Pennants Finals Day was held at Pakuranga this morning in great conditions.  The greens were very fast and true - a great test!  The Vice Captains team started at 7.30am from the 14th tee, while the Vice Presidents began at the 10th about 30 minutes later.

 

The early holes were generally tight as you would expect, except for Connor Barker and Erik Jorgensen who jumped out to solid leads, while Paul Thomas was just as quickly down.  Paul had been brought in as a late replacement for Manu Taylor who was unable to get back from America in time.

 

After 9 holes nothing much had changed - good leads for Connor & Erik was balanced out by Paul's impending loss.  In all of the other matches there was nothing in it.  The change in our direction came in the middle of the second 9 holes - Erik won 6/5, followed by Connor & Thomas Neylon 3/2.  Paul's loss kept everyone on their toes but the good news was coming in from Ryan Ter Morshuizen building a solid lead, with Cullam Murchison, Brad Winger and Karl Jorgensen working hard to get vital points.

 

All of these matches went to the last hole so although 7-1 looks comprehensive - it clearly was much closer than that!  Cullam and Ryan won 2up,  Brad and Karl 1up.  Up to Presidents next year and thoroughly deserved for a team that worked hard throughout the season and particularly today!

 

In the Vice Captains it was another story of "so close but so far"!  Thai Leng, after 36 holes in the Club Champs yesterday, was unlucky to run into an opponent playing sensational golf - he was down early and couldn't make up any ground.

 

Alex Bagley & Andrew Millard both got good early leads but their opponents made them fight for everything - Alex getting a half and Andrew a win!  Michael Maingay produced the other win, while Vincent Vuillard & Matthew Bruce got halves.  Kelvin Chiu and Josh Dixon both had losses.  Another season in Vice Captains - perhaps it will be 4th time lucky next year.

 

Thanks to all the supporters and caddies who came out to support the teams - our club spirit is clearly in good heart!!