Hurstville Golf Course
Matchplay Club Championship Final
5 Mar 2023

Match Report and Results

The final round of the Matchplay tournament has come to an end, and it was an early start for the players. Teeing off at 6.42am, the 17 players and one junior took to the course just as the sun was rising. I myself considered sleeping at the course.

The weather was hot (how hot, real hot) and perfect for golf, and the players were ready to give it their all. There was a new player in the mix, Chris Bogdan, and he made quite an impression with his impressive score of 87 off the stick. Well done, Chris, and welcome to the club!

As the players made their way around the course, the competition was fierce. Each player was determined to finish strong and give themselves a chance to come out on top. There were some impressive shots and putts (those putts, keep reading) that were made throughout the round, and the crowd was on the edge of their seats as the scores came in.

In the end, it was a close competition, with just a few strokes separating the top players. But no matter the outcome, everyone involved on the day could be proud of their efforts, especially on the greens. It was a well-played tournament with plenty of excitement and drama.

For everyone except Scotty and Michael, it was a stoke event, however for Scotty with his trusty iron and Michael Griffin it was the final round of the match play and a match that had spectators on the edge of their seats until the very end. Scotty and Michael went head to head and it was a nail-biter from the first tee shot. I was nervous and I was not even playing.

Michael refused to give up nearing the end, and he made a valiant effort in the final holes. But Scotty held his nerve (again), making crucial putts (and missing a few I believe) and hitting accurate shots under pressure with that trusty iron.

In the end, it was Scotty who emerged victorious, winning the match 2 up. The crowd erupted in applause as he sank his final putt, and Scotty raised his arms in triumph. (Sounds good, sorry no one was there to watch as you were in the first group).

It was a fitting end to a thrilling tournament, and both Scotty and Michael deserved praise for their skill and sportsmanship throughout the match. But on this day, it was Scotty who came out on top, earning the title of Match Play Golf Champion for 2023.

As the players shook hands and congratulated each other on a game well played, they could look back on the match play event with pride. The last round was a fitting end to a great competition (shame about the course), and everyone involved could hold their heads high as they walked off the course.

Now, I don’t want to exaggerate, but the greens at Hurstville Golf Course were filled with weeds, divots and spike marks. I thought we were playing a game of pinball instead of golf. I mean, I’ve seen smoother surfaces on the moon than on these greens.

I am pretty sure I saw a golf ball almost hit someone in the kneecap as it bounced along the green. The course maintenance crew must have been stood down as it looks like the entire budget was spent on that new fancy clubhouse. The grass was so patchy, you could see more dirt and weeds than green.

But despite all of this, our die-hard golfers were determined to conquer the course. They were like gladiators, facing the worst that the course could throw at them.

In the end, maybe the bad greens were a blessing in disguise. After all, if you could play well on those greens, you could play well on any greens in the world. So, if you’re looking for a challenge, and don’t mind a little dirt with your golf, head on down to Hurstville Golf Course. It’s an experience you won’t forget…no matter how hard you try.

Did we get a discount on the round? Pretty sure that was a no.

As for the Eagles Nest, it almost went off. Gaz was feeling the pressure as he approached the 6th hole, a challenging par 3 (last par 3 of the course on the day as we played the back nine first) with that temporary tee on the side of a hill. It’s only been there for like two years now, anyway, he knew that this hole could make or break his round (not really , his game was done), and he was determined to make the most of it.

Gaz stepped up to the tee and took a deep breath, eyeing the green in the distance. He chose his club carefully, knowing that he needed to hit a precise shot to have any chance of success.

With a smooth swing, Gaz launched his ball into the air, watching as it soared towards the weed patch (the green). As it landed, he held his breath, hoping that it would roll towards the flag.

The ball plugged just beyond the hole, and then came to a stop just 1 and a half centimeters from the cash and the Eagle’s Nest. Gaz couldn’t believe it. He had come so close to hitting the perfect shot, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the cash and the Eagle’s Nest, Gaz stayed focused and sank his putt across the bumpy green for a birdie.

Oh, I almost forgot, the winner of the day was Chris Whitwell off 26 with a nett 63. Runners up were Brandon McCarthy and George Theore with a nett 65 each. Congratulations to Chris, who hit some great shots down the centre all day.

Next round is at Dunheved on Sunday 19 Mar at 8:06am, please arrive 30 minutes prior to play.

Winner: Chris Whitwell (nett 63)
Runner Up: Brandon McCarthy & George Theore (nett 65)

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Nearest the Pin
6th: Garry Hamilton-Smith
12th: Scott Hochkins
16th: Michale Griffin

Drive & Pitch
9th: Ray Sawtell
13th: Scott Hochkins

Longest Drive
7th: Brandon McCarthy

Score Card

Hurstville Golf Course: