Amstel still undefeated

AMSTEL GOLF
MEN’S PENNANT – Round 2
Amstel headed to Melbourne Airport to play Whittlesea in Round 2. Missing captain Brett Greenough who was unavailable, Jordyn Baker made his return to the senior side after a string of good scores.
Amstel were favoured to win the contest but through 9 holes most matches were very close, unfortunately Jordyn’s wasn’t one of them as he trailed two down at the turn after losing 7, 8 and 9. Things didn’t improve on the back nine for Baker as he was defeated 5/4.
That was the only blemish however as his teammates lifted. Leigh Bailey had an early day winning 6/5 after a dominant display. Jack Hitchcock followed soon after with a 4/3 win. Jason Tepokua made amends for last week’s defeat with a 3/2 win over Whittlesea captain Rowan Kayall.
Reigning club champion Kirk Tuati wrapped up his match playing at number 1 against Whittlesea’s Joe Bland 5/3 while Takunda Moyo playing at number 7 disposed of Rack Yates 2/1 moments later.
This left Lee James in close battle with veteran Colin Henry. While James was never behind all day, there was only one hole margin coming up the par 3 16th, however regulation par was good enough to win the hole and put the match dormie 2. When both players again halved with pars on the 17th, James won 2/1 and topped off a dominate 6/1 victory for Amstel.
Amstel now sit atop the Division 6 ladder undefeated with a 12/2 winning record. Bacchus Marsh and Melbourne Airport are also undefeated with matching 10/4 score lines.
While it’s been a great start to the year, there is a lot of hard work above as we start to meet some of the stronger teams in the coming weeks, starting with Melton Valley next Sunday at Whittlesea.
COLTS PENNANT
Amstel and Settlers Run have combined to enter a Colts pennant team and they played their historic first match Sunday. In the first ever combined club pennant team in VGA History, the boys unfortunately found Whittlesea just a touch too strong losing 3/2.
Settlers youngster Jack Harrison was the star winning 8/7 while captain Luke Punch was also dominant in the number 1 slot winning 5/4. Troy Harrison (no relation) lost 3/2 after admitting to making a couple too many silly mistakes, while Jack Young and Ben Weaver both lost 4/3 in the debut games. While a loss isn’t ideal, it’s a great learning curve for these guys who no doubt will get stronger as the year progresses and with Jordy Baker coming back into the team next week, Amstel Settlers Run will field a formidable side next Sunday. If you see any of these guys at the club, make sure you congratulate them on their historic outing and wish them luck for the season as it unfolds.
FRIDAY WOMEN’S PENNANT
Amstel’s Ranfurlie Course hosted Round 1 of Women’s Friday Pennant and it was a great day for the club winning 5/2 and going straight to the top of the ladder. Carol Casey was dominant winning 7/6 while other winners were Connie Clifford 5/5, Mary Rohan and Kimberly Urmston both saluting 3/2 while Rhonda Cochrane eased home 4/2. Club champion Cheryl Thompson was unlucky to lose 1 down while Kaye Grant was close going down 2/1. A great start to the season for the Friday Ladies!