The 2024 Mid North Coast Pennant season has ended and CHGC was well represented, we fielded 7 teams across 4 Divisions, but alas had a Final success in only one.
Thanks to all the players that came forward to represent the club, your efforts are much appreciated. A special ‘thank you” to the squad Captains namely Cameron Pollard, Rob Potts, Chris Noel, Gavin Moor, Mat Quirk and Dean Press. It’s tough job assembling a team with what was often limited numbers.
THE FINALS DAY:
Division 3
It was a tough day at South West Rocks. The 1st match out was Rob Philipse who played against a guy who hasn’t lost in 3 years and went down 3 & 2, John Nichols in the 2nd match quickly levelled things back with a 3 & 2 victory. 4th match finished early with Steve Hayes scoring a comprehensive 4 & 3 win. Captain Quirk went into the last all square but went down needing to make a 12-footer to square the hole. The Final was back to 2-2, in the last match Peter Creenaune came from 4 behind and was all square coming up the last and was also unlucky with just clipping a tree when in a good position to also go down on the last hole. Bellingen winning the match 3 & 2. They are a tough team telling us they have won 4 out of the last 5 years.
Very proud of the team this year and very grateful to meet some of my team for the first time. All a bunch of great guys and unfortunately we couldn’t come home with the chocolates, but it was still a wonderful achievement to make the final in a very competitive division.
Thanks to all my team this year including Arlen Horton who played most of our matches this season but had to head overseas and miss the final.
Big thank you must go to Michael Krilich for all the work he has done for Pennants at the Coffs Golf Club, it’s much appreciated by me personally and all the players who were able to represent our great club.
Thanks, must also go to Luke Woods from NSW golf for organising the MNC pennants this year, it’s not an easy job, but he has done a great job on improving Pennants golf.
Big congratulations to our Division 2 team for their victory!
Captain Mat Quirk.
Division 2
With an 8.00 tee time at South West Rocks it meant we had get up while the birds were still racking up zeds. BUT.. it was all worth it, as we ran out winners 3 matches to 2. SWR was a bit soggy as it had rained overnight and there was no run, but that rain didn’t affect their slick Bent greens, many putts seen zipping well past the hole.
Rob Caldwell led the field out and was unlucky to go down on the last hole after his opponent was able to get par after airmailing the Par 5 green with a booming 5 iron second shot! Next out was Captain Krilich who won his match 4 and 3 after having to give 5 handicap shots away in the first 12 holes. Our number 3 Stephen Craig went down 6 and 4, it’s tough giving away 5 shots early in match play. Stephen in his first year or so in golf has done unbelievably well with an incredible handicap reduction to 3.2, he should be very proud of his accomplishment. Warrick Lynch had an emphatic 8 and 6 win, again having to give away a number of shots early. Warrick is very steady, solid player who doesn’t give an inch.
So here we are anxiously waiting around the last green for the final match to arrive, we are even at 2 matches a piece and Jacob Cross is playing Kempsey’s number 1. Last we heard of, or saw was with Jacob losing the 13th hole and the whisper was that he was all-square at that point. Then we see him approaching us walking down the last, but where is his opponent? He’s left him behind after a tremendous 3 and 2 win…. and Pennant is ours! Jacob has proven himself to be formidable player and our star performer, not having lost a match during the season. He has earned the nickname “The Grinder”.
I am proud to be part of a team with these guys, they give it their all and perform in the right spirit.
Captain Michael Krilich.
Division 1
The Div.1 finals were played at Coffs yesterday (16/06/24) between last years winners, Sawtell and South West Rocks. South West Rocks had a win over Sawtell 3 – 2.
