Last Sunday, both the B Grade and Masters pennant teams competed for top honours at the Pennant finals at Gympie Golf Club. The Masters came so close fighting valiantly against a strong Noosa Springs side, whilst our B Grade team achieved something special winning its third consecutive pennant title – a first for Mt Coolum pennant teams.
It was a perfect winter’s day for the Sunshine Coast Golf Zones final matches and the scene was set for some hard fought matchplay for all grades.
The Masters were off first and after nine holes Mt Coolum were up in five of the seven matches and setting the pace. As the results started coming in Mt Coolum took the lead with three matches won by Paul Norman 2up, David O’Connell 3&2 and Chris Rolph 2&1 . Both the number 5 and 6 pairings finished all square after 18 holes so they set off down the 19th hole to determine a winner. The Noosa Springs boys prevailed taking out both matches against Allan Smee and President Daryl Frost on the 19th hole. Our No.1 Glenn Esden fought a hard match and finished on 17 with the contest tantalisingly tied at 3 matches each. The overall result now hinged on the no. 2 match with Barry Bowditch taking it all the way to the 21st hole before Noosa Springs secured the deciding win.
“This team has had a terrific time, and always aimed to represent Mount Coolum with distinction. We are pleased to have gone one week further this year, after being knocked out in the Semi-Finals last year. We hope we can go one-better again next year! All the players, caddies, supporters are sincerely thanked for their efforts and their contribution to this important part of Club life”, said Masters Team Captain (and Club Captain) Doug Shand.
With a remarkable display of nerveless golf, our B Grade team overcame a strong Peregian side, rising to the ultimate challenge of finals pressure. With an undefeated season, the boys were favourites heading into the final with the lads in good spirits.
Captain Jamie Franklin got Mt Coolum off to a flying start with a convincing 8&6 win at No.2 before Peregian turned the tide at No. 6 and No. 7 with Andrew Stevenson and Brendan Cassidy succumbing to their opponents. Then Jim Rice at No.5 squared it up with a 4&2 win – two matches all. At this point our No.1 Leighton Martin was digging deep and staging a fight back from four to one down by hole 15, only to be beaten by the 2020 player of the year David Ly from Peregian 2&1. It was coming down to two club stalwarts who were square – No 4. Nathan Collins heading down the 19th and No.3 Mick Mraz bombing a typical massive drive up the 18th….. Mick went front left into the 18th greenside bunker for two as Nathan, undefeated all season yet again sealed a win holing out the 19th. Three matches all and the number 3’s left to decide the overall winner. Mick came out of the bunker hot, flying past the green to go up against the wall near the clubhouse…. Looking to be in trouble Mick played the chip of his life to leave the ball only inches from the hole and win his match 1 up and give the team the 2021 B Grade pennant title.
“It takes a special kind of golf team to perform consistently all season and then finish strong in the pressure cauldron of a final – This team has shown repeatedly that it can go the distance and I could not be more proud of everyone of these lads in bringing home our third consecutive pennant title” said Captain Jamie Franklin.
“There have been a lot of hours spent in planning, golf practice and preparation by everyone to achieve this 3peat …. it was a total team effort throughout all the seasons. There isn’t a better feeling than this for everyone involved over the years. I rest my captaincy on an amazing high and leave it in the most capable hands of the man who brought it home for us on Sunday, Mick Mraz…..”
Special mention goes to all involved including Karl Dittko, Scott Mayes (Team Manager), Paul Dudman (super caddy), club captain Doug Shand for his support and encouragement and the ever faithful ‘Brain’s Trust’ who have all been massive to this success. Team members over the three years have included Jamie Franklin (Captain), Scott Mayes (Team Manager), Mick Mraz, Brendan Cassidy, Nathan Collins, Jim Rice, Leighton Martin, Andrew Stevenson, Karl Dittko, Kurt Tehliwec, Phill Joyce, Wilson Foster, Paddy Gassner, Ged Callagher and Scott Carlson.
And, it’s not over yet! The B Grade team will play in the inaugural District Pennant Final against the winner from the Glasshouse Mountains Zone on Sunday 5 September at Beerwah. Major prizes are up for grabs including a $500 Junior Development Grant to be awarded to the Champion Clubs.
Some key stats:
- Three consecutive winning pennant flags 2019-21, undefeated for 2019 and 2021 seasons with only one match lost in three years to the team (Noosa) who they went on to beat in the 2020 final.
- In 2019 the top three achieved an 85% success rate with Scott Carlson undefeated for season and final
- In 2020 Brendan Cassidy, Kurt Tehliwec, Paddy Gassner and Jim Rice were undefeated in normal season with Jim Rice remaining undefeated throughout finals.
- In 2021 the top three achieved an 83% success rate losing only 3 matches from 18 with Leighton Martin and Nathan Collins achieving 100% success rate for the season and Nathan remaining undefeated throughout the finals.
- Overall, Jamie Franklin (Captain), Mick Mraz and Brendan Cassidy were present for all three years with Jamie and Mick never losing a semi-final or final.
Team matches:
| Matches | Won | Drawn | Loss | |
| 2019 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | 7 | 6 | 1 (weather) | 0 |
| Total | 25 | 21 | 3 | 1 |
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Overall individual matches:
| Match Won | A/S | Match Loss | |
| 2019 | 49 | 8 | 20 |
| 2020 | 26 | 10 | 13 |
| 2021 | 30 | 2 | 10 |
| Total | 105 | 20 | 43 |
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*Tables include semi and final’s statistics