Ron Budge Senior Pennant Round 6

We lost the match against The National 5-2, but it was a compliment to Spring Valley that The National turned out their strongest team of the season. If you look at the handicap differences, all seven of their players were under 5 handicaps, and only two of our players. We were giving away nearly 3 shots in each game.

Leading us off at Ranfurlie was Dave Potts who played exceptionally well to be 1 up after 14, but 1 down after 16. With a win on 17, the game was tied. A pushed approach to the green found the bunker on 18 and an agonising 3-putt saw the half point snatched away after a great effort. Next up was Calum Munro, out of form recently, a couple of early birdies wasn’t good enough to keep pace with a very steady opponent. The match was slipping away until a couple of consecutive wins made it interesting, before the game finished on 16, with a 3&2 loss.

Michael Fromberg was out of the blocks fast and was 4 up after 5 holes. The National fought back and mid way through the back 9 they were all square. The 16 is a short par-4 surrounded by deep bunkers and Michael left himself short sided, but played a beautiful pitch and holed the 15ft putt for a birdie, before finishing off the game on the 17th, a fine win, 2&1.

Mark Templeton has got more value out of the Budge competition than any other player. Every match has gone to the 18th green, and this one was no exception. Like Dave Potts before him, Mark couldn’t find the approach he was looking for and after another battling performance, was desperately unlucky to lose out.

David Halligan has had a great season and was again playing well, 1 up until he was clearly distracted by the arrival of Mrs Halligan. A couple of gettable putts missed and the game turned. David lost the 16th to go 2 down and a half on 17 wasn’t enough to keep the match going. 

Stuart Easey continued his great form from the previous week against a very strong opponent for our best win of the day, a birdie on 16 sealed the deal, 3&2 winner. Scott Thomson was up against one of the competition’s top players and although he was happy with most of his game, any small mistake at this level means you lose the hole. A 5&4 loss ended the day with a 5-2 defeat, but with 2 games finishing on the 18th, the 7 players/supporters/managers who were following the games from The National were certainly worried through most of the afternoon.

Well done to Michael and Stuart in particular, but to all players who gave a great effort in their matches today. Our final game is against Ranfurlie on Friday at Keysborough Golf Course, which will be followed by Finals Day at Spring Valley on 21st November.

 

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