Vics down Yarra Yarra in Pennant Final
IN: News | Victoria Golf | VGA Pennant Final (2008) | Grand Final | by Anthony Powter | 25 May 2008
Victoria Golf Club secured its twenty-fourth RACV Club Victorian Division 1 Pennant this afternoon with a 4.5 to 2.5 victory over defending champions, Yarra Yarra.
It’s the second occasion in as many years that Victoria has won the prized flag on the Spring Valley layout, after Victoria defeated Southern there in 2005.
Today’s win reinforces Victoria as one of strongest clubs in VGA pennant series. In the last thirteen years, they have never finished outside the top three places, the product of considerable investment in player development and planning.
“All our pennant players have played colt pennants for Victoria and that sets them up well for senior pennants,” remarked Bob Lester, Victoria’s pennant team manager.
“It’s great to turn the tables and get a win against Yarra after last year. You can see the joy on the faces of the players and the members, it’s just fantastic.”
Lester attributed this afternoon’s victory in Victoria’s top order and the newer members of the team.
“Both Griffin and Younger are outstanding players and they did their bit, and both our first timers, in Monty Lack and Brandon Rave, came through and it got the result.”
The final was evenly balanced after the morning nine, reflective of the overall tightness of the matches, with no signal as to a likely winner. Yarra’s number 7, Mark Chapple won his match over Victoria’s Captain, Dean Dixon, 3&2, to give Yarra the first win.
Victoria’s Bradon Rave exhibited stunning form in winning the six match, 4&2, over Braden Ingham, to bring the final back to all square. Monty Lack’s then match become pivotal for Victoria, when the freshman accounted for Yarra’s, Toby Wilcox, 1up.
Any momentum gained by Victoria after Lack’s win quickly came to a halt, when Yarra’s number 4, Michael Moore secured his match against Matthew Oldman, 3&2. The final at that stage was anything but determined, and across the Spring Valley layout the ‘bush telegraph’ sent the news, that both sides had two-a-piece already in.
Instantly the tension could be felt amongst the crowd and players, as team managers whispered instructions to players and the strong following of supporters filtered to the remaining matches on the course. If there is a difference in Victorian pennants over other pennant series, it the passion sport plays in Melbourne, in what is clearly the premier pennant series in the country.
Josh Younger confirmed why he’s one of the country’s most promising amateurs with his 2-up victory over a determined Tom Prowse. Their contest would prove to be the match winner in the final.
Younger on the 16th hole had pushed his drive well right to finish under a tree some 80 metres from the green, his approach blocked. Prowse’s drive had split the fairway to be perfectly position.
Younger produced what undoubtedly would become the match winning shot, as he threaded his approach under three trees, his ball ending four feet under the hole. When Prowse missed his birdie putt, the expression on his face made it clear that he knew he’d missed a golden opportunity to get back into the match.
They proceeded down the 18th, by which time Matthew Griffin had won the top oder match, 3&2, over Daniel Beckmann, leaving just two matches to be determined, with Bruce Peacock and Peter Woodward continuing their contest with extra holes after they’d finished the regulated eighteen holes, all square.
Prowse’s approach into the final hole found the green-side trap on the left, after Younger’s approach was safety on the green. Prowse was unable to get up and down from the bunker, and when Younger eased his putt to within conceding distance, the pennant flag had returned to Victoria.
Peter Woodward retained his undefeated record for the season, after both he and Bruce Peacock agreed to halve their match upon hearing Victoria had secured four wins to Yarra’s two.
There’s considerable pride within the Victorian pennant team, and rightly so. The win today, the Club’s forth in twenty years, was emotional for many, players and supporters included.
You only need to look at a number on the Victoria player’s cap to realise their pride with playing pennant club golf. It represents their order in the Club’s history of pennant players.
Monty Lack was number 109 and fellow freshman, Brandon Rave, 108. US Open Champion Geoff Ogilvy also has a number. Ogilvy was part of team that won in 1997, along with current players in today’s final, Bruce Peacock, Dean Dixon and Matt Oldham.
That’s the attraction with inter-club competition and whilst Yarra Yarra fell victim to Victoria by the slightest of margins in today’s final, the comradeship and pride of just being there was evident with all players.
Both teams this evening were making their way back to their respective clubs for post final celebrations. You can bet the massive pennant “flag” will be flying proudly at The Victorian Golf Club this week, and rightly so.
Final Results – Division One
Matt Griffin def. Daniel Beckmann – 3&2
Josh Younger def. Tom Prowse – 2up
Michael Moore def. Matt Oldham – 3&2
Bruce Peacock squared Peter Woodward
Monty Lack def. Toby Wilcox 1up
Brandon Rave def. Braden Ingham 4&2
Mark Chapple def. Dean Dixon – 3&2
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