1 June 2008 VGL Handicap Pennant Division 8 Final
GFGC 4 - Wellington Links 3
After finishing runners-up in 2006 and 2007, the Handicap Pennant Team went one better this year, winning the flag in Division 8 of the Victorian Golf League.
Captained by Fred Phillips, the Growling Frog won a hard fought final by 4 matches to 3 against Wellington Links at Werribee.
The members of the successful team were John Bozinovski, James Bannan, Andrew Harris, Sam Sahin, Gary Emmerton, Arty Mazzocca, and Barry Fleming, with Ray Plant, Stephen Trott, Ron Witbooi, Chris Devitt and Trevor Skeoch also part of the squad during the year.
GFGC 4 - Wellington Links 3
After finishing runners-up in 2006 and 2007, the Handicap Pennant Team went one better this year, winning the flag in Division 8 of the Victorian Golf League.
Captained by Fred Phillips, the Growling Frog won a hard fought final by 4 matches to 3 against Wellington Links at Werribee.
The members of the successful team were John Bozinovski, James Bannan, Andrew Harris, Sam Sahin, Gary Emmerton, Arty Mazzocca, and Barry Fleming, with Ray Plant, Stephen Trott, Ron Witbooi, Chris Devitt and Trevor Skeoch also part of the squad during the year.
17 May 2009 Albatross Ace For Hanna
Warren Hanna not only scored a hole-in-one on Sunday, but also one of the rarest birds in golf - an albatross.
Playing for the Growling Frog at Dorset Golf Course in Round 6 of the VGL Pennant, Warren hit driver on the 252m Par 4 tenth hole. Putting out in the game in front, Mick Lowrie and James Bannan were amazed to see Warren’s ball land at the front of the green and roll into the centre of the cup.
Warren Hanna not only scored a hole-in-one on Sunday, but also one of the rarest birds in golf - an albatross.
Playing for the Growling Frog at Dorset Golf Course in Round 6 of the VGL Pennant, Warren hit driver on the 252m Par 4 tenth hole. Putting out in the game in front, Mick Lowrie and James Bannan were amazed to see Warren’s ball land at the front of the green and roll into the centre of the cup.
24 May 2009 VGL Scratch Pennant Division 4 Final
Dorset 3.5 - GFGC 3.5
The Growling Frog Scratch Team was beaten by the narrowest of margins in a tense Division 4 Pennant Final against Dorset on Sunday at Werribee Park.
Captain Mick Lowrie got us off to the best possible start, dominating his opponent in the top match and recording a comfortable win. The other three players in the top two pairs, Luke Audley, Damien Blythe and Warren Hanna were all defeated, and at 1-3 we were staring down the barrel. But Darren ‘Pick It Up’ Campbell won a controversial game on the 17th, and then James Bannan almost aced the same hole to complete a comeback victory and make it 3-3.
Simon Stoker was beaten 1up on the 18th, after a see-sawing encounter in the emergency match, leaving us in need of a win in the last pairing. Steve Warburton fought back from a deficit on the back nine, and won the 17th to square his match and give himself a chance for the win on the final hole. With the rest of the players watching on he boomed a big drive down the fairway, and with his opponent short-sided in a greenside bunker he pitched to the edge of the putting surface. Unfortunately for us, the Dorset player made a miraculous up-and-down from the trap, and Steve’s courageous par could only halve the match.
With the overall score tied 3.5 - 3.5 the emergency game loss proved decisive, and Dorset took the flag.
Thanks to all players who contributed during an enjoyable season, including Gary Manley, Blair Saunders and Brayden Edwards-Scott who were unable to play in the Final. Thanks also to Ray Plant, Fred Phillips, Chris Devitt, Lisa McMahon and Noel Bannan who generously caddied and offered moral support on Sunday.
Dorset 3.5 - GFGC 3.5
The Growling Frog Scratch Team was beaten by the narrowest of margins in a tense Division 4 Pennant Final against Dorset on Sunday at Werribee Park.
