Castle Hill Country Club faced a formidable challenge this week, taking on Cromer at their home course, where they boast an impressive win record. The early 7:00 AM tee-off meant a long commute, with most of our team rising at 4:00 AM. Despite the early start, it was a beautiful morning for golf, and Cromer was in fantastic condition, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.

Match Results

Match 1: Andrew Kneeves – Loss 2 Down

Andrew had a tough start, finding himself 5 down through six holes as his opponent put on a putting clinic, sinking multiple long-range putts. Despite the early deficit, Andrew showed incredible resilience, fighting back to just 1 down at the turn. He continued to battle on the back nine, applying pressure with clutch putts and precise iron play. However, his opponent remained composed, making key putts when needed. Andrew fought valiantly but ultimately fell 2 down to a strong Cromer competitor on the day.

Match 2: Stuart Nelson – Loss 4 & 2

Stuart faced a formidable opponent who started strong, carding multiple early birdies to gain an early advantage. Known for his steady and composed play, Stuart kept the match within reach, trailing by just one or two holes for most of the front nine. As the round progressed, he found himself not only contending with a highly consistent competitor but also navigating the challenges of the course. On the 16th hole, Stuart was well-positioned to extend the match, but his opponent sunk an unlikely long-range birdie putt to secure victory with a 4 & 2 result.

Match 3: Patty Idquival – Loss 3 & 1

Patty continued his strong form and was well in the match through nine holes, trailing by just two. Some remarkable up-and-downs kept him in contention, and he showed incredible grit as he attempted to shift momentum in his favour. On the back nine, Patty found himself in a fierce battle, matching his opponent shot for shot. However, a couple of decisive putts from his competitor on the closing holes sealed the match, with Patty going down 3 & 1.

Match 4: Nick Heanes – Loss 4 & 3

Nick faced a daunting challenge against Cromer’s captain, who came out firing, setting the tone with a slippery downhill 30-foot birdie putt on the first hole. It was going to be a tough day at the office, as Nick found himself 5 down through seven holes. Despite a spectacular chip-in birdie on the 13th that briefly turned momentum in his favor, his opponent’s relentless precision proved too much to overcome. Nick fought hard until the end but ultimately fell 5 & 4.

Match 5: Owen Brightman – Victory 4 & 3

Owen continued his incredible winning streak, racing to a 2-up lead through the first two holes. He then made an incredible eagle on the 3rd, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Owen played with confidence, hitting fairways and greens in regulation while keeping the pressure on his opponent. As the match progressed, he continued to assert control, never giving his competitor an opening to mount a comeback. With solid play down the stretch, Owen cruised to a comfortable 4 & 3 victory. Well done, Owen!

Match 6: Brad Fasher – Loss 5 & 4

Fash was up against Harrison Robb, who during the match put on a short-game masterclass, getting up and down from everywhere and showcasing his course knowledge. The match remained tight through 12 holes, with Fash making some clutch putts to keep things close. However, Harrison’s local experience and ability to execute precision shots around the greens made the difference in the closing stretch. Despite a valiant effort, Fash was unable to overcome his opponent’s consistency and fell 5 & 3.

Match 7: Justin Hatchett – Loss 3 & 2

The final match saw our number one player, Justin Hatchett, take on Jamie Smith, who was fresh off a victory at the Concord Cup on Saturday. Justin battled hard and stayed toe-to-toe with Jamie for most of the match. With three to play and momentum on his side, Hatchy flushed his iron shot on the long par-3 15th. However, as the ball was in mid-flight, the wind dropped, and his shot sailed directly over the flag into the penalty area. This proved to be a pivotal moment, as Jamie capitalized on the opening. Justin continued to fight, but with Cromer’s home track advantage playing a key role, Jamie closed out the match 3 & 2.

A Tough Day on the Road

Despite a challenging day against a dominant Cromer team, Castle Hill showed resilience and fought hard in each match. A huge thank you to all our caddies for their support, as well as our dedicated supporters who made the journey to Cromer. To the Kneeves family and the Deen family. Your support is always valued.

Next Match: The Lakes (Away)

Next week, we face another big test as we take on The Lakes at their home course, with a 7:00 AM tee-off on Sunday. With some of our squad potentially unavailable due to Webex commitments, it will be a tough challenge, but we look forward to stepping up once again.

Upcoming Home Matches – Your Support Needed!

We will be finishing the season with two home games on the 2nd and 9th of March and are well in the contest. We ask all members and supporters to show their support for the team over the next three weeks. Let’s maximise our home advantage and rally behind the squad as we push for a strong finish! The side remains upbeat and ready to return serve at our home track, where we will look to take full advantage of our local knowledge and support.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

We extend our gratitude to our generous sponsors:

• Rod Frost from Integrated OS
• Aaron Cooper from Sinclair Automotive
• The Team at Valour for providing our stellar uniforms
• Special Thanks to Mark Thomson, Peter Alexander, and Trent Wheeler. You do CHCC proud, and your support makes all the difference—thank you!

 

---

Back to previous page