Club Championship Results 2023
Posted on: 29 May
The dawn came with a large amount of rain having fallen overnight meaning the Club Championship Finals were delayed for over an hour and when the matches got underway the conditions were extremely challenging for all competitors with rain falling and a solid breeze all through the morning.
From the 36 hole Club Championship Matches through to the Sunday Plate all players performed extremely well in the conditions and all should be very proud of how they played. Congratulations to all Members who won their Championship Grade and thanks to Members who refereed in the most trying conditions.
Players were very well supported with excellent galleries considering the conditions.
Results:
Men’s Club Championship Jarrod Harris defeated Jackson Green 5/4
Women’s Club Championship Amelia Harris defeated Shanaiah Fernando 5/4
Men’s A Grade Trent Fraser defeated Marty Franc 6/4
Men’s B Grade Chris Jeremy defeated Edward Mitchell 4/3
Women’s B Grade Sally Ezerins defeated Lisa Woolmer 1 up
Men’s C Grade Brad Wolstenholme defeated George Dapiran 1 up
Women’s C Grade Elaine Fitt defeated Kate Floyd 5/3
Men’s D Grade Russell Walsh defeated Rodney Rae 19th Hole
Sunday Plate Anthony Edmonds defeated Rowan Pizzey 7/6
Following golf presentations were held in a full Members Bar with a wonderful atmosphere celebrating the Club Champions for 2023.
The course staff led by Clint Raven did an amazing job in presenting the course in great condition following a significant amount of rain through the morning.
Wet weather and a delayed start did not bother Jarrod Harris and Jackson Green as they met do decide our Club Champion for 2023.Both started with moderate bogeys before Jarrod changed the tone with a given putt for birdie 3 win on the 2nd.
A very good standard of play followed for both players with halved birdies on 5 thanks to a lovely little holed pitch from Jarrod. Jacksons driving was a feature with match back to square after a 7, however a six from the edge of 8 allowed Jarrod to creep 1 up after the first nine.
After winning 10 Jarrod decided the wet weather was not enough and visited the dam on 11 – and I do not mean his ball! Navigating his buggy along the dry path with a remote which decided not to respond, buggy and clubs submerged in the water fortunately stuck on the muddy edge. Off with shoes and socks ,trousers rolled up and successfully retrieved with some help – everything drenched but mobile phone being in the waterproof pocket was a positive. A quick dry down and regaining of his composure saw a remarkable par save half from the back left bunker. Perhaps the most memorial par Jarrod may ever have on our famous 11th hole. A very good birdie on 12 from Jackson brought him back to one down however with a steadier short game Jarrod moved to 3 up after 18 shooting a par 72 in difficult conditions.
Jackson with early wins on 3 and 4 had the match delicately poised however the par 5s 8 and 9 not being kind saw Jarrod back to 2 up after 27. Unfortunately for Jackson his short game/putting deserted him and with Jarrod playing very steady golf all round was able to close out the match on fourteen 5 and 4 to become a very worthy Club Champion. Thanks to the caddies and supporters for their encouragement – the players do appreciate it.
The match was played in a very friendly spirit with acknowledgment of each others good play – well done to both players.
Jackson can be very proud of making another final however the day was with Jarrod – congratulations on a great achievement.
Arthur Cox – Referee
In 2022 top qualifiers Shanaiah Fernando and Amelia Harris treated us to 36 holes of fabulous golf with Amelia claiming victory on the 36th hole. In 2023 Amelia and Shanaiah were again set for a much anticipated rematch.
The weather conditions for this year’s final were challenging due to overnight rain which delayed play for one hour, and then persisted for the morning. The first 9 holes of the match both players were adjusting to the cold heavy conditions – balls were not flying as far. The match was all square at the first turn. From hole 10 Amelia found her rhythm making birdies on the 14, 16, 17 and both players made birdies on the 18th. Exceptional golf considering the heavy conditions. After 18 holes Amelia was 4 up.
After a very welcome lunch and change of clothes, Amelia and Shanaiah readied themselves for the afternoon 18 holes which were going to be played in very different conditions to the morning. The rain had subsided which was welcomed by everyone concerned no less the players!
Shanaiah’s putter was letting her down and with some unforced errors saw Amelia 6 up after 25 holes. Shanaiah won the par 5, 8th with a birdie. Amelia missed a par putt to square the hole on the 9th which reduced her lead to 4 up after 27 holes. Shanaiah won the 29th (11) to go 3 down. The pin placement on the 12th (30th) was very tricky. Shanaiah had a downhill putt from the back of the green which gathered momentum leaving her with a very long putt for par. Amelia remained steady to win the 12th with a regulation par, to go 4 up, with 6 holes remaining. The 31st (13) was squared with pars. Amelia played an excellent second shot into the green on the 32nd (14) leaving the ball within six feet of the hole. Amelia sunk the birdie putt which sealed the match to claim her second Women’s Yarra Yarra Championship.
Thank you to Amelia and Shanaiah for treating us, for the second consecutive year, with an excellent match, in what were very demanding conditions.
Karan Smith – Referee
Marty Frank played Trent Fraser in the A grade final. On a wet and unpleasant day, the 2 big hitters went head-to-head with Trent going to an early lead winning the first 2 and being 4 up after 9. Marty was having some trouble on the greens and with Trent being steady and Marty a little jaded after playing in the semi-final the week before, flying to the USA during the week and arriving back the night before.
Trent won the 11th and 12th and went on to the 14th where Trent won 6 and 4. Congratulations to both of them and especially to Marty for being able to even play after his week of travel.