Captain Mick Lowrie got us off to the best possible start, dominating his opponent in the top match and recording a comfortable win. The other three players in the top two pairs, Luke Audley, Damien Blythe and Warren Hanna were all defeated, and at 1-3 we were staring down the barrel. But Darren ‘Pick It Up’ Campbell won a controversial game on the 17th, and then James Bannan almost aced the same hole to complete a comeback victory and make it 3-3.
Simon Stoker was beaten 1up on the 18th, after a see-sawing encounter in the emergency match, leaving us in need of a win in the last pairing. Steve Warburton fought back from a deficit on the back nine, and won the 17th to square his match and give himself a chance for the win on the final hole. With the rest of the players watching on he boomed a big drive down the fairway, and with his opponent short-sided in a greenside bunker he pitched to the edge of the putting surface. Unfortunately for us, the Dorset player made a miraculous up-and-down from the trap, and Steve’s courageous par could only halve the match.
With the overall score tied 3.5 - 3.5 the emergency game loss proved decisive, and Dorset took the flag.
Thanks to all players who contributed during an enjoyable season, including Gary Manley, Blair Saunders and Brayden Edwards-Scott who were unable to play in the Final. Thanks also to Ray Plant, Fred Phillips, Chris Devitt, Lisa McMahon and Noel Bannan who generously caddied and offered moral support on Sunday.
31 May 2009 VGL Handicap Pennant Division 7 Final
GFGC 4.5 - Yarrambat 2.5
The Growling Frog Handicap Pennant Team made it back to back VGL premierships at Werribee Park on Sunday. In a tense finish, the Growling Frog defeated near neighbours, Yarrambat, 4.5 – 2.5 to claim the VGL Division 7 pennant. It completed an incredible late season comeback, given the team was on the bottom of the ladder with 3 losses from the first 3 rounds.
The Frog started the final well, with most team members having the better of their opponents on the front 9. At the turn we were on track, leading in 5.5 of the 8 matches. However Yarrambat rallied on the back 9, and the overall result went down to the wire.
In the first group out, Arty Mazzocca was a last minute inclusion for the unlucky John Bozinovski, who had to pull out with a back injury. John had played well all season, and was bitterly disappointed not to be playing. Unfortunately Arty couldn’t match his opponent’s hot day on the greens, going down 3&2 in the emergency match.
Ang Nisi had played beautifully all season (5 wins from 6 matches) but today wasn’t to be his day, losing 3&1 to his big-hitting opponent. Still, the team can thank Ang for being a major factor in reaching the final!
In the next group, Sam Sahin and Barry Noble were on top early, with both in control at the halfway stage. Sam continued to play solidly and never let his opponent back in, matching his victory in last year’s final with another win on the 18th. Barry faltered on the back 9, and found himself 2 down with 2 to play. With the overall result in the balance, Barry dug deep. A magnificent birdie on the difficult 17th left him one down. Things looked bad when his drive on 18 disappeared over the edge of the cliff beside the fairway. But “eagle-eye” Nisi found the ball, and Barry recovered brilliantly to put pressure on the Yarrambat skipper, and take the hole for a vital “all square” result.
The third group saw team captain, Andrew Harris, paired with club captain, Ray Plant. Battling the (swine??) flu, Ray started scratchily and soon found himself 3-down. However he found his rhythm and played beautifully to hit the front in the middle stages. But his opponent rallied to come back and close out the match 3&2.
Andrew led 2-up after 9, but lost the next three holes to surrender the lead. Possibly inspired by the arrival of Boz in the gallery, he won 15 and 16 to snatch back the lead. A wayward tee shot on 17 saw him thankfully recover to halve the hole. So the skipper and his opponent stood on the 18th tee believing the winner of the hole would clinch the pennant for his side, as Barry’s comeback was not yet complete on the green ahead, and the group behind had already finished. Excellent drives and approaches from both players saw them both only a few metres from the pin. 2 putts each left the Frog captain with a 1-up win.
