So near for our golfers

GEELONG fell agonisingly short of claiming the Division 1 crown at the Country Week golf championships yesterday.

In its return to the Shield Division after earning promotion last year, Geelong finished second with two matches separating it from champion Golf Peninsula.

Geelong won three of its four rounds with its only loss at the hands of West Gippsland (4-3).

Captain Stewart Drayton said Geelong’s young team had shown it had a bright future.

“To lose by two individual games (is a bit disappointing). It turned out that (4-3 loss to West Gippsland) cost us,” Drayton said.

“It was a step in the right direction. We had three first timers up there and they all played well, so they will build on that for next year.

“It was a squad that was almost as strong as we could possibly have. Maybe only the likes of Brad Dunn and Jack (Murdoch) were missing.

“But then the younger guys wouldn’t get the opportunity and they did deserve their spot. And they backed that (faith) up with the results they had.”

Geelong recorded wins over Golf Peninsula (4-3), Ballarat (6-1) and North Eastern (7-0).

Rising star Ben Henkel, fresh from his Curlewis club championship win, impressed in his debut.

Loren Bunting, Tyson Gil and Todd Morgan all went through their matches undefeated.

“It was Tyson’s first year and he managed three wins from three matches,” Drayton said.

“Loren hadn’t played for a couple of years but he played at seven and really got us off to a great start with four wins.

“Todd missed the afternoon in Round 2, the one we lost, because he is coming back from an ankle problem.”

Drayton praised the effort of Country Week organiser Greg Bennett for bringing everything together.

“The way they have taken Country Week, the support they have put behind the players. We are getting the results now because the support is there and the players are happy to go,” he said.

“It’s really good to see and I’d like to think the boys will want to come back and give it another go next year.”