Round 3 of Simpson Cup and The Grange is sitting top of the table. The team has remained unchanged since the season start comprising Alex Hendrick, Ross Steedman, Darren Baynes, Riley Marshall, Steve Maddaford, Nick Siegmund, and Mark Demasi (C). The only change was the team manager, me, so I (Paul McDonald) took the place of John Thomas who was a way but still with us on the day in spirit with his supply of the famous player ‘life support packs’ – brownies & snakes.
The weather at Glenelg was nothing less than perfect and the course in great condition, but Glenelg had their short tricky par 3 ‘19th’ in play due to works taking the 13th hole out of play. Glenelg is very much a thinker’s course with many spots around the green seemingly impossible to get up and down so playing against a quality side set the scene for some great competition.
Mark ‘Dimma’ Demasi was up against Nathan Baulderstone who started the day undefeated, Dimma had a slow start and was 1 down after 3. In his usual fighting style fought back to be square after 7. After catching up with Dimma later he was 1 up after 10 and then 3 up after 12 which was great to hear. He provided The Grange with our first victory, winning 3/2.
Nick Siegmund had Anthony Olsen to deal with and started solid being 1 up after 6 but then Anthony slowly fought back to be 2 up after 16 then they both halved 17 with Nick going down 2/1.
Royal Adelaide Vs The Grange at Glenelg – 22 May 2022
Steve Maddaford played against Matt Lawson, Steve was up early being 1 up after 3 and some great golf followed but Matt managed to get to 2 up after 8 and that was pretty much the way it stayed with Steve going down 3/2.
Riley Marshal played Harry Coote and got off to a great start being 1 up after 3, they were neck and neck moving forward and then Riley still 1 up, hit a wayward drive on his 8th hole. He was in thick grass approximately 130 metres from the pin with a tall tree to deal with. His opponent was in a fine position to hit the green so Riley had to have a go, and that he did. He just popped it over the tree and placed it to 2 feet from the pin going to 2 up after 8 with a great birdie. Riley’s opponent then kept at it and had his time of winning a few holes getting to 1 up after 16, but Riley did not give up and then won the 17th to go up 18 all square. Both players played the hole in regulation, with Riley unfortunately going 1 down to a good birdie put.
Darren Baynes played Louis Fuller and had a close match all day, Darren seemed to have the upper hand getting to 1 up after 8 and still remained 1 up after 10. Louis then managed to get a win in making at all square after 12 and then another win for Louis left Darren 1 down after 14. The battle began at this point and Darren got a hole back to be square after 16 but after a great recovery from a wayward drive, Darren just missing his putt went to one down after 17 and then they both halved 18 with Darren finishing 1 down.
Ross Steedman played William Arnold who also who started the day undefeated winning at number 1 in round 1 and number 2 in round 2. This was always going to be a tussle and there were no surprises with this match, every time I caught up with them they were square, in fact square after 12. When I saw them on the 15th tee Ross was then 1 down. He then remained solid winning the 15th 16th and 17th with a great putt to win 2/1.
Alex Hendrick played Billy Cawthorne, they had a great match producing some fantastic golf. They fought hard from the start, Alex battling away to be 1 down after 8. After catching up with Alex’s game on 10th he was then 3 down, this was a surprise but Alex clearly got his form back playing some great shots, getting to just 1 down after 14 and continuing his fight to finally become the victor to go 1 up after 18. This gave us our 3rd win for the day but unfortunately a team loss of 4/3.
Thanks to all caddies and supporters for your valued support. Next match, Sunday the 19th is at Victor Harbor and we’re teeing off at 12:10 against last year’s cup finalist contender, The Vines. Look forward to seeing you all there.
Paul McDonald