Published April 28, 2013 17:58
The annual clash with Hunter River DGA for the coveted Artie Mollett Shield was contested at Morisset on Sunday 28 April in glorious conditions on a golf course in great shape although the greens were a little slower than normal still being in recovery mode after recent major renovations.
The teams looked even on paper with some long time rep players and some debutantes on both sides. It was soon apparent that it was to be a close contest with players sprinting out of the blocks and taking early leads due in the main to some great golf. Reports filtered through to the ever anxious team managers that certain players were under par and still one or two down and over the course of the day the standard of play didn't diminish. Indeed, if anything, play only became stronger as players from both sides fought back from the wrong side of the ledger with the final result coming down to the last match left on the course.
Special mention must be made of Dylan Perry of HRDGA who toured the front nine in 30 shots, 6 under par. His opponent, Craig Wickham who himself was at one stage under par could only look on with admiration. CCDGA's Brent Soutar reeled off 5 birdies on consecutive holes on the back nine but only took from his great run 2 holes as his opponent, Andrew Ould also managed to match three of Brett's birdies over that stretch of holes.
In the end Hunter River proved too strong and took out a closely fought match 9 and 1/2 matches to 8 and 1/2. All of the officials expressed their appreciation for the way their players had performed, not only in respect of the standard of golf displayed but also in respect of the sportsmanship displayed and golf in both the Hunter River and on the Coast can be justifiably proud.
The results of all of the matches can be viewed by clicking here.