The final group saw a very solid performance from our number 1 and 2 players, Damien Kerr and Matt Huy respectively. Both got out to early leads, and were never caught, thanks to some quality golf by this pair. Both were playing their first season of pennant, and were up against quality opponents each week. To control their final was an outstanding performance; both players finishing off their opponent on the 16th hole.
Thanks go to the Bannans (Noel & James) for caddying, and “the Prez” Fred Phillips for coming out to support the team. Also to James for playing early in the season before being promoted to the Scratch team, and to Stephen Trott who filled in on a bitterly cold, windy day at Eastern Sward during the season when we were short.
GFGC 4.5 - Yarrambat 2.5
The Growling Frog Handicap Pennant Team made it back to back VGL premierships at Werribee Park on Sunday. In a tense finish, the Growling Frog defeated near neighbours, Yarrambat, 4.5 – 2.5 to claim the VGL Division 7 pennant. It completed an incredible late season comeback, given the team was on the bottom of the ladder with 3 losses from the first 3 rounds.
The Frog started the final well, with most team members having the better of their opponents on the front 9. At the turn we were on track, leading in 5.5 of the 8 matches. However Yarrambat rallied on the back 9, and the overall result went down to the wire.
In the first group out, Arty Mazzocca was a last minute inclusion for the unlucky John Bozinovski, who had to pull out with a back injury. John had played well all season, and was bitterly disappointed not to be playing. Unfortunately Arty couldn’t match his opponent’s hot day on the greens, going down 3&2 in the emergency match.
Ang Nisi had played beautifully all season (5 wins from 6 matches) but today wasn’t to be his day, losing 3&1 to his big-hitting opponent. Still, the team can thank Ang for being a major factor in reaching the final!
In the next group, Sam Sahin and Barry Noble were on top early, with both in control at the halfway stage. Sam continued to play solidly and never let his opponent back in, matching his victory in last year’s final with another win on the 18th. Barry faltered on the back 9, and found himself 2 down with 2 to play. With the overall result in the balance, Barry dug deep. A magnificent birdie on the difficult 17th left him one down. Things looked bad when his drive on 18 disappeared over the edge of the cliff beside the fairway. But “eagle-eye” Nisi found the ball, and Barry recovered brilliantly to put pressure on the Yarrambat skipper, and take the hole for a vital “all square” result.
The third group saw team captain, Andrew Harris, paired with club captain, Ray Plant. Battling the (swine??) flu, Ray started scratchily and soon found himself 3-down. However he found his rhythm and played beautifully to hit the front in the middle stages. But his opponent rallied to come back and close out the match 3&2.
Andrew led 2-up after 9, but lost the next three holes to surrender the lead. Possibly inspired by the arrival of Boz in the gallery, he won 15 and 16 to snatch back the lead. A wayward tee shot on 17 saw him thankfully recover to halve the hole. So the skipper and his opponent stood on the 18th tee believing the winner of the hole would clinch the pennant for his side, as Barry’s comeback was not yet complete on the green ahead, and the group behind had already finished. Excellent drives and approaches from both players saw them both only a few metres from the pin. 2 putts each left the Frog captain with a 1-up win.
The final group saw a very solid performance from our number 1 and 2 players, Damien Kerr and Matt Huy respectively. Both got out to early leads, and were never caught, thanks to some quality golf by this pair. Both were playing their first season of pennant, and were up against quality opponents each week. To control their final was an outstanding performance; both players finishing off their opponent on the 16th hole.
Thanks go to the Bannans (Noel & James) for caddying, and “the Prez” Fred Phillips for coming out to support the team. Also to James for playing early in the season before being promoted to the Scratch team, and to Stephen Trott who filled in on a bitterly cold, windy day at Eastern Sward during the season when we were short.
6 June 2010 VGL Scratch Pennant Division 4 Final
Sandringham 4 - GFGC 3
Sandringham 4 - GFGC 3
18 May 2015 A Dramatic Finale to the Scratch Pennant Season
Needing a win in the last game of the season to qualify for the Final, it was all on the line for the Growling Frog Scratch Pennant Team on Sunday. With road wins hard to come by, playing away at ladder leader East Malvern didn’t make the task any easier.
