Leonay Golf Course
Matchplay Club Championship Round 3
19 Feb 2023

Match Report and Results

The third round of Matchplay was about to be played.

Matchplay day was here. We started teeing off before 8.00am with 17 players, which was a little before our booked tee off time.

Let’s start off and say, it was going to be hot (real hot). Ray, the weather was more than warm, it was hot mate. Gaz had stocked up on ice and a few coldies, and was working on settling the nerves early.

And they were off, Griffo and Mick & Scotty and Gaz.

Scotty and Gaz had been locked in an intense matchplay battle all day, and here is how it unfolded.

Gaz knew it was going to be a bad day after 10 putting the first green (really, who did the pin placement, you might was well put the pin on the edge of a cliff). Might not have been 10 putts but it sure seemed like it, and really set him up for failure.

Scotty was 6 up after 9 holes and Gaz was staring down the barrel of a defeat.

Mick was 1 up after nine, and there was not much in it, pretty boring really.

The group headed off to the 10th tee, and Griffo handed a magical lolly to Gaz. Gaz said, “I feel this is a new course” as we had to cross the road. Gaz pulled out his non-trusty 4 hybrib and landed one on the green, it was nothing short of a miracle. Scotty took to his trusty iron and decided to increase his handicap with a 10 (can I say that) hitting 1 in the creek and 1 over the fence. Yes, Scotty had a 10.

Off to the 11th tee, with Gaz hitting a massive drive straight down the centre, only to be beaten by John Bateman for longest drive (which is under investigation, say no more) and the 11th was halved.

The 12th was a win for Gaz landing on the green for 2.

The 13th was a short par 3, and Scotty was up first and as normal put one on the dance floor. Gaz put his tee shot straight in to the rough to the right hand side of the green in the very long grass (and actually said “how the f— am I going to hit that”, and to everyone’s disbelief, (including the folks standing on the tee watching and waiting) Gaz chipped in for a birdie. Another hole to Gaz, who was -3 down with 5 to play.

Could this really be the comeback of the century? Sounds good, ha. Keep reading…

The 14th also belonged to Gaz, and at this point he was even with the stick on the back nine after 5 holes. What was happening, perhaps he was possessed.

The 15th and 16th were also won by Gaz, and Scotty and Gaz were all even going it to 17th. Scotty was scratching his head, and thought, how can this be, the guy plays off 27?

Gaz stepped up to the 17th tee and smashed one so well it was only 3 feet from the pin on the 348 metre par 4. Only problem was, his ball was on the 18th green. Gaz, what have you done! The hole was Scotty’s as he refused to allow Gaz to putt out on the 18th green for an eagle.

By this point Mick had conceded 2 and 1 to Griffo.

Scotty was plus +1 going into the 18th, and steps to the tee and hits it straight into the trees with his trusty iron (that new one, not so trusty?). Did anyone check his bag for extra clubs? Gaz pulls out his non-trusty 4 hybrib and hits it straight down the middle landing just short of the green and rolling through the green and past the pin and coming to rest about 3 inches off the back of the green. (what a shot Gaz!). The hole belonged to Gaz, and yes, we were all even.

After 18 holes they were all even, and the tension was palpable. Gaz wanted a count back knowing that he had the better back 9, but Scotty insisted on going back to the 18th tee and do this all again.

Scotty stood on the 18th tee for the second time, staring down the fairway, trying to steady his nerves with sweat dripping from his forehead (think that was because it was incredibly hot). He knew he needed a good shot if he was going to have any chance of winning this thing. He took a deep breath and swung his trusty iron. The ball sailed straight down the middle this time, landing on the green (sorry Scott, you don’t get nearest the pin on second attempt).

By this stage, a crowd had formed on the 18th tee. Garry’s non-trusty hybrid lived up toi it’s name and this time it wasn’t quite as good, his tee shot went straight for the trees, landing on the fairway (wrong fairway Gaz!).

Scott knew he had the advantage now, but he couldn’t afford to make any mistakes. Garry, who was watching from the rough, knew he had his work cut out for him. He took a deep breath and swung his iron, sending the ball flying toward the green, and as luck has it, it hit a tree and the match was Scott’s.

Scott had won the matchplay in a playoff hole, and he knew it was a victory he would never forget.

Gaz, better luck next time. Perhaps you shouldn’t 3 putt from 18 inches next time (yeah I did that and lost a hole).

As for the other match, it was uneventful. Nothing to report, except Giffo beat Sanchez 2 and 1.

On to other news, we had a returning player and a new player join us.

Winner of the day was Stephen Holder with a Nett 68 off a handicap of 20. Darren Jones was runner up with a Nett 69.

Third round winners of the Matchplay were Michael Griffin 2n1 and Scott Hochkins after 1 play off hole (under protest). Commiserations to the losers of this round, Michael Sanchez and Garry Hamilton-Smith.

The last round of the Matchplay is on 5h March 2023 at Hurstville. we all love to play at Hurstville Golf Course because it’s like a rollercoaster ride. Lots of ups and downs, twists and turns. Just hold on tight and enjoy the ride. Tee off time is 6:42am so don’t go to bed.

Thanks to Griffo for the photos. Please let me know if you take any and I can post them here.

Winner: Stephen Holder (Nett 68)
Runner Up: Darren Jones (Nett 69)

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Nearest the Pin
2nd: Stephen Holder
6th: Scott Hochkins
18th: not won

Drive & Pitch
8th: Scott Hochkins
15th: Stephen Holder

Longest Drive
11th: John Bateman (under investigation)

Score Card

Leonay Golf Course: