veterans to clash in open final

FERGUSON AND AGNEW TO TEE-OFF IN PENOLA GOLF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

Club veterans Don Ferguson and Jock Agnew have made it through to the open final of the Patrick of Coonawarra Penola Golf Club Championships to be played on Sunday.
Finishing one and two respectively after qualifying, they were a good chance to make the final, however, both had very different journeys into the final.
Agnew had an easier run through after a forfeit in the morning due to John Mossop having back issues.
Apparently a last minute call up to the physio was to no avail as no one could reach the top of his back to iron out the kinks.
Agnew then faced Jeremy Briggs in the afternoon and was robotic as ever as he cruised out to a six hole lead after 12 holes.
After 14 holes, Agnew was only one over the card and sealed the match on the 15th to score a four and three win.
Earlier in the morning, Briggs defeated Greg Hutchesson 3/1 to make the semi.
The ever confident Don Ferguson had a harder run to the final, playing 36 holes to Agnew's only 15.
He had a challenging match first up against Peter Walker, winning four and two.
Walker couldn't match his form from the day before, but was valiant in defeat.
The semi-final against Nathan Williams was much more challenging, going down the 20th.
In somewhat of an anti-climax, Williams played the wrong ball out of the rough and therefore was not able to find his second shot.
As Williams ran out of time, Ferguson's cart ran out of batteries and had to be towed back after Williams conceded the hole.
Ferguson had a chance to win the match earlier on the 18th, but missed a simple four footer up the hill to extend the match to the 19th.
He will need to make the putts drop if he is any chance of beating Agnew on Sunday.
This was the second close match "Schnitzel" had for the day, after going all the way down the 18th with Lindsay Storer in the quarter final in the morning.
The final promises to be an absorbing battle between the two former Millicent players, who are yet to ever meet in match play format.
Agnew would have to start favourite after much success over the past few years.
He also has the ability to play flawless golf, whereas Ferguson is likely to see plenty of the countryside.
Agnew's match fitness could be the only issue - his tired old body could struggle to go the distance, however, if things go to plan, Agnew son't need the full 36 holes.

MURRAY AND HOLDEN TO BATTLE IT OUT

The B Grade followed a similar plot line to the Open, with the two top qualified players, Chris Holden and David Murray making the final.
Both players were also keen to make amends after their shock first round losses last year to more unfancied opponents.
Both also had byes as a number of last minute withdrawals decimated the grade.
Holden won this event two years ago and will be keen to add a second trophy to the cabinet.
Murray will be also keen to win and is a proven performer in past finals.
To get to the final, Murray defeated Andrew Hutchesson in a close match.
Both players had no problem getting to the green all day, however, Hutchesson struggled to make crucial putts when it counted.
Murray eventually got over the line on the 18th when Senior's bold chip attempt flew past the hole and past the green, gifting Murray the win.
Holden defeated Tony Gleeson in the semi-final in a dominating display winning six and five, in what is ominous signs for the final.
Defeating your boss is always fraught with danger, and one would imaging Holden will have plenty of bins to clean come Tuesday morning.
In the morning quarter finals, Gleeson defeated Shane Anderson in a close match after Anderson's game unraveled on the back nine.
Hutchesson defeated Peter Docking 4/3 in a strong performance.
It will be a tight battle with Holden going in slight favourite.
Murray has showed he is capable of putting together very good nine hole efforts, but he will need to eliminate the bad patches if he is to prevail.

WILKINSON AND CHEERS IN C GRADE FINAL

John Wilkinson and Bill Cheers both progressed to the final of the C Grade after good wins in their respective semi-finals.
Wilkinson did it the hard way, winning two finals on his way to the grand finale.
He defeated David Boyd in the morning before knocking off a rather shady Mal Redman in the afternoon.
The score in this match was three and two.
Bill Cheers had a bye in the morning before defeating Robert Kuhl three and two in the afternoon.
The final looks to be an even contest with both players unpredictable at the best of times.
Cheers' ability to miss short putts is match by Wilkinson's ability to spray drives in many directions.
There will either be cheers or two thumbs up at the conclusion of the event.

STEPHENSON AIMS TO GO BACK-TO-BACK

Matt Stephenson is aiming to go back to back in the D Grade as he takes on Ant Mathys in the final.
Stephenson defeated Trevor Williams in semi-final three and one in what was a tougher match than handicaps would suggest.
Mathys on the other hand had an easier match as he beat the inexperienced Curt Evans on the 13th seven and five.
Mathys will be keen to win his first championship, but Stephenson will be a tough challenge.
Both will be wanting to play the best golf to get away to a good start.
Stephenson will start favourite to go back-to-back, but Mathys will have the advantage of knowing where the holes are.

DRAW

MEN

8.30am - D Grade: Matt Stephenson v Ant Mathys

8.45am - C Grade: John Wilkinson v Bill Cheers

9.00am - B Grade: Chris Holden v David Murray

9.15am - Open: Jock Agnew v Don Ferguson

WOMEN

9.30am - Open

9.45am - B Grade

10.00am - C Grade