Four matches were decided early, two to each team, and with the other pairs evenly balanced it always looked like this was going down to the wire. In the top group Luke Audley was up, and given his strong form all year looked unlikely to lose. But skipper Warren Hanna had been behind all day, and was in desperate trouble three down with five to play.
When No 8 Simon Stoker rolled in a ten footer for birdie on the 16th he secured a 3&2 win in the tie-breaker ‘ball’ match, so it appeared we needed at least a half from Club stalwart John Bozinovski. He narrowly missed a birdie putt to level the match on the Par 5 15th, then both players completed solid pars under pressure on 16 and 17 to leave Boz still 1 down with only the long 191M Par 3 18th to go. He pulled his tee shot left of the green, in a nasty spot, and his opponent hit a beautiful shot onto the green. It seemed like it was probably all over. But John continued to pile on the pressure, hitting a great chip in close. His opponent was up to the task though, completing his two putt for a half and winning a hard fought match 1 up.
Meanwhile, a couple of holes behind, Luke had won 3&2, leaving the overall score 3-3 with one match still going. We need a half for victory ‘on the ball’ and a trip to the Finals, a simple equation but not an easy one, given Warren is now dormie 2 down with 2 to play and staring down the barrel.
On the 17th he hit a good looking second shot from the tree line on the right, but it spun back to the front of the green. His opponent was short in two but had been chipping well all day. If he could get up and down, Warren would have to hole a long putt to keep the match alive. He couldn’t, and a solid two putt was good enough to win the hole.
One down, one to play, the whole match… the whole season, resting on the Captain’s shoulders.
He steps up and hits a nerveless three iron to the front of the green, putting all of the pressure back on to his opponent, who pulls his shot to the left and ends up in a similar spot to the one Boz had been in earlier. A tricky chip at the best of times, he can’t get up and down and Warren completes his two putt to secure the decisive half and a famous win.
A gutsy performance by Warren, and a great team win away from home. Much credit goes to the East Malvern boys, who played in great spirit and showed their class despite the tough loss.
Well done to the whole squad (Luke Audley, Wayde Barling, Damian Blythe, John Bozinovski, Aaron Delia, Warren Hanna, Mick Lowrie, Luke March, Mark Stapleton & Simon Stoker) for a great season in a tight Division, and on to the Final against Altona Lakes at Werribee in two weeks time…
Needing a win in the last game of the season to qualify for the Final, it was all on the line for the Growling Frog Scratch Pennant Team on Sunday. With road wins hard to come by, playing away at ladder leader East Malvern didn’t make the task any easier.
Four matches were decided early, two to each team, and with the other pairs evenly balanced it always looked like this was going down to the wire. In the top group Luke Audley was up, and given his strong form all year looked unlikely to lose. But skipper Warren Hanna had been behind all day, and was in desperate trouble three down with five to play.
When No 8 Simon Stoker rolled in a ten footer for birdie on the 16th he secured a 3&2 win in the tie-breaker ‘ball’ match, so it appeared we needed at least a half from Club stalwart John Bozinovski. He narrowly missed a birdie putt to level the match on the Par 5 15th, then both players completed solid pars under pressure on 16 and 17 to leave Boz still 1 down with only the long 191M Par 3 18th to go. He pulled his tee shot left of the green, in a nasty spot, and his opponent hit a beautiful shot onto the green. It seemed like it was probably all over. But John continued to pile on the pressure, hitting a great chip in close. His opponent was up to the task though, completing his two putt for a half and winning a hard fought match 1 up.
Meanwhile, a couple of holes behind, Luke had won 3&2, leaving the overall score 3-3 with one match still going. We need a half for victory ‘on the ball’ and a trip to the Finals, a simple equation but not an easy one, given Warren is now dormie 2 down with 2 to play and staring down the barrel.
On the 17th he hit a good looking second shot from the tree line on the right, but it spun back to the front of the green. His opponent was short in two but had been chipping well all day. If he could get up and down, Warren would have to hole a long putt to keep the match alive. He couldn’t, and a solid two putt was good enough to win the hole.
