Glenelg has won the 2016 Simpson Cup after defeating defending champions The Grange 4.5 - 2.5 in a final played in arctic conditions at Glenelg.

 

Despite the gale-force winds and extreme chill factor, the contest was tight throughout, with both sides giving their all to claim the time-honoured Cup.

 

The final was tight early and after nine holes Glenelg edged ahead to lead 5.5 - 1.5.

 

Glenelg led 1up in four of the matches and Henry Duregon was 2up at number six, while for Grange Justin Crowder lead his match against Ben Layton 2up.

 

The number one match between Sam Earl and Matthew Lisk was all square.

 

Glenelg secured the first match of the day 4&2, when Henry Duregon, who was elevated from Bonnar Cup to cover for Lachlan Barker, won his match against Scott Webb.

 

The Grange hit back through Mark Demasi, who despite being 4 down through 11, fought back to win the final hole, to claim his match 1up against Ben Hallam. 

 

While Anthony Olsen was battling it out with Alex Hendrick at number five, Glenelg young-gun Jackson Kalz cruised to victory over Jack Thompson. Despite trailing 1 down thru 7, Kalz found his zone, to win 3&2 to secure a second point for his side.

 

By this stage Olsen and Hendrick had progressed back down the first after being all square thru 18. Olsen would be the victor though, draining a long-range putt to move his side to one win from victory.

 

Another epic battle was developing, at match three between Josh Hayes and Liam Georgiadis who were all square heading to the par-five 18th. Hayes was in serious trouble off the tee down the left side, and had to play his second with precision through trees to the practice fairway. Georgiadis put the pressure on stiffing one to within six foot.

 

With Pro Max McCardle on his bag, Hayes made a miraculous up and down for birdie, hitting a delicate wedge over the hazard then nailing a fast 10 foot putt.

 

Georgiadis had his putt for eagle to win the match, but pushed it just past the cup and had to clean up for birdie, to square the match thru 18.

 

The lead was still 3-1 in favour of Glenelg, but Grange’s Matt Lisk was ahead in the number one match and the number two match was in the balance.

 

As Georgiadis and Hayes then halved the first hole, Grange’s Justin Crowder missed a tricky downhill slider leaving the door open for Glenelg’s Ben Layton to claim victory.

 

And that he did, letting out an almighty roar as he nailed his four-footer to win the Cup for Glenelg.

 

With the two unfinished matches deemed square the official result was victory to Glenelg 4.5-2.5.

 

Glenelg Captain Anthony Olsen, undefeated the past two seasons, was delighted with how his team performed in the final.

 

“Today’s win is the culmination of five years of hard work. The coaching staff have led a program with a driven group of players that have brought a Simpson Cup home to Glenelg for the first time in 13 years.” Olsen said.

 

“In a close contest, it was very pleasing to overcome a Grange side that have been dominant in this competition for the majority of this decade” Olsen added. 

 

The win is Glenelg’s 10th Simpson Cup and first A grade title since 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grange has won the 2016 Sanderson Cup, by defeating Kooyonga 3-2, claiming back to back A1 Pennant titles.

 

The final played at Glenelg Golf Club in freezing and windy conditions, suited the underdog Kooyonga, who almost pulled off a memorable victory.

 

All matches were tight early with The Grange having the ascendancy 3-2 thru 9 holes.

 

First match in was Caitlin Roberts for The Grange winning 6&5 over Lisa Brien before Kooyonga’s Hayley Hunt proved too experienced for Jin-young Yun also 6&5.

 

In match five, Jodie Deacon won three holes in a row to lead 2up thru 14, however her lead was clawed back by Louise Glennon, who went on to win the match 1up on the 18th to give Grange a 2-1 lead.

 

After trailing Jean Foo, by two early, Kooyonga number four, Deb Percey held on in a cliffhanger to win 1up, squaring the ledger 2-2.

 

It would all come down to the final contest between Cassidy Evreniadis and Lyn McGough. Evreniadis was 3up on the 16th tee and cruising to victory before McGough dug deep to win holes 16 and 17 to take the match to 18.

 

The Sanderson Cup would be won on the final green with Evreniadis holding her nerve to nail her five-footer just outside McGough’s to claim the match 1up and the Pennant for The Grange 3-2.

 

The Grange Team Captain Jean Foo, who along with Evreniadis and Roberts claimed her second title, was ecstatic with the victory.

 

 

 

 

The win is The Grange Golf Clubs sixth Sanderson Cup Women’s A1 Pennant title. 

With the match tied 3 all, Thaxted Park won the overall contest courtesy of number two player Kieren Barratt winning 1up on the 19th hole. Thaxted Park are now promoted to the Simpson Cup in 2017.

After finishing the season second on the ladder with four wins and a halve, The Vines team produced the goods in the final, to win the newly named Pike Cup, named in honour of the late Fiona Pike, who was a South Australian professional golfer who played on the LPGA, LET and ALPG tours for over 13 years.

Arch rivals The Grange and Glenelg clashed in the Bonnar Cup final as well as the Simpson Cup final leaving nowhere to hide for arguably the best clubs in the competition. 

 

 Final score was 4-3, with only a putt in the eventual result.

 

Traditionalists Royal Adelaide took on Regency Park playing in its first pennant final. It proved to be a hard fought affair between the two clubs. Royal Adelaide finally ground its way to a solid victory. The highlight for all was David Cherry's grinding win 1 up! Is there anyone playing golf for his or her club that lives for the challenge more? Somehow I doubt it. Final score Royal Adelaide 5 - Regency Park 2.

 

 

Junior powerhouse Glenelg met Country Districts in a display featuring some of the best up and coming junior talent in the State. The golf was punctuated by some fearless drives off the tees, extraordinary iron shots and laser like putts in windy conditions. The score line of Glenelg 4 - Country Districts 1 really mattered little at the end. What we saw was precocious talent pure and simple.