Bernie Upjohn – Referee
The women’s B-Grade final was contested between Lisa Woolmer and Sally Ezerins. Cold and wet weather, and a healthy dose of nerves got the players off to a rocky start, and the first hole was eventually squared. Lisa appeared to settle first and won the next two holes. Both players took turns playing good and bad holes, and Lisa was 1 up after 9 holes. By then, Sally’s fan club included not only her sons, but their partners and her grandchildren, who she clearly did not want to let down, so Sally started to rally. She squared the match on 12 with an amazing little chip and subsequent conversion from off the green and went briefly into the lead on 14, by which stage the crowd following this match had grown to impressive proportions, much to the distress of another match following ours. However, Lisa was not finished yet and responded with a beautiful tee-shot onto the 15th green – a feat many of us can only dream of, and the match was back to square. Lisa’s driver was beginning to show signs of weariness, and Sally managed to go into the lead again on 17, halving the 18th for a hard-fought and well-deserved second B-Grade championship. Well done to both Lisa and Sally on a close and exciting match.
Birgit Yandle – Referee
The Men’s B Grade final was a contest between experience – Ed Mitchell – and youth – Chris Jeremy. Neither player bothered with a caddy and the match commenced without any fuss. It was evident from their tee shots on the 1st hole that this would be a contest between power (Chris) and guile (Ed), with Chris regularly hitting it a considerable distance past Ed’s generally very accurate drives. However we all know that golf is more than long driving and Chris’ tentative putting saw him throw away what should have been an early advantage on the 1st. Ed however returned the favour on the 2nd by 3 putting himself. The match continued in this vein, with both players making costly mistakes, Ed a little more so than Chris. At the turn Chris was 3 up. After Chris won the 10th with a solid par to go 4 up, Ed saw fit to ditch his buggy at the 11th tee and revert to his usual playing style of hoofing a pencil bag around the course. This strategic move liberated Ed and he cut into Chris’ lead, reducing the deficit back to 3 down with 5 to play. After halving the 14th in 5’s, Chris holed an 8 footer for a par on the 15th to win the match 4 & 3. Congratulations to Chris and commiserations Ed, both gents played the match in great sporting spirit and are a credit to Yarra Yarra.
Peter Boland – Referee
The C Grade championship was a duel between Elaine Fitt and Kate Floyd. Both had played off for the Olga Rees Trophy earlier this year which Elaine won but Kate was hoping to turn the tables this time. Elaine had Anne Gibbon on her bag and Kate had Kerri Appleton. It was nervous start for both players and the conditions were causing concerns on the greens. However Elaine played some holes very well on the front 9 and started to handle the greens well. Kate won the 9th hole but Elaine turned 4 up. Both played the 10th almost to perfection , walking off with a 5. Anyone would be happy with that. Kate won 11 and suddenly only 3 down it was game on. But Elaine played the 12th strategically and Kate had bunker trouble. Kate won 14 but was facing a difficult task. Elaine held her nerve on the 15th and won 5/3. Congratulations to you both for making your way to the final and well done Elaine. I cannot remember anyone winning the Olga Rees, the Centenary Cup and the C grade Championship all in one year. Celebrate well.
Andree Leigh – Referee
The Men’s C Grade Championship between Brad Wolstenholme and George Dapiran began in gloomy drizzle which later gave way to cloudy skies with occasional sunshine.
George, with steadier golf was 2 up after five holes. Then Brad brilliantly parred six and seven to square the match before George won the ninth to turn 1 up.
Brad and George each won three of the next six holes, then sixteen was halved with superb pars that left the gallery gasping. So, George was again 1 up with two holes to play.
Brad won seventeen with strength and better control, then the players stood on the eighteenth tee all square. As they say in golf, anything can happen, and it usually does.
Playing first with the honour, Brad outdrove George who then put his second shot in the left bunker. Brad then speared a fairway wood to perfect position while George scrambled to keep up. Brad was on the green in regulation and putted out for the Championship.
As expected, the match was played in excellent spirit and both men deserve congratulations for some marvellous shot-making at crucial times.
Graeme Ryan – Referee.
The Men’s D grade final was contested between Rodney Ray and Russell Walsh. Rod showed consistency during the first 9 holes with at times being 3 up.
However Russell’s confidence improved on the 2nd nine to bring the match back to even after a few holes to then be 1 up on the 18th tee.
Rod sank a great down hill putt to half the match and so it went to the 19th. Rod’s second shot went to the left side of the left hand green side bunker while Russell’s 2nd went into the right green side bunker.
Unfortunately for Rod his 3rd shot went into the bunker and Russell played a great shot onto the green.
A few disappointing shots by Rod and the hole and match was conceded to Russell. Well done Russell for becoming the 2013 D Grade champion.
Also thanks to the caddies for helping their friends on a cold, wet and windy day.
Malcolm Slade – Referee
Anthony Edmonds and Rowan Pizzey contested the The Sunday Plate final for 2023. Conditions were less than ideal for the 10.15am tee-time with consistent rain and a stiff breeze making things difficult for both players. The course was extremely well presented, with the early Sunday morning work from the ground staff much appreciated. Once the players acclimatised, the standard of golf was high for the weather conditions. Anthony had the better of the early going with some strong driving and approach shots setting up early wins. Rowan, suffering from an early winter bug, battled well but Anthony’s consistent game established a solid 5 up lead after 8 holes. Anthony’s game remained at a high level and he closed the match at 7/6 – with a wonderful approach and long downhill putt on 12 fittingly sealing the victory. Both players are congratulated for the standard of golf and for the spirit in which they played under very trying conditions.
David Standfield – Referee