One down, one to play, the whole match… the whole season, resting on the Captain’s shoulders.
He steps up and hits a nerveless three iron to the front of the green, putting all of the pressure back on to his opponent, who pulls his shot to the left and ends up in a similar spot to the one Boz had been in earlier. A tricky chip at the best of times, he can’t get up and down and Warren completes his two putt to secure the decisive half and a famous win.
A gutsy performance by Warren, and a great team win away from home. Much credit goes to the East Malvern boys, who played in great spirit and showed their class despite the tough loss.
Well done to the whole squad (Luke Audley, Wayde Barling, Damian Blythe, John Bozinovski, Aaron Delia, Warren Hanna, Mick Lowrie, Luke March, Mark Stapleton & Simon Stoker) for a great season in a tight Division, and on to the Final against Altona Lakes at Werribee in two weeks time…
2 June 2015 VGL Scratch Pennant Division 4 Final
Altona Lakes 4.5 - GFGC 2.5
It came down to the wire again, but the Growling Frog Scratch Pennant Team couldn't quite repeat the heroics of the last round, and went down 2.5-4.5 in a tight Division 2 Final against Altona Lakes.
With a couple of wins on the board, and the 'ball' match secured, we needed 1.5 points from the last two matches to take the flag. When Mick Lowrie's opponent conjured birdies at the final two holes to snatch an unlikely half, it again came down to Skipper Warren Hanna needing a win on the 18th. His opponent hit a spectacular drive onto the green at the 310M Par 4, and although Warren nearly matched the feat his tee shot rolled through the green into a bunker. When he couldn't hole out for a miracle eagle, Altona Lakes had two putts to take the title.
Special thanks to all the Members who came to Werribee to cheer on the team, and help out with caddying and administration, the guys really appreciate your support.
Altona Lakes 4.5 - GFGC 2.5
It came down to the wire again, but the Growling Frog Scratch Pennant Team couldn't quite repeat the heroics of the last round, and went down 2.5-4.5 in a tight Division 2 Final against Altona Lakes.
With a couple of wins on the board, and the 'ball' match secured, we needed 1.5 points from the last two matches to take the flag. When Mick Lowrie's opponent conjured birdies at the final two holes to snatch an unlikely half, it again came down to Skipper Warren Hanna needing a win on the 18th. His opponent hit a spectacular drive onto the green at the 310M Par 4, and although Warren nearly matched the feat his tee shot rolled through the green into a bunker. When he couldn't hole out for a miracle eagle, Altona Lakes had two putts to take the title.
Special thanks to all the Members who came to Werribee to cheer on the team, and help out with caddying and administration, the guys really appreciate your support.
2 June 2016 VGL Scratch Pennant Division 2 Final
GFGC 4.5 - Ringwood 3.5
Congratulations to the Growling Frog Scratch Team who capped off an undefeated season with victory in the VGL Division 2 Pennant Final on Sunday.
The Club's sixth Flag (4 Scratch and 2 Handicap) in eleven years came with a hard fought win over Ringwood, who put up a strong fight, 4.5-3.5.
After wins by Warren Hanna, Luke Audley and John Bozinovski, the match came down to the final two matches. Wayde Barling completed a gritty half under pressure with a par on the 18th, then Best & Fairest winner Paul Delia secured the win with a brilliant tee shot to a foot on the long Par 3 17th.
Well done to (pictured above) Paul Delia, John Bozinovski, Aaron Nolan, Wayde Barling, Simon Stoker, Aaron Delia, Warren Hanna, Damien Blythe and Luke Audley for a great season.
And a big thank you to those Members who made the effort to support the team during the year and on Sunday, particularly Trevor Skeoch, Ray Plant, Mark Cowie, Judy Cooper, Michael Wilson, Ken Barbuto and Ryan Rogers.
GFGC 4.5 - Ringwood 3.5
Congratulations to the Growling Frog Scratch Team who capped off an undefeated season with victory in the VGL Division 2 Pennant Final on Sunday.
