Liverpool tastes Pennant success again in Sydney
IN: News | Australian Mens Amateur | Sydney Schweppes Major Pennant Final (2005) | Wrap | by Anthony Powter | 15 May 2005
Brutal, not the way Liverpool Major Pennant Team played against The Australian in the Sydney Schweppes Major Pennant Final, but the manner in which New South Wales golf course dished out the punishment. The course itself was simply magnificent and so was the standard of play.
Golf balls were behaving like yo-yo's, not due to spin, but the 20-30 knot southerly which pulverised the course during the final. Many a ball landed in the middle of the green to the joy of the player, but then to only roll back off leaving a delicate up and down. The players seemed to accept the conditions, rolling with the punches – a type of respect towards the terrain, regarded by many as one of the best layouts in the world.
Purists will say it was golf as it should be as some of Sydney's most talented amateur players exposed themselves to the elements and this famous links. The conditions were not something you could prepare for rather it was a day of "feel" and keeping the ball low. If you were a strong putter you also had an advantage.
The final result was Liverpool gaining the upper hand by the slightest of margins to go 4.5 to 2.5 over The Australian to claim the prized Schweppes Major Pennant flag.
NSW again proved that it is one of the most challenging courses in the world – unique and merciless, even to the low marker.
Forget about the mod cons of technology that have filtered their way into this game; what NSW dished out today required players to demonstrate skills of ball control, the low punch and the good old hit and feel shot. Stuff which is not normally seen on manicured US style parkland layouts. Wonderful stuff; and it kept the strong following of supporters from both camps on their toes in this closely contested final.
The final, as expected, was strongly contested and there was no early indication as to the eventual winner.
The famous 13th hole at NSW certainly did it's best to test and deliver a worthy victor. The hole resulted in a turning point for some matches. This par 4 measuring 375 metres, not long by modern standards, but with an exposed raised green to the southerly delivered bite - and what a bite it was.
The 13th without doubt was the hardest hole on the day and arguably presented the turning point for the final. One pair of players in the top order, who preferred not to be named, walked off the par 4 halving the hole with a seven!
Liverpool's Craig Cox secured a tasty 6&5 win over State junior representative, Matthew Giles on the hole that gave Liverpool the first hint of victory.
The Australian Golf Club's John Ayoub kept his momentum in a sterling fight back against Do-Hyung Kim to sink a clutch putt on this hole that kept The Australian in the running. Unfortunately for Ayoub on the par three, 17th he pulled his tee shot over the back of the green whilst Kim delivered a punishing blow with an up and down for par. Ayoup's determination was inspiring to all, but Kim was not intimidated and held off the spirited challenge on the final hole to finish 1 up.
The Australian's James Beston, a huge hitter of the ball, continued his fine form with a 5&4 win over Denis Day. Liverpool's middle order proved to be the telling difference, a difference that was only slight. Craig Cox was able to get up over Matthew Giles and Liverpool's Club Champion Michael West was able to get past Nick Crews, 1 up.
Arguably the shot of the day was Ayoup's second on the 14th hole. A beautiful, low punch draw with a 4 iron from 130 metres, dead into the southerly that landed just past pin high.
Then again there were many "shots of the day" from all players in conditions where a par was equivalent to a birdie. Liverpool's number six player Nathan Park chipped in on the 7th early in the match again after his ball behaved like a yo-yo and made its way off the centre to the swale before the green, sweet revenge on a pin placement which baptised players in a taste of conditions to come. With that momentum Nathan Park went onto win 5&4 over Shay Knight.
Two players in the final deserve mention for their performances during the Pennant season. Former Australian Senior Champion Nick Dunn from The Australian remained undefeated in the series with a 5&3 win over Mathew Priddy. Liverpool's Pennant Captain John McMiles, a 3 marker having played either 1 or 2 during the season, was also undefeated.
McMiles words after the final – "It was brutal!"
McMiles' game was simply solid in his encounter with Paul Blake. Their match was squared in a show of excellent sportsmanship after Do-Hyung Kim, Liverpool's number 2, secured his match and the flag for Liverpool on the 18th hole.
It was known before the start of the final the layout and conditions at NSW would give both teams opportunity to claim the pennant flag. Those opportunities certainly did occur and the final result could have gone either way. Today it went in Liverpool's favor. They are worthy flag holders and have every right to be proud of the Club's achievement.
It was Liverpool's second Pennant flag in three years. At the presentation each player received a medallion and, given what they had battled through during the day, deservedly so.
Photo - Anthony Powter
