Golf SA Metropolitan Pennant Finals decided
For Immediate Release - Monday 11th July 2016
2016 Simpson Cup Champions - Glenelg Golf Club
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.
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