Master Pennant – Final Match for Season 2025
29th of June was supposed to be the first playoff match for our Master Pennant team, unfortunately we ran into the best teams in the league in our division and ended up playing in a Relegation match against North Ryde.
The day was perfect as we arrived at Asquith Golf Club. In the parking lot I ( being the illustrious leader for the day filling in for our captain Phil Kells who was on a plane coming back from holidays) saw some teammates and I asked didn’t you leave Manly an hour ago and one said I forgot my putter in my car and we had to go back an get it, more on that later.
The team was all there and in great spirits ready to represent the club in one of the hardest matches ever to be played, THE RELEGATION MATCH. After winning the coin toss we were off with our number 8 Paul Volck and 7 Darryl ‘Tweeds’ Tweedale. Paul had said to me that he played the practice round on Friday and is in great form and it showed on course winning his match 5&3. Tweeds was playing at 7 and if you recall earlier in the report he’s the one that forgot his putter and that’s how the day started and continued for him giving it a great effort but going down in the end, no need for a score more on this later.
At number 6 Brenton Quigley and 5 Sean Collins were next off the tee. Thanks for Quigles for stepping in this week – he’s an experienced player and strong in matches, taking his match to the end winning 1 up. Sean playing at number 5 has been solid all season and things weren’t any different this time, dominating his opponent 5&4.
Next up was the dynamic duo of the two David’s. David Brown at 4 and David Watkins at 3. What can I say about Brownie he’s the best pennant manager a guy has ever had a long time pennant player for Manly and one hell of a great guy. He likes to take his matches all the way to the end so he gets to play the entire course. David was all square on hole 16 and was told the match is all over. David Watkins at number 3 was the usual solid consistent player we all came to know of him this year. He was 2 up with two to play and that ment that we had 4.5 wins in the bank and we had won the match and are going to stay in Division 2 next year.
Our final two matches were up in Julian Jackson (interim captain) playing at number 2 and Wayne Wright our number 1. With all matches out on course I only got to see Wayne play his while I played mine. I was down early but came roaring back with some help from my opponent winning my match 5&4. Wayne was his normal self hitting straight drives and grinding his opponent to the ground over the entire course. He was all square going down 16 when the match came to an abrupt end thanks to David W being 2 up on 17.
Now let’s get back to an earlier conversation I had with Tweeds. We were talking after our matches and we came to the conclusion that someone one from the team had to take all our bad swings and put them in their bag so that’s what he did, took one for the team to win, no one ever looked like losing their match and Tweeds said that he was really happy to be the sacrificial lamb so the team can succeed. Tweeds, we all appreciate what you did for us that day for us to stay in Div 2 but as your captain and friend next time bring your A+ game instead and let’s see what happens with the rest of the team.
I want to give a big thanks to Phil Kells for leading us this year and let’s all work on our game and come back next year and win the division.
Thanks so much to you all, I loved battling it out with you.
Your part time Captain
Julian Jackson
L-R: Wayne Wright, Julian Jackson, David Brown, Sean Collins, Paul Volck, David Watkins, Darryl Tweedale (absent Brenton Quigley)
Master Pennants 2025 – Round 5 – MGC v Bankstown GC – Sunday 15.6.25
Round 5 was a pivotal moment in our season – a must win fixture if we were to keep our hopes alive of avoiding the relegation match on June 29. Hosting Bankstown, who were themselves still in the mix for both the section title and the relegation zone, the stakes were high for both sides.
We teed off early in cool, dewy conditions, with the course presented in fantastic shape. Despite the familiar surroundings and a clear sense of urgency, we were once again unable to convert that into a home victory.
While there were some tightly contested matches, the final 6 – 2 scoreline reflected the challenge we faced.
There were a couple of bright spots – David Watkins notched a composed 4 & 3 win, and I managed a 6 & 4 result – but they were isolated moments in an otherwise difficult day. Andy Webber and John Gregory both pushed deep into their matches but ultimately fell short on the 17th, going down 2 & 1 and 3 & 1 respectively.
It’s a short season, and the margin for error is slim. The washout in Round 2 put us under pressure early, but we simply haven’t done enough to recover. In a strong and competitive section, we’ve found ourselves on the back foot too often.
