MGC v Oatlands at Manly Golf Club – Sunday 9th March 2025

Dear Members

After a difficult result last week it was exciting to see how the team would respond on their home course against the section winners and “undefeated” Oatlands team.

After Saturday night at Brooky I knew this was going to be an amazing weekend !

 

Allow me to introduce our team this week :

Liam Jordan (dad)

Will Crisp (dad)

Ryan Connors (Richard Gobee)

Andy Tunny (Connor)

Will Yeaman (Tony Smith)

Rory Page (dad)

Wayne Wright (C) (Darryl Tweedale)

Playing reserve : Jack Hugill (caddy dad, Andy Hugill !!)

 

A perfect morning was complimented by an “eloquent” welcome by our club Captain Alex Hunter.

It was day full of highlights but few more significant than 4 dads caddying for their sons !

Team Captain, Wayne shot out of the gates and was 5 up very early, Jack at reserve was also well up, Rory 3 up and the remaining matches close.

After last week we were greedy for revenge and whilst winning was the goal, we were keen for more than that.

Little was said about the prior weeks loss to Oatlands, but they’re a tough, proud and competitive lot, so little needed to be said when you have a playing group like this.

President Alison was out watching as were a number of members and of course the players thrive on this.

Anyway back to the golf action, Rory approaches us at what felt like half time having won 7/6. Members may not know that Rory who is 15 years of age, and a great fella, had a putt in the medal last Saturday week for a course record 66 !!!

Jack at reserve has a thoroughly convincing 5/4 win and is a wonderful pennant player of the future.

Wayne holes a birdie chip on 12th and quickly puts his opponent out of misery with a totally dominant 6/4 win.  Wow this is looking good, but there are a number of tight matches in progress and Liam at No1 was 2 down playing a plus 3 marker !!!!

Andy Tunny, who has had a fabulous year nails another season win 3/2 and I was pleased for him that he didn’t put himself through the stress of playing the 18^th.

Status now 3 from 3 !

Will Yeaman who was in a tight tussle all day is now playing the stressful 18^th ! He then nails his drive to 55 meters from the flag, pitches in close, nails a birdie and wins 1 UP.

Ryan is I up heading down 17 and plays the perfect match play hole whilst his opponent tried tricky stuff, came undone a little and our Ryan closed out by lagging a short birdie putt : Ryan wins 2/1 !

FYI  current match status is 5 to nil .

2 matches remain being Liam and Will Crisp.  Liam and Will both birdie the 14th.

Will Crisp then progresses down the 18 and halves the hole for a squared match : status now 5.5 matches to 0.5.

C’mon Liam we want a whitewash . When the heart rate is beating very fast, the nerves and tension are up, you quickly learn whether your hours and hours of practise have been worth it and how sound your swing technique is under pressure moments. He again was tested with a most beautiful wedge into the 17th to about 7 feet and again on 18 to 4 feet. His opponent concedes the birdie putt on 18 (his 5^th for the match) and Liam wins 1 UP.

Liam knows the hard work is worth it.

A remarkable day against the undefeated Oatlands who are a terrific bunch of fellas.  

Manly 6.5 matches to Oatlands 0.5 match.

We finished 2^nd  in our section of the round robin of matches, so stay in Division 2 for next year.      

A particular thanks to our extended playing squad of Eddie Blake, Chris Connolly, Andy Hugill, each of whom made a significant contribution.

From myself and the playing group, thank you to our members and officials that came out, to the caddies, the pro shop staff and catering staff, a massive thank you for  a memorable season.

 

Dave Brown

Manager

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MGC v Oatlands at Oatlands Golf Club – Sunday 2nd March 2025

 

Dear Members,

We arrived out at Oatlands Golf club at 6.00am to be well prepared for our match against the divisional leaders. 

The humidity is up and of course the hills at Oatlands proved a perfect combination!!!

The Manly Team is as follows :

1. Liam Jordan
2. Ryan Connors
3. Andrew Tunny
4. Andy Hugill
5. Will Yeaman
6. Wayne Wright (C) 
7. Rory Page
8. Playing Res : Jack Hugill

On a positive note we were really excited at Andy and Jack Hugill playing as the first father and son combination I can remember. 

The course condition was excellent and the greens were running beautifully after being rolled and mowed. 

Before we know it Wayne says “I’m quite a few down” (very rarely do we hear that from Wayne) and that story line echoed across our playing group.

It was a tough day at the office against a very strong capable team of golfers, it wasn’t our best day!