The Club's sixth Flag (4 Scratch and 2 Handicap) in eleven years came with a hard fought win over Ringwood, who put up a strong fight, 4.5-3.5.
After wins by Warren Hanna, Luke Audley and John Bozinovski, the match came down to the final two matches. Wayde Barling completed a gritty half under pressure with a par on the 18th, then Best & Fairest winner Paul Delia secured the win with a brilliant tee shot to a foot on the long Par 3 17th.
Well done to (pictured above) Paul Delia, John Bozinovski, Aaron Nolan, Wayde Barling, Simon Stoker, Aaron Delia, Warren Hanna, Damien Blythe and Luke Audley for a great season.
And a big thank you to those Members who made the effort to support the team during the year and on Sunday, particularly Trevor Skeoch, Ray Plant, Mark Cowie, Judy Cooper, Michael Wilson, Ken Barbuto and Ryan Rogers.
29 May 2017 VGL Scratch Pennant Division 1 Final
GFGC 4.5 - Lakeside 3.5
The Scratch Pennant team completed an eleven year odyssey from our start in the VGL competition in Division 5 in 2007, to the pinnacle of the Division 1 flag in an epic final against Lakeside at Werribee Park on Sunday.
A great team effort, across the whole season, was highlighted by several unbelievable individual performances when the match was on the line. The Final was characteristic of an extremely tight season, where all four teams were capable of winning, and each match came down to the last few holes.
Having said that, this one was something else.
The tie was even for most of the day, with each team up in half of the match-ups at most stages. Josh Evers (5&4) and Aaron Delia (5&4) completed strong wins at the 14th, both displaying the outstanding golf which they had shown throughout the year. Josh in particular was a stand out performer, winning 6 of his 7 contests in a fantastic debut season. And Aaron belied a difficult preparation, returning from two weeks holiday, with no golf, the day before the Final.
Luke Audley (4&3) and Aaron Nolan (5&4) battled hard, but lost their matches. Both had been instrumental in getting us into the Final, Aaron undefeated until Sunday, and Luke's gritty half point, from three down with three to play, in Round 1 which proved to be the key result in our qualification.
2-2 with four pairs still on the course, but only Warren Hanna was up in his match. Jason Baines was staring down the barrel, four down with five to play. Damien Blythe was having a titanic struggle, fighting back after a barrage of birdies had him four down earlier in the day. And, in what appeared to be the pivotal game, Wayde Barling was all square playing the 16th.
When Wayde was eventually defeated, after fighting hard all day, on the 18th (2 down), it seemed like the Final might be slipping away. This feeling was compounded when Warren's opponent holed a miracle bunker shot for birdie to win the 17th and send them down the final hole. Warren was still 1 up, but then fired a booming 3 iron over 230m into a fairway bunker. He hit a nerveless second onto the green, and completed a vital win 1up.
3-3 and everything rested on the shoulders of two men.
Jason had won the 14th, 15th and 16th to be back to 1 down on the Par 3 17th, but found the bunker and faced a tricky shot to a green sloping sharply away from him. He got it to 20ft, and left the par putt a couple of feet below the hole, leaving his opponent a six footer for a par, and the match. He missed, and Jason holed out to extend the game to the final hole. He boomed a drive into the greenside bunker, and his opponent was way back in the fairway, and could not find the green with his second. Jason splashed out, but rolled his first putt past the hole, leaving a tricky 5 footer for par. He holed it to finish an incredible comeback with a vital half. Huge effort.
3.5 - 3.5 and Damien Blythe had fought his way back to all square on the 18th tee, against an opponent who had won all 6 of his matches during the season. Damo ripped a drive up the left side, and his opponent found the left rough, before hitting into the green side bunker. Under enormous pressure, with a downhill lie, Damo flicked a wedge onto the back of the green, and when his opponent left a shot in the bunker he had two putts for the match, and the flag. He lagged the first one up close, and it was all over, 1 up, what a win!
