Published on 1st December 2020

PACK Cup 2020

PACK Cup Final – Sunday, 29 November
Last Sunday November 29th the final match of the 2020 Pack Cup season was played at Pennant Hills GC with the host competing with the table leader Killara who were ultimately victorious with a 5 matches to 3 win. By all accounts it was a very closely contested final with 4 of the 8 matches being decided on the 18th hole. No doubt Killara were the strongest side this season and were the deserved winners but it was great for Pennant Hills to reach the final after several years of retaining the 5th place Wallace Toogood Trophy. Given the horrendously hot and windy weather conditions it was agreed that the players were allowed to compete in carts. According to both teams, play would not have been possible without the use of carts in these dangerous conditions.

For the remaining 3 clubs, Concord GC having finished in 3rd place on equal points with Avondale GC, but with a slightly better match differential, were therefore not required to play. That left Avondale and Pymble to play for the Wallace Toogood Trophy. After close monitoring of the weather in the days leading up to the Final and Last Place playoff, and given the fact that there were not sufficient carts available, it was decided that the latter would not proceed. With player health and safety being the primary concern to the team managers Avondale were prepared to forfeit however in the spirit of true sportsmanship it was agreed that Avondale and Pymble would share the Wallace Toogood Trophy for the this year. A fair outcome that was applauded by all involved.

So that wraps up this year’s Pack Cup season with Avondale recording 2 wins and 2 losses. Weather played a huge part in the results this year. We could have been forgiven for thinking we were playing in Melbourne with all 4 seasons in one month. Torrential rain to a heatwave conditions. We had it all.

In closing it was great to have 2 new members, being Tim Shorter and Mark Lawler in the ranks this year, and really solid performances by the entire team with Ian Skinner in his two matches being the only player from the team that was undefeated. Thank you to Mark Bayliss, Hayley McNeill and the Match Committee for their support.

Alan Bowman
Team Manager


Round Five – Avondale vs. Pymble at Concord 
Last Sunday the Avondale team travelled to Concord GC for round 5 of the 2020 Pack Cup.

It was an incredibly busy day at Concord GC with the finals of their men’s Club Championship and the other semi-final of the Women’s Major Pennants (Concord vs St. Michaels) underway before the start of the Pack Cup competition. As expected the course was prepared perfectly, made challenging with very fast greens and tight pin positions, played in hot and humid conditions

Inspired by the success of the Eric Apperly  team the previous week, and knowing we needed an 8-0  whitewash victory and the other result to go our way to earn a place in the final, the Avondale team put up a brilliant performance defeating Pymble GC by 7 to 1. To reach the final we also needed Killara to beat Pennant Hills however that match finished 4 all. In the end it was all very close but two earlier defeats dented out ambition this year.

Tony Sinclair (8) finding renewed form won 2 up along side Ian Skinner who, on the back of his A reserve club championship win,  totally dominated his match winning 6 and 5. Solid as ever John Johralik (6) was impressive with a sound 3 and 2 win. Mark Lawlyer coming off his first loss of the season last week delivered against a very determined Pymble opponent recording a 2 and 1 win. David Roche (4) played very soundly but regrettably it what was not to be his day coming up against a long hitting Pymble opponent that simple played error free golf losing 6 and 5. Alan Bowman (3) threw off three previous losses to win 1 up on the last hole against the Pymble team captain.

In the final pairing Tim Shorter (2) defeated one of Pymbles’ most experienced players 2 and 1 with Greg Smith (1) topping off the match with a brilliant  3and 2 win.

A very big Thank You to Richard Lloyd for coming out to support the team and capture some great action photo’s.

Link to Interclub results page

http://www.interclub.com.au/guests/pack/results.mhtml

Next weekend 29th November we travel again the Pennant Hills. As expected Killara GC take their place in the final against this year’s rising performers Pennant Hills GC. Concord having finished 3rd  overall get the week off finishing 3rd  with Avondale again play Pymble for the Wallace/Toogood Trophy.

Alan Bowman
Team Captain


Round Four – Avondale vs. Killara at Pennant Hills 
Result: Killara defeated Avondale 6 matches to 2

We knew going into this match that we would be a up against a very strong Killara side but, even knowing that, there was a sense of confidence that we could achieve a positive result. The team was shuffled around slightly with every member putting in a great effort. Through the front nine the results were in the balance with the matches poised at 4 each all within 1 or 2 holes either way.

The back nine however proved to be a different story. David Worrad (8) lost 3 and 2 against the experienced Killara playing manager. John Vohralik (7) who, after a 2 week surfing vacation (nice for some!) pleaded to be played down the order to which he duly repaid with great victory 3 and 2. Tony Sinclair (6)  had a tremendous battle only to finally come up short losing 2 and 1. After two terrific wins previously Mark Lawler (5) lost his first match to a big hitting opponent 3 and 2.

