agnew on course for number seven

Ian ‘Jock’ Agnew is poised to take out his seventh Patrick of Coonawarra Open Club Championship at Penola Golf Club on Sunday after winning his way through to the final. Remarkably, Agnew has faced six different opponents in his previous wins, and on Sunday he faces a seventh, in Leo Price. Price was the number one qualifier and is no slouch when it comes to match play golf, having a terrific record in pennant matches over the past few years. He is certainly capable of beating Agnew on his day, but if Agnew is switched on, Price will need to near par the course to win.

Agnew won his way through to the final after winning in two entertaining quarter and semi-finals matches. He took longer than expected to defeat a stubborn David Murray 4&3 in the morning, before having a good battle with Jeremy Briggs in the afternoon semi-final. Briggs accounted for Lindsay Storer on the 19th in the quarter final, and was always in touch with Agnew throughout most of the semi. However, Agnew’s consistency helped him get over the line 3&2.

Price had a tough match with George Kidman, which went all the way to the 17th before Price prevailed 2&1. In the other quarter-final, John Mossop accounted for Don Ferguson 4&3, surprisingly, it was Mossop’s short game which was superior and helped him account for Ferguson.

The semi-final between Mossop and Price started out very scratchy, with players take a while to find their games and a par. It soon warmed up and pars and birdies started flowing before Price won 3&2.

The final promises to be an intriguing contest, but with it being over 36 holes, it would be hard to see Agnew getting beaten

Evans to take on Harmer in the B-Grade Final

The B-Grade winner’s board will have a new name after Curt Evans and Paul Harmer both won through to the final, with neither having one a B-Grade title before. Evans has improved his accuracy and consistency since joining up at Penola 12 months ago and will be a good chance to win the title given current form. This will be Harmer’s second crack at the B-Grade title after going down to Grant Stephenson two years ago.

Both players didn’t have an easy passage through to the final, playing extra holes in the quarter finals. Evans accounted for Tony Gleeson on the 19th before taking on the odds on favourite, Peter Walker, in the afternoon. Walker wasn’t quite on song but take nothing away from Evans performance, coasting home 4&3 in the afternoon semi-final.

Harmer took 20 holes to defeat Andrew Hutchesson in a game that could have gone either way. Both players had their chances before Hutchesson stumbled on the 20th.

In the semi-final,  Harmer took on Shane Anderson, who had earlier easily accounted for John Wilkinson, despite suffering from a 24 hour virus. Anderson stocked up on medication and was a tough opponent in the afternoon. He looked the likely winner after being one up with one to go. However, Harmer parred the 18th and went on to win on the 19th hole, his 39th hole for the day!

This looms to be an even contest, although Evans would have to start marginally favourite given current form.

The butcher to take on the Bullock

The C-Grade final looks to be an interesting one with former butcher and now your friendly grocer, Shane McPherson, taking on Pete Bullock. Bullock is no stranger to winning titles after doing so many years ago. After a long layoff, he is back this season and showing great form. McPherson is struggling from a bad shoulder, but had enough painkillers to get through two finals. He is another player who on his day can play well above his handicap.

Bullock had the easier run through to the final with a bye in the morning due to player withdrawals, but in the afternoon he had a potentially tough opponent in Steven Skeer. Skeer has been in good form in recent weeks and only took 14 holes to account for David Strother in the quarter final. However, Bullock was solid all day and eventually got his nose in front before winning 3&2.

McPherson had to do it the hard way, accounting for David Boyd in the morning on the 15th before taking on a well-rested Bill Cheers, who also had a bye. It was a close and absorbing battle before McPherson came out on top winning 2&1

Bullock would have to start favourite, however, if McPherson can get his shoulder right, he won’t be far off the mark.  

Mathys and Meyer to battle it out

Ant Mathys will take on Allen Meyer in the D-Grade final, after the latter defeated Trevor Williams in the semi-final. Mathys is yet to win a championship, and after finishing runner up last year, he will be keen to get his name on the board. Meyer will also be keen to add to his trophy cabinet and will attempt to win his second title. Mathys form has been good of late, and if he doesn’t succumb to the pressure, would be a good chance.

Draw for the Patrick of Coonawarra Club Championship finals on Sunday 12th October

8:45am  D-Grade- Ant Mathys  vs Allen Meyer   

9:00am C-Grade- Pete Bullock  vs Shane  McPherson 

9:15am B-Grade – Curt Evans vs Paul Harmer

9:30am Open – Jock Agnew vs Leo Price