Huge congratulations to our Junior Sharp Cup team on a fantastic 4 – 1 win over The Grange in today’s final! An outstanding team effort and a well-deserved victory!
Click here for full results.
Report courtesy of Peter Maddern
As the Grand Final tee off loomed, it was important to keep in mind that our junior program really only got going about five years ago and as a club we have only been in the 50 year-old Sharp Cup competition for four seasons. In our first game, we were beaten 5 zip by Grange, so, as we faced up against them again, it is evident we have come a long way. But how far exactly? We were about to find out.
Observations from the small area between the 3rd green, the 19th and 4th tees and 6th fairway on the truncated Glenelg course – holes later mauled in order to get the hole count even out to seventeen – was likely to tell the tale for the day as players approached and transitioned through. JiSung Park birdied the temporary to get to level, Jordan Cranwell lumbered through two up, Angus Norcock birdied that 3rd to take a lead he never looked like surrendering.
With our hard hats firmly affixed, we watched JiSung launch a monster drive over trees from the 6th tee. Ten minutes adrift, so does Jordan, his with a 3 wood. Team management could breathe a little easier but it was no substitute yet for having given up the Fentanyl required during the semi.
Thereafter, leads extended and the final was called to a halt with three wins secured and the other two up. Technically a 4-1 triumph which we counted as a 5-nil sweep.
Your team:
In the #5 slot, JiSung Park played 7 games this year for 5 wins including last week’s crucial one up victory. Known to induce frustration to managers and coaches alike, JiSung nonetheless has much to contribute in his remaining two years in Sharp and to the club beyond. Today he won 4/3.
Jordan Cranwell came to us this year from Thaxted Park. Missing two games with a finger injury, before today he had won three and lost one playing number four or five. He got as many as four up but was back to just one as the curtain came down with him halfway up the 17th.
To the three amigos – these guys are great. First up Angus Norcock who started the season having patches of strong holes and then bad ones but in the past month he’s produced nothing but solid golf including more than a few slam dunks from off the green. Today, he was our first to finish – 6/5.
Also new to the club, Seth Tymko, (from Grange no less). For just a thirteen year old, Seth hits a monster ball and his short game is elite, well worth the price of admission, though as Craig Ball keeps telling me, there is no admission fee to any pennant games. Those present will long remember the chip from the behind the green on the hole of horrors 12th to just a few feet. Colours lowered last week but not today; his result 4/3 ended the contest.
Finally, to Billy White (also from Grange – what bad luck for them.) Thrust into the #1 position for much of the year, Billy has been nothing but impressive. Unbeaten across the season, often conceding his opponents up to four years of age, Billy leads from the front and today clawed his way back from two down to one up when Seth finished on the green ahead. Billy is a worthy winner of award for this season’s best Sharp performer.
A great celebration was had on the Glenelg Clubhouse balcony which spilled over into both a player team photo as well as one for the big supporter group around the pin on the 18th green. Great pics for us, sorry Glenelg GC for making you down to a 16 hole layout for the Monday club players.
On supporters, I wish to thank the excellent and wholly appropriate support of the parents throughout the season and also wish to record the club’s thanks to those families who rearranged holidays and comp entries to allow their sons to play today.
Thanks to those other club members who came out today to support, from mates of the boys in our junior ranks to members of the Sanderson Cup team. It made all the difference last week and a big one again this afternoon.
While all disperse now – some to the tattoo parlours of the Gold Coast for their ‘Sharp25’ inking to their ankles or, for those remaining in town, with Harry Coote and Darcy O’Neill to the casino to kick on with the celebrations – full recognition must be given to Michael Jay.
The Club President is the father of the entire junior program over the past half dozen years and today’s success is his. From having just five players with a handicap of 15 or better three years ago, today we have over 20. That’s how far the program has advanced.
Finally, thanks to all who have taken the time to read these reports. Hey, who would have thought Junior golf could be this much fun to write about?
RA 5 Grange 0 (Officially 4-1).