In another gritty and determined display David Roche (4) delivered a resounding result defeating his opponent 5 and 4. It must has been the infamous “week down the river” where he finely tuned his game. From here the afternoon proved to be very challenging for the top 3 spots. Alan Bowman (3) lost 4 and 3. Tim Shorter (2) having been down by 5 earlier in the match eventually lost 3 and 2 with Greg Smith (1) going down 5 and 3. Let’s just say it was a tough day at the office but played in a great fighting spirit and comradery.

Next week the Pack Cup team travels to Concord GC to play Pymble with Avondale starting at 12.24 off the first tee followed by Pennant Hills vs Killara. Incidentally the Pack Cup is being played on the same day Concord GC have 6 championship finals, 5 of which play 36 holes, plus the Women’s Major Metropolitan Pennant Semi-Final.  Any members looking to watch some golf next weekend then head out to Concord GC.

On behalf of the PACK Cup team a huge congratulations to our incredible Eric Apperly Shield 2020 winners.

Alan Bowman
Team Manager


Round Two – Avondale vs. Concord at Killara
In the first time in several years that I can recall Avondale defeated multiple recent past PACK Cup winners Concord 4 ½ to 3 ½ at rain soaked Killara GC. It was a thrilling afternoon coming down to the very last putt of the match on the 18th to determine the winner. Such a good win I am not going to talk about the weather!

In the first pairing Richard Lloyd (8) and Wayne Leamon (7) encountered two very strong Concord players both losing 6 and 4 and 6 and 5 respectively. Mark Lawler (6) continued his impressive PACK Cup debut claiming a solid 4 and 3 win alongside Tony Sinclair (5)  who, with a return to form against a very strong Concord opponent, recorded an All Square result. Being elevated up the order David Roche (4) played out an enthralling match against former a Concord club champion coming from 2 down behind midway through the back nine. After a brilliant chip close on the 16th  to get within one, David played a wonderful 4 iron into the par 3 17th making par to go all square and then sinking a 3 metre putt on 18 for par to win the match. Alan Bowman (3) was merely at spectator at that point after being 6 down after 9 holes to some spectacular putting by his Concord opponent  finally losing 4 and 3. As we have come to expect the matches in the lead group are always close. Although very tight for most of the afternoon Greg Smith (1) finished strongly and recorded a convincing win against Concord’s number one player winning 3 and 1. In the same grouping it came down to the wire with Tim Shorter (2) leading 1 up at the last to sink a 2m putt leaving his opponent a short but very ticklish downhill putt to win the hole to square the match only to see the putt slide right giving Tim a well-earned first PACK Cup win and, unbeknown to Tim at the time, a win for the entire Avondale match.

Individual Result Summary:
Greg Smith W 3 and 1
Tim Shorter 1 Up
Alan Bowman L 4 and 3
David Roche 1 Up
Tony Sinclair All Square
Mark Lawler W 4 and 3
Wayne Leamon L 6 and 5
Richard Lloyd L 6 and 4

In the other match of the day Pymble defeated Pennant Hills 5 and 3. Next Sunday 8th November Avondale GC play host to the visiting clubs with matches starting at 12.15 off the 3rd (Pennant Hills vs Concord) and 12.35 off the 1st (Killara vs Pymble)

Alan Bowman
Team Manager


Round One – Avondale vs. Pennant Hills at Pymble
Unfortunately not great news to report after Round One of 2020 Pack Cup. In atrocious weather conditions Avondale were defeated 6 ½ to 1 ½ by a new look and determined Pennant Hills team at Pymble GC. On a brighter note it was a first time outing for PACK Cup newcomers Tim Shorter (2) and Mark Lawler (8) with Tim Shorter fighting hard from being 4 down early to eventually lose 2 and 1 and, our real bright spot of the day with Mark Lawler winning impressively 3 and 2. Well done Mark!

Most of the games were close hard fought encounters. As always in the number 1 spot Greg Smith (1) had an arm wrestle all day finishing 1 down. Ian Skinner (7) with a continued run of form finished All Square with the match abandoned after 17 with the 18th unplayable due to water on the green. Alan (3) and John (4) both had difficult match ups with 2 very strong players and while at times the scoring was close neither were not able to get on top at any stage. Similarly David Roche (5) and David Worrad (6) had to fight hard to close the gap after nine holes to finish down 2 and 1 and 3 and 2 respectively.

Individual Result Summary:
Greg Smith L 1 Down
Tim Shorter L 2 and 1
Alan Bowman L 5 and 4
John Vohralik L 5 and 4
David Roche L 2 and 1
David Worrad L 3 and 2
Ian Skinner A/S
Mark Lawler W 3 and 2

In the other match of the day, Concord and Killara played out a 4-all draw. Next week we travel to Killara GC to play Concord which is always a tough match up.

Alan Bowman
Team Manager

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