A Gritty Showdown at Castle Hill Country Club

Castle Hill Country Club played host to Round 5 of the Major Pennants, welcoming The Lakes Golf Club for a high-stakes contest. With the course in immaculate condition following the Webex tournament and the home crowd providing an electric atmosphere, our team was determined to put on a strong performance. The competition was fierce, with every match proving to be a battle of skill, endurance, and mental toughness.

The match resulted in a hard-fought 3.5 to 3.5 draw, reflecting the competitive nature of the contest. Every point was earned through resilience and determination, with both teams showcasing their talent in a thrilling showdown.

Match Results

Match 1: Euan Keith – All Square

Euan started strong, setting the tone early with pinpoint ball-striking and impeccable course management. The match was a see-sawing battle, with neither player giving an inch. As they reached the 18th hole, the pressure was immense. Euan found himself 1 down with everything on the line. Stepping up to his final putt, he showed nerves of steel, draining a clutch putt to square the match and snatch a vital half-point for Castle Hill. A dramatic finish worthy of the occasion!

Match 2: Pat Idquival – Loss 5 & 3

Playing at home with the second best record in the team this season, Pat entered the match brimming with confidence. However, an his driver saw him frequently scrambling from tough lies. Despite showcasing his sensational short game and pulling off miraculous recoveries, the relentless pressure from his opponent proved too much. A valiant effort, but ultimately, his opponent closed it out 5 & 3.

Match 3: Justin Hatchett – Win 3 & 2

Our stalwart number one found himself in the unfamiliar position of playing at number five, but that didn’t slow him down one bit. Fresh off a -5 round on Saturday, Justin was dialed in. From the first tee shot, it was clear he meant business. His opponent fought hard, but it was like trying to stop a runaway train. His precision iron play and unwavering confidence guiding him to a dominant 3 & 2 victory. A masterclass in control and composure!

Match 4: Andrew Kneeves – Win (Opponent Withdrew)

Kneevesy, one of our young guns, came out firing, taking a commanding 3-up lead through the first four holes. His ball-striking was sublime, his short game razor-sharp, and his relentless pressure was too much for his opponent to handle. By the 7th hole, the writing was on the wall. Struggling with discomfort and overwhelmed by Andrew’s aggressive play, his opponent made the difficult decision to withdraw, handing a well-earned victory to our rising star.

Match 5: Owen Brightman – Win 2 & 1

It was a clash of the titans—Owen, undefeated this season, facing off against The Lakes’ captain, who also had a perfect record. From the first tee shot, it was evident this would be a war of attrition. Every hole was contested fiercely, every putt carrying the weight of the match. As the battle raged on, Owen’s ice-cold composure and pinpoint short game began to wear his opponent down. Owen was able to seal the match on the 17^th in a dramatic 2 & 1 victory. Another huge win for Owen—what a season he’s having!

Match 6: Nick Heanes – Loss 3 & 2

Fresh off his Webex triumph, Nick faced a formidable opponent who refused to back down. The front nine was a tense affair, with Nick trailing by just one at the turn. Then came the fireworks. On the 14th hole, his opponent stuck an approach shot close, putting Nick in a must-make situation. What followed was a moment of brilliance—Nick executed a delicate chip-in birdie that sent the crowd into a frenzy. But just as momentum seemed to swing, his opponent answered with back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16, delivering a knockout blow. A tough loss, but a battle well-fought.

Match 7: Brad Fasher – Loss 7 & 5

Our fearless captain, Fash, found himself up against an opponent on the verge of heading to Q School—a golfer in peak form. From the outset, it was clear this was going to be a brutal challenge. His opponent put on a clinic, hitting fairways and greens with laser precision. Despite throwing everything at him, Fash simply couldn’t break his rhythm. A tough day at the office, but Fash battled with the heart of a true leader, even in defeat.

A Hard-Fought Battle with Valuable Lessons

While the result wasn’t a win for Castle Hill, a squared match places us tied for second with The Lakes in our section. Our squad displayed resilience, determination, and skill against a strong opponent. Every match was a hard-fought contest, and the team will take valuable lessons from this experience as we head into the final match of the season.

Though we will not make the finals this year, we have successfully avoided the relegation match that has loomed over us in recent years. This marks a positive step forward and sets us on an upward trajectory. A heartfelt thank you to our caddies and supporters—your dedication means the world to us!

Looking Ahead: A Crucial Home Stretch

With the advantage of local knowledge, we are determined to finish the season on a high note.

• Next Match at Castle Hill:
  • March 9th – Cromer GC – Another home fixture where we can capitalize on our course familiarity.

Your Support Makes a Difference!

We urge all members and supporters to come out and back the team! A strong home crowd can make all the difference—let’s create an electric atmosphere and give our players the boost they need to finish the season with momentum.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

A huge thank you to our valued sponsors for their continued support:

• The Team at Valour – for providing our stellar uniforms.
• Aaron Cooper from Sinclair Automotive
• Rod Frost from Integrated OS
• Special Acknowledgment: Mark Thomson (Assistant Manager), Peter Alexander, Brendan Yap & Trent Wheeler – your contributions are instrumental to our success. We appreciate you!
• Aaron Fluke and his team – for the incredible effort they put into maintaining the course in top condition.
• GM Brendan Ellam & Head Professional Steve Gannon – Thank you for taking the time to come and support us on the day despite a busy schedule following the Webex period.

We look forward to seeing everyone at Castle Hill for the final match—let’s finish strong!

#GoCastleHill!

---

Back to previous page