Penrith win at home in the Major Pennant

PENRITH 4.5 v MONASH 2.5

We travelled out to Penrith for our last match of the fixtures, and after coming off a win last week, our first for the season, the team had a renewed confidence that if we played well, we could win. Everyone in the team knew the equation…we knew that if we won or worst case a half, we would avoid the relegation fixture next week! Our usual #7 Danny Marshall led the team out against the same opponent he played last week…Danny knew what he was up against, so was ready for the fight. I knew that Danny wasn’t going his best when I asked him on the 8th how he was going and he just said…NO! 

Danny admitted that he wasn’t playing his best golf but was still only two down after 7, so he certainly wasn’t out of it…while Danny fought hard, he just couldn’t make back the ground that he had lost early in his match, and eventually succumbed 3&2. 

Michael Eksteen was off at #6 this week, and had an opponent that beat our #6 last week, so Michael was in for a battle, Michael was down early in his match, and his opponent was playing very steady golf at home, it is always hard to get holes back against the home side and this proved to be the case for Michael who was beaten 5&4. Michael did make a great speech after the match, when the manager threw him the challenge! 

Sunil Patel once again played at #5, against a player that had shot 9 under the previous day, in the Penrith Cup, but nothing seems to phase Sunil, he just goes about his business, and while he was down early, and after a cold top off the tee at 8, Sunil managed to work his way back into his match. Sunil watched his opponent miss an eagle putt on 12, and rip a huge chunk out of the green, which was the point that we knew he was getting frustrated with not only himself, but also not being able to put Sunil away (Good Luck with that!!!) eventually Sunil was able to seal the match 2&1 on the 17th! 

Olli Hugill played at #4 again, and this is where Penrith changed their order around, Olli’s opponent has played #1 or #2 in previous weeks, but was down the order this week…Olli hit a 320m drive up the first which silenced the parochial Penrith crowd, as his his opponent hooked on straight into the trees left. Olli played very well all day, but it was the 8th hole again that hurt us…Olli’s second shot stayed up in one of the trees, so he had to take an unplayable which cost him the hole…Olli managed to be 1down standing on the 16th, but a snap hook left, cost him that hole, and he went down 2&1 in a very close match, I haven’t seen many golfers get as many ordinary lies like Olli got on Sunday, especially form the middle of the fairway! 

Zac Telfer got arguably the most consistent golfer for Penrith and while Zac wasn’t at his best, his opponent just kept making birdies, which in the end was the difference and Zac lost 7&6…

Anthony (wild man) Tan was next up at #2, and playing an opponent that could also smack a drivel, not as far, but not too far off…this match and Olli’s were the two that we were really pressing for, Anthony was down early, managed to get back to square, then 2 down after 14. The Manager gave Anthony a bake before the 15th tee, which really helped when Anthony fat chunked his wedge 20m short of the green, this didn’t matter as his opponent hit it into the bushes and Anthony managed to get up and down to be 1dn playing 16th. His opponent was clearly rattled, and while I was typing a text to Dan, to say we were done, his opponent missed a 3ft putt to keep us alive. Anthony managed to halve the 17th from the rough and then on 18 hit a 330m drive to just short of the green and was able to make birdie to halve his match! 

Jordan Mackay took on their #1, and was really looking forward to his challenge, while his opponents caddie wouldn’t shut up, Jordy managed to not let this distract him and easily buried his opponent 5&4…I think the turning point was when Jordy hit a 5 iron from 202m on the par 5 12th to 15ft, and his opponent was playing from another post code for his third, that is what made the difference! 

Jordan is undefeated in all his matches this year, and Sunil has had one half and all wins as well, they should both be congratulated on their performances when you see them at the club!

Well, we go to Stonecutters next week to play off for a continuation in Division One, I would like it if a few people could volunteer to caddie this Sunday, as I think it just helps our players settle down in tight moments…We love representing Monash and our course is very highly regarded, but I also think that our players should be as well, as it is never an easy course to come and play.

Just quietly, I hope we don’t get Penrith in our draw next year, that is a long way to travel for a game of golf for anyone!

Thanks 

Mick Perry
Pennant Manager

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