A positive was Andy Tunny’s match in which he was 3 down with 3 to play then birdied 16 and 17, got to the 18th and just missed his birdie to lose 1 down, a great fighting effort Andy.

Typical of the standard was Ryan’s opponent and as Ryan’s caddie I watched him peel off 4 birdies, 3 bogeys and the rest were pars.

They were too good for us and we all felt flat as it put an end to our finals chances !

As a proud team they will each work hard on their game this week and be inspired to defeat them on our home soil next Sunday.

The end was result was 7-0 !

We retain our division 2 spot for next year which was a significant goal (in addition to winning the division) for 2025.

Thank you to our wonderful caddies Paul Volke, Tony Smith, Darryl Tweedale, Peter Page and Connor. 

Come down and watch next Sunday from 7.30am.

Dave Brown

Team Manager

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MGC v Bankstown at Manly GC – Sunday 23rd February

Dear Members,

Coming off a loss last week away from home at Bankstown hurt and the team put in extra practice this week to be their best on our home course.

The team in playing order was:

1. Liam Jordan
2. Will Crisp
3. Ryan Connors
4. Andy Hugill
5. Chris Connolly
6. Andy Tunny
7. Wayne Wright (C)

Brenden our Superintendent prepared the course in an outstanding manner with the opponents in awe of its condition. Parcel that up with ideal sunny weather and a beautiful pleasant NE and it’s a perfect day at Manly.

There is a little twist in todays result in that a win to Manly extinguishes any chance of relegation and a loss provides some exposure that we don’t ideally seek.  Anyway we are here to win !

The teams lined up in a similar fashion to the previous week albeit with some minor changes.

Very early on in the matches Richard Evans came over to me and said Wayne is 4 up,  Andy Tunny is 2 up, Ryan is 3 up, Chris is 1 up and Andy Hugill is 1 up.  Whilst listening to this positive news Chris holes an 80 foot putt from the left front of the green on 7 to a blue flag in the hollow : you beauty, now he is 2up.  In one of the photos attached Chris is putting his 2^nd shot on 10 after driving it to 3 or 4 meters from the green !!!.

I felt watching the day play out that things are running smoothly and to plan,  albeit Jordan and Liam were each 2 down.

The match results start to come in,  Wayne halved his match on 18,  Andy Tunny suffered a tight loss on the 17^th,  Chris Connolly wins on the 17^th after holing a 15 footer for birdie and Andy Hugill loses a tight match on 18.  Of the 4 matches we are 1.5 and Bankstown 2.5 and this wasn’t what we quite had in mind.

I then hear Liam is back to square as is Crispy.  Ryan after being up all day is too good and wins convincingly 3/2 on the 16th.  

We are 2.5 matches each and number 1 and 2 matches still playing .

Liam birdies 4 of the last 8 holes to win 2/1 against a plus 3.3 marker, a terrific effort Liam.  The worst result now is a draw, but we want the win don’t we and Crispy is playing the 18^th in front of the army, and he loves it.

He bins a 15 footer for birdie on 18th win his match and give Manly a 4.5 to 2.5 win.

I cant remember the last time we won matches 1, 2 and 3 ! To highlight the quality each of their opponents hit the 17^th green in 2 (into a North Easter wind)  !

A genuinely gritty team effort we as Manly Members can all be so proud of.

It was a perfect way to celebrate our loyal and long serving caddy Darryl Tweedale’s 50^th Birthday week of festivities : Best wishes Tweeds.

So where does this leave us with 2 matches against Oatlands to go :

1. Oatlands with 4 wins and 17 matches won
2. Manly with 2 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw and 15 matches won
3. Bankstown with 1 win and 3 losses and 13.5 matches won
4. Long Reef with 3 losses and 1 draw and 10.5 matches won.

One of our goals this year after being promoted to Division 2 was to stay here and we can now tick that box.

To win our section of the division, we ideally require winning our next 2 matches against Oatlands which starts at Oatlands next Sunday.

A great day of golf from a great bunch of fellas.

Caddies were brilliant, bring on next week.

Dave Brown

Team Manager

 

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MGC v Bankstown at Bankstown GC – Sunday 16th February

Dear Members,

After a draw and a win at home against Long Reef it was now our challenge to take on Bankstown at their home.

We had an early start leaving the club at 5.00am and on early arrival at Bankstown Golf Club we woke up Eddie the barman to make us much needed coffees !

