the contest over by 10.30am. We had a good crowd of spectators who stayed on to watch us get the \u201cW<\/strong>\u201d.\u00a0 Only one match went up 18. The Coast went on to record a solid Win<\/strong> of 6 to 1. We are back in the game!<\/strong><\/p>\n 7 \u2013 Wayne Smyth<\/strong> (caddy Paddy Kelly) \u2013 Wayne was striking the ball and playing well early, being up by 5 through 9 holes.\u00a0 Wayne was in a hurry to get the job done. He Won 6&5<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 6 \u2013 Tony Podvorec<\/strong> (caddy Anthony Ragusa) \u2013 Tony was glad to have a fellow rooster supporter on his bag this week.\u00a0 He was in a solid fight across the front 9, being down 2 after 9 holes.\u00a0 But the magic finally surfaced, winning a string of 5 holes before his opponent inexplicably shook hands on 16. Match Won 3&2.<\/strong><\/p>\n 5 \u2013 Pete Baigent <\/strong>(caddy Simon Laird) \u2013 Speaking of people in a hurry, Pete was up by 6 at the halfway mark.\u00a0 It was all over by 12 with a Win<\/strong> of 8&6.\u00a0 <\/strong>That is 2 wins for his first two appearances for this team.<\/p>\n 4 \u2013 Oliver Young <\/strong>(caddy Gary Kennedy) \u2013 Oliver arrived fresh and ready to play but struggled on a tough day for him.\u00a0 He lost some key holes across his middle six holes to finally have a Loss 5&4<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 3 \u2013 Kevin \u201cClutch\u201d Isch <\/strong>(caddy Glen Hetherington) \u2013 Kevin sacked two of his caddies from last week, and for a while looked like it wasn\u2019t paying dividends.\u00a0 Being 4 down after 8 holes it did not look good.\u00a0 His opponent showed some weakness and Kevin took full advantage winning 5 holes in a row to be 1 up on hole 16.\u00a0 A big crowd had gathered to follow him up 17 & 18.\u00a0 He sunk his par putt on 18 and received thunderous applause that shook the glasses inside the bar area.\u00a0 He Won 1Up<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 2 \u2013 Merv \u201cRocky\u201d Danne <\/strong>(caddy John Wachman) \u2013 Merv had his favourite towel draped across his shoulders.\u00a0 He played steady golf early to see him in front by 3 at the halfway mark, and went on to Win 4&3. <\/strong>A strong win.<\/p>\n 1 \u2013 Cooper Smith<\/strong> (caddy Scott Knowles) \u2013 Cooper shook hands with his opponent on the 1st<\/sup> tee, and that was about as close as they were all day.\u00a0 Coops absolutely punished someone that had had a \u201cbig night\u201d, who walked off before finishing the 12th<\/sup> hole to catch an Uber home, delivering a Win 8&6<\/strong><\/p>\n Thank you to all our caddies again.\u00a0 You do a great job every week<\/strong>. Its always great to have more caddies than we need.\u00a0 We appreciate each and everyone of you! We also saw a large crowd of spectators out again.\u00a0 The boys love it!<\/p>\n Spectators: <\/strong>Tony and Deb deK, Scott Haywood, Gums, Bruce Jennings, Deb and Steve McDermott, Mark Millican, Gary Peppard, Ben O\u2019Neill and Sebastian, Daniel McNeill, Doug Wesney and apologies to anyone I missed.<\/p>\n Next week we play Hurstville at Hurstville GC, teeing off at 11.00am<\/p>\n Maurie Rivett<\/p>\n Major Pennant\u00a0 Round 2 \u2013 HOME Loss 4 to 3<\/strong><\/p>\n The Major pennants team hosted Asquith at home on Sunday 11th<\/sup> February 2024. Conditions were as near perfect as you get at The Coast, which was a pity. \u00a0We always look forward to freaking out our opposition with the help of our coastal breezes.<\/p>\n We had a large crowd of spectators, but even that wasn\u2019t enough to get the \u201cW<\/strong>\u201d.\u00a0 All matches were close with two groups going up 18, splitting those results, with Asquith prevailing on the day handing us a Loss<\/strong> of 4 to 3. <\/strong><\/p>\n Reserve \u2013 Wayne Smyth <\/strong>(caddy Glenn F Grainger) \u2013 Wayne was 1up through 9 and ground his opponent to a WIN 4&2. <\/strong>A pity we didn\u2019t get see more of this game<\/p>\n 7 \u2013 Paddy Kelly<\/strong> (caddy Doug Wesney) \u2013 Paddy played Asquith\u2019s captain again this week had a job to contain him, being -2 through 8<\/strong> holes and ended with a Loss 3&2<\/strong><\/p>\n 6 \u2013 Pete Baigent<\/strong> (caddy Jarrod Sharrock) \u2013 This was Pete\u2019s first game and used an \u201cimport\u201d as his caddy.\u00a0 He was 1 down through 8 holes, and steadied the ship to Win 2Up<\/strong>. He finished with a birdie, which earned him the point and a \u201cteam fine<\/strong>\u201d for showing off in front of the clubhouse. Welcome to the team, Pete!<\/p>\n 5 \u2013 Oliver Young <\/strong>(caddy Gary Kennedy) \u2013 This game was close all day, being 1up early and going 1down with a poultice of halves across the back before ending with a Loss 1 Down<\/strong> on 18. Welcome to the team Oliver \u2013 he hasn\u2019t played Major pennants for 35 years, but he has upgraded his clubs from hickory shafts.