The successful Eden Golf Club pennant side of Nathan Goodrich, left, Lachlan Rooney, Corey Hardy, Michael Aucote and Patrick Kearney will take on Northern NSW in the Encourage Shield state final series on January 19. Absent: Corey Spink.
The Eden Gardens Country Club junior pennant side will clash with Port Macquarie in the Encourage Shield state final series at Newcastle’s Stockton Golf Club on January 19.
If the reigning Far South Coast and Southern Division junior pennant champions are victorious against the Northern NSW victors, they will then clash with the winner of the Central versus Metropolitan encounter.
The local lads qualified for the Encourage Shield final series after defeating Thurgoona Golf Club, of Albury, 4-2 at Belconnen on Sunday.
With temperatures reaching the high 30s, matches were tightly contested around the narrow tree lined course.
Unfortunately Eden could only field a team of five golfers instead of the regular six due to injury and prior commitments.
Despite teeing off one player down, the Eden team remained determined and optimistic of a strong showing.
Number one Michael Aucote got off to a fantastic start, playing under his handicap to win his match 3/2.
And after Nathan Goodrich won his match 4/2, the Eden boys were on top and looking good.
Patrick Kearney, Lachlan Rooney and Corey Hardy all received shots from their opponents, but that did not make it clear sailing for the boys.
Both Patrick and Corey were four down at one stage during their matches, but dug deep to square their matches on the 18th hole.
Lachlan’s match could have gone either way, but he hung on to win on the 17th hole, securing Eden’s 4/2 victory.
The Eden Golf Club congratulated the players, coach Lisa Newling and managers Grant Inwood and Matt Kearney, for an outstanding performance.