The team in playing order was :

1. Liam Jordan
2. Andy Hugill
3. Will Crisp
4. Ryan Connors
5. Will Yeaman
6. Andy Tunny
7. Wayne Wright (C)

We have a wonderful young man in Liam whom we have promoted to the number 1 spot, his first time to play in this position.  This is daunting for many but he wants it, enjoys it, in fact relishes it. Coming off a 4 under par the previous day in the Saturday competition, it was interesting to see how he might be the following day, but he is so mature and balanced for 16 years of age ! His challenge was to play a plus 3 marker who was previously on the pro tour for 5 years and then on the Chinese golf tour before regaining his amateur status. Our Liam went toe to toe on his opponents home track and was all square on the 18^th tee. Both bombed wonderful drives down the final 380 meter par 4. His opponent hit it into about 20 feet and Liam was 106 meters out and played a wonderful gap wedge landing it 3 meters short of the cup to then see it spin back 30-35 feet !!!!!

Very early on in the day our team Captain Wayne posts another victory for the season to give us a one nil lead. At the same time of  Wayne’s win I look across to See Andy Tunny hole a 15 footer on the 18^th for the win .  Andy you may recall, holed a crucial 20 foot birdie putt on the 18^th last week to win his match : this is a great habit  Andy and what a season he is having.  We go 2 nil up, just the start we needed, but its tight as 2 matches were square and 3 matches are down.

Playing number 2 Andy Hugill unfortunately suffers a rare loss and quickly there after Will Yeaman loses his match, making it 2 matches all !!

This is now tighter than we are wanting !!!!

Will Crisp loses his match, his first loss for the season , now down 3-2 !!!

I’m still bullish with Ryan as he is 1 down playing 18 and Liam is all square .

The blue and white golfing gods of Bankstown take control and we lose both matches on the 18^th resulting in a 5-2 loss.

It is a difficult challenge going from our couch fairways that we enjoy at Manly to the very different Kikuyu grass, but that’s the deal. I felt the 5-2 loss gives the appearance of a more resounding defeat than what it felt like on the course.

Fortunately we are still in full control of our fate and the players can’t wait for the return match next Sunday against Bankstown at 7.30.

One week at a time !

Please come down and support, the players really enjoy it.

 

Dave Brown

Team manager

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MGC v Long Reef at Manly GC Report – Sunday 9th Feb

Dear Members,

Another perfect morning in Gods country, around 28 degrees with a pleasant but mild breeze from the south to keep things a little interesting.

The course and particularly the greens are in immaculate conditions with our opponents from Long Reef offering generous praise indeed of our golf course.

Captain Alex Hunter welcomed Long Reef and was able to restrict his introduction and formalities to just under an hour : I feel sure his humour distracted Long Reef and got them by surprise at 7.00am !!!!. This welcoming process by a club official is a classy way to host a visiting team and does set a high standard right from the commencement of the day: a big thank you to Alex !

Following our squared match last week this return local derby provides a wonderful opportunity for our team to start the year as we had planned and hoped.

The playing team this week in order is :

1. Eddie Blake
2. Liam Jordan
3. Will Crisp
4. Ryan Connors
5. Andy Tunny
6. Wayne Wright (C)
7. Rory Page

RES : Jack Hugill

Before I knew it, Will (Crisp) was cruising across the fairway and I asked what are you doing out here, to which he replied “I’ve finished, I won 6 & 5 with 10 pars and 3 birdies”. This is really solid golf and reflects the quality of golf Will can play. He clearly didn’t give his opponent much chance to get into the game and once he gets in front he doesn’t lighten the pedal.

The playing order starts at reserve and works down, so again it was surprising at such an early part of the day for our No1 Eddie casually walking across the fairway not long after Will to give us the great news he too had enjoyed a thoroughly convincing win 6 & 4 : this is very unusual to be so dominant in the tough No1 spot. I cant praise this fella enough because apart from being club champion, plays No1, has a young family, a brilliant supportive team player, he’s also a wonderful person and fabulous to have in the team :brilliant effort Eddie, thank you.

2 early matches in, things are looking good.

Jack at reserve lost, but his opponent had a game to remember being 3 or 4 under, so Jack just let that one go, you still played well.

Rory played rock solid and there was much to be impressed about his game and when you have an opponent, sometimes they just play better.  A good effort to narrowly lose on the 17^th hole.

Wayne must love the crowd, the atmosphere, the moment, the tension because he always plays the 18^th !!!!!  That is not most players favourite place with lots of people watching !  Thankfully however he nearly always wins and although he didn’t quite get that result today he gained us a valuable halved match for the team.

