Club results for 20/6/26

Andrew Craig is this year's Individual Matchplay champion after repulsing a stern challenge from Jarrod Huss to win an enthralling final 1-up.

Given how well both played in muddy conditions off the blue tees, it was fitting that the match went to the last hole and was decided by just a miss putt or two at crucial times.

Playing off a 24 handicap, Andrew started with a 13-shot advantage over his younger, long-hitting rival and in the end needed them all.

However, it was Jarrod that made the faster start, winning their opening two holes with a bogey followed by an excellent birdie two at No 2. Andrew halved the deficit with a bogey at No 3 after Jarrod made a mess of the hole. After an ugly half at No 4, Andrew parred No 5 with a shot to get back to all square. 

They halved the downhill No 6 before Jarrod again went ahead with a par at No 7 only for Andrew to step up to win No 8 and No 9 with impressive pars to take a narrow lead into the back nine. Another par with a shot at No 10 saw him go 2-up before Jarrod pegged him back with a par of his own at No 11. Back came Andrew with par five with a shot at No 12 to stretch his lead. 

After halving the difficult uphill No 13 with net bogies, Jarrod's par three at No 14 got him within touching distance and after another half at No 15 he again squared it up with a bogey at No 16 as Andrew misfired. With the match on a knife edge, Jarrod missed a short putt for par to gift Andrew No 17. Needing to win No 18 to extend proceedings, Jarrod could only manage a bogey to Andrew's double with a shot to fall just short.

It was indicative of what was a tight, quality match that Andrew posted a net 71 to Jarrod's 73. The win continues Andrew's strong start to the winter season after winning the Cap-it-all Trophy with partner Phil Sellers.

There was some more great golf played in the 18-holers' match of the day, which was a stableford off the white tees.

The top three places all went to Sloan Trophy players which is an encouraging sign with a key round coming up in a fortnight. Craig Barron shot the lights out with a fabulous 43 points. Playing off a 15-handicap, Craig went round in an 80 off the stick which included a front-nine 38 and an eagle two at No 7 which equated to an eye-opening net 65.

Our Sloan No 1 and 2 players also prospered on a warm winter's day, with James Campion claiming second on countback from Pete Green after both came in with 38 points each. James shot a gross 74, while Pete carded a 75 with both rounds featuring some fine shot-making. 

Next - a long way back - was Phil Sellers on 33 points followed by Gabriel Tijsen and Peter Watson with 32 apiece.

The twos money was shared by James Campion, Phil Sellers, Craig Barron and Jarrod Huss with one each, while Garth Jameson was closest to the pin on No 2/11.

Mark Sherlaw's rich vein of form continued as he topped the 9-holers with an excellent 32 in a net round off the back nine. His gross 42 included a birdie three at 16 and could have been much better but for going in the river at the last. Jim McMullan pipped Richard Pearson for second on countback after both came in with 35. They were followed by Marg Parfitt and Paul McCrae on 37.

Next Saturday (June 27) both the 18 and 9--holers play the annual President v Captain challenge, with the 18-holers playing a stableford off the white tees and the 9-holers doing likewise off the front nine.