Credit to Lakeside, a fantastic team who had won the past seven Division 1 titles back-to-back, an enormous achievement, and who played with class and great spirit.
The Scratch team would like to thank a few people for their efforts on Sunday: 9th man Simon Stoker for his support during the day, after missing out on the final team; Ray Plant who has been a consistent presence for this, and other, years, and was a huge help caddying for Jason in the last few holes; Ken Barbuto, Dave Lazare and Ryan Rogers making the trip out to Werribee as they have done in previous years; and Chris Harvison who caddied for Josh.
GFGC 4.5 - Lakeside 3.5
The Scratch Pennant team completed an eleven year odyssey from our start in the VGL competition in Division 5 in 2007, to the pinnacle of the Division 1 flag in an epic final against Lakeside at Werribee Park on Sunday.
A great team effort, across the whole season, was highlighted by several unbelievable individual performances when the match was on the line. The Final was characteristic of an extremely tight season, where all four teams were capable of winning, and each match came down to the last few holes.
Having said that, this one was something else.
The tie was even for most of the day, with each team up in half of the match-ups at most stages. Josh Evers (5&4) and Aaron Delia (5&4) completed strong wins at the 14th, both displaying the outstanding golf which they had shown throughout the year. Josh in particular was a stand out performer, winning 6 of his 7 contests in a fantastic debut season. And Aaron belied a difficult preparation, returning from two weeks holiday, with no golf, the day before the Final.
Luke Audley (4&3) and Aaron Nolan (5&4) battled hard, but lost their matches. Both had been instrumental in getting us into the Final, Aaron undefeated until Sunday, and Luke's gritty half point, from three down with three to play, in Round 1 which proved to be the key result in our qualification.
2-2 with four pairs still on the course, but only Warren Hanna was up in his match. Jason Baines was staring down the barrel, four down with five to play. Damien Blythe was having a titanic struggle, fighting back after a barrage of birdies had him four down earlier in the day. And, in what appeared to be the pivotal game, Wayde Barling was all square playing the 16th.
When Wayde was eventually defeated, after fighting hard all day, on the 18th (2 down), it seemed like the Final might be slipping away. This feeling was compounded when Warren's opponent holed a miracle bunker shot for birdie to win the 17th and send them down the final hole. Warren was still 1 up, but then fired a booming 3 iron over 230m into a fairway bunker. He hit a nerveless second onto the green, and completed a vital win 1up.
3-3 and everything rested on the shoulders of two men.
Jason had won the 14th, 15th and 16th to be back to 1 down on the Par 3 17th, but found the bunker and faced a tricky shot to a green sloping sharply away from him. He got it to 20ft, and left the par putt a couple of feet below the hole, leaving his opponent a six footer for a par, and the match. He missed, and Jason holed out to extend the game to the final hole. He boomed a drive into the greenside bunker, and his opponent was way back in the fairway, and could not find the green with his second. Jason splashed out, but rolled his first putt past the hole, leaving a tricky 5 footer for par. He holed it to finish an incredible comeback with a vital half. Huge effort.
3.5 - 3.5 and Damien Blythe had fought his way back to all square on the 18th tee, against an opponent who had won all 6 of his matches during the season. Damo ripped a drive up the left side, and his opponent found the left rough, before hitting into the green side bunker. Under enormous pressure, with a downhill lie, Damo flicked a wedge onto the back of the green, and when his opponent left a shot in the bunker he had two putts for the match, and the flag. He lagged the first one up close, and it was all over, 1 up, what a win!
Credit to Lakeside, a fantastic team who had won the past seven Division 1 titles back-to-back, an enormous achievement, and who played with class and great spirit.
The Scratch team would like to thank a few people for their efforts on Sunday: 9th man Simon Stoker for his support during the day, after missing out on the final team; Ray Plant who has been a consistent presence for this, and other, years, and was a huge help caddying for Jason in the last few holes; Ken Barbuto, Dave Lazare and Ryan Rogers making the trip out to Werribee as they have done in previous years; and Chris Harvison who caddied for Josh.