<\/p>\n 4 \u2013 Tony Podvorec <\/strong>(caddy Simon Laird) \u2013 This was another close one all day which seesawed both sides of Even all day.\u00a0 His match finished on 17 with a Loss 2&1<\/strong>.\u00a0 An investigation has been opened into the caddy\u2019s \u201cRabbitohs\u201d water bottle being placed in Tony\u2019s bag.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t see the problem.<\/p>\n 3 \u2013 Kevin Isch <\/strong>(caddy Glen Hetherington, Freddie plus dog) \u2013 Another tight game through the front 9 with Kev improving once he had \u201cthree\u201d on his bag.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t happy losing last week and he pulled away for a solid Win 4&2<\/strong><\/p>\n 2 \u2013 Merv Danne <\/strong>(caddy John Wachman) \u2013 Merv also managed to shrug off a loss last week, going 2Up early and finishing with a Win 3&2. <\/strong>A strong win.<\/p>\n 1 \u2013 Cooper Smith<\/strong> (caddy Ray Macey) \u2013 Cooper faced off against Asquith\u2019s club champion, who had a win over Conrad the previous week.\u00a0 Unfortunately, Coops was 3 down after 9, and grafted away till eventually heading to Loss 3&2 <\/strong><\/p>\n Thank you to all our caddies again.\u00a0 You do a great job every week. <\/strong>We saw a huge cast of spectators out and about today.\u00a0 Thank you, the boys always appreciate it.<\/p>\n Spectators: <\/strong>Gums, Robert Simpson, Ragu, Steve Day, Capt NoFun, Daniel McNeill, Bruce Jennings, Jason Eccleston, Gary Peppard, Trevor Jay, Deb & Steve McDermott, Carl, Bruce Dominish and apologies to anyone I missed.<\/p>\n Maurie Rivett \u2013 Team Manager 2024<\/p>\n Major Pennant Round 1 \u2013 Away Loss 4.5 to 2.5<\/strong><\/p>\n The Major pennants team travelled to Asquith on Sunday 4th<\/sup> February 2024. Conditions were \u201chot, hotter and humid\u201d. It is a beautiful course. All games were played in good spirit, but Asquith prevailed on the day with a strong team that made the Semis last year, and won the contest 4.5 to 2.5 <\/strong><\/p>\n Reserve \u2013 Gary Kennedy <\/strong>(caddy Bruce Dominish) played in the Reserve position for a fighting 2&1 Win<\/strong>, after being 3 down at the turn.\u00a0 He hung in there, played some great golf and got the job done. Welcome to the team, Ranger Gary!<\/p>\n 7 \u2013 Wayne Smyth<\/strong> (caddy Pete Baigent) Wayne was gone! His towel was wet through after 3 holes and was down 5<\/strong> after 9 holes. \u00a0With Pete\u2019s help, I think we witnessed the \u201c2nd<\/sup> Coming\u201d.\u00a0 Some inspired shots saw him claim a Half<\/strong> on the 18th<\/sup> hole.<\/p>\n 6 \u2013 Paddy Kelly<\/strong> (caddy Doug Wesney) \u2013 The old firm of Kelly&Wesney announced they were back in town, and not to be messed with.\u00a0 This was no tired rendition of Piano Man we saw, but a gutsy lead of +2 at halfway, our only player to be in front at this stage. Paddy had that \u201cEye of the tiger\u201d look in his eye, and a large crowd on 18 which saw him hang in for a solid 1Up<\/strong> victory. \u00a0It was worth returning home for his golf shoes after all (fine!).<\/p>\n 5 \u2013 Simon Laird <\/strong>(caddy Eamonn Laird) \u2013 Simon had a great tussle all day spurred by an imported Irish caddy on his bag and memories of his first golf Trophy in the cabinet at Ashburn.\u00a0 He was only 1 down at the turn but his opponent went up another gear to hand Simon a Loss 4&2<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 4 \u2013 Kevin Isch <\/strong>(caddy Glen Hetherington) \u2013 Kev struggled in the first 9 holes, being 4 down at the turn.\u00a0 He had a strong opponent and he managed to hold his own for a few more holes before finally going down 5&4<\/strong><\/p>\n 3 \u2013 Merv Danne<\/strong> (caddy John Wachman) \u2013 Merv did enough sweating for the whole team and ran into a guy that was solid all day. He stayed with him for several holes before slipping a few to be 3 down at the turn, and finally succumbing to a Loss 5&4<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 2 \u2013 Cooper Smith <\/strong>(caddy Ray Macey) \u2013 Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Coops\u2019 opponent was a solid player all day and they were All Square after 8 holes.\u00a0 It was tight all the way down the stretch, Coops being 1 down at 14 \u2026 he fought back to be Square at 17, banging balls solidly into the back of the cup on 16 & 17. He found the fairway off the tee on 18, his opponent did not, and went on to Win 1Up<\/strong> to thunderous applause from a big crowd on 18.<\/p>\n
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