Wynyard ends title drought with close win

WYNYARD Golf Club is the toast of the North West Coast after taking out division one of the state men’s pennant finals on Sunday.

In the 36-hole contest at Ulverstone Golf Club, the Wynyard crew beat Tasmania 4-3 in a thrilling encounter.

Tasmania started favourite after defeating Launceston the day before in the preliminary final and secured early victories through Josh Spaulding and Andrew Phillips.

Wynyard fought back with junior member Jack Lakin routing Brett Geeves 8&6, giv- ing Tasmania a 2-1 lead with four matches remaining.

Tasmania Golf Club’s Mark Schulze sealed the No. 3 match, beating Heath Middap 3&2. However, celebrations were short-lived with Wynyard’s higher to middle order capturing the remaining three matches.

At No. 1, Craig Hancock beat Nathan Gatehouse 6&5, Paul Marshall beat Paul Read 3&2 and Paul Harding overcame Richard Kube 4&3.

Sunday’s victory is Wynyard’s third division one title and the club’s first since 2004.

Tasmania Golf Club bounced back in the remaining 18-hole finals with a 5-2 win over Thirlstane in division two and a 5½-1½ victory over Wynyard in division three.

In division two, Tasmania’s Oscar Burrell defeated Jason Sims 5&4, Dylan Backhouse beat Kodie Clarke 2up, Paul Faulks overcame Rick Tim- merman 2&1 and Neil Faulks defeated Matt Clarke 2&1. Best for Tasmania in division three were Alex Johnston, Lachlan White, Bill Wellington, Darren Pybus and Match Stalker. PROSPECT Vale Golf Club will start favourite to take out this year’s division one Tasmanian women’s pennant final this weekend.

The ladies from the North will have to overcome Royal Hobart and Ulverstone to claim the state title and lift the prestigious shield.

All three teams have earned the right to contest this year’s state pennant finals, which start on Sunday. The premier division will see Prospect Vale take on Royal Hobart on Sunday morning with the winner lining up against Ulverstone on Monday morning.

In division two, Claremont will tackle Elderslie in the first semi-final while Thirlstane will battle it out against Prospect Vale in the second semi-final.

Exeter and Seabrook will lock horns while Tasmania and New Town Bay Golf Club will decide the second division three qualifier.

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