So its still tight with Manly 2.5 to Long Reef 1.5.

Andy Tunny is all square on the 18^th tee and fair to say we still have 2.5 matches in and need 4 for victory, so with 3 matches out there we are keen (busting) for the best possible result and that he did.  A perfect tee shot up the middle on 18th, a smooth 9 iron pin high to 18 feet and bins the putt to take the match : how good Andy !  How good is the team spirit when co-captain Chris Connolly caddies for Andy, a big effort Chris !

As Andy sunk the putt we looked down the 17^th green to see Ryan shaking hands with his opponent. Ryan dominated early but as can happen, the momentum can change but that wasn’t happening this week ! He shook hands with a terrific win on the 17^th and was so pleased as he had played so well. Ryan we are all chuffed for you, well done champion and you are following up another solid pennant season.

4.5 matches to 1.5 matches, we have now won the day with one match still in play..

Our second youngest team member and playing No2, Liam birdies the 17th to get back to square and that is where the match finished on 18 !

Final result Manly 5, Long Reef 2 and great to win the local derby.

Next week we move out to play Bankstown and its one week at a time.

Caddies were brilliant and play such an important part so we thank each of you.

Thankyou also to all of the members who came out and provided such a wonderful atmosphere for the players.

Bring on next week .

Dave Brown

Team Manager          

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MGC v Long Reef at Long Reef Golf Club Report – Sunday 2nd Feb

 

Dear Members, 

We arrived very early to a perfect but rare Northern Beaches major Pennant match against Long Reef . 

The course was presented perfectly and we know the importance of a solid start to the season  which comprises 6 matches in our section which then progresses to a semi final and then the final . 

Our team order was ; 

1. Eddie Blake
2. Ryan Connors
3. Will Crisp
4.  Will Yeaman
5. Andy Tunny
6. Wayne Wright (C)
7. Rory Page

Playing Reserve : Jack Hugill

The conditions were perfect with no wind which is so unusual for Long Reef. 

Jack Hugill playing reserve gained some valuable pennant experience at reserve and lost gallantly in a very tight match. Jack I feel sure will be a regular in the team over the coming years . 

Of our 7 matches, 5 finished on the 18^th hole  !

Rory gained some experience last year and has improved significantly over the past 12 months, as well as growing, allowing him to hit the ball further. It was a David v Goliath affair with his opponent looking like more like an NRL player. Whilst his opponent played outstanding golf our Rory stayed measured and finished with a brilliant win on the 18^th 2 up. I’m not one for worrying about scoring in match play but as his caddie on the day I recorded Rory with 3 birdies, 3 bogeys and 12 pars off the black tees ! Better still this was Rory’s 1st victory win in major pennant for Manly ! Congratulations Rory .  

Wayne our evergreen Mr consistency and chipper extraordinaire took his opponent to the 18^th and gamely finished all square. Like wise Will Yeaman played a brilliant iron shot into the final hole, won the hole and bravely finishing all square also: a big effort Will !

Andy Tunny never let his opponent into the match and his opponent said in his post match speech that Andy only played one poor shot (which was on the 15^th) which coincidentally is where Andy finished winning 4/3.

Playing in the No1 spot is not for everyone for a host of reasons. You can play well and still lose  !!! Our Eddie understands that “everyone has their day” and whilst you can play well yourself, it is difficult if your opponent is 4 under the card, as was Eddies opponent yesterday. But in his typical cool fashion Eddie understands that is pennant golf in the hot seat at No1.

Will Crisp also won the final hole playing at No3 to finish his match all square. He had our Harry Peterson (last years No1 player and since turned pro) on his bag, now there’s a big combination !!!!   

So the score is now 3.5 matches Manly and 2.5 matches Long Reef, with Ryan playing the 18th and one down. His opponent had his day, draining a 30 footer on the final hole at a pace that many of us thought was going way past the hole. Anyway that’s golf and Ryan understands that and cant wait for next week.

Eventually we squared the day which is an excellent result against a team on their home course.

We host Long reef at home next Sunday morning and look forward to the members coming down to support the players who really appreciate it.

Finally all players had a caddy yesterday and we thank Smithy, John Pankhurst, Mark McDougall, Harry Peterson, Oscar Smith, Darryl Tweedale and Andy Hugill for their support    

The team has wonderful spirit, bring it on.

Dave Brown

2025 Men’s Pennants Manager

 

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