With this result, our place in the relegation playoff is now confirmed. While next week’s away fixture at Bankstown will be about restoring some pride, our full focus shifts to June 29—an opportunity to reset, regroup, and fight to retain our Division 2 status.
I am out of the country for the remaining matches, however I would like to take a moment to thank the squad this year for remaining positive despite our challenges this season. Julian Jackson will be taking over for what is now the last 2 rounds and I have every confidence the team can get this done.
Phil Kells
Master Pennant Captain/Manager
Master Pennants 2025 – Round 4 – MGC v Castle Hill GC – Sunday 8.6.25
It was a cold, blustery Sunday when we made the trip to Castle Hillfor our fourth-round matches. The course was in excellent shape, and we were all looking forward to playing.
On the front nine, most of our matches stayed close, but the locals’ familiarity with the course began to show on the back nine and a few matches slipped away. Our first result was the highlight: Julian Jackson played a steady round and closed out his match 6&5.
Michael O’Sullivan, Sean Collins and Paul Volck fought hard but finished 5&3, 4&3 and 4&3 respectively. David King drove the ball well all day but couldn’t find his rhythm on the greens, going down 3&2 at the 16th. Darryl Tweedale and David Watkins both took their matches to the 17th hole before conceding 3&1 and 2&1. I managed to square up at 18 but just missed the putt to get the half, losing by one.
End result, a 7-1 loss.
Congratulations to Julian for a strong performance on an otherwise tough day. We regroup quickly – next Sunday we’re back at home against Bankstown, and we’ll be aiming to turn these tight matches into wins.
Phil Kells
Team Manager
Master Pennants 2025 – Round 3 – MGC v Oatlands GC at Manly GC – Sunday 1.6.25
Following the disappointment of last week’s home washout, which resulted in a draw, we found ourselves on the back foot and needing a strong home win against Oatlands to reignite our season.
The team delivered several excellent performances, with standout victories from David Watkins (4&3), David Brown (2&1), and Michael O’Sullivan (3&1).
However, we came up short in a number of tightly contested matches, with losses on the 17th for Darryl Tweedale (2&1), Fred Charette (3&1), and myself (2&1).
Despite solid efforts, Paul Volck and John Gregory, who both impressed away at Oatlands in Week 1, were unable to replicate those performances this time around.
The final result was a 3–5 home loss, leaving us in a precarious position as the season progresses. There’s still much work to do to avoid a relegation match.
Next up, we face Castle Hill away, followed by a home match against Bankstown the week after.
Phil Kells
Team Manager
MASTERS PENNANTS 2025 – Round 1, MGC v Oatlands GC at Oatlands– Sunday 18.5.25
Today our fearless leader – Phil Kells – was away on work duties in the US. So I – Julian Jackson – filled in as Team Manager / Coach / Motivator. And if my performance was to be judged on the team’s success, I’ll never be offered this role again.
The day started out under the umbrellas with wet conditions across the golf course. Our numbers 8 (Paul Volck) and 7 (John Gregory) started us off. Paul took his match all the way to the final hole, fighting to the very end but losing it on the green. John won his match on the 17th hole (2 and 1) – a win that stood alone at the end of the day (well done John!).
Our next two players out were Fred Charette (at 6) and Sean Collins (at 5) – who both played strongly, fighting all the way. Fred lost on the 17th hole (2 and 1) and Sean took his opponent to 18th, only to find defeat on the green (losing 1 down).
Then came our numbers 4 (David King) and 3 (myself). David, under the umbrella and wearing rain gear, did not feel he was having his best game from the first swing. His opponent was a putting machine…sinking everything in sight. David went down 7 and 6 – and was pretty happy the day was over. I had a better time of it (but only just) – going 5 and 3. Enough said about that round.
Our final players of David Brown (at 2) and David Watkins (at 1) carried the team’s hopes on their shoulders. Brownie took the match all the way to the final hole – but like so many of the team before him, losing it on the 18th. David W was up over the whole match, only to have his opponent sink a 15ft putt to square the match. No shame in a square! Well done David W.
So, a pretty wet and rough day out on the course for the team – losing 6.5 to 1.5. Hoping for better results – with superior leadership (welcoming Phil back) – at home next week.
Julian Jackson
